Final Essay

Family, place and events all affect ones voice. Childhood experiences, parents, cultures, and soul flights affect each and every ones voice in a different way. No one voice is the exact same. Voice develops from ones interactions between people and place. It can not be tied down, or eliminated, for one’s voice extends beyond the physical interaction between people and place. Dreams can also effect how one views the world and therefore can change their own voice. Voice is the ever changing extension of ones personality, whether it in reality or in a dream. The inner personalities of ones soul helps nurture and develop their own specific potential. Voice is the reactions and feelings one experiences throughout their life. Voice is derived from the inside reaction to the outside events of ones life. Soul-flights, dreams, or journeys can have the greatest affect on ones voice.
In both “Smoke Signals” and “The Toughest Indian in the World” a journey changes the attitudes of the main characters. The interactions with people and place change their voice. The journey changed their attitudes and opinions. They view the people and places around them in a different light. The journey altered the way they viewed life, and their place in it.
In “The Toughest Indian in the World” the main character experiences a life changing event, when he pickups a hitchhike and spends the night with him in a motel room. He feels stronger, more independent than he did before. He also feels closer, more comfortable with his past. His experiences had changed the way he felt about his life. He has experienced the hardships and disorder that life has presented him with. He found his true place and identity in life. The questions he has had about his past and about himself become more clear and visible. He finally understood his culture and heritage by learning more about himself. In the end of the story he realizes that his life has come full circle.
The main character, Victor, in the movie “Smokes Signals” experiences a change in the feelings he has for his Father, and a change in the relationship he has with Thomas. Just like the character in “The Toughest Indian in the World”, Victor’s voice changed. He views the events that have affected his life differently. The journey of getting his Father’s ashes allows him to understand why his Father left, and allows him to complete the morning process. Originally, his soul was a burning fire that was full of anger and hate for his father and his past. Throughout his journey, he learns about himself and his past that allows him to come to a sense of peace about his life. His voice changed. He had allowed place and people to affect his voice.
Chris McCandless, the main character from “Selections from into the Wild” also takes part in a Soul-flight to discover his voice in the world. Krakauer, the author of “Selections from into the Wild”, voices the effect the wild has had on the imagination. McCandless’s imagination led him to Alaska where he could be alone. Finding out what is on the inside of ones heart, allows them to find their inner voice. McCandless tried this by fleeing the dangers of society and traveling into the heart of the wilderness. By living in the wild, McCandless searches for his place in life. For a Soul-flight is the extension of one’s voice. Krakauer in the end of the story writes about the effect McCandless has had on his own personal life. Krakauer will never know why McCandless fled to the wild and died, but he begins the process of understanding when he compares McCandless’s life to that of his own.
Cynthia Ozick, the author of “North” and “The Seam of the Snail”, writes about the affects that place and her family has had on her life. Voice is the reaction one has had with the places and people they are surrounded by. No one is affected the same way, allowing for the development of many different voices that contain many different opinions and reactions. One’s voice, approach, and outlook all extend from one’s interaction with family, friends, and place. Interaction with people and place allow for one’s voice to be stirred and sculpted into a unique mind-set. People and places do not have the same effect on someone; each interaction molds and shapes people differently. Interaction spreads new ideas and outlooks, just as bees spread pollen from flower to flower. Voice originates from the effects one has had with their family, friends, and place.
Family affects people in many different ways. One can be heavily influenced by the actions and words of their parents, or they can be repulsed. One way or another, voice is derived from this interaction. Family molds and shapes one’s character. Family influence sets the stage for future interactions and reactions to other voices and opinions. Voice is the extension of one’s family and family influence has a lasting effect on ones voice whether it is positive or negative. Family helps plant the seeds of character and personality into the inner voice. The type of flower that comes from this seed nobody knows, for no voice is the exact same as another.
Place is the setting of one’s voice. Place, unlike Family, does not lay the foundation, but instead cultivates its character. It opens one’s mind to other voices around it. Place affects voice, through its characteristics. It helps build and strengthen one’s character into a distinctive shape and attitude, unique to that place. It effects one from the outside, spreading its own voice and personalities on those enveloped by it. Everyone is affected by place. Place surrounds and molds ones voice, causing it to reflect its own characteristics and voice, for no one can avoid the presence of place.
Overall voice is a delicate thing. It is affected by everything even that of the unknown. While family, place, and life journeys may have the greatest affect on voice, voice is derived from even the smallest events and interactions with one’s surroundings. Everyone has a unique voice that is developed from the interactions with those around them. Voice is an ever changing expression of ones personality and character.
Dreams though, are the extension of ones inner thoughts and personality. Dreams allow for one to escape the grip that society has on them. Dreams provide temporary relief from reality. It allows for the escape from society and the hardships that it brings. What is reality? Reality is the moment. Reality can be no more real than the present moment combined with the effects of the past. There is no tomorrow only the present moment. These specific moments of both the present and the past make up ones character. Life is a continual stream of moments, one right after another.
What separates a dream from reality? Dreams allow for one to extend past the present moment and explore the unknowns of the future, present and past. Dreams let one discover more about life and their place in it. It lets them stray from the feelings of reality or their current life to find out more about themselves. Dreams allow for one to accomplish anything they want. Dreaming lets one ponder the real meanings of life, while discovering more about their own individuality. These moments in the dream world directly affect their personal voice. The moments of life also make up the greater plan for ones self. They create ones sense of moral fiber and potential. If life is a dream does it really change anything? The moment of reality or that of apparent actuality still exists, whether it is in a fictional dream or in real life. The possibilities in dreams are endless. Why are the possibilities in dreams endless, while they seem to be on hold in reality? Living life to the fullest, whether it is in a dream or in life, allows one to ascertain their true identity. Discovering ones true voice leads to their genuine identity and their actual potential. Potential is the product of ones surrounding and inner makeup. Living life to the fullest allows one to discover who they really are, allowing them to accomplish anything they want to. Voice is the product of ones inners ability and personality. Voice is the inner potential in everyone, so wake up and dream.