"American Gods" discussion - Page 6

Trebro · 07-28-2010, 08:42 PM

Perhaps Shadow just feels a strong personal code to do the right thing, when so many people around him lied? His word needed to be better than Wednesday's or Loki's. No need to believe in gods or fate to do that.

Ea · 07-29-2010, 05:46 AM

I didn't mean fate as in pre-destined, but as in he doesn't fight what is happening to him, he 'goes with the flow' so to speak.

recluse · 07-29-2010, 03:22 PM

Shadow is a chariot driven by the gods.
A pawn that random chance put into play.
Not predestined to be a pawn of the gods.
He simply filled their requirements when their paths crossed.

Apollo · 07-29-2010, 08:21 PM

Some of the complaints I've heard about this book is that it seems to poorly written, at least in the initial chapters.

jgaiser · 07-29-2010, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apollo

Some of the complaints I've heard about this book is that it seems to poorly written, at least in the initial chapters.

Don't believe all you hear...

Ea · 07-30-2010, 03:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apollo

Some of the complaints I've heard about this book is that it seems to poorly written, at least in the initial chapters.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jgaiser

Don't believe all you hear...

No, don't. I wouldn't exactly call them poorly written either. If anything it must be a question of taste, or perhaps expectations.

Ea · 07-30-2010, 10:09 AM

I just had an idea... Are any of you familiar with the Jungian concept of the "shadow"?

From Wikipedia:
"In Jungian psychology, the shadow or "shadow aspect" is a part of the unconscious mind consisting of repressed weaknesses, shortcomings, and instincts. It is one of the three most recognizable archetypes, the others being the anima and animus and the persona. "Everyone carries a shadow," Jung wrote, "and the less it is embodied in the individual's conscious life, the blacker and denser it is." It may be (in part) one's link to more primitive animal instincts, which are superseded during early childhood by the conscious mind."

Latinandgreek · 07-30-2010, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ea

I just had an idea... Are any of you familiar with the Jungian concept of the "shadow"?

From Wikipedia:
"In Jungian psychology, the shadow or "shadow aspect" is a part of the unconscious mind consisting of repressed weaknesses, shortcomings, and instincts. It is one of the three most recognizable archetypes, the others being the anima and animus and the persona. "Everyone carries a shadow," Jung wrote, "and the less it is embodied in the individual's conscious life, the blacker and denser it is." It may be (in part) one's link to more primitive animal instincts, which are superseded during early childhood by the conscious mind."

Very interesting. How do you think it ties into Shadow as a character?

Ea · 07-30-2010, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Latinandgreek

Very interesting. How do you think it ties into Shadow as a character?

I have absolutely no idea - I hoped someone else here might have some ideas

It was the name that caught me, and the fact that Shadow seems to have little personality, and thus could be an idea or concept.

recluse · 07-31-2010, 12:26 AM

I hate to be the one to say it, but I think this definition of Shadow is off base.
Shadow's lack of depth and definition is due to external, not internal forces. His personality is broken. He obeys. He does not react with any real emotion. He accepts without question. Attributes of a long term victim. Like an abused child. He expects and accepts pain, in any and all it's forms. He is strong in his own way. He must be to have survived. But there is no strength of self in him. If that makes any sense to anyone.

Mercenario_z · 06-23-2011, 05:10 PM

I am selling a signed copy of the 10th Anniversary edition of American Gods author's preferred text

http://cgi.ebay.com/SIGNED-American-...item2c5d884692

06-23-2011, 05:10 PM	#86
Mercenario_z Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: Kindl	Not that much e-book but I am selling a signed copy of the 10th Anniversary edition of American Gods author's preferred text http://cgi.ebay.com/SIGNED-American-...item2c5d884692

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07-28-2010, 08:42 PM	#76
Trebro Connoisseur Posts: 84 Karma: 14 Join Date: May 2010 Device: nook	Perhaps Shadow just feels a strong personal code to do the right thing, when so many people around him lied? His word needed to be better than Wednesday's or Loki's. No need to believe in gods or fate to do that.

07-29-2010, 05:46 AM	#77
Ea Wizard Posts: 3,490 Karma: 5239563 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Denmark Device: Kindle 3\|iPad air\|iPhone 4S	I didn't mean fate as in pre-destined, but as in he doesn't fight what is happening to him, he 'goes with the flow' so to speak.

07-29-2010, 03:22 PM	#78
recluse Banned Posts: 3,724 Karma: 535488 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: the Mortuary Device: Kindle 2	Shadow is a chariot driven by the gods. A pawn that random chance put into play. Not predestined to be a pawn of the gods. He simply filled their requirements when their paths crossed.

07-29-2010, 08:21 PM	#79
Apollo Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: iPad	Some of the complaints I've heard about this book is that it seems to poorly written, at least in the initial chapters.

07-30-2010, 10:09 AM	#82
Ea Wizard Posts: 3,490 Karma: 5239563 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Denmark Device: Kindle 3\|iPad air\|iPhone 4S	I just had an idea... Are any of you familiar with the Jungian concept of the "shadow"? From Wikipedia: "In Jungian psychology, the shadow or "shadow aspect" is a part of the unconscious mind consisting of repressed weaknesses, shortcomings, and instincts. It is one of the three most recognizable archetypes, the others being the anima and animus and the persona. "Everyone carries a shadow," Jung wrote, "and the less it is embodied in the individual's conscious life, the blacker and denser it is." It may be (in part) one's link to more primitive animal instincts, which are superseded during early childhood by the conscious mind."

07-31-2010, 12:26 AM	#85
recluse Banned Posts: 3,724 Karma: 535488 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: the Mortuary Device: Kindle 2	I hate to be the one to say it, but I think this definition of Shadow is off base. Shadow's lack of depth and definition is due to external, not internal forces. His personality is broken. He obeys. He does not react with any real emotion. He accepts without question. Attributes of a long term victim. Like an abused child. He expects and accepts pain, in any and all it's forms. He is strong in his own way. He must be to have survived. But there is no strength of self in him. If that makes any sense to anyone.

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