My though question has already been used throughout several of other peoples blogs, but I wanted to know your guys' opinions on the matter. The question is how do us as humans react when we are faced with a life or death choice? During the short story when Peyton Fahrquhar is about to face death, he suddenly gains super strength and a will to live after thinking about his family.
Even though this was all in his head, lets say theoretically, he did actually gain the will to escape. Do you think it is possible that we as humans are able to gain, "supernatural powers" such as increased strength and heightened senses in our times of peril?
ρ.ṡ ṡøɾɾÿ ï'ṃ lατε ώïτh αll τhεṡε ρøṡτṡ...
ï'ṿε вεεṉ ɾεαllÿ вυṡÿ ώïτh ώøɾќ τhε lαṡτ ƒεώ ḋαÿṡ...
I don't think its possible to gain supernatural powers, even in a life or death situation. However, it makes sense in the book, because its all in his head.
ReplyDeleteNo, it's not possible to gain super power abilities in life or death situations, but it is possible to have an increase in your abilities. For instance, when your running away from an angry bear you'll probably be able to run much faster then you could when are just racing with your sibling. This is because your body produces adrenaline when you are in danger (A hormone that speeds up your heart rate, metabolism, breathing, and prepares your muscles for heavy exertion)
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ReplyDeleteI do think it's possible to gain supernatural-seeming powers when in a life or death situation. (see this for an example)Adrenaline can do amazing things, because it lets us access energy reserves and dulls pain. We've probably experienced examples of this ourselves. Think of how much faster you can run when there's a bee behind you! (I know, lame example) That being said, it does have its limits, and dodging that many bullets seems highly improbable.
ReplyDeleteHAHAHAHAH! The link worked this time! I know that's not a great accomplishment, but it still makes me ridiculously happy. :)
DeleteDid we type the same thing at the same time? Huh...Great minds think alike
DeleteThat's what I meant... sorry throwing the word supernatural in their made it confusing... xD
ReplyDeleteOkay, the word supernatural made me think of flying, superstrength, and mind reading. I definitely think that adrenaline can make your body behave differently. When I'm onstage, I get adrenaline rush and I get energized differently than I do during rehearsal.
ReplyDeleteOkay I still need a second comment sooo...
ReplyDeleteDid you notice how Bierce made it seem like Peyton could really feel pain, even though it wasnt reality? I found this very confusing. Any thoughts to why he did this? I had no idea...
Well, if he had felt no pain, we would have known right away that something funny was going on. If that "great escape" happened in real life, Peyton would definitely feel pain, so leading us to believe that he was made it much more believable. I have to wonder, though, is it possible to imagine pain? I have a pretty vivid imagination, and I can (to a certain point) make myself physically feel heat and cold, but I can't do that with pain. Can any of you? (Weird question, I know!)
DeleteThat's a good point, it added to the whole realism of the "great escape."
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