Note: I haven't read past chapter 35, so if everything goes to hell in the next few chapters, keep that in mind while reading this post.
With that being said, I was so happy when it was revealed that the Baron Ashkenazy was Tateh. It was really surprising because everyone so far has had really shit luck. Evelyn (who isn't even in the novel anymore) seems to have lost her drive long ago. Houdini's mother died and he's dealing with an insane amount of grief. The family had to leave New Rochelle due to Coalhouse's terrorism as an aftermath of Sarah's death and Mother's Younger Brother, whose had a lot of bad luck throughout the novel, has left them to help Coalhouse (although they don't know about this at the moment). Basically a lot has happened. The last time we saw Tateh, he had sold his flipbook, so he was having a bit of good luck but I definitely didn't expect it to continue.
Part of the reason I find this to be so unexpected is because throughout the novel we've seen that Doctorow has had quite a negative view of the American Dream. In the beginning of the book, he spends a lot of time describing the living conditions of immigrants and the terrible opportunities they have. At one point, Doctorow writes that someone who is "born to extreme wealth" and is able to "multiply the family fortune till it is out of sight" is a true American hero. With all the depictions of Tateh's unsuccessful attempts at establishing himself in a union in Lawrence alongside J.P. Morgan and Ford's success, it's kind of nice to see Tateh is able to find a good job in film, especially since we've followed him around and seen.
On the other hand, I'm wondering if Tateh's great success is Doctorow's way of poking fun at the American Dream. I know Tateh is a fictional character but even then, his outcome is just so unrealistic. He just happens to be able to work with the Franklin Novelty Company and rise to the top after spending so much time struggling in the Lower East Side. It's great what happened to him, but it seems like the perfection of Tateh's story is to make the reader question the reality of the situation. After all, we're very aware of the conditions that other immigrants live in, and we know how different Tateh's life was before. Is Tateh's story another way for Doctorow to point out the unrealistic expectations of the American Dream? Is this Doctorow's way of making the reader realize the ridiculous chance of this scenario actually playing out? I want to believe that it's just Doctorow giving him and the little girl a happy ending, but I'm getting the feeling that there's more to the story. In any case, I really hope their luck continues.
Monday, January 25, 2016
Thursday, January 14, 2016
Kim K.
Ok so this blog post is in fact not about Kim Kardashian West. For my first post of the semester, I thought I'd share some of my thoughts on Evelyn Nesbit. We talked about her a lot in class and I'm going to try to figure out what I think about her because at this point, I'm really not sure. She definitely reminded me of Kim Kardashian, though. A public figure who is viewed as a sex symbol and constantly scrutinized, even if she isn't even doing anything (similarly to Kim). Evelyn's "scandal" has made her quite famous and obviously alters the public's views of her (once again, think of Kim), and I think it's important that we view her story in this context. Her life isn't "normal" (whatever normal means), and I think she very badly needed to meet Tateh and little girl and get away from the limelight and be herself.
The way that Doctorow depicts Evelyn is so interesting to me. Everybody knows who she is and we often forget that famous people are still people. Doctorow seems to use this idea and gives Evelyn's character depth. We learn a lot about her and follow her on her trips to the Lower East Side, and I have to say that seeing an upper class woman who is often in the spotlight like this really makes me appreciate her as a character. Knowing what her life is like also makes me think that her excursions in the slums are ok. I don't think it's wrong for her to want an escape. Her life is hectic, and at least her escape is somewhat productive (at least in my eyes). She really does love being with Tateh and the little girl, and although she does want to give them charity, she truly cares about them, so I wouldn't say that she's being selfish and wanting only to fill a void in herself by doing so or rude by very clearly going against Tateh's wishes.
