I’ve learned in AP Lit that you can’t be truly happy or successful without community engagement or being a part of something greater. In the novels, Beloved by Toni Morrison and Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tocarczuk, the protagonists struggle with isolation and engaging with their respective communities. As a result, the two both have tragic lives when their novels take place.

As someone who’s perfectly content with being alone when I’m out and about or studying, it’s easy to forget the necessity of routine engagement with my community. The experience of Sethe from Beloved has shown me that creating a tiny circle as a response to trauma is unhealthy and only leads to more problems. Having that isolated and small support group isn’t enough. It’s the same deal with Janina from Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead. She isolates herself both physically and metaphorically from her community and this stems from a sense of disillusionment with the values held by her society. Both well-written novels critique this isolationist way of life through the consequences for both characters (Sethe’s past literally coming back to haunt her and Janina’s dogs dying).

It’s easy to ball up and build walls around you when you’re going through something. Letting people in and being a part of something greater is the only way to heal and live. I’ve learned through these novels that being a limb of a greater community gives a sense of reassurance and commitment that prompts moving forward with life.

Also, I’d like to say thank you for Mr. Heidkamp. I couldn’t be happier with anyone else as my AP Lit teacher. To have someone that is passionate, knowledgeable, and thoughtful every day is a rare but special trait. I hope to carry these lessons with me as I enter college.