Canto 8 Part 2 Spoilers

canto 8 part 2 spoilers

my brain keeps forming half thoughts about how hong lu was constantly told there's no point in him trying to save anyone and be kind until he just accepted it as truth. all of his efforts just ended terribly through no fault of his own but as an impressionable child, when the main adult in your life is like that....those witnesses sure are surrendered.

vs don quixote and her goal of being a righteous fixer spreading kindness and protecting the weak and not caring if she fumbles or fails. yes canto 7 happened, but she found herself again. she knows what she wants. she's dreaming that impossible dream.

what does hong lu think when he sees her? brief flashes of jealousy mixed with admiration? intrigue? he was one of her biggest supporters in canto 7; i think he does genuinely respect her ideals. at least someone is trying.

also coming in with the steel chair of thought is dad quixote and his good intentions caused all of that in la manchaland to happen making him feel as though all his efforts were for naught because it fueled the suffering of his family. it made him loop around to going bloodfiends will never be able to change their base nature, etc etc. he too gave up.

something something if anyone was going to have a dad quixote id it would have been hong lu and i've been saying this for months.

canto 7 and 8 have shared themes going on i just can't think of the word or phrase i'm looking for right now. tentatively action vs inaction and perceived futility of effort due to personal beliefs.