coming of blog

 When we were first introduced to Hugo, I, like most of us, really didn't like him. On the other hand, Jason is great. However, while I was first getting to know Hugo, I noticed a bit of similarity between him and Jason. Not with the Jason who likes Lord of the Rings and poetry and cares about people, but between him and the person Jason sometimes attempted to become. Hugo represents Jason's ideal alter ego, and the realization that Hugo really isn't that great of a role model begins his slow departure from people-pleasing and social performance.  As we find out in the very first chapter of Black Swan Green, Jason is actually socially competent. He understands the subliminal rules of every social situation and follows them carefully, and he manages to maintain status as a 'regular kid' for a long time. Even though he possesses several qualities that could (and eventually do) transform him into an outcast instantly, namely his stammer and his poetry, he successfully ...

Despite the long list of flaws Allison Bechdel sees in her father, she can find some admirable qualities in him, including his talent for transformation. The most obvious example of this ability is his restoration of her childhood home, a Gothic mansion that went from lost cause to living museum. He found something rotting and decrepit, saw a spark of potential, and turned that spark into something beautiful. In a way, Allison did the same thing with her relationship with her father by writing Fun Home. She took something that could be seen as random and tragic, and over the course of two-hundred and thirty-two pages, created something cohesive and meaningful.  In the first chapter of Fun Home, Allison writes of her father's ability to "spin garbage into gold". You could say she does the same thing with her and Bruce's relationship. That comparison might seem harsh, but when summarized, the experiences she shared with her father seem inadequate at best. As a child, sh...

  I have a few problems with Buddy Williard, and all of them are demonstrated nicely on the ski trip he takes with Esther. To start with, Esther clearly didn't want to go skiing, but he went to great pains to make sure the trip stayed on. "His persistence in the face of mulishness" could be seen as sweet, but really, if it's obvious your girlfriend doesn't want to do something, don't force her. Especially if it's a somewhat dangerous activity. Buddy's "persistance" is also shown when he persuades her to try the rope tow even though she protests. While Esther admits that she doesn't explicitly say no, it's concerning that Buddy is either unable to notice her fear and discomfort, or notices and doesn't care.  But the worst part happened after Esther's terrific crash. While she lays there, mouth full of snow, Buddy encourages her and checks her for injury. So far so good, how very caring of him. But then when Esther says she want...

I have a few problems with Buddy Williard, and all of them are demonstrated nicely on the ski trip he takes with Esther. To start with, Esther clearly didn't want to go skiing, but he went to great pains to make sure the trip stayed on. "His persistence in the face of mulishness" could be seen as sweet, but really, if it's obvious your girlfriend doesn't want to do something, don't force her. Especially if it's a somewhat dangerous activity. Buddy's "persistance" is also shown when he persuades her to try the rope tow even though she protests. While Esther admits that she doesn't explicitly say no, it's concerning that Buddy is either unable to notice her fear and discomfort, or notices and doesn't care.  But the worst part happened after Esther's terrific crash. While she lays there, mouth full of snow, Buddy encourages her and checks her for injury. So far so good, how very caring of him. But then when Esther says she wants ...

Underneath all the action and vaguely scientific technical gibberish, The Girl With All the Gifts is about a young girl coming to terms with her identity. Melanie, the protagonist, was kept in the dark about her true identity for years, and when she finds out, she's plunged into an unknown, dangerous world. Melanie is surrounded by people who put her down because of who she is, or who wish to cause harm to her. She must learn to take care of herself in her hostile environment, and how to tell a friend from an enemy from an ally-by-necessity. And most importantly, she must learn to accept herself as she is, despite the isolation and antagonization she suffers. Of course, among all the difficulties, there are light-hearted moments. Melanie is a naturally optimistic and intelligent person. She easily makes friends and even manages to form genuine relationships with those who once feared or hated her. The Girl With All the Gifts is all about making the best of a bad situation, a talent...