I'm almost done with this book and I don't want it to end!
Finally Achak got rescued by Achor Achor! I was getting a little impatient and bored with his situation at the house. It seemed like no one was ever going to come for him, and he'd be stuck there for a while. I kept thinking: "why can't he just fidget his way out of the telephone cord or something? Is he that weak that he can't get up?" As messed up as that was to think, it just seemed like he could have done more to free himself rather than just wait for someone to find him. Anyways, it was relieving to have him freed by Achor Achor, but it must have been embarassing. Especially after Achor Achor mentioned that Achak ended up peeing on himself. I would have been embarassed. But Achor Achor seems like a nice friend and he and Achak do seem to get along pretty good. Then again, it isn't surprising since they did go through the same experience together.
I was actually surprised at how long Achak had to wait in the ER. Does it really take that long just to get an MRI? Or a simple emergency evaluation for that matter? Its a little unbelievable, and at one moment, I was siding with Achor Achor, assuming that the hospital had no faith in Achak paying or something. 4+ hours just seems a little too long, especially since Achak described the hospital to be surprisingly calm and not occupied at all. I still don't get what took so long.
Anyways, it was nice hearing some experiences of when Achak first came to America. It was something new, and interesting because its curious to see how he would act and react to a new place. A place that's just full of so many things. I think its great that there was a Sudanese relief fund and programs and everythinf for the Sudancese refugees. I thought it was really cool how so many people took an interest in it and were willing to help out, and how many people were willing to be sponsors and everything. I was also surprised, excited, and a bit envious when I read the part where they met Angelina Jolie. I found it funny how Achak was so clueless about her, too. But hearing all that was fun and refreshing, since it was a different experience. I like Achak's sponsors. They helped him so much, even though they hesitated for a while. But they treated Achak really nice, actually, most of the people Achak knew and came to know in America, really took care of Achak and really supported him, like Mary and everyone else. It was like Achak's own support net, or support system. That'd be really comforting to me to know that there were people I could fall back on to help me out during hard situations.
Now back to Achak's childhood. It seems like its been ages, but its only been a few years. And Achak is what? only 12? and he's still going through all this? So young. It made me really happy to know that Moses was alive. And I don't blame Achak for assuming that he was just a hallucination. I think I would have done the same thing, especially after thinking I saw him get shot by the muharaleen. I wouldn't believe it was him, but it was. And it was nice to see Achak happy again and have someone that gave him hope that the rest of the people he knew may have been alive as well. But Moses's story was also sad. I can't imagine having to travel for such a long time on a horse's back and a camel's back. That must've been unbearable and so uncomfortable. But he made it and found Achak, he must have been more than happy to finally find a familiar face.
I find Achak's relationship with Tabitha cute. Tabitha wanted to be with Achak and she ended up leaving Duluma for Achak. How cute! It made Achak really happy, too, and I find the way he acts and describes Tabitha to be cute as well. He treats her with so much respect, despite what the rumors were and what Duluma had told him about Tabitha. I think I'd side with Achak on this one and not believe the rumors about Tabitha, although she does seem like someone who had some mistakes about her past...just not ones so severe as abortion maybe. She moodswings a lot though.
Achak's living in Kakuma, at first seems so hard, and disappointing, and no matter how much they say it got "better", I still don't think it did. No matter what, in the end, its still a desert wasteland thats harsh and unbearable. But Achak got used to living there, even though he didn't want to. Everyone got used to living there, they had no other choice. I found it sad how Achak described their journey to Kakuma, and how they were chased off by the Ethiopians. They just killed and shot people off in the river, with no mercy at all. I would like to think that people aren't this barbaric, but this book makes them sound so heartless. How could people just kill other so recklessly? Its incomprehensible.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
what is the what [[chapter 11-15]]
This book is so good! I'm really enjoying reading this book, its hard to stop reading.
I like this book a lot and it really makes me wonder why I never knew about the incidents that were happening in Sudan. There was just so much going on and I really can't believe how unaware of it I actually was. But while reading this book, and picturing all the events that Achack describes, at times, I'm a little glad that I didn't really have any idea of these events. They're just so heartbreaking and surprising. Its very rare to hear the events that Achak went through, and when you do hear them, its a little unbelievable because its hard to imagine that people can be this cruel. But it happened. Hearing Achak's story is interesting nonetheless.
