Alexandra Villano

Option 3- Free-Write

Happy Endings? Apparently Not So Happy Endings

Honestly, I felt that Margaret Atwood’s story, “Happy Endings,” was quite disturbing yet true in some ways. It was mostly disturbing though because looking at life in terms of just beginnings and ends is a really depressing view point. The beginning of anything and the end of anything are always the thinnest layers of any story or experience and so much of the focus and excitement is in the “middle” part. But Atwood deliberately leaves out any details of the “middle” of the story except for main points in order for the reader to have an understanding and be able to follow the story line. She focuses on the beginning and the end and then finishes her story by saying that that is all that matters because that is the easiest to deal with. But I personally feel that the more complex part of something is the more meaningful part. For instance, the beginning of the story is easily forgotten, and most hate the end when they get to it, so what is left is the meat in the middle. Yet she is also right. When you think about, no matter how exciting a story is or how fun an experience, the end is really what sticks out in your mind. Let’s say you are a huge Yankee fan and have the opportunity to go to a Yankee vs. Red Sox game. It may be an extremely eventful game that keeps you on your toes but if the Red Sox win in the end, that is all that will matter to you.

Overall, I find it makes for a happier experience if you can appreciate the beginning, middle, and end of any experience. Each has its own unique good and bad qualities and they all deserve to be valued. Though it is sometimes hard to deal with the complexity of the “middle” events because of all the action that takes place there, it should still be treasured for what it is!