"The cord fell away; his arms parted and floated upward, the hands dimly seen on each side in the growing light. He watched them with a new interest as first one and then the other pounced upon the noose at his neck. They tore it away and thrust it fiercely aside, its undulations resembling those of a water snake. 'Put it back, put it back!' He thought he shouted these words to his hands"
In this passage of the book, Peyton didn't seem to have control over his body. He simply seemed to be an observer of his own movements. Do you think that this could have been a sign that the scenario was imagined, or do you think that this could happen in real life situations?
In order to make this a thinking question, I won't tell you my opinion until I've heard yours. Then I will enlighten you all... maybe. Actually, that probably won't happen.
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Also I'm very curious to know your guy's answer to this question. Was the "escape scenario" a vision, daydream (for lack of better word), or was it a reality? In my opinion, seeing a vision isn't the same thing as imagining a daydream.
Merriam Webster Dictionary defines the two abstract words as different concepts.
Vision: something seen in a dream, trance, or ecstasy; especially : a supernatural appearance that conveys a revelation
Daydream: a pleasant visionary usually wishful creation of the imagination
Do you see the difference between the two? What do you think, was Peyton experiencing a daydream or vision? Or was he in reality? Perhaps you don't think there is a difference between something you create with your imagination and a vision. That's great too :)
Feel free to answer either one or the other. I couldn't make up my mind which to ask. Or answer both to make a very good conversation. and to make me happy :D :D :D
In order to make this a thinking question, I won't tell you my opinion until I've heard yours. Then I will enlighten you all... maybe. Actually, that probably won't happen.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Also I'm very curious to know your guy's answer to this question. Was the "escape scenario" a vision, daydream (for lack of better word), or was it a reality? In my opinion, seeing a vision isn't the same thing as imagining a daydream.
Merriam Webster Dictionary defines the two abstract words as different concepts.
Vision: something seen in a dream, trance, or ecstasy; especially : a supernatural appearance that conveys a revelation
Daydream: a pleasant visionary usually wishful creation of the imagination
Do you see the difference between the two? What do you think, was Peyton experiencing a daydream or vision? Or was he in reality? Perhaps you don't think there is a difference between something you create with your imagination and a vision. That's great too :)
Feel free to answer either one or the other. I couldn't make up my mind which to ask. Or answer both to make a very good conversation. and to make me happy :D :D :D
It's probably possible to not have control over your body, especially after being that close to death. But I think he was having a daydream. A daydream isn't necessarily pleasant, and I don't think a vision fits this scenario. I see a slight difference between the two, a vision being more real (thank you, Raven Baxter), and a daydream being completely in your imagination.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Selah, about how a daydream doesnt have to be pleasant! So (to clarify for others) Basically what I was trying to say,is Peyton's escape scenario made up by him, or envisioned by him?
ReplyDeleteI believe it was more than likely envisioned by him... When we are at the brinks of death, or if we are in a sticky situation, don't we all think what we could have done better? Like, would things have been different if I didn't go down to the bridge. We always think about the "what ifs" and I believe that might just be human nature...
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ReplyDeleteIt is possible for the body to take control because it happened to me when I jumped into a freezing lake and I could not stop my body from swimming to shore. That's the supershort version of that story, I know I have a really weird life XD. So to answer your question Anne I think that it was all in Peyton's head, and he was imagining this while he was hanging.
ReplyDeleteYeah, freezing lakes are cold yo! What kind of geniuses jump in those? ;)
Deletehaha, the best kind of course XD.
DeleteMICAH!!! Welcome back to class :D
DeleteHaha, a very weird but fascinating life! I agree with you how it's possible for the body to take control of the mind. That's what reflexes are all about I suppose. It's extremely hard for me to put eye drops in because even though my mind wants my eyes to stay open, my eyelids want to protect my eyes (ik, a very obvious illustration)
ReplyDeleteI think that this whole scene was envisioned by Peyton. When you imagine a scene, things go like you intend them to. However, in the escape scenerio, things didn't exactly go as Peyton wanted. I also think that Peyton himself believed the scenerio was real. A vision often convinces the person who is seeing it that it was real, while standing somewhere imagine a scenerio doesn't make you think it really happened.
I have had one vision in my life (how's that for weird), and it seemed very real to me. So speaking from personal experience, I think Peyton had a vision, not a "daydream". That being said, everyone is entitled to their own opinion :)
That's a really good point.
DeleteSo I think, that a vision is something you witness, while a daydream is something you imagine. Just to clarify.
ReplyDeleteI know, I need to stop clarifying my post and make it clear in the first place. Oh well...
In my opinion I do believe it is possible to lose control of your own thoughts and movements. Dream or not, when in such line of peril I believe it is only human nature to do whatever to survive.
ReplyDeleteI'd agree with you. Humans are hardwired to survive (often aided by a fear of death), and have automatic reactions to danger. Think of the fight-or-flight response. If you're in a dark room and someone jumps out at you, you'd either kick them in the gut or run. Even if there is no danger, that reaction would be as automatic as closing your eyes when sand is thrown at your face.
DeleteI would say that it was somewhere between vision and daydream. A vision is more real-seeming than a daydream, but it is more just something that happens, and you don't necessarily have control over it. I know I've had some daydreams that felt very real to me, but not quite to the point of Peyton's escape. So I think it could be a combination, like those weird dreams when you're half-awake, that seem real and can be kinda-sorta controlled by you but only to a certain point. I hope this makes sense...
ReplyDelete