**I have only read the first three chapters, so I may not address aspects of Trond’s character that are revealed later on in the plot***
The most significant character so far in the book is Trond Sander, an aging Norwegian man reflecting upon his past. He seems a bit run down and weary, as if he has led a difficult life and is ready for a break. Trond narrates his story in a peaceful manner, but it is in no way boring or dull. Though he is 67 years of age Trond feels “pretty spry” (Petterson p2), and describes his surroundings in detail, allowing the reader to form a fairly accurate mental image of his life. Time is something that I often find myself thinking about and I really enjoyed Trond’s opinion of the subject. He describes time as, “Not that it should pass quickly or slowly, but be only time, be something I live inside and fill with physical things and activities that I can divide it up by so that grows distinct to me and does not vanish when I am not looking” (8). Also like me, Trond loves to make detailed plans for the future; but unlike me, he actually seems to follow through on what he has planned out to do in his time. When Trond begins to tell his story, we can grasp that he was a fairly easygoing person at fifteen, as he generally went along with whatever crazy (and sometimes dangerous) plan his friend Jon had made. Trond also seems to be an empathetic person as he sacrifices precious sleep to help a neighbor find their dog and easily strikes up a conversation to pass the time. So far in Out Stealing Horses, Trond Sander seems like an amiable and intelligent person with a lot to share, and I am excited to learn more about his intriguing past.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Character
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I like the fact that you picked up on the fact that Trond seems very run-down. Before, I looked at him as calm rather than weary, but I can totally see where you would get that observation from.
ReplyDeleteStacey
I think that's it interesting that you see Trond as an amiable person becuase all his life he has yearned to be alone but the evidence that you have to support it is interesting and I like that idea.
ReplyDeleteI really like that you picked up on Trond's opinion of time. The quote about still being spry at the age of 67 has stuck with me since I first read it. To me Trond seems like a younger character because we have not learned much about his adult life. We know what he enjoys now and about his childhood. All we know about his younger adulthood is that he lived in many different situations and he longed for the day where he could live a life alone.
ReplyDeleteDaria,
ReplyDeletegreat observations. I totally agree with your statement about how Trond narrates his story in a peaceful manner, but is no way boring or dull. I like how he doesn't use a lot of emotion in his narrating it gives a different spin on the book. I also like how you noticed he likes to plan for the future. As a side note I too usually do not fulfill my plans for the future and end up procrastinating.
I agree with you that Trond is empathetic, amiable, and intellegent and I love the evidence you used to support yourself. Although, I feel like Trond doesn't have as good of people skills as you make him out to have. When he was helping Lars find his dog, Trond describes not knowing what to do or say to Lars.
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