Empowerment. Engagement. Authenticity.

Interpreting What We Read

Excerpt

“Things that travelled through the air enchanted him – things that soared, swooped or dived, things flying and fluttering in freedom. Whether it be bird or butterfly, a paper dart or a falling leaf, he never tired of trying to possess it. Aware of his fascination, sometimes the children would toss a ball or twig or pebble his way, but always slightly out of reach. Always he would gamely persevere to catch it and fall over himself. Or the would throw a football away from him, then stand back and watch him stumble after it. Just when he thought he was catching up, his uncoordinated feet would kick the ball even further, and his frustrating chase began all over again.” – Rohinton Mistry, Such A Long Journey

/p> Interpretation


This description tore at my heart when I read it because it revealed so much more than Tehmul’s poor athleticism. Indeed, this paragraph is a metaphor for Tehmul’s life. The first sentence makes the reader acutely aware of Tehmul’s physical limitations and the frustration of such a state. The second sentence emphasizes how hard he tries to fit in and how much he wants such freedom. The fact that everything he chases is always out of reach, or pushed further away by his own ineptness, demonstrates the futility of his life and the challenges he will ever be up against. His persistence shines through here, as does his yearning for acceptance.

 

 (c) Kristy Kassie, 2006

 

Interpreting What You Read

When you read, it is important to pause and consider what the words mean and what the sentence, paragraph or chapter tells you about the characters, plot, setting and the story as a whole.