This book review is being written for Mrs. McCoy's Honors Literature Class. The title of the book is Alas, Babylon, written by Pat Frank. The book has 303 pages and was published by HarperCollins. The book was first copyrighted in 1959 while the forward was copyrighted in 2005. I read this book because it was on my summer reading list for my Honors Literature Class.
Florence Wechek, Randy Bragg, Lib McGovern, Missouri Henry, Malachai Henry, Mark Bragg, Helen Bragg, Ben Franklin Bragg, Peyton Bragg, Dan Gunn, Bill McGovern, and Sam Hazzard are the main characters in this novel. Florence Wechek was the manager at western Union and also Randy Bragg's neighbor. She was a responsible gossip, but helped whenever and wherever she could after The Day. Randy Bragg was in the reserves for the military and he assumed command of Fort Repose after The Day because of a message sent out over Sam Hazzard's radio. Lib McGovern was Randy's girlfriend, to fiance to bride. Lib also helped around the house, cooking, cleaning, and sowing. Missouri Henry was Randy's house maid, and also the maid of Mr and Mrs. McGovern. The Henry Family was an African American family that was around Fort Repose as long as the Bragg family. Randy grew up living next to the Henry's, so they were like family. Malachai Bragg did Randy's yard work 20 hours a week, at any time, for $25. Mark Bragg was married to Helen Bragg and they had two kids, Ben Franklin Bragg and Peyton Bragg. Mark Brag sent His family, not including himself, to Fort Repose to live with Randy Bragg because their home city, Omaha, was a target area for Russia in the eminent war because of the SAC base in Omaha. Dan Gunn is the doctor for Fort Repose. He is really the only person that had real medical experience in Fort Repose so anyone that was hurt or sick called Dan Gunn, which had him driving all over town, even after The Day with limited gas. Bill McGovern was the father of Elizabeth, or Lib McGovern. He was married to Lavinia McGovern, but she passed away not long after The Day. Sam Hazzard was a retired military man who had a very important radio. This radio allowed Randy and the rest of Fort Repose know as much as possible about the world outside of Fort Repose and about the war after Randy's radio's batteries ran out.
Rita Hernandez, Lavinia McGovern, Paul Hart, Two-Tone Henry, and Preacher Henry were all prominent but not main characters in this novel. Rita Hernandez loaned her food truck to Randy, Bill, Malachai, and Sam in order to track down, lure in, and kill the highwaymen that beat up Dan Gunn and stole their car and his medical equipment. They succeeded. Lavinia McGovern, late wife of Bill McGovern and mother of Lib McGovern, died a few days after The Day from illness. She tended to push around Missouri, her maid, but Missouri didn't mind too much to let it get to her, though she was affected by it. Paul Hart was an old friend of Randy Bragg. Paul Hart was also the person who found the Bragg house at the end of the novel and let them know that the war was over, and that we won. Two-Tone Henry was Preacher Henry's son, so named because the right side of his face is two shades lighter than the right side. Two-Tone Henry helped out whenever he could. Preacher Henry's real name was Clarence Henry.
This novel was a fictional history navel set in Fort Repose in Florida, present time. Randy Bragg was trying to do everything he could to protect fort repose and the people in it, especially his close friends and family. He gets the help of those around him to find food and run water to nearby houses. There are times when the people of Fort Repose run out of necessities. When this happens, people are forced to trade nonessential goods for essential goods in order to survive, but in order for them to trade for these necessities, other people have to be willing to give it up, which can get very difficult. There is even a time when Randy and his friends have to go to a beach down the river where the "sand" is not sand at all. It is actually salt because humans nee salt, and that was the only way to get it.
