Page 232-320 Response

The direction of the narrative shifted drastically in the last part of the book; Andrew Carnegie stopped talking about stocks, numbers, and steel, and more about how he started giving back to society. This part of the book, for me, was a lot easier to read and follow - the previous section lost me among the accounting and business terms. Carnegie emphasized his willingness to give his fortune back to the places that blessed him with wealth. He set up numerous programs and funds to help universities, workers, or the families of deceased workers. He built libraries, and founded the Carnegie Institute. One thing he started which stood out to me in particular was the program where money would be given to the families of someone who lost their life in a humble act of heroism. The fact the Andrew Carnegie could come up with such a loving, heart-felt idea makes all the doubt of the integrity of his story diminsh.

He seems to honestly want happiness in every person he meets. He says on page 252, "He is the happy man who feels there is not a human being to whom he does not wish happiness, long life, and deserved success.." I relate especially to that statement because I've been called a "Pangloss," an optimist almost to the point of ignorance. I've tried to explain that optimism is a result of knowledge; and enlightenment which gives serenity. Carnegie seems to carry this same perspective. Though through numerous parts of the novel it might've been exaggerated (we can't forget that it is through his mind's eye we're seeing, so obviously things are subjective), his loving nature seems sincere, and could be made concrete by all the generous programs he left behind.

He also talked about the strong relationships he built with amazing, historical figures. When he mentioned how he became close friends with Mark Twain, my heart melted. What seems to be a strong point throughout the novel is how different people he met along the way taught him important lessons - whether it be questioning theology, becoming a good speaker, or running the mills. I admire the fact that he valued everyone he met, because he realized that their presence will affect who he is, and who he will become.

The narrative ends with Carnegie's words resonating hope for the future and strengthening the optimistic world-view which never failed him. That, truly, is the legacy he left behind in this novel.

Sara