Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Chapter 5, Page 41 Mean people.

I hate mean people!

The chipmunk disappeared. Never did find out what happened to him, if he managed to thrive or if he got eaten or if some kid cracked his skull open with a rock. The uncertainty of it bothers me the most. On of the things I like about fiction is that all the loose ends can be tied up at the end. You know where all your favorite characters end up on the last page and just how thoroughly the villain got what's coming to him.

Real life isn't like that. I've started to appreciate fiction that reflects that. I still prefer stories with clear endings. Even if the ending isn't happy.

Okay, I'm done angsting.

4 comments:

Tenacious-K said...

So sorry for the non-resolution to the chipmunk saga! I can sympathize - when I was about Mary's age I captured a big, green frog in the swamp at the end of our block and had dug a small pond for him with a chicken-wire enclosure in the backyard; a canvas canopy over half for shade. Had nice grass around and rocks for him to rest and sun on and had the hose flowing slow to keep the water fresh. Captured beetles and grasshoppers to feed him and he seemed pretty content for several weeks. Then one morning I went out and he was just gone! No idea what happened - a cat, a mean neighbor kid, a mighty-Miho leap over the fence. Not a clue, just gone! I was really sad and definitely wanted to know what happened! Oh, well. The trouble with frogs and chipmunks is that they're kind of low on the food chain y'know? So that's a sad reality.

Like you said, life isn't tidy like fiction can be. I prefer a happy ending with all the loose ends tied up neatly. OTH, I also enjoy Japanese art films where everything just kind of ends and the credits roll - for example, have you seen the new anime by Makoto Shinkai, 5 Centimeters per Second? That kind of thing. Beautifully told but no resolution and everyone ends up sad. :(

Wow! Don't know what brought that on! Something struck a chord I guess. Happily, I am now waiting impatiently for my MQC phone charm by SpankytheCat. I'll send you a picture when I get it.

Brigid said...

0.0 Wow. I moved someone.

That's so sweet what you did for the frog. I'm sure he had a very happy several weeks.

And I have not seen that anime. Kinda want to now that I have. (Must remember to have Kleenex handy.)

Looking forward to the photo! Yay for cottage industry merchandise!

Acacia H. said...

Or, since you believe it was a baby chipmunk, maybe it went home to its mom. ^^

Oh damn, there goes my evil cynic reputation... ^^;;

Rob H.

Brigid said...

I hope it did. I hope it grew up to be a happy little chipmunk.

It was such a cute little thing.