Q (1): Why is the boy asking the man same kinds of questions repeatedly?
From page.100 to page.150 the boy is asking the man about their survival and moral aspects. In page.127 the boy says ‘And we couldn't help them because then they'd eat us, too.' He is asking his father's agreement. The boys is trying to justify their behavior. Normally not helping other people in a dreadful situation is morally wrong. In the previous chapter the boy pleads to the man to help others but as time passes he starts to understand the man and the situation they are encountering. He is mentally, physically maturing, starting to realize the dangers that are attacking his survival. Confronting the facts he is confused of the things he and the man are doing. I guess he is asking himself whether they are doing the right thing, skeptical of all the events that are happening and at the same time asking the man, to make it clear. in page.128 he demands ' We wouldn't ever eat anybody, would we? The boy is trying to convince himself that they are good guys. This is indicated in his words, page 129. The boys questions also shows the pass of time. The boy's growing up means the time has quite passed.
Q (2): Why aren't there any flashback scenes(including dreams)?
Usually the man has dreams while sleeping in the forest or mentions his past and gives the reader hints. In this part of the story, however there are no comments about dreams or memories. This shows the tension in the situation. Without mentioning other scenes, and having no disturbing factors the whole story is focused to the present dragging all the attention to the big events that happen right that moment. This makes the flow more urgent and fast helping the readers to feel the same tense the protagonists are undergoing.
After the boy and man escape from the dangerous surroundings, they encounter a house that has a lot of food, and they get a chance to clean themselves. In this house even though the man has become free from the frustrating atmosphere, still he has no dreams. This indicates that the man is mentally relaxed. The dreams are usually about hideous things and these dreams arouse when the man is unstable. In page 144, there are no signs of terrifying thoughts or dreams and the man seems quite happy, too. His worries has loosen as he finds food to live on
Q (3): What is the standard of good guys and bad guys to the boy?
The boy thinks people who eat human and attack others are bad guys. He and the man try hard to find food when they are starving and they never think about eating another human being. The boy tries to trust the man that they will find things to eat. Although he and the man haven't helped others in bad situations, the boy still thinks he is a good guy because he does not eat on humans. In page.140 the boy refers ' the good guys' and feels thankful to them. To the boy anyone who struggles to live, without giving other people harm are good guys.
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Wow~ Great job!
ReplyDeleteI just accepted the fact when the boy kept on asking the question repeatedly. However, after reading the first question you have made made me think about it again. I really like your idea of how it might be a sign that the boy is skeptical. Also, third question was similar to Harin's work. I agree with the idea that the boy thinks of the good guys as people who don't eat humans.
I'm glad to make a comment to your posting.
ReplyDeleteI liked the first question: Why is the boy asking the man same kinds of questions repeatedly?
--I, as well, mentioned this on my posting, and thought the boy was at that time awfully nervous and afraid of being eaten or being dead. It would be such a hard thing for a little boy to imagine people eating other human beings. Um,,,yes. Is there anybody who wants to suggest some more things?
Your observation that the boy is maturing is an excellent one. His questions about the morality of their situation keep changing over time and the reason why he's asking (and not asking) changes, too.
ReplyDeleteAll three questions are well asked and answered.