The Lesson of the Moth Response
We recently read a poem “The Lesson of the Moth” that discusses how one should live one’s life. What is your reaction to the poem? Should one be a moth, a cockroach, or some combination of the two?
UPDATE: John Batteiger, a news editor for the San Francisco Chronicle, created and edits the DonMarquis.com web site where readers can find a copy of “The Lesson of the Moth.” - APowell
September 24, 2007 4: 03 pm
My reaction to the poem “The Lesson of the Moth” was suprised. This is because I do not under stand wanting somthing so badly that you would kill yourself for it. I think that you should be some combination of the cockroach and the moth. So that you can have fun but be safe.
September 24, 2007 4: 15 pm
I think I would like to be living between the moth’s and cockroach’s theory. I dont want to be a person who gives my life just because i want to have fun. And i don’t want to be to safe and lazy to not do anything. I want to be a little dangerous and a little safe.
September 24, 2007 4: 17 pm
To me the poem “The Lesson of the Moth” was almost like a life lesson. Either you hsould go on the safe road and avoid obstacles to live long, or you should live life in the fast lane and go through those obstacles.
September 24, 2007 4: 28 pm
I think a person should be a combination of the moth and cockaroach because you do want to live long ,but have fun also ,but not too much fun till it kills you like the moth
September 24, 2007 4: 43 pm
My reaction to the poem “The Lesson of the Moth” is that i agree with both the moth and the cockroach’s way of life. I think that you should definately live your life and have fun with it, but also be careful. You should always think through what you are about to do with your life. You should not just do something without thinking it over and the consequences of your actions.
September 24, 2007 5: 01 pm
I think that the Lesson of the Moth is about
making ur life be apart of something beautiful
so that when you die they can say you apart of
something beautiful.I think that you should live like
a combo of the roach and the moth. Live a fun life
but still be cautious not careless.
September 24, 2007 5: 06 pm
One should live his/her life any way he or she wants to. One reason I feel this way is everyone has their own opinion on how to live life. Like the moth and his
obsession with excitement and beauty. Although if you wish to be cautious then your lifestyle is like the cockroach.
September 24, 2007 5: 12 pm
My reaction to the poem is that I agree. Also, I was surprised at how the author used animals as examples, instead of humans. One should be a combination of the two, because you should do exciting things in life but at the same time be careful what you do that way you don’t live a short life, but it is exciting at the same time.
September 24, 2007 5: 13 pm
i think you should be a combination of both the moth and cockroach.
September 24, 2007 5: 27 pm
Andrew4W,
Don’t take the easy way out. What do YOU think? What would you do?
SuePpd.3,
Why do you think that?
MarieS,
So, what do YOU think a person should do? What lesson would you teach?
September 24, 2007 5: 33 pm
When I first read, “The Lesson of the Moth,” I was pretty flabbergasted at the fact that the moth burned itself on a cigar, just to feel beutiful for one second of it’s life. I think that a person should be a combo. of both the moth and Archy. I feel this way because, you should watch what you do so you don’t get in trouble or something too risky, but don’t be a bump on a log– take some chances.
Live life too the fullest,
But with restrictions.
September 24, 2007 5: 46 pm
I think that you should be a combination of both, the cockroach and the moth. I think that because it’s okay to take the risky side, but if you fail it’s on you. And like the cockroach your taking more steps to a better life without any worries.
September 24, 2007 5: 58 pm
I agree with ElizabethB1; the idea that someone would choose death just to really “feel alive” for a split second is taking it to an extreme. So, how risky can one be? What is too risky?
September 24, 2007 6: 03 pm
Too risky would be to do what the moth did and commit suicide.
And I think that the most risky thing for you to do, is your descision. How far are you willing to go, without dying?
September 24, 2007 6: 09 pm
I THINK THAT LIFE SHOULD BE A COMBINATION OF THE COCK ROACH AND THE MOTH BECAUSE YOU SHOULD TAKE RISKS BUT NOT SO THAT YOU WOULD WANT TO KILL THEMSELVES FOR BEAUTY. MY REACTION TO THE POEM WAS SURPRISED HOW SOMETHING WOULD WANT TO KILL ITS SELF AND LIVE LIFE SHORT FOR BEAUTY.
