Summary and Analysis:
-The ending chapters are mostly Bell talking as he comes to retire.
- He tries hard to find Chigurh but he can't-->he is like a "ghost"
--"When you encounter things in the world, the evidence for certain things, you realize that yo have not come upon something that you may very well not be equal to and I think that this is one of them things."pg. 299
-"The other thing is the old people, and I keep comin back to them. They look at me it's always a question. years back I don't remember that. I don't remember it when I was sheiff back in the fifties. You see em and they dont even look confused. They just look crazy. That bothers me. Its like they woke up and don't know how they got where they're at. Well, in a manner of speakin they don't" pg. 304 ****
-- I think this quote is a good summary of the novel and ties in, and explains, the title significantly. It describes the fate of the world and how things have changed over generations and leaves the reader at a good point of wonder and thought.
-At then end when Bell is talking about his father in his dream, "he was fixin to make a fire somewhere out there in all that dark and all that cold and I knew that whenever i got there he would be there.", the reader can almost take the symbolism to mean that at death, one reaches knowledge and peace, that a death, one leave the world and its degrading chaos and find the fire and warmth, finds the knowledge and good will
In Phillip Larkin's, "This be the Verse", the same kind of idea is being presented that Bell presents. The speaker is cynical and blunt and presents the idea that society is getting worse and worse.
Monday, September 13, 2010
No Country for Old Men Chapter 9
Summary and Analysis:
-In the Bell's opening, he hints that Chigurh has killed Carla Jean
- I like what Bell says in the beginning:
--"My daddy always told me just to do the best you knew how and tell the truth. He said there was nothin to set a man's mind at ease like wakin up in the morning and not havin to decide who you were. And if you done something wrong just stand up and say you done it and say you're sorry and get on with it. Don't haul stuff around with you."-->I think that if everyone did this, society would be far better off. And it is interesting to note this came from a man of an older generation, when the world was a better place. This ties into the title, that the current world is not one suited for older people of a different time
-Chigurh goes and returns the money that Moss had to the man it belongs to. He tells the man:
--"Well, I'd say that they purpose of my visit is simply to establish my bonafides. As someone who is an expert in a difficult field. As someone who is completely reliable and completely honest. Something like that." pg. 251
--"The prospect of outsized profits leads people to exaggerate their own capabilities. In their minds. They pretend to themselves that they are in control of events where perhaps they are not. And it is always one's stance upon uncertain ground that invites the attentions of one's enemies. Or discourages it." pg. 253
-->I just thought these quotes were interesting insights into Chigurh's character and help to explain him more
-Chigurh goes to kill Carla Jean after her mother's funeral. This is a very important passage for understanding Chigurh and his role and process in the theme
-He tells her:
--"There is a reason for everything." pg. 256
--He does a coin toss but it doesn't save her
--"I got here the same way the coin did. For things at a common destination there is a common path. Not always easy to see. But there is." pg. 259
--"Every moment in your life is a turning and every one a choosing. Somewhere you made a choice. All followed to this. The accounting is scrupulous. The shape is drawn. No line can be erased....A person's path through the world seldom changes and even more seldom will it change abruptly. And the shape of your path was visible from the beginning." pg. 256 *** this is a very important quote in my opinion that explains the basis and foundations of Chigurh's actions. And he makes sure she understands this before he kills her
--Chigurh gets into a car wreck
-Bell goes to his Uncle Ellis's house
--Ellis tells him, "You sign on for the ride you probably think you got at least some notion of where the ride is going. But you might not." pg 265
--"All the time you spend tryin to get back what's been took from you there's more goin out the door. After a while you just try and get a tourniquet on it." pg. 267 --> saying you have to deal with what the choice you have made have dealt you
- Bell tells him what happened when he was fighting in the war and we get the since that Bell is living on borrowed time.
--"When you're called on like that you have to make up your mind that you'll live with the consequences. But you dont know what the consequences will be."pg. 278
--"I didn't know you could steal your own life. And I didn't know you could steal your own life. An dI didn;t know that it would bring you no more benefit than about anything else you might steal. I think I done the best with it I knew how but it still wasn't mine." pg. 278
-In the Bell's opening, he hints that Chigurh has killed Carla Jean
- I like what Bell says in the beginning:
--"My daddy always told me just to do the best you knew how and tell the truth. He said there was nothin to set a man's mind at ease like wakin up in the morning and not havin to decide who you were. And if you done something wrong just stand up and say you done it and say you're sorry and get on with it. Don't haul stuff around with you."-->I think that if everyone did this, society would be far better off. And it is interesting to note this came from a man of an older generation, when the world was a better place. This ties into the title, that the current world is not one suited for older people of a different time
-Chigurh goes and returns the money that Moss had to the man it belongs to. He tells the man:
--"Well, I'd say that they purpose of my visit is simply to establish my bonafides. As someone who is an expert in a difficult field. As someone who is completely reliable and completely honest. Something like that." pg. 251
--"The prospect of outsized profits leads people to exaggerate their own capabilities. In their minds. They pretend to themselves that they are in control of events where perhaps they are not. And it is always one's stance upon uncertain ground that invites the attentions of one's enemies. Or discourages it." pg. 253
-->I just thought these quotes were interesting insights into Chigurh's character and help to explain him more
-Chigurh goes to kill Carla Jean after her mother's funeral. This is a very important passage for understanding Chigurh and his role and process in the theme
-He tells her:
--"There is a reason for everything." pg. 256
--He does a coin toss but it doesn't save her
--"I got here the same way the coin did. For things at a common destination there is a common path. Not always easy to see. But there is." pg. 259
--"Every moment in your life is a turning and every one a choosing. Somewhere you made a choice. All followed to this. The accounting is scrupulous. The shape is drawn. No line can be erased....A person's path through the world seldom changes and even more seldom will it change abruptly. And the shape of your path was visible from the beginning." pg. 256 *** this is a very important quote in my opinion that explains the basis and foundations of Chigurh's actions. And he makes sure she understands this before he kills her
--Chigurh gets into a car wreck
-Bell goes to his Uncle Ellis's house
--Ellis tells him, "You sign on for the ride you probably think you got at least some notion of where the ride is going. But you might not." pg 265
--"All the time you spend tryin to get back what's been took from you there's more goin out the door. After a while you just try and get a tourniquet on it." pg. 267 --> saying you have to deal with what the choice you have made have dealt you
- Bell tells him what happened when he was fighting in the war and we get the since that Bell is living on borrowed time.
