We often forget that life is attached to purpose. If there is breath in something, it is because there is a meaning to its existence. This truth shows itself even in the tiniest details of our everyday life. For instance, those of us blessed with the opportunity to receive an education carry out our purpose as students when we genuinely strive to learn. Unfortunately, we can become so focused on this responsibility itself that we forget to live our purpose to its fullest and most beautiful extent—we dull the unique spark of growth in our hearts. John Bunyan, despite the centuries that separate his lifetime from ours, gives us the key to embracing a life with meaning through the heart-touching journey of Pilgrim’s Progress. The lessons found in his classic are specifically resonant for students and scholars today.
Christian, Bunyan’s main character, accurately represents the deep internal struggles that, as a senior in high school, I am confident have affected the majority of us. The common starting point before becoming desensitized to our role as learners is the burden of loss or failure. For me, this is rooted in an assignment, responsibility, or relationship that does not go how I expect or, even more challenging, I am not able to carry out well. Missing the chance to do something right, letting someone down, and not being able to express the knowledge I am gaining can overwhelm me with a sense of loss. Christian, as his journey begins, is faced with the rejection of his wife and children. He is forced to leave without them and is soon abandoned by two “friends” who call his future hopeless; he is surrounded by loss as well.
However, Bunyan uses this as a perfect scenario to introduce our first key lesson: humble perseverance. Christian falls into the “Slough of Despond” because of his past mistakes, and all that he loses causes pain in his heart. Yet, he does not stay in the slough. Instead, he calls for help and is pulled out newly focused. For us, this is an indicator of a genuine willingness to get back up and try again. Specifically, to seek guidance from others with the full intention of trying again differently. Like Christian, although we often struggle to recognize our need for help, whatever the task or situation, we can advance toward success by a genuine second (or perhaps even fourth) try.
Perseverance in its fullness is not possible without focus. Consequently, it becomes progressively more difficult to fight for a school project, team or even a relationship, when the reason or conviction behind it is unclear. Faced with trickery, exhaustion, physical abuse, and deep fear, Christian’s path is disrupted multiple times. However, through each obstacle there is a voice reminding him of all that was previously overcome. Not only does he use the past as evidence of purpose but becomes recentered on achieving happiness.
In other words, suffering is ever-present, but it never manages to take away the meaning of Christian’s journey because he stands firm in his reason. Thus, our second lesson is purposeful focus. The classic makes it clear that struggle is part of our human nature. This leads me to believe that the reality behind Christian’s transformation is found more in his heart than in his actions. A vital aspect of being intentionally focused is the aligning of one’s heart to what is being sought. This means that our overall success as students comes from recentering on the why behind our goal, a task that requires a change in our own interpretation—a change in essence.
Like Christian’s journey, the student’s path is not unchallenged. It is also full of obstacles and treacherous shortcuts, teaching harder lessons but also allowing for personal growth. As the way we view the world becomes closer to that of Christian’s our inner spark begins to shine again.
Eva Tavarez has loved literature and art for the entirety of her student life. She has been involved in musical theatre since elementary school, fostering an appreciation for learning about the world through creative means. During her junior year of high school, she was co-head of Santiago Christian School’s chapter of the National English Honor Society. During this time, she co-directed the fourth edition of the school’s Voices literary magazine. The opportunity to assistant teach English as a second language formed her belief in the deep relevance of literature’s lessons to children, a conviction she is dedicated to developing further as a future professional. For this reason, she would like to pursue a degree in Special Education as well as a minor in Literature or Film Studies.
National English Honor Society
The National English Honor Society (NEHS), founded and sponsored by Sigma Tau Delta, is the only international organization exclusively for secondary students and faculty who, in the field of English, merit special note for past and current accomplishments. Individual secondary schools are invited to petition for a local chapter, through which individuals may be inducted into Society membership. Immediate benefits of affiliation include academic recognition, scholarship and award eligibility, and opportunities for networking with others who share enthusiasm for, and accomplishment in, the language arts.
America’s first honor society was founded in 1776, but high school students didn’t have access to such organizations for another 150 years. Since then, high school honor societies have been developed in leadership, drama, journalism, French, Spanish, mathematics, the sciences, and in various other fields, but not in English. In 2005, National English Honor Society launched and has been growing steadily since, becoming one of the largest academic societies for secondary schools.
As Joyce Carol Oates writes, “This is the time for which we have been waiting.” Or perhaps it was Shakespeare: “Now is the winter of our discontent made glorious summer . . .” we celebrate English studies through NEHS.
National English Honor Society accepts submissions to our blog, NEHS Museletter, from all membership categories (students, Advisors, and alumni). If you are interested in submitting a blog, please read the Suggested Guidelines on our website. Email any questions and all submissions to: submit@nehsmuseletter.us.
