Hamlet’s Madness in Craft Essay - 887 Words

In Act I, Scene V, after hearing the ghost’s demand for revenge, Hamlet says in advance that he will consciously feign madness while seeking the opportune moment to kill Claudius. Therefore, it is hard to conclude that he coincidentally became insane after making such a vow. Hamlet’s supposed madness becomes his primary way of interacting with the other characters during most of the play, in addition to being a major device that Shakespeare uses to develop his character. Still, the question remains: Is Hamlet really crazy or just pretending? The major conflict which seems obscures the possibility of obtaining clarity on the answer to this question is Hamlet’s inability to find any certain moral truths as he works his way toward revenge.†¦show more content†¦During their conversation, Hamlet calls the old man a â€Å"fishmonger† and irrationally responds to his questions. Still, many of Hamlet’s seemingly lunatic statements disguise pointed observations about Polonius’s conceit and old age. In fact, Polonius himself comments that while Hamlet is not of right mind, his words are often â€Å"pregnant† with meaning (II.ii.206). Then, in Act III, Scene I, Claudius and Polonius eavesdrop on Hamlet’s conversation with Ophelia so as to establish whether Hamlet’s madness stems from his lovesickness over Ophelia. However, before we, the audience, see this encounter, we already think we know more than Claudius does in that we know that Hamlet is only acting crazy, and that he’s doing it to hide the fact that he is studying and plotting against his uncle. Therefore, we the audience suppose that it cannot be true that Hamlet is acting mad because of his love for Ophelia. Yet, Hamlet’s vindictive attitude toward her throws everything we think we know into question. Does Hamlet mean what he says to Ophelia? To be sure, it is another question for a later date. In Act III, Scene II, Hamlet app ears to be more self-controlled, given that he skillfully manipulates Rosencrantz and Guildenstern and his speaks freely with Horatio. The facility with which Hamlet alternates between passionate, erratic behavior and rational, focused behavior seems to prove that he is not insane after all. While he is excited yet articulate during his conversationShow MoreRelatedHamlet’s Madness in Craft Essay868 Words   |  4 PagesIn Act I, Scene V, after hearing the ghost’s demand for revenge, Hamlet says in advance that he will consciously feign madness while seeking the opportune moment to kill Claudius. Therefore, it is hard to conclude that he coincidentally became insane after making such a vow. Hamlet’s supposed madness not only becomes his way of relating to the other characters during the majority of the play, but also that which develops his character as throughout the play. Still, the question remains: Is HamletRead MoreEssay on Hamlets Antic Disposition1487 Wo rds   |  6 PagesHamlets Antic Disposition      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In William Shakespeares famous tragedy Hamlet, the main character of the story is one majestically elaborated, aside from being quite complex. There are infinite volumes written about this character because Shakespeare leaves no firm proof of many of his character traits. Yet on Hamlets antic disposition, meaning his obviously absurd temperament or madness, Shakespeare leaves plenty of reason to believe that it is feigned, meaning that it is simply a ployRead MoreHamlet, By William Shakespeare1640 Words   |  7 PagesHoratio and Marcellus, that he is going to assume an â€Å"antic disposition,† it is commonly debated as to whether or not Hamlet actually delves into madness (1.5.192). Hamlet’s display of control over both his thoughts and his actions, coupled with the fact that many other characters doubt his madness, makes it evident that Hamlet never does descend into true madness. Many believe that Hamlet first displays his insanity when he meets with the ghost of his father, saying that by taking the walk late at nightRead MoreMadness; Real or Fake?747 Words   |  3 Pages â€Å"There is no great genius without a mixture of madness,† a quote said by the famous philosopher Aristotle. There have been times in history where madness has been faked, and many times the mad person was caught, but, it is also not impossible to fake madness. This is shown in the tragic history of Hamlet written by William Shakespeare, where the title character’s madness is definitely faked. Hamlet is a genius who uses madness to develop his idea of revenge. Hamlet has admitted to faking it, notRead MoreMadness In Hamlet Essay869 Words   |  4 Pagesguilty of the murder of his brother, King Hamlet. To avoid anyone discovering him, he maintains his crazy act in front of his own love interest, Ophelia, perplexing