Final Thoughts

The three novels that we have read so far in AP English all end with conclusions that have left me unsatisfied. I understand that their endings add to the final development of their themes, yet, none of the endings truly compare to the endings found in Cloud Atlas. In the last pages of each part of the sextet, David Mitchel completes each character’s story with final contributions to key themes.

Sloosha’s Crossin’ An’ Ev’rythin’ After

“I watched the clouds awobbly from the floor o’ that kayak. Souls cross ages like clouds cross skies, an’ tho’ a cloud’s shape nor hue nor size don’t stay the same, it’s a cloud an’ so is a soul. Who can say where the cloud’s blowed from or who the soul’ll be ‘morrow? Only Sonmi the east an’ the west an’ the compass an’ the atlas, yay, only the atlas o’ clouds.” (308)

As I reread each ending it becomes increasingly apparent how they influence the reader’s perception of the novel’s themes. Throughout the first five sections I noticed the comet shaped birthmarks appearing on each main character. Yet, none of the characters acknowledge the concept of reincarnation until Zachary does in this section. As Zachary says a cloud’s shape and hue may vary it’s still a cloud, which allowed me to begin to understand how the central characters in Cloud Atlas share a soul and possess key similarities. One of the most striking illustrations of this concept was when Frobisher begins to refer to himself as “Frobisher the stinker […] and Frobisher the Composer […]” (469) just as Zachary does in his section. Both of their characters struggle to do “the right thing” and continually question their own behavior. Yet, their questioning is not necessarily a negative aspect of their character as it demonstrates their consideration of what is right and wrong.

The Orison of Sonmi-451

“We see a game beyond the endgame […] As Seneca warned Nero: No matter how many of us you kill, you will never kill your successor.” (349)

When the archivist and Sonmi first introduce the fact that her journey was arranged and that declarations are flaunted by Unanimity as evidence for further constriction of the rights of the fabricants, I was greatly dismayed. However, Sonmi’s perspective convinces the reader that there still is hope her declarations could have a positive impact. An idea can truly become a movement when it is spread throughout a society. Regardless of how the declarations are introduced, they are spread all throughout Sonmi’s society, which could have a future impact. Sonmi’s use of Seneca’s warning illustrates how Corpocracy could finally fail. They may kill all the fabricants they desire, yet, they will eventually be succeeded and their successor may fail to carry out their work. Societies can never last forever, as displayed by the presence of Zachary’s story. Mitchell would have us believe they will cycle in an orbit as suggested by the comet shaped birthmark found on every character.

The Ghastly Ordeal of Timothy Cavendish

“Middle age is flown, but it is attitude, not years, that condemns one to the ranks of the Undead, or else proffers salvation. In the domain of the young dwells many an Undead soul. They rush about so, their inner putrefaction is concealed for a few decades, that is all.

Cavendish’s tale truly offers a “ghastly” perspective on the consequences of aging and joining the ranks of the elderly. He fights his forced captivity in the Aurora House and finally achieves escape with two fellow captives. His successful escape appears to suggest that age is not truly a number but rather an attitude. Although Cavendish is not characterized as exceedingly brave or strong, in fact the opposite may be true; he does not have an “Undead soul”. Rather than admitting to the terrifying wrath of Nurse Noakes and company, Cavendish constantly pursues escape even after he suffers a stroke. His dedication in the pursuit of his goal is admirable and is paralleled in other sections such as Luisa Rey’s.

Half Lives: The First Luisa Rey Mystery

“Are molecules of Zedelghem Chateau of Robert Frobisher’s hand, dormant in this paper for forty-four years, now swirling in my lungs in my blood? Who is to say?” (436)

I was not as impressed by the story of Luisa Rey. Her determined investigation of the danger of the Swannekke B reactor and the corruption behind its construction and operation was commendable. However, she had to be saved rather often throughout her journey and never successfully outwitted her pursuers alone. The ending to her tale offers a logical transition in the second section of Robert Frobisher’s story and provides further evidence of reincarnation.

Letters from Zedelghem

“Time cannot permeate this sabbatical. We do not stay dead long. Once my Luger lets me go, my birth, next time around, will be upon me in a heartbeat. Thirteen years from now we’ll meet again at Gresham, ten years later I’ll be back in this same room, holding this same gun, composing this same letter, my resolution as perfect as my many headed sextet. Such certainties comfort me at this quiet hour.” (471)

I still puzzle over the ending to Robert Frobisher’s tale. It bothered me how positive a light it paints on his decision to take his life. His certainty that he would return, that the events captured in “Letters from Zedelghem” will continue to occur, aligns with the theme of reincarnation being a cycle. Yet, this does not qualify as proper justification for taking your life. Frobisher idea that life should be spent like a firework, bright and fast, bothers me to a degree. Although I enjoyed how Mitchell illustrates how problems such as discrimination permeate all societies and how people will always fight such problems, I did not understand how this allowed suicide to be acceptable.

The Pacific Journal of Adam Ewing

“If we believe that humanity may transcend tooth  & claw, if we believe divers races creeds can share this world as peaceably as the orphans share their candlenut tree, if we believe leaders must be just, violence muzzled, power accountable & the riches of the Earth & its Oceans shared equitably, such a world will come to pass. I am not deceived. It is the hardest of worlds to make real. Torturous advances won over generations can be lost by a single stroke of a myopic president’s pen or a vainglorious general’s sword.” (508)

The concept of believing in such lofty goals for humanity would have stuck Ewing as pointless at the beginning of his journey; yet, when Autua saves him from the brink of death, Ewing’s perspective greatly changes. He shakes off the prejudicial views held by the despicable men who surround him. Ewing understands that a perfect world with just leaders and equitable sharing of resources is the “hardest of worlds to make real”, but he is not intimidated by this reality. The novel as a whole illustrates why one should have hope for humanity. Each character, possessing the same soul, resists an aspect of their society and fight for what they believe is just. Although their actions could easily be scraped by a single malicious leader as Ewing notes, the book ends on a brighter note. Ewing ends his journal with: “‘& only as you gasp your dying breath shall you understand, your life amounted to no more than one drop in a limitless ocean!' Yet what is any ocean but a multitude of drops” (509), giving the reader hope that each person can have an impact on the world.