Linguistic Thieves by AMELEE FERGUSON https://padlet.com/aferguson0011/735iyzt0daksoexf The Heart Goes Last: Amelee, Dimitri, Ethan, Fatima en-us 2022-01-27 20:55:37 UTC 2022-03-07 06:58:39 UTC hello@padlet.com aferguson0011 https://padlet.com/aferguson0011/735iyzt0daksoexf/wish/2018621372 2022-01-28 20:27:41 UTC https://padlet.com/aferguson0011/735iyzt0daksoexf/wish/2018621372 aferguson0011 https://padlet.com/aferguson0011/735iyzt0daksoexf/wish/2018652932 In the dystopian novel, The Heart Goes Last, by Margaret Atwood, the focus is placed on a couple who is trying to make ends meeting after becoming practically unemployed and losing their home. The main characters, Stan and Charmaine, are married and have been living in a Honda Civic after losing their homes due to a major economic collapse in the nation. The contrast between their personalities can be seen in the way that they choose to handle the situation that they are currently in. Charmaine is more optimistic and tries to view the glass as half full, while Stan can be more pessimistic at times and view the glass as half empty. Because of this, I can predict that there will be a lot of conflict between the two and their differences. The author uses rhetorical devices such as flashbacks to give us an idea of how much the character's lives have changed since the collapse, and imagery to give readers an idea of how tough their living situation is. Some major themes that may possibly emerge throughout this text will be relationships and love.]]> 2022-01-28 20:55:50 UTC https://padlet.com/aferguson0011/735iyzt0daksoexf/wish/2018652932 Summary dsirivoha0001 https://padlet.com/aferguson0011/735iyzt0daksoexf/wish/2018653534 The novel, The Heart Goes Last by Margaret Atwood is a story that depicts a young urban couple, Stan and Charmaine who have been affected by job loss and bankruptcy amidst a worldwide economic crisis. To survive, they live in their Honda Civic and with Stan currently, jobless, Charmaine works at a bar to keep themselves afloat. With the town being unsafe with the chance of gang violence and theft at an all-time high, they must have each other's backs and stay together. Through the struggles and conflicts that the couple faces we get to see how their perspectives and outlooks are different. Stan is cold and untrusting of others, he is a pessimist that understand how harsh the world can be and refuses to things that may put him and Charmaine at risk. Whereas Charmaine is much more positive and more trusting of others, she wants a better a life for the both of them and believes it is possible. Based off what I have read, I can see the main conflict being how the two will commit to desperate measures to survive, but this will lead to a conflict of interest between the two. To me the main theme seems to be the idea of how in desperate situations, people often go to commit extreme acts to survive even if it means it will hurt others.]]> 2022-01-28 20:56:28 UTC https://padlet.com/aferguson0011/735iyzt0daksoexf/wish/2018653534 Summary https://padlet.com/aferguson0011/735iyzt0daksoexf/wish/2018654901 In the novel "The Heart Goes Last" by Margaret Atwood, she explains the journey of the married couple, Stan and Charmaine, as they endure the hardships of poverty, living in a car and trying to get by, day by day. Through their persepectives, we see that Stan and Charmaine have opposite attitudes towards their unfortunate situation, with Stan being overly realistic and Charmaine trying her hardest to be optimistic. Charmaine seems to have recurring flashbacks of her time living with her Grandma Win, which allows us to assume Charmaine grew up witnessing alcoholism and addiction. Both of Stan and Charmaine's parents have passed, leaving Stan with his brother Connor.]]> 2022-01-28 20:57:14 UTC https://padlet.com/aferguson0011/735iyzt0daksoexf/wish/2018654901 Summary ehollings0001 https://padlet.com/aferguson0011/735iyzt0daksoexf/wish/2018655323 In the novel The Heart Goes Last, by Margaret Atwood, main protagonists Stan and Charmaine struggle to survive in an economically unstable society on the brink of collapse. The couple has taken residence inside a Honda Civic as a means for survival. The car represents both what they cannot afford to lose, and the deplorable conditions they wish to leave behind. As their situation begins to impede on their ability to live, Stan and Charmaine visit the few options left available to them. 

