On page 72, Lulu says to Ivan, "Someone has to pay for this." Discuss the significance of this. Whom does she believe must pay? And, does anyone ultimately end up paying?
Created: 08/07/19
Replies: 4
Join Date: 10/15/10
Posts: 3442
Join Date: 01/01/16
Posts: 454
Join Date: 08/10/17
Posts: 215
I thought Lulu’s feelings about who was responsible and who should pay seemed to change from day to day. When some major tragedy occurs in a city, the people always pay in a form of collective pain and guilt.
It’s not exactly the same but I am from Dallas and the assassination of President Kennedy still hangs over the city in a way.
Join Date: 02/24/17
Posts: 64
Join Date: 02/06/17
Posts: 438
I understand that the death of family and friends is difficult - Lulu was angry, sad, and overwhelmed. Thinking about justice sometimes makes me feel better when I am feeling powerless. At the same time, I was a little confused where Lulu was going with this. The plane crash was an accident; none of these people were intentionally harmed. I think in some ways Piedmont's comment about Atlanta having this coming was his own answer to who has to pay for the daily tragedies and injustices of the black population. But no one targeted this group of 120 for the hostilities across the south during the 1960's.
I thought Lulu's comment showed the vast divide between the wealthy and everyone else. She was oblivious to atrocities being committed across the south. It didn't affect her, so she wasn't really paying attention. Her focus was on 120 rich people as opposed to the larger community her husband served.
I don't know if suing for damages was as popular in the 1960's as it is today. As wealthier people often have greater access to lawyers and more resources to pursue lawsuits, maybe Lulu was just thinking about who could be sued for this.
Reply
Please login to post a response.