Woman and Girls

I didn’t understand

It’s not a curse or a punishment 

I didn’t understand 

I was turning invisible and there was nothing I could do 

I didn’t understand 

All the girls watched to see how the boy'd defend himself 

I didn't understand 

Girls are from another planet 

I didn’t understand 

But not having a girlfriend means you’re a homo or a total loser or both 

I didn’t understand 

 Her voice went furious 

I didn’t understand 

I’m still too shy to call her anything 

I didn’t understand 

Rocks

In the chapter Rocks, an explosive argument between Jason’s parents blows up, while a British warship is simultaneously hit in battle. In the argument between Jason’s parents his mom fights to install a rockery in their backyard, arguing that Jason’s father had just spent a large sum of money on golf clubs. Usually once the argument reaches a certain point the mother backs down and surrenders in the fight. Jason says, ”Mum normally backs down at this point, but not today.” (99) She pushes, and pushes until the father, whom usually wins these battles, gives in and agrees to put up the money for the rockery. Within this argument there are similarities between the mother and Argentina, and the Father and Great Britain. Great Britain is expected to win every battle against Argentina, much like the father is expected to win every argument with the mother. On this day both Great Britain and the father are hit hard when Argentina and the mother decide to fight back. Both lose their respective battles, and are realize that they are capable of being defeated. Although Jason’s mother doesn’t entirely win as her koi fish are eaten by birds, it is a blow to the father’s ego when he has to give into the demands of is wife.

Bridle Path 

In Bridle Path Jason is left home alone for the day and decides to go on an adventure by himself into the woods. Throughout this journey he faces a myriad of tests that he ultimately fails, thus proving he isn’t ready for manhood. The first test was when Jason faced the dogs. When he was being chased by the dogs at first he decided to run away, but then eventually collapsed into a ball and waited for them to attack him. Instead of standing his ground and “manning up” he succumbed to the fear he was feeling and felt there was no reason for him to stand and fight. Another test was when he was up in the tree house and didn’t reveal himself to Tom Yew and Debbie Crombie when he had the chance. A person of more maturity would have told the couple that he was present before he saw things he was not intended to see. Jason decided to hide back and watch the two have sex under the tree, therefor failing this test as well. The final test was when Jason met up with Dawn Madden at the end of the chapter. Near the end of their encounter it is made clear that Dawn wants Jason to kiss her, but he opts out of the kiss, thus failing his final test. Although these tests may seem insignificant they reveal a lot about the maturity level of Jason. Throughout the book he talks like a poet, illustrating beautiful imagery throughout the text, making him seem more mature for his age. This chapter features many of Jason’s faults and highlights the fact that he is still only a thirteen year old boy. 

What is Power?

Power is having influence or control over people, or regions. 

 

                       VS.




10.28.14  20:34

Expiration Date

10.27.14 14:38

The Admiration of Turtles and Moths

  The Admiration of Turtles and Moths 

I believe we, as humans, typically admire animals because of the attributes they display that are so similar to human characteristics. For example Hoagland uses a plethora of adjectives and verbs traditionally used when referring to humans, to describe a turtle. Both Hoagland and woolf admire the liveliness (often unseen) within turtles and moths. Hoagland described turtles as having “sailorly souls” while woolf described moths as “pure life” these descriptions indicate liveliness and human likeness. A species of animal that I admire are birds. The type of bird is not all that relevant, so long as it is not a penguin. I admire birds because of their ability to fly. Flying is commonly seen as a representation of freedom, and the freedom that birds have is one that I admire. They have the power to go where they choose, when they choose and this is a quality I have always been envious of. 

Date: 10/9 21:41

Emmy 

Zimmer 

October 1, 2014

Passage 

“The dead were parted one from the other and could no longer remember the faces and lands they had loved in the light.”

This passage stood out to me because it encompass’ the presence of death, which has a strong essence and representation in this writing. I like the comparison between between death and darkness, and the their opposing sides, light and life. This mix using death to represent darkness and light to represent life make the visual imagery in the writing more potent. I didn’t like the phrasing used: “one from the other” it was awkward for me to read because of the familiarity I feel with the phrase “from one another.” I believe that Dillard’s goal in this passage was to put the imagery of the contrast between  death and light into the readers mindset so they can read the remainder of the writing knowing that this is the feeling the eclipse has emitted within her. It also lets the reader know that the darkness she felt during the full eclipse, was only comparable to death. This passage fits seamlessly into the writing as a whole because of its central theme. The passage centers around the caparisons between light, darkness, life, and death which is exactly what this writing as a whole exhibits.