“Once you have tasted flight you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.”
Literal and Symbolic Meaning: The author of this quote is trying to explain to us the feeling associated when a person experiences their first taste of success. Ordinary is to walk with everyone around you, but extraordinary is to soar above others into a realm where only few have been able to reach. Once you have been able to attain that success and glory, the author illustrates the fact that nothing will be able to compare to it. You will always be longing for the feeling of success again and you will not settle for anything less. The ability to fly represents freedom and supernatural capability. However, walking is something that everyone does and can do. It is nothing special or out of the norm. Walking is a simple task and in contrast to flying, it is not looked up upon to be a great deed. Therefore, once you have been able to experience such freedom and power, it will be hard to think about anything else. Because all good things come to an end, you will then be yearning for the success and power that is associated with flying. Walking on earth simply won’t be enough because your eyes are always “turned skyward”. When you look skyward, the possibilities are endless with visions for the future that are clear and bright.
Application to Life in General: The feelings related to success should be felt by everyone. The author indirectly illustrates how wonderful and sensational success can be and how nothing else can compare to it. Because these feelings of triumph are so potent and remarkable, everyone should have the chance to experience it. This quote should serve as an inspiration to everyone because it shows that there is more to life than walking around aimlessly and conforming to the ordinary people around you. Being successful and accomplishing ones dreams and goals is far more satisfying; and one should be focused on their ambitions so they can soar above the people around them. Furthermore, once a person is able to experience that first taste of success, they will never want to walk again. Even though some good things such as success will eventually come to an end, the person should not get discouraged; instead they need to work harder and push themselves in order to be able to fly once again.
Application to Individual Life: Whatever I do in life, I strive to be the best and this quote directly applies to me in that sense. This quote is very motivational because I don’t want to be “walking around” with other people (in other words to be mediocre). I want to soar above the rest and feel the great sensations associated with success as much as possible. This quote helps me reminisce about times where I have succeeded and I long to have that feeling again. Even though I am not completely satisfied with my accomplishments right now, I will continue to push myself as far as possible in order to get to the top once again.
April 17, 2008 at 5:28 pm
You did not distinguish between lit and symb — but the rest is accurate and well-seen. 19/20