Journal 13

1. What object symbolizes George Gray’s life? How is this object representative of him?

The object that symbolizes Geaorge Gray’s life is a sailboat at rest in a harbor. The sail is drawn in and not catching any wind. Gray wishes that he had done more in life and taken more chances. The fact that the sailboat is not moving means that Gray didn’t go anywhere in life. He did not sail, he was docked. The boat does not symbolize his destination, that is, his death, however, it symbolizes his life. He says he was too afraid to live and put himself out there.

2. How was Lucinda Matlock’s life different than George Gray’s? How do you interepret the last line of the poem?

Lucinda Matlock’s life is different than George Gray’s because of the way she lived. She did many things that were fun and she also suffered tragedies. Her life had more events than Gray’s since her sail was open and full of wind or life. I interpret the last line to mean that you have to experience life to love it. You have to have energy and strength in life to enjoy it. Liveliness creates happiness.

3. How are “George Gray” and “Lucinda Matlock” examples of realism?

“George Gray” and “Lucinda Matlock” are examples of realism because they show realistic situations about how people look back on their lives