Achak's journey towards the desert to Ethoipia was so difficult. Its truly amazing how he survived while so many of the Lost Boys were dying all around him. The way they died too, its just awful. I wonder how Achak felt, like actually felt when he saw all his friends die. In the book, he seemed so indifferent to it. Maybe its because so many boys died on a daily basis that there was no time to feel pain or sympathy for them, which is understandable. I think if I was Achak though, I'd probably go mad, or at least be so traumatized. I'm not sure if I'd be indifferent to it as well like the rest of the boys were, but its just hard to have to picture something like that. I was shocked when Deng had died. I didn't expect it, and the way he died, peacefully (hopefully) in his sleep is unexpected. Just a few minutes ago he was alive, and the next moment, he was dead. It was surprising for Achak too. I think I would have been scared though. Another surprising thing that caught me off guard was when Achak remet William K. I didn't hear his name for the past few chapters, and all of a sudden he comes up. I honestly thought he died. But he didn't, and he eventually found Achak. I wonder how Achak felt when he saw William K. If I were Achak, I'd be beyond happy. Nothing else would matter. I had found someone familiar, and my journey wouldn't feel so alone. Seeing William K's face and just being around him would be something hard to believe, but at the same time, it'd be very comforting. I would probably be thinking the same thing Achak was: "if William K is alive, then maybe my family and other friends would be too." That would be enough hope that I would need to continue making the trek to Ethiopia. Even though William K did have crazy ideas about Ethiopia, I don't think his lies mattered so much. I just think he's company was more than enough to help Achak get through the days, especially after Deng had just passed away.
It was heartbreaking to read the part where William K had died. If I were Achak, I'd always regret not being by William K's side and at least trying to help him stay alive. But William K was so defeated and he had no more energy in him. He died so simple, too. Under a tree, just to rest, but he just ended up dying. It was sad to hear that he died, and the effort Achak put in to at least give him some kind of proper burial just made the feelings worse, but it was also one of those good moments, because Achak risked straying from the pack just to honor William K.. Its just reflex to feel sorry for Achak, his childhood was always filled with death, its amazing that he isn't traumatized by it and having nightmares or something about them. I think I would. But it's also amazing that Achak survived. It makes you wonder how he, out of the hundreds and thousands of people oppressed in Sudan, made it through all the trouble, all the running and walking, all the deaths, and he's still alive.
Dut seems like someone I would want to meet. Only because he's a strong boy with so much knowledge. He helped thousands of boys get to Ethiopia and he had great leadership. I sometimes wonder how he isn't selfish. Everytime he's mentioned, he's always trying to help the boys, provide them food, guide them to safety when attacks were under way, and just making sure the boys were as secure as possible. Guiding thousands of boys through the desert, and a few through the forest must have been a hard task for Dut, but he made it seem so easy and effortless. He knew where to go, how to get there, and what to do on the way to Ethiopia. His leadership skills are actually very impressive to me.
I found it rude how the rebel soldiers ended up kicking the boys out of the town before they reached Ethiopia. Its amazing that after all the turmoil and troubles, the rebels seemed to be playing favorites with the pack that they had. They couldn't try to accomodate them at least? Or even give them advice on where to go? Weren't they also refugees? Didn't they cross the same path and go through the same troubles as the boys did? What made any of that pack different from the boys? It was rude, and a little disappointing.
I like this book a lot and it really makes me wonder why I never knew about the incidents that were happening in Sudan. There was just so much going on and I really can't believe how unaware of it I actually was. But while reading this book, and picturing all the events that Achack describes, at times, I'm a little glad that I didn't really have any idea of these events. They're just so heartbreaking and surprising. Its very rare to hear the events that Achak went through, and when you do hear them, its a little unbelievable because its hard to imagine that people can be this cruel. But it happened. Hearing Achak's story is interesting nonetheless.
