I didn't want to be a "spoiler" so the main question is here.
I am a big King fan and read all but a few publications. I have never read through a story the way I did this one. I literally finished it in a day and am now re-reading to make sure I didn't miss too much.)
Anyway... I understand why both Clay's group and the "normies" were all going up to Kashwak (for different reasons) but I don't really understand why the phone-crazies allowed Clay and Tom and friends to live. Was there a purpose? Why did the flock (Raggedy Man) actually protect instead of convert them? It almost seems as if they were kept alive for the purpose of killing the flock. Like they brought them up to ME to assist in the flock's suicide. Have I overlooked something? Were they supposed to serve some other purpose?
2007-01-04 03:16:57 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
I think the flock was inherantly self destructive. It seemed to me that the purpose of the flock was the destruction of mankind's reliance on excessive technology. I would have loved to know if they were able to reform Clay's son though.
2007-01-04 04:19:34 · answer #1 · answered by papatorque 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I interpreted the flock's actions as payback more than anything else. After Clay et al destroyed the first flock, they were led to Maine for the grand inquisition. Therefore, Raggedy Man punished anyone who did them harm along the way.
I think suicidal thoughts require a higher level of emotional development. The flock's mentality was too primal to really grasp the concept of suicide.
In either case, I was disappointed not to find out what caused the Pulse.
2007-01-04 03:34:39 · answer #2 · answered by bushido1971 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Alternatively, perhaps the flock intended to make an example of Clay and his friends by punishing them in some horrific fashion in front of the masses. After all, they did lock them up when they got up to the camp.
2007-01-04 03:28:10 · answer #3 · answered by floundering penguins 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, I don't think they could plan enough to plan their own genocide, but maybe they just wanted to torture them instead, or maybe they didn't think the "normies" could do anything. Not sure. I was dissapointed by the ending...left not knowing what happens with his son or what caused the "pulse"
2007-01-04 03:39:07 · answer #4 · answered by tuxgal3 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe that was the purpose. It was a very dismal existence and maybe unconsciously they wanted to die. The ending did not let you know if he was able to convert his son back.
2007-01-04 03:21:01 · answer #5 · answered by caribbeanmeme 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