"transformed and embellished by the soma in her blood..." page 200
I haven't really made any connections to music like it was suggested, so here it goes. Linda to me is the face of addiction. She kills herself by constantly taking soma holidays to forget her world. When she wasn't able to get soma, she took to mescal to run away from her reality. This reminds me of the song "Used to Get High" by the John Butler Trio. In this song, he touches not only on drug addiction, but common addictions of many kinds of things. My favorite part of the song is when he sings "Super size, large fries, big mac, coca cola Go on man, pick your poison Speed, weed, ecstasy, LSD Man, it don't bother me cos we're all on something." The song claims that addiction is common. The lyrics "Escape, can't wait all trying to get away" capture Linda's personality as well as much of the people in society in the novel. People must mitigate their afflictions by use of drugs. John Butler sings "can't deal, can't feel what's real. The people of this society live so unnaturally. They are often lost in a fabricated, drug induced world in order to cowardly turn away from some natural negative emotions, such as jealousy, shame, anger, sadness, embarrassment, guilt and grief.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Brave New World blog entry #14
"'A man-one man.'" page 187
Lenina, early on, perplexed me. She seemed minor and irrelevant. I wondered why Bernard stuck with her. But, now she seems more dynamic a character. The fact that she is able to break her conditioning by loving a single man says something has changed in her. Maybe she will develop into her own individual by the time the books over. I thought maybe she could develop a special relationship with John, but that seems doubtful. John was appalled and enraged at Lenina's lustful advances on him. Perhaps now John won't regard her as so perfect and majestically beautiful, and himself, so shamefully unworthy. I think John shouldn't be too harsh on her because he should realize that society has forced her into this way by way of hypnodapic teaching. She really hasn't learned to regard sex as a intimate and spiritual bond that should remain between two people throughout their lives.
Lenina, early on, perplexed me. She seemed minor and irrelevant. I wondered why Bernard stuck with her. But, now she seems more dynamic a character. The fact that she is able to break her conditioning by loving a single man says something has changed in her. Maybe she will develop into her own individual by the time the books over. I thought maybe she could develop a special relationship with John, but that seems doubtful. John was appalled and enraged at Lenina's lustful advances on him. Perhaps now John won't regard her as so perfect and majestically beautiful, and himself, so shamefully unworthy. I think John shouldn't be too harsh on her because he should realize that society has forced her into this way by way of hypnodapic teaching. She really hasn't learned to regard sex as a intimate and spiritual bond that should remain between two people throughout their lives.
Brave New World blog entry #13
"'Well, I'd rather be unhappy than have the sort of false, lying happiness you were having here.'"page 179
I just want to reflect on some motifs I've noticed so far.
1.Individualism-This is apparent throughout the book. Bernard, Helmholtz, and John are all alone. Recently, Bernard has fallen back into his loneliness due to a social faux pas. He was to show off the savage at a dinner with very important people, but John refused to go, and thus humiliating Bernard. Helmholtz has violated law by introducing his own rhymes, ones about being alone. This is dangerously bold in a society which has killed the individual.
2. Social Stability-This society has tried to create social stability, a Utopia, where it is thought that everyone is happy. This is clearly not true, because Bernard and others are miserably alone. I think Huxley is trying to say that a banishment of individuality must not take place in order for social stability. I think he is pushing the value of being an individual and the value of solitude. I can sympathize with this because I am an introverted person who needs solitude once in a while to collect his thoughts.
3. Words-I think the power of words is emphasized quite a lot in the novel. For example, John uses Shakespeare's powerful words frequently, and this gives him a sense of fulfillment. John, to express his anger towards Bernard, uses the zuni language. Helmholtz has landed himself into some trouble by writing about the taboo concept of being alone. Mustapha Mond rejects a piece of science, saying it is "not to be published," as it might threaten the citizens' happiness with the current society and might push them to find some bigger purpose, outside of the realm of the society.
I just want to reflect on some motifs I've noticed so far.
1.Individualism-This is apparent throughout the book. Bernard, Helmholtz, and John are all alone. Recently, Bernard has fallen back into his loneliness due to a social faux pas. He was to show off the savage at a dinner with very important people, but John refused to go, and thus humiliating Bernard. Helmholtz has violated law by introducing his own rhymes, ones about being alone. This is dangerously bold in a society which has killed the individual.
2. Social Stability-This society has tried to create social stability, a Utopia, where it is thought that everyone is happy. This is clearly not true, because Bernard and others are miserably alone. I think Huxley is trying to say that a banishment of individuality must not take place in order for social stability. I think he is pushing the value of being an individual and the value of solitude. I can sympathize with this because I am an introverted person who needs solitude once in a while to collect his thoughts.
