After reading “Talk of the Town”, I was left with a mix of
emotions and reactions. Being so young at the time of the attacks, I have only
a vague memory of watching the tower falling on television, but not really
understanding the massive impact the 9/11 attacks would have on our country.
When I read the sentence “We knew we had just witnessed
thousands of deaths; we clung to each other as if we ourselves were falling”
written by John Updike, I felt as if I had just received the worst of news. I
cannot imagine what he could have been feeling or thinking at this point in
time. I feel that being so hauntingly close and viewing this massive
destruction would be a surreal experience and would leave one somewhat
dumbfounded and at a loss for words.
I personally know of at least a few people that I believe
would be somewhat angered by Susan Sontag’s response and personal viewpoint on
the 9-11 attacks, but I see that Sontag has an extremely valid point, and she
certainly forced me to take a different viewpoint of 9/11 in reading what she
wrote. The sentence that I think struck me the most and made me think was “In
the matter of courage (a morally neutral virtue): whatever may be said of the
perpetrators of Tuesday’s slaughter, they were not cowards.” Sontag really makes
you as the reader think past your initial reaction of disgust and fear, and
helps you see further into the 9/11 attacks.
Both authors helped me gain insight on the happenings of
9/11, and aided me in considering viewpoints that I would not have probably
seen had I not read these essays.
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ReplyDeleteHi Zoe! I, like you, was left with a mix of emotions and reactions after reading both of these essays as well. I feel like it’s harder for those in our grade to really have a substantial remembrance of that day, because of how young we really were. I do agree that being so young certainly impacted our understanding of the “massive impact” of the 9/11 attack on our country.
ReplyDeleteThe sentence, written by John Updike, that you described as receiving “the worst of news” is so very true. Witnessing those towers collapse and many lose their lives is so sad and unfortunate. I can only imagine that this experience in person would be surreal and haunting, like you said!
You are right when you stated that Susan Sontag’s essay and viewpoint would anger at least a few people, because from reading other people’s response to this essay, it appeared that many were not satisfied or in agreement with her statements. I can see Sontag’s valid points in her essay though, as you did. Her statement about the perpetrators of 9/11 being anything but cowards was especially thought-provoking and interesting in itself. I am not sure if I agree with her statement; what do you think? Although, her opinions in her essay really help the reader in general see past the initial event. She brings about more layers of 9/11 that for us, at such a young age then, would have meant nothing. Now, reading her essay brings back emotions about 9/11 and helps us delve deeper into that horrendous day. Like you, I think that she did a great job overall helping the reader look further into the 9/11 attacks.
Yes, these essays did allow us to gain more insight into 9/11 as you said. I think these essays really do bring to us intriguing and important knowledge and opinions that I know I wouldn’t have seen if I hadn’t, like you, read them.
Dear Zoe, you have some great insights on both pieces! I enjoyed reading what you thought as I too had some of the same feelings. The sentence you quoted by Updike affected me in the same way it did you. It was very intense and quite sad, like we were there experiencing exactly what he was saying first hand. The 9/11 attacks were a bit dynamic for us to understand at a young age, yes, and I feel that we weren't able to fully understand what happened until we got a little bit older.
ReplyDeleteIt's ironic because I reacted to Susan Sontag's essay the same way you did. That sentence really changed how I looked at the situation, even though I knew what the enemy did was wrong. They were people fighting for a cause, willing to give their lives for their country as well. The beginning of her essay made me a little irritated, but when I got to that sentence and really thought about what she was saying, my opinion on the paper completely changed. She did an amazing job and both of these definitely provided new information and perspectives on this large tragedy. I can't wait to read more of your blogs in the future!
Hi Zoe! I agree with you on what you said about both pieces. You did a great job shairing your feelings about 9/11. I felt the same way. Being fairly young when 9/11 happened I did not fully realize the impact it had on people at that time. This essay gave me a great insight on how people felt.
ReplyDeleteI felt the same way both you and Allison did when reading Updikes quote, "We knew we had just witnessed thousands of deaths; we clung to each other as if we ourselves were falling".
I also read Sontag's essay the same as you as well. At first I was angered, but then I soon realized that her oppinion was corret. Maybe, not apprecated at the time, but non the less correct.
I hope you have a great summer, and I can't wait to read more of your blogs!
I really liked the way you explained your position on the second article. I like how you acknowledge that calling the terrorists "brave", although it's against the grain. I think that you also do a good job of saying how that "Courage" is morally neutral, because by definition it is. You do a great job of explaining your position, and I can't wait to discuss this further with you!
ReplyDelete