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The Finale
Well it's been great lit class. Professor Clark, you are a great teacher and I've enjoyed having your class this semester. We've read books that I probably would not have naturally ever chosen for myself, especially not the road. It has been nice, however, to have the chance to read books that are a little different and "out of my comfort zone." I've had a great time in class with all of you and I hope you all have a great, carefree summer.
Well, this is my final post! So much has happened this semester. I got to meet my gorgeous baby boy but also learned a lot. From motherhood to school to work, it’s not easy. Actually, I couldn’t wait to have some quiet time to read the books assigned for class. So to me reading the book meant that I had some time for me. Overall, I liked the books we read for class. Most of them are horrendous, but interesting. Especially with having a baby during this time. It was the worst time to read about baby eating in multiple stories. What is everybody doing for the summer? I’m going to take 2 classes and be a full time mommy! I’m taking scuba, which sounds pretty awesome. And I’m taking a social problems class. Any comments on those classes? It was great to meet all of you, and I wish you the best!
What a semester! I am so happy for you! I'm with you on the books they were probably not books I would have picked for myself but it was nice to read something different I guess. Also, are you talking about scuba as in scuba diving? If so that's a pretty awesome class. I scuba dive and I love it so I'm a little jealous I don't have college credit for it. Good luck to summer and congrats on your baby boy!!
Movie: The Road
The film did a really good job at sticking to the book. For some reason I imagined the boy to be much younger, but I guess the director wanted to go with a older boy for obvious reasons. The world I pictured when reading the book was exactly a match when watching the movie. The movie didn’t show the man that was struck by lightning and they added a part in the movie where a crowd of people killed the mom and child on the ice. The thief scene was really a tear jerker and the director did a nice job at sticking to what the book said. For most part the movie was really good and the director did a good job at choosing the actors.
I feel the same exact way, I think the director did a great job as well. I thought that the boy was a little younger than the movie portrayed him to be, but like you said, I think it was done for some obvious reasons like just being more realistic. I wonder how the director(s) interpreted the other movies we read in class. I know 1984 had a film adaptation, but I’m unsure about the others. I may have to check them out over the summer.
I agree as well! The director did good, but I felt like the movie started in the middle of the book. Personally, I wouldn’t have liked the movie if I hadn’t read the book. In the book, they had long hair. Obviously if a person is living in the wild they would have long hair. But when they did the haircuts, I expected them to cut their hair shorter. The reason is because in the book the boy said ‘won’t you be cold papa?’ It was interesting to see how the director interpreted the movie differently and the same as I percieved them.
I thought the film did a great job sticking to the book as well. There were a few minor differences but nothing that really altered the plot or the significance of anyone or anything involved. I noticed that the bamboo flute was not incorporated into the movie. Also the father dreamed of his wife much more often than in the book. Overall I think they did a good job depicting a dystopian society in their adaption from book to screen.
The Book vs The Film
I think the movie stayed pretty true to the book except for a few differences. One thing I noticed that I was glad was not included in the movie was the scene with the baby and I can't describe it because it is too horrific to me. I also do not remember the scene from the movie with the big storm that was knocking trees down being included in the book. I liked that they kept a few of the key quotes in common like "as the crow flys" and "carrying the fire." Although I am not a fan of this book I think they did a good job incorporating the key elements of it into the movie and staying true throughout.
The Road
In a dystopic, post-apocalyptic world of “The Road”, one can only hope that the boy made it through unscathed by his new companions. He didn’t have much of a choice. His father had died and thus the boy stayed for 3 entire days. Once the caravan of people sauntered through, it only made sense for him to join. Finally, it’s like a breath of somewhat fresh air. We’ll never know the rest, meaning all can be well with the character, as well as one can be in his position.
Well… I decided to write about what happened after the last pages of the book with my Mishnah. So, I know exactly what happens to him. lol…. yeah, he’s okay. Yeah, I agree. I don’t think it would have made sense for it to be any other way. The story of the boy and his father was complete. That was the main intention of the author - to write a story about a father and his son. Mission accomplished. Maybe an Apocalypse was the only way he could get the other characters out of the way…less complicated that way. Otherwise, all the boy would have been doing is playing on electronics. How can you have a serious father/son relationship with all those electronics getting in the way? I don’t really know if I’m serious when I say that - just being cynical I guess. I think your observation/opinion is correct!
