Our Names
My name, Angelina Florence, holds no real significance to the world. It means messenger of God and prosperous which, in my opinion, are very pretty. However, outside of that, there isn't anything else connecting to my name. When we call someone's name pretty, we find it pleasing to hear, but as we get to know that person and grow with them, we add beauty to the name. Through time, I get to know that person and everything that makes them, them. I tie my personal emotions and experiences to that name, giving it more meaning than it ever once had. This differs from person to person, depending on whether the memories we have with them are joyous or hurtful. Regardless, a name's significance comes from our relationships. Without our emotional connections, a name is, quite frankly, just a soulless label. Each name has its own standard meaning, but we attach our own connotations and experiences to it. For example, if someone mentioned my mom's name without any context, I would immediately think of my mom and not just whether the name is pretty or its dictionary definition. I don't see it as just a name but my mom who raised me with love throughout my life. But, to another person it holds no real value. This post isn't meant to say that our names aren't pretty to hear or that they don't have any individual impact, but more on the deeper value behind our personal bonds. The significance of a name comes from our emotional relationships with people. The way we interact with one another differs from person to person making our names beautiful in rare ways.
The painting looks like two garlic twists holding hands, which I think makes your piece even more beautiful. I really liked the example you included about your mother, since I would think the same way and then mentioning how no one else would feel that same connection was a really nice way to remain realistic.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you are saying. When we hear names, we remember any previous experiences or memories or associations related to that name, instead of thinking about the dictionary definition of the name. Names are significant in their own ways.
ReplyDeleteI like your assertion that names are what we make them to be. Whether the memories we have made with a person are good or bad is what determines the impact from their name.
ReplyDeleteI loved this! I especially like how you started it with a shocking hook, used examples from your personal life to support your thoughts, and brought your piece together with the claim at the end instead of the beginning. It would also be nice to see evidence from Sedaris or Dumas’s pieces to further this with textual evidence, but even without it this was really good. Great job!
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