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@juliabeckman-blog
I need your wisdom Ms. Clark
Ms. Clark, I truly hate to bother you over summer break and I wouldn't if I truly didn't need your advice. If you could get my ph. number from school and give me a call I promise to make it brief. Tried you on angel but... I have class frm 9:30 to 11:30 for session C anyother time is good. Hope you are having a relaxing summer. Julia
Fiction like non-fiction
Hey kiddo, I was asked to write a short story for this falls literary review and I for one heard a piece on the nightly news and it took root in this fertile mind and has become the basis for my story. Of course its deper, darker and full of speculation. But a lot of life and the problems we face are like that. I'll check in during the weeks ahead. I didn t have time to wish you good things in all your endeavors soI do that now. I enjoyed class immensely. Julia
I would like to say to all of my classmates that I have really enjoyed this class this semester. If it were not for all of you and Professor Clark I think that this class would not have been as much fun. Although I do enjoy reading, I truly believe this class made it so much more. I have really...
Kelly I too ended up liking this class. I went in a bit wary, I just didn't know what to expect with post modern writing. I found some to be completely nonsense but some really hit me hard. Books like The Things They Carried , ELIC, and The Road were all writings that had lessons to learn. I enjoyed some of the readings also and plan to find more of their works to read this summer. As for Ms. Clark I loved her last semester for 1102 and my feelings haven,t changed. I tell everyone who really wants to learn and do well in their writing to sigh up for her class. I think the discussions and differences we had are normal. I would not want to live in a world where everyone agreed with me, and besides, I love a good debate( could you tell?) Good luck everybody!
As I’ve read this book it does make me wonder if something like this could actually happen. With the technology available today it would only take one extreme personality to cause a worldwide catastrophe. Scary thought. Maybe this is why writers pen these types of novels, as a type of wake-up…
That is a very good point. How would I act should those circumstances occur and also how would the people I’m closest to react? You think you know someone and then in the face of something major people have a tendency to change, for the better or the worse. I hope I would be one to keep my humanity. I think the thought of world ending or some major catastrophe is something near about everyone is at least a little concerned with. It seems people have this sense that we live in a finite world, but that it would never cease to exist while they are still alive.
All very interesting questions. I grew up in the 70’s and 80’s and nuclear war and fall out were very present and common subjects in school and themes for TV shows and movies. People in my generation have asked themselves these questions many times. I really believe that the answers to these questions change with age - as a teen and in my twenties I would answer differently than I would as my life transitioned to that of a parent, responsible for more than myself. I have had these conversations over the years with friends. The most memorable was my friend who had a son with cystic fibrosis. In this end-time scenario, she imagined her delima was to watch her child die a painful death of starvation and painful life of trying to ingest food without medicine (excruciating) or to mercifully smother her child. Real tough stuff to think about. For me, my evolving answers have to do with my own personal aging and health issues. As it is now, I am dependant on medication every day to live. The need for long term preparedness for myself would be just a waste of resources. However, the movie and book show that what might appear to be a randomness in who survived (not powerful politicians, beauty queens, Lovie and Thurston Howell, etc.), but the underlying commonalities were people willing to do anything to survive.
You are absolutely right! My thoughts have changed as I have grown and taken on the responsibilities of parenthood. It is that survival instinct that will prevail. Most people in today's society cannot even go a day, a week without modern conveniences. Those who have had to fight for what they have and unfortunately some of the scum who are willing to do anything would be the survivors in a catastrophe. Who's the first to take advantage in a riotous situation or when a natural disaster occur. It's the bullies, the thieves , the scum that take instant gratification in cases like that, but there are those who go to stop the behavior and I, m talking about Joe average not the cops. There are heroes and I believe they too would be survivalists. Okay enough gloom and doom! Good luck to everyone during finals and I hope all your life dreams will be fulfilled. Julia
Pajiba: Reviews, News, Quotes & Cultural Commentary
I found this really great article that talks about some of the similarities and differences between the novel and film versions of The Road. If anyone is stuck on what was changed, replaced, or altered between versions, the above link is a great starting point.
