"He hated Popé more and more. A man can smile and smile and be a villain. Remorseless, treacherous, lecherous, kindless villain. What did the words exactly mean? He only half knew. But their magic was strong and went on rumbling in his head, and somehow it was as though he had never really hated Popé before; never really hated him because he had never been able to say how much he hated him. But now he had these words, these words like drums and singing and magic. These words and the strange, strange story out of which they were taken (he couldn't make head or tail of it, but it was wonderful, wonderful all the same)–they gave him a reason for hating Popé; and they made his hatred more real; they even made Popé himself more real" Chapter 8.
I believe that these scenes highlight the concept that words are a powerful thing. John, or better known as the Savage, uses the book of Shakespeare to create and specify his emotions. He claims that he "never really hated Pope" until he heard the words "Remorseless, treacherous, lecherous, kindless villain". Even though he does not know the true definitions of the words he feels the emotions they cause him. I want to know what you guys think about this ? Can the power of worlds be so strong ?
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Words have tremendous meaning and power, but it's the intent and the emotion that gives it the "juice." Helholtz says, "You’ve got to be hurt and upset; otherwise you can’t think of the really good, penetrating, X-rayish phrases." I think that the diction Shakespeare used attracted John and he does say "their magic was strong."
ReplyDeleteTotally. Words and literature are basically made to convey feelings that people have. To explain or rather let go of feelings, therefore containing a lot more emotion than some of us can see. The fact that John felt something without knowing what he was reading, proves the strength literature has.
ReplyDeleteI agree Stefany. I think an artist that has the effect on bringing emotions to us through his words is Shakespeare. For example, when we were reading Macbeth in class many of us had mixed emotions about the characters. At first, I admired Lady Macbeth but towards the end I began to despise her. This just shows how literature such as Shakespeare brings emotions/ feelings to people.
DeleteWords are everything! They might just be sounds to some people but they're a form a communication. A form of inspiring change! A way to move forward and to express oneself.
ReplyDeleteIn Anthem, the society in which Equality lived in did not know the word "I". This word is an incredibly powerful word. Individuality is expressed by that single syllable word. When he discovered the word, he had become all the more powerful.
Words can have a great affect on people whether that be because they were bullied or because they increased their faith in a higher being or perhaps it allowed them to become educated! Without words we wouldn't have what we have today. (I ranted im sorry)
Words are definitely a powerful entity. I think of a quote by Patrick Rothfuss. "Words are pale shadows of forgotten names. As names have power, words have power. Words can light fires in the minds of men. Words can wring tears from the hardest hearts."
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