FBB Chptr 2 - Christian Harding

Ignorance: "the state or fact of being ignorant; lack of knowledge, learning, information, etc."

What is the knowledge that is lacking? When or even if the residents have access to the facts, these facts are countered by the government, the builders, even some of the people themselves because they do not want their property values to decline. Information today is easy to get. The issue today is which to believe. There are some 'trusted' websites where facts can be checked and cross-referenced. In the 70's, you only had what was on the TV, in the paper or what your neighbor says. A lot of the facts mentioned in the book were published in scientific journals, reports, etc. and not where the average person could read them or understand them.

It's not surprising that the pattern is showing up in the rabbits first. Rabbits have a very fast gestation. The gestation period is about 30 days, and they can have up to 8 in a litter. Since the gestation rate is so short, and since rabbits breed from February to October, a single rabbit can have over 50 offspring in a single year. Some effects of radiation is generational. It effects the children, so naturally it would show up in rabbits first.

With regards to Kristen's home life, there are things that just were not talked about back then. Granted, Alcoholics Anonymous was started in 1934, but it wasn't until the information age when it became common knowledge. I do understand why Kristen's mom stayed in the marriage. Women didn't have the options they have today. I read something the other day which states women still only make 70% of what a man makes. Imagine what it was like 40 years ago. Unfortunately in those days, if she divorced her husband, it is likely he would have gotten custody. I know this from personal experience and from the sacrifices my mother made.

I believe Kristen acts much older then her years because she had to grow up fast. She was making adult decisions as a child. When she comes home, does she just walk in, thus risking the dreaded broom on the floor knock? This knock could sentence her to an afternoon of laying in bed and treating her mother like her daughter.

What struck me the most, is the dichotomy presented between the two aspects of the chapter. Reading these seemingly different stories all the while knowing that they are intertwined. As we did in class last week, I wonder what I was oblivious to growing up that had an effect on my that I am unaware of to this day.