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Question answered by Ruth Gardner, Membership Assistant at PTPI
2. Why do you think Tracy Kidder chose Strength in What Remains as the title to Deo’s story?
The title of this book, Strength in What Remains, in my opinion is a perfect fit for Deo’s story. Reflecting back to the section of the book where Deo is trying to escape from the Hutu militia, Deo witnessed unspeakable sights, he thought his family was dead, he had to go days without food or water, and every day he lived in fear and isolation. After experiencing such tragedies it would be fair to assume that Deo wouldn’t have any strength remaining, that he would give up, but no he prevailed. In essence the strength that did remain was echoed through Deo’s escape from the genocide in Burundi to New York and how he fought to become the person he is today.
(Strength in What Remains takes its title from William Wordsworth‘s Ode: Intimations of Immortality from Recollections of Early Childhood):
What though the radiance which was once so bright
Be now for ever taken from my sight,
Though nothing can bring back the hour
Of splendour in the grass, of glory in the flower;
We will grieve not, rather find
Strength in what remains behind;
The opinions expressed by PTPI staff and other book club members are entirely their own and are not necessarily the views of People to People International or that of PTPI’s Officers, Board of Directors and Board of Trustees.
Tags: Global Book Club, Strength in What Remains, Tracy Kidder
hi God bless u all .you people are doing a great job keep it up.peace
January 24th
The Title ‘Strength in What Remains’ is very appropriate. Deo was a victim and a witness to the monstrous side of human nature. He could have very easily become a bitter person for having gone through the difficulties he went through. But he did not. He pulled it off and remained sane and became a saint. I always wonder how some people are able to do that instead of getting crushed by the insane cruelty. I ask myself where do such people draw the strength from? Is it their inner faith which gives them the strength? Any way the title has a powerful insight to it.
I also think the title Strength in What Remains is a perfect summary of the book. I don’t think Tracy Kidder could have picked a better title coming from such an inspirational poem.
Thanks for sharing where the title originated from Ruth. The last line of Wordsworth’s Ode ‘We will grieve not, rather find Strength in what remains behind” is so powerful and inspirational. It sums up how Deo continued on in his challenging journey both in Africa and the U.S.