"I ate civilization...It poisoned me; I was defiled. And then... I ate my own wickedness" (page 240).
After reading this book, the only thing I can really say is wow. I did not expect John to kill himself. WHAT??????? But it only makes sense, doesn't it? He submersed himself in the tragic writings of William Shakespeare. It totally makes sense that John ends his life with a tragic end. Personally, it's just sad that civilization drove him mad. I liked John's character. It added a lot to the story as a whole. And the worst part is, nothing changed. In fact, things became worse. I wish that the clone world would have come to their senses. I wish that they could have changed the way in which they forced people how to live their lives. Did people change? No. They laughed at John. They enjoyed his pain. To be honest, I view John as God's heart. He poured out his love to nature and those around him, but people refused to see his love. Some refused to let him in. And when he sees what evil human kind has done, he tries to reach out. However, this is no use because people live for themselves instead of purpose.
Purpose. What would our lives be without purpose? What would our lives be without punishment? Without sin? Without love? Without structure? The world needs to be a mix of structure and freedom. This book showcased extreme societies: a clone world and a native world. We need to have a happy balance. We need to know how to communicate, first off, in order to live in society. We need to listen and have open eyes for those who are different from us. It is essential that we care for others and help them in their times of need. This book has made me realize that our world needs a lot of work in order to be the place it was created to be. We need to change as people. We need to be accepting of others because an intolerance of differences DOES lead to suicide. People who are made fun of for being different DO harm to themselves because they feel that they are not good enough. This needs to stop. Finally, we need to look at God's beauty and find our happiness through him. We will never find happiness in our own luxuries, in our own material things, in our own forced knowledge. We have use our talents and give back to Him or the world will become corrupted. We musn't live for ourselves; rather, we should live for others. Maybe if that happened harm would not occur. The world has potential to be a better place; we just have to open our hearts, minds, eyes, and ears in order to see the world for all of its greatness and wonders.
THE END FOR MY SUMMER BLOGGING. THIS IS TRULY A HAPPY MOMENT IN MY LIFE! =) Thanks for reading!
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Chapter 18 Brave New World; Thoughts so far.......
"Then, in unison, and on a slow, heavy rhythm, 'We - want - the whip, ' shouted a group at the end of the line. 'We - want - the whip.' " (page 256)
I couldn't help but read this quote and think of Jesus. John was an innocent man, but the people enjoyed mocking at him because they did not understand what he prophesied. This scene was almost like when the people shouted "Crucify him! Crucify him!" It's simply just sad that we glory in other people's pain. Take America's Funniest Home Videos for instance. We laugh hysterically when we see people seriously hurt themselves. Isn't this just sad? Why can't we put an end to this people ask? Well, we continue to act immaturely because we, as a society, love to feel superior to other people. Acknowledging that we are laughing at them, we feel that we are better than they are. We feel powerful, and we enjoy watching them suffer. This. Is. Just. Sick. We just need to grow up. Our laughter can seriously destroy a person emotionally. Our laughter can leave permanent scars. And even when we apologize for laughing and apologize for our actions, those people whom we hurt are never truly going to forgive us. They are never going to trust us again because we seriously trespassed against them. And they shouldn't let us back into their lives if we've done serious damage to their emotions. But the laughter should stop now. The comments should cease, and we all should start acting like the human beings we all were created to be in order to make this world a better place.
I couldn't help but read this quote and think of Jesus. John was an innocent man, but the people enjoyed mocking at him because they did not understand what he prophesied. This scene was almost like when the people shouted "Crucify him! Crucify him!" It's simply just sad that we glory in other people's pain. Take America's Funniest Home Videos for instance. We laugh hysterically when we see people seriously hurt themselves. Isn't this just sad? Why can't we put an end to this people ask? Well, we continue to act immaturely because we, as a society, love to feel superior to other people. Acknowledging that we are laughing at them, we feel that we are better than they are. We feel powerful, and we enjoy watching them suffer. This. Is. Just. Sick. We just need to grow up. Our laughter can seriously destroy a person emotionally. Our laughter can leave permanent scars. And even when we apologize for laughing and apologize for our actions, those people whom we hurt are never truly going to forgive us. They are never going to trust us again because we seriously trespassed against them. And they shouldn't let us back into their lives if we've done serious damage to their emotions. But the laughter should stop now. The comments should cease, and we all should start acting like the human beings we all were created to be in order to make this world a better place.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Chapter 17 Brave New World; Thoughts so far.............
"We are God's property. Is it not our happiness thus to view the matter? Is it any happiness or any comfort, to consider that we are our own?" (page 232)
This quote holds much truth to it. As a Catholic, this chapter truly spoke to me. So many quotes that were sprinkled throughout ring true for me. And I completely understand how John feels. He standing up for his beliefs, trying to make others understand his way of life. We do this all the time in our society. We try to have other people understand our point of view because we think that it is correct. I am quite surprised, however, at how calm John is handling this. Because he is a savage, I just thought that he would be angry and persistent that the other party see his side as the correct viewpoint on the situation. Personally, I side with John one hundred percent because I do believe in God. I do believe that we are on this earth to serve him. I don't really understand how a world can be happy without knowing God. This quote just struck me: "God isn't compatible with machinery and scientific medicine and universal happiness" (page 234). This, honestly, is very true. We care so much about ourselves! God has given us all of these resources; He has graced us with knowledge and we use them for our own purposes. All the machinery at This Place could be used to find cures for cancer; rather, they are used for their own personal research in their own messed up world. We need to change the way we see OUR world. We need to stop focusing on material things and turn our viewpoint back to God.
This quote holds much truth to it. As a Catholic, this chapter truly spoke to me. So many quotes that were sprinkled throughout ring true for me. And I completely understand how John feels. He standing up for his beliefs, trying to make others understand his way of life. We do this all the time in our society. We try to have other people understand our point of view because we think that it is correct. I am quite surprised, however, at how calm John is handling this. Because he is a savage, I just thought that he would be angry and persistent that the other party see his side as the correct viewpoint on the situation. Personally, I side with John one hundred percent because I do believe in God. I do believe that we are on this earth to serve him. I don't really understand how a world can be happy without knowing God. This quote just struck me: "God isn't compatible with machinery and scientific medicine and universal happiness" (page 234). This, honestly, is very true. We care so much about ourselves! God has given us all of these resources; He has graced us with knowledge and we use them for our own purposes. All the machinery at This Place could be used to find cures for cancer; rather, they are used for their own personal research in their own messed up world. We need to change the way we see OUR world. We need to stop focusing on material things and turn our viewpoint back to God.
Chapter 16 Brave New World; Thoughts so far.............
"Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the overcompensations for misery" (page 221).
This quote truly speaks to me. After just reading it, I simply had to sit back and reflect on it. How many times in our lives do we try to replace our misery with happiness? The term happiness means different things to different people. To some, it means hours of playing video games. To others, it's a closet full of Italian and designer shoes. Still more, to many it's happily ever after to the one a person's been waiting their entire lives for. Everyone is searching to attain their own personal happiness in life. That's kinda why they decided to make This Place at all: to experience their own kind of secret happiness on earth. It all sounds kind of silly, but happiness is longed for. Some people are angry that they cannot achieve their own happiness so they live out of anger either toward themselves or to other people. Now THAT is just ridiculous. But if you think about it, each person really does live for their own kind of personal happiness. We all are living for something. Seriously, think about it. And that something we are living for is our own inner happiness.
This chapter says a lot about happiness, and how others go to achieve a taste of it. But I also truly loved this quote as well: "Universal happiness keeps the wheels steadily turning; truth and beauty can't" (page 228). This is so true. Happiness does not live on the surface. It does not live in beauty. I don't care how rich and famous people are in their lives. They just don't seem happy. They're living for reasons other than I have time to figure out. Beauty is not only an exterior thing: it's much deeper. Beauty truly correlates with happiness, but society has changed what beauty is all about. In my opinion, beauty is being happy with who you are. It's not showing other people how much weight I can lose or how tan I can get my skin. Why does society tell me that I need these things to be happy? No. Happiness is something learned and achieved, not bought. John understands this. Hopefully the messed up clone world he's living in can come to grips as well....
