"The Conjurer Made Off with the Dish" Response DUE THURSDAY 8:15 AM

[kda...@calvarydayschool.com]

Please respond to this post in 100-200 words (remember to use specifics from the text to back up what you claim!).  

Respond to at least one other student post as well, asking questions, commenting, or arguing (politely). 

These responses are due no later than 8:15 a.m. on Thursday, September 13.

 

What do you think the young narrator of this story learned at the end of his quest?  In other words, what is the "real reason" for this quest and why do you think so?

[anease]

The reason for the young narrators quest was not only the task of returning with the beans in the bowl but to experience something outside of the secluded world in which he had been living. When he took his journey several times to get the beans, he experienced different things he hadn't encountered before, such as seeing moving pictures, the peep show, and later on; a murder. When the narrator didn't have the bowl with beans and money to return home with, he realized he was going to get in trouble anyway so why not have fun with the time he had before returning. Although because of his hunger for excitement and adventure, it left him in a bad situation where he was a witness of such a terrible event. It is unknown what happens to the young narrator.

[areid]

The stated reason for his quest was just to complete the simple task of bringing home a bowl of beans. The lesson he learned at the end of the story (real reason for quest) was that he is has been confined to his home town and that the real world outside of his normal life is exciting yet chaotic. He starts to realize this when he meets the girl by the peep show. He begins to feel new things that he has never experienced before. He sees the chaos in the outside world when he hits the man in the head and when the man hits the woman in the face. He learns what the world is really like and how dynamic the world truly is.

[areid]

I agree with the thought of him experiencing something outside of the secluded world. He learned many different things about the outside world when he met the girl on the street, hit the man in the face, and saw the man strike the woman in the face. I think the end of the story shows how the boy has and is still in a state of confusion an frustration that he has been in since the beginning of the story.

[dmagwood]

The stated reason for this quest was to go get the beans. The real reason for this quest was for him to venture out of his comfort zone into the real world. In doing so, he realized that the world was full of fun and pleasing things like the magic show and girls. Then, he also realized that somethings such as the murder weren't so appealing. When he gets lost he realizes he has to make a decision to stay and wait for someone or wander till he finds a recognizable landmark. What did he do? I don't know, but I do think that his day led up to him learning more ways of how the world works.

[dmagwood]

I agree that he was also destined to learn of things from the outside world. He did learn that the world is very dynamic. I also agree with you when you say he is still fustrated just because he doesn't know what he is going to do whenever he finds his way back home, if he ever does.

[awardlaw]

The young narrator's quest was to merely buy some beans for his breakfast in the morning.  That obviously wasn't the "real reason".  The narrator is actually blameless because a person of his age does not think of the details just what it best for them.  The narrator could help but to stop and look at the magic show and peep show on his way to the bean seller.  It took the narrator many times to get everything he needed correct so, the man would give him his beans.  At the end of the story the narrator learns that the world is full of deception, bribery, and violence.  The real reason for his quest could be that his mother wants him to learn the hard way of seeing that there are other things in the world besides the area he knows.  Even though he was left in hunger his adrenaline took over and he was surprised by the things in the world.  

On Monday, September 10, 2012 10:51:20 AM UTC-4, kda...@calvarydayschool.com wrote:

[awardlaw]

I agree with the reason of the narrator venturing out of his comfort zone and realizing that "the world was full of fun and pleasing things" yes it is but, it is also filled with everything evil and violent.  His day could have led up to learning more ways of how the world works but, it could also have been him learning of ways to get his things back before he finds/makes his way back home.  In the end, we don't know what happened to the young narrator.

[cbrown]

I think what the narrator learned in this quest is that he should keep his mind focused on the task at hand. He experienced temptation which he could not overcome. He seemed as though every time he faced adversity of any type he did what any bone-headed kid would do. I think the real reason for this quest is to bring home a bowl of beans. I think also the main reason for this quest is to point out that when you have a task to do keep your priorities straight. Don't let anything stop you from completing your task. That was the message I received from the quest the narrator went on. When someone goes on a quest they will face adversity, challenges, and most of all temptation that usually keep, or at least slow down the completion or progress of the quest.

