Chris Kang

[Chris Kang @ckanglit]

DFW tells us that college education is not for the point of being smarter or for the ability to "over-intellectualize". The point of it is to teach ourselves how to think and control our consciousness out of its "default" setting. #laylit20

[Chris Kang @ckanglit]

@litwithlayton I liked the opening. It is simple and does a great job explaining that we as humans are born into the world blind to our realities. Just as how the fish in the metaphor questioned what water was, we must question the truths of our "default" mindset of selfishness. #laylit20

[Chris Kang @ckanglit]

The Euphio Question made me think that if humans merely existed in a euphoric state, there would be no point in living. Life is about finding your own happiness and if something takes that opportunity away, there is really no purpose to life #laylit20

[Chris Kang @ckanglit]

Aubade's "work has to be done" is a harsh reality. It does not matter if you embrace death or try to escape its reality, the monotonous workday must be completed and life must slowly drag on. #laylit20

[Chris Kang @ckanglit]

I really liked this story from Vonnegut. Its shows war requires an ability to see humans as tools and not lives. Though we as readers feel angry at Kelly for sacrificing his son, we still sympathize with him for making the ultimate sacrifice to save even more lives #laylit20

[Chris Kang @ckanglit]

Really clever quote by Vonnegut when Pi Ying says the white men moving first is an "ancient tradition". It implies that throughout history, it is always Western powers that are quick to invade and colonize foreign lands #laylit20

[Chris Kang @ckanglit]

@litwithlayton I really like the title. It gives the story a true absurdist feel since the word monkey holds connotations of wildness and silliness. I think the title describes the world of the story. Everything is so controlled and absurd, it may as well be a monkey house #laylit20

[Chris Kang @ckanglit]

I agree with how Vonnegut criticizes the government and religion for controlling sex and individuality, but it feels weird knowing that Billy had to rape Nancy to liberate her. Maybe Vonnegut held not so progressive views on women, as this story was published in 1968 #laylit20

[Chris Kang @ckanglit]

@EshaSinha4 The woods symbolize an area free from societal pressures. In the woods, Catharine feels comfortable expressing her true love to Newt, even though she is about to be married. It brings out her truest emotions. #laylit20

[Chris Kang @ckanglit]

@Gvitboro @litwithlayton I agree and also want to add that the “forever” part of the title implies that the spiritual journey of true love never ends. There is no limit to how much further Newt and Catherine take their love after the story. #laylit20

[Chris Kang @ckanglit]

George, who suffers a mental handicap, still defends the government's equalizing. It reminds me of North Korean citizens who blindly support their leader, even though he is starving them to death. It shows oppression can turn one against his own well being. #laylit20

[Chris Kang @ckanglit]

@youareasaucyboy I agree. I thought it was oddly existential of the handicapper general to just come in and end Harrison's life. It proved that doing all of the equality enforcing and handicapping is meaningless, as we all suffer the same inevitable fate of death #laylit20

[Chris Kang @ckanglit]

@EniolaAramide6 I think so. The whole basis of the Children Act of 1989 was too make sure that the welfare of the child was "paramount" in a decision. If Fiona had wrote Adam letters back, I think the whole ending of the story would be different. #laylit20

[Chris Kang @ckanglit]

McEwan uses weather to illustrate Fiona's emotions. As she ran home after the concert, there was a heavy rainstorm which shows her unstable emotions. After being comforted by Jack, the storm changed to its "softer nocturnal rhythms", showing her alleviated distress. #laylit20

[Chris Kang @ckanglit]

@aking_dididindu @mchenchard I agree. If she is doubting her life choices, she has picked a career that is not fully suited for her. Though I think being a wandering musician has less impact on society than a court judge, doing what you love in my opinion outweighs all. #laylit20

[Chris Kang @ckanglit]

Jack's rant about how humans are "signing [their] names in the geological record" for when civ. goes extinct (184) is an eerily existential topic. He might be finding comfort in knowing death is inevitable after making his mistake with Melanie #laylit20

[Chris Kang @ckanglit]

It is interesting that Fiona thought of the "teddies" and "toy cupboard" when Adam offers to live with her. Maybe Fiona is not attracted to Adam himself, but the idea of caring for him. I think Fiona feels she can be a mother figure to Adam as she was with her nieces. #laylit20

[Chris Kang @ckanglit]

@sydnopsis I think Adam is still too idealistic. I think it was more shock than anger. He probably imagined her saying yes and living a happy life with her, but her sending him away crushed any notion of his romantic fantasy #laylit20

[Chris Kang @ckanglit]

@litwithlayton I think he finally realized his religious community and his own parents were not as interested in his well being as he thought. He feels like life is worth living again and that Fiona is the only person worth genuinely connecting with since she allowed his transfusion #laylit20

[Chris Kang @ckanglit]

When Fiona's nieces visit, there seems to be a glimmer of hope for her relationship with Jack. They both seem to love the company of children and the addition of their own might revitalize their love by giving them something to care about together #laylit20