So in my copy of the book there is a few comment on the page opposite Chapter One. This one got my laughing, but also got me to start wondering about the motivation behind it, what do you think?
"NOTICE:
Persons attempting to find a motive in this narrative will be prosecuted; persons attempting to find moral in it will be banished; persons attempting to find a plot will be shot.
By order of the author
Per G.G., Chief of Ordnance."
I don't know if this has anything to do with the plot, but figured it's a decent pre-reading discussion, so go for it!
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So I think that this is sort of setting a mood for the book. Sometimes I see those signs that say something like "Trespassers will be Prosecuted" and this is what I'm reminded of now. It's like what we read in the Crucible today about how the author wanted to almost give a disclaimer about how there was truth behind some of the characters, but other things have been fictionalized. I think that Mark Twain is doing something similar in adding this in, from what I understand this isn't the most riveting book and I think that this serves as a warning to the readers. I'm curious if anyone else's copy has this in it or it's just the one that I bought? This passage also helps to set the mood of the story. I think that it takes place in a Southern town before the Civil War and when I think of that time period, I think about harsh rules and judgments. Though this seems humorous because we’re talking about reading a book, it also kind of feels ominous because we don’t know to what extent the author is being serious.
ReplyDeleteIt's in my book too, and I completely agree with what you're saying. It just seems as a warning and the analogy you made was exactly what I got from it. It's like a warning and at the same hes kind of putting down his own book, but more of in a comic way. He knows that thats exactly what people will do with this story and is just kind of stating that thats what this is meant for.
ReplyDeleteIt's in mine as well. I would agree about the time period in which it takes place. Free gun use and prejudice is still seen, but is generally connected with the south while racist ideals were at their peak. It also does set the mood, hinting that the author will be speaking about serious topics in a more humorous or lighter way.
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