Final Thoughts By Me

I have already loathe blogging when I first receive this assignment but as I get the hang of it I started to like it. Blogging help me analyze and comprehend the stories, from Leaving Home more especially we have class discussion about the stories which is the fun part. Expressing my own thought of what I am thinking about while I am reading, asking questions about different things, and what my reaction to the story as well. I recognize some of the figures of speech in the stories which I
did my best to understand what it mean especially the poem or the authors' style of writing the stories. Sometime if I kind of understand the stories I will look at the other blog to get the idea or concept of it then reread it to make sure I understand the stories. Sometime I have to rea the stories more than one time. In my opinnion I would have encourage all of the English Department to use blogging instead of wasting the tree, but do not forget how to write. For FYS class, we could use that for journal, reaction, and/or FYS Learning Experience although we have to type in the correct format so it will be difficult to do it in the blog. Darn. Unless someone create advance level of blog for college purpose. I have made some trial and error but yet I learned. Now, I am typing this blog ahead of time instead of near midnight. Yay! Although, I will have to be consistent so what am I talking about. This is the last blog. Wow, hopefully I will use blog for one of the class for next semester or I will create my own blog. (Crying) Goodbye blog. Oh no, I mean see you later blog.


The most fun part of doing the blog is to add picture! Like the picture above on the right said:

"I WANT YOU FOR BLOGOSPHERE!"

"Recitatif" By: Toni Morrison

I am familiar with the author, Toni Morrison because some of my family have a book by her. This is the first time I read her story.

What is Recitatif? I had to looked it up. From my understanding is that Recitatif mean in this story is dialogic that interludes during operas and oratories.

The main characters is Twyla and Roberta as both have similar situation but the only difference is their skin. This story seem to be more of racial issues through friendship as they have a hard time to express out of their comfort zone. Both of them could have dislike each other just due by their skin but since they both are lonely and their mothers are ill they stay together to become friend. Does that mean it take sacrifice to become someone else friend? Since it hard to identified what race is in Twyla and Roberta, I think the author purposely telling the reader that the skin does not matter as we all are not much that difference. I feel that Twyla is black while Roberta is white due to Roberta was not helping Twyla from the crowd of people pushing Twyla's car back & forth. Although, I do not actually know. I said this because it seem like Roberta was able to have more privilege than Twlya because I notice that Roberta was able to have easier life than Twlya but then again I could not say it for sure. Roberta can be black as people may perceive because she was not able to read at young age. Also Roberta emotionally blamed Twlya of what happened to Maggie, who is deaf and mute worked at St. Bonny's, stated that Maggie is black and how she was beaten up. Twyla did not see that which could mean Maggie may look more white to her. This story is unsolved. Since I mostly can only see Twyla side of the story I think I would know the story better if I see Roberta side of the story. Both still remain friend and I think the key. About Maggie misfortune, it kind sad how Maggie had to bear with the gar girls who bullying her which Twyla and Roberta can not do anything about it because they are young kids and are afraid of the gar girls. When both of them was young they did want to hurt Maggie, but then when they became older they realized that it wrong for them to think that way.

To be honest when I first see the name Twyla I thought it was mispronounce by the accent of the person for some reason till I realized that is the actual name because of the repetition it is used in the story.

The story contain a metaphor of salt and pepper I suppose not only because one of the characters is black and the other is white. When you have a small container of salt and the other container is black, the salt and pepper is separated. This is like in the story they make the skin of their race separate from each other when they fight such like when they was protesting about integrated school.

This is the most common in many societies where ones who perceive someone is different create fear and discomfort lead to separating into a group in different categories.

Zelzah: A Tale From Long Ago By: Norma Fox Mazer

I find this story amazing. How Zelzah who doesn't complain about anything and does not ask for anything as well. Her sister, Ruth keep telling Zelzah that she want her to be happy and to be fair for her as well. Life is always not fair unless you make it fair. All of Zelzah's siblings got marry and have kids, but not Zelzah.

Zelzah like to explored herself in your lifetime journey as she stated how Grace would have done if she is still alive. Grace died after giving birth to a child by the father of Jake. Zelzah was suppose to marry Jake when she get to American in Vermont from Poland. Zelzah's Aunt promise that Jake will make her a good wife which Jake secretly wanting to marry Grace. Zelzah did request if Jake would not mind her to be his wife as Zelzah can help care for the child. Zelzah does not complain instead she laughed even when her Aunt apologize to her when things does not go as it plan. Why would she laugh? I think she laugh whatever that may went wrong that her family regret it but she didn't because she does not complain. I guess. After that she work her way up to her goal as she received education through high school and college. She worked at the textile. She traveled like she said she want to and she became a teacher loving to teach young kids. Ruth does not understand how Zelzah was able to put up with it like one part of the story when Ruth could not bear to work at the textile factory. Zelzah seemed to just appreciate her life no matter what happen. Before I make it sound like if Zelzah already intrigue into American culture, really it take time for Zelzah to get used with American cultures to learned their languages, money system, phrases, and behavior. Zelzah was originally raised in Poland and spoke in Yiddish language.