Personally, I have to agree with you Julia that the novel set the bar pretty high and that the movie did not quite capture as much as the novel did. The film was not necessarily bad, but the novel was much better. I did think that the lighting and sound in the film captured the atmosphere of the setting in the novel.
Even though many of the scenes with the mother were added in the film, I do think that Charlize Theron’s portrayal of the mother was excellent because Theron was able to show how cold and discouraged the mother had become by that time in the story.
The author of the above article makes a good point about there being many more action scenes in the film compared to the novel. The original story deals much more with the spiritual and psychological aspects of the characters which are much more difficult to translate onto the screen; and, some scene are much more graphic and too controversial to put on screen, such as the “Charred Infant” scene that the article talks in depth about.
I hope that the above article helps to point out why some things were changed the way that they were changed, and, if it helps, here is a link to Cliffnotes.
I still can't reconcile myself to the major changes that ultimately ruined the film for me. The movie was made in 2009 and had a "R" rating. The whole purpose of this post- apocalyptic genre is to show the horror that man could at anytime bring down upon himself. I just might be a purist at heart when it comes to a work of art written this well. Changes in other films have not bothered me nearly as much as these changes did. I personally didn't think the fathers desperation or their hunger came across. The scene of the papa gathering the apples would have reinforced their hunger and sleeping in the woods and under bridges would have magnified the fear the man had of being caught by the bad guys. Of course This is jusy my opinion and I would probably have liked the movie if I hadn't read the book and felt the emotions that McCarthy's writing stirred in me . Julia
The Road Back ( an epilogue)
If you have time let me know if you like it:
He stood looking from the bow of the ship. The somber fingers of fog shrouded the coastline. The storms had left the bay the color of gun metal. He squinted to see where one started and the other left off. The waters were still widowed of life this far north. The silence was thunderous.
The reports had crept in. Then, they were silent. The man, then a boy stood, unwavering on the minuscule beach watching for any movement on the water. None. For years.
Those first months were the hardest. His papa had warned him of it. The family tried to coax him into joining them. It failed. They were caring he knew. The mother fluttered over him in the beginning when he hurt so badly. He refused her efforts. His chant was the only thing that kept him going.
I will papa. I am the fire. I will not forget you.
Every day the boy took out the pieced map taken from his papa. He marked the new route. He made hash marks for the days trekked on its weary, worn back. The man was impressed that he had that knowledge. Something papa had taught him. To know where you have been and where you are going. To survive. He did it for him. Nothing for himself back then. He was empty.
The man had a box. Stained almost black from over use. He would turn the handle and talk into it at every nightfall. Another man answered him. He was the true rescuer. Telling the man which way to go . Where food would be. How long to walk. Where to sleep. And they shadowed the voice .
The boy heard it all. He asked the man if the voice was a good guy or bad. The man stared at him and said softly… Good.
How do you know.
The people would not leave food or shelter if they were bad.
Okay.
Where are we going.
To the south. To a boat.
Is there a better place.
Yes.
Okay.
The boy didn't truly trust this family. Too much seen in his short life made him as suspicious as a cornered animal. They still might eat him. He kept watching for flaws in their story. . He did not know if they were the good guys or the bad guys. He slept little. Twenty-two days later they saw the boat. The protected cove virtually undetectable from the road
The boy stood on a decaying dune and whispered… Oh papa twenty-two days. You should have tried harder. I am so alone.
The boat hovered in a swirling mass of ash. Its masts yawned and stretched like the burned stubble of the oaks they had passed. The captain steered them to where he had stashed several families. In the bowels of the ship. The crew saw to feeding them. With soap water and clean clothes given out the cracked voice of the captain roared commands for the ship to leave the tiny cove with a grudging shudder. Almost afraid of what lay ahead the boy stood squarely on the warped deck still undecided whether to leave his papa. There would be no one to answer his questions now. A dilemma. Should he stay. Would he survive. Will you be mad. He heard his papa say to take life. His gaunt chest heaved in defeat… realizing he had to leave this dying place.
I’m sorry papa.
The girl saw his suffering and held tight to his closed fist. The boy stared sightlessly at the receding shoreline and recited his litany. I will papa. I am the fire. I will not forget you.
