Second thought is when someone would start to think that an idea, or a relationship, may not be as good as it sound and are having doubts. How does this fit in with Walter feelings toward Phyllis. There are two unpleasant incidents that show how Walter’s attitude and emotions change. Then there is the final realization that indicates his true emotion.
The first incident is when Walter and Phyllis run into a problem with the husband. The husband was invited to his class reunion. But needed to take the train so that the plan can work, he refused. So Phyllis comes up with an idea, which was to crash the car. This way he had to take the train. Walter was not happy and got short-tempered with her. You had a sense of feeling that Walters’s attitude has changed; she was not following the plan. The other is, the day of the murder. The dirty deed was done and they were on there way home. Walter was telling Phyllis how to drive and she did not like that. They had a heated discussion to where Phyllis told him “Get out! Get out! (53). Again, you get the sense that the feeling they had toward each other is now starting to dissipate.
The final realization is when Walter is at home putting the final touch on the plan. He then starts to think and knew what he has done was wrong by quoting “I had killed a man. I killed a man to get a woman. I had put myself in her power, so there was one person in the world that could point a finger at me, and I would die. I had done all that for her, and I never wanted to see her again as long as I lived” (54).
A man falls for a beautiful woman. She then convinces him to do a dirty deed. He then realize that it was all for nothing and takes the fall for it.
Hi Bobbie!
ReplyDeleteI loved your response. You were right on target! I felt the same way that Walter and Phyllis were growing apart. I also felt that Walter maybe regreted the murder. I remember clearly in the story when Phyllis and Walter were getting on each others nerves, while she was driving away from the crime scene. To me that was one of the highlights in the story. The book just keeps on getting more and more exciting. Many twist and turns are going on. Keep up the great posts, you are doing great! I like how you included quotes from the story too.
I agree. I also think that their emotions have to do with their intense situation that they are in. They are both on edge and any little thing can send either one, off the deep end. When they were plotting an planning, nothing had taken place so it gave them a rush. They seemed to be in a fantasy world. Well, as we see reality kicked in and they were faced with what they had done. As we all knew Walter was seduced into committing this crime that is leaving him disconnected and scared beyond measure.
ReplyDeleteI like the way you use second thought to describe how Walter Huff's feeling have changed for Phyllis Nirdlinger. I never thought of it that way until i read your post. It makes sense though. At first something sounds like a good idea and then when you look at it again you realize you made a mistake. It fits perfectly with Walter and Phyllis. Walter thought murdering for Phyllis would make him happy. He would get the girl and money. However i don't think he counted on feeling guilty. I think he wanted to believe what Phyllis was telling him. That her husband was better off dead than alive. I like your thoughts and the way you got me thinking. Can not wait to read more post from you.
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