On Monday, September 10, 2012 10:51:20 AM UTC-4, kda...@calvarydayschool.com wrote:

[hmcmahon]

The boy’s mother sends him to go buy some beans, which seems like an uncomplicated task. But since the boy has never experienced what the world truly is he struggles to complete it. Along the way he encounters many different experiences, some of which are good and others that are bad. He learns the beauty and horror of what the world holds. He cannot resist going to the peep show and there meets a girl and experiences feelings he’s never had before. He witnesses the murder of a woman and the coldness and selfishness of the man that killed her. Along his journey that seemed to be simple he is taken out of his sheltered home and brought into the outside world. His mother is trying to prepare him for the real world. At the end he is left asking himself questions trying to decide what to do. It’s indefinite what the boy does next. 

On Monday, September 10, 2012 10:51:20 AM UTC-4, kda...@calvarydayschool.com wrote:

[bseckinger]

The stated reason for the little boys quest was to simply buy some beans for breakfast, but that is not the "real" reason for his journey. Each time the boy went back to 
the vendor to buy beans he had to step out of his comfort zone and experience something new. The real reason for the little boy's quest is don't always trust your emotions. What I mean by this is every time he went back to get beans there was something there that was pleasing to him. For example, when he sees the merry children all around the conjurer, and joins in on the fun. When he doesn't pay the man, the conjurer takes the little boys dish. 

On Monday, September 10, 2012 10:51:20 AM UTC-4, kda...@calvarydayschool.com wrote:

[cbrown]

I agree that the narrator is a kid that like I said when faced with challenges refers back to what he knows which isn't much. He basically went on this quest I think to gain self knowledge from experiencing adversity, challenges, and temptation. He learns what happens when he reacts to a situation in a certain way, which obviously wasn't good. I also agree with what you said when it comes to the real reason. The real reason was not to bring home son beans with linseed oil. The real reason was to learn how to "keep your head in the quest"!! Don't let anything stray you away from your task. But as I've learned there is never a quest that the narrator goes on where he or she doesn't face challenges, adversity, or temptation!!!!!!

[phealy]

Sounds simple right? The young narrator's mother sends him out to get a piastre's worth of beans. Yes, that may be the truth, however, for this young narrator he meets challenges on his way. Challenges such as does he want the beans with cooking butter or oil and what kind of oil would he like on the beans. These may be simple questions however there is reasoning behind this effortless task his mother sent him out to do. In my opinion, I think this story reflects everyday life. Everyone of us is going to run into challenges and obstacles everyday. Some may surprise us, as with this young narrator meeting the young girl. On another note, this story reflects going out into the world and learning new things. The young narrator saw puppets, met a girl, and encountered a death. These are all things the boy had never been exposed to before. But to sum it all up, the story is revealing life for this young narrator and how life really is on the outside of his mother's watch.

On Monday, September 10, 2012 10:51:20 AM UTC-4, kda...@calvarydayschool.com wrote:

[phealy]

I agree with you that at the end of the story he finds that "the world is full of deception, bribery, and violence." I would aslo add to this that he finds that there are good things in the world too such as love and entertainment. I do feel that you made an excellent point though with the last sentence.

On Wednesday, September 12, 2012 6:29:49 PM UTC-4, awardlaw wrote:

[phealy]

I agree with you that the narrator finds that "the world is full of deception, bribery,and violence." However, I would also add to this that he finds good things in the world too such as love and entertainment. I do like how you ended your paragraph though. I think that makes an excellent point.

On Wednesday, September 12, 2012 6:29:49 PM UTC-4, awardlaw wrote:

[jchilders]

The stated reason for the boy's quest was to simply get a bowl of beans, the real reason is to experience life. He had been living in his own little world, not thinking or knowing how cruel the world can be. He experiences what some of life is about, cruel people, complicated tasks, and love. He thinks that this will be a simple journey, but after venturing out into the world, he realizes how unfair life really is. He experiences joy, by falling in love with a girl, then that is taken away once he experiences fear and death, by witnessing a murder. We don't find out what happens to the boy after finding out that life isn't always simple. 

On Monday, September 10, 2012 10:51:20 AM UTC-4, kda...@calvarydayschool.com wrote:

[jchilders]

I agree, the boy doesn't know what to expect once he ventures out into the real world. He doesn't realize that the world isn't always peep shows and beans, it holds horrors and unfairness. But how do you know his mother was trying to prepare him? She didn't know what he might encounter, she was just too lazy to get the beans. 

[cpetrea]

On Monday, September 10, 2012 10:51:20 AM UTC-4, kda...@calvarydayschool.com wrote:

What do you think the young narrator of this story learned at the end of his quest?  In other words, what is the "real reason" for this quest and why do you think so?  The stated task was to bring home the bowl of beans, however the real reason was to experience something outside of his world.  He lived a secluded life, and the task was to experience new things.   He learned that the real world was exciting, yet crazy and unpredictable.

