1. When it is first mentioned -- before the whistle has been found, and blown -- what is the significance of the extra bed? What about the banter between Parkins and "Rogers," the only other named person, and the question of "truth"?
2. Do see see any parallels between Parkins and Poe's narrators?
3. Why does the professor blow the whistle?
4. There are some notable differences between the story's Parkins and that of the BBC film. Three that struck me: in the film, the professor does not play golf; at all the dinners, he is for some reason seated at a side-table away from the others; in the film version, much ado is made about a bath. How do these changes -- or others -- affect your judgment of either story or film?
5. The ghost, it seems, had no form other than what it could derive by cloaking itself in a sheet. What does that say about the ghost's nature, the nature of Parkins's skepticism, and the way fear takes shape?
2. Do see see any parallels between Parkins and Poe's narrators?
3. Why does the professor blow the whistle?
4. There are some notable differences between the story's Parkins and that of the BBC film. Three that struck me: in the film, the professor does not play golf; at all the dinners, he is for some reason seated at a side-table away from the others; in the film version, much ado is made about a bath. How do these changes -- or others -- affect your judgment of either story or film?
5. The ghost, it seems, had no form other than what it could derive by cloaking itself in a sheet. What does that say about the ghost's nature, the nature of Parkins's skepticism, and the way fear takes shape?
My answer regards to question 5. After watching the film I felt as though the ghost's nature is a figure of himself, his fears or a persistence of vision. After having a dinner discussion about not believing in ghosts. Blowing the whistle made things worse with endless nightmares, it's almost like the ghost knew that he would blow the whistle especially when he saw something walking from the distance when he was alone at the beach. The way fear takes shape is interesting because of the dangers of intellectual arrogance and demonstrates how Parkin's reason might be stopped when he refuses to recognize those forces inside himself that he can simply not comprehend.- Jamie Chaca
ReplyDeleteI am answering question number 3, I believe the professor Parkins blew the whistle of out sheer curiosity, while also trying to prove that nothing could possibly happen if he removed the whistle because he does not believe in ghost. After finding the whistle at an unknown grave he proceeded to put it in his pocket and walk away as if everything was okay. It seems as though Professor Parkins does not believe in the supernatural and he was still willing to take the risk of not only taking the whistle with him but also blowing into it. As we watch the film further, we can see the discussion he has at the dinner table explaining how he does not believe in ghost. This led to him having various nightmares and being unable to sleep at night. The professors curiosity and disbelief in the supernatural was ultimalely his down fall.
ReplyDeleteQuestion 3: The professor blew the whistle because it seemed like his life was routinely. The professor seemed to want a new journey, something exciting to happen in his life. I say this because in the story and the film, this man was solitary. He didn't like company, if anything he would avoid company at all times. But, he later on seems to regret whistling into this artifact. I can tell he wasn't expecting horrors to happen to him, but maybe a friend that no one else can see but only him. The professor blew the whistle out of curiosity as well. He states that he doesn't believe in ghosts, which may have offended the individual behind the artifact (the owner). The professor wanted something lucky to happen out of whistling into the artifact.
ReplyDeleteQuestion 4 - To be honest I do not think these changes effect my judgment of either the story or the film. I think changes offer a different perspective that we might have not thought about and I think it is cool in some way. The changes make it seem as if we entered another parallel, like a whole new story in a way. It provides a new way of viewing the story and new way of thinking. - Prescilla da fonseca
ReplyDelete(question 5)
ReplyDeleteFor fear to take shape, is to make itself known, for whatever reasons it may want to be known. Perhaps the ghost is insulted by Parkins’ denial of it’s existence. By cloaking itself, it puts Parkins’ beliefs into question, as if it has a point to prove. Ghosts are often portrayed in older media as floating sheets, which makes the living confront their philosophy of the supernatural. Wind can close doors and knock over objects; but there is no logic or coincidence that can be used to explain a floating sheet.
Question 3- Amy Freestone- I think he blows the whistle because he believes nothing will happen. In his eyes it's just words on an object that don't mean anything of importance to him even through something does happen. I think this was a great lesson for him to think twice about doing something he is warned.
ReplyDelete