If theres an elephant in the room, introduce him

Pausch's purpose for writing "The Last Lecture" is simple. Pausch wanted to share his story with the world. Reading the first chapter gave of the impression that he wants to inspire people of all ages to achieve there goals, no matter how crazy they just might be. However, I believe Pausch is actually writing for himself and his children, although he is telling his story and putting it out there for others to read and experience , it's a coping method. It is letting him get out all his feelings,fears, frustrations and outlooks during this specific time frame. It also gives him a chance to be there and partake in the up bringing of his child as they can look back and read this book. Its lets them see and understand who their father was and how he felt about honesty, integrity, gratitude, and other things he held dear.

The structure of this book in particular helps the writers purpose for writing as well as the reader. Being able to understand what comes next within a simple title or quote at the beginning of each chapter or section. For example chapter one sub-chapter 3" The Elephant in the Room". In this selected text Pausch's talks about how he put up his CT scan on the screen, which he headlined this slide as "The Elephant in the Room." Pausch left this slide up long enough so the student could see all the arrows pointing to his tumors, which let them draw there own conclusion and feelings of what was going on and to his demise. In the period of silence while on screen it signifies "The Elephant in the Room," because the students grasped exactly what he was trying to say, knew what they felt, yet had no idea what Pausch's intake on his situation was. So in order to squash this said "Elephant in the Room", he said "That is what it is. We cant change it. We just have to decide how we will respond. We can not change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand."

In the audience laughter and surprised applause, It was almost as if i could hear everyone collectively exhaling their anxiety. It wasn't just some dying man. It was just me. I could begin.

His title of this sub-chapter perfectly described everything he was trying to portray and more as he also gives a lesson on the importance of not letting things linger to the point of awkwardness and uncertainty between you and whoever is before you.

Pausch's character traits are real, unlike most authors today Pausch brings his story to life. With his honesty, intelligence, and humorous attributes he finds a way to be inspirational, and captivating. Pausch is a compassionate man and he truly lets you experience that through his descriptions, and in depth stories about his love for this family,kids, and his students through education and constant learning. This being said I have not been able to put this book down. I'm currently reading through chapter IV, and it has only been two days.