Sunday, October 14, 2007
Week 4, Post 2
Chapter 6:The World Beyond, is so far my favorite chapter of this memoir. It starts with Chris Gardner, taking his first ever trip by plane to boot camp in Hawaii.This is the main changing point in his life, because it is his first real "job" and he is devoted to serving for his country. Little does he know that he would never have to fight in a war, just trained, and he has to find another path to take. Chris Gardner then talks about how much harder it has been living on his own without a constant guardian. He wasnt put n the streets with a semi-decent car and a wallet with a credit card in it, whatever money he makes is all from sctatch and he has no "booster parents" to hoist him up when he falls. In Chapter 7, there are mainly just a ton of picture of "life" as he calls them. Starting with him as a baby, and then his mother (Bettye Jean Triplett). Next is his Boot camp grad. day photo with his full grad class of about 30 men. His Miliatary ID is next, then a beautiful picture of him and his sun on a park bench relaxing, and so on...Until finally there are pictures of grown up Christopher Gardner Jr. and there is even a Picture of Chris Sr. shaking hands with president Clinton. And after the pictures he prettymuch comes right into how hard life is getting with a son and no woman to support them, yet how he has gotten to a good start selling day to day machines that hospitals use.
Week 4, Post 1
1.) "For the next three years I lived what could have been called in some respects a storybook life (pg.157)."--> the author (chris Gardner) most likely used this quote to really show us readers how his life turned around. His life is really beginning to shape up. This quote is very important to the book because it sets the whole scene. As the reader i begin to realize that Chris Gardner is no longer a child but a man and is doing good with his life.
2.) "Over the next thrity days, everything that I was and everything that I hoped to become flew out the window. (pg.172)"--> This quote by Chris Gardner is the exact contradict to the one before, it shows that life can always flip right back over and kick you hard in the ass. All was going well for Chris, until he left his mothers city, and without that backup option, he began to get nervous, and lost his "mentality." Chris Gardner adds the quote to really show us that no human in life is "safe" and that you always have to keep working to achieve. As the reader this impacts me mostly in a way to keep reading because i really wanted to know what happened next, weather a tragedy, or simply he went broke. It really helped me keep focus in the book.
2.) "Over the next thrity days, everything that I was and everything that I hoped to become flew out the window. (pg.172)"--> This quote by Chris Gardner is the exact contradict to the one before, it shows that life can always flip right back over and kick you hard in the ass. All was going well for Chris, until he left his mothers city, and without that backup option, he began to get nervous, and lost his "mentality." Chris Gardner adds the quote to really show us that no human in life is "safe" and that you always have to keep working to achieve. As the reader this impacts me mostly in a way to keep reading because i really wanted to know what happened next, weather a tragedy, or simply he went broke. It really helped me keep focus in the book.
Monday, October 8, 2007
My thoughts
I thought that The Diving Bell and the Butterfly was a very interesting book overall. I was amazing to me that Jean Dominique-Bauby could write this whole entire book of metaphors and tales all in in head, then blink it to tell the tale to someone else. The main critisicm i had for the book was that there were too many fantasies and dreams, to the point where i couldnt really tell weather it was a dream or it was actually happening to him. I was clear to me throughout the memoir that the author was extremely "locked-into" his own mind, and had nothing to do other than think about his past adventures and fantasize about things he'd deam to do. The whole "locked in syndrome" explains itself. I also thought that Jean Dominique Bauby was an extremely descriptive writer in the sence of similies and metaphors, to the point that sometimes i couldnt even tell if the object he was reffering to was the "metaphorical object" or the actual one. But overall, the book was very interesting. I really enjoyed the small "chapters" or sections because it kept switching it up so just incase i lost track of what he was talking about, I could get right back on in the new section. Overall, i didnt necessarily love his writing and style, but anyone who blinks to tell a story that they have written in their head, i can appreciate.
Sunday, October 7, 2007
W3 P2
Journal
So far, if there were one word i could use to describe this book, it would be miraculous. The book starts with Chris Gardner as a child in his home where he loves the candy that his mother makes him. I realte to that in many ways, one bieng how my grandma always used to make me fruit tarts when I went over to her house, and how id grasp that tart with my hands and enjoy every single bite with every bit of my taste buds, just like Chris explains his candy experiences. The whole candy thing made me see that this author really likes to be descriptive, just like I like to write, because he spent almost a page and a half just talking about the warm goodness of the candy. Some Strengths of the book so far are the descriptions that Chris Gardner (author) uses to place a nice mental picture in my mind at all times. It really helps because the plotline is somewhat difficult, so its makes it alot easier to understand with vivid details. The only weakness about that though it that sometimes its a little too much and I stop paying attention to the little details and when I do I might miss something else, so ive had to re-read a couple times thus far. Another strength in the authors writing style is that he never dwells over a "chapter" like some authors I dont' like do. I mean, at times he might spend too much on details, but they are important, and he knows when to move on when it comes to irrelivant things.
