Writers Craft
Kathleen Winter Blog
This prologue Annabel; was a very loud and grasping take on life, and how it affects us. My first impressions of the prologue is how it grasps the readers so early with great narration and a story that effects people all across the globe. The prologue does a great job of establishing mood and setting by talking about the baby and how it was set in the bathtub. And the visualization of the hospital room where the baby Wayne is born with both male and female genitalia. This picture creates a setting for the reader that makes you feel like your in the parents shoes. The prologue shows mood when the parents of the baby will do anything to keep this hideous secret from the town. It shows how people will do some things just to be accepted and not criticized. This gives the reader a sense of a sad mood and a gloomy future for this baby.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Richard Ford Blog - essay
Writers Craft
Richard Ford Blog
New Orleans - post Katrina
Politics
His Writing Life
Dirty Realism in his writing
“Dirty Realism” in his writing (a critic’s comment that Ford dismisses as a useful marketing ploy that reached out to a wider audience)
New Orleans - post Katrina
new orleans not a big block for Republican party
where he lived
New Orleans post Katrina shows how the natural disaster affects the city, and more importantly how it affects the country. Ford also speaks about how the government could have done a lot more to help out the contribution to the Katrina aid.
“We saw, most of us watching New Orleans, all of these African American people were not Republicans, and so they weren't a voting block that the Republicans really had an investment in.” This shows how the Bush administration did not completely and ultimately contribute to all that could have been done to help the city of New Orleans.
Politics
Lay of the land is made just after the United States 2000 year election which describes the actions of George Bush, and how the next eight years would impact America.
Also it describes how George Bush had stolen the election “with the shadow of 911 looming over his head”.
“Ive been regarding the Lay of the Land, I meant the Lay of the Land, hopelessly in American terms I think to be a political book, and to have political consequences in its readership.” Richard Ford talks about this and how his novel can help Americans become more clear with the understanding of their government, and how they can learn more about the people they are voting into office, instead of just sheepishly voting.
“I thought I could bring to people’s attention something that I thought Americans had slept through.” Regarding the fact that the election had been stolen and that people had accepted it, and let it just drift away from the fact that they’re government had stolen, when they tell others that stealing will get you locked up in a prison.
“ I felt that Americans needed to come through the agency of my book, back to
“The consequences of what we didn't do as a populous, and the consequences of that election being stolen have landed us, and not just us, but lot’s of people who are not Americans, into the plight were into today.
I thought if i set this book in the interregnum period, between when we Americans voted, and when the Republican via the Supreme Court stole the election
Richard Ford clearly states how politics is a huge part of the American life, but also how America somehow still feels that the government should have a smaller part in their daily lives.
“Americans aren’t interested in politics, to Americans politics is a t.v. show on every night between six-thirty and seven.” The quote is in discussion of how American politics is a interesting, and popular topic in Germany and Scandinavia. But Americans would rather watch a four hour long game of golf then to listen and watch politics. And that politics has fallen into a forgotten responsibility, which is taken care of by a highly polished political class.
“Were promised by our constitution the privilege of life, liberty, and the Pursuit of happiness, and by God don’t get in our way while were pursuing it.” This quotation states the American population has shown their lack of interest for the government and how it is affecting their country. They would rather just continue on their own plans, and end up wanting a life that excludes the government as much as possible.
Writing Life
Richard Ford talks about his interactions with writing and how it has shaped his entire life. Ford speaks about his connection between short stories and his novels. He also speaks about how his short stories would be very difficult to put into a movie. Their is a way in which novels have to do with where they take place, and by looking around you and your environment
“ Im a realistic writer i’m trying to find places plausible, for events to occur and relationships go forward.” Demonstrating true understanding of writing is something that come so very often, and Richard Ford makes a astute observation stating that in some writers lives they have to do something naturally, that doesn’t come with intensity. He also speaks about how he writes and what he needs to do to create the best novel or short story possible. “This babies gonna have to be shorter, and its going to need less scenes in it.” This ends up making in turn usually the short stories refurnished and more crisply written. He also speaks about how he grew up writing short stories, and he got lot’s of his influence from great short story writers while he was growing up.
His writing has been shown as something that has the intentions to write a novel and to get at something that hasn’t been though of before. But that is very hard because things happen all around the world, but may feel like a new idea to you.
He speaks about how his novels need to be shorter and have less scenes in them.
you can write a novel who’s intentions is to get at something that hasn’t been thought of before.
He speaks about how some writers were taken out of their writing because of their
Dirty Realism
Richard Ford talks about his writing known as dirty realism. And how he grew up during the 70’s and eighties growing up around writers who were known as dirty realism writers. Raymond Carver, Tobias Wolff, and Ann Beattie are just some of the writers that influence Richard in his writing.
Dirty realism is shown through his speech of the writers that he has grown up to imitate and learn from.
Richard Ford Blog
New Orleans - post Katrina
Politics
His Writing Life
Dirty Realism in his writing
“Dirty Realism” in his writing (a critic’s comment that Ford dismisses as a useful marketing ploy that reached out to a wider audience)
New Orleans - post Katrina
new orleans not a big block for Republican party
where he lived
New Orleans post Katrina shows how the natural disaster affects the city, and more importantly how it affects the country. Ford also speaks about how the government could have done a lot more to help out the contribution to the Katrina aid.
“We saw, most of us watching New Orleans, all of these African American people were not Republicans, and so they weren't a voting block that the Republicans really had an investment in.” This shows how the Bush administration did not completely and ultimately contribute to all that could have been done to help the city of New Orleans.
Politics
Lay of the land is made just after the United States 2000 year election which describes the actions of George Bush, and how the next eight years would impact America.
Also it describes how George Bush had stolen the election “with the shadow of 911 looming over his head”.
“Ive been regarding the Lay of the Land, I meant the Lay of the Land, hopelessly in American terms I think to be a political book, and to have political consequences in its readership.” Richard Ford talks about this and how his novel can help Americans become more clear with the understanding of their government, and how they can learn more about the people they are voting into office, instead of just sheepishly voting.
“I thought I could bring to people’s attention something that I thought Americans had slept through.” Regarding the fact that the election had been stolen and that people had accepted it, and let it just drift away from the fact that they’re government had stolen, when they tell others that stealing will get you locked up in a prison.
“ I felt that Americans needed to come through the agency of my book, back to
“The consequences of what we didn't do as a populous, and the consequences of that election being stolen have landed us, and not just us, but lot’s of people who are not Americans, into the plight were into today.
