(Ben and I are writing this together after reading Chapters 5 & 6)
Today's reading added to our list of questions.
What is the source of Billy Bismo's power? He clearly is a strong leader. Why do people respect him? How does he intimidate them? Billy has three rules:
- Always beleive Billy.
- Always obey Billy.
- Always speak true to Billy.
It seems like everyone follows the rules. Why?
We were both intrigued by Spaz's family story - at least the little of it we know. We are anxious to hear the details.
I (Dad) confess that I did not connect his name 'Spaz' with his epilepsy, even though he talked about it in the first paragraphs of the book. Ryter suggested that the Epilepsy might actually not be a 'curse' (as Spaz sees it) because it prevents him for using the 'Probes'. Ben agrees with Ryter.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Questions, Questions, Questions
Posted by Mr. Z at 2:52 PM
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2 Comments:
Billy is a powerful leader and Spaz actualy gives us couple of clues as to where his power comes from. On P. 27 Spaz says "What matters is paying attention to Bily Bizmo because you never know what Billy is really thinking and that's just one of a thousand things that make him dangerous." Spaz also goes on to describe Billy's eyes on p. 29 where he says "Sometimes his eyes are bright and interested and that makes you want to please him, and then he blinks and his eyes are dead and you're scared he wants to make you dead, too, just for the cool of it. Just because he can." So Billy is both unpredictable and still has a charisma that attracts those over whom he weilds his power.
As for Spaz and his epilepsy, it's hard to see why Ryter tells Spaz not to hate it because "it's part f what made you" when all it appears to have made Spaz is miserable and alone. I liked Spaz's description of his name, calling it not just a name, but a "warning." p. 36
I understand what you are saying about Billy (and had highlighted those two passages when I read them) but I still feel there must be something more then charisma. I am guessing that he is not a 'prober'. I think he likes and protects Spaz because he rocognizes that Spaz is one of the few that can think enough to fully appreciate Billy's power. I took his story about how Proovs treat regulars that have been talking to other proovs to be just that - a story and means for Billy to control people with fear.
Ryters comment suggests that Spaz faces a 'Hobsons Choice' (look it up Ben)- he can be a thinker that is surrounded by bad things to think about, or he can be a non-thinker. Which would be worse?
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