Blog #7

Over the past week we have read the book "The Underdogs", and I have really liked this piece of writing. Our most recent discussion questions over the book included a question on which scene would be the most interesting to dramatize. For me, the scene that stood out most prominently, in general, was the analogy with the stone falling down the canyon. Already, this scene is full of drama and unseen tension between Macías' need to continue fighting and his wife's wish that he would stop. As Demetrio picks up the stone and tosses it down the canyon, the drama is pushed to the brink as Demetrio turns to his wife and speaks. He says, 'I cannot stop fighting anymore than that stone can stop falling', or something of the sort. I just found this scene so full of dramatic tension that I couldn't help but write about it. And the interesting thing, is that the stone will stop falling at one point or another when it finally hits the bottom of the canyon. Similarly, Demetrio does encounter his end at the bottom of a canyon like structure. So, just like the falling stone, whose fate was inevitable, Demetrio saw his future in the same way, unchangeable. This scene is so powerful that I believe it could be one of the most important parts of the novel. It can relate to just about everyone, some people view their future as "pre-destined", while others believe they are in control of what will happen to them. Obviously Demetrio Macías saw his fate as already being decided for him. In any case, this scene was very motivational to me. Whether you believe life has an unchanging path, or that you make your future, this scene inspires a sense of man versus destiny, and you can't help but feel like challenging whatever pre-destined designs life has for you. Well, those are my thoughts at least, until next time!