Blog #2

Pages 95-158

Douglas Coupland - Life after God


The Wrong Sun

This was my least favorite section of the book, though interesting i found it to be a little less meaningful than the rest of the novel. Although i thought the concept of the world coming to end fit in perfectly with the theme of the novel. This section is also told in two parts, and was the only section in fiction.

Thinking of the Sun

This portion of the story is apocalyptic. Nuclear episodes and war cause a cataclysm that ends the world. Flashes of light replace the sun, and those who are alive to see it are reminded of their delicate existence. As i read this section i began to see the authors meaning behind his novel. He seems to think that a life without god is meaningless. I think the hidden meaning behind this section is the symbolism for the end of the world. Most people believe that light flashes before your eyes, along with the rest of your memories and loved ones. Coupland believes that the question of weather or not a god exists also comes to mind. I believe Couplands point is valid when stating that when your life comes to an end, who will you pray too? Though we are the first generation to be "raised with out god." Religious impulses still remain in the back of our minds. Society seems to be content in believing they are fine without a higher being, but how will they cope with loneliness or anxiety? Or even more drastic circumstances, the end of the world? Coupland made a valid point in stating that we as humans tend to search for god or a higher being when in the lowest of circumstances.

The Dead Speak
The Dead Speak, is a collective letter from those who died in this nuclear war. It gives revelations of their last moments on earth. It also relays the message that the living should move on, as the dead are in a new place and have changed souls. I found this section somewhat morbid because every letter from the dead - ended in "then i was dead." It just seemed to depressing, until i read the last page that was a collective letter from all of those who had passed away. "The birds are here with us now - this is where they went." This section last part shed a lot of light on the last section. I found this to be very serial in the sense that, this seems almost to similar to what would ACUTALLY happen if the world were to end.

Gettysburg
I found this section really touching, yet sad. This section was a letter from a father to a daughter about his love for his daughter and why her mother fell out of life with him. The father also goes into the details of honeymoon, her conception, and his contemplates on the major life changes taking place in his life. Its underlined theme is a story of love with a strong religious stance. My favorite quote from the book is, "And my mother says to me, "Honey God is what keeps us together after the love is gone." I thought it was a really insight (yet sad) way to end this section of the book.