My final thoughts on "Alas, Babylon" is that it was a very well-written book, but there were times when the book was not interesting. Some of the times, when something was being described, the author seem ed to tone down the situation, which made the book less interesting. However, there were many times when the author made me get involved in the book because he wrote that situation out so clearly and precisely. This book taught me that even though times can get hard sometimes, there are always people around you that will help you stay on your feet, even though you think you cant stand any longer. This book also taught me that if you are determined, you can do anything or find anything or accomplish anything you want to do. I would definitely recommend this book to others because this book is so well written and really draws the reader in. The novel makes you feel like you are living in that situation because of how it is written.
Monday, January 4, 2016
Important Quotes- 5
"We won it."
This is the end. These three words bring so much relief and calmness to Randy and his friends and family. In hearing these words, the citizens of Fort Repose know that they survived the war, while many others did not. The citizens now know that there is something that is going to be done to attempt to rebuild society, even if it takes years, or decades.
This is the end. These three words bring so much relief and calmness to Randy and his friends and family. In hearing these words, the citizens of Fort Repose know that they survived the war, while many others did not. The citizens now know that there is something that is going to be done to attempt to rebuild society, even if it takes years, or decades.
Important Quotes- 4
"Randy realized how much he missed music."
This is very important because people don't realize how much they enjoy something until it's gone. Most people love music. To some, music is an escape from the real world. To others, music is something that they listen to to calm them down or take away stress. Either way, Randy had not listened to music for a long time. He didn't realize until he got it back that he missed it so much. For him, like most people, music was a big part of his life, and its one of the harder enjoyable things to lose.
This is very important because people don't realize how much they enjoy something until it's gone. Most people love music. To some, music is an escape from the real world. To others, music is something that they listen to to calm them down or take away stress. Either way, Randy had not listened to music for a long time. He didn't realize until he got it back that he missed it so much. For him, like most people, music was a big part of his life, and its one of the harder enjoyable things to lose.
Important Quotes- 3
"He knew he shouldn't be thinking about food at this time, but he was hungry again."
This is important because it shows how desperate people are getting for food. In this moment, Randy Bragg had just proposed to Lib McGovern and he knew that it was a very important time, but he saw a gator and all he could think about was selling the tail or eating it. He knew that it was a very important and life-changing moment, but there was such a lack of food in Fort Repose and in the Bragg house that food was also a very important thing all the time.
This is important because it shows how desperate people are getting for food. In this moment, Randy Bragg had just proposed to Lib McGovern and he knew that it was a very important time, but he saw a gator and all he could think about was selling the tail or eating it. He knew that it was a very important and life-changing moment, but there was such a lack of food in Fort Repose and in the Bragg house that food was also a very important thing all the time.
Important Quotes- 2
"If Man retained faith in God, he might also retain faith in Man."
This quote is important because there was an Easter Sunday service even after The Day, which made Randy relieved to know that people still thought about God or any religion. Randy was happy because of this revelation, and he wondered if people still believed that other people are good. This was hard to do, however, because in time of crisis some men build each other up, and some men tear each other down, worse than ever before.
This quote is important because there was an Easter Sunday service even after The Day, which made Randy relieved to know that people still thought about God or any religion. Randy was happy because of this revelation, and he wondered if people still believed that other people are good. This was hard to do, however, because in time of crisis some men build each other up, and some men tear each other down, worse than ever before.
Important Quotes- 1
"Alas, Babylon."
This quote was a code of some sort that Randy Bragg and Mark Bragg used to let each other know of danger. Mark sent Randy a letter that told him that he wanted to meet. This letter had the quote, "Alas, Babylon" at the end telling Randy that Mark's family would be going to stay with him. Randy knew this because of what Mark and Randy had decided long before. Randy later found out that the reason that Mark's family was being sent to live with Randy was because there was an eminent war coming and that Omaha, Mark's home town, was a key target because of the SAC base in Omaha.
