amnesia and success

[thymeoperator]

i wondered what do we think is the reason for (in 'black house' and 'it') people being blessed with extraordinary luck, as it seems to be described, when they manage to forget the ordeals they went through as children? in 'it' the only one who isn't lucky is the one who stays in derry, and the others are all charmed. then i'm about 150 pages into 'black house' and jack has been described similarly.

[Charms7]

I think we are all extraordinarily lucky to be here. Some of us appreciate that luck more than others, but that's what I think.

[michal]

They must forget so that they will not lose their minds. Children's thinking is more... flexible. They accept what adult reject as impossibilities.

May be that's why.

[thymeoperator]

yes but what i wonder is why that amnesia leads to them being so extraordinarily lucky compared to everyone else. it's made into a big deal in 'IT' and 'black house' - it says they seem so lucky, not just successful but isn't it amazing just HOW successful they are, etc. and contrast it with mike hanlon, so i wondered if anyone had thoughts on what that might mean.

[wally wonder]

some kind of human self-defense mechanism, probably...was going through some old...papers, stuff, reading, and i was surprised by what i'd forgotten, some of it has been eye-opening and drawer-shutting, put that stuff away, take it out in small doses, kinda like being a kid and picking off the scabs on my legs or arms, there's that mind-numbing tingle as it peels away, maybe pulling a hair that has become welded to the scab, that bright drop of blood that forms, beading up...i imagine everyone has the ability to forget...and how would we know, if we forgot?

[Wanderer From Ys]

I think they are completely different situations.

Most people are shaped for life because of their experiences growing up. The kids in It grew up to be more confident, and successful people because they didn't carry their own negative self images with them into Adulthood. It's obvious, because when they return to Derry, and start getting their memories back, some of their behavior regresses. You are completely right about the Losers Club.

Jack Sawyer is different though. He isn't successful because he forgot his ordeal. In his case, his experience made him a better person. He possesses extraordinary luck because he once touched the talisman, and once you touch it, it never really leaves you. It says this outright in the book. He is basically gifted, he doesn't even have to try. Even stock he buys skyrockets, every horse he picks wins etc etc.

[GNTLGNT]

The mental "off" switch can be a true blessing-would you really want to remember the gauntlet that was childhood, with every hurt and insult intact? Not me. bring on the amnesia and a brimming glass of Captain Morgan(either way I forget)...

[nygene40]

I think I know what you are asking about regarding the extraordinary luck.

It's like the whole world is a big ATM that just can't help spitting money out at the character. We get descriptions of the finest of the finest in clothing, household goods etc... that the character has.

I liked the story and overlooked the descriptions of "only the best" that did end after awhile. I got it, Jack has it all (materially) even though he gave so much. Actually I was happy he had so much material comfort, because he was going to have so much discomfort in his life otherwise.

Anne Rice got into this with "The Witching Hour", all the great stuff that the lead character had, that I never got through the book. I didn't care that she listened to Kenny G while wearing the best and eating the best...

I liked Black House and I hope there will be another book...someday.

[randallFlaggfan1]

some kind of human self-defense mechanism, probably...was going through some old...papers, stuff, reading, and i was surprised by what i'd forgotten, some of it has been eye-opening and drawer-shutting, put that stuff away, take it out in small doses, kinda like being a kid and picking off the scabs on my legs or arms, there's that mind-numbing tingle as it peels away, maybe pulling a hair that has become welded to the scab, that bright drop of blood that forms, beading up...i imagine everyone has the ability to forget...and how would we know, if we forgot?

I think it's a defense-mechanism, Bluey.
Has anyone else picked up on the "amnesia theme" thoughout The Stand, Unabridged?

[Lencho_of_the_Apes]

I don't think there's a connection between their successfulness and the suppressed-memory thing they experience after their adventures. More likely, they were successful because they were strong individuals; the qualities that made it possible for them to defeat IT or to complete the Talisman quest are the qualities that in adult life made it possible for them to rise to the top of the field in their career choices.

There are other characters in King's books who lose touch with the memory of their adventures beside these two, and I don't know if any of them were eminently "successful" after forgetting. Happens in Insomnia, happens in DT7, happens in...um... can't think of any others off-hand.

We all float down here.

[Lencho_of_the_Apes]

Rose Madder's another one where the characters forget what happened to them.