her to the point of lunacy. One of the main contributors to Ophelia’s authentic madness is Hamlet’s pretense of insanity, leading to both Hamlet and Ophelia’s ultimate defeat. From the â€Å"big-picture† point of view, it may seem that Hamlet has genuinely gone mad, but there are many instances where Hamlet alludes to his forgery. The first instanceRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Hamlet, The Most Famous Being Hamlet s Own Emotional State1661 Words   |  7 Pagesplay, the most famous being Hamlet’s own emotional state. His madness, triggered by his incestuous uncle, has led several scholars to explore the psychological causes of his madness. This research into Hamlet’s madness will explore his madness in comparison to other characters, the psychoanalytical studies behind his madness, and defining whether his madness is genuine or another play within the play. His mother and his uncle have married after only 2 months of Hamlet’s father’s death. This has causedRead MoreHamlet by William Shakespeare656 Words   |  3 PagesThe play is divided into six acts and is set in medieval Denmark. It is about Hamlet’s revenge on his uncle, Claudius, for murdering his father. Hamlet is widely considered one of Shakespeare’s greatest achievements; hundreds of theories have been spawned over the past four centuries. However, one of the most interesting aspects is the psychology behind it. There is plenty of psychological depth behind Hamlet’s madness. One could easily argue that Hamlet isn’t actually mad. Hamlet understandsRead MoreEssay about Is Hamlet Mad or Mad in Craft?1123 Words   |  5 PagesIs Hamlet Mad or Mad in Craft? Madness is defined as the state of being mentally ill or having extremely foolish behavior. It is a condition in which is difficult to identify whether it is true or not. In William Shakespeares masterpiece, Hamlet, there is confusion as to whether or not his madness is real. The ghost of his father asks Hamlet to avenge his death. While he tries to accomplish this, he puts on an antic disposition. The antic disposition reoccurs throughout the play, but is merelyRead MoreGender Roles In Shakespeares Ophelia And Hamlet1258 Words   |  6 PagesShakespeare writes Ophelia has a character capable of reason, yet denies her the ability of reasoning. At the start of the play, there is little evidence that Ophelia will display the madness that will take her. However, one may deduce that her ideas of Hamlet’s vows to her are the first signs of Ophelia s madness. Laertes tries his best to convince Ophelia that â€Å"if [Hamlet] says he loves [her],/ it fits [her] wisdom [...] to belie ve it† (1.3.24). By this, it could be assumed that Laertes is predictingRead More The Mood Swings of Hamlet in Shakespeares Hamlet Essay768 Words   |  4 Pageswhen he hears of his fathers murder. No one knows if his madness is a show like he says or real like it seems. It seems as if there are two Hamlets in the play. One that is sensitive and an ideal prince and the insane uncivilized Hamlet, who from an outburst of passion and rage slays Polonius with no feeling of remorse and then talks about lugging his guts into another room. This is why I say Hamlets madness is less than madness and more than pretend. Hamlet says he is just acting mad when

American Views On Kinship And Social Relations - 893 Words

Kinship is an area we talked about extensively in class because it represents a huge part of many people’s lives. This ideal is found throughout and delegates the lives of many individuals throughout thousands of cultures. In â€Å"Motorcycles, Membership, and Belonging† McCurdy says that if an Indian couple were to come to the United States for the first time they might be, â€Å"surprised by [the lack of] American social relations.† (McCurdy 2014:209) In this essay I will be describing how American views on kinship and social relations vary from those of Indians through both personal experience and learned information. First lets highlight what kind of roles kinship and social relations play in the lives of these potential Indian tourists. Kinship groups, to Indians, are an essential part of life; kinship is something that makes various decisions for an individuals life, some of those include: who you marry, what you inherit, and your level of status in the family. Throughout most of India, people use patrilineal descent to establish kinship; this means that only males are part of the descent group. In this kind of descent extended family is an integral part of an individuals life because many generations all live together under one roof. For example, one may grow up in a household with their grandparents, uncles and their wives and children, and even older brother’s wives and kids. This way of life keeps familial land and resources all under one