--"When you're called on like that you have to make up your mind that you'll live with the consequences. But you dont know what the consequences will be."pg. 278
--"I didn't know you could steal your own life. And I didn't know you could steal your own life. An dI didn;t know that it would bring you no more benefit than about anything else you might steal. I think I done the best with it I knew how but it still wasn't mine." pg. 278
No Country for Old Men Chapter 8
Summary and Analysis:
-In Bell's beginning he talks about how the growing problems aren't going away.
-The reader notices that Bell does has a declining sense of self respect when he says, "..I think for me the worst of it is knowin that probably the only reason Im even still alive is that they have no respect for me." Bell knows he is trying, but things are getting out of hand and he feels responsible.
-Moss and the hitchhiker go to the diner
-Moss tells her that "three weeks ago I was a law abidin citizen. Workin a nine to five job. Eight to four anyways. Thins happen to you they happen. They dont ask first. they dont require your permission." This quote further supports the theme of fate and destiny and how each decision you make has some effect whether you realize it or not. This is interesting because it mirrors Chigurh's ideas.
-Moss continues on with this theme throughout their conversation:
--"It's not about knowin where you are. It's about thinkin you got there wihtout takin anything with you. Your notions about starting over. That's what it's about. Ever step you take is forever. You can't make it go away. None of it. You understand what I'm sayin? pg 227
--"You think when you wake up in the mornin yesterday dont count. But yesterday is all that does count. What else is there? Your life is made out of the days it's made out of. Nothin else." pg. 227 --> decisions are important, make the most out of things
-It is ironic that at the hotel Moss tells the hitchhike, "...there's a lot of bad luck out there. You hang around long enough and you'll come in for your share of it." -->Obviously he is experiencing bad luck, and it is about to get worse when the mexicans come for him shortly
-Moss and the hitchhiker are murdered, but McCarthy doesn't provide a lot of information about it. We learn of his death through Bell's point of view. This is interesting and highly anti-climactic. Maybe it helps focus not so much on Moss's actual death and suffering, but the larger picture that evil has overcome good, and every decision and choice leads to something. (carla jean's and his)
-Bell went back to the hotel later that night because he knew the money would be there and since the money was there the "bad guy" would be too. But he was slightly cowardly and missed his opportunity
In response to what I read, I was really upset the Moss was killed. I was shocked at the way it was described. I expected it to be a dramatic showdown between him and Chigurh, but I guess with McCarthy writing it the way he did, it puts emphasis on the idea of fate and destiny and proves that not even Chigurh is in control of everything. It was an ironic twist I wasn't expecting.
-In Bell's beginning he talks about how the growing problems aren't going away.
-The reader notices that Bell does has a declining sense of self respect when he says, "..I think for me the worst of it is knowin that probably the only reason Im even still alive is that they have no respect for me." Bell knows he is trying, but things are getting out of hand and he feels responsible.
-Moss and the hitchhiker go to the diner
-Moss tells her that "three weeks ago I was a law abidin citizen. Workin a nine to five job. Eight to four anyways. Thins happen to you they happen. They dont ask first. they dont require your permission." This quote further supports the theme of fate and destiny and how each decision you make has some effect whether you realize it or not. This is interesting because it mirrors Chigurh's ideas.
-Moss continues on with this theme throughout their conversation:
--"It's not about knowin where you are. It's about thinkin you got there wihtout takin anything with you. Your notions about starting over. That's what it's about. Ever step you take is forever. You can't make it go away. None of it. You understand what I'm sayin? pg 227
--"You think when you wake up in the mornin yesterday dont count. But yesterday is all that does count. What else is there? Your life is made out of the days it's made out of. Nothin else." pg. 227 --> decisions are important, make the most out of things
-It is ironic that at the hotel Moss tells the hitchhike, "...there's a lot of bad luck out there. You hang around long enough and you'll come in for your share of it." -->Obviously he is experiencing bad luck, and it is about to get worse when the mexicans come for him shortly
-Moss and the hitchhiker are murdered, but McCarthy doesn't provide a lot of information about it. We learn of his death through Bell's point of view. This is interesting and highly anti-climactic. Maybe it helps focus not so much on Moss's actual death and suffering, but the larger picture that evil has overcome good, and every decision and choice leads to something. (carla jean's and his)
-Bell went back to the hotel later that night because he knew the money would be there and since the money was there the "bad guy" would be too. But he was slightly cowardly and missed his opportunity
In response to what I read, I was really upset the Moss was killed. I was shocked at the way it was described. I expected it to be a dramatic showdown between him and Chigurh, but I guess with McCarthy writing it the way he did, it puts emphasis on the idea of fate and destiny and proves that not even Chigurh is in control of everything. It was an ironic twist I wasn't expecting.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
No Country for Old Men Chapter 7
Summary and Analysis:
-Bell begins the chapter by talking, once again, about the changing times..he mentions a survey taken many years ago citing problems then and a similar survey taken in the present day discussing common problems and how much worse things have gotten
--"..the world is going to hell in a handbasket and people will just smile and tell me I'm getting old...But my feelin about that is that anybody that cant tell the difference between rapin and murderin people and chewin gum has got a whole lot bigger of a problem than what I've got." pg. 196 * i agree with him and think he has legitimate concerns
-Chigurh finds the office that hired Wells to find him, and kills the man...he takes a certain enjoyment of it that is scary (further proves Chigurh's character)
-Carla Jean and her mother leave to go to El Paso. Her mother is very upset, and keeps letting Carla Jean know that she knew something bad was going to happen because of Moss
-Chigurh goes to Carla Jean's mothers house in Odessa right after they had left and searches for any clues he could use to find them
"Weighing these things in his hand like a medium who might thereby divine some fact concerning the owner." pg 204 -->this quote is ironic and interesting to me, just because it once again paints Chigurh in a divine light and shows him acting as a greater entity, which is how he views himself and what causes him to murder and take some many people's lives in his hands
-Moss recovers the money and when the cab driver asks him what is going to happen if the police stop him, he responds, " There's too much shit still down the road that I got to deal with. It aint goin to end here." pg. 209-->this shows how determined Moss is and how he is ironically trying to take charge of his future
