Chapter 5
As Harry pointed out, I do like the way that the author built a sense of foreboding in this chapter, as it made the story all the more interesting.
The interaction between the living and the dead during the Macabray brought a new dimension to the whole story, as it rather pointedly reminded the reader that even though Bod resided in the graveyard, he was still counted as one of the living and not among the ranks of the dead. I think this was the first time that Bod realized it, too.
Unlike the Lady Mayoress, I am a great lover of traditions. It gives me a sense of connection with my ancestors or things that have come before me, and that is oddly a great comfort. It makes me feel like a part of a bigger whole if that makes any sense at all.
I have indeed felt several moments like this during my lifetime. One of the strongest was during a recent vacation to Maine. My husband and I decided to charter a working lobster boat and spend the day as one of the crew. Mind you, I have never been to Maine, have never met these people, and have certainly never gone lobstering. But it seemed so very natural and familiar as if I had been doing it my whole life. Put it this way, I am severely (to the point of being paranoid) afraid of birds. Suffice it to say that my reaction to them is not good..at all. And yet, on the boat, there were seagulls flying all around us and it didn't bother me at all. Again, it was as if I had been there a thousand times and they were merely a part of things. Odd, I know. I have no way of knowing it was a true or false moment, but I would like to think it was true.
Interlude
Harry Walles wrote: ↑Sun Oct 17, 2021 6:24 pm
I think that 'the man jacks' are a group of supernatural creatures who are willing to commit horrendous crimes for the sake of doing it.
I couldn't put it any better if I tried! I think of them as a supernatural goon squad, if you will.
Chapter 6
I agree with Harry and Louis on this one. I think Bod was letting Silas know that even though he would be willing to drop it, for now, the topic would be brought up again in the future.
No, I would not have wanted to go to living school. I would have been quite content to continue my education in the graveyard as I had been doing thus far. The lessons were both interesting and practical, and what better way to learn history than from the very people who had lived it?!
I think Bod's advice to Paul on how to deal with bullies shows a lot about his growing up in the graveyard and the lessons he had been taught there. He had been taught to stand up for yourself and your morals, and also to use your wits when necessary. I believe that Bod, free from normal 'human' constraint, had learned quite well how to stand his ground. Also, when one has faced ghouls and other unsavory creatures and lived to tell of it, it tests one's mettle as Bod has proven.