Headline: CORMAC MCCARTHY HAS A SENSE OF HUMOR.

I have always wished that this could be true, and now I have finally found evidence to support it.

It is truly too good to describe in words. This discovery is the best thing that has happened to me in a year.

The story begins with a failed suicide attempt, which then leads to a fascinating debate between a theist and an atheist, with one man's life hanging in the balance as either the forfeit or the prize.

The dialogue in this exchange is both deeply serious and absolutely hilarious at the same time. It manages to explore profound philosophical and religious questions while also providing plenty of laughs.

If you have any patience for a battle between a believer and a nonbeliever, then this is truly an incredibly good read.

I have always suspected that Cormac McCarthy is a genius, and now, after uncovering his sense of humor, I am even more certain of it. His ability to combine such serious themes with humor is truly remarkable and makes his work all the more engaging and enjoyable.

What an extraordinary experience it was. I devoured THE SUNSET LIMITED in one unbroken sitting, which is truly something out of the ordinary for me. Essentially, it is a play with scarcely any stage directions. The book presents a profound conversation between an educated white man, simply referred to as White, and a poor, former convict black man, named Black. In the backdrop of the story, Black prevented White from committing suicide. As expected from McCarthy, the conversation delves deep into the realms of faith, meaning, life, and death. Here is a powerful quote by White:

"I don't believe in God. Can you understand that? Look around you, man. Can't you see? The clamor and din of those in torment must surely be the sound most pleasing to his ear. And I loathe these discussions. The argument of the village atheist whose sole passion is to revile endlessly that which he denies the existence of in the first place. Your fellowship is a fellowship of pain and nothing more. And if that pain were truly collective rather than simply repetitive, then the sheer enormity of it would drag the world from the walls of the universe and send it crashing and burning through whatever night it might still be capable of generating until it was reduced to nothing but ash. And justice? Brotherhood? Eternal life? Good god, man. Show me a religion that prepares one for death. For nothingness. There's a church I might enter. Yours prepares one only for more life. For dreams and illusions and lies. If you could banish the fear of death from men's hearts, they wouldn't live a day. Who would want this nightmare if not for the fear of the next? The shadow of the axe hangs over every joy. Every road ends in death. Or worse. Every friendship. Every love. Torment, betrayal, loss, suffering, pain, age, indignity, and hideous lingering illness. All with a single conclusion. For you and for every one and everything that you have chosen to care for. There's the true brotherhood. The true fellowship. And everyone is a member for life. You tell me that my brother is my salvation? My salvation? Well then damn him. Damn him in every shape and form and guise. Do I see myself in him? Yes. I do. And what I see sickens me. Do you understand me? Can you understand me?"

This quote encapsulates the depth of White's beliefs and his struggle with the concepts of faith and the meaning of life. It forces the reader to confront their own beliefs and question the nature of existence.

This was indeed a good book.

To be honest, I'm sad to admit that I had to sympathize a great deal with what White had to express, as I often find myself in a similar state of mind. However, there were also some remarkable lessons to be gleaned from each character.

Nevertheless, what I particularly do not appreciate is that although both characters are only supposed to be identified as BLACK and WHITE, the author refers to "the black" whenever Black takes an action. For instance, "the black stood up". But then, just because Black starts addressing White as "professor", suddenly all of White's stage directions state "the professor did this and that". Was that truly fair? I mean, seriously, was it really necessary?

Moreover, why is it that whenever a white person has to learn something from a black person, that black person can never be a normal, well-spoken middle or upper-class individual? It's always some (seemingly) ignorant black guy who has been in jail and has "picked up a thing or two" from the experience, or some black girl, equally (seemingly) ignorant in speech and such, who has become pregnant or something. Ummmmm, why? Those are not the only representations of blacks in the world. And definitely not in New York. Goodness gracious.....

\\n  “The things that I loved were very frail. Very fragile. I didn't know that. I thought they were indestructible. They weren't.”\\n

I reluctantly admit that, despite having seen several film adaptations of his works, I had never actually read anything by Cormac McCarthy before. Coincidentally, I had already watched the film adaptation of the story starring Samuel L. Jackson and Tommy Lee Jones, who also directed the film. I will draw on some of the imagery from the film to explain the themes of the story.

