One of the most important places where the events that occur during Matt’s young age is the little shack. As a child, this is where Matt spends all of his time. He is completely isolated, except for a cook, Celia, who lives with him. From brief descriptions found in the book, it is determined that the shack consists of a kitchen, a small crowded living room (5), two rooms, and a window. The one window is nailed shut, but it displays a view of fields of white poppies that are stretched all the way to the shadowy hills (6). In Celia’s room, there is a large saggy bed covered with crocheted pillows and stuffed animals (8). This is where Matt seems to find the most comfort. He likes to spend much of his time in here. If not, he will be in his own room that is decorated with posters of movie stars, animals, and babies.
Although Matt is living in a lonely little shack that seems to be in the middle of nowhere, the small gestures that Celia has made, and that Nancy Farmer has written, are all for the purpose of providing a feeling of coziness for Matt. However, these do not fool such a clever boy as him. The nailed window and, as mentioned before, living in the middle of nowhere are more than enough to tip Matt off. He knows very well that he is cut off from civilization and confined like a prisoner. Because of it, Matt is dealing with the effects; loneliness, solitude, and longing for company.
However, the feelings of loneliness, solitude, and longing are emotions. Emotions are something that only humans are capable of having. Later on in the novel, we find out that Matt is a clone and is treated like a scorned animal. What do these feelings make Matt, a human or a clone? Not just that, but this also brings up the question that so many of us wonder, "Are clones living beings capable of thought and feeling? Are they humans?"
The entire experience of living in a place such as this greatly impacts Matt in many aspects. Because of it, he is more curious, more aware, and wants to know everything. Matt is like a toddler taking his first steps. This also explains his attitude towards most of the events that happen later on in the book, such as his contentedness with being alone and having the rotten fruit, bones, and bird feather to play with in his chicken litter fortress. Matt was already used to being alone, and after some struggle with not having Celia around anymore, he became used to his conditions in the empty room (29). This is not the only scenario where we see his attitude deriving from his experience in the shack; other situations are scattered evenly throughout the novel waiting to be read.
Although Matt is living in a lonely little shack that seems to be in the middle of nowhere, the small gestures that Celia has made, and that Nancy Farmer has written, are all for the purpose of providing a feeling of coziness for Matt. However, these do not fool such a clever boy as him. The nailed window and, as mentioned before, living in the middle of nowhere are more than enough to tip Matt off. He knows very well that he is cut off from civilization and confined like a prisoner. Because of it, Matt is dealing with the effects; loneliness, solitude, and longing for company.
However, the feelings of loneliness, solitude, and longing are emotions. Emotions are something that only humans are capable of having. Later on in the novel, we find out that Matt is a clone and is treated like a scorned animal. What do these feelings make Matt, a human or a clone? Not just that, but this also brings up the question that so many of us wonder, "Are clones living beings capable of thought and feeling? Are they humans?"
The entire experience of living in a place such as this greatly impacts Matt in many aspects. Because of it, he is more curious, more aware, and wants to know everything. Matt is like a toddler taking his first steps. This also explains his attitude towards most of the events that happen later on in the book, such as his contentedness with being alone and having the rotten fruit, bones, and bird feather to play with in his chicken litter fortress. Matt was already used to being alone, and after some struggle with not having Celia around anymore, he became used to his conditions in the empty room (29). This is not the only scenario where we see his attitude deriving from his experience in the shack; other situations are scattered evenly throughout the novel waiting to be read.
No comments:
Post a Comment