This quote was a code of some sort that Randy Bragg and Mark Bragg used to let each other know of danger. Mark sent Randy a letter that told him that he wanted to meet. This letter had the quote, "Alas, Babylon" at the end telling Randy that Mark's family would be going to stay with him. Randy knew this because of what Mark and Randy had decided long before. Randy later found out that the reason that Mark's family was being sent to live with Randy was because there was an eminent war coming and that Omaha, Mark's home town, was a key target because of the SAC base in Omaha.
Figurative Language
"The Russians are great chess players."
I chose to use this example because the book says that the Russians don't make the same mistake twice. The Russians make their move on us, and if we react badly they can continue to use that same move, but if we react united and form against them quickly, they know that they have to find a new way to beat us.
"Her eyes, which reflected her moods as the river reflected the sky, were gray and opaque."
I chose this simile because it shows us that our eyes are windows to the soul and that what we feel, no matter what our body language shows, is often reflected in our eyes and recognized by those that know us best.
"Under the soft tan painted by winter's sun."
I chose this example of personification because it tells us that the sky can sometimes affect our mood and the way we feel or act around certain people or in certain situations.
"Placing his feet carefully as a heron feeding on minnows in the shallows."
I chose this simile because it describes the gentleness that man has, even though we have gone through great tragedy and loss. This shows us, as readers, that no matter what happens to us, we are still human, and there is a part of us that will always be gentle because that is the way we are made, even if everything around us is hectic and chaotic.
"Sam Hazzard's den was compact and crowded, like a ship master's cabin stored for a long and
lonely voyage."
I chose this example of a simile because it shows that Sam Hazzard didn't even know for sure that a war was coming, but because of his military training and radio, he was ready for anything, including packing up and leaving if he had to. Sam Hazzard had food and other necessities which would help the neighborhood when they needed help.
I chose to use this example because the book says that the Russians don't make the same mistake twice. The Russians make their move on us, and if we react badly they can continue to use that same move, but if we react united and form against them quickly, they know that they have to find a new way to beat us.
"Her eyes, which reflected her moods as the river reflected the sky, were gray and opaque."
I chose this simile because it shows us that our eyes are windows to the soul and that what we feel, no matter what our body language shows, is often reflected in our eyes and recognized by those that know us best.
"Under the soft tan painted by winter's sun."
I chose this example of personification because it tells us that the sky can sometimes affect our mood and the way we feel or act around certain people or in certain situations.
"Placing his feet carefully as a heron feeding on minnows in the shallows."
I chose this simile because it describes the gentleness that man has, even though we have gone through great tragedy and loss. This shows us, as readers, that no matter what happens to us, we are still human, and there is a part of us that will always be gentle because that is the way we are made, even if everything around us is hectic and chaotic.
"Sam Hazzard's den was compact and crowded, like a ship master's cabin stored for a long and
lonely voyage."
I chose this example of a simile because it shows that Sam Hazzard didn't even know for sure that a war was coming, but because of his military training and radio, he was ready for anything, including packing up and leaving if he had to. Sam Hazzard had food and other necessities which would help the neighborhood when they needed help.
Symbols
The Day:
The Day is an expression used to describe the day that America was bombed by Russia in a war. The scene was set in Fort Repose who lost power due to a bomb or missile hitting Orlando, which was the power supply for Fort Repose. "The Day" is used all over Fort Repose so that everyone knows what day you are talking about. Later on, it is discovered that other people cal The Day things like H-Day, meaning Hell Day or Hydrogen Day.
Dog/Cat Changes:
Another symbol in this story is how the house pets change so drastically. The first time we see this is when Florence's cat, Sir Percy, eats one of her African Lovebirds, Anthony. Florence was very confused because the cat had never done anything like that before, but she later realizes that he isn't being fed any more regularly than people after The Day, which causes him to act like the wild animal that he evolved from hundreds of years before.
The second, and final time we see this, Ben Franklin shoots what he originally thought to be a wolf coming to eat pigs and chickens that the family held in a barn. As it turns out, the "wolf" is actually a very large German Shepherd that was also not being fed. All the animal was trying to do was get food, but he was no longer a house pet or trained dog, but instead more like a wolf than it has ever been.