--he even buys a gun to help prepare himself,-->"he fired off three rounds then stood there in the cold sunlight watching the feathers drift across the gray chaparral, thinking about his life, what was past and what was to come." pg. 210
-Moss buys a pick up truck and begins on his journey to his wife in El paso
-He picks up a young girl hitchhiker
-she serves as company (must be lonely)
-she serves to help him drive
-helps to prove he is a good guy-->he warns her about how dangerous it is to hitchhike
-Carla Jean calls Sheriff Bell to to tell him where her husband is, but the line is tapped and the mexicans hear it
-"If I tell you where he called from do you give your word that no harm will come to him? I can give you my word that no harm will come to him from me. I can do that." pg. 214 ---> ironic--->she is trying to help him, but instead she puts him in danger--->this supports the theme of choices and having to deal with the fate that follows
-Bell begins the chapter by talking, once again, about the changing times..he mentions a survey taken many years ago citing problems then and a similar survey taken in the present day discussing common problems and how much worse things have gotten
--"..the world is going to hell in a handbasket and people will just smile and tell me I'm getting old...But my feelin about that is that anybody that cant tell the difference between rapin and murderin people and chewin gum has got a whole lot bigger of a problem than what I've got." pg. 196 * i agree with him and think he has legitimate concerns
-Chigurh finds the office that hired Wells to find him, and kills the man...he takes a certain enjoyment of it that is scary (further proves Chigurh's character)
-Carla Jean and her mother leave to go to El Paso. Her mother is very upset, and keeps letting Carla Jean know that she knew something bad was going to happen because of Moss
-Chigurh goes to Carla Jean's mothers house in Odessa right after they had left and searches for any clues he could use to find them
"Weighing these things in his hand like a medium who might thereby divine some fact concerning the owner." pg 204 -->this quote is ironic and interesting to me, just because it once again paints Chigurh in a divine light and shows him acting as a greater entity, which is how he views himself and what causes him to murder and take some many people's lives in his hands
-Moss recovers the money and when the cab driver asks him what is going to happen if the police stop him, he responds, " There's too much shit still down the road that I got to deal with. It aint goin to end here." pg. 209-->this shows how determined Moss is and how he is ironically trying to take charge of his future
--he even buys a gun to help prepare himself,-->"he fired off three rounds then stood there in the cold sunlight watching the feathers drift across the gray chaparral, thinking about his life, what was past and what was to come." pg. 210
-Moss buys a pick up truck and begins on his journey to his wife in El paso
-He picks up a young girl hitchhiker
-she serves as company (must be lonely)
-she serves to help him drive
-helps to prove he is a good guy-->he warns her about how dangerous it is to hitchhike
-Carla Jean calls Sheriff Bell to to tell him where her husband is, but the line is tapped and the mexicans hear it
-"If I tell you where he called from do you give your word that no harm will come to him? I can give you my word that no harm will come to him from me. I can do that." pg. 214 ---> ironic--->she is trying to help him, but instead she puts him in danger--->this supports the theme of choices and having to deal with the fate that follows
No Country for Old Men Chapter 6
Summary and Analysis:
-The chapter begins with Bell's excerpt talking about people growing up and figuring out what they are suppose to do
- He mentions the direction of the world once again, signaling the changing of times, and his feeling of what man has come to be
--"I wake up sometimes at night and I know as certain as death there aint nothin short of the second comin of Christ that can slow this train."pg. 159
-Chigurh address his wounds--> he buys a sack full of veterinary supplies, blows up a car and front of a pharmacy to get more supplies, and then cleans and takes care of his own injuries
--"His leg was black and blue and swollen badly. It looked like a snakebite...The hole was big enough to put your thumb in." pg. 164
--"Other than a light beading of sweat on his forehead there was little evidence that his labors had cost him anything at all." pg. 164 --> just like murdering the prison guard, or killing any innocent bystander, nothing is a big deal to Chigurh. He is strong and insensitive
-Chigurh stays in the motel for five days, doing nothing but watching the TV and getting madder and madder, wanting to seek revenge even more...this makes it more dangerous for Moss and his wife. It is almost as though getting injured humbled him, and now he refuses to make the same mistake again.
-Wells follows Moss's tracks and thinks he knows where the money is
-On page 169 there is an interesting quote by Bell. One of the officers asks, "What is it that Torbert says about truth and justice?" Bell responds, "We dedicate ourselves anew daily. Somethin like that. I think I'm going to commence dedicating myself twice daily. It may come to three fore it's over." This shows how discouraging the times are becoming and serves to foreshadow the dismal events to come.
-Chigurh finds the transponder back at the hotel where the gunfight occurred.
-He waited there at the hotel for Wells
--"And there he waited for Wells. No one would do that." pg. 173 --->this shows how creative and capable Chigurh is. Is he invincible after all??
- Chigurh takes Wells at gunpoint and Wells begs for his life and tries to strike a deal, but Chigurh wont take it
--"Getting hurt changed me, he said. Changed my perspective...the best way I can put it, is that I've sort of caught up with myself. Thats not a bad thing. It was overdue." Pg. 173--> this once again proves that getting shot someone humbled him, and strengthened his beliefs in his purpose
--"It's still a good payday. It certainly is, It's just in the wrong currency." pg173--> this again points to Chigurh's motives being greater that money driven
-The dialogue between Chigurh and Well, before Wells is shot by Chigurh, is very interesting and insightful, giving more insight to Chigurh
--Chigurh says "You think Im like you. That it is just greed. But I'm not like you. I live a simple life." pg. 177 -->this is ironic because he is really a psychopathic killer, far from being simple, but it further proves he is a man of principles
--Chigurh tells Wells. "You've been giving up things for years to get her. I don't think I even understood that. How does a man decide in what order to abandon his life?" pg. 177--> this points to Chigurh's belief in fate and that everything is an instrument of fate, that every decision leads man to a certain path and to a certain point
-Chigurh kills Wells with plenty of imagery
-Llewelyn calls Odessa and talks to Carla Jean, telling her to get out of there
- Carla Jean wants to forget about the money and for things to be back they way they were
--""Llewelyn, I dont even want teh money. I just want us to be back like we was. We will be. No we wont. I've thought about it. It's a false god." pg. 182--->it is interesting to note that she regards the money as a false god, as a false thing which people worship. This ironically ties into Chigurh's belief of principles over money and points to a larger theme of life
-Moss agrees with Carla Jean, and calls Wells, but it is too late and Chigurh answers and they talk.
