Wow. Totally did not think I would be the first to comment. One thing I found particularly interesting was that Carlos continues to look for Cecilia even though he is quite sure that she either is, or will be dead. The meeting with many others who also had strange disappearances, reminded me of an AA meeting. Carlos "sat in an old rattan chri facing the people" and asked people to share their own experiances and loses with the group (43). This group of people are all sharing their stories and supporting each other because they have all been through the same thing. However, towards the end of the gathering, Carlos cuts a woman off and brings back the conversation to his wife. Cecilia will always be the most important, no matter how much help he gives to others. His first priority no matter what will be to "find [his] wife" (46).
I agree that Carlos has an undying love for Cecilia that causes him to continue his search despite poor odds for finding her. Carlos has incredible optimism throughout this whole ordeal. Although it has hit very close to home, he continues to have a rational head about things, knowing that this is a war of ideals. For example, when he goes to Guzman's office, he creates the image of there being a brick wall in Guzman's head. "He knew that if he could somehow open Guzman's head, peer inside his skull, he would find a brick wall" (108). Carlos knows that the most difficult part of gaining peace will be convincing the authorities that they are wrong, as the authorities are so set in their ways and unwilling to change their opinions. Carlos' optimism and confidence in their nonviolent protest also shines through after he exposes the spy that has infiltrated the meeting with the mothers. He does not sink down to the level of the criminals, stopping a man from hurting the spy, because he knows that his message will never be heard if he resorts to such measures.
I agree with both Julia and Deidre regarding Carlos’ love for his wife. The love he feels is so strong that he is willing to go to great distances to try to help her. Tragically, his powers to see what happens to victims kidnapped by the government do not work on his wife. His visions about her are short and infrequent, and do not provide him with enough information to locate her. This drives him even crazier, as he cannot find out where she is no matter how much effort he puts into it. I think that the reason that Carlos will never find his wife is because he needs to do greater good than this. If he found his wife quickly and with no effort, he might not have the motivation to help others who had loved ones kidnapped as well. Because Cecilia remains lost, Carlos has reason to save other lives. He knows the feeling of hopelessly looking for loved ones, and does not want any other person to have to go through it. Carlos may never find Cecilia, but he will not live with the guilt that he did not help others.
I was born and raised in Saint Louis, Missouri and first moved to Massachusetts to attend Amherst College, where I majored in both English and Russian literature. After graduation, I accepted a Fulbright Scholarship to the University of Tartu in Estonia, where I studied children's literature and semiotics ("the study of signs and symbols"). I returned to the United States to spend a few years exploring the wide world of business, but the classroom kept calling. It was high time to earn my Masters in Education from Tufts University and join the staff at Arlington High School.
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Just a friendly reminder that class calendars are subject to change. Sometimes I make mistakes (it's true!) and sometimes we just move a little more or less quickly than predicted. I will announce any changes in class and try to post them as quickly as possible on the blog. You are responsible for any updates made in class.
Wow. Totally did not think I would be the first to comment. One thing I found particularly interesting was that Carlos continues to look for Cecilia even though he is quite sure that she either is, or will be dead. The meeting with many others who also had strange disappearances, reminded me of an AA meeting. Carlos "sat in an old rattan chri facing the people" and asked people to share their own experiances and loses with the group (43). This group of people are all sharing their stories and supporting each other because they have all been through the same thing. However, towards the end of the gathering, Carlos cuts a woman off and brings back the conversation to his wife. Cecilia will always be the most important, no matter how much help he gives to others. His first priority no matter what will be to "find [his] wife" (46).
ReplyDeleteJulia
I agree that Carlos has an undying love for Cecilia that causes him to continue his search despite poor odds for finding her. Carlos has incredible optimism throughout this whole ordeal. Although it has hit very close to home, he continues to have a rational head about things, knowing that this is a war of ideals. For example, when he goes to Guzman's office, he creates the image of there being a brick wall in Guzman's head. "He knew that if he could somehow open Guzman's head, peer inside his skull, he would find a brick wall" (108). Carlos knows that the most difficult part of gaining peace will be convincing the authorities that they are wrong, as the authorities are so set in their ways and unwilling to change their opinions. Carlos' optimism and confidence in their nonviolent protest also shines through after he exposes the spy that has infiltrated the meeting with the mothers. He does not sink down to the level of the criminals, stopping a man from hurting the spy, because he knows that his message will never be heard if he resorts to such measures.
ReplyDelete-Deirdre
I agree with both Julia and Deidre regarding Carlos’ love for his wife. The love he feels is so strong that he is willing to go to great distances to try to help her. Tragically, his powers to see what happens to victims kidnapped by the government do not work on his wife. His visions about her are short and infrequent, and do not provide him with enough information to locate her. This drives him even crazier, as he cannot find out where she is no matter how much effort he puts into it. I think that the reason that Carlos will never find his wife is because he needs to do greater good than this. If he found his wife quickly and with no effort, he might not have the motivation to help others who had loved ones kidnapped as well. Because Cecilia remains lost, Carlos has reason to save other lives. He knows the feeling of hopelessly looking for loved ones, and does not want any other person to have to go through it. Carlos may never find Cecilia, but he will not live with the guilt that he did not help others.
ReplyDelete