Finished the book guys!! The story ended happily ever after, of course. For the Americans anyway. The natives and their culture seemed to spiral after the Americans left a stamp in the valley. As the author put it, the West left on Shangri-La what they were most famous for; inflation and disease. This reminded me of the White Mans Burden, and found it interesting that the aphorism portrays whites as the victims, but its really the minorities who get the burden (laid/layed)? upon them. I was intrigued that their (natives) discovery prompted Christian missionaries to establish a community there. That shows me that if you don't find Christianity, (like the natives who hadn't found it, in fact they didn't even know or care for its existence), Christianity will find you.
ANYWHO, hoped you guys enjoyed the book as much as I did. Thanks for letting me join!
What are your feelings for the natives? WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THAT PENIS GOURD ON PAGE 302!?!?
I know you liked the penis gourd! I agree with your point about the christianity. It disturbed me to think how the Baliem valley was so secluded and peacful by itself and then of course the white man needs to come and mess everything up. Walter even thought about it before when they were trading shells for supplies every day until it got to the point where he felt that he was almost creating an economy that he thought would damage the natives. Despite this, good for the survivors (they are champs), goodjob to the glider and snatcher plane pilots, and i hope the natives do alright in the long run even though we all know they are going to be taught the oh so glorious ways of good...yay. I want to know what it feels like being pulled up in one of those gliders!
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