Conflict in Gilead...

... Up until this point in my book, there hasn't been much conflict to speak of. There has been a lot of wisdome, memories, and interesting insights on life... but no conflict. However, recently an issue has finally risen up and caused the story to be a little more interesting. As I have said many times, this book is about an older man dying of cancer who is writing a letter to his son. Then when he dies, the son can read the letter and take in some of the wisdome and advice his father had, as well as get to know his father better through his memories and life experiences. But something I have not spoken of is the fact that Mr. Ames married a much younger woman. But don't worry, this isn't one of those " trophy wife " scenerios. Mr. and Mrs. Ames truely love eachother, but her age is part of the conflict. The problem is that this the son of John's best friend has returned to town, after leaving his family and going off to who knows where, and he is now trying to weasel his way into the Ames family, and into the heart of Mrs. Ames. He is one of those people who you know has a slimy personality, but is just sly enough to act nice when they want to. But, because only Mr. Ames really knew him in his bad days, only he can see this man's plan unfolding. He describes it in the book as his greatest fear. He asks himself " What is it you fear most...?" and responds, " fear leaving my wife and child unknowingly in the sway of a man of extremely questionable character." (p. 140) This seems to be an area of great turmoil for John, and there is nothing he can do to stop it. I haven't quite finished the book yet, so I'll have to keep reading to find out what happens!!

The fountain of Youth...

... While reading through this book from the point of view of an old dying man, it really made me realize how precious our age and young lives are. A qoute from the book on page 115 says, " Remembering my youth makes me aware that I never really had enough of it, it was over before I was done with it." John Ames is reflecting upon his years as his death is pending, and realizes that all too many of us are trying to grow up too fast. We get cell phones in 3rd grade to try to look like the ' big kids'. Elementary shcoolers can't wait 'till they can see their first PG-13 movie. Even highschoolers beg to be older by challenging ourselves with AP and Enriched classes, hopeing we can expand our minds to that of college students. I's amazing how much we rush through our lives as we know them, just waiting for the next step, but never really reveling in our current age. People always say to " enjoy it while you can", but I feel that all too often I'm loaded down with homework, extra curriculars, and voluteer work... all just to get into a good college. Then when I get into college I'll be working to get a good job, and in my job I'll be working hard for a better one. It's our society's vicious cycle of improvement, but guess it takes a good balance of personal time and shcool time to be able to fully enjoy or current life, while still planning for the future.

Count Your Blessings...

Over MEA, I've been reading a lot, and I've decided that I really Like this book. It's slow and detailed pace really annoyed me at first, but now I've gotten used to it and I've realizied I need to take my time and enjoy the story. Anyway... My " qoute of the day" was found on page 36 in Gilead, and I thought it was very interesting. In context, the protagonist's grandfather says these words just after he returned from the war, and lost is eye in the process. His family is lamenting and pitying him for his injury, but he only says, " I am confident that I will find great blessing in it." WOW! What an optomist! If I'd just had my eye shot out I would probably be in a deep state of depression, not finding blessing in my situation. His chracter shows such integrity and faith to trust so earnestly that a blessing will come his way. I really admire how he sees the glass half full and refuses to let his curcumstances get him down. I also saw a qoute of Winston Chruchill's on the white board in the chior room that said something to the affect of, " for myself I am an optomist. It doesn't seem to be of any use to do otherwise," or something like that. But those words are so true. What good does it do you to be pessimistic all the time. It only gets you a whiny tone and a bad attitude. One would do much better to try to better their situation rather that wallow in it. Well... those are my words of wisdome for the day!

... Gilead 2

... This week in my reading I came accross a particaular passage that really struck me. Just to preface it, the main character in this section is reflecting on how much he envies his friends, thier health, and their many blessings. Robinson writes, " I've always envied men who could watch their wives grow old... As for me, it is still true that I will never see a child of mine grow up and I will never see a wife of mine grow old." Now, I know this may sound odd at first, especially because someone of my age can't exactly understand the desire to watch a spouse grow old. But, if I were dying like reverend Ames, I couldn't help but think about all I would miss in the lives of my loved ones. I would miss so many of the circumstances that will shape the personalities of my family and friends, that, in actuality, I would barely know them at all. I would never see my brother and sister graduate, go to college, start famalies. I wouldn't even be able to do those things, and this book has made it hard not to think about all I would miss. But thankfully, I am not sick with a terminal desiese and, Lord willing, I will be able to see my family grow and change, and experience life for myself. Before this book, I never realized how much I took advantage of everyday living, the small details in life. Anyway... I just thought I'd write on this since it has been such an evident theme in my book this week!!

... Gilead

... I'm really liking this book so far. It is about a Christian preacher who is dying, and he is writing a last letter to his son that he plans for him to read after his death. It's really interesting, although it may seem like the opposite, and i really enjoy seeing the other side of the main character. In my recent readings, the theme of death has been surfacing a lot. The old man , who's name i don't know yet, is dying of heart failure. He seems to be fairly calm and continues with his normal life, as if nothing has happened. But i couldn't help but put myself into his situation. What would i do if i was dying? Would i spend all my money to do everything i'd always dreamed of doing? Would i spend my last moments writing letters to my family so they would remember what i was like? Would i cry my eyes out? How would i react? Anyway... I've been thinking a lot about this lately and i'm excited to see if the main character's calm demeanor continues.

400 Blows Post...

... Wow, what a sad movie! After finishing it I feel so depressed! Throughout the whole movie, I thought that Antoine would become a better kid, or make something of himself, but he only got into more trouble in the end. But I guess, if he doesnt' get caught, he won't have to see his mother again, which only seems to ruin any happiness he has gained. Although it was depressing, I thought it was a decent movie all together. It had it's funny moments and the young boys were very endeering. The French + subtitles threw me off a little, but it was enjoyable in general.

400 Blows Theme..

...Many themes also presented themselves in the movie, but the most thought provoking idea for me was whether or not you can blame Antoine for acting the way he does considering his family, former life, and troubled future. On one hand, Antoine is 11 years old, and should be responsible for some of his actions by now. But on the other hand, his mother seems to treat him with little respect or care and his lack of a strong family base seeps into his everyday actions. Is it his fault or his mother’s fault that he is the way he is?...

Memoir...

... I'm so glad to be done with my Black Boy Memoir. I thought that this assignment would be one of the more difficult writing pieces we'd have to do this year, but I actually really enjoyed it! It is always hard to write about yourself, especially when it's about a memory of yours, but I was surprised by how easily and quickly I could write it. I actually hope we have more assignments of this nature in the rest of the year!

Rachel

New Book

hi again everyone!
I know I posted that my book was the breakfast book club book Until They Bring the Streetcars Back by Stanley Gordon West, but as I continued in the book, it actually started to disturb me slightly, so I've chosen another text.
A friend recommended the book Gilead, by Marilynne Robinson. This story is about a Christian minister who, knowing he is dying, tries to pass down his wisdome and doctrine to his son. I know it doesn't sound extremely interesting, but everyone I know that has read the book loves it. If you know anything more about it, let me know!
~ Thanks, Rachel