In order to introduce the three main characters in the book: Leroy, Isabel and Eliot, I reviewed many paragraphs. The following is the final feeling. After I finished writing, I went to Douban to find someone else's reading notes, which may be different.
Le Lei:
Regarding the role of Lai Lei, he has been in the middle of chaos, living in reality and pursuing his own beliefs. There has always been a point in the debate around him, that is, whether he is a responsible person. I think this question has always been very delicate.
From the perspective of realistic existence, he is passive, does not strive for progress, does not consider the actual needs of life, and has always adopted a step-by-step attitude, fantasizing about reality, but actually living in the present, which seems a bit ridiculous.
But he is actually very enviable. His whole heart is bound by his own thoughts, and only by his own thoughts. Every time I talk about his spiritual field, I will naturally see a cult-like believer with motionless eyes, a smile on his face and a pious face facing the light. I don't know why. His belief is actually inconclusive, but he has been looking for what kind of light he should want in various ways. I am a little confused, but the only confusion is covered up by strong enthusiasm. From the eyes described by the author many times, you will find that you can't see through him, and because you can't see through him, the light of faith in his eyes gives me a power to the degree of fear. There is a sense of panic that reality will be swallowed up by nothingness.
This force is dangerous, but I will always be conquered by his transcendental emptiness. He is independent, bold and passionate. He can consciously shield the real crisis and seek his inner voice unscrupulously. He can diligently pursue the philosophy of life, dare to try the versatility of life, and can endure hardships, such as digging coal and being a sailor; When encountering setbacks, he will explore his ideals from another angle in real life; On the issue of marrying Isabel, in the short term, his letting go is irresponsible; But in the long run, he chose to untie, and this kind of free and easy after deep love is beyond the reach of ordinary people.
He sometimes gives me the feeling of being a bit like Xiangzi in the early stage of Camel Xiangzi. The only difference is whether the flames in their eyes have been extinguished. Their final contradictory ending was just right, and they returned to the eternal struggle between belief and reality. The final difference is only who conquered whom.
Isabel:
She is an out-and-out realist, and the reality here is not a derogatory term. Even, I like her very much. Like her straightforward pursuit attitude; The calmness of parting; Generosity after farewell. And from the character, she is cheerful, she is lovely, she is kind, clear-cut, educated, very calm in the face of life's joys and sorrows, and very organized in housework. There is no real reason why she is hated. The only thing that may be criticized by a few people is probably that she resolutely chose gray after breaking up with Lai Lei. But this, I have to say: in fact, this is a point to deepen my goodwill!
She, Isabel, is an exquisite realist. Understand the pros and cons, weigh the present and make the choice that suits you best. Knowing what you want and courageously chasing what you want, it is hard to imagine that such a way of chasing is utilitarian, but it is not completely utilitarian. Her final destination is gray, not anyone else. I haven't done anything unnatural, so I don't think there is any problem.
Eliot:
As a traditional conservative, I think what he has done is nothing more than escaping from reality, but I don't think he is derogatory. With the change of the trend of the times, he was gradually abandoned by the new social circle, and he refused to integrate, so he stubbornly paralyzed himself by participating in social activities frequently, and all the pursuit of life was just the desire to spend his life with social activities. I really feel a little distressed about his last social behavior. Seemingly absurd, tragedy is actually inevitable. The growth patterns of Leroy, Isabel and the people around them are always an indirect warning, telling Eliot that your time is over, so don't be stubborn.
But in fact, as far as Eliot is concerned, after all, we were not born in that era. What is the value of his education, the glory he thinks, and the direction he pursues? We can't judge. If he chooses to accept assimilation, we don't know what he will lose. If he accepts the reality, he will be like a kite without thread. It's like a generation gap. We always laugh at the world in the eyes of the older generation in a critical tone and disdain to deny their stubbornness. But maybe this is the dignity they will defend to the death. We can disagree, but at least we should respect it. Everyone needs a little space to realize their own value. If he doesn't harm nature, if we can't correct it, and if he can still be happy, then we shouldn't use the so-called advanced concept to demand a person from the past. It is also a guardian. Protecting the past and the future cannot predict the correct percentage by itself. If it is done, it will be enough.
I think Lai Lei and Isabel are both leaders of new ideas, just representatives of two extremes of society, the conflict between ideal and reality, but they both dare to pursue their own hearts with a peaceful mind and live the life they want to the extreme. Eliot is at least full, and everyone's mental state is different. For Eliot, avoiding self-protection is not a kind of self-salvation in the torrent of real struggle.
All in all, I think this book is very philosophical and open-minded. The author showed you all the extremes of life and explained the truth to you. As for what you think you should choose and what is more suitable as your own choice, leave it to yourself.
We are all individuals living in this world, with independent thoughts, independent personalities and self-salvation in our hearts.