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JohnnyDeppReads - a place to discuss the news, books, plays, projects and materials relating to the works and interests of multi media artist Johnny Depp.
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From the book, page 5:
QUOTE
Like most of the others, I was a seeker, a mover, a malcontent, and at times a stupid hell-raiser. I was never idle long enough to do much thinking, but I felt somehow that my instincts were right. I shared a vagrant optimism that some of us were making real progress, that we had taken the honest road, and that the best of us would inevitably make it over the top.
At the same time, I shared a dark suspicion that the life we were leading was a lost cause, that we were all actors, kidding ourselves along the senseless odyssey. It was the tension between these two poles - a restless idealism on one hand and a sense of impending doom on the other - that kept me going.
Let's chat about what you think Hunter wanted to tell us with these two paragraphs?
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Angelica to Jack - "How is it we can never meet without you pointing something at me?"
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Seems to me he was saying the purpose of (his) life (or in general) is to push the proverbial envelope, and pursue a course, however reckless it may seem to the end to see where it goes and what will happen. He was walking that fine line between optimism and fatalism.
I think Hunter was trying to point out that there is never a clear cut path for destiny.
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I'm thinking along those same lines somewhat. That if you dont take that extra step .. try new things, take that chance that you might as well not be living at all. How are you ever to find something out, to know something if you dont give it that try, no matter where it might lead you. Hence we are actors just making things up in our own little make believe world.
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Bi-polar is the word that pops into my mind describing the passage from TRD meaning terrific periods of energy, excitement, activity to push limits and accomplish goals mixed with periods of abject despair filled with self-doubt, little energy, and simply "going through the motions". I feel like HST wanted to infuse a sense of hope that Kemp could make changes in the world but the reality of the ways of the world would divert Kemp from his path of change-which to me is clearly illustrated with the ending of the book. I feel the passage illustrates the highs and lows that every human experiences in their life-and hopefully at the end of our earthly journey we have more highs than lows. Question: Does this passage explain all the attempted escapism with booze in the book? Anne r
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QUOTE (nurseanne8 @ May 18 2009, 07:31 PM)
Bi-polar is the word that pops into my mind describing the passage from TRD meaning terrific periods of energy, excitement, activity to push limits and accomplish goals mixed with periods of abject despair filled with self-doubt, little energy, and simply "going through the motions". I feel like HST wanted to infuse a sense of hope that Kemp could make changes in the world but the reality of the ways of the world would divert Kemp from his path of change-which to me is clearly illustrated with the ending of the book. I feel the passage illustrates the highs and lows that every human experiences in their life-and hopefully at the end of our earthly journey we have more highs than lows. Question: Does this passage explain all the attempted escapism with booze in the book? Anne r
Good points Anne about the bi-polar possibilities.
We'll get to the drinking tomorrow....lol So y'all please hang on one more day.
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Angelica to Jack - "How is it we can never meet without you pointing something at me?"
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I can't really add to what's been said---very good points everyone!! Hunter seemed to have that theme of "losing the dream" in his books and i can see that shine through in RD. It's the old "life passing me by" feeling that if you don't take the chance, you'll get stuck in a rut and then have regrets later in life.
-Donna
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"It is not the destination so much as the journey" ~Capt. Jack Sparrow
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....which is why I think many of the US characters chose to go to PR in RD--not wanting to get stuck in the dog-eat-dog-get-ahead-at-all-costs ladder........
-Donna
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"It is not the destination so much as the journey" ~Capt. Jack Sparrow
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TRD discussion point # 1 - The motivation
Johnny Depp Reads Message Board->Johnny Depp Reads->Previously discussed books->"The Rum Diary" By Hunter S. Thompson