[cpetrea]

sorry i didnt delete the question Mr. Daiss

[cpetrea]

I agree, the boy decided that he had better have fun since he was going to get in trouble anyway.

On Tuesday, September 11, 2012 10:33:28 PM UTC-4, anease wrote:

[amayes]

The stated reason for the quest was obvious. It was to just go and get some beans. The real reason is to experience things outside of the boy's isolated life. He begins to feel things he has never experienced or seen before in his life. at first "a stupefying joy" overwhelmed him and he was "completely taken out of" himself. Then as the journey went on he began to realize the world outside of his little "box" was chaotic. He realizes this after he meets a girl after the peep show and a murder. He also knows that since he is going to get in trouble for not having the beans he needs to have fun while he can. The real reason is that he needs to experience the outside world.

On Monday, September 10, 2012 10:51:20 AM UTC-4, kda...@calvarydayschool.com wrote:

[cburnsed]

The stated reason for the journey was to bring his mom home some beans in a dish. The real reason could be that his mother wanted him to experience the world on his own. She wanted to him learn the hard way that the world was a bright and magical place all the time like at the conjurer and when he kissed the girl on the stairs, but rather it was a very violent world.  His mother  most likely didn't intend for him to get lost, but she probably did want for it to be a very eye opening experience for him, most likely when or if he gets back home he will have a much different approach to getting beans for his mom.

On Monday, September 10, 2012 10:51:20 AM UTC-4, kda...@calvarydayschool.com wrote:

[cdraucker]

This is obviously a quest in which our young narrator is sent by his mother to go buy beans.  He is forced to return to his house empty-handed multiple times because his mother did not specify all that she wanted with the beans.  Not only does this story tell of an adventure quest but it was also a chance for him to experience the world;  not just his obscure view of the world, but a larger world filled with wonder.  Things like seeing someone die can really open up a young boy's innocent eyes to the true cruelty of the world.  Towards the end of the story, our narrator finds that the world is a down right terrible place full of deception.

On Monday, September 10, 2012 10:51:20 AM UTC-4, kda...@calvarydayschool.com wrote:

[bseckinger]

I agree that the mother is trying to prepare her son for the real world. Every time the boy goes back with the task unsuccessful, his mother scolds him but tells him how to do it then sends him back into the word, like in real life. Parents shelter their children until they think that their child is ready to go out into the real world, but still help whenever they come back for help.

On Wednesday, September 12, 2012 6:58:26 PM UTC-4, hmcmahon wrote:

[rellenwood]

This boy's quest simply started out when he went to go get some beans for his family. What he learned along the way, though, is the real reason for his quest. He saw and experienced things that he had never known in his isolated, little world he had been confined to his whole life. He experienced the world for what it is. He saw that there are some pleasing things in the world, such as kissing a girl and having "new, strange and obscure" feelings for her. He also experienced the bad side of the world, such as pure fear from being caught for hurting the bean seller, and also witnessing a murder. This boy had to make many decisions along his path. Honestly, it reflects everyday life. We all must make choices for ourselves. It is a part of growing up. In doing so, we experience the world for what it is along the way. That is the real reason for this quest: for this boy to experience the world and have to make decisions for himself; ones that will either benefit him, or hurt him along the way.

[cburnsed]

I liked how you said he was blameless because of his age. I agree that he realized at the end he realized the world was "full of deception, bribery, and violence", and I liked your last sentence.

On Wednesday, September 12, 2012 6:29:49 PM UTC-4, awardlaw wrote:

[cdraucker]

I agree, his mother really plays a key role in making he gets out of his comfort zone experiences the outside world.  I guess she realizes that if he doesn't become familiar with the world, then it will step on him in the long run.  It relates to real life as well.  Our parents want their children to be equipped enough to handle the real world, and that is exactly what the narrators mother is doing

[rellenwood]

I agree on the topic that the boy's mother wanted him to experience the world. I also agree on the fact that she didnt intend for him to get lost, but it to be an eye opener for him. He had been stuck in an isolated bubble his whole life. In order for him to grow up, he must experience the world and make decisions for himself. His parents arent always going to be there for him. That is why she send him out; to experience the good and bad in the world, and to help him develop  the maturity needed to make decisions for himself. Although he did fail a few times, I am sure he will think before he acts next time.

