Jessica’s Comments (group member since Jan 02, 2013)

Jessica’s comments from the Classics Without All the Class group.

The Great Gatsby I just reread it 11 years later. I loved it this time around. Glad I did it and I am so excited about the movie!

@ Angie I agree. I didn't feel like Huxley was mocking religion. I think he questioning his own beliefs here. For John to say this...

"But I don't want comfort. I want God, I want poetry, I want real danger, I want freedom, I want goodness. I want sin."

makes me think Huxley is posing quite a heavy question, and you hit it on the nail, Angie. When the world turns away from these things it becomes stagnant.

The god-less society created by Ford is so emotionless. They don't really have anything to live for. They are so happy that they have become numb. They do not even realize they are being controlled by government either. The scene where John is watching his mother die is by far one of the most tragic scenes I have read. The mocking of death that happens is heart-wrenching.

John was chewed and spit out but not only by his own choice. He really didn't have a say. The controller wanted to continue to use him as a part of his experiment. I believe he knew where John's road was headed and he wanted to see it happen as a lesson to the rest of "civilized" society. Helmholtz and Bernard could not have done anything to change the controller's mind. John was killed, in the end, by having no place in the world. He wasn't allowed the peace to live, as he wanted. His life was made into an example with a very unfortunate ending.

@angie. I just saw it. Great minds think alike! :)

Angie wrote: "Liza wrote: "I finished this section yesterday too and I'm not really sure what to say.

I did find the interactions between bernard/lenina and john/linda fascinating. Lenina's obvious disgust by t..."

Even Mr. Savage....it's so degrading.

I had a thought, while finishing the book. There are many things that saddens me about this society. One of them I just can't shake, and that is never knowing the joy of having a family/being a parent. It's heartbreaking to me. It's loneliness on a level that is almost too brutal.

Ian wrote: "Also, did anybody else catch the remarkable similarities between Bernard's visit to the Singery and communion practices in our present times. Minus the sex orgies of course. I likened the soma to t..."

I picked up on this. I find a lot of similarities between religion and how modern civilization views the eastern realm. I have not done a lot of research on Huxley so I was not aware he was an atheist, but I can see that in a lot of the writing. After I read your post, I began to pick more of the religion echoes in the next few chapters.

The whole conditioned response seems to echo how people tend to feel about religion, in general. The truth is, unless the heart and soul is in it, it becomes nothing more than a conditioned response and words to quote just like Lennina. One must seek the depths of one's soul through God to find meaning.

I finished this section yesterday. There were a lot of mixed emotions throughout too. Overall I felt like there was impending doom about to happen for poor Bernard. And it did.

Bernard's downfall is foreshadowed when he encounters Helmholtz, his friend. While I was sad for Bernard I was also glad. He was the only one questioning what he had been conditioned to find happiness in. One, must always ask questions to become an individual. So, when his ego gets inflated due to inviting people to parties for a viewing of John (as if he's a puppy that does tricks)...I got a bad after taste in my mouth. This is the Bernard I liked and was glad he got knocked off of his high horse.

Lennina is one big conditioned response and it's disheartening. Her self worth is based on a man's physical response/attraction to her. She, not John, can seem to break that barrier down and get her to see differently.

While reading this book, I cannot help but see the similarities between how this world views savages vs. how western civilization views cultures outside of this realm (countries in africa, places in south and central america, etc etc). Although there are countries who do not put importance on status/wealth/items. In the long run, they are happier, at least I think they are. They are dependent on what God and creation/nature can provide for them and not the working man. Every culture and country is different and that is what makes individuality so beautiful.

Off soap box now. Apologies.

Dawn wrote: "I'm reading Fevre Dream by George RR Martin for myself and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte for a gothic literature group read."

I have heard so many great things about The Tenant of Wildfell Hall . I wish I had more time to read. There is a burning to desire for me to pick up, as soon as Anna is finished. Please, share with us what you think afterwards.

SoooOOOO who else watched GOT season 3 premiere last night?

I DID!!! It was fabUlous!

Just started The Great Gatsby today! Hoping it is better for me the second time around.

I am liking it...But also preparing to get a head start on Anna, lol.

The first set of chapters was entertaining for me. Especially, when the Director is taking the students on a tour through the Hatchery. I got more involved, once the actual story began to transpire between Lenina and Bernard. Lenina is so caught up in the repetitious words she has soaked up her life that it kept her from seeing beauty in the night sky. I found that a bit sad.

Those are great! I am, especially, fond of Pippin's. He has got to be one of my most favorite characters. Thanks for sharing this!

I haven't read too muh outside my comfort zone lately...just haven't had time. One book I have read and enjoyed isLooking for Alaska . It had such an impact on me (due to personal loss I dealt with in high school) and thought it was something everyone should read. I know it also has been praised by many others and won awards. I think it is possible this book could turn into one and hope it does. I haven't read John Green other pieces yet but hope to soon.

Angie wrote: "Karena wrote: "So where is everybody at with their buddy reads?"

Well, it looks like you, me, and F. Scott Fitzgerald!"

Some of my girlfriends and I are reading it next month together. I am pretty excited to reread it. I am hoping I like it more the second time around. The movie looks like it is going to be fabulous. I love Carrie Mulligan...so excited to see how the cast does.

Karena wrote: "So where is everybody at with their buddy reads?"

The Literary Adventure is in a mixture of places. I have tried to keep it slow paced due to some of the upcoming books we are reading in CWATC (ie Anna Karennina). I think a handful of us have finished The Fellowship of the Ring. The action in the Two Towers has me hooked right now. I have trouble stepping away. I am guessing most people are enjoying it though. I haven't really heard from too many in the group ...there are about 4-5 of us that are active right now.

I have enjoyed comparing the trilogy to the movies that came out back in early 2001. I am glad I decided to read them. :)

The tail on a bunny.

As putrid as...

As questionable as...

A woman with PMS.

I had been against ebooks for a long time. I was afraid they would make libraries, stores, etc all sieze to exist. I have realized that there will always be a need for paper versions of books and libraries, imo. So, I tried the kindle app out when I read Jane Eyre. The book I owned was too big to be carrying around, so I thought opportunity had presented itself.

I was right and ended up liking that style of reading. I, recently, got a Kindle Paperwhite for my birthday and love it! My eyes do not get tired from staring at a screen/reading from one. Due to tablets, I wanted the touch screen. It is a great option for someone wanting just the ebook sans the tablet features/apps.