This quote truly speaks to me. After just reading it, I simply had to sit back and reflect on it. How many times in our lives do we try to replace our misery with happiness? The term happiness means different things to different people. To some, it means hours of playing video games. To others, it's a closet full of Italian and designer shoes. Still more, to many it's happily ever after to the one a person's been waiting their entire lives for. Everyone is searching to attain their own personal happiness in life. That's kinda why they decided to make This Place at all: to experience their own kind of secret happiness on earth. It all sounds kind of silly, but happiness is longed for. Some people are angry that they cannot achieve their own happiness so they live out of anger either toward themselves or to other people. Now THAT is just ridiculous. But if you think about it, each person really does live for their own kind of personal happiness. We all are living for something. Seriously, think about it. And that something we are living for is our own inner happiness.
This chapter says a lot about happiness, and how others go to achieve a taste of it. But I also truly loved this quote as well: "Universal happiness keeps the wheels steadily turning; truth and beauty can't" (page 228). This is so true. Happiness does not live on the surface. It does not live in beauty. I don't care how rich and famous people are in their lives. They just don't seem happy. They're living for reasons other than I have time to figure out. Beauty is not only an exterior thing: it's much deeper. Beauty truly correlates with happiness, but society has changed what beauty is all about. In my opinion, beauty is being happy with who you are. It's not showing other people how much weight I can lose or how tan I can get my skin. Why does society tell me that I need these things to be happy? No. Happiness is something learned and achieved, not bought. John understands this. Hopefully the messed up clone world he's living in can come to grips as well....
Chapter 15 Brave New World; Thoughts So Far..............
"Hesitant on the fringes of the battle. 'They're done for,' said Bernard and, urged by a sudden impulse, ran forward to help them; then thought better of it and halted; then, ashamed, stepped forward again; then again though better of it, and was standing in an agony of humiliated indecision- thinking that they might be killed if he didn't help them, and that he might be killed if he did...." (page 214).
All that I could think of when I read this quote was Jesus. This little excerpt reminded me of when Jesus was speaking to crowds and all of the Pharisees and Sadducees despised it. They all thought that the man had gone mad because he was teaching things in which they did not understand. In today's society, people tend to hate what they cannot explain or comprehend. So, everyone wanted the madness to stop and wanted Jesus killed. And the people associated with Jesus: oh! They were frightened to be killed themselves! They cared too much about their own status, their own lives. They just refused to help out their dear friend. Isn't this story the same as Jesus'? Isn't this just so fascinating how the two correlate with one another? Why do we care so much about ourselves? Why are we afraid of our own fate? It's just so silly, isn't it? Similarly to Jesus, John preached his inner thoughts even though the people didn't understand what he was talking about. He wanted to make a difference in their "world" because he hated the lives they were living. In today's world, we need to change the ways that we are living our own lives and live for purpose in order to make a difference. We must live how we were called. We must love how we were called to love.
All that I could think of when I read this quote was Jesus. This little excerpt reminded me of when Jesus was speaking to crowds and all of the Pharisees and Sadducees despised it. They all thought that the man had gone mad because he was teaching things in which they did not understand. In today's society, people tend to hate what they cannot explain or comprehend. So, everyone wanted the madness to stop and wanted Jesus killed. And the people associated with Jesus: oh! They were frightened to be killed themselves! They cared too much about their own status, their own lives. They just refused to help out their dear friend. Isn't this story the same as Jesus'? Isn't this just so fascinating how the two correlate with one another? Why do we care so much about ourselves? Why are we afraid of our own fate? It's just so silly, isn't it? Similarly to Jesus, John preached his inner thoughts even though the people didn't understand what he was talking about. He wanted to make a difference in their "world" because he hated the lives they were living. In today's world, we need to change the ways that we are living our own lives and live for purpose in order to make a difference. We must live how we were called. We must love how we were called to love.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Chapter 14 Brave New World; Thoughts so far...........
"The look she gave him was charged with an unspeakable terror- with terror and, it seemed to him, reprouach. She tried to raise herself in bed, but fell back on to the pillows. Her face was horribly distorted, her lips blue" (page 205).
This quote just seemed eerie to me, almost too real. It just really struck out at me. It's almost as if Linda saw an inner demon inside John and that's what killed her. I don't know, that's just how I interpreted it. She raised her son to be a decent young man, and what she saw before her scared her. It was almost as if he had lost his innocence and saw the world for what it truly was, and the future evil of the world terrified her. By far, this was the most intense chapter. John is just changing everything about This Place. John reminds me of Tarzan. No, really, he does. Even the story line is very similar. I'll explain after this:
Tarzan is not accepted by his family because he is different, but his mother loves him very much. Then he falls in love with a civilized woman, but this brings out his inner anger. The civilized society takes advantage of him and wants to know him for their own benefits. But when his family come into danger, he wants to do all he can to rescue them. However, society kind of destroys the unity between his family. Now that Linda is dead, I can't help but see the similarites between Tarzan and John. Okay, yes, they're both savages, but their stories correlate with each other in more ways than one. Also, Tarzan and all Disney movies are simply amazing, so of course I'm going to do all I can to find similarities.
This quote just seemed eerie to me, almost too real. It just really struck out at me. It's almost as if Linda saw an inner demon inside John and that's what killed her. I don't know, that's just how I interpreted it. She raised her son to be a decent young man, and what she saw before her scared her. It was almost as if he had lost his innocence and saw the world for what it truly was, and the future evil of the world terrified her. By far, this was the most intense chapter. John is just changing everything about This Place. John reminds me of Tarzan. No, really, he does. Even the story line is very similar. I'll explain after this:
Tarzan is not accepted by his family because he is different, but his mother loves him very much. Then he falls in love with a civilized woman, but this brings out his inner anger. The civilized society takes advantage of him and wants to know him for their own benefits. But when his family come into danger, he wants to do all he can to rescue them. However, society kind of destroys the unity between his family. Now that Linda is dead, I can't help but see the similarites between Tarzan and John. Okay, yes, they're both savages, but their stories correlate with each other in more ways than one. Also, Tarzan and all Disney movies are simply amazing, so of course I'm going to do all I can to find similarities.
Chapter 13 Brave New World; Thoughts so far......
" 'But in the intervals I still like him. I shall always like him' " (page 188).
This quote reminds me of Romeo and Juliet. It's so overdramatic. Again, Lenina barely knows John at all, but she's openly expressing her love. I'm still trying to wrap my mind around this chapter. Both people, I guess, were trying to show the other person how much they cared based on what they do to express love in the context of their own cultures. And both were repulsed at the other person's love. I wanted them to be together, and now all I can think of is "WHAT?!" I don't know. It's just kinda interesting. Lenina kinda reminds me of a girl in an abusive relationship. Girls in abusive relationships always blame themselves for not getting the guy, and then they allow their boyfriends to hit them because the girls feel they deserve it. I don't know, but it's kinda pathetic. I just have a feeling that Lenina is going to keep coming back to John, even though he breaks her heart. If Lenina had any sense, she would fall for John. What he said was so sweet! But maybe I only think that because I understand where he's coming from. I see the world through his perspective. I live in a world where marriage is ultimate symbol of love. We share the same virtues in regards to love. A couple should love each other, get married, and then have intercourse. That's just the way the cycle goes in my mind. I am not a fan of premarital sex, and I too was appalled by Lenina's acts. But then when I saw it from her perspective, it did make sense. Still. I see both sides, but this overdramatic love is deteriorating my brain. Why can't everyone just get along and see each other for the individuals they are? Sigh.....
