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RAVING PRAISE FOR ARCADIA, MY ARCADIA
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READING ARCADIA, MY ARCADIA:
AN INSPIRATIONAL EXPERIENCE
By Annie Niemiec, B.A.
Saint Joseph's College,
Rensselaer, Indiana
In this article I would like to discuss the impact reading Nicholas Kokonis' Arcadia, My Arcadia has had on my life personally.
From the first chapter, the work captured me such that I did not want to put the book down. I was mesmerized by the description of the Greek countryside, from the road leading out of town to the country, to the trees, the mountains, the flowers and the sky. Immediately, my mind transformed my thought to a beautiful land, rich with many natural and simple pleasures.
As I continued reading, I was introduced to Angelos Vlahos, the story's humble main character, who was only a young boy. He was very special and unique, loyal to his family and parents, his upbringing and to a quest for academic excellence. Recognizing his potential for academic greatness, his charismatic country school teacher, Nikos Theoharis, had instilled a confidence in him. With him as a role model, Angelos applied for admittance into the boys' high school, a school in Polis with traditionally few country students.
Angelos' nobility doesn't begin and end with his quest for education, though. His devotion to his family touched my heart greatly. He was motivated to achieve so he could help his parents who had so little. Being Arcadian farmers, they were poor but amazing hard workers. They labored from the early hours of the morning to the evening, working for sustenance, for money, for basic necessities, for basic survival. I immediately loved the entire Vlahos family, who they endured so much to help Angelos while trying to survive in Arcadia. When Angelos needed a place to stay in Polis, or food to eat, or money for school supplies, and later in the story, when he needed money to leave for the United States, his family came through for him. They understood the importance of his education, and as a true family, they all pulled together, sacrificed so much and helped one another.
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Another wonderful attribute of this novel is the vivid, colorful and captivating characters that Angelos interacts with throughout his years living in Polis. From the students and families he meets as private tutor, to his classmates and school bullies, each character brought so many other facets of the Greek society and culture to the story. Every character went from the book to becoming alive right off the page! They illustrated how different the city lifestyle was and how often people are jaded when in a position of power, or affluent members of society.
There were many stark contrasts in character between Angelos and the "eaters" (people of power and authority) of the city. With every victory Angelos had over them, I celebrated with him. I have never been from or of money. I believe that those with less always become more, because they have a greater drive and greater zest for life. Which reminds me of Pausanias' statement: "So heaven has assigned to the most lowly things the mastery over things far more esteemed than they" (ARCADIA, xvii).
Along with his drive for excellence, and love of family, was a raw heroism about Angelos that made me automatically love him. He was a righteous young man who developed a sense of moral thinking that would not sway. This heroic sense carried him through the many ups and downs after completing high school and searching for a way to gain entrance into the United States. He went over so many hurdles, obstacles and bumps in the road to be able to leave Greece. He had to exercise patience and perseverance, while being cautious and crafty. It was so wonderful to read that he was finally going to leave!
When the story ended, I was dismayed. I wanted to follow Angelos to the United States, read about his new adventures, find out if he meets his long-lost love Antigone, and know if he ultimately helped his family to live a more comfortable lifestyle. I was honestly sad when the story concluded. I could never imagine wanting to go somewhere and having to come up with so many documents, depend on so many people for support and have to spend such a huge sum of money! And then to ultimately leave my family, home and everything I knew for a chance at the unknown.
There are many passages and characters within Arcadia, My Arcadia that I have learned from and will take with me in my life. It would be too difficult to just choose a few messages, as this tale enforces so many lessons. I have chosen, therefore, to focus on the story's impact on me as a person. So often in my own life, I take my education and the opportunity for an advanced degree for granted. After reading this book, I found myself turning into a more driven individual. I was taken by Angelos' drive to become educated. As he stayed on top of his studies, memorized lessons and worked to excel as his class' top student, I too found myself dedicating a part of my time to studying and retaining knowledge.
One of my favorite parts of the story was when he stole Papa Euthymios' black book of debts and destroyed it. I think I cried "Hallelujah!" out loud in my room. I felt liberated reading that scene! I despised the character of Papa Euthymios because he oppressed the people in Angelos' village. Reading about the suffering of the Vlahos family and how they were taken advantage of by the local priest made me cringe. Papa Euthymios was a sad person because of his attitudes. He was very self-centered and failed to lead the people who looked to him as holy! When Angelos destroyed the book, he reached, I think, a new level of excellence and heroism.
I reminisced on how I breezed through classes putting in mediocre effort to just "get by". I was somewhat ashamed I had cheated myself. Angelos' effort and zeal for knowledge was so honorable and respectable that I found myself mimicking his habits. I enjoyed reading about his studies they inspired me. If I got the highest grade in a course I am presently taking toward my graduate degree, it is because of that inspiration. I am convinced, now, that I should pursue advanced studies and earn a Masters.
In synopsis, I have never before read a book that became such an inspirational experience for me. Arcadia, My Arcadia is such a wonderfully written and inspirational tale that I can recommended it to all my family, friends and classmates.
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