Maura writes to Kanigel that "To take this life seriously is stupid…It would mean that you really believed that there was a purpose to it and rules to be played by" Do you agree with her?

Maura writes in a letter to Kanigel that "To take this life seriously is stupid…It would mean that you really believed that there was a purpose to it and rules to be played by" (p. 149). What do you think of this statement? Do you agree with her?

I don't agree with her. I think we should take our life and finding a purpose seriously. I think there are always rules to follow, which provide order. I do think some rules should be questioned and challenged though. I'm a Christian and that provides guidance and purpose in my own life choices.

I think this was in response to her trying to find purpose and follow rules and not having that work well for her. So she thought trying something different might work better. It didn't, but at least she tried.

Not to sound too preachy, we each have one life. It can be precious to us so we treat it with respect and act with integrity. It can make some people want to be important, to do great things or build great wealth. To some, life is pointless. We each choose our response to life. I agree with Lyris that Maura was trying to make her life work for her and needed a different outlook. I find meaning in treating others well, in acting with integrity.

I don't agree with Maura's observation but I think she wrote this because she was so frustrated with her career and where it was going. I agree with mceacd above that our lives are "precious . . . so we [should] treat it with respect and integrity." We are all given a life that we are challenged to shape and create meaning from - and that's not always easy but in my opinion in life there is an opportunity to find gratitude in what's been given to you. I think Maura lost sight of this because of all the frustrations in her career.

I agree that no one should take life or themself too seriously, however, I feel that statement came from an emotionally challenged young woman who was struggling to find out the purpose of her life. There is a purpose to all life and yes, rules of society that must be followed (at least most must be followed to avoid significant consequences).

Maura’s statement seemed a bit incongruent with the intensity she was experiencing while working with her professor on her PhD. Her professor clearly had a lot of rules that he expected her to play by while working with him and while writing her dissertation. I half wondered whether she wrote that because she wanted to convince herself that her student life did not involve many rules and was not quite so serious. It’s possible she was referring only to that part of her life separate from school. Each day is a gift. There are times when events, work (and its rules) and relationships need to be taken seriously, but overall, I think there also needs to be time to enjoy the light hearted moments, to laugh and to just appreciate family, friends, and the beauty around us.

I think her statement is a reflection of the times--the late sixties. Everything was being questioned. And the fact that they were so young. I remember thinking the same thing at that age, and probably had a lot more fun because of it.

I am going to take Maura’s comments in context. Maura writes that she is confused, exhausted and frustrated. She is overwhelmed by Europe and wants to explore. What prompts her comment about taking life too seriously is a photo where she feels Robert looks too serious. I don’t believe she really believes life has no purpose and neither do I. She is young, acting out her frustrations and making off the cuff remarks.