War of the Worlds Pd. 3 DD Paula Ferrara
Ok, so the narrator has seen the capabilities of the Martians and has realized that some of the survivors that he has come across are definately not as sane as he is. What he has seen scares him; he feels alone in the world. My questions are:
1. Why do you think the narrator hasn’t gone insane like the curate or the artillaryman?
2. Why does H.G. Wells focus so much on the “red weed”? Is there a connection between the plant and the Martians?
3. The narrator has seen the extent of damage the Martians can do and finally knows just what they use their captured humans for. At this point in time, do you think there is any hope for any humans to survive?
Use evidence from the text to support your answers.
Category: Per 3 WotW DD 5 comments »
March 1st, 2009 at 7:22 pm
The reason that the curate has gone insane is because he was very reliant on a power above his own, God. In his eyes, this power was merciful and cared for him, but now it seems as if a new power has taken position above that one and that God is no where to help him. This leaves him with nothing, and so he loses his sanity and his will to live. As for the red weed, it is a direct result of the Martian’s presence on Earth and what they are doing to the humans.
It seems hopeless for the humans at this point. The Martians are stronger, smarter, and more advanced than they are. There is no longer any human force to stop the Martians. At this point, it is safe to say that the humans have nothing within their own power to stop their demise.
Shaun Ditzler
March 1st, 2009 at 8:32 pm
I don’t think that the narrator has gone that much insane because i think he knows more about the situation. The narrator knows more about the Martains because he was a scientist and new people that saw this coming, but let the signs go.
The red weed, I believe is a symbol of the Martians presence. I don’t think that is like they are here, but why would a plant grow on Earth that is a Martian plant? I think that this plant shows that they are taking over, they are breaking through the barrier of the earth. The have broken the protective cover and are pounding through. I think it resembles the military doing all that they can do, but its not enough.
Abbey Stefanides
March 2nd, 2009 at 4:03 pm
I agree with Shaun that the “red weed” is a direct result of the martians being on earth. But I do not agree with Abbey about why the narrator has not gone insane yet. I think that the narrator has not gone insane because of his love for his wife. This question directly relates to the question that Abbey asked about what would happen if the roles were switched. I think that the narrator knows his priorities and knows he must pull through for his family’s sake.
Kody
March 2nd, 2009 at 6:51 pm
I agree with all three of you in that the narrator hasn’t gone insane because he knows more about what is happening and because he has something that is driving him to survive. The narrator loves astronomy and has observed the Martians up close. He knows certain things about them that could prove useful in defeating them. Also his will to survive is driven for the love of his wife. Unlike the curate who doesn’t have anything to live for.
Personally, I think there is a deeper meaning to the red weed than it just being a symbol of the Martians’ takeover. I think that somehow this weed could be an influence in defeating the Martians. This is a plant that has grown on Mars’ surface and holds properties of the Martian’s natural habitat. By studying it, maybe the humans can find some way of defeating the Martians.
March 2nd, 2009 at 6:52 pm
^Paula^