This blog will discuss the book’s overarching message about following one’s heart and embracing life’s uncertainties. Life is a journey for all, but this book tells a story that is extraordinarily marred by numerous twists that occur in a series of unexpected events, like a turbulent chain that leaves the characters perplexed and overwhelmed. Dennis takes the readers on a roller coaster ride through the troublesome life of the main characters in his book, which continues to keep the readers glued to the book until the last page.
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Following your heart instead of whims and fancies even through the most uncertain times
The twists and turns occurring in the book, though very much uncertain, set the plot for events that, despite being unpredictable, still carry a glimmer of hope that is never lost, even through the most despairing times. Starting from the initial stage, when the main protagonist, Charles Winters, is torn apart between two women, the hope is reflected in his desire to overcome the struggles of a turbulent relationship for a good life.
The book serves to highlight the important theme of listening to your heart through its story, plot, and characters that no matter how life turns out to be, it is still important for a person to embrace life’s twists and turns despite the uncertainty. The main characters in the story, especially Charles Winters, have made a point by following their heart and not any whims and fancies that may come their way.
The choice in life a person takes holds great importance. Choices must not be adopted amidst despair and what others enforce on you. Rather, it must be made in your interest. This is because a wrong choice may force you to fall into misery. Also, choices forced upon you by others will take you to a horrible ending and one that you will regret for a lifetime. This scenario is reflected through the book, which serves to bring to the readers’ attention the need to follow your heartfelt desires no matter how unexpected or uncertain the situation stands.
The struggle to find meaning in a hopeless life lies in fulfilling your heart’s desire.
So, what does the journey of Charles Winters tell the readers? It depicts a man’s life who is forced to take a regular job. The demands of relationships constrain his life, and the past continues to afflict him. Living a life in the valley is not easy, and the tragic past of his sister’s death in an accident continues to take its emotional toll on his mental health. Amidst all these mishaps, Charles wants a new meaning in life. He wants his life changed so that he can break free of the misery that, one way or the other, continues to cause distress to him.
Many readers may find Charles’ life relatable to theirs. They may face challenges different than the one Charles goes through, but the entire scenario is a grim reminder of how uncertain life is and how your life may turn out to be at a dead-end. This fragility of life requires meaningful changes. The change that Charles desires is to get rid of this mundane life marked by a tragic past. This resolve confronts him with the choice of deciding whether he would desire improvement or continue to dwell in a monotonous life.
This situation paves the way for the writer to construct and build the theme of following one’s heartfelt desires when life is hopeless, and there is a need to bring change. This again serves to highlight the importance of embracing life’s uncertainties while following your heart.
The possibility of true love and a strong relationship never ceases if you act rightly.
Dennis indeed builds a plot that demonstrates how cruel a turbulent relationship could turn out to be. Charles’ relationship with Violet reflects this aspect. However, hope is never lost in the book as Charles comes across Jennifer. The issue is not about love being lost or not being found. The problem is that Charles continues to remain embroiled in a relationship that is toxic and spells destruction in his life.
The possibility of taking a positive turn always exists. Despite being a difficult choice, the hope to find love is never lost. Though real love makes Charles go through a tumultuous journey that is filled with troubles, it again reflects on the need to listen to your heart. Los Angeles turns out to be the city that makes the characters pass through the rigors of sex, drugs, and a fast-tracked life. However, this only serves as a reminder that a choice made under the influence and pressure of others will drive you toward destruction.
Charles can make a positive change by choosing to be with Jennifer. This is the relationship that will change his life for the better. The main issue is that this hard decision to move on from a destructive relationship requires courage. The twists and turns that life throws at you are certainly unexpected, but all humans inevitably go through them. The trick is to gather the courage to act on the instincts your heart conveys to you. Similar to Charles, this will give any person the courage to make the right decision to improve their life.
Last Word
The message underlined in “A Native’s Tongue” will be loud and clear to you once you read the book. It tells you how important uncertainties in life are because they help you discover the true self inside you and make decisions based on this discovery.
Charles’s life explains and elucidates this point very well by explaining to the readers why breaking free of a toxic relationship and a dreaded past amidst all the fallback is so important. It conveys the importance of embracing uncertainties in life and listening to your heart no matter how uncertain the future ahead looks like. So, while you try to regain control over your life and improve its outlook, it is equally important to be aware of the need to accept the unexpected in life.
