Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard is an amazing literary work. Though it is a nonfictional writing, one might consider it an ode to beauty of a fleeting moment, life and its numerous forms, mysterious nature, and, of course, God. The picturesque descriptions of the valley and the creek will vividly appear before one’s eyes while reading this story, helping to feel and see what the protagonist sees and feels, walking up and down narrow paths. This story is a chance to look at habitual phenomena with fresh eyes.
We don’t know much about the protagonist, except for the fact that she is a woman and lives by a creek, thus can enjoy long strolls and wonderful views almost every day. The protagonist calls herself an observer, a real stalker, and indeed she is. Unlike many other people who prefer leisure picnics to long strolls in the woods, she doesn’t rest or sit idly. Her main goal is to solve the mystery of nature and learn to live in the moment. It is extremely interesting how the author describes those attempts to catch the time. You have probably heard some people complain about lack of time, they often say that they don’t know where time goes. It seems that no matter how much you try to squeeze overloaded schedule in 24 hours, you are doomed to fail.
The protagonist has understood that a long time ago. From now, she refuses to take part in a race. Let others do that, she would be happy just to watch. To live in the moment, one has to stay focused. There is a passage in which the protagonist drinks coffee and pets a puppy, looking at magnificent mountain. That is the magic moment when she feels alive, when she understands that she is living in the moment right now. This is an inexplicable emotion; this is pure bliss, joy, and a blessing! Unfortunately for us, modern people ceased to look for happiness in simple things. We are always in hurry, always behind, constantly overstressed.
The protagonist does not only look for a way to stop the time, but also answers to questions old as this world. The nature of good and evil, meaning of life and its richness, she contemplates every little thing, looking at this world with innocent eyes of an infant. Sometimes she is greeted with truly disturbing pictures, but that is too life as it is.
Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard should be read when one feels depressed or at loss. There is no guarantee that it will make feel better, but it will definitely make to look at one’s life from a new perspective or even inspire to live in the moment. This nonfiction doesn’t give clear answers; what is more, it raises even more questions, but it might help not to feel that lonely and misunderstood.