The Day is an expression used to describe the day that America was bombed by Russia in a war. The scene was set in Fort Repose who lost power due to a bomb or missile hitting Orlando, which was the power supply for Fort Repose. "The Day" is used all over Fort Repose so that everyone knows what day you are talking about. Later on, it is discovered that other people cal The Day things like H-Day, meaning Hell Day or Hydrogen Day.
Dog/Cat Changes:
Another symbol in this story is how the house pets change so drastically. The first time we see this is when Florence's cat, Sir Percy, eats one of her African Lovebirds, Anthony. Florence was very confused because the cat had never done anything like that before, but she later realizes that he isn't being fed any more regularly than people after The Day, which causes him to act like the wild animal that he evolved from hundreds of years before.
The second, and final time we see this, Ben Franklin shoots what he originally thought to be a wolf coming to eat pigs and chickens that the family held in a barn. As it turns out, the "wolf" is actually a very large German Shepherd that was also not being fed. All the animal was trying to do was get food, but he was no longer a house pet or trained dog, but instead more like a wolf than it has ever been.
Rita Hernandez- Characterization
Rita Hernandez was the sister of Pete Hernandez, who died from radiation poisoning when he found a bunch of jewelry outside of Fort repose. She had a ring on her finger that had radiation poisoning, but Dan Gunn told her to take it off before she lost her finger. Rita had dry and mottled skin with dull hair and luster in her eyes caused by anger. She didn't always look that way though. She used to have ivory skin that looked satiny. Now, she looks used and tired. Rita plays a big role in the story because she loaned Randy her food truck that allowed Randy Bragg, Sam Hazzard, Bill McGovern, and Malachai Henry to track down and lure in highwaymen so that they could kill them for all the destruction and havoc they caused in the town. It also seemed that Rita and Randy had a past relationship that did not end very well.
Sam Hazzard- Characterization
Sam Hazzard was, perhaps, one of the most important characters to the whole story. Sam Hazzard had a radio that allowed Randy and himself to know as much as possible about what was happening in the war and in the world, outside of Fort Repose. They rarely heard anything that had to do with our government but without the radio that Sam Hazzard had, they wouldn't have heard some valuable information. The radio also allowed Sam Hazzard to try to decipher codes in the military since he was once in the military, but he did not have much luck in that respect. Sam Hazzard was an older gentleman, but not to old to help anyway he can. He helped find highwaymen with Randy Bragg, and he also went to get salt when the town, but especially their neighborhood, ran out.
Bill and Lavinia McGovern- Characterization
Bill and Lavinia McGovern were the parents of Elizabeth (Lib) McGovern. Bill was bald, square-shouldered, and tall. Bill and Lavinia did not believe Randy Bragg when he told them that there was an impending war that they needed to stock up and get ready for. They did not heed his warning. Some time after The Day, Lavinia died and Bill and Lib moved in with Randy. Bill did everything he could do to help the neighborhood. He would help fish, and he would keep watch over the chickens and pigs, but most importantly, he helped Randy find and Kill the highwaymen that beat Dan Gunn.
Dan Gunn- Characterization
Dan Gunn was Fort Repose's doctor. Dan Gunn is an angular, towering man, sad faced and saturnine, and wore heavy-framed glasses. He is also awkward and not talkative at all. Dan Gunn is one of the most important characters because he is really the only one that had any medical training so he knew what to do when someone was injured but he also knew what happened when something had radiation so he kept people away from the thing or person that had radiation poisoning. He was unable to save Pete Hernandez, who died from radiation poisoning because of a bunch of jewelry he found somewhere outside of Fort Repose.
