‘Flight’ by Steinbeck
Personal Response:
Pepe attempts to make his way through life with as little trouble as possible, until one night while trying to have a little fun a terrible mistake happens that can not be taken back. Unable to change his future, he attempts to face retribution like a “man”.
Analytical Response:
I think what Steinbeck was leading Us to was the suspense of 'How' Pepe would die. Which lead to that sickening felling in the bottom of Our stomachs as We read on. This underlines his message that one wrong choice in a young persons life can have horrible and fatal consequences. If not for the poor choice of a young “man” to stop for a drink of wine, then perhaps Pepe would have avoided the trouble and returned to the ranch to live a fulfilling, loving existence. Steinbeck makes an indelible impression on Our minds regarding the hazards of choice and the penalties life will strictly and immediately enforce.
Creative Response:
Rewrite last scene - Pepe gets away
Every thing was black again, He made no sound and no movement. As they looked over the edge, they concluded that not one of them would risk their life to go down there and bring him back up just to give him a decent burial. Why should they?
But that was the break Pepe needed now, more than anything. Their ignorance and stupidity would work against them and finally for Pepe. For He was still alive, just barely. While the bullet had grazed him, the fall was why he lay motionless, in agony. How much more pain does it take to become a man”, he thought. The little voice in his head kept saying, “ just a little longer, a little bite longer.. quite”. As the hounds barking faded into the distance, he began to feel the life creep back into him.
The stones smashed against his head had convinced the lynching party Pepe was dead, but they had not completely crush his body, nor hope. While he did have many broke parts, he also had many miles to go to freedom. After all, if a boy is to go to this much trouble to be a man, shouldn’t he make it to Tijuana and find himself a Woman? Si, no one or nothing could keep Pepe down now! He also knew maybe he would live to see his family again some day, too.
© 2007 Mike W. Boitano
All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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