- Andre Aciman views Straus Park’s intersections as “crossroads to the world”, reminding him of past homes and adventures. Do you think Aciman’s yearning for the past is preventing growth or helping him cope with loss?
- Do you think nostalgia helps you move forward or keeps you from seeing reality for what it is?
- Does Aciman’s obsession with finding other’s displacements help him cope with his own displacement?
Really great and provoking questions David. I also ask the same question: does his yearning for the past help him cope or does it act as a stumbling block for his personal growth? On one hand he makes it very easy to relate to him as he explains that being an exile not only means you lost your home but that you can’t find or even think of another home. On the other hand however, change is a natural and necessary part of life and without being able to transition you won’t be able to experience personal growth.
2. It can be argued that Nostalgia helps some move forward however, holding on to the past is unhealthy and prevents you from truly letting go of negative emotions. One moves forward with a foot in front