Essay About Hope in Book Wake by Robert Sawyer

In my spare time for school, I've been reading a book that's actually been intriguing, regardless of the fact that I'm not much of a reader. My ISU book is Wake, the first of a trilogy by Robert Sawyer, as stated in the last journal. As I continue to read, I'm becoming increasingly aware of a more blatant theme in this book: hope. This theme is explored in this novel when Caitlin Decter appears to have been blind her entire life and has attempted to cure it several times. However, this one treatment didn't start off well, but gradually helped her gain vision she had never had before. There are millions of people who suffer from blindness in the actual world; if a treatment like the one described in the novel existed, it would be a game changer for all that are blind. One thing that irritates me is there are still separate storylines. When I'm reading one part of the novel and it flips to a whole different storyline, it's difficult to pay attention. I'm looking forward to seeing how the plot progresses now that Caitlin Decter can finally see the real world.

Wake is a novel that relates to a lot of individuals around the world, even including myself. My eye was caught by this quote, “ And she saw for the first time something that she’d never known for sure ever happened, and it made her heart soar: she saw her father smile” (Sawyer 218). This quote made me think of one thing in particular: tough love. There are people in this world who have parents that don't show their children as much affection as others do, possibly to encourage them to achieve their best. Personally, I am unable to connect to this because my parents are more emotional about me and share their feelings with me. For example, when I obtain a successful grade in school, my parents tend to be more proud and show it through their emotions. This quote also pertains to the theme because, after all of their efforts to make this treatment work, it paid off, and Caitlin finally witnessed her father express emotion. That's why I believed that quote was significant enough to further discuss the meaning of it and its relation to the world.

People who are blind or suffer from various conditions may be looked at differently these days. Some people with these conditions may feel mistreated as a part of their illness, while others simply want to feel normal. Here’s an example of Caitlin's mistreatment: “‘ ‘Human vision.’ Don't say that. I'm human’” (Sawyer 165). There are plenty of people who, like Caitlin, have been mistreated and simply wish to blend in with the rest of society. Personally, I believe it is a type of bullying, and everyone should be treated equally regardless of their circumstances. There have been instances when I've been mistreated, it only takes one mistake to be attacked by others. This remark is also relevant to the theme of hope. I say this because Caitlin just wants to be treated like everyone else and fit in. Caitlin's Blindness isn't easy, and it could have a significant impact on her.

So far, I'd have to say that wake is the best novel I've read in a very long time. I mentioned that I anticipate for more plot twists in the story, and there were definitely a couple that surprised me. Honestly, I'd want to see a big surprise at the end of the book that catches me off guard and makes me think about it for a couple days. Overall I still highly recommend this book to any one in high school, as it is now one of my favorite books. Lastly, I am excited to see how Robert Sawyer wraps up this book , as I feel it could end in numerous ways good or even bad.