The ship navigated through the murk and ash without another stop. The soupy seas and ash fogged skies never dissipating. The boy started to believe everything was futile. To have hope offered to you and accept it. Then when you started to believe the hand snatched it back. He refused to believe. Belief was cruel.
On the fourth day out the boy thought death had finally come to sink its venomous claws into him. His bones racked with palsy like spasms. His eyes dripped with a blinding viscous mucous. His belly could not keep down even the sips of water the girl gave him. He was in the throes of death. He did not mind. He would finally be with papa. He lay in a bath of exudation waiting to die. The girl’s cool hand on his feverish brow was the last thing he would remember of this existence.
Seven days later the boy stirred to a maelstrom of sound on deck. The girl helped him garner the swaying steps that led upwards. Something was different. As he drew his labored breaths he was reminded of something sugary. Sweet like the coke his papa had found. His cracked lips nearly broke into a smile at the memory of that wonderful delicacy. He struggled up the final steps. He shuffled to the distorted lip of the rail.
Oh papa, look!
The tears brimmed in his eyes and made it hard to see. His papa would like this. To know it was not all gone. It was only a vein of color on the horizon but, the boy understood what his papa had meant by the word beauty. He and the girl stood transfixed. Sobs plagued his thin shoulders.
The woman dropped down. She drew him in. He could feel her inaudible cries against his neck.
I’m sorry Isaac. I’m sorry that your papa did not see this. But know that he treasured you beyond anything else. You must honor his sacrifice. You must live and make him proud. You must do as he asked.
I know. The boy looked again at the streak of blue. Deep inside he was nurtured by the comforting words. He knew then what he must promise for his papa.
I will papa. I am the fire. I will not forget you.
The ship and its treasure of life sailed another three days. Always south. Always bluer. It was the morning of the tenth day when land was spotted. All gathered at the warped rail. At first a small speck of land then an island. There were men and women. There were more children and some dogs.
A sanctuary the captain told them. Until we know that all is safe again we stay here.
The woman came to stand with the boy and her daughter. Are you better, Isaac?
Yes. Do you have a name?
Mary. My daughter is Sarah, my son is Jacob, and my husband James. You will be as ours. We will be your family, Isaac.
Okay.
Isaac hefted the glass to his eye and searched the protected cove for any signs of life. Fifteen years and the cove still seemed devoid of life. Good that no human filth had staked their claim. After he made the fourth pass he was satisfied. Sarah came from behind, curled her slender arms around his chest.
It will be alright Isaac.
I know. It just has to be.
Then what’s wrong? The intelligence seems good.
I’m not certain the evil has ended and I don’t want you hurt. I don’t want you to know what I can’t forget.
Mary did not want to see this trip happen. She had lost her husband to the cough and her true son shortly after that. Isaac and Sarah was all she had left. She argued that she would have nothing to live for if they didn't make it back. But, Isaac convinced her there was no talking him out of his responsibility. He had waited fifteen long years and he owed everything to his papa. His papa’s memory and the promise he made to him was what kept Isaac alive during those first years
Isaac had made a daily pilgrimage to the coastline to thank his papa and to reiterate his promise that he would never forget him or what he had done for him. In those conversations he told his papa all about his new life. About the good people he was with. His papa was the first to know of his love for Sarah. His papa was the first to hear his plans of an expedition.
As he stood on the beach all these thoughts touched that place in him that no one else had been allowed. He was scarcely conscious of the dories transporting the provisions. Enough dried meat, fruits, vegetables and water for an inland reconnaissance party. The supplies should last two weeks in and back. Reports seem to think things were shifting for the good but, it was this group’s responsibility to confirm those rumors. Once landed Isaac could see the changes on the shoreline of this tiny inlet. There was a smidgen of green as he looked inland. At water’s edge tiny crabs were scurrying to get out of their intruders path. A beautiful symphony of vivacious insects had hailed their arrival on this once dead stretch of sand. It was encouraging.
Isaac was here for he knew which way to go. He had preserved his papa’s bits of map as though they were prized jewels or bars of gold. The captain had offered him newer ones but, Isaac would not give them up. He knew them to be precise. He had marked the path himself.
