Dear Jim Harrison,
I'm sorry to say I did not enjoy your novel. I found it quite confusing and while I was able to construct a similar theme throughout the stories I became frusterated with deciphering what was necessary information and what was just ranting. I didn't like that you split up the novel into four parts all narrated by a different character. That was part of the confusion I was experiencing. There seemed to be a lot of pointless storytelling going on that didn't really lead to any conclusive theme or resolution. I figured out that a common theme was letting go. This seemed to be an issue that every character struggled with in some form or another. It was also difficult to understand whether or not the characters overcame their struggle with letting go. There are some characters that appear to have acheived victory over this mental conflict, however, I am still unsure. So basically, your novel has left me in a state of confusion and I feel many issues are left unresolved. I wish I could have understood your novel better because I'm sure that would have hightened my opinion of it and I would have greatly enjoyed it.
Sincerely,
Emily
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Returning to Earth-Week 7, Post A
Vocab:
-Quantitative (240): that is or may be estimated by quantity.
-Consternation (243): a sudden, alarming amazement or dread that results in utter confusion; dismay.
Figurative Language:
"My heart jumped at the idea that I had forgotten the wire transfer to K and Polly so I stopped at the bank..." (246) This quote is an example of personification. The phrase "my heart jumped" gives a humanlike reaction to this organ.
"I fell asleep on the table, my eyes opening now and then to see the snow on the barberry bushes forming thick, fluffy white hats." (252) This statement is an example of imagery describing the shape the snow makes on the bushes in Cynthia's yard.
"Our first hour was so basic in terms of grammar I felt as if I had been sitting in a dentist's chair." (262) This quote is an example of a similie describing how difficult it was for Cynthia to get through her first tutoring session with her new student.
Significant Quote:
"He [Coughlin] said, 'After all, the fact of death is the most brutal thing we humans are forced to accept,' but then the sun came out again and I told him that the day after the burial Herald had said, 'Mother, it can't be awful if it happens to every living thing.'" (253) I found this quote interesting because I believe that both men are correct in their thinking. I interpret Coughlin's statement to be correct if he his referring to the people who have to watch their loved ones pass or witness an actual death occur. In that sense, I agree that death is an extremely brutal thing to go through. On the other hand, I interpret Herald's statement as being aimed towards the people who have actually died. His outlook is that dying is not a horrible, horrible thing, but must be somewhat managable for the person dying since everybody goes through death at one point. As far as my interpretations of these statements go, both men are correct.
Theme:
The theme that seems to be present in this passage is healthy grieving. There are clear ways to acheive healthy grieving, and one may not realize that simply getting on with their life may not be as healthy as one thinks.
-Quantitative (240): that is or may be estimated by quantity.
-Consternation (243): a sudden, alarming amazement or dread that results in utter confusion; dismay.
Figurative Language:
"My heart jumped at the idea that I had forgotten the wire transfer to K and Polly so I stopped at the bank..." (246) This quote is an example of personification. The phrase "my heart jumped" gives a humanlike reaction to this organ.
"I fell asleep on the table, my eyes opening now and then to see the snow on the barberry bushes forming thick, fluffy white hats." (252) This statement is an example of imagery describing the shape the snow makes on the bushes in Cynthia's yard.
"Our first hour was so basic in terms of grammar I felt as if I had been sitting in a dentist's chair." (262) This quote is an example of a similie describing how difficult it was for Cynthia to get through her first tutoring session with her new student.
Significant Quote:
"He [Coughlin] said, 'After all, the fact of death is the most brutal thing we humans are forced to accept,' but then the sun came out again and I told him that the day after the burial Herald had said, 'Mother, it can't be awful if it happens to every living thing.'" (253) I found this quote interesting because I believe that both men are correct in their thinking. I interpret Coughlin's statement to be correct if he his referring to the people who have to watch their loved ones pass or witness an actual death occur. In that sense, I agree that death is an extremely brutal thing to go through. On the other hand, I interpret Herald's statement as being aimed towards the people who have actually died. His outlook is that dying is not a horrible, horrible thing, but must be somewhat managable for the person dying since everybody goes through death at one point. As far as my interpretations of these statements go, both men are correct.