This quote reminds me of Romeo and Juliet. It's so overdramatic. Again, Lenina barely knows John at all, but she's openly expressing her love. I'm still trying to wrap my mind around this chapter. Both people, I guess, were trying to show the other person how much they cared based on what they do to express love in the context of their own cultures. And both were repulsed at the other person's love. I wanted them to be together, and now all I can think of is "WHAT?!" I don't know. It's just kinda interesting. Lenina kinda reminds me of a girl in an abusive relationship. Girls in abusive relationships always blame themselves for not getting the guy, and then they allow their boyfriends to hit them because the girls feel they deserve it. I don't know, but it's kinda pathetic. I just have a feeling that Lenina is going to keep coming back to John, even though he breaks her heart. If Lenina had any sense, she would fall for John. What he said was so sweet! But maybe I only think that because I understand where he's coming from. I see the world through his perspective. I live in a world where marriage is ultimate symbol of love. We share the same virtues in regards to love. A couple should love each other, get married, and then have intercourse. That's just the way the cycle goes in my mind. I am not a fan of premarital sex, and I too was appalled by Lenina's acts. But then when I saw it from her perspective, it did make sense. Still. I see both sides, but this overdramatic love is deteriorating my brain. Why can't everyone just get along and see each other for the individuals they are? Sigh.....
Chapter 12 Brave New World; Thoughts so far.............
"Lenina alone said nothing. Pale, her blue eyes clouded with an unwonted melancholy, she sat in a corner, cut off from those who surrounded her by an emotion which they did not sahre. She had come to the part filled with a strange feeling of anxious exultation" page 173.
After reading this quote, all I could think of was love. I love the word love. Quite frankly, I love everything about love. Everyone does. It's what we yearn for. So many girls dream of their wedding day. Why? Because a marriage is the ultimate symbol of love. Love love love. It just makes me happy. And the most intriguing love is the love in which we cannot attain ourselves. "We always want what we can't have..." as the saying goes. In this case, Lenina is yearning for John, but he is not paying her the attention in which she is desiring. This miscommunication problem is kind of bothering me because I predict that assume that John doesn't like her anymore. So, she decides to be with other guys to fill the deep hole in her heart. And when John will see her with another guy, war is gonna go down. But that's just my prediction. I'm not entirely sure, and to be honest, I'm wrong most of the time. Think about it though, it is a likely cause....
Okay, back to what I was saying before. We always want what we can't have. So many guys have their eyes on Lenina, but she only wants John. She barely knows him! She only wants him because he's not acting interested in her. I don't know, but this is so typical in society itself. We are so greedy for more. We are blessed with so much, but it's never enough because there's always ONE more thing we need. I'm not quite sure how I feel about this Lenina John situation. On one hand, I want them to just figure out the truth that they both like each other. On the other hand, I like reading about the pursuit. I love romance. This book is getting much better. Why? Because love is being incorporated. Hey, I'm a girl, and love makes me simply giddy. Like I said before, the world loves love. And I am sure that love is going to cause this book to get even more complicated......
After reading this quote, all I could think of was love. I love the word love. Quite frankly, I love everything about love. Everyone does. It's what we yearn for. So many girls dream of their wedding day. Why? Because a marriage is the ultimate symbol of love. Love love love. It just makes me happy. And the most intriguing love is the love in which we cannot attain ourselves. "We always want what we can't have..." as the saying goes. In this case, Lenina is yearning for John, but he is not paying her the attention in which she is desiring. This miscommunication problem is kind of bothering me because I predict that assume that John doesn't like her anymore. So, she decides to be with other guys to fill the deep hole in her heart. And when John will see her with another guy, war is gonna go down. But that's just my prediction. I'm not entirely sure, and to be honest, I'm wrong most of the time. Think about it though, it is a likely cause....
Okay, back to what I was saying before. We always want what we can't have. So many guys have their eyes on Lenina, but she only wants John. She barely knows him! She only wants him because he's not acting interested in her. I don't know, but this is so typical in society itself. We are so greedy for more. We are blessed with so much, but it's never enough because there's always ONE more thing we need. I'm not quite sure how I feel about this Lenina John situation. On one hand, I want them to just figure out the truth that they both like each other. On the other hand, I like reading about the pursuit. I love romance. This book is getting much better. Why? Because love is being incorporated. Hey, I'm a girl, and love makes me simply giddy. Like I said before, the world loves love. And I am sure that love is going to cause this book to get even more complicated......
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Chapter 11 Brave New World; Thoughts so far...............
"Drying her eyes, Lenina walked across the roof to the lift. On her way down to the twenty-seventh floor she pulled out her soma bottle. One gramme, she decided, would not be enough; hers had been more than a one-gramme affliction. But if she took two grammes, she ran the risk of not waking up in time to-morrow morning. She compromised and, into her cupped left palm, shoot out three half-gramme tablets" page 171.
Personally, I have absolutely no idea what soma is, but these people are all sickly addicted to it. The drug seems to be a way of escaping the world's problems. The Director, how I see it at least, created this place to be a perfect world, but obviously, these people cannot handle life's problems on their own. They turn to drugs. At least, I think that soma is a drug... But seriously, what kind of world is this?! As a society, we are taught to confront our problems because that's the only way they're going to go away. If we stay home to "fake sick" for an exam that we don't want to study for, we're going to have to go to school later and take the much dreaded test. We just cannot escape from our problems. They're simply inevitable. Okay, so many people turn to drugs, alcohol, and even food to not think about pain, but they're going to have to face the world eventually. Why do these people like soma so much? It's kind of dumb. It may ease the pain for a little bit, but the problems in life are still going to arise. People in this book, and society in general, need to stop running from their problems and go out into the world and seek what they're looking for in life, whether it be love, happiness, or whatever. Personally, I think that we are all capable of achieving our dreams, but maybe that's just my inner Disney fanatic that's shining through. Whatever the case, Lenina CAN get John. And John likes her! I just wish that they all could see just how perfect life could be. They need to take off their blindfolds and open their eyes to what's in front of them. Personally, the entire world needs to do this as well because God has blessed us with so much. We just have to open our eyes and enjoy all that life has in store.
Personally, I have absolutely no idea what soma is, but these people are all sickly addicted to it. The drug seems to be a way of escaping the world's problems. The Director, how I see it at least, created this place to be a perfect world, but obviously, these people cannot handle life's problems on their own. They turn to drugs. At least, I think that soma is a drug... But seriously, what kind of world is this?! As a society, we are taught to confront our problems because that's the only way they're going to go away. If we stay home to "fake sick" for an exam that we don't want to study for, we're going to have to go to school later and take the much dreaded test. We just cannot escape from our problems. They're simply inevitable. Okay, so many people turn to drugs, alcohol, and even food to not think about pain, but they're going to have to face the world eventually. Why do these people like soma so much? It's kind of dumb. It may ease the pain for a little bit, but the problems in life are still going to arise. People in this book, and society in general, need to stop running from their problems and go out into the world and seek what they're looking for in life, whether it be love, happiness, or whatever. Personally, I think that we are all capable of achieving our dreams, but maybe that's just my inner Disney fanatic that's shining through. Whatever the case, Lenina CAN get John. And John likes her! I just wish that they all could see just how perfect life could be. They need to take off their blindfolds and open their eyes to what's in front of them. Personally, the entire world needs to do this as well because God has blessed us with so much. We just have to open our eyes and enjoy all that life has in store.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Chapter 10 Brave New World; Literary Term in Use: FORESHADOWING
"Murder kills only the individual" (page 148).
So, even though I have not read the entirety of this book, I am convinced that someone is going to die. Personally, it would be much more reassuring if I was reading a Nicholas Sparks book because I am absolutely positive someone dies in every single one of his books. But that's beside the point. Personally, I don't positively know what this quote means, but I am more than willing to take a stab at it. I think that it means that no matter the murder, no matter how gruesome death can be, murder only kills a person's body. It does not kill a person's soul. The soul, in a nutshell, lives on forever. Unless, the person commits suicide. Then, that person's soul would pretty much be dead, but still. I am not an expert when it comes to death, and only God can decide who goes to heaven and who goes to the place that shall not be named.
Also, I am just seriously confused. Tomakin and the Director are the same person?! But this would mean that the Director started this "institution" as a means of something entirely different than the place he lived before.... This is so confusing. Why would he want a place where there are no mothers, where there are no families or love? What is he thinking? This just threw me for a loop. Hopefully I understand more furthre as the story goes on...........
