Post #3

While there were many interesting plot-points worth discussing in this week's reading of "Almanac," I think that Silko's sheer bravery in writing this piece has become extremely evident and is worth mentioning. Many students (myself included) had trouble getting started with this story because it's rather long and confusing, or at least it seemed that way at first. In order to make myself stay focused and appreciative of the book, I started looking more at the writing than at the plot, and I realized just how rare an author like Silko is. She is afraid of nothing. In the first few readings alone she discussed, drugs, murder, child molestation, illegal surgical videos, clairvoyance, and now the incident with Ferro. In any other book, a situation involving a boy who masturbates at the thought of Jesus on the cross would be slightly shocking, but coming from Silko I felt as though I should have expected it.

That isn't to say that I am against her harsh realities, in fact it's quite the opposite. As we've discussed already in class, Silko has seen what happens at the bottom of the societal ladder, and from the bottom you have a pretty clear view of the top. Unfortunately, the top can't see the bottom quite as well, which is why a lot of people are offended by this book. But those people should take note that Silko is hardly stretching the truth to shock her readers. She's telling the truths of a society that she knows all too well, even though it seems foreign to most people. Personally, I find it refreshing.

Post #2

Whoa - I could see that Mason Rollins' character was becoming more aggressive, but forcing himself on Fiction? We haven't seen the last of this folks. I always considered them friends at the very least, with nothing more than a playful (albeit annoying) flirtatious influence thanks to Mason. This adds quite the drama to the story, seeing as Big Red is Mason's "right hand man" at the moment. I expect that Big Red is going to have to choose where his loyalties lie in regards to Fiction or Mason, and something tells me he's going to choose Fiction. I also foresee Two Step having a larger role in the pages to come. He always seems to pop up at the right time (as when Mason was a little too friendly with Fiction) and to me this seems like more than coincidence.

As for Bud, I think we are starting to see his confidence really falter for the first time. Mason's financial influence has given him a power that I don't think Bud ever saw coming. That being said, I'm wondering whose side I should be on. Throughout the whole book I have hated Bud, but now I hate Mason, too! His money is going to his head, and his plans for the community are becoming a little too lofty. Are his motives still as good-natured as they used to be? Or have they turned into something more sinister, just like he has? We will just have to wait and see...

Post #1

So far, the most interesting aspect of the story for me has been the relationship between Bud and Fiction. It was difficult at first to accept the way that he treated her, and I found myself struggling to see Bud as a believable character. Now, after this latest reading assignment I am able to better understand how and why they treat each other the way that they do. As was mentioned before, the hunt really stuck out as an excellent analogy for the "old vs. young" or "traditional vs. new" theme in the story. Fiction's affiliation with the more revolutionary members of the tribe (especially Mason) makes her an immediate enemy to Bud and his traditional values. The fact that the older members crashed Mason's party shows that they are not afraid to take matters into their own hands, much like Bud did with Fiction when he attacked her. I think that the juxtaposition that is created here was done on purpose, and serves as a comparison between the many rifts that are occurring within the nation.

This opens up a new realm of consequences, as well as an opportunity for retaliation. The fight is no longer between just Bud and Fiction or Bud and Mason. As for where it will lead, I could only begin to guess. My opinions about the characters keep shifting and I don’t know who I should trust to be good. There are much larger entities at war here, and it is clear that there is a divide forming among the people.