Achak's journey towards the desert to Ethoipia was so difficult. Its truly amazing how he survived while so many of the Lost Boys were dying all around him. The way they died too, its just awful. I wonder how Achak felt, like actually felt when he saw all his friends die. In the book, he seemed so indifferent to it. Maybe its because so many boys died on a daily basis that there was no time to feel pain or sympathy for them, which is understandable. I think if I was Achak though, I'd probably go mad, or at least be so traumatized. I'm not sure if I'd be indifferent to it as well like the rest of the boys were, but its just hard to have to picture something like that. I was shocked when Deng had died. I didn't expect it, and the way he died, peacefully (hopefully) in his sleep is unexpected. Just a few minutes ago he was alive, and the next moment, he was dead. It was surprising for Achak too. I think I would have been scared though. Another surprising thing that caught me off guard was when Achak remet William K. I didn't hear his name for the past few chapters, and all of a sudden he comes up. I honestly thought he died. But he didn't, and he eventually found Achak. I wonder how Achak felt when he saw William K. If I were Achak, I'd be beyond happy. Nothing else would matter. I had found someone familiar, and my journey wouldn't feel so alone. Seeing William K's face and just being around him would be something hard to believe, but at the same time, it'd be very comforting. I would probably be thinking the same thing Achak was: "if William K is alive, then maybe my family and other friends would be too." That would be enough hope that I would need to continue making the trek to Ethiopia. Even though William K did have crazy ideas about Ethiopia, I don't think his lies mattered so much. I just think he's company was more than enough to help Achak get through the days, especially after Deng had just passed away.
It was heartbreaking to read the part where William K had died. If I were Achak, I'd always regret not being by William K's side and at least trying to help him stay alive. But William K was so defeated and he had no more energy in him. He died so simple, too. Under a tree, just to rest, but he just ended up dying. It was sad to hear that he died, and the effort Achak put in to at least give him some kind of proper burial just made the feelings worse, but it was also one of those good moments, because Achak risked straying from the pack just to honor William K.. Its just reflex to feel sorry for Achak, his childhood was always filled with death, its amazing that he isn't traumatized by it and having nightmares or something about them. I think I would. But it's also amazing that Achak survived. It makes you wonder how he, out of the hundreds and thousands of people oppressed in Sudan, made it through all the trouble, all the running and walking, all the deaths, and he's still alive.
Dut seems like someone I would want to meet. Only because he's a strong boy with so much knowledge. He helped thousands of boys get to Ethiopia and he had great leadership. I sometimes wonder how he isn't selfish. Everytime he's mentioned, he's always trying to help the boys, provide them food, guide them to safety when attacks were under way, and just making sure the boys were as secure as possible. Guiding thousands of boys through the desert, and a few through the forest must have been a hard task for Dut, but he made it seem so easy and effortless. He knew where to go, how to get there, and what to do on the way to Ethiopia. His leadership skills are actually very impressive to me.
I found it rude how the rebel soldiers ended up kicking the boys out of the town before they reached Ethiopia. Its amazing that after all the turmoil and troubles, the rebels seemed to be playing favorites with the pack that they had. They couldn't try to accomodate them at least? Or even give them advice on where to go? Weren't they also refugees? Didn't they cross the same path and go through the same troubles as the boys did? What made any of that pack different from the boys? It was rude, and a little disappointing.
Monday, August 9, 2010
What is the What [chapter 6-10]
The more I read this book, the more interested I get, the more I'm really enjoying it. The stories are so intense, and it's so much. They make me feel sorry for Achak. He had to go through these events at such a young age, and experience so many hard things, and he has to carry those memories with him as he gets older. He specifically remembers them while he's lying in his own apartment with Michael, and reminscing back at these memories. Memories that aren't so happy.
I actually never knew the events that were occurring in Sudan. At least, if I had heard about it, they didn't sound as bad as it actually was. At such a young age, Achak had to experience all that he went through, its amazing how he survived on his own. At first, I was a little confused about the civil war that was going on. I wasn't sure if the SPLA were good, or not. But after rereading a few sentences I finally got it. I was rooting for the rebels of course. (Like any good story, those against the bad guys are always the ones to root for.) I actually didn't know what was going on, why there was a civil war in the first place, and how everthing go to where it got. How and why everything had to go the way they did.