So, even though I have not read the entirety of this book, I am convinced that someone is going to die. Personally, it would be much more reassuring if I was reading a Nicholas Sparks book because I am absolutely positive someone dies in every single one of his books. But that's beside the point. Personally, I don't positively know what this quote means, but I am more than willing to take a stab at it. I think that it means that no matter the murder, no matter how gruesome death can be, murder only kills a person's body. It does not kill a person's soul. The soul, in a nutshell, lives on forever. Unless, the person commits suicide. Then, that person's soul would pretty much be dead, but still. I am not an expert when it comes to death, and only God can decide who goes to heaven and who goes to the place that shall not be named.
Also, I am just seriously confused. Tomakin and the Director are the same person?! But this would mean that the Director started this "institution" as a means of something entirely different than the place he lived before.... This is so confusing. Why would he want a place where there are no mothers, where there are no families or love? What is he thinking? This just threw me for a loop. Hopefully I understand more furthre as the story goes on...........
Chapter 9 Brave New World; Thoughts so far..........
"There, on a low bed, the sheet flung back, dressed in a pair of pink one-piece zippyjamas, lay Lenina, fast asleep and so beautiful in the midst of her curls, so touchingly childish with her pink toes and her grave sleeping face, so trustful in the helplessness of her limp hands and melted limbs, that the tears came to his eyes" (page 143).
I am so captivated at the sense that the world is so mesmerized by beauty. Think about it. Beauty, love, and money seem to make the world go around. People do anything to attain beauty. Thousands of girls struggle with bulimia, anorexia, and so much more. For this novel, John's first glimpse of beauty was when he saw Lenina. He just was so captivated and awestruck by her beauty. But then it became lustful and he had to hold himself back. Why is it that this is a common theme in today's society? Why are women raped all the time? Because people are greedy, and they want things for themselves. God has given us so much beauty, and so many times we destroy it. Oil spills in the ocean, forests being destroyed, animals becoming extinct.... Seriously, the list goes on and on. Why? Because people don't know how to handle beauty, and they tear it to shreds. This is a common theme in society itself. Think about how common obesity is in today's world. God has blessed us with the bodies he has given us, and we throw it all away when we stuff ourselves with food. We tear apart the beauty of the world. I can seriously list off a thousand things in a sense of how we destroy beauty, but the number one thing I can think of is rape. When I think about rape, I think about the book Speak, which has forever left it's mark on my mind. But I cannot put the book into words. I have tried to explain the book to people, but it just doesn't do it justice. When I read this quote: "Then suddenly he found himself reflecting that he had only to take hold of the zipper at her neck and give one long, strong pull... He shut his eyes, he shook his head with the gesture of a dog shaking its ears as it emerges from the water. Detestable thought! He was ashamed of himself. Pure and vestal modesty....." (page 145), all I could think of was temptations. Sometimes, we let ourselves give in to temptations, which not only hurts ourselves but others as well. The best way to tie this all in is a movie clip. Watch it. It will make sense with everything I am talking about.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6y4t7HLIkN0&feature=watch_response
I am so captivated at the sense that the world is so mesmerized by beauty. Think about it. Beauty, love, and money seem to make the world go around. People do anything to attain beauty. Thousands of girls struggle with bulimia, anorexia, and so much more. For this novel, John's first glimpse of beauty was when he saw Lenina. He just was so captivated and awestruck by her beauty. But then it became lustful and he had to hold himself back. Why is it that this is a common theme in today's society? Why are women raped all the time? Because people are greedy, and they want things for themselves. God has given us so much beauty, and so many times we destroy it. Oil spills in the ocean, forests being destroyed, animals becoming extinct.... Seriously, the list goes on and on. Why? Because people don't know how to handle beauty, and they tear it to shreds. This is a common theme in society itself. Think about how common obesity is in today's world. God has blessed us with the bodies he has given us, and we throw it all away when we stuff ourselves with food. We tear apart the beauty of the world. I can seriously list off a thousand things in a sense of how we destroy beauty, but the number one thing I can think of is rape. When I think about rape, I think about the book Speak, which has forever left it's mark on my mind. But I cannot put the book into words. I have tried to explain the book to people, but it just doesn't do it justice. When I read this quote: "Then suddenly he found himself reflecting that he had only to take hold of the zipper at her neck and give one long, strong pull... He shut his eyes, he shook his head with the gesture of a dog shaking its ears as it emerges from the water. Detestable thought! He was ashamed of himself. Pure and vestal modesty....." (page 145), all I could think of was temptations. Sometimes, we let ourselves give in to temptations, which not only hurts ourselves but others as well. The best way to tie this all in is a movie clip. Watch it. It will make sense with everything I am talking about.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6y4t7HLIkN0&feature=watch_response
Chapter 8 Brave New World; Literary Term in Use: ALLUSION
"He picked it up, looked at the title-page: the book was called The Complete Works of William Shakespeare....
'Nay but to live
In the rank sweat of an enseamed bed,
Stew'd in corruption, honeying and making love
Over the nasty sty...' " (page 131).
Personally, I found it humbling that John turned to Shakespeare throughout his youth. I also found it utterly disturbing. Shakespeare wrote a wide range of powerful literature, but tragedy is common on his list of works. John is getting advice from made up stories of people who kill each other? Okay, this is just going too far. Yes, it is amazing that he is advanced in the sense that he can read, blah blah blah. But I don't want him reading this! It's encouraging him to do bad things! It's almost similar to how technology in our world can inspire us to do harm to society. Take the media, for instance. It used to be incredibly crude to speak cuss words, but since it's funny on television, people think that it's okay to speak like that. People play Grand Theft Auto, where they become accustomed to the feel of destruction, and now we have tight security everywhere. Why? Because crimes are now commonplace, and personally, I think that it's because of the media. Just think about what Facebook has done to the world. Okay, I have a Facebook myself, but people spend hours just creeping on each others' business! Since when was this okay? Personally, I don't care when people are going to bed or when they wake up! People no longer keep things to themselves anymore. I don't care who is going to King's Island. I don't care about the new pictures uploaded on a person's summer album to prove to the world they had a life this summer. Cool. Put the pictures on your desktop and spend your own time admiring how cute your pictures are. No one needs to be creepin' on your stuff, so don't let them. It's just so dumb. The point is, John was encouraged by the Shakespeare book to do harm to another person. And, maybe not. People in the town did stone him all the time, so maybe he was raised around violence, but still. Many things inspire us in this world to do harm or do stupid pointless things, and quite frankly, it's not what we were called to do. I don't care what world we live in, whether it's a utopian world or not. It's wrong, and quite frankly, it's dumb.
Chapter 7 Brave New World; Literary Term in Use: ANASTROPHE
"Twice, thrice, four times round he went" (page 115).
This sentence is inverted. In most cases, a person would say, "He went around two, three, or four times." Huxley does this many times in his novel. He inverts sentences, and I'm still trying to understand why. It just makes reading these sentences even more confusing. Maybe that's what he's trying to do, but sometimes I just don't know what his motives are.
This chapter was where everything became interesting, though, I have to say. Now, I am introduced to extreme societies: the society of the clone world and the society of the Natives. And thank God, too. These clones need to be emersed into the world of how it was supposed to be. It's kind of a backwards way of thinking of it, though. In our world, the Natives were discovered first, and then the civilizations and technology came afterwards. In this book, the technology and clone worlds are shown first, and then the knowledge of the Natives come afterwards. It's just kind of interesting. This book reminds me of Pocahontas. The clones have an intolerance towards the Natives, and they basically dislike what they do not understand. This is similar to the world trying to colonize in America, and they simply had an intolerance towards the Indians. The clones are just disgusted with the Natives. It reminds me of the song "Savages" because they kind of dehumanized those who were different from themselves.
This sentence is inverted. In most cases, a person would say, "He went around two, three, or four times." Huxley does this many times in his novel. He inverts sentences, and I'm still trying to understand why. It just makes reading these sentences even more confusing. Maybe that's what he's trying to do, but sometimes I just don't know what his motives are.
