A Means of Existence Essay Example

father Ray feeling deserted, a sentiment which is exacerbated by their stifling religious community.

The desertion leaves Nomi and Ray with only each other, compelling them to function together as a petite family unit. Deprived of her feminine mentors, Nomi is made to grow up prematurely and foster an independent, unconventional perspective on existence. Similar encounters of losing family members can be found in Anne of Green Gables. Anne mentions she had lived in the orphanage all those years due to a devastating accident that resulted in the death of both her parents stating, “That’s why I had lived in the asylum all those years. There was a terrible accident that took the lives of both my ma and pa. It’s all quite sad, you know”, (17, Montgomery). Following the heartbreaking fire incident that killed Anne's parents, she finds herself orphaned.

In the absence of parental guidance, Anne becomes self-reliant and begins to focus on life's positives instead of negatives. This transformation facilitates Anne's transition into an optimistic teenager. Both books vividly portray the consequences of a collapsing family structure. Both Nomi and Anne respond to these circumstances with resilience, leading them to develop a set of traits that guide them in discovering their identities. In both works, through independence and cherishing their loved ones, Nomi and Anne mature.

In A Complicated Kindness, Nomi comes to understand her identity when she is faced with the possible death of her mother, Trudie. There's a scene where "The Mouth" speculated that perhaps Trudie had committed suicide due to feelings of guilt and regret, "The Mouth had suggested once that my mother might have killed herself out of guilt and

regret. I think it was the ending he most enjoyed, the typically grim outcome that made sense to him", (245, Toews). The suggestion is made by Nomi's uncle, who also happens to be the head of their community, implying that perhaps Trudie's departure from the community had led her to take her own life. Nomi is made to consider this possibility considering Trudie had left East Village without taking her passport with her.

Nomi is deeply unsettled, leading her to revisit her past family life before her abandonment. This introspection helps her understand her true self. A parallel is drawn with the narrative of Anne of Green Gables, at the point where Anne's paternal figure, Matthew passes away. Anne expresses, “I wish to stay still and silent, striving to comprehend this reality. It appears nearly impossible to fathom. Sometimes it feels as if Matthew's death is not real; alternately, it seems as if his death occurred long ago and I've carried this incessant, dreadful pain ever since", (299, Montgomery).

Upon receiving word at school about Matthew's heart attack and subsequent death, Anne returns home. She finds herself encapsulated by the grief of Matthew’s passing, yet struggles to come to terms with his absence. His demise enables Anne to discern her true capabilities and the significance of her existence. The experience of death is a mutual theme in both 'A Complicated Kindness' and 'Anne of Green Gables'. While mortality influences numerous characters in these novels, it's particularly impactful for Nomi and Anne who channel their grief into personal growth.

The demise has instigated significant changes in the lives of the two characters - Nomi chooses to depart from her

East Village community, while Anne rejects her Queens University scholarship to stay with Marilla, her maternal figure. In the end, it is Nomi's spiritual demise that truly defines her as an individual, as she struggles to adhere to her faith, “People here just can’t wait to die, it seems. It’s the main event. The only reason we’re not all snuffed at birth is because that would reduce our suffering by a lifetime. But I’ll have no part of that”, (5, Toews). As a member of the Mennonite community, Nomi is supposed to abide by her religious beliefs.

The concept of the afterlife is a significant aspect of religion for Mennonites, as highlighted by Nomi who suggests that this is what most people live for. However, rather than conforming to the commonly held negative perspectives on life, Nomi chooses to challenge her faith and live her life as she sees fit. Similarly, in Anne of Green Gables, the diminishing role of religion contributes to Anne's evolving identity as she consciously rejects Catholicism, “Anne hoped that tears would come in solitude…she found it challenging to comprehend, how God could take away such a loved one from the world. That night Anne did not pray” (315, Montgomery).

As the book develops, Anne becomes deeply entrenched in her faith, but after Matthew's demise, she rejects everything she once held dear. She grapples with understanding why God chose to take Matthew, causing her to feel betrayed by her own faith. In both A Complicated Kindness and Anne of Green Gables, there's a compelling narrative where the central characters renounce their religious beliefs due to an internal epiphany. Nomi's was driven by

her wish to live as opposed to a longing for death, and Anne's epiphany transpired after Matthew's death, feeling duped and disenchanted by God.

Consequently, death can be interpreted as a triggering element in the development of personal identity. Particularly in "A Complicated Kindness" and "Anne of Green Gables," there are certain portrayals that endorse the theme of death with regards to family, existence, and faith. The protagonists, Nomi and Anne, journey through dissimilar but parallel circumstances which result in profound personal growth, even in the severest of situations. Through the disintegration of familial ties, the demise of loved ones and the rejection of religious beliefs, it becomes evident that Nomi and Anne are not only captains of their destinies but also cognizant of their identity.

