For Every One

The dedication, “For You. For Me,” signifies Reynolds’s intent to benefit both the reader and the writer, a sentiment reinforced by the author’s note (3). “For you,” references the reader, while “For me” alludes to the author.

Reynolds illustrates the dichotomy between youthful aspirations and the practicality imposed by society, such as with teenagers whose vibrant dreams are restrained by a stifling pragmatism. The narrative emphasizes the challenge of diverging from societal norms and expectations. For Reynolds, the act of writing itself becomes a lifeline, a self-prescribed remedy to stave off thoughts of quitting. His writing, initially born from doubt and ambiguity, gradually evolves into a powerful entity—a symbolic manifestation of his resilience and determination.

The line, “A letter to myself to keep from quitting” (4), encapsulates the transformative nature of writing. Reynolds’s letter is not intended to be a polished piece, but a therapeutic outlet and shield against despair. Through this letter, he captures his personal struggles. He also underscores how self-expression is a catalyst for inner strength and growth, a form of salvation. In this way, Reynolds explores Resilience Amid Life’s Challenges. For him, the act of writing is one of survival.

The note introduces a central conflict—between the dreamers, with their imagination and passion, and the “responsibles,” or those who have repressed their desires. Reynolds does not vilify either group, though he expresses a sense of being overwhelmed by the responsibles. This sentiment propels the letter. He aims to illustrate that dreamers encompass a significant segment of the population, contrary to the perception that they are odd or impractical. Reynolds and other dreamers experience internal conflicts when faced with societal pressures. He explores the “unfortunate practicality” that restrains adolescent imaginations. This reflects societal barriers restricting The Pursuit of Dreams.

Reynolds examines how fear of judgment and failure have a profound impact. They often lead individuals to limit their aspirations, preventing them from fully exploring their potential or pursuing their deepest passions. The fear of failure, intertwined with the apprehension of how others might view their aspirations, acts as a formidable obstacle. Individuals may acknowledge the authenticity of their dreams yet struggle to pursue them due to societal conditioning or the fear of being seen as impractical or unrealistic.

The language in For Every One strikes a balance between casual expression and metaphorical imagery. Generally, the language is straightforward and accessible to readers of diverse ages and educational backgrounds. Reynolds also employs figurative language and conveys complex ideas through negative definitions. Rather than providing explicit definitions of intricate concepts, he delineates them by what they are not. For instance, he describes the letter as “a poem in form only, a letter written in parts […] A thing” (4).

The word “thing,” known for its vagueness in the English language, allows Reynolds to offer a semblance of description without confining or overly defining his work. It speaks to his creative process. Initially “afraid. Unsure. Doubtful” of the nature of the work, Reynolds describes it as an enigmatic creation (4). He struggles to define it as a poem, a fragmented letter, or “an offering”—a testament to his own uncertain identity and ambitions.

Reynolds refers to his dream using a metaphor, where something is compared to something else without using “like” or “as.” In this case, he compares his dream to a “nugget of thin air” (4). This implies its paradoxical essence—it is simultaneously present and absent, pervasive yet elusive.