This chapter was where everything became interesting, though, I have to say. Now, I am introduced to extreme societies: the society of the clone world and the society of the Natives. And thank God, too. These clones need to be emersed into the world of how it was supposed to be. It's kind of a backwards way of thinking of it, though. In our world, the Natives were discovered first, and then the civilizations and technology came afterwards. In this book, the technology and clone worlds are shown first, and then the knowledge of the Natives come afterwards. It's just kind of interesting. This book reminds me of Pocahontas. The clones have an intolerance towards the Natives, and they basically dislike what they do not understand. This is similar to the world trying to colonize in America, and they simply had an intolerance towards the Indians. The clones are just disgusted with the Natives. It reminds me of the song "Savages" because they kind of dehumanized those who were different from themselves.
Chapter 6 Brave New World: Literary Term in Use: IRONY
"Bernard... boasting....outbursts of an abject self-pity.... bold... full of the most extraordinary persence of mind" (page 99).
I chose this quote because it shows how normal Bernard is. Seriously: think about it. As humans, we possess all of these traits. We boast about ourselves, but we also drown in self-pity. We want to be accepted, but we're also struggling to find who we are as human beings. I just find it ironic that people consistently are saying this about Bernard: "I do like him, but I wish he weren't so odd." Isn't it weird that people think Bernard is odd? If Bernard lived in our society, we would think that he's normal. What is up with this world? Huxley has created a utopia of a society, but I'm still trying find out what the point of this "institution" is. Was this perfect world created within the society for research? For cleanliness sake? For corruption? I don't understand why the clones are so essential to this society because honestly, clones are just additional. We don't NEED them. We can live perfectly fine without them. Why do we all want to be the same? Why CAN'T we be different? Why are there clones? The questions keep swarming around my brain as I read this novel, and I'm still trying to understand the meaning behind it all. I'll figure it out, I'm sure. At least I'm starting to understand and follow along, but I'm still lost in the basic purpose.
I chose this quote because it shows how normal Bernard is. Seriously: think about it. As humans, we possess all of these traits. We boast about ourselves, but we also drown in self-pity. We want to be accepted, but we're also struggling to find who we are as human beings. I just find it ironic that people consistently are saying this about Bernard: "I do like him, but I wish he weren't so odd." Isn't it weird that people think Bernard is odd? If Bernard lived in our society, we would think that he's normal. What is up with this world? Huxley has created a utopia of a society, but I'm still trying find out what the point of this "institution" is. Was this perfect world created within the society for research? For cleanliness sake? For corruption? I don't understand why the clones are so essential to this society because honestly, clones are just additional. We don't NEED them. We can live perfectly fine without them. Why do we all want to be the same? Why CAN'T we be different? Why are there clones? The questions keep swarming around my brain as I read this novel, and I'm still trying to understand the meaning behind it all. I'll figure it out, I'm sure. At least I'm starting to understand and follow along, but I'm still lost in the basic purpose.
Chapter 5 Brave New World; Literary Term in Use: POINT OF VIEW
"Bernard dropped down to floor thity-three, hurried along the corridor, stood hesitating for a moment outside Room 3210, then having wound himself up, opened the door and walked in" (page 79).
The novel is told in a third person point of view. It continues to switch between the lives of the characters, but I am convinced that Bernard is one of the most essential characters to this novel. I can't help feel sorry for Bernard though. He lives in this society where everyone lives similarly, and he just tries to fit in. So many people are like this in today's world. In a sense, we all are different than one another, but we all try to fit in. It's just kind of dumb. We, as a society, have an intolerance for those who are different from us. We make fun of them and just wish they were normal. But what is normal? For years and years I tried to be someone that I wasn't. I would try on different personalities just to fit in. But after awhile, it just became old. I just wanted to be myself, but I was ashamed because I thought I was weird. Now I'm to the point where I think I'm normal and everyone else is weird. I'm just waiting for the day when we all stop caring about our differences and look at our similarities as human beings. Maybe that's the way society will be in this novel, but even the clones cannot tolerate indifferences within each other. This world (and the world I'm reading about) is such an odd place. Maybe Louis Armstrong should change the words to "What a Wonderful World" to "What an Odd World......."
The novel is told in a third person point of view. It continues to switch between the lives of the characters, but I am convinced that Bernard is one of the most essential characters to this novel. I can't help feel sorry for Bernard though. He lives in this society where everyone lives similarly, and he just tries to fit in. So many people are like this in today's world. In a sense, we all are different than one another, but we all try to fit in. It's just kind of dumb. We, as a society, have an intolerance for those who are different from us. We make fun of them and just wish they were normal. But what is normal? For years and years I tried to be someone that I wasn't. I would try on different personalities just to fit in. But after awhile, it just became old. I just wanted to be myself, but I was ashamed because I thought I was weird. Now I'm to the point where I think I'm normal and everyone else is weird. I'm just waiting for the day when we all stop caring about our differences and look at our similarities as human beings. Maybe that's the way society will be in this novel, but even the clones cannot tolerate indifferences within each other. This world (and the world I'm reading about) is such an odd place. Maybe Louis Armstrong should change the words to "What a Wonderful World" to "What an Odd World......."
Chapter 4 Brave New World; Literary Term in Use: IMAGERY
"It was warm and bright on the roof. The summer afternoon was drowsy with the hum of passing helicopters; and the deeper drone of the rocket-planes hastening, invisible, through the bright sky five or six miles overhead was like a caress on the soft air. Bernard Marx drew a deep breath. He looked up into the sky and round the blue horizon and finally down into Lenina's face" (page 59).
Aldous Huxley, although sometimes he writes in a confusing style, has a way with describing the scenery around in this novel. I truly can visualize what he's talking about. But here's where I'm confused: are these clones ALLOWED to go out of the building? Are Lenina and Bernard even clones at all or do they just work at the clone "factory?" If they are clones, it just seems odd that they are allowed to wander around the world without any sort of supervision. I mean, yes, it's great that they can see what the world is, but these people seem to be afraid of everything. They live in a sterilized community, after all! Why would they want to be around dirt? Why are they even outside????? In a sense though, I am amazed at how much these clones appreciate beauty. At least, Bernard does. Even though they are pretty much told how to think, they all see the world differently. It showcases that they have feelings and are individuals even though they are all raised the same way. Maybe this is an important theme for the novel. I am going to continue to ponder this as I read.
Aldous Huxley, although sometimes he writes in a confusing style, has a way with describing the scenery around in this novel. I truly can visualize what he's talking about. But here's where I'm confused: are these clones ALLOWED to go out of the building? Are Lenina and Bernard even clones at all or do they just work at the clone "factory?" If they are clones, it just seems odd that they are allowed to wander around the world without any sort of supervision. I mean, yes, it's great that they can see what the world is, but these people seem to be afraid of everything. They live in a sterilized community, after all! Why would they want to be around dirt? Why are they even outside????? In a sense though, I am amazed at how much these clones appreciate beauty. At least, Bernard does. Even though they are pretty much told how to think, they all see the world differently. It showcases that they have feelings and are individuals even though they are all raised the same way. Maybe this is an important theme for the novel. I am going to continue to ponder this as I read.
Chapter 3 Brave New World; Literary Term in Use: STYLE
"One hundred repetitions three nights a week for four years, thought Bernard Marx, who was a specialist on hypnopaedia. Sixty-two thousand four hundred repetitions make one truth. Idiots!
'Or the Caste System. Constantly proposed, constantly rejected. There was something called democracy. As though men were more than physico-chemically equal.' " (page 47)
So, obviously Aldous Huxley has a pretty unique writing style here. Cool. But what's the point when I have absolutely no clue what's going on?! I could not follow who was speaking in this chapter at all, and it made me incredibly aggravated. Every other paragraph was told from another person's point of view. WHO IS SPEAKING?! WHAT IS GOING ON?!?!?! Are Lenina and Bernard the important characters here? Why couldn't the chapters just be separated by characters? The organizational pattern of this chapter just makes me want to pull my hair out of my head. I was so aggravated, I couldn't even read to understand what was going on. It was like being trapped in a nightmare. I am so incredibly confused. Hopefully I'm able to understand what's going on in this book soon, but right now i just feel like I hit rock bottom. And on top of that, this chapter associates families and mothers with talk of nonsense. What is this place?! Since when are family-oriented societies wrong? Homes are looked down upon in this novel. Monogamy and romance are considered disgusting and disgraceful in this "place." If our world ever turns into this nightmare of a place, I don't know what I would do with myself. This institution is just silly and lifeless. It's no where near the place that God intended Earth to be.
