Thursday, April 15, 2010
Nature is Beauty
The story that I would like to talk about is that of The Luck of Roaring Camp. In this story we see great detail in the description of nature and how it affects all characters. We see that once the baby is born, the workers seem to take an immense appreciation in nature. In the book they say, "that the baby had brought 'the luck' to Roaring Camp" (19). Since Thomas Luck was born, the workers improved their cabins, took more care of themselves and cleaned up the area which they called their home. The cabins were described as "scrupulously clean and whitewashed" (22) the men changed their attitudes, "profanity was tacitly given up in these sacred precincts, and throughout the camp a popular form of expletive, known as 'D-n the luck!' and 'Curse the luck!' was abandoned, as having a new personal bearing" (23). All of these changes helped the men to notice the true beauty in nature. It is described that, "The men had suddenly awakened to the fact that there were beauty and significance in these trifles which they had so long trodden carelessly beneath their feet" (24). The find that materials in nature can be beautiful and presents to the baby. As described, "It was wonderful how many treasures the woods and hillsides yielded that 'would do for Tommy'" (25). A new person to the camp and new experience helped the men to see the beauty that lies in nature and the natural resources that are available to anyone.
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That is an interesting way of seeing how the men reacted because of the baby. I was so confused as to why there was this whole big deal about the baby, and it is a very valid point to make that the baby made the men appreciate nature more and to use it in more meaningful ways.
ReplyDeleteI liked that you discussed nature in your post because I think that is an important metaphor for the changes made in the men. The luck came to the camp and essentially changed all the men in the camp into new people and the luck related so well with nature that they could see the beauty in something they never could before.
ReplyDeleteI like all of your use of textual evidence and how you dove into the story. I totally agree with you about the nature and the effect it has on the characters. Great job showing how the baby changes these dirty men into responsible adults!
ReplyDeleteI like how you talked about how the baby changed the men. It is so true in life that a baby changes everything. You have to change your life style and priorities. I also like how it made them softies. :)
ReplyDeleteI thought that it was wonderful how you saw nature as having such an important role in the story. I hadn't noticed how it changed as the events took place, but it really does seem to add an extra element to the text. The appreciation for the nature relates to the appreciation for the baby... great blog!
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