3. Words-I think the power of words is emphasized quite a lot in the novel. For example, John uses Shakespeare's powerful words frequently, and this gives him a sense of fulfillment. John, to express his anger towards Bernard, uses the zuni language. Helmholtz has landed himself into some trouble by writing about the taboo concept of being alone. Mustapha Mond rejects a piece of science, saying it is "not to be published," as it might threaten the citizens' happiness with the current society and might push them to find some bigger purpose, outside of the realm of the society.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Brave New World blog entry #12
"'the Savage frequently goes to see her and appears to be much attracted to her-an interesting example of the way in which early conditioning can be made to modify and even run counter to natural impulses (in this case, the impulse to recoil from an unpleasant object).'" page 160-161
Throughout the novel, it is quite clear that Bernard is unique in his unorthodox individualism and his critique of hypnodapic conditioning. Here, though, Bernard is unable to see past his conditioning to realize something important about the nature of human beings. To Bernard, Linda is grotesque and "unpleasant." He finds it astonishing that John is so attracted (not physically) to his mother. It is ironic because the reader knows exactly why John has such an interest in his mother. It is so simple. She is his mother. Human beings grow up to love their mothers very dearly and remain attached to them throughout their lives, especially when they are young. What Bernard recognizes John doing is something he finds so counter to natural impulses is actually a fundamental natural impulse between a child and his mother.
Throughout the novel, it is quite clear that Bernard is unique in his unorthodox individualism and his critique of hypnodapic conditioning. Here, though, Bernard is unable to see past his conditioning to realize something important about the nature of human beings. To Bernard, Linda is grotesque and "unpleasant." He finds it astonishing that John is so attracted (not physically) to his mother. It is ironic because the reader knows exactly why John has such an interest in his mother. It is so simple. She is his mother. Human beings grow up to love their mothers very dearly and remain attached to them throughout their lives, especially when they are young. What Bernard recognizes John doing is something he finds so counter to natural impulses is actually a fundamental natural impulse between a child and his mother.
Brave New World blog entry #11
"Bernard felt positively gigantic-gigantic and at the same time light with elation, lighter than air." page 157
Bernard brings back John the savage to civilization, and becomes a huge hit. People treat him nicely, forget all about his physical short-coming, and finally receives extraordinary prowess with attracting females, saying he only has to hint to a girl to have her. This, of course, makes him feel complacently proud of himself. I think, along with his individualism, pride could be his Hubris. In one of his reports to Mustapha Mond on the savage, he lectured him about the "social order." This angered Mustapha. Bernard was so proud as to boldly criticize society to his fordship. I think this could quite frankly get him into trouble, especially if he carries on with his arrogance. People even foresee his downfall saying he "will come to a bad end," and wont "find another savage to help him out a second time."
Bernard brings back John the savage to civilization, and becomes a huge hit. People treat him nicely, forget all about his physical short-coming, and finally receives extraordinary prowess with attracting females, saying he only has to hint to a girl to have her. This, of course, makes him feel complacently proud of himself. I think, along with his individualism, pride could be his Hubris. In one of his reports to Mustapha Mond on the savage, he lectured him about the "social order." This angered Mustapha. Bernard was so proud as to boldly criticize society to his fordship. I think this could quite frankly get him into trouble, especially if he carries on with his arrogance. People even foresee his downfall saying he "will come to a bad end," and wont "find another savage to help him out a second time."
Brave New World blog entry #10
"'Murder kills only the individual-and, after all, what is an individual?'" page 148
The director is getting quite impatient with Bernard, and even quite angry. He then comes to speak of Bernard and his unorthodoxy. He here is implying that if Bernard is gone, society is intact. We later come to find that the director actually wants to banish him to Iceland. The rhetorical question in this quote captures the attitude of this society. They have banished the individual. They are one collective group, where "everyone belongs to everyone." (I think that's how that quote goes, but you get the point either way). This lack of individualism and even contempt for it reminds of the book "Anthem." In this novel, there is not only a lack of individualism, the word "I" isn't even a part of the vocabulary. When referring to one's self, a character used "We."
The director is getting quite impatient with Bernard, and even quite angry. He then comes to speak of Bernard and his unorthodoxy. He here is implying that if Bernard is gone, society is intact. We later come to find that the director actually wants to banish him to Iceland. The rhetorical question in this quote captures the attitude of this society. They have banished the individual. They are one collective group, where "everyone belongs to everyone." (I think that's how that quote goes, but you get the point either way). This lack of individualism and even contempt for it reminds of the book "Anthem." In this novel, there is not only a lack of individualism, the word "I" isn't even a part of the vocabulary. When referring to one's self, a character used "We."