I think that later in this book, Chris's devotion to work and hos effort will pay of, but he will run into some major difficulties once his son (Christopher Jr.) is born. But i believe he will pull through as a broker in the end.
So far, if there were one word i could use to describe this book, it would be miraculous. The book starts with Chris Gardner as a child in his home where he loves the candy that his mother makes him. I realte to that in many ways, one bieng how my grandma always used to make me fruit tarts when I went over to her house, and how id grasp that tart with my hands and enjoy every single bite with every bit of my taste buds, just like Chris explains his candy experiences. The whole candy thing made me see that this author really likes to be descriptive, just like I like to write, because he spent almost a page and a half just talking about the warm goodness of the candy. Some Strengths of the book so far are the descriptions that Chris Gardner (author) uses to place a nice mental picture in my mind at all times. It really helps because the plotline is somewhat difficult, so its makes it alot easier to understand with vivid details. The only weakness about that though it that sometimes its a little too much and I stop paying attention to the little details and when I do I might miss something else, so ive had to re-read a couple times thus far. Another strength in the authors writing style is that he never dwells over a "chapter" like some authors I dont' like do. I mean, at times he might spend too much on details, but they are important, and he knows when to move on when it comes to irrelivant things.
I think that later in this book, Chris's devotion to work and hos effort will pay of, but he will run into some major difficulties once his son (Christopher Jr.) is born. But i believe he will pull through as a broker in the end.
w3 p1. b
Author Background
Chris Gardner was born on February 9th, 1954, who struggles with homelessness about 15 years of his life. Thesedays he is a successful stockbroker and entrepeneur. On his own, directly in the middle of his homeless life, he amazingly raised his son Christopher Gardner Jr., without even letting him know how awful of trouble they are in. Chris has his eye on stockbroking ever since he saw the "life-changing man" who he claims was driving around a couldasack with his Red Ferrari. Ever since then he has been determined to succeeding even more that he did the previous day, and has become one of the most famous "book to movie" authors ever. (The Pursuit of Happyness starring Will Smith was released in 2006.)
Address to image- http://aalbc.com/reviews/chris_32.jpg
Source-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Gardner
Chris Gardner was born on February 9th, 1954, who struggles with homelessness about 15 years of his life. Thesedays he is a successful stockbroker and entrepeneur. On his own, directly in the middle of his homeless life, he amazingly raised his son Christopher Gardner Jr., without even letting him know how awful of trouble they are in. Chris has his eye on stockbroking ever since he saw the "life-changing man" who he claims was driving around a couldasack with his Red Ferrari. Ever since then he has been determined to succeeding even more that he did the previous day, and has become one of the most famous "book to movie" authors ever. (The Pursuit of Happyness starring Will Smith was released in 2006.)
Address to image- http://aalbc.com/reviews/chris_32.jpg
Source-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Gardner
w3 p1
Chapter 1 and 2 - Candy /The No-Daddy Blues
Chapter one starts out with Chris Gardner, the main character, in his "home" growing up, and he vividly describes this "maple syrup candy" that his mother always used to make him. How he'd grasp it with joy and how every bite made him tingle with happyness. He also talks about Betteye, his mother, who accomplished everything in life. He says she has always been loved and never has "he" seen one who hates her. He says that she ran away from home in Louisiana because her father didnt pay for her college which she initally promised him. Chris also talks about his "father," not his real father, but the only one he knows. He is an abusive man with an extremely short temper. Chris describes him as rude and crude. He introduces Sharon, his little sister, who is always enthusiastic about everything, and his baby sister Kim.