Achack's family was something unexpected. Although I did know that men had mutiple wives, for some reason, that was something I was comfortable reading. Comfortable meaning, it was something new to read, because I rarely read books with that fact in it. Anyways, Achak's family seems very structured and stable. A big family, that's controlled and enjoyable to be around. His friends too seem like normal children. You wouldn't imagine that he had to go through all that he did. But it happened. Before all that though, Achak was just a normal child. Its just a trip that in one second, everything just changed before Achak's eyes. I wonder how that feels...
I'm surprised by Achak's experience, as well as all the other Lost Boys. How they survived is truly something to be proud of, even if they don't think it is. None of them are older than twenty, and yet they made their way through all that walking and survival. Its amazing, and in a way, very inspirational. Especially Achak's case. He ran for so long, alone, in the forest. So many things could have happened to him, but he did his best to survive. I honestly don't think I would have made it if I were in Achak's position. I would be so scared, and I wouldn't know what to do. I'd be so depressed, frustrated, confused...I'd have so many things going on that I don't think I would even think about running. He had a lot of motivation to run though, and thats something really courageous.
I wonder how it feels to see your whole village burn down, to have to hide and fear for your life every day and every night. It must have been scary for everyone, especially for Achak. To watch everything just be burned to ashes, to watch you're closests friends get brutally murdered, it must be horrifying. I felt so sorry for Moses when he saw his mother on the floor and yelled at her to get up. Reading that was hard, I can't imagine how Achak felt seeing it in person. Thats such a hard imagine to take in and process. I can't believe that things like that actually happened. Sometimes, reading things like this makes me wish that things like that weren''t true, that it's all just fiction, because when you read stories like this, it's really hard to accept the true reality of things.
I actually never knew the events that were occurring in Sudan. At least, if I had heard about it, they didn't sound as bad as it actually was. At such a young age, Achak had to experience all that he went through, its amazing how he survived on his own. At first, I was a little confused about the civil war that was going on. I wasn't sure if the SPLA were good, or not. But after rereading a few sentences I finally got it. I was rooting for the rebels of course. (Like any good story, those against the bad guys are always the ones to root for.) I actually didn't know what was going on, why there was a civil war in the first place, and how everthing go to where it got. How and why everything had to go the way they did.
Achack's family was something unexpected. Although I did know that men had mutiple wives, for some reason, that was something I was comfortable reading. Comfortable meaning, it was something new to read, because I rarely read books with that fact in it. Anyways, Achak's family seems very structured and stable. A big family, that's controlled and enjoyable to be around. His friends too seem like normal children. You wouldn't imagine that he had to go through all that he did. But it happened. Before all that though, Achak was just a normal child. Its just a trip that in one second, everything just changed before Achak's eyes. I wonder how that feels...
I'm surprised by Achak's experience, as well as all the other Lost Boys. How they survived is truly something to be proud of, even if they don't think it is. None of them are older than twenty, and yet they made their way through all that walking and survival. Its amazing, and in a way, very inspirational. Especially Achak's case. He ran for so long, alone, in the forest. So many things could have happened to him, but he did his best to survive. I honestly don't think I would have made it if I were in Achak's position. I would be so scared, and I wouldn't know what to do. I'd be so depressed, frustrated, confused...I'd have so many things going on that I don't think I would even think about running. He had a lot of motivation to run though, and thats something really courageous.
I wonder how it feels to see your whole village burn down, to have to hide and fear for your life every day and every night. It must have been scary for everyone, especially for Achak. To watch everything just be burned to ashes, to watch you're closests friends get brutally murdered, it must be horrifying. I felt so sorry for Moses when he saw his mother on the floor and yelled at her to get up. Reading that was hard, I can't imagine how Achak felt seeing it in person. Thats such a hard imagine to take in and process. I can't believe that things like that actually happened. Sometimes, reading things like this makes me wish that things like that weren''t true, that it's all just fiction, because when you read stories like this, it's really hard to accept the true reality of things.
What is the What [chapter 1-5]
I actually didn't know what to expect when I saw this book. Actually, I assumed that it was going to be about an African-American's struggle in a dominant white neighborhood. I thought it was going to be on of those stories again, so I was somewhat interested. Also, the title really caught my attention.