[ataylor]

The story starts out with the young narrator simply going on a quest to get beans. But this simple task is not the “real reason.” Along the course of his quest he forgets numerous items, but it is understandable because a boy of his age would not remember or always pay attention to the details. Throughout the remainder of the narrator’s quest he learns and discovers many different aspects of the world that he might never have known or seen because they were taking him out of the secluded world in which he was living. Towards the end of the story he comprehends that the world consists of violence, mystery, and deception.  

 

[bdavis]

On Monday, September 10, 2012 10:51:20 AM UTC-4, kda...@calvarydayschool.com wrote:

Please respond to this post in 100-200 words (remember to use specifics from the text to back up what you claim!).  

Respond to at least one other student post as well, asking questions, commenting, or arguing (politely). 

These responses are due no later than 8:15 a.m. on Thursday, September 13.

 

The stated reason was obviously to go get some beans as stated in the above responses. The young narrator learned that the world is cruel. You have to look out for yourself, and not just pay attention to your selfish impulses. You could get into some serious trouble (no matter your age), like the narrator. This could happen if you wander out of your "box" and into something you don't know. You could be left with no way back. But the boy also realizes that he was just going to get in trouble with his mom anyway. Why shouldn't he just have some fun? I mean, its fun while it lasts, right? Even if the world is full of deception.

[ataylor]

I agree that the narrator’s mother played a vital part in the events of the story. Her actions of letting him go and get the beans by himself showed a way of her letting him go out into the world alone with no one to directly guide him. I also agree that she wanted him to experience the world on his own, but she might not have wanted it to be such an eye opening experience. When he finally gets home from supposedly getting the beans he would have a different outlook on the word and the people in it. 

[kgrant]

The reason for his quest was to simply go get beans for breakfast for his family and go back home. But because he never made it back home, we know that that wasn't the REAL reason for his quest. The boy was fascinated with the things he saw on his journey and it never failed, he always got sidetracked. He even admitted, "I was completely taken out of myself." His ignorance and impulsive acts led him astray from his task, causing him to experience feelings he had never felt before, see an event he wasn't supposed to see, and it caused him to get lost in the streets. The real reason for his quest was to go out and experience the "real world" for himself all at once. His quest demonstrated where too much curiosity can lead you and the consequences of it. And hopefully the poor boy learned responsibility at the end. 

[bdavis]

I agree with you. I like your idea of experiencing things outside of boy's isolated life. His life is obviously isolated because he doesn't even know what he eats for breakfast. Whether he's isolated or immature, I'm not sure. But you still made a valid point. I also agree with your point of the boy realizing his "new world" is too chaotic. Also the point that he needs to experience the outside world more. Good answer. 

On Wednesday, September 12, 2012 8:23:15 PM UTC-4, amayes wrote:

The stated reason for the quest was obvious. It was to just go and get some beans. The real reason is to experience things outside of the boy's isolated life. He begins to feel things he has never experienced or seen before in his life. at first "a stupefying joy" overwhelmed him and he was "completely taken out of" himself. Then as the journey went on he began to realize the world outside of his little "box" was chaotic. He realizes this after he meets a girl after the peep show and a murder. He also knows that since he is going to get in trouble for not having the beans he needs to have fun while he can. The real reason is that he needs to experience the outside world.

[kgrant]

I agree with you 100%. The boy did in fact act as though he had been secluded from the real world. That explains why he was so easily distracted by everything else around him. He saw the world in a whole new perspective like you said, such as violence, mystery, and deception. 

[hmcmahon]

I agree that the real reason was to go out and experience life. I like how you described him falling in love but once he experienced fear and death it was taken away. You didn't mention much about his mother, so what significance do you think she has in the story? 

[gkreivyte]

In the story, the stated reason for the journey was an errand that the young boys' mother gave to him, which was an easy task of bring some beans back home. Along the way, the young boy experiences many troubles, the main of being losing the dish, that do not allow the boy to complete his stated reason. The real reason for the boys' journey was to experience the real world outside his home, a place that guarded the boy from the real world. Throughout his journey, the boy felt many emotions that he had never felt before such as anger, when his mother was calling him useless, to love, when he met the girl at the peep-show. His journey showed him that the world is not how you see it and that it can change any second, just like it did at the end of the story. 

[gkreivyte]

I agree with you, when you said that the boy was fascinated with the things he saw. I do not believe that he was ignorant of his task, but that something always got in the way of him completing the task. I also agree with you on the event that he was not supposed to see, but what else should have the boy done besides running away? I mean, I do not think that it was on his mind to run the right direction but just to run away from the murderer or else something bad might have happened to him also. Overall, I do see where you get your point from.

