Freeper Reading Club Discussion: Shane

Self | August 12, 2002 | PJ-Comix

[PJ-Comix]

Okay, today is the due date for the first book discussion of the Freeper Reading Club: Shane. I picked this book as the leadoff book for several reasons. One is that it is a great short novel. I also picked it because it was a quick easy read and would be an easy way for folks out there to get used to reading book assignments for the reading club.

The next book is longer at 400 pages, The Electric Acid Kool-Aid Test by Tom Wolfe, although it is a VERY ENTERTAINING read. Remember, The Electric Acid Kool-Aid Test discussion is due September 9.

If you want to become a member of the Freeper Reading Club, just Freepmail me or post your request here and I'll put you on the Freeper Reading Club Ping List.

[parsifal]

Then there is an awful lot of sexual tension for no reason. Take the pushing over of the dead tree. If that ain't Freudian as all git out, I'll, uh, smoke a cigar or something.

Go back and read Bobby's description of it. The two of them should join hands around the trunk? Sweaty heaving bodies. My gosh, it screams at you. We just have to interpret the screams. parsy.

[another cricket]

It came screaming thru the movie and I was just a kid then

My dear Explicator, I suspect that you were not a normal kid. It would explain much. :^)

The speculation that Joe and Marian did not engage in conjugal relations because Bob was the only living child is frankly a little weird. You have no idea if there were other siblings that died or were still born. Maybe Marian couldn't carry to term. Maybe Joe wore his jeans too tight. Maybe Bob was adopted. Maybe something went wrong after Bob was born and Marian couldn't conceive again. Maybe they practiced birth control. (Yes they did have it back then. If you are interested in how Freep mail me and I will tell you some of the more common methods) You don't know because Bob didn't say but that would not have been the kind of thing he would talk about in any case.

But to jump from them having only one living child at the time of the story to Joe and Marian having a celibate marriage is worthy of an Olympic gold medal.

a.cricket

[PJ-Comix]

Is there a list of future books on the list ??

Yup! The next one is The Electric Acid Kool-Aid Test by Tom Wolfe.

[parsifal]

Shane would not have been the first Western with strong sexual undertones. Consider Oklahoma with the silouette ballets and what's his name who collected porno versus what his name the good cowboy.

Remember how Shane displaced Joe at the family table? What was that if not a subtle tipoff? Also remember how both Shane and Marian called 'em "flannel cakes". Would that not indicate the possibility that they came from the same place?parsy.

[PJ-Comix]

After reading your comments maybe I should look at the Bonanza reruns in a new light. Like what was up with those names, Little Joe and Hoss? Hmmm.

BTW, thinking back about Stagecoach. How did that movie ever get by the censors?

[parsifal]

LOL! And how about the Big Valley and the son who always wore black leather outfits. Yep, there was something simmering on the Ponderosa and it wasn't the branding iron. Uh oh, mrs.parsifal is sleepy. Goota go. See you dudes and dudettes tomorrow nite. Happy trails! parsy.

[Leper Messiah]

LOL I meant more in advance of that one. I already know about that one. I shuld be able to pick it up when I return the book I have. I have been wanting to read it anyway. I have actually entertained the idea of joining a book discussion club at the library but the only one they have is all women, mostly old too.

[JulieRNR21]

Parsi:

Perhaps they removed the 'stump' because it was an eyesore; or so that area could be tilled & planted or the author simply created their working together as a 'male bonding' device.

Maybe Marian & Shane were attracted to each other but both had too much character & loyality to Joe to act on it. I think you are seeing way too many 'sexual overtones' in the story.....maybe you should take a cold shower....LOL

[Syncro]

Hay PJ...ping me when you get to the Wolfe book will you?

I was there...lol

PS hve you finshed reading it yet???

[another cricket]

Also remember how both Shane and Marian called 'em "flannel cakes". Would that not indicate the possibility that they came from the same place?

Nope. Because no where does it say that that is what Marian called them. She just said that they didn't do so out west. For all you know it could have been what Joe called them.

Besides she guessed Tennessee, as his home state only to be told it was Arkansas out of Mississippi.

a.cricket

[WHATNEXT?]

Ouch, ouch, my leg hurts.

[another cricket]

Maybe Marian & Shane were attracted to each other but both had too much character & loyality to Joe to act on it.

Oh they did. In that parsy has it right.

"We have battered down words that might have been spoken between us and that was as it should be."

He is wrong on the weirder stuff that he sees but dead right on this. That is what makes Shane's sacrifice so powerful.

a.cricket

[PJ-Comix]

Hay PJ...ping me when you get to the Wolfe book will you?

Will do. I was there...lol

What was LSD like?

PS hve you finshed reading it yet???

About a quarter done. I just finished reading the part where the Tim Leary group in NY disdained the Merry Pranksters because they weren't serious enough. LOL! I guess Leary must have done a very quick U-Turn after that.

[PJ-Comix]

I have actually entertained the idea of joining a book discussion club at the library but the only one they have is all women, mostly old too.

But are they rich?

[Tribune7]

I remember reading about a gunfighter who married a Mexican heiress and ended up owning half of what became L.A.

I can't recall the details.

[RightWhale]

Consider that Shane IS Joe. Joe IS Shane. An alter ego that most people are capable of displaying when it's crunch time.

[JulieRNR21]

He is wrong on the weirder stuff that he sees but dead right on this. That is what makes Shane's sacrifice so powerful.

Maybe I'm missing it but I don't think there was a physical relationship....just mutual admiration.

Shane's sacrifice is stll powerful even if the relationship is platonic. He knocks out Joe because he wants to 'deal' with Wilson alone and doesn't want to risk anything happening to Joe because of Marian & Bob.

[Samwise]

Please put me on your reading ping list. I probably won't get to Shane in time, but I should be able to get to speed on Electric Kool-Aid. Thanks!

[WHATNEXT?]

Must have been recently.

[WHATNEXT?]

Julie you are right, of course. You are taking the assignment seriously. Some are just having lots of fun at the GOOD student's expense.