roof rather than spreadingShow MoreRelatedLiterature Through The Use Of Ethnographies1389 Words   |  6 Pagesopinions amongst social findings that continue to develop our understanding of societal behaviours. This notion is evident in Undoing Kinship which explores the meaning of Kinship and further, how it is understood and exercised in different cultures. It is through this text that we, as readers, and others, as Anthropologists, begin to question our own knowledge of Kinship and review these viewpoints in aid of a wider Anthropological conversation. Undoing Kinship focuses on how kinship is formed, maintainedRead MoreAnalyze Native American Societies1482 Words   |  6 Pagesessay will analyze Native American societies for world view and cultural and institutional differentiation. In so doing, we will discuss the possibilities or the lack of endogenously generated social change within American Indian societies and cultures. Mainly this essay will concentrate on two important aspects of world view that contribute to conservatism in Native American cultures. The two aspects are as follows, holistic Native American beliefs versus dualistic world views, and in so discussingRead MoreKinship : Who Are We?762 Words   |  4 PagesWho Are We? Kinship can help define who we are, through the values we subscribe to, where we live, and even our political and religious beliefs. Kinship, or families, are a part of all societies, and has been said to be the most basic of all social institutions—it is how people of different cultures categorize the people they are connected to, and that has a lot of influence on a person’s life. But kinship doesn’t always equal family. I’ve heard the phrase, â€Å"she is like kin to us.† That’s becauseRead MoreMy Own Culture, Race, Ethnicity, And Kinship1374 Words   |  6 PagesIn today’s society, one’s own culture, race, ethnicity, and kinship is an important aspect to describing an individual. This relationship can be effected in terms of physical appearance and social situations within ones everyday life. Throughout my own life, family and kinship has positively influenced my own values and morals. Because of these aspects, I have exper ienced some stereotypes of my own race. Throughout my life, my family has impacted how I have looked upon my own morals and valuesRead MoreSocial Organization and Laws in the Trobiand Islands1611 Words   |  6 Pages 1985, 12). Laws are essential in every culture regardless of â€Å"whether ‘savage’ or ‘civilized’ (Malinowski, 1985, 13). Malinowski believed that all societies had laws, rules, and customs that are followed; in addition to hard laws, there are also social morals and obligations that are followed. It may be culture specific, but it exists in all cultures. Malinowski argued that â€Å"there is a number of laws, taboos and obligations in every human culture which weigh heavily on every citizen, demand greatRead MoreAlfred Herbert Radcliffe-Brown : Understanding Of The Sociological Paradigm761 Words   |  4 PagesThe three major Sociological Paradigms are Structural Functionalism, Social Conflict, and Symbolic Interactionist. The Structural Functionalism sociological theorist tha t I will be focusing on will be Alfred Reginald Radcliffe-Brown, a British sociologist. The Social Conflict theorist will be Ralf Gustav Dahrendorf, a German sociologist. And for Symbolic Interactionist sociological theorist will be Herbert George Blumer, an American sociologist. Alfred Reginald Radcliffe-Brown was born in BirminghamRead MoreThe Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis982 Words   |  4 Pagesintroduces the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis, which claims that language has strong influence on culture. He then discusses the study of kinship terms, (folk) taxonomies, color terms, prototypes, and taboo and euphrmisms used in different cultures to furthur support the hypothesis. The Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis illustrates the stucture of one language strongly affect the world-view of its speakers. Wardhaugh first quotes the explaination from Sapir and Whorf to demonstrates a clear outline of the Sapir-WhorfRead MoreGender Analysis : Love, Gold, And The Shadows Of Affluence By Pierrette Hondagneu Sotelo1515 Words   |  7 PagesWGS 203: Gender in the Contemporary World Prof. Grace Cho Fall 2015 Final Exam Throughout history, people around the world are encountered with social structures that may positively shape their lives or may lead to the view of life as a burden. The social structures placed upon us shape the way we view and handle our economical and political values. Global inequalities of wealth and power have increasingly created an abundance of gendered structural violence. These instances can be clearly seenRead MoreSocietys Major