Lost Horizons

Lost Horizons

by James Hilton

Excerpts from the groups' final essays.

Josh

Shangri-La could be heaven or hell, it all depends on your point of view. Conway, Ms Brinklow, and Bernard all like it, but Mallison didn't. The three older characters found it peaceful and they were excited by the many things they could learn. Mallison on the other hand, missed his family and was too immature to settle into the lifestyle. It was hell for him, but the others thought of it as heaven.

Brandon B

I would have to say that Shangri-La is like heaven because it is built at the top of a mountain shielded from the rest of the world by rough terrain and clouds. It is hard to get to, like heaven. I also think it is like heaven because there is a chance for a second life. The last reason I think it is like heaven is because of all the temples and the monks. I think heaven will be full of holy places and holy people.

Cody

“Once you check in you can never leave.” This is what makes Shangri-La hell. If you were full of despair or lived on the streets with no family, you might find it peaceful. If your family had died and you were alone in the world, you might find comfort. If your life was full of bad situations and sinful choices, you might find wisdom there. However, none of that changes the fact that the monks of Shangri-La, for selfish reasons, kidnapped and held people there against their wills. It doesn't change my mind that the people change their minds after being drugged and made to feel happy.

Shangri-La could seem heaven like, a glorious eden where you were treated nicely by everyone. You could gain the knowledge of a hundred men, but you would never share that knowledge or kindness with the world. A bird in a golden cage is still in a cage.

Brandon

Shangri-La is an isolated place were people live over 300 years. This gives them the time they need to learn and create. If a task is arduous or super-complex there was nothing getting in the way of mastering it. In Shangri-La your body stays young and fit for at least the first 200 years, you never get sick. When it is time to die you simply turn to dust. The people are all nice and mannerly. Everything in moderation is their motto.

Shangri-La has a few bad aspects, too. The kidnapping is the biggest draw back, but then dying to get into heaven isn't so great either. Keeping people against their will, is also not too cool, but it really was so that all of mankind's knowledge could be saved.

So, I would say, Shangri-La is a heaven like place. Because in the outside world they let you destroy yourself, most of the world is a cruel, rude and inconsiderate place to be. The world would be a lot better if it was like Shangri-La. There would be no crime and everyone would be happier.