This foray was to have two purposes. One to search for the promises to come. One to fulfill the promises of the past.
The six people got underway at the following daybreak. Their goal, one hundred and fifty miles through what they remembered to be a wasted wilderness. They had trained hard. The captain was an unforgiving taskmaster. They each carried ninety pound packs with provisions and numerous pieces of testing equipment. The point carried their only rifle. Isaac carried a handmade bow and quiver of arrows.
Five days in. Four days reconnaissance. Five days back. After that the ship would leave them and head back home. Isaac planned to hike thirty miles each day, stopping only for five minute breaks. The air was crisp and tested fairly clean. Nothing alarming, no masks necessary.
Isaac and Sarah left their comrades on the fourth day. They would be going west from this point. They chattered of the things seen and of their confidence for the future of this land. Isaac told Sarah his papa imagined a place so incredible that words failed him in his description. He also told her that a hunger and avarice saturated this land. His father had warned it must not happen again for it would be mankind’s final doom. God would not see fit to deliver another savior. Isaac confessed his papa had conferred this duty on him.
Isaac and Sarah reached at the tiny hillock late the fifth day. The ginger glow of dusk assaulted the surrounding decay. The memories of his last days with his papa’s body inundated him. He recalled the man coming for him. He remembered wanting to take the tarp back and encase his papa’s frail form with it. He remembered the woman telling the man to take him back to his papa’s body. He remembered telling the man the task was his and only his. He remembered his farewell to his papa.
I will papa.
I am the fire.
I will not forget you.
Isaac again accepted no help with the burial of his beloved papa. He took his chisel and hammer and engraved his message on a rock they had hauled to the head of his papa’s grave. The words could not express everything in Isaac’s heart. He left them brief instead.
Here lies Abraham
Father to Isaac
Who gave his life
To save the Fire
As Isaac left his papa’s resting place he realized the road they had followed had survived the harshness of its new environment. Yes it was scabbed and scarred by an illness that man had brought down upon himself. It told the tale of man and his unwillingness to honor his guardianship of this world. Green was indeed thrusting upwards through this maimed landscape, but Isaac knew it would take generations to see full restoration, but he now knew why his father had claimed he was the fire. It would take a new kind of fire, a drive, a commitment to start over from the rubble the fires had bequeathed what was left of the human race. Wordlessly, walking hand in hand, with the woman carrying new life, Isaac looked heavenwards and spoke aloud for the first time. I will papa. I am the fire. I will not forget you.
'C' rating
Well this is my second try to post this text. I gave this movie a ‘C’ . The actors were cast well although in my mind the boy was a bit younger. I thought too much artistic license was taken in the making of this movie. To me some major incidents were changed combined or completely eliminated from the movie. Being such a big fan of the book the changes almost made me cry. I don’t know if anyone else was taking notes but I counted 35 crucial irregularities. I didn,t bother with the small changes that didn,t change the mood or content. If you liked this book as much as I did let me know what you thought of the changes.
As I’ve read this book it does make me wonder if something like this could actually happen. With the technology available today it would only take one extreme personality to cause a worldwide catastrophe. Scary thought. Maybe this is why writers pen these types of novels, as a type of wake-up call. Would you be the person to keep their humanity? Would you want to survive as the man did for the sake of his son and a restart of mankind, or would you be the mother and want to end your suffering? And at what price would you pay for survival? McCarthy puts these questions right there in your face. Makes you think about the real person that lurks under their shell. By the way, I LOVE THIS BOOK! The best we have read so far. It has earned a place on my book shelf.
I was not sure what I would make of this book being turned into a movie. I know we have only watched part of it thus far, but I feel a stronger connection to the book than the movie so far. I did notice several differences in the movie from the book. Just to name a few the scene about the bunker...
The final chapter of AVFTGS was a good ending to the story. It shows how time really does move on to newer generations with the older generations feeling nostalgic at times as to what their lives used to be like. It is interesting how Bennie and Alex met and became friends as mature adults with...
