1. Jay causes a traffic accident which severely wounds another driver and her child but spares Jay any injury and barely even damages his car. He is however arrested on suspicion of recklessness following an investigation of the accident scene. After a night in jail, Jay has to face his father, Zed, who has come to bail him out. Before he agrees to pay, Zed asks his son for an explanation. “Everything happens for a reason,” he says to Jay.
2. Kay lies in her hospital bed clinging to life. She had been drinking heavily the night of the accident, while driving her daughter home. Deeply shamed by her behavior and buoyed by the outpouring of love and concern from her friends who visit her bedside, Kay reconnects with her life and family and resolves to quit her irresponsible behavior. Suffering intense pain from her injuries, she nevertheless tells her friend, “Everything happens for a reason.”
3. Jay has no contact with Kay during her hospitalization, but the death of Kay’s daughter fills him with guilt and remorse. He sees the accident as an indictment of his recklessness but senses the hand of God at work in sparing him. He doesn’t change his behavior in any way, but ever after believes that whatever occurs in his life is God’s will, over which he has no control and for which he has no responsibility. “Everything happens for a reason,” is how he describes the human condition.
4. Zed regrets having raised a son as irresponsible as Jay and resolves to do a better job with his daughter Dee. Together they form an organization called Teens at the Scene that promotes safe teenage driving, accident prevention, and emergency responsiveness. After years of labor, they take the group national, score big, and become very influential, as well as rich. Zed proposes a toast to their good fortune, but Dee replies, “Dad, everything happens for a reason.”
In a Reply below, first identify which of these four declarations are expressions of a belief in fate. Which are not? How do the expressions of fate differ?
ahntkd99
carahall
andrewbecharaa
athenapup4
bane1900
bestbaker123
bmdpiano
comp0327
compclass8
cynicalwordsmith22
doglover441
drippydoughnut
drpaleontology
gcatt310
givemeclouttokens
hershey515
iamsleepy01
imagination4421
influenza123
jackso23
Jayv23
kraemercali
lazybear8
lelebxby
lg102015
lovericeandnoodles
lucbe219
morra2024
mpsj13
roses0102
Sub2MigzFilms
smellycat23
tenere84
thefrontbottom
voxpopuli75
whosyourcookie22
yankeefan25
Newspaperlessness 
The first instance is not a belief in fate, but rather an explanation that there had to have been a cause of Jay’s accident; this implies nothing about divine intervention.
The second instance is, in fact, a belief in fate because Kay sees the incident as a wake-up call that indicates a change in her lifestyle for the better.
The third instance indicates perhaps most obviously a belief in fate because Jay attributes every action to God’s will.
The fourth instance does not imply a belief in fate but rather that good things happen to those who work hard for them.
LikeLike
Number 3 believes in fate for he says everything is how God plans. Number 1 and 2 I see has using as an excuse or a basic response. Number 4 is that it is a belief in fate
LikeLike
The second paragraph expresses brief in fate because she knows that she is a problem about her daughter’s dead. Also, she said that everything happens for a reason.
LikeLike
The second declaration is a belief in fate because Kay is basically on her death bed but has a sense of faith and everything is going to be okay. Disregarding all of the injuries shes suffering from she lives by the quote “everything happens for a reason”. The second declaration talks about gods will and how everything is out of his control but again “everything happens for a reason” This could also go the other way because he could be using this as his excuse for bad behavior to cover himself.
LikeLike
Declaration 4 is an example of fate being described after fate happens. Declaration 4 is the best example in a belief in fate because their success brung about something special to the environment. in declaration 1, fate is being used as a justification for reckless. Declaration 2 may be an example of fate because her experience pushed her to be better. the third declaration is not a belief in fate because he is using it to describe the human condition.
LikeLike
The first does not show fate because of the father’s reaction. If he is given options towards the outcome instead of having a mind frame that is determined to see one strict outcome then that does not show fate.
The second does show fate, because the incident was linear as a result of something in the path that happened and also the future shall have a strict outcome based upon it.
The third does show fate because he has the idea that the accident happened for a specific reason and is really not his fault but god’s fault.
