For this unit in Literature, we had to pick between "Sense and Sensibility" (by Jane Austen) and Night (by Elie Wiesel.) Turns out most of the class picked Sense and Sensibility. Only three of us picked Night. I wonder why?? Isn't it always better to pick a true story over a fictional piece? Don't we learn real life lessons from the experiences of others?
Our class discussions run for a whole week and our responses are "graded" too! And it was just three people this time. One of the other boys posted his responses first in German. Google Translator to the rescue. Then I pointed out that Elie Wiesel had first written his book in Yiddish. His posts changed to Hebrew after that. Again Google Translator to the rescue. But really, it was fun in a way.
On some fronts, optimism is dangerous such as those experienced by the Jews living in Signet during World War II. Elie Wiesel (holocaust survivor) portrays the Jews of Sighet, somewhat like ostriches with their heads buried in the sand, who think they are somehow safe - all the way to Auschwitz. Yet, in a way, optimism is what kept Eliezer alive. The human will to survive ceases, if optimism dies.
Optimism is all the more essential in today’s world. Look at the case of the Chilean Miners, who were trapped so long underground. Should they have given up all hopes of rescue? Should the rescuers have given up hopes of finding them alive either? The power of positive thinking often gives an impetus toward finding solutions. It also lends itself to other positive qualities like creativity, patience and forbearance in man. This allows him more mental clarity in which to carry out his tasks.
This discussion of Optimism inspired a poem titled "Optimism Sans Realism"