Sunday, March 7, 2010

Shadows holding hands

Morrison leaves this chapter with: "the shadows of three people still held hands" (59). What is the implication, do you imagine?

20 comments:

  1. Sethe, Paul D, and Denver enter the carnival being the shadows of three people. Disconnected, confused, uncomfortable people. After seeing Sethe's enjoyment of peoples' courtesy, and Paul D's kindness to everyone around, Denver is left with the thought that being together might turn out to be a good thing. Through her stubbornness i feel that she truly is having fun, she just won't admit it. They might be leaving as the same shadows of three people, but the difference is that they are together. They are holding hands, giving a sense of comfort to each other. Ensuring that they know there is a shoulder to lean on. For now, they are getting comfortable with the circumstances, even if they know they might "let go" of each other, that their togetherness may not be permanent.

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  2. Since the silhouettes are referred to, rather than the actual physical people, facial expressions are unavailable. It is possible that the hand holding is nothing more than a facade for the disdain that Denver is experiencing towards Paul D. The implication of a shadow is also a darker part of our self. It stalks us and there is no way to get rid of it. Something dark is at work.

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  3. Sethe, Denver and Paul D are referred to as "the shadows Of three people" who "held hands." The implication derived from this, is of three connected people who seem comfortable and joyous with each other. Clearly, exposure to entertainment at the carnival causes Sethe, Denver and Paul D to relax and forget their anguish.For the first time in a long time, Denver feels accepted by others who have ostracised her before. She allows herself to experience pleasure and "sways with delight." Even, the angry, depressed Sethe seems to release her pain, and "return the smiles she got." However, despite the fact that the three people enjoy the moment, the word "shadows" preceding "of three people" creates an eerie foreboding feeling, that this joyous moment is fleeting and something ominous is awaiting in the shadows.

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  4. The three holding hands may be a representation of something that cannot be. They cannot be completely happy because Sethe and Paul D will always have an overcasting shadow that will haunt them forever. And a shadow is just a false image of a happy family. The shadow may also be a ghostly image of Halle if he did die and that's what their family would have looked like. The action of holding hands unites women, men, and children.

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  5. The fact that shadows are leading Sethe, Denver, and Paul D display a foreshadowing of dissapointing and ultamitely depressing event. During the beginning of the carnival, the shadow in the back of the three people shows a hidden positive feeling, as well as the darkness being held at bay. As the carnival brings out the happiness in Denver, Paul D and Sethe, the shadow is nowhere to be seen. However, as the three are leaving the enjoyable sanctuary of the carnival, the shadow has both found them and is leading them to the path of destruction.

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  6. Paul D, Denver and Sethe are at the carnival having fun and enjoying the present moments of community. As they leave the carnival Sethe sees the shadows of her own, Denver's and Paul D's and sees there shadows overlapping as if they were holding hands. Sethe interprets this as a good sign for future happiness.

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  7. A shadow is a dark refection of oneself. The implication may be that even through the dark times they will still be "holding hands". The carnival may be the last thing filled with light and happiness that they have together for a while.

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  8. It is a sign for the future, of what it could hold. The possibility of happiness. When Sethe, Paul D, and Denver entered the carnival there were shadows, but they were shadows that were not connected. They were all uncomfortable with their surroundings. But once Sethe see's how everyone is being kind, she begins to enjoy herself, and for the first time Denver seems to also. They are now able to get more comfortable with one another.

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  9. I think that Sethe is in a stage of being uncomfortable. She only wants the best for herself and for her daughter, Denver. I feel that as we keep on readong, Sethe and Denver will catch up on a stronger relationship and connection with eachother. And, Paul D will be their for comfort and support. Once they start engaging one another, they will start to realize what good will come to them.

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  10. I interpreted the last quote as a sign of future trouble for Denver, Sethe and Paul D. I think the idea of shadows being in front of you portrays the idea of darkness and sadness in the future. The key to this quote however is that all three of them are holding hands. I think this shows that though tough times lie ahead, all three of them will be there to support, comfort and protect each other from the darkness that lies ahead.

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  11. The threes' shadows uniting at the end of the chapter is suppose to signify the true, internal reality of this new family relationship. Denver, externally, still reluctant to accept Paul D, as any daughter would be when facing an imposing father figure, and with her pride in her initial convictions clings to that stubbornness. Still, the carnival was able to shed some minor amount of awkwardness from the troubled trifecta and their shadows uniting is proof of their new or maybe growing bond

    Michael Sambol

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  12. The three shadows at the end of the chapter are Sethe, Paul D , Denver. In the quote it mentions that they are holding hands.This shows a uniting between the three. Even though Denver, Paul D and Sethe have go through so much in their lives, the joy of getting out of 124 and the hauntedness of the house while going to the carnival helps to suppress their pain. although Denver feels lonely, she starts to feel connected with Paul D. The holding of the hands shows uniting and the start to a new, better family where Denver can have a father figure and Sethe can feel love from a man after Halle is gone.

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  13. The shadows of the three of them holding hands can represent the future. It can mean that they will be able to be happy in the future. Since their shadows are overlapping it shows that their problems and fears are similar and they can all be there for each other to help and lend a hand when needed.

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  14. This is my second time posting this so it won't be as good as my first because not i'm just frustrated but basically i said that the quote implies that sethe paul d and denver have gone to the carnival and had an unhaunted experience together. Although there is tension between paul d and denver.

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  15. bballver4evr is melanie

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  16. The shadows interlocking, illustrate that Sethe, Paul D and Denver are now a family. This shows that they will never be haunted by Crawling already because they got through the experience of the Carnival without being haunted. This also forshadow's for the next chapter when we find out that Crawling Already truly has stopped haunting them and come back to life in the form of a young woman named Beloved.

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  17. I feel that Sethe, Paul D, and Denver feel more connected by the end of this chapter. In teh beginning ther was turmoil between Paul D and Denver. It seemed that Dnever would never accept Paul D into Sethe and Denver's isolated, almost eclusive life style. Paul D and Sethe have a common history together whereas Denver does not. She only knows Sethe. At the end of the chapter Denver seems at ease or at least more comfortable with Paul D staying around longer. Everything seems to be looking up, even though Paul D and Sethe' s past continues to follow them.

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  18. I feel as though the shadows holding hands could symbolize two different things.

    The first is the foretelling of a renewed life--Sethe's hope that she, Denever and Paul D can come together as a family and be happy. No matter where the move or what they do at the carnival, their shadows' hands remain linked. This could suggest a bond that is unbreakable by the spirit world--aka Denver.

    The second is a foreshadowing that something bad is to come. Shadows usually symbolize something dark and ominous. The linked arms could instead hint at an alliance between certain characters which could be detrimental for others.

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  19. I think the implication of the quote is that there still is a connection between Sethe, Paul D, and Denver. No matter, what they have gone through they are still holding hands and in support of one and other.

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  20. When I read this sentence I imagined that the three characters were going to stay together for an exended period of time. Also, the fact that their shadows, a remnant of themselves, are trailing behind them might suggest that their pasts are intertwined.

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