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\\n  \\n    Tommy Lee Jones(left) and Samuel L. Jackson in the movie\\n  \\n  
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The Sunset Limited is a play that features a dialogue between two men confined within the walls of a single room. The two characters are named Black, a kind religious black man, and White, a well-read white man. The opening scene has Black questioning White about his attempted suicide. Their conversation delves into religion, camaraderie, loss, spiritual awakening, penitentiary life, and many other topics. The underlying theme of this discussion is suffering and death.

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\\n  \\n    White: Suffering and human destiny are the same thing. Each is a description of the other.\\n  \\n  
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Throughout the dialogue, each character takes witty digs at the other, attempting to further expose their personalities. This is referred to as putting someone in the trick bag. Black is determined to bring White back from his suicidal depression and give him a spiritual awakening. White, on the other hand, believes that human existence is meant to be one of suffering and then end. His perspective is that what he is doing is simply part of the human condition. The dialogue meanders through these philosophical and spiritual waters until the denouement.

Personalities

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\\n  \\n    Film poster: The Sunset Limited\\n  \\n  
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Let's examine the film poster above. Notice the imagery?



The yin-yang duality of the personalities of each character adds an element of mystery to the story. The two personalities highlight the extreme contrasts in different human perceptions of reality. White emerges from the shadows of the darker side (yin), while Black emerges from the lighter side (yang). The story's themes reveal that Black had a darker past but now lives a life of pacifism. Meanwhile, White had a more eventful life, but now all the things he believed in seem empty and meaningless, driving him towards impending doom.

This is a dark, heavy, and thought-provoking read. I also recommend the film if you have an interest in minimalist, philosophical filmmaking.

Of all the works by the great Cormac McCarthy that have least convinced me, and yet I also admit that I didn't have especially high hopes. This reading is motivated by a completist spirit, because once I admire someone's work, I like to cover the entire possible spectrum.

And it should be clear: it is a good work. It is a theatrical work that in some circles has been labeled as a novelized theater or something of that sort, but which effectively fits as theater. A theater strongly inspired by Beckett, specifically Waiting for Godot. With the fewest possible details regarding the characterization of its characters, McCarthy raises the encounter between a white man and a black man. The white man has tried to commit suicide by throwing himself in front of the Sunset Limited train and the black man has prevented him and taken him home to calm him down. Except in specific moments, the dialogue does not pretend to be beautiful or illustrative. On the contrary, most of the time it has a certain parodic tone regarding the problem of communication between two characters from distant spheres, even though they are within the same set (here we could say New York and therefore the USA).

Of course, in an author like McCarthy, the tiniest details are important. He is not someone who writes arbitrarily. After a quick investigation on Wikipedia, I discovered that the Sunset Limited is a train that crosses the United States from coast to coast. So we can already suspect that the layer of metaphor is being opened to us. In addition, one character is white, atheist, and educated, and the other is black, religious, and poor, which reinforces that subtext. Therefore, that twilight vision would offer a conclusion about his own society. Another significant detail: of all the trains that pass through New York, he chooses the one called Sunset, that is, sunset, so twilight, the end of the day. As I said, very Beckettian.

Within that minimal characterization of the characters, it must be admitted that both are convincing. They have their moments of humor, their respective motivations are well-founded, and therefore they give a good account of that cultural shock that is proposed. The end is pure despair, there is no doubt. Indeed, life lacks meaning or purpose, but we must not resign ourselves to that defeatist conclusion either. Each one must strive to give it a meaning, that symbolic space in our mind that elevates existence (even though I find Jung abhorrent and some of his ideas have rubbed off on me). At least, I don't know, dedicate oneself to writing plays to unravel the emptiness of existence. It is good to read Cioran to understand and better profile this type of ideas.

