Summary:
Tyler woke up one Friday afternoon and looked himself in the mirror, thinking of how his life is going downhill and how he doesn't deserve to live. He begins thinking of different ways to end his life, and decides to go to the school and jump at the bottom of the pool. But once he gets there he talks himself out of it because he doesn't want the little children to see him and be terrified for the rest of their lives at what they saw. Tyler then goes back home and decides that instead he's just going to take his father's money and run away. However, Hannah finds a letter Tyler wrote stating that he was going to run away because he didn't want to go to boarding school, and she said not to act stupid. Before she leaves he says that he won't run away, but lies and takes his father's money. Before he leaves, he grabs his grandfather's sweater out of his father's drawer, and he also holds his father's pistol in his hand. He holds it, considering whether he should shoot or not. Instead he takes the gun and the box of bullets before he leaves the room and grabs his baseball bat out the closet. He gets some baseballs pitched to him and then goes to the lake with Yoda to toss the bullets into the lake, and takes apart the gun and leaves it in his bag. The next day he goes to school telling Chip to beat him up and that he's a punk. The police come to Tyler's home later that day telling him that they've found the kid who was reponsible for the pictures of Bethany and that he will not be punished for that. Later on in the day, however, Tyler's father comes home blaming Tyler for him losing his job, since Mr. Milbury is his boss and also Chip's father.Tyler gets the bat and goes downstairs smashing everything with it and telling his father about how he was going to kill himself or run away. His father asks him why he didn't do either, and Tyler said because his father has already killed him. Tyler spends the rest of the night at Yoda's house and the next night he sees his father sitting outside of their house. He said to Tyler that he couldn't sleep and that he would want Tyler to come back and stay with them. Tyler stays and plays his video game and tries to act wisely while he's playing it. This is how the story ends.
Quote:
"You have screwed up everything. You have a 0.00 GPA in Life. You are a useless f***, a waste of carbon molecules. You are the spawn of a defective sperm and a reluctant egg. You do not deserve to live" (Anderson 190).
Reaction:
Tyler was having this thought one Friday afternoon when he was looking at himself in the mirror. I like how the author used the metaphor of a GPA to describe Tyler's life. He said he has a 0.00 GPA in life, so his life is pretty much going downhill for him, getting worse and worse. I also like how he described his waste of existence as being a waste of carbon molecules. He also stresses the fact that he doesn't deserve to live when he says that the sperm that created his embryo was lacking in something and the egg was acting in opposition of it. In other words, its like he's saying that his existence was a mistake and he doesn't deserve to be alive. This thought also scared me because Tyler is seriously thinking about killing himself. After this quote he thinks of many strategies he could use to kill himself and it sounds like he's going to do it. I was just hoping that he would stick it out and wait for things to get better before he takes the easy way out by killing himself.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
Twisted (pgs 104-183)
Summary:
The next day at school Tyler explained to Bethany why he couldn't go to the homecoming game and she understood. The next two weeks she continued flirting and invited him to another football game. He said yes to the invitation and went. He was in his glory because Bethany told him that she liked him and they kissed and had a good time. After that he met her later at a party to continue their date. To Tyler's shock, when he got there and found Bethany she was just about drunk. She took Tyler upstairs to a bedroom and started talking and then kissing. Then their hands started wandering, but Tyler was feeling bad. He didn't want to take advantage of her situation and have sex with her because she was drunk and vulnerable. So Tyler ignored his urge to go along with it and told Bethany that they can't have sex. She was getting mad at him saying she thought he liked her, and that he was weird and she eventually blew him off. But Tyler went to find Bethany to make sure she was okay and because the party was being cut short because people started fighting. He found her and while he was walking to take Bethany home Chip was driving, but he passed out at the wheel cause he was drunk too. So Tyler drove them both home, and this guy named Parker who is one of Chip's friends. Parker and Bethany started making out in the back seat and Tyler tried breaking it up, but Bethany just gave him the finger and kept kissing Parker. When Tyler finally got to their house he walked home and was devastated because the night didn't go like he had planned. He was so sad he decided to visit his grandfather's grave and just started crying, hoping to feel some relief. Unfortunately, things only got worse. Hannah went to Tyler's room one night and showed him these inappropriate pictures of Bethany that someone posted on a website. Later he finds out that people think he is the one that did it. The police and his parole officer come knocking on his door and ask him questions, and say they won't make a final decision until they get further evidence. But Tyler will still probably get punished because he was given a curfew, not by his parents, but given by law, and he broke it. Bethany is also mad at Tyler because she thinks he did it and she's being called a slut at school. But Tyler was running after her teasing her asking if she enjoyed getting drunk and how many guys she brought to the bedroom. He made her cry and Tyler might also be tried for harrassment. But for now Tyler was under what is basically suspension, except he had to sit in the office the whole day instead of staying at home. One day Tyler was walking home when three people with masks approached him and put a blanket over his head. They started kicking him and punching him in the stomach, and Tyler was struggling to free himself. While he still had the blanket over his head one of the guys whispered in his ear and said, "That's what you get for hurting my sister, you perv" (Anderson 183). Then they walked away and Tyler walked the rest of the way home with the blanket in his hand.
Quote:
"Look at me when I'm talking to you! I never thought I'd say this, but I wish you took drugs. If you were high, I could blame it on that. But no, you screw up just for the joy of it-" (Anderson 150).
Reaction:
Tyler's father said this to him right after the police officer and his parole officer left. I understand that Tyler's father was talking out of anger but I was still shocked that he said that. If Tyler did drugs then things would be a lot worse and would've gotten worse quicker. Although I understand where his father is coming from because it seems like all Tyler knows how to do is get in trouble. But his father shouldn't be so frustrated with him since he does very little to even be a father to him. Tyler's father is always working and never spends time with his family. When he is around, all he does is argue with everyone. If Mr. Miller was actually there for Tyler, like a father should be, then maybe Tyler wouldn't be getting into trouble with the law like he is.
