Monday, June 23, 2008

Question of the Day

In The Host, by Stephenie Meyer, the protagonist, Wanda's assessment of humans is that they are needlessly violent, too emotional, in short, a very ugly race (etc.) Does this line up with your worldview, i.e. how do you view humans, humanity?

8 enjoyed the bouquet.:

Erin said...

Wow. Big question. Good question, though.

I have to say that I tend to be pessimistic. When I watch the news especially, I can't help but think that we are "a very ugly race." But at the same time, sometimes you see things or even do things that are so selfless that they somehow bring balance to the horrible things.

So I guess my view of humans is extreme - there are very good things about us and very bad things about us. But I'd always take the passion that comes with that over the blase lack of emotion that the souls carry. Even considering how "safe" I like things to be.

In terms of the book, Wanderer doesn't really become interesting for me until she latches on to Melanie's memories, thus becoming more human than soul.

Again, good question!

Kari said...

Wow, this is a tough one. I've been thinking about it all day.

I agree with Wanda's assessment of our violent side. I don't think Wanda takes into consideration our capacity to love until after she joins up with the crew. I don't know if she'd call us an ugly race towards the end of the book.

I try and see the good in people instead of the bad which is one of the flaws of Wanda's species. They only argued one side and ignored the rest... that assessment I cannot agree with.

Maggie said...

I've also been thinking about this huge question all day...letting it marinate haha.

Although we are violent and evil, we are also very caring and kind too. Wanda believes we are an ugly race in the beginning, however by the end of the book, she sees humans as beautifully emotional and passionate. And she saw the most important thing we all possess, which is free will and choice.

My view of humankind is conflicted, sometimes pessimistic, sometimes very optimistic...There are so many extremes of people, which I think is a great thing, because how boring would it be if we were all the same? But I guess you have to take the great people with the horrible people...

heatheryruth said...

Wow! The questions of the day have been awesome lately! I think we're a little like she views us...but at the same time not so much that we need to be obliterated by "body Snatchers" There are very ugly sides to SOME humans, but not every single human is a murderer or a cheat! I mean do innocent children deserved to be lumped with Ted Bundy and Osmah Bin Laden?!'

Ryah said...

I have tried to answer this question like ten times, and keep erasing everything I type.

I agree with Wanda's assessment.
I agree that the souls did make the earth a better place, but a huge price was paid.
Do I want to be invaded by body snatchers? No way.
I want to continue to make my own choices, the good ones and the bad ones.

This question was hard.

alison said...

yeah, this question is hard. (sorry!)
My perspective on this has flip-flopped over the years, and I don't know where I stand anymore... I want to believe that we are good and worth saving, but humans are really not that awesome. obviously we are not all bad, nor are all of our actions all bad. but there are some damn rotten apples in the bunch. But yeah, I would rather make shitty choices than be taken over, although the idea of having to fight back when someone else is infringing on my right to live (trying to hurt/kill me) is terrifying...

Jes said...

I have been thinking of this question today- at the moment I have Faerie's on the brain due to the last two books I have read... and this question lines up well with the one I just finished, Ink Exchange.
I think humans are an emotional lot- and due to our emotional states we tend to act rationaly and passionatly to the situations we find outselves in. This means we most definately violent, and ugly at times. We love and out of that love we make most of our decissions I believe. It is what we love, who we love, and how we recieve love that determines how we act in this world, wether we are compassionate, jealous, rash, contemplative. - That pretty much how I view humanity, I look at people and often think that their choices in life reflect what they love in life.

Corinne said...

I as well keep getting comments deleted.

I want to be positive. I don't like to make generalizations. I think that is what Wanderer warned against in the book. I want to believe everyone has the potential for good (to varying degrees). I think that is what makes humanity interesting.