Blog Post # 15

How were the tripods able to control the people?

The tripods were able to control the people through capping. The cap is a small metal plate that is stuck on your head so it is part of it, its a technological device that allows the tripod to control thoughts the tripods do not wish you thought of. Whenever a child would turn to a certain age (I think 14) people would gather for capping day, in some ways it is kind of like a funeral from turning from child to adult. Even though all the adults say it is a wonderful thing cause you're transforming into an adult, it is actually the end of your freedom. Although in some ways it is like a celebration from child to adult it is actually a machine that controls the thoughts you would normally produce. It is a funeral for your independent thoughts that the tripods control after capping. A perfect example is Jack. Before he was capped, he and Will would talk about capping day, they both agreed there was something fishy about it. After he was capped he just told Will that capping was a great thing, and that the tripods actually very good. You can tell the difference in Jacks actions and behaviour.

Is Will frustrated about the Comte, Comtesse and Eloise being capped?

For girls, as I have said, Capping was a part of the process of becoming a lady. When she had recovered herself, and wound the turban back on, Eloise explained something of this, speaking in English so that I would be sure to understand her fully. This brings Will back to reality from his mesmerizing state. He was beginning to go over board with his liking for Eloise. This was like a reminder not to get to caught up with her. It brings back all the knowledge that Eloise has been capped. Before Will had stuffed the knowledge back in his brain somewhere refusing to let it come out from its cage. This part forces that knowledge out automatically, bringing Will back to from his trance where he has been parked for a long time.

What were Wills feeling about being capped?

In the beginning of the book before Jack was capped, Will and Jack had a conversation about capping, they both agreed that it was in some ways scary. He didn't have fond feelings for capping. Then later, after Jack was capped, they had a new conversation. "Why should the Tripods take people away, and Cap them? What right have they?" "They do it for our good." Jack responded. You can tell that Jacks mind has changed after the capping and he now agrees with all the people who have been capped. "Jack," I said, "I've been thinking." He waited, without much interest. "Of what you said-about the wonderful things that men made, before the Tripods." "That was nonsense," he said.. This new conversation clearly shows Jacks mind has changed after the capping. Will's mind is still scared about capping, like every child's before their capping day. Although, I think he saw that after Jack was capped he didn't think the same way that he used to. I think Will is afraid his mind will change the same way Jacks did. When Ozymandias told him the truth about the capping he believed that, because all the clues pointed towards what Ozymandias said. Will thought the same as Ozymandias. If all the children in that village found someone like Ozymandias they, too would be on their way to the White Mountains by now.