This chapter is a continuation of the scene from chapter 9, so I'm going to go ahead and post them back-to-back.You know one of the coolest things about being friends with a guy like Joe Starrett? If you need him to, he can just carry you around. He can pick you up and hold your unconscious body in his arms for a bit while he argues with the saloon owner over who's going to pay for all the damage you and a bunch of yahoos just caused, and think nothing of the fact that he's standing there holding a full-grown man. And then carry you out to his wagon and heft you up on the seat. Not load you in the wagon bed, which would be way easier, but actually put you way up on the seat.
I don't think they make men like Joe Starrett very often.
And then later on, when his wife as much as admits that she's got feelings for you, instead of going out to the barn and shooting you, he'll say you're a better man than him and then hug his wife.
You ask me, it's Joe Starrett who needs the hug. Lots of hugs.
Favorite Lines:
The one man in our valley, the one man, I believe, in all the world whose help he would take, not to whom he would turn but whose help he would take, was there and ready. Father stepped to meet him and put out a big arm reaching for his shoulders. "All right, Joe," Shane said, so softly I doubt whether the others in the room heard. His eyes closed and he leaned against father's arm, his body relaxing and his head dropping sideways. Father bent and fitted his other arm under Shane's knees and picked him up like he did me when I stayed up too late and got all drowsy and had to be carried to bed (p. 77).
She always knew when to talk and when not to talk, and she said no word while we watched father lift Shane to the wagon seat, climb beside him, hoist him to sitting position with one arm around him and take the reins in the other hand (p. 78).
Possible Discussion Questions:
Joe says he's known that Marian is growing attached to Shane. Why do you think he seems okay with this?
What's your reaction to the whole confusing situation? What would you do if you were in Joe's place? In Marian's? In Shane's?
That is a very sweet, forgiving man. I wish I could know more guys like that.
ReplyDelete(Outside my own family, that is. I don't mean to insinuate that my dad and brothers aren't good guys. They're awesome. :-) )
Shane knows how to handle it. If you don't have a gun, use your fists but only if you trust your fists.Bob's hero worship has increased. Y'know, it's really good thing that Bob isn't old enough by one or two years or he might have sensed the feelings really between Marian & Shane. What a decision for Marian.To stay with Joe or to go with Shane. I think Joe and Marian wouldn't bicker over Bob's wishes. Marian's role has expanded to the tradition of frontier healer.
DeleteJessica, I wish there WERE more men like that.
DeleteKelda, I'm not sure it was ever a decision for Marian. I don't see her as considering leaving with Shane at all -- only feeling conflicted because she's developed feelings for him at all.
I think there are three reasons why Joe didn't explode or anything when Marian told him she had feelings for Shane.
ReplyDelete1) He trusted Shane and knew him well enough to know that Shane would never steal Marian from him.
2) He also knew that Marian still loved him (she DID, I *know* it) and that she wouldn't run away with Shane.
3) He's just plain awesome. <3
And that's my not-so-humble opinion.
Your NSHO is right on.
DeleteEva, yes and yes and yes. Of course Marian still loves Joe! She wouldn't be feeling torn and confused if she didn't.
DeleteIt's a love triangle, but it's a complicated, confusing one where the people in it face real-life problems and everything's not perfect...there's no teen angst or whining or the like, which is why I think teens shouldn't just read teen literature. :P
DeleteEva, exactly. It's a love triangle, but it's not the crux of the novel, no one's really wondering how it's going to end up, and nobody's being bratty. (Um, can you tell I'm tired of teen love triangles too?)
DeleteHow about a mini-poll for season?
ReplyDeleteJoe or Shane?
How would Marian's life change?
Joe or Shane?
If I was Marian, Joe. If I was me in real life, Joe. If I was an imaginary version of me, Shane.
DeleteWell, to be honest, if I were in Marian's place, I'd stick with stability, meaning Joe. Which I know she will, so I'm good with it.
ReplyDeleteWhat amazes me is the scene where Joe picks up Shane. WHO DOES THAT!? I mean, can you picture it? I have no idea of whether the movie has this scene in it or not, but it's so incredibly unusual, yet heartwarming at the same time. Sometimes even independent men like Shane need a hand and that's why you need the Joe Starrett's of the world!
Carissa, it's so true! Who does that? Who's capable, physically and emotionally, of that? Joe Starrett, that's who. MMM mmm MMM mmm MMM.
DeleteOne of my sisters was married to a police officer, & 2 of his brothers had 'civilian'wives. The guy's father had been a cop too. All of those women said the same thing: None wanted her man out there with a gun, with bad guys who also had guns.
ReplyDeleteI'd stay with Joe, for security and love.How could I be waiting everyday to see if my man came home?
Kelda, that makes absolute sense to me. Marrying anyone in a dangerous profession takes a lot of courage in and of itself.
Delete