Final post, and it’s already the day we go back to school. Wow. I felt like summer hasn’t even begun yet.
Anyway, the whole rest of the book just continued spiraling downward, into darkness. It was quite scary actually. There was so much death and abuse. One of the many things that stood out for me was how three fairly important characters died with the return of the White Soldier.
Another thing I thought was rather important was Yossarian’s reliving of Snowden’s death. It was mentioned in the book a great deal before, but now we really find out what happens.
I’m not sure what it all means, but…wow.
I feel like, I know what Heller was trying to tell his readers. I’m just not sure if everything I think is correct.
Anyway, I have to finish up a few things before school tomorrow.
JEBUS, we have school tomorrow!
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Monday, August 16, 2010
Catch-22 (Ch.25-33)
So, I’ll just list a few things I thought while reading these chapters:
- When Yossarian and Dunbar were in the hospital and they decided to “pretend to be” two other men. This leads to an instance of situational irony, where Yossarian could have been sent home but wasn’t because of the identity mix up. My thoughts: “Sucks for him.”
- The whole ordeal with McWatt accidentally killing Kid Sampson by slicing him in half, I mean, it was just too random and vivid of a description to not mean anything.
- Orr never died, and then he suddenly disappears?
- Then came Doc Daneeka’s problem, where everyone thought he was dead because his name was down for being in McWatt’s plane (since McWatt crashed it into a mountain, killing himself). Why would Heller put this into the book? I couldn’t just have been for our entertaiment. I suppose he’s trying to tell us that the soldiers don’t really get to make their own decisions; it’s chosen for them. The government basically owns them.
- The letter to Doc Daneeka’s wife: it was hilarious. Maybe Heller was trying to say that the government/army doesn’t really care about the death of its men. I have no idea! I’m seriously trying here though.
- Also, I find that the book isn’t as funny anymore. I mean, it’s not as “light” as it used to be; it’s getting darker.
- When Yossarian and Dunbar were in the hospital and they decided to “pretend to be” two other men. This leads to an instance of situational irony, where Yossarian could have been sent home but wasn’t because of the identity mix up. My thoughts: “Sucks for him.”
- The whole ordeal with McWatt accidentally killing Kid Sampson by slicing him in half, I mean, it was just too random and vivid of a description to not mean anything.
- Orr never died, and then he suddenly disappears?
- Then came Doc Daneeka’s problem, where everyone thought he was dead because his name was down for being in McWatt’s plane (since McWatt crashed it into a mountain, killing himself). Why would Heller put this into the book? I couldn’t just have been for our entertaiment. I suppose he’s trying to tell us that the soldiers don’t really get to make their own decisions; it’s chosen for them. The government basically owns them.
- The letter to Doc Daneeka’s wife: it was hilarious. Maybe Heller was trying to say that the government/army doesn’t really care about the death of its men. I have no idea! I’m seriously trying here though.
- Also, I find that the book isn’t as funny anymore. I mean, it’s not as “light” as it used to be; it’s getting darker.
Catch-22 (Ch. 17-24)
The first thing that popped out to me about these few chapters was Atheism. I’m sure it’s one of the themes in this book; it seems almost inevitable. For one, there was the scene with Colonel Cathcart and the Chaplain, where Cathcart was telling him that he wanted to have prayers said before missions, however he wanted “to keep away from the subject of religion.” I find that hilarious, but with Heller makes it obvious that religion and the belief in “God” was iffy to talk about around soldiers. Also, I found it odd that the Chaplain’s assistant is an atheist.
With all this though, I would think that the soldiers would want God with them at all times. But at the same time, when you really think about it, you’d see why their belief in God would dissipate the longer they’re out fighting the war, whatnot with death around them.
Also, it’s almost as though the old man in the room full of prostitutes (with Yossarian, Nately, and Hungry Joe) was made to look like a God; though obviously, a corrupted God. He was sitting in a blue arm chair, with white hair, and a white shirt. To me, it kind of resembled God in a way, but I’m not yet sure.
