Hope

“One of the main effects of war, after all, is that people are discouraged from being character (p.164).” Yet, Edgar Derby was one of the few that retained his character. He was a hopeful man. Although death, war and evil surrounded him, he managed to stay positive. When the Englishman appointed him head American, “He said that his primary responsibility now was to make damn well sure that everybody got home safely (p.147).” He wrote home imaginary letters, insuring that he’d be back soon and that he was safe and sound. Of course time would eventually prove him wrong, but for the time being Edgar Derby really did believed that he’d return home. He had something that in war is hard to come across, hope. He hoped for a future, when many of his fellow soldiers had completely lost their will to survive at all.

What exactly is hope? It’s a mournfully beautiful feeling that keeps people moving forward when times are hard. It’s beautiful because without it we would never be able to overcome obstacles and we’d give up at the very first signs of struggle. Yet, it’s mournful because it can deceive and give false optimism when there is none.

In the movie, Changeling, a young boy is kidnapped and his mother goes through countless obstacles to find him. Even the corrupt police department who tried to impede her mission wasn’t enough to retain her. She overcomes the impossible and suffers the greatest pain known to mothers, losing a child. Yet, at the end of the movie after everything she’s been through she still has hope. Unfortunately, she’s never able to find her son, yet she stays positive and never gives up the possibility of one day finding him.

When life hands us lemons, hope is the secret ingredient that lets us make lemonade.