Michael Atlas

#laylit18

[Michael Atlas @MichaelAtlas8]

@litwithlayton That’s amazing thank god

[Michael Atlas @MichaelAtlas8]

@SmrutiRajpara Yah I completely agree.

[Michael Atlas @MichaelAtlas8]

Is Fiona really wrong for kissing Adam? Her husband went off and cheated on her just to come back, isnt she now owed something of a passionate nature. In the terms of her marriage, she isn’t guilty, but she does hurt Adam along the way, which isn’t permissible. #Laylit18

[Michael Atlas @MichaelAtlas8]

...organized religion #Laylit18

[Michael Atlas @MichaelAtlas8]

After reading this book, it is clear that Ian McEwan has a strong biased against religion. He makes the point in the book that it clouds the judgement of people, causing them to be irrational. It is a very biased side of the story, and shows that McEwan himself is not a fan of...

[Michael Atlas @MichaelAtlas8]

...in that way she is guilty. #Laylit18

[Michael Atlas @MichaelAtlas8]

Fiona is and isn’t responsible for Adam’s “suicide.” She cannot be expected to allow him to live with her, and did the right thing pushing him away, even if it ended badly. On the other hand, kissing him in the first place was wrong, and most likely triggered the suicide, so...

[Michael Atlas @MichaelAtlas8]

Adam’s interest in Fiona, and her reciprocated interest in Adam, was easily foreseeable. Fiona lacks youth and passion, and Adam lacks direction. They both can offer each other this missing piece, so it’s only natural that close proximity bring them together #laylit18

[Michael Atlas @MichaelAtlas8]

Once Fiona talks to Adam, the situation changes and so does my opinion of it. It is clear that Adam has been manipulated by the elders to believing that his death will make him a great martyr and a hero. It is clear that his choice is not his own anyway. #Laylit18

[Michael Atlas @MichaelAtlas8]

I feel as if determining Adam’s fate based on his leukemia and blood transfusion is not the responsibility of the court. He and his family are entitled to their beliefs, and they should be able to act, or not act, upon them if they so choose. #Laylit18

[Michael Atlas @MichaelAtlas8]

When it comes to the Jewish girls and their education, the smart choice is clear. In order to allow them to live the fullest lives, with the most options, they must go with their mother’s plan. In this way they will be able to enjoy life to the fullest. #Laylit18

[Michael Atlas @MichaelAtlas8]

Jack is completely irrational in asking for a free pass to sleep with another woman. It doesn’t matter how much passion his relationship lacks, the solution is to fix the relationship, not temporarily jump to another. #Laylit18

[Michael Atlas @MichaelAtlas8]

The chaplains discussion with about God reveals a lot about Meursault yet again. He clearly rejects all notion of any higher power, probably never even bothering to ponder it. It doesn’t directly affect his existence, so why would he even consider the notion of a God #Laylit18

[Michael Atlas @MichaelAtlas8]

Meursault is being treated incredibly unfairly at his trial. His mother has absolutely nothing to do with the murder at hand. All that matters is that he killed a man, nothing else. The motive behind the killing doesn’t matter, only the killing. #laylit18

[Michael Atlas @MichaelAtlas8]

It is hard to understand exactly why he shoots the Arab 4 extra times. It is clear that those four extra shots don’t mean anything to him on a level of consequence, but they must’ve meant something for him to waste his time and bullets in the first place. #Laylit18

[Michael Atlas @MichaelAtlas8]

On the beach, another aspect of Meursaults existential nature is made clear. He is obsessed with his surroundings and what he physically feels. The sun beats down on him, and it completely consumes him. His experience is set by his existence, and that alone #Laylit18

[Michael Atlas @MichaelAtlas8]

As old Salamano vents about his last dog, Meursault once again refers back to his theory of “getting used to” something. He claims that Salamano never loved the dog, just became used to it over time, and that he is not used to the dog’s absence, causing his sadness #laylit18

[Michael Atlas @MichaelAtlas8]

...of emotions and love is a quirk, rather than his true self. Like the reader, other characters in the novel most likely cannot understand his thoughts, and instead try to rationalize or attribute his strange behavior to other things #Laylit18

[Michael Atlas @MichaelAtlas8]

As irregular as Meursault seems to us, conversations with other characters such as Marie show that he appears much more normal on the surface, even though he does not try to hide his unconventional thoughts. For example, Marie wants marry him, probably assuming his dismissal...

[Michael Atlas @MichaelAtlas8]

I find Meursaults relationship with Marie especially interesting, as it gives the reader hope that some part of him is capable of normal human connection. This could not be more false, as it is revealed that Marie is simply a way to appease his sexual desire. #Laylit18