The Burn Journals is an autobiography following the suicide attempt and recovery of 8th grader Brent Runyon. Vinland Saga follows young child Thorfinn after the death of his father in battle. He joins the man who killed his father, Askeladd, in order to help pillage innocent villages, and engage in war. He grows closer to this man, and sees him as a replacement to his father. The character of Brent Runyon parallels Thorfinn from Vinland Saga, in themes of regret and depression. In Burn Journals, Brent sets himself on fire, avoiding problems in his life, quote (I bring it closer to my face, and it all goes up.) This great decision made on a whim shows the dramatic state Brent is in. Thorfinn makes a similar decision, allowing himself to be …show more content…
This is Brent’s first step to healing, something he would constantly ignore earlier in the book. Brent is often alone in his hospital room, giving him time to think to himself, quote, “I had no reason to be depressed. Starting today, I will never be sad again. Page 150, Burn Journals.”. He does not always want to come to terms with his past, but as he does, we can see Brent changing in attitude, actions, and thoughts. Thorfinn talks to Einar, a fellow slave, about his problems, gaining perspective about his purpose as a warrior, as well as reflecting on his dad’s teachings (You have no enemies. That is what he told me.) Instead of his previous, empty state, he decides he is allowed to live with regret, it does not have to consume him. Thorfinn also lets go of his previous warrior mentality. “There's no point if you fight for peace. You'll never escape that bloodthirsty hell that way. Vinland Saga.” Thorfinn is now living in complete peace, despite the horrid crimes he …show more content…
He also jokingly praises his own made up God, throughout the book. (I came up with this religion based around a god called Ace of Spades. Page 7, Burn Journals.) Brent opposes other authoritarian ideas often, quote, (We’d open Mrs.Loftus’s file cabinets when she wasn’t looking and steal school supplies), Burn Journals, page 11. So it is to be expected that this trait remains when regarding religion. Christianity is one of the most core human ideas shared throughout history, and is thought to save people. We can see Thorfinn following this path in the story, but the author does not place Christianity as the cornerstone of philosophy, but rather, an important perspective. Thorfinn’s use of Christianity and his connection to Stoicism is compelling, and leads him to be a great man without regret. The Burn Journals argues that such faith is not beneficial to become a peaceful, better person. Brent solves many of his issues through simple reflection, and mocks God at some points. Christianity should not be viewed as a perspective, but all truth within itself. However, the comparison leaves the reader with a valuable question to ask themselves about their
The Burn Journals, a memoir written by Brent Runyon, leaves a lot of impressions on the readers about having perseverance and determination. At the age of 14, Brent attempted to commit suicide by dousing himself in gasoline. After that, he had to receive treatment through the multiple hospitals he stayed in. Brent Runyon is able to create his real-life experience into an intriguing story that is also able to teach the readers a message to escape hardship.
Religion, though being nothing to sniff at, is not as important as Jesus when it comes to understanding Christianity. After this epiphany, Dowel resolves to discover the truth behind it all, starting with the Scriptures. By his reasoning, if the Scriptures are untrue, how can they be the truth? No doubt, as we delve into the evidences, theories and research the author has put together, we will be able to draw an intriguing parallel between the phrase “The Truth” and “Jesus Christ.”
When Brent was younger, he was in advanced programs and did well in school. After a couple of years, he started slacking off and ultimately asked his parents if he could leave the program; they agreed. This decision resulted in a downward spiral, consisting of: Brent attempting to kill himself many times, failing most, if not all of his classes, and he also succeeded in hurting himself by setting a gasoline soaked robe on fire while wearing it. Overall, my favorite parts of Burn Journals by Brent Runyon are the detail in the book, the fact that it’s a true story, and how he wrote about a tough/real topic.
There are perhaps many reasons for this, the most noticeable being that he simply wanted to inform the reader or listener of what they were “getting themselves into.” After all, giving both and allowing someone to form their own opinion should be the way someone presents an argument or situation. Lewis writes that atheists must believe that the central points of all the world’s religions are simply wrong. Christians, on the other hand, are not required to believe the same way. They have the freedom to believe that other religions hold at least some bit of truth.
One of the things that burns is trying to prove is that people do not even know how to separate a fictional book as is Anthem with a real life political problem as simple as it was. Yet although, it was fictional the book itself was a way to bring knowledge of an event that is possible to happen in the
Bradbury portrays how Montag’s perception of fire and burning books with his personal development changes by the different choices he makes throughout the novel. In the beginning of the book, Montag has a great passion and
In the story “Everything Ravaged and Everything Burned” by Wells Tower we see a Viking named Harald living a life that we would expect from the legends and stories of our childhoods. Dragons fly off with sheep and tough Vikings go on voyages to destroy towns. But there is something different about Harald. Everything that his fellow Vikings do seems to upset him or contradict his own views. Throughout these events Harald develops a detachment to his fellow tribesmen as his thoughts describe those of disgust and annoyance.
Not only does he plunge into the terrifying lake but he goes to fight Grendel’s mother alone. All the witnesses are amazed he completed such a task. Thorin demonstrates this similarly in his fight against Azog. Azog is a monstrous, pale orc that murders any foes, including Thorin’s grandfather and father, in his way of conquering others. Thorin bravely battles against this enemy with nothing but his weapon and a tree branch as a shield.
McDowell begins the book with an anecdote of his life; a familiar story of the sceptical university Agnostic, ready to fire back a retort at the slightest mention of God, Christianity, and anything (or anyone) within. He recounted the all too common feeling of a meaningless life, the seemingly innate itch of human existence, and how it brought him to various places in his life—until he stumbled upon a particular group of people and was changed forever. This introduction, though short, is crucial to understand, for it sets the stage for the remainder of the book. It tells not only the story of a former non-believer, but the story of everyone—it presents us the life of Jesus Christ, not as a gentle sermon or a feel-good retelling, but as an assertive, rational reply to the accusation: ‘Christianity is a myth, and so is your God.’
He realizes he is in exile and there really is nothing he nor anyone else can do about it. By accepting his life, (luck and fate in all) of being in exile, it makes for a much calmer journey(for the time that these emotions