Discussion Group #25- The Jar by Ray Bradbury

[Spideyman]

Just a reminder:

Next reading group Discussion # 25 will be tonight at 9PM Eastern/ 8AM Bratsk, Irkutsk Oblast, Russia
We will discuss Ray Bradbury's "The Jar" found in "The October Country".
There appears to be a number of free downloads in PDF of "the Jar" for those who do not have the book.

See you tonight!!!...............

 

[Spideyman]

Welcome!

The first line of The Jar:
It was one of those things they keep in a jar in the tent of a sideshow on the outskirts of a little, drowsy town.”

Bradbury leaves much to our imagination within this story. He takes an ordinary jar and makes it something very disturbing. Is the jar a mirror to the characters souls?
What are your thoughts................................

 

[fljoe0]

I love this story. Bradbury makes the jar disturbing but it's not the jar that does the disturbing thing. Don't you love the way he described the infidelity of Charlie's wife in this without actually really saying it directly (at least until that part about the hips ).

When Tom came back to the house that last time, I guess he must had known what Charlie did since he was kind of skittish but I'm not really sure about that.

 

[cat in a bag]

First time reading this story for me, and I saw it all in my head as a Twilight Zone episode. I seem to say that a lot about these short stories. They are very cinematic to me, though. I think because of the shorter length.

I think Tom knew, because of the eyes...but that right there is what would have made it an excellent Twilight Zone. But then again, maybe would not have worked, being b&w. But to me, it was that last minute twist that made the whole story great.

 

[fljoe0]

First time reading this story for me, and I saw it all in my head as a Twilight Zone episode. I seem to say that a lot about these short stories. They are very cinematic to me, though. I think because of the shorter length.

I think Tom knew, because of the eyes...but that right there is what would have made it an excellent Twilight Zone. But then again, maybe would not have worked, being b&w. But to me, it was that last minute twist that made the whole story great.

I just found a youtube of The Ray Bradbury Theater episode of The Jar. I've never seen it, so I can't tell you if it's any good or not. The Ray Bradbury Theater was on HBO in the 80s or 90s. I remember watching the show but I don't remember this episode.

 

[Spideyman]

Really enjoyed the story. Not very familiar with Bradbury's work- Just a few that I;ve read.
From what I found , the story was shown on The Ray Bradbury Theater 1/17 /92. do think it could have worked on a Twilight Zone.

 

[grin willard]

It did work on The Twilight Zone! Watch the Alfred Hitchcock Presents version. Really one of the strangest things ever produced for series TV. BEAUTIFUL in it's own way. It would've been considered one of the creepiest Twilight Zone episodes. And it boggles the mind, the acting talent they could get back then when TV series were produced in New York, not Hollywood. The old lady is Ma Joad from Grapes of Wrath! And what a weird, and oddly touching performance from Mister Haney from Green Acres! Who'd believe it? Four years ago or so, I watched Green Acres with my girl every morning before school! Of course she had no idea it was 50 yrs old.

 

[Spideyman]

fljoe0 and grin willard -- thank you for the videos. They will make for scary viewing this weekend.

 

[Neesy]

Sorry I’m a bit late checking in. It was interesting how he used the dialect of the people gathered to create an atmosphere. First Bradbury story I’ve read. It was very eery.

Nice introduction to his writing.
Thanks!

 

[GNTLGNT]

.... this classic, set the stage for Ray's many "carnival based" tales.....hopefully I'm not overly simplifying-but I thought the title piece mirrored the souls of those who saw it......

 

[fljoe0]

The people saw their worst memories when they looked into the jar.



I think I have a jar like that in the refrigerator.

 

[cat in a bag]

I am going to watch both those versions of The Jar while we're down next week.

For my pick, I'm going back to Skeleton Crew and The Jaunt. Hard to pick, there are so many good stories in that book. We will discuss on Wednesday, July 18th.

 

[Spideyman]

I am going to watch both those versions of The Jar while we're down next week.

For my pick, I'm going back to Skeleton Crew and The Jaunt. Hard to pick, there are so many good stories in that book. We will discuss on Wednesday, July 18th.