But if not, to confirm what I say, one more detail: during the conversation, the white man expresses himself with certain sardonic metaphors like now In the colony of moral lepers or A world of excellence. Wouldn't anyone else feel curious to read novels with such titles? The personal tragedy of the white character is that he has lost that curiosity and the ability to feed his fantasies. Perhaps under that cloak of black humor lies a certain exemplary intention, such as not being like the white character in this story and looking for those materials that will allow us to fatten our souls.

So in conclusion, I would say that The Sunset Limited should be at the bottom of my personal classification of Cormac McCarthy's work, but even its low points are higher than most books, so without a doubt I have taken positive aspects and juicy ideas that will amuse me and prevent suicidal ideas like those of that poor devil from occurring to me. Go out and enjoy.

This was truly a delight. It was like a quick smudge of darkness that suddenly emerged, yet it was filled with some humor, which added a touch of lightness to the overall atmosphere. At the same time, it also presented some tough questions that made one stop and think deeply. There was one long string of dialogue that was like a delicious morsel for you to swallow up whole. And after that, you would just sit there, stare blankly, and ponder over the profound meaning hidden within those words.

It was a unique experience that combined the elements of mystery, humor, and intellectual challenge, leaving a lasting impression on the mind.

This kind of writing not only entertained but also made the reader engage with the text on a deeper level, provoking thoughts and emotions that might otherwise remain dormant.

It was a masterful creation that demonstrated the power of words to captivate and inspire.

I guess it was bound to happen some time. Cormac McCarthy finally disappointed me.

The entire play/novel is a single conversation between two men, identified as Black and White, at a table in Black's apartment. It opens in medias res, after Black (who is black) just saved White (who is white) from leaping in the path of a train, The Sunset Limited, in an attempted suicide. The ex-con Black tries to convince White that suicide is not the solution, telling his own story of Christian redemption. White, whom Black calls "Professor," argues that life is nothing but pointless labor. Guess who wins the argument. Hint: this ain't a comedy.

I had a couple problems with it. For one thing, the racial dynamic came off as patronizing. Black had some blatant "magical Negro" characteristics. McCarthy is fantastic at dialog and bringing dialects to life from the page, but his ebonics here were over-the-top and not always convincing.

The main problem, though, is NOTHING HAPPENS. I get that he's limited by the stage and wants to do something different from his books, but this is all build-up and no action. Black recounts the jailhouse fight (CMcC loves those prison knife battles, doesn't he?) that lead to his hospital-bed epiphany, but otherwise this is just an intense dinner conversation. There are beautiful, bleakly funny and brutally nihilistic passages, of course. But it gets repetitive, even in a mere 60 pages. It's like one scene taken from a great play, then stretched far past its limit.

Moreover, the lack of a clear narrative arc makes it difficult for the reader to fully engage with the story. There is no real resolution or conclusion, leaving the audience feeling somewhat unsatisfied. While the philosophical discussions between Black and White are thought-provoking, they ultimately feel like a series of disconnected rants.

Despite these flaws, there are still some redeeming qualities to the play/novel. McCarthy's writing is as powerful and evocative as ever, and his ability to create a sense of tension and drama through dialogue alone is impressive. However, these strengths are not enough to overcome the fundamental problems with the story.

In conclusion, while "The Sunset Limited" has its moments, it is ultimately a disappointment. It fails to live up to the high standards set by McCarthy's previous work and leaves the reader with a sense of unfulfilled potential.

Debate on the Concept of Doubt between a Christian Believer and an Atheist

This debate is similar to "12 Angry Men" in that it completely relies on the discussion in a closed room.

The Christian believer firmly holds the view that there is a higher power, God, who created and governs the universe. They base their belief on religious scriptures, personal spiritual experiences, and the order and complexity they observe in the world.

On the other hand, the atheist argues that there is no evidence to support the existence of a supernatural being. They rely on scientific knowledge, rational thinking, and the lack of empirical proof for the existence of God.

As the debate unfolds, both sides present their arguments, challenge each other's views, and try to convince the other of the validity of their立场. The discussion becomes intense and passionate, with each side defending their beliefs with conviction.

In the end, whether a resolution is reached or not, the debate serves as a platform for both the Christian believer and the atheist to explore and understand each other's perspectives on the concept of doubt and the existence of God.

