Outside Reading - Week 4, Post B

Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

A theme that I am seeing emerge from the pages of this touching memoir is independence and strength of character. Elizabeth's year long journey to Italy, India, and Indonesia was taken because she wanted to do something for herself, to rediscover herself and reinvent her habits and unhealthy thinking patterns. Prior to her travels, Liz needed affection and recognition from others that she was involved with. She dovoted herself to a relationship, whether it was a friendship or romantic relationship. Elizabeth gave all that she had, and needed the same undemandable things back which the other person could not give her. By traveling, she is asserting her independence, and her lack of a need for a man or devoted friend. Liz comes to realize this and have healthier thoughts here.