Bijan’s Comments (group member since Mar 17, 2010)

Bijan’s comments from the Keepin' it REAL group.

Since I am the first one to post a book review, I will say this. Besides project number two, this was probably the most fulfilling assignment for me. Even though I had read this book hundreds of times, I had never been able to analyze the text in this manner before nor possess the skills to do so correctly. I had learned so many things about my novel that I could have never figured out on my own. These eye opening new methods will give new heed to my reading abilities and boundaries.

The Gunslinger by Stephen King; 300 Pages.

So now that the first part of Roland's journey is over, how does that leave me feeling? Even though there is some sense of AMBIGUITY about what direction his choices will take him, the sense of certainty about his ultimate course of action will always remain the same. I feel accomplished and satisfied yet hungry and wanting more. The final spin at the end really sent me for a loophole as far as the central plot is concerned. Though the outcome I predicted was the same, the course of events that sequenced themselves together that led up to the final conclusion were completely different than I had originally anticipated. His sense of MISANTHROPY somehow seemed to be diminishing because of the allies he had made in the most unlikely placed along with the assistance following the same fold. On the whole, I thought the book was something of a riveting cerebral puzzle that your subconscious was to solve. Each piece of the puzzle was a sequence of events that you pieced together whether it was from the past, present or future. Each piece that was introduced to you was not to be used instantly but cautiously at the right moments to reveal the final central outcome. I would not hesitate to recommend this book to a colleague of mine. The mental and cerebral stimulation from this book is completely intoxicating and enticing at the same time. King takes you for a ride that you have yet to experience or fathom. The PERAMETERS of your imagination will be tested and tested again. The story is unlike anything you could ever think to read. If you had to put a tag on it, it would be something like The Lord of the Rings meets Freddy vs. Jason.

The impact this book had on me, as a reader of course, was phenomenal. The bounds and limitations of my proficiency of an epic novel were changed and tested. Before reading this book, I honestly did not think a genuinely great book existed. Sure there were books you enjoyed and sure there were books that were interesting. But I had yet to cross a book that enticed me from beginning to end with the same passion and energy the entire way through. This book changed my perception of the reading lists that were out there. I discovered a whole new genre of book that I loved and wanted to read over and over and over again. This book taught me the value of a great story. Roland’s journey, as a Gunslinger, did more than entertain and entice me as a reader. He always traveled alone and never in groups or DYADS. His journey and his story taught me the value of persistence and tenacity. The cliché to never give up holds true to its name in fiction and non-fiction alike. So many obstacles stood in the way of Roland’s ultimate goal but he overcame them and pursued to his final destination. “Eddie seized the rags of Roland's shirt.”Are you going to get her killed?"
"We all die in time," the gunslinger said. "It's not just the world that moves on." He looked squarely at Eddie; his faded blue eyes almost the color of slate in the light. "But we will be magnificent." He paused. "There's more than a world to win, Eddie. I would not risk you and her-I would not have allowed the boy to die-if that was all there was.” ~Roland of Gilead. After reading many wise words such as these, it enticed me to take action to whatever goal that I set forth to accomplish and never let anything stand in my way.

Within all this enticing text and story, there was more than just entertainment in mind when King wrote this. Though his mode of discourse was narrative and his purpose to tell a story, he also wanted to teach us that stories and imagination knew no bounds. His purpose was to tell a story so different and so riveting it would change your definition of a great novel completely upside down. This story is not one to miss. Not only does it entice you from beginning to end with the same enthusiasm, but also teaches you many different lessons through Roland’s journey and his actions as well as stimulate your cerebral cortex like never before. This book is one big puzzle that your mind will unlock page by page. If you think you’ve figured out what’s going to happen, chances are you are furthest from the final destination and get ready to be mentally rocked. This book deserves a 5 out of 5 star rating because of what it has and what it doesn’t have. It doesn’t have any ridiculous story lines or wasteful pages of text and nothings. It has depth, BREADTH, and so much passion in the work. Before you pick up another book, this is the very next one you should read.

Juan, from what I understand from your most recent post, the author does a very good job in using the readers assumptions in his favor to trick the reader into making false inferences about the book and in the end justifying his actions through the actual story line. His style of writing, from what I get is very unorthodox but seems to work very well for him. Rather than try to convince and persuade reader's to adopt his point of view by telling us, he shows us his point of view through story and through the characters experiences.

The Gunslinger by Stephen King
Page 226-300

I began to think of the sequence of events that have occurred thus far and how they have taken their toll on Roland. From the town of Tull and the people he has met and killed, form the allies he has made and the epiphanies he has made from them and how the events that have passed progress along with the type of role will they play in the grand scheme of his central focus. From the flashbacks of his past, I realized Roland only travels alone. He doesn’t travel in groups or DYADS. He thinks if no one is there as a burden or responsibility, he will encounter less resistance along the way. I suppose in a way he is right. He has no one to look after or take responsibility for but on the other hand does not have anyone to rely on or have faith in. Social interaction, with Roland, is kept to a bare minimum and only occurs when he needs something or knows he will get something in return for his communication. So from all his revelations and experiences throughout his journey to find The Dark Tower along with The Man in Black, where will his travels turn him to next? So many possibilities exist and so many tangents can be taken. What road will King take to his ultimate final destination?

