I LOVED this book, it was so good and I highly recommend it! Today, we had our last lit circle discussion for this book and it was pretty fun because we all shared our amazement at all of the surprises and twists the author, Neal Shusterman, had in store for us at the end. One point that came up during our discussion that stood out to me was that Roland was much more of a brutal killer than Connor was.Now I agree with this statement but it was controversial for the simple fact Connor killed someone and Roland never did. But evidence supported by the book proved our point right.
Earlier in the book when Connor killed the bus driver. This was just a big freak accident because all he was doing was running from the Juvey cops, not purposely seeking out victims. Now, this was good too because the bus was full of Unwinds on their way to harvest camp and one of them was Risa. So this freak accident might have killed someone, but it also saved someone from getting unwound.
Roland on the other hand pushed Connor to start a fight with him so he could kill Connor. Also when they were in the warehouse and him & Connor were about to get pushed into the same cart group, Roland was going to kill Connor as soon as they got in it. He even made a knife to do it with! Towards the end of the book, Roland even choked Connor until he was unconscious, but stopped right before he would’ve died. Now if Roland was a psyco killer he would’ve killed Connor right there. He didn’t, therefore I think Roland just likes to see people suffer, he doesn’t have the guts to actually kill them himself. Which brings me to another point. Who’s more brave and bold, Connor or Roland?
Roland on the other hand pushed Connor to start a fight with him so he could kill Connor. Also when they were in the warehouse and him & Connor were about to get pushed into the same cart group, Roland was going to kill Connor as soon as they got in it. He even made a knife to do it with! Towards the end of the book, Roland even choked Connor until he was unconscious, but stopped right before he would’ve died. Now if Roland was a psyco killer he would’ve killed Connor right there. He didn’t, therefore I think Roland just likes to see people suffer, he doesn’t have the guts to actually kill them himself. Which brings me to another point. Who’s more brave and bold, Connor or Roland?
I think Connor hands down because he actually follows through with his actions unlike Roland. Also when they Roland had to walk down the ‘red carpet’ to the ‘Chop Shop’, he through a fit!
“But...but I’ve only been her a few days....I need more time. Another day. That’s all. One more day. I’ll be ready tomorrow. I promise!” (pg.287)Unlike Connor who took his supposedly last walk of life gracefully.
“Hands off me, I’ll walk by myself,” he orders the guards,...The first step is the hardest, but...he will take this last walk of his life in steady strides...’ (pg.304)This shows how even though Roland acts all tough, when it comes to death he’s a scared puppy. Unlike Connor who mans up to reality.