--Chigurh asks Moss if he know how this is going to turn out and Moss asks Chigurh if he does. Chigurh replies, "Yes I do, I think you do too. you just haven't accepted it yet. So this is what Ill do. YOu bring me the money and Ill let her walk. Otherwise she is accountable. the same as you .i dont know if you care about that but thats the best deal you are going to get." pg. 184...It is interesting that he brings Carla Jean into the mix...foreshadowing what is to come
-This is a good turning point in my opinion for Moss, because he gets mad and beings to man up and become ready to fight...
--"Im going to brin you somethin alright", Moss said. "Ive decided to make you a special project of mine." pg. 185 I just wonder if it is too late??
-Moss crosses back over into the United States and when he does, one of the guards, after questioning Moss, ironically tells him, "Sometimes you have a little problem and you don't fix it and then all of a sudden it aint a little problem anymore."pg 189-->if anybody understands this, Moss does, and this serves as theme for the whole novel
-Moss goes and gets new, nice clothes
-Bell and other police officers find and examine the scene where Wells was murdered
It is important to look at Carson Wells in this chapter and understand his role. The conversation he has with Chigurh is very insightful and provides the reader with more understanding and information about Chigurh and about a main theme of the novel.
-The chapter begins with Bell's excerpt talking about people growing up and figuring out what they are suppose to do
- He mentions the direction of the world once again, signaling the changing of times, and his feeling of what man has come to be
--"I wake up sometimes at night and I know as certain as death there aint nothin short of the second comin of Christ that can slow this train."pg. 159
-Chigurh address his wounds--> he buys a sack full of veterinary supplies, blows up a car and front of a pharmacy to get more supplies, and then cleans and takes care of his own injuries
--"His leg was black and blue and swollen badly. It looked like a snakebite...The hole was big enough to put your thumb in." pg. 164
--"Other than a light beading of sweat on his forehead there was little evidence that his labors had cost him anything at all." pg. 164 --> just like murdering the prison guard, or killing any innocent bystander, nothing is a big deal to Chigurh. He is strong and insensitive
-Chigurh stays in the motel for five days, doing nothing but watching the TV and getting madder and madder, wanting to seek revenge even more...this makes it more dangerous for Moss and his wife. It is almost as though getting injured humbled him, and now he refuses to make the same mistake again.
-Wells follows Moss's tracks and thinks he knows where the money is
-On page 169 there is an interesting quote by Bell. One of the officers asks, "What is it that Torbert says about truth and justice?" Bell responds, "We dedicate ourselves anew daily. Somethin like that. I think I'm going to commence dedicating myself twice daily. It may come to three fore it's over." This shows how discouraging the times are becoming and serves to foreshadow the dismal events to come.
-Chigurh finds the transponder back at the hotel where the gunfight occurred.
-He waited there at the hotel for Wells
--"And there he waited for Wells. No one would do that." pg. 173 --->this shows how creative and capable Chigurh is. Is he invincible after all??
- Chigurh takes Wells at gunpoint and Wells begs for his life and tries to strike a deal, but Chigurh wont take it
--"Getting hurt changed me, he said. Changed my perspective...the best way I can put it, is that I've sort of caught up with myself. Thats not a bad thing. It was overdue." Pg. 173--> this once again proves that getting shot someone humbled him, and strengthened his beliefs in his purpose
--"It's still a good payday. It certainly is, It's just in the wrong currency." pg173--> this again points to Chigurh's motives being greater that money driven
-The dialogue between Chigurh and Well, before Wells is shot by Chigurh, is very interesting and insightful, giving more insight to Chigurh
--Chigurh says "You think Im like you. That it is just greed. But I'm not like you. I live a simple life." pg. 177 -->this is ironic because he is really a psychopathic killer, far from being simple, but it further proves he is a man of principles
--Chigurh tells Wells. "You've been giving up things for years to get her. I don't think I even understood that. How does a man decide in what order to abandon his life?" pg. 177--> this points to Chigurh's belief in fate and that everything is an instrument of fate, that every decision leads man to a certain path and to a certain point
-Chigurh kills Wells with plenty of imagery
-Llewelyn calls Odessa and talks to Carla Jean, telling her to get out of there
- Carla Jean wants to forget about the money and for things to be back they way they were
--""Llewelyn, I dont even want teh money. I just want us to be back like we was. We will be. No we wont. I've thought about it. It's a false god." pg. 182--->it is interesting to note that she regards the money as a false god, as a false thing which people worship. This ironically ties into Chigurh's belief of principles over money and points to a larger theme of life
-Moss agrees with Carla Jean, and calls Wells, but it is too late and Chigurh answers and they talk.
--Chigurh asks Moss if he know how this is going to turn out and Moss asks Chigurh if he does. Chigurh replies, "Yes I do, I think you do too. you just haven't accepted it yet. So this is what Ill do. YOu bring me the money and Ill let her walk. Otherwise she is accountable. the same as you .i dont know if you care about that but thats the best deal you are going to get." pg. 184...It is interesting that he brings Carla Jean into the mix...foreshadowing what is to come
-This is a good turning point in my opinion for Moss, because he gets mad and beings to man up and become ready to fight...
--"Im going to brin you somethin alright", Moss said. "Ive decided to make you a special project of mine." pg. 185 I just wonder if it is too late??