Even the most adverse circumstances can sometimes inspire a fresh perspective and renewed optimism. We are defined in society by our expectations, which shape our identity. This concept is validated through religious, socio-cultural, and personal expectations. For example, in the novel A Complicated Kindness, Nomi's character is shaped by the expectations of her faith. The text suggests "Imagine the most maladjusted child in your school forming a distinct group of people who support a code that sabotages media, dancing, smoking, moderate climates, cinema, alcohol, rock n' roll, recreational sex, swimming, cosmetics, jewellery...that was a reflection of Menno in every way",(5, Toews).

Nomi's exacting faith imposes specific behavioral expectations on her, hindering her participation in several activities typically undertaken by children her age. Consequently, she chooses to resist these religious rules and strike out on her own, gaining distinct life experiences in the process. An analogous situation can be seen in the

case of Anne from "Anne of Green Gables", who struggles to adapt to her fresh surroundings and community. They tell her, "We're not talking about poetry, Anne - we are talking about saying your prayers.

Aren't you aware that neglecting to pray each night is a terribly sinful act? I fear you might be misbehaving, young girl", (50, Montgomery). Considering Anne's background from an orphanage, she struggles to adapt socially and religiously with her adoptive kinfolk. The religious norms in her new surroundings differ vastly from those in the orphanage. Inevitably, Anne faces consequences for her inadequate comprehension of Catholicism. In a similar vein, both novels depict Nomi and Anne grappling with religious anticipations.

The struggle to conform to religious norms is experienced by both girls, but through this struggle they come to a deep understanding of their own faith, ultimately shaping their identity. This is closely followed by a genuine sense of fulfillment as they become more committed to their beliefs. Nomi, for instance, is molded into an individual due to prevailing social expectations, saying "But that's the thing about this town - there's no room for in between. You're in or you're out. You're good or you're bad. Actually, very good or very bad", (10, Toews).

Nomi faces pressure from her autocratic community, where her peers have set expectations for her. However, her unique personality doesn't conform to the norm, causing her to be excluded from social circles. Despite being misunderstood by many in her community, Nomi disregards their criticism and persists in her pursuit of personal happiness. Similarly, Anne also undergoes changes due to societal expectations. Growing up, she struggles with the demanding role of

a young woman, expressing her dislike for it and doubts about her ability to meet the standards, by saying "It's perfectly awful stuff, Marilla. I'm sure I'll never be able to sew like you or Diana."

Questioning, "Why must I remain indoors learning such monotonous tasks, while the boys have the privilege of playing outside?", (106, Montgomery). Anne aim is to be an ideal part member of the society, but still remains loyal to her own character. She would rather join the boys and play but is required to acquire sewing skills like all other girls of her age. Anne's uniqueness is often a subject of concern for many people in the community, yet as seen at the story's culmination, these differences are what set her apart and makes her attractive. Therefore, it's evident that both Nomi and Anne's identities are significantly shaped by societal norms.

Both girls, perceived as social outcasts in their societies, embody uniqueness that stems from living authentically. They assertively defend their passions which initially invites ridicule but eventually leads to recognition of their genuine personas. Notably, the personal standards Nomi and Anne set for themselves deeply shape their identities. Nomi demonstrates significant personal evolution by the end of her narrative, contrasting with her prior pessimistic outlook on herself, encapsulated by her early statement "I'm already anticipating failure. That much I've learned to do."

Nevertheless, as I'm breaking delicate necks and discarding feathery bodies onto a conveyor belt in a dimly illuminated, cinder-block slaughterhouse on the outskirts of an alien town, how will it bother me?" (1, Toews). From the start, Nomi is incredibly negative about her future or perceived absence of it because

she internally assumes that she will blend in with the societal norms around her. However, by the culmination of the novel, Nomi decisively knows that she is departing her town in search for an improved life where she can find a fulfilling career that brings her happiness and helps her feel complete as an individual.

Similarly, Anne's self-identity is bolstered when she remains optimistic about her future prospects, "All the years ahead were enticingly hers with potentiality painted rose-colored in the forthcoming years - each year a strand of hope to be interwoven into an everlasting garland", (289, Montgomery). As the novel reaches its conclusion, the young girl who was initially ostracized by her community, confidently frames ambitions and aspirations for herself. Anne undergoes a transformation and finds satisfaction in the individual she evolves into. Hence, both Nomi and Anne gradually discover their identities by aligning themselves with their respective societal expectations.

Both characters demonstrate significant development starting from the initial part of the book. The final point is, our identities in the world are shaped by our expectations. This is clearly seen in A Complicated Kindness and Anne of Green Gables, where it's evident that Nomi and Anne discover a fresh self-awareness through anticipations from their faith, their communities, and their individual outlooks. Expectations lead to objectives, and both characters establish and accomplish their objectives driven by internal and external factors. Expectations might prove to be challenging, yet they fortify our character and nurture our unique identities.