Jakob's life in Fugitive Pieces by Anne Michaels - Essay Example

Fugitive Pieces: A Story of Loss and Redemption College Fugitive Pieces: A Story of Loss and Redemption Perhaps one of the most frequently utilized plots for literature is during the world’s darkest hours - the holocaust. One of the triumphant writings that materialized through this common theme is Anne Michael’s Fugitive Pieces. The Fugitive Pieces is considered a champion in the sense that it has enable readers to feel deeply for its character Jakob Beer and to reflect on the events that made him into a mature and capable man.

The brutal fate of Jakob’s family has brought indescribable grief that figuratively left Jacob dead and literally wishing for his own life to end. Jakob Beer owes his second life to Athos who discovered him. Athos’ act of saving Jakob marks the beginning of another life for the lad. He assumed the responsibility of being a new father to Jakob - providing for him and nurturing him. As Jakob grew into an adult, he found love and lost it in his first marriage. The love of Michaela, Jakob’s second wife, can be analogous to the rescue done by Athos.

Michaela seemingly helped Jakob to free himself from the torture of his own memories. It is through Michaela’s patience and sympathy that Jakob has been able to regain some of his courage in dealing with the past and overcoming his nightmares. In Jakob’s line, “the invisible paths in Athos’ stories: rivers following the inconsistencies of land and tears following the imperfections on skin. Wind and currents that stir up underwater creatures”, (Michaels, 1996) Jakob implied the enduring hurt that exists.

The pain is represented by the analogy of the river into tears. Believably, wind and currents represent unexpected changes in one’s life. Jakob Beer’s story is an affirmation of life lost and redeemed through invigoration of hope amidst one’s horrific past. It unfailingly tells everyone that behind the triumph of a man are people who, in one way or another, helped the man defeat ordeals. ReferencesMichaels, A. (1996). Fugitive Pieces. Canada: McClelland & Stewart.