Dillard

The general idea of each of the ten subsections are pervasive each of the other sections. This parallels our lives, where no interaction we have is completely separate from another. The headings aren't enough to let us make these connections, the vignettes following give context. I don't think that these subheadings are the only ones that could be used either. I think Dillard's point is that everything is connected, babies and evil and clouds, by life and death, by a 'god', but mostly through ourselves. Gerrit mentioned this idea that our universe doesn't exist without us. Our unique combination of past interactions has sculpted this present universe that no one else has.

All the statistics and numbers scattered throughout this story are incomprehensible. They're so extraordinarily large that we can't truly comprehend. To sandwich two ideas: imagine 138,000 people, then multiply that by all your singularity, importance, love and complexity. I think that these numbers show us the difference in faith of concrete things versus faith in the intangible. I always thought numbers were concrete, but I'm starting to think they belong more in the world of the intangible and indescribable. When I'm reading this novel, with all the concrete images, and then these outrageous numbers appear, it just makes them seem ridiculous.

I don't find this novel depressing, I find it terribly interesting. I wield this shield of scientific curiosity that keeps a barrier between my emotions and the gain of knowledge. Just as religion supplies some people with a shield not to have to face the unknown, I wield scientific curiosity in order to not have to face my emotions.

All Dillard wants is the why of things, as everyone does.