I thought if i set this book in the interregnum period, between when we Americans voted, and when the Republican via the Supreme Court stole the election
Richard Ford clearly states how politics is a huge part of the American life, but also how America somehow still feels that the government should have a smaller part in their daily lives.
“Americans aren’t interested in politics, to Americans politics is a t.v. show on every night between six-thirty and seven.” The quote is in discussion of how American politics is a interesting, and popular topic in Germany and Scandinavia. But Americans would rather watch a four hour long game of golf then to listen and watch politics. And that politics has fallen into a forgotten responsibility, which is taken care of by a highly polished political class.
“Were promised by our constitution the privilege of life, liberty, and the Pursuit of happiness, and by God don’t get in our way while were pursuing it.” This quotation states the American population has shown their lack of interest for the government and how it is affecting their country. They would rather just continue on their own plans, and end up wanting a life that excludes the government as much as possible.
Writing Life
Richard Ford talks about his interactions with writing and how it has shaped his entire life. Ford speaks about his connection between short stories and his novels. He also speaks about how his short stories would be very difficult to put into a movie. Their is a way in which novels have to do with where they take place, and by looking around you and your environment
“ Im a realistic writer i’m trying to find places plausible, for events to occur and relationships go forward.” Demonstrating true understanding of writing is something that come so very often, and Richard Ford makes a astute observation stating that in some writers lives they have to do something naturally, that doesn’t come with intensity. He also speaks about how he writes and what he needs to do to create the best novel or short story possible. “This babies gonna have to be shorter, and its going to need less scenes in it.” This ends up making in turn usually the short stories refurnished and more crisply written. He also speaks about how he grew up writing short stories, and he got lot’s of his influence from great short story writers while he was growing up.
His writing has been shown as something that has the intentions to write a novel and to get at something that hasn’t been though of before. But that is very hard because things happen all around the world, but may feel like a new idea to you.
He speaks about how his novels need to be shorter and have less scenes in them.
you can write a novel who’s intentions is to get at something that hasn’t been thought of before.
He speaks about how some writers were taken out of their writing because of their
Dirty Realism
Richard Ford talks about his writing known as dirty realism. And how he grew up during the 70’s and eighties growing up around writers who were known as dirty realism writers. Raymond Carver, Tobias Wolff, and Ann Beattie are just some of the writers that influence Richard in his writing.
Dirty realism is shown through his speech of the writers that he has grown up to imitate and learn from.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Cathy Gildner - Blog Post
Cathy Gildner Blog
In class conversation
I thought that the in-class conversation with Catherine Gildner was a great look into the author of the memoir we have been reading. I found her views on what she wrote, to be very intellectual, and observant of her childhood. I found her to be a very down to earth, and very interacting. I was impressed and intrigued by her ideas, and reasons for her scenes and interactions in the novel.
In class conversation
I thought that the in-class conversation with Catherine Gildner was a great look into the author of the memoir we have been reading. I found her views on what she wrote, to be very intellectual, and observant of her childhood. I found her to be a very down to earth, and very interacting. I was impressed and intrigued by her ideas, and reasons for her scenes and interactions in the novel.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Writer Craft - Cathy Gildner Blog
After the Falls Blog
By Colin Stitt
After the Falls - Mom and Dad
In Cathy’s coming up in life it is clear that her parents are the most influential factor to her wrk ethic, and success in her work world. As Cathy is growing up in her child years she looks to her parents as a source of protection, and information. As Cathy is growing up in Niagara Falls she feels like she is in a perfect place in her life, working with Roy and her father in his drug company. But when they leave Niagara Falls and move to Buffalo, cathy’s relationship with her parents deteriorates, as she is in her teenage years. As Cathy is depressed with her new life, and her new home, she does not realize how the move affects her parents as well. As the family moves to their new house Cathy views her parents differently, and she starts to distance herself from them.
As Cathy figures that her parents have changed for the worse, she later understands that it was really her who had changed. As Cathy becomes a teenager she becomes angry and embarrassed by her parents. She even starts to separate from her father, who she had always been close to. Cathy soon begins to realize that her mother is suffering more than both her father and herself. As Cathy notices that her mother is dealing with her own difficulties with her new life, and environment.
When Cathy moves through her teenage years and she becomes more in tune with her own life, moving away from home, going to university, finding jobs in the political movement, she finds that she has more respect for her parents. When Cathy is informed of her father’s illness, she feels sorry that she had been so mean to her father. When Cathy was home with her father, she feels that she should punished for her actions towards him, and her attitude. Though Cathy and her father were closer than Cathy and her mother, she still realizes and thanks her mother for keeping the house and their lives as normal as possible. Cathy’s parents are obviously always close to her heart. While looking back on her life Cathy realizes that her parents have been as supportive as any parents can be.
After the Falls - Pop Culture Influence
The influence of pop culture and influence was at a peek in the middle of the 1960’s. Not only to be a person in your twenty and thirties, but a teenage girl growing up on the Eastern Sea Board, and so much revolution and change coming about. This age was one that influenced lot’s of teenage minds into fighting the power and doing the anti-government protests.
The sixties called for a decade that shaped an entire century. The new types of fashions that appeared were something that all girls had no care in the world for. Loose jeans and possibly a trippy shirt. The music proved to be one that boomed with the Beatles, r.e.s.p.e.c.t. Drive in movie theaters, a drive through but only they serve you in the car to you and your family. The movies cathy’s sees shows her to a whole new kind of concept.
The art and athletics that Cathy witnesses while she is in college shows a view into the smart educated and the jockey, and arrogant sides to the look of the university. Advertising shows how it comes up in the novel when Cathy shows how she advertises the works of her favorite writer growing up. The political events that she notices and acknowledges is when she moves to a new state and lives under slightly new rules, and when she goes to the government to talk about the problem she had when she was a young teenager.
After the Falls - Work Life
Cathy’s worked for McClure’s drugs handing out perscriptions to those who needed it with the delivery man Roy, and they create a strong relationship between each other. Which involved the experience of racial differences which prepares her for her involvement in the American Civil Rights movement. The relationship between Roy and Cathy becomes so deep that later on in her life Roy gives her advice on how to help her and her fathers relationship build back up again. And in turn help towards the end of the memoir when her father is becoming mentally unstable.
Cathy then finds a job at The Dunk where she shows the manager that she can make coffee faster than most of the other female workers could, offering her a job. While she is working she finds that she enjoys the company of the people she works with, and finds out lot’s about their stories, and experiences of the times. Even though she happens to start a fire while making doughnuts, she noticed that she noticed racial tension when she walked away from the job, and looked back on her time at The Dunk. But even though she finds it unsettling that their is racial tension, she doesn’ let that hold her back and she takes part in her colleagues dance routines every week, while the boss was out of the office.
