To what extent do the characters in your text studied conquer their fate?
Some say fate is written in the stars and others say we choose our own fate. Whichever way we look at it fate is a force that determines the direction in which our lives will proceed to. In the texts Colour Purple' (Alice Walker), All Quiet On The Western Front' (Erica Remarque) and Dead Poets Society' (director: Peter Weir), we are faced with characters that are confronted with fates that are daunting and not necessarily the destiny which they had planned for their lives. Throughout all the texts the character's preconceived plan for life has been thrown into disarray by certain events in time, causing a conquest in order to change their fates.
The characters in each text are inspired and motivated by the influences of a person that impacts on their lives, causing the characters to attempt to conquer their once set path of fate. Celie of Colour Purple', lived a life of captivity in the post slavery era, enslaved not by a white man' but by a husband she hardly knew. The lack of love and compassion from her husband makes her realise where her life is going. Shug Avery and Celie's sister Nettie are the most important role models and influences in Celie's life. Shug and Nettie teach Celie to believe in herself and that she can achieve anything, which is made evident when Nettie tells Celie, "you smart too". This encouragement and motivation influences Celie to disembark from the road that was leading to a life which was bound by beatings and harsh treatment from her husband and onto the road that led to freedom and independence. As to for Paul Baumer of All Quiet On The Western Front', friends and family are the influences that he believes will see him through the hardships of the First World War. Unlike Celie, Paul realises that his inevitable fate of dying in the War is almost certain and is somewhat unchangeable, "I don't think we'll ever get home"....
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