Brave New World blog entry #9
"Delicious perfume! He shut his eye; he rubbed his cheek against his own powdered arm. Touch of smooth skin against his face, scent in his nostrils of musky dust-her real presence." page 143
When John is creeping around in the rest house, he walks into to find Lenina, who he is so utterly infatuated with, knocked out in a soma-holiday on the bed. Here, the author employs imagery to illustrate John's attraction to her beauty. On page 144, I found a metaphor that reinforces his incredible attraction to her. "The bird was too dangerous," thought John. He feels so unworthy to touch such a majestically beautiful women, describing his hesitation to touching her as though she is too "dangerous," like a touching a dangerous bird. He does deem it necessary,though, to spout out quotes from Shakespeare to the sleeping women. Words can be piercing, Helmholtz said, but not to someone who is knocked out on a large dose of drugs. Maybe he will find a more important use of his words later on in the novel, as Helmholtz has said.
When John is creeping around in the rest house, he walks into to find Lenina, who he is so utterly infatuated with, knocked out in a soma-holiday on the bed. Here, the author employs imagery to illustrate John's attraction to her beauty. On page 144, I found a metaphor that reinforces his incredible attraction to her. "The bird was too dangerous," thought John. He feels so unworthy to touch such a majestically beautiful women, describing his hesitation to touching her as though she is too "dangerous," like a touching a dangerous bird. He does deem it necessary,though, to spout out quotes from Shakespeare to the sleeping women. Words can be piercing, Helmholtz said, but not to someone who is knocked out on a large dose of drugs. Maybe he will find a more important use of his words later on in the novel, as Helmholtz has said.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Brave New World blog entry #8
"'Alone, always alone,' the young man was saying. The words awoke a plaintive echo in Bernard's mind. Alone, alone...'So am I.' he said, on a gush of confindingness . 'So terribly alone.'"page 137
Recently, a new character is introduced to the story, John, the viviparous son of a former society member who has been raised with the savages at the reservation. The savages are all dark-skinned (Huxley likes to contrast their darkness to other colors) and John of course is white. This sets him apart from the others, lending him to much torment and scorn. Another factor in his uniqueness among his peers is that he is one of the two people who knows how to read, the other being his mother. I think one of Huxley's main themes in the novel will be individualism. We start off the novel with no individualism, everyone is conforming so happily. Then, we learn of Bernard and his circumstantially uncanny feelings of isolation and agonizing loneliness evoked by small stature. Then, we learn of Helmholtz and his "mental excess," which has him feeling empty and desiring a greater purpose (i.e. loneliness). Then, most recently, we here of John and his constant contempt received from the racially different savages among the reservation, setting him apart. For these reason, I believe individualism will prove to be a very important aspect of the novel.
Recently, a new character is introduced to the story, John, the viviparous son of a former society member who has been raised with the savages at the reservation. The savages are all dark-skinned (Huxley likes to contrast their darkness to other colors) and John of course is white. This sets him apart from the others, lending him to much torment and scorn. Another factor in his uniqueness among his peers is that he is one of the two people who knows how to read, the other being his mother. I think one of Huxley's main themes in the novel will be individualism. We start off the novel with no individualism, everyone is conforming so happily. Then, we learn of Bernard and his circumstantially uncanny feelings of isolation and agonizing loneliness evoked by small stature. Then, we learn of Helmholtz and his "mental excess," which has him feeling empty and desiring a greater purpose (i.e. loneliness). Then, most recently, we here of John and his constant contempt received from the racially different savages among the reservation, setting him apart. For these reason, I believe individualism will prove to be a very important aspect of the novel.
Brave New World blog entry #7
"A few long notes and silence, the thunderous silence of the drums..."page 113
I found this quote to be quite interesting, as it is paradoxical. It contradicts itself by stating silence to be thunderous, thunderous being an adjective used to described something overpoweringly audible. I made some sense of it, though. I can imagine myself being there, lost in the sound of the drums. Nothing on my mind but the mesmerizing and hypnotic beats. My mind is engulfed in the music, we merge into one. I am at the mercy of the drum; I follow submissively the beats. My conscious can do nothing to interrupt my transcendent state; it must remain in this trance as long as the powerful pulsing of the drums continues. In the manner I just described the music, it is easier to see how drums, which are clearly audible, can be silent. The drums erase any connection with the outside world. No talking. No worrying about life. Just the music. People and problems seem so distant. I think silence can create this atmosphere quite well, therefore I believe there is a strong connection to be made.
