Test Prep 4: Responding to Narrative Writing

     I recently finished reading one of my new favorite books Dear John by Nicholas Sparks. I feel terrible for John, as he has had to face a ridiculous amount of hardships in his life. John has grown up with no mother, and a father who barely knows how to interact. Also, John finally found a girl and was smitten in love with her, until she found a new guy. He has been in the army for almost 10 years, and has had to work so hard and experience some extremely traumatic things. Lastly, the one that really hits home for him, (as if all the others don't) are his father dying.
     During the past year of John's life he finally got really close to his father, but unfortunately it was his father's last year. Naturally, when his father died, John was beside himself. He had no idea what to do or how to deal with the terrible event that just occurred. John hadn't talked to his prior love, Savannah, in over 2 years, but she was his last resort. John took a long journey to find Savannah, the one person he knew would always be there, even if she wasn't there for him to love. John definitely found comfort in Savannah, because he knew her so well and once loved her. Another thing that John did was go back to the army. John felt the need to serve people, and also go back to normal ways. I think by the death of his father, John realized how important people are, which is why he wants to serve his country as much as possible. Also, John was clearly trying to forget about everything by basking in his normal everyday live, without his father of course.
     The way John reacted to the death of his father was most definitely understandable. In a time of such misfortune, disarray, and pure sadness, it's hard to keep sane. John thought he would never ever see Savannah again, but after desperation, she's what he needed to keep him feeling okay. If it was a normal day, John would never, in a million years, go and see Savannah, but desperate times call for desperate measures. I also totally understand him wanting to go back to everyday life, in order to attempt at forget the horror in his life, although I doubt he was able to forget about it. Since John did become so close with his father, I can see why he would want to go back to the army and help other people. John made a realization about the wonders of people, and although that sounds odd, before his dad died he didn't appreciate people as much, and how much impact they can make on one's life. Thankfully, I have never been in a situation like John's, but they way Nicholas Sparks describes the emotions and action of John, I am definitely able to relate and connect to John, and I feel complete sadness towards and empathy for him.