This book is pretty interesting thus far. All that has really happened is that Danny and Pilon find ways to get wine and get drunk. They don’t have to work or really do anything. They just exist with no real point or purpose other than to drink alcohol and get with the occasional girl. This is like other books I have read in that it involves a man’s life being ruined after he returns from a war, but then again, Danny didn’t really have much going for him before the war either. Danny returned from the war and spent his time drunk and vandalizing. His life becomes more interesting when he realizes he has inherited two houses. He now has a higher social status and theoretically a better life. Pilon wants to take advantage of this and so agrees to rent the second house. Pilon then rents part of his house to Pablo. However, it is very unlikely that any rent will ever be paid by these paisanos. Their relationships interest me in that they are close friends, but not because of the usual reasons such as trust, honesty, kindness, etc. They are friends to take advantage of the other person when they have wine or girls, and this continues to repeat with each man mooching off the other. They are some interesting guys. I am looking forward to something more exciting because Steinbeck compares the group to King Arthur and his knights. Steinbeck also mentions that he is writing this to ensure everyone knows these people really existed and were not mere legends. Steinbeck also manages to slide in his classic description of the California land.
The book has maintained the same mood it had established at the beginning. It is very relaxed and nonchalant. For example, no one knows the time and Pilon lazily approximates it by the sun. I would like to live the life of Pilon for one day just to see what it is like. He has nothing to do, and only worries about getting wine and occasionally finding a meal. Pilon and Pablo are scared of not being able to pay rent to Danny, and so find Jesus Maria who has money and they proceed to coax two dollars out of him. Not surprisingly, they buy wine with this money. Meanwhile, Jesus Maria has gotten into a fight over a girl with some military men. That night they all drink wine and fall asleep forgetting to put out a candle. This one burning candle, left unattended, manages to burn down the entire house. The three men are scared of what Danny will think and so hide for the night. Danny is upset about the house because he has lost social status, but he is also happy because he will now be closer to his friends. He plans to show he is not a wimp by reprimanding them, but soon wishes to become friends again. Pablo, Pilon, and Jesus Maria give Danny a brassier as a gift so he may give it to Mrs. Morales. The chapter ends with the three men promising Danny they will ensure he always has food.
Not surprisingly, the book still feels very much the same with only a few changes concerning specific details. Steinbeck introduces the character of the Pirate, who unfortunately is nothing like a real exciting pirate. The Pirate is a man who lives on free scraps, cuts wood, and then sells it for a quarter. He lives in a chicken house and has five dogs that seem like really good and obedient pets. Pilon has taken over the role of the main character in these past pages. He has found it in the kindness of his heart to help the Pirate by spending the Pirate’s money. The book makes it out to seem like Pilon is doing something honestly nice, but I still think that at the root of it is Pilon’s selfishness, his need for money, and his want of wine. Danny and his friends eventually get Pirate to live with them in hopes of getting to the money, but the Pirate already has set-in-stone plans for the treasure. The next chapter tells of Big Joe coming home. He has spent a lot of time in jail during the war and enjoys being sent to jail back at home. He meets Pilon and the two search for treasure. They find a spirit marking an area, and proceed to go through an elaborate process in order to finally dig it up. It turns out to be a worthless marking rock simply stating the elevation. I have learned that Big Joe is largely immoral and could cause some problems for the group. For example, he stole Danny’s blanket to get wine. Pilon, again in a religious state of mind, teaches Big Joe a lesson by stealing his pants and stealing the blanket back. My favorite excerpt from these chapters would have to be, “concealed parts of angels are leperous.”
The book continues to introduce more and more supporting characters. Each chapter seems to deal with a new person and how that person affects the lives of Danny and his friends. Chapter nine deals with Sweets and her plot to be Danny’s woman. She tries to seduce Danny and succeeds in getting him to buy her a vacuum cleaner. It is funny how she believes she is at a whole new social status by being the only woman to own one in Tortilla Flat. It is even more humorous to note that Tortilla Flat has no electricity and so she cannot really use the vacuum. Nevertheless she loves it and pushes it around as much as possible. Pilon and the others see Danny’s relationship with Sweets as a problem, and so convince Danny to allow Pilon to steal the vacuum because Sweets expects electricity. It turns out the vacuum had no motor, and of course, throughout the chapter a couple of gallons of wine were consumed here and there. The next chapter deals with a corporal in the army. Jesus Maria saves the man and his child from jail. The corporal then mentions his baby is sick, and it sadly dies later that night in Danny’s house, killing the corporal’s dreams of it someday being a general. Danny and his friends then encourage the corporal to seek revenge on the captain who stole his wife. It is rather unrealistic if you ask me. The death of the baby is seen as more of a side-note then a major event, but then again, I guess more babies died in that time. I’m not sure if the whole story of helping the corporal get revenge will lead anywhere, but I doubt it. These chapters all seem to be symbols and guides to lead to very important themes and teachings; however I can’t really figure them out.
