A Life Half Lived

The title of this thesis, “A Life Half Lived,” refers to the recurring motif found in each of the essays in this collection—throughout my life, I’ve been faced with multiple paths I could take, each one potentially taking my life in a different direction. However, often these paths have been closed off and made unavailable to me due to external forces, or choices I myself have made. This thesis explores the recurrent pattern of aborted paths in my life, the notion of only living half of a life, and the imaginary scenario of what a life fully lived looks like. The thesis often uses objects symbolic of a period of growth or adversity to help explore these themes. The thesis begins in childhood, then regales the time I spent living in England and how I met my best friend. The thesis then discusses asexuality and shoes in two separate essays. The thesis then brings the reader back to the past, exploring the last few months I spent living in England. The next essay is devoted to my grandmother and her influence on me as a cook. The final essay is set in both childhood and the recent past, using tea as a doorway into discussing the early influences of British culture on my life, ending with the promise of one day returning to the place that represents ‘home’ to me. And from the shelter of my mind Through the window of my eyes I gaze beyond the rain-drenched streets To England where my heart lies - Paul Simon