The Parable of Change
Change is an inevitable fact of life. Every day new ideas, technologies, and simple changes of circumstance catalyze major repercussions on society and the lives of individuals. With a world that is ever changing the ability to see and adapt to changes is critical in life. Spencer Johnson’s book, Who Moved My Cheese?, explores the concept of constant and inevitable change and humans reactions to that change. Johnson, nicknamed “the king of parables,” is the author numerous number one bestsellers including, The One Minute Manager, and other short books for self improvement. Who Moved My Cheese? Is a simple yet incredibly effective parable that gives simple truths on how to deal with change in life.
The book begins an old
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Hubbard, in her article, “Who Moved my cheese”, analyzes the book, Who moved my cheese?. She believes that the book is entertaining and thought provoking way for people to contemplate their own behavior toward change and establishes Johnsons credit by pointing out the numerous best selling ‘self-improvement’ books he has written . Hubbard begins by using rhetorical questions to analyze why humans are so reluctant to change, weather it be the fear of the unknown or complacency and reluctance to leave one's comfort zone. She then alludes the the fact that this short story is reminiscent of Aesop's fables, as both Who Moved My Cheese? and Aesop’s fables are short stories that reveal truths about life and culture. The authors are similar as well; both Johnson and Aesop are credited with writing multiple popular short fables alluding to real life facts. Hubbard relates this fact to reveal the main purpose of the book. Who Moved my Cheese? can be used to help its readers identify changes in their lives and react quicker to those changes in a positive manner. Hubbard finishes her analysis by pointing out that the stories short length and simplistic reading level creates a book that is relevant to a much broader audience, going beyond: age, gender, circumstance, and even time in order to be relevant in anyone’s …show more content…
In the book the Littlepeople and the mice both “spent time in the maze looking for their own special cheese”(39). Cheese in the book is a metaphor for whatever someone wants in their lives at that time. Because “cheese was the Littlepeople’s way of getting what they thought they needed to be happy”(49), they were devastated when their supply had run out. When they discover the cheese is gone “Haw shut his eyes as tight as he could and… just wanted to block everything out”(51). This is a metaphor for how humans deal with change sometimes. Instead of taking action and being productive, Haw refuses to accept the fact their cheese is gone, this is like humans who, lots of the time, initial reaction is to deny change when it occurs. The Littlepeople believed that that losing their cheese “should not happen to [them]. Or if it does [they] at least get benefits”(53). This is an example of entitlement and pride among the Littlepeople and of humans themselves. People become accustomed to things in their lives and become entitled to those things; when those things change, much like the Littlepeople, humans feel a sense of injustice done to them instead of acting on the change positively. Johnson uses irony in the fact that the Littlepeople, far “smarter than mice. [Who] should be able to figure [the situation] out”(52), are stuck without cheese, yet Sniff and Scurry had
Life is constantly changing, like clouds in the sky; always shifting and turning. People never really know which way life will turn next, bringing them fortune or failure. When you look at how things change it is best to compare it to something that you can relate it to. The changeable nature of life can be related to the novel 'The Bean Trees.' This is a book written almost entirely on dealing with changes in the characters lives.
Change is what keeps life interesting, for better or for worse. Without change, life would be static and, for most, boring. Louise Erdrich, the author of the short stories “Red Convertible” and “The Shawl” uses change as prominent topic to progress her stories.
In the present, many people focus on success in life while adjusting to modern society and its expectations, by using their contacts and friendships for personal benefit. In the past, friendship had a significant value in people’s lives; people met for dinner or social events, which consisted of spending more time with families and friends. Today, people favor spending their time alone, but avoid family events due to their lack of interest and insecurities about their social status. In the book The Gum Thief, insecurities are portrayed as a significant trait that causes the characters to lose their motivation towards success in life. The novel highlights that every individual has insecurities, which allows in experiencing the obstacles of life. According to The Toronto Star, “A terrific book….Coupland’s ear for dialogue is as sharp as his eye for social observation.” In the book The Gum Thief by Douglas Coupland, Coupland depicts three different scenarios in which his characters – Roger, Bethany, and Steve and Gloria from a novel in the book called “Glove Pond” – lack the ability to transition their lives from dreams to reality. Their lack of success makes them experiment with lifestyle choices while dealing with the significant effects of their difficult past, their motivation to explore the world, and the subsequent changes in their lives.