When I started reading the book, I got into it really fast. I was interested in it within the first chapter and I have a good feeling I'm really going to like this book. The first chapter caught my attention because it began with the main character getting robbed by African-Americans. I found it a little funny how the robbers profiled Achak as an African-American. Though he may have the same skin color, it doesn't exactly mean that he is the same race as them. I was a bit confused at first by the robbers. I wasn't really sure if Powder was trying to just act tough, or if he felt bad for Achak. At first, he was trying to act tough, then at one moment he felt sympathy for Achak and offered him some advice, and then a few minutes later, he was cursing at him and calling him names and beating him up. I actually really felt sorry for Achak right in the beginning of the chapter, because he just got suprised and raided by robbers, then he got beaten up, and he was feeling terrible about it. It was a sad scene.I was actually hoping that the robbers would get caught by the police or that someone would save him at least. I liked how the chapter ended however, where he reflected back to his baptism day. Valentino is his Christian name and I found it a little funny how he didn't even know how to pronounce his name until a while after.
I like how the book is set up. It goes back and forth to the present and the past, and Achak describes everything in between. It mostly talks about his past and his survival escapin Sudan and coming to America, with moments when he described the present. I'm curious as to why Achak began thinking about his journey at this point in time, after a robbery, where he seems to be held hostage. Also, he's telling...or at least reminscing back to his childhood to the boy who's supposed to guard him, Micheal. The weird part is, that he's not directly telling Michael his story, but merely reflecting on it, and hoping that Michael would sympathize with him. Michael doesn't sympathize however, and instead drops a book on Achak's head, and baracades him with his own furniture. I will applaud Michael though. Even though what he's doing is wrong, he's a pretty smart boy to think about baracading Achak and even dropping the book on his head to knock him out.
The more Achak got into his story, the more I got interested in reading. It started off slow, basically describing how his childhood was before things got ruined. He seemed like he had a pretty good, easy childhood and everything was fine. Though, when he described the horrors he had seen, such as beatings, murders, and all of that, it was something I didn't expect. Yes, I did expect some brutality, but not as bad or as much as Achak describes in the book. It's crazy. Especially when he describes his nights running in the forest with the Lost Boys. Its brutal, and at times, I wonder if things like that actually happened. Its just something so unbelievable that it only seems right in books or in films, but in real life, it's just something you don't want to ever experience, more or less remember, in Achak's case.
I liked what he mentioned about filling the air with his stories, and staring down a man with his stories. Stories like these should be heard, not for sympathy, but just as a reflection for those who've gone through such trauma. I liked the qoute where he said: "Written words are rare in my village, and it is my right and obligation to send my stories into the world, even if silently, even if utterly powerless." I also liked when he mentioned that method of remembering you're happiest memory in order to make you sleep. It's sad in Achak's childhood situation, but at the same time, it's like a glimpse of hope. That things weren't always bad, and that things can be good.
When I started reading the book, I got into it really fast. I was interested in it within the first chapter and I have a good feeling I'm really going to like this book. The first chapter caught my attention because it began with the main character getting robbed by African-Americans. I found it a little funny how the robbers profiled Achak as an African-American. Though he may have the same skin color, it doesn't exactly mean that he is the same race as them. I was a bit confused at first by the robbers. I wasn't really sure if Powder was trying to just act tough, or if he felt bad for Achak. At first, he was trying to act tough, then at one moment he felt sympathy for Achak and offered him some advice, and then a few minutes later, he was cursing at him and calling him names and beating him up. I actually really felt sorry for Achak right in the beginning of the chapter, because he just got suprised and raided by robbers, then he got beaten up, and he was feeling terrible about it. It was a sad scene.I was actually hoping that the robbers would get caught by the police or that someone would save him at least. I liked how the chapter ended however, where he reflected back to his baptism day. Valentino is his Christian name and I found it a little funny how he didn't even know how to pronounce his name until a while after.