I wish we had more of an ending to “The Road”. I love your take on it, and I am glad that we at least get a chance to write an ending ourselves. The style of writing in this book was a little strange, so I think it is going to be difficult to replicate for someone who is not used to writing in that way. I want this story to end happily, so I would probably try to wrap it up in a way that gives the reader a little more peace of mind at the end of it. It is a sad story, but well written and definitely interesting.
The Father
In "The Road" the fathers only motivation for living is his son. Everything he does is for his protection. When the father goes out hunting for food he leaves the boy with the gun, his only weapon, even though he knows he probably won't use it. He try's to teach him life lessons, like swimming, that a father would have taught his son in the old world. The father struggles with the idea of having to kill his son if they get caught. He wonders if he could do it, but he knows it is better than what they would do to him alive. He cares deeply about his son and although he finds his compassion for everyone, including the thief, annoying he often listens to him because he loves him.
“The Road”, a tale of gray ash.
I really enjoyed this book. Now, it may be because I watched the movie a few years back and always wondered what the movie left out. I have to admit, the book was anticlimactic in the traditional sense, but I think it was intentional. The way I like to look at the book is the climax happened before the book starts. So, whatever cataclysm that brought on the ash and set the world in peril and destruction was the climax of the book. The rest of the book is falling action and the resolution. Like Professor Clark stated in class, the apocalypse or whatever you would call it, was left out so that way it would not be the main focus of the book. The story was written so the questions of humanity would be the main focus and not the environmental factors. I believe McCarthy wanted us to ponder things like how there could still be “good guys”, the lengths at which someone would go to protect someone they love, or even how someone being raised in a world where compassion and empathy will almost certainly get you killed and yet compassion is the only thing they know. It doesn’t matter whether it was nuclear fallout, volcanic eruptions, or a comet striking the Earth, McCarthy wanted the reader to focus on humans and their interactions with one another after such an event.
It is very interesting how this literature class correlates with my western civilization conversations so much. In my western civ. class we were asked what percent of people we thought would go out stealing, raping, killing, etc if there were no laws or forces to keep people from doing it. Based on the class’ answers it ranged from 15%-90%. It really does make you think though. How many people would/could do whatever means are necessary to keep themselves and their loved ones alive? But like we discussed in class sure it would be easy to say we would not eat a person now but what would we say when we are starving, cold, and delusional? I hope I will never be in a situation where I have to find out because I could assure you, I would be the first to die. No survival skills here what so ever.
As soon as we began our discussion of this book I immediately thought of The Walking Dead. They are trying to survive in a post apocalyptic world where other humans are their worst enemies. McCarthy’s word choices also play a strong role in setting the stage for the dreary world the father and boy are living in. She uses the color “gray” in nearly every form possible to convey her idea that there is no “light” or “color” to be found anywhere. Her style is very interesting and I like to look for the little meanings she incorporates throughout.
“You forget what you want to remember, and you remember what you want to forget.”
This quote from “The Road” relates not just to what is happening in the book, but also to the lives of individual readers as well. I think everyone has gone through something in their life that they wish they could forget, I know I have. Many war veterans, for example, suffer from PTSD. They wish that they could forget the terrible things that happened to them overseas, but they can’t. They can’t seem to remember all of the things they want to remember, like what it was like to know they are safe and happy with their family. Life is a journey and no book could describe a more difficult one than “The Road.”
I couldn't stop reading
I literally read chapters 33-41 yesterday all in one sitting. I didn’t want to put it down, and that never happens. I usually find some chore or errand or another to distract myself with after a couple chapters. I’m actually really enjoying this novel. I find myself more so taking to Atwood’s crude humor and personality, and the events are becoming increasingly exciting. I might just be addicted to this book. It took much willpower to put it down after finishing chapter 41, so I don’t confuse myself in class discussion. Spoiler alerts: she finds Moira at a secret club that the Commander sneaks her off to in more or less lingerie, with Nick as their chauffeur. And then she becomes reckless in the following few nights starting a full-on affair with Nick. Oh my god.
I too could not stop reading - and actually, finished the book! lol! I was so glad that she found so solace in her affair with Nick. She was so very starved for anything human. Most affairs are born out of some type of lack - some type of desperation and this one was no different. If she had to use her body - might as well use it at some point to make her own self feel good. I don’t think she ever really allowed herself to feel good with the Commander. I think I too would have “fallen” for Nick - had I been unfortunate (or fortunate) enough to be in her shoes. I guess it beats the colonies and cleaning up nuclear waste. Yeah, give me a Nick to get through what’s left of my days in the nightmare.
