White Noise Discussion Response

Do you think Jack's question of "who will die first" is foreshadowing something? (The Final Countdown)
I do believe that Jack has an odd obsession with death and relationships. He is constantly discussing the question of death and who will die first between him and his wife Babette. The unexpected question pops up from time to time, mainly when Jack is not even talking about death. For example, the first time that he brings up the question is right after he describes some of his day-to-day tasks like taking out the trash and going on walks. He mentions Babette and how she talks to dogs and cats. Then all of a sudden the next line stands alone: “Who will die first?” Jack’s fixation on this question emphasizes his lack of entertainment and enjoyment in life. His life is so boring that he has nothing better to look forward to but death. I think this foreshadows the fact that one of them is going to die by the end of novel—probably Babette because I think that would cause Jack to fall further into this dystopian society and provide more of a storyline.

Describe the irony presented with Babette's teaching a class on good posture in context with the story. (Fifteen Miles East)
When I started reading chapter seven, when Jack describes how Babette teaches the posture class, I was just confused. The true irony in this is that she teaches old people how to sit stand and walk. I don’t quite understand why these old people would need to be taught how to be proper when they were the people who grew up in the early nineteen hundreds—when posture and manners were a complete reflection of who you were and where you stood in society.

How does Murray feel about Babette? (Symphony)
Murray is an interesting character to me. I think of him to be sensible, pragmatic, and on his toes with his thoughts and actions. He is also very strange. For example, at the grocery store he picked up Jack’s bottle of aspirin and honeydews and sniffed them. What’s up with that? To go along with his strange behavior, Murray notes that Babette’s hair “is a living wonder,” and that it is important. He implies that she should be appreciated for this. Murray obviously has some kind of physical attraction to Babette—with her hair at least. Based on her hair, Murray assumes that she is good with children and good to have around during a time of tragedy because “she’d be the type to take control, show strength and affirmation.” Good assumption Murray. In actuality Babette is quite emotional. Murray’s incorrect assumptions of Babette show that he is quick to judge.