Although I see a lot of positive qualities in Evelyn, I can definitely see why some people think she's a creep. While I was reading I thought it was great that she wanted so badly to help Tateh and the little girl, but looking more closely at the book, it does seem really strange. I mean a lot of the scenarios in Doctorow's book seem strange, but I'll admit that thinking about this does kind of paint Evelyn as a stalker. We also mentioned that Evelyn's character, though frivolous on the surface, has depth and a political consciousness. But at the same time, it mentions that when she donates to charities, magazines, and other things that Emma Goldman introduced to her, but she feels no joy when doing this. I think it's nice that Evelyn is more aware, but her lack of passion sort of brings me back to the upper class persona that she shows the world, since she's essentially just throwing money around at these organizations and funds. Side note: I think it's really weird how she gets together with Younger Brother, especially considering how they met and looking forward to how she seemed to grow bored of him very quickly.
I like Evelyn overall, but it does seem like as the story continues, her character becomes less interesting. In the earlier chapters where she is with Tateh and little girl, I really like her and I don't think she's as problematic as some people think she is, but as the story goes on, I think she loses her depth and goes back to being superficial. What are your thoughts on Evelyn?
Friday, May 8, 2015
Okay, That Was Kind of Impressive
I have to say, I'm a little surprised at how Macon handled the call from the civil rights worker. It seems like he very easily blows up at people who question his ideas and it usually makes him look even more ridiculous. Being able to hold back his anger and answer the man respectably caught me off guard because it's so contradictory to the Macon we've seen thus far.
Macon Detornay is an interesting character for a hero narrative because he actually considers himself as a hero. I don't necessarily think there's anything wrong with believing you're a hero (I'm sure the Avengers consider themselves heroes) but Macon doesn't seem to be anything very heroic in the beginning. In fact, reading about his muggings that he declared so heroic really annoyed me. It bothered me that he thought he was doing the right thing because his ideas gave him an excuse. With the cab muggings he was inadvertently making things worse, but he was walking around before thinking he had done a great deed and helped change the world. His arrogance is really too much for me. I would understand if he thought of Malcolm X as an idol, but thinking that they're at the same level? Seriously Macon? It's not that I don't think his ideas are valid, but the poetry reading should have been an indicator that he's being a little...much.
Ok rant over.
The interviews have been... slightly different though. I'm still not a huge fan of Macon because he seems to be basking in all the attention, and it's not really helping his ego. But, he actually managed to bite his tongue? For the first time since beginning this novel, his ideas seem logical and he actually seems quite logical. I think some of his ideas still aren't great and kind of weird, but now I can actually see some potential for him to be a hero. I'm still not thrilled with his personality and all that, but maybe we'll see him blossom into a hero.
(Then again, like someone else pointed out today in class, the prologue doesn't seem to show that he becomes this amazing guy, so we'll see I guess)
~~~
Macon Detornay is an interesting character for a hero narrative because he actually considers himself as a hero. I don't necessarily think there's anything wrong with believing you're a hero (I'm sure the Avengers consider themselves heroes) but Macon doesn't seem to be anything very heroic in the beginning. In fact, reading about his muggings that he declared so heroic really annoyed me. It bothered me that he thought he was doing the right thing because his ideas gave him an excuse. With the cab muggings he was inadvertently making things worse, but he was walking around before thinking he had done a great deed and helped change the world. His arrogance is really too much for me. I would understand if he thought of Malcolm X as an idol, but thinking that they're at the same level? Seriously Macon? It's not that I don't think his ideas are valid, but the poetry reading should have been an indicator that he's being a little...much.
Ok rant over.
The interviews have been... slightly different though. I'm still not a huge fan of Macon because he seems to be basking in all the attention, and it's not really helping his ego. But, he actually managed to bite his tongue? For the first time since beginning this novel, his ideas seem logical and he actually seems quite logical. I think some of his ideas still aren't great and kind of weird, but now I can actually see some potential for him to be a hero. I'm still not thrilled with his personality and all that, but maybe we'll see him blossom into a hero.