September 24, 2007 6: 48 pm
I think that a person should ve the moth and the cockroach. I say that because the moths life is exciting but it is dangerous. And the cockroaches life is boring but safe. So a person could be living a exciting but safe life..
September 24, 2007 6: 50 pm
My reaction to the poem is that you can have fun in life but me saft and know what your doing before its done. I think people can take risk and not get hurt. Thats what i think about this poem..
September 24, 2007 7: 00 pm
After reading, “The Lesson of the Moth”, I think that the roach and the moth symbolize the two extreme opposites of how to live your life. The roach is too introverted, and the moth was too much of a crazy daredevil. I think the meaning of the poem is for you to find an opinion on how you want to live your life. (I prefer a little bit to be like a roach than halfway between the moth and roach.) Sorry if it comes up that I did two other comments before this one,or something because I tried to indent, and it highlighted the “Submit Comment” box.
September 24, 2007 7: 03 pm
Alysep6 states that people can take risk and not get hurt. So bloggers, what do you think? Is skydiving acceptable? What about bungy jumping? How about when people build bridges or skyscrapers? When does one know something is too risky? How can you tell that this is not a good idea?
September 24, 2007 7: 05 pm
All of the entries above make a good point. Although, to me I would side with the moth. Life can get really bad and not all people can take those other pains of life. So, in MY point of view it is a lot better to go out in a flame of beauty instead of living in misery and pain with sparse moments of happiness. I am not saying the moths way of life is for every one but, think about your past experiences and also consider what other people have gone through. Choose how you want to live… or… die.
Marie C. =(
PS-Smiley’s are hard to make on this thing. =(
September 24, 2007 7: 11 pm
I think those options are all risky. But just know, that there is always a possibility of you getting hurt. Whether it be physical or mental.
September 24, 2007 7: 18 pm
well i think that the moth and the cockroach each have a point on how to live thier lives and the direction they want to head. Some people decide to live in the moment and live there lives because they know that they will die one day. Others prefere to die if they just feel misery and that there’s nothing else to live for. I personaly think that i would rather live for the time i have left in the world until my time arives
September 24, 2007 7: 56 pm
Take risks people! Sure, you can play it safe like the cockroach and live a perfectly boring life. Or you can be like the moth and live life to the fullest before you die. And let’s face it, we’re all gonna die one day so why not have some fun beforehand? Go skydiving, jump off a bridge [with a bunjee cord], and swim with the sharks! Don’t hide in the dark live a hermit crab or your grandma, live young and have fun!
September 24, 2007 7: 58 pm
i can understand wanting to be safe of course but i don’t think being safe requires looking down on people who live life on the edge. Because, let’s face it, we all want to live on the edge but half of us are too scared to do it.
September 24, 2007 8: 11 pm
People all view the world differently. We die when we are meant to. Sooner, later, everyone dies some time. When I die I at least want it to be for some thing or some one who I care about. Life is not worth living if there is no one to share it with. Everyone needs a reason to live. If it is just constant routine then, the moth has the right idea. What is life with no surprises or beauty or fun? It is nothing.
(bored so I checked the posts again. And I needed to write some more anyway =)smiles!!!)
Marie C.-1
September 24, 2007 8: 12 pm
my reaction to this poem is that you should live your life to the fullest.and try to live it as long as you can.
September 24, 2007 8: 13 pm
i think that the peom means that you could live life long and boreing or you could live life short and fun by takeing risk. also that the moth takes risk to make his life fun.
September 24, 2007 8: 21 pm
if i had a choice of living my life like the roach or the moth is i would be both.because i like to have fun but i also wanna be safe. another reason is because i want to live life to the fullest before i die but also have some saftey. it really just depends some people want to live life and some people want to be risk takers and have fun with me i rather be both.
September 24, 2007 8: 36 pm
My reaction to the poem “The Lesson of the Moth Response” is a shocked one. I think this because I can’t think of anytime that anyone would want something so badly that they would kill themselves for it. The moth said that life is about risks and the cockroach said that it just wants to live a long life. I think that everyone should have both of these traits because you want to take risks or your life will be boring, but you also want to live a long life. So the most part is that you either choose, life, death or both.