I found this quote to be quite interesting, as it is paradoxical. It contradicts itself by stating silence to be thunderous, thunderous being an adjective used to described something overpoweringly audible. I made some sense of it, though. I can imagine myself being there, lost in the sound of the drums. Nothing on my mind but the mesmerizing and hypnotic beats. My mind is engulfed in the music, we merge into one. I am at the mercy of the drum; I follow submissively the beats. My conscious can do nothing to interrupt my transcendent state; it must remain in this trance as long as the powerful pulsing of the drums continues. In the manner I just described the music, it is easier to see how drums, which are clearly audible, can be silent. The drums erase any connection with the outside world. No talking. No worrying about life. Just the music. People and problems seem so distant. I think silence can create this atmosphere quite well, therefore I believe there is a strong connection to be made.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Brave New World blog entry #6
"He rage against himself-what a fool!-against the director-how unfair not to give him that other chance, that other chance which, he now had no doubt at all, he had always intended to take. And Iceland, Iceland..." page 104
Bernard is clearly different. He is introverted, and prefers solitude rather than being with a crowd of people. This has landed him in hot water. The director has recognized his unorthodox behavior and now, Bernard will be sent to Iceland, a dreadful place. In this chapter Bernard speaks of affliction and what it would be like to take on afflictions without soma, completely sober. Maybe this is his chance to experience pure affliction, not mitigated by drugs.
On an unrelated note, on page 103, Indians are referred to as savages. I think this is an allusion to the native Americans living in America when Americans came and forced them off their land and treated them with a characteristic cruelty. It's interesting how Huxley weaves history through his novel. Another obvious example is the deification of Henry Ford in the novel.
Bernard is clearly different. He is introverted, and prefers solitude rather than being with a crowd of people. This has landed him in hot water. The director has recognized his unorthodox behavior and now, Bernard will be sent to Iceland, a dreadful place. In this chapter Bernard speaks of affliction and what it would be like to take on afflictions without soma, completely sober. Maybe this is his chance to experience pure affliction, not mitigated by drugs.
On an unrelated note, on page 103, Indians are referred to as savages. I think this is an allusion to the native Americans living in America when Americans came and forced them off their land and treated them with a characteristic cruelty. It's interesting how Huxley weaves history through his novel. Another obvious example is the deification of Henry Ford in the novel.
Brave New World blog entry #5
"He was miserably isolated now as he had been when the service began-more isolated by reason of his unreplenished emptiness, his dead satiety." page 86
Chapter 5 is divided into two parts. Part one tells of Henry's night out with Lenina. Henry, after a couple grams of soma, is as happy as can be, stating that "everybody is happy now." He is fully content with the way his society runs, just as he was conditioned to be. In part two, Bernard attends a Solidarity Service, sometime type of exotic weird singing ritual. Everyone around his is in ecstasy and rapture, while he is feeling only anguish. He feels isolated and miserable with his life. It is pretty clear at this point that Henry and Bernard are foil characters. Henry is successful with the women, and enjoys his current life as a consumer. Bernard, with his small stature, isn't so successful with women, and doesn't enjoy living in this world like Henry does.
Chapter 5 is divided into two parts. Part one tells of Henry's night out with Lenina. Henry, after a couple grams of soma, is as happy as can be, stating that "everybody is happy now." He is fully content with the way his society runs, just as he was conditioned to be. In part two, Bernard attends a Solidarity Service, sometime type of exotic weird singing ritual. Everyone around his is in ecstasy and rapture, while he is feeling only anguish. He feels isolated and miserable with his life. It is pretty clear at this point that Henry and Bernard are foil characters. Henry is successful with the women, and enjoys his current life as a consumer. Bernard, with his small stature, isn't so successful with women, and doesn't enjoy living in this world like Henry does.
Brave New World blog entry #4
"What the two men shared was the knowledge that they were individuals." page 67
At this point, we learn of Bernard and Helmholtz and their individuality. They both feel a certain sense of loneliness and individualism. For Bernard, his small stature frustrates him and makes him feel inferior and not like a true alpha. For Helmholtz, his "mental excess," and his desire to do more important work set him apart from people in society. I think these two characters are in contrast with the other characters, such as Henry and Lenina, who are typical citizens going through the motions of the predetermined society, not feeling isolated from their fellow citizens. For this reason I feel that Bernard and Helmholtz are more dynamic characters. I think they will be central in the action of the story.
I like how the author sets up a contrast in two characters, that oddly makes them similar. Bernard feels inferior because he is significantly shorter than the alphas. For this reason he struggles to feel a sense of belonging in his caste. Contrastingly, Helmholtz feels exceedingly intelligent ("mental excess") and exceeding successful in other aspects of his life, such as physically abilities and his charisma with females. Helmholtz feels sort of empty in the respect that he should be doing something more, something more important. He talks of writing piercingly, but of writing of nothing of importance. Both Bernard and Helmholtz feel alone and feel like individuals.