LikeLike
Declarations 2 and 4 exhibit belief in fate. In 2, Kay believes that it only took serious injuries and being hospitalized to make her stop drinking. She believes that fate chose to put her in that situation to save her life in the long run and to also rekindle her relationships with her friends and family. In 4, without her brother Jay getting into an accident, Dee would have never wanted to start an organization to keep teen drivers safe. If the organization was never established, Dee and Zed would not have been able to go national with the organization, be able to profit from it. However, declarations 1 and 3 do not believe in fate. In 1, Jay now knows that it was not fate that he was able to be bailed out, and he also knows that now his dad will always be able to pull him out when he is in trouble. Also, Zed knows that fate did not cause this accident because he knows that his son must have contributed to the accident. In 3, after hearing the news of Kay’s dead daughter, Jay still has not attempted to fix his reckless driving.
LikeLike
The second and fourth are two examples of fate. Rather than let the death come for her, Kay decides that she needs to change her life for the better of her family and friends. In the text it says “everything happens for a reason” which would indicate that this was meant to happen. In the fourth paragraph, they are influencing and helping other people out and this is all formed from fate in the beginning of the text. Paragraphs 3 & 1 it seems that “everything happens for a reason” is more of an excuse.
LikeLike
Passages 2 and 3 are expressions of belief in fate because they both are said in response to why the accident happened. While passages 1 and 2 are not. The first passage is not a belief in fate because Zed is asking his son for the reason the accident happened and the fourth passage is not one because it is Dee reminding her Dad how they got to where they are.
LikeLike
Looking into these declarations, I believe that the only one including fate is the third declaration because he talks about how god controls what happens health wise with our bodies. Jay says what happens happens and that it can’t be changed because its all meant to be for a reason. Jay also applies the fact of gods will and that it’s not something he can control and if you think about that, that’s truly what fate is.
LikeLike
Zed tells his son that everything happens for a reason after the car accident perhaps because he hopes the this will change his sons reckless nature after suffering the consequences of wounding others. Kay also believes in fate because she believes that this accident helped her rekindle with her family and friends. I think Jay believes in fate because he thinks God spared him in the car accident. I do not think that Dee believes in fate because everything they did to become successful was based off of their work and effort put into their organization.
LikeLike
I think that #1 and #2 were expressions of a belief in fate, given that both Zed and Kay were expressing that the events that were occurring, such as Jay going to jail and Kay possibly meeting death, were totally out of their control, while the other two are not really saying that anything happening was out of their control, but rather these were events that occurred because of outside forces.
LikeLike
The first one is not a representation of fate, it is Zed waiting for an explanation from Jay.
The 2nd one is a clear belief in fate, Kay is severely injured and doesn’t know if she is going to make it but nonetheless states “everything happens for a reason” to keep hope.
The 3rd paragraph is also a representation of fate, as Jay believes he is in gods hands and that his life is predetermined or that his fate is already chosen
The 4th paragraph does not represent fate, because its what they made of the situation and they were in control of it
LikeLike
I think that the first one does not have to do with fate. Instead the “Everything happens for a reason” is the father demanding an answer from Jay. It is not a clear indication of fate. The Second paragraph is an indication of fate though because she places what happens in the hands of a greater power and makes it known it is out of her control. The third one is not fate because he is going to live a reckless lifestyle and just use fate as the scapegoat to all of his wrongdoings and the turmoil he is likely to cause. The fourth one also does not propose fate and I think that what Dee says could be sarcastic in a way and is in a sense making fun of what the brother had said.
LikeLike
Number one is not a declaration of belief of fate. Zed is asking for the reason Jay caused the accident not detailing fate. Number two shows a belief in fate. Kay believes that her suffering was meant to lead her to make better decisions. Number three is a declaration of belief in fate. Jay shows that he does not believe anything he does differently will change the outcome of his actions, thus showing a belief in fate. Finally, number four shows a belief in fate. Dee shows the thought that she believes the accident lead for her and her fathers success in their organization thus showing a belief in fate.
LikeLike
I would say that the third one express’ belief in fate, this is because number 3 is the only paragraph where they have no control over the outcome of the situation. It is technically all up to fate, since they can do nothing about it. Then I would then say that paragraphs 1,2 and 4 do not express belief in fate because fate is something that just happens with no control. 1,2 and 4 have this short of cause and effect to them so it would not express fate.
LikeLike
Expression 3 is a belief in fate because Jay says that he believes that God is taking the wheel on his life. This shows that he knows he has not control over it hence his quote of, “everything happens for a reason.” This reason is that everything in his life is already planned out.
