Discussion Post:: The Massacre of Saint-Barthelemy

[bobbiewickham]

Since discussion is slowing down here, I'm going to make this post the one thread for all posts about Sections 1-7 of the Massacre of Saint-Barthelemy. Today on our calendar we're up to Section 4, but feel free to post anything about any section here!

Comments

[bobbiewickham]

YES I HAVE, I have read the whole "Massacre" section, including the part with the book, and...uh, I loved it?

I'm a bad bookworm. A terrible bookworm. They're gonna confiscate my bookworm license. But it's true, I loved every last bit of it, and the sheer joy they took in it. Lantenac's indifference to the library offended me, but the babies ripping the book apart? René-Jean giving each of his siblings an equal part to rip up? All of them kicking the book? Georgette tossing the tiny pieces out the window and calling them butterflies? I loved it.

I mean, I partly loved it because the kids are having so much FUN, but also because I think there's another social parable here--really this whole section about the kids is a big social parable, and I find it fascinating. And disturbing as well, of course.

[thjazi]

I AM SO UPSET. BABIES ALL ALONE. I mean, I was cringing from the point the book was introduced, of course, because it was obvious what would happen-- that's not even Hugolian Foreshadowing, it's "basic knowledge of children"-- but it still stings.

BUT THE BABIES ARE COMPLETELY ON THEIR OWN FOR ALL THIS TIME?!? no one even comes to take their dishes away. Or bring them water. Or clean them. IF THEY CAN BE HAPPY TAKING APART A BOOK THEN GOOD FOR THEM, but I think it says volumes (badum-ching, but that's the right word, darn it) about just how ignorant Lantenac really is about the Torgue. I mean, besides the whole "evil piece of stain is seriously gonna kill three babies to make a point" factor.

[bobbiewickham]

Yeah, the Babies All Alone thing is pretty bad. Oddly that didn't even register too hard with me on an emotional level because (1) they have each other and have been relying on just each other for a lot for a while now, the aloneness has been there since Lantenac shot their mom and the Bonnet Rouge, (2) the only people AROUND are the PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO BLOW THEM UP, perhaps it's better for those people to leave them alone, and (3) they're gonna be blown up, they're in a death trap, which sort of swamped everything else for me. They're being so curious and so alive and then Lantenac is going to ruin everything.

But yes--the neglect is pretty bad. :/