I love how Heller makes some of his characters “most of them” sound like children sometimes. Like with Colonel Cathcart: he made him sound illiterate at one point (“Gimme eat…”) and also child-like with Colonel Korn (Cathcart is scared of him even though he his higher up in rank than Korn.) Heller did the same with Corporal Whitcomb, the Chaplain’s assistant, with him coming into and out of the Chaplain’s tent whining about how he never listened to him.
I found the whole scene odd with the family coming in to visit their son who was dead (I believe) and was replaced by Yossarian. First off, the parents didn’t even remember what their son looked like, nor did the brother. Though, they did keep calling him Gieseppe. I assume Heller was trying to make a point out of this, but I’m having trouble figuring out what exactly he wants us to take from it. Is it that the families basically forget their loved ones who are out fighting the war? I have a feeling that that’s part of it, but it’s not the exact answer. And also, what did the mother mean by “dress warm?”
The Soldier in White had his own chapter here as well. I found that the fact that he had weights to hold up his limbs made him look like a puppet; I assume this is to emphasize that soldiers are all the real prisoners of war.
Three more things I noticed:
-Plum Tomatoes
-Feather in Cap
-Black eyes
Well, that’s great. Now, what do they mean? I have no idea.
With all this though, I would think that the soldiers would want God with them at all times. But at the same time, when you really think about it, you’d see why their belief in God would dissipate the longer they’re out fighting the war, whatnot with death around them.
Also, it’s almost as though the old man in the room full of prostitutes (with Yossarian, Nately, and Hungry Joe) was made to look like a God; though obviously, a corrupted God. He was sitting in a blue arm chair, with white hair, and a white shirt. To me, it kind of resembled God in a way, but I’m not yet sure.
I love how Heller makes some of his characters “most of them” sound like children sometimes. Like with Colonel Cathcart: he made him sound illiterate at one point (“Gimme eat…”) and also child-like with Colonel Korn (Cathcart is scared of him even though he his higher up in rank than Korn.) Heller did the same with Corporal Whitcomb, the Chaplain’s assistant, with him coming into and out of the Chaplain’s tent whining about how he never listened to him.
I found the whole scene odd with the family coming in to visit their son who was dead (I believe) and was replaced by Yossarian. First off, the parents didn’t even remember what their son looked like, nor did the brother. Though, they did keep calling him Gieseppe. I assume Heller was trying to make a point out of this, but I’m having trouble figuring out what exactly he wants us to take from it. Is it that the families basically forget their loved ones who are out fighting the war? I have a feeling that that’s part of it, but it’s not the exact answer. And also, what did the mother mean by “dress warm?”
The Soldier in White had his own chapter here as well. I found that the fact that he had weights to hold up his limbs made him look like a puppet; I assume this is to emphasize that soldiers are all the real prisoners of war.
Three more things I noticed:
-Plum Tomatoes
-Feather in Cap
-Black eyes
Well, that’s great. Now, what do they mean? I have no idea.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Catch-22 (Ch.10-16)
The book is growing on me now. In the beginning it was difficult to read; I thought it was one of those books that I would have to force myself to get through, but it’s actually quite good.
I suppose I’ll just list off a few things I noticed while reading:
- The description of Sergeant Towser: white blonde hair, white marshmellow teeth, and sunken cheeks. I forget which chapter this was from exactly, but I do remember there being (in the beginning of the chapter) a description about a white cloud. Then of course, in the beginning of the book, there was the Soldier in White. I’m trying to figure out if there’s a correlation, or if white is just an important color in the book. Once again, I feel like I have a few pieces, I just don’t know how to put them together!
