Chapter 2:
Questions I have about this book....
WOW!! What kind of twisted book is this? I cannot believe that I have never read this before. I am most excited about the possibility of what is to come. I am certainly thinking ahead of how do I use this text and explain the significance to today's society. The relevance is quite shocking and I have so many questions. Number one, what is SOMA that everyone keeps addressing? Number two, the main questions that I have revolve around the different castes of children. I am so curious to know what the students who are in a lower caste thinks and if there is some sort of revolt?
This book makes me think of the show we watched in class where the girl didn't want to have surgery to make her "pretty". It's futuristic feel is overwhelming and one that really makes you judge society and the values that we place on people. The one thing that I am intrigued about is the books and literature diss--is the author saying that we do not value knowledge?? Hmmm
I went back and read your last post to see what you were voluntarily reading. I have seen all of Wayward Pines so far. I showed an episode to my class to get them hooked as well. We even read some of the book; it is part of a three-book series. Sci-fi is my favorite genre; it’s almost all I ever watch in TV or movies, which may explain my inability to conform or function normally within society. You have me at a disadvantage, myself not being an English major. What do you mean exactly when you say a character is not developed or the writer’s style is stiff or rigid? An author with the last name Prose, how ironic? I love it when one of my students can’t put down her book. I have a couple now who are upset when they leave theirs in their cars, or even when they have to stop reading them long enough to do my class. Although I am not responsible for either of their book choices, I am happy in the knowledge that they are doing more to improve their literacy with their avid reading than anything I can do for them.
ReplyDeleteI am also intrigued with Brave New World. I was supposed to read it in English something, 102 maybe, in one of my undergrad attempts in the 70’s. I passed the class but didn't read the book. I also have plans to use this in class, and have found two movie versions, one made in 1980 and the other in the mid to late 90’s. After reading this week, I am guessing SOMA is a drug of some type. I don't think the children in the lower caste, or any caste for that matter, are supposed to do much thinking, and especially not about changing anything. I agree, this is so much like today, and every today there has been. Every generation believes they have finally gotten it right, that generations before them were ignorant and barbaric. I get the feeling there will be some revolt, or at least some resistance. I get the gloomy feeling, like in 1984, that the revolt will fail and nothing will change and the people will go on being sheep, living only to consume. I think the ones who run that society understand that knowledge in the hands of the people would destroy their system. It looks like the ones at the top still have access to books and knowledge, that just don't let the general population have any.
Since I was asked this question about Unwind, I will pass it along to you: would you teach this in your class? I think Brave New World has a story of huge value and needs to be taught, but how happy would your students’ parents be to have their children reading a book about encouraging childhood promiscuity and outlawing marriage and fidelity? You said you wanted to be an administrator; would you be willing to defend one of your teachers who used this book, in front of the superintendent or the school board?
Please don't forget to list the prompt that you are responding to--so I can keep your response in context--this makes i.e. easier to use as future samples for you as well. The idea of revolt is pretty rampant in dystopian lit--probably why it appeals to so many adolescent readers--I also wonder what it would be like--having your future predestined by your caste--would life be simpler not wanting for more?
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