Post by Kyra Benjamin on Sept 10, 2015 4:13:05 GMT
Comparing the boys and the old man's attitudes towards the fire seems to be like a want vs. a need.
Based on what was written the boys seems to make bonfires often, gathering what the tide brings in. They even make a game of seeing who finds the best thing that will burn; for them the fire is done somewhat quite lightheartedly and for their leisure. It's fun for them. Even if they can't succeed in lighting the fire, as they had thought at first, they'll give up and go home when it gets late and cold enough and they can still take pleasure in the fires of others.
For the old man however the fire is necessary. At nighttime in the middle of winter and wet, without a fire to dry himself and keep warm he'd surely get sick and die. But more than that as a traveler and perhaps because of his old age as well the fire provides a well-needed comfort, a spiritual healing as we see in his enjoyment of it and how it makes him reminisce. The fire restores life to him and he is able to physically and emotionally continue his journey.
My question: Why do you think the old man felt this fire was "one of sorrow?"
Based on what was written the boys seems to make bonfires often, gathering what the tide brings in. They even make a game of seeing who finds the best thing that will burn; for them the fire is done somewhat quite lightheartedly and for their leisure. It's fun for them. Even if they can't succeed in lighting the fire, as they had thought at first, they'll give up and go home when it gets late and cold enough and they can still take pleasure in the fires of others.
For the old man however the fire is necessary. At nighttime in the middle of winter and wet, without a fire to dry himself and keep warm he'd surely get sick and die. But more than that as a traveler and perhaps because of his old age as well the fire provides a well-needed comfort, a spiritual healing as we see in his enjoyment of it and how it makes him reminisce. The fire restores life to him and he is able to physically and emotionally continue his journey.
My question: Why do you think the old man felt this fire was "one of sorrow?"