'Or the Caste System. Constantly proposed, constantly rejected. There was something called democracy. As though men were more than physico-chemically equal.' " (page 47)
So, obviously Aldous Huxley has a pretty unique writing style here. Cool. But what's the point when I have absolutely no clue what's going on?! I could not follow who was speaking in this chapter at all, and it made me incredibly aggravated. Every other paragraph was told from another person's point of view. WHO IS SPEAKING?! WHAT IS GOING ON?!?!?! Are Lenina and Bernard the important characters here? Why couldn't the chapters just be separated by characters? The organizational pattern of this chapter just makes me want to pull my hair out of my head. I was so aggravated, I couldn't even read to understand what was going on. It was like being trapped in a nightmare. I am so incredibly confused. Hopefully I'm able to understand what's going on in this book soon, but right now i just feel like I hit rock bottom. And on top of that, this chapter associates families and mothers with talk of nonsense. What is this place?! Since when are family-oriented societies wrong? Homes are looked down upon in this novel. Monogamy and romance are considered disgusting and disgraceful in this "place." If our world ever turns into this nightmare of a place, I don't know what I would do with myself. This institution is just silly and lifeless. It's no where near the place that God intended Earth to be.
Chapter 2 again Brave New World; Literary Term in Use: ANECDOTE
"There was a silence; then clearing his throat, 'Once upon a time,' the Director began, 'while our Ford was still on earth, there was a little boy called Reuben Rabinovitch. Reuben was the child of Polish-speaking parents.....' " (page 23).
The Director seems to be the person in charge at this place. He's always telling the children stories about previous students and things from his own past. So, I guess, in a sense, a personal anecdote from the Director was to be expected. Personally, I enjoy the anecdotes incorporated into the novel because it gives a more relatable spin to the story. It shows that these people are real, even though they're clones. Personally, I don't know what these people are. Yes, they're living and breathing, but I am just trying to wrap my mind around the whole clone concept. They're not REALLY real if they are aren't thinking for themselves, are they? They're forced to see the world a certain way. They're forced to do everything. It's all just kinda weird.
Since we're talking about anecdotes here, I just going to add in my own experience into this mix. When I was little, I idolized my older sister. I followed her around ALL day, and I just wanted to be just like her. However, she kind of controlled the person that I was. My favorite color was aqua, but she would not tolerate that because aqua was my sister's second favorite color (pink was her first). So, she told me my favorite color was going to purple because she hated that color. Because I wanted her to like me, I jumped right up and said, "Yay! I can have purple!" The same went with Disney princesses. My favorite was Belle, but Belle was my sister's second favorite (Snow White was her first choice). Since she hated Ariel, she let me have her as my favorite. When I grew older, I realized that I hated the color purple. I always liked aqua, and I wasn't going to let someone tell me what I could and couldn't like. Looking back on it now, it sounds silly to have my sister pick out my favorite things. Thank God I found my own personality because having someone decide my own fate is just plain dumb. But that's how life is for these clones: people decide their futures and their interest. I just wish that they could be themselves and make their own decisions because that's what NORMAL people do in my mind.
The Director seems to be the person in charge at this place. He's always telling the children stories about previous students and things from his own past. So, I guess, in a sense, a personal anecdote from the Director was to be expected. Personally, I enjoy the anecdotes incorporated into the novel because it gives a more relatable spin to the story. It shows that these people are real, even though they're clones. Personally, I don't know what these people are. Yes, they're living and breathing, but I am just trying to wrap my mind around the whole clone concept. They're not REALLY real if they are aren't thinking for themselves, are they? They're forced to see the world a certain way. They're forced to do everything. It's all just kinda weird.
Since we're talking about anecdotes here, I just going to add in my own experience into this mix. When I was little, I idolized my older sister. I followed her around ALL day, and I just wanted to be just like her. However, she kind of controlled the person that I was. My favorite color was aqua, but she would not tolerate that because aqua was my sister's second favorite color (pink was her first). So, she told me my favorite color was going to purple because she hated that color. Because I wanted her to like me, I jumped right up and said, "Yay! I can have purple!" The same went with Disney princesses. My favorite was Belle, but Belle was my sister's second favorite (Snow White was her first choice). Since she hated Ariel, she let me have her as my favorite. When I grew older, I realized that I hated the color purple. I always liked aqua, and I wasn't going to let someone tell me what I could and couldn't like. Looking back on it now, it sounds silly to have my sister pick out my favorite things. Thank God I found my own personality because having someone decide my own fate is just plain dumb. But that's how life is for these clones: people decide their futures and their interest. I just wish that they could be themselves and make their own decisions because that's what NORMAL people do in my mind.
Chapter 2 Brave New World; Literary Term in use: ALLITERATION
"Shriller and ever shriller, a siren shrieked" (page 21).
Personally, I love the way that Aldous Huxley incorporates alliteration into this book. Yes, his writing style is confusing beyond belief, but the way that he phrases things and writes with words with similar consonants and how they all flow together in unison is quite intriguing. All these "s" sounds in this phrase just truly struck out to me. He just incorporates phrases that have a punch due to the similar sounds and phrases, and as a lyricist, I personally found beauty in the way the words were twisted together.
But as crafty as Huxley is, his writing style is just incredibly annoying. I just have no idea what is going on! And who is this "Ford" person they all keep referring to? What the heck? And they're giving babies electric shock? What kind of immoral place is this?! The world today stresses the importance of individuality, but this "institution" or "asylum" that this clones are at are trying to have them develop with forced likes and interests! Excuse me, but I choosing for these babies the places they're going to live when they're out on their own is just SO messed up! Maybe that's part of the point of the book, but I hate this extreme society. I just want everything to go back to normal! And I hope that our world never gets to this point because these people are basically playing God's role. They're deciding the clones' personalities, and they're forcing births instead of God gracing a couple with a child. It's so messed up. But, in a sense, today's world does this with invetro fertilization and surrogate mothers, but still. I want things to go back to normal, and I really have a dislike for this messed up society of "children."
Personally, I love the way that Aldous Huxley incorporates alliteration into this book. Yes, his writing style is confusing beyond belief, but the way that he phrases things and writes with words with similar consonants and how they all flow together in unison is quite intriguing. All these "s" sounds in this phrase just truly struck out to me. He just incorporates phrases that have a punch due to the similar sounds and phrases, and as a lyricist, I personally found beauty in the way the words were twisted together.
But as crafty as Huxley is, his writing style is just incredibly annoying. I just have no idea what is going on! And who is this "Ford" person they all keep referring to? What the heck? And they're giving babies electric shock? What kind of immoral place is this?! The world today stresses the importance of individuality, but this "institution" or "asylum" that this clones are at are trying to have them develop with forced likes and interests! Excuse me, but I choosing for these babies the places they're going to live when they're out on their own is just SO messed up! Maybe that's part of the point of the book, but I hate this extreme society. I just want everything to go back to normal! And I hope that our world never gets to this point because these people are basically playing God's role. They're deciding the clones' personalities, and they're forcing births instead of God gracing a couple with a child. It's so messed up. But, in a sense, today's world does this with invetro fertilization and surrogate mothers, but still. I want things to go back to normal, and I really have a dislike for this messed up society of "children."
Chapter 1 Brave New World; Literary Term in use: Anthropomorphism
"Cold for all the summer beyond the panes, for all the tropical heat of the room itself, a harsh thin light glared through the windows, hungrily seeking some draped lay figure, some pallid shape of academic goose-flesh, but finding only the glass and nickel and bleakly shining porcelain of a laboratory" (page 3).
Even after reading this chapter, I could tell that this book was going to be much different than the last book that I read. First off, Aldous Huxley decorates his writing with anthropomorphism (aka personification). Personally, I feel that he does this to show that even the inanimate objects have life. The clones are alive, but it seems as if they don't have lives of their own. Maybe that's why he's having other objects come to life. I'm not really sure.
