Well, this book brings a lot of thoughts into my head and so did last weeks conversation. One thing I don't think that we sufficiently hashed out was - should the guardians have told the students, or was it better that they were left in the dark? I would like to see a vote taken on this, I think everyone probably has their own personal opinions on the matter. I also want to know if the author was/is in fact saying something about biomedical research? I also wonder what the thoughts are in the class about the subject?
Additionally, I'm wondering if people liked this book or not? And how they felt while reading it? We touched on this a bit but I think there is a wider range of feelings than just "compassionate".
Monday, December 14, 2009
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I agree with Kaitlin in talking more about if the students should be left in the dark. Do they have the right to know that there is more out there then what they think or have been told. I for one do have an opinion on this, not only dealing with the book but also dealing with todays society and if children and young adults should be left out of matters that truly concern them but others think would only harm them more to know. I know there are alot of things in life that I found out later that my parents didnt want to tell me because they thought they were protecting me when really I wish they would have taught me so I would have more knowledge on certain topics. When talking about the book and if I liked it or not thats still up in the air. It is a deep book with alot of things that still need to sink in and I think alot of people feel this way. One emotion I kept hearing throughout the discussion or just while talking with others in the class was how sad they felt when reading this, that children actually had to grow up like this. I think that these are all very good questions to be brought up on Wednesday.
ReplyDeleteI would also like to know what people in class think about whether or not the children should be told about their fate. My opinion about this....I think yes and no. Madame and Miss Emily worked hard to create a suitable environment for the students (page 261). They engaged them in their artwork, poetry, academics, sports, and more and the students were happy. If they had known what Hailsham was really about, would they have worked so hard and put so much thought and creativity into their work? (I believe Tommy brings this up near the end but I can't find where.)Miss Lucy disagrees. She thought the students should have the right to be aware of everything that lay ahead for them, and not to do so would be cheating them (page 267). I think that Miss Lucy and Madame are right to not tell them because the students are happy, and I don't think this should be taken away, but I think they should tell them at a certain age. When they are in their last year or about to leave, I think the students have a right to know, and so I agree with Miss Lucy that not telling them is cheating them.
ReplyDeleteI like what Lauren brought up in her comment; it was something I never thought of. Relating the guardians keeping the secret from the students to our parents keeping something from us. I personally can't think of a great example of this in my childhood, but I know that I do keep things from my parents "for their own good," and I'm sure they did the same for me and still do.
I also think that talking about whether the children should have been told about their lives or not would be quite engaging. Personally, I think they should know. If they didn't know, they would be like us maybe. Living their lives going to school,making relationships, and having fun all the while trying to live out their dreams. I couldn't imagine living the life that I am living right now and one day having someone tell me that my life would go no further than being an organ donor until I die. The children in the book seem to have an acceptance to what their fate is and I don't think they would get it any other way than by knowing from a young age.
ReplyDeletei think that would be an intrusting thing to vote, i think that its better if the guardians told them everything, including they will end up losing their life. i would like to see if everyone will stop their donating behavior or keep doing what they were told like tommy and kathy.
ReplyDeletei will actually like this book more if there weren't so many confusion (or maybe i just have to improve my english..). i think the idea of the book is really unique.