Comments by
Kaitlyn DeVoe
Having already read the text before viewing the film, this clip sort of acted as a “fake out” for me. When Peyton trips, I anticipated him hanging, because the trip is not mentioned anywhere in the text. Also, the drums mirror the drums in part I leading up to Peyton being hanged, which ehanced this “fake out,” but also serve as foreshadowing to his fate. Also, I agree that the camera angles build the intensity of the scene and leave you in suspense for what will happen next. The trip is sort of anticipated by this method, because the zooming in and out highlight his staggered running, however the trip is still unexpected because it is not mentioned in the text.
This scene is a nice switch from the action of Peyton’s escape, and it is probably my favorite clip of the whole film. I think that the music along with zoomed-in images of nature in a sense create a “music video” for Peyton’s emotions and senses. I don’t know who composed this song, and I highly doubt it is written specifically for this film, but it is interesting that the director was able to find a song to fit so well with the context of the text. Finally, I like this clip because it has a personal affect: it makes me more appreciative of the small things.
I did not particularly like how drawn out the officer’s voice was in this clip. In my opinion it was a little overdramatic. Perhaps it was to indicate the distance between Peyton and the commanding officer, however the fact that Peyton is still able to look clearly into the officer’s gray eyes makes me feel that he is not as far away as the voice sounds. Despite the drawn out dialogue, I do think that this clip works well for this part of the story.
In response to Rachel’s comment on the officer taking the watch, perhaps the action symbolizes stripping Peyton of his memories, since the ticking accompanies Peyton’s last thoughts. I think that the ticking represents Peyton realizing that he will never be able to think of his wife again, at least not in the physical world, and the ticking simply represents time running out. Thus, by taking his watch it is just another way to take away his life.
I think it is very interesting and ironic that they officer takes the time to remove Peyton’s tie. If the man is to be hanged, why not just leave it on him? Perhaps it is to strip him of his “gentleman” status, to that of merely a man to be killed, an order to be carried out. Also, I agree with Zhenya that the effect of filming this scene from Peyton’s perspective helps the audience to feel his fear.
In the beginning of this clip, I feel that the bird calls are somewhat frantic, perhaps serving to mimick the emotions of Peyton. They almost sound like a cry for help, interrupted by the trumpeting, which signals that there’s nothing to be done, because all preparations have been made for the hanging.
I just want to reiterate the “still time” scenario I mentioned earlier in part I. Peyton almost reaches his wife, but it is too late. Whether part III takes place between the ticking of the watch and the officer nodding, or between the officer stepping of the plank and Peyton falling to his death, im not sure. Any ideas?
I think that Peyton receiving an abrasion from the gravel serves as a reality check.
Before this point everything happens so quickly, and it is all hard to believe. However, this physical pain is proof that he has succeeded in escaping death.
When the author says “he thought with the rapidity of lightning:,” I think that this implies an adrenaline rush of him trying to figure out his next move. I think it would’ve been a good point to include the beating of his heart, as i’m sure it was very upbeat at this moment.
The shining bits of metal here are spears, which I find interesting, as they are not mentioned in Part I. The only weapons described are guns and a cannon.
I think that having realized he just defeated death, Peyton begins to notice the tiniest things in life that normally we take for granted or fail to even recognize. I’ve noticed that for me personally, whenever something eye-opening happens in my life, I find myself reliving the smallest adventures, remembering the simplest gestures, and being thankful, if only for that instant, that the little things can mean the most in life. That was a little deep, but I think that this is an important message that the author is trying to convey.
I agree with Jordan, of all the sections I feel like I read this one the fastest, just because so much is taking place so quickly, and it’s very “exciting.” Also, I’d like to point out that it is almost as if someone else is forcing him to untie himself. I think this may have something to do with the realization that he did not die, and his actions are passive because he is thinking so much about having survived, that his emotions are conqering his thoughts more than his actual actions.
I totally agree, but maybe during this time it was not as bad to be hanged as it was to be shot? For instance, you are normally read a statement which states the reasoning why you are being hanged, whereas people often kill with guns for no reason at all, or without warning. In this case, there would still be “reason” to be shot, but also this may refer to the pain involved with being shot versus the sudden “painless?” death of being hanged.
