Eric Choi > Recent Status Updates

At the end of the chapter, it was tragic to see how the relationship got worse between Luke and Aubrey. As Luke's past with Aubrey was revealed, the couple started to lose trust among them, and then it eventually burst. I think most of the people will be doubtful if they are in same situation because it can be defined as an unintentional betrayal.

I can feel the transparent tension still remains between Luke and Aubrey. I think that is mainly because of Luke's past relationship with Nadia. If I were in this situation, I would feel a slight betrayal, keeping the massive parts of their lives hidden. I predict that the friendship of Aubrey and Nadia would get worse as the chapter goes.

I think this part gave me the extreme complex emotion. Like Saturnalia, all truths and emotions were revealed throughout Luke's wedding. This makes me go back to the beginning of the book. If Nadia were to choose to keep the baby, then is Luke marrying Nadia? This part taught me the importance of a choice and the complexities of secrets, which most of the people might face in the future.

I feel like everything began to be substituted in the story. After Elise Turner's death, Cherry replaced her position and dated Robert Turner, and Nadia wasn't satisfied with this. If I was in Nadia's situation, it would be pretty uncomfortable because she was the exact opposite of her dead mom. It would feel like a "foreigner" in the house, can't feel included due to a change of routine.

Now it was clear that after Nadia moved to Michigan for college, Aubrey's position in Upper Room had increased. Because Aubrey was more of a "mild" person than Nadia, many people liked her such as Nadia's father. It was clear that the exterior behavior and characteristic really affects how others view it, like Nadia and Aubrey's case.

It was interesting that both Nadia and Aubrey have a similar childhood, Aubrey has been abused by her father, and Nadia had a story of abortion. Both are currently emotionally distant from their mother. It was visible that they relied on each other and supported each other, and the Upper Room Chapel became an asylum for them but hid the secret.

It was very shocking when her mother also had a baby at an early age but didn't choose an abortion. Nadia's emotion would definitely be confusing because she tried to start a new college life, but still the memory of abortion follows her. I believe the author tries to show a contrasting story as her mom and present the difference between Nadia and her mom.

The Mothers was full of stimulating elements as I started reading. Main character Nadia had experienced a crazy teenage life, her mother’s death, and her decision to have an abortion. I think this beginning emphasizes for us the significance of mothers in the story, how the death of Nadia’s mother corresponds to Nadia committing abortion, which fills emptiness and abandons something important in our lives.

When Dex hears the cricket singing at the end, I think it really symbolizes Dex's enlightenment of nature's significance. Also Dex seems to have achieved his inner peace and finally realized the purpose of human life. I believe the author's real intention was to highlight the essence of nature, even though modern-day people are indifferent to it, and think about the actual purpose of our lives again.

When Dex talks about a soap, it teaches me a lesson to appreciate the surroundings. I feel like in the modern world, everyone is not aware of nature, and some are full of greed. Before we desire or crave something, we should value and appreciate what we have, like our bed, food, and place to live. I think the author hints at respecting the environment.

I felt very odd when Dex believed that robots shouldn't help humans, although they can be seen as similar in some aspects. I think this also shows that coexisting with someone with different beliefs is never wrong, even though it seems wrong. The author shows an indirect respect towards minorities by using 'they' and 'them' for the main character.

Mosscap introduced how robots live to Dex, and unlike humans, robots don't eat or go into a house but communicate with other robots in offline or caches. I think the author chose to use the name "Splendid Speckled Mosscap" because mushrooms are the quiet fungi in nature, and this differs from our stereotypical image of robots, which are industrious. I think Dex and Mosscap show the connection of humans and robots.

I have noticed that the icons between the paragraphs were some kind of leaves, and I believe the author's intent was to show the importance and the significance of nature, which seems ubiquitous in our world. As people gathered on Dex's mat, it was soothing when people relaxed in their own way, portraying how Dex provided comfort to people and the importance of relaxing from the task.

The first chapter gave me the concept that people's ideal utopia might have some flaw, and it is a natural tendency for humans to seek rare items. Crickets were mentioned in this novel, and I think it symbolized the genuineness that contrasts artificiality. It was also interesting how others chose Dex to be non-binary. It might be the author's stance on gender minorities but also trying to immerse every reader's sex.

The way that the author ended the story as a cliffhanger made us to look back at Changez and the allusion. I think the glint of metal reminds me of a sharp weapon, symbolizing white people attacking the Middle East. I also believe that these Americans' hostility towards Changez turned him into the "bat." It flies but is not a bird and hides itself during the day. Same, Changez disguising his genuinity like a bat.

