"The charm of adventure sweetens that sensation, the glow of pride warms it; but then the throb of fear disturbs it;..." (pg. 95)


In class we discussed a quote in the book where the author is comparing a ship out at sea to inexperienced youth out in the real world. The feeling a ship has when it's no longer safe at port and is out alone at sea is somewhat the same as an inexperienced youth who is no longer safe at home, but is out in the real world. My quote appears directly after the quote we talked about in class.

"The charm of adventure sweetens that sensation", the sensation being that of a ship out at sea is made better when a sense of adventure is added to it. Everyone likes being challenged; they like being dared. I know I enjoy completing a task if it challenges me somehow; it helps me forget about fears I have about it. Adventure doesn't overpower the fright of being out and on your own, but it does soothe it. Also, in the end, it will be more rewarding to know that you were challenged and overcame that, then to know that you really didn't have any obstacles.

"The glow of pride warms it;" reinforces my prior thought that it will be more rewarding in the and. When you're on your own, and you actually make it; it warms your heart. The feeling of having accomplished something is relieving, and it makes you happy. We have all had that feeling when we overcome something that was difficult for us, it feels like your heart literally swells with pride.

"But then the throb of fear disturbs it" involves fear as an obstacle that could possibly keep you from reaching your goal. Being young and on your own can be scary and being afraid of making a wrong decision will hold you back. Fear makes you doubt yourself; it makes you hesitate.