Altering the course of one's life can be incredibly challenging, especially due to the weight of others' expectations. People often project their desires and hopes onto you, and over time, you may start to internalize those views, losing sight of your own aspirations. This phenomenon highlights the conflict between personal identity and societal pressures.

In Jay Parini's "The Last Station," the struggle for self-definition becomes evident as characters grapple with their inherent ambitions versus the roles that others believe they should play. The journey toward self-discovery requires courage and the willingness to confront these external influences, which is no easy task.