The next day at school Tyler explained to Bethany why he couldn't go to the homecoming game and she understood. The next two weeks she continued flirting and invited him to another football game. He said yes to the invitation and went. He was in his glory because Bethany told him that she liked him and they kissed and had a good time. After that he met her later at a party to continue their date. To Tyler's shock, when he got there and found Bethany she was just about drunk. She took Tyler upstairs to a bedroom and started talking and then kissing. Then their hands started wandering, but Tyler was feeling bad. He didn't want to take advantage of her situation and have sex with her because she was drunk and vulnerable. So Tyler ignored his urge to go along with it and told Bethany that they can't have sex. She was getting mad at him saying she thought he liked her, and that he was weird and she eventually blew him off. But Tyler went to find Bethany to make sure she was okay and because the party was being cut short because people started fighting. He found her and while he was walking to take Bethany home Chip was driving, but he passed out at the wheel cause he was drunk too. So Tyler drove them both home, and this guy named Parker who is one of Chip's friends. Parker and Bethany started making out in the back seat and Tyler tried breaking it up, but Bethany just gave him the finger and kept kissing Parker. When Tyler finally got to their house he walked home and was devastated because the night didn't go like he had planned. He was so sad he decided to visit his grandfather's grave and just started crying, hoping to feel some relief. Unfortunately, things only got worse. Hannah went to Tyler's room one night and showed him these inappropriate pictures of Bethany that someone posted on a website. Later he finds out that people think he is the one that did it. The police and his parole officer come knocking on his door and ask him questions, and say they won't make a final decision until they get further evidence. But Tyler will still probably get punished because he was given a curfew, not by his parents, but given by law, and he broke it. Bethany is also mad at Tyler because she thinks he did it and she's being called a slut at school. But Tyler was running after her teasing her asking if she enjoyed getting drunk and how many guys she brought to the bedroom. He made her cry and Tyler might also be tried for harrassment. But for now Tyler was under what is basically suspension, except he had to sit in the office the whole day instead of staying at home. One day Tyler was walking home when three people with masks approached him and put a blanket over his head. They started kicking him and punching him in the stomach, and Tyler was struggling to free himself. While he still had the blanket over his head one of the guys whispered in his ear and said, "That's what you get for hurting my sister, you perv" (Anderson 183). Then they walked away and Tyler walked the rest of the way home with the blanket in his hand.
Quote:
"Look at me when I'm talking to you! I never thought I'd say this, but I wish you took drugs. If you were high, I could blame it on that. But no, you screw up just for the joy of it-" (Anderson 150).
Reaction:
Tyler's father said this to him right after the police officer and his parole officer left. I understand that Tyler's father was talking out of anger but I was still shocked that he said that. If Tyler did drugs then things would be a lot worse and would've gotten worse quicker. Although I understand where his father is coming from because it seems like all Tyler knows how to do is get in trouble. But his father shouldn't be so frustrated with him since he does very little to even be a father to him. Tyler's father is always working and never spends time with his family. When he is around, all he does is argue with everyone. If Mr. Miller was actually there for Tyler, like a father should be, then maybe Tyler wouldn't be getting into trouble with the law like he is.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Twisted (pgs 72-104)
Summary
The next day Tyler was called to the office and the principal asked if he was part of the "altercation" that broke out in the locker room after school with Yoda. Tyler said that he was not part of it because after all, he was not attacking Yoda, but he was part of the "aftermath" and he was helping Yoda. The principle was also telling Tyler that he's required to report any trouble to his probation officer, and his grades need much improvement. Tyler again was reminded that he's walking on thin ice and there is no room for him to mess up. While Tyler was going to see his probation officer he was thinking to himself that it's a good thing they never found out what he really wanted to do. This was the "Foul Deed" or Plan A. He wanted to bomb the school, not during school hours because he didn't want to kill anyone. But around three in the morning so he wouldn't have to go back again. But then he thought of the possibility of the explosion affecting houses near the school, so that didn't happen. The next day Yoda and Tyler went to Hannah's field-hockey game. During the game the ball hit her in the face and it turned out that she had a minor concussion and a black eye. She would also have to sit out the next four games. Tyler and Hannah were shocked when their father arrived at Hannah's game when he heard she was injured because he had never been by their side whenever there was an emergency. But they gave him some credit for showing up for once. The next day their father had to leave for some "mysterious meeting", as Tyler put it, in "God Knows Where". Later on in the day during school Bethany asked Tyler to the homecoming football game that was coming up that Friday. Of course Tyler said yes, and when Friday came him and Hannah were about to leave to go to the game. But then their father returned and said that he wanted to sit down and share a nice dinner with his family. No matter how hard Tyler and Hannah tried pleading with him to let them go to the football game, he would insist on the family eating dinner together. Tyler's mom didn't end up sitting with the family because she said she had a migraine. So Tyler's father was asking Hannah about school and after awhile she asked to be excused because she was still mad about not going to the homecoming game. Tyler's father kept drinking at the dinner table and this was unsual for him because he usually isn't a heavy drinker. Then he was yelling because Tyler's mom forgot to tell him that his father was going to Tyler's last meeting with his probation officer. But then a few minutes later he was saying how tasty the pork was. This abnormal behavior made Tyler realize that his mom was not laying in bed because of a migraine.
Quote
"By deciding to spray-paint a few harmless slogans, I actually saved hundreds of lives and countless millions in damages. But when they arrested me, I realized that people might not understand if I explained that part. I never told anyone. I thought about it from time to time, but I never told." (Anderson 82).
Reaction
This quote caught my attention because he's clearly given the bad he's done a lot of thought. Also he was justifying the bad that he did do because he didn't do something that would've been far worse. He was thinking that because he didn't harm anyone physically that he shouldn't have a judge, trial, or probation officer. He also repeated the fact that he didn't tell anyone about his thought of bombing the school. He also said that he thought of telling people about his plan, but he never actually did. I kept thinking about why he didn't tell anyone. It could be for the simple fact that he didn't want anyone to think he would actually do it and call the cops on him. I also wondered if Tyler was still going to go along with it and that's why he never told anyone. I'm not sure why but I'm getting this feeling that Tyler is going to go along with the "Foul Deed", or something close to it. If not trying to set a bomb on the school maybe him and Chip are going to get into a fight. He keeps being reminded that he's walking on a thin line. Is Tyler going to do something to cross that line and end up in more trouble with the law?
