In Chapters 9 & 10, Spaz and Ryter begin their journey across the latches. I think that Spaz knows that the success of his journey is dependent on Ryter's help - which makes Spaz all the more resentful of Ryter and his wisdom. (Some of Ryter's philosopical statements have been included on the left.) Why do you think that Spaz is not able to show much gratitude for Ryter's help?
Review the text for Ryter's list of other famous people with epilepsy. Write them down and find out when/where they lived and what they are famous for. Are there other traits that many or all of them share?
In addition to the 'real history', we learn some more about the events that got to world to the state that it is in. What do we know so far?
Chapter 10 ends with quite a cliffhanger. Since we are so early in the book I think it is safe to assume that Spaz and Ryter are going to get out of this tough spot - and I am interested in finding out how!
Friday, February 22, 2008
Down the Pipe
Posted by Mr. Z at 7:14 AM
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3 Comments:
I think that Spaz cannot let himself trust Ryter. His experience with family is so devastating after being turned out, that he cannot trust anyone. On p. 16, when Spaz is at Ryter's for the bustdown, he says ".. he must be hiding something. Everybody tries to hide something." That sums up Spaz in a nutshell. Spaz also doesn't relate to Ryter and his optimism at the future. On p. 19 Spaz talks about how he's never thought about the future and that "There's only room for the right here, and the want it now." It's pretty sad that Spaz is basically without hope and that Ryter seems to bring out his antagonism at this.
I liked one more quote from Ch.10, p. 69. where Ryter says "...many a man has died looking for treasure that doesn't exist." Could that be a warning to Spaz?
I'm still researching epileptics but your question got me to wondering if there are traits that these people from history share not just with each other, but also with Spaz?
I think that the reason Spaz isn’t very grateful for the big help Wryter is being is because of the water, rats, and all of the talking he does. First of all, he hates the rats. the red eyes apparently scare him in a way, and he thinks they can gnaw your nose off. He doesn’t seem very happy about the water, complaining about how deep it is. and his comments on Wryter’s speech aren’t very positive.
I am wondering about the monkey boys. Why do they paint their faces to look like monkey faces? And why does Spaz think there eyes show they want to kill him? They seem to be strange boys. I can’t wait to find out about them.
Under here, I put a list of famous people with Epilepsy, and what they were famous for.
Artists:
Leonardo da Vinci
Vincent van Gogh
Authors
Agatha Christie
Lewis Carroll
Charles Dickens
Poets:
Alfred lord Tennyson
Edger Allen Poe
Other
Julies Caesar (conquered Guam (France)
Napoleon Bonaparte (French emperor)
Harriet Tubman(famous African American)
John of Arc(saint)
Sir Isaac Newton(inventor)
the great Paganini(Composer)
Ben, you listed what they were know for but you did not answer the question regarding any trait they shared.
On trait that I see is that they are all very creative people and often thinkers ahead of their times.
We learned that siezures are caused by a flood of impulses the brain cannot handle.
Would it be fair to say that creativity is also a flood of impulses to the brain?
Also, I think your response regarding the relationship between Spaz and Ryter is not supported by the evidence. Spaz has been hostile and angry toward Ryter from the first moment they met. I think Kris' comment regarding Trust is much closer to the point.
Spaz has been on his own and fending for himself for a while now. It is understandable that his instinct is to be very wary of other people - even when they seem to possess a clear wisdom.
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