I don't know about you guys, but if confronted with the unique opportunity to come face to face with a zombie or run like hell, I would choose the latter. In Boneshaker, one of the main characters, Zeke Wilkes, is obviously not overly familiar with the expression "curiosity killed the cat." I almost laughed out loud at some of his thoughts in the story, being so different from what I myself would have contemplated. One such instance can be found in chapter twenty-four. Zeke has found his way up to the floor where the fighting between Minnericht's men and the "doornails" is taking place. He stands behind a door that opens to the combat zone while he considers his next move.
"He hadn't yet seen a rotter up close. Not a real one, not a hungry one--and certainly not a pack of them.
An irrational burst of curiosity sent him seeking the handle again."
Another example of Zeke's bold curiosity is seen in chapter twenty-five.
"...but a new noise snagged his attention--and this new noise was less threatening. One part moan and one part gasp, the faint cry was coming from somewhere close, from behind a door that was not quite closed and not quite an open invitation to investigate.
He investigated anyway."
Okay. If I hear any noise that can be described as a moan, particularly in a town that happens to be ransacked with zombies, I'm heading for the hills. Instead, Zeke decides to scout out the source of the sound which turns out to be his former guide, Rudy, slowly dying and possibly zombifying from drinking some sort of Blight-containing poison.
Obviously, this kid has more guts than I do. I really enjoyed his character, full of bravery and teenage spunk. Whenever I read stories that include these situations, in which the character must choose to act or hide, I wonder what I would do. In the comfort and safety of my home, and in the complete absence of zombies (let's hope), I can hardly imagine doing anything courageous that involves the risk of potentially being eaten, or as Priest so splendidly describes, becoming "rotter shit." But I do like to think that if the circumstances changed--if I found myself on the wrong side of wall--I would be able to think and act as bravely as Briar, Zeke, Lucy, or any other of the other admirable characters that Priest has created in this story.
There's bravery, and then there's stupidity. In the heat of the moment, it might be difficult to tell the difference.
ReplyDeleteI wondered myself about the bravery we see from Zeke. Part of me wants to attribute it to him being young and naive. When you don't know the dangers that you face, you tend to be less weary of the situation you are put into. I thought the characters in the story all had a remarkable amount of bravery and I admired it throughout the story.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree about the "running away from zombies" thing. Death by cannibalism is not the way I want to go.
ReplyDeleteI really don't think Zeke was being brave. He was just so singlemindedly set on reaching his goal that the thought that he might be in danger never occurred to him. To me, the people in Boneshaker who were really brave were those who took Briar and Zeke in and defended them even when their lives were threatened.
I would not be that inquisitive, either. Not when there are zombies.
ReplyDeleteI was a bit annoyed by everything Zeke did. Even going across the wall in the first place seemed like one of those needlessly reckless decisions teenage boys always seem to make.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I agree. It's hard to know how one would react in a certain scenario until they actually come face to face with the situation. There were several times when Zeke seemed to understand how serious his situation was. For instance, when he and Rudy were being chased up the tower by the zombie herd. Do I think he made the right choice by going into the wall? Well, yes, I do. He wanted answers and this seemed like the only sure way to get them. I didn't always agree with his actions once in the city walls though.
ReplyDeleteHaha I would have been gone so fast! I would like to think that if I was in that situation I would be brave enough to do the things they did but honestly I think I probably wouldn't unless I was pushed to that point. i.e. if it was the only option left. You certainly wouldn't find me going looking of an up close look at a hungry zombie hoard. :P
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