Institutions: Education, Economics, Religion, and Political sectors.1608 Words   |  7 Pagesbased on the teachings of values, norms, statuses, and roles. The family is designed to guide sexual activity, socialization, and social relations within a sexual union (Sociology of the Family). Every family is run differently under different circumstances and beliefs. In America, there are many different types of kinships and many different ways each of these kinships are run. The family of procreation consists of parents residing with their biological children. There is also the family of orientationRead MoreWhat Is the Relationship Between â€Å"Biology† and Kinship Systems?2505 Words   |  11 PagesQ. What is the relationship between â€Å"biology† and kinship systems? A. Kinship can be defined as society acknowledging biological connections between people. This view however has been challenged because kinship systems are regarded now as too complex. C. Levi-Strauss (1963) argued; â€Å"Kinship†¦only exists in human consciousness.† The correct way of studying the relationship between biology and kinship systems can only be made by looking at particular societies and cannot be made universally. Biology

The Host Chapter 30 Abbreviated Free Essays

string(99) " Would Kyle wake soon\? Would he come in search\? Where was Jeb\? I hadn’t seen him all day\." M el?† he asked again, the hope he didn’t want to feel coloring his tone. My breath caught in another sob, an aftershock. â€Å"You know that was for you, Mel. We will write a custom essay sample on The Host Chapter 30: Abbreviated or any similar topic only for you Order Now You know that. Not for h-it. You know I wasn’t kissing it.† My next sob was louder, a moan. Why couldn’t I shut up? I tried holding my breath. â€Å"If you’re in there, Mel†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He paused. Melanie hated the â€Å"if.† A sob burst up through my lungs, and I gasped for air. â€Å"I love you,† Jared said. â€Å"Even if you’re not there, if you can’t hear me. I love you.† I held my breath again, biting my lip until it bled. The physical pain didn’t distract me as much as I wished it would. It was silent outside the hole, and then silent inside, too, as I turned blue. I listened intently, concentrating only on what I could hear. I wouldn’t think. There was no sound. I was twisted into the most impossible position. My head was the lowest point, the right side of my face pressed against the rough rock floor. My shoulders were slanted around a crumpled box edge, the right higher than the left. My hips angled the opposite way, with my left calf pressed to the ceiling. Fighting with the boxes had left bruises-I could feel them forming. I knew I would have to find some way to explain to Ian and Jamie that I had done this to myself, but how? What should I say? How could I tell them that Jared had kissed me as a test, like giving a lab rat a jolt of electricity to observe its reaction? And how long was I supposed to hold this position? I didn’t want to make any noise, but it felt like my spine was going to snap in a minute. The pain got more difficult to bear every second. I wouldn’t be able to bear it in silence for long. Already, a whimper was rising in my throat. Melanie had nothing to say to me. She was quietly working through her own relief and fury. Jared had spoken to her, finally recognized her existence. He had told her he loved her. But he had kissed me. She was trying to convince herself that there was no reason to be wounded by this, trying to believe all the solid reasons why this wasn’t what it felt like. Trying, but not yet succeeding. I could hear all this, but it was directed internally. She wasn’t speaking to me-in the juvenile, petty sense of the phrase. I was getting the cold shoulder. I felt an unfamiliar anger toward her. Not like the beginning, when I feared her and wished for her eradication from my mind. No, I felt my own sense of betrayal now. How could she be angry with me for what had happened? How did that make sense? How was it my fault that I’d fallen in love because of the memories she forced on me and then been overthrown by this unruly body? I cared that she was suffering, yet my pain meant nothing to her. She enjoyed it. Vicious human. Tears, much weaker than the others, flowed down my cheeks in silence. Her hostility toward me simmered in my mind. Abruptly, the pain in my bruised, twisted back was too much. The straw on the camel. â€Å"Ung,† I grunted, pushing against stone and cardboard as I shoved myself backward. I didn’t care about the noise anymore, I just wanted out. I swore to myself that I would never cross the threshold of this wretched pit again-death first. Literally. It was harder to worm out than it had been to dive in. I wiggled and squirmed around until I felt like