(Then again, like someone else pointed out today in class, the prologue doesn't seem to show that he becomes this amazing guy, so we'll see I guess)
~~~
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Ma and Jack vs Athena and Odysseus
It was brought up in class sometime last week that Jack is the hero of "Dying" and Ma is just more like a helper, just like Odysseus was the hero and Athena aided him. I can see how this is the case (even though I didn't really see Odysseus as a hero) but now that we've finished Room, I think I view Ma as the hero of the first part of the book, and Jack as the hero for "After" and "Living."
Ma was the mastermind behind the escape plan, and though she didn't carry out the plan, she still came up with it all. Of course, Jack played a crucial role, but I still think planning it is certainly enough to deem Ma a hero. I also think that Jack is heroic in "Dying," but none of this would've happened without Ma. To me, she's also the hero of the earlier sections because she was selfless and able to carry on in this prison all for the sake of her son. Her strength allowed her to raise him as best she could.
For the majority of this book, I've considered Ma as the sole hero, but now I can see how Jack is a hero too. I think it's a little less obvious because he didn't plot the escape and in the later sections he basically just works on adjusting to the outside world, but I think it can be seen as a personal hero's journey. I'm actually surprised at how fast he adjusted. Of course after 3 and a half weeks, he still has to work on some manners and social norms among other things, but it's an incredible change from having to stand in the shower with Ma because the glass divided them too much. Ma's absence made Jack blossom has a hero, and he was able to work on the daunting task of transitioning into a normal life. For that, I think it's acceptable to consider him a hero.
I think the ending of the book showed how they were both heroes. They both were forced to go through a lot of change and emotional trauma, but they were both able to push past it and finally let go of their past. Jack finally stopped longing to live in Room, and Ma was able to accept what happened to her.
~~~
Ma was the mastermind behind the escape plan, and though she didn't carry out the plan, she still came up with it all. Of course, Jack played a crucial role, but I still think planning it is certainly enough to deem Ma a hero. I also think that Jack is heroic in "Dying," but none of this would've happened without Ma. To me, she's also the hero of the earlier sections because she was selfless and able to carry on in this prison all for the sake of her son. Her strength allowed her to raise him as best she could.
For the majority of this book, I've considered Ma as the sole hero, but now I can see how Jack is a hero too. I think it's a little less obvious because he didn't plot the escape and in the later sections he basically just works on adjusting to the outside world, but I think it can be seen as a personal hero's journey. I'm actually surprised at how fast he adjusted. Of course after 3 and a half weeks, he still has to work on some manners and social norms among other things, but it's an incredible change from having to stand in the shower with Ma because the glass divided them too much. Ma's absence made Jack blossom has a hero, and he was able to work on the daunting task of transitioning into a normal life. For that, I think it's acceptable to consider him a hero.
I think the ending of the book showed how they were both heroes. They both were forced to go through a lot of change and emotional trauma, but they were both able to push past it and finally let go of their past. Jack finally stopped longing to live in Room, and Ma was able to accept what happened to her.
~~~
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Slightly Changed Opinions
Wow. (would not recommend reading any further if you haven't finished "Dying")
I finished "Dying" last night, and that was intense. In my last post, I talked about how I don't really see Jack as a hero but just a normal five year old, and he's making everything more difficult for Ma, who is definitely a hero for just being able to raise him. A lot of things are going through my head right now, so this post is really just going to be about a bunch of different things, sorry.
Well I guess for starters, I see how Jack is a hero now. Well actually, I can see how he's able to perform a heroic act. I still see Ma as the hero of the story. Jack executes the plan, but it was all Ma's idea. So I guess I consider both of them to be heroes, but just because Jack carried out the escape, doesn't diminish my belief that Ma is the hero of Room.