September 24, 2007 9: 07 pm
I think I agree with ashlynmirandaym6. Having fun is really great, but I wouldn’t put myself in harms way to get it. I, also, wouldn’t like to have no fun. I would like to live my life so I have no regrets, but also, so I can be safe. Bungee jumping and skydiving can be a risk you are willing to take, but moderate the risks you take. If you take so many risks at one time, you have a higher possibility of getting hurt or letting some casualties stop your life’s longevity.
September 24, 2007 9: 08 pm
So, yeah, I would pick to live between the Moth and the Roach from “The Lesson of the Moth.”
September 24, 2007 9: 13 pm
I think that you should be a combination of the moth and the roach because the moth said he would rather live life to the fullest meaning doing his thing even if it cost’s you your life….and the roach said he would have his fun just be mature about how far to take it so to combined them it would mean to live life to the fullest but also think about what your doing before you actually do it and never see the rest of your life
September 24, 2007 9: 15 pm
I think it should be a combination of both the cockroach and the moth.
September 24, 2007 9: 24 pm
I have enjoyed all your comments on the blog. ElizabethB1 has been introspective. I agree with her. Whether I choose to live like the moth or Archy, life still has risks that can hurt me. One must seek to live and enjoy life regardless of method. Life is not a dress rehearsal; this is the only life we get.
September 24, 2007 9: 24 pm
I think that one shouldn’t live either like the moth, living for the moment, nor like the cockroach, playing it safe, but you should have a combination of the two. Living life to its fullest but staying safe is what I think someone should live thier life.
September 24, 2007 10: 41 pm
When I first read this poem I found it really interesting. To apply this to my daily life I would be a combination of both, the cockroach and the moth. I want to have fun in life, but I also don’t want to live life in fear of everything. I think everything happens for a reason, solive it how YOU want it, not someone else.
September 24, 2007 10: 43 pm
My reaction to the poem “The Lesson of the Moth” is that many times the moth was trying to kill itself, just to have fun. While the cockroach is living his life carefully. I think that one should be a little of a moth and a cockroach. This is because you should have fun while living, but not take it to the point where you want to kill yourself. But one should also be a cockroach because they live it safe, but also not to have alot of fun.
September 25, 2007 6: 26 am
I think that this poem was such a great poem because of the fact that as you can see it had an impact on everyone’s point of view! And although everyone else chooses to live their life their own special way, I think I’d be one to live like the cockroach for I’d rather live a nice long life than a fast-paced die-hard one where everyday is like a scene from an action movie until the day you end up killing yourself. Sure, there are many, many things i would like to do with my life, things that the moth would agree to too. But I won’t be willing to risk my life just to do all of those things, whether it makes me happy or not. I mean, we should all live our lives in a safe respect because we only get one. One life, one chance, and it’s a waste to just blow it all on a ‘high’. You’re not living in beauty and passion then, you’re just showing that you took your own life for granted.
September 25, 2007 6: 49 am
hey! I don’t really know which one i would like to be.. maybe a little bit of both. Like the moth wants to enjoy life but then he dies really early. Then the cockroach doesn’t care about a single thing that he does and he doesn’t enjoy life, b ut he lives for a long time. I would like to be a mixture of both enjoy life, but not die so young.
September 25, 2007 8: 46 am
From looking at the other comments I think this poem was about chosing would you rather be a moth and enjoy life but die early, or be a cockroach and live a miserable life but live long.
September 25, 2007 8: 46 am
I think ElizabethB1 makes a good understanding of the Lesson of The Moth. Reason being that she gives a brief overveiw of the poem.
September 25, 2007 8: 47 am
I feel that one should live as a mix of a cockroach and a moth, because life is something special, and we all only get to live once, but you should enjoy life too, and not always be on the safe side for your whole life.
September 25, 2007 8: 47 am
I think it should be a combination of both. What do you think ?
September 25, 2007 8: 47 am
I agree with rosee6 because I think you should be like both. Live life and have fun but also be careful too. So i think its good to be a like both the moth and the cockroach.
September 25, 2007 8: 49 am
apperantly the poem is about living your life how you want it to be and not what someone else wants your life to be.
September 25, 2007 8: 50 am
i think it about living life to the fullist you possibly can.