On Wednesday, September 12, 2012 9:00:55 PM UTC-4, kgrant wrote:

The reason for his quest was to simply go get beans for breakfast for his family and go back home. But because he never made it back home, we know that that wasn't the REAL reason for his quest. The boy was fascinated with the things he saw on his journey and it never failed, he always got sidetracked. He even admitted, "I was completely taken out of myself." His ignorance and impulsive acts led him astray from his task, causing him to experience feelings he had never felt before, see an event he wasn't supposed to see, and it caused him to get lost in the streets. The real reason for his quest was to go out and experience the "real world" for himself all at once. His quest demonstrated where too much curiosity can lead you and the consequences of it. And hopefully the poor boy learned responsibility at the end. 

[ewoodward]

The story opens with a young boy sent out into the real world for the first time to buy beans. This seems simple enough, but because of the secluded and isolated upbringing that the boy had, even the simplest of obstacles seemed monstrous in his eyes. Time after time, the boy failed to complete his task. This failure left him very unnerved and frustrated with himself for being what his mother and the bean seller considered a "good-for-nothing". He became so frustrated in fact, that he threw his dish at the bean seller in a way he thought had killed him, but all he did was run. This act shows that the innocence once exhibited by the young narrator, was now tarnished by his new-found hunger for worldly experiences. More often than not, the "real reason" for a quest is internal knowledge, but in this story I believe it to be just the opposite... external, worldly knowledge. Just like Adam and Eve when they ate the forbidden fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, his eyes were opened to not only the goodness and purity of the secluded "eden" of his childhood and the feelings and emotions of true love and a first kiss, but the raw, harshness of the outside world as well. The boy saw first hand that "life is like a box of chocolates", and I bet you more than anything he wishes he had stayed at home. 

[bstokes]

The stated reason for his quest is to retrieve the beans in the bowl for his breakfast. The real reason is to experience the world, like the sweetness of the kiss and the dangers of getting lost or being chased by strangers. At the end of the quest he learns that that the world can be a wondrous and quite dangerous place, and that his mother threatens him because she cares about him and does not want anything bad to happen to him. At the same time she smothers him and keeps him from seeing the world and the great things in it like the peep shows and the magicians.

[ewoodward]

I completely agree with you and your opinion that the real reason for the quest was the realization that the world is inconsistent and unpredictable. In full, it's pretty much a load of crap. I do however think that he had probably felt anger and love before in his life. In my personal opinion, you would have to be pretty much soulless (Mr. Daiss, I'm sure you know all about this one) to never feel love or hate before, even as a young boy. The defining moment that I believe expresses the unpredictability of the new world the young boy finds himself in, is the loss of innocence displayed by the boy's own acts of throwing a plate at the bean seller in attempt to injure, and even kill, him. This loss of innocence is what i believe to be the real reason of the quest. After all, who says all reasons must be positive? 

[ewoodward]

Or perhaps, the real reason is the freedom of choice. In this case, the young boy pretty much gets an "F".

On Wednesday, September 12, 2012 9:20:23 PM UTC-4, gkreivyte wrote:

[ashattuck]

The stated reason of his quest was obviously to get the beans for his mother, but it seemed to continually change throughout the story. First he needed the beans, then he needed the money the he needed the dish and so on. The boy seems sheltered and rather clueless. His choices in the "real" world seemed childish and ignorant, and usually had consequences. Also, when he meets the girl the feelings he gets are unfamiliar to him. The events between the man and the woman also shocked the little boy. In the final paragraph, the reader finally starts to get the real reason for the quest. The boy needs to figure out things for himself. He needs to make mistakes and learn from those mistakes. He has to be able to make his own decisions without any help, and somehow find his own way.

[bstokes]

   I agree with you that the reason for his quest is to experience the world, and that his mom was guarding him from the world.

[anease]

I agree, the journey was more than just the errand he was sent on. It was also about the process of learning and experiencing things in life and maturing throughout these experiences. The narrator decided to have some fun, in doing so, he saw things he never had before and learned life lessons.

