The Meaning of Life In Literature

Almost every human being is faced with the philosophy of their meaning of life; why they were placed in the setting they are in and what they feel the need to accomplish in their lifetime. Because this question is such a broad, vastly fully unanswerable one, it can be argued that characters in fiction often try and find meaning based on the setting, or environment they find themselves in. Characters might often find themselves on journeys to sudden epiphany, typically in their immediate or close setting in hopes to answer that big question about themselves. Having said that, the meaning of life is always perceived on the basis of opinion, on what the character finds true to themselves, or what we as readers find true to them. Some come to create and realize their own personal meaning, others are ultimately given a meaning with no real personal insight, while others choose to forget the meaning of a real life and find meaning in a secret life. Although it may not be a question needing an answer to many, it is still one that exists. Though there will never be one encompassing answer that relates to all of lifes situations, it is an answer completely reflecting the life journey we took to reach it.

It is sometimes found that individuals create their own personal meaning based closely on their environment and the understanding they have about it. As discovered in Patricia McKillip’s Changeling Sea, the fantasy story of a young girl named Peri living in a sea-side town, working as a maid at the local inn. After hexing the sea for claiming the body of her father and the mind of her mother, Peri is introduced to two princes, Kir of the land and the later named AIDEN of the sea, the sea dragon. After she realizes their true places in t...

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...in his secret environment before, a trait we all desire in life, but again a safety to which could never truly be.

With all aspects of relating the meaning of life to ones personal setting, one can find themselves still with more questions then answers. This is one aspect all discussed situations have in common. We may have found a true meaning, but it always becomes questionable as to if the right decisions were made and the right paths taken base on the outcomes that follow. Although one may never find themselves with a true understanding for the biggest ‘why’ question of them all, the pursuit is always life changing. Life has, for most, always been a choice of free will, to do with what you please. Some choose to embrace this fact and pursue meaning never once imagined, and some choose the more comfortable, yet unsatisfying one of someone already travelled.