To be quite frank, I did not enjoy this reading.
I also found it difficult to connect this passage with the other pieces of
literature we have read, as well as what we have discussed in class. The one
connection I did find was the idea of interpreting objects in a different way
while undergoing the process of torture. As seen as The Wall, the objects surrounding the characters that would
normally be viewed as nominal items adopt a new meaning, as the characters are
aware that death is approaching. Yet this piece detests the idea of sight and
concludes that it is a sense that is completely manipulated.
“Secondly, the face is the other who asks me not to let him
die alone, as if to do so were to become an accomplice in his death.” I found
this quote haunting and intriguing at the same time. This reminded me of The Wall and Heresy because I feel that this would be a thought that would go
through the minds of the characters that were being confined and awaiting
death. The paragraph that this quote can be found in creates imagery as well which
I find ironic since the passage reflects on vision as a sense.
Great comments Fabiana! I love your honesty in your feelings towards this article. I can definitely agree that this was nowhere near my favorite reading that we have done so far in the semester. There was a sense of a different vibe with this reading as compared to the other readings. I felt that in the other readings they were more directly related and containing some form of torture, whereas in this excerpt the reader had to dig a little deeper to try to work out how this was related to out topic of concern: Torture.
ReplyDeleteThe quote you talked about too made it seem like you had similar reactions as to how I also felt. I definitely did feel the haunting feeling that you mentioned, especially when it spoke of potentially being "an accomplice in his death." It gives you the feeling of a ghost coming back to haunt you for doing him wrong. It leaves you with an ominous feeling that you'd much rather do without.
I agree that that Downcast Eyes is not the most enjoyable reading to do. To be honest, I did not understand much of what it is trying to say except something about touch sense. I also cannot see connection between it with most other readings. However, the quote you just mention did set me to think about The Wall, as you also mentioned. It definitely describes what they are going through. Most people don't want to die alone or to die at all. Most time they might as well pull others with them, as shown in some of the cases where a murderer killed others before suicide.
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