The next day Tyler was called to the office and the principal asked if he was part of the "altercation" that broke out in the locker room after school with Yoda. Tyler said that he was not part of it because after all, he was not attacking Yoda, but he was part of the "aftermath" and he was helping Yoda. The principle was also telling Tyler that he's required to report any trouble to his probation officer, and his grades need much improvement. Tyler again was reminded that he's walking on thin ice and there is no room for him to mess up. While Tyler was going to see his probation officer he was thinking to himself that it's a good thing they never found out what he really wanted to do. This was the "Foul Deed" or Plan A. He wanted to bomb the school, not during school hours because he didn't want to kill anyone. But around three in the morning so he wouldn't have to go back again. But then he thought of the possibility of the explosion affecting houses near the school, so that didn't happen. The next day Yoda and Tyler went to Hannah's field-hockey game. During the game the ball hit her in the face and it turned out that she had a minor concussion and a black eye. She would also have to sit out the next four games. Tyler and Hannah were shocked when their father arrived at Hannah's game when he heard she was injured because he had never been by their side whenever there was an emergency. But they gave him some credit for showing up for once. The next day their father had to leave for some "mysterious meeting", as Tyler put it, in "God Knows Where". Later on in the day during school Bethany asked Tyler to the homecoming football game that was coming up that Friday. Of course Tyler said yes, and when Friday came him and Hannah were about to leave to go to the game. But then their father returned and said that he wanted to sit down and share a nice dinner with his family. No matter how hard Tyler and Hannah tried pleading with him to let them go to the football game, he would insist on the family eating dinner together. Tyler's mom didn't end up sitting with the family because she said she had a migraine. So Tyler's father was asking Hannah about school and after awhile she asked to be excused because she was still mad about not going to the homecoming game. Tyler's father kept drinking at the dinner table and this was unsual for him because he usually isn't a heavy drinker. Then he was yelling because Tyler's mom forgot to tell him that his father was going to Tyler's last meeting with his probation officer. But then a few minutes later he was saying how tasty the pork was. This abnormal behavior made Tyler realize that his mom was not laying in bed because of a migraine.
Quote
"By deciding to spray-paint a few harmless slogans, I actually saved hundreds of lives and countless millions in damages. But when they arrested me, I realized that people might not understand if I explained that part. I never told anyone. I thought about it from time to time, but I never told." (Anderson 82).
Reaction
This quote caught my attention because he's clearly given the bad he's done a lot of thought. Also he was justifying the bad that he did do because he didn't do something that would've been far worse. He was thinking that because he didn't harm anyone physically that he shouldn't have a judge, trial, or probation officer. He also repeated the fact that he didn't tell anyone about his thought of bombing the school. He also said that he thought of telling people about his plan, but he never actually did. I kept thinking about why he didn't tell anyone. It could be for the simple fact that he didn't want anyone to think he would actually do it and call the cops on him. I also wondered if Tyler was still going to go along with it and that's why he never told anyone. I'm not sure why but I'm getting this feeling that Tyler is going to go along with the "Foul Deed", or something close to it. If not trying to set a bomb on the school maybe him and Chip are going to get into a fight. He keeps being reminded that he's walking on a thin line. Is Tyler going to do something to cross that line and end up in more trouble with the law?
Monday, November 29, 2010
Twisted (pgs 37-72)
Summary
After that day that Tyler went to visit Bethany, it seems that Bethany has grown a fondness of Tyler. A few times when she saw him at school she would smile at him. Tyler likes the attention she's giving him, but he is distracted by it with other things troubling him. He's trying to deal with his school schedule. He is in three AP classes and Calculus, which is one of his toughest subjects, and he had loads of homework just on the first day of school. He went to his dad and asked if he could be taken out of one of the AP classes because it is too much for him, but his father was a jerk about the situation and said he's going to stay in those classes. He said its not about things being easy for him, and he also told Tyler he had to quit the job he has that he enjoys because it's not about him having fun either. He needs to focus on his schoolwork. Meanwhile, Tyler's trying to deal with his sister, Hannah, and talk some sense into her. She got her belly button pierced and is trying to show it off at school and dress showing too much skin. When Tyler and his sister were eating lunch one time in the cafeteria, Bethany showed up and sat with them. Tyler was suprised to see her because she usually eats off campus with her friends. Bethany talks to Hannah for a little while and then rests her knee on Tyler's leg, which he enjoys but tries not to show it. Later that day, Tyler is looking for a kid named Yoda, who likes Hannah and is also Tyler's ride home. When he finds Yoda, he is in the boys locker room with his wrists taped together and four guys torturing and hitting him. Tyler interupts and tells them to leave him alone, and then Chip arrives. Tyler says anything he can to tempt Chip in hitting him because he knows that Chip won't do it because he knows he would lose in front of his friends. After all, Tyler is the one who was winning in the arm wrestling match, so Chip knows that Tyler is stronger.
Quote:
"..all those folks standing on a quivering tree branch, with me at the end in a dog collar, skating on a thin layer of frozen pond" (Anderson 46).
Reaction:
Tyler was talking about the talk Tyler had with his principal and his parents a couple weeks before school started.His principal told Tyler that he should consider it a privilege that he can go back to school because his parents, probation officer, and some teachers were busting their necks to make it possible. He also needed to remember that he was on thin ice and a short leash because this privilege of going to school could be taken away from him very easily. The quote above is what Tyler pictured in his mind when his principal told him this. This quote really illustrated to me that Tyler has to be very careful so that he doesn't lose the privileges and blessings he's received, because he should be in more trouble than what he actually is. The way it is described in this quote is very accurate and is an interesting way of saying that Tyler is in trouble and needs to be very careful with his actions.