-Moss crosses back over into the United States and when he does, one of the guards, after questioning Moss, ironically tells him, "Sometimes you have a little problem and you don't fix it and then all of a sudden it aint a little problem anymore."pg 189-->if anybody understands this, Moss does, and this serves as theme for the whole novel
-Moss goes and gets new, nice clothes
-Bell and other police officers find and examine the scene where Wells was murdered
It is important to look at Carson Wells in this chapter and understand his role. The conversation he has with Chigurh is very insightful and provides the reader with more understanding and information about Chigurh and about a main theme of the novel.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
no Country for Old Men Chapter 5
Summary and Analysis:
-In Bell's beginning excerpt, he is quoted as saying, "I think that when the lies are all told and forgot the truth will be there yet. It dont move about from place to place and it dont change from time to time. You cant corrupt it any more than you can salt salt. You cant corrupt it because that's what it is. It's the thing you're talking about." pg. 123 ---> this depicts his moral character and stresses why he is so concerned with the changing times and corruption of the world
-Bell mentions about the couple who murdered and tortured people and buried them in their yards....this further shows the changing of times and degrading nature of society
-Bell travels to Odessa to talk to Carla Jean but she wont give any information and she seems confident in her husband and trusts him
-we discussed this in class today, and yes she is young and naive, but at the same time she does have justifiable reasons to trust him
---when he was running errands in town trying to prepare himself for anyone looking for him, "a cabdriver asked him if he wanted to go see the girls and Moss held up his hand for him to see the ring he wore and kept on walking." pg. 85 --> Even though he is facing death and uncertainty, he wont cheat on his wife. Carla Jean therefore has a basis for her trust.
-Bells keeps warning Carla Jean that she should be more worried about her husband, emphasizing the seriousness of his situation
-There is an example of foreshadowing on page 127- "The face that lapped and shifted in the dark liquid in the cup seemed an omen of things to come. Things losing shape." This foreshadows the disastrous events to come, and the chaos Moss will endure from Chigurh and the others chasing him, and the chaos Carla Jean and Bell will endure
-Bell tells Carla Jean that Moss is going to "wind up killin somebody" and she says he never has and points out that he was in Vietnam as a civilian, citing his character further and proving he has moral values
-The way Carla Jean and Llewellyn met is discussed, and Bell chimes in about his marriage to his wife, creating a common bond and connection between Bell and Moss's character. quotes pg. 133
-Bell is informed about the shootout
---"Its just and out and out war is what it is." pg. 134
-In learning about the nightclerk Bell is told he was hit by a stray round. "About as bad a piece of lick as you could have, I reckon. Caught a stray round." But Bell knows that since he was hit right between the eyes, it had nothing to do with a stray round or luck at all, but that the nightclerk was murdered by the "stungun"...this mean he was murdered by Chigurh which sees himself as an instrument of fate, rather than dealing out luck
-The next major point in the plot of the chapter is the hitman Wells, meeting with the group of people who want to find the money. They want Wells to find Chigurh b/c "He killed two other men a couple of days before and those two did happen to be ours." pg. 141
--two sides of the drug deal, Wells is meeting with one....he is meeting with the one who Chigurh had something to do with and has now betrayed in the attempt to find Moss and the money
-Wells begins his search by going to the hotel where the shootout occurred and gathering clues
-He finds and Moss in the hospital and talks to him
-He warns Moss about Chigurh
--->"He's not somebody you really want to know. The people he meets tend to have very short futures. Nonexistent in fact.....This man wont stop looking for you. Even if he gets the money back, It wont make any difference to him. Even if you went to him and gave him the money he would still kill you. Just for having inconvenienced him." pg. 150
--->"he is a peculiar man. You could even say that he has principles. Principles taht transcend money or drugs or anything like that." Pg. 153 ...is he referring to him believing he is an instrument of fate??
--->tells Moss that Chigurh will kill his wife... interesting to note that when Wells says this, Moss's pain increased
-Why Wells gives Moss his mobile phone number and talks to him about everything--->"I guess because I think if I could get you to understand the position you're in it would make my job easier. I dont know anything about you. But I know you're not cut out for this." pg. 154
* he would rather deal with Moss than Chigurh
Wells seems to be an interesting character
*humorous...parking validation joke, brings Moss flowers, jokes with nightclerk
*im interested to see what he does..if he ends up helping Moss or not
*is he really trustworthy??
-In Bell's beginning excerpt, he is quoted as saying, "I think that when the lies are all told and forgot the truth will be there yet. It dont move about from place to place and it dont change from time to time. You cant corrupt it any more than you can salt salt. You cant corrupt it because that's what it is. It's the thing you're talking about." pg. 123 ---> this depicts his moral character and stresses why he is so concerned with the changing times and corruption of the world
-Bell mentions about the couple who murdered and tortured people and buried them in their yards....this further shows the changing of times and degrading nature of society
-Bell travels to Odessa to talk to Carla Jean but she wont give any information and she seems confident in her husband and trusts him
-we discussed this in class today, and yes she is young and naive, but at the same time she does have justifiable reasons to trust him
---when he was running errands in town trying to prepare himself for anyone looking for him, "a cabdriver asked him if he wanted to go see the girls and Moss held up his hand for him to see the ring he wore and kept on walking." pg. 85 --> Even though he is facing death and uncertainty, he wont cheat on his wife. Carla Jean therefore has a basis for her trust.
