Topic: After reading “The Elephant in the Village of the Blind” (pg. 18), describe the significance of the traveling salesman’s telling the villagers that he’ll return again next year if they buy some of his wares?
The significance of the travelling salesman’s telling the villagers that he’ll return again next year if they buy some of his wares was a way of luring the villagers to buy his wares. The villagers’ interest was not in his wares, but his elephant. The traveller uses a marketing technique by promising to return, and the villagers buy his wares hoping that he keeps his word. The traveller uses the elephant as value addition for his wares and everything revolves around the elephant and not his wares. The villagers relate the elephant’s appearance to past experiences and have numerous descriptions like “an elephant is a water pipe.” By comparing and relating the appearance of the elephant to past experiences, they build more interest in the elephant and would like to see it return next year. The salesman is a shrewd man who takes advantage of the situation to benefit himself. In the end he only tells them that “it is also a powerful draft horse” which adds to their curiosity and interest.
Response to student 1 (screenshot 130647)
I agree that the elephant turns out to be something that adds value to the salesman’s wares. He finds a way of enticing the villagers because the elephant brought a different atmosphere to the village. All that time when the villagers described his elephant, he did not interrupt to correct them. He only waited for the right moment to give his comment and ask them to buy his wares if they wanted to experience the elephant again. I agree that the salesman is interested in profits and not the situation that ensues regarding the elephant.
Response to student 2 (screenshot 130702)
I do not think that the salesman is interested in the experience that he gives the blind villagers. I think he only sees the experience as an opportunity to sell more of his wares and make more profits. Although they are curious, the salesman does not bother explaining to them about the elephant, but only gives a comment when he made the remark to lure them. He seizes the opportunity of selling more because the villagers are startled by the large creature that they cannot describe correctly. Because he thinks they might be interested to experience the elephant again, he can use to opportunity to sell his wares once more.
Forum 1.2
Topic: In “20/20,”(on page 21) which of Ruthie’s observations are realistic and which are unrealistic? Do you think she is merely misinterpreting what she sees, or is she seeing things that aren’t there?
In 20/20, Ruthie made realistic and unrealistic observations that Bill thought were bizarre. Cows, golden eagle and a handsome genius in the person of Bill himself are among the realistic observations that Ruthie made. On the other hand, an Indian paintbrush, a UFO above Twin Falls and a Bigfoot were unrealistic observations. I think she is merely misinterpreting what she sees. Bill thinks she is different from other women who would dispute everything he said. At first, Bill did not understand what type of woman she was due to her observations, but later appreciated the fact that she is different. “Her eyes were big, blue and capable of seeing wonderful things” (21). Ruthie pointed out bizarre sights in a way that Bill thought she was hallucinating, but later liked it. Bill also pointed out things that Ruthie did not notice e.g. the evening star that has a romantic aspect to it.
Response to student 1 (screenshot 130958)
I agree she is merely misinterpreting what she sees and points out bizarre sightings as a way of showing Bill that she is different. Ruthie is not hallucinating as Bill thinks, because bill is used to having women dispute his ideas. Because some of the sightings are realistic, Bill thinks she is not hallucinating and appreciates her observations and the fact that she is different. Finally, they see the good side of each other and end up falling in love.
Response to student 2 (screenshot 131049)
Both her realistic and unrealistic observations are bizarre. I agree that the reason she misinterpreted all the sightings was because she felt something different about Bill. Bill on the other hand made a romantic observation about the evening star that has a romantic aspect. Although Ruthie did not get it at first, they were already falling in love with each other, which is why Bill appreciated all her observations. Bill thought she was different from other women, which can also represent their romantic side because of the way he turns around from his thoughts about her “hallucinations.”
Forum 1.3
Topic: According to O’Brian’s “The Lives of the Dead” (p. 63-74), explain how storytelling is a means of “making the dead seem not quite so dead” (par. 92). What is O’Brien suggesting about “the magic of stories” (par. 117)? Is this connected to the way the narrator imagines Linda as still being alive in his dreams and through his storytelling? Do you see any significant similarities and differences?
According to O’Brien, story telling is a means of “making the dead seem not so dead” because he found that it was a healing technique that kept the dead alive. He explains the power of stories and how they helped him remember all the soldiers that fought with him in the Vietnam War as well as his first love. Just like soldiers shake hands and assume death is not that terrible, storytelling is also a powerful way of keeping the dead alive. On the magic of stories, On the “magic of stories” O’Brien discovered that stories and imagination could help bring the dead back to life. “And at nighttime I’d slide into sleep knowing that Linda would be there waiting for me.” His imaginations after Linda’s death helped him discover how stories helped control death. O’Brien also managed to deal with grief as well as experiences from the Vietnam War. He also says that he is “trying to save Timmy’s life with a story” to give him a measure of control. “The magic of stories” and “making the dead seem not so dead” suggest how stories and imaginations can help postpone the feeling of loss and grief.
Response to student 1 (screenshot 131322)
O’Brien made death seem like something that is not too harsh and used stories to make the dead continue living. To him and the soldiers, it was as if death had not happened. They kept the deceased alive using techniques like shaking hands and telling stories. O’Brien talks of “Making the dead seem not so dead” and “The magic of stories” represent the same aspect of controlling and postponing grief after the loss of loved ones.
Response to student 2 (screenshot 131244)
I agree that the “making the dead seem not so dead” could also make living with the reality of loss “more bearable.” The loss of soldiers during the Vietnam war and his first love, O’Brien needed something to make it feel better. Also, the “magic of stories” was a way to remember all the good experiences O’Brien had with Linda. He made is seem like she was still there with him having the good time.