Firestarter
question
How would you react? How would others?
Daniel
Feb 08, 2012 08:01AM
When I read this book, I kept trying to imagine how I would react to reading the news story explaining everything that happened. The truth is that I'm not sure. I'd be upset that they'd tortured this little girl, especially since it was their fault that she was the way she was. (note: I found it interesting that they didn't spend a lot of time discussing military implications of her, they were just trying to figure it out at first)
I also wonder how people en masse would react to knowing that someone like this was out in the world, someone who cold wreak so much destruction so quickly and easily. How do you think others would respond?
I also wonder how people en masse would react to knowing that someone like this was out in the world, someone who cold wreak so much destruction so quickly and easily. How do you think others would respond?
I believe that people's initial reaction would be compassion. I don't, however, think that feeling would last.
People would start to wonder how they might be harmed, whether by accident, or because they were harboring this girl. Others would wonder how they could use her for their own purposes. They might initially tell themselves that they were doing something to help others; but it wouldn't turn out that way.
The human race can be quite cruel to those who are even slightly different. This may be a level of "different" that is beyond what people are willing to deal with.
People would start to wonder how they might be harmed, whether by accident, or because they were harboring this girl. Others would wonder how they could use her for their own purposes. They might initially tell themselves that they were doing something to help others; but it wouldn't turn out that way.
The human race can be quite cruel to those who are even slightly different. This may be a level of "different" that is beyond what people are willing to deal with.
If you'll forgive the cheesy analogy. . .
There's an early episode of Smallville where a kid gets Clark's powers. At first, everyone thinks he's pretty cool -- except his parents, who feared him immediately. In a very short time, though, people begin to fear him. Eventually his parents call the police and the university, to come get him and have him committed.
That's the way I think people would respond. Fear. And as Maxine says, some would begin to study how they could use the power for their own good.
There's an early episode of Smallville where a kid gets Clark's powers. At first, everyone thinks he's pretty cool -- except his parents, who feared him immediately. In a very short time, though, people begin to fear him. Eventually his parents call the police and the university, to come get him and have him committed.
That's the way I think people would respond. Fear. And as Maxine says, some would begin to study how they could use the power for their own good.
this is a cool question (you could write those reader discussion guides at the end of books!) It's easy for me to suspend my disbelief when reading s-f, but it's hard for me to suspend it in the real world where such things are impossible, so I think my reaction would be "oh, bull. No way," and I'd return to real world concerns.
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Feb 16, 2012 09:02AM
Mar 03, 2013 05:35AM