Boredom Gwen Atwood Analysis

Evaluation of Ideas The concept of boredom is a familiar feeling to many people, however until recently there has been little to no discussion or research into its effects (Kubota, Taylor). Similar to depression or apathy, boredom is a something that people want to avoid as it tends to have a detrimental impact on our daily lives. Atwood’s portrayal of boredom through the narrators experience gives an accurate account of feelings that are often associated with boredom. Atwood identifies the intrinsic root of boredom, the inability to find meaning in a situation, allowing her to provide a practical solution to escape feelings of boredom in our daily lives. Atwood utilizes a realistic version of the narrator’s experiences in order to convey an accurate account of boredom. The first line of the poem gives the reader a clear declaration that the narrator is bored “All those times I was bored.” The narrator is self-aware that at the time they felt bored with the mundane tasks that they were assigned and the passive role they played just sitting in the back of the car while someone else controlled the direction that they were going. The narrator wants to escape the boredom “I could hardly wait to get the hell out of there to anywhere else.” The feelings portrayed by Atwood align
At the end of the poem the narrator reflects on the boring memories of the past and realizes that he/she remembers them as happier than they actually were. After reflecting on “All those times I was bored” the narrator recognizes the importance of the time they spent with their father. Experts like Acee agree with this approach stating that “Reflecting about the potential usefulness, relevance or meaningfulness of an activity can help individuals increase the value they assign to the activity. (Kubota, Taylor)” Atwood’s solution is also quite practical as boredom provokes a desire to escape