Smashing!

"And suddenly it was luminously clear to the Savage what he must do; it was as though a shutter had been opened, a curtain drawn back." - p. 210

That's an epiphany if ever I've seen one.

John knew all along, I think, that he hated this soma stuff, and that something had to be done about it. He just didn't feel like being proactive. He didn't feel a personal responsibility for any of them. He had been too busy mooning over Lenina. The realization that Lenina wasn't really his type and the death of his mother--these in rapid succession-- provided the impetus/incentive for him to make his move. That soma-smashing session reminded me first of the Boston Tea Party and then of the scene in Order of the Phoenix in which the prophecies all get smashed. The Boston Tea Party is the better parallel in terms of intent, but the Order of the Phoenix parallel works better for me because I saw that one happen, and it sounds smash-y-er in my mind.

Hufflepuffs are particularly good finders.

8. The final plot twist comes in the last two sentences of the story. here the narrator speaks directly to the reader, giving us information the characters don't know. How is this an appropriate conclusion to the story? What final statement does Wolff seem to be making here about his characters?

This is an appropriate conclusion to the story because it confirms what the reader probably already suspects. Although Frank and Kenny and Tub may seem to have changed, their respective epiphanies do not make them dynamic characters. Wolff seems to be telling the reader, "Don't worry. They are all still bumbling idiots. They just feel a lot more content about it now."

I really shouldn't say that about them, as I get lost nearly every time I endeavor to find a new place, but I know I'm a bumbling idiot when it comes to that, so it's okay. Not very Hufflepuff-ish at all. Therefore, what I draw from this story is as follows:

• Frank, Kenny and Tub will use their newfound insights into themselves to make an even greater mess of their lives than they have already made.
• If a friend points a gun at you, don't shoot. Just duck or something.
• Frank and Tub are definitely not Hufflepuffs.