Chad Renner Analysis pg. 125-195

This section was fraught with truly ghastly events. First there was the dubious disappearance of Lauren’s father; then of course, if this event were not traumatic enough, the community’s seemingly impregnable wall was breached by pyro addicts. Consequently a majority of community perished along with Cory and all of Lauren’s brothers. While reading it struck me that this was Lauren’s long sought moment of escape from the stifling atmosphere of her community. Perhaps I imagined Lauren leaving on her own accord, but now she was obliged to hastily flee her only home and refuge. I wonder how she mustered the resolve to not only subsist but to return to the smoldering ruins of her community. It occurred to me that perhaps because Lauren embraced the notion that change is unavoidable she was able to persist despite the enormity of her ordeal. I suppose that Lauren’s most cogent survival tactic is her knowledge that change is inevitable, and that to brood over its implications for too long is dangerous. This is even illustrated in her disagreement with Harry as well.

            What also intrigued me in this section was the dynamic between the three survivors (Lauren, Harry, and Zahra). Each member of the group has vital attributes and skills which are necessary for survival. However, it is the interplay of trust which sustains this motely group. Due to the immense strain placed on the group it will quite interesting to note who succumbs first to the ruthless atmosphere of “be or be killed”. Moreover in such dire circumstances I question whether it is possible to maintain some humanity despite ones inclination to abandon such emotions in survival situations. I would like to believe that our altruistic tendencies are invulnerable and that the desire to survive does not necessarily supersede human compassion and empathy. However even Lauren, whose hyperempathy would make this especially difficult, resorted to gruesome survival tactics and was even able to kill a man. Perhaps it is merely optimism or an attempt to deny an all too natural predisposition to survive.