Analytical Response B: Interpretive Questions

1. How does the relationship between the two characters compare to the other relationships in Boyle's other stories?

2. If any, how does their relationship compare to Biblical characters?

3. What are the main theme(s) of the story?

4. How do these themes compare with the themes of his other stories?

5. Where is there hope in not only this story, but the others stories we've read?

6. What is Boyle's message, when it seems that evil always prevails?

7. Why does he not take the cup away when he has plenty of time and realizes that its her?

8. Who can you relate with most in this story?

9. Do you feel sympathetic towards the characters? If so, why?

10. Do you agree with the messages Boyle is trying to send?

She wasnt soft, Cretive Response C

There are two main characters in this story so I am writing a letter to each of them.
Dear Paula,
I think it is great that you are true to yourself as an athlete. Your strength and drive to get better is unbelievable. I can imagine to get to the position you are in took a lot of hard work. And I am sure that the hard work is what forms your personality. From what I have seen, your personality can change from one place to another. It seems that you can be a very kind and friendly person, but also a tough person when focused. I can tell you do not really love Jason and I think that is what sets you back a little. On top of that, a couple days before each race you shut people out of you life even if they are trying to help you or wish you luck. Being an athlete I know when a little space is needed but having people around makes the training, preparation, and situation easier to manageable. I am sure eventually you will realize this. And I am sure that what ever happens between you and Jason, you will always be a strong, physically fit athlete who doesn’t give up on anything.
Dear Jason,
It appears you are a very laid back type of guy who takes things as they come. There is nothing wrong with that. You have your own supply shop and live an easy going life. There are times thought when you have to be serious. First of all lying to your girlfriend about your birthday is a bad idea. And then to top it off, making a big scene at a restaurant with Paula’s biggest competition right in front of Paula is a huge mistake. You should have thought about what you were going to do before acting that way. It was nice when you tried to apologize and wish her luck before the big race and I don’t think it was right for Paula to try to shut you out. The way you acted after she let you in could have been a little better. Finally when you tried to cheat things went way wrong. The problem could have been avoided but it also seemed like you wanted it to happen. Once you realized it was Paula in first, you could have easily taken a couple steps back and not given her the drink you made. It seemed like part of you wanted her to have the drink because your relationship was over. To tell you the truth she planned on leaving you after the race so it giving her the drink may not have been such a bad idea in you favor after all.

~

- Dialogue between me and paula at a Borders Bookstore over

coffee -

ME: Hey Paula, are you excited for your upcoming competition?

PAULA: No, not really, Jason's making everything so difficul around here - he won't

let me just have time for myself - I'm lucky to be here now! haha, how havbe you

been?

Me: Good, I just wish you had more strength to ignore that surfing idiot, you're too

good for him anyways.

PAULA: I know, sometimes i feel in my heart that I can overcome his temptations, but

it's just so hard.

ME: I think you should really look into what YOU want to do, and what YOU need,

rather than satisfying Jason all the time, Paula.

PAULA: I know,I know.

Me: Well, I just hope your getting alot of rest tonight, right?

PAULA: Actually, i am going to dinner with Jason, I guess it's his birthday!

ME: yeah, okay Paula, or just another reason for him to get drunk.

PAULA: You're probably right thats the sad thing, and all he wnts all the time is to

have sex, its like he doesn't even like me for me anymore.

ME: Wow, you just keep adding more reasons to the basket of WHY YOU SHOULD LEAVE

THIS GUY!It seems like every time you take some spotlight, he crashes into the

picture making it seem like it was all his fault, and everything was/is made because

of his very being. I gotta say, I really hate this guy. You're too soft to handle

these idiots Paula, i can't tell you what kind of bad news this guy could bring into

your life. You have a lot going for you, don't blow it all away over some idiot

like Jason...Look at the difference! Your intelligent, friendly, you have set goals,

you exorcise and have a lot of supoortive friends, and Jason! There is no

comparison, he's a dumb surfer, who smokes his life away, and sucks the good out of

your own world and he is defintely the most self centered person I've ever met.

Common, be real about this, he's not right for you...

PAULA: Well, I never looked at it that way, I mean he does treat me like royal crap,

haha.

ME: EXACTLY!

PAULA: I'll think about it, thanks for all your advice - we will just see how good

this "Birthday dinner" will turn out to be.

ME: Haha, well make the right choices, NO MORE GIVING IN.

PAULA: I just don't think I can do this, he is so convincing.

ME: Stay on top of your game, Paula, don't let him win! It's only giving him more

satisfaction than he already recieves from you!

PAULA: Okay! Thanks, talk to you soon.

ME: Bye.

