The story Manhole 69 was absolutely incredible, and so thought-provoking! I sat in my room for a solid thirty minutes after reading it just thinking about the question we were asked the first day. I would keep my answer about not getting rid of sleep for a few reasons. One, as mentioned by Lang, I would need a break from the day, otherwise it would be a continuously long existence. Sleeping for eight hours a night gives me a chance to shake off a bad day and get ready for a new. It also has a calming effect on me, that I can wake up the next day and have a shot at doing better. Also, I annoy myself the hours of the day that I am awake, I cannot imagine having to listen to myself all day everyday without a break. I also know I too would go stir crazy, like the men did when "the walls were caving in", figuratively and literally the men had no door out of the existence they had created. The door was missing from the room, because they had shut out their subconscious and eventually it had to come forward and that was its way of dealing with the crippling fear the men were beginning to face in their new condition. Lastly, I would not be able to live without my dreams. I have learned through this class to appreciate all of them, good or bad. They help my creativity and memory, and even prepare me for the worst. Survival is compromised without sleep. I think the most impactful quote is from Morley in which he replies to Neill with "how much of yourself can you stand? Maybe you need eight hours off a day just to get over the shock of being yourself" (pg.24). When I really sat back and thought about what he must have meant, I myself became hyper aware of my mind and its constant monolog that I would have to listen to non stop. Finally, the statement that Lang makes on page thirty-two really struck me "...most of the time the psyche can't see farther than its own tombstone...because every night it's given a pretty convincing reminder of the fate in store for it". The reason this hit home, was because of a recent discussion I had had with a friend regarding what happens to those who have not been saved before they die. I instantly thought of her when reading that paragraph. We are driven by impulses to avoid what we think will happen when we die, and for some of us, we know we have eternal life, but for the people that do not have this guarantee, I have to wonder is that quote changes their mind at all.
Sources: Manhole 69 By: J.G. Ballard
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I would like to commend you for bringing this awesome story back to your Christian faith. I made the same connection too, because during a small group I help lead, we were talking about our lost friends and family. This particular quote by Lang made me realize how blessed I am to be able to look at death with no fear and a smile on my face. Because "all I know is that I am not home yet" (love this song btw)-but for many people, this is the opposite. I cant imagine having someone that wasn't saved, and that couldn't sleep- just stare off into their eternity with fear and doubt. This short story was very eye opening and intriguing. Thanks for your awesome blog post!
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