I was making things worse, bending myself into the shape of a lopsided pretzel. I started to cry again, like a child, afraid that I would never get free. Melanie sighed. Hook your foot around the edge of the mouth and pull yourself out, she suggested. I ignored her, struggling to work my torso around a particularly pointy corner. It jabbed me just under the ribs. Don’t be petty, she grumbled. That’s rich, coming from you. I know. She hesitated, then caved. Okay, sorry. I am. Look, I’m human. It’s hard to be fair sometimes. We don’t always feel the right thing, do the right thing. The resentment was still there, but she was trying to forgive and forget that I’d just made out with her true love-that’s the way she thought of it, at least. I hooked my foot around the edge and yanked. My knee hit the floor, and I used that leverage to lift my ribs off the point. It was easier then to get my other foot out and yank again. Finally, my hands found the floor and I shoved my way through, a breech birth, falling onto the dark green mat. I lay there for a moment, facedown, breathing. I was sure at this point that Jared was long gone, but I didn’t make certain of that right away. I just breathed in and out until I felt prepared to lift my head. I was alone. I tried to hold on to the relief and forget the sorrow this fact engendered. It was better to be alone. Less humiliating. I curled up on the mat, pressing my face against the musty fabric. I wasn’t sleepy, but I was tired. The crushing weight of Jared’s rejection was so heavy it exhausted me. I closed my eyes and tried to think about things that wouldn’t make my stinging eyes tear again. Anything but the appalled look on Jared’s face when he’d broken away from me†¦ What was Jamie doing now? Did he know I was here, or was he looking for me? Ian would be asleep for a long time, he’d looked so exhausted. Would Kyle wake soon? Would he come in search? Where was Jeb? I hadn’t seen him all day. You read "The Host Chapter 30: Abbreviated" in category "Essay examples" Was Doc really drinking himself unconscious? That seemed so unlike him†¦ I woke slowly, roused by my growling stomach. I lay quietly for a few minutes, trying to orient myself. Was it day or night? How long had I slept here alone? My stomach wouldn’t be ignored for long, though, and I rolled up onto my knees. I must have slept for a while to be this hungry-missed a meal or two. I considered eating something from the supply pile in the hole-after all, I’d already damaged pretty much everything, maybe destroyed some. But that only made me feel guiltier about the idea of taking more. I’d go scavenge some rolls from the kitchen. I was feeling a little hurt, on top of all the big hurt, that I’d been down here so long without anyone coming to look for me-what a vain attitude; why should anyone care what happened to me?-so I was relieved and appeased to find Jamie sitting in the doorway to the big garden, his back turned on the human world behind him, unmistakably waiting for me. My eyes brightened, and so did his. He scrambled to his feet, relief washing over his features. â€Å"You’re okay,† he said; I wished he were right. He began to ramble. â€Å"I mean, I didn’t think Jared was lying, but he said he thought you wanted to be alone, and Jeb said I couldn’t go check on you and that I had to stay right here where he could see that I wasn’t sneaking back there, but even though I didn’t think you were hurt or anything, it was hard to not know for sure, you know?† â€Å"I’m fine,† I told him. But I held my arms out, seeking comfort. He threw his arms around my waist, and I was shocked to find that his head could rest on my shoulder while we stood. â€Å"Your eyes are red,† he whispered. â€Å"Was he mean to you?† â€Å"No.† After all, people weren’t intentionally cruel to lab rats-they were just trying to get information. â€Å"Whatever you said to him, I think he believes us now. About Mel, I mean. How does she feel?† â€Å"She’s glad about that.† He nodded, pleased. â€Å"How about you?† I hesitated, looking for a factual response. â€Å"Telling the truth is easier for me than trying to hide it.† My evasion seemed to answer the question enough to satisfy him. Behind him, the light in the garden was red and fading. The sun had already set on the desert. â€Å"I’m hungry,† I told him, and I pulled away from our hug. â€Å"I knew you would be. I saved you something good.† I sighed. â€Å"Bread’s fine.† â€Å"Let it go, Wanda. Ian says you’re too self-sacrificing for your own good.† I made a face. â€Å"I think he’s got a point,† Jamie muttered. â€Å"Even if we all want you here, you don’t belong until you decide you do.† â€Å"I can’t ever belong. And nobody really wants me here, Jamie.† â€Å"I do.