To be honest I was a little surprised that Knecht issued the invitation at all

Hold that thought, at the end of the book we should discuss this and other concerns....notice the narrator doesn't cite the source of this information...and it certainly seems incongruous....

I've begun to realize that I should question the narrator's reports. I think we had discussed earlier that he might be something of a sychophant--the PR guy, if you will. Did I mention how much I appreciate your input?

Thanks Murrill!

I took the weekend off, how are we doing with the book???? Everyone through Chapter 3???

I realize this is not exactly 'light summer reading'.....

Knecht was actually almost physically ill during his debates with Plinio. Now, in chapter 3 he listens passively to the teachings of the isolated Elder brother. However, it seems that these two emotionally different experiences are actually very similar. Knecht is being exposed to outside influences and varying opinions of the world other than the teachings of Castalia. How this will play out in his thoughts and actions should be interesting. I'm sensing some drama to come.

Hey Linda, nice to see you.....yes, the drama is really just beginning....

I thought that Knecht's expedited admission to the Order was interesting. Conspiracy theories abound: Were they trying to silence him? Did they just want him isolated? It was foreboding, I thought.

I hope we can jump-start this discussion. There does not seem to be a very much participation, and I began to wonder if I was too "vocal." This is my first discussion on this site, so I don't have any real basis for comparison.

Murrill, I think some of the 'lurkers' have benefited from your discussion points...fire away!!!

Murrill,
Keep up the good input. I think perhaps we are just seeing some folks opting out of this one for the Summer.

I liked your comment on Knecht's acceptance to the Castalia schools. I thought perhaps he was wanted because he was an orphan and could be molded to the life with no interference from the outside world. However, as we see in Ch. 3, the leaders of the Order did not count on K's inquisitiveness. He took his Years of Freedom to study the history of the Game extensively and to question it. In this chapter we see him questioning the Order as he did not do when he defended it to Plinio.

I wonder if the Order has created a monster? Of course, this story is being told in retrospect, so I assume that Castalia, the Game, etc has survived into 2400-2500 AD.
I think DL Hesse mentioned earlier that it seemed Knecht was made for this, and it seems that he was. But his curiosity is taking him into forbidden places. I look forward to seeing him develop.

All I'm gonna say is that your instincts are true.....read on!