After that day that Tyler went to visit Bethany, it seems that Bethany has grown a fondness of Tyler. A few times when she saw him at school she would smile at him. Tyler likes the attention she's giving him, but he is distracted by it with other things troubling him. He's trying to deal with his school schedule. He is in three AP classes and Calculus, which is one of his toughest subjects, and he had loads of homework just on the first day of school. He went to his dad and asked if he could be taken out of one of the AP classes because it is too much for him, but his father was a jerk about the situation and said he's going to stay in those classes. He said its not about things being easy for him, and he also told Tyler he had to quit the job he has that he enjoys because it's not about him having fun either. He needs to focus on his schoolwork. Meanwhile, Tyler's trying to deal with his sister, Hannah, and talk some sense into her. She got her belly button pierced and is trying to show it off at school and dress showing too much skin. When Tyler and his sister were eating lunch one time in the cafeteria, Bethany showed up and sat with them. Tyler was suprised to see her because she usually eats off campus with her friends. Bethany talks to Hannah for a little while and then rests her knee on Tyler's leg, which he enjoys but tries not to show it. Later that day, Tyler is looking for a kid named Yoda, who likes Hannah and is also Tyler's ride home. When he finds Yoda, he is in the boys locker room with his wrists taped together and four guys torturing and hitting him. Tyler interupts and tells them to leave him alone, and then Chip arrives. Tyler says anything he can to tempt Chip in hitting him because he knows that Chip won't do it because he knows he would lose in front of his friends. After all, Tyler is the one who was winning in the arm wrestling match, so Chip knows that Tyler is stronger.
Quote:
"..all those folks standing on a quivering tree branch, with me at the end in a dog collar, skating on a thin layer of frozen pond" (Anderson 46).
Reaction:
Tyler was talking about the talk Tyler had with his principal and his parents a couple weeks before school started.His principal told Tyler that he should consider it a privilege that he can go back to school because his parents, probation officer, and some teachers were busting their necks to make it possible. He also needed to remember that he was on thin ice and a short leash because this privilege of going to school could be taken away from him very easily. The quote above is what Tyler pictured in his mind when his principal told him this. This quote really illustrated to me that Tyler has to be very careful so that he doesn't lose the privileges and blessings he's received, because he should be in more trouble than what he actually is. The way it is described in this quote is very accurate and is an interesting way of saying that Tyler is in trouble and needs to be very careful with his actions.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Twisted (pgs 1-37)
Summary:
The main character of Twisted is a junior in high school named Tyler Miller. He got arrested for doing the "Foul Deed", which wasn't specified as to what the deed was. But as a result he must do community service, pay for the damage, and he has to meet for six months with his parole officer. There's this neighbor of Tyler's named Bethany Milbury that he has a crush on. Tyler's father was attending a business gathering and brought the whole family, and Bethany's family was there as well. Bethany's brother, Chip, was bullying Tyler and talking about him getting in trouble with the law. Mr. Milbury and Mr. Miller both challenged Tyler and Chip to arm wrestle, which to them was innocent fun but was something different for Chip and Tyler. Tyler was winning, but he let Chip win because his father was sending signals to let him win to impress Mr. Milbury. Afterwards Mr. Milbury said that they should "shake hands like men". But instead of doing that, Chip patted Tyler on the back as hard as he could which sent him flying towards Bethany and the waiters with the trays of champagne. The trays flew up and the champagne glasses broke. Bethany fell and she was barefoot, so the glass got into her foot and also on her arm when she landed on the ground. Tyler was so embarrassed and upset about what happened because he was afraid Bethany was mad at him.
Tyler was laying in his bedroom one night thinking about bodies falling off bridges and planes, unbuckling his seat belt, and speeding up in his car flying into the bottom of a cliff and and explosion erupting. I was wondering if this had anything to do with the "Foul Deed" that he was arrested for.
The next day his mom made a cake for the Milburys and told Tyler to bring it to them and apologize for what happened to Bethany. He brought the cake and apologized to Mrs. Milbury and she said it was okay and that he should keep Bethany company for a few minutes. Tyler was very apprehensive about doing this, but followed Mrs. Milbury to the basement where Bethany was. When he saw her, he got down on his knees and apologized several times to Bethany about what happened, and she accepted his apology and they started eating the cake together.
Quote:
"At least they were getting paid. I was working forty feet above the ground, breathing in sulfur fumes from Satan's vomitorium, for free" (Anderson 1).
Reaction:
Reading this line emphasized how Tyler feels about this community service that he's doing. He said that he was breathing fumes from "Satan's vomitorium". When I read that it put a bad smell in my nose and a horrible taste in my mouth. It was as if I were breathing those same nasty fumes. Also, he said this vomitorium belonged to Satan, and nothing good is ever associated with Satan. In fact, another name for Satan is "the Devil". So after reading that line I felt bad for Tyler because of the suffering he's experiencing, even though he has to do this community service because of his misbehavior. The author used such a strong description of this community service that I felt like I was suffering with Tyler. I could almost feel his pain. This quote was in the first paragraph of the novel and the author's good use of imagery and metaphor in this sentence is what made me want to look into this book and continue reading.
The main character of Twisted is a junior in high school named Tyler Miller. He got arrested for doing the "Foul Deed", which wasn't specified as to what the deed was. But as a result he must do community service, pay for the damage, and he has to meet for six months with his parole officer. There's this neighbor of Tyler's named Bethany Milbury that he has a crush on. Tyler's father was attending a business gathering and brought the whole family, and Bethany's family was there as well. Bethany's brother, Chip, was bullying Tyler and talking about him getting in trouble with the law. Mr. Milbury and Mr. Miller both challenged Tyler and Chip to arm wrestle, which to them was innocent fun but was something different for Chip and Tyler. Tyler was winning, but he let Chip win because his father was sending signals to let him win to impress Mr. Milbury. Afterwards Mr. Milbury said that they should "shake hands like men". But instead of doing that, Chip patted Tyler on the back as hard as he could which sent him flying towards Bethany and the waiters with the trays of champagne. The trays flew up and the champagne glasses broke. Bethany fell and she was barefoot, so the glass got into her foot and also on her arm when she landed on the ground. Tyler was so embarrassed and upset about what happened because he was afraid Bethany was mad at him.
Tyler was laying in his bedroom one night thinking about bodies falling off bridges and planes, unbuckling his seat belt, and speeding up in his car flying into the bottom of a cliff and and explosion erupting. I was wondering if this had anything to do with the "Foul Deed" that he was arrested for.