Both main characters carry such a stark contrast to one another. Stan strikes me as more of a realist, seemingly dealing with things in a more pragmatic approach. He addresses each situation with a more realistic perspective, meaning he can't afford to entertain himself with delusions of grandeur. After Charmaine accepts the invitation to a supposedly better life, Stan reluctantly agrees, conceding to the point the program might offer them a way out of their current lifestyle. His initial skepticism toward positron never truly diminishes however until after he sees all it can offer the two of them. 

Were Stan fire, Charmaine would undoubtedly be ice. This woman is the polar opposite of pessimistic Stan, choosing instead to always "look on the bright side of things", she sees the best in everyone, and both her personality and thoughts hint toward a sense of naivety and excessive amount of hope. Charmaine often indulges herself with hypothetical "what if's" thinking about what she could've done differently. She's always optimistic, to an almost ridiculous degree, accepting the invitation to Consilience with little to no forethought. 

I predict these two's situation will only grow more complicated as their story progresses; desperation, a recurring theme in the novel, causes people to make poor decisions. I also believe Stan and Charmaine will become separated as a result of the decisions they make in ways they can't anticipate. ]]> 2022-01-28 20:57:28 UTC https://padlet.com/aferguson0011/735iyzt0daksoexf/wish/2018655323 Summary 2: Analyzing Conflict 2/22, 2/25 ehollings0001 https://padlet.com/aferguson0011/735iyzt0daksoexf/wish/2061809161 Stan and Charmaine enter Consilience, each given separate tasks. Charmaine's Positron's executioner, killing people she's told are bad or have done something to justify their deaths. Stan, who is unaware of Charmaine's status beyond her being a part of medical administration, tends to chickens on the center's farm.

 Eventually, Charmaine, driven by carnal desire becomes involved in a sexual affair with their neighbor. Stan discovers a note written from a woman by the name of Jasmine, and begins to lust over her. His infatuation eventually leads Stan to inadvertently learn the truth. A woman named Jocelyn manipulates him and toys with his emotions and Stan comes to realizes nothing within Consilience is what it seems. Stan finds himself roped into a precarious situation, acting as informant for a resistance inside the system.  
Meanwhile Charmaine struggles to retain her sanity after she believes Stan died at her own hand. Stan, now presumed a dead man, joins Jocelyn to escape Consilience under a false name. He plans to reunite with his younger brother Conner. Charmaine becomes a subject of self interest for the head of the program, Ed.


