A Different View of the Bomb
Frank’s position in Alas, Babylon is one of affirmation to the human condition; to that end, growth is central major theme in this story. Growth in affirmative literature means a change for the better in a character or characters. A prime of example of this theme can be found in Randy Bragg, the story’s main character. Near the beginning of the story (p. 4-5), before the outbreak of the war, Randy is described as an aimless (though not unintelligent) young bachelor.
The aimlessness and lack of focus illustrated by the previous quote stand in stark contrast with Randy’s attitude later on, as his world becomes increasingly chaotic. Randy begins to take positions of leadership, guiding his friends and family through the new hardships brought on by nuclear war, as is stated on page 168:
Other characters undergo growth in this story as well. For instance, on page 169, Bill McGovern (another Fort Report citizen) initially reacts to his wife’s death by simply wanting to die:
“Bill McGovern sat in the living room, starting out on the river. He had not bothered to dress or shave. Over his pajamas and robe he had pulled a topcoat. … Bill spoke without turning his head. ‘Hello, Randy. I’m not much of a success, am I, in time of crisis? I can’t feed my daughter, or myself, or even bury my wife. I wish I had enough guts to swim out into the channel and sink.'”
The Essay on Motorcycle Diaries Character Growth
“The enormity of our endeavor escaped us in those moments; all we could see was the dust on the road ahead and ourselves on the bike, devouring kilometers in our flight northward. ”-pg. 33 “The Motorcycle Diaries” is a story of a motorcycle trip made by 23-year-old medical student Che Guevera and 29-year-old biochemist Alberto Granado across the South American continent. Along the way, Che is ...
Eventually, however, Bill realizes that his help is needed and that becomes an integral part of the closely knit Fort Repose community. He grows close to the Bragg and Henry families and puts his knowledge of mechanical systems to good use, building a whiskey distiller and devising a way to draw power for a short-wave radio from a car battery. These examples in Randy Bragg and Bill McGovern clearly illustrate a theme of growth which supports Frank’s affirmation of the human condition in Alas, Babylon.
Another clear theme of affirmation of the human condition in Alas, Babylon is courage, which becomes a necessity for survival in postwar life. Ben Franklin, Randy’s young nephew, illustrates courage through his actions on several occasions. Note that Ben Franklin had not been raised in situations where courage was overly necessary; before being sent to Fort Repose by his father, he grew up in a typical suburb in the city of Omaha, where he was never required to show the courage and strength that he would need after such disaster as nuclear winter. For instance, when the Henry family’s chickens are being stolen, Ben Franklin is armed with a gun and assigned the task of guarding the chicken pen. At this point, neither Randy nor anybody else knew what stealing the chickens; for all they knew, it could have even been human, so when Ben Franklin gets set to guard the chicken pen for the night on page 224, he is indeed carrying out a courageous act.
Another example of courage can be found in the actions of Malachai Henry. After Dr. Dan Gunn is robbed and brutally beaten by a band of highwaymen, Randy vows to kill them. He plans to exact his revenge upon these highwaymen by driving around helplessly on the roads under their control in an attempt to create a ruse while Bill McGovern, Malachai, and Sam Hazzard climb out of the back of the truck and ambush the highwaymen. Although Randy had initially planned to drive, putting himself in the position of greatest danger, Malachai volunteers to on page 266:
“Then, at the last second, there was a change. Malachai suggested it. ‘Mister Randy, I want to say something. I don’t think you ought to drive. I think I ought to drive.’ Randy was furious, but he held his voice down. ‘Let’s not get everything screwed up now. Get in, Malachai.’ Malachai made no move. ‘Sir, that uniform. It don’t go with the truck.’ … ‘That ain’t all, sir,’ Malachai said. ‘It’s your face. It’s white. They’re more likely to tackle a black face than a white face. They see my face they say, ‘Huh, here’s something soft and probably with no gun.’ So they relax. Maybe it gives us that extra second, Mister Randy.’ Randy hesitated. He had confidence in Malachai’s driving and in his judgment and courage. But it was the driver who would have to do the talking, if there was any talking, and who would have to keep his hands off the pistol. That would be the hardest thing.”
The Research paper on Benjamin Franklin Ben Stein Philadelphia
Introduction A printer, an inventor, a writer, a scientist, a diplomat, and a statesman. There is only one man that all this can describe. I am talking about no one other than Benjamin Franklin. Benjamin Franklin was well-known during the beginning of our great nation. He helped our nation begin. He was one of the framers of the Constitution and was a delegate along with others that were sent over ...
Ben Franklin and Malachai put their fears aside and did what was necessary to help their friends and family. Their courageous actions clearly illustrate the affirmative theme of courage in Alas, Babylon.
Finally, self-sacrifice is another prevalent theme of affirmation with regard to the human condition in Alas, Babylon. As has been shown, growth and courage are necessitous in the chaotic, unsafe world created by nuclear warfare. Likewise, self-sacrifice becomes a reality, although not a pleasant one, for the citizens of Fort Repose. For instance, on page 271, Malachai makes the greatest sacrifice for the safety of others by giving his life in battle with the highwaymen.
“The man whacked his bat viciously against the door. ‘What you got in there, boy?’ ‘I ain’t got nothin. boss,’ Malachai whined. From the set of his right shoulder Randy knew Malachai had his right hand on the .45, but was acting dumb and talking dumb, which was the way to do. … The gunner said, ‘Drag him out or blow him out. I don’t care which.’ Malachai cringed and cried, ‘Please, boss!’ The fear in his voice was real. The man with the bat put his hand on the door handle. At the instant he turned it, Malachai uncoiled, hurtling himself through the door and on him, pistol clubbed. . . . . He had not even heard the shotguns but when Randy crawled over the front seat and got out, looking for another target, the battle was over. Close behind the truck two figures lay, their arms and legs twisted in death’s awkward signature. Malachai was curled up as if in sleep, his head against the left front tire. It had not lasted more than seven seconds.”
The Essay on The Sacrifice Of Life iphigenia
A simple definition of sacrifice is to give up something for the sake of something else, whether it is for another human life, for an idea, or even for a belief. "She was 17 years old. He stood glaring at her, his weapon before her face. 'Do you believe in God?' She paused. It was a life-or-death question. 'Yes, I believe in God.' 'Why?' asked her executioner.But he never gave her the chance to ...
Another important and painful self-sacrifice is made by all of the main characters near the very ending of the story on page 310-11, when a postwar reconnaissance helicopter lands in Fort Repose. A colonel onboard the helicopter offers to evacuate any citizens wishing to leave. Everybody politely declines, for while they would enjoy returning to a less chaotic life, they could not leave their closely knit community.
“[Colonel] Hart was thoughtful for a moment. Then he spoke to Randy: ‘You know, you and all your clear people can come out if you want. … We’re short on choppers but I could bring you out, two or three at a time.’ This was Randy’s town and these were his people and he knew he would not leave them. Yet it was not right to make this decision alone. He looked at Lib without finding it necessary to speak. She knowing what was in his mind, simply smiled and winked. He said, ‘I guess I’ll stay, Paul.’ ‘And the others?’ Randy wished Dan was with them and yet he was confident he could speak for Dan. ‘We have our doctor here, Dan Gunn. If it wasn’t for Dan I don’t think any of us could have made it. He saves this town and I’m sure he wouldn’t want to leave now.’ … ‘Isn’t anybody going?’ Hart asked. Ben Franklin said. ‘Not me!’ Peyton, who had quietly returned to the conference, said, ‘Me either.'”
The theme of sacrifice, including the sacrifices made by Malachai and the other characters on numerous occasions, strongly supports Frank’s perspective of affirmation.