What actually hit me hard was the last part of the story as it stated:

"Was she happy? Who could say? Zelzah, herself, never thought in such terms. What was happiness? Did anyone know?"

You probably would have heard that some people are searching for their own happiness but is that the purpose of life to search for one's happiness? In my opinion I think Zelzah is at least satisfy with her life but I could not say for sure or maybe just being grateful for what she have. I think people have their own definition for their own happiness. This could be one of the reason that people who tend to have too much high expectation for themselves or goal would try to aim for their happiness than those people who do not.

What would be your definition of happiness? Or do anyone believe in any type of purpose of life that each individuals must contain?

Little Saigon By David St. John

Saigon is one of the cities in Vietnam. This story could be related with World War I or II. I forgot the history of it.

Departure

The mother of Ngoc Be know that the place that they live in is not safe anymore after Ngoc Be's father died. The father may be murdered from someone probably during the Vietnam war. The mother already prepared to pack suitcase for Mai Chi and Ngoc Be to sent them away from war. She was brave to secretly find a way to be ship by Jack Pirate to leave Saigon. They went onto the secret passage to

Adrift

The man who push the mother onto the other boat should not be separated from the family due to crowded boat. Ngoc Be care for her sister, Mai Chi while their mother is in the other boat. They were able to survive in the boat by a cruel Pirate and through hunger, thirst, dirt, etc. They was able to arrive to Austraila to refresh themselve. They have not seen their mother yet.

Little Saigon

Ngoc Be recalled the nun at school the chapter related to America, Hollywood, which she is in California with Mai Chi. They are longing for their mother to come home since for three years they have not heard much about her. Her mother called to them that she will come home. Ngoc Be's Mother's cousin is ashame of her for exposing her body or how she approach to the Jack Pirate. Her Mother's cousin probably have a hard to time to accept them for who they are. Since Mai Chi's father is a black American soldier, her mother's cousin probably doesn't believe in interracial relationship. Mai Chi is mixed which make sense why Jack Pirates think she is ulgy and is wild like animals. Ngoc Be and Mai Chi still protect each other especially in the hateful neighborhood.

My Parisian Aunt

Ngoc Be's clothes reminded her Mother's cousin of her Aunt Kahnh that live in Paris, France become a whore. I find it interesting how her aunt became a whore only for her instinct to survival. When Aunt Kahnh wrote a letter that she will visit them soon, their Mother's cousin get upset because she is concerned for having a whore in her house this remind me of a person who doesn't actually understand why she become whore without background information. Their mother had passed away as Aunt Kahnh told the tragic news after Ngoc Be asked why her Aunt asked if Mai Chi and she want to go to Paris with her.

The Marais

Aunt Kahnh had described how Mother died as she is gone through the wave of the ocean. The Mother had a trusted woman with her knew about it. Ngoc Be was happily to be at Paris with her Aunt and she had received painting materials since she tend to have coffee with the painter. By the time Mai Chi was calling Ngoc Be for Super, Ngoc Be let Mai Chi look at her painting that show their mother walking in the Old Saigon. The painting had shown the Mother with the peacock by her side when she walked to home and this is what Mai Chi had dream of Mother. Now they both know their mother is safe and is at peace as so are them.

On the Rainy River By Tim O'Brien and The Setting Sun and the Rolling World By Charles Mungoshi

"On the Rainy River"
By Tim O'Brien

The author have expressed interesting story. I enjoy reading this story because this can applied to anyone who felt they have to suffered to do something in order for other to accept them. That considered oppression. I did felt similar way with the narrator and expressing myself was hard for me especially when I was young. Wow, oppression is definitely a big issues all over the world but unfortunately we can not make oppression disappear.

Tim O'Brien hate war but he was drafted to fight for his country and does not want to look bad for his family.

He felt war is immortal and/or killing living things are immortal.
He hate boy scout.
He hate camping.

He hate seeing blood which make him queasy.

He does not like authority.

He does not want to risk his life for being dead for his people.
He do not like declottering the pig in the slaughterhouse.

