The Innocent Man Connections

For my first book, I decided to read the Innocent Man written by John Grisham. As I read this book it made me think of the story, Siddhartha, that we are reading in class. Throughout reading each story I saw many connections that I thought were related. Although many things are related, it was in a different way of looking at things.
For starters, both stories are about men trying to grow and find the true meaning in their life. While trying to grow as boys, men, and humans, they both have a path they are on in order for them to be satisfied. Siddhartha left his dad in the Brahmins to join Shramana's. On page ten Siddhartha says to his dad, "With your permission, father I have come to tell you that I wish to depart from your home and join the ascetics." That part of the story connects to the innocent man because Ron Williams left his family to try and make a major league baseball team. They both had to make a very long and hard decision that would change their lives forever.
Also, Ron Williams looks at his life and after injuries and depression he looks to drugs and alcohol and in Siddhartha he goes to the city looking for materialistic items and alcohol as well. Unlike Ron Williams, Siddhartha sees himself becoming a different person and he realizes that he needs to leave the city so he can expand himself and be happier. Unfortunately, Ron Williams, isn't strong enough for that and instead of growing to be a bigger better person, he only grows smaller.
Apart from the main characters, the stories themselves connect. Both stories make you really think deeply about your past and even about your future. When you read Siddhartha you think of all the things you did when you were little to try and figure out who you were and while you're reading The Innocent Man you think of what you could've done to be in the terrible situation that he was. It makes you hope you continue making the right decisions in your life that will help you grow as a person.