Stages in Metamorphosis

The main purpose of a teacher is to instill the student knowledge and insight, but most importantly is to pass on his wisdom to the student. Ishmael knew when it was time to let go of his pupil, because he felt he had already taught everything, it was time the pupil go on by himself, and he had reached the goal as a teacher. Consequently, Ishmael and the narrator enclosed the teachings by going over last minute questions, and the main conclusions they had drawn.
“Why did we evolve?” (pg.238)We evolved from Australopithecus to Homo sapiens sapiens, because we were still in the competition; we were part of the general community of life. I think we stopped evolving because we are slowly eliminating the other contestants. Nevertheless, by eliminating a specie is prejudicing our knowledge of the past, because every specie we kill had vital information about life before agriculture.
“It has this to do with anything: The world of the Takers is one vast prison, and except for a handful of Leavers scattered across the world, the entire human race is now inside that prison. During the last century every remaining Leaver people in North America was given a choice: to be exterminated or to accept imprisonment. Many chose imprisonment, but not many were actually capable of adjusting to prison life.” (pg.251).This quote demonstrates the power of Mother Culture, because it forces you to live by her rules and it is a life prison. She is able to control all of your thoughts, makes you think you’re a god, and eliminate other ways of living. Also, so you don’t find out you are in a prison, it tricks you, makes you busy consuming the world. “Well…it helps to keep the inmates busy, I suppose. Takes their minds off the boredom and futility of their lives.”
“Yes. Can you name yours?”
“Our prison industry? Not offhand. I suppose it’s obvious.”
“Quite obvious, I would say.”
I gave it some thought. “Consuming the world.”
Ishmael nodded. “Got it on the first try.” (pg. 251-252)
In this chapter I also found the answer to a question that had constantly bothered me: How can I use this knowledge and use it to change the world? What will I do when I arrive to page 263? Ishmael wrapped up his lesson by answering my question.
“What you do is to teach a hundred what I’ve taught you, and inspire each of them to teach a hundred. That’s how it’s always done.” (pg.248) I also noticed, that between lines that he was saying ‘Good bye. I’m finished with you.’