† I didn’t fight with him, but he was wrong. Not lying, because he believed what he was saying. But what he really wanted was Melanie. He didn’t separate us the way he should. Trudy and Heidi were baking rolls in the kitchen and sharing a bright green, juicy apple. They took turns taking bites. â€Å"It’s good to see you, Wanda,† Trudy said sincerely, covering her mouth while she spoke because she was still chewing her last bite. Heidi nodded in greeting, her teeth sunk in the apple. Jamie nudged me, trying to be inconspicuous about it-pointing out that people wanted me. He wasn’t making allowances for common courtesy. â€Å"Did you save her dinner?† he asked eagerly. â€Å"Yep,† Trudy said. She bent down beside the oven and came back with a metal tray in her hand. â€Å"Kept it warm. It’s probably nasty and tough now, but it’s better than the usual.† On the tray was a rather large piece of red meat. My mouth started to water, even as I rejected the portion I’d been allotted. â€Å"It’s too much.† â€Å"We have to eat all the perishables the first day,† Jamie encouraged me. â€Å"Everyone eats themselves sick-it’s a tradition.† â€Å"You need the protein,† Trudy added. â€Å"We were on cave rations too long. I’m surprised no one’s in worse shape.† I ate my protein while Jamie watched with hawk-like attention as each bite traveled from the tray to my mouth. I ate it all to please him, though it made my stomach ache to eat so much. The kitchen started to fill up again as I was finishing. A few had apples in their hands-all sharing with someone else. Curious eyes examined the sore side of my face. â€Å"Why’s everyone coming here now?† I muttered to Jamie. It was black outside, the dinner hour long over. Jamie looked at me blankly for a second. â€Å"To hear you teach.† His tone added the words of course. â€Å"Are you kidding me?† â€Å"I told you nothing’s changed.† I stared around the narrow room. It wasn’t a full house. No Doc tonight, and none of the returned raiders, which meant no Paige, either. No Jeb, no Ian, no Walter. A few others missing: Travis, Carol, Ruth Ann. But more than I would have thought, if I’d thought anyone would consider following the normal routine after such an abnormal day. â€Å"Can we go back to the Dolphins, where we left off?† Wes asked, interrupting my evaluation of the room. I could see that he’d taken it upon himself to start the ball rolling, rather than that he was vitally interested in the kinship circles of an alien planet. Everyone looked at me expectantly. Apparently, life was not changing as much as I’d thought. I took a tray of rolls from Heidi’s hands and turned to shove it into the stone oven. I started talking with my back still turned. â€Å"So†¦ um†¦ hmm†¦ the, uh, third set of grandparents†¦ They traditionally serve the community, as they see it. On Earth, they would be the breadwinners, the ones who leave the home and bring back sustenance. They are farmers, for the most part. They cultivate a plant-like growth that they milk for its sap†¦Ã¢â‚¬  And life went on. Jamie tried to talk me out of sleeping in the supply corridor, but his attempt was halfhearted. There just wasn’t another place for me. Stubborn as usual, he insisted on sharing my quarters. I imagined Jared didn’t like that, but as I didn’t see him that night or the next day, I couldn’t verify my theory. It was awkward again, going about my usual chores, with the six raiders home-just like when Jeb had first forced me to join the community. Hostile stares, angry silences. It was harder for them than it was for me, though-I was used to it. They, on the other hand, were entirely unaccustomed to the way everyone else treated me. When I was helping with the corn harvest, for example, and Lily thanked me for a fresh basket with a smile, Andy’s eyes bulged in their sockets at the exchange. Or when I was waiting for the bathing pool with Trudy and Heidi, and Heidi began playing with my hair. It was growing, always swinging in my eyes these days, and I was planning to shear it off again. Heidi was trying to find a style for me, flipping the strands this way and that. Brandt and Aaron-Aaron was the oldest man who’d gone on the long raid, someone I couldn’t remember having seen before at all-came out and found us there, Trudy laughing at some silly atrocity Heidi was attem pting to create atop my head, and both men turned a little green and stalked silently past us. Of course, little things like that were nothing. Kyle roamed the caves now, and though he was obviously under orders to leave me in peace, his expression made it clear that this restriction was repugnant to him. I was always with others when I crossed his path, and I wondered if that was the only reason he did nothing more than glower at me and unconsciously curl his thick fingers into claws. This brought back all the panic from my first weeks here, and I might have succumbed to it-begun