]]> 2022-02-23 03:18:32 UTC https://padlet.com/aferguson0011/735iyzt0daksoexf/wish/2061809161 Summary of Reading so Far 2/22 dsirivoha0001 https://padlet.com/aferguson0011/735iyzt0daksoexf/wish/2061883661 In the novel, "The Heart Goes last" by Margaret Atwood, based off what I have read so far, the story's main plot is the conflict between Charmaine and Stan in which Charmaine would commit to an affair with Stan's alternative. This turmoil between the couple solidifies their character and motivations, with Charmaine's optimism and naivety influencing her decisions - leading her to over indulge in her carnal desires and over time questions her own relationship with Stan and if what she is doing is right. Whereas Stan is more skeptical and critical when it comes to the Consilience, but due to the sexual dissatisfaction when it comes to his life with Charmaine, he fantasizes about having sex with Charmaine's alternative. Though it would be eventually found out by Stan that the whole affair was a ploy by one of Consiliences' higher ups, Jocelyn, and the innerworkings of the world inside the walls would unravel before Stan's eyes. As his world view is entirely destroyed he questions how much he knew Charmaine and is conflicted on his relationship between her. On the flip side, Charmaine remains oblivious while continuing on her duties in the wall, though her trust in the system falters as she is told to administer a serum that would supposed to kill Stan, unknown to her that the serum was a ploy by Jocelyn fake Stan's death. After Stan's supposed death, Charmaine would realize how much she loved Stan and what the significance of him being in her life, she would realize how shallow her sex life with Stan's alternative truly was. ]]> 2022-02-23 04:20:52 UTC https://padlet.com/aferguson0011/735iyzt0daksoexf/wish/2061883661 Summary/Conflict 2/22 aferguson0011 https://padlet.com/aferguson0011/735iyzt0daksoexf/wish/2061921001 From the previous reading, a lot of conflict has happened throughout the novel and it begins with Stan and Charmaine entering the town of Consilience. The couple thought that this was going to be a fresh start from all of the financial and living struggles they had faced recently, however living in the enclosed town of Consilience proved to cause more issues that the two characters never expected. It has been revealed that Charmaine has been having an affair with an Alternate, Max, and Stan became aware of this once the other Alternate, Jocelyn, told him this information. What Stan also came to find out was that this was a plot by Jocelyn and Max in order to attempt to have Stan escape from Consilience so that they can have a person working for them on the outside, for a bigger plot that they have in mind. In order for Stan to escape, they needed to fake his death, and Charmaine would be the one to administer Stan's "death." It is clear that there is many conflicts overlapping each other. It appears that Charmaine is in conflict with herself as she is questioning where her loyalty lies and what decisions she has made while in Consilience. Stan is in conflict with the society of Consilience as he has to abide by the demands of the higher ups (Jocelyn) in the society so that he can survive.]]> 2022-02-23 04:57:33 UTC https://padlet.com/aferguson0011/735iyzt0daksoexf/wish/2061921001 Summary & Conflicts 2/22/22 fhernande0148 https://padlet.com/aferguson0011/735iyzt0daksoexf/wish/2067900107 During our last book meeting, we left off on Charmaine's affair with Max after they have been at Consilience for a few months. Since then, Jocelyn, a founder of Consilience and Positron intervened with Charmaine's affair, informing and showing Stan of the situation. Charmaine, being in Positron Prison, and Stan, being a civilian, spent months apart with Stan having to act out video tapes of Charmaine cheating, with Jocelyn. After some time, Jocelyn revealed to Stan her well-structured plan that included Charmaine's affair and the acted-out sex. The ultimate goal is to get Stan out of Consilience to expose it of its investments by having Charmaine believe she killed Stan through a special procedure and eventually transporting him through the gates. Up to now, Charmaine is under the impression that she killed her husband and is being supported by Consilience's team, although she is suspecting there is an underlying truth that is being kept from her. Meanwhile, Stan has taken the identity of a man named Waldo, and is being protected by Jocelyn, who continues to pose as a loyal upper management personnel of Consilience. The two major conflicts we see are between Charmaine and herself, and Stan versus Consilience. When reading through Charmaine's perspective, we see she is constantly conversing with herself and some times shows signs of mental illness. With the recent event of Stan's death, these internal mental conversations are seen more frequently. On the other hand, Stan is going through a conflict against Consilience as he goes along  with Jocelyn's plan. Stan is adapting to his "Waldo" identity as he cautiously navigates his way through a Possibilibots warehouse  and Consilience's subtle flaws. ]]> 2022-02-27 03:59:19 UTC https://padlet.com/aferguson0011/735iyzt0daksoexf/wish/2067900107 Summary/Contradiction -2/25 https://padlet.com/aferguson0011/735iyzt0daksoexf/wish/2068612654 Since the previous book club meeting, Stan has been placed on a Possibilibots team and is being given a different identity since he is currently supposed to be "dead." During his time on this team, he continues to learn about the inner workings of Consilience and what goes on at the center for Possibilibots. From Charmaine's perspective, she is mostly left in the dark when it comes to what is truly happening. She is still upset about what has actually happened to Stan and is being forced to abide by the lies that the higher ups have created when it comes to the cause of Stan's "death." 
When talking about contrast and contradictions, it is easy to take Charmaine as an example. Charmaine works in the department of Medications Administrations in which she administers procedures to people who supposedly have gone to a point of no return or to a point of which they can not become better. Before Charmaine gives the Procedure to a man she "hopes she appears to him like an angel: an angel of mercy. Because isn't she one?"(85). While Charmaine may be trying to convince herself of this, it is far from the truth. She says this to herself to make it easier to justify the fact that she is essentially administering people their death without their consent and she doesn't know what happens to their bodies afterwards. Charmaine is in constant conflict with herself as she thinks she has the qualities of an angel, knowing that she commits acts that are wrongful or dishonorable. It seems that she is beginning to realize she may be more of a flawed person than she thought she was.]]> 2022-02-28 01:01:06 UTC https://padlet.com/aferguson0011/735iyzt0daksoexf/wish/2068612654 Summary of Reading so Far and Contradiction 2/25 dsirivoha0001 https://padlet.com/aferguson0011/735iyzt0daksoexf/wish/2068671719 Summary:

Last we left off, Charmaine is still reeling of the supposed death of Stan and an Consilience appointee, Aurora, has been sent to help Charmaine during the grieving process. During this time funeral arrangements have been made and Aurora helps Charmaine pick up some attire befitting a widowed woman at a funeral. As they head to the funeral in a black car, Ed goes to Charmaine to 'comfort her' in which it seems that he is making uncomfortable sexual advances and Charmaine comments on its depravity during which her husband is dead. On the flip side, Stan wakes up in a factory and after some time is met up with Jocelyn who gives him a new identity, Waldo, to go by and he is to get out of Consilience. The person he disguises works at a prostibot factory and Stan would lay witness to the secrete market that Consilience is actually running. Stan finds out that these bots are humanoid models meant to satisfy people's sexual desires and made to look like real humans mimicking how humans react during sex. We later learn that these bots can be customized with set behavioral traits such as timid, aggressive, shy, etc. and they can be customized to be made to look like actual people. Another version of the prostibots are robot teddy bears that have the same function as the main line prostibots, but are for kids (DISGUSTING). Stan also learns that these bots have been sold to people all over the world and puts into question the real business that Consilience is actually running. As Stan continues to play as Waldo and tours around the factory with his coworker, to his horror, he finds a bot that looks like Charmaine and learns that someone very high up specially commissioned it. After his tour one of the workers, Budge, takes him aside into his office. Budge explains that he works for Conor, Stan's brother, and is going to get him out of Consilience. Budge tells tells Stan that he would be given a guide who is a women. The women that Budge details is a mind controlled woman that imprints on whoever chooses them, and will be forever compliant and theirs forever. The women, Budge elaborates, are brain controlled and can be completely customized like the prostitbots and are reserved for wealthy clients. The guide that Stan is given is a beautiful woman named Veronica. Back to Charmaine, she is back at home after the funeral and is greeted by Jocelyn who gives her a short run down of what happened to Stan saying how he is still alive. Jocelyn would also elaborate on how Ed wants to have sex with Charmaine and that the prostitbot made to look like Charmaine was ordered by Ed. Jocelyn uses this as a way to have Charmaine on her side in taking down Consilience. How I think this story will continue is with Charmaine being imprinted on by Ed using the brain technology Budge spoke about, this would lead to a confrontation with Ed, Charmaine, and Stan. With the name of the book "The Heart Goes Last" Charmaine's love for Stan would ultimately be more powerful than the imprinting, a thematic ending for the story.

Contradiction in Characters (Charmaine):

A character in the "The Heart Goes Last" that most exhibits contradiction is Charmaine. Her contradictions can mainly be seen during her love affair with Max in that as she succumbs to her carnal desires, she tries to in ways justify her affair in saying how it is due to Stan and how he can't give her what she wants. Though it is obvious that is a contradiction, Charmaine does not want to admit to herself that she is bad person and what she does with Max conflicts with her persona as well as conflicting with her love with Stan. She would go to say that she is going stop and needs to stop, but it is clear that she would not have stopped if it wasn't for her being found out by Jocelyn and her separation from Max. Her whole character is in a way a contradiction, she is depicted as a convention wholesome homebody that likes bright colors and dislike more rebellious acts. However, when she is with Max she becomes the complete opposite of what we knew of her up to that point in the story. Even Stan acknowledges this when he lays witness to the sex tapes of Charmaine and Max indulging in their sexual desires. A constant element in Charmaine's character is that she has two sides to her and throughout the story we see that she has another voice in her head, her inner conscious. Interestingly after Stan's death she would go on to appreciate more of the mundane aspects of life she experiences and this contradiction puts to question to who is the true Charmaine?

Side Note:

To me I found Charmaine to be an interesting character, though honestly I disliked her very much in the beginning because of how she tries to justify her affair - I personally related more to Stan with his logical and skeptical nature, I found his determination admirable and the fact that he still loved Charmaine is a testament to his loyalty even though he did think about cheating on her, in hindsight I am sure Stan would call himself an idiot for that one.]]> 2022-02-28 02:03:03 UTC https://padlet.com/aferguson0011/735iyzt0daksoexf/wish/2068671719 Summary of 2/22 - 2/25 & Contradictions fhernande0148 https://padlet.com/aferguson0011/735iyzt0daksoexf/wish/2068832014 Since our last book meeting, we have been through various scenarios from Charmaine's preparance to attend Stan's "funeral" to the the beginning of Stan's "packaged" portion of his mission, and everything in between. We left off with Charmaine answering the door to Aurora and receiving an unexpected "tribute" and presence from Ed. He accompanys Charmaine throughout the funeral with constant reassurance of his support, sympathy, and in a way, his protection. After bearing through the funeral, Charmaine, Aurora, and Jocelyn head back home where it's revealed to Charmaine that Stan's death is fake and part of a plan, in which Charmaine will have to do her part in getting close to Ed in order to gain any secret information. On Stan's end, he discovers the individual inside the Possibilibots warehouse whom he will be working with to get outside the gates, Budge. Stan also finds out of the other "products" that Possibilibots is marketing, which are robot children and brainwashed-through-surgery humans. After finishing the rest of the tour, Stan and Budge discuss the next steps and act quickly. Stan meets the lady who will be assisting him while being shipped, Veronica, who also happens to be one of Charmaine's former friends before they all signed to Consilience. Veronica and Stan disguise themselves as Possibilibots then load into the human-sized boxes and spend the next hours on a cargo plane. 

Looking into the protagonists, we see Charmaine and Stan going through self-contradictions, though it is more obvious in Charmaine. Throughout the novel we see details that indicate Charmaine may have some sort of mental issue. She speaks to herself in her mind and pushes "the voice" out of her thoughts. On page 181, Charmaine argues with the voice in her head and says "I'm making an effort here, she answers. So shut up." Later on that same page, they continue, "Charmaine, Charmaine, whispers the small voice in her head. You are such a fraud. So are you, she tells it." The voice are like Charmaine's "unacceptable" thoughts where she refuses to act upon them. Her thoughts depict a different person than the one she chooses to be. "No, Charmaine" is what she tells herself on page 237 when she fantasizes about entangling with Max in the back seat of a car. Most of her thoughts could be described as intrusive, which is why I believe she constantly contradicts herself by denying to carry out those thoughts. In the same manner, Stan also fights his mostly sexual and/or aggressive thoughts and urges. Stan acts opposite to his thoughts on page 269. It's stated, "She's standing way too close; this is torture, but she seems unaware of that. He longs to crush her against him, bury his nose in her Marilyn hair, smash his rubbery mouth onto her bright red lips, futile though that would be." We see thoughts like these several times after his initial lust for Jocelyn, which could most likely have something to do with knowing about Charmaine's infidelity. It brings me to question what are Charmaine's true desires and personality, and how will Stan react to everything when and if he confronts Charmaine after everything is over?]]> 2022-02-28 04:33:47 UTC https://padlet.com/aferguson0011/735iyzt0daksoexf/wish/2068832014 Character Contradictions ehollings0001 https://padlet.com/aferguson0011/735iyzt0daksoexf/wish/2068924584 As the story progresses we see instances characters say one thing but mean another. This is contradiction of beliefs and it's repetitive as protagonists are more frequently forced into unfortunate situations. When I speak concerning contradiction, immediately Charmaine comes to mind. She's easily the most contradictory person thus far in the story. She is constantly trying to justify her actions and disproves her thought process. Her mentality is always shifting. Scenarios such as intercourse with Max, and the pretense what she's done isn't wrong. Several times in the novel she questions the validity of her own words and thoughts.

Stan also contradicts himself, though it's practically pedestrian compared to Charmaine. He's constantly mulling over Charmaine and whether he'll forgive her. He also entertains the thought of returning to Consilience, while simultaneously working towards freedom from conformity. He's unsure how to proceed and affiliates himself with Jocelyn so as to return to his former life.  ]]> 2022-02-28 06:07:15 UTC https://padlet.com/aferguson0011/735iyzt0daksoexf/wish/2068924584 Summary & Song -3/4 aferguson0011 https://padlet.com/aferguson0011/735iyzt0daksoexf/wish/2078702231 Since the previous book summary, Stan has now been shipped to Las Vegas, impersonating Elvis Presley. This is all a part of Jocelyn's bigger plan. For right now, he has acquired the gig of being an Elvis escort. He also starts to become suspicious of his surroundings when he finds out there are a group of bald men looking for him. As of now, Charmaine has find out that Stan is currently alive, but she is still abiding by the commands of Jocelyn and has become a lot closer to Ed as he is deeply attracted in Charmaine. She has just found out that Ed plans to take her on a trip to Vegas so that her attachment to Stan can be erased, and she can fall in love with Ed instead. 

