Love and Sacrifice

Author's Note: This is the Point of View assignment we were assigned in class Monday. In the first paragraph, I answer who's telling the story, if we can trust her, and how her Point of View affects how we interpret events in the story. In the second paragraph, I state how the interpretation of the story would change how we viewed events. In the final paragraph, I wrote creatively in his point of view. The main character in the first paragraph is Francesca Johnson, and the character is the final two paragraphs is Robert Kincaid. Enjoy!

If love comes your way at the wrong time, and in the wrong circumstances, what are you supposed to do? How do you make the decision against your heart or your family? That is exactly what Francesca Johnson, the main character in The Bridges of Madison County, must do. As she is telling the novel, you see a loving mother, willing to do anything for her children. She is even willing to give up her one destined love in life for them. Although you can trust her viewing of the story, the interpretation is changed. The reader is eligible to see the love affair through the eyes of someone who has something precious to lose. What would happen if the novel was shown in the viewing area of someone who has nothing to give up? Who has nothing in life lost, only gained?

Robert Kincaid was the man who had nothing that needed giving up, just everything to gain. He could gain love, acceptance, a permanent home. Robert found in all in his true love, Francesca Johnson. The primary issue? She was already married with children. Though Robert understood her circumstances, if it was told in his view point, there would be no terribly difficult decision making. Right away, the choice to be together for the rest of their lives would be made. Sadly, Francesca was the primary teller of this story, and her children are too precious for her to lose.

I gaze over at the love of my existence, sleeping soundly next to me. I analyze the face I've stared at for hours on end without boring, from her beautiful hair, her perfect eyebrows, the eyes that have the depths of a endless lake, the slightly pointed nose, and the lips I feel like I've kissed a million times. This is the face of the person I can't bear to lose. Yet, I'm sure, in the next coming days, I will lose her. Francesca must make the decision between me and her family, and I know the choice she will make. It's the choice that if I wasn't selfish, I would hope she would make. Her family can't survive without her. Yet can I survive without her? What will my life become? Will I morph into a wanderer of the world, with no point, no sense of direction? I'm almost certain that I will. It saddens me, but I can't avoid it. I accept it. I am lost without her, yet for her sake, for the sake of the purity of her soul, I will let her go. Although, I will never let her go completely. I will always be waiting in the wings for her, so she wishes to return. If this never occur, Francesca will have a location in the strongest part of my heart.

Solitude and Redemption

Author's Note: This was a journal that we had to do this morning. We had to write in the point of view of one of the options listed on the board. I decided to do the last living flower in a flower bad. It begins devastatingly, yet has a happy ending. Hope you enjoy!

 

I'm alone. No one around me, nothing surrounding me for miles and miles. The empty flower bed stretches for what seems like forever, never ending. I was planted here about two weeks ago, along with about two dozen other. Everything was going wonderfully! A new family was created with me. We loved and cared for each other, being best friends. Suddenly, my own little world collapsed out from under me. The huge, stalking figure that first planted us all began to spray a demon liquid from a ivy colored shape. It whacked every other member but me repeated in every part of their body. The arms, legs, torso, even their face. I heard their shrieks of agony, and in my head I heard my own. Not one of physical pain, one of mental exhaustion and agony from what my family was going through. Nothing I could do would be able to cease their pain. Everyone I ever knew died less than four hours later. Now, here I am. Solitude. For the rest of my existence. How can I survive? Wait just one second. Oh no! It's the huge stalking figure again! Is he coming to finish me off? No, no he's not. He's throwing seeds next to me, all around me. Stalking man is planting new flowers! Although nothing will ever replace my former family, I can create a new one! This is the beginning of the rest of my beautiful life!

The Bridges of Madison County Scene Piece

Author's Note: This is a scene that I dreamed up while reading The Bridges of Madison County. This is in Francesca's point of view, about when she meets Robert for the first time. Enjoy!

I hear the rumbling of a truck before I see it. The faded-red painted vehicle, looking at least ten years old. It pulls into my driveway, and then he comes out. I see him. I see him, and suddenly, a realization slams into my mind. I know him. I mean, I don't know him, yet I feel like I've met him before. Not just met, but already gotten to know. This man is already a friend, heading down the road of more than a friend. I'm married, and yet I feel a greater connection to him than I do to my own husband, the supposed love of my life. Yet he's not. Looking at him, this "stranger", and I know I am looking at the true love of my life.

The Bridges of Madison County Prediction Piece

Author's Note: This is a prediction piece about The Bridges of Madison County. I am writing about how I think that the primary characters will ultimately fall in love, no matter how challenges almost tear them apart. I explain why I think this by connecting this to the novel The Notebook. Enjoy!

Walking across the yard, seeing a traditional southern home rising up in front of you. Looking at the woman sitting on the porch, and feeling an intense connection. This is exactly what has happened so far between Robert Kincaid and Francesca Johnson in The Bridges of Madison County. The strong connection that has sparked between them leads me to believe that Robert and Francesca will ultimately fall in love, no matter what consequences fall from it or what obstacles face them. Another primary factor that leads me to believe this is the novel The Notebook. The Bridges of Madison County reminds me of this book in the fact that like Madison County, the main characters of The Notebook, Noah and Allie, encounter an intense connection right when they first meet. No matter what challenges face them, they still manage to stay in love. Robert and Francesca's connection reminds me of Noah and Allie's, so I predict nothing will be able to rip their love apart.