- Mudd! It was interesting the way Heller described him as well: how he was an unknown soldier, how his clothes were left in Yossarian’s tent the same way he had left them there three months ago, the day he never arrived. Also, how he never had a chance and "had to be dead." I suppose Heller is telling people that no one ever thinks about the soldiers. There are so many that die in wars, but it doesn’t affect everyone (excluding family and friends) because we don’t know them. Or at least I think that’s what he’s trying to say. I hope I'm at least...somewhat right.
- Orr’s name. I’m not sure why, but it stood out for me.
- Captain Black and his Great Loyalty Oath: it reminded me of McCarthy, (McCarthyism), and how he basically convinced everyone that Communists were everywhere. He, at one point, even accused the U.S. Army of being Communists.
- The mushrooms! Heller described them as being lifeless bodies.
- Irony: it makes the book hilarious! I mean, it’s great because you can tell it’s done purposely, but it’s just so ridiculously funny. Ha, take for example when Yossarian moved the bomb line over Bologna hoping that it would mean they wouldn’t have to fly the mission. Mr. (intelligent) Black (in his intelligence tent) believed it. I’m sorry, I just thought it was funny :D
- Hungry Joe’s dreams: I mean, there was that one scene, with Huple’s cat, where he dreamt of how the cat was on his face, then he woke up and it was. Then there are his screaming night tremors. I find it odd that he has these terrible screaming fits, then he’s completely normal, (well, kind of), during the day. It’s obvious that he dreams of the reality of their situation; his screaming is what they all feel.
- The attack at Bologna: it was so vivid; it felt as though I was actually there, which I’m sure is what the author intended for us to feel.
- Major --- de Coverley: he has one blind eye. Also, this: “…the wall of officers before him parted like the Red Sea.” Definitely an allusion, but does it mean anything else?
I suppose I’ll just list off a few things I noticed while reading:
- The description of Sergeant Towser: white blonde hair, white marshmellow teeth, and sunken cheeks. I forget which chapter this was from exactly, but I do remember there being (in the beginning of the chapter) a description about a white cloud. Then of course, in the beginning of the book, there was the Soldier in White. I’m trying to figure out if there’s a correlation, or if white is just an important color in the book. Once again, I feel like I have a few pieces, I just don’t know how to put them together!
- Mudd! It was interesting the way Heller described him as well: how he was an unknown soldier, how his clothes were left in Yossarian’s tent the same way he had left them there three months ago, the day he never arrived. Also, how he never had a chance and "had to be dead." I suppose Heller is telling people that no one ever thinks about the soldiers. There are so many that die in wars, but it doesn’t affect everyone (excluding family and friends) because we don’t know them. Or at least I think that’s what he’s trying to say. I hope I'm at least...somewhat right.
- Orr’s name. I’m not sure why, but it stood out for me.
- Captain Black and his Great Loyalty Oath: it reminded me of McCarthy, (McCarthyism), and how he basically convinced everyone that Communists were everywhere. He, at one point, even accused the U.S. Army of being Communists.
- The mushrooms! Heller described them as being lifeless bodies.
- Irony: it makes the book hilarious! I mean, it’s great because you can tell it’s done purposely, but it’s just so ridiculously funny. Ha, take for example when Yossarian moved the bomb line over Bologna hoping that it would mean they wouldn’t have to fly the mission. Mr. (intelligent) Black (in his intelligence tent) believed it. I’m sorry, I just thought it was funny :D
- Hungry Joe’s dreams: I mean, there was that one scene, with Huple’s cat, where he dreamt of how the cat was on his face, then he woke up and it was. Then there are his screaming night tremors. I find it odd that he has these terrible screaming fits, then he’s completely normal, (well, kind of), during the day. It’s obvious that he dreams of the reality of their situation; his screaming is what they all feel.
- The attack at Bologna: it was so vivid; it felt as though I was actually there, which I’m sure is what the author intended for us to feel.
- Major --- de Coverley: he has one blind eye. Also, this: “…the wall of officers before him parted like the Red Sea.” Definitely an allusion, but does it mean anything else?