Theme:
The theme that seems to be present in this passage is healthy grieving. There are clear ways to acheive healthy grieving, and one may not realize that simply getting on with their life may not be as healthy as one thinks.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Returning to Earth-Week 6, Post B
Quote:
"In July I had spent the afternoon with a brilliant forestry professor from Michigan Tech over in Houghton discussing the history of logging in the Upper Peninsula. At the cabin over a glass of wine he looked at me askance and said, 'Nearly all of the ill effects that you've traced to your family took place one hundred years ago or more. You're talking as if it were yesterday and still going on today and that you can do something to ameliorate the situation. You remind me of some of my save-the-world environmental students. I have great sympathy with their earnestness but such purity of heart can lead to radical self-deception. You have to learn to ignore the disastrous big picture and come down to the singular wetland or piece of forest you might wish to rescue. Of course you have to comprehend the science, the details of the whole picture, but cast your role as a screwdriver rather than a tank.'" (186-187) I found this quote extremely interesting because I had just stated in my previous post that I believed the theme to be forget and let go. This quote proves that I was correct in my belief that David holds events that occured in the past in such high esteem so as to believe that they are reversible. This quality forces him to be unable to let these problems go unresolved, when in fact, they cannot be resolved. David must learn to simply adapt to what the past events have created for him instead of trying to deflect what has already been created. David appears to be a rather resilient person, however, I believe that deep down he struggles to accept what the past has done for his life and works much too hard to try to change that. David's main conflict in this novel is with himself and his inability to accept that the what has occured in the past is set in stone and cannot be changed.
"In July I had spent the afternoon with a brilliant forestry professor from Michigan Tech over in Houghton discussing the history of logging in the Upper Peninsula. At the cabin over a glass of wine he looked at me askance and said, 'Nearly all of the ill effects that you've traced to your family took place one hundred years ago or more. You're talking as if it were yesterday and still going on today and that you can do something to ameliorate the situation. You remind me of some of my save-the-world environmental students. I have great sympathy with their earnestness but such purity of heart can lead to radical self-deception. You have to learn to ignore the disastrous big picture and come down to the singular wetland or piece of forest you might wish to rescue. Of course you have to comprehend the science, the details of the whole picture, but cast your role as a screwdriver rather than a tank.'" (186-187) I found this quote extremely interesting because I had just stated in my previous post that I believed the theme to be forget and let go. This quote proves that I was correct in my belief that David holds events that occured in the past in such high esteem so as to believe that they are reversible. This quality forces him to be unable to let these problems go unresolved, when in fact, they cannot be resolved. David must learn to simply adapt to what the past events have created for him instead of trying to deflect what has already been created. David appears to be a rather resilient person, however, I believe that deep down he struggles to accept what the past has done for his life and works much too hard to try to change that. David's main conflict in this novel is with himself and his inability to accept that the what has occured in the past is set in stone and cannot be changed.
Returning to Earth-Week 6, Post A
Vocab:
-Bereft (177): to deprive and make desolate, esp. by death.
-Scant (183): barely sufficient in amount or quantity; not abundant; almost inadequate
Figurative Language:
"The thought if bald Laurie in her last days rattles my heart in its flimsy cage." (178) This statement is an example of a imagery describing the weakened state of David's heart.
"I stop under a streetlight and think about Donald and how the death of a man who was so loved seems to exhaust everyone as if they're struggling in a vacuum and not quite enough air is being pumped in for survival." (180) This quote is an example of a similie describing the stateof Donald's loved ones after his death.
"I felt like a soldier being sent off to battle by three young women who had no knowledge or direct contact with war." (182) This passage is an example of a similie describing David's feelings about a compromise made between him and three women from his church organization.
Significant Quote:
"While sipping my coffee I wondered if 'I don't care' was the hole that my dream bear had disappered into. I felt wondorously light looking out the kitchen window into the darkness. Naturally I doubted if this good feeling would last but as Vernice says, 'Kiss the joy as it flies.'" (185) This quote is significant because it seems to be the first time David has ever allowed himself to let anything go unfinished. He appears to be quite a perfectionist and doesn't like to leave problems unsolved. This makes for a very stressful lifestyle. For the first time, David is able to let his guard down and let the problem be dealt with by the people who started it. This is a big leap for David.
