FGBC: I might do
In chapter 2, the kid makes his way out into the nowheres of Texas on his trusty mule. I think the mule is my favorite character so far, ugly beast that it be. Carries the kid without complaint -- but given the chance it'll make his way to water. Here's hoping it makes its way to greener pastures someday, but I doubt it.
One thing that struck me in this chapter is the imagery McCarthy uses -- the shadow that stretches out for miles in front the kid as he rides the mule, his crazy hat, etc.
On his journey the kid encounters a creepy hermit and some ranchers. The hermit is an interesting character, an ex-slaver his $200 nigger heart and his staring at the kid while he sleeps. Their conversation is a good one, especially this passage:
No. It's a mystery. A man's at odds to know his mind cause his mind is aught he has to know it with. He can know his heart, but he dont want to. Rightly so. Best not look in there. It aint the heart of a creature that is bound in the way that God has set for it. You can find meanness in the least of creatures, but when God made man the devil was at his elbow. A creature that can do anything. Make a machine. And a machine to make a machine. And evil that can run itself a thousand years, no need to tend it. You believe that?
I think this is a good illustration of McCarthy weaving gnosticism(for lack of a better term) into the story. I think he's saying that while evil exists in all animals and all the world for that matter. But in man that evil manifests itself with more purity, more concentration. "An evil that can run itself a thousand years" is a horrifying prospect, but I think its true. Here I could make comparisons to post-modern institutions destroying those they are designed to serve and those who operate within them, but that's something for another day.
After the kid gets to whatever town he's at now, he tries to barter for a drink. The bartender won't serve him so once again it's fightin' time. The next morning the kid wakes up in some church ruins, and goes off to find his missing mule, which is down by the river (not in a van) watering. I am trying to recall the last sentence, something about a wretched baptism. Seemed appropriate.
Also, even though the Judge doesn't show up in this chapter, I gotta give props to dr.gpiece for comparing him to Charlie Villanueva. Definitely a more apt comparison than Shaq.
Unanswered questions
You think the bartender would have served the kid to avoid a broken bottle in the eye?
Are the Indians going to show up soon?
Why did I just read that spoiler?
5 comments:
Kid's a badass for sure.
I keep trying to wrap my head around the hermit scene, trying to read into it, but it stands so stark against the other dialogue so far. The one thing I noticed was how McCarthy pointed out the little fire and I think it's the first time fire itself has been portrayed beneficially in the book.
Also think McCarthy was saying something by having him wake up in a batshitty church and then walk out to "baptise" himself. Kinda critical of the ol' Christianity, perhaps? Something about Original Sin maybe?
That fuckin kid is bad ass. I love how no one in the bar lifted a finger to stop him. They were all strapped, too. And the hermit. Strange dude. A word of advice, if you wake up in the middle of the night and some crazy old man is leaning over you, I suggest you go sleep somewhere else. Or stop smoking crack in back alleys.
I feel like something bad is going to happen to that mule. And the kid isn't going to be happy...unless of course he kills it himself. He seems a little violent.
apparently we both feel the kid is bad ass.
Whenever trouble comes you need to head south. Unless the trouble is Indians.
Spoiler alert: best scene.
In the Chihuahua, when they have money.
Do you think the old man staring at the kid while he slept was Sully from kappa sig (too soon?)?
YOU LIKE THEM TABLES?
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