Blog Post #22

It seems as though James is alive after all--I suspected as much. What's more, he really does end up going to India. The story within a story business is rather confusing, I must confess. And poor Henry! He sounds as though he has changed for the worse as a result of his nearly killing his own brother, which I can imagine would make anyone go crazy. I thought it was odd that he told Alexander that "a man" had fought with the devil and nearly succeeded in killing it. Is this another reference to Jacob in the bible? As in the part where he wrestles an angel? (Although angels and devils are complete opposites, I can imagine that it might be a parallel in Henry's mind). I agree with Mackellar that it was strange for Henry to have told the story to his son...how awful! I guess it is just another example of how he is being tormented throughout the book. Then we get to hear from the Chevalier in India. I like Francis better than most of the others. He's always travelling and doing something exciting, but unfortunately this bit of his memoirs is much shorter than his description of life as a pirate. James comes back again--you would think he would have learned his lesson the first time! Thankfully, Henry and his family move to New York. However, as long as James is living he is likely to plague them (if previous events are anything to go by).

Blog Post #21

As there is a lot to cover in this section, I am going to write about what interested me most--which is: Pirates! Arr! It was extremely interesting to hear about the Chevalier's and the Master's adventures on the high seas. The only minor irritant was that at times, Mr. Mackellar found it necessary to put his 2 cents in. Thankfully he kept this to a minimum and did not disrupt the story too much with his pompously distracting "This is what he said, but I know better" comments. I haven't heard James' account yet, but I don't particularly care for him thus far. I don't think it was necessary for him to kill Dutton even if he was a pirate; in fact, I think it was a highly ungentlemanly thing to do. Francis comes off far better and I can sympathize with him more. Captain Teach was quite a character--the scene in which he chews glass is quite disturbing, but then again so are the numerous episodes in which sailors are made to walk the plank. I was pleased that there was real treasure and that some of it was even buried in the end, according to Francis' account. How exciting!

Both of Stevenson's poems for today were rather morbid, but at the same time hopeful. The narrator is not afraid of death, and almost seems to welcome it. It seems that they were both about sailors, or at least travellers. Much like Stevenson himself, from the sound of it. It reminds me of Dumbledore's remark in Harry Potter that "to the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure." I think Stevenson might have agreed with the sentiment.

Blog Post #20

 I am not sure I understand the hierarchy of Scottish titles. From what I read, I gathered that there was a lord, a master, a steward, and a major-domo. Probably there were others too, but I'm not sure. I thought it was strange that the narrator's name is not introduced until page 20. Isn't that rather late into the story? Actually, I noticed that his name appears in the preface, but at that point I was unaware that he was the main character. Do most Scottish folk tales involve meetings with Auld Horny or the devil? I noticed several references. I also feel very bad for Mr. Henry. He sounds absolutely miserable, and he has good reason to if everyone likes his brother better than him. And who marries someone out of pity?! That part just makes me mad.

I loved Stevenson's "The Light-Keeper." I like the imagery and the line "This is the man who gives up that is lovely in living for the means to live." I like the idea that this lonely, solitary man is an inspiration for poetry--it shows that he is noticed despite the fact that he is removed from society.

Blog Post #19

Wierd. Robert's logic is really scary. He's a cruel and sadistic person--"I can hardly describe the joy that it gave to my heart to see a wicked creature suffering" and then he tries to justify his own actions by saying, "I never sinned from principal, but accident." It is interesting to get the story from Robert's perspective, especially the part about the encounter on the hillside between Robert and George (who R claims has a "corrupt nature"). Look who's talking. Robert also suggests that Gil-Martin prodded him into single combat against George and later into killing his father, thus clearing him of any blame.

"I'm Naebody Noo" is sad because it's true. People have a tendency to place too much value on money rather than on the individual. I definitely agree that it's easier to know who your friends truly are when you're not rich. It would be awful to be looked at and seen as a stack of money.

Blog Post #18

This has turned into a murder mystery! Unfortunately, George does come to an untimely end but this is not altogether unexpected (seeing as Wringhim wanted him dead from the beginning). Although it's complicated by a disagreement with Thomas Drummond, Robert is suspect--to me!--because of his previous behavior toward George. So maybe it's not that mysterious. A prostitute, Mrs. Calvert, sees Robert and a Drummond doppelgänger come to fight with George. Robert hides and stabs George in the back, ending his life. By doing so, he becomes Laird of Dalcastle and a Colwan. Mrs. Calvert and Mrs. Logan are in cahoots against Robert and cunningly trap him and tie him up, BUT they leave him there in the middle of the road!! I was glad they decided against killing him, but just leaving him there to be found and helped unsuspectingly or to escape wasn't that bright in my opinion. Robert does disappear, but Drummond's name is cleared in the end. So my questions are: what happens to Robert and who is this Gil-Martin accomplice character really?

Blog Post #17

First of all, I like Hogg's cursive script. For one thing I can actually read most of it, and also it's very pretty. My cursive hasn't improved much since I learned the style in 3rd grade. Anyways! I don't understand the relation of the editor's narrative to Hogg's confessions, but I suppose that will be explained further on. Mrs. Colwan, Lady Dalcastle, gets rolled in a blanket. This sounds like a highly undignified and undesirable means of conveyance, even though she did "run away" from her soon-to-be husband. It would make an interesting spectacle, no doubt about it. Then her own father beats her "with many stripes" and locks her away with only water and bread to eat. Poor thing! Despite numerous attempts, she cannot get her wayward husband to convert or pray. Her son George has a strained relationship with her other son Robert Wringhim. Affairs are horrible and make everything confusing...George is a romantic person who enjoys sitting on hillsides and gazing at clouds. It seems that he has an exceptionally vivid imagination or else his foul brother Wringhim really is in leage with the devil, as George suggests. In any case, Wringhim is absolutely creepy and needs to stop following George around.