Cathy then worked for Mary Kay Cosmetics where she learned to “Fake it till you make it”
(p.60)
She learns to carry this lesson with her whenever she would enter a new environment. Cathy uses this saying in a real life instance when she is interviewed for a job at Howard Johnson’s Hotel where she assures the boss that she is a great cook, and has history in the profession from other jobs. As she was fired for her lack of cooking skills, she was still asked around the restaurant how the food was from the customers. Telling a man who asked about the steak. and she replied saying that it wasn’t here cup of tea, but that it was ordered quite regularly. And when asked about the manager that had fired her, she had only respectful things to say about him. This man turned out to be Howard johnson, who was impressed by her honesty and values. This turned out to reflect her life aspect that her father had taught her, which was never speak negatively about anyone or anything.
When Cathy accepts a job at New York State Welfare, where she notices that their are no boundaries of race or colour. She realizes that everyone in her workplace, works half ass, and seems to leave the office everyday. While Cathy is working their for her first week, she works until the end of the day, assuming that is what her boss would want. When she finds out that her boss, in fact does not care about her hours and when she leaves, she rides the bandwagon and starts to slack on her work hours as well. When Cathy’s mother finds out that she’s working half time, and getting full pay, that she should change that and work as hard as she can for as long as she can. When Cathy returns to her full hour days, she realizes that she has many more ideas to improve the welfare system. It’s the work ethic that she develops from a young age that allows her to do this with satisfaction.
After the Falls - Friendships
Cathy made many friends throughout her childhood. Lot’s of these friendships would greatly impact her life. Cathy’s first friend was Roy, the delivery man from McClure’s Drugs. Cathy would enter the delivery truck with Roy to make deliveries, and during that time they would just talk about life. During their times together Cathy notices that their relationship has nothing to do with sex or race. Roy was able to teach Cathy about important things about people, and it had its affect later on in Cathy’s life.
While in school in Buffalo Cathy becomes friends with a girl by the name of Fran Stephens. Cathy and Fran rebound their ideas and thoughts off each other really well. cathy and Fran become known as the class comedians, acting out routines in assemblies from time to time. This status that they are given makes them both quite popular. As they are very close friends they also share a sickening act that they both watch, and notice happen. They both notice Fran’s brothers and friends rape a girl for entertainment. This situation shows Cathy that this shows how sexuality would be dealt with, and she becomes very cautious of sexual relationships.
Cathy creates a relationship with Kip Rogers and he helps Cathy distrust, and dislike for the opposite sex, with the Stephens’s boys frat meeting, and the Donnybrook incident. The relationship between Cathy and Kip, is one similar to the relationship Cathy had with Roy, except that sex is not an issue. When Cathy finds out that Kip has died in Vietnam, she become very sad, and reflects on their time together. Remembering that Kip had planned to go to university when he returned home.
Cathy’s most important, and strongest friendship was between her and her father. As Cathy is growing up in Niagara Falls, she has a very strong relationship with her father, working with him. While Cathy grew older, her family moved to Buffalo, and Cathy starts to distance herself from her father. While in her teenage years Cathy starts to become irritated, and uninterested in what her father had to say. While Cathy and her father have grown apart, her father develops a brain tumor causing him to lose parts of his brain. Cathy and her father would never be as close as they were before the diagnoses. Cathy feels terrible that she has treated her father so poorly, but also is glad that they had such a great relationship when she was younger. Roy gives Cathy a piece of advice while thinking of her father.
“ You got a lot ahead. You best be thinkin’ about tomorrow, and not yesterday.” (pg.166) This advice that she is given gives her help to move on with her own life, even though her regrets of the past, and her sadness of her fathers illness.
By Colin Stitt
After the Falls - Mom and Dad
In Cathy’s coming up in life it is clear that her parents are the most influential factor to her wrk ethic, and success in her work world. As Cathy is growing up in her child years she looks to her parents as a source of protection, and information. As Cathy is growing up in Niagara Falls she feels like she is in a perfect place in her life, working with Roy and her father in his drug company. But when they leave Niagara Falls and move to Buffalo, cathy’s relationship with her parents deteriorates, as she is in her teenage years. As Cathy is depressed with her new life, and her new home, she does not realize how the move affects her parents as well. As the family moves to their new house Cathy views her parents differently, and she starts to distance herself from them.
As Cathy figures that her parents have changed for the worse, she later understands that it was really her who had changed. As Cathy becomes a teenager she becomes angry and embarrassed by her parents. She even starts to separate from her father, who she had always been close to. Cathy soon begins to realize that her mother is suffering more than both her father and herself. As Cathy notices that her mother is dealing with her own difficulties with her new life, and environment.
When Cathy moves through her teenage years and she becomes more in tune with her own life, moving away from home, going to university, finding jobs in the political movement, she finds that she has more respect for her parents. When Cathy is informed of her father’s illness, she feels sorry that she had been so mean to her father. When Cathy was home with her father, she feels that she should punished for her actions towards him, and her attitude. Though Cathy and her father were closer than Cathy and her mother, she still realizes and thanks her mother for keeping the house and their lives as normal as possible. Cathy’s parents are obviously always close to her heart. While looking back on her life Cathy realizes that her parents have been as supportive as any parents can be.
After the Falls - Pop Culture Influence
The influence of pop culture and influence was at a peek in the middle of the 1960’s. Not only to be a person in your twenty and thirties, but a teenage girl growing up on the Eastern Sea Board, and so much revolution and change coming about. This age was one that influenced lot’s of teenage minds into fighting the power and doing the anti-government protests.
The sixties called for a decade that shaped an entire century. The new types of fashions that appeared were something that all girls had no care in the world for. Loose jeans and possibly a trippy shirt. The music proved to be one that boomed with the Beatles, r.e.s.p.e.c.t. Drive in movie theaters, a drive through but only they serve you in the car to you and your family. The movies cathy’s sees shows her to a whole new kind of concept.
The art and athletics that Cathy witnesses while she is in college shows a view into the smart educated and the jockey, and arrogant sides to the look of the university. Advertising shows how it comes up in the novel when Cathy shows how she advertises the works of her favorite writer growing up. The political events that she notices and acknowledges is when she moves to a new state and lives under slightly new rules, and when she goes to the government to talk about the problem she had when she was a young teenager.
