A Golfer's Life by Arnold Palmer
In analyzing the protagonist of A Golfer's Life, I have come to realize that Arnold values strong character. This theory is demonstrated throughout the memoir in the following ways.
"Pap didn't believe in borrowing money you couldn't pay back[...]" (22). Pap is referring to his father, Deke Palmer, whose opinion Arnold holds in high regard. The qualities of honesty and integrity are the heart of this philosphy.
"Wrapped in the spell of the game, they probably didn't have a clue or a care in the world who was watching them, and that's exactly as it should be, a tribute to this marvelous game we play" (2). He knows that people shouldn't perform for whoever is watching them, they should do it for themselves.
"A woman I hadn't seen since the tenth grade remembered how I was so unspeakably shy in Miss Jones's public speaking class that she forced me to stand before the calss and asked me to explain the importance of making solid eye contact with the people I was addressing-something, come to think of it, I always try to do to this day" (9). He knows in order to give the person you are talking to a sense of respect and engagement, you must (sometimes uncomfortably) look them in the eyes. It is the polite thing to do.
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2 comments:
Your interpretation of the protagonist's value for charactar makes me want to read the book. Oh, and by the way, I think all the bright colors on your page almost gave me a seizure
I really like the second quote, and I beleive that too. This book looks really interesting, and i haven't read any golf books.
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