What of This Goldfish, Would You Wish?
Russian talking goldfish and murder is the basis of ‘What of This Goldfish, Would You Wish‘. Reading ‘What of This Goldfish, Would You Wish’ is about a young boy, known as Yonatan or Yoni for short, and his journey throughout his neighborhood to interview his neighbors and search for a talking goldfish. He stumbles upon a house occupied by a resident named Sergei Goralick who had recently moved from Russia. He describes Yoni as the boy with a ring in his ear and tries his best to keep Yoni from entering his home. But to no avail Yoni trespasses in his home and sees the goldfish sitting upon Sergei's counter. As Yoni reaches for the goldfish, he is hit with a pot from the stove and murdered. In turn the talking goldfish did grant three wishes and had asked Sergei to wish for what he desired for the last time. If one had the goldfish in their possession, what type of wishes would they desire? If I had the goldfish in my possession, what would I wish for? I would wish for correct amount of change to be in my pocket to purchase any item of my choice, world peace, and the suffering to end
…show more content…
for a friend of my choosing. These three wishes would be requested if the goldfish were in my possession. First of all, most individuals would wish for vast amounts of money. Instead of limiting oneself to an amount of money, one should wish for a never ending supply of cash. Although, I do think that having the correct amount of change in your pocket is a glorious feeling. Instead of carrying one hundred dollars in my pocket, that could possibly be stolen, I’d rather have the right amount of money for every purchase. There would be no more rummaging through pockets to buy simple items at the stores. Instead of predicting the total outcome for those 2 packs of gum, 3 iced teas and one hotdog at the gas station, keeping in mind of the tax, one can just stick their hand in their pocket and pull the exact amount of change to pay for their meal. The first wish could provide very useful to those who don’t like to be burdened with such tasks. Secondly, world peace is a universal desire amongst all individuals. Wishing for world peace would grant everyone the benefit of not troubled by war, crime, poverty, and other social issues that go on in our world today. In a world where there is peace and equality for all, it would be a utopia in which we would have no complications that involve the world and vast amounts of the population. Making this wish would guarantee the advancement of society and humankind in general. Allowing everyone to come collectively, each and everyone of our perspective would change. Due to other’s having their ideas or opinions heard, would create a society in which it would be more diverse and our thinking would be more various amongst all kinds of people. Instead of rejecting others and their ideas, and creating continuous problems, coming together would be an extraordinary notion for everyone. Finally, although society and one’s personal desires were to be met, one may be generous and think of others such as friends or family.
My last wish would be for the suffering to end for a friend of my choosing. Of course, it depends on how close I am with the individual but it also depends on the type of suffering they may be facing everyday. But, none the less suffering is suffering and no one should go through such a thing. In all honesty, the needs of others have come before mine and this last wish could make all the difference for someone in their daily life. It could help with the burden that they’re carrying on their shoulders. The wish could help a friend’s grades or it may help another friend get rid of their mother’s cancer. Once more, it depends on the person, but by using this last wish it may have a great effect on the person’s
life. Ultimately, these wishes would be a benefit for all those who desire the positive things in life. Money isn’t everyone’s most appealing object, it’s not bad to have around. In my opinion, having the right amount to pay for something without going through the hassle of change is wonderful. Universally, world peace is wanted by all due to the ongoing events that happen today. Finally, to think of someone else’s problems and help them through every step of the way gives anyone a satisfying feeling at heart. Although, a Russian talking goldfish that may grant wishes may be fictional, but to think and imagine a life without worry is pure bliss.
Final Gifts, written by hospice care workers, Maggie Callanan and Patricia Kelly, includes various stories detailing each of their life changing experiences that they encountered with their patients. Hospice care allows the patient to feel comfortable in their final days or months before they move on to their next life. This book contains the information considered necessary to understand and deal with the awareness, needs, and interactions of those who are dying. Not only are there stories told throughout the book, there are also tips for one to help cope with knowing someone is dying and how to make their death a peaceful experience for everyone involved. It is important that everyone involved is at as much peace as the person dying in the
The documentary Blackfish by Gabriela Cowperthwaite is a gripping documentary about orca whales in captivity at SeaWorld and other sea parks around the world that shows the disturbing effects that can be caused from having these animals in a place where they shouldn’t be.
