Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Christmas's Motivation

Throughout chapter 7 Christmas displays little emotion, and seems almost detached from the punishment he receives. Yet, at present day in the novel Christmas is in emotional turmoil, and is impulsive when it comes to facing others. (As shown when he subconsciously pulls the razor on the black people in the street). So what caused Christmas to change? What happened internally when his surrogate father beat him to the point of acceptance of physical pain? And if Christmas truly took after Mr. McEachern, as described in the book, why does he value religion so little?
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17 comments:

  1. AnonymousOctober 28, 2015 at 7:05 AM

    I believe Christmas values religion so little because it was beat into him rather having religion taught into Christmas at a gradually pace.

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  2. UnknownOctober 28, 2015 at 8:43 AM

    I see Ali's point of view, but I think Christmas values religion so little because it was the reason why he got punished. When he didn't know his catechism, he would be whipped. He began loathing the subject of his beatings and whippings - religion.

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    1. UnknownOctober 29, 2015 at 8:10 AM

      I totally agree with the point. All of those memories impacted him and his personality that is now.

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  3. AnonymousOctober 28, 2015 at 5:32 PM

    I agree since religion was one of the reasons he was punished, he sees it as something that gives him pain.

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  4. AnonymousOctober 28, 2015 at 7:03 PM

    I think the reason why Christmas showed such little emotion when he was younger was because there was nothing that he could have done to change the fact that he was going to be beaten. If he fought back, he would have gotten beaten more. i don't think Christmas changed, I just think that now he is able to do something about his emotions instead of just accepting the pain like he did when his father beat him.

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    1. UnknownOctober 30, 2015 at 8:55 AM

      How would you explain his violent outbursts? I think that if Christmas knew that nothing would save him from his beatings during childhood, he would be a passive character, but he's not.

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  5. UnknownOctober 28, 2015 at 9:42 PM

    He doesn't seem to take the punishments personally, he knows what he is Going to receive even in the midst of his sin. That's why I think he hates his foster mother, she takes them too personally and that emotion that makes you hurt and pity is the emotion Joe Christmas is afraid of.

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  6. AnonymousOctober 28, 2015 at 9:46 PM

    As a young child Christmas delt with emotions through pain and being strong. While he was being beaten, as harsh as it sounds, was probably a way for him to physically believe he was strong and not soft. Another way would be when he ignored the compassion given to him from his adopted mother. However, being reminded of religion when Ms. Burden started praying over him, he had no way to show he was strong; therefore, no controlling his conflicting emotions now and past ones.

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  7. AnonymousOctober 28, 2015 at 9:52 PM

    I think that Christmas is without a doubt troubled, as a child he took every beating and punishment without any resistance but it has only built up inside of him. It seems that every time a fragment of his past is resurfaced he resorts to violence. He resorts to violence because he seen first hand how violence can be used as possible solutions to a problem, McEacher is a prime example of this and because of people like him Christmas only knows of humanity's hatred and negatively responds to kindness.

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    1. UnknownOctober 29, 2015 at 8:15 AM

      I agree, that's why he is how he is and he is just lost in what he knows when kindness comes around.

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    2. UnknownOctober 29, 2015 at 10:34 PM

      I agree, anger was what Christmas was raised with, therefore, its the only emotion he has to resort to when facing difficulties. I believe that's a major reason as to why he seems on the brink of violent rage every time his race is brought into question as well.

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    3. UnknownOctober 30, 2015 at 8:56 AM

      I love the way you put this, because I agree. Although, I don't think he gets angry when his race is brought into question because it has never really been a problem to him.

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  8. AnonymousOctober 29, 2015 at 8:17 AM

    To sum up Christmas' past, he feels no need for salvation and remorse(well from humans) and that he has no need for anyone or anything.

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  9. AnonymousOctober 29, 2015 at 8:18 AM

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  10. AnonymousOctober 29, 2015 at 8:18 AM

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  11. AnonymousOctober 29, 2015 at 8:18 AM

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  12. 冯瑞娜：中文202课October 29, 2015 at 8:54 PM

    I believe that even though Christmas had taken many attributes from Mr.McEachern, the religious beliefs didn't transfer because of Christmas' feelings of being perceived as weak. Praying to God, or believing in any religion, requires a certain type of vulnerability that Christmas seems to lack.

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