He does not like when he smell like a pig because he had a hard time making the pig smell fade away.
He basically does not like dealing with dead living things as he stated, "You can't fix your mistakes. Once people are dead, you can' make them undead." LIFE IS LIKE A GAME.
He cannot bear for being responsible for people's death which he does not intend to. This is like if someone told you have choice either for me to kill your family or you have to use suicide bomb in New York City what would you have choose? No matter what you pick you are stuck. Maybe not that kind of extreme example but hopefully you will understand what I mean.

He was not happy and felt ashamed for what he did but nobody know this until he wrote this book.

He does not know where to go.

He afraid of being exile.

He want to be release and be himself so he went to Canada nearby the Rainy River at the Tip Top Lodge. I did not realize that Rainy River is the actual name for the river till I look at the Internet.

The old man at the Tip Top Lodge save his life just by being there him, provide him what he need, for letting him cry all he want, and mostly for understanding his struggle. The man is his hero. The man had stated that is Jesus is with Tim which the man know he need it.

He have giving out all he had on the Rainy River where he can be himself and not to pretend to be someone else. I think the man have the purpose of why he took Tim to the Rainy River for him to reflect his life.

The man taught Tim a lesson that he have to face the reality instead of avoiding the problems that he had in his life.

He know who he is.

He is liberal.

He agree with God to be against war. God possibly will condemn people who is at war.
He want a life that he aim for.

He want a choice for him to make decision not someone make decision for him. This is why it important for people to begin with the end in mind. This can applied for those people who follow what their parents decided for their career and they ended up unhappy and realized they want a different career.

He still went to war.

He is still afraid; therefore, he is a coward.

So then, of course he is still unhappy.

Make your life worthwhile before you regret it although it never too late.

The Setting Sun and the Rolling World
By Charles Mungoshi

I had to read this story more than one time. When I first read this story I was confused what the story about. The author sure use lots of figure of speech.

Old Musoni faced the difficulities of letting his son, Nhamo, go since Nhamo seem to be first person to be educated in his family. Old Musoni seem to be afraid of what future will hold in store for Nhamo as he stated if his son are aware of the danger in the world when he start his journey. Nhamo lived on the farm and his family is poor. Nhamo believe the only way he can do is to move on with his life as to grab the opportunities to start his journey out there instead of staying home with his family working on the farm. His father at first disagree that there is no other way but to stay with the family. Old Musoni probably is proud of his son that he received education but he probably have a hard time to let his son go. For this, I think it possible because Nhamo told his father:

"You have sent me to school and told me the importance of education, and now you ask me to throw it on the rubbish heap and scrape for a living on this tired cold shell of the moon. You ask me to forget it and muck around in this slow dance of death with you. I have this one chance of making my own life, once in eternity, and now you are jealous. You are afraid of your own death."

(page 161)

Rubbish is used in this story. I think rubbish mean like a leftover or trash for this story. Before I forget to add, the father probably is afraid of his own death but I think there is a meaning there of why the father is afraid of his death. Nhamo's father was not able to receive the same the opportunities like his son. Old Musoni was worried lots for his son future as he kept asking his son if he know what is like to lost hope, in despair, or any other danger that can cause him to get in trouble.

When the father accept Nhamo, even though the father is stubborn, to start on his journey he et his son go then Nhamo was able to be free from the chain. Nhamo begin a new journey as he become successful while his family including his ancestor have never be able to succeed due to fear of the world or opportunity. Nhamo break the chain that his family had repeated history of making the same mistake which I think it why the title is call "The Setting Sun and the Rolling World".

I think the purpose of the story is to not be afraid to try new things. You will never know what will happen unless you try. Everyday is the new beginning as the sun will rise and fall similar applied to life.

This remind me of the song from Lion King called "Circle of Life".

Beautiful & Cruel By Sandra Cisneros and Trip in a Summer Dress by Annette Sanford

Beautiful & Cruel

By Sandra CisneroAn ugly daughter (narrator) received nothing while a beautiful daughter (Nenny) is spoiled. I am trying to figure it out the character of narrator and who she possibly could be. I am not sure if I understand the story 100%. When I see the name Minerva, this reminded me of Cinderella. So, I thought this story could be similar to Cinderella story. Later on, I realized it probably totally different.

Nenny seem to get everything she can get even though she have a baby as the author quotes, "Nenny has pretty eyes and it's easy to talk that way if you are pretty". I suppose this can be true even if she is cruel she can talk to people out of it to get what she want.

Right is the narrator name is Minerva?

