Jane’s poem “Optimism”
Optimism
Jane’s poem “Optimism” is a reflection of natural images of resilience. She admires the strength in nature, especially the way trees respond to the natural wind patterns. He says, “…but the sinuous tenacity of a tree: finding the newly blocked on one side, it turns in another” to demonstrate the persistence of trees under the harshness of the sun and how they respond to the force of the wind. He also appreciates the rivers and the persistence of waterfalls and that they contribute to the natural image of resilience. Through this blind intelligence, seeds sprout even from barren fields of lava, and in a short while, we have food, flowers, and fresh air to breathe. The profusion of flowers from plants is a blind intelligence that makes the world a better place. Poetry itself is a critical instrument of resilience because it reflects on a person’s risky existence. Just like a tree turns itself to access beneficial natural sunlight amid the competitive domain, so does resilience pay homage to humanity. It is a call on us to remain optimistic even when life seems complicated, and the natural intelligence of existence will establish automatic stabilization. The poem confirms the ideas of “optimistic bias” raised in the video. Most of us believe that the future will be better even when we go through tough economic times. There may be a few job opportunities available and high unemployment rates, but we still go-ahead to complete our studies with the hope that we will find jobs.
Response 1
Dear Summer
Thank you for your post on this discussion. The poem is comparable with the video on the optimistic bias. Just like the trees, we may have dark moments in the course of our daily operations, but we choose to focus on the positives of life. The pillow shows the manner at which issues can settle on themselves automatically, and things return to normalcy. Nature has its own mechanism of restoring sanity and order. Inevitably, a person must improve his/her optimism after reading and reflecting on the poem.
Response 2
Dear Isabella
You established that the author of “The Possibility of Rain” uses fruitfulness of rain as a metaphor to demonstrate his worldview. You also record that there is a possibility that all could be destroyed even by the rain itself. I agree with you to that point. However, I tend to differ on the aspect that the poem confirms the “optimism bias” fully. With the current numbers on increased issues of mental health and even suicide among young people is an indication that pessimism is taking a toll on this generation. Young people, especially those from families with low income, have little to no chances of getting good jobs. They can’t access good education or health, therefore leading to engaging in criminal activities. Though the “optimism bias” idea may be relatively practical, the situation can also be unlikely in most young people in this generation.