Post A

Vocab-

bollix- confused situation (210)

mastectomy-removal of breast: the surgical removal of a breast, usually as a treatment for breast cancer. (220)


Literary Elements:

Carmel nods; she shrugs. She drinks. She coughs. (219)

-this is an example of the ever lovely Shakespearean method of iambic pentameter.



Are you into it yet? (215)

Example of a rhetorical question, and speaking to the reader.



The telly's on, the sound's down.

(213)


Great useage of voice by the author.



Theme:

Bad things happen to good people. For example, Jack tries to help his school by rating his professors' performances online. However, he is a bit harsh in his opinion, and gets a suspenstion for it. The reader knows that Jack is a good character, and that he is trying his best to be what our world considers normal for the average 16 year old kid in high school, with a brother who's on drugs, an alcholic sister, and a recovering mother. The reader knows this, but the teachers do not.


Quote:

"I'll say I know nothing about the changes" (213).

This is a quote from the book by Paula to Jack. Jack needs to change his comment online so that he can show his teachers that he has reformed himself. I like this because it shows that Paula is not only gaining ownership of her son, which before was extremely shady, but she also fails to see most of the signs of his deteriorating performance in school.


Post B


Dear Paula,
Since I have stumbled around in your mind for a good period of time now, I am beginning to understand some things. First, that you are caring- to your children you show great support and love. Also, you display great moral restraint. Where things get rough, whether it be your job or your household, you keep yourself objective to the possibility that things might change, might be better tomorrow. Also , I like the way that you continue to perservere through the hard times even through they get very rough. It intrigues me that someone of your stature would be able to sustain such stress, because I know that it would really bog me down. I agree with your understanding of the world in the way you separate everything into cold, hard facts. One way which I would like to change myself to be more like you is to find the truth more often. I think that there would be a lot less wars and violence in the world if people would just take the time to find the facts like you do. Not only do you find the truth you find the optimistic truth. Somehow through all the faults of the world, you seem to keep your cool and live up to your potential. You always see good in people and not only does that allow you to find the truth, but it allows you to better the world while you do it. Regardless, I think that you should sometimes be more pessimistic like me.