In the memoir “This Boy's Life,” Tobias Wolff examines the attitudes and behaviors that all human beings exude in childhood. Indeed, Wolff demonstrates how exorbitant hope can blind individuals, leading them to an unfulfilled and disappointing life. In contrast to the stereotypical 1950s ideals surrounding conventionality, Wolff highlights how the many promises of unconventionality turn out to be something of a myth, as those who pursue their dreams often turn out to be failures. Furthermore, Wolff shows that those who rely on their imagination to grasp a sense of optimism only prolong their misery, because their reality never lives up to their dreams and expectations. Additionally, Wolff encourages self-actualization, but urges individuals to reconsider their desires for transformation, as the outcome is not always as expected, thus suggesting that excessive hope and optimism are in reality extremely misleading. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned"?Get the original essayWolff uses the contrast between the stereotypical social "norms" of the 1950s United States, those that support the idea of ​​convention and the perceived benefits of the unconventional, to illustrate how those who are highly motivated often find themselves in circumstances very different from their expectations. Rosemary Hansen, a single mother with no money and nowhere to go, is characterized by Wolff as an adventurous and fiercely independent woman, who dreams of unconventionality and breaking the 1950s housewife stereotype. Along with her son, Jack, they travel across America in search of uranium to “change [their] luck.” However, Wolff quickly assures readers that this chance will never materialize in the very first sentences, describing how their "car overflowed." again,” indicating their repeated “[mis]fortune.” Wolff then uses the imagery of a "big truck" that "passed them" "around the next bend" with "its trailer shaking wildly." He then "crashes...the guardrails" and plummets "hundreds of feet" over a cliff, thus foreshadowing Rosemary and Jack's dark future due to Rosemary's desire for unconventionality in because of his exorbitant optimism. Additionally, while the search for uranium leads Rosemary and Jack to Chinook to live with Rosemary's abusive, alcoholic boyfriend Dwight Hansen, Wolff discourages the naivety that is associated with an excess of faith and hope because it leads often with an attraction to dangerous men such as Dwight. who use their masculine power to both oppress and take advantage of the weak and vulnerable. Thus, Wolff exposes how the demand for non-conventionality, due to an extraordinary degree of optimism, can be truly devastating. Additionally, Wolf further emphasizes his view that individuals who rely on their imagination to acquire a false sense of a bright and positive future are the ones. feel the biggest implications once they can no longer escape reality. Wolff frames his memoir in the epigraph with the quote "The first duty in life is to strike a pose." This foreshadows the nature of Jack Wolff, who constantly uses his imagination to adopt numerous "poses" as part of his facade in an attempt to gain a sense of belonging and purpose in his miserable life. It is through the many rites of passage, including alcohol, tobacco and cars, that Jack is able to assume these boy scout and rebel poses, and thus, gain a slight insight.