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Catch-22 (Ch.1-9)
When I first started reading, I have to admit I wasn’t sure what was going on. Well, actually, I’m not sure if I know what’s going on now as well and I think it might have something to do with how it’s all out of order; it keeps going back and forth, somewhat like What is the What except that book was easier to follow. Anyway, so far I find the situations, conversations, and whatever else, extremely funny. Most of it is clearly done on purpose though, almost as though the author were making fun of the situations.
I really like the main character, (or at least I think he’s the main character), Yossarian. Though, everyone thinks he’s crazy, and it seems as though they all dislike him. He seems fairly normal to me, especially since all he wants is to get away from the war and stay alive for as long as possible. I don’t really think analyzing all the characters would be a good thing to do here, because there would be too many, however they’re quite interesting. I like how the author gives them all different personalities.
Another thing I found interesting was the Soldier in White who appeared in the first few chapters. He was faceless, and his identity was anonymous. What does it mean though? I’m not sure if it means anything, but it just really stood out for me.
Also, I feel like there’s a lot of “doubling” in the book: 55, 22 (Catch-22), Major Major, Gus and Wes, the two C.I.D. men. Maybe Major Major, Gus, and Wes aren’t the right examples to use for this, but I still feel like there’s a sort of “doubles” theme in it. I’m not really sure how to explain it, nor am I sure if it actually means something, but I noticed it.
This is terrible. I feel like I always have the pieces spread out in front of me, but I can never put them together! Anyway, I hope to finish this book soon! After all, school starts in less than a week!
I really like the main character, (or at least I think he’s the main character), Yossarian. Though, everyone thinks he’s crazy, and it seems as though they all dislike him. He seems fairly normal to me, especially since all he wants is to get away from the war and stay alive for as long as possible. I don’t really think analyzing all the characters would be a good thing to do here, because there would be too many, however they’re quite interesting. I like how the author gives them all different personalities.
Another thing I found interesting was the Soldier in White who appeared in the first few chapters. He was faceless, and his identity was anonymous. What does it mean though? I’m not sure if it means anything, but it just really stood out for me.
Also, I feel like there’s a lot of “doubling” in the book: 55, 22 (Catch-22), Major Major, Gus and Wes, the two C.I.D. men. Maybe Major Major, Gus, and Wes aren’t the right examples to use for this, but I still feel like there’s a sort of “doubles” theme in it. I’m not really sure how to explain it, nor am I sure if it actually means something, but I noticed it.
This is terrible. I feel like I always have the pieces spread out in front of me, but I can never put them together! Anyway, I hope to finish this book soon! After all, school starts in less than a week!
Saturday, August 7, 2010
The Kite Runner (Ch.16-End)
I wanted to split the remaining part of the book in half, but when I started reading it yesterday, I just couldn’t put it down. Anyway, there were a few things that caught my attention and I think I’ll just list them:
-Wall of Ailing Corn: I think it represented Amir and Hassan’s friendship in a way. Or at least, for me that’s what it seemed like. When Rahim Khan was talking about how Hassan came and rebuilt it, I thought of Hassan wanting to see Amir again; to be friends with him again.
- The kites: the Taliban banned them. I assume that’s why the colors were “drained” from the book, and also, happiness was drained away from Afghanistan. I don’t know, I guess I just see things weirdly but to me it makes sense.
- The dream Amir had, where Hassan was blindfolded and Amir killed him. I thought it was great, (not in a literal sense because in all honesty it was a terrible dream to have), because Hassan couldn’t see his killer; it was Amir who had betrayed him, and Hassan didn’t know. He probably never will.
- When Farid told Amir that he basically was a tourist in his own country, I sort of agreed. I mean, when the author first described the house Amir lived in, I pictured a huge, beautiful house sitting in the middle of a poverty stricken town. It was almost as though Amir was isolated from the real Afghanistan.
