M.C. Higgins The Difficult

M.C. Higgins The Great poses many difficult questions. Challenges in vocabulary, content and structure make this book different from the other books we have read this semester.  I found that unlike other novels we have looked at, M.C. Higgins the Great invited us into a community in which we felt a complete disconnect. To me the most similar novel we have focused on was The Wizard of Earth Sea in the way it was difficult to visualize what was unfolding. I also found that the abrupt sentence structure would slow me down, as I would read.  Once we discussed these difficulties and acknowledge their presences in class today I felt more confident in the way I approached M.C. Higgins the Great. Being aware of differences in difficulties gives the reader an advantage.

While reading M.C. Higgins the Great I worried about M.C.’s safety and ability to take care of his younger siblings.  Part of me constantly wanted to intervene, obviously I didn’t have that control. I found M.C.’s relationship with Ben very interesting. I felt that they were two young boys that had the ability to break the barrier of differences in race, but both lived in fear of the preconceived ideas that their families held on to. Lifestyles as well as the mining that is occurring on the mountain segregate the community in this novel. 

The Giver

Lois Lowry gives her readers utopia in her novel The Giver. The price of the utopia is placed on the shoulders of one community member called the receiver. To be the receiver is a great and noble honor, yet it comes with a hefty price tag. The weight of the memories creates isolation between the receiver and the community members.  The receiver’s understanding of reality is so different from that of his peers. Jonas first understands the differences when he witnesses his friends playing war. His feelings were intense and he was the only one who could comprehend how playing war was insensitive and hurtful.  Lowry is stressing the importance of knowledge and using wisdom when making decisions.  Her point was reiterated when the Giver states that he wishes that the elders would seek his counsel more often.  Jonas is a thoughtful character. He has the ability to see the importance and the need for the community to have the memories that he has received. While many memories are very hard to receive and understand, there are many memories that are worth the pain of the bad memories.  Memories of color, sunshine and love a bigger need than of a painless controlled life. A person who has not felt love has not truly lived life.  If a person has not felt sorrow there is not as much joy in happiness.  Lowry reveals this by restricting a community of these feelings and singling out Jonas to carry the burden of the entire society.     

The Giver- YouTube

A Single Shard

A Single Shard is a novel that beautifully and artistically weaves a story about determination and survival. Tree-Ear, the main character, is determined to become a potter at any price. He gives his time and physical strength to honor Min and his pottery.  I feel that Tree-Ear’s journey to deliver the precious inlayed vases is an example of a right of passage. Tree-Ear goes through a series of challenges. On some of his challenges he is very successful, such as the encounter with the fox. Once he faced his fear of the unknown, which was represented by the fox, he was able to move in a forward direction towards his goal. This experience prepared Tree-Ear for other challenges that he was bound to face on his expedition.  The second obstacle that Tree-Ear faces is an encounter with robbers. At the beginning of this challenge it appears as if he has failed.  Even when it appears he has failed, he was actually going through a complicated process of growing up. Tree-Ear began to fully understand the advice of Crane-Man. Tree-Ear was able to find courage in himself to continue his journey.  I feel that his encounter with the robbers was a life changing experience. He went from being a passionate apprentice to a determined son by his bold action to keep moving on his long journey.  If Tree-Ear’s journey had been any other way he would have not gained the experience that leads him to have the family he always wanted.  

Peter Pan

Peter Pan was an interesting novel to read since I had so many encounters with the story as a child. My most vivid memory of the Peter Pan story was the classic Disney movie. The Disney version is much different than Barrie's version. I enjoyed following Wendy's desire to be an adult, at the age of 22 I have a desire to be considered an adult and take care of those who are younger. I tutor a first grader and I see myself using techniques that my mom used to help me with spelling and math. You can also see Wendy mimic her mother's parenting roll when taking care of the lost boys. I think this act of mimicking parents is the most natural way of nurturing. We want to give others what we have been given by our mothers. 

Another interesting point is that Peter Pan is adamant about not being a man and growing up, yet he is the leader of the lost boys, which automatically gives him grownup-like responsibilities. Wendy also calls him father, on the face this freaks him out, but there are points in the story in which he takes on the role voluntarily.  

Heroes of All Sorts

We have explored Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and The Golden Compass. We compared the heroes of these stories and how they are similar and different. One similarity even found in the Wizard of Earthsea as well, was the fact that all these heroic characters had companions that were people as well as animals. I feel that animals are easy for readers to relate to because most of us have grown up caring for a pet.  The pet in return bring unconditional love and happiness to the owner. Ged had Otec, Harry had Hedwig, and Lyra had Pen.  While the relationships between these heros and their human friends differed from author to author the animal theme was more consistent.

The Wizard of Earthsea

The Wizard of Earthsea is a fantasy book that catches the imagination in a different way from Harry Potter or the Golden Compass. To me The Wizard of Earthsea was a different level at in which I had a difficult time connecting to as a reader.  I could never picture myself in the land of Earthsea or a friend to Ged.  This to me made the read difficult to get through. However, I did find the importance of naming interesting.  Naming in The Wizard of Earthsea is a deeply emotional process. Until a person is at the right age they do not even know their own name.  When a wizard shares his name with another person they become vulnerable, but this vulnerability creates a bond between them that is unique from other people.  The true name of a person is connected to the very essence of that individual.  Ged and Vetch have a relationship in which they know each other’s real names. This bond is what helps Ged overcome his shadow.  Its not that Vetch literally help Ged fight his shadow, because Ged had to accomplish that on his own, its that he was a true friend that encouraged him and gave him motivation to fight and overcome the shadow. Naming other things besides people, such as plants or animals is what gives wizards their power to control them.  This ancient language is a language of truth and cannot be used to lie.  This is an important issue when he defeats the dragons. Overall naming people and things gives wizards a power that is unique and can disrupt the equilibrium of Earthsea if used improperly. This is one of the many reasons Ged’s journey is so pivotal. 

Found Felix

Today I was going through my closet, and found my original copy of Letters from Felix.  It brought back so many memories going through the book and taking all the letters out of their pouches.  At dinner I reminded my dad of the book and he even remembered reading it to me and my little brother before bed. It is amazing how many strong emotions are connected with childhood books. I am not sure if it is solely the book that creates this feeling, or if it is the memory of reading it with people you love.  Any way a random thought for a wonderful childhood memory.