In Ray Bradbury’s “Dandelion Wine”, Douglas learns growth through self-discovery from his Great Grandmother dying, Colonel Freeleigh’s stories, and the end of the trolley. Douglas’ Great Grandmother dies and gives him advice, and this provides a new view of death. Colonel Freeleigh’s stories give Douglas new perspective on himself and his life. Mr. Tridden and his explanation of the end of the trolley also changes Douglas’ view of himself. Douglas’ Great Grandmother provides wisdom for Douglas and his views on himself and his life. Douglas’ Great Grandmother says, “Like everything else in this life, it’s fitting.” (184) Douglas learns that everything in life has its place and that includes him. His Grandmother also says “Any man who saves fingernail clippings is a fool.” (183) Douglas learns that he should accept change in himself and the world around him, because nothing ever stays the same forever. Great Grandmother says, “Important thing is not the me that’s lying here, but the me that’s sitting on the edge of the bed looking back at me, and the me that’s downstairs cooking supper, or out in the garage under the car, or in the library reading. All the new parts, they count.
I’m not really dying today. No person ever died that had a family.” (183) From this Douglas Learns that death should be accepted as a part of life, just as daily activities, such as cooking or reading, are parts of life. Douglas’ Great Grandmother gives him new wisdom on the world and his life. Colonel Freeleigh provides Douglas with a new view of himself by telling him stories of the civil war and by dying. Colonel Freeleigh says, “I don’t remember ayone winning anywhere any time. War’s never a winning thing, Charlie. You just lose all the time, and the one who loses last asks for terms. All I remember is a lot of losing and sadness and nothing good but the end of it.” (Bradbury 85) Douglas learns that fighting and war are never justifications for solving a problem. He learns that he should not be a violent person and that no benefit comes from being a person of violence. “Douglas, bent down, disengaged the phone from the old man’s now quite cold fingers. Douglas lifted the receiver to his own ear, listened. Above the static he heard a strange, a far, a final sound. Two thousand miles away, the closing of a window.” (Bradbury 135)
The Term Paper on The Death and Life of Great American Cities
For thousands of years, cities have existed, bringing together large numbers of people in common living conditions, complemented by the infrastructure to support the needs of these people, centers of commerce, and the like. In a modern context, cities are planned and executed with practiced precision, in an attempt to create an orderly setting for what has become a hectic way of life in light of ...
The Colonel’s death causes Douglas to wonder about death and how the world will live without people like the Colonel, Abe Lincoln, and all the soldiers who fought and died. Douglas learns that the world must move on even though great people come and go. The Colonel tells the boys about Ching Ling Soo the great magician, and how he fired a bullet at him as part of a trick, and it killed Ching Ling Soo. Douglas learns that it jis wrong to hurt another man, especially to kill someone. Douglas gains a new view of himself and the world around him from his experiences with Colonel Freeleigh. Mr. Tridden and his trolley service provides Douglas with a new view of himself and the mortality of things. Mr. Tridden says, “Going to retire me with a pension, they are. So-a free ride for everyone!” (Bradbury 98) Douglas learns that some people care about money and not what they should care about.
Mr. Tridden says, “No more trolley. Bus starts to run tomorrow.” (Bradbury 98) Douglas learns that all good things must come to an end for the sake of progress and efficiency. “Trolleys are too slow,” said Mr. Tridden. “Going to put busses on. Busses for people and busses for school.” (Bradbury 99) Douglas learns that things must change, because things must become more efficient and faster. These statements leave and impression on Douglas and how he views himself and the world. In Ray Bradbury’s “Dandelion Wine”, Douglas learns growth through self-discovery from his Great Grandmother dying, Colonel Freeleigh’s stories, and the end of the trolley. Douglas learns that things must end from his Great Grandmother. He learns that things must change from Mr. Tridden. He learns that nothing lasts forever from Colonel Freeleigh.
The Essay on What Is History Things People World
I define history as important events that have happened in the past, and the ones that are presently happening. At some time or another everything will be considered history. History tells a story, whether it's written, painted, carved, or sung; a collection of events that someone explains to you that is usually important. When most people think about history they remember a boring class they took ...
