Pet first half reflection

 

While reading the first half of Pet by Akwaeke Emezi, I found the concept of appearance versus reality to be very compelling. In the beginning of the story, Lucille is described as a utopian society that appears idealistic and free from violence. However, it becomes clear to the reader that beyond this façade, violence and discrimination are still present, as Jam describes that “the people of Lucille would remember the temples that were bombed, the mosques, the acid attacks, the synagogues. Remembering was important” (3). It becomes increasingly obvious that this society is not as perfect as it seems or appears to be, rather, hatred and manipulation lie beneath the surface. Therefore, this story prompts readers to question the realities of utopian societies and wonder if a society that appears so perfect is in fact realistic.  

As Jam embarks on her journey, she begins to realize that truth is not always a comfortable thing to come to terms with. Therefore, as much as “remembering is important” (3), a society that appears to forget about their violent past may be more comfortable to live in. For example, Pet tells Jam that “the truth does not care about what you want, the truth is what it is. It is not moved by want, it is not a blade of grass to be bent by the wind of your hopes and desires.” Here, it becomes clear that the truth may be uncomfortable, but to be able to move forward into the present, it is necessary to accept and come to terms with a truth that may be painful. Constantly hiding and masking a society from the reality of their past will lead to a world where societal progress is hindered, as people live in a curated version of the truth. While it may appear to be easier to simply avoid the truth and mask it with a preferable curated version, it becomes clear that such a mask can only last so long until reality begins to perforate it.  

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