After the Falls - Work Life
Cathy’s worked for McClure’s drugs handing out perscriptions to those who needed it with the delivery man Roy, and they create a strong relationship between each other. Which involved the experience of racial differences which prepares her for her involvement in the American Civil Rights movement. The relationship between Roy and Cathy becomes so deep that later on in her life Roy gives her advice on how to help her and her fathers relationship build back up again. And in turn help towards the end of the memoir when her father is becoming mentally unstable.
Cathy then finds a job at The Dunk where she shows the manager that she can make coffee faster than most of the other female workers could, offering her a job. While she is working she finds that she enjoys the company of the people she works with, and finds out lot’s about their stories, and experiences of the times. Even though she happens to start a fire while making doughnuts, she noticed that she noticed racial tension when she walked away from the job, and looked back on her time at The Dunk. But even though she finds it unsettling that their is racial tension, she doesn’ let that hold her back and she takes part in her colleagues dance routines every week, while the boss was out of the office.
Cathy then worked for Mary Kay Cosmetics where she learned to “Fake it till you make it”
(p.60)
She learns to carry this lesson with her whenever she would enter a new environment. Cathy uses this saying in a real life instance when she is interviewed for a job at Howard Johnson’s Hotel where she assures the boss that she is a great cook, and has history in the profession from other jobs. As she was fired for her lack of cooking skills, she was still asked around the restaurant how the food was from the customers. Telling a man who asked about the steak. and she replied saying that it wasn’t here cup of tea, but that it was ordered quite regularly. And when asked about the manager that had fired her, she had only respectful things to say about him. This man turned out to be Howard johnson, who was impressed by her honesty and values. This turned out to reflect her life aspect that her father had taught her, which was never speak negatively about anyone or anything.
When Cathy accepts a job at New York State Welfare, where she notices that their are no boundaries of race or colour. She realizes that everyone in her workplace, works half ass, and seems to leave the office everyday. While Cathy is working their for her first week, she works until the end of the day, assuming that is what her boss would want. When she finds out that her boss, in fact does not care about her hours and when she leaves, she rides the bandwagon and starts to slack on her work hours as well. When Cathy’s mother finds out that she’s working half time, and getting full pay, that she should change that and work as hard as she can for as long as she can. When Cathy returns to her full hour days, she realizes that she has many more ideas to improve the welfare system. It’s the work ethic that she develops from a young age that allows her to do this with satisfaction.
After the Falls - Friendships
Cathy made many friends throughout her childhood. Lot’s of these friendships would greatly impact her life. Cathy’s first friend was Roy, the delivery man from McClure’s Drugs. Cathy would enter the delivery truck with Roy to make deliveries, and during that time they would just talk about life. During their times together Cathy notices that their relationship has nothing to do with sex or race. Roy was able to teach Cathy about important things about people, and it had its affect later on in Cathy’s life.
While in school in Buffalo Cathy becomes friends with a girl by the name of Fran Stephens. Cathy and Fran rebound their ideas and thoughts off each other really well. cathy and Fran become known as the class comedians, acting out routines in assemblies from time to time. This status that they are given makes them both quite popular. As they are very close friends they also share a sickening act that they both watch, and notice happen. They both notice Fran’s brothers and friends rape a girl for entertainment. This situation shows Cathy that this shows how sexuality would be dealt with, and she becomes very cautious of sexual relationships.
Cathy creates a relationship with Kip Rogers and he helps Cathy distrust, and dislike for the opposite sex, with the Stephens’s boys frat meeting, and the Donnybrook incident. The relationship between Cathy and Kip, is one similar to the relationship Cathy had with Roy, except that sex is not an issue. When Cathy finds out that Kip has died in Vietnam, she become very sad, and reflects on their time together. Remembering that Kip had planned to go to university when he returned home.
Cathy’s most important, and strongest friendship was between her and her father. As Cathy is growing up in Niagara Falls, she has a very strong relationship with her father, working with him. While Cathy grew older, her family moved to Buffalo, and Cathy starts to distance herself from her father. While in her teenage years Cathy starts to become irritated, and uninterested in what her father had to say. While Cathy and her father have grown apart, her father develops a brain tumor causing him to lose parts of his brain. Cathy and her father would never be as close as they were before the diagnoses. Cathy feels terrible that she has treated her father so poorly, but also is glad that they had such a great relationship when she was younger. Roy gives Cathy a piece of advice while thinking of her father.
“ You got a lot ahead. You best be thinkin’ about tomorrow, and not yesterday.” (pg.166) This advice that she is given gives her help to move on with her own life, even though her regrets of the past, and her sadness of her fathers illness.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Writers Craft Blog 3 - Ass Burger & After the Falls Excerpts
Ass Burger
“ My next emotion is one of protection. I will now beat the shit out of anybody who is mean to my big, lumbering brother with his unusual, one-in-a-trillion brain.”
I think this excerpt is especially emotional to me because it shows how people are affected by things done to others. When someone is in danger or is feeble, or vulnerable people want to make sure they are treated equally, and not taken advantage of.
“ A lack of interest in other people. Avoiding eye-to-eye contact. A lack of social skills. Check, Check, Check.”
This excerpt made me feel emotional to the big brother John, who has problems with social skills and face to face contact. And I thought how wonderful it is that someone can work so diligently on things, and at the same time create a life for himself that he is more than happy with.
After the Falls
“ Fran and I couldn’t look at each other. I silently daubed more Mercurochrome on my scrapes. We never spoke about what had happened”
I think this excerpt was especially touching to my emotional side because it dealt with sexual assault, and the perspectives of the victims, and their vulnerability.
“ My next emotion is one of protection. I will now beat the shit out of anybody who is mean to my big, lumbering brother with his unusual, one-in-a-trillion brain.”
I think this excerpt is especially emotional to me because it shows how people are affected by things done to others. When someone is in danger or is feeble, or vulnerable people want to make sure they are treated equally, and not taken advantage of.
“ A lack of interest in other people. Avoiding eye-to-eye contact. A lack of social skills. Check, Check, Check.”
This excerpt made me feel emotional to the big brother John, who has problems with social skills and face to face contact. And I thought how wonderful it is that someone can work so diligently on things, and at the same time create a life for himself that he is more than happy with.
After the Falls
“ Fran and I couldn’t look at each other. I silently daubed more Mercurochrome on my scrapes. We never spoke about what had happened”
I think this excerpt was especially touching to my emotional side because it dealt with sexual assault, and the perspectives of the victims, and their vulnerability.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Writers Craft Blog - Topic of Cancer
Topic of Cancer Article
Hitchens’ attitude about his diagnosis shows that he has a very open mind to things that are deadly and are effecting him.
