A hearty debate came about in class on Monday on whether the character Topaz from Ethel Wilson's The Innocent Traveler is worth an entire novel. Looking at it from one perspective she did not do anything extraordinary. As a matter of fact she was completely ordinary. The novel seemed like it was merely a synopsis of a person's life, just like any other person's. We might as well get our nieces to publish books on our life stories since it would amount to the same thing. All of us have some interesting events that occurred in our lives that can be easily scribbled onto a couple of pages. So why in this case did this rather simple woman deserve a novel?
Just the concept that Topaz did not change from the time she was five to the age of 95 is astonishing. The idea is so surreal and far fetched that its difficult to even grasp. I changed since last year and I have changed countless times since I was five. Most people do not even live till the age of 95 let alone stay the exact same person for all those years. It does not seem possible for someone to never grow up.
This is especially true in today's society because there is such a pressure to grow up, and act mature. That is why Topaz's character seems so unrealistic. Once you are at a certain age, usually around 12, it is no longer appropriate to act childish. Adulthood takes over and it is all about responsibilities, pulling your weight, hardships and a serious nature. This concept of being a child forever is not realistic and does not seem attainable.
Even the idea of being free-spirited is easier said than done. Everything in our world is rush, rush, rush; just about making ends meet. We do not leave time to live and enjoy things anymore. The way most of us live our lives is exactly what Topaz always stood against. So many times I catch myself saying " it would be nice to go back to being a child because everything was easy and happy." It is true I would love to go back to the days where I was a naive little girl and that is where i am jealous of Topaz because even at age 95, she still is that free-spirited, happy, naive girl.
Topaz's personality is very different from what we are used to seeing and in a way the novels shows us what life would be like if we actually could go back to being six again or if we could stay six forever. When looking at it from this perspective I do believe that her life is novel worthy.
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3 comments:
Sorry i did not realise that i actually did not post it. It was saved on my drafts the whole time.
I totally agree with you Claudia. I think that Topaz is definitely novel-worthy just based on the fact that she didn't change, which makes her completely unique. This may make her frustrating and naive, but sometimes it would be nice to live those carefree days again, so in some ways, I'm almost envious.
i sure as hell wish i was 6 or 7 years old again... back to a simpler time, where being naive is just the way you live! the biggest problem on your mind is what to do with all your free time. sometimes growing up sucks... to have the naivety of a child and the mind of an adult - well you know what they say, "ignorance is bliss".
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