Journal 2: Fight Like a Moth

1. How are the moths in the essay’s opening different from the moth at the campsite?  What do the different moths represent?

 

The months are life choices.  She would rather be the moths on fire then the ones slowly dying in the bathroom.  The months in the bathroom are shrunken and gray.  They are its and bits of little body parts rotting away.  Some moths are dead, but some of them are stuck in a web waiting to be eaten.  However, on the other hand, the moths burning in the fire are dying but they show motivation and passion.  They have decided to end life with a spark and go all out.  The first moths in the bathroom are forgotten and dried up.  They do not have any drive or reason to live.  The month dying in the flame represents determination and living life to the fullest. 

2. What lesson does the moth provide that Dillard takes back to her students? 

Dillard asked her students if they want to be writers.  If they do, they have to give up their lives.  They must be very dedicated and committed to writing essays all their life.  Dillard is trying to make her students realize that whatever you do in life, you must put all your heart into it.  She wants them to be like the moth in the fire and have a passion for what you do.  You have to put yourself out there and sacrifice everything, just like the moth in the fire.  The moth in the bathroom show emptiness and represents the people that try to settle down and not push forward in life.  Dillard is trying to convey a message about life, not just about being a writer.  Basically do not be like the moth in the bathroom, be like the one at the campsite.

3.  How many references are there to fire in the essay?  What’s the larger significance of fire in the essay? 

There are a few references in the essay.  She writes about the moth burning in the flame, the candles she lit at night, and the cats tail catching on fire because it to close to the flame.  There was also the reference of the book A Day of Fire, which inspired her to be a writer.  The word fire was used to show people are passionate and inspirational.  Ignite, spark, getting fired up are expressions fire are used to show these traits.  Even when we light a candle after someone dies, it shows hope.  It represents the idea that you were able to pursue your dream while you were alive.  Dillard lit a candle to so her intention of becoming an inspired writer.  When the moth died in the flame, Dillard was able to make the moth look like a martyr for what it believed in.  It sacrificed itself for something it believed in.  In some way, you could say the moth was like a saint dying for his or her beliefs.  She wanted everyone to attack with full force and go all out in life.

4. Address how each of the following quotes connects to Dillard’s overall point.  

a.      “I would rather be ashes than dust!
          I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot.
          I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in        magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.
          The function of man is to live, not to exist.
          I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them.
          I shall use my time.”

                    -Jack London

In this quote by Jack London, he addresses his belief of how he wants to live his life.  He would rather give it his all and do everything he can, rather than sit back and watch the world pass him.  This is similar to “The Death of a Moth” because there was a comparison between to moths.  The one moth watched the world pass by and decided to crumble into dust rather than do something inspiring.  On the other hand, the other month went into the fire to show his passion for life, similar to how London wants to live his life.  To be living and to actually live your life are two completely different ideas, and both London and Dillard believe that everyone show live their life to the fullest.

b. “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.”

          -William Butler Yeats

Image of fire is used. Education-educating students, the idea of fire being used is similar to how she used fire while teaching her kids.

William Butler Yeats is stating that education is our guide throughout life.  It is “the lightning of fire” because it will glow within us to show us the ways of the world.  This is very similar to “The Death of a Month” because Dillard tried to explain this very idea to her students.  She told them they have to have a burning passion to choice and commit to one career.  The purpose of education is to inspire people to have a purpose for living life.

c. “A book should serve as the ax for the frozen sea within us.”  

          -Franz Kafka’

Frank Kafka is explaining that reading is a source to all of our wonders and questions within our heads.  A book is going to open up new thoughts and ideas inside of us.  The symbolism of the ax is used to represent the force that cuts away the confusion that is in us by reading books.  The image of the ax was also used in the story “The Death of a Moth” to explain the force and strength it takes to live life with all of your heart.  As powerful as this mental image is, it is basically used as an inspiration to try your hardest at everything and keep moving forward.  Never dwell on the pass because it will not benefit you.  Besides, an ax will not work if it is swung backwards, so keep swinging forward.