“ To the dumb question why me? the cosmos barely-bothers to return the reply: why not?”
Hitchens’ connects with the audience when he explains his showings on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart & appears at the sold-out event at the 92nd Street Y, on the Upper East Side, in conversation with Salman Rushdie.
The emotional appeal of both pieces seem to show independence, honor, and self pride, to shove aside everything and seem to make fun of, and not worry about. It also shows how to give other strength and help them to overcome fears that disease cause.
“ I have been taunting the Reaper into taking a free scythe in my direction and have now succumbed to something so predictable and banal that it bores even me.”
I find that excerpt from the article is a very bold, and abrupt way to look at death, with no regrets. The usage of word like succumbed, scythe, and banal, show how he has thought into what he says. This isn’t a man struggling with cancer, he’s a man conquering cancer, and giving a reality check to death.
Hitchens’ attitude about his diagnosis shows that he has a very open mind to things that are deadly and are effecting him.
“ To the dumb question why me? the cosmos barely-bothers to return the reply: why not?”
Hitchens’ connects with the audience when he explains his showings on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart & appears at the sold-out event at the 92nd Street Y, on the Upper East Side, in conversation with Salman Rushdie.
The emotional appeal of both pieces seem to show independence, honor, and self pride, to shove aside everything and seem to make fun of, and not worry about. It also shows how to give other strength and help them to overcome fears that disease cause.
“ I have been taunting the Reaper into taking a free scythe in my direction and have now succumbed to something so predictable and banal that it bores even me.”
I find that excerpt from the article is a very bold, and abrupt way to look at death, with no regrets. The usage of word like succumbed, scythe, and banal, show how he has thought into what he says. This isn’t a man struggling with cancer, he’s a man conquering cancer, and giving a reality check to death.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Summer Reading Blog -On the Road Jack Kerouac
Writers Craft Summer Reading Blog
This novel is a reckless and endearing story about Dean Moriarty who is a bad boy fresh out of jail in Colorado and , who happens to run into Sal Paradise, the narrator of this and a young writer. He is a very intellectual man who runs with a bright crowd, and a poet named Carlo. The three of them travel across the country, and along the way they had many stories of hitchhiking, drinking, sex, poems, and music. Its all on a path that leads straight to the Big Apple where no one knows what can happen.
Dean shows that he is a womanizer and a type of lone wolf until he runs into Sal. The fact that they show aspects of mutual respect and regard for each other proves to be a great start point. Dean is a man that loves to continue on the road and never stay too long in one place.
“ Staying too long in one place gives me the creeps, theres something uneasy about being so obvious to your surroundings, it isn’t practical.” pg. 116
The fact of being on the road at all times is a interesting field in life, and definitely has its perks. On one hand you could have someone who travels all the time and is friendly and familiar with social scenes. One the other hand what do you do if you never repeat places and things, life could feel empty and non-void. No matter what everyone needs some kind of fulfilment to have some kind of peace within themselves. This life is for only some people who have different standards and different ideals.
The continuous moving from city to city gives Dean a side of life he's always wanted, and with people that will change him into a entirely new person.
Sal Paradise is a young writer who joins Dean on his journeys across the states to the eastern coast. While he’s in New York he finds something he can really do, and that people really appreciate up in New York: Write! Even though things seem to be able to go the right ways for him in the big city, he’s depressed, lonely, and sad, that he can’t seem to have what Dean has.
“ I could tell that there was something he had, that I certainly couldn’t produce, in my body or brain.” pg. 93
They adventure from Denver all the way up through the central United States that included Pittsburgh and Chicago.
The entire view of the novel comes from the narrator who is Sal. On the basing of the novel it shows how they were able to over come all problems despite anything, and work past everything. In the end it showed that it would work out, and that there shouldn’t be any doubts as to whether who ended up being or acting or even sounding like the better character. Because throughout the whole novel you find out that both of these characters vibe of each other, and that creates a friendship that lasts them a lifetime.
This novel shows how what people call the American Dream can actually indeed happen to some people. The powerful visualization through the word on the paper shows how these characters really show how they come to life and portray a time and generation, that needed to fend for themselves just after the Second World War. The jealousy and depression, are all gone at the end of the novel with Sal being able to find someone he truly loves. It also completes the story that sometimes the American Dream is really possible !
This novel is a reckless and endearing story about Dean Moriarty who is a bad boy fresh out of jail in Colorado and , who happens to run into Sal Paradise, the narrator of this and a young writer. He is a very intellectual man who runs with a bright crowd, and a poet named Carlo. The three of them travel across the country, and along the way they had many stories of hitchhiking, drinking, sex, poems, and music. Its all on a path that leads straight to the Big Apple where no one knows what can happen.
Dean shows that he is a womanizer and a type of lone wolf until he runs into Sal. The fact that they show aspects of mutual respect and regard for each other proves to be a great start point. Dean is a man that loves to continue on the road and never stay too long in one place.
“ Staying too long in one place gives me the creeps, theres something uneasy about being so obvious to your surroundings, it isn’t practical.” pg. 116
The fact of being on the road at all times is a interesting field in life, and definitely has its perks. On one hand you could have someone who travels all the time and is friendly and familiar with social scenes. One the other hand what do you do if you never repeat places and things, life could feel empty and non-void. No matter what everyone needs some kind of fulfilment to have some kind of peace within themselves. This life is for only some people who have different standards and different ideals.
The continuous moving from city to city gives Dean a side of life he's always wanted, and with people that will change him into a entirely new person.
Sal Paradise is a young writer who joins Dean on his journeys across the states to the eastern coast. While he’s in New York he finds something he can really do, and that people really appreciate up in New York: Write! Even though things seem to be able to go the right ways for him in the big city, he’s depressed, lonely, and sad, that he can’t seem to have what Dean has.
“ I could tell that there was something he had, that I certainly couldn’t produce, in my body or brain.” pg. 93
They adventure from Denver all the way up through the central United States that included Pittsburgh and Chicago.
The entire view of the novel comes from the narrator who is Sal. On the basing of the novel it shows how they were able to over come all problems despite anything, and work past everything. In the end it showed that it would work out, and that there shouldn’t be any doubts as to whether who ended up being or acting or even sounding like the better character. Because throughout the whole novel you find out that both of these characters vibe of each other, and that creates a friendship that lasts them a lifetime.
