Best of week: One can live

The last page of Life & Times of Michael K, ends with the phrase ‘one can live.’ Discussing the implications of this on the book and how it is as a closure was the best discussion I participated in this week.
I felt myself agreeing and looking at the same paragraph in multiple ways as different people expressed their opinions. One way to view it was dependant on how you defined ‘live.’ Live can be literal as in survival, or it can be along the lines of having a fulfilling life. It’s always a humbling fact to think about all the different ways something can be interpreted, and it can all be right. Discussions often involve a factor of this, and being able to come away with different conclusions but understanding the other point of view can be largely helpful in future negations and a career. This can indicate when to yield, and when to acknowledge someone else’s ideas and opinions. The point that I did not think of until someone mentioned it, was Michael providing for himself. He was dependant thoughout the book, starting with his dependence on his mother in part one. Eventually this evolves into Michael being able to sustain his own life, even leading others. Michael became a leader in this society, all symbolized by this one teaspoon and phrase.