Artistic Response

"She Wasn't Soft"--Analytical Response C

“She Wasn’t Soft” is a story of a strong-willed woman, Paula, and her boyfriend, Jason, who together do not complement each other well. Paula is a world-class athlete who is gearing up for a triathlon (which itself is a satellite event for the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon), and Jason is a beach bum who spends his time drinking and smoking. In the case of this story, the old saying “opposites attract” does not apply well. Although they are dating, they relationship is severely flawed. Paula feels she has to beat her rival, Zinny Bauer, so she tries to be extremely prepared for the race by secluding herself with her proper food and fuel for the race; however, Jason just wants her to sleep with him that night. The next morning (after the date rape), Jason wants her to win the race so she will forgive him and sleep with him again that night. Therefore, in the process of trying to spoil Zinny’s chances of winning, he spoils an eventual upset by Paula. The abrupt ending raises many questions. Such questions could be what are the motivations of the main characters and if their polar personalities create a relationship conducive to love and happiness. By trying to lead different lives than their parents, Boyle remarks on the influence of one’s upbringing. It seems as if by trying to live unique and distinct lives, they are not honest with themselves and distort their true personalities. Paula can find great joy in her accomplishments, but later in life will she regret all of the sacrifices she made? On the other hand, Jason’s actions are fueled by three things: smoking, alcohol, and sex. Will he look back and realize how meaningless and empty a life he has led? “She Wasn’t Soft” highlights culture’s obsession with high achievement and selfish motives of each individual.

Creative Response D: Melanie (Captured by The Indians) & Philip (Killing Babies)

[ Phone call to Philip's clinic - phone conversation Between Philip and Melanie ]

Philip:Hello?

Melanie: Hi, Philip? It's Melanie.

Philip: Oh, hello! Have you told Sean the big news yet?

Melanie: Not yet. I keep meaning to, but I never seem to be able to fit it in to our schedule...so many things have been going on around here. How's your brother? Has he coped with all those crazy protestors yet?

Philip: Yeah, hes doing his best, kinda tough to come from such a sweet life in cali to here you know? Well, have you come to a decision about the baby?

Melanie: I don't know. I'm not sure if Sean would want to keep it, we want to get a few things settled, and he's so busy with school and his degree - we just dont have time. But what scares me the most is those crazy people that you face everyday - I don't want to deal with that kind of pain and pressure...I'm really scared...

Philip: Well, I completely understand your worries. However, this decision is your own, not Seans or the protestors - it's your body.

Melanie: I know, that's the hard part about it. I have to be the one to say whether or not a baby gets to live or not. It's so hard.

Philip: Just spend a while thinking about it, and TELL SEAN MELANIE! Plus, I think I have a story that should help you out with your choice.

Melanie: Haha, well?

Philip: Well, my brother, Rick, mentioned this young girl walking into the clinic the other day, strong girl, right through the protestors harsh remarks and evil stares. He was impressed with her independent courage, at such a young age, you know?

Melanie: Right, I completely agree.

Philip: So, he called her! Just to tell her that he fully supports her and is proud of her courageous acts. How crazy, huh?

Melanie: Yeah, that guys nuts! haha! But, I do see his concern. Walking into such a different aptmosphere with all those nut bags and witnessing young women taking this kind of pressure and treatment can be quite a shock. I guess I can relate to him you know? He keeps a lot of his feelings inside - doesn't share a lot - only when he's pushed over the edge.

Philip: Very true. Well, Just stay strong Melanie, I'm sure whatever you decide should be the right choice.

Melanie: Thanks for all your help, really, you've been a great friend.

Philip: Not a problem. Oh and Melanie, stop beating aroung the bush and tell Sean for God-Sakes!

Melanie: I'm trying my best! Haha, Talk to you soon buddy.Thanks again.

Philip: Anytime.

Creative Response B

Q: Why Does Melanie and Sean listen to Dr. Brinsley-Schneider lecture about human life?
A (T.C. Boyle): Sean is a doctor and Mel is with him. He is interested in what Dr. Schneider has to say about human life. Dr. Schneider talks about how humans are no where close to extinct and that the world is survival of the fittest. Anyone who is under par with everyone else disserves to not make it in the end.
Q: Why are Sean and Melanie not married even though Sean says he wants his Ph. D first?
A: Sean and Melanie are just close friends for now and as the story goes on the trust between the two of them isn’t good enough to be married yet. This and Sean will have his Ph. D in six months and he doesn’t want many interferences.
Q: Why doesn’t Mel tell Sean she is pregnant?
A: She tries her best to tell him. She is afraid that Sean might leave his because they are not married yet and Sean doesn’t want more to deal with in his life. Mel tries to tell him during the entire story but never gets a good time.
Q: Why is there a train killer in the book?
A: The killer is there to make the story more exciting. It brings in a source of worry and conflict in the story. Eventually a man brakes into the apartment building and because they live by a train they think it is him.
Q: Why is the gun Sean owns significant?
A: Sean thinks of the gun as protection and if needed, he will use it on the train killer of anyone else who comes close. Mel thinks of the gun as an insecurity in her life. This comes out then Sean is fighting someone who they think is the train robber. Sean drops the gun and tells Mel to use it, she hesitates and then doesn’t. She is afraid of what could happen from using it.