This novel shows how what people call the American Dream can actually indeed happen to some people. The powerful visualization through the word on the paper shows how these characters really show how they come to life and portray a time and generation, that needed to fend for themselves just after the Second World War. The jealousy and depression, are all gone at the end of the novel with Sal being able to find someone he truly loves. It also completes the story that sometimes the American Dream is really possible !
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Summer School reading on President Obama
Barack Obama Eulogy
1) Describe how multi-media enhances the eulogy. (Consider still and moving images as well as text)
2) Comment on Ted Kennedy's attitude to service. Provide examples.
3) Comment on the effective use of rhetoric (e.g. contrasting public and private; serious and humorous; triumph and failure) and diction (adjectives of praise, verbs, etc.) in Obama's speech. There is a link to an online dictionary of rhetorical terms posted above.
This Eulogy that the President of the United States gave upon the death of a great senator, and Patriotic American. Multi - media enhances the eulogy because the President is such a International figure. He describes Ted Kennedy as the nicest Senator ever,s well he showed that he was one of the hardest working Senators ever.
The President depicts Ted Kennedy's service to America, and to his fellow man. An example of him being as nice as he was, when he would finish a debate or election, he would always make sure his fellow colleges where happy. That meant anything from calling them and asking if they were alright, to getting them where they wanted to be in the senate. It didn't stop there, he also made it a obligation to reach out and call every family and people who lost loved ones in the 9/11 attacks. Once he started he never stopped. He would make sure that all the distraught families and relationships, he made sure they were reimbursed and able to make a living still.
The usage of rhetoric terms from the President in his eulogy was very well stated and communicative. He jokes about Ted Kennedy bribing a Texan Senator with his favorite type of Cigars, when everyone knows that can be something borderline illegal. When Ted Kennedy lost so many loved ones before he was even 30, it took a lot out of him, and it was very hard. But instead of feeling sorry for himself and sulking, he kept on trucking, and doing what his brothers would have wanted him to.
1) Describe how multi-media enhances the eulogy. (Consider still and moving images as well as text)
2) Comment on Ted Kennedy's attitude to service. Provide examples.
3) Comment on the effective use of rhetoric (e.g. contrasting public and private; serious and humorous; triumph and failure) and diction (adjectives of praise, verbs, etc.) in Obama's speech. There is a link to an online dictionary of rhetorical terms posted above.
This Eulogy that the President of the United States gave upon the death of a great senator, and Patriotic American. Multi - media enhances the eulogy because the President is such a International figure. He describes Ted Kennedy as the nicest Senator ever,s well he showed that he was one of the hardest working Senators ever.
The President depicts Ted Kennedy's service to America, and to his fellow man. An example of him being as nice as he was, when he would finish a debate or election, he would always make sure his fellow colleges where happy. That meant anything from calling them and asking if they were alright, to getting them where they wanted to be in the senate. It didn't stop there, he also made it a obligation to reach out and call every family and people who lost loved ones in the 9/11 attacks. Once he started he never stopped. He would make sure that all the distraught families and relationships, he made sure they were reimbursed and able to make a living still.
The usage of rhetoric terms from the President in his eulogy was very well stated and communicative. He jokes about Ted Kennedy bribing a Texan Senator with his favorite type of Cigars, when everyone knows that can be something borderline illegal. When Ted Kennedy lost so many loved ones before he was even 30, it took a lot out of him, and it was very hard. But instead of feeling sorry for himself and sulking, he kept on trucking, and doing what his brothers would have wanted him to.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Green Grass Running Water Part 3/4 Blogger
English Blog
Green Grass Running Water Part 3/4
By Colin Stitt
In the novel of Green Grass Running Water there were lot’s of examples of biblical allusion. Each of these examples contributes in some way to pop culture, as well as the story itself.
“ a star settled on the horizon and waited”
“ a point of light, a star in the morning sky” (235)
These quotes have a large significance in popular culture because that is a very familiar story that people can relate to Christianity, and a every day occurrence for a huge portion of the world. These quotes have significance to the story of Green Grass Running Water because the star settled on the horizon and the star in the morning star were all signs of them being able to enter Canada and finally visit the “Indians” they sought to find.
“Maybe it’s and omen,” said Babo. “ Or something like that.” (238)
This quote shows how popular culture can be portrayed with quick thinking and always wondering if it’s the next big thing, because most of the popular culture is not happy with themselves and what their life is. And because of that an omen or a second coming of some sort is what lots of people like to jump to. This quote also contributes to the novel because it shows, when a word like that is said it even catches coyote’s attention.
“ What they thought to be omens,”
“ Were actually miracles.” (238)
These Quotes are a little quirky in that these two quotes are a little contradictory with popular culture and the assistance to this book. The popular culture of omen’s can be interpreted differently from culture to culture. So to say that this omen could have a positive of negative effect, was based on your religious beliefs. But for the novel these quotes offer a fair and neutral interaction with the omen/miracle because they have no real sides to religious beliefs, besides the occasional context racial or religious joke.
These passages all have something in common, which is that they reveal something that contributes to the readers understanding of that character.
“ Those were the good days, nephew. Everything was new. There weren’t enough hours in the day to see everything. I’d always lived on the reserve. When I got to Toronto, well, I’d never seen anything like it.” (361)
This passage of encouragement and kindness from Eli to Lionel, shows how moving from the reserve to the big city can really change, and affect someone’s life. This also tells the readers that Eli is very insightful in what he says and he has lots of good advice to give. As well as moving from a small town to a major international city can really change people lives in a good way, and also a risky way if not handled properly.
“ Today,” he shouted at the mirror.
“ Today things change.” And he whacked himself in the stomach and grabbed his saggy chest for good measure. He stood there naked, glaring into the mirror, pleased with the fire that burned in his eyes. Just above his left nipple, Lionel spotted the mole with single long hair growing out of it
All right! (240)
This passage that Lionel has when he is speaking to himself in the mirror tells the readers a lot about him as a character and how he sees life from his point of view. The fact that Lionel is needing to encourage his body is one thing, when people feel their getting older. And this passage really shows the readers how small things are sometimes things you remember the most, and you should take advantage of the small things to encourage you for who you are.
“Okay,” I says. “Let’s get started.”
“Is it time to apologize?” says Coyote.
“Not yet,” I says
“Is it time to be helpful?” says Coyote. “I can be very helpful.”
“Forget being helpful,” I says. “Sit down and listen.” (229)
This conversation and short passage from Coyote reveals lot’s of things that the readers can relate to earlier, and later on in the novel. When Coyote asks the Dream if he should be helpful points out that he is immature, and has very limited social skills. As well the fact that Coyote says he can be very helpful when he needs to be instead of in every day situations, instead of irritating, and annoying people, and never silent or still. Finally at the end of the short conversation the dream tells Coyote to sit down and listen, and that becomes even more relevant how much of an obstacle that is for Coyote throughout the novel.
