Lecture Notes: The Long Stumble

Main Themes

• Survival and Escaping Capture

  • The group leaves a clearing to run into the woods.
  • They hear whistles signaling pursuit, indicating danger.
  • Chi boy and Meg take turns carrying Minerva, who is distraught.
  • False trails are created to mislead followers.

• Grief and Loss

  • The group mourns the loss of Riri, who died clinging to her captor.
  • The protagonist struggles with the emotional burden of having killed Travis.

• The Reality of the Situation

  • The group camps hastily, reflecting a life on the run.
  • Minerva becomes unresponsive, illustrating the toll of their situation.

Key Characters

• French (Protagonist)

  • Experiencing numbness and questioning his will to continue.
  • Contemplates using his last bullet to end his life.

• Meg

  • Shares his past experiences and motivations.
  • Expresses the burden of loss, specifically Isaac.
  • Emphasizes the importance of intent in their journey.

Meg's Backstory

• Escape from the School

  • Describes escaping barefoot and in uniform.
  • Joins a Cree family on the run and later finds a community.

• Journey to the Capitol

  • Attempts to barter for a gun to help a council reach the Capitol.
  • Expresses skepticism about the council's belief in dialogue.

• Return to the School

  • Plans to rescue Isaac but finds the school empty.
  • Learns about the harvesting of people for some sinister purpose.

Key Events

• Confrontation with a Driver

  • Meg hijacks a truck to learn about the school's operations.
  • Discovers crates with test tubes labeled with identities and origins.

• Moral Dilemma and Actions

  • Meg injures the driver but spares his life.
  • Feels haunted by his actions but justifies them as necessary.

• Disposal of Dream Stuff

  • Meg attempts to honor the victims by returning their remains to nature.
  • Emphasizes the importance of intent, symbolized by his actions.

Conclusion

• Reflection on Intent and Actions
  • Meg advises French to focus on maintaining a good intent despite dark paths.
  • The conversation underscores the moral complexities faced by the group.