Shweta Parthasarathy

[Shweta Parthasarathy @shweLIT2020]

@EschbachJackie @LKoncsol I agree. I get that he was trying to make a point and be kinda relatable in telling this story that a lot of people can potentially experience, but the way he did it could be construed as offensive. Oh also, I don’t even want to know what “spacey people” means. #laylit20

[Shweta Parthasarathy @shweLIT2020]

@litwithlayton I liked when he said every person sees themselves as the center of the universe, but it’s a “socially repulsive” thought. Disappointment is an emotion that only comes when someone is focused on their own feelings. It is hard to be disappointed on someone else’s behalf. #laylit20

[Shweta Parthasarathy @shweLIT2020]

“She even got to the market.”
Wow a woman drove a car to a place she’s probably been a hundred times? Shocking! #laylit20

[Shweta Parthasarathy @shweLIT2020]

@sarahliucifer That’s exactly what I thought when I read that! Even though the feeling was just “extraordinarily pleasant”, that was too much for them to handle. My favorite part by far was Fred looking puzzled after saying that it was a memorable experience. #laylit20

[Shweta Parthasarathy @shweLIT2020]

It also emphasizes the hypocrisy exhibited by the people society looks up to, which we can definitely see in today’s American government, for example. #laylit20

[Shweta Parthasarathy @shweLIT2020]

I liked how Foxy Grandpa, when telling the story of J Edgar Nation, explained that he had 11 children when he developed this ethical birth control. This highlights the divide between those in power and those who have none. #laylit20

[Shweta Parthasarathy @shweLIT2020]

@R_Ofori @litwithlayton He justifies raping Nancy by basically saying that this is what women used to feel on their wedding days, and that she should be grateful. It’s kind of an absurd argument for raping someone... why should she be grateful that she was humiliated and violated? #laylit20

[Shweta Parthasarathy @shweLIT2020]

@R_Ofori @litwithlayton I thought the viewpoint was sort of aligned with feminism, but Billly, on multiple occasions, blames other things for, or justify, how he treats women. When Nancy says that he makes her feel like an object rather than a person, he blames the pills. #laylit20

[Shweta Parthasarathy @shweLIT2020]

@sarahliucifer @EschbachJackie I thought of the bells as a symbol of clarity too, in a way. Even when you are blind to your own feelings and emotions, something like a bell can be the force that wakes you up to reality. #laylit20

[Shweta Parthasarathy @shweLIT2020]

@LKoncsol I would assume they use medical procedures and therapies to make them “better”. In other words, they improve them to be on the same equal level instead of making them worse because they’re too good. #laylit20

[Shweta Parthasarathy @shweLIT2020]

Hard work can pay off, so maybe if he kept working at it he could overcome the impediment, but why should he get a raise when he can’t fulfill the basic needs of his job? #laylit20

[Shweta Parthasarathy @shweLIT2020]

I thought Hazel saying that the TV announcer should get a raise essentially for trying so hard was interesting. It’s sort of like participation trophies, given out just for being there, whether you earned it or not. #laylit20

[Shweta Parthasarathy @shweLIT2020]

@litwithlayton It kind of reminds of this... #laylit20

[Shweta Parthasarathy @shweLIT2020]

@litwithlayton I think he emphasized the difference between fairness and equality. This story provides an example of complete equality, but it clearly isn’t fair for George to have to listen to an insane amount of radio and carry weights just because of his intelligence. #laylit20

[Shweta Parthasarathy @shweLIT2020]

@litwithlayton McEwan shows throughout the book that interpreting a law like this is extremely subjective and theoretical. #laylit20

[Shweta Parthasarathy @shweLIT2020]

@litwithlayton The epigraph is taken from a British law concerning the welfare of children. I think the key word there is welfare, especially in this case. Does welfare mean physical well-being or psychological well-being? If it means both, which gets the priority in a case like this? #laylit20

[Shweta Parthasarathy @shweLIT2020]

@litwithlayton In particular, he shows that even the people who depend mostly on logic have feelings and emotions. Not having an avenue of expressing those emotions can be disastrous. #laylit20

[Shweta Parthasarathy @shweLIT2020]

@litwithlayton A large part of the novel was showing Fiona’s humanity and how she, like everyone else, has flaws that she brings to her job. To many people, especially those who have to come before a judge, they seem like infallible and powerful people, but McEwan shows otherwise. #laylit20

[Shweta Parthasarathy @shweLIT2020]

@mchenchard But still, judges start out as attorneys, mostly public defenders or prosecutors. Those jobs are demanding don’t pay well, but most people find it fulfilling because you get to serve your community. So ultimately, you need to have that emotional connection there too. #laylit20

[Shweta Parthasarathy @shweLIT2020]

@mchenchard Theoretically, a judge should be able to separate fact and law from emotion, which in this case, Fiona hasn’t done. She is very emotional, which I think would have helped her has a musician, if she had chosen that path. #laylit20