On his way into town one night, he was mugged by highwaymen who beat him badly and stole his car and everything inside of it. When Dan Gunn found his way hoe he could barely walk, but soon he recovered. Randy Bragg, Bill McGovern, Sam Hazzard, and Malachai Henry rode into town a few days later to find and kill the highwaymen that beat Dan and stole his possessions. They succeeded but not before realizing that there must be more than one pack of highwaymen. Malachai lost his life that night from a gunshot wound, but the four succeeded in their mission.
On his way into town one night, he was mugged by highwaymen who beat him badly and stole his car and everything inside of it. When Dan Gunn found his way hoe he could barely walk, but soon he recovered. Randy Bragg, Bill McGovern, Sam Hazzard, and Malachai Henry rode into town a few days later to find and kill the highwaymen that beat Dan and stole his possessions. They succeeded but not before realizing that there must be more than one pack of highwaymen. Malachai lost his life that night from a gunshot wound, but the four succeeded in their mission.
Paul Hart- Characterization
Like Mark Bragg, Paul Hart was not in this story for very long. We see him at the beginning and at the end, but he was on duty while Fort Repose was struggling to get food. Paul Hart was a stocky, bandy-legged man with a punched-in nose, a fighter's chin, and an easy grin. Paul Hart was an old friend of Randy's and he just so happened to be the person that told Randy and his family and friends that the war was over and that we won.
Helen Bragg. Ben Franklin Bragg, Peyton Bragg- Charaterization
Helen Bragg was the wife of Mark Bragg, Randy Braggs's older brother. Helen, Ben Franklin, who is 13, and Peyton were all sent to live with Randy because it was no longer safe in Omaha because of the impending war. Helen worked like the other women: cooking, cleaning, and sowing. Ben Franklin stood watch over the chickens and pigs one night, and was forced to kill what he thought was a wolf, but what turned out to be a very large German Shepherd, which acted much like a wolf. Some time into the story, Peyton felt like she wasn't helping so she decided to sneak out of the house, steal Randy's boat while he and many other men were away, and fish in the middle of the river to catch more fish than at the shore. She succeeded, but she got into some trouble with her mother when she got back.
Malachai Henry- Characterization
Malachai Henry was Randy Bragg's yard man. He would work 20 hours during the week every week for Randy, but it didn't matter when because Malachai got to pick his hours. For these 20 hours a week, Malachai was paid $25. When Randy found out about the impending war, Randy gave Malachai extra money so that he could go buy food and other necessity to stock up on so that when the war happens and if it affects Fort Repose directly, he would be ready.
Later on in the story, Malachai volunteered to drive when he, Randy, Sam Hazzard, and Bill McGovern went off in a truck to find and kill highwaymen that were beating and killing people and stealing their things. In the fight, Malachai got shot and later on died, but they killed that pack of highwaymen. Malachai was a good and honest man, but he paid the price for Fort Repose.
Later on in the story, Malachai volunteered to drive when he, Randy, Sam Hazzard, and Bill McGovern went off in a truck to find and kill highwaymen that were beating and killing people and stealing their things. In the fight, Malachai got shot and later on died, but they killed that pack of highwaymen. Malachai was a good and honest man, but he paid the price for Fort Repose.
Two-Tone Henry- Characterization
Two-Tone was so named because the right side of his face was two shades lighter than the left side. Two-Tone was the son of preacher and the brother of Malachai. He sat on the porch a lot of the time and drank. However, if Randy asked him to do something, like connect houses to his well for water, he gladly helped.
Preacher Henry- Characterization
Preacher's real name is Clarence Henry. Preacher was married to Hannah Henry, who was not a major character in this story. Preacher knew all the birds and their calls and habits, which made Randy want to talk to him to try to find out the kind of bird that Florence kept. Preahcer did not play a big role in the story except that he helped whenever he could, and his children helped all the time to make Fort Repose stronger.
