I have been incredibly lucky, he said. Lucky in my life. Oh, I know some people would not say so. They'd say I hadn't stuck with anything, or that I hadn't made any money. They'd say I wasted that time when I was down-and-out. But that's not true.I heard the call, he said, raising his eyebrows, half smiling at himself. Seriously. I did. I heard the call to get out of the box. Out of the got-to-do-something-big box. Out of the ego box.
In Alice Munro's "Runaway," the protagonist reflects on the concept of luck in their life, suggesting a positive outlook despite what others may believe. While some critics argue that they have failed to commit to anything significant or have not achieved financial success, the narrator firmly disagrees, asserting that their choices were intentional. This perspective highlights the importance of personal fulfillment over societal expectations.
The narrator emphasizes the transformative moment when they recognized the need to escape conventional pressures and rigid definitions of success. By "hearing the call" to break free from societal constraints, they embrace a more profound sense of freedom and self-discovery. Ultimately, the narrative challenges readers to consider the true meaning of success beyond material wealth and societal approval.