hiding again, avoiding the common areas-but something more important than Kyle’s murderous glares came to my attention that second night. The kitchen filled up again-I’m not sure how much was interest in my stories and how much was interest in the chocolate bars Jeb handed out. I declined mine, explaining to a disgruntled Jamie that I couldn’t talk and chew at the same time; I suspected that he would save one for me, obstinate as ever. Ian was back in his usual hot seat by the fire, and Andy was there-eyes wary-beside Paige. None of the other raiders, including Jared, of course, was in attendance. Doc was not there, and I wondered if he was still drunk or perhaps hung-over. And again, Walter was absent. Geoffrey, Trudy’s husband, questioned me for the first time tonight. I was pleased, though I tried not to show it, that he seemed to have joined the ranks of the humans who tolerated me. But I couldn’t answer his questions well, which was too bad. His questions were like Doc’s. â€Å"I don’t really know anything about Healing,† I admitted. â€Å"I never went to a Healer after†¦ after I first got here. I haven’t been sick. All I know is that we wouldn’t choose a planet unless we were able to maintain the host bodies perfectly. There’s nothing that can’t be healed, from a simple cut, a broken bone, to a disease. Old age is the only cause of death now. Even healthy human bodies were only designed to last for so long. And there are accidents, too, I guess, though those don’t happen as often with the souls. We’re cautious.† â€Å"Armed humans aren’t just an accident,† someone muttered. I was moving hot rolls; I didn’t see who spoke, and I didn’t recognize the voice. â€Å"Yes, that’s true,† I agreed evenly. â€Å"So you don’t know what they use to cure diseases, then?† Geoffrey pressed. â€Å"What’s in their medications?† I shook my head. â€Å"I’m sorry, I don’t. It wasn’t something I was interested in, back when I had access to the information. I’m afraid I took it for granted. Good health is simply a given on every planet I’ve lived on.† Geoffrey’s red cheeks flushed brighter than usual. He looked down, an angry set to his mouth. What had I said to offend him? Heath, sitting beside Geoffrey, patted his arm. There was a pregnant silence in the room. â€Å"Uh-about the Vultures†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Ian said-the words were forced, a deliberate subject change. â€Å"I don’t know if I missed this part sometime, but I don’t remember you ever explaining about them being unkind’†¦?† It wasn’t something I had explained, but I was pretty sure he wasn’t really that interested-this was just the first question he’d been able to think of. My informal class ended earlier than usual. The questions were slow, and most of them supplied by Jamie and Ian. Geoffrey’s questions had left everyone else preoccupied. â€Å"Well, we’ve got an early one tomorrow, tearing down the stalks†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Jeb mused after yet another awkward silence, making the words a dismissal. People rose to their feet and stretched, talking in low voices that weren’t casual enough. â€Å"What did I say?† I whispered to Ian. â€Å"Nothing. They’ve got mortality on their minds.† He sighed. My human brain made one of those leaps in understanding that they called intuition. â€Å"Where’s Walter?† I demanded, still whispering. Ian sighed again. â€Å"He’s in the south wing. He’s†¦ not doing well.† â€Å"Why didn’t anyone tell me?† â€Å"Things have been†¦ difficult for you lately, so†¦Ã¢â‚¬  I shook my head impatiently at that consideration. â€Å"What’s wrong with him?† Jamie was there beside me now; he took my hand. â€Å"Some of Walter’s bones snapped, they’re so brittle,† he said in a hushed voice. â€Å"Doc’s sure it’s cancer-final stages, he says.† â€Å"Walt must have been keeping quiet about the pain for a long while now,† Ian added somberly. I winced. â€Å"And there’s nothing to be done? Nothing at all?† Ian shook his head, keeping his brilliant eyes on mine. â€Å"Not for us. Even if we weren’t stuck here, there would be no help for him now. We never cured that one.† I bit my lip against the suggestion I wanted to make. Of course there was nothing to do for Walter. Any of these humans would rather die slowly and in pain than trade their mind for their body’s cure. I could understand that†¦ now. â€Å"He’s been asking for you,† Ian continued. â€Å"Well, he says your name sometimes; it’s hard to tell what he means-Doc’s keeping him drunk to help with the pain.† â€Å"Doc feels real bad about using so much of the alcohol himself,† Jamie added. â€Å"Bad timing, all around.† â€Å"Can I see him?† I asked. â€Å"Or will that make the others unhappy?† Ian frowned and snorted. â€Å"Wouldn’t that be just like some people, to get worked up over this?