‘GOAL’ ESSAY
The importance of relationships and self confidence is portrayed in the novel ‘GOAL’ written by Robert Rigby. Rigby shows this idea by including an obstacle for Santiago in achieving his goal and dream; of becoming a professional footballer. The fluctuated relationship between Santiago and Hughie portrayed the main idea; that you will encounter many conflicts and obstacles in life and you must overcome them in order to achieve your goals and dreams. Santiago believed in himself and persevered in achieving his goal and conquering his problems with Hughie Magowan.
Letting criticism, putdowns, and abuse get to you, will restrict you from achieving your goals and dreams. This is shown through the pessimistic relationship between Santiago and Hughie. The bond that was shared by Santiago and Hughie was cynical; “Hughie drew back his arm and turned the out stretched hand of friendship into a dismissive wave of farewell ‘Adios, amigo’.” In Santiago’s crucial trial for the Newcastle football team, this conflict provided an obstacle for Santiago in achieving his dream. “By the end of the first week, the constant barrage of criticism and insults was beginning to get to the young Mexican”. The outcome of this was that Santiago “didn’t perform well.” Rigby is quietly reminding us that; wherever you go, not everyone will like you, there will always be someone that will not like us or envy us, and try to destroy our confidence. Santiago was not familiar or able to deal with the conflict between himself and Hughie, therefore he was not achieving his goal of; maintaining a place in the Newcastle United football team. Because Hughie was such a large obstacle for Santiago, he learned to develop a personality trait to prevail over Hughie’s criticism; perseverance.
However, there is a way forward in overcoming obstacles; this is what Rigby shows us by using the cynical relationship between Santiago and Hughie. Glen Foy, friend of Santiago and with experience in...