The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler
Ever since his best friend Emma rejected him, he was unsure how to act around girls. He's in high school, yet he only recently wore his first pair of boxers. He wasn't sure of what would become of him. So when he and Emma discover a leak into the future--Facebook (which hadn't been invented in 1996) he is extremely happy to find out he has the perfect life. But then he realizes, that his future was basically bought by his wife, and since he couldn't get his own job, his father-in-law employed him.
Initially I thought that Josh should still be excited. He'll live in a beautiful house, have a beautiful wife, three kids, and a lot of spending money for vacations and the sort. But even so, Josh is unsatisfied.
I think that Josh's self esteem was lowered even more, when he read into his future. I think he feels like he can't accomplish anything now, and he won't when he grows up. Josh doesn't want to be dependent on his wife, and feel useless. I think that he isn't reading the situation correctly, though. How does he know whether or not he wanted to work for his father-in-law's company? He doesn't. He is making that assumption because of lack of confidence, and a poor view of himself.
The thoughts that have been going through Josh's brain throughout all this mess, is will anyone ever take me for who I am?
This is a reasonable question, of course. Who wouldn't want people to except them for who they are? But in my opinion, Josh is taking this too seriously. It was Josh in the beginning telling Anna that she shouldn't stress or mess with the future, but now he is jumping to conclusions that he is unhappy in his soon-to-be perfect life.
We just recently learned a little about social justice. Josh doesn't think he is good enough for Sydney Mills, or Emma, or anyone. But if he had taken the time to repair his relationship with Emma, I don't think he would've ever felt so low. Confidence benefits you because you live with a little less weight on your shoulders when you aren't so worried and unsure. I think that Josh should just let the future come, and trust himself to make the right decisions.
I totally agree!
ReplyDeleteI also read this book, and feel that Josh should trust himself. If he chose this path at one point over another one, then what he chose is most likely for the better. Also, if he really wanted to be with Emma, he should just prove himself to her, make her feel she needs him instead of sitting around worrying.
I really liked this post- there were so many different thoughts!
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to say that the part where you think Josh should be happy with what he has, but he initially isn't, is really interesting and relatable. He has a LOT of great stuff, which a lot of other people would probably be ecstatic about, but he isn't. This seems to be because of the ways he obtained these things. It makes me think about the very common issue of people not knowing what they really want. When you accomplish something, you should feel happy and proud. Sometimes, however, you feel kind of empty, and that's because you've realized that that wasn't something you really wanted, or was important, like Josh.
Great post! :)
P.S. Ms. B is coming to chorus tomorrow!! (afterschool)
I haven't read this book, but it seems like his low self esteem could cause him to panic like that about his future. That was a great point.
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