It seems that it came around full circle, since Offred began her relationship with Luke through an affair, which eventually lead to their marriage, but that she also began an affair with Nick (albeit she may have been pushed by the hand of the Commander’s wife). For the lack of better terminology, Nick is the reckless “bad boy”, which it seems that he prides himself in being so. Offred was allured to him by his subliminal charm.
Nick was a “bad boy” - but he was a bad boy for “the cause” - which makes him a HERO in my book.. lol… I imagine him incredibly good-looking, rugged, and a grin that melts any woman’s heart or resistance. haha… Just chalk it up to an older woman having her fantasies!
Those are the best chapters. There is so much scandal and it almost seems that Offred is finally getting a piece of her life back. She feels bad about Nick because she feels like she is cheating on Luke, but she can't help herself. The scene with Moria was so unexpected to me. Offred says that after seeing her that night she was beginning to wonder if things would ever change because even Moria had given up. She says she never saw Moria after that which is a sad note to end on, to me.
Fascism of The Handmaids Tale
The Handmaids Tale demonstrates a number of elements involved in fascist nations. There is complete control of the people. The government tells them what they will wear, what job they will preform, and what religion they will be. For example, all of the Handmaids wear the same red uniforms and wings that hide their faces. In addition to this control, the military is also glorified. The news often shows off their victories in battle, but never their losses. They call some of their military men "guardians" which is also symbolic of their duty to protect their country and people. This has been a very interesting read and I have enjoyed it.
The Handmaid's Tale
I’m a little bit behind on the reading, but that’s okay because I have a whole week to do nothing except work and read this novel. AND a whole bunch of naps and soaking up some much needed vitamin D on the lovely, uncrowded beach of course. The further I get in the book, the more vulgar it becomes. Atwood isn’t shy and doesn’t hold back the most explicit details to say the least. It’s actually kind of funny! I’m looking forward to better grasping the plot of this literature while enjoying the week off from school-related stress and anxiety.
Im a bit behind as well due to spending 9 hours a day at the courthouse last week, but like you, I will be catching up during our off week. Honestly sprink break couldnt have came at a better time! The uncrowded beaches is something Im definitely looking forward to as well! To answer your question from my post, no he didnt get into a fight but the guy that got hit decided to sue him instead of the guy that actually hit him most likely because George Davis is worth a lot more than a coal miner from Alabama…
I feel the same way about this book. It is vulgar and some points are just so serious that I can't take them seriously. I think it is interesting, no doubt, but it is not my kind of book just because of the content it has. Atwood is a very skillful writer and I like her style and looking for the symbolism she incorporates. It was an easy read and it really helped pass the time during my long road trip this passed week.
Margaret Atwood
When we watched Margaret Atwoods (author of The Handmaids Tale) interview in class she seemed like a very thoughtful, liberal woman. Something that the she said in her interview that caught my attention was that she would never put anything that had not historically occurred into her books. I wasn't sure how true that was at first because the society depicted in the Handmaids Tale seemed rather barbaric to me. The more I thought about it, however, the more I realized that it was true. In the Holocaust, for example, prisoners were stripped of their names and identities. The same happens in The Handmaids Tale. The main character talks often of the clothes she used to wear and her name, although she never said what it was. Her name in the story is Offred which signifies who she belongs to and the color of clothing she is made to wear.
Amber alert
After sitting in Best Buy when a amber alert got pushed through. It made me think of Fahrenheit 451 when they were looking for Montag. The part of the book when the government told everyone to go look out side and see if they see a man on the run. Could our government do that now? They send out theses Amber alerts to people in a certain area. So if they wanted to they could send in out to everyone in the areas around wear the person on the run would be right? But I mean do you really pay attention to it? Who would actually look for this person and if they saw him or her would they really turn them in. In my opinion I doubt it, but what do you think?
We get Amber Alerts so often now that I think most people are desensitized to them. They go off and you see it but you don't really do anything about it. If the government were to send out alerts like this to look for people I think that some people may look if it is convenient for them, but I think most people wouldn't bother. Technology is changing and it's hard to tell what people would do in situations like this until it actually happens.
The Handmaids Tale
When I first started reading "the handmaids tale" I had no idea what it was going to be about. I started out a little confused about their society and how it worked, but eventually I caught on to their traditions and way of life. I couldn't help but wonder how a society ends up like that. Later in the book they explain that there was war that involved the chemical Agent Orange leaving many of the people with injuries the made them unable to have children. The handmaids were supposed to be the people who could still have healthy children and it was their job to try to grow the population. They live under a very controlling, twisted government that has taken away all rights of the people, even their ability to love.
