As a French Proverb states, “You often meet your fate on the road you take to avoid it.” Many plays and early works of art shed light on the concept of fate and foreshadowing. In most cases, these stories revolve around a tragedy where the fate of the protagonist leads to ultimate betrayal or even death. However, in the mid-1700’s in France, a new form of art arose. Greek tragedies were still very prominent, but newly founded plays were based on comedy and a mockery of the nobility. Fate in comedy was born and illustrated new meaning in numerous pieces of literature. In the French play, “The Barber of Seville,” written by Pierre Beaumarchais, the fate of Count Almaviva and Rosine does not lead to sorrow but rejoice and celebration. Instead of letting fate take the reigns of life, the Count comically decides to challenge destiny and woo Rosine, a young noble lady. His first attempt to cheat fate is dressing up as a poor university student to catch her attention and satisfy his growing infatuation. He refuses to let his social status as a grandee stand in the way of his heart’s desires. “I’m weary of the conquests that self-interest or habit or vanity present us in unending succession. How delightful it would be to be loved for oneself alone!” (Act I page 39).

As for Rosine, the stars are aligned for her to take Dr. Bartolo as her husband. However, her fate is soon altered as Figaro, the barber of Seville, steps into the picture and helps the Count win her over. Instead of following the footsteps of destiny, all three characters make choices, which influence the outcome of their lives. The Count, overcome by love and utter determination, will stop at nothing to persuade Rosine to neglect to marry Bartolo, while Figaro plays the role of the messenger between the star-crossed lovers. Act IV unravels as all the characters begin to reveal their true feelings and falsities. In order to intervene and make sure his plan remains intact, Bartolo tells Rosine a lie about her secret lover; saying the Count will have people come kidnap her. “This conspiracy was leading you into abyss from which there could have been no rescuing you…” (Act IV page 95). At first Rosine believes this fictitious story and reluctantly agrees to marry Bartolo, however the Count quickly intervenes, refusing to accept this undesirable fate. By revealing his true identity, the Count not only gains Rosine’s forgiveness but also, ultimately, her hand in marriage.

“Things and actions are what they are, and the consequences of them will be what they will be; why then should we desire to be deceived?” (Joseph Butler). In Sophocles’s tragedy, Antigone, the meaning and recognition of fate heavily weighs down Creon’s pride and Antigone’s love.

With a sense of lawful righteousness and tyranny, Creon believes burying Polynices is truly unlawful and seeks obedience in his resolution. “That’s my decision. For I’ll never act to respect an evil man with honours in preference to a man who’s acted well,” (237-239). His consistent stubbornness and character predetermines his fate in the tragedy, as he demands to arrest the individual who refused to follow the law of the land. Creon allows his pride to mark his decisions and influence his destiny, refusing to have mercy on his own nephew.

While Creon’s pride determines his fate, Antigone’s deep love and passion sets the pieces of her life together. She loves her brother Polynices infinitely and refuses to abide by the law, believing he deserves the proper burial despite his actions. “I’ll lie there with him, with a man I love, pure and innocent, for all my crime. My honours for the dead must last much longer than for those up here,” (90-93). At this point during the tragedy, Antigone recognizes that such a deed, in Creon’s eyes, will forever seal her fate. She would rather sacrifice her own life in order to show respect for her deceased brother. Love predetermines the alignment of her actions and the consequences that follow. Driven by the heart instead of the mind, Antigone openly accepts death and denies nothing.

The power of love sets a dark overtone on the city of Thebes, as every character, except for Creon, is deeply affected by Antigone’s decision to bury her disloyal brother. After hearing that Antigone had hanged herself, Haemon and Eurydice decide to take their own lives in the acceptance of fate and utter grief. In the end, Creon’s fate led him to walk in this world alone, knowing that he influenced the fate of his family members. “I don’t know where to look or find support. Everything I touch goes wrong, and on my head fate climbs up with its overwhelming load,” (1487-1490). Creon is the only one without love and left alone in his own misery when the tragedy comes to an end. His fate is marked by the wrongdoings and decisions of his family. It is not until the very end that he recognizes and accepts his own destiny with a wounded heart.

While love and pride influenced the lives of Creon and Antigone, the greatest power and benefactor was fate itself. As Sy Montgomery once stated, “fate is the promise that life is not a random string of tragedy and comedy without meaning. Fate proclaims that our lives are in fact so meaningful, so necessary, that our stories are written by the gods and goddesses, by the heavens themselves.”

“There are people whose remembrance gives light in this world, long after they have passed away. This light shines in our darkest nights on the road we must follow.” (Anonymous) Out of the most tragic and historic events there comes both deep sorrow and great hope. Jonathan Safran Foer, author of Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, takes the reader on a journey through the eyes of a nine-year old boy named Oskar Schell. With a roller-coaster of emotions, Jonathan Safran Foer captures and invokes remembrance of the September 11^th tragedy. Through the use of powerful sentences and descriptive words, the author puts the reader in the shoes of Oskar- who sadly lost his father in the terrorist attacks.

Remembrance is not only evoked through written language, but also through visual imagery. It is said that a single picture is worth more than a thousand words. Jonathan Safran Foer scattered a select amount of vivid images of the tragic event; drawing attention to places and particular objects. For example, the photograph on page 303, symbolizes the key of remembrance and unlocking the hidden truths of Oskar Schell’s father. The hands etched with the words “YES” and “NO” on page 260 depict the inability to communicate when one has experienced suffering. These images hold a deeper meaning that can only be exchanged through the reader’s eyes and felt with the heart. Remembrance, whether through a written language or a cluster of images, unlocks hidden doors and explores the windows of the soul.

“Memory is a way of holding on to the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose.” (Kevin Arnold) In the touching novel, The Namesake, written by Jhumpa Lahiri, the reader glances through the eyes of Gogol- struggling to shape his identity based on Indian traditions and American dreams. Through hardships, self-acceptance and understanding, Gogol must learn to come to terms with his name, his family, and his background. His name invokes remembrance through self identity- remembering who he is, and where he comes from. It holds a significant meaning that changes the course of his life as he soon realizes his place in America.

Like Jonathan Safran Foer, Jhumpa Lahiri uses descriptive language to create visual images. In the beginning of the novel, Ashima is about to give birth to Gogol and speaks of the differences between an American clock and an Indian one. Through the use of imagery and detailed phrases, Lahiri evokes remembrance. The ticking of the clock and counting of time during birth in America takes the reader back to the quiet life in India- where traditions are essential and family embodies everything. During his adventure through life, Gogol’s father reveals the significance of his son’s name- recalling a series of events that have shaped his life and will mark his destiny. Through self-identity and vivid memories, Gogol slowly comes to terms with himself and embarks on a new path- clinging on to his heritage, his father’s memories, and most importantly, his name.