Mark Bragg- Characterization
Mark Bragg was in the military. Mark had fine, deep lines showing around his eyes and mouth, he had gray in his black beard, and he had a lean face. Mark was a very important character in this book, even though he was not in the book for a long time. Mark was the man that told his brother, Randy Bragg , that he thought that there would be war, which allowed Randy to have enough time to get ready to be enclosed somewhere for a long time. From this, Randy told a few of his closest friends, but he did not have as much time as he thought he did. Mark sent his family to live with Randy because he knew that it would not be safe if they stayed at home, knowing that his city was a target for the enemy. This changed Randy's life, but saved the family's lives, and possibly helped improve Randy's future.
Missouri Henry- Characteriation
Missouri Henry, also known by Randy Bragg as Mizzoo, was the houskeeper for Randy Bragg and the McGovern's. Missouri was also the neighbor of Randy Bragg. Missouri was always well treated by Randy, but not always so well treated by Mrs. Lavinia McGovern, Lib McGovern's mother.
Missouri was a big part of Randy Bragg's life. Even though the Henry's were an African American family, Randy considered them family because they grew up together. However, after The Day, Missouri played just as big of a role as most other women in Fort Repose, which was cooking, cleaning, and sowing.
Missouri was a big part of Randy Bragg's life. Even though the Henry's were an African American family, Randy considered them family because they grew up together. However, after The Day, Missouri played just as big of a role as most other women in Fort Repose, which was cooking, cleaning, and sowing.
Lib McGovern- Characterization
Lib McGovern, or Elizabeth McGovern, was dating Randy Bragg when the war begun. Later on, Randy and Lib got married on Easter Sunday. Throughout the story, Lib became and important female role. She would help sow clothes and she would help cook and clean whenever she could.
Lib would constantly worry about everyone, but especially about Randy. She became very close to Randy and the others in his house, which must have been hard because Helen Bragg was not fond of her at first and her mother passed away after The Day. Lib always did what she could, even if there wasn't much to be done.
Lib would constantly worry about everyone, but especially about Randy. She became very close to Randy and the others in his house, which must have been hard because Helen Bragg was not fond of her at first and her mother passed away after The Day. Lib always did what she could, even if there wasn't much to be done.
Randy Bragg- Characterization
Randy Bragg was a reserve military man. He was a curious person who was dating Lib McGovern. He was being accused of spying on Florence Wechek, but he was only trying do decide what kind of birds she had because he though that they were birds that were extinct, hoping that they were not actually extinct. However they turned out to be African Lovebirds, which brought him some disappointment.
After The Day, he assumed command of Fort Repose because he heard on the radio that reserve military had the right to form a temporary government until elections could be held. He made rules for the town. However, he helped his neighbors more than anyone, who became like a family to him, including his brother's family who came to live with him so that they would be same. His brother was the one that told Randy that he thought a war was coming so Randy had time to prepare whereas others did not. He helped his town and his neighbors greatly throughout the story until finally, he had some relief in knowing that the war was won.
Florence Wecheck- Characterization
Florence Wechek is the manager of Western Union. She is responsible for sending and receiving telegraphs for her town. She is a bit of a gossip, but she only tells the things that are trivial and harmless to her friends. She manages to leave out the scandalous information. Florence had one cat named Sir Percy, two African Lovebirds, Cleo and Anthony, and goldfish, angelfish, mollies, guppies and vivid neons.
Florence was obsessed with the idea that her neighbor across the street was spying on her while she was changing, but as it turns out, he was only looking at her African Lovebirds trying to decide what kind of bird they are.
As the story evolves, the neighbors in Fort Repose become closer as their need for food and water become more and more prevalent. They all help each other in any way they can, which makes them stronger as a whole
Florence was obsessed with the idea that her neighbor across the street was spying on her while she was changing, but as it turns out, he was only looking at her African Lovebirds trying to decide what kind of bird they are.
As the story evolves, the neighbors in Fort Repose become closer as their need for food and water become more and more prevalent. They all help each other in any way they can, which makes them stronger as a whole
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