Theme:
The main theme that seems present in this portion of the novel is forget and let go. There are things that are important to hold on to, however one musn't let them run their life.
-Bereft (177): to deprive and make desolate, esp. by death.
-Scant (183): barely sufficient in amount or quantity; not abundant; almost inadequate
Figurative Language:
"The thought if bald Laurie in her last days rattles my heart in its flimsy cage." (178) This statement is an example of a imagery describing the weakened state of David's heart.
"I stop under a streetlight and think about Donald and how the death of a man who was so loved seems to exhaust everyone as if they're struggling in a vacuum and not quite enough air is being pumped in for survival." (180) This quote is an example of a similie describing the stateof Donald's loved ones after his death.
"I felt like a soldier being sent off to battle by three young women who had no knowledge or direct contact with war." (182) This passage is an example of a similie describing David's feelings about a compromise made between him and three women from his church organization.
Significant Quote:
"While sipping my coffee I wondered if 'I don't care' was the hole that my dream bear had disappered into. I felt wondorously light looking out the kitchen window into the darkness. Naturally I doubted if this good feeling would last but as Vernice says, 'Kiss the joy as it flies.'" (185) This quote is significant because it seems to be the first time David has ever allowed himself to let anything go unfinished. He appears to be quite a perfectionist and doesn't like to leave problems unsolved. This makes for a very stressful lifestyle. For the first time, David is able to let his guard down and let the problem be dealt with by the people who started it. This is a big leap for David.
Theme:
The main theme that seems present in this portion of the novel is forget and let go. There are things that are important to hold on to, however one musn't let them run their life.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Returning to Earth-Week 5, Post B
Significant Quote:
"I said to my uncle Fred on his brief visit this summer that we tend to live withing a grey egg and rarely break through the shell to see life as it is, and he said, 'No we don't, we just think we're within the egg but we're outside of it. We feel safer in there." (154) I thought this quote was quite thought provoking. I'm not really sure which opinion I side with. David's view is that we choose to shield ourselves from the harsh realities of life by enclosing ourselves in this so-called "shell". Fred's view is that we like to believe we're in this "shell" but the realities are taking place right before our eyes. We simply choose not to acknowledge them. I can't decide on whether or not we choose to live in a world where there are no harsh realities or if we simply choose to ignore that they have an impact. These ideas are very similar, but somehow I think they aren't actually the same idea. I have a feeling they are two different views that distinguish between people who are ignorant and people who are sheltered. I find that people are more ignorant than sheltered. You see it everyday. Terrible events occur and there is a portion of our society who will choose to let it go unacknowledged. They know it's there, but they decide to not let it affect their own personal lives. In conclusion, I suppose I agree more with Fred's view on life.
"I said to my uncle Fred on his brief visit this summer that we tend to live withing a grey egg and rarely break through the shell to see life as it is, and he said, 'No we don't, we just think we're within the egg but we're outside of it. We feel safer in there." (154) I thought this quote was quite thought provoking. I'm not really sure which opinion I side with. David's view is that we choose to shield ourselves from the harsh realities of life by enclosing ourselves in this so-called "shell". Fred's view is that we like to believe we're in this "shell" but the realities are taking place right before our eyes. We simply choose not to acknowledge them. I can't decide on whether or not we choose to live in a world where there are no harsh realities or if we simply choose to ignore that they have an impact. These ideas are very similar, but somehow I think they aren't actually the same idea. I have a feeling they are two different views that distinguish between people who are ignorant and people who are sheltered. I find that people are more ignorant than sheltered. You see it everyday. Terrible events occur and there is a portion of our society who will choose to let it go unacknowledged. They know it's there, but they decide to not let it affect their own personal lives. In conclusion, I suppose I agree more with Fred's view on life.
Returning to Earth-Week 5, Post A
Vocab:
-Intravenous (146): Of, pertaining to, employed in, or administered by injection into a vein.
-Hubris (148): Excessive pride or self-confidence; arrogance.
Figurative Language:
"At one time I found this inconceivable because men love to think of themselves as the singular dog on the block despite the presence of others." (151) This statement represents a metaphor describing David's old reaction to Polly showing interest in other men.
