First 6 weeks- Stand On Zanzibar- John Brunner
Evaluate the ending of this book. Considering how the ending unfolded, is it an effective ending? Why? Why not? (use back side if necessary).
Due to the books many story lines, Stand On Zanzibar creates the society 50 years from when it was written. An over populated 2010, where the world is suffering because of this. Brunner’s analogy that if all 7 billion people in the world (which he accurately predicted) were to actually stand on the island of Zanzibar, the island would sink. A running theme though out the book is how information is processed, and what the does the information really mean. As the story rolls along we see the evil that lies within large corporations, how corruption has lead to a large wage gap. This is also present with the government (called “State”). The “State” is shown to be very lackluster, even more sluggish in their role to bridge the gap between the wealthy and the millions of people suffering. Another major part this book takes on is the media. The vast, overcrowded landscape that quite frankly is dysfunctional.
The story begins in a small African country that has changed power. The country is being used as a refugee center for neighboring countries, all of whom have indigenous tribes that do not mingle what so ever. The small African country is put between a rock and a small place. Their outgoing president who has been a pinnacle character for keeping peace has left the country with no education, no technology, and a ton of conflict to arise. Once this occurs the U.S ambassador reaches out to the corporation GT (the world’s largest technology corporation, most likely a IBM) to seek their help in educating the people of this country. As the story rolls along we can see that the power struggle that occurs between the corporation GT and the rest of the world. Especially since they call all the shots, they have the world in their hands, but the questions is do they want to use their power for the good, or for the bad?
Author’s purpose:
Allure to the possibility that in the future greed will run our lives. People will be suffering but as long as some are well off then the world is where it needs to be. This is a very proactive message the author is sending especially since this book was written in the late 60’s when racial tensions were already high. I feel like the main purpose though was to shed light on what is already happening in his time, and to show us what will eventually happen if we continue down this road.
Intended audience(s):
Anyone over 13; there are some complex words in this book along with some racial tensions that arise, so having a background of what took place in the Jim Crow Era would be preferred.
Evaluate the ending of this book. Considering how the ending unfolded, is it an effective ending? Why? Why not? (use back side if necessary).
Due to the books many story lines, Stand On Zanzibar creates the society 50 years from when it was written. An over populated 2010, where the world is suffering because of this. Brunner’s analogy that if all 7 billion people in the world (which he accurately predicted) were to actually stand on the island of Zanzibar, the island would sink. A running theme though out the book is how information is processed, and what the does the information really mean. As the story rolls along we see the evil that lies within large corporations, how corruption has lead to a large wage gap. This is also present with the government (called “State”). The “State” is shown to be very lackluster, even more sluggish in their role to bridge the gap between the wealthy and the millions of people suffering. Another major part this book takes on is the media. The vast, overcrowded landscape that quite frankly is dysfunctional.
The story begins in a small African country that has changed power. The country is being used as a refugee center for neighboring countries, all of whom have indigenous tribes that do not mingle what so ever. The small African country is put between a rock and a small place. Their outgoing president who has been a pinnacle character for keeping peace has left the country with no education, no technology, and a ton of conflict to arise. Once this occurs the U.S ambassador reaches out to the corporation GT (the world’s largest technology corporation, most likely a IBM) to seek their help in educating the people of this country. As the story rolls along we can see that the power struggle that occurs between the corporation GT and the rest of the world. Especially since they call all the shots, they have the world in their hands, but the questions is do they want to use their power for the good, or for the bad?
Author’s purpose:
Allure to the possibility that in the future greed will run our lives. People will be suffering but as long as some are well off then the world is where it needs to be. This is a very proactive message the author is sending especially since this book was written in the late 60’s when racial tensions were already high. I feel like the main purpose though was to shed light on what is already happening in his time, and to show us what will eventually happen if we continue down this road.
Intended audience(s):
Anyone over 13; there are some complex words in this book along with some racial tensions that arise, so having a background of what took place in the Jim Crow Era would be preferred.