Job #4!
Hmmm...a thinking question.
I was trying to come up with some incredible question with such insane intellect that you'd all be like "WHOA," but my question isn't going to be insanely intellectual. In fact, it's pretty basic. But it's a question that I genuinely want to know what you guys think about it.
What was the point of this story?
I know, it's not a very original question. But I think it's one that needs to be answered about every book or story or poem, in order to get its full effect. We could ask all these complicated questions about the plot, the characters, the details, but what is the message? Doesn't that need to be asked?
What was the point of this story? Do you think it was merely a story, or do you think Bierce was trying to get a point across?
I feel like it was more just a story,but he could've been trying to tell us not to meddle in others business also.
ReplyDeleteVery true! It's always a possibility that the story was merely a story.
DeleteI think he was trying to get this point accross: That we may think people are evil and wrong, but when we actually get to know them and learn what they are like, we may change our minds. Farquhar was of the opinion that the Yanks were dead wrong and that the Confederates were dead right. We are all entitled to our own opinions. Can I condemn Farquhar to death for his opinion? He had a wife he loved, and children. He had dreams. "His eyes were large and dark gray, and had a kindly expression which one would hardly have expected in one whose neck was in the hemp."
ReplyDeleteBierce was comparing and contrasting the Confederate and the Yankee. He portrayed the Yank as evil (hanging Farquhar/shooting at him) and Farquhar as good. It is all a matter of perspective.
It's so true, Sarah! I think the character really demonstrates a profound point, that motives are often mixed. Characters are often uninterpretable (I think I'm making up a word there, hah). People aren't always what they seem.
DeleteI think the point of the story was to show us that death is an incredibly thought provoking adventure, that of which plays with your mind, causing you to experience your last moments-- reaching out for what you know you're leaving behind, while running away from reality at the same time.
ReplyDeleteYeah...and we won't be able to stop and ponder death when we're going through it. :)
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