page.157~page.158
They can go wherever they want.
Yes.
Do you think there might be crows somewhere?
I don't know.
But what do you think?
I think it's unlikely.
Could they fly to Mars or someplace?
No. They couldn't.
Because it's too far?
...
Would there be food and stuff when you got there?
No. There's nothing there.
In this part I felt a little bit sorry for the boy. Actually I always feel sorry for them, living in a barren place with no food. The boy is asking the man about the crow. He's contrasting his situation and the crow's situation. He says 'Because crows don't have to follow roads?' The boy and the man had to follow the road everytime. In order to go south and to find supplies they always had to travel though the road. I guess the author named the book considering this fact. Anyway, the boy's words indicates that he is kind of envying the crow. The fact that the crow does not have to rely on the road impresses the boy. Also the crow is shown as a creature that can go anywhere it wants to. He mentions if they could go to Mars and live if they had a spaceship, but the man disappoints the boy by saying No. The boy is starting to accept the terrible situation they are conflicting with, and he desires to escape from it. I guess he is kind of tired of all the hideous scenes he sees everytime, the fear for brutal people who eat others and the wearying fact that they have to struggle for survival every single moment.
page.166-167
He cant see.
Dont hold his hand. Let's go.
...
How old are you?
I'm ninety.
No you're not.
Okay.
Is that what you tell people?
What people?
Any people?
Any people.
I guess so.
So they wont hurt you?
This scene is the first time the man listens to the boy and help a person properly. Before the man tries to ignore other people not to get in trouble. The man and the boys words are kind of opposite. Although the man is helping the old person he is still doubting whether he could trust the old person or not. He does not want the boy to get closer to the stranger and feels uncomfortable to help him. On the other hand the boy is delighted to help a person for the first time and tries his best. I guess this old man is a normal person they first met. I mean before in the book they conflict with others, usually the bad guys who try to deprive of food from them or cannibals who intend to eat them. There conversation emphasizes the awful surroundings. The old man is almost giving up to struggle to live. He lies to others not to get hurt and does not give any effort to find provisions.
page.191
Yes.
It's okay Papa.
It's okay?
They're already there.
I don't cant you to look.
...
Why don't we just go on, the boy said.
The fact that the boy is accepting all of these without jolting. This made me shocked, I mean seeing a scene like that in front of your eyes should make a person tremble. But the boy is thinking that this is natural thing that could happen because he has encountered much more terrible stuff. I guess the man is more shocked to see it and does not want the boy to see it, considering the fact that the boy might cry again. He used to cry and dream nightmares but his attitude toward theses things changed and as I mentioned above he is now tired of all the incidents that are occurring. The man's attitude, explaining what happened here with a monotonous voice also made me feel pity for them. It's like their emotions have started to fade. And it's like they feel no sorry for others, and this makes a little worried because they might turn in to bad guys. Stealing food from others without guilt and not considering other people's difficulties.
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I guess, that the reason why the man's voice is being monotonous in that part might be because the man doesn't want the boy to be shocked. So that he is trying his best not to be seen frightened. But except for that, I generally agree with your ideas. Actually the first quotes you explained was somewhat related to the one that I wrote in my homework. 'Cause there appears the quote mentioning about 'flute' right after they talk about crows.
ReplyDeleteI'm also... um, impressed by the fact that you are feeling very sorry for the characters in the book. That means that you are reading the book 'by heart' while I'm still undergoing lots and lots of difficulties... haha :) Well, it doesn't mean that I don't have any feeling toward them. I also think that their situation is very miserable, but I think that your depth of reading is deeper than mine... ^^;;
I agree that you are extremely deep when it comes to your thoughts! I always think that you are very keen on finding some points that most people (or at least I) miss. I extremely liked how you pointed out that this was the first time the man actually listened to the boy and helped another person. I thought it was really great of the man, but at the same time, I think they are getting too used to the situation as well. Anyways, great job! Oh, I never thought the crows were a kind of juxtaposition, but thanks to you I was finally able to know! You helped me a lot thanks! See you:)
ReplyDeleteI really loved to read your post. I've seen a lot of letters to the boy or to the man, but this was one of the best.
ReplyDeleteI definately agree with you when it comes to the scene that the boy sees an infant eaten, not shocked. I believe this is a kind of understatement since this kind of part shows that the boy is now numb even though he sees a crude things. He experienced too much.
You're picking up on some of the deeper revelations in this seemingly simple dialogues. His reaction to the dead, burned bodies was very clear understatement... Nicely noted.
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