Compare/Contrast Essay 'And Stranger Things'

Netflix show Stranger Things is a sci-fi horror-drama, set in the 1983 small fictional American town of Hawkins. In the show Mike Wheeler is a central figure, known for his unwavering hope and dedication to his friends. He demonstrates this by actively assisting in the search for his friend Will Byers, who has mysteriously gone missing. Hope is a common theme in Western literature, from classic tales to modern works. It may be the hope of returning home, of achieving greatness, or of finding meaning in life. On the other hand, Emily Dickinson’s poem “After great pain, a formal feeling comes” explored the feelings of despair and numbness that follow intense emotional pain. While these two works may seem vastly different, they share a common

The episode begins with Mike, Dustin, and Lucas searching for Will in the woods near his home, even though the search party organised by the town has already given up. Mike's unwavering determination to find Will serves as a beacon of hope for his friends, who are beginning to lose faith in the search. Even when the other boys suggest that Will might be dead, Mike refuses to accept it and continues to hold onto

In Stranger Things, the character of Mike Wheeler embodies the power of hope to inspire and motivate us. Mike's unwavering belief in the possibility of finding his missing friend, Will Byers, is a powerful force that drives the plot forward and serves as a beacon of light in the darkness. Similarly, in "After great pain, a formal feeling comes," Dickinson explores the idea that even in the aftermath of great pain and trauma, there is the possibility of a new beginning, a new life, and a new hope. The formal feeling that accompanies the pain can be seen as a way of coping with the trauma, but it also creates a sense of detachment and emptiness that can be difficult to overcome. However, there are also some differences in how hope is portrayed in these two works. In Stranger Things, hope is presented as a more active force that drives the characters forward and motivates them to take action. Mike's hope for Will's return inspires him and his friends to search for him, even when all seems lost. In contrast, in "After great pain, a formal feeling comes," hope is presented as a more passive force that emerges out of the pain and trauma itself. The speaker suggests that hope arises naturally out of the letting go, the release from the pain and the formal feeling that accompanies