I also said that I don't find Jack's narration to be annoying, but now that he has to communicate with other people to execute this dangerous plan, he's becoming more and more annoying to me. He doesn't understand how dangerous their situation is and how it's imperative that he listens to Ma, his first experience with the outside is so overwhelming he's incapable of talking to the police officers so they can save Ma. I'm constantly forgetting that he's a 5 year old, but reading his thoughts ("I'm hating her again a bit"), I understand Ma's frustration when he continually refuses to take part in the plan. I'm finding it very difficult to kind of put myself in his position to understand why he doesn't want to go through with the plan, or why he can't talk to the police officers properly. (By the way, I'm incredibly impressed with the police officer's patience with Jack. I would've been as exasperated as the male officer) It's bad, I know I should be taking his upbringing into consideration, but it's kind of difficult. The one thing that helps me understand is his line, "'I've seen the world and I'm tired now.'" (p. 155) I'm glad Jack was able to pull off the plan, but now that they're free, I can tell that his confusion with the rest of the outside world is going to make him seem even more annoying.
Is Jack more annoying to you now, or do you know enough about him that his actions are understandable?
~~~
I finished "Dying" last night, and that was intense. In my last post, I talked about how I don't really see Jack as a hero but just a normal five year old, and he's making everything more difficult for Ma, who is definitely a hero for just being able to raise him. A lot of things are going through my head right now, so this post is really just going to be about a bunch of different things, sorry.
Well I guess for starters, I see how Jack is a hero now. Well actually, I can see how he's able to perform a heroic act. I still see Ma as the hero of the story. Jack executes the plan, but it was all Ma's idea. So I guess I consider both of them to be heroes, but just because Jack carried out the escape, doesn't diminish my belief that Ma is the hero of Room.
I also said that I don't find Jack's narration to be annoying, but now that he has to communicate with other people to execute this dangerous plan, he's becoming more and more annoying to me. He doesn't understand how dangerous their situation is and how it's imperative that he listens to Ma, his first experience with the outside is so overwhelming he's incapable of talking to the police officers so they can save Ma. I'm constantly forgetting that he's a 5 year old, but reading his thoughts ("I'm hating her again a bit"), I understand Ma's frustration when he continually refuses to take part in the plan. I'm finding it very difficult to kind of put myself in his position to understand why he doesn't want to go through with the plan, or why he can't talk to the police officers properly. (By the way, I'm incredibly impressed with the police officer's patience with Jack. I would've been as exasperated as the male officer) It's bad, I know I should be taking his upbringing into consideration, but it's kind of difficult. The one thing that helps me understand is his line, "'I've seen the world and I'm tired now.'" (p. 155) I'm glad Jack was able to pull off the plan, but now that they're free, I can tell that his confusion with the rest of the outside world is going to make him seem even more annoying.
Is Jack more annoying to you now, or do you know enough about him that his actions are understandable?
~~~
Sunday, April 12, 2015
Jack: A Little Hero?
I think Room is definitely an interesting change from Memory of Running. I've been trying to write this post all weekend but I feel like we still don't really know enough yet.
I think I like Jack. His narration can be a little weird, but I don't have a problem with how he talks and I think it's an interesting perspective on the whole situation. I haven't gotten annoyed (yet?) at him, and we've been able to figure out the basic story from his explanations of his daily life. I definitely like his narration more than Vardaman (maybe even Smithy, also Jack and Smithy aren't as similar, so maybe that comparison isn't the best). With that being said, I can't understand how a 5 year old boy who has no understanding of the world would save the day.
Jack's actually inadvertently been making things even harder for Ma. As of right now, I wholeheartedly consider Ma the hero of Room. I am incredibly impressed with how she has been able to raise Jack in this tiny room and keep him out of Old Nick's way and keep him safe by muting commercials that would let him in on information about the outside world. Even while trying to keep him sheltered from what they are locked away from, she still tries every single day to get them out, with Scream and flickering the lamp. Like Gillian said in class, Ma is a saint. She's gone through hell and is still able to pretend to be happy for her child. Ma is incredibly strong; if I were locked up in a room like that I would've already gone crazy, but she's able to keep going for Jack. Maybe Jack can be seen as beneficial to Ma too, by keeping sane, but for the most part, I can't really see him as doing much more than that.
I know we can assume from the excerpt before the table of contents (from the story of Perseus) that Jack is, or is going to be, the hero of Room. At this point in the story, I can't really see how he could end up being the hero, but Ma is certainly a hero to me.