These past thirty pages have been pretty enjoyable. First, we read of Big Joe falling in love. It is interesting how he goes about drinking a woman’s wine and falling asleep in her house, only later to be assaulted by her and fall in love. Chapter 12 deals with the Pirate achieving his goal of purchasing a gold candle stick for St. Francis. Prior to this however, Big Joe has stolen the sack of money and is severely beaten by his friends as punishment. Danny and company bruise and hurt Big Joe, but soon remember to forgive and help to tend his wounds. I enjoyed reading as the friends worked hard to ensure the Pirate was ready for church and I found it funny that the dogs burst into the church. It was odd that the dogs should see a vision of St. Francis, or at least that’s what the Pirate thinks has happened. The chapter was unique in that the group of friends managed to accomplish a goal and not be tempted to spend the money on wine. Chapter 13 could be my favorite chapter thus far in the novel. The group of friends unites to ensure that a poor family with many children is fed. They have different means and resources to acquire food that is piling up. The chapter ends with the men finally stealing some beans which are the only proper food for children to eat. I found it funny how Teresina wondered about which of Danny’s friends was responsible for her pregnancy. Another interesting note is that Steinbeck describes vieja as fifty years old and ancient, while fifty is quite young now days.
I think that chapter 14 has been the most boring chapter thus far. In short, Danny and his friends simply talked and told stories of events past and present. They talked of Emilio giving Cornelia a pig, and how it turned out the mother sow destroyed Cornelia’s house. They talked of Tall Bob and how he wanted to be great but was always laughed at. I did enjoy the part about Pirate letting Tall Bob drive his dogs around so it looks like Bob caught some strays. They also talk of the Ravannos and how Petey got a girl by nearly killing himself, and when Viejo Ravanno tried the same thing he died because no one saved him. All of these stories were supposed to hold many morals and be entertaining, but they didn’t do much for me. Chapter 15 was a little more enjoyable with Danny going mad. He kept brooding over how he missed the life of freedom. He decided to run away and spent quite a long time stealing, vandalizing, and breaking other laws. I found it funny that he always came back to steal from his own house, even to the point of stealing Pilon’s shoes. I greatly enjoyed reading about Torrelli and how he thought he had finally found a way to get rid of Danny’s friends. Danny had sold his house to Torrelli for 25 dollars. First of all, it was humorous because now Danny had a lot of money and could buy lots of wine and food. I could easily picture Torrelli coming into the house with an evil smile about the bad news he had. I think my favorite part of the book up this point would have to be how Danny’s friends encircle Torrelli, destroy the paper, and then play the classic “What paper? Did you see a paper?” game. It all worked out great for Danny and company in the end, and I think Torrelli deserved what he got.
These last couple of chapters has been very short and sweet, but that may be attributed to the fact that I was excited about being done with summer reading. Anyway, it feels like the only thing that really happened is that Danny died. Danny went into a sort of depression after returning from his wild streak. No one could tell what was really wrong with him, but Pilon found that wine made him better. All of Danny’s friends got together and actually earned an honest wage by cutting squid. They took their money and had a huge party for Danny with the whole town present. There were all kinds of food, lots of decorations, and plenty of wine. Danny enjoyed the party and had a blast with the wine and women. He later got feisty and wanted to fight, but ended up falling off the gulch to his death. A funeral is held for Danny and it is a huge social event. Unfortunately, the group of friends cannot attend because they do not have the proper attire. They sit and watch from a distance as Danny is awarded a military burial. The whole town is there. Later, the group of friends sits and thinks of past events at Danny’s house while smoking. A fire starts and the friends decide it is best to simply let the house burn down so that no memories can be destroyed by new tenants. The brotherhood then disperses with each man going his own way. I did not particularly enjoy the book because of its lack of modern action, but I think it was the best pick out of the choices of all the classic books.
Didn't the passage of background information say that Antigone was a victim of Creon's hubris? Some of you are suggesting that Antigone is the tragic hero. Thoughts on that.
