John Bonhomme Jr.

Today’s class was a recap of the entire book up until this point. The main focus was on the labyrinth and the characteristics it contains. The main features of the labyrinth were darkness, non quantifiable space, and constant shape shifting. All these features cause fear into the mind of a person through different senses. Darkness causes the eyes to lose their normal function, causing nerves to trigger a sense of fear. People fear what they can’t see, in this case the labyrinth. Non quantifiable space also tends to trigger a sense of fear. Humans have a sense of comfort when they can identify the outer limits of the area which they inhabit. The labyrinth provides no sense of boundaries throwing a person off guard as well as causing fear. People feel comfort when they can see the boundaries of their surroundings, but the labyrinth provides none. The constant shape shifting in the labyrinth also triggers fear. People feel safe with stability, which the labyrinth does not provide. These three characteristics of the labyrinth cause fear in the minds of those who enter it, shown by the sudden change of personalities by those who enter.
Another topic which was discussed in today’s class was Johnny Truant’s Monster. Johnny has been having a tough time keeping his head straight in dark places. He has a constant fear which keeps creeping up on him every time he is in a sketchy situation. He describes this fear as a monster. Johnny says the creature has long black claws, sharp long fangs, and hot breath which tends to breath down the back of his neck. But Truant never gets a chance to see the monster. It always sneaks up behind him. One time he attempted to turn around to try and catch a glimpse but it disappeared. This monster seems to be more of a mental illusion rather than an actual nonfictional creature. Every time Johnny sees the monster there is no scientific evidence of this being true. No one else has yet to see it, (and the monster has left no track behind) making this monster probably fake. The only other reference to a monster such as the one Johnny is describing, is the one that growls in the house. Only time can tell if these monsters are the same, or if they’re even real to begin with.
The last topic covered in class was the question as to whether we are reading a novel or not. Certain characteristics of the book answer yes and no. The main evidence to this piece of literature being a novel is; the frame narrative, non-linear narrative, critical energies, citation, typography, appendix, and the glossary. All of these features in the book will make a strong argument in favor for this literature truly being a novel.