Chapters 6 to 8
In chapters’ six to eight, there is quite a lot happening. First, David meets with the inspector and is interrogated for his involvement with Sophie. David seems to understand the situation, but feels very sad that Sophie will be punished for having an extra toe. The inspector is a very important person; his authority exceeds anyone living in Waknuk. Uncle Axel becomes a very important friend that David can trust. He tells this amazing story of the world outside Labrador. He retells his voyages to the south. He describes dark cities, mutated animals and plants, Fringes’ lands and other exciting places to see. He discourages David to go on such a trip because it is far more dangerous than what he thought it would be. An important characteristic about Axel is his willingness to understand the world around him and to keep David’s secret. He makes a promise to keep David’s dreams a secret and assures him that everything will be fine unless David will not expose himself publically. Axel questions whenever what we truly believe must be necessarily true. Bible does mention any deviations; it simply people’s mentality which guides our lives. In my opinion this was the funniest scene so far. As I can see David having so many troubles comprehending what his uncle is saying. On the other hand, David is a child; it will take him many years before he will view world differently. Uncle Axel is an amazing person. He is such a smart person, someone different from this boring society. I think that as the story progresses he will be David’s help, a person that will protect David from others.
The most striking scene appears when David’s mother gives birth to a new child. At the same time aunt Harriet’s visits the family. She also gave a birth to a child; however, her child has a defect. It is much smaller than all the other kids. Harriet asks David’s mom to switch kids so she can get a certificate because she won’t be able to stand a third loss in such short period of time. David’s father is repelled by such a request. He calls Harriet a devil and her daughter a “MUTANT!”. I found one quote particularly interesting. It is on page 75, Chapter 8, first paragraph, 8th line. “I am not ashamed- I am only beaten… I shall pray God to send charity into this hideous world, and sympathy for the weak, and love for the unhappy and unfortunate.” “I shall ask Him if it is indeed His will that a child should suffer and its soul be damned for a little blemish of the body…” Quote page 73, second paragraph, 10thline. I can see a desperate mother, so desperate that she is acting impulsively, yet using her mother instincts to protect her child. She refers to God, and questions his will. She wishes to understand whenever her child needs to suffer pain, for something she did not do. There is no surprise that at the end Harriet commits a suicide. Let’s by real, losing three kids in a row, is simply too much to bear. Suicide looks as the easiest option at the time. I can truly understand why this woman ended her life. Who would not?
David starts to be frightened about his secret ability. He starts to pray to God to wash his “sin” away so he can be pure. His fright was partly brought by Sophie being captured and by Aunt Harriet’s suicide. He starts to see how dangerous it can be for being different. He asks Axel for advise, to give his some tips that will prevent anyone from seeing or noticing his strange dreams. On the other hand, he meets with eight other gifted children. They exchange thoughts and comfort each other to keep things as positive as they can.
Personally, I feel that David is frightened. The culmination of all the events makes him worried and scared of being executed or sterilized. It is hard for him to focus, since his mind is filled with tones of information; some coming from recent events, others from his uncle Axel. I believe that David’s identity will be discovered soon. I hope that this father will keep him alive. Every tyrant has a warm part of his personality. The big questions to be answered are: What will happen with Sophie? Will someone unmask David? Will Uncle Axel save David?
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3 comments:
I agree that Uncle Axel is growing into a more important character in the chapters to come. His relationship with David is strong. this bond will help David in the future. Axel is very wise an has his own opinions. He does not share the same ideas has Davids father and almost everyone in this country. This, I think has given David the encouragement and the understanding that helped him get over his fear of being discovered. Also the facts that made him realize his telepathic ability is special and even though it is different then most people, it is a good difference.
at the beginning of chapter eight Petra, David's little sister is born. This came to a bit of a surprise to David, as well a me. Because the author was telling of a new child in the story i had the feeling there had to be a reason. Before the inspector had come i was very anxious to see if this new baby was of the "true image". When David's Aunt arrived with her own child i was afraid. A small defect on a new child made David's Aunt commit suicide. this came to a bit of a shock to me because of her statement when she was leaving Davids house, as you mentioned, she was not ashamed just beaten. I really thought that she would fight back and rise above. This and Sophie's capture drew David to be frightened. But this feeling he has dies down by the end of the chapter.
The last sentence the author wrote was "Until, in fact, the day when we discovered that the eight of us had suddenly become nine." This is foreshadowing which the author does a lot in this book. I am anxious to see who becomes the ninth member.
Sorry. i did write a post but for some reason it was erased or i didn't correctly post it. here is a brief comment, i have somewhat lost my thoughts.
I agree that Uncle Axel is a great friend and companion to David. He is a trustworthy man and also very wise. He is not brain washed like many others in the Waknut. I think Uncle Axel really opened Davids eyes, (even though David does not truing understand what his uncle it telling him) by telling him all about the different kinds of people who think they are the true image. I think Uncle Axel loves David and will be an important character in the chapters to come. He will do almost anything to protect David and the others.
The birth of Petra, came as a surprise and a twist in the story. When I first read this I was wondering why the author would be introducing this new character in the book. Petra must have an important roll to come. That quoat you mentioned was also in my head for a little while. I think that Davids aunt has the right idea and has more loyalty and knowledge then most. When she committed suicide at the end of the chapter, it scared me a bit for David. He already saw Sophie have to run away for an extra toe and now his aunt is dead because her third child had a small defect.
Davids strange dreams stir questions in my mind. Will these dreams have significants in the end? As For david i hope he gets over his questioning purity and praying to have his "sin" washed away. It is a great ability.
I was wondering about this foreshadowing for quite a bit, but was not sure if there truly be another child. It was shocking to see David's aunt commit suicide. It was a kind of warning from the author, telling us to other people would die in the upcoming chapters. I do not want to spoil other chapters, and thank you again for your comments :)
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