Monday, February 3, 2014

Exploration Two Brian Smith

    In Holding On, the person I admire most so far is "Steam Train" Maury Graham. The driving force between a Hobo seems like such a grand thing. A Hobo is a classic example of American history and how much freedom we have (in the past, at least). Maury Graham is a perfect example of a free man, only bound by his basic human needs. Graham demonstrates creativity through his lifestyle, a Hobo's life is what you make of it. Graham spent years exploring the nation and met a great many people, he returned to the nomadic lifestyle. This lifestyle is creative in its difference to the norm, it's such a unique approach to life compared to everyone else in modern times.

    I was most surprised at the very end when Sanders writes that his son experiences the same guilt he once had. It made me wonder if Sanders' father was the same way but gave into personal desire and kept drinking unlike Sanders. I learned that just as Alcoholism is inherited, so is a sense of guilt from the child. "My son wonders if I, too, am possessed. I write, therefore, to drag into the light what eats at me -the fear, the guilt, the shame- so that my own children may be spared." (Sanders 191) This quote makes me feel that Sanders' father had a somewhat similar way of thinking, because they both had their own "demons".

    How has the Hobo lifestyle translated to today?

8 comments:

  1. I agree with your perspective on Maury Graham, he made the life of a hobo sound like the ultimate freedom, to travel the world as you pleased and never worry. Along with this point on having his needs met I liked that he made a point to differentiate between himself and bums. It was that difference I think that gave him such a free and happy lifestyle, because he was able to work for himself as he pleased. I think he truly enjoyed life even though it's so different from our usual lives.

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  2. I agree with your views on Maury Graham and the way he is an example of American history. It is amazing how he was able to find people just like him that were so willing to help him out and that just shows what kind of a society America has always had. Most people in this country are always willing to lend a hand to someone in need, especially if they have been or are in his position.

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  3. I'd have to agree the hobo lifestyle opens people up to so much creativity because they are living their whole lives making something out of nothing. Sometimes I like to think how I would survive if I was homeless and the creative things I would come up with. I also wondered if Sander's father did have the same guilt as him too. Because it seems almost like a train effect.

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  4. I really agree with your thoughts on Maury Graham. He was creative in his lifestyle by going out on his own and doing what he wanted to do. He explained the difference between being a hobo and a homeless person and gave good examples of each.

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  5. I agree, and like your view that the hobo's lived a simple and free life, and how you connected it to the idea of freedom. It's interesting to think about the hobo lifestyle, and what they thought of themselves and their lives. I also think it's interesting to think about how the hobo lifestyle and thought process has moved to today's culture.

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  6. You bring up a great point it is truly a unique lifestyle to be a "hobo". Their lives are much different from "normal" peoples lives. He really made the life style sound like something much more than "nothing" he made it appear as if he had a lot in his life and it was very fulfilling.

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  8. How many people today can cut themselves off and live like a "Hobo?" Not many, very few are willing to go out entirely on their own and just see what happens and work where and when they can. People today have been taught to seek job security and stay there. Entrepreneurialism is not even truly encouraged today because people believe it is too risky. I admire Graham's ability to go out into the country and make of it what he can with no fail-safes.

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