In John Steinbeck’s “Flight,” the theme of transition from boyhood to manhood is skillfully displayed through the main character, Pepe Torres. Against the background of a model village along a quiet shoreline, the plot of the story starts to run through Pepe, a boy on the verge of manhood, when he is thrust into a situation that calls for courage, a sense of duty, and a decision. Written through Steinen’s perfect storytelling, the reader is physically on the side of Pepe as he struggles to comprehend reality and faces his own bitter end. Every boy always dreams of the day when he grows up, but sometimes it is not so easy.
John Steinbeck’s short story, Flight, portrays the resiliency of its hero, Pepe, during these hard times. Life-threatening danger cannot break Pepe`s heroism and activeness. The author uses brilliant imagery to show the character’s transformation. He says, “Pepe stood silently in the dark room’,” Light the candle, Mama. I must go away into the mountains” (Steinbeck). It is obvious in this quotation that Pepe’s bravery is evident as he prepares for the supposed hunger and uncertainty in the mountains, even though there are high chances of danger awaiting him. It shows his strength of spirit and determination, as well as his resilience in the face of adversity, and is used to comment on the resilient nature of one of the story’s themes.
In addition, in “Flight,” the author uses a picture that has the meaning of the growing up of Pepe. As Pepe moves through the treacherous terrain, the weaver describes, “The white light beat on the rocks and reflected from them and rose up quivering from the earth again, and the rocks and bushes seemed to quiver behind the air” (Steinbeck). This depiction, beyond establishing the scene, is a metaphor for Pepe’s inner anxiety and the unimaginable struggles he has to face. The burning illustrates Pepe’s problems very clearly. Pepe experiences a sensation of unrelenting pressure when the wind carries the heat. The endurance of this sensation is analogous to Pepe’s efforts to battle his challenges. Steinbeck’s sturdy description explains the troublesome journey as well as the adroitness necessary for endurance.
In addition, there is in “Flight” the line theme of allegiance to the family and the obligation to sacrifice. As the head of the family, Pepe deals with the overwhelming load of resistance, which he feels is the ultimate way of protecting his family by all means. Steinbeck shows Pepe’s unflinching resolve to care for his family through his actions, demonstrating his relentless dedication to protecting what has been entrusted to them. This depiction shows the great concerns of Pepe for his family members or relatives (Steinbeck). Steinbeck successfully intertwines family relationships and the price of safeguarding and providing through Pepe’s situation.
In conclusion, “Flight” by John Steinbeck demonstrates powerful elements of our world in terms of moving on, growing up, and the endurance of the human spirit. Steinbeck, through the character of Pepe, highlights the spiritual capacity of all individuals to rise above the difficult adversities they face in life. Pepe’s path to himself is the most meaningful example of the impactful role of adversity in personal growth, as it leads to one’s manifold development and proclamation of self. Through the protagonist Pepe, Steinbeck reveals the ways in which the human spirit can be strengthened in the middle of misfortunes and shows that. “Flight” motivates its readers to look at life’s hurdles as a chance to discover their true selves by revealing their strength.
Works Cited
Steinbeck, John. “Flight.”, 1938, https://tigerenglish.files.wordpress.com/2015/08/flight-john-steinbeck.pdf
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