Thursday, April 7, 2016

Opal is hope

Marinda Hsu
2016.04.07

      The quote "The secret of an opal's color lies not in its substance but in its absences" tell how even though opals are expensive (substance) but what really makes them so special is because how they're precious, difficult to find and do not appear easily (absences). This quote metaphors the meaning and lesson according to the novel Pobby and Dingan. Obviously for Rex Williamson, he was definitely attracted by the mysterious and uncertainty qualities from the opal. Also, the quote says that the absences are the colorful parts; the unseen parts are often just as important and charming. This is a hugely related to Kellyanne's view towards her imaginary friends—Pobby and Dingan. They are beautiful and brave as Kellyanne had described, even no one could see their attendance. For Ashmol, opal is what he and his father have been seeking for. It symbolized a dream to the family, not only for Rex himself nor Ashmol.
      Annie agreed to live in a place like Lighterning Ridge most likely because she loves, believes and supports Rex. Opal might be an important promise Rex had made to provide Annie and his family a good life. Yet he had not found any. Opals have been in a situation of "absence" for a pretty long time as the family lives in the town, looking upon opals just like everyone did in the town. Apparently in the story the opal was for a moment important to Ashmol because it was considered as Dingan's belly button. But deeply, finding an opal might be a way to warm up and resolve the intense situation between the Williamsoms. Annie could finally believe again into Rex's strong belief into opal. Back to the story, the opal had made the funeral for Pobby and Dingan possible, which made the whole town came together as one, moreover, made Kellyanne felt that her dreams are real. Many events have happened because of opal: Annie and Rex arguing about how real opals are comparing to Pobby and Dingan, and also offering a funeral with an opal without telling their father. For this part, it tells a small different between adults and children. Kellyanne told Ashmol that she's sure that her dad will sell it, but this is Rex's dream of becoming a billionaire and opals are what he've been waiting for with all his hard works. But for Kellyanne, it is just her best friend's belly button. Then for Ashmol, it was just a key to help Kellyanne and also a small dream of his, since he've been following his dad to the mine looking for opals. Just like how opal contains many colors, everyone in the family viewed opal differently according to their purpose. But over all, opal symbolizes hope to the family, no matter how they view its value. 
     The opals are rare and difficult to discover, just like how everyone, including the Williamsoms; how we all have invisible, unseen dreams that others won't believe untill they see it physically. The absences of the opal made its existence more important and precious to whoever that found it or simply to itself, how it is special and mysteriously beautiful.

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