Ava Mascuch 808
ELA essay 12/14/15
Many Things can Happen in one Moment
Have you ever made a decision that you thought was right but turned out to be completely wrong? In the book, “Before I Fall” by Lauren Oliver Sam, the main character, dies in a car crash but she gets to repeat her last day seven times creating one miraculous week of discovering what is really important in life. Throughout the book Sam realizes that there are so many possibilities in one moment or day. You might think you made the right choice at the time but it could turn out to be totally mistaken.
During the book Sam notices that something she says or does could affect someone else deeply. I was upset to hear Juliet say to Sam, “You hate me-she’s edging closer and closer to the road, and it’s making me extremely nervous.” (page 323) This indicates that the reason Juliet is depressed and having suicidal thoughts is mostly because Sam and her friends were so mean to her. When Juliet was moving closer to the road it shows how little time Sam has to convince Juliet not to run into the road. Another example of this is when Juliet is talking about her past with Sam’s friend Lindsay, “You remember the name they gave me in fifth grade, right? The name Lindsay gave me...The funny thing is, it wasn’t even me, Lindsay was the one who wet her sleeping bag. But when Ms. Bridges came in and asked what had happened Lindsay just pointed her finger at me and screamed, she did it!” (page 392) This proves that because of Lindsay's actions Juliet's life was ruined. It was the reason everyone called her “mellow yellow,” the reason she was bullied and had no friends, by that one sentence and decision Lindsay ruined Juliet Sykes’ life.
Throughout the book Sam grasps the idea that there are so many opportunities in one moment. For instance, when Sam is repeating her last day for the 6th time she thinks, “It’s cupid day, and Lindsay's outside, and I have business to take care of. Today I’m going to save two lives: Juliet Sykes and my own.” This quote illustrates that in one moment you can do great things, you can benefit your self and others. Also in the book it states, “Part of me just thinks screw it. Let her do what she’s going to do.” This explains that Sam could have chosen a different path, go back to the party and ignore the fact that Juliet’s life was at risk which would have changed her life for the worse, but she didn’t do that. Instead she made the right decision and stayed.
“Before I Fall” teaches the reader that there are potentially many choices you can make in one moment. Sometimes you make a right decision and sometimes you make the wrong decision. Lauren Oliver is just trying to show the reader that when you make the many decisions you will make at any time in your life make sure you know how you may be affecting someone else in a way that is not good for them.