I like how the book is set up. It goes back and forth to the present and the past, and Achak describes everything in between. It mostly talks about his past and his survival escapin Sudan and coming to America, with moments when he described the present. I'm curious as to why Achak began thinking about his journey at this point in time, after a robbery, where he seems to be held hostage. Also, he's telling...or at least reminscing back to his childhood to the boy who's supposed to guard him, Micheal. The weird part is, that he's not directly telling Michael his story, but merely reflecting on it, and hoping that Michael would sympathize with him. Michael doesn't sympathize however, and instead drops a book on Achak's head, and baracades him with his own furniture. I will applaud Michael though. Even though what he's doing is wrong, he's a pretty smart boy to think about baracading Achak and even dropping the book on his head to knock him out.
The more Achak got into his story, the more I got interested in reading. It started off slow, basically describing how his childhood was before things got ruined. He seemed like he had a pretty good, easy childhood and everything was fine. Though, when he described the horrors he had seen, such as beatings, murders, and all of that, it was something I didn't expect. Yes, I did expect some brutality, but not as bad or as much as Achak describes in the book. It's crazy. Especially when he describes his nights running in the forest with the Lost Boys. Its brutal, and at times, I wonder if things like that actually happened. Its just something so unbelievable that it only seems right in books or in films, but in real life, it's just something you don't want to ever experience, more or less remember, in Achak's case.
I liked what he mentioned about filling the air with his stories, and staring down a man with his stories. Stories like these should be heard, not for sympathy, but just as a reflection for those who've gone through such trauma. I liked the qoute where he said: "Written words are rare in my village, and it is my right and obligation to send my stories into the world, even if silently, even if utterly powerless." I also liked when he mentioned that method of remembering you're happiest memory in order to make you sleep. It's sad in Achak's childhood situation, but at the same time, it's like a glimpse of hope. That things weren't always bad, and that things can be good.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
how to read literature like a professor chapter 21-27 [end]
YES! Finally finished the book, and I'm super happy! :)
The last few chapters of the book discussed a few things I would normally have overlooked in a story, considering it as something not important. After reading the last few chapters, I've realized that these factors actually are a big piece of understanding a story, if not the most important piece to understanding a story.
Chapter 21 discussed how abnormalities of characters are a big sign to show how important they are. While reading this chapter, so many characters came up in my head, whether they were in books, tv shows/ movies, or games. These characters did have abnormalities that set them apart from the rest of society, however, made them obvious as the main character and hero/heroine of the story. So, when I read this chapter, I actually had an "aha!" moment. I like how the author stated that a certain abnormality may be just that- a certain abnormality. But, apply that abnormality to a character, especially in literature, and you get a unique hero/heroine who'll make an amazing impact on the story. I also found it ironic how characters of stories with abnormalties are discriminated against in the story, yet they end up being the hero/heroine of the story. Also, in the real world, we'd feel sorry for these people, sympathize, or even evade them, viewing them as different, and maybe even discriminate against them (meaniieeess!). We would never think them of heroes/heroines or view them as someone great like we do with characters in literature.
Chapter 22 went over characters who were blind. I always found blind characters interesting though. I actually favor blind characters, only because they seem more intelligent, clever, and overall, better than the regular people/characters of the book. I was always fascinated by blind characters because their other senses were more heightened and trained then anyone else's, and that made them better. True, they had the disability of not seeing, but they used their other sense, like listening to sense things around them. I always found that interesting. Anyways, I like what the author said when he stated to mention your character's disability early on in the story. Its more convenient that way because it lays out the rest of the story for the reader. It allows the reader to wonder: "what'll happen now?" "how will this change the story?" It doesn't have to be mentioned right away in the beginning of the story, but at least the first few chapters, that way, the plot will run much more smoothly. It makes it more interesting.
Chapter 23 and 24 talked about illnesses. These two stories were actually a little boring for me. I haven't read too many books where the character died of heart attacks/heart problems, or had any sort of connection with heart problems. That's probably one reason why I wasn't so interested in the chapters. Actually, thinking about it now, the only story that comes to mind where I read about the characters having an illness would be the story called Fever 1987 (at least I think that was the year...I don't even remember the book all too great so I'm not going to discuss it too much.) Basically, these chapters did help, but since I haven't had much resources to fall back on and reanalyze with the tips of these chapters, I can't really comment on these chapters as much.
