Stanley's Heart - Page 3

Alex · 02-16-2007, 10:44 AM

I felt that way about it even when I was a kid, but then even then I didn't have much tolerance for the romantic dramas teenagers create for themselves.

That said, I can see the potential for romance in suicide, though it would always also be tainted by tragedy. The two certainly aren't exclusive of each other.

3894 · 02-16-2007, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Stroup

That said, I can see the potential for romance in suicide, though it would always also be tainted by tragedy. The two certainly aren't exclusive of each other.

Picking up on this, Motorboat Cruiser- what if you amplified the tragedy in Stanley's suicide by giving him a grown child and some grandchildren who will find his frozen body? They're back at the farmhouse, maybe. Or a dog! A faithful farm dog that Stanley leaves back in the farmhouse when he goes out to die. As it is, you only have death - winter, old age - and brittle textures - hard wood, crunchy snow. A little contrast, maybe?

Prudence · 02-15-2007, 10:12 PM

What's romantic is the notion that one can't live without the other. I don't look at this story, or Romeo and Juliet, and think, "how romantic that they committed suicide," but rather "how romantic that they love each other so much that one can't live without the other." In reality, this can be extremely NOT romantic (twisted versions end up as murder-suicides). But this is fiction, and one of the things I look to fiction to do is bring forth an emotion.

For this particular story, it's not a new concept, but what I did like was the ambiguity in the man's intent. It's not clear how conscious he is that he *is* committing suicide. And if he's not conscious, is that because of the whiskey or because of toll three lonely years have taken on his mind?

€uroMeinke · 02-15-2007, 10:41 PM

Hmmm - I thought you were taking on Tracilicious' challenge of the power of Love versus the power of Loss and thought you did a crafty job of piecing the two together

Motorboat Cruiser · 02-15-2007, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by €uroMeinke

Hmmm - I thought you were taking on Tracilicious' challenge of the power of Love versus the power of Loss and thought you did a crafty job of piecing the two together

How odd. As a matter of fact, I had pondered her idea numerous times but just wasn't getting anywhere with it. After lots of thought, I put it aside and figured I'd come back to it when I was feeling more creative.

Strange that it seems to have seeped out of my subconscious without my even realizing it.

wendybeth · 02-16-2007, 12:42 AM

I liked it, MBC. Thank you.

Nephythys · 02-16-2007, 09:31 AM

So?

Are we really supposed to see suicide as romantic? I can see how not being able to live without each other is- but not suicide.

I am glad MBC appreciates all feedback- I fail to see why I need to justify not finding it romantic.

Not Afraid · 02-16-2007, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nephythys

So?

Are we really supposed to see suicide as romantic? I can see how not being able to live without each other is- but not suicide.

I am glad MBC appreciates all feedback- I fail to see why I need to justify not finding it romantic.

I think all of us perceive things differently because we are bring different experiences to our current state of perception. Writing hits us all at different levels, which is part of it's beauty and fun.

As for justification.....this is a discussion board and therefore we discuss things.

Quote:

Discussion: an extended communication (often interactive) dealing with some particular topic; "the book contains an excellent discussion of modal logic"; "his treatment of the race question is badly biased".
An exchange of views on some topic; "we had a good discussion"; "we had a word or two about it"

Alex · 02-16-2007, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Not Afraid

As for justification.....this is a discussion board and therefore we discuss things.

But conversely, I've recently been told by some that demanding justification is not discussion and that it can be an indicator of being a prick.

I agree that suicide is selfish, but that doesn't exclude romantic elements either. Pure altruism doesn't exist and selfishness is found in every action. But then I view suicide as a selfish decision but not one that it inherently an unreasonable decision.

Nephythys · 02-16-2007, 11:11 AM

Maybe it's personal experience- which of course means we are going to see this through that lense-

I find suicide to be selfish. A man who loves his wife, but is more than willing to abandon the rest of his living family to join her in death is not romantic to me. It's selfish.

It hits a nerve- so that is MY reaction to the piece.

02-16-2007, 10:44 AM	#1
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	I felt that way about it even when I was a kid, but then even then I didn't have much tolerance for the romantic dramas teenagers create for themselves. That said, I can see the potential for romance in suicide, though it would always also be tainted by tragedy. The two certainly aren't exclusive of each other.
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02-15-2007, 10:12 PM	#3
Prudence Beelzeboobs, Esq. Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Gavel - I haz it Posts: 6,287	What's romantic is the notion that one can't live without the other. I don't look at this story, or Romeo and Juliet, and think, "how romantic that they committed suicide," but rather "how romantic that they love each other so much that one can't live without the other." In reality, this can be extremely NOT romantic (twisted versions end up as murder-suicides). But this is fiction, and one of the things I look to fiction to do is bring forth an emotion. For this particular story, it's not a new concept, but what I did like was the ambiguity in the man's intent. It's not clear how conscious he is that he is committing suicide. And if he's not conscious, is that because of the whiskey or because of toll three lonely years have taken on his mind? __________________ traguna macoities tracorum satis de
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02-15-2007, 10:41 PM	#4
€uroMeinke L'Hédoniste Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: A.S.C.O.T. Posts: 8,671	Hmmm - I thought you were taking on Tracilicious' challenge of the power of Love versus the power of Loss and thought you did a crafty job of piecing the two together __________________ I would believe only in a God that knows how to Dance. Friedrich Nietzsche
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02-16-2007, 12:42 AM	#6
wendybeth Nevermind Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7,847	I liked it, MBC. Thank you. __________________
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02-16-2007, 09:31 AM	#7
Nephythys Yeah, that's about it- Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: In a state of constant crap to get done Posts: 2,688	So? Are we really supposed to see suicide as romantic? I can see how not being able to live without each other is- but not suicide. I am glad MBC appreciates all feedback- I fail to see why I need to justify not finding it romantic.
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02-16-2007, 11:11 AM	#10
Nephythys Yeah, that's about it- Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: In a state of constant crap to get done Posts: 2,688	Maybe it's personal experience- which of course means we are going to see this through that lense- I find suicide to be selfish. A man who loves his wife, but is more than willing to abandon the rest of his living family to join her in death is not romantic to me. It's selfish. It hits a nerve- so that is MY reaction to the piece.
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