Creative Response C: Letter to the main character

Dear Melanie,

It seems like you are going through a pretty rough time in your life right now. Especially after the homeless man trying to hurt your neighbor. I think it was very brave what you and Sean tried to do. Being pregnant and still helping to save Sean's life after he's on the ground bleeding was very brave. You may have risked the babies life in order to save his. I think that shows how you view your relationship with Sean. You obviously love Sean very much, and I think after the incident Sean realized this and there was some kind of moment of grace in that. Now that all this is over, I think that it would be a great time to tell Sean about the baby. I understand that you don't think it is the right time because he is still in school, but I don't understand how you can hold back from telling somebody you love something that important. My advice to you would be to tell Sean and see how he reacts. Hopefully it is positive but if not, then just speak to him about it. Your relationship should now be strong enough that you can talk about this without holding anything back. Some other advice I would give to you would be to open up to each other more. I know that is easier said than done, but maybe if Sean knew how you felt about certain things then he would understand why you feel the way you do. For example, if you didn't like that presentation about human life and how are lives really don't matter, then maybe let him know about it. It doesn't have to be an argument, but I think a little bit more honesty will help your relationship. Finally, I really do hope you tell Sean about the baby. As a couple it is something that you should be proud of, and not trying to hide. Maybe it will help open up your relationship a little which will make things a lot easier. Best of Luck and let me know how it turns out.

Theological Response B: Scripture Character Comparison

“Captured by the Indians” has many theological undertones. One character comparison that represents this is the correlation between Melanie and Peter the Apostle. Throughout the story, Melanie continuously struggles to tell Sean that she is pregnant. In chapter 26 of the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus says to Peter, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times” (Matthew 26: 34). Peter completely denies that he would ever do such a thing, but just as Jesus predicted, he does. Melanie is desperate to tell Sean that she is going to have a baby, but she is nervous about his response. Since Sean is in school, she believes that he will not want her to have the baby until he is done with his dissertation. He is so caught up in his “Theory” that he loses touch with what should really be important. Melanie wishes to have the child, so she tries to wait for the right time to tell Sean so that he will comply. However, in “Captured by the Indians,” she never follows through. Peter the Apostle faces a similar dilemma. While he believes that he has unshakable faith in Jesus, he is told that he will deny being his acquaintance three times before the rooster crows. Peter cannot believe it, and after his third denial, the rooster immediately crows; Peter then goes “outside and [weeps] bitterly” (Matthew 26: 75). Just as Melanie cannot bring herself to tell Sean that she is pregnant, Peter cannot tell other people that he is a follower of Jesus. He was supposed to be the most loyal of Jesus companions and the “rock [on which Jesus] will build [his] church” (Matthew 16: 18), yet he still could not stand by his word and fully embrace his relationship with Jesus. Both Melanie and Peter were scared of what other people thought rather than their own true feelings; Melanie did not want Sean to tell her to abort the baby and Peter did not want to be condemned for being a follower of Jesus. They carry burdens that they know are heavy, but they both cannot fully face their fears (this fear of other people’s opinions of them is also highlighted by Sean, who convinces himself that he agrees with Dr. Brinsley-Schneider’s views on the disposability of human life because of his studies on “Theory”).
One key difference between the stories of Melanie and Peter is that “Captured by the Indians” abruptly ends whereas the Gospel of Matthew continues past this account. The reader never knows when Melanie tells Sean about the pregnancy or what his response will be; however, the reader does know the rest of Peter’s story, and he eventually is crucified just as Jesus was. Both Melanie and Peter are overwhelmed by their situations, but as readers, we do not know whether Melanie overcomes her problem, whereas we do know that Peter does.

Analytical Response C: Story Review

T.C. Boyle’s Captured by the Indians was an interesting story because it made the reader choose sides between the main characters, Melanie and Sean. Sean was focused on the theory of life. He seemed to agree with the harsh lecture given by Dr. Toni Brinsley-Schneider which stated that certain people such as criminals and mentally challenged are not expected to be supported by society because they only impair the success of a population. Melanie on the other hand could not believe this statement to have any truth and often found Sean and his theory hard to deal with. Because the reader was able to understand Melanie’s insights, Melanie’s struggle to tell Sean that she was pregnant became a struggle of the reader as well. I found this connection to be helpful in understanding the plotline of the story. The only confusing part of the novel seemed to be the end when Melanie gives a final account from her book Captured by the Indians. It leaves the reader to interpret how that story related to the life of Melanie, Sean, and their child. The message of the story was that theory cannot compare to the harsh realities of life. This theme is shown as Sean runs outside trying to attack the man who broke into their neighbor’s house. As Melanie views this scene she reflects on the fact that theory cannot help in this situation. It is in this moment that grace is found as Sean steps into a reality in which theory cannot be applied. Melanie also will find grace now that she knows she can no longer wait to tell Sean that she is pregnant. Lastly, this story can be compared to Boyle’s Killing Babies because it involves a theme of the importance of human life and the struggle that often must be overcome to protect it. Also, In Killing Babies the protestors fight to stop the practices at the clinic. Because they are so caught up in the theory of the practice, they cannot see the reality of the harms that pregnancy can sometimes cause the women. Sean is similar to the protestors in that it is difficult for him to see past the theories in his life and he needs an awakening to help him.

Jacqueline Pasulka