Job # 3 - Literature Connections

 This is a story about something that happened during war. My sister is a Marine that went three times to Afghanistan. I talked to her about this story.  Farquhar was concerned about his family. My sister said when you realize you may never see your family again you feel a deep longing for them. She also said in dangerous situations your senses are on super alert. Farquhar seemed to notice everything as he waited to die. The Union soldiers seemed so relaxed when they were getting ready to hang Farquhar. She said after being attacked by the enemy and seeing your friends and comrades injured or killed, it's not so difficult to watch someone die, even if he is a civilian if he is working against you.  War in the past or today is always scary.  I never want to live through war.  I'm glad I talked to my sister about this. 

Comments

  1. JoshuaRGOctober 30, 2020 at 8:34 PM

    Great job, Mercy. I had no idea your sister is a Marine! I'm not sure if this is exactly a "literature connection," but this is still an amazing post and it's neat (I'm not sure if this is the right word) to actually be close to something like is talked about in the story. Although the times and the technology change, I agree with you that war is always scary, and I really don't want to live through war either. Again, great job on the post.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BradenNovember 1, 2020 at 3:04 PM

      Well said, Joshua and Mercy!!! And, for the record, Mrs. Jones DID say in the homework that we could connect the book to real life.

      Delete
    2. HollyHockNovember 3, 2020 at 10:48 AM

      Absolutely - one of the options for this post is to connect it to real life experiences!

      Delete
  2. Elsah's Exuberant, Enthusiastic Short Story BlogOctober 30, 2020 at 9:52 PM

    Really nice post Mercy! That is really interesting about your sister's experiences. How neat that she got to share that with you... Yes I think it's a good connection. I see how Farquhar's experiences about observing everything in the life and death situation relate to your sister's experience as a Marine. It is true that war is scary (from what I've heard). But at least we can take comfort in God's purpose and His providence. Again nicely done!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JoshuaRGOctober 31, 2020 at 10:57 AM

      Great thought, Elsah. Your comment about taking comfort in God's purpose and providence made me think of anther question: Do you think that Peyton Farquhar was a practicing (real) Christian?

      Delete
    2. BradenNovember 1, 2020 at 3:06 PM

      Good question! I think the answer is NO. There is no evidence whatsoever in the story to suggest that Peyton was a Christian. What do you all think?

      Delete
    3. BradenNovember 1, 2020 at 3:07 PM

      Oh, and just FYI, Bierce was an agnostic. That might explain it.

      Delete
    4. JoshuaRGNovember 1, 2020 at 7:26 PM

      Thanks, Braden. That explains why Ambrose Bierce's writing seems pessimistic. It almost seems that he had no hope for the future, as would be expected if he wasn't sure about GOD and didn't have faith in Jesus Christ.

      Delete
    5. Elsah's Exuberant, Enthusiastic Short Story BlogNovember 3, 2020 at 5:27 PM

      Oh that is great that you guys researched Pierce's background beliefs. Yes, the events that happen in a story often tell what the author believes to be true. The story line definitely seems sad and without hope, like Joshua said. I am so glad that for us Christians, we can find hope in God! Like would be so terrible without that assurance from Jesus.

      Delete
  3. ClaireNovember 2, 2020 at 9:33 PM

    Wow I love this Mercy! That’s awesome that your sister talked to you about that! And yeah I agree with y’all that Peyton Fahrquhar was not a Christian. It seemed like he was a bit selfish throughout the story and didn’t listen to warnings he was given

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JoshuaRGNovember 3, 2020 at 10:22 AM

      You are probably right in that Farquhar wasn't a Christian, but in my opinion he was a better character than Henry Fleming, because he had a sense of honor for his homeland. What are your thoughts?

      Delete
    2. Elsah's Exuberant, Enthusiastic Short Story BlogNovember 3, 2020 at 5:30 PM

      That's a good idea about Farquhar being "better" than Henry Fleming simply because he "had a sense of honor for his homeland." It seems like he did care more about that than about being recognized like Henry thought. I also can understand it though since Henry is a teenager and Farquhar already is married with children. I guess maturity could also have an effect...

      Delete
  4. HollyHockNovember 3, 2020 at 10:57 AM

    Thank you so much for sharing this, Mercy. I think it helps understand the story if we have a real life example that someone has actually lived through. And I so very much appreciate all of your siblings who are currently serving or have already served in our military!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elsah's Exuberant, Enthusiastic Short Story BlogNovember 3, 2020 at 5:31 PM

      I also really appreciate that they served/are serving in the military! That is so selfless and giving.

      Delete
  5. BradenNovember 3, 2020 at 12:05 PM

    I did not know that your sister is a Marine! This might just be the best Literature Connection I've seen so far!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Job #1 - Line Illuminator!

" Suppose a man -a civilian and student of hanging - should elude the picket post and perhaps get the better of the sentinel," said  Fahrquhar,  smiling, " what could he accomplish? " (2)  Fahrquhar seemed like a nice man. He cared for his family. He and his wife were friendly to the horseman.  We don't know if he did anything at the bridge. Did  he really do anything or did the Yankee soldiers just kill him?
Read more