The Rez

I love this book because Junior really takes you through every aspect of his life without boring the reader. He makes sure to discuss the good, the bad and the weird. He was born with 'grease' on the brain and two alcoholic parents. Although his mom was a recovered alcoholic, his family life was always strained by financial restrictions, life on the reservation limiting the possibilities for jobs, and just a struggle of closeness between the family. It wasn't until the death of Junior's fathers friend, his grandmother, and his sister that his family began to lean on each other and really express the love they have for each other. Without the support of his family for the majority of the book, he only had Rowdy. He was always bullied for being different but Rowdy, his only friend on the reservation, always stood by his side. They couldn't have been more polar opposites but I loved Rowdy and Junior's friendship. They would honestly do anything for each other and I really admire that. Although Rowdy took it hard at first, he eventually supported Juniors decision and was proud of him for having enough guts to branch out from the reservation and follow his dreams. He knew the reservation wasn't going to be able to provide him with the life he wanted so he had to go out and find it for himself. Although the book is somewhat up in arms in the beginning/middle, by the end of the book everything turns out ok. Rowdy and him make up. Although he lost some people in his life to alcoholism, it taught him and his family to appreciate each other more because life is precious and they never knew when one of them could be gone forever. Also, Junior learned a life outside of the reservation and met some really amazing people like Gordy, Penelope, and even Roger.

Bigger and My Views on Him Throughout the Story

I initially liked Bigger. I saw him as a misunderstood, lazy teen. As a teenager, I couldn't have expected Bigger to think it was normal and his responsibility to start supporting the household at an early age. But obviously, in this time period, this was normal and expected of black families because they couldn't obtain amazing careers at the time because of segregation and in a family of four like Bigger's, a single mother could only do so much. As I found out that Bigger was around twenty, I felt disappointment in Bigger and hurt for his family. The fact that he didn't want to work only hurt him and his family. He also showed no love for his family. They may have had differences, but I don't believe anyone should treat their family with disrespect and make the conscious decision to not do anything to help. It became worse and worse for Bigger in my mind as he tries to pressure his friends into robbing Blum's with him and beats down Gus out of his own cowardliness. He continues on his path of sickness when he masturbates in the movie theater. I was just so shocked by that. Even more shocking, his first night on the job with the Dalton's, he manages to disobey orders, drink and drive, sexual assault Mary and kill her. He then goes on to frame Jan and everyone is supposed to believe society forced him to do this??? He could've left Mary to sleep in the living room and let her taken responsibility for her own drunkenness but been respectful enough to put her in the safety of her home. He 'had' to go up to her room and get all excited. She was practically passed out and merely mumbling words when he was feeling her up and pressing himself on her. Even if she was able to kiss him back it was mere confusion for Jan in my mind because she seems really in love and I don't see her encouraging relations with a black man she just met and works for her family at this time. It just seems unrealistic that she would want this. When he brutally continues his killing by chopping her head off and burning her, he becomes sick in my mind. His next crime, rape and murder, was intentional because 'Bessie knowing too much' was a justification to him. His guilt doesn't really say anything significant to me because that is a pretty big decision. It seemed the only real regret he had was not grabbing the wad of cash he gave Bessie. I begin to think he may actually be mental when he is speaking with Max at the end about how his killing instinct may be a good thing.

One Principle I Would Always Keep

I would stick with my moral compass all throughout my life until it came to the point where I needed to protect myself or my family from death, disease, or any other risks. I would never kill someone for revenge or out of spite. Only if they were going to harm my family or myself or this was the only way we could obtain food or the means to survive. My first priority is my family, then myself. I do not think I would ever give up on my family's or my own life. I would want us to live to our last possible day together. If someone was experiencing a slow death like a wound or killer disease, I would encourage them to consider being put out of their misery. But if death isn't guaranteed for the person, I think that would be taking life for granted and now going on to see what the end has in store for you. I am a very optimistic person and even in a post-apocolyptic state, I would like to remain instilling happiness and laughter in others even through the hardest times.

Janie

I wish I could go into the story and shake Janie. I would just like to tell her that she does not have to follow what everyone else thinks is right and/or fulfill anyone else's dreams. Janie has had a hard life, it seems, but that does not mean she should settle. Zora Neale Hurston is a civil rights activist. This causes me to wonder why Janie did not fight harder for her own civil rights. Hopefully that is something we see later or Zora Neale Hurston later learns from her young life. Another thing I wonder about Janie: Why she revolves her life so much around love? She seems like a strong and independent woman. She does not want a husband who tells her what to do. Yet, she is capable of supporting herself. So why not be alone? At least for a little while. She may not have had much in her previous life but I think Janie should know what is worth sticking around for and what you are meant to leave behind. One reason I could think of to explain her yearning for a man is financial support. Even in Zora Neale Hurston's real life she struggled financially till her death. I feel that coming from a line of unmarried women, particularly unmarried raped women, would have some profound effect on Janie. That is not something that Zora Neale Hurston illustrates as being an issue. Janie has not strived to have a legitimate marriage, she has already achieved this. But the overarching goal for Janie seems to be to achieve true love.

Thankful

I appreciate Gloria for numerous reasons. Mainly because she never fails to crack me up. But also because she is so sweet, genuine and understanding. I look forward to English everyday but especially because I get to be surrounded by such great people that make my learning experience even better. Gloria is an instant pick-me-up type of person and she doesn't even have to try, that is just how she is. I'm lucky enough to run into Gloria in the halls and in debate as well. We have so many laughs and I adore her. I only hope Gloria feels the same appreciation for me. Furthermore, Gloria is so smart and doesn't even know it. But more importantly, she continues to amaze me everyday in her ability to say the stupidest and the smartest thing in the same sentence. Gloria is a balance of so many great things and I am so thankful to have such a great person along for the ride in Mr. McCarthy's english class.

Ernest Hemingway

After seeing the Ernest Hemingway documentary, I realize that Ernest Hemingway did not have the life I would have imagined for him. Being so successful and writing all about these worldly experiences, I believed he must have had a life full of adventure and excitement and love. I later realized that his great writing stemmed from his hardest life experiences. I have not read much Ernest Hemingway in my life but now I read his work with an air of compassion. I feel as if he writes about things in great detail, using styles such as Mark Twain along with his own, to get out feelings that cannot quite be expressed into simpler words. Although much of his stories are probably exaggerated, it seems like they all have some truth to them. I honestly wished Ernest Hemingway had written a story about being dressed as a girl and raised as if he was the twin sister to his older girl sibling. I think this would answer a lot of questions that people have about his comfortability with his masculinity and also his sense of self. Because I think if someone dressed me as a boy and made me the twin brother of my older male sibling, no matter what my culture, I would be uncomfortable and possibly permanently affected too. I never knew Ernest Hemingway had deep rooted problems with his masculinity till this documentary, so I would love to reread all the stories we've read now, keeping that in mind for deeper analysis.

Six Six Word Stories

Hitting rock bottom was a gift. You will always be a fool. Tired lids, tattered clothes, worn faces. Some people can find a balance. You'll tire of your own mischief. Don't try running from something unseen.