Thank- you for your perceptive, thought provoking comments! Here are some of your more salient observations:
(Also, just a friendly reminder: Remember, even if you are listed as a part of a group, you do not receive credit unless you actually post. As well, if you only comment on another post (just do Post 2) and do not create your own post (Post 1) then you also do not get credit for being present.)
Allegory of the Cave:
Roshelle (and Jonathan agrees) makes a very interesting comment when she points out that both of these stories are about the “power of the mind” to shape one’s view of the world; Mark agrees, and he points out that both stories show the power of perception; Crystal points out that both the “shadows” from the cave and Gregor’s new form are “disturbing” to the others, who would rather stay in their safe, limited worlds; Kelly, too, feels that the characters from both stories are happy in their ignorance, and that when confronted with change, people will always react negatively; Zeyu makes a very perceptive comment, when he points out that both stories (and most stories) have an “outsider,” one who moves away from his/her routine way of seeing things, and that Gregor’s transformation allows him to “understand the meaning of love.” This is very interesting. What do others think? Radia points out that in both stories, the family and the prisoners don’t try to understand the new “truth” that they are faced with; Elizaveta seems to agree, and she says that the others do not and will not see beyond their own version of the truth; Denny points out that the family, like the escaped prisoner, was actually able to then see a new reality for themselves, and maybe new hope?
Kaspar:
Chi makes the perceptive comment, when she points out that both Kaspar and “The Met.” show how uncaring society (and family) truly is; Myra agrees and says that both protagonists are not appreciated for who they are; Diana goes on to say that both stories teach the “lesson” that everyone must work together, to be truly productive;