It was shocking when Erica disappeared, cannot get let go Chris from her mind. From Changez's perspective, it is like Changez cannot view America as America before 9/11, because of the stereotype of Americans towards him. If I were in Changez's situation, it would be extremely confused when all of my friends and people treat me as an cruel and menacing foreigner.

In the plane to Santiago, Chile, Changez was no longer excited with luxuries in the first class. Then they went to the city called Valparaiso, which was declining port city when I searched up. It seems very similar with the situation of Changez's family, like although Valparaiso is a second biggest city but has very melancholy atmosphere. I think it also shows the contrast between New York, old money and new money.

Changez faces a very contrasting situation at the end of the chapter. Although he is ranked as number one and awarded with a bonus, Pakistan is in a vulnerable situation. It feels personal to me because when I was in America, martial law was declared in Korea. I was anxious, people were chaotic in front of the National Assembly. Because Changez was in a worse situation, it is hard to imagine how much he struggled.

I was thinking about Underwood Samson's guiding principle, "Focus on the fundamentals," and it kind of alludes to the brutal capitalism in the United States, putting creativity as secondary and money as a priority. Then, Changez heard about the bombing of Afghanistan, and all these complex reasons would start to make him lose affection for living in America, with dreams starting to fade.

I realized name "Chris" alludes christian/christianity because Chris was an obstacle that separated Changez and Erica apart. Same, Christianity's (white people's) prejudice also viewed Changez as a suspicious person after 9/11. If I were in the same situation as Changez, I would lose affection towards America, like how Changez lost affection towards Erica because of Chris.

I feel like Changez’s end of relationship with Erica especially stands out to me. After leaving Central Park, hopes were gone for Changez and Erica's relationship, and then the lights being gone in the cafe sort of symbolize the relationship of Changez and Erica. Furthermore, I think it was also a cultural difference between Changez and the United States.

It was interesting to mention New York's skyline and compare it with Pakistan's skyline because I think it showed that the exterior of the United States seems like a perfect place, unlike Pakistan. But it seems like the exterior creates a distance between Changez and America due to an appearance and different culture. It may be a reason why the relationship between Changez and Erica waned.

During the beginning of the story, I felt like Changez's story didn’t feel like someone else’s. When I first came to the United States, I also saw a few people who had prejudices about me, although I knew they weren't intending to be rude to me. Furthermore, I feel like Changez's love towards Erica is a type of metaphor throughout this story because I think it also kind of a Changez's optimism in America.

I was surprised Frank committed suicide, and I highly assume that he committed suicide to prevent the decline of his family and reputation as a war hero and respected doctor from being destroyed. I also think Wes’ family leaving Montana symbolizes the new start and Wes’ freedom from his father, Julian. I feel like this novel alluded to the brutality of the world and how the world is different from the media.

The story really hit the climax when Wes chose morality over family, and I felt very complex when Wes stayed in a calm status when Frank shattered the jars and made a raucous noise in the basement. If I were in Wes’ situation, it would have been a hard decision to leave Frank alone when he was suffering (even though he committed a crime). It was also shocking that Wes led the decline of the Hayden family.

It was heartbreaking when I saw the grandparent’s behavior towards his son Wes during the story. Especially when his grandparents believed Wes was jealous about Uncle Frank at first, it was clear that they had thought of and treated Wes with subordination. If I were in Wes’ situation, I wouldn’t feel enough love or care and would feel betrayed by my parents when they made comments leaning towards Frank.

I never expected that Marie was going to be the first victim in this story. At this point, I was questioning why she was suddenly sick in the first place and what story was behind it. After David told the eyewitness story to their parents, I am highly suspecting Marie’s death was related to Uncle Frank. Furthermore, if Frank killed Marie, the reason might have been to stop the rumor of him molesting indian women.

I felt like the author tried to highlight Julian’s desire to show off his prosperity throughout this passage. I think Julian’s ornaments like rattlesnake skin, deer antlers, and Indian blankets symbolizes control, strength and superiority throughout his life. More importantly, the size of his house indicates that he was one of the few people in town who had made a lot of money, showing his sturdiness like his house.

I would’ve also felt lonely when I was in David’s situation, excluded from adult conversation. Although the discussion wasn't appropriate for him, I would be very disappointed with the parents. I think the author alluded to the contrasting behavior of Gail and Wes, saying the wind brought something new. On the other hand, Wes cursed the wind. I think this connects to the prologue, the contrast of their deaths.