I’m still missing the part where Farquhar was going to burn the bridge, could he not be being killed because he owns slaves? If i remember correctly, slavery was one of the causes of the war, and the North did NOT approve. Either way, I agree that it is definitely the Union Army who hangs him.
When Farquhar says “–a civilian and student of hanging–,” is this not foreshadowing to his own death? Or perhaps I am just not familiar with what a “student of hanging” might mean… I may have just shot into the dark, anybody have any ideas?
I missed that one too, I didn’t know that Farquhar had plans to burn the bridge. I also figured that the setting was being described, that perhaps it was the following fall, and people would collect the driftwood to make their fires during the upcoming winter?
I find it interesting that Peyton could not detect the deceit in this man. If he truly were a Confederate, then why would he endanger himself by wandering around so close to where the Federal Army was? I seriously doubt that “posted everywhere” could reach far enough away (30 miles) to not be at risk of being seen by the Federals, because during the civil war there was no modern transportation to allow for the quick spread of word.
This paragraph reiterates Peyton’s loyalty to the South. I’m sure if Peyton didn’t have the responsibility of planting on his farm, then he would gladly join up and fight. Also, his wife’s eagerness to serve shows her loyalty as well. It is a wonder why she is not punished as well? Actually, I suppose having your husband killed is punishment enough, eh?
Yes, this “backwards” story confused me at first. After all, Peyton is dead, why does it matter who he was? I suppose it acts as sort of an obituary. What I do not understand is why he is being killed, is it because he is a slave owner? Or is it because of the way he acted towards the officer?
I want to suggest a possible “still time” scenario for part III of the story. When the seargent steps aside, I think it is then that the envisions of the escape flood his mind. All of the action takes place in a split second, it is just written as if to lead the reader into believing it really happened.
I agree with what Soham says completely. Others mentioned previous times when he may have thought of escape, but I think those thoughts were just “what if’s” going through his mind, not serious plots. Now the real possibility has suddenly overcome him, because he would do anything to see his family again.
Since the ticking interrupts the thoughts of his loved ones, could this perhaps mean that he feels as if all the time in the world would not be enough to recount his dearest memories? It is interesting/disturbing to sit and wonder about what one’s last thoughts would be if his or her life was at stake. This is just my thought, the arrival of the ticking at this point in the plot may have nothing do at all with his memories, it may simply just imply that his time is running out…
When the author writes “These movements left….standing on the two ends of the same plank,” I think his purpose is to show how the sergeant and the condemned are on two totally separate “sides.” For example, the sergeant is the authority, the condemned the obedience to authority. Also, this can apply to the war itself: the plank is the United States, the two men represent the North and the South. Finally, it can represent the cycle of life, the sergeant being life, with the unique twist of having the ability to give (reproduce) and take away (kill), and the condemned being death (soon to die).
I agree with Jordan and Craig about his sly smile representing his dignity. It is also interesting to me that the author takes the time to describe the condemned. After all, the man is about to die, does it matter what he looks like? I suppose the author’s goal was to show that he was a good man, and to show how it is a pity that he should have to hang. However, war does not take pity, and whatever this man did to deserve death, whether the reasoning is justified or not, he is going to die at the hands of the Federal Army.
I find it interesting that so many other “players” are associated with this death. It is almost as if they are anticipating the noose to fail to do its job, or for the condemned to try to escape. Also, I agree with Soham about “Death is a dignitary…is to be received with formal manifestations of respect.” These soldiers are like robots, they just do what they are told, who knows if they know why they are asked to do the things that they do? Here, the formal way of killing Peyton serves as respect to the condemned, but how can we respect such a bad omen as that of death?
When the position of the soldiers is described as “formal and unnatural,” I think that this suggestion mirrors the event that is taking place. It is in a sense a “formal” hanging, as Soham said it is just another necessary hanging, but it is still carried out in a formal manner. The soldiers still take the time to be respectful, rather than just slipping the noose around his neck and dropping the plank. Also, the situation is “unnatural” because being hanged is an unnatural way to die.