At this point, we learn of Bernard and Helmholtz and their individuality. They both feel a certain sense of loneliness and individualism. For Bernard, his small stature frustrates him and makes him feel inferior and not like a true alpha. For Helmholtz, his "mental excess," and his desire to do more important work set him apart from people in society. I think these two characters are in contrast with the other characters, such as Henry and Lenina, who are typical citizens going through the motions of the predetermined society, not feeling isolated from their fellow citizens. For this reason I feel that Bernard and Helmholtz are more dynamic characters. I think they will be central in the action of the story.
I like how the author sets up a contrast in two characters, that oddly makes them similar. Bernard feels inferior because he is significantly shorter than the alphas. For this reason he struggles to feel a sense of belonging in his caste. Contrastingly, Helmholtz feels exceedingly intelligent ("mental excess") and exceeding successful in other aspects of his life, such as physically abilities and his charisma with females. Helmholtz feels sort of empty in the respect that he should be doing something more, something more important. He talks of writing piercingly, but of writing of nothing of importance. Both Bernard and Helmholtz feel alone and feel like individuals.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Brave New World blog entry #3
"Ending is better than mending." page 49
This aphorism is of course referring to consumerism. In this society, it is better to end than mend, meaning it is better to throw away and produce more than to conserve. This obviously makes it evident the importance of consumerism in this society. Consumerism is a "machine" that "turns, turns and must keep on turning-forever." It makes perfect sense that this society would idolize Henry Ford, the man to first mass produce automobiles. A.F. (after ford) follows the year number. They even cut the tops off the Christian crosses to make "T"s, referring to Ford's model T. They are obsessed with this man, seeing as he played a major role in consumerism.
Consumerism, today, drives modern societies. This a strong connection to the book that I see in real life. I personally think consumerism is wasteful, and that we should conserve, seeing as resources are limited. I wonder why the leaderships of the world aren't particularly concerned with resources in the novel. Acceptance of consumerism is dogmatic in this world, and so is the detestation of any system against consumerism (conservation).
This aphorism is of course referring to consumerism. In this society, it is better to end than mend, meaning it is better to throw away and produce more than to conserve. This obviously makes it evident the importance of consumerism in this society. Consumerism is a "machine" that "turns, turns and must keep on turning-forever." It makes perfect sense that this society would idolize Henry Ford, the man to first mass produce automobiles. A.F. (after ford) follows the year number. They even cut the tops off the Christian crosses to make "T"s, referring to Ford's model T. They are obsessed with this man, seeing as he played a major role in consumerism.
Consumerism, today, drives modern societies. This a strong connection to the book that I see in real life. I personally think consumerism is wasteful, and that we should conserve, seeing as resources are limited. I wonder why the leaderships of the world aren't particularly concerned with resources in the novel. Acceptance of consumerism is dogmatic in this world, and so is the detestation of any system against consumerism (conservation).
Brave New World Blog entry #2
"A love of nature keeps no factories busy." page 23
An aphorism is a short statement that observes some accepted truth in life. An aphorism can reveal much about a society. In this case, it reveals a great deal about this world, its general focus. The fact that a society would purposely quell a love for nature for the sake of productivity states much about that society. It's primary focus is on effectively running the state in way in which every aspect of society is predestined and serves a useful purpose. Society, in the novel, to expound on this point, implements hypnopadia (sleep teaching) to ingrain in the minds of the betas that being a beta is spectacular and that betas are very fortunate. This is done to produce content citizens, which means they will be content workers. Content workers work harder, and therefore add to the overall productivity of society. This is a prime example of how this society is bent on squeezing every bit of usefulness out of anything.
An aphorism is a short statement that observes some accepted truth in life. An aphorism can reveal much about a society. In this case, it reveals a great deal about this world, its general focus. The fact that a society would purposely quell a love for nature for the sake of productivity states much about that society. It's primary focus is on effectively running the state in way in which every aspect of society is predestined and serves a useful purpose. Society, in the novel, to expound on this point, implements hypnopadia (sleep teaching) to ingrain in the minds of the betas that being a beta is spectacular and that betas are very fortunate. This is done to produce content citizens, which means they will be content workers. Content workers work harder, and therefore add to the overall productivity of society. This is a prime example of how this society is bent on squeezing every bit of usefulness out of anything.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Brave New World Blog entry #1
"'Embryos are like photograph flim,' said Mr. Foster waggishly, as he pushed open the second door. "They can only stand red light." page 11
The novel starts out by describing the fertilization process of a certain society in the year A.F. 632. Human embryos, of which so many regard currently as a biological miracle, are compared to the photographs. This comparison effectually dehumanizes human life, as if it where as only significant as the process of developing photos. This dehumanization is markedly present throughout chapter one. In fact, on page 12, the development of these embryos is described at length in a manner which brings to mind a conveyor belt, which demeans these human embryos to the status of perishable consumer products. The author, on page 7, directly states this. "The principle of mass production at last applied to biology." The purpose of the first chapter is to introduce this new kind of world. An orderly world in which it is socially acceptable, in fact probably required, to mass produce human life on conveyor belts, and a world in which "the lower the caste," "the shorter the oxygen," meaning human life is purposely engineered in the developing stages to satisfy certain predetermined social classes (the intellectutaly inferior epsilons, for example).