-Bells keeps warning Carla Jean that she should be more worried about her husband, emphasizing the seriousness of his situation
-There is an example of foreshadowing on page 127- "The face that lapped and shifted in the dark liquid in the cup seemed an omen of things to come. Things losing shape." This foreshadows the disastrous events to come, and the chaos Moss will endure from Chigurh and the others chasing him, and the chaos Carla Jean and Bell will endure
-Bell tells Carla Jean that Moss is going to "wind up killin somebody" and she says he never has and points out that he was in Vietnam as a civilian, citing his character further and proving he has moral values
-The way Carla Jean and Llewellyn met is discussed, and Bell chimes in about his marriage to his wife, creating a common bond and connection between Bell and Moss's character. quotes pg. 133
-Bell is informed about the shootout
---"Its just and out and out war is what it is." pg. 134
-In learning about the nightclerk Bell is told he was hit by a stray round. "About as bad a piece of lick as you could have, I reckon. Caught a stray round." But Bell knows that since he was hit right between the eyes, it had nothing to do with a stray round or luck at all, but that the nightclerk was murdered by the "stungun"...this mean he was murdered by Chigurh which sees himself as an instrument of fate, rather than dealing out luck
-The next major point in the plot of the chapter is the hitman Wells, meeting with the group of people who want to find the money. They want Wells to find Chigurh b/c "He killed two other men a couple of days before and those two did happen to be ours." pg. 141
--two sides of the drug deal, Wells is meeting with one....he is meeting with the one who Chigurh had something to do with and has now betrayed in the attempt to find Moss and the money
-Wells begins his search by going to the hotel where the shootout occurred and gathering clues
-He finds and Moss in the hospital and talks to him
-He warns Moss about Chigurh
--->"He's not somebody you really want to know. The people he meets tend to have very short futures. Nonexistent in fact.....This man wont stop looking for you. Even if he gets the money back, It wont make any difference to him. Even if you went to him and gave him the money he would still kill you. Just for having inconvenienced him." pg. 150
--->"he is a peculiar man. You could even say that he has principles. Principles taht transcend money or drugs or anything like that." Pg. 153 ...is he referring to him believing he is an instrument of fate??
--->tells Moss that Chigurh will kill his wife... interesting to note that when Wells says this, Moss's pain increased
-Why Wells gives Moss his mobile phone number and talks to him about everything--->"I guess because I think if I could get you to understand the position you're in it would make my job easier. I dont know anything about you. But I know you're not cut out for this." pg. 154
* he would rather deal with Moss than Chigurh
Wells seems to be an interesting character
*humorous...parking validation joke, brings Moss flowers, jokes with nightclerk
*im interested to see what he does..if he ends up helping Moss or not
*is he really trustworthy??
No Country for Old Men Chapter 4
Summary:
-In Sheriff Bell's introduction, he talks about being sheriff and everything his wife has done for him
-He talks about he met his wife and how lucky he is
--"She's a better person than anybody I know. Period." pg 91
--"People think they know what they want but they generally don't. Sometimes if they're lucky they'll get it anyways. Me I was always lucky." Pg. 91 -->this deals with the whole theme on luck and chance vs. fate, this in direct contrast with Chigurh who sees everything as fate and himself as the instrument of fate
-Bell goes to investigate at Moss's house but no one is there
--"You think this boy has got any notion of the sorts of sons of bitches that are huntin him?" pg. 94-->this points to the sever trouble Moss is in
-DEA Agent McIntyre comes
-Chigurh picks up the signal coming from the transponder in the money
-On Chigurh's way to Moss's hotel, he sees a large bird and tries to shoot it (pg. 98) this shows again the difference between him and Bell...Bell moved the dead hawk because he respected it, while Chigurh tries to kill one
-While Chigurh is on his way, Moss cleverly gets another hotel room and retrieves the money from the air ducts and leaves
-Chigurh checks into the hotel, sleeps for a while and then goes to one of the room searching for Moss....there were already people there waiting for Moss and Chigurh coldly murders them
--"Chigurh stepped back to avoid the spray of ceramic chips off the tub and shot him in the face" pg. 104
-Bell figures out Chigurh's weapon is an air-powered gun that shoots a steel bolt
-Moss arrives at a new hotel and finds the transmitter in the money
--"He thought about a lot of things but the thing that stayed with him was that at some point he was going to have to quit running on luck." pg. 108--->this again goes along with the theme of chance/luck vs fate/destiny
--"It had already occurred to him that he would probably never be safe again in his life and he wondered if that was something that you got use to." pg. 109---> Moss has made a decision and now is forced to deal with the consequences
-Moss goes to sleep and wakes up suddenly at 4:37 in the morning...he knows someone has come for him so he hides under the bed. Then the man, who turns out to be Chigurh comes into the room and Moss knows he has to act
--"Too late to make any more mistakes or to do anything at all and that he was going to die. Do it, he said. Just do it." pg. 111
-Moss does not shoot him, but runs, and in doing so proves his character as not being malicious or evil and not inclined to kill, but in not shooting Chigurh, Moss puts himself in danger
--"By the time he'd crosssed the street Chigurh was already on the balcony of the hotel above him...The bullet snapped at his shirt and blood started running down his upper arm and he was already at a dead run." Pg. 113
-Another group of men hunting Moss join in and a gunfight ensues
--"...a pandemonium of gunfire had broken out behind him." pg. 114
-Moss buys a jacket from a group of teenagers to hide his blood and who he is, and then warns them to keep walking---.this shows his good character once again as he is looking out for others
-Moss makes it across the Mexican border and gets someone to take him to a doctor
-Chigurh continues to be in the gunfight and continues on his murderous streak. He cold-heartedly shoots the other men proving even more of his malicious character
--"Chigurh shot him through the forehead and then stood watching. Watching the capillaries break up up in his eyes. The light receding. Watching his own image degrade in that squandered world.
--->this quote talks about a squandered world pointing to the changing of times and the severity of degradation in the world
---> This quote also shows how different Chigurh is from Moss. Moss wont even shoot Chigurh when he knows he is trying to kill him, but Chigurh takes enjoyment out of murder and savors it
It is going to be interesting to see what happens to Moss and what extent and techniques Chigurh will employ next in order to find him. I am curious to see Sheriff Bell's role unfold even more and I want to know what is going to happen to Carla Jean.