I don't really understand what's going on in this book though. I hate the way this book is written when it comes to sentence structure. The sentences are not even one complete thought! It's just hard to follow. Also, I just find the essential topic of cloning immoral. It kinda makes me sick. Even after reading the reasons and benefits of cloning in this chapter, I still don't recognize the point. Also, I'm having a difficult time identifying the main characters. And they keep speaking of the "identities" of the clones. Personally, that's just ironic in and of itself. These clones don't have identities! They're all raised to have the same thoughts, to live with a similar purpose. Right now, I just don't understand the point of it all.
Even after reading this chapter, I could tell that this book was going to be much different than the last book that I read. First off, Aldous Huxley decorates his writing with anthropomorphism (aka personification). Personally, I feel that he does this to show that even the inanimate objects have life. The clones are alive, but it seems as if they don't have lives of their own. Maybe that's why he's having other objects come to life. I'm not really sure.
I don't really understand what's going on in this book though. I hate the way this book is written when it comes to sentence structure. The sentences are not even one complete thought! It's just hard to follow. Also, I just find the essential topic of cloning immoral. It kinda makes me sick. Even after reading the reasons and benefits of cloning in this chapter, I still don't recognize the point. Also, I'm having a difficult time identifying the main characters. And they keep speaking of the "identities" of the clones. Personally, that's just ironic in and of itself. These clones don't have identities! They're all raised to have the same thoughts, to live with a similar purpose. Right now, I just don't understand the point of it all.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Chapter 23 Never Let Me Go; LAST BLOG FOR THIS BOOK! WOOP WOOP!
"I keep thinking about this river somewhere, with the water moving really fast. And these two people in the water, trying to hold onto each other, holding on as hard as they can, but in the end it's just too much. The current's too strong. They've got to let go, drift apart. That's how I think it is with us. It's a shame, Kath, because we've loved each other all our lives. But in the end, we can't stay together forever" (page 282).
Okay, so I guess I kind of got this wrong in the blog before, but hey. Life is about making mistakes, so it's okay. Anywho, I finally discovered the TRUE meaning of this book, and in a nutshell, it's all described in this quote. Personally, I believe that Tommy represents innocence. Kathy knew him all of her childhood. As they grew older, Kathy "held onto" Tommy. She "never wanted to let him go." Ooh, now I'm just getting punny! But seriously, Kathy was growing up. No matter how much Kathy wanted to, she couldn't hold onto her innocence forever. The world kept spinning faster, and Tommy (Kathy's innocence) couldn't keep up. I'm also really surprised how Kathy dealt with the deaths of her friends. It was kind of humbling, in a sense. Personally, I don't deal with death well. I don't deal with parting with others or breakups in general. But this book made me realize that we can cling to the wonderful memories of the people who touched us the most. We don't have to dwell on how people hurt us. We don't have to dwell on the pain and insecurities of our past at all. We should cherish the good memories and move forward. And quite frankly, I needed that feeling of reassurance in my life.
Personally, as much as I griped about reading this book, as much as I whined about having homework over the summertime, in the end, I did enjoy this book. It taught me a lot about life, and it made me have a better understanding of the world. Even though this book was set in a clone world, it had many connections with our world today. First off, we must cherish our friends. Second, we must accept the idea to move on with life. We must accept the fact that we will eventually have to let go of our innocence. Finally, we must appreciate what we have in life because we never know what we have until it is gone.
Okay, so I guess I kind of got this wrong in the blog before, but hey. Life is about making mistakes, so it's okay. Anywho, I finally discovered the TRUE meaning of this book, and in a nutshell, it's all described in this quote. Personally, I believe that Tommy represents innocence. Kathy knew him all of her childhood. As they grew older, Kathy "held onto" Tommy. She "never wanted to let him go." Ooh, now I'm just getting punny! But seriously, Kathy was growing up. No matter how much Kathy wanted to, she couldn't hold onto her innocence forever. The world kept spinning faster, and Tommy (Kathy's innocence) couldn't keep up. I'm also really surprised how Kathy dealt with the deaths of her friends. It was kind of humbling, in a sense. Personally, I don't deal with death well. I don't deal with parting with others or breakups in general. But this book made me realize that we can cling to the wonderful memories of the people who touched us the most. We don't have to dwell on how people hurt us. We don't have to dwell on the pain and insecurities of our past at all. We should cherish the good memories and move forward. And quite frankly, I needed that feeling of reassurance in my life.
Personally, as much as I griped about reading this book, as much as I whined about having homework over the summertime, in the end, I did enjoy this book. It taught me a lot about life, and it made me have a better understanding of the world. Even though this book was set in a clone world, it had many connections with our world today. First off, we must cherish our friends. Second, we must accept the idea to move on with life. We must accept the fact that we will eventually have to let go of our innocence. Finally, we must appreciate what we have in life because we never know what we have until it is gone.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Chapter 22 Never Let Me Go: Thoughts so far.....
"When I watched you dancing that day, I saw something else. I saw a new world coming rapidly. More scientific, efficient, yes. More cures for the old sicknesses. Very good. But a harsh, cruel world. 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 to let her go" (page 272).
Most people when they read this quote won't find much significance out of it. Most people, I'm guessing, are just trying to get this book read. But I'm not like most people. I like to analyze, so I will. Most people would not realize that this quote basically describes the entire book in and of itself. Well, guess what? It does. This "new world" described in the quote is the future awaiting us each and every day. Sometimes I just want to travel to the future to see what the hospitals look like, to see what kind of cars we have, to see if there are time machines and better phones and computers. Okay, so now I'm turning into the author and am getting a little sidetracked. But seriously, this new world of better technology and knowledge is just around the corner. The "little girl" in the quote represents the innocence that each of us have within us. The world continues to turn faster and faster, and we just have to sit back and let it happen. The warm feelings of the past that make us feel at home are slowly escaping from our grasp. Our innocence is not ready for this new world. Our innocence isn't ready for the future, in a sense. As curious as we are about the future, something inside of me is shielding my eyes. I'm just not ready for it. I just want to hold onto my dolls and the innocence I had when I was younger. I want the warmth of my past to "never let me go." And perhaps, this is not even what this quote means at all. But when i read it, this is what I thought of.
Most people when they read this quote won't find much significance out of it. Most people, I'm guessing, are just trying to get this book read. But I'm not like most people. I like to analyze, so I will. Most people would not realize that this quote basically describes the entire book in and of itself. Well, guess what? It does. This "new world" described in the quote is the future awaiting us each and every day. Sometimes I just want to travel to the future to see what the hospitals look like, to see what kind of cars we have, to see if there are time machines and better phones and computers. Okay, so now I'm turning into the author and am getting a little sidetracked. But seriously, this new world of better technology and knowledge is just around the corner. The "little girl" in the quote represents the innocence that each of us have within us. The world continues to turn faster and faster, and we just have to sit back and let it happen. The warm feelings of the past that make us feel at home are slowly escaping from our grasp. Our innocence is not ready for this new world. Our innocence isn't ready for the future, in a sense. As curious as we are about the future, something inside of me is shielding my eyes. I'm just not ready for it. I just want to hold onto my dolls and the innocence I had when I was younger. I want the warmth of my past to "never let me go." And perhaps, this is not even what this quote means at all. But when i read it, this is what I thought of.
Chapter 21 Never Let Me Go: Thoughts So Far......
"Because of course... your art will reveal your inner selves.... Your art will display your souls!" (page 254)
Okay, I'm not gonna lie, this whole clone thing kinda creeps me out. First off, I don't understand it. At all. But the fact that they're EXACTLY like humans, with souls and temptations and all that, kinda gets to me. When I think of clones, I think of robotic beings. Well, I don't even know if I consider them "beings" per say. But maybe that's what Kazuo is trying to point out to me. These clones make this art because they're just like us. Scientists and engineers created them for the benefits of human kind. In order to find cures for cancer and all that, maybe we do need living things to assist the curing process. And perhaps Kazuo is trying to point out what "living" even means. Yes, the clones are living and breathing just like humans, but they also think as well. In my opinion, the clones think TOO much. But what do I expect? The kids at Hailsham were tortured, even though Hailsham was trying to save them.