After reading the story of Rip Van Wrinkle, the first expression I received as a message was change, and regardless of how one reacts or view circumstances, evolution will continue its natural process. In addition, when I considered how the author’s illustration of Rip Van Wrinkle need to find refuge in the time of (distress) his wife’s overwhelming nagging, I noticed how Wrinkles’ neglected to take charge of his empire; his home, children and wife, therefore, he did not confront his personal challenges to ease or eliminated his stress, instead, he walked away from his wife’s overwhelming nagging. In turn, another message the reading audience may convey is that, in order to witness radical change, sometimes interest and or participation is
In life, things will change and you might have harsh or nice reactions to them. It might not be obvious, but everything is slowly changing. You also might need to push through some changes. In the short story, “Last Kiss” by Ralph Fletcher, the character experiences horrific change: his father and him are drifting away. He needs to push through this change. The story teaches that things will change even if you don’t want them to. The text teaches this in the beginning, in the middle, and most of all in the end.
Kotter, J. P. & Cohen, D. S. (2002). The heart of change: Real-life stories of how people change
Life changes, which leads humans to change, some changes are little others are dramatic, some
Change is good." We hear the catchy phrase everywhere. From company slogans to motivational speeches, our world seems to impose this idea that change is always a good thing. Assuming that the change is for the better, it is probably a true statement in most cases. The root of this idea seems to come from the notion that we are dissatisfied with the state that we are in, so, in order to create a more enjoyable surrounding, we adjust. Others, however, stray from this practice, and instead of trying to adapt to the people around them, they try and change others.
During a time of hardship or of economic difficulties, each person draws back into their personal space and takes no notice of others. Ignorance often leads to misunderstandings. In John Steinbeck’s novella Of Mice and Men, two men went go a new farm in search of new opportunities and a chance to fulfill their dream. Of Mice and Men is also a heartbreaking story of how such misunderstandings can lead to unfortunate events. John Steinbeck uses a disapproving voice to criticize the mistreatment of social rejects and show that misunderstanding can lead to adverse outcomes.
In the novel Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck there are many events in the plot of the story that occur that prove that when man is cruel to man, some peoples lives are negatively affected. One instance in where this is proven true is when the men on the ranch and Curley's wife are cruel and discriminative against Crooks causing him to be the one to mourn. An example of how the men are discriminative towards Crooks is that he is forced to live in a shack away from the bunkhouse and also Crooks says that "They play cards in there, but I can't play because I'm black. They say I stink" and "I ain't wanted in the bunkhouse." An example of when Curley's Wife is critical towards Crooks is when she looks into his room to see what Lennie and Crooks are doing and then she states, shaking her head, that they left the weak ones behind. Also, she threatens to have Crooks hung because a black man should never talk to a white woman the way he just had. As a result of all of these discriminatory acts against him, Crooks feels unwanted and lonely because of his color and placement on the farm. Also those examples are part of the theme of the novel, people need to accept and understand those different from themselves, which also helps to prove the interpretation of the quote. Another example in this novel that proves that when man is cruel to man, the lives of people are negatively affected is when Curley picks on and tries to hurt Lennie. Curley chooses to fight Lennie because he thinks he won't fight back but because George gets angry and tells Lennie to fight back, he does. George being angry is not the only negative effect that Curley's teasing had on man, but also now Lennie is angry and in danger of getting in trouble and Curley himself gets hurt.
People can change their ways overtime in a positive way. Everyone has experienced change once in their life. Some people have acknowledged change over the course of life in a positive way or a negative way. Throughout the novel “The First Stone” by Don Aker, the main character Reef alters his ways a lot positively. Reef is a teenager who changes his lifestyle and makes a huge impact in his life after he meets Leeza. This novel develops the fact that people can change in a beneficial way, no matter what situation they are in.
Hazel, M. "Change is crucial in a person’s life." N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Dec. 2008. .
Who Moved My Cheese?, by Spencer Johnson, is a parable that shows how individuals deal with change differently. In this story the four characters, two mice named Sniff and Scurry and two little people, about the size of mice, named Hem and Haw. These four are in a maze searching for cheese; the cheese is a metaphor for the things that make feel complete. The maze represents the environment such as the earth, employment, home, family, or whatever is associated with the change.
Adapting to change I find is worthwhile in my eyes. I can see myself grow from what I learn and see by working on myself and change the way I use to think about the word change. I’m discovering that change is good for everyone, it breaks up the normal grove that everyone is in making the discover and learn how to adapt to change. The question that I’m going to ask myself is, am I the right person to reach my goal? You bet! I’m going to take the time and work on myself on how to deal with the fact that everything around me is bound to
Has there ever been an experience that not only has changed your development but also has recalibrated your entire life? If you were to ask me this question i would answer yes with great exuberance. I would also state that this occurred not even a month ago. I state this response with great joy simply because I enjoy the recalibration I have encountered, since this change can enhance a better future for myself. It has let me find my true passions and let me realize my true dislikes. Most importantly it has given me a new sense of maturity I feel that I didn’t earn! But in order to explain this adjustment that has crossed my path the reader must understand what and how my life was lived previously. Following this I can describe the events of my experience that leads to the pep talk that induced me into making the change that was essential in order to improve my future.