Living in a dystopian society, it’s interesting trying to pinpoint which ones of us (the majority) would stand by and do nothing, and who would become our real-life heroes and swim against the flow of the river by breaking the rules or attempting to make a difference. Of course we like to think that we individually would do something, but when taking into account the lifestyle and brainwashing that the characters of the stories of this main theme we’ve been studying have been either raised into so that it is all they know; it is their normal, or have been subjected to for consecutive years and becomes all they know, we can conclude that we, as we know ourselves to be, would be altered ethically and become irrevocably alternative beings.
I really believe that I would be a rebel, maybe like Winston - a little reluctant at first, but then I would own it. I have always been that way and especially about injustice. I have been blessed with an empathetic heart and many of my life experiences have prepared me to stand up for the weak or downtrodden. I think we all have it within us - I just don’t know if we’re all called that way by our life’s journey. I guess the only thing that matters is if we’re called, will we hear? Will we answer? Will we be ready? You always ask such wonderful questions my classmate. It makes my mind go in a million different directions!
Oh I’m glad you enjoy my efforts! I just think that living in a world like that of Winston’s, we might not be who we think we are in this world. Because we would be raised with different morals and different beliefs. To give an example, some people from other countries, like the reason some of us fear outsiders is because they weren’t raised on the same ethical platform as us, and some of what they do that we would consider immoral, to them it is just a duty or way of life. So it is hard to know who, from our present, would transpire to be the hero of an alternative society.
I think it is difficult to tell what you would do in a situation until you are actually in it. Like you say, the majority of people would stand by and do nothing. If you have ever seen or heard of the show “What Would You Do?” they use actors to test the thoughts and actions of real people to see what they would do in conflicting situations. Who would step in, how would they do it, if they choose not to, why didn't they, a number of things like that. It depends on the situation but while some people step into the situation, most people choose to avoid the conflict. They ignore what is happening and go on with their business. This is what I think of when I think of a dystopian society. It is a society where people no longer care about other people and where the government has the final say in our lives. It can be difficult to do the right thing sometimes, but I like to think that I would be able to.
“1984″
This book, “1984″ by George Orwell is very similar to the other stories we have read in class like “Fahrenheit 451″ and the short stories such as “Harrison Bergeron” and “The Lottery”. They all focus on different forms of a totalitarian or dystopian society. Even “The Lottery” can be seen as totalitarian in a way. It seems that every day our society becomes more and more similar to the stories we have read in class. For example, in “1984″ Winston describes how the televisions are always on, and how they are always watching. Today, the same can happen easily. Nearly everyone owns a smart phone or a computer with a webcam. Could the same thing happening in “1984″ not happen to us as well?
1984 thoughts
As I expected, I didn’t find this book at all as interesting as the last book we read. To me, its hard for me to force myself to read and fully understand such a complex book such as 1984. I mean I understand the basics such as the people in the story can’t really think for themselves and its no freedom whatsoever. Everyone is being controlled basically by the government. This book proved me wrong completely. I thought it was going to be just hard to get into at the beginning,but it turned out to be like this throughout parts of the whole book. Honestly I’m not big fan of reading these types of book. I really don’t see how it is such a classic. Sorry but not sorry for the ones who liked the book. I don’t mean to sound much of a bummer, but everyone is entitled to their opinion. I’m happy for the ones who understood and enjoyed it. #2-19-2016
I’m with you 100%, it’s also hard for me to force myself to read a book that I don’t fully understand. I thought that after the beginning it would ease up a bit, but it didn’t. After chapter one, the book began to become more difficult to read and understand. The last page confused me so much, I just remember scratching my head and trying to fully understand what had just happened. I am not sorry for not liking this book, ok maybe that’s a little harsh. Maybe it’s this dystopian theme that I don’t agree with, but whatever it is, I don’t like it. I hate to end on such a sour note, so how bout them warriors!!!
I am not usually a fan of books that portray such dark, totalitarian societies either, but one thing that I did find enticing about “1984″ was how difficult it was to see what was coming next. I could guess, but I could never be sure exactly what would happen. For example, when the girl with the dark hair falls in front of WInstin at the beginning of part 2 he hands him a note. I thought maybe the note would have said something about how either shes watching him or just that she know about him. Never would I have ever guessed that it would have said “I love you.” I think Orwell uses these “mini mysteries” in a way that keeps the reader guessing and that's what I love about this book.