The next day his mom made a cake for the Milburys and told Tyler to bring it to them and apologize for what happened to Bethany. He brought the cake and apologized to Mrs. Milbury and she said it was okay and that he should keep Bethany company for a few minutes. Tyler was very apprehensive about doing this, but followed Mrs. Milbury to the basement where Bethany was. When he saw her, he got down on his knees and apologized several times to Bethany about what happened, and she accepted his apology and they started eating the cake together.
Quote:
"At least they were getting paid. I was working forty feet above the ground, breathing in sulfur fumes from Satan's vomitorium, for free" (Anderson 1).
Reaction:
Reading this line emphasized how Tyler feels about this community service that he's doing. He said that he was breathing fumes from "Satan's vomitorium". When I read that it put a bad smell in my nose and a horrible taste in my mouth. It was as if I were breathing those same nasty fumes. Also, he said this vomitorium belonged to Satan, and nothing good is ever associated with Satan. In fact, another name for Satan is "the Devil". So after reading that line I felt bad for Tyler because of the suffering he's experiencing, even though he has to do this community service because of his misbehavior. The author used such a strong description of this community service that I felt like I was suffering with Tyler. I could almost feel his pain. This quote was in the first paragraph of the novel and the author's good use of imagery and metaphor in this sentence is what made me want to look into this book and continue reading.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Who do you think you are? (pgs 197-243)
Summary
Quote
"May you live to be 100 years. May I live to be a 100 years, less one day, so that I may never know you passed away." (Myers, 239).
Reaction
This quote was in one of the letters Alyse's father wrote to her mother. I thought it was very sweet and touching. It was a cute poetic way of saying that he wants them to live a long time, but as long as he's alive, he doesn't want to live a day without her. I know if a guy said that to me I would feel special. I was shocked when I read this quote because as much as Alyse's parents used to argue, its hard to think that when they were younger they were crazy in love like this. Another thing I found interesting about this quote is that Alyse said he got part of his wish. He died before she did, which was what he wanted, but neither of them lived to be 100 years old.
Alyse's mom didn't die in six weeks as the doctor predicted, but she survived another year and a half. When her mother passed away and they had her funeral, Alyse was trying to explain to her daughter who was three at the time that she would not be hearing from grandma anymore. Alyse was having a hard time coping with her mother's death because she realized that she didn't want her mother to die, and she even called her house as if expecting her to answer. When Alyse's daughter was fifteen years old, her friend's father passed away. Alyse's daughter is telling her what happened and whenever Alyse says something to comfort her, she just tells Alyse that she doesn't know about death or she wouldn't understand, which Alyse finds strange because both of her parents died. Alyse feels distance between her and her daughter, so she tries to bond with her by opening what was in a box that her mother gave her before she died. When they open it, they find all these letters that Alyse's father wrote to her mother. In it Alyse notices something different than what she witnessed living in her parent's house...her father actually loved her mother. Her and her daughter read all the letters together, looked at photos of them when they were younger, and Alyse was shocked when she saw letters that she wrote to her mom stored in that box. She realized that her mother actually cared about her, and she felt regret for all the trouble she caused her in the past. She was proud to say that she was her mother's daughter.
"May you live to be 100 years. May I live to be a 100 years, less one day, so that I may never know you passed away." (Myers, 239).
Reaction
This quote was in one of the letters Alyse's father wrote to her mother. I thought it was very sweet and touching. It was a cute poetic way of saying that he wants them to live a long time, but as long as he's alive, he doesn't want to live a day without her. I know if a guy said that to me I would feel special. I was shocked when I read this quote because as much as Alyse's parents used to argue, its hard to think that when they were younger they were crazy in love like this. Another thing I found interesting about this quote is that Alyse said he got part of his wish. He died before she did, which was what he wanted, but neither of them lived to be 100 years old.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Who do you think you are? (pgs 149-196)
Summary
When Alyse moved out of her mother's apartment, their relationship changed for the better. When they talked to each other on the phone they had pleasant conversations with each other that didn't end in an argument. However, when they talked about her mom coming to her apartment in Manhattan, there was some tension at the end of the phone call because Alyse told her mom that she is not allowed to smoke in her apartment. Her mom didn't come the day she was supposed to, and in fact, she never got to see Alyse's apartment. They didn't talk until a few months later, around Alyse's birthday, when Alyse's mom asked her if they could have lunch together, and when they met her mom gave Alyse some diamond earrings. Unfortunately, later that night when Alyse was on her way home someone took her purse which contained the earrings. She called the police and then told her mom about it, but after that they never spoke about the earrings again. As time goes by Alyse finds interest in this one man in her college course, and they start dating. Alyse brings him by to her mother's house from time to time, and they get along very well. Her mom is thrilled when Alyse tells her that they are engaged. Alyse's mom says that she wants to walk her down the aisle since her father isn't alive to do it, but Alyse says no and her mom is very disappointed. On the day of her wedding her mom shows up right before the wedding starts, and doesn't seem happy for her. Later on though, Alyse and her mother still have a good relationship. Two years after Alyse gets married she has a daughter, and Alyse promises herself that she would be a better mother than her own mother was before she moved out. Two years later Alyse got a phone call from her mom saying that she went to the emergency room because she had a lump in her throat and was having a hard time swallowing. The doctor told her that if she wanted to know the test results to call, but Alyse's mom didn't want to know them. So when Alyse called the doctor herself he told her that she had lung cancer which was caused from cigarettes, and she only had six weeks to live. Alyse didn't tell her mother this, but she found out the next day when she went to the doctor, and he told her she would need chemo right away. As the days went by Alyse's mom didn't wash or comb her hair because she was afraid that it would fall out. But one day Alyse told her mom that she needs to wash it and maybe she would be lucky and it wouldn't fall out. But when Alyse's mom came out the bathroom, her towel was over her head and she went to her room. Alyse walked into the bathroom and saw huge chunks of her mother's hair in the sink. They never talked about her hair after that.
Quote
"I didn't look at her as my husband and I walked down the aisle together, out in the back lawn, under the tent. But after the rabbi announced we were married and everyone clapped, I saw she was the only one who didn't." (Myers, 75).