7 comments:
Tortilla Flat
John Steinbeck
Pages 1-25
This book is pretty interesting thus far. All that has really happened is that Danny and Pilon find ways to get wine and get drunk. They don’t have to work or really do anything. They just exist with no real point or purpose other than to drink alcohol and get with the occasional girl. This is like other books I have read in that it involves a man’s life being ruined after he returns from a war, but then again, Danny didn’t really have much going for him before the war either. Danny returned from the war and spent his time drunk and vandalizing. His life becomes more interesting when he realizes he has inherited two houses. He now has a higher social status and theoretically a better life. Pilon wants to take advantage of this and so agrees to rent the second house. Pilon then rents part of his house to Pablo. However, it is very unlikely that any rent will ever be paid by these paisanos. Their relationships interest me in that they are close friends, but not because of the usual reasons such as trust, honesty, kindness, etc. They are friends to take advantage of the other person when they have wine or girls, and this continues to repeat with each man mooching off the other. They are some interesting guys. I am looking forward to something more exciting because Steinbeck compares the group to King Arthur and his knights. Steinbeck also mentions that he is writing this to ensure everyone knows these people really existed and were not mere legends. Steinbeck also manages to slide in his classic description of the California land.
Tortilla Flat
John Steinbeck
Pages 26-56
The book has maintained the same mood it had established at the beginning. It is very relaxed and nonchalant. For example, no one knows the time and Pilon lazily approximates it by the sun. I would like to live the life of Pilon for one day just to see what it is like. He has nothing to do, and only worries about getting wine and occasionally finding a meal. Pilon and Pablo are scared of not being able to pay rent to Danny, and so find Jesus Maria who has money and they proceed to coax two dollars out of him. Not surprisingly, they buy wine with this money. Meanwhile, Jesus Maria has gotten into a fight over a girl with some military men. That night they all drink wine and fall asleep forgetting to put out a candle. This one burning candle, left unattended, manages to burn down the entire house. The three men are scared of what Danny will think and so hide for the night. Danny is upset about the house because he has lost social status, but he is also happy because he will now be closer to his friends. He plans to show he is not a wimp by reprimanding them, but soon wishes to become friends again. Pablo, Pilon, and Jesus Maria give Danny a brassier as a gift so he may give it to Mrs. Morales. The chapter ends with the three men promising Danny they will ensure he always has food.
Tortilla Flat
John Steinbeck
Pages 57-97
Not surprisingly, the book still feels very much the same with only a few changes concerning specific details. Steinbeck introduces the character of the Pirate, who unfortunately is nothing like a real exciting pirate. The Pirate is a man who lives on free scraps, cuts wood, and then sells it for a quarter. He lives in a chicken house and has five dogs that seem like really good and obedient pets. Pilon has taken over the role of the main character in these past pages. He has found it in the kindness of his heart to help the Pirate by spending the Pirate’s money. The book makes it out to seem like Pilon is doing something honestly nice, but I still think that at the root of it is Pilon’s selfishness, his need for money, and his want of wine. Danny and his friends eventually get Pirate to live with them in hopes of getting to the money, but the Pirate already has set-in-stone plans for the treasure. The next chapter tells of Big Joe coming home. He has spent a lot of time in jail during the war and enjoys being sent to jail back at home. He meets Pilon and the two search for treasure. They find a spirit marking an area, and proceed to go through an elaborate process in order to finally dig it up. It turns out to be a worthless marking rock simply stating the elevation. I have learned that Big Joe is largely immoral and could cause some problems for the group. For example, he stole Danny’s blanket to get wine. Pilon, again in a religious state of mind, teaches Big Joe a lesson by stealing his pants and stealing the blanket back. My favorite excerpt from these chapters would have to be, “concealed parts of angels are leperous.”
Tortilla Flat
John Steinbeck
Pages 98-121
The book continues to introduce more and more supporting characters. Each chapter seems to deal with a new person and how that person affects the lives of Danny and his friends. Chapter nine deals with Sweets and her plot to be Danny’s woman. She tries to seduce Danny and succeeds in getting him to buy her a vacuum cleaner. It is funny how she believes she is at a whole new social status by being the only woman to own one in Tortilla Flat. It is even more humorous to note that Tortilla Flat has no electricity and so she cannot really use the vacuum. Nevertheless she loves it and pushes it around as much as possible. Pilon and the others see Danny’s relationship with Sweets as a problem, and so convince Danny to allow Pilon to steal the vacuum because Sweets expects electricity. It turns out the vacuum had no motor, and of course, throughout the chapter a couple of gallons of wine were consumed here and there. The next chapter deals with a corporal in the army. Jesus Maria saves the man and his child from jail. The corporal then mentions his baby is sick, and it sadly dies later that night in Danny’s house, killing the corporal’s dreams of it someday being a general. Danny and his friends then encourage the corporal to seek revenge on the captain who stole his wife. It is rather unrealistic if you ask me. The death of the baby is seen as more of a side-note then a major event, but then again, I guess more babies died in that time. I’m not sure if the whole story of helping the corporal get revenge will lead anywhere, but I doubt it. These chapters all seem to be symbols and guides to lead to very important themes and teachings; however I can’t really figure them out.