The novel starts out by describing the fertilization process of a certain society in the year A.F. 632. Human embryos, of which so many regard currently as a biological miracle, are compared to the photographs. This comparison effectually dehumanizes human life, as if it where as only significant as the process of developing photos. This dehumanization is markedly present throughout chapter one. In fact, on page 12, the development of these embryos is described at length in a manner which brings to mind a conveyor belt, which demeans these human embryos to the status of perishable consumer products. The author, on page 7, directly states this. "The principle of mass production at last applied to biology." The purpose of the first chapter is to introduce this new kind of world. An orderly world in which it is socially acceptable, in fact probably required, to mass produce human life on conveyor belts, and a world in which "the lower the caste," "the shorter the oxygen," meaning human life is purposely engineered in the developing stages to satisfy certain predetermined social classes (the intellectutaly inferior epsilons, for example).
Friday, July 8, 2011
Blog entry #20 Never Let Me Go
"And I saw a little girl, her eyes tightly closed, holding to her breast the old kind world, one that she knew in her heart could not remain, and she was holding it and pleading, never let her go." page 272
To me, this quote captures the theme of the novel. The theme is one of inevitable loss and tragedy. The book makes it clear that all good things come to an end. It also states that tragedy will always be a part of society. People will get treated unfairly. People will wonder why it has to be. Atrocities happen all the time. I think the theme is also about acceptance of these atrocities. In the end of the novel, We see not Kathy weeping excessively, but we see her coming to terms with her life. She does not run off to get away from her life, but she stays and accepts her reality. If the tragedies must happen, we must accept them, says the theme of the novel.
To me, this quote captures the theme of the novel. The theme is one of inevitable loss and tragedy. The book makes it clear that all good things come to an end. It also states that tragedy will always be a part of society. People will get treated unfairly. People will wonder why it has to be. Atrocities happen all the time. I think the theme is also about acceptance of these atrocities. In the end of the novel, We see not Kathy weeping excessively, but we see her coming to terms with her life. She does not run off to get away from her life, but she stays and accepts her reality. If the tragedies must happen, we must accept them, says the theme of the novel.
Blog entry #19 Never Let Me Go
"'They wanted you back in the shadows'" page 265
I think this quote captures the attitude of many in the world. Many people want unpleasant things to be N.I.M.B.Y.'s (not in my back yard). For example, society places landfills far away, as they are unpleasant. People also tend to place the world's problems in the back of their minds. Government leaders, as well as regular people, are aware that world hunger is rampant, but they shrug it off and put it in the back of their minds. I guess people become apathetic because they think someone else will deal with it. This is recognized in psychology but I can't remember the proper term. People tend to distance themselves from problems or try to justify their apathy. It's just how the world works.
I think this quote captures the attitude of many in the world. Many people want unpleasant things to be N.I.M.B.Y.'s (not in my back yard). For example, society places landfills far away, as they are unpleasant. People also tend to place the world's problems in the back of their minds. Government leaders, as well as regular people, are aware that world hunger is rampant, but they shrug it off and put it in the back of their minds. I guess people become apathetic because they think someone else will deal with it. This is recognized in psychology but I can't remember the proper term. People tend to distance themselves from problems or try to justify their apathy. It's just how the world works.
Blog entry #18 Never Let Me Go
"We'd been thinking about the deferrals, the theory about the Gallery, all of it, for so long-and now, suddenly, here we were." page 244
Here, the author creates suspense. The author creates this suspense to get the reader to read on. I think it is especially suspenseful because now, the reader will get to know the truth about things mentioned so early in the book. The author strategically placed the quote above at the end of the book. This greatens the suspense. The gallery and deferrals have been alluded to many times, at all periods in the book, so not revealing the truth about them makes them all the more mysterious, and therefore the suspense is greater when we finally approach their revelation. I believe mystery is a key part of the novel. Why was Hailsham shut down? Who are the characters cloned from? How many clones are there? Are clones in Manu other counties?