~~~
I think I like Jack. His narration can be a little weird, but I don't have a problem with how he talks and I think it's an interesting perspective on the whole situation. I haven't gotten annoyed (yet?) at him, and we've been able to figure out the basic story from his explanations of his daily life. I definitely like his narration more than Vardaman (maybe even Smithy, also Jack and Smithy aren't as similar, so maybe that comparison isn't the best). With that being said, I can't understand how a 5 year old boy who has no understanding of the world would save the day.
Jack's actually inadvertently been making things even harder for Ma. As of right now, I wholeheartedly consider Ma the hero of Room. I am incredibly impressed with how she has been able to raise Jack in this tiny room and keep him out of Old Nick's way and keep him safe by muting commercials that would let him in on information about the outside world. Even while trying to keep him sheltered from what they are locked away from, she still tries every single day to get them out, with Scream and flickering the lamp. Like Gillian said in class, Ma is a saint. She's gone through hell and is still able to pretend to be happy for her child. Ma is incredibly strong; if I were locked up in a room like that I would've already gone crazy, but she's able to keep going for Jack. Maybe Jack can be seen as beneficial to Ma too, by keeping sane, but for the most part, I can't really see him as doing much more than that.
I know we can assume from the excerpt before the table of contents (from the story of Perseus) that Jack is, or is going to be, the hero of Room. At this point in the story, I can't really see how he could end up being the hero, but Ma is certainly a hero to me.
~~~
Friday, April 3, 2015
Golden vs Glass
In my group's class discussion (which was a while ago but I really want to get my thoughts down), the writing prompt was to compare Dr. Golden vs Dr. Glass, and I didn't really say anything at the time but I definitely have some things to say about the two psychiatrists.
So Dr. Golden. He is a jerk. I guess I kind of understand why he wouldn't want to invest himself too much in Bethany's life and might not want to become best friends with her or anything, but at the same time he's her doctor. He has a job to do, and he doesn't seem to be doing it very well. In this way, I guess is the opposite. She quickly befriends Bethany, and although she cares more for Bethany's well-being, this also seems to skew her judgement and cause bias. Neither doctor really seems to be helping her like they should be. Bethany doesn't improve with Golden, who really couldn't care less, and it sort of seems like Glass helps her get a bit better, but we kind of already know how it's going to end.
I strongly disliked Dr. Glass because of how she treated Smithy, but after discussion, I don't dislike her as much (still not her fan though). Smithy does come off as a sketchy character, and probably only looked at her chest every time they met. I personally don't see Smithy as too creepy, although I do remember once he told Dr. Trivitch that he used to think he loved his sister. I don't really know how to interpret that, but it does make Smithy seem a little more creepy. I guess what I'm trying to say is I can see why she might think he would be creepy, but still, the whole scene to me was just frustrating, especially with his response to the allegations.
~~~
So Dr. Golden. He is a jerk. I guess I kind of understand why he wouldn't want to invest himself too much in Bethany's life and might not want to become best friends with her or anything, but at the same time he's her doctor. He has a job to do, and he doesn't seem to be doing it very well. In this way, I guess is the opposite. She quickly befriends Bethany, and although she cares more for Bethany's well-being, this also seems to skew her judgement and cause bias. Neither doctor really seems to be helping her like they should be. Bethany doesn't improve with Golden, who really couldn't care less, and it sort of seems like Glass helps her get a bit better, but we kind of already know how it's going to end.
I strongly disliked Dr. Glass because of how she treated Smithy, but after discussion, I don't dislike her as much (still not her fan though). Smithy does come off as a sketchy character, and probably only looked at her chest every time they met. I personally don't see Smithy as too creepy, although I do remember once he told Dr. Trivitch that he used to think he loved his sister. I don't really know how to interpret that, but it does make Smithy seem a little more creepy. I guess what I'm trying to say is I can see why she might think he would be creepy, but still, the whole scene to me was just frustrating, especially with his response to the allegations.
~~~
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