A specific moment in the novel that is significant to me is when Charmaine receives the task in which she has to give Stan the Procedure. In other words, she is being told to "kill" Stan. In this scene, she is told that if she doesn't perform the Procedure, there will be serious consequences affecting her. This scene shows us whether Charmaine's love is selfish or selfless. Her decision also shows where her loyalty lies, which seems to be Consilience, but it also seems that she cares more about herself when it comes to Stan. Her love for him is conditional. The song, "Hard Place" by the music artist H.E.R can be connected to this scene as the focus of the song is about having to make a tough decision when there are two unpleasant outcomes of either choice made. The chorus goes "I wish there was a right way/I'm caught between your love and a hard place." Similar to the song, Charmaine is forced to choose between saving Stan, the man she loves, or herself and the orders of Consilience. While some people may believe there is only one option that makes sense, either outcome would be bad, so there is no right answer for Charmaine.]]> 2022-03-04 22:36:03 UTC https://padlet.com/aferguson0011/735iyzt0daksoexf/wish/2078702231 Summary 3/4 & Selected Song ehollings0001 https://padlet.com/aferguson0011/735iyzt0daksoexf/wish/2079538981 Under a new name, Stan impersonates a factory worker, waiting for further instruction from a secret contact who has yet to reveal himself. He's offered a tour of the facilities customization area and discovers the production of Charmaine's prostibot look alike. Charmaine relies on the advice of her deceased grandmother as she attends Stan's "funeral"    

Stan goes incognito, dressed up as a fake Elvis so as to remain inconspicuous. His companion, Veronica accompanies him to Vegas, overseeing the completion of his mission. Stan is tasked with delivering a belt buckle holding vital information that can potentially bring Consilience down. During his ventures posing as the celebrity, Stan becomes increasingly wary. Charmaine must assume the subtle art of seduction without drawing too close to the program's CEO, Ed. Stan becomes reunited with Conner, who devises a plan involving abduction. 

Hold your breath
Make a wish
Count to three
Come with me and you'll be
In a world of pure imagination
Take a look and you'll see
Into your imagination
We'll begin with a spin
Traveling in the world of my creation
What we'll see will defy
Explanation
If you want to view paradise
Simply look around and view it
Anything you want to, do it
Want to change the world?
There's nothing to it
There is no life I know
To compare with pure imagination
Living there, you'll be free
If you truly wish to be
If you want to view paradise
Simply look around and view it
Anything you want to, do it
Want to change the world?
There's nothing to it
There is no life I know
To compare with pure imagination
Living there, you'll be free
If you truly wish to be

Prior to events that come to fruition as the story continues, such as shocking revelations and ruined relationships, Stan and Charmaine see the project as some form of paradise, a chance at renewal- a blank slate in which to start over. This sense of salvation, a tangible haven from the poverty that permeates throughout society. While there are several songs that come to mind that could have conveyed that sense of hopefulness and elation, I personally feel Gene Wilder's rendition of Pure Imagination (as seen in the iconic film Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory) sums up this scene perfectly, with perhaps the exception of any line associated with chocolate. Despite his good intentions, Mr. Wonka manipulates several kids and their parents to select the perfect candidate to become his successor. He takes their desires and uses them to attain his own goals. The lyrics in Pure Imagination also hint toward a remarkable place of wonder where dreams come true. At risk of indulging cliches, I think this song does a admirable job of exemplifying Consilience in the eyes of the couple.  
]]> 2022-03-06 01:59:01 UTC https://padlet.com/aferguson0011/735iyzt0daksoexf/wish/2079538981 Summary & Song - 3/4 dsirivoha0001 https://padlet.com/aferguson0011/735iyzt0daksoexf/wish/2080734183 Summary
Since the last book club summary, Stan and Veronica has been shipped to Las Vegas in order to give the confidential USB to journalists to sabotage Consilience. Stan impersonates Elvis Presley and joins an organization that does gigs involving Elvis acting. Stan takes on a gig as an Elvis escort. He goes on his date with his client and finds that he is being followed by men in black suits, Consilience is following him. He becomes suspicious and impatient. He would find out eventually that his client was the journalist  he was to give the USB to. Later we he would be reunited with his brother Coner with them masquerading as the Elvis group. As of Charmaine's side, she is working as a secretary for Ed to get more info to help with Jocelyn's cause. Ed has made more bold advances on Charmaine and she finds out that Ed has plans to take her to Vegas and erase her attachments to Stan using mind control technology to have her be infatuated with him.

