The Lesson of the Moth
Michael Brewster
August 28, 2013
English 102
“Lesson of the Moth”
In the poem “The Lesson of the Moth” writer Don Marquis compares two different lifestyles through a free spirited moth and a logical thinking human. The moth states that it is better to be a part of beauty and excitement for one instant and then cease to exist forever and never be a part of beauty. I agree with the moth because I would much rather live a shorter life appreciating and experiencing a better connection to God’s creation and gaining a better understanding of the creator, then to have a long boring life of just sitting on the side. There are also several of examples throughout history of people dying young to the flame. For example, Mozart mastered music and toured Europe while composing several great works of music before dying at the young age of 35. Abraham Lincoln also accomplished many things before he died young. He said, “In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.” This means that it doesn’t matter how old you are, it’s how you actually lived your life throughout the years that counts in the end. In the Bible however, James 4:14 reminds us how precious of a gift life is “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” Just like the pastor from the Motorcycle accident this week, this bible verse reminds us all of how close we are to the
August 28, 2013
English 102
“Lesson of the Moth”
In the poem “The Lesson of the Moth” writer Don Marquis compares two different lifestyles through a free spirited moth and a logical thinking human. The moth states that it is better to be a part of beauty and excitement for one instant and then cease to exist forever and never be a part of beauty. I agree with the moth because I would much rather live a shorter life appreciating and experiencing a better connection to God’s creation and gaining a better understanding of the creator, then to have a long boring life of just sitting on the side. There are also several of examples throughout history of people dying young to the flame. For example, Mozart mastered music and toured Europe while composing several great works of music before dying at the young age of 35. Abraham Lincoln also accomplished many things before he died young. He said, “In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.” This means that it doesn’t matter how old you are, it’s how you actually lived your life throughout the years that counts in the end. In the Bible however, James 4:14 reminds us how precious of a gift life is “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” Just like the pastor from the Motorcycle accident this week, this bible verse reminds us all of how close we are to the