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.