September 25, 2007 8: 50 am
From what i read about the poem “The Lesson of the Moth Response” I think it is going to be a good poem because they said that it was talking about how a moth does all this stuff to feel beautiful but the moth doesn’t relize that it is beautiful in and out…
September 25, 2007 8: 51 am
I agree with comment number 35 when they said they should play it safe but they should have a combination of the two.
September 25, 2007 8: 51 am
i agree with comment number 39 because i really dont know what i would \
considering the fact that i havent read this poem yet
but i really couldnt dicide
September 25, 2007 8: 53 am
From what I have read I think the poem was about a moth
and a cock roach. Meaning life span, like a cock roach
lives for a long time, when a moth doesnt. I think that
I would rather be a cock roach so that I would live longer.
September 25, 2007 8: 57 am
I think that you should live life both as the moth and the cockroach. That mean be dangerous and safe at the same time.
September 25, 2007 8: 58 am
I think people should be careful but not so much that it interferes with your life. Also you should take risks but not ones that could be dangerous or deadly.
September 25, 2007 8: 59 am
yes i agree with comment # 39 even no i didnt read the poem but they made good reasoning.
September 25, 2007 3: 47 pm
I think that the moth has a point. Why live a long and boring life? But then the cockroach has a point as well. If you just live life full of dangers and no cautiousness, you’ll just end up wasting your life on something not worth it. Being a combination of both the moth and the cockroach is the best choice. Live life to the fullest, be cautious, and have fun!
September 25, 2007 4: 39 pm
I agree with Teirra B because you can live life in the fast lane but just with limits. To me the moth is to risky with his life as i he takes to many risks and chances in his life with no limits. But, with the cockroach he is too safe and avoids all obstacles.
September 25, 2007 5: 13 pm
I would be both the cockroach and the moth because as the cockroach was being safe and the moth being adventures I would like to have fun and explore the world but, I would also like to be safe while having fun. Being adventures is fun but you have to be careful that you won’t get killed do something you always wanted to try. My thoughts is to combine the two insects to become one that will know how to have fun but being safe whiling enjoying your mischievous life!
September 25, 2007 5: 16 pm
I think the “lesson of the Moth” was an interesting poem that made you think. I think im a cockroach because im a quiet person that doesn’t live life on the edge and thats envious of the moth that has found beauty and is willing to give something up to get it. in this case his life.
September 25, 2007 6: 31 pm
I think that the way someone should live is up to them whetther they want to always play it safe as the roach, live a wild life as the moth, or even somewhere in between.For example, if you want to do something fun and wild go ahead and do it but to a certain extent. Different people will have different limits. Personally I would be in between having a fun life but not dying because of it.
September 25, 2007 6: 34 pm
My reaction to the peom is i think it’s better to be like the coachroach. the coachroach is like live your life and enjoy it. Don’t be like the moth and just have fun then want to die. Enjoy you life while you can and when your day come it will happen.
September 25, 2007 7: 04 pm
i agree with christinaL because she makes alot of sense about the combination of the two. nobody wants a boring life but nobody wants a life where your living in the edge and could die at any given moment. but its good every once in a while to just keep it real and live life to the fullest.
September 25, 2007 7: 28 pm
i would be a little daring but i woudn’t climb to the top of the empire state building or jump out of a airplane. i would ride on a mortor cycle, fourwheelers, i think being a cockroach and being a moth means to cautious only when you have too and do whatever appeals to you and you have correct safety gear.
September 25, 2007 7: 35 pm
Many people are responding that being a mixture of the two is the best way to go? Why? What is the benefit of living a long life? What does being somewhat of a cockroach do for a person? What do you have to gain by living longer?
September 25, 2007 7: 36 pm
There is a part of me that doesn’t believe that you should choose between the two. I think that the real question here is whether you are happy with the life you choose to lead. If you are happy living life like a cockroach, playing it safe and always being cautious about where to go, what to do, what to say, and everything in between, then that’s fine. If you’re happier being like the moth, dangerous, living on the edge, never knowing when life is going to stop before your very eyes, then thats okay too. The real question is: are you happy with how you live your life, or do you long for something else? but remember, envy is one of the seven deadly sins.
regards,
janed2.