Chapter 25 was actually fun to read. I'm glad the author put this chapter into the book. Sure, having an opinion about topics are helpful in analyzing a book, but I agree that sometimes, you have to put yourself in the character's shoes, or even the author's shoes, to fully understand the situation. Getting information about the time period/situation helps so much. I think, when you read literature, you should be unbiased, and put you're opinion aside. If you're just straight up stuck on you're own opinion, it'll just prevent you from fully enjoying the book.
Chapter 26 dealt with irony. Irony is hard to understand, even for me. I have the basis for it, and with that knowledge, I think irony is great with stories. I like stories with irony in it because it throws everything off, and catches the reader off guard. It adds more wonder to the story, more anticipation, and makes everything that much better to read. I like to think of it as the " oh what the _ _ _ _!" factor (all those reading, theres more than one word to put into those blanks! =P) Its something you don't expect to happen, and it makes you want to keep reading, because now everything has just changed. Whatever the reader had in mind, it's all out the window because now something new just came up. I like surprises in books, much more enjoyable to read.
Chapter 27: the test case
First off, "The Garden Party" was an good story. I wouldn't say it was satisfying, but i wouldn't say it was disatisfying to read. It was plainly ok. When I analyzed the story, I did get the hint of class differentiation. I thought of it as Laura being torn with her class and the lower class, sympathizing one of the families of the lower class because of the death. She sympathized and felt bad so much to the point that she wanted to cancel the garden party, while everyone else thought she was being absurd and ridiculous. I thought of it as Laura trying to find her place in society. As much as she would like to help the lower class, she just doesn't belong there. She finally realizes this one she has to deliver the food to the house down the hill and she feels uncomfortable and just wants to get out. That was the basis of my interpretation.
I would have never thought of the whole Persephone myth, unless the author mentioned it. Once he brought up the name, I began to see the resemblance, and my thoughts after that matched that of the author. I was surprised to see those connections because, like I said, Persephone didn't even cross my mind at all. But when the author mentioned it, only then did I see all the connections and everything. It was interesting to get that analysis. I also found the analysis of the birds surprising too because, although I did see a lot of reference to birds and flight, I actually didn't connect it to anything, at least, I didn't interpret it the same way.
I guess I'm not as good at analyzation as I should be. Sometimes for me "a hawk is just a hawk", things in stories are just what they are for me. I suppose I do need a lot more work on analyzation, and I'll be sure to refer to this book to help me with that (even though i didn't quite enjoy reading it). However, I think the one thing I'll have to disagree with the author is this: I don't think every book, every story, every poem has to be so detailed and analyzed, unless, yes, it is for school purposes. Besides that, I don't think I'm going to analyze every book so rigorously and so meticulously as the author does. Sure, every now and then I'll have an "AHA!" moment, or remember a few of the tips I learned in this book, but I think the best way to understand a book, is to just read it and enjoy it (or dislike it if it happens to be that way.) :)
The last few chapters of the book discussed a few things I would normally have overlooked in a story, considering it as something not important. After reading the last few chapters, I've realized that these factors actually are a big piece of understanding a story, if not the most important piece to understanding a story.
Chapter 21 discussed how abnormalities of characters are a big sign to show how important they are. While reading this chapter, so many characters came up in my head, whether they were in books, tv shows/ movies, or games. These characters did have abnormalities that set them apart from the rest of society, however, made them obvious as the main character and hero/heroine of the story. So, when I read this chapter, I actually had an "aha!" moment. I like how the author stated that a certain abnormality may be just that- a certain abnormality. But, apply that abnormality to a character, especially in literature, and you get a unique hero/heroine who'll make an amazing impact on the story. I also found it ironic how characters of stories with abnormalties are discriminated against in the story, yet they end up being the hero/heroine of the story. Also, in the real world, we'd feel sorry for these people, sympathize, or even evade them, viewing them as different, and maybe even discriminate against them (meaniieeess!). We would never think them of heroes/heroines or view them as someone great like we do with characters in literature.
