Excellent point. I did think of this in the midst of reading but completely forgot about it. I'm glad you brought it up and connected it to The Running Man. Surely, King was making a commentary on this in both novels.
Reading Group Discussion: The Long Walk (Tuesday, July 30th)
- Thread starter Doc Creed
- Start date
-
This message board permanently closed on June 30th, 2020 at 4PM EDT and is no longer accepting new members.
Yes, he was hallucinating a lot and that was why I didn't have the assurance that it was really them. I wonder if King states it conclusively, outside of Garraty's perceptions. I'll look for it later to be sure.
Yeah, that is problematic. He is definitely exhausted and wanting to collapse and running seems out of the question. However, I don't think it is impossible. But, yes, unlikely. Again, I think this go round I just wanted him to survive.
...nope, no complaints here....just that it always leaves me wondering....
I sense we are reaching the end. We are losing Walkers. LOL
Thanks for the great discussion guys. The thread remains open for all who want to post. I enjoyed this novel immensely and I appreciate the support and comments.
Raise a lighter to Number 47.
Raise a lighter to Number 47.
Oh yeah, I think we mentioned this in the past, but it's interesting that Number 47 is also King's birth year.
Before we disperse, I just wanted to say how much I appreciate Doc Creed’s effort to put this all together and come up with such great discussion topics. I chose to read the Walk when I did because of the double-feature, and I’m so glad! Thanks again, Doc.
My pleasure. Thanks for jumping into the discussion.
For those who pop in later, I'm genuinely interested in your answer. Not many replied to this. Think about it and get back to me.
'Milligan' indeed is shot and dies in chapter 14 but then reappears in chapter 17 only to die once more later on (as Ray is the last walker by the end).
Ha! I didn't even catch that. Maybe the Walkers passed through Ludlow?
My take on the ending is that Ray's mind had finally snapped and he just wanted 'out'.
The Long Walk
Inspiration:
In the early '60s radio and TV stations throughout the country organized 50-mile hikes. Stephen says: "I had that in mind. I didn't have a car when I wrote that book. I was hitchhiking everywhere. I didn't finish my 50-mile hike, though. I fell out after 20 miles."
Inspiration:
In the early '60s radio and TV stations throughout the country organized 50-mile hikes. Stephen says: "I had that in mind. I didn't have a car when I wrote that book. I was hitchhiking everywhere. I didn't finish my 50-mile hike, though. I fell out after 20 miles."
Animal symbolism is another facet to this book that I didn't pick up on. Even with Part Three being called 'The Rabbit'. Any one else?
Why this march ?
Why promise everything he want`s for the "winner" ?
I think the Major and everyone in charge just wants to eradicate a new,young opposition.
And they already know, that they havn`to pay the winner.
The "Winner" ....he isn`t dead(physically) but dead inside.
The March, the pain, the loss and the survivor guilt.
All this will drive you insane.
Why promise everything he want`s for the "winner" ?
I think the Major and everyone in charge just wants to eradicate a new,young opposition.
And they already know, that they havn`to pay the winner.
The "Winner" ....he isn`t dead(physically) but dead inside.
The March, the pain, the loss and the survivor guilt.
All this will drive you insane.
....she's scary looking....there's that.....
This is one of the bleakest tales Uncle Stevie has ever spun. By the time I was done, I felt like I'd done the Walk. Mentally, anyway. I don't know what kind of society we thought we'd have back when this was written but The Long Walk and The Running Man are signposts we ought to give some attention. Reality TV has many detrimental effects but I think the worst is seeing those on TV as fictional characters.