-In Sheriff Bell's introduction, he talks about being sheriff and everything his wife has done for him
-He talks about he met his wife and how lucky he is
--"She's a better person than anybody I know. Period." pg 91
--"People think they know what they want but they generally don't. Sometimes if they're lucky they'll get it anyways. Me I was always lucky." Pg. 91 -->this deals with the whole theme on luck and chance vs. fate, this in direct contrast with Chigurh who sees everything as fate and himself as the instrument of fate
-Bell goes to investigate at Moss's house but no one is there
--"You think this boy has got any notion of the sorts of sons of bitches that are huntin him?" pg. 94-->this points to the sever trouble Moss is in
-DEA Agent McIntyre comes
-Chigurh picks up the signal coming from the transponder in the money
-On Chigurh's way to Moss's hotel, he sees a large bird and tries to shoot it (pg. 98) this shows again the difference between him and Bell...Bell moved the dead hawk because he respected it, while Chigurh tries to kill one
-While Chigurh is on his way, Moss cleverly gets another hotel room and retrieves the money from the air ducts and leaves
-Chigurh checks into the hotel, sleeps for a while and then goes to one of the room searching for Moss....there were already people there waiting for Moss and Chigurh coldly murders them
--"Chigurh stepped back to avoid the spray of ceramic chips off the tub and shot him in the face" pg. 104
-Bell figures out Chigurh's weapon is an air-powered gun that shoots a steel bolt
-Moss arrives at a new hotel and finds the transmitter in the money
--"He thought about a lot of things but the thing that stayed with him was that at some point he was going to have to quit running on luck." pg. 108--->this again goes along with the theme of chance/luck vs fate/destiny
--"It had already occurred to him that he would probably never be safe again in his life and he wondered if that was something that you got use to." pg. 109---> Moss has made a decision and now is forced to deal with the consequences
-Moss goes to sleep and wakes up suddenly at 4:37 in the morning...he knows someone has come for him so he hides under the bed. Then the man, who turns out to be Chigurh comes into the room and Moss knows he has to act
--"Too late to make any more mistakes or to do anything at all and that he was going to die. Do it, he said. Just do it." pg. 111
-Moss does not shoot him, but runs, and in doing so proves his character as not being malicious or evil and not inclined to kill, but in not shooting Chigurh, Moss puts himself in danger
--"By the time he'd crosssed the street Chigurh was already on the balcony of the hotel above him...The bullet snapped at his shirt and blood started running down his upper arm and he was already at a dead run." Pg. 113
-Another group of men hunting Moss join in and a gunfight ensues
--"...a pandemonium of gunfire had broken out behind him." pg. 114
-Moss buys a jacket from a group of teenagers to hide his blood and who he is, and then warns them to keep walking---.this shows his good character once again as he is looking out for others
-Moss makes it across the Mexican border and gets someone to take him to a doctor
-Chigurh continues to be in the gunfight and continues on his murderous streak. He cold-heartedly shoots the other men proving even more of his malicious character
--"Chigurh shot him through the forehead and then stood watching. Watching the capillaries break up up in his eyes. The light receding. Watching his own image degrade in that squandered world.
--->this quote talks about a squandered world pointing to the changing of times and the severity of degradation in the world
---> This quote also shows how different Chigurh is from Moss. Moss wont even shoot Chigurh when he knows he is trying to kill him, but Chigurh takes enjoyment out of murder and savors it
It is going to be interesting to see what happens to Moss and what extent and techniques Chigurh will employ next in order to find him. I am curious to see Sheriff Bell's role unfold even more and I want to know what is going to happen to Carla Jean.
Monday, August 30, 2010
No Country for Old Men Chapter 3
Summary:
-Bell begins the chapter by talking about the old times and wondering whether or not we benefit from new technology or not
--"I told the man I thought I'd stick with what I had. That aint always a good policy. But it aint always a bad one neither." pg. 62
---> this goes along with the theme of the uncertain future and not knowing what is to come; it highlights Bell's fears also
-There is a car fire at the scene of the drug war and Bell is alerted to it
-The next day he and another deputy take the horses out there and investigate; they realize Moss's truck is there and wonder what happened to him
--"I hope this boy aint dead down here, Bell said. He seemed a decent enough boy the time or two I seen him." --->shows Moss is a good guy, helps the reader to like him
-Bell is then informed about the man Chigurh killed to take his car, and the interesting wound
--"they said that he had what looked to be a large caliber bullet wound in the forehead and that said wound had penetrated to a distance of approximately two and a half inches through the skull and into the frontal love of the brain but that there was not no bullet to be found." pg. 78--->Chigurh has sophisticated weapons and is always one step ahead
-Bell is confused
--"I aint sure we've seen these people before. Their kind. I dont know what to do about em even. If you killed em all they'd have to build a annex on to hell." pg. 79
--->uncertain future, foreshadows the chaos to come
-Chigurh, getting information from Moss's truck, goes to Moss's trailer looking for him, he asks around about him also
-Moss had left the trailer and gets on a bus to Del Rio and gets a hotel room
-He runs errands and tries to prepare himself
--hides money
--gets a shotgun and customizes it
--stays in a different hotel one night
--thinks about situation
--->"..he knew that he was probably going to have to kill somebody. he just didnt know who it was." pg. 87 ...foreshadowing
-Bell begins the chapter by talking about the old times and wondering whether or not we benefit from new technology or not
--"I told the man I thought I'd stick with what I had. That aint always a good policy. But it aint always a bad one neither." pg. 62
---> this goes along with the theme of the uncertain future and not knowing what is to come; it highlights Bell's fears also
-There is a car fire at the scene of the drug war and Bell is alerted to it
-The next day he and another deputy take the horses out there and investigate; they realize Moss's truck is there and wonder what happened to him
--"I hope this boy aint dead down here, Bell said. He seemed a decent enough boy the time or two I seen him." --->shows Moss is a good guy, helps the reader to like him
-Bell is then informed about the man Chigurh killed to take his car, and the interesting wound
--"they said that he had what looked to be a large caliber bullet wound in the forehead and that said wound had penetrated to a distance of approximately two and a half inches through the skull and into the frontal love of the brain but that there was not no bullet to be found." pg. 78--->Chigurh has sophisticated weapons and is always one step ahead
-Bell is confused
--"I aint sure we've seen these people before. Their kind. I dont know what to do about em even. If you killed em all they'd have to build a annex on to hell." pg. 79
--->uncertain future, foreshadows the chaos to come
-Chigurh, getting information from Moss's truck, goes to Moss's trailer looking for him, he asks around about him also
-Moss had left the trailer and gets on a bus to Del Rio and gets a hotel room
-He runs errands and tries to prepare himself
--hides money
--gets a shotgun and customizes it
--stays in a different hotel one night
--thinks about situation
--->"..he knew that he was probably going to have to kill somebody. he just didnt know who it was." pg. 87 ...foreshadowing
No Country for Old Men Chapter 2
Summary:
-This chapter begins with another excerpt from Sheriff Bell, in which he wonders whether law enforcement is more dangerous these days.