The story begins by describing the effects of desiring something which one cannot obtain – a child. The author offers a sympathetic view of Rumplestiltskin’s character by portraying him as a solitary individual, desperate for affection as opposed to
Criss Jami, a modern American poet, essayist, and philosopher, best known for his book, Killosophy, wrote, “It’s not at all hard to understand a person; it’s only hard to listen without bias.” In today’s world, differences form an obstinate barrier in relationships with others. To overcome this tremendous obstacle, one must resolve to communicate, look past stereotypes, and extend friendship to those who are different.
Ivan Ilyich was an intelligent and prosperity Russian high court judge; he never considered that personal relations play an important role in human being. He lived his life without knowing the essentials values of a human being which are compassion, love, honesty, and sincerity, sencibility. He never question to himself about what is more important in life money or personal relations. He never thought about the true of life, it will end one day. Keeping this point in mind, the narrator in this story explains that money would make the journey of life easy. Money can be earned with lost of hard work and, money can buy things, materials, which for a moment make you, feel happy, but it is momentary.
Comparing different works of art from one artist can help a person gain a better understanding of an artist and the purpose of their artwork. An artist’s works of art usually have similarities as well as differences when compared together. Sandy Skoglund is a photographer that stages entire rooms to create a scene for her photographs. Skoglund uses painting, sculpture, and photography to create her artwork. Due to the fact that most of her photographs are created in similar ways, almost all of her photographs have similar components represented throughout the photographs. Differences can be found in her artwork as well. Skoglund’s Revenge of The Goldfish, 1981 (Figure 1), is a popular work of art that is represented at the Akron Art Museum
In The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister tells how a beautiful, extraordinary, yet, self-centered blue fish learns that being beautiful isn’t the key to happiness. The blue fish came to find this lesson when he lost his friends. Pfister takes a simple ocean setting and explores the consequences of an individual’s arrogance toward their peers, the process of humbling of oneself, and the tremendous reward one feels when they learn to share. The story achieves these morals by the author’s use of detailed imager and also, the influence of minor characters on the antihero in order to reveal to the audience the true thematic message; selfish actions bring true happiness.
Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment begins with Rodion Romanovich Raskolnikov living in poverty and isolation in St. Petersburg. The reader soon learns that he was, until somewhat recently, a successful student at the local university. His character at that point was not uncommon. However, the environment of the grim and individualistic city eventually encourages Raskolnikov’s undeveloped detachment and sense of superiority to its current state of desperation. This state is worsening when Raskolnikov visits an old pawnbroker to sell a watch. During the visit, the reader slowly realizes that Raskolnikov plans to murder the woman with his superiority as a justification. After the Raskolnikov commits the murder, the novel deeply explores his psychology, yet it also touches on countless other topics including nihilism, the idea of a “superman,” and the value of human life. In this way, the greatness of Crime and Punishment comes not just from its examination of the main topic of the psychology of isolation and murder, but the variety topics which naturally arise in the discussion.