† He shook his head. â€Å"Who cares, though, right? If it’s Walt’s final wish†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Right,† I agreed. The word final had my eyes burning. â€Å"If seeing me is what Walter wants, then I guess it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks, or if they get mad.† â€Å"Don’t worry about that-I’m not going to let anybody harass you.† Ian’s white lips pressed into a thin line. I felt anxious, like I wanted to look at a clock. Time had ceased to mean much to me, but suddenly I felt the weight of a deadline. â€Å"Is it too late to go tonight? Will we disturb him?† â€Å"He’s not sleeping regular hours. We can go see.† I started walking at once, dragging Jamie because he still gripped my hand. The sense of passing time, of endings and finality, propelled me forward. Ian caught up quickly, though, with his long stride. In the moonlit garden cavern, we passed others who for the most part paid us no mind. I was too often in the company of Jamie and Ian to cause any curiosity, though we weren’t headed for the usual tunnels. The one exception was Kyle. He froze midstride when he saw his brother beside me. His eyes flashed down to see Jamie’s hand in mine, and then his lips twisted into a snarl. Ian squared his shoulders as he absorbed his brother’s reaction-his mouth curled into a mirror of Kyle’s-and he deliberately reached for my other hand. Kyle made a noise like he was about to be sick and turned his back on us. When we were in the blackness of the long tunnel south, I tried to free that hand. Ian gripped it tighter. â€Å"I wish you wouldn’t make him angrier,† I muttered. â€Å"Kyle is wrong. Being wrong is sort of a habit with him. He’ll take longer than anyone else to get over it, but that doesn’t mean we should make allowances for him.† â€Å"He frightens me,† I admitted in a whisper. â€Å"I don’t want him to have more reasons to hate me.† Ian and Jamie squeezed my hands at the same time. They spoke simultaneously. â€Å"Don’t be afraid,† Jamie said. â€Å"Jeb’s made his opinion very clear,† Ian said. â€Å"What do you mean?† I asked Ian. â€Å"If Kyle can’t accept Jeb’s rules, then he’s no longer welcome here.† â€Å"But that’s wrong. Kyle belongs here.† Ian grunted. â€Å"He’s staying†¦ so he’ll just have to learn to deal.† We didn’t talk again through the long walk. I was feeling guilty-it seemed to be a permanent emotional state here. Guilt and fear and heartbreak. Why had I come? Because you do belong here, oddly enough, Melanie whispered. She was very aware of the warmth of Ian’s and Jamie’s hands, wrapped around and twined with mine. Where else have you ever had this? Nowhere, I confessed, feeling only more depressed. But it doesn’t make me belong. Not the way you do. We’re a package deal, Wanda. As if I needed reminding†¦ I was a little surprised to hear her so clearly. She’d been quiet the last two days, waiting, anxious, hoping to see Jared again. Of course, I’d been similarly occupied. Maybe he’s with Walter. Maybe that’s where he’s been, Melanie thought hopefully. That’s not why we’re going to see Walter. No. Of course not. Her tone was repentant, but I realized that Walter did not mean as much to her as he did to me. Naturally, she was sad that he was dying, but she had accepted that outcome from the beginning. I, on the other hand, could not bring myself to accept it, even now. Walter was my friend, not hers. I was the one he’d defended. One of those dim blue lights greeted us as we approached the hospital wing. (I knew now that the lanterns were solar powered, left in sunny corners during the day to charge.) We all moved more quietly, slowing at the same time without having to discuss it. I hated this room. In the darkness, with the odd shadows thrown by the weak glow, it seemed only more forbidding. There was a new smell-the room reeked of slow decay and stinging alcohol and bile. Two of the cots were occupied. Doc’s feet hung over the edge of one; I recognized his light snore. On the other, looking hideously withered and misshapen, Walter watched us approach. â€Å"Are you up for visitors, Walt?† Ian whispered when Walter’s eyes drifted in his direction. â€Å"Ungh,† Walter moaned. His lips drooped from his slack face, and his skin gleamed wetly in the low light. â€Å"Is there anything you need?† I murmured. I pulled my hands free-they fluttered helplessly in the air between me and Walter. His loosely rolling eyes searched the darkness. I took a step closer. â€Å"Is there anything we can do for you? Anything at all?† His eyes roamed till they found my face. Abruptly, they focused through the drunken stupor and the pain. â€Å"Finally,† he gasped. His breath wheezed and whistled. â€Å"I knew you would come if I waited long enough. Oh, Gladys, I have so much to tell you.† How to cite The Host Chapter 30: Abbreviated, Essay examples