Chapter 22 went over characters who were blind. I always found blind characters interesting though. I actually favor blind characters, only because they seem more intelligent, clever, and overall, better than the regular people/characters of the book. I was always fascinated by blind characters because their other senses were more heightened and trained then anyone else's, and that made them better. True, they had the disability of not seeing, but they used their other sense, like listening to sense things around them. I always found that interesting. Anyways, I like what the author said when he stated to mention your character's disability early on in the story. Its more convenient that way because it lays out the rest of the story for the reader. It allows the reader to wonder: "what'll happen now?" "how will this change the story?" It doesn't have to be mentioned right away in the beginning of the story, but at least the first few chapters, that way, the plot will run much more smoothly. It makes it more interesting.
Chapter 23 and 24 talked about illnesses. These two stories were actually a little boring for me. I haven't read too many books where the character died of heart attacks/heart problems, or had any sort of connection with heart problems. That's probably one reason why I wasn't so interested in the chapters. Actually, thinking about it now, the only story that comes to mind where I read about the characters having an illness would be the story called Fever 1987 (at least I think that was the year...I don't even remember the book all too great so I'm not going to discuss it too much.) Basically, these chapters did help, but since I haven't had much resources to fall back on and reanalyze with the tips of these chapters, I can't really comment on these chapters as much.
Chapter 25 was actually fun to read. I'm glad the author put this chapter into the book. Sure, having an opinion about topics are helpful in analyzing a book, but I agree that sometimes, you have to put yourself in the character's shoes, or even the author's shoes, to fully understand the situation. Getting information about the time period/situation helps so much. I think, when you read literature, you should be unbiased, and put you're opinion aside. If you're just straight up stuck on you're own opinion, it'll just prevent you from fully enjoying the book.
Chapter 26 dealt with irony. Irony is hard to understand, even for me. I have the basis for it, and with that knowledge, I think irony is great with stories. I like stories with irony in it because it throws everything off, and catches the reader off guard. It adds more wonder to the story, more anticipation, and makes everything that much better to read. I like to think of it as the " oh what the _ _ _ _!" factor (all those reading, theres more than one word to put into those blanks! =P) Its something you don't expect to happen, and it makes you want to keep reading, because now everything has just changed. Whatever the reader had in mind, it's all out the window because now something new just came up. I like surprises in books, much more enjoyable to read.
Chapter 27: the test case
First off, "The Garden Party" was an good story. I wouldn't say it was satisfying, but i wouldn't say it was disatisfying to read. It was plainly ok. When I analyzed the story, I did get the hint of class differentiation. I thought of it as Laura being torn with her class and the lower class, sympathizing one of the families of the lower class because of the death. She sympathized and felt bad so much to the point that she wanted to cancel the garden party, while everyone else thought she was being absurd and ridiculous. I thought of it as Laura trying to find her place in society. As much as she would like to help the lower class, she just doesn't belong there. She finally realizes this one she has to deliver the food to the house down the hill and she feels uncomfortable and just wants to get out. That was the basis of my interpretation.
I would have never thought of the whole Persephone myth, unless the author mentioned it. Once he brought up the name, I began to see the resemblance, and my thoughts after that matched that of the author. I was surprised to see those connections because, like I said, Persephone didn't even cross my mind at all. But when the author mentioned it, only then did I see all the connections and everything. It was interesting to get that analysis. I also found the analysis of the birds surprising too because, although I did see a lot of reference to birds and flight, I actually didn't connect it to anything, at least, I didn't interpret it the same way.
I guess I'm not as good at analyzation as I should be. Sometimes for me "a hawk is just a hawk", things in stories are just what they are for me. I suppose I do need a lot more work on analyzation, and I'll be sure to refer to this book to help me with that (even though i didn't quite enjoy reading it). However, I think the one thing I'll have to disagree with the author is this: I don't think every book, every story, every poem has to be so detailed and analyzed, unless, yes, it is for school purposes. Besides that, I don't think I'm going to analyze every book so rigorously and so meticulously as the author does. Sure, every now and then I'll have an "AHA!" moment, or remember a few of the tips I learned in this book, but I think the best way to understand a book, is to just read it and enjoy it (or dislike it if it happens to be that way.) :)
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