The other explanations refers to situations that the people have been put into. For example, when Zed said the quote, he was referring to luck and how his actions contributed to that luck. That is not fate since it was not thought to be planned out before hand.
LikeLike
2 and 3 are an expression of fate because they are explaining why the bad situation has occurred. 1 and 4 sound more like expressions, or even jokes.
LikeLike
2 is the best example of fate because she was close to death and decided to change her behavior. Compared to the other examples where jay does some terrible, yet preventable things and has no intention of changing his behavior. fate isn’t just saying something happened for a reason rather its doing something about a negative depiction of fate.
LikeLike
The second instance is a belief in fate because she is about to die and has no control over it, it is beyond her control if she dies or not.
LikeLike
Declarations 1 and 2 are expressions of a belief in fate. They all believe that whatever has happened, happened for a reason, whether it was a good one or a bad one. Declaration 3 however, is not a belief in fate, because Jay doesn’t think his “fate” is to take responsibility for his actions. He uses the expression as an excuse to never take the blame for anything he does ever again. Declaration 4 can be interpreted in different ways. The way I interpret it, it doesn’t sound like good fortune. Dee worked hard, which is why the program was a success, not because it was meant to be.
1. Jay caused an accident that hurt the driver and her child. Zed thinks that the accident will change how reckless Jay is, which is why he says it happened for a reason.
2. Kay knows what she did was dangerous and put her daughter in harms way. The fact that the accident happened, proved to Kay that what she did was wrong. Also, in the process of it all, Kay got closer to her family and made her realize she needs to change her ways.
3. Jay caused the death of Kay’s daughter which makes him feel guilty and because he did cause the accident. But instead of thinking to change himself and take the blame, Jay thinks he was spared by God because what he did was destined to happen and he can’t control anything that happens even if it is because of him. That is not a belief in fate, its an excuse to not be responsible for his actions.
4. Dee believes that all the hard work her father and her did, paid off. The way the declaration is phrased, I interpret it as Dee thinking the work she did was not good fortune considering the amount of time and effort she put in. This is why I think it’s not a belief of fate.
LikeLike
I think that the second paragraph is more relatable to fate because she is on her death bed and still has a sense of faith that things may get better. Zed also just wanted an explanation of why the accident had taken place. In comparison to Jay his behaviors are not affected and still gives off the same energy after the incident. The accident in his eyes were seen as “God sparing him” The third paragraph is mainly about God so their isn’t really fate in that paragraph.
LikeLike
2 and 3 express the belief in fate. When the declaration “Everything happens for a reason,” is used in number 1, Zed is looking for an explanation from his son and does not refer it to fate at all. In the following paragraph, Kay does refer her statement to fate because she believes her actions is what caused the accident. Her actions led to her fate. The expression used in 3 refers to fate because Jay believes everything happens in God’s will. 4 does not express a belief in fate because Zed’s daughter uses this declaration to tell her dad that their good fortune was due to their hard work.
LikeLike
I would say declaration 3 is an expression of a belief in fate because Jay explains that the “hand of God” was sparing him and that whatever happens in his life is under “God’s will”. This expression shows how much trust jay puts into God, a higher being, after the accident and as to why it happened. I would then go to say that expression 1,2 and 4 are not expressions of fate. Expressions 1,2 and 4 are more of a cause and effect. Because of what happened, the cause, it changed the lifestyles of the two, the effect.
LikeLike
I think the third declaration is an expression of fate. Because Jay believes in God, he thinks God spared him in the car accident and everything after the car accident is God’s will. It is fate, to Jay, for surviving the car accident. The fourth declaration is caused from Jay’s fate. Without the car accident occurring, the organization Teens at the Scene would’ve never been created and it’s fate that it does and Zed and Dee become rich. They do not believe that God did it so I don’t think that it is a belief in fate but that it is what it is. I don’t think the first two declarations were fate because Jay could have prevented his reckless driving. Kay could also not drink and drive at all, especially since her daughter was in the car.
LikeLike
In the second paragraph, Kay is holding onto life, she doesn’t know what will happen to her. She can possibly die and no longer has responsibility or control over anything.