[ashattuck]

Yes I agree with most of your statement..thing. The boy does seem really sheltered to me too. But I'm going to have to agree with Jess and say that I do not really think the mother intended for the boy to be changed in any way, she just wanted her vittles. I think the mother was half the reason for the boy's ignorance. It seems like she doesn't trust him with much and sending him out for the beans was a big thing. Now that I've torn apart your review and destroyed your dreams, I'm going to add a smiley face so I can sleep tonight :)

On Wednesday, September 12, 2012 6:58:26 PM UTC-4, hmcmahon wrote:

The boy’s mother sends him to go buy some beans, which seems like an uncomplicated task. But since the boy has never experienced what the world truly is he struggles to complete it. Along the way he encounters many different experiences, some of which are good and others that are bad. He learns the beauty and horror of what the world holds. He cannot resist going to the peep show and there meets a girl and experiences feelings he’s never had before. He witnesses the murder of a woman and the coldness and selfishness of the man that killed her. Along his journey that seemed to be simple he is taken out of his sheltered home and brought into the outside world. His mother is trying to prepare him for the real world. At the end he is left asking himself questions trying to decide what to do. It’s indefinite what the boy does next. 

[grogers]

You are definitely right about the boy getting out of his comfort zone.  The symbolism at the part where he reaches the crossroads is very clear. He was at both a literal crossroad and a crossroad in life. I also agree with making the choices ourselves, but the boy can only chose certain things. He didn't chose to have the bowls stolen. The only thing I think he did chose was to run. I guess that is a symbol too...we can run, but we can't hide. 

[emaier]

In the short story, “The Conjurer Made Odd with the Dish”, a little boy was given some money to go get some beans to eat for his breakfast, which was the stated reason for him to go on this quest. During the quest of finding the beans, he runs into many dilemmas and temptations that catch him off guard. The story shows us that he is a bit forgetful and irresponsible. He becomes sidetracked by temptations such as the peep show and the little girl he had just met. In real life, we might have a goal to reach but often times we get delayed by obstacles in our way. What this boy has discovered is that often times, we all mess up and nobody is perfect. He also sees all the different perspectives of the social word and finds out that they can be both good and bad.  I believe that the real reason for the young boy’s quest was to realize that in the real world, things aren’t always as they seem and not everything goes the way you plan it.

[mpaletta]

     In the beginning, I felt that the narrator went off in search for beans, just as his mother requested, However, he quickly became confused when he lost his money. From there, his attention to his stated quest grew fainter. As he became more and more overwhelmed serving as an incompetent middleman between the bean seller and his mother, he lost track completely of what he should be doing. He was enthralled by a conjurer on the street and completely forgot his stated purpose. I believe he represented one of the threshold guardians. Repeatedly, he lost track of his quest. The picture show made him dream of "heroism and valor". The "monster" bean seller was defeated when he threw the dish at his head. Later, a young girl, representing the temptress, also draws his attentions away. I do believe he ends before he even reaches the return phase of the hero's journey, howevever. Throughout the story, I saw no signs of the real reason for his quest. I saw no true return or peaceful life. Instead, I saw our hero lost and alone, in search of the heroism he so desired but still far from finding it.

[zduke]

The stated reason of the little boys quest was to go get a bowl of beans. The real reason is to explore something new, other than his same old boring lifestyle. I feel that he got to explore something new when he decided to spend his piastre on the puppet show. I feel that way because it seems to me that he is now living life on more of a "wild" side by not listening to what his mother had said. I also feel that the narrator explored something new when he sat with the girl, and when he climbed to the top of the stairs and witnessed a murder. They are all something new that the narrator encounters, but I feel that after his encounter with the murder he will not want to explore anything new again. The story ends with him not knowing what to do, or how to get home. It is not known what happens to the narrator. I feel that the narrator learned that even if you're living a normal life, it's not a bad thing because you could be stuck in a bad situation after encountering something new..........like witnessing a murder.

[melton]

The stated reason in this story was for the boy to fetch his mother some beans from a bean seller in their town. The boy returns to his mother empty handed several times. I think the real reason for the quest was for the boy to experience the real world on his own and live outside of the comfort of his home. The first time he returned empty handed, he simply lost the piastre he was going to pay with. Later in the story though, the boy is faced with decisions that, before this time, had probably been made for him. For example, he sees a show that he wanted to see, and used the piastre to pay to see it. Also, at the end of the story, the boy witnesses a murder. This was another real world event that he probably would not have seen if he was with his mother.  

[mpaletta]

I agree completely with your response. The boy's sheltered life will be his downfall, as many parents find out when overprotected children are let loose and fail to live a normal and responsible adult life. He is out of control and unable to make responsible decisions. He wants to make adult choices that he is not yet prepared to make. So many boys desire to be heroes when they are unprepared, and it is true that we must learn some lessons the hard way. However, he went too far. He ventured so far into the unknown, he experienced things he was far from ready for. He saw a murder, which nobody should ever have to see. Then, he become lost, devoid of the innocence he earlier had. Innocence, once lost, is impossible to regain.