--"...but maybe you see worse." pg. 38
--"...you have got some very serious people." pg. 39
--"It keeps getting harder." pg. 40
--"I just have a feelin we're looking at somethin we really aint never seen before." pg 46
--->this again points to the theme of the uncertain future and the changing times and digression of society
-A crime scene is then described, which strengthens the idea of a more savage society
-Then while driving, Bell sees a hawk dead in the road and pulls over to move it
--"He wouldnt have the trucks running over it." pg. 45
--->what could this be a symbol for??
--->shows Bell's character, a good, caring man
-Moss makes it back home and tells Carla that they are leaving
--She is going to her mother's in Odessa
---> "you need to get your stuff packed and be ready to roll out of here come daylight. Whatever you leave you aint goin to see it again so if you want it dont leave it." pg. 49
-In this chapter, Chigurh's experience with a convenient store clerk is presented in detail and provides more information about his character
--Very rude to the owner
--->"I guess that passes for manners in your cracker view of things." -- Chigurh setting himself up as superior
--He tells the owner to pick head or tails for a coin toss
--->"What's the biggest thing you ever saw settled?' pg. 55 --> store owner doesn't realize he is flipping a coin for his life
--"Anything can be an instrument..Small things. Things you wouldn't even notice. they pass from hand to hand. People dont pay attention. And then one day there's an accounting. And after that nothing is the same." pg. 57
--->Chigurh sees himself as an instrument of fate, and views that as his purpose. He is confident and diligent in his work and takes it very seriously.
-Chigurh then goes to the scene of the drug war and finds out that it is Moss's truck
* very important to look at and understand Chigurh's experience with the convenient store clerk, and to understand how he views himself.... INSTRUMENT OF FATE
-This chapter begins with another excerpt from Sheriff Bell, in which he wonders whether law enforcement is more dangerous these days.
--"...but maybe you see worse." pg. 38
--"...you have got some very serious people." pg. 39
--"It keeps getting harder." pg. 40
--"I just have a feelin we're looking at somethin we really aint never seen before." pg 46
--->this again points to the theme of the uncertain future and the changing times and digression of society
-A crime scene is then described, which strengthens the idea of a more savage society
-Then while driving, Bell sees a hawk dead in the road and pulls over to move it
--"He wouldnt have the trucks running over it." pg. 45
--->what could this be a symbol for??
--->shows Bell's character, a good, caring man
-Moss makes it back home and tells Carla that they are leaving
--She is going to her mother's in Odessa
---> "you need to get your stuff packed and be ready to roll out of here come daylight. Whatever you leave you aint goin to see it again so if you want it dont leave it." pg. 49
-In this chapter, Chigurh's experience with a convenient store clerk is presented in detail and provides more information about his character
--Very rude to the owner
--->"I guess that passes for manners in your cracker view of things." -- Chigurh setting himself up as superior
--He tells the owner to pick head or tails for a coin toss
--->"What's the biggest thing you ever saw settled?' pg. 55 --> store owner doesn't realize he is flipping a coin for his life
--"Anything can be an instrument..Small things. Things you wouldn't even notice. they pass from hand to hand. People dont pay attention. And then one day there's an accounting. And after that nothing is the same." pg. 57
--->Chigurh sees himself as an instrument of fate, and views that as his purpose. He is confident and diligent in his work and takes it very seriously.
-Chigurh then goes to the scene of the drug war and finds out that it is Moss's truck
* very important to look at and understand Chigurh's experience with the convenient store clerk, and to understand how he views himself.... INSTRUMENT OF FATE
No Country for Old Men Chapter 1
Summary:
-The chapter begins with Sheriff Bell talking about one boy he has sent to the gas chamber
-The chapter begins with Sheriff Bell talking about one boy he has sent to the gas chamber
--"I thought I had never seen a person like that and it got me to wonderin if maybe he was some new kind." pg. 3
-It then proceeds into Chigurh's escape from jail by effortlessly killing the officer and then killing another man to commandeer his vehicle
--"If it looked like a thing he'd practiced many times it was." pg. 5
-Next Moss is introduced as he hunts antelope and then as he comes upon the scene of dead men, probably the result of a drug deal gone wrong; there was one man still barely alive begging for water
-Moss follows the tracks of another man and finds him dead, along with a case holding a lot of money (2.4 million)
--"His whole life was sitting there in front of him, Day after Day from dawn till dark, until he was dead." pg. 18
-Later that night Moss returns to the scene to bring that man some water
--"I'm fixin to do something dumber than hell but I'm goin anyways." pg. 24
--"His own shadow was more company than he would have liked. Ugly feeling out here. A trespasser. Among the dead." Pg. 25
-Moss finds the man is dead
-Other people show up and see Moss's truck and see him
-Moss is forced to run for his life
--"If you knew there was somebody out here afoot that had tow million dollars of your money, at what point would you quit looking for em?" Pg. 29
Interesting Points and Quotes:
-Language of the novel reflects the culture
-Thoughts and speech aren't really separated, no quotation marks are used
-Foreshadowing: " But he wasnt nothin compared to what was comin down the pike." pg. 4--> this quote from Sheriff Bell seems to indicate the disaster and terror to come in the plot
-Foreshadowing: "They say that eyes are windows to the soul...But there is another view of the world out there and other eyes to see it and that's where this is goin." pg. 4--> This quote from Sheriff Bell seems to foreshadow the changing of times and a theme of an individual's view of, and purpose in life, in this developing world.
-Chigurh seems to be very cold and completely disregards human life--> tells the man to move just so he doesn't get blood on the car
-It will be interesting to see how Moss develops as the story unfolds and what choices and steps he must take now that people know he has the money
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