Monday, November 22, 2021

What you can do or What you want to do


The Real Aunt Molly by Frank Brennan

     If you had a chance to be a better version of you by being hypnotized, would you want to be under hypnosis forever, or return to what you’ve been before and forget all the things that happened when you’re hypnotized?

     In the Real Aunt Molly, the narrator’s aunt, Molly, was hypnotized and accidentally became a more confident and thoughtful woman than the old version of her. Although everyone missed the old Molly who’s hardworking to raise her twins after her husband died, the new version of Molly impressed everybody. All her family, neighbors and friends immediately found how friendly, outgoing and active she had become, and started wondering whether they should keep her in this way or help her return to the old Molly with a recording of the hypnotist’s voice. Personally, if I was the aunt Molly, I would definitely want to return to my own nature. Like the story said, people can’t remember anything when being hypnotized, so, it means that what we are doing under hypnosis is all not what we truly want to do. In other words, when we are doing something unconsciously, we are just not us. We kind of become other people or another persona that live inside our minds. Also, if it’s possible for us to be whoever we want to be by hypnosis, then there would be no meaning for our existence. And we would be no difference from artificial intelligence. Therefore, if I was the one who’s hypnotized, I would never want to be trapped by the instruction of the hypnotist.

     Another part that inspired me in this short story is the difference of the old and new versions of Molly. When I saw how aunt Molly became more positive toward her life, I found that the way we live our lives is merely a choice we made. We may be able to achieve more accomplishments that seem difficult or even impossible for us, such as become the president or a millionaire. Sometimes, it has nothing to do with what we can do but what we want to do. Aunt Molly also didn’t expect that she could regain her confidence and positivism under hypnosis. So, this reminds of that we should always believe in ourselves. If we do, we would discover different versions of ourselves. And different from aunt Molly’s case, we would remember the process and make improvements eventually. It may seem like a common thought one life that everybody knows. However, after reading this story, I had a deeper insight into it and found the importance of it.

     At last, I hope you guys and also me myself can live our lives to the fullest like aunt Molly but not by hypnosis. Have a nice day.

1 comment:

  1. Hello, Jade!
    First of all, I personally like the novels you have chosen very much. Those books are all thought-provoking and worth reading. Based on your reflections, I can always feel that those novels are appealing and brilliant. That’s the reason why I like reading you log. <3 Thanks for sharing these topics!

    Anyway, in this post, I strongly agree with your thought “if it’s possible for us to be whoever we want to be by hypnosis, then there would be no meaning for our existence.” All of us have dreams because how to make dreams come true is powerful, and it makes our lives adventurous and meaningful. If we always don’t have the courage to face something unexpected or despondent, our lives are meaningless. For me, I consider it is those obstacles that make us stronger and a meaningful life. Life shouldn’t be capricious. We need to learn how to deal with unhappiness, negative emotions, and failures. Like the comments you had left on my Log 5, we should shift our mindset in order not to be controlled by pains.

    Due to its association, I would like to take this opportunity to reply to your question that you had asked on my Log 5. As far as I am concerned, pains do us good because sometimes, those unhappy experiences are steps to success. Sometimes, they would strengthen our capacity. If we can change our attitudes toward hardship such as believing everything will be worthwhile in the long run. In that way, perhaps we will feel better.

    And for the question at the beginning of this post, I would choose to return to what I’ve been before and forget all the things that happened because under hypnosis, my life isn't true anymore. It is as if I am a robot dominated by others.

    ReplyDelete

JANE EYRE

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