E. Pauline
Johnson’s story, As It Was in the Beginning, was very interesting to read. Instead
of the usual romantic moments and happy endings, it depicts dark thoughts and
sad ending. However, as I was intrigued with the plot and the characterization,
I could not help but disagree with Esther’s way of thinking. In my opinion,
killing is never a good solution nor is it the right thing to do. I understand
Esther’s anger towards Father Paul’s words about how Lawrence should not marry her
because of her skin color and where her parents are from. Racism is never a
good thing to heat, and it can be quiet upsetting to hear those kinds of words
from the people whom you respect. Her jealousy is understandable, too. It is
not an unusual thing to feel when you love someone. Still, that does not give
her the right to kill Lawrence. I do not believe that Esther did that out of
her love for Lawrence. It was done out of hurt and anger. If she was able to
kill the one she loves and flee from the scene just like that, I doubt that she
even loves him in the first place.
A
lot of people say that love can kill. Either you kill the one you love, other
people, or even yourself. I partly agree with that saying, because there are
situations where death seems like the better or even best option. For example, when
your loved ones are suffering from an incurable illness and the only thing
keeping them alive are some life-supporting machines. Can you bear with the
thoughts that they are hurting every single day and night? Maybe it is better
to end their misery and let them rest in peace rather than making them live in
pain. But of course, that decision should depend on their concern, unless they
are in a coma or unconscious. Because, as much as we love and want the best for
them, we should never disregard their opinions and wants.
I
do not agree, however, with the case where a mother killed her children and herself
in fear of them not having a good future. How could she think that death is the
only solution when what she feared has not even happened yet? I really cannot
understand this. Her action was not based on love; it was based on her cowardice
and fears. She did bot has enough confidence in herself and her children. She was
afraid of what people would say if she failed to raise her children, she feared
the shame she might has to endure if her children were nor successful, and she
doubted that her children would have a bright future. Those are not love. She would
not give up before the actual fight if she truly loved them. She should not. No
love gives you the right to decide other people’s future. Only God knows what
will happen later, we should not interfere just because of what we think might
happen. If that mother really loved her children, she should give them the
chance to live their life and brace their future, no matter how good or bad
that future is. If her worry turns out to be true and her children fail to have
a good life, then she should help them get back on their feet and face it
together. That is how love should be for me, to stay together in good or bad.
One
thing that perks my interest is alteristic love. It brings so many questions in
my head. Is there such a thing as alteristic love? Can someone really sacrifice
themselves for the people they love? Am I willing to sacrifice myself for love?
Is there anyone out there who would do this for me? I am still not entirely
sure about the answer of these questions, but I think it is a beautiful and
amazing thing if you are able to sacrifice yourself for your love. Like the one
in the Finding Nemo movie. Even though they were arguing when they were separated,
the father still care about his son and
did his best to get his son back. He went far away from home, came across
sharks in the way, got lost a few times, rode a dangerous current, swan through
jelly fishes, and he never gave up until he reunited with his son. That kind of
love and sacrifice is very touching and inspiring for me. How he didn’t care
about himself and risk his life just to meet his son again.
Love
is a beautiful thing. We should not taint it with greed, jealousy, anger and
selfishness. It should be the source of strength, not weakness. I think love cannot
give a license to kill. If you can kill someone you love because you don’t want
him to be with someone else, like what Esther did in Johnson’s story. That is
not love. That is her possessiveness and greed taking control of her.
In
conclusion, I partly agree with the idea of killing people or suicide out of
love. Not the ones done out of greed, jealousy and possessiveness, but the ones
which are done in order to put the people we love out of misery or pain. I believe
alteristic love is justified, as long as it is still acceptable from moral or
religious standpoints. Sacrificing our self for love is good, unless you over
do it to the point where you purposely harm yourself.
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