Green Grass Running Water Part 3/4
By Colin Stitt
In the novel of Green Grass Running Water there were lot’s of examples of biblical allusion. Each of these examples contributes in some way to pop culture, as well as the story itself.
“ a star settled on the horizon and waited”
“ a point of light, a star in the morning sky” (235)
These quotes have a large significance in popular culture because that is a very familiar story that people can relate to Christianity, and a every day occurrence for a huge portion of the world. These quotes have significance to the story of Green Grass Running Water because the star settled on the horizon and the star in the morning star were all signs of them being able to enter Canada and finally visit the “Indians” they sought to find.
“Maybe it’s and omen,” said Babo. “ Or something like that.” (238)
This quote shows how popular culture can be portrayed with quick thinking and always wondering if it’s the next big thing, because most of the popular culture is not happy with themselves and what their life is. And because of that an omen or a second coming of some sort is what lots of people like to jump to. This quote also contributes to the novel because it shows, when a word like that is said it even catches coyote’s attention.
“ What they thought to be omens,”
“ Were actually miracles.” (238)
These Quotes are a little quirky in that these two quotes are a little contradictory with popular culture and the assistance to this book. The popular culture of omen’s can be interpreted differently from culture to culture. So to say that this omen could have a positive of negative effect, was based on your religious beliefs. But for the novel these quotes offer a fair and neutral interaction with the omen/miracle because they have no real sides to religious beliefs, besides the occasional context racial or religious joke.
These passages all have something in common, which is that they reveal something that contributes to the readers understanding of that character.
“ Those were the good days, nephew. Everything was new. There weren’t enough hours in the day to see everything. I’d always lived on the reserve. When I got to Toronto, well, I’d never seen anything like it.” (361)
This passage of encouragement and kindness from Eli to Lionel, shows how moving from the reserve to the big city can really change, and affect someone’s life. This also tells the readers that Eli is very insightful in what he says and he has lots of good advice to give. As well as moving from a small town to a major international city can really change people lives in a good way, and also a risky way if not handled properly.
“ Today,” he shouted at the mirror.
“ Today things change.” And he whacked himself in the stomach and grabbed his saggy chest for good measure. He stood there naked, glaring into the mirror, pleased with the fire that burned in his eyes. Just above his left nipple, Lionel spotted the mole with single long hair growing out of it
All right! (240)
This passage that Lionel has when he is speaking to himself in the mirror tells the readers a lot about him as a character and how he sees life from his point of view. The fact that Lionel is needing to encourage his body is one thing, when people feel their getting older. And this passage really shows the readers how small things are sometimes things you remember the most, and you should take advantage of the small things to encourage you for who you are.
“Okay,” I says. “Let’s get started.”
“Is it time to apologize?” says Coyote.
“Not yet,” I says
“Is it time to be helpful?” says Coyote. “I can be very helpful.”
“Forget being helpful,” I says. “Sit down and listen.” (229)
This conversation and short passage from Coyote reveals lot’s of things that the readers can relate to earlier, and later on in the novel. When Coyote asks the Dream if he should be helpful points out that he is immature, and has very limited social skills. As well the fact that Coyote says he can be very helpful when he needs to be instead of in every day situations, instead of irritating, and annoying people, and never silent or still. Finally at the end of the short conversation the dream tells Coyote to sit down and listen, and that becomes even more relevant how much of an obstacle that is for Coyote throughout the novel.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
English Essay Green Grass Running Water
By Colin Stitt
Green Grass Running Water shows the effectiveness of humour in this section of the Novel known as First Woman/Lone Ranger. The novel is extensive with humour and satire, particularly regarding Judeo Christian beliefs as well as western government and society.
Coyote is presented as what is known as the narrator or the unknown character. Through out the beginning of the novel he presents himself within his own dream. The dream thinks it is very smart and tells coyote that it is God. Instead Coyote uses humour to change everything backward, and change his name to Dog. As well as everything else “Dog” had to say. Coyote also makes funny quotes during the dream and in life.
“Was it like that wonderful, misty water in California”. “With all those friendly bubbles and interesting stuff that falls to the bottom of your glass” Pg. 104
“Was it like that lovely red water in Oklahoma, says Coyote, “with all those friendly bubbles and interesting stuff that floats to the top of your glass?” pg. 104
The dream preserves its spot in the novel as most of the funniest and interesting quotes and stories throughout the novel. It tries to tell important and at the same time humourous stories. But every time he tries to get through an entire story, Coyote or someone else cracks a joke or ruins the moment for (The Dream a.k.a Dog.) He shows the governmental and western ideologies are taking over from Native culture and civilization
These are the reasons why Green Grass Running Water shows the effectiveness of humour in this section of the novel known as First Woman/Lone Ranger. The novel is filled with humour and satire, especially with Judeo Christian beliefs and western government and society.
Green Grass Running Water shows the effectiveness of humour in this section of the Novel known as First Woman/Lone Ranger. The novel is extensive with humour and satire, particularly regarding Judeo Christian beliefs as well as western government and society.
Coyote is presented as what is known as the narrator or the unknown character. Through out the beginning of the novel he presents himself within his own dream. The dream thinks it is very smart and tells coyote that it is God. Instead Coyote uses humour to change everything backward, and change his name to Dog. As well as everything else “Dog” had to say. Coyote also makes funny quotes during the dream and in life.
“Was it like that wonderful, misty water in California”. “With all those friendly bubbles and interesting stuff that falls to the bottom of your glass” Pg. 104
“Was it like that lovely red water in Oklahoma, says Coyote, “with all those friendly bubbles and interesting stuff that floats to the top of your glass?” pg. 104
The dream preserves its spot in the novel as most of the funniest and interesting quotes and stories throughout the novel. It tries to tell important and at the same time humourous stories. But every time he tries to get through an entire story, Coyote or someone else cracks a joke or ruins the moment for (The Dream a.k.a Dog.) He shows the governmental and western ideologies are taking over from Native culture and civilization
These are the reasons why Green Grass Running Water shows the effectiveness of humour in this section of the novel known as First Woman/Lone Ranger. The novel is filled with humour and satire, especially with Judeo Christian beliefs and western government and society.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Three Day Road - English Blog
English Blog
Three-day road
By Colin Stitt
The novel of Three-Day Road was a very interesting and active book. I found that Joseph Boyden’s novel was a very articulate and great look into the action and terrible aspects of the first word war through the eyes of some Canadians. The way the characters are portrayed I thought were very well and gave a very realistic view into the First World War.
