Life is often described as a game.
A little astronaut in full uniform and a grown man with an astronaut helmet. Both the same person, the younger self looking forward to the future to the day his dreams and fantasies will be achieved, the day he will explore the massive universe and its possibilities. On the other hand, the older self, look back at the younger him as if overwhelmed by nostalgia and guilt for not being able to accomplish what he wanted to, or maybe for the lost of innocence as he was gradually forced to play the game of life. The people lining the bottom of the window are watching the screen, scrutinizing how the game of life of the boy unfolded. They are the people he was aware of, the very people he wanted to be acknowledged by. In spite of that, for once they are small and insignificant as he had a nostalgic and emotional moment with his younger self. Part of the power of the mirror metaphor is that the single image captures many aspects of human development and human experience (Haglund, 1996). The older man stared at the the younger boy, he was fireworks and rage, ambition and fear, unlike the boy standing before him who sees the magic in everything. A silent confrontation, as if telling the other life will get complicated one day. Mirrored perfectly in the water below are the same figures, this time standing in an empty space, despite all that they have been through, they are still the same person.
“Your life is not a simulation; it's the real game. Play wisely.” ― Richelle E. Goodrich
In the child's half of the world, it was simple, the night sky filled with countless stars reflected on the clear water. The boat is a metaphor that represents a journey, a crossing, adventure and exploration, crossing the sea also symbolizes making the journey across life, whether, it be faith, education, desire, curiosity. Therefore the small rowing boat moving towards the right signifies the the beginning of the boy's journey filled with endless possibility. On the boat are three figures, the protagonist and a companion who seems to be guiding him. At the back sits a ghostly figure of a grown astronaut silently watching the two characters as if lost in nostalgia. The ghost, a metaphor for being haunted by past memories, the past self, by inklings of the future and by himself. The astronaut. an unaccomplished dream, a part of the protagonist who refused to face the harsh reality and hides in his imaginary world afraid of being hurt. The process of disrupting the "imaginary" and accepting someone else’s “reality” is a form of death, a death of one’s dreams, but also memories and stories that comprise our identity. People fear losing the imaginary because they fear undermining their story of self (Barnes, 2018).
The other half of the window shows a contrasting world, dark and misty as compared to the simplicity on the right. The sheep in the image, represents the herd mentality of society, to avoid being a sheep, you must be a lone wolf, in order not to be alienated by others, people conform to the expectations placed upon them. As people grow up abiding to the "rules of the game", they gradually develop certain habits and patterns, adapting to social norms in order to fit in to society and impress others. While we become more effective and successful, people eventually become less creative and unique, behaving more like sheep and act according to our herd. Despite the ongoing debate on whether success is defined by money or happiness, in general, success is measured by the former, money, power and knowledge. Such material success is illustrated through the vaguely visible building commercial buildings and towers of coins in the background all of which are shrouded by the thick smoke emanating from the fire. The ever burning fire indicates his burning desire and enthusiasm to succeed, be it negative or positive. Also a common expression for conflict, fire while provides light and warmth, is commonly seen as a potential for destruction, which could also literally symbolizes the pollution caused by humans due to debilitating desires and greed.
Game over. This two words can be interpreted in many ways. Did his dream to explore the universe as an astronaut come to an end? Has he reached a point where he lost all innocence because of the path he chose and is unable to turn back to the way he was? If life is a game, perhaps he is trying to end the way he is playing it and attempt change the way he will continue? Or does 'game over' literally mean the game of life ended, thus 'thank you for playing'? The meaning of the text is open for interpretation, while there is no 'replay' option for life, you can change your method when facing the upcoming levels and challenges.
References
Barnes, M. (2016) 'Why don't people want to face reality and want to remain in an imaginary world that everyone else calls reality?', Quora, December 24. Available at: https://www.quora.com/Why-dont-people-want-to-face-reality-and-want-to-remain-in-an-imaginary-world-that-everyone-else-calls-reality ( Accessed: 12 April 2019 ).
DeGolyer, D. (2013) 'Figurative Language: More Metaphors Connected with Fire', Business Writing with Taste, March 21. Available at: http://writewithtaste.com/blog/figurative-language-more.html ( Accessed: 12 April 2019 ).
Ford, J. (2005) 'Fire As A Metaphor For Conflict', Mediate. com, February. Available at: https://www.mediate.com/articles/ford13.cfm ( Accessed: 12 April 2019 ).
Schiller, J. (2015) 'PHOTOS THAT PROVE WE'RE ALL JUST SHEEP', Wired, January 16. Available at: https://www.wired.com/2015/01/hans-eijkelboom-people-of-the-twenty-first-century/ ( Accessed: 12 April 2019 ).
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