Fate vs. Free Will

          The Art of Storytelling is a technique often used by authors and writers to emphasize and clarify his or her writing piece. This method uses different elements, such as complex characterization, binary opposites, and catharsis, to create a special effect in the writing and makes the reader think on a deeper level. An easily identifiable element would be the theme, or the underlying meaning of a piece of work. The writer’s goal is the convey very his or her chosen theme throughout the book, either to teach a lesson or entertain readers. Fate versus free will has seemed to be a common idea in advanced books and literary works. This concept not only serves to teach a lesson to the readers but also tends to play a heavy role in the plot of a story.

           Fate versus free will can be clearly identified as a major theme in Oedipus Rex (recommended reading) by Sophocles. Right from birth, his life is already determined by his fate. His mother “pierced his ankles and by the hands of others cast him forth upon a pathless hillside” (line 826) in order to avoid the prophecy and protect her and her husband, but she instead sets forth a chain of events that will eventually fulfill the curse. Even though Oedipus was not able to make a decision out of his own free will, his mother took a willful decision to give him up, but that did not Oedipus from completing the prophecy. “It is not fate that [Teiresias] should be [Oedipus’s] ruin, Apollo is enough” (line 436).  The prophet tries to make Oedipus understand that the prophecy is going to result in Oedipus’s downfall, not him or anyone else. Apollo has chosen the path for Oedipus and he has no choice but to play along with it and accept the consequences. He cannot change the way of the Gods. Even Oedipus’s piercing his eyes that gushed “black rain and bloody hail” (line 1469) was all part of fate. Some people might disagree and argue that Oedipus chose to destroy his eyes, but it can also be argued that it was fate because no sane person would consciously decide to blind themselves. His past, which was a result of his fate, shamed him and he could not look at himself after killing his father and sleeping with his mother. But in the end, he accepted his fate and knew that it was real.

          The Alchemist (recommended reading) by Paulo Coelho is another book that portrays the idea of fate versus free will. Santiago’s parents “wanted him to become a priest” (page 3) in order to make their family proud, but he decided to steer off and follow his own dreams of traveling the world. He was willing to give up his family traditions in search of making his own, even if it meant discovering things on his own and facing hardships. However, he adapts by willing working for the crystal merchant because he believed that his “dreams of travel” (page 21) was his calling. His dream of the pyramid was repetitive, and the universe was always helping him along the way, such as the King of Salem and the Englishman. This supports the idea of fate and not being able to avoid it. Everything happens for a reason and the universe will help you complete your destiny. Like Oedipus, Santiago realizes and accepts the idea of destiny and that “life really is generous to those who pursue their destiny” (page 72). This lesson does not fail to achieve the purpose of making the readers aware that there is a unique destiny for each one of us, just like Santiago. Going in pursuit of our fate determines the “plot” of our story, or our life.

          Native Son (recommended reading) by Richard Wright can also be easily identified a book with a theme of fate versus free will because of race. The color of someone’s skin has always been a big factor in how his or her life turned out to be, and this book shows just that. Bigger was left with no other choice but to “[push] downward upon the pillow with all of his might” (page 80) because he cannot risk himself being caught in Miss Dalton’s room alone. Being caught would have only ended up one way- being thrown in jail. No one would have believed that he was helping Miss Dalton and he needed to work in order to support himself and his family, so he had no free will to decide what to do; killing Miss Dalton was the only option. But when he finally got arrested, he knew it was the end for him. Black people being arrested for murder never got fair trials like white people did. They were already repulsed and throwing them in jail gave society a legal reason to get rid of them. Bigger knew he had no other choice but to die, so he convinced himself that “what [he] killed for must’ve been good” (page 327). He had to accept his fate.

          Fate vs free will is a common theme that can be found in many books, either as a minor or major idea. This theme helps shape the book the way it is and can also make the readers think, about both the book and real life.