Re: A "Strong" Alice jumping off the cliff

Posted by Sarah on August 08, 1998 at 13:10:05:

In Reply to: A posted by Rich on August 07, 1998 at 12:11:15:

: I have read, with interest, the many posts dealing with the inner "strength", perceived by some, supposedly residing within Alice Munro. For me, it just isn't there. She WAS, at the beginning, "an innocent schoolgirl." "Have you seen the Red Man?" "What an adventure!" It doesn't take her long to realize that this is MUCH more than an adventure. She becomes terrified to the point where at Massacre Valley she is totally oblivious, and unresisting, to the dangers around her. As I say in my little booklet, regarding another scene, "Alice slips one more notch into her abyss." One is extremely hard-pressed to find "strength" in her ANYWHERE throughout the entire movie. In fact, her character, as written by Cooper (remember him?) IS NOT STRONG. To read strength into Alice Munro is to create a new character. It is only on the cliffs, that she SEEMS to exhibit strength (maybe!). But, is suicide a sign of the strong? I think not. Her face clears ONLY because she has resolved the dilemma in her mind.

: For a detailed look on our interpretation of the Alice character written by Michael Mann, read the latest Musing by following the below link ...
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I may be a bit late in jumping into the fray but I just want to add that while I'm still considering Alice _up to_ the end (tending toward the "weaker" character but my reasoning is a bit different and I won't go into it here), AT the end, when she looks down the cliff and then steps FORWARD, I have to feel that that took ENORMOUS courage and strength. I cannot imagine myself (nor anyone else I know) having the fortitude to jump face-first over a cliff edge, especially knowing how very far the fall would be! Suicide is often considered weak and I believe some methods may be, but jumping off a very high, shear cliff, which gives you time to consider as you watch yourself fall into the rocks? In my book, that's strength.

Cheers,
Sarah

Follow Ups:

• Re: A "Strong" Alice jumping off the cliff Hannah 18:06:45 8/08/98 (2)
  • Re: A "Strong" Alice jumping off the cliff Marcia 21:14:41 8/08/98 (1)
    • Re: A "Strong" Alice jumping off the cliff Petra 23:18:04 8/08/98 (0)

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: : I have read, with interest, the many posts dealing with the inner "strength", perceived by some, supposedly residing within Alice Munro. For me, it just isn't there. She WAS, at the beginning, "an innocent schoolgirl." "Have you seen the Red Man?" "What an adventure!" It doesn't take her long to realize that this is MUCH more than an adventure. She becomes terrified to the point where at Massacre Valley she is totally oblivious, and unresisting, to the dangers around her. As I say in my little booklet, regarding another scene, "Alice slips one more notch into her abyss." One is extremely hard-pressed to find "strength" in her ANYWHERE throughout the entire movie. In fact, her character, as written by Cooper (remember him?) IS NOT STRONG. To read strength into Alice Munro is to create a new character. It is only on the cliffs, that she SEEMS to exhibit strength (maybe!). But, is suicide a sign of the strong? I think not. Her face clears ONLY because she has resolved the dilemma in her mind.

: : For a detailed look on our interpretation of the Alice character written by Michael Mann, read the latest Musing by following the below link ...
: --------
: I may be a bit late in jumping into the fray but I just want to add that while I'm still considering Alice _up to_ the end (tending toward the "weaker" character but my reasoning is a bit different and I won't go into it here), AT the end, when she looks down the cliff and then steps FORWARD, I have to feel that that took ENORMOUS courage and strength.  I cannot imagine myself (nor anyone else I know) having the fortitude to jump face-first over a cliff edge, especially knowing how very far the fall would be!  Suicide is often considered weak and I believe some methods may be, but jumping off a very high, shear cliff, which gives you time to consider as you watch yourself fall into the rocks?  In my book, that's strength.  

: Cheers,
: Sarah


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