Ishmael Questions

1. What does Quinn imply about the "Takers"?

          Quinn is implying that the "Takers" are the ones that always are benefited. He is comparing the people that take opportunities for the best and also the people that take risks for good. That's why he makes this comparison. He is specifically saying that in the majority of the cases the "Takers" are rewarded of benefited by life due to the risks that they have taken.

2. How has the relationship between Ishmael and the protagonist changed?

          In the beginning, the protagonist (we don't know his name yet) was kind of rough because in my opinion the pessimistic protagonist was jealous of Ishmael because of his human qualities and the vision he had about life. The protagonist was able to get and understand the gorilla (Ishmael) even without verbally communicating. Later on he had some empathy for him and the relationship got less rough.

3. Make two inferences regarding the "Leavers". 

          The "Leavers" are the ones that always play the safe way; take few risks and those risks being ridiculously safe. I also infer that he is making this comparison because the protagonist himself may be a "Leaver" because he is living a horrible life due to the fact that he is afraid of failing without even trying to meet his goal.

4. Define "Mother Culture". 

          I think the "Mother Culture" is the culture that you first belong to. To be more specific, for a person that has lived in various places of the world has many culture. And he/she feels identified with all the cultures he belongs to or use to belong to. But our Mother Culture is the first culture and by that it is the strongest. I think he uses this term because of the gorilla. His Mother Culture is being a primate (but inside he is more than that) we wants to be something he is not for the good of the world but his Mother Culture or in this case "his reality" is keeping him from it.

5. Do you agree with Ishmael? 

          As a matter of fact, I do. All of the views of life of this gorilla are really heart-touching. He wants the best for the world. Also, he makes realistic implications of life that makes us wake up and realize that the world could be a lot better if people weren't captives of ridiculous stories.