Between the two stories by Octavia Butler we read this week in class, my favourite is Speech Sounds. I really like how she almost forced the reader to think about which form of communication would be of better use to have - the ability to read and write or the ability to communicate through speaking. Speaking, in my opinion, would be of better use to communicate quickly, especially in an emergency like event. Although being able to write eloquently and read books, notes, etc. would be beneficial, I believe talking would allow people to communicate better without any questions about sarcasm and create less confusion. Sometimes I'll text someone and then have to re-explain a text message because it was confusing, but once I see them, what I meant is understood.
I found it really interesting that Rye trusted Obsidian because he is left handed. I don't know if it's just me, but I have a difficult time trusting people even after I've talked to them or have known them for a while so having trust based on the fact that someone is left handed blows my mind. Another interesting thing I found what that due to the illness and handicap of people, ordinary people are prone to feelings of jealousy, resentment, rage, and anger over their own impairments and the abilities other possess that they don't. This causes people to have a strong desire to kill the person or people they resent. I get jealous or angry at people, but it doesn't drive to feel like I need to kill someone; that's just crazy. I find it strange that an illness and handicap could drive someone to do such an insane thing like killing someone. Butler describes Rye feeling that urge when she cannot read a map, but Obsidian can. With Obsidian's death and the children being orphans, I felt depressed at the end but hopeful for Rye because she found people that also have the ability to speak.
Pam Kawalerski
Blog Post #8
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