You are right! I too see the story line of the playdate as a vision of what may come to pass. Include in that future Lulu and her choice of communication and what that means. Picture this, everyone is texring like Lulu did and I can image people actually starting to talk the same way, no vowels. I mentioned this to my daughter and we decided to try 'text' talking. FUNNY! but scary when you think twice about it.
Egans wrap of her characters was great, to end a book with a fleeting character introduced in the first was revealing. Time changes everything. I think I get the title but weigh in and see if anyone understands where I'm coming from. A goon to me is a monster and that is how I'm relating it to the title. A monster can devour you or you can conquer it, much like time. One can let time and change consume them or they can do something with the time they have, do something that someone will remember you for, no matter what that might be or who might be remembering. You don't have to be famous to be remembered. This book also reminded me somewhat of six degrees of separation as far as the Bennie and Alex characters. If you don't know what I mean take the time to Google it, it's fascinating.
A sad but true commentary on life
Jennifer Egan's book, A Visit From The Goon Squad is a slice of life most people don't like to think about. Remembering how things were in high school or even in college and how everything changes once you graduate can lead many to wonder what happened to the good ole days, where your biggest problem was trying to graduate. A person realizes there is no going back to capture those carefree days.Try going to a class reunion after ten years and see how much you and your friends have grown apart, how different the roads are you have taken, and this to me is Egans purpose in her book.Time changes eceryone and with that time memories alter. When your old enough to look back the question that crosses your mind is, what did I have in common with these people who have sadly become no more than strangers to you. Egan did a wonderful job relaying this message and her book brought back fond memories of high school and the fun I had .
I am finding A Visit from the Goon Squad to be a very difficult read. The way that the book is set up jumping around the way it does and the weird story line makes it near about impossible for me to enjoy the book. What I think my ultimate issue is is the sex, drugs, stealing, violence, and…
I absolutely agree with how you feel about A Visit From The Goon Squad. I have had a very difficult time connecting with this novel as well. I think that Jennifer Egan did a great job writing the book and depicting the characters, but I can’t relate to the characters at all. The way the characters are portrayed are not like how I am as a person so it has been hard to relate to them like I am used to in other books. Like you said, I have also been sheltered by my parents so maybe that is why I am having just as hard of a time.
I think this story is easier to relate to for someone who has been out in the world for a while. I find I personally can see where Egan's characters are looking back and wondering where time went, where their youth went, their friends. I have said all along that this book is like going back to a class reunion and you find yoyrself wondering what you had in common with these people you used to deem 'good friends'. It may sound a little sad,even morose, but it happens. People go their own ways and lose touch, make new friends and you find yourself wanting a bit of that time back, when you had everything to look forward to and you just knew you and your friends would be close forever.
After reading Couplands Generation X a second time I had some kind of inspiration. I want to share what I think this confusing little piece means to me. Texalohoma is a stifling place where no one goes anywhere, they are content to live their lives in stagnation. The mother in this piece seems to…
This is the first time I’m doing this, but I disagree with you on this one. While Buck can be seen as a catalyst for change he offers up something that is far too good to be true. The two sisters whom I assume to be older (purely out of the order in which they are introduced) understand that there is no way that Buck can bring them back to life; while they would love to get off of the asteroid they realize he is not their golden ticket. The two older sisters contemplate it; the idea of leaving. Arleen even sheds a tear at the prospect of leaving the asteroid. I feel that they do not enjoy the life they lead but currently have no way out of their situation and they understand that Buck is not it. The youngest sister though, not having much experience, blindly takes the offer not realizing that it is faulty. She is used, much in a way that a lot of young people are, to further someone else’s gain. This story, to me, connects to younger adults, just out of high school or college trying to find their place in the world and trying to find a way off of their own asteroid. They just have to be careful to realize when someone is feeding them lies; they have to realize that handouts will not get them where they want to go and that they have to figure things out for themselves. While Arleen and Darleen do long to leave Texlahoma they are not so eager as to be blinded like Serena was.
