Asterios Polyp

Asterios Polyp is about a man who struggles with his own flaws. It is a story about the relationship between free will vs. fate. He is of italian and greek decent and relates parts of the odyssey with his life. I like when he talks about how the ancient religion of greek gods explained the randomness of the joys and tragedies in life. They were powerful beings that did things upon feelings. If they didn't like someone they would doom them. The ancient gods were very human. So is it a religion based on god or is it a religion explaining human nature. I do believe that life is 50/50 when it comes to free will vs. fate. Fate happens but we always have a choice in how to deal with it. Situations can destroy us, or make us stronger in terms of how we choose to handle things. As human we are flawed and so are relationships and there is no helping that. Asterios is self-centered and insensitive and his wife is very passive. Their flaws get the better of them which leads to their separation for a period of time. I do like the ending when he does make it back to her and they start to patch things up. I liked it's hopeful wishful thinking ending. Relationships won't always be wonderful. But, we live for those special moments when we can really connect with someone else. Relationships are work and people don't want to always compromise. But I feel if you really love someone you'd do anything for them. You'd swallow your pride just to be with them. Sacrifice is a big part of love and I think that is a major theme in this story.