NERO

However, the point is, obviously, that the drunkard's biggest fear is not dying because of alcohol, which will surely happen to him. It is running out of alcohol before that happens.

We can expand on this by imagining the drunkard's state of mind. He is constantly preoccupied with getting his next drink, worried that there won't be enough alcohol to satisfy his craving. This fear drives his behavior, making him不顾一切 to obtain alcohol, even if it means sacrificing other aspects of his life.

The thought of running out of alcohol terrifies him more than the potential consequences of excessive drinking. It becomes an all-consuming obsession, controlling his actions and decisions.

In conclusion, while the drunkard may be aware of the risks associated with alcoholism, his greatest fear lies in the possibility of being deprived of alcohol before his inevitable demise.

A chance encounter occurs between Black and White, two middle-aged men, on the platform of a New York City subway. This encounter leads to a profound discussion back at Black's apartment. White, a professor, has abandoned God and any belief that life holds meaning for him or the human race. Black, an ex-con, having saved White from jumping in front of a train, relies on faith for guidance and endeavors to persuade White to reevaluate his place in the world.

The Sunset Limited is labeled as “a novel in dramatic form,” yet it functions more like a monologue shared by two intelligent individuals engaged in a dance and collision of banter. Each poses inquiries to the other about what constitutes the purpose of life. Is humankind finite? Does consciousness survive death? What is pain? Is happiness possible? How should one choose to live? Do we owe an obligation to our fellow citizens to do right and bring good into the world?

Mostly, their conversation is a solemn tug-of-war of intellectualism, interspersed with stories of human brutality and flashes of McCarthy's dark humor, which is often overlooked and underappreciated. Even though the “novel” is composed entirely of dialogue, it doesn't lack those stunning McCarthy passages where he pontificates on unknowable matters, such as an explanation of our existence. Below are a few of McCarthy's lightning strikes of prose, written without conventional punctuation and riveting in the originality of their sentence structuring.

Black: “I think whatever truth is wrote in these pages [of the Bible] is wrote in the human heart too and it was wrote there a long time ago and will still be wrote there a long time hence. Even if this book is burned ever copy of it. What Jesus said? I dont think he made up a word of it. I think he just told it. This book is a guide for the ignorant and the sick at heart. A whole man wouldnt need it at all. And of course if you read this book you goin to find that they’s a lot more talk in here about the wrong way than they is about the right way. Now why is that?”

White: “The darker picture is always the correct one. When you read the history of the world you are reading a saga of bloodshed and greed and folly the import of which is impossible to ignore. And yet we imagine that the future will somehow be different. I’ve no idea why we are even still here but in all probability we will not be here much longer.”

Black: “Sometimes faith might just be a case of not havin nothin else left.”

The Sunset Limited can be read in a few hours, but it may stay with you forever.

Mm hmm...

Trump's number is indeed a topic that has raised quite a few thoughts.

The atmosphere it creates is rather unique. The black humor and the gentle argumentation add an interesting flavor to it.

I deducted one star because I don't feel that I fully understand everything.

Perhaps there are some deeper meanings or subtleties that I haven't quite grasped yet.

Nonetheless, it still manages to capture one's attention and make one think.

It's like a complex puzzle that keeps you engaged and curious.

Overall, it's an experience that leaves an impression, even if it's not completely clear-cut.

Maybe with further exploration and analysis, I'll be able to see the full picture and appreciate it even more.

For now, it remains an enigma that continues to intrigue.

This is an extremely somber read.

It has a certain charm that keeps you engaged from the very first moment.

The atmosphere it creates is both melancholy and captivating.

You find yourself immersed in the story, experiencing every emotion along with the characters.

Despite the sadness that pervades, there is a strange beauty to it.

It makes you reflect on life, on the hardships and the joys.

Every second spent reading this is a second well-spent, as it touches your heart and leaves an indelible mark.

It's a piece of writing that lingers in your mind long after you've finished turning the last page.

You can't help but be drawn back to it, to explore its depths once again.

It's a truly remarkable and unforgettable read.