"I said to my uncle Fred on his brief visit this summer that we tend to live withing a grey egg and rarely break through the shell to see life as it is..."(154) This statement is an example of symbolism in which the grey egg represents our natural avoidance of harsh reality.
"Fred and a raven in a fir tree were staring at each other as if the bird had hypnotized the man." (154) This statement represents a similie describing the strong connection felt between Fred and a raven in the woods.
Quote:
"I reminded myself that my persistent life question, "How do we live with what we know?" didn't cover everything and that I might humorously add, "How do we live with what we don't know?" (155) This quote gave me great insight into the kind of person David is. He seems to be a very intellectual and deep-thinking being. His observations on life are quite thought provoking. After reading this passage I was forced to read it several more times in order to fully understand what he was saying. It appears that Donald's recent death has caused David to see life in a whole new light. He previously viewed life a scientific journey, however I think Donald's death has allowed David to see life in a more spiritual way. He used to think he knew everything (possibly too much) about life and that used to scare him. Now, he questions whether he is truly the beacon of all knowledge and is afraid of the things in life he doesn't know. The things that very well may sneak up on him.
Theme:
The theme that seems to take place in this passage is re-examination. A death is a very powerful experience, when it's not your own. David seems to be re-examining many aspects he thought to be true about life before Donald's death.
-Intravenous (146): Of, pertaining to, employed in, or administered by injection into a vein.
-Hubris (148): Excessive pride or self-confidence; arrogance.
Figurative Language:
"At one time I found this inconceivable because men love to think of themselves as the singular dog on the block despite the presence of others." (151) This statement represents a metaphor describing David's old reaction to Polly showing interest in other men.
"I said to my uncle Fred on his brief visit this summer that we tend to live withing a grey egg and rarely break through the shell to see life as it is..."(154) This statement is an example of symbolism in which the grey egg represents our natural avoidance of harsh reality.
"Fred and a raven in a fir tree were staring at each other as if the bird had hypnotized the man." (154) This statement represents a similie describing the strong connection felt between Fred and a raven in the woods.
Quote:
"I reminded myself that my persistent life question, "How do we live with what we know?" didn't cover everything and that I might humorously add, "How do we live with what we don't know?" (155) This quote gave me great insight into the kind of person David is. He seems to be a very intellectual and deep-thinking being. His observations on life are quite thought provoking. After reading this passage I was forced to read it several more times in order to fully understand what he was saying. It appears that Donald's recent death has caused David to see life in a whole new light. He previously viewed life a scientific journey, however I think Donald's death has allowed David to see life in a more spiritual way. He used to think he knew everything (possibly too much) about life and that used to scare him. Now, he questions whether he is truly the beacon of all knowledge and is afraid of the things in life he doesn't know. The things that very well may sneak up on him.
Theme:
The theme that seems to take place in this passage is re-examination. A death is a very powerful experience, when it's not your own. David seems to be re-examining many aspects he thought to be true about life before Donald's death.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Returning to Earth-Week 4, Post B
I am caught slightly off guard by Donald's decision to die. I knew there was talk of suicide, but honestly I didn't believe it would ever become a reality. I was reading about Clare and K's relationship and then all of the sudden K is preparing to leave for a trip to Canada where Donald would like to die and be buried. I can't even imagine to turmoil the family must be experiencing. It is extremely brave of Donald's family to allow him this decision and let him go.I know I would have severe difficulty letting a family member die voluntarily. Cynthia, Donald's wife, is not joining him on this trip so I just realized that the last couple sentences I just read would be the last moments they would spend together. That realization gives me knots in my stomach. The concept of death seems so foreign as a teenager. I obviously know that people die and that no one lives forever, but the idea that someone could say "I would like to die now" and then pass on is unreal to me. Don't get me wrong, I understand that suicide is a very real thing, but I guess I never thought about it so deeply before I read this novel. I'm sure Donald understands what he's putting his family through, however, this disease truly eats away at your body. It is excrusiating to experience and is truly a horrible disease. Living his life must be becoming more and more impossible each day for Donald. As much as I hate to see him go, I can understand why he is making this important decision.
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