内心的“守门人”——看看鸽子如何触动我们

After finishing "The Pigeon", I was left with a lot to think about. Here are some of my thoughts:

Firstly, the importance of feeling safe. Due to his past experiences (World War II, losing his parents, betrayal in marriage, getting injured in the military), the protagonist lacked a sense of security and longed for a stable life. He also had trust issues and preferred to stay away from people. However, he needed to have a sense of control and structure in his life. Hence, he created a routine and living situation that provided him with stability and comfort. He didnt need to socialize and his work was consistent every day. He even had money to decorate his own little home.

Many of us today may say that we lack a sense of security or that were afraid of the unknown, but do we really understand what that means? Are we willing to make changes in our lives to overcome these fears, or are we just making excuses for our laziness?

Secondly, the ability to adapt to change. In the novel, the protagonist managed to maintain the same routine for 30 years without any interruptions, which is unrealistic. Perhaps he was oblivious to any changes happening in his life, or maybe he was able to adapt to them without even realizing it. When he experienced a series of unfortunate events one day, he became overwhelmed and panicked. However, he was able to handle the situations reasonably well, despite his inner turmoil. He even informed the front desk when the pigeon and its droppings became a problem, and he was able to fix his ripped pants. The truth is that he had good reaction and adaptation skills, but the pressure he felt was simply too great.

Lastly, how to reconcile with our past selves. During the climax of the story, the protagonist was so overwhelmed by the series of events that he decided to commit suicide. However, he managed to overcome this desire and went outside during a thunderstorm. He even mentioned something about his childhood, which I interpret as a sort of reconciliation with his past. Ultimately, he managed to conquer his fears and return to his normal routine because he is someone who loves life. He has shown time and again that he is capable of bouncing back from adversity and pain. The little details he pays attention to (like decorating his home) show how much he values and cherishes his daily life.

Perhaps we all have a little bit of the protagonists characteristics in us: preferring to stay away from social situations, seeking stability and consistency, being sensitive and overly concerned about other peoples opinions, and fearing change. However, we should also recognize the courage and strength it takes to face and adapt to change. Life may not be easy, but we should appreciate and be proud of ourselves for bravely living it.