On Wednesday, September 12, 2012 9:28:52 PM UTC-4, ewoodward wrote:

The story opens with a young boy sent out into the real world for the first time to buy beans. This seems simple enough, but because of the secluded and isolated upbringing that the boy had, even the simplest of obstacles seemed monstrous in his eyes. Time after time, the boy failed to complete his task. This failure left him very unnerved and frustrated with himself for being what his mother and the bean seller considered a "good-for-nothing". He became so frustrated in fact, that he threw his dish at the bean seller in a way he thought had killed him, but all he did was run. This act shows that the innocence once exhibited by the young narrator, was now tarnished by his new-found hunger for worldly experiences. More often than not, the "real reason" for a quest is internal knowledge, but in this story I believe it to be just the opposite... external, worldly knowledge. Just like Adam and Eve when they ate the forbidden fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, his eyes were opened to not only the goodness and purity of the secluded "eden" of his childhood and the feelings and emotions of true love and a first kiss, but the raw, harshness of the outside world as well. The boy saw first hand that "life is like a box of chocolates", and I bet you more than anything he wishes he had stayed at home. 

[melton]

I agree with the point that you made about the narrator experiencing the world for what it actually is. He never knew anything except what he experienced in his own, sheltered life in the comfort of his home. I also agree that the story does, in a way, reflect every day life because we do make important decisions everyday and experience things that we may not want to in this crazy, modern day world that we live in.

[grogers]

We can all see that the stated reason is to get, well.......FOOD!!! The boy is constantly trying to get the beans, but keeps getting blocked by multiple threshold guardians. The Conjurer, Bean Dude, has tricked the boy quite a few times before the boy finally stands firm. The action of standing up to the Bean Dude forced him to have to run. If he had not done so though, just continued trying, the quest could not progress. Comparatively to zaabalawi, the plot keeps going over and over, but in this story the boy works to end it. The real reason ends up being an act of discovery of the world and of himself...even though i did like the food one. He ends up in a place he doesn't know or understand,which is what I consider....THE BELLY OF THE WHALE!!!!! DUH DUH DUHHHHHHHHHH

[melton]

I agree with the point that you made about the narrator experiencing the world for what it actually is. He never knew anything except what he experienced in his own, sheltered life in the comfort of his home. I also agree that the story does, in a way, reflect everyday life because we do make important decisions everyday and experience things that we may not want to in this crazy, modern day world that we live in.

[emaier]

I totally agree with the fact that he had experienced what the real world is like; full of unexpected twists and turns that leads him in a different direction than he had planned. He experiences both the good and bad sides of the world during his quest. I couldn't agree with you more on how you said that it reflects everyday life and that he needs to make sudden decisions about his path. Although he ran into many obstacles, he did stay strong though the battles and used his knowledge to figure out a way to overcome them.

[zduke]

I totally agree with you. I feel that the main threshold guardian is the Bean Man because he tells the boy that he's crazy and the fact that he stole his bowl. At first I thought that the Belly of the Whale was when he lost the second dish and he had no more money. Now after reading through the rest of the story it makes sense that seeing how he's broke, lost, and running from a murderer that this is obviously the Belly of the Whale. 

[jmock]

The real reason for this quest was so the narrator could see the outside world and get to know what is outside his comfort zone. Every time the boy went back home and then back to buy the beans, something that he had never experienced before happened. He saw and did things that he had never experienced such as kissing the girl and murdering the bean man. The boy eventually realized that he was in trouble anyways and there were plenty of things he had not done or seen yet, so he decided to go and try to find new things to experience. 

[jmock]

To me, it seemed like the mother had no intentions of him "experiencing the world", but she sent him out to get the beans just because she was aggravated with him and wanted him out the house. Maybe she was just aggravated at him because he hadn't experienced the world or grown up yet and she thought that sending him to get the beans would help him with this. Either way, the boy did get out of his house and get to see what the outside world has in store for him. 

[alambeth]

the stated reason for the young narrator's quest was to return the beans to the bowl. the real reason of the quest was to see what the world outside of the one that he was currently living in. Each trip he made to return the beans was different. He never saw or did the same things, like a murder. Without the money to return home it didn't really matter that he had no beans, so he said what the heck, lets have some fun. Its is unknown what happens to narrator after his want and need for adventure in his life leads him to witness a murder. 
 