I first thought that all of the backdrops and all of the flashbacks from Roland’s previous exploits only served as historical background text to fill gaps in the time frames within the book but then realized that it served as more than one purpose. For one, these backdrops and flashbacks of Roland’s past served as justification for Roland. It provided evidence as to why Roland thought the way he did, acted the way he did and why his search was so important for him to complete. Without the EXPLICATIONS of his former travels, we would be confused on Roland’s decision making process throughout the whole book and would be asking ourselves why Roland has this persona of MISANTHROPY and the whole lone wolf aura. I figured out that not everything in the book has significance right away. Something that is emphasized now may not be important until something occurs later in the story. This is something I really enjoyed about the book. It keeps you enticed subconsciously, thinking about it until you need to know and vice versa. So throughout book, your mind is completely engaged in the storyline and even though your mind may wander onto a tangent while reading, it will be well in the realm of the plotline.

Modes of discourse refer to certain kinds of writing in non-fiction prose. These modes are closely related to the author’s purpose, or why the writer is writing and what he or she wants to accomplish by writing it. These modes can vary depending on what type of writing you want to accomplish whether, persuasion, exposition, narration, or description. Depending on your mode of discourse, your purpose for writing will change. In this case, King’s mode of discourse is narration. His purpose is to tell a story. His purpose is to tell a story so different and so outside the box, it makes you second guess his actual intention to his readers. He wanted to create an epic journey so outside the box that it would put his story light years ahead of its logical reasoning. Tone is the feeling or emotional quality a piece of writing conveys to the reader. In conversation, a speaker’s tone is completely different than that of his or her gestures, facial expression and body language. King’s tone throughout out the story varies and adapts to the current environment and situation. What I love about his books, in particular this one, is that his tone adapts to different scenarios whenever it need be changed. No particular page to page or chapter to chapter sequence. Just the sequence the story takes and the tone it need possess to effectively display itself.

The Gunslinger by Stephen King. Pages 80-225.

I began to think of myself in Roland's shoes some more. I began to think if I was in his shoes, if were to make the same decisions he did and in which order I were to make them in. Was there enough SUBSTANTIVE evidence for me to justify my actions in Roland's shoes? I know the feelings Roland experiences throughout his journey from town to town and from person to person. Feelings of MISANTHROPY must be flooding Roland's mind when time after time, the only traces of civilizations are less than civilized. I suppose that from what Roland has experienced, none of us could empathize or fathom what feelings of DISDAIN he may have but the way his story is narrated, it sure makes it easier to comprehend and experience along side him. I didn’t really understand why Roland is so conservative most of the time. It seems as if he is more capable than he gives himself credit for but chooses not to show it. He chooses to be more cautious until the moment actually calls for it. I guess until we have experienced what Roland has and have gone through the certain teachings he has, we can only hope to understand his tactics. After all, it has worked for him thus far in great lengths.

I figured out very quickly that even though Roland’s story is enticing enough for you to get lost in, I realized that if you lose your focus on the story for even a second, you may lose track of Roland’s thought process and intentions. Roland, through his journey from town to town, meeting many interesting people, and making many difficult decisions, can have his intentions quite skewed amongst the views of the general public. From time to time I would stop and reflect on the readings I have done. Not because I needed a break or felt like I have read enough, but because I wanted to think more on what I have just read. I wanted to revisit the great action scene where Roland shot the possessed eleven year old boy in the shin and his bone stuck out into the ground and flung the rest of his body into another girl running next to him. I wanted to revisit the moral just realized by the deep conversations made between Roland and Jake and revisit the epiphany that was just made. Stopping to reflect on your reading does not necessarily interrupt your readings but may enhance them. It’s surprising how quickly time passes when you are so engaged and enticed in a story which in time, turns into more than a story but an experience you shared or a journey you went on.

An allusion is a reference to something outside of a text to illuminate or enhance the subject or text. Allusions can be from history, mythology, religious texts, popular culture, music, movies, and songs. Allusions can be very effective in writing. When trying to make your points clear, one would usually make a comparison to something or allude to something more common to bring that point to light. This is where allusions become present. Throughout Roland’s journey, many allusions are made throughout history. Faint references to the song “Hey Jude” are made to enhance the setting and timeframe of Roland’s journey and the scarcity of civilization. Many religious allusions are made to enhance the absence of it in the post apocalyptic world. Roland’s journey is actually based on a poem called “Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came” and many allusions are made to its literature. Special stylistic effects are also used to enhance the story but in a different way. These “special effects” include understatements, hyperboles, alliteration’s and repetition. Repeating certain phrase for impact or understating an obviously powerful scene to make the reader, in his/her mind, think more of the situation so it will better absorb.

You are very right in your comments. In my book, Roland, a gunslinger in a post apocalyptic world continues his search for "the man in black" whom both are in search of "The Dark Tower". The setting is much reminiscent of the old west but in an alternate time frame to ours. In a town he encounters, he is forced to kill everyone in it including his, at the time lover, Allie. He encounters many people who are they key to his journey and many who are not.

So as the fisrt one to post a comment I have nothing to reply to but the readings I have done. =P What I have read so far has done nothing but captivate my mind to its entirety and has kept it engaged since I started reading. This is one of those stories that even though you are done reading, it still keeps you thinking about the morals and lessons it tries to teach you throughout. It paints such a vivid picture in your mind that you would think that this place really exsists. No one could describe such a place without actually being there, right? Wrong. To be able to critically think, read and wrtie, you are opening your mind to a dimension of imagination never thought possible.