Adelaide tells Emily that fear is a temporary thing. “Face it, and it doesn’t exist anymore. Turn away from it and it’ll haunt you forever.” (p.215). What do you think she means? Do you agree?
It’s the old adage about facing your fears. I don’t necessarily agree with it in that the fear might not go away, but I get the part about if you don’t face it, it will continue to weigh on you. It’s too easy to say fear is temporary but I appreciate the sentiment.
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I mostly agree with this sentiment. Sometimes something I was afraid of or nervous about was fine once I accepted that I needed to do it and then did it. I still might not like it, but if nothing else, just getting it done makes it less fearful. But I do think there are real fears that can be from a childhood trauma or association, and I don’t know if just “facing” that fear really works.
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I think this sentiment is a nod to Dorothy’s efforts to get the Ruby slippers from the Wicked Witch of the West! She faced her fears and, in the end, was successful. I’m not sure Emily entirely embraced the idea of facing her own fears but she bravely made her way as a wife and mother in less than ideal conditions. She grew much stronger as time passed in Kansas.
I think it was a reference to facing your fears. Emily and particularly Dorothy faced many fears in the story
I do agree. I feel that once you face your fear you take over the power that fear can have. If you don’t face it, it’s always on your mind.
I agree somewhat. Facing it doesn’t always make it not exist anymore, it just helps one to keep putting one foot forward to defeat the fear. However, I do agree with the turning away, ignoring a problem only makes it harder to handle.
I agree some what. It is good to face your fears, but they don’t necessarily go away Emily had many fears to deal with in this book.
I don’t agree. It almost sounds to me like something soomeone would say to you to get you through a moment, but perhaps has not had that experience themselves. Cliches are just that. Not sound advice, not based in fact. Emotions are real and they should be paid attention to.If you are afraid, there is usually a good reason.
I think it’s situational and doesn’t work in every situation. I used to be afraid of performing in front of people - I’d get terrible stage fright - and although I forced myself to do it, it never got any better. Plus, sometimes it’s good to be afraid of things - fear is instinctive and there’s a reason that’s a part of our makeup. But sometimes fear is irrational and Adelaide is right - I was afraid of riding a bicycle at one point, but once I did it it was no big deal.