Reaction
In this quote Alyse was talking about her mother. I felt sorry for Alyse's mom because I could tell that it would've meant a lot to her if she walked Alyse down the aisle. But since Alyse didn't want that her mother wasn't really as happy on that day as any other mother would be for their child. Her mom probably felt that walking her down the aisle was the least she could do for her, and Alyse took that away. I'm not saying that Alyse is a bad person and her wedding shouldn't go the way she wants it to, but I think she should've made the sacrifice for her mother's happiness. But I also wanted to know why her mother couldn't have at least clapped along with everyone else. She could've at least did it so Alyse wouldn't feel bad on her wedding day. So in this case I felt sorry for the both of them. But this still didn't distance their relationship from each other. After her wedding day, their relationship grew closer and closer.
When Alyse moved out of her mother's apartment, their relationship changed for the better. When they talked to each other on the phone they had pleasant conversations with each other that didn't end in an argument. However, when they talked about her mom coming to her apartment in Manhattan, there was some tension at the end of the phone call because Alyse told her mom that she is not allowed to smoke in her apartment. Her mom didn't come the day she was supposed to, and in fact, she never got to see Alyse's apartment. They didn't talk until a few months later, around Alyse's birthday, when Alyse's mom asked her if they could have lunch together, and when they met her mom gave Alyse some diamond earrings. Unfortunately, later that night when Alyse was on her way home someone took her purse which contained the earrings. She called the police and then told her mom about it, but after that they never spoke about the earrings again. As time goes by Alyse finds interest in this one man in her college course, and they start dating. Alyse brings him by to her mother's house from time to time, and they get along very well. Her mom is thrilled when Alyse tells her that they are engaged. Alyse's mom says that she wants to walk her down the aisle since her father isn't alive to do it, but Alyse says no and her mom is very disappointed. On the day of her wedding her mom shows up right before the wedding starts, and doesn't seem happy for her. Later on though, Alyse and her mother still have a good relationship. Two years after Alyse gets married she has a daughter, and Alyse promises herself that she would be a better mother than her own mother was before she moved out. Two years later Alyse got a phone call from her mom saying that she went to the emergency room because she had a lump in her throat and was having a hard time swallowing. The doctor told her that if she wanted to know the test results to call, but Alyse's mom didn't want to know them. So when Alyse called the doctor herself he told her that she had lung cancer which was caused from cigarettes, and she only had six weeks to live. Alyse didn't tell her mother this, but she found out the next day when she went to the doctor, and he told her she would need chemo right away. As the days went by Alyse's mom didn't wash or comb her hair because she was afraid that it would fall out. But one day Alyse told her mom that she needs to wash it and maybe she would be lucky and it wouldn't fall out. But when Alyse's mom came out the bathroom, her towel was over her head and she went to her room. Alyse walked into the bathroom and saw huge chunks of her mother's hair in the sink. They never talked about her hair after that.
Quote
"I didn't look at her as my husband and I walked down the aisle together, out in the back lawn, under the tent. But after the rabbi announced we were married and everyone clapped, I saw she was the only one who didn't." (Myers, 75).
Reaction
In this quote Alyse was talking about her mother. I felt sorry for Alyse's mom because I could tell that it would've meant a lot to her if she walked Alyse down the aisle. But since Alyse didn't want that her mother wasn't really as happy on that day as any other mother would be for their child. Her mom probably felt that walking her down the aisle was the least she could do for her, and Alyse took that away. I'm not saying that Alyse is a bad person and her wedding shouldn't go the way she wants it to, but I think she should've made the sacrifice for her mother's happiness. But I also wanted to know why her mother couldn't have at least clapped along with everyone else. She could've at least did it so Alyse wouldn't feel bad on her wedding day. So in this case I felt sorry for the both of them. But this still didn't distance their relationship from each other. After her wedding day, their relationship grew closer and closer.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Who do you think you are? (pgs 101-145)
Summary
Alyse, her mom, and her two sisters attended a bar mitzvah that her father's family were hosting. Alyse and her sisters had a wonderful time, but when the time came for them to get home Alyse's mom had to figure out who she was going to get a ride with because she couldn't drive. They eventually took a cab, and Alyse's mom misplaced her keys, and they were waiting outside of their apartment until three in the morning. It was at this night that Alyse made a promise to herself that she would never rely on anyone else like her mother. However, even though Alyse doesn't want to be like her mom, she still wants to have a close relationship with her. She tries to accomplish this by giving her mom details about what happened to her in school or who her crush is or the mean things people said to her. But rather than give her good advice or console her, her mom just uses those secrets against. Whenever Alyse was being a pain to her, she would say that her attitude is why people say mean things to her. So despite her efforts, their relationship didn't improve. On the contrary, their relationship worsened to the point where they couldn't tolerate each other. One day Alyse came home from her friend's birthday party and her mother was upset because she didn't clean up before she left. Her mother pulled her by the hair and started yelling at her. Alyse let her rage build up inside of her and she pulled out a knife, pointed it towards her mother, and told her that she would kill her. Her mother was shocked and just walked away, later on returning to Alyse in her bedroom telling her that she better pack her things and leave the apartment in fifteen minutes and that if she didn't leave she would call the police. That night Alyse left and spent the night at a neighbor's house and returned to her house the next morning. Over time it became a habit for Alyse and her mom to get into a big argument, and Alyse was supposed to leave the house. Alyse decided that as soon as she could move out of her mother's house that she would. In the fall when she started college, she had two jobs after classes that she loved and kept to save up for an apartment. When she had enough, she finally got an apartment in Manhattan like she wanted.
Quote
"My grandfather, who always recued me after the fights with his daughter when he was alive, was helping me again by giving me a way to escape-even in death." (Myers, 145)
Reaction
I found this quote was a very powerful way of her concluding one of the chapters. After her father dies she talks about how she called her grandfather whenever her and her mom got into a fight. However, Alyse eventually lost him when he died. But I like how the author said that even though her grandfather is dead he's still helping her. She says this because when he died he left her a car that she used to get to her classes, her jobs, and often times get away from her mother. So her grandfather still provided her an escape from the wrath of her mother.
