Author's Note: This is my conflict/resolution piece discussing "What Happened to Goodbye." Enjoy!
Once her parents divorce, McLean becomes engaged with her ever changing personalities-- from cheerleader to geek, from New York to Lakeview, McLean is convinced that by inventing identities from place to place, it won't hurt to say goodbye. This 17-year-old is taken on a journey of reality, acceptance, and trust, setting the stage for the book "What Happened to Goodbye" by Sarah Dessen. McLean's main conflict-- she doesn't know who she really is.
McLean's dad forces her to move, yet again, for his restaurant, and McLean decides that she is sick of being someone else all the time-- she wants to be herself. One issue... she doesn't know who that is. This problem is on the road to resolution when McLean first surrounds herself with trusting and understanding friends who are there to support her. With the extra boost of confidence, McLean eventually accepts the fact that, indeed, her parents are divorced and are never getting back together. She is able to confide in her dad, and eventually, forgive her mom.
This relationship between the conflict and resolution is very similar to Psalm 103:8-12 in the Bible where it explains that God is ever forgiving.
"The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us."
This verse is so powerful in the text of the bible, especially since it is somewhat understandable by us stupid humans. Basically, this quote tells us to put our life in the hands of the Lord-- he won't be upset or angry with what we have done, we just need to trust him and trust that he will forgive. He won't hold grudges against us if we sin, disobey the righteousness. This text is in perfect unison with the overall moral in "What Happened to Goodbye." If we do something wrong in life, not only will God forgive us, so will our parents, our friends-- most of the time we will be forgiven, if given time.The moment McLean lets go of the past and moves on with her relationship with her mother, there is a sense of peace.
The Lord is ever forgiving.
This relationship between the conflict and resolution is very similar to Psalm 103:8-12 in the Bible where it explains that God is ever forgiving.
"The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us."
This verse is so powerful in the text of the bible, especially since it is somewhat understandable by us stupid humans. Basically, this quote tells us to put our life in the hands of the Lord-- he won't be upset or angry with what we have done, we just need to trust him and trust that he will forgive. He won't hold grudges against us if we sin, disobey the righteousness. This text is in perfect unison with the overall moral in "What Happened to Goodbye." If we do something wrong in life, not only will God forgive us, so will our parents, our friends-- most of the time we will be forgiven, if given time.The moment McLean lets go of the past and moves on with her relationship with her mother, there is a sense of peace.
The Lord is ever forgiving.
I really like how you added the quote at the end of the bottom of the piece, to show what it was relating to. I also liked that it was a bible verse! I don't know what I would change in this piece!
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