Handout? I believe the price was life for leaving Texalohoma, although I don't think it meant it literally. The price meant being able to start to live to experience the unknown. The unknown is not always bad and it takes a special kind of courage to take a leap of faith and that, to me, is what Buck represented. The description of Buck after he took a bite of food (or life) may mean that the decision may not always be easy or right but, that's the chance one takes when you step outside the traditional box. As far as Coupland's story being primarily about younger people I think you are way off base. How many people are having to start over due to the mess this country finds itself in? They must also reassess their lives and make uncomfortable decisions they never knew were coming. Contemporary literature can and does apply to people of all ages and all walks of life. Her something to ponder; the human race would never have evolved into what we are today if no one took a chance or stayed in their caves, being content who they were and what they had.
Generation X
I can honestly say that I really don’t understand this piece that much.
I really feel like you are sitting with a kid while they are explaining this weird magical world of her’s. I really felt like one those adults that somehow get stuck sitting next to a little kind on the bus...
Sonia, Your young use your imagine. Remember Coupland is Po-Mo.The story is a bit out of the twight zone . I like like your discription better. I reread it with a different frame of mind, a Po-Mo- state if you get my drift. I found some meaning in it. whether its right or not is the question opps no its not.... Po-Mo is interperative, so I,m going to stand by my post. Take a look and let me know what you think. See you Monday. Julia
Willing to make a change
After reading Couplands Generation X a second time I had some kind of inspiration. I want to share what I think this confusing little piece means to me. Texalohoma is a stifling place where no one goes anywhere, they are content to live their lives in stagnation. The mother in this piece seems to want better things for her children,thus, she invites 'Buck' into their lives, he is opportunity. The two older sisters are content with things the way they are , not wanting change they have no use for 'Buck'aka opportunity. The younger though, she embraces change, she would love something better to happen to her, so she takes a chance no matter the risk. I know may theory may sound a little out therebut, reread the story and see if you can see where I'm coming from.
I don’t believe in the kind of magic in my books. But I do believe something very magical can happen when you read a good book.—J. K. Rowling If one cannot enjoy reading a book over and over again, there is no use reading it at all.—Oscar Wilde People don’t realize how a man’s whole life can be changed by one book.—Malcolm X You cannot open a book without learning something.—Confucius
The Best Part To Me
Well, since we have read two novels and a handful of other stories, finished our midterm, and are halfway to May, I think I’ll just spend this post on my “Best Of” for this class.
The truth is I had only heard of a slim number of authors we have read so far and I never even thought about postmodernist literature (although POMO has become a new favorite word of mine). Though, there is still something to be said for that right book at the right time. We’ve all expressed are love/disdain for this novel or that story, but I have to agree with Confucius that all of them have taught us something (for better or for worse, lol). So that is one of the best parts of this class.
Men and women from all walks of life and cultures have said through history how important books are. Cicero once said, “A room without books is like a body without a soul.” George R. R. Martin wrote, “A mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge.” But I’m sorry because I have to take my hat off to Jane Austen for her words: “The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid.”
So on that note, I hope there are people in class who didn’t like reading, and I hope you changed your mind at least a little. I have always enjoyed reading and this class has helped me learn even more about literature, and I think that the majority of us can say that there have been moments when one story or another showed us or taught us something new.
(via h-poirot2090)
I do have to say I agree that I have not heard of most of these author’s either. However, in my case there is a reason for that. I do not read novels very often, so that would be why I do not know most of them. You have posted some really good quotes up above, I enjoyed reading your post. I do have to say I am not much of a reader, mainly because of time, not because I do not want to. But what I would like to say is that I will have to start making time to do more reading because this class and our other class we are in together, has made me want to actually do more reading. I consider this a good thing. Now if I can just find the time after this semester ends, or maybe I will just have to make time. I have changed my mind about reading and I need to do more of it, and this class has allowed me to open up to the possibilities of why I should be taking time to read more novels. I have really enjoyed the discussions in this class. You are correct this class has helped me as well, to learn more about literature, and yes one story or another has shown and taught me something new. I have also made many connections from my own life to what we have been reading, which amazes me to think about how many there have been. So in the future you are absolutely correct I have changed my mind about reading, I will allow myself more time to read in the future. Have a great spring break, see you when we get back in class.
Kelly Lasko
Reblog 8, week 8 March 10, 2013
(via kellylasko)