September 25, 2007 8: 24 pm
From the comments I have read I feel as though we should all be a combination of the cockroach and the moth. This way we live life to the fullest. We should take chances yet not be such a rebel. We should still keep ourselves safe so we can live a long life. The benefit and what we gain by living longer is seeing the world grow and change. So we all want to live a long life so we can see the future.
September 25, 2007 8: 51 pm
i think people should be a combination of the two…Some people would like to live their life crazy and like to try everything.However you should try everything you can but you should be very safe of what you pick.You don’t have to try everything but do what you want to.
September 25, 2007 9: 05 pm
janed2 makes quite a bit of sense. The secret is getting to know yourself well enough to really understand who you are. Then you will know what really makes you happy. But how do people get to know themselves well enough to figure out how they want to live their lives?
September 26, 2007 4: 22 pm
When I first read “The Lesson of the Moth” my reaction was surprised. I think that people should live life with a certain edge like the moth, but still have some limits like the cockroach. You can only be as happy as you let yourself be. When you have too much you can do and you have too much risk, you are unhappy in the end. You should set your limits, and even try new things. Also, don’t be scared to say something is simply too much for you.
September 27, 2007 6: 10 pm
I agree with jenna s. you should set your own limits and don’t be afraid to speak up. It’s mportant that you live your life and not a life someone else sets for you.
September 27, 2007 7: 18 pm
I think that mainly eveyone is on the same page, and I agree. It’s good to be happy with your life, but killing yourself is not a risk worth taking.
I value my life, and I’m not trying to fly into fire.
September 27, 2007 9: 19 pm
As livh stated that it is good to be happy with your life, but killing yourself is not worth taking the risk. I feel that we should also asess the situation of what if you didn’t like your life and you couldn’t change for example if you were in a situation of having contolling parents who made your life horrible. If you escaped then would you take any risk you wanted I would because I would feel that i have survived the cruel environment of my childhood why not explore and live life to the fullest.
September 28, 2007 1: 57 am
If it were up to me everyone would be like the cockroach. I say this because i don’t think you should encourage anyt person or others to kill them self if anything you should help them get over their problems. I know life is hard but thats not a reason for you to kill yourself. God put you on earth for a purpose and it wasn’t to be wasting time doing disrespectful stuff like that.
September 28, 2007 9: 21 pm
when i read this poem i had the same general thought that most of the bloggers had “it’s okay to take risk but live your life safely.”
but did anyone think why the moth felt the way he did? think about it. Put yourself in the mind of a person like the moth. people with cancer, disfigurements,other diseases,of basically any life full of hard ships. put yourself in a position of one these people. you spend your whole life feeling so down and miserable wouldn’t you leave the world happy. i am not saying commit suicide like the moth did, but when you had enough Why not enjoy the rest of life. why not go bungee jumping? why not spend the night dancing or doing things you always been afraid to do? silply when life hits you to hard stop worrying and be happy.
October 4, 2007 2: 47 pm
I feel like all of the comments were true I feel like you should live life to the fullest without being dangerous
October 4, 2007 10: 39 pm
I would say that everyone should be more like both the moth and the roach.I say this because you can be to wild and crazy, but at thesame time you can’t be to boring.You hav eto have a balance of both.
December 2, 2007 10: 40 pm
all of you are wrong the moth is suicidal and the cockroach is a pansy
March 27, 2008 7: 17 pm
The poem “the lesson of the moth” was very inspiring to me. I love the way Don Marquis used animals to connect to humans and the choices we make in life. However, I think that most of you are taking this connection to litterally. The moth’s decision to live in an instant of beauty and die for it does not actually mean that if we choose the Moth’s way of life we are suicidal. In fact, it means that we should live life to its fullest and take chances every day. The cockroach is the other extreme of life. He lives safe, never taking a risk that might be costly. I base my life around the moth’s philosophy. The choices I make are based on what will be the greatest expierience and the most rewarding. In life you can never sit around and do nothing. “You will always miss 100% of the shots you don’t take”- M.J.
April 11, 2008 2: 03 am
When people are saying something that you don’t like, don’t argue with them, just stop paying attention
May 20, 2008 4: 19 pm
I belive this story teaches the lesson that some people become so infaturated with what they want in life and what they belive will make them happy they let all their inhibitions go, and their sense of reason almost disapears. What we belive will make us happy, doesn;t always turn out the way we predict.