Well if it is then Minerva decided not to be like Nenny instead she want to be humble but tough like a man instead of being "like others who lay their necks on the threshold waiting for the ball and chain". Minerva and Nenny have different personality and look as well that display different characteristic.

Trip in a Summer Dress

By Annette Sanford

The narrator was moving with Bill Richards to marry him since marriage things it the big things for Bill and he think that Matthew is the narrator's mother's son. Really, Matthew is the son of the narrator. I felt like the narrator choose to be with the man than being with her own son but at the same time she could have bring Matthew with her after her marriage.

The narrator life is almost parallel to her mother's life since both have child at fifteen years old. Her mother got married but then soon the narrator will get marry.

I thought it was interesting how the narrator compare herself as Moses' sister when she had to send her own baby away and eventually was received by the queen while the narrator's child is taken care by her mother. I still do not understand why the narrator's mother have to take care the narrator's child. The story itself does sound heartbreaking and sad. She did said that it was hard for her to forget about Matthew since he is still in her heart as she stated, "I didn't look once at Matthew, but I felt him, even when he wasn't crying. He had hold of me way down deep and wouldn't let go for love nor money." She was a patient enough to let her mother to be the son of her child but she did stated that she want her son to know who his real mother. How can ones leave their love ones but then she said she have a reason for that. I still could not figure it out why. As I read carefully, the narrator had stated that she would never leave her son so does that mean her mother do not allow her to take care of her own son?

The narrator accidentally got pregnant by the wrong man I suppose from E. E. Davis and does not really love him. That very common for many young girls who accidentally got pregnant.

This story can be hard to follow because of so many flashbacks that got me confused sometime.

The narrator had told her child a story about the redbird when she took her son to the park. She try to tell Matthew that what happen to the cowbirds that was feed by the redbird is the same situation that applied to him but he is still kind of to young to understand although kids are smart and they will remember things. Matthew think his mother is the one that suppose to be his grandmother.

When the narrator was riding on the bus she saw a young girl remind her of Matthew. Later at the end of the story when the young girl have to meet her parents that does not really care about their daughter. When the narrator told the girl's parents that the girl is in the bathroom the girl's parents was digusted with it.

I agree with the narrator when she said, "If I was my mother, I'd get mighty tired of always being right." on page 131.

I find it hard to "leave the child". This almost remind of serrogate as it hard for the mother to give away their child from their body to someone else since some women can not get pregnant.

Dawn By Tim Wynne-Jones

"Dawn" is the interesting story. I got confused by some part of the story. This does not seem like a American story.

Barnsey admired by Dawn who look strange and different. At first when he met Dawn at the bus he thought that Dawn was strange then later found out that she was cool due to she dressed up as a punk. Before he met Dawn, his mother told him that she will see him in a while as soon as possible. This was strange to him because his mother tend to ride with him on the bus to his grandmother house. So, this time he is by himself. Why did his mother gave the bus driver tips? Later the bus driver gave Barnsey the money from his mother anyway.

At first I thought Barnsey and Dawn age is probably close till I realized that Barnsey is 13 while Dawn is about 23 years old. Barnsey and Dawn share some similar interest. Both of them like to listen to music from the tape, Xiphoid Process. I wonder what type of music is that. When Dawn told Barnsey to listen to one of her tape, Barnsey can not hear. Then Dawn told him to listen closely and carefully then he was able to hear it. This is like you are seeing something that you have never see before or like you have to clean your glasses to see or understand things better.

Then later Dawn have left somewhere to different places while Barnsey went to his grandmother house. When Barnsey saw only his dad arrive, he knew something is wrong. His parents had divorce which he wish he was told before. Changing is difficult for him to adjust because he it's abnormal for him to see his parents separated. His father have gave Barnsey all the love that he can give and help to reinforce him to a new change.

Before I forget, Barnsey got influenced from Dawn by saying "rubbish". Once Dawn had said it, then Barnsey have said it repeatedly more often. Could be part of preteen things as they tend to say things that they like to use repeatedly.

By the time Barnsey want to escaped and he was thinking about going with Dawn, his role model, which he had miss her. Barnsey left in the morning to go to the bus. His dad dress up unprepare find his son waiting at the bus station was worry. Before that when Barnsey was looking for his tape to listen while he waiting for the bus, he find the note from Dawn that Dawn have gave tape to Barnsey. His dad hug him and making sure that he is okay then when Barnsey told his dad to listen to the tape that Dawn have gave him. Both of them listen to the tape together, for this it seem that they have created a bond again as father and son. Dawn had giving Barnsey a new beginning since Barnsey is getting accostume to the new change.