[alambeth]

Those are some very good examples of the new things that the young narrator experiences, but what if he has seen some of these things before but just never experienced them as close up as he did in the story? that would change the whole situation, then he does theses things out of courousity not out of a need to see the outside world. his mom has sent him out many time before, so how do we know that he has never seen anything like them before?

On Wednesday, September 12, 2012 5:10:09 PM UTC-4, areid wrote:

The stated reason for his quest was just to complete the simple task of bringing home a bowl of beans. The lesson he learned at the end of the story (real reason for quest) was that he is has been confined to his home town and that the real world outside of his normal life is exciting yet chaotic. He starts to realize this when he meets the girl by the peep show. He begins to feel new things that he has never experienced before. He sees the chaos in the outside world when he hits the man in the head and when the man hits the woman in the face. He learns what the world is really like and how dynamic the world truly is.

[mstrickland]

The "real reason" for this quest is obvious. The boy needs to get beans from the bean seller. What this quest is really about, what the boy is supposed to learn, is a bit more abstract however. Maybe this quest was to teach the boy the way life really works. Maybe he was supposed to learn that people can be mean, and that often times they just want something from you. Every person in this story is a mean, "scary" adult, except for the narrator and the little girl. The girl is the only one who didn't want something from the boy, but she left him without much thought.

[mstrickland]

I agree with you that the boy experienced many things he previously could not comprehend. And it makes sense that a boy that age would be forgetful.

[tkilgore]

The narrator had a very simple task and that was to bring back the bowl filled with beans. The real reason for the quest was that the narrator has not changed or grown in his boring hometown life and has not experienced anything exciting. He had the stated reason for the quest so he could have the real reason. That he could grow and learn and have a life and not be confined to small town. 

[mtarsitano]

I think he learned that he really did not need to buy the things for the girl. He probably figured out that the girl would never like him the way he did to her even if he bought the pretty thing for her. The real reason i think was to figure this out and to realize buying things for people will not make them like you, or at least the way that you want them to like you for. It is quite a simple reason really. 

I think it is like this because of his thoughts at the end and i do feel sorry for him but he can get over it.

[tkilgore]

Austin I agree with you that the narrator had been stuck in his home life and has not changed or grown. The real reason for his quest was so that he could grow and learn.

On Wednesday, September 12, 2012 5:10:09 PM UTC-4, areid wrote:

The stated reason for his quest was just to complete the simple task of bringing home a bowl of beans. The lesson he learned at the end of the story (real reason for quest) was that he is has been confined to his home town and that the real world outside of his normal life is exciting yet chaotic. He starts to realize this when he meets the girl by the peep show. He begins to feel new things that he has never experienced before. He sees the chaos in the outside world when he hits the man in the head and when the man hits the woman in the face. He learns what the world is really like and how dynamic the world truly is.

[mtarsitano]

Ok ignore that last one. The reason for this was because he needed to experience things outside the worlds he is used to. He saw things that helped him grow up but not in the way it was suppose to. Because of his adrenaline for all the things that he was able to witness though he would end up getting in trouble and would experience watching the act of murder, which no child would witness. He has always been in this safe zone but with the things like the moving picture or peep show or even the kiss from the pretty girl. He needed to experience new things outside of his world but some of them weren't so good.

[mtarsitano]

I agree with this too. IT was to experience the new things of the world so i would agree with you. Finding new experiences is a good thing but it was sad that he had to see murder even after he got in trouble.

[dsharpe]

I believe the narrator found out that he should find out all the information he needs before trying to complete a task. You shouldnt go to the store without knowing what you need to buy. Although it is understandable that the types of beans to get could be kind of confusing but, he should have known what type of beans to get if he eats them every day. The said reason for his quest was to go to the store to get beans for his mother, but I believe the real reason was to learn how to navigate in the world on his own. 

[dsharpe]

I agree with brenton that there was always something to distract the boy from his main quest.

On Wednesday, September 12, 2012 6:59:13 PM UTC-4, bseckinger wrote:

The stated reason for the little boys quest was to simply buy some beans for breakfast, but that is not the "real" reason for his journey. Each time the boy went back to 
the vendor to buy beans he had to step out of his comfort zone and experience something new. The real reason for the little boy's quest is don't always trust your emotions. What I mean by this is every time he went back to get beans there was something there that was pleasing to him. For example, when he sees the merry children all around the conjurer, and joins in on the fun. When he doesn't pay the man, the conjurer takes the little boys dish.