Alyse, her mom, and her two sisters attended a bar mitzvah that her father's family were hosting. Alyse and her sisters had a wonderful time, but when the time came for them to get home Alyse's mom had to figure out who she was going to get a ride with because she couldn't drive. They eventually took a cab, and Alyse's mom misplaced her keys, and they were waiting outside of their apartment until three in the morning. It was at this night that Alyse made a promise to herself that she would never rely on anyone else like her mother. However, even though Alyse doesn't want to be like her mom, she still wants to have a close relationship with her. She tries to accomplish this by giving her mom details about what happened to her in school or who her crush is or the mean things people said to her. But rather than give her good advice or console her, her mom just uses those secrets against. Whenever Alyse was being a pain to her, she would say that her attitude is why people say mean things to her. So despite her efforts, their relationship didn't improve. On the contrary, their relationship worsened to the point where they couldn't tolerate each other. One day Alyse came home from her friend's birthday party and her mother was upset because she didn't clean up before she left. Her mother pulled her by the hair and started yelling at her. Alyse let her rage build up inside of her and she pulled out a knife, pointed it towards her mother, and told her that she would kill her. Her mother was shocked and just walked away, later on returning to Alyse in her bedroom telling her that she better pack her things and leave the apartment in fifteen minutes and that if she didn't leave she would call the police. That night Alyse left and spent the night at a neighbor's house and returned to her house the next morning. Over time it became a habit for Alyse and her mom to get into a big argument, and Alyse was supposed to leave the house. Alyse decided that as soon as she could move out of her mother's house that she would. In the fall when she started college, she had two jobs after classes that she loved and kept to save up for an apartment. When she had enough, she finally got an apartment in Manhattan like she wanted.
Quote
"My grandfather, who always recued me after the fights with his daughter when he was alive, was helping me again by giving me a way to escape-even in death." (Myers, 145)
Reaction
I found this quote was a very powerful way of her concluding one of the chapters. After her father dies she talks about how she called her grandfather whenever her and her mom got into a fight. However, Alyse eventually lost him when he died. But I like how the author said that even though her grandfather is dead he's still helping her. She says this because when he died he left her a car that she used to get to her classes, her jobs, and often times get away from her mother. So her grandfather still provided her an escape from the wrath of her mother.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Who do you think you are? (pgs 54-99)
Summary
Alyse's father is sick. Alyse accidentally walks on her father while he is using the bathroom and finds something red sticking out of his stomach. Her father yells and tells her to get out of the bathroom, and she asks her mom what happened to her dad. Her mom explains to her that her father had surgery and that he has to use the bathroom in a bag. Her father is constantly going in and out of the hospital because he is so sick, and despite how ill he is, Alyse's mom is still yelling at him. She kept on talking about his "girlfriend", and whenever he asked her to do something she said that his "girlfriend" could do it for him. Alyse finally realizes who this woman is when she goes to one of her father's doctor appointments and meets the nurse that takes care of him. One day Alyse comes home from school and her sisters tell her that their father died, and she didn't believe it until she saw everyone gathered around his bed, and she started crying. Alyse and her family went to his funeral except her sisters because her mom said that they were too young to understand what was going on. On the day of his funeral, Alyse's mom gives her her father's favorite necklace and says that he would've wanted her to have it. So she wears it that day, but after the funeral she puts it in her drawer and says that she never wore it again. Alyse's mom got a job and now the kids were going to be home alone more often. Alyse is told not to use the stove while her mom isn't home. However, she was hungry and really wanted a hamburger so instead of using the stove she uses the toaster, which eventually starts a minor fire. Alyse poors water on the toaster and unplugs it. When her mother gets home at first she is mad because she sees the toaster has been messed up. But then she asks Alyse how she knew to unplug it, and Alyse just said that she simply knew. Alyse's mom says that she's a smart girl for that. This was a significant moment because this was the first compliment Alyse can recall her mom giving her.
Quote
"When she wasn't around, I would go through my father's closet and his drawers and touch his clothes and remember what he looked like when he wore them. They still smelled just like him."(Myers, 86)
Reaction
This is part of her grieving process. You can tell that she misses her father just by going through his clothes, smelling them, and remembering how he looked when he wore them. It made me feel so sad for her because you can tell that she really misses her father. She even goes on further to say that she would write in the red journal he gave her and write about how much she missed him. She also said that she would go through his clothes when her mother was NOT around, and I can't help but think that her mom would get mad if she saw her going through his clothes. I like how the author says she would touch his clothes and remember what he looked like in them. Its as if when she touches the clothes all these memories of her dad wearing them suddenly come to mind. When she smells them, they still smell just like him, as if he's still alive to her. After this quote she says that she would also write in her red diary about why she hated her mom, and one of these reasons is because she got rid of all of her father's clothes. Its sad that her mother took away what seemed to be Alyse's favorite connection left to her father. She feels so lonely now because her father was her only close companion, and now she feels like she has no one else to turn to.
Alyse's father is sick. Alyse accidentally walks on her father while he is using the bathroom and finds something red sticking out of his stomach. Her father yells and tells her to get out of the bathroom, and she asks her mom what happened to her dad. Her mom explains to her that her father had surgery and that he has to use the bathroom in a bag. Her father is constantly going in and out of the hospital because he is so sick, and despite how ill he is, Alyse's mom is still yelling at him. She kept on talking about his "girlfriend", and whenever he asked her to do something she said that his "girlfriend" could do it for him. Alyse finally realizes who this woman is when she goes to one of her father's doctor appointments and meets the nurse that takes care of him. One day Alyse comes home from school and her sisters tell her that their father died, and she didn't believe it until she saw everyone gathered around his bed, and she started crying. Alyse and her family went to his funeral except her sisters because her mom said that they were too young to understand what was going on. On the day of his funeral, Alyse's mom gives her her father's favorite necklace and says that he would've wanted her to have it. So she wears it that day, but after the funeral she puts it in her drawer and says that she never wore it again. Alyse's mom got a job and now the kids were going to be home alone more often. Alyse is told not to use the stove while her mom isn't home. However, she was hungry and really wanted a hamburger so instead of using the stove she uses the toaster, which eventually starts a minor fire. Alyse poors water on the toaster and unplugs it. When her mother gets home at first she is mad because she sees the toaster has been messed up. But then she asks Alyse how she knew to unplug it, and Alyse just said that she simply knew. Alyse's mom says that she's a smart girl for that. This was a significant moment because this was the first compliment Alyse can recall her mom giving her.
