Is the book reflective of general society currently?

Use this forum to discuss the October Book of the Month "McDowell" by William H. Coles.
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serendipity 27
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Re: Is the book reflective of general society currently?

Post by serendipity 27 »

I think the book is reflective of the fact that there are so many issues with people's mental health that I think it is important we pay more attention to that. I think too Hiram is a key example in how a lot of people are wrapped up in their own world that they don't pay attention to the underlying issues at hand.
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Post by jwalker73 »

I think this is reflective of a small proportion of society. While these characteristics may be more dominant in certain cultures or demographics, such characters are present in every community to varying degrees. I do feel, however, that these people are often a minority and not a reflection of 'general' society.
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Post by jenjayfromSA »

Today there seems to be a greater emphasis on success, celebrity and bling. You need to be seen to be an achiever, which means the A-list, the fancy car, the designer outfits and tweeting on social media from all the best places. Often celebrities have done very little to be treated with such adulation. Fame and fortune seem to be the goals of the new generation. McDowell certainly enjoyed that world and considered that he had more than earned it.
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Post by ArriettyClock »

jenjayfromSA wrote: 11 Oct 2018, 06:12 Often celebrities have done very little to be treated with such adulation. Fame and fortune seem to be the goals of the new generation.
I definitely agree with that.... it also seems like it's become easier for people to get to "celebrity status". For example, being on one tv reality show can get someone to be a celebrity for the rest of their lives.
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Post by Katherine Smith »

I think that the negative aspects of the book in regards to the treatment of others is reflective of society, but only a piece of it. I son't believe that society is wholly good nor wholly bad, but a combination of both. I believe that writing a book featuring the ugliness of humanity allows to appreciate its beauty and to be more respectful of one another.
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Post by Bavithra M »

In my opinion the book is a reflective of current society because just like the characters potrayed in the book people in the society nowadays are also dis-respectful and selfish.
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Post by ianfrb77 »

You can relate pretty much any story to society somewhat. But I guess this book does address certain issues that are constantly present in our day-to-day life
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Post by Samisah »

I believe most of the characters are relatable. There are a reflection of real life situations. But characters like Ann for instance was over exaggerated.
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Post by Moddesser Elahi »

There are few instances in the story which are reflective of the current society. e.g. McDowell's grandson's problem with violence which is similar to what is happening in the USA as reported in the media lately. The situation in Nepal has also been portrayed keeping in mind the truth at the ground level. But more importantly, I felt this book is more reflective of an interesting character's life, the protagonist Hiram Mcdowell.
PANACEA - Please do not overvalue your body and mind! Just be life! :dance:
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Post by joshfee77 »

I definitely think there are people in current society who are demanding, demeaning and disrespectful (in America they're called the GOP :wink:). We live in a fast-paced, interconnected, on-demand world that unfortunately results in plenty of entitled and arrogant people. Fortunately, they are not the majority... yet...
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Post by fernsmom »

I would say that it may be reflective of some of general society, but not all. To me that is like saying "all people are bad", or "all parents are bad parents". Is it different in society of today than 20 or 50 years ago? That is hard to say as with all the widely spread social media, in addition to other news sources, do we hear more about bad situations than good? In my opinion, yes. Do we hear how someone risked their life to save someone else or is a murder reported? So, I think some of the idea of it being worse currently is just finding out more of the bad than good.
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Post by Ijeoma Kikelomo »

I think as it is with every fiction, there is always a semblance of reality. So yes I think the book does reflect some aspects of human society. But in realty, things are never all bad.
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Post by meadhbh »

Personally, I think these kinds of horrible things actually happen less now than they used to. We just hear more about them now because of social media and the like, which is a good thing.
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Post by kdstrack »

Certainly these attitudes can be found in any society. But you also can find people who are kind, loving, thoughtful. There are many trying to be good parents. This is true also in the book - contrast Hiram with Pops and Maud.
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Post by Ann10 »

The absent parenting in this book is indicative of today's society. A lot of parents are busy working and preoccupied with their cell phones. This leaves their children to their own devices, literally.
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