When Annie Dillard writes, "We are raising tomatoes when we should be raising Cain, or Lazarus," she’s making a striking metaphor about how we often settle for safe, small, and predictable pursuits instead of embracing bold, transformative, or meaningful action. Let’s break it down:
"Raising Tomatoes"
This phrase represents the mundane, everyday activities that people tend to focus on—tasks that are safe, routine, and non-confrontational. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with such pursuits, Dillard uses it to symbolize a life that is overly cautious or narrowly focused on comfort and productivity.
"Raising Cain"
The phrase "raising Cain" is an idiom meaning to cause trouble, disrupt the status quo, or challenge norms. It evokes the idea of stirring things up, confronting complacency, and perhaps embracing the messiness and unpredictability of life. Dillard suggests that instead of passively going through life, we should be bold and fearless, even if it’s disruptive.
"Raising Lazarus"
Here, Dillard refers to the biblical story of Lazarus, whom Jesus resurrected from the dead. This phrase symbolizes renewal, transformation, and the miraculous. "Raising Lazarus" suggests living in a way that revives what is dormant—bringing life, meaning, and vitality to situations that feel lifeless or stagnant.
What She’s Saying
Dillard contrasts "raising tomatoes" (safe, small, and predictable) with "raising Cain" (bold, disruptive, and rebellious) and "raising Lazarus" (miraculous, transformative, and deeply meaningful). She’s urging readers to:
- Step out of their comfort zones and engage with the world’s wilder, more profound possibilities.
- Challenge societal norms or personal routines that lead to passivity.
- Embrace a life of renewal and transformation, one that has the courage to face the extraordinary and make a lasting impact.
This line reflects Dillard’s broader philosophy of life: the world is wild, extravagant, and dangerous, and our lives should reflect that grandeur by striving for meaning, courage, and vibrancy rather than settling for the ordinary.
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