Song
A part in the novel that I found to be significant to me was in the Chapter Tour, in which Stan is pretending to be Waldo and is getting a tour around the prostitutebot factory. I found this scene extremely disturbing as it showed the underground industry that Consilience was really running. It truly put into question of how much the duties of the Positron related to this sex industry. It felt as if the world view of Stan was unraveling and again the imagery and implications were really disturbing. I feel as if this moment is what set the conflict between the protagonists and consilience moving forward. The song I chose for this scene was Austin Wintory - "Underground", though tonally I feel as if it doesn't entirely fit, but subject matter and lyrics does. In the song it describes London during the industrial age and how the city is run by the underground labor of the workers in the factory. The city prospers while the suffering in the machines that run it remains hidden, secret. With a lyric from the song that really matches this scene is, "Eager Blighty bursts from the cobblestones
Racing, climbing blooming fertility
Born from secret seeds
That were scattered in the night time." This coincides with the aforementioned scene because Consilience is a utopia ran by corrupt and deceitful business and this is scene with the prostitutebots and mind controlling. This song in actuality fits with the entirety of Consilience as it is portrayed as a perfect society in which everyone is happy, but they are ignorant of the truth of the suffering that is occurring, the exploitation, the corruption.

]]> 2022-03-07 03:47:39 UTC https://padlet.com/aferguson0011/735iyzt0daksoexf/wish/2080734183 Summary & Song 3/4 fhernande0148 https://padlet.com/aferguson0011/735iyzt0daksoexf/wish/2081051425 Summary:
Since our last book meeting,  Charmaine has begun to work with Ed as his assistant with not much work to do, but with the mission of informing Jocelyn of any new plans. Jocelyn and Aurora are frequently over at Charmaine's home either to inform her of anything, support her, or check up on her. Charmaine has now gained knowledge of Ed's plans involving her. After having an accident with a sex robot of Charmaine, Ed is ready for the real thing, which alarms Charmaine, but is reassured by Jocelyn and Aurora that it will not come to that. She also learns Ed has a trip to Las Vegas coming up where she'll be invited to. Throughout these information sessions, Charmaine and Aurora spend a lot more time together. Aurora shares with Charmaine the story behind her face one night when they are both drinking. She lastly learns of the new project of Possibilibots that involves a surgery and human beings that, essentially, turns them into sex bots. Stan, on the other hand, has arrived at Las Vegas and meets with a group of Elvises. He works there for some time without much distrubance until a group of suspicious guys arrive where Stan works at, asking for him. This worries Stan throughout his recent gig with Lucinda Quant, until we are left off on his encounter with Veronica. 

Song:
A part that I found to be crucial to the novel, was a scenario that begun on page 155 where Jocelyn reveals to Stan that his reality isn't what he thought it was, telling him, "Forget everything you think you know about me...". She explains to him how everything from Charmaine's affair to their recent sexual performances were all part of a plan that'll build up to ultimately expose Consilience. She goes on to explain that she's a journalist and Stan has a role to fulfill in her plan. The song I chose was "Black Out Days" by Phantogram. It's a song that contains lines such as "a thousand voices howling in my head" and "I don't even recognize your face". The reason I chose this song, wasn't majorly because of the lyrics, but more of the feel it has. It's a bit diffcult to pinpoint the message or theme of the song as it speaks about forgetting and staying away, which could be about hundreds of things. On the other hand, the instrumental, I believe, has a clearer message. The vibe and energy of the song's beat immediately clickled with this novel's specific scenario. When Stan's reality is being revealed to be something other than what he has believed it to be, he begins to feel dizzy. Of course, anyone in his position would be contemplating their life and feel as though their world is a lie. This part of the novel reminded me of a common scene portrayed in movies where the main charachter is told some life-altering news and their surroundings become drowned out as the camera slowly zooms into them to capture the shock, panic, and all other sorts of confused, intense, and thought-racing emotions. Therefore, the instrumental of the book and this scene connect through the feel of the song's beat. We connect the emotion of the song with Stan's situation and it makes it a perfect fit. ]]> 2022-03-07 06:58:39 UTC https://padlet.com/aferguson0011/735iyzt0daksoexf/wish/2081051425