Here, the author creates suspense. The author creates this suspense to get the reader to read on. I think it is especially suspenseful because now, the reader will get to know the truth about things mentioned so early in the book. The author strategically placed the quote above at the end of the book. This greatens the suspense. The gallery and deferrals have been alluded to many times, at all periods in the book, so not revealing the truth about them makes them all the more mysterious, and therefore the suspense is greater when we finally approach their revelation. I believe mystery is a key part of the novel. Why was Hailsham shut down? Who are the characters cloned from? How many clones are there? Are clones in Manu other counties?
Blog entry #17 Never Let Me Go
"unfinished atmosphere" page 219
"atmosphere of something being held back" page 228
I've been noticing that the author repeats his imagery. Above, there are two examples. There also many other examples throughout the book. I even wrote about this imagery in one of my previous blogs. The author seems partial to the word "atmosphere," and often utilizes it to describe the general attitudes in a situation. For example, when Kathy reminisced about the Hailsham woods, the atmosphere was of mystique and fear. The author also describe tension as "atmosphere." In the car ride back from seeing the boat, the feeling that things were being held back was described as the atmosphere of the situation.
"atmosphere of something being held back" page 228
I've been noticing that the author repeats his imagery. Above, there are two examples. There also many other examples throughout the book. I even wrote about this imagery in one of my previous blogs. The author seems partial to the word "atmosphere," and often utilizes it to describe the general attitudes in a situation. For example, when Kathy reminisced about the Hailsham woods, the atmosphere was of mystique and fear. The author also describe tension as "atmosphere." In the car ride back from seeing the boat, the feeling that things were being held back was described as the atmosphere of the situation.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Blog entry #16 Never Let Me Go
"I thought about Hailsham closing, and how it was like someone coming along with a pair of shears and snipping the balloon strings just where they entwined above the man's fist. Once that happened, there'd be no real sense in which those balloons belonged with each other any more." page 213
The purpose this analogy is to describe the effects on the students of the closing of Hailsham. Kathy believes that Hailsham was an important common ground that bound together many of the students at Hailsham. Now that the school is closed, the common ground has been lost, and the students gradually drift away from each other and lose connection. The effect of comparing students to balloons is one of an inevitable separation. There is no way the effortlessly maneuverable balloons will hold together in an atmosphere of constantly changing winds. This describes the fate of the students as they grow up and their connections are lost. I think this analogy is also relevant to the entirety of the story. Ever since the students left Hailsham, their connections have been weakened. This is apparent when Kathy moves on to the cottages. Their Hailsham group of friends shrinks, and eventually the students become carers and are sent across the country to care for donors.
The purpose this analogy is to describe the effects on the students of the closing of Hailsham. Kathy believes that Hailsham was an important common ground that bound together many of the students at Hailsham. Now that the school is closed, the common ground has been lost, and the students gradually drift away from each other and lose connection. The effect of comparing students to balloons is one of an inevitable separation. There is no way the effortlessly maneuverable balloons will hold together in an atmosphere of constantly changing winds. This describes the fate of the students as they grow up and their connections are lost. I think this analogy is also relevant to the entirety of the story. Ever since the students left Hailsham, their connections have been weakened. This is apparent when Kathy moves on to the cottages. Their Hailsham group of friends shrinks, and eventually the students become carers and are sent across the country to care for donors.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Blog entry #15 Never Let Me Go
"I could have just denied it, though Tommy probably wouldn't have believed me...But I could have done something. I could have challenged Ruth, told her she was twisting things, that even if i Might have laughed, it wasn't in the way she was implying. I could even have gone up to Tommy and hugged him, right there in front of Ruth." page 195
The author uses Anaphora when describing Kathy's retrospective thoughts. It is used to emphasize her "lethargy" at the moment towards the situation of the drawings. In retrospective, she can think of so many things that she could have said or done at the moment. Anaphora emphasizes the possibilities for handling the situation, though it is retrospective. This makes it clear that her mind was completely blank at the time. Besides emphasizing lethargy, I believe the anaphora serves to emphasize her shock and confusion towards Ruth. Kathy is stunned that Ruth would bring up such a private matter. Kathy feels a sense of betrayal. This is why, instead of saying anything to defend Tommy, Kathy simply storms off to avoid talking to them.
The author uses Anaphora when describing Kathy's retrospective thoughts. It is used to emphasize her "lethargy" at the moment towards the situation of the drawings. In retrospective, she can think of so many things that she could have said or done at the moment. Anaphora emphasizes the possibilities for handling the situation, though it is retrospective. This makes it clear that her mind was completely blank at the time. Besides emphasizing lethargy, I believe the anaphora serves to emphasize her shock and confusion towards Ruth. Kathy is stunned that Ruth would bring up such a private matter. Kathy feels a sense of betrayal. This is why, instead of saying anything to defend Tommy, Kathy simply storms off to avoid talking to them.