Tortilla Flat
John Steinbeck
Pages 122-153
These past thirty pages have been pretty enjoyable. First, we read of Big Joe falling in love. It is interesting how he goes about drinking a woman’s wine and falling asleep in her house, only later to be assaulted by her and fall in love. Chapter 12 deals with the Pirate achieving his goal of purchasing a gold candle stick for St. Francis. Prior to this however, Big Joe has stolen the sack of money and is severely beaten by his friends as punishment. Danny and company bruise and hurt Big Joe, but soon remember to forgive and help to tend his wounds. I enjoyed reading as the friends worked hard to ensure the Pirate was ready for church and I found it funny that the dogs burst into the church. It was odd that the dogs should see a vision of St. Francis, or at least that’s what the Pirate thinks has happened. The chapter was unique in that the group of friends managed to accomplish a goal and not be tempted to spend the money on wine. Chapter 13 could be my favorite chapter thus far in the novel. The group of friends unites to ensure that a poor family with many children is fed. They have different means and resources to acquire food that is piling up. The chapter ends with the men finally stealing some beans which are the only proper food for children to eat. I found it funny how Teresina wondered about which of Danny’s friends was responsible for her pregnancy. Another interesting note is that Steinbeck describes vieja as fifty years old and ancient, while fifty is quite young now days.
Tortilla Flat
John Steinbeck
Pages 154-184
I think that chapter 14 has been the most boring chapter thus far. In short, Danny and his friends simply talked and told stories of events past and present. They talked of Emilio giving Cornelia a pig, and how it turned out the mother sow destroyed Cornelia’s house. They talked of Tall Bob and how he wanted to be great but was always laughed at. I did enjoy the part about Pirate letting Tall Bob drive his dogs around so it looks like Bob caught some strays. They also talk of the Ravannos and how Petey got a girl by nearly killing himself, and when Viejo Ravanno tried the same thing he died because no one saved him. All of these stories were supposed to hold many morals and be entertaining, but they didn’t do much for me. Chapter 15 was a little more enjoyable with Danny going mad. He kept brooding over how he missed the life of freedom. He decided to run away and spent quite a long time stealing, vandalizing, and breaking other laws. I found it funny that he always came back to steal from his own house, even to the point of stealing Pilon’s shoes. I greatly enjoyed reading about Torrelli and how he thought he had finally found a way to get rid of Danny’s friends. Danny had sold his house to Torrelli for 25 dollars. First of all, it was humorous because now Danny had a lot of money and could buy lots of wine and food. I could easily picture Torrelli coming into the house with an evil smile about the bad news he had. I think my favorite part of the book up this point would have to be how Danny’s friends encircle Torrelli, destroy the paper, and then play the classic “What paper? Did you see a paper?” game. It all worked out great for Danny and company in the end, and I think Torrelli deserved what he got.
Tortilla Flat
John Steinbeck
Pages 185-207
These last couple of chapters has been very short and sweet, but that may be attributed to the fact that I was excited about being done with summer reading. Anyway, it feels like the only thing that really happened is that Danny died. Danny went into a sort of depression after returning from his wild streak. No one could tell what was really wrong with him, but Pilon found that wine made him better. All of Danny’s friends got together and actually earned an honest wage by cutting squid. They took their money and had a huge party for Danny with the whole town present. There were all kinds of food, lots of decorations, and plenty of wine. Danny enjoyed the party and had a blast with the wine and women. He later got feisty and wanted to fight, but ended up falling off the gulch to his death. A funeral is held for Danny and it is a huge social event. Unfortunately, the group of friends cannot attend because they do not have the proper attire. They sit and watch from a distance as Danny is awarded a military burial. The whole town is there. Later, the group of friends sits and thinks of past events at Danny’s house while smoking. A fire starts and the friends decide it is best to simply let the house burn down so that no memories can be destroyed by new tenants. The brotherhood then disperses with each man going his own way. I did not particularly enjoy the book because of its lack of modern action, but I think it was the best pick out of the choices of all the classic books.
Post a Comment