Discussion Board Four: Blog Journal for Station Eleven

 

• In what ways do you think the motto "Survival is Insufficient" fits for the Traveling Troupe? They perform A Midsummer's Night Dream, a play that it turns out Shakespeare wrote during the great plague in Europe. Are there other parallels you see between the play and the story? 

I think the quote fits because not only surviving is going to help the group keep pushing through these hard times but enjoying their time and having fun with each other for example the performances and the acting. I think it is a big reason why they have made it so far and long. I’m not entirely familiar with the play A Midsummer’s Night dream but from the book I can tell there is much change in emotions and perspectives throughout the story and that connects with station eleven because people have gone through such a life changing moment and have had to learn how to change their beliefs and ways of living. 

• In section two, the novel leaps ahead twenty years following the Georgian Flu. How has life changed for principal characters such as Kristen?

People twenty years later are now growing up and scavenging the great outdoors for survival. They are learning how to live without the great technologies they had access to before like phones and electricity. They do spend quality time together still having fun and even acting and performing, especially Kirsten, she brought her acting with her to share with everyone else as a way to connect with others.

• In chapter twelve, the prophet makes his first appearance following the performance. Discuss his character.

The prophet seems to be a very power driven man and I believe he will do anything to achieve power. He tricks and takes advantage of many people, and he seems like a very religious person who is forcing the depressed people of the town to follow him.