-The fight with Assef: it was Amir finally sticking up for Hassan and “getting what he deserved” as well. Of course, Amir didn’t win the fight, (it was Sohrab who rescued him, just like Hassan had all those years ago), but with it came forgiveness, and that’s all that mattered.
- The scar: the one physical marking that separated Hassan from Amir was placed on Amir now. I’m not sure what it means exactly, but I know it’s significant to the story.
- Also, some time after the fight, when Amir and Sohrab entered the American embassy, they were hit by cold air. That’s not really the interesting part, it was the actual line in the book: “…the air-conditioning hit my face like a splash of ice water.” I feel myself going back to How to Read Literature like a Professor again; to the chapter on rebirth and baptism (it was baptism, right?) Was this one of those scenes? It seems like it.
I was screaming (in my head) with Amir when Sohrab had attempted suicide. I think I began reading a little faster at that point. But really, almost every scene in this book is unexpected and so intense. It reminded me a lot of What is the What, except this brought out a stronger emotional response from me, I think. I really enjoyed reading it!
And now, for the final book of the summer: Catch-22.
The reading begins…now.
-Wall of Ailing Corn: I think it represented Amir and Hassan’s friendship in a way. Or at least, for me that’s what it seemed like. When Rahim Khan was talking about how Hassan came and rebuilt it, I thought of Hassan wanting to see Amir again; to be friends with him again.
- The kites: the Taliban banned them. I assume that’s why the colors were “drained” from the book, and also, happiness was drained away from Afghanistan. I don’t know, I guess I just see things weirdly but to me it makes sense.
- The dream Amir had, where Hassan was blindfolded and Amir killed him. I thought it was great, (not in a literal sense because in all honesty it was a terrible dream to have), because Hassan couldn’t see his killer; it was Amir who had betrayed him, and Hassan didn’t know. He probably never will.
- When Farid told Amir that he basically was a tourist in his own country, I sort of agreed. I mean, when the author first described the house Amir lived in, I pictured a huge, beautiful house sitting in the middle of a poverty stricken town. It was almost as though Amir was isolated from the real Afghanistan.
-The fight with Assef: it was Amir finally sticking up for Hassan and “getting what he deserved” as well. Of course, Amir didn’t win the fight, (it was Sohrab who rescued him, just like Hassan had all those years ago), but with it came forgiveness, and that’s all that mattered.
- The scar: the one physical marking that separated Hassan from Amir was placed on Amir now. I’m not sure what it means exactly, but I know it’s significant to the story.
- Also, some time after the fight, when Amir and Sohrab entered the American embassy, they were hit by cold air. That’s not really the interesting part, it was the actual line in the book: “…the air-conditioning hit my face like a splash of ice water.” I feel myself going back to How to Read Literature like a Professor again; to the chapter on rebirth and baptism (it was baptism, right?) Was this one of those scenes? It seems like it.
I was screaming (in my head) with Amir when Sohrab had attempted suicide. I think I began reading a little faster at that point. But really, almost every scene in this book is unexpected and so intense. It reminded me a lot of What is the What, except this brought out a stronger emotional response from me, I think. I really enjoyed reading it!
And now, for the final book of the summer: Catch-22.
The reading begins…now.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
The Kite Runner (Ch.11-15)
I feel like the relationship between Amir and his Baba has been getting better since they’ve moved to the U.S, and since they basically only have each other now. The bar scene was great, it really made me smile.
Also, I’m somewhat glad that Amir still feels guilt after all those years. However, I’m really hoping this book has a happy ending, even though, some of the best books hardly ever do.
America, land of the free. Valentino and Amir have similar feelings toward America. They both came here for freedom, a chance to start new (or actually, continue their lives,) and of course, to escape violence. They both started off with nothing in America as well (that’s the “start new” part of it.) The main difference between them is that Valentino lived in poverty in Marial Bai and Amir lived a rich life. They both came to America because of war and they both weren’t as happy as they used to be when they came here, but America gave them the freedom they needed. Though, they both got used to life here.
