Marx says, "It isn’t a sadness, but a joy, that we don’t do the same things for the length of our lives." What do you think he means? Do you agree? How has this played out in your own life?

When Sadie asks Marx if he regrets leaving his acting behind, he replies in the negative. "It isn’t a sadness, but a joy, that we don’t do the same things for the length of our lives." What do you think he means? Do you agree with the statement? How has this played out in your own life?

I do agree with Marx's statement. In my life I have had many 'jobs', child, student, wife, teacher, mother, dog breeder, goat farmer, mother-in-law, beekeeper, and grandmother, to name but a few! Each of these new experiences brings new pleasures and increases the richness of my life. I think the reason why Marx is the happiest character in this novel is because he can enjoy experiences and move on from them. he had a generous spirit and a zest for life.

I agree with Marx and cathyoc. I also have had many jobs during my life. I enjoyed my college life, being a young mother and now a grandmother. Working a few jobs I enjoyed, especially the friends I made at those jobs and my last and favorite job at my library. Now enjoying retirement and my volunteer work. Marx was good at everything he did especially loving and caring for his friends.

I definitely agree with Marx. I am a person that often feels stifled by sameness. It does not mean that I never felt a little nostalgia when I closed a chapter of my life, but sometimes I just knew I needed to move on. I often changed careers and/or jobs within companies. I liked meeting different people. When I was a teacher, I constantly introduced new books on my reading lists. It meant more work for me than the teachers who taught the exact same thing for years, even decades. But I would have died from boredom. New challenges and change can be invigorating; Marx sensed that as well.

I agree with Marx. None of us stays the same as we age we have different roles: child, student,wife,mother, widow. all of theses phases takes us to different places in our life.

I agree. As we age and grow, we develop different interests and different talents. Sameness can be boring.

Agree with all on this, different experiences provides richness and depth to life.

Being open to new experiences , ages, and stages can (and should) be one of life's joys. While stability can be a good thing too, being open to change adds a richness to life.

I agree with the comments; I have changed as I have grown older. As such, I have no interest in doing the same jobs that I did previously. I find I have the same interests, but find enjoyment in totally new ways.

Life presents joys and challenges at every stage which is what makes life beautiful!

As we grow and age, we do have different roles. Past experiences also play a part. In my mind, Marx is right because if we don't find beauty in each stage of life, we are stagnant and find ourselves in a depression.