Also, the fact that they were "forced" to prove they had souls gets to me as well. Why the heck did they HAVE to put things in the Gallery? Even though my eyes are now opened to the reasoning, I still don't get it. Obviously, I don't like being forced to do anything. I feel that we should all live as free people; it's just my secret philosophy in life. I just feel bad for the students at Hailsham. I feel badly for the clones in general. I think that it's dumb that we want to reproduce our own kind for our own selfish desires. If those people were meant to be in the world at all, God would have created them. Yes, curing cancer would be great, but I personally think that God takes people to Him in heaven when they have completed life's tasks. If people were supposed to be free from cancer, God would have cured them. It's all a matter of perspective, in my mind. Even though this book is not based off of a true story, it still brings up many matters that go on in the world itself. When I read this book, I analyze life itself to see what we can do as people to make this world a better place.
Okay, I'm not gonna lie, this whole clone thing kinda creeps me out. First off, I don't understand it. At all. But the fact that they're EXACTLY like humans, with souls and temptations and all that, kinda gets to me. When I think of clones, I think of robotic beings. Well, I don't even know if I consider them "beings" per say. But maybe that's what Kazuo is trying to point out to me. These clones make this art because they're just like us. Scientists and engineers created them for the benefits of human kind. In order to find cures for cancer and all that, maybe we do need living things to assist the curing process. And perhaps Kazuo is trying to point out what "living" even means. Yes, the clones are living and breathing just like humans, but they also think as well. In my opinion, the clones think TOO much. But what do I expect? The kids at Hailsham were tortured, even though Hailsham was trying to save them.
Also, the fact that they were "forced" to prove they had souls gets to me as well. Why the heck did they HAVE to put things in the Gallery? Even though my eyes are now opened to the reasoning, I still don't get it. Obviously, I don't like being forced to do anything. I feel that we should all live as free people; it's just my secret philosophy in life. I just feel bad for the students at Hailsham. I feel badly for the clones in general. I think that it's dumb that we want to reproduce our own kind for our own selfish desires. If those people were meant to be in the world at all, God would have created them. Yes, curing cancer would be great, but I personally think that God takes people to Him in heaven when they have completed life's tasks. If people were supposed to be free from cancer, God would have cured them. It's all a matter of perspective, in my mind. Even though this book is not based off of a true story, it still brings up many matters that go on in the world itself. When I read this book, I analyze life itself to see what we can do as people to make this world a better place.
Chapter 20 Never Let Me Go: thoughts so far............
"I became Tommy's carer almost a year to the day after that trip to see the boat" (page 237).
This part of the book truly reminds me of the movie Something Borrowed. The main plot of this movie is that a girl has basically been in love with her best friend's fiance all of her life. However, the girl never could do anything about it because she was so happy for her friend, even though it killed her to see the entire relationship take place. I don't want to spoil this movie, but I'm just trying to show everyone the connection here. The main character of the movie never knew that her best friend's fiance always loved her, and they start realizing they were meant to be. Well, after Ruth is out of the picture, I just feel that Tommy and Ruth's relationship is like that movie. Obviously, I'm not going to ruin the ending of that movie, but seriously, I just find it hilarious at the connections between these plots. Also, I don't really understand why Ruth isn't being a donor yet. Why has she been a carer instead of a donor? I know that part of it is to take care of Tommy and Ruth, but isn't her purpose in life to donate her organs to other people?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qlMqqc7YdE
Also, I wasn't expecting the vivid detail the author included about Tommy and Kathy when they started becoming more "physical," if you will. I'm happy Tommy and Kathy are together, but some of these descriptions just make me feel awkward. I'm not trying to criticize what the author is intending to say in this book, but seriously! I'm reading this, and I just want to turn the page! This is a way of life, I'm well aware. But it can be described briefly! Perhaps it's just the fact that I was raised watching Disney movies and prefer to watch Beauty and the Beast and other G- rated movies. Yes, perhaps that's it. But wouldn't it be easier to just say, "Tommy and I made love" and then move on to chapter twenty one? Really? I'm glad, I guess, that Tommy and Ruth are together, but I don't like PDA. Those parts of a relationship are meant for those two people, and those two people only.
This part of the book truly reminds me of the movie Something Borrowed. The main plot of this movie is that a girl has basically been in love with her best friend's fiance all of her life. However, the girl never could do anything about it because she was so happy for her friend, even though it killed her to see the entire relationship take place. I don't want to spoil this movie, but I'm just trying to show everyone the connection here. The main character of the movie never knew that her best friend's fiance always loved her, and they start realizing they were meant to be. Well, after Ruth is out of the picture, I just feel that Tommy and Ruth's relationship is like that movie. Obviously, I'm not going to ruin the ending of that movie, but seriously, I just find it hilarious at the connections between these plots. Also, I don't really understand why Ruth isn't being a donor yet. Why has she been a carer instead of a donor? I know that part of it is to take care of Tommy and Ruth, but isn't her purpose in life to donate her organs to other people?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qlMqqc7YdE
Also, I wasn't expecting the vivid detail the author included about Tommy and Kathy when they started becoming more "physical," if you will. I'm happy Tommy and Kathy are together, but some of these descriptions just make me feel awkward. I'm not trying to criticize what the author is intending to say in this book, but seriously! I'm reading this, and I just want to turn the page! This is a way of life, I'm well aware. But it can be described briefly! Perhaps it's just the fact that I was raised watching Disney movies and prefer to watch Beauty and the Beast and other G- rated movies. Yes, perhaps that's it. But wouldn't it be easier to just say, "Tommy and I made love" and then move on to chapter twenty one? Really? I'm glad, I guess, that Tommy and Ruth are together, but I don't like PDA. Those parts of a relationship are meant for those two people, and those two people only.
Chapter 19 Never Let Me Go; thoughts...........
"And almost as an instinct, we both went to her. I took an arm, Tommy supported her elbow on the other side, and we began gently guiding her towards the fence" (page 223).
I love this quote. I feel that it ties in the with the theme of the book. For instance, I feel that the title Never Let Me Go is extremely significant to the theme of the book. When I first picked up this book, I knew that the basic idea of the book was about clones and whatnot. So, I figured the "never let me go" would be that these clones just wanted others to seem them as real people and to demonstrate love to these clones. Little did I know, though, that the love was going to be demonstrated between the characters themselves. And secondly, I love this quote because as much as Ruth gets on everyone's nerves, Tommy and Kathy will always care for her. I feel that this is somewhat of a humbling feeling. In a sense, I feel that this kind of is what it IS like in the real world. Whenever someone dies or someone's health is at risk, others come together because they all genuinely care and love that person and want to do whatever they can to let that person know they care. It just makes me feel that even though we don't always say it, we all wish each other happiness. We all love those whom we hold close to our hearts. Sometimes we love them so much, we love them at their worst. That's why I thought of this song. I feel that the significance of the song even ties into the book. It's about loving others, even for their flaws, because they make us better people.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHoq4bXk7Nw&feature=related
I love this quote. I feel that it ties in the with the theme of the book. For instance, I feel that the title Never Let Me Go is extremely significant to the theme of the book. When I first picked up this book, I knew that the basic idea of the book was about clones and whatnot. So, I figured the "never let me go" would be that these clones just wanted others to seem them as real people and to demonstrate love to these clones. Little did I know, though, that the love was going to be demonstrated between the characters themselves. And secondly, I love this quote because as much as Ruth gets on everyone's nerves, Tommy and Kathy will always care for her. I feel that this is somewhat of a humbling feeling. In a sense, I feel that this kind of is what it IS like in the real world. Whenever someone dies or someone's health is at risk, others come together because they all genuinely care and love that person and want to do whatever they can to let that person know they care. It just makes me feel that even though we don't always say it, we all wish each other happiness. We all love those whom we hold close to our hearts. Sometimes we love them so much, we love them at their worst. That's why I thought of this song. I feel that the significance of the song even ties into the book. It's about loving others, even for their flaws, because they make us better people.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHoq4bXk7Nw&feature=related
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