Douglas Fogle said that, "'Life on Mars' poses a poetic question of longing, and of trying to connect.  It relates not only to a literal search for extra-terrestrial life, but also to sending out signals in the dark, and hoping to get a response."  After reading this, I couldn't help but think about the novel we are reading in my French class, Le Petit Prince.  This story is a huge part of French culture, appearing in books, films, and even musicals.  It is the story of a young prince who lives all alone on his very own planet.  He lived in complete isolation.  As the story unfolds, the Little Prince chooses to leave his home and travel to other worlds. 

The first six of the planets he visits are inhabited by one person, just like the Prince who had lived alone on his planet for so long.  Each of these characters dealt with their loneliness in a different way, whether it be drowning themselves in their work and hiding their insecurities behind a suit and tie or suffocating their minds with alcohol. 

And as I read more of this story, I can't help but think about how much it ties into what Douglas Fogle wrote.  We all feel alone at some point in our lives.  What distinguishes us from one another is how we handle our isolation.  Do we hide behind a mask in hopes that no one will see our insecurities?  Do we wallow in self-pity?  Do we just sit where we are, waiting for someone to find us?  Or do we, like the Little Prince, go out and seek connections with others?  Others who yearn for companionship just as much as we do. 

Isolation is what truly shows us who we are, because it forces us to examine ourselves.  When you are alone, there is no one else to turn to, no one else to blame for your faults and your mistakes.  There is but one answer to your problems, and that is yourself.  Realizing that we are responsible for ourselves makes us think about who we are as a person.  Who we are in the scheme of things.  So this exhibit of "Life on Mars" not only poses a question of connection, but also of realization, of acceptance with ourselves.  It is through isolation that we can truly define who we are. 

I have yet to finish reading the tale of the Little Prince, but I do know that the final destination of his journey will be Earth.  Strangely, I can almost feel this small boy creeping slowly, closer and closer to me.  And as I wait for the Little Prince to reach my home planet, I can't help but wonder:  Who am I?

Posted by:  Lily