The Handsomest Drowned Man In the World (What inspires you?)

Humanity inspires me to get up everyday. It isn't one specific person, place or thing. Every person in my life motivates me to do something different. Whether it be positive or negative. My Mother's struggle and her tales of woe, fight off my depression. My father's strength holds me up, above all the monsters. If though he can't fight them off himself. My sister's austere love for me, shelters me from the maelstroms my parents accidentally send my way.

To choose one particular aspect of life that moves me is criminal. The forest and the trees encourage me to create. The whispering rustles of their leaves cry out to me, telling me to write. The birds that come to feed off my hands, tell me to live, because life itself is constantly running by. And every spring when the daffodils poke their heads out of the dirt and rocks tell me to fight. Just as they have been doing, to try to meet the sun.

Life motivates me to keep going. I am forever entrapped in it's beauty and though from time to time I get bogged down by the horrible misfortunes and become a pessimist. I only have to remember why I do what I do and life itself looses it's gray and becomes colorful again.

The Handsomest Drowned Man In the World (Question 1)

1. Did this story turn out the way you expected?

I didn't expect much from the story but it did tug at my heartstrings. 

The Guest (Answer 6 Questions)

1. What do you predict will happen to Daru now that the Arab's kinsmen have threatened him.

Daru will go about his lonely business, unaffected for the most part by the threat. Then when they come for him he will take his death apathetically.

*What crime has the Arab committed?
He killed his cousin.

*Why has Balducci brought the Arab to Daru.
Balducci expects Daru to take the Arab to prison.

2. Why do you think the Arab chooses to go to prison rather than go free? Explain your response.

I believe that the Arab didn't go free because he was held down by his own guilt. He obviously felt bad, by the way he respond when Daru asked why he murdered. The Arab also feels obligated to go because of his small insignificant bond with Daru.

4. Contrast Daru and Balducci in their attitude toward the Arab.

It's quite obvious that Balducci is less trust toward the Arab. It's probably because he deals with more prisoners therefore he knows that most of them are bad. Daru however seems more trusting because he doesn't see many people. Daru believes in non violent actions so that is why he untied and let the Arab go. However Balducci makes sure that Daru has a weapon just in case. Another big difference is that Balducci feels obligated to his country which is why he is a police man.  Unlike Daru would would rather watch his country burn to the ground then get involved.

5. Irony is a surprising contrast between expectation and reality. What is ironic about what happens to Daru at the end of the story.

The ironic part about the end of the story is because the Arab's kinsman blame him, when the Arab himself choice to go to jail.

6. How does the setting-both the historical context and the desert landscape-affect the plot of this story?

The setting affects the story because even if the Arab was malicious where could he escape to in the hot desert.

7.  What if? Image that Daru had escorted the Arab to the nomads. How would your reaction to the story be different.

I believe I would be more disappointed. I didn't like that Daru left the Arab like that, but it added to the story. If it ended happily than I would be upset.

The Guest (Question on Page 1251)

Balducci feels insulted by Daru, because Balducci feels that it is Daru's obligation to help the French when there is conflict going on. Balducci feels that by Daru not following orders, he is betraying his country. Balducci is obviously dedicated to French and that is why he feels insulted.