A name for it.

I found out there is a term for the type of speech the zombies use in "The Hortlak." It's called word salad, and is seen in patients suffering from severe mental disorders. (I wonder if that says something about fantasy writers, or readers.) I found this interesting as it supports the general pattern in Kelly Link's stories of the dead suffering from a sort of degenerative mental disorder. Not really useful for my topic ideas, but maybe someone will find it helpful.

Possible paper topic

I have changed my mind several times over the last week regarding my choice of paper topic. However, this one just jumped into my head and sounds reasonable. I would like to write about the reasons for conflict in the stories we have read. The conflict in American Gods is caused by the gods thinking there is not enough belief to go around. Monstrous Regiment's war is caused by the pride of a nation. Do you have any suggestions from a story in one of the Kelly Link collections that I could use?

American Gods, here in Alabama?

Last night, I started watching a show on A&E about the skinheads, because we have been studying them some in our terrorism class as part of homegrown domestic terror. Anyway, I really was shocked to see their ideas and everything. They were focused in Alabama. Additionally, one of the main men began to pray. However, it was not to an expected god (then again maybe it was and I just didn't know). He was praying to Odin, and it explained that it was the ancient Nordic god of war (as we learned). All I could think of was our discussion on American Gods and their power shrinking and growing as people begin to believe in them again. Moreover, it reminds me of our talk about how some gods are real to some people. Just thought it was something to think about, the show really made me uncomfortable.

Paper Idea

I'm throwing around some ideas (which I have to decide on by tomorrow), but I was thinking about looking at how the gods' adaptated to modern times in Link's "Flying Lessons", in American Gods, and in Monstrous Regiment, and how the gods who have assimilated are doing the best and, subsequently, what that implies. For example, in "Flying Lessons" the gods seem to be doing okay even though they are not in their prime anymore. The aunts all have their own jobs doing something that is related to their speciality, and they are successful. Cupid is doing well as a Fine Scents salesman, and Zeus is still in power in Greece. The difference seems to be that they are not dependent on people's beliefs for their sustanance.

In American Gods, the gods that seem to be doing the best are those that have assimilated to the modern times, too. For example, Hinzelman, Jacquel and Ibis seem to be the most grounded gods or at least the gods who are most satisfied with their current lives. Even though they still need people's beliefs/sacrifices, they have found other ways to satisfy that.

Finally, in Monstrous Regiment, the god, Nuggen, is dead or has faded away. There are still people who believe in Nuggen, but that was not enough to maintain him. I'm not sure why he faded out; maybe it was because his abominations did not keep up with the times, even though people still hold on to SOME of them.

I'd really appreciate feedback on this idea. I'm getting all the kinks ironed out before tomorrow, but even if you don't get to blog, please bring some thoughts to class about this! I'd love your help!