"The creature halted, then heaved from side to side, trampling the muddy bed with vigor, as though intent upon crushing the submerged spectacles with it's hooves or the lurching ploughshare" (47).
"It was exceptionally long, and no doubt once belonged to the unfortunate buffalo responsible for breaking capital Four-Eyes's glasses" (105).
These two quotes relate to the symbol of the buffalo because of how Four-Eyes interacts with it. The buffalo symbolizes and illustrates an idea of coming to age, shown through its relationship with Four-Eyes. In the first quote, Four-Eyes is seen struggling intensely with the buffalo, with the buffalo trampling his glasses and whipping his tail into his face. The buffalo is dominant. However, in the second quote, time has passed and Four-Eyes is now returning home. The buffalo is slaughtered in celebration for his returning home, and almost like a trinket or trophy, Four-Eyes decides to keep the long tail of the very same buffalo that had trampled his glasses and caused him so much trouble so long ago. This shows the change in Four-Eyes and how he has now "come to age," and is now dominant over the buffalo. His more figurative "aging" has caused him to become more powerful over the buffalo. The buffalo acts as an obstacle for him, and his coming to age leads into his overcoming of the buffalo.
By Frank Zhou
Akhil Jakatdar
Caroline Schachter
Christy Torres
How else could you use this example as Coming of Age? Do you see any other lessons being learned?
ReplyDeleteHow does this idea of coming of age relate to the narrator and Luo? Do you think that Four-Eyes is more mature than the two boys and has come more "to age" than them?
ReplyDeleteDo you think that Four-Eyes learned another lesson other than just becoming more dominant over the buffalo?
ReplyDeleteI like your insight about how the buffalo tail relates to overcoming obstacles as you grow up. Do you think that keeping the tail as a trophy also says a lot about Four Eyes' character? How has Four Eyes changed in a negative way throughout this book, and how does this impact the buffalo?
ReplyDeleteThis example of coming of age was also a big accomplishment for Four Eyes, and he was very proud to now finally come of age. Do you think that Four Eyes wanted to use this buffalo particularly?
ReplyDeleteNo doubt Four-Eyes became more powerful and was able to leave the village. This could be his "coming-of-age," his transition to a new chapter in his life. But do you think he really became more mature? From the narrator and Luo's encounter with him in his house, we know that he had ulterior motives for keeping them as friends. This shows how he is insensitive and manipulative. In this light, becoming dominant over the buffalo just seems like petty and cruel revenge.
ReplyDeleteI really liked how you connected it to coming of age because I never really thought about in that sense so it was really interesting to see that connection.
ReplyDeleteDo you think that killing the buffalo was connected to the how the village affected him?