Tom Lee's Writing Portfolio

Final Timed Writing

0572163

Tom Lee

June 21, 2007

Timed Writing Three

Directions: In Dead Men’s Path the priest says “let the hawk perch and let the eagle perch.” Discuss what you think he means and what this saying reveals about him. 

This is an interesting saying, which shows readers a vivid picture to present the meaning behind it. Directly, it means to let both hawk and eagle have its own place to rest. But more profoundly, I suppose that it suggests settling quarrel by keeping distance from each other, without any contact as before.  In another word, “if you stop doing harm to us, there will be nothing; but if going on, we will act.” It is usually used when one side’s interest is threatened by the new-comer or unfamiliar one, as the warning of the starting war.

Here in Dead Men’s Path, the words reveal the intention of the priest’s visit. He wants to get the old path reopened, without a fight between the village and school. Before, there was no quarrel happened, and the priest wants that the situation comes back. He especially wants Mr. Obi can keep the former relationship with the village, by reopening the path, like “let the hawk perch and let the eagle perch”. The words also reveal something else, and it’s that the priest heart is some ignited by the close of the path. He tried to warn Mr. Obi the coming of certain revenge from the village. The words show that though he doesn’t want a fight to happen, it would come out in case of the necessity.  

27.5.07 06:03