Quote
"When she wasn't around, I would go through my father's closet and his drawers and touch his clothes and remember what he looked like when he wore them. They still smelled just like him."(Myers, 86)
Reaction
This is part of her grieving process. You can tell that she misses her father just by going through his clothes, smelling them, and remembering how he looked when he wore them. It made me feel so sad for her because you can tell that she really misses her father. She even goes on further to say that she would write in the red journal he gave her and write about how much she missed him. She also said that she would go through his clothes when her mother was NOT around, and I can't help but think that her mom would get mad if she saw her going through his clothes. I like how the author says she would touch his clothes and remember what he looked like in them. Its as if when she touches the clothes all these memories of her dad wearing them suddenly come to mind. When she smells them, they still smell just like him, as if he's still alive to her. After this quote she says that she would also write in her red diary about why she hated her mom, and one of these reasons is because she got rid of all of her father's clothes. Its sad that her mother took away what seemed to be Alyse's favorite connection left to her father. She feels so lonely now because her father was her only close companion, and now she feels like she has no one else to turn to.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Who do you think you are? (pgs 11-53)
Summary
The main character, Alyse, describes how her family life was during her childhood. She lives with her parents and her two younger sisters. Alyse's childhood has not been an easy one. For starters, her parents are constantly arguing and its usually because her father has been gone for a long period of time and he didn't call and tell them where he was. If its not about that, its about their poor financial situation. This troubles Alyse because not only does she want peace in her household, but she loves her father so much and she hates when her mom abuses him verbally and calls him horrible names. Alyse wonders how two people could fall in love and have children, but somehow seem to hate each other. Also, Alyse gets discouraged at times because she doesn't know if her mother likes her. Her mother never tells her that she loves her and she is always yelling at her. Alyse's parents both deal with stress by smoking cigarettes, and her mom smokes more vigorously than her dad. This habit bothers Alyse, but of course because she's the child so there's nothing she can do about that. One night Alyse and her family go out to eat for chinese food. While they are out there is a black out. During this black out Alyse's father stepped out of the restaurant and they have no idea where he is. When they get back home, all night her mom is sitting by the window smoking one cigarette after the other, until Alyse's father finally arrives home the next morning. Alyse's mother as usual is yelling at him asking him where he's been and why he didn't call them to tell him where he went. She says that he doesn't care about them at all because if he did he would be home or at least tell his family where he is when he's gone for a long period of time.
Quote
""Don't you care about us?" she repeated. But this time she was whispering. It was almost as if she was talking to herself. I started to wonder if she was right. Didn't he care about us?" (Myers, 51)
Reaction
Despite how often Alyse's mom mistreats her father, I can feel the pain in her voice when she asks him if he cares about them. Alyse's mom puts on this facade as if she doesn't care about him, but in this quote I see her true feelings. I can tell that it bothered her and that she was worried about him to the point where she couldn't sleep because before this quote the author said that when he got home she was wearing the same clothes that she was wearing the night before. Therefore, she's probably wearing the same clothes because she didn't go to bed that night. Also, when Alyse's mom asks her husband that question, it begins to change the way Alyse feels, or at least gives her some doubt as well. She starts to wonder if her mom was right and if he really does care about his family. Overall this links to the big picture because Alyse talks about how much she loves her father because he shows a lot of love for her. However, if Alyse doesn't feel that he cares about them, then her feelings for her father will change and their bond will weaken. This will change the rest of the story because Alyse always looked forward to seeing her father when he came home and she loved spending time with him and talking to him. On the other hand, if Alyse doesn't feel that closeness with him anymore, she will have no one else to turn to because her father is her only confidant.
The main character, Alyse, describes how her family life was during her childhood. She lives with her parents and her two younger sisters. Alyse's childhood has not been an easy one. For starters, her parents are constantly arguing and its usually because her father has been gone for a long period of time and he didn't call and tell them where he was. If its not about that, its about their poor financial situation. This troubles Alyse because not only does she want peace in her household, but she loves her father so much and she hates when her mom abuses him verbally and calls him horrible names. Alyse wonders how two people could fall in love and have children, but somehow seem to hate each other. Also, Alyse gets discouraged at times because she doesn't know if her mother likes her. Her mother never tells her that she loves her and she is always yelling at her. Alyse's parents both deal with stress by smoking cigarettes, and her mom smokes more vigorously than her dad. This habit bothers Alyse, but of course because she's the child so there's nothing she can do about that. One night Alyse and her family go out to eat for chinese food. While they are out there is a black out. During this black out Alyse's father stepped out of the restaurant and they have no idea where he is. When they get back home, all night her mom is sitting by the window smoking one cigarette after the other, until Alyse's father finally arrives home the next morning. Alyse's mother as usual is yelling at him asking him where he's been and why he didn't call them to tell him where he went. She says that he doesn't care about them at all because if he did he would be home or at least tell his family where he is when he's gone for a long period of time.
Quote
""Don't you care about us?" she repeated. But this time she was whispering. It was almost as if she was talking to herself. I started to wonder if she was right. Didn't he care about us?" (Myers, 51)
Reaction
Despite how often Alyse's mom mistreats her father, I can feel the pain in her voice when she asks him if he cares about them. Alyse's mom puts on this facade as if she doesn't care about him, but in this quote I see her true feelings. I can tell that it bothered her and that she was worried about him to the point where she couldn't sleep because before this quote the author said that when he got home she was wearing the same clothes that she was wearing the night before. Therefore, she's probably wearing the same clothes because she didn't go to bed that night. Also, when Alyse's mom asks her husband that question, it begins to change the way Alyse feels, or at least gives her some doubt as well. She starts to wonder if her mom was right and if he really does care about his family. Overall this links to the big picture because Alyse talks about how much she loves her father because he shows a lot of love for her. However, if Alyse doesn't feel that he cares about them, then her feelings for her father will change and their bond will weaken. This will change the rest of the story because Alyse always looked forward to seeing her father when he came home and she loved spending time with him and talking to him. On the other hand, if Alyse doesn't feel that closeness with him anymore, she will have no one else to turn to because her father is her only confidant.
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