My parents and I felt the same, though it’s a story I don’t want to get into here. But, for all refugees, immigrants, etc., America means freedom…it’s the rest that doesn’t come easy.
Two things I noticed were the birth mark on Soraya’s jaw line and the bag of fruit that Jamila gave Amir (it was full of peaches and kiwis.) In a mini paragraph, Amir’s father takes the peaches and bites into one. A peach symbolizes…a woman, (well, more that just a woman, but I’ll leave it at ‘woman,’) so I’m assuming when Amir’s father takes a bite out of it, he means “go for Soraya.” That was embarrassing. I hope I’m not wrong...
Illnesses; a chapter in How To Read Literature Like A Professor! So, Jamila’s mom is slightly paralyzed in the face (I think it was just the face) because of a stroke that she had. I’m assuming the author did that not JUST because she had a stroke (since these characters are fictional) but also because there must be some sort of “paralysis” in her life. And there is! Her husband constantly tells her what to do and keeps her confined in a little space (not literally;) he “silences her song.” It’s not until her husband begins seeing that he isn’t the healthiest of the two that they begin to loosen up. Then of course, there’s Baba who gets diagnosed with cancer. Just like Tuberculosis, this disease causes the person to waste away slowly. Baba’s death made me so sad but I’m glad that it ended sort of happily; Amir and Soraya got married.
Also, this stuck out to me: emptiness. I’m not sure if this means anything, but I saw these two patterns. It was first mentioned when his father died, then when he found out that his wife couldn’t have a baby; everything was empty. I’m assuming it has to do with life. Maybe…life’s empty for him now?
I hope, by going to Rahim Khan, he’s able to fix this.
Also, I’m somewhat glad that Amir still feels guilt after all those years. However, I’m really hoping this book has a happy ending, even though, some of the best books hardly ever do.
America, land of the free. Valentino and Amir have similar feelings toward America. They both came here for freedom, a chance to start new (or actually, continue their lives,) and of course, to escape violence. They both started off with nothing in America as well (that’s the “start new” part of it.) The main difference between them is that Valentino lived in poverty in Marial Bai and Amir lived a rich life. They both came to America because of war and they both weren’t as happy as they used to be when they came here, but America gave them the freedom they needed. Though, they both got used to life here.
My parents and I felt the same, though it’s a story I don’t want to get into here. But, for all refugees, immigrants, etc., America means freedom…it’s the rest that doesn’t come easy.
Two things I noticed were the birth mark on Soraya’s jaw line and the bag of fruit that Jamila gave Amir (it was full of peaches and kiwis.) In a mini paragraph, Amir’s father takes the peaches and bites into one. A peach symbolizes…a woman, (well, more that just a woman, but I’ll leave it at ‘woman,’) so I’m assuming when Amir’s father takes a bite out of it, he means “go for Soraya.” That was embarrassing. I hope I’m not wrong...
Illnesses; a chapter in How To Read Literature Like A Professor! So, Jamila’s mom is slightly paralyzed in the face (I think it was just the face) because of a stroke that she had. I’m assuming the author did that not JUST because she had a stroke (since these characters are fictional) but also because there must be some sort of “paralysis” in her life. And there is! Her husband constantly tells her what to do and keeps her confined in a little space (not literally;) he “silences her song.” It’s not until her husband begins seeing that he isn’t the healthiest of the two that they begin to loosen up. Then of course, there’s Baba who gets diagnosed with cancer. Just like Tuberculosis, this disease causes the person to waste away slowly. Baba’s death made me so sad but I’m glad that it ended sort of happily; Amir and Soraya got married.
Also, this stuck out to me: emptiness. I’m not sure if this means anything, but I saw these two patterns. It was first mentioned when his father died, then when he found out that his wife couldn’t have a baby; everything was empty. I’m assuming it has to do with life. Maybe…life’s empty for him now?
I hope, by going to Rahim Khan, he’s able to fix this.
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