Popular Mechanics

"In this manner, the issue was decided. "

If by issue the author means having a baby in one piece, then yes the issue was decided. I think this story is extremely symbolic and ironic. Divorce tears families apart. In this case it tears baby apart. What I don't understand is the title. Is the splitting solution popular? This makes me think that maybe I'm just being sick and twisted. On the logical side, maybe the baby is still the issue, but splitting isn't the resolution. The issue wasn't resolved afterall. SO maybe the state of the baby changed. Rather than dying, maybe the baby no longer matters. The couple could just be fighting for the sake of fighting. The baby issue vanished, and they decided that the real issue of divorce became the forefront of arguments.

You're Ugly, Too

"It's a bonehead. It's this thing that looks like a giant bone going through your head." pg 355

You're a bonehead! Newsflash miss thing: you aren't funny! Zoe (with an umlaut on the e) has to be one of the most emotionally irrational characters I've ever read. She wants to be pregnant, she wants to hook up, and then she wants nothing to do with Earl. Someone needs to tell her that she's not as brilliant as she thinks. The only irony I can find is that Zoe thinks she's extremely sarcastic and ironic, but she's not at all. She's just a jerk. When a perverted doctor joke is funnier than you, that's when you know you aren't funny. The story was a straight forward bore, but I was waiting on the edge of my seat for something to happen. I'm still waiting...

The Drunkard

"'It was God did it to you were there. You were his guardian angel." pg 351

I feel like this mother and I know different Gods. The God I know would never get a little boy hopelessly drunk to help his alcoholic father. This is not funny at all!First of all, show some respect. Don't go to a funeral just to get drunk afterward. Most importantly, someone teach that kid that curiosity killed the cat! Alcoholism is very genetic. This one binge could start the boy's battle with alcoholism. I feel like the author should have thought of the seriousness of alcoholism before writing this.

The Lottery

"'Nothing but trouble in that,... Pack of young fools." pg 268

This is the worst lottery I have ever heard of.Who would every want to win death upon one of their family members? Why would any sane reader see that coming? They wouldn't. The townspeople were so casual about the lottery. They were even outraged by the thought of getting rid  of the lottery. It's not like killing a random person will actually make the harvest any better. How dare other communities take a turn for the humane! These people are so stuck inside their superstition that they can't see how awful the Lottery is! I realize that these kinds of games used to be the norm in socciety, and I thank God that times have changed. In fact, times have changed so much that I cannot fathom the merciless killing, but my ancestors very well could have participated in something like this.