LikeLike
Number 4 is a belief in fate because there was a positive outcome to the situation. Number 2 is a belief in a fate as well because it made Kay want to quit her drinking problem. Number 1 is not because Jay’s dad seems to use “everything happens for a reason” as an excuse for Jay’s action. Number 3 also isn’t because Jay seems to blame God for what had happened.
LikeLike
The first declaration does not show belief in fate. The father believes in cause and effect.
The second declaration is about fate. The person who got into an accident is not putting the blame on anything except the natural forces that control our lives. Lacking the ability to realize mistakes usually appears in people that believe in fate.
Describing the human condition as a phrase that follows beliefs in fate.
The fourth declaration does not show belief in fate. This is because Zed says he “regrets” which is not an emotion someone can feel when they believe in fate, which is uncontrollable. Regretting means you could have done something else.
LikeLike
2, 3 and 4 are expressions of belief in fate. In 2, she believed that it was her fault her daughter died because of her reckless behavior.
3. He believed that he survived because of god’s will and will not change his behavior because he could not change the fate of his life.
4. Their fate was the good they are doing and gaining reputation and being influential.
LikeLike
Out of the four declarations, Jay’s declaration is an expression of a belief in fate. Unlike Zed or Kay, Jay does not choose to change his behavior in response to his actions or the feelings of remorse afterwards. Instead, Jay, “sees the accident as an indictment of his recklessness but senses the hand of God at work in sparing him. He doesn’t change his behavior in any way, but ever after believes that whatever occurs in his life is God’s will, over which he has no control and for which he has no responsibility.” This mindset is unhealthy as compared to Kay’s, as Kay takes responsibility for her wrongdoings and works to change her actions. Both characters claim that, “everything happens for a reason,” but Kay’s declaration is not an expression of a belief in fate. Kay takes her actions and lifestyle into her own hands. Jay, however, does not work to better his actions or change his lifestyle, believing that these are in the hands of God and that he has no control over what happens in his life. Thus, Jay’s declaration is one of fate, as compared to Kay’s or Zed’s.
LikeLike
1. The first one is not a true belief in fate. Zed just wanted an explanation from his son as to why the accident happened, so he said this more or less to make his son feel as if this were meant to happen.
2. This is not a belief in fate either. Kay was just trying to brush off the fact that she is so hurt by this accident and is trying to look on the bright side of things. She wants there to be a reason her daughter died rather than just saying it was an accident.
3. This is a true belief in fate. Jay now believes that he has no control over his future and that it is God that controls what happens, so his fate was already chosen for him.
4. Zee in this does not believe in true fate. Her response sounds more like a bit of a joke than an actual response. She may be just trying to get her father to remember how they both wound up in this situation in the first place. Their “good fortune” was made from the death of someone’s daughter and that may not be something to celebrate.
LikeLike
Number 3 expresses a belief in fate when saying everything happens for a reason because they had no control over the outcome of the situation, they said what happens after that is in gods hands and it will play itself out. The other three riddles about fate don’t express a belief in fate because they brought those situations on themselves like drinking while driving so they easily could have prevented that and what happened with that. It didn’t happen for a reason, it happened because they were being reckless.
LikeLike
The second instance with Kay and the fourth instance with Zed and his daughter are clear examples of a belief in fate. Instead of letting the death of her daughter and her alcoholism control her life, Kay turns over to resolve relationships and be a better person. With Zed and Dee, instead of letting Jay get away with his irresponsible behaviors, they go out to promote safe driving to the world and do it successfully. In the first and third instance, Jay uses “everything happens for a reason” as an excuse rather than a belief in fate. If everything actually did happen for a reason, he would’ve done something more after the accident rather than not changing his behaviors at all.
LikeLike
The second paragraph is the story that is related to fate more. Kay is laying in her death bed and still is hoping for a best. She does not know if she will stay in that bed or be set free but she still carries the quote of “everything happens for a reason”, so whatever happens to her was meant to happen from the beginning. A close second would be the first paragraph, which talks about Jay being arrested and having to get bailed out by his father. The third paragraph has to do with a belief in God so that is not fate. In the last paragraph, I have no idea what the quote means in the story’s context.
LikeLike
The difference between everything happens for a reason and fate is that fate does not have an end game, when talking about the other phrase things happen for a reason and have a certain outcome for a purpose. Whereas fate is the future that can not be altered by anything and everything is predisposed.
LikeLike