Yoni is aspiring to become a filmmaker, so he decides to film a documentary of the different people in the Middle East: “Yonatan had a brilliant idea for a documentary. He'd knock on doors. Just him. No camera crew, no nonsense. Just Yonatan, on his own, a small camera in hand, asking, If you found a talking goldfish that granted you three wishes, what would you wish for?” (Keret 1-4). As Yoni is asking, he received varying answers from a lot of different people, some being more poignant than others. Next, he goes to Sergei’s house, and he has a different experience than any other person he asked. With this in mind, Sergei does not like when people knock on his door due to his past with the KGB knocking on his door due to his father’s Zionism. Surprisingly, when Sergei opens the door, Yoni sees the goldfish and runs into Sergei’s house: “Sergei doesn't like this, doesn't like that the boy is almost at it, already reaching for the jar. In this instant Sergei understands the boy didn't come for television, what he came for, specifically, is to snatch Sergei's fish, to steal it away.” (Keret 95-98). As Yoni enters Sergei’s house, Sergei does not know what to do because, initially, he has not ever had this happen in a long time. In the events that happen, Sergei rushes to conclusions about Yoni and instantly believes Yoni will steal his
There can be many moments in people’s lives where they have to make the choice of sacrificing something for the good of others, such as a wish like Sergei does in “What, of This Goldfish, Would You Wish?” In the story “What, of this Goldfish, Would You Wish?” by Etgar Keret, he gives many examples of what happiness means for others. When Yonatan went from door to door asking people what they would wish for, many wanted wishes that would help them or it was something that they had wanted for awhile. And while Yonatan didn’t necessarily sacrifice his happiness for others, he witnessed others wish for a part in their lives where they didn’t have to forcefully sacrifice or give up their happiness. But Sergei was the perfect example of making the
In The short story “What, of This Goldfish do You Wish” written by Etgar Kreten. There could be different kinds of acceptance lessons learned from, but one that can be learned is Accepting the world. This is a problem Sergei Goralick has after he moved away from his home and for a While he thought the world was all bad but he had to accept that everything isn't all bad and to let some people in and let some go and Sergei says, “he wouldn't ask of it a single thing. He’d just stick it n a shelf in a
This current cultural environment of materialism during the post-World War II period inspired J.D Salinger to pen the short story “A Perfect Day for a Bananafish.” It is a story that details the suicide of Seymour Glass. Salinger, in his story, critiques the materialist consumerism that arose after the second world war. The American society has not been severely impacted by the war in comparison to Europe. The country was also doing well finally, and the economic prosperity that arises during the war meant that a large number of the population has sufficient finances to make unnecessary purchases (Franssen, 158). This lead to the emergence of a society that was characterized by greediness and spendthrifts. Essentially, suicide is an accomplishment in a "phony" society that is based on materialism.
Both stories have many characters that are hard to figure out. In “What if This Goldfish, Would You Wish” Sergei was thoughtful and considerate. The author uses indirect characterization to show the reader this. Sergei was considerate because he didn't want to use his last wish on Yoni but to use it for the fish, not to lose the companionship with the fish. In the story Sergei hits Yoni in his head to protect his magical fish because he didn't want to lose him. I know this because in the text it states, “Sergei doesn’t like this, doesn’t like that the boy is almost at it, already reaching for the jar. In this instant Sergei understands the boy didn’t come for
Raskolnikov kills the pawnbroker ,Alena Ivanovna, not for the money or the valuables she had in her apartment.The reasoning behind Raskolnikov wanting to kill Alena is because she is immoral, who cheats the poor and considers her as a creature. She would brutally beat and abuse her step-sister, and pressure her do all the dirty work for her. After killing Alyona Ivanovna, Raskolnikov steals her possessions. Instead of selling the items , Raskolnikov hides the objects under a rock. Raskolnikov reasons this murder was for the greater good for the people, because Alyona’s money could go to help the people of the town. Raskolnikov knew no one would have the strength or means to get rid of “this creature” referring to Alyona Ivanovna. Raskolnikov thoug...
In “A Perfect Day for Bananafish,” numbers symbolize Seymour’s evolving views on the innocence of children. Throughout the story, Seymour feels accepted by children because they seem innocent compared to corrupt, materialistic adults. He and his wife Muriel share room 507 in a hotel where she worries about her appearance and gossips with her mother, while Seymour is on the beach. Muriel discloses on the phone that Seymour never removes his bathrobe. He does, however, remove the robe in front of Sybil, a child, because he feels comfortable around her (9-13). The missing integer in 507 represents Muriel’s lack of innocence and significant values and Seymour’s missing materialism that separates him from adult society. Muriel is shallow and materialistic;