Discussions and Such

Manu Jarvis

Facilitation; Discussion Style

The Surgeon’s death is fitting for him, in a poetic justice kind of way. He definitely deserved it seems to be the general consensus.

More thoughts on the character’s attempts to order the world, except this time Jorgen Jorgenson is described as someone trying to order the world by his own invention, making up stories in order to create a reality. Gould is comparing people to fish in such a blatant fashion that it can’t be ignored, even though it is in the corny “Everyone has some level of beauty” fashion (Matt)

Emotions as a connecting factor is an interesting theory, especially the valid point with the eyes being a portrayer of the characters’ emotions. Something that becomes more significant considering the lack of an actual coherent plot.

Review of thoughts on the Commandant vs. Surgeon. The surgeon’s goals seem more tangible and logical, while commandants seem a little more on the crazy side.

People not enjoying the lack of plot, some of us feel as though we are at the wrong end of a joke.

Concept of time, perhaps the lack of plot isn’t the issue, but it’s the fact that time may not be linear. Is time a consuming atmospheric presence that can’t simply be sorted into a linear fashion.

Gould and the commandant have similar backgrounds due to the fact that both are criminals and both are attempting to find purpose in their respective lives. The key difference here is that the commandant is trying to establish his identity through others’ reactions to him, while Gould isn’t worried about how people view him from the outside.

(Yu) Claims that the scientist isn’t a real scientist because his ultimate goal is to prove the existence of god.

(Tat) doesn’t understand the point of reading this book for class, because there isn’t a clear one in the novel. The novel also isn’t progressing a plot point of any kind

Commandant and the stargazer, both unimpressive at first glance, but in motion, their abilities are doubtlessly brilliant.

The general mood towards the book is that there is no discernable plot line and many of the blog posts reflect that. They also begin to show alternatives to having a plot, other things the book does well (or differently) in order to draw attention for its readers. Characterization and character interaction seems like a constant trend in terms of the appeal of the novel for those who have managed to continue searching.

Surgeon- religious undertones? Is he an atheist or a fanatic? It all seems entirely banked on how the reader perceive his statement in regards to finding out everything, leaving god as the last mystery.

People seem to be coming to terms with the fact that there is no plot. Gould is building a dark and twisted environment for the reader to live in, not a story.

The blacks that were being decapitated were NOT slaves. Don’t allow your American sensibilities to fool you.