Blog entry #14 Never Let Me Go
"Back then, when you lost it, I used to think about it, in my head, what it would be like, if I found it and brought it to you. What you'd say, your face, all of that." page 173
It seems to me that Tommy cares more for Kathy than for Ruth. He, years later, made it important to find Kathy's tape when he had the chance. He also never gave away Kathy's secret concerning the boiler room. Throughout the book, one doesn't really learn of times in which Tommy does some sort of nice favor for Ruth. Tommy seems to show more interest in Kathy and her feelings. In Tommy's relationship, it seems that Ruth is domineering. Tommy never really tries to object to anything Ruth wants to do. He is, in modern slang, "whipped." I am predicting that later on, a relationship, or some kind of companionship, will unfold between the two.
It seems to me that Tommy cares more for Kathy than for Ruth. He, years later, made it important to find Kathy's tape when he had the chance. He also never gave away Kathy's secret concerning the boiler room. Throughout the book, one doesn't really learn of times in which Tommy does some sort of nice favor for Ruth. Tommy seems to show more interest in Kathy and her feelings. In Tommy's relationship, it seems that Ruth is domineering. Tommy never really tries to object to anything Ruth wants to do. He is, in modern slang, "whipped." I am predicting that later on, a relationship, or some kind of companionship, will unfold between the two.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Blog entry #13
"We're modeled from trash...Do you think she'd have talked to us like that if she'd have talked to us like that if she'd known what we really were?" page 166
I think the clones are symbols for different types of oppressed people. I think the clones represent a microcosm of inequality around the world. The world to this day is home to many different oppressed people. Some countries will and do relentlessly persecute dissidents, and often kill them, without remorse. I can draw a specific analogy between the clones and real people. Millions of young children are being forced to do harsh, manual labor, intended for men. Even to fully grown men the work some children across the world are forced into is slave labor. In the case of the clones, their entire life purpose is to provide their vital organs to benefit other people. It is innately wrong, I believe, to make people suffer for the gain of others. Children across the world work in harsh, squalid conditions for little or nothing so that some one can benefit off of their labor. The clones are brought into existent to be harvested like animals, so that other human beings can benefit.
I think the clones are symbols for different types of oppressed people. I think the clones represent a microcosm of inequality around the world. The world to this day is home to many different oppressed people. Some countries will and do relentlessly persecute dissidents, and often kill them, without remorse. I can draw a specific analogy between the clones and real people. Millions of young children are being forced to do harsh, manual labor, intended for men. Even to fully grown men the work some children across the world are forced into is slave labor. In the case of the clones, their entire life purpose is to provide their vital organs to benefit other people. It is innately wrong, I believe, to make people suffer for the gain of others. Children across the world work in harsh, squalid conditions for little or nothing so that some one can benefit off of their labor. The clones are brought into existent to be harvested like animals, so that other human beings can benefit.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Blog entry #12 Never Let Me Go
"What they were saying was that some Hailsham students in the past, in special circumstances, had managed to get a deferral. That this was something you could do if you were a Hailsham student. You could ask for your donations to be put back by three, even four years." Page 153
From this revelation about Hailsham, it is obvious that there is something different about Hailsham. The fact that at this one place the children could later in life possibly receive a deferral implies some sort of significance attached to Hailsham. The reason why Hailsham creates such awe and evokes interest when brought up is unknown at this point. I think the author intentionally creates this ambiguity to capture attention. Personally, I am quite intrigued as to why Hailsham is distinguished. Perhaps it is one of the few places in which donors live that has a particularly affectionate staff of guardians. I'm not entirely sure, but I'm sure the author intended to create this ambiguity for me to speculate over. I will just have to read on, and finding out more about Hailsham is sufficient to compel me to read on eagerly.
From this revelation about Hailsham, it is obvious that there is something different about Hailsham. The fact that at this one place the children could later in life possibly receive a deferral implies some sort of significance attached to Hailsham. The reason why Hailsham creates such awe and evokes interest when brought up is unknown at this point. I think the author intentionally creates this ambiguity to capture attention. Personally, I am quite intrigued as to why Hailsham is distinguished. Perhaps it is one of the few places in which donors live that has a particularly affectionate staff of guardians. I'm not entirely sure, but I'm sure the author intended to create this ambiguity for me to speculate over. I will just have to read on, and finding out more about Hailsham is sufficient to compel me to read on eagerly.
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