The scene where Xavier and Elijah are hunting in the field for moose and they are luring in the moose with smoke from a fire that brings them toward them. And then when they come within the perfect distance and striking distance for the kill. When they are finished hunting Elijah says “We are great hunters and best friends yes?” pg.82. I feel that scene and that sentence set the tempo for Elijah’s fate through the entire novel. From when the witness their first deaths to when they are going crazy with their snipers and killing German soldiers. The scenes with Elijah and Xavier felt a little fake during the entire novel, and I was wondering how long it would be until the friendship would go down the whole because of the circumstances. “You have gone mad.” Says Xavier pg.75
When the ending of the novel turns to Xavier ending Elijah’s life because he has been turned blind from the morphine and his selfish thoughts toward the war and the country he was fighting for. I thought the scene where Xavier kills Elijah by killing him with the but of his rifle by choking him to death in his sleep.
In conclusion this novel was a very influential book into the life of men in the First World War, and how it changed the life of two great men, and how they separated in their friendship over the course of the war, and how it ended to one of their deaths.
Three-day road
By Colin Stitt
The novel of Three-Day Road was a very interesting and active book. I found that Joseph Boyden’s novel was a very articulate and great look into the action and terrible aspects of the first word war through the eyes of some Canadians. The way the characters are portrayed I thought were very well and gave a very realistic view into the First World War.
The scene where Xavier and Elijah are hunting in the field for moose and they are luring in the moose with smoke from a fire that brings them toward them. And then when they come within the perfect distance and striking distance for the kill. When they are finished hunting Elijah says “We are great hunters and best friends yes?” pg.82. I feel that scene and that sentence set the tempo for Elijah’s fate through the entire novel. From when the witness their first deaths to when they are going crazy with their snipers and killing German soldiers. The scenes with Elijah and Xavier felt a little fake during the entire novel, and I was wondering how long it would be until the friendship would go down the whole because of the circumstances. “You have gone mad.” Says Xavier pg.75
When the ending of the novel turns to Xavier ending Elijah’s life because he has been turned blind from the morphine and his selfish thoughts toward the war and the country he was fighting for. I thought the scene where Xavier kills Elijah by killing him with the but of his rifle by choking him to death in his sleep.
In conclusion this novel was a very influential book into the life of men in the First World War, and how it changed the life of two great men, and how they separated in their friendship over the course of the war, and how it ended to one of their deaths.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Colin Stitt Blog - The boy in the Moon
English Blog
The boy in the Moon
By Colin Stitt
I thought that Ian brown’s perspective on L’arche was quite obvious and he gave reasons why he felt that Walker shouldn’t go there and couldn’t go since he was not an adult. I also felt that Ian Brown was very new to the whole way that people who worked with disabled people all day could react to them as if they weren’t going to ever change into a different type of person.
“They weren’t and option for Walker: the waiting list was twenty years long and they accepted only adults.” Pg. 187
“L’Arche had been founded on Catholic precepts (another reason I had avoided L’Arche as a possibility for Walker, though the organization has since widened its spiritual foundation).” Pg. 187
“No one at L’Arche talked about integration, the way staff sometimes do at conventional homes for the disabled: this community existed for the disabled and made no pretense that residents eventually would be part of the “normal” community.” Pg. 199
After reading the novel the boy in the moon I learned a lot about walkers specific disability and how people react to his emotions and how family members deal with his behavior. I feel like I could relate to walkers family because one of my uncle’s is mentally challenged, and sometimes he is a real handful for his brother and sisters. At the same time it is quite interesting to see how my mom and her siblings deal with him when he gets a little out of control, and is quite a handful when the full family get together at holidays and special events. But in walkers case he is more of a physically stressful child with his disease where he performs harm on himself, and needs to be restrained forcefully many hours of the day. On the other hand walkers disability gives him a very special personality with lots of ability to give the people around him insight into how much people take advantage of being normal, and privileged enough to have a great education and a social life. These things are some things that walker will never be able to experience as a functional child going to school every day and making friends.
Questions
1. Can walker ever understand that the things that he does is bad for him as life goes on, or is it a continuous cycle that he will need to deal with into his forty’s and still need to be physically restrained.
2. What was it like to find out that Walker was born with this disability, and did you need to make significant changes in your jobs and your surroundings?
3. Would you like for your daughter to take care of walker after you pass away, or do you think that would weigh her down, and limit her to a certain lifestyle.
The boy in the Moon
By Colin Stitt
I thought that Ian brown’s perspective on L’arche was quite obvious and he gave reasons why he felt that Walker shouldn’t go there and couldn’t go since he was not an adult. I also felt that Ian Brown was very new to the whole way that people who worked with disabled people all day could react to them as if they weren’t going to ever change into a different type of person.
“They weren’t and option for Walker: the waiting list was twenty years long and they accepted only adults.” Pg. 187
“L’Arche had been founded on Catholic precepts (another reason I had avoided L’Arche as a possibility for Walker, though the organization has since widened its spiritual foundation).” Pg. 187
“No one at L’Arche talked about integration, the way staff sometimes do at conventional homes for the disabled: this community existed for the disabled and made no pretense that residents eventually would be part of the “normal” community.” Pg. 199
After reading the novel the boy in the moon I learned a lot about walkers specific disability and how people react to his emotions and how family members deal with his behavior. I feel like I could relate to walkers family because one of my uncle’s is mentally challenged, and sometimes he is a real handful for his brother and sisters. At the same time it is quite interesting to see how my mom and her siblings deal with him when he gets a little out of control, and is quite a handful when the full family get together at holidays and special events. But in walkers case he is more of a physically stressful child with his disease where he performs harm on himself, and needs to be restrained forcefully many hours of the day. On the other hand walkers disability gives him a very special personality with lots of ability to give the people around him insight into how much people take advantage of being normal, and privileged enough to have a great education and a social life. These things are some things that walker will never be able to experience as a functional child going to school every day and making friends.
Questions
1. Can walker ever understand that the things that he does is bad for him as life goes on, or is it a continuous cycle that he will need to deal with into his forty’s and still need to be physically restrained.
2. What was it like to find out that Walker was born with this disability, and did you need to make significant changes in your jobs and your surroundings?
3. Would you like for your daughter to take care of walker after you pass away, or do you think that would weigh her down, and limit her to a certain lifestyle.
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