Chapter 3 and 4- Wheres Momma?/ Bitches Brew
In Where's Momma, Chris talks alot about his mother and how she has been struggling lately to keep the family under controll. Freddia Triplett, Betteyes's hsband, abuses her constantly, and she is not happy with him. Chris explains his discomfort in the household and how he is longing to get "outta here and inta the world." He occasionally visits his uncle archie who takes him in caringly and doesnt let anyone tell him he cant do something in this world. At about the age of 13 in Bitches Brew, Chris is really growing up to become a mature person. Hes already seeing the perspective of life not many kids his age do and that is that childhood ends someday, and youre going to have to live on your own. He is an extremely smart 13 year old. He is saying how between the ages of 10-14 he keeps recieving training from his uncle to become a "professional golfer," which is his uncles dream for him, yet through all the hardships, chris has his eye on only one thing, becoming a broker.
Chapter one starts out with Chris Gardner, the main character, in his "home" growing up, and he vividly describes this "maple syrup candy" that his mother always used to make him. How he'd grasp it with joy and how every bite made him tingle with happyness. He also talks about Betteye, his mother, who accomplished everything in life. He says she has always been loved and never has "he" seen one who hates her. He says that she ran away from home in Louisiana because her father didnt pay for her college which she initally promised him. Chris also talks about his "father," not his real father, but the only one he knows. He is an abusive man with an extremely short temper. Chris describes him as rude and crude. He introduces Sharon, his little sister, who is always enthusiastic about everything, and his baby sister Kim.
Chapter 3 and 4- Wheres Momma?/ Bitches Brew
In Where's Momma, Chris talks alot about his mother and how she has been struggling lately to keep the family under controll. Freddia Triplett, Betteyes's hsband, abuses her constantly, and she is not happy with him. Chris explains his discomfort in the household and how he is longing to get "outta here and inta the world." He occasionally visits his uncle archie who takes him in caringly and doesnt let anyone tell him he cant do something in this world. At about the age of 13 in Bitches Brew, Chris is really growing up to become a mature person. Hes already seeing the perspective of life not many kids his age do and that is that childhood ends someday, and youre going to have to live on your own. He is an extremely smart 13 year old. He is saying how between the ages of 10-14 he keeps recieving training from his uncle to become a "professional golfer," which is his uncles dream for him, yet through all the hardships, chris has his eye on only one thing, becoming a broker.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Post 2-Loaded Words
1.) Death- pg 17, this is a very strong word particularly for the book i'm reading because Chris Garnder (author) has seen and felt alot of death within his life, so seeing someone leave is a huge thing to him. He probobly chose this word to show what times he's been through and to give a sad effect.
2.) Daddies- pg 39, this is really showing how as a child in the orphanage, he and him companions were really fond of a dad, and called him a daddy, showing their closeness to them.
3.) Rage- pg 51. This word really shows the abusiveness of the people who took care of him as a child and how they treated him, and so it was passed onto him and he has to get rid of it.
4.) impossible- pg 51, this Word shows the bielef he has in life, and the way he was raised. He probobly chose to use it to show that he never thought he could make it as far as he ended up making it.
5.) customs- pg 69, this word is very strong in the content of this book. It shows how he adapted to many different styles and customs throughout his childhood.
6.) shotgun-pg 69, this is a straight up scary thought, and that is what hes trying to set in your mind to envision his childhood.
7.) bitches-pg 75, this word plain shows the times he grew up in and the level of vocabulary he has at a very young age. He throws it in there to really get to us about his childhood.
8.) colors- pg 82, although it may not seem like much, colors is very very srtong and loaded. It shows that he has respect for all people and their beliefs no matter the color of their skin (its implied in the phrase the word is in)
9.) crime- 99, crime and mischief is all he grew up around, crime, and those who partake in criminal activity. He used this word to show how he overcame this.
10.) motherfucker, pg 107, simply this shows hos anger as a young man growing up was very tough for him.
2.) Daddies- pg 39, this is really showing how as a child in the orphanage, he and him companions were really fond of a dad, and called him a daddy, showing their closeness to them.
3.) Rage- pg 51. This word really shows the abusiveness of the people who took care of him as a child and how they treated him, and so it was passed onto him and he has to get rid of it.
4.) impossible- pg 51, this Word shows the bielef he has in life, and the way he was raised. He probobly chose to use it to show that he never thought he could make it as far as he ended up making it.
5.) customs- pg 69, this word is very strong in the content of this book. It shows how he adapted to many different styles and customs throughout his childhood.
6.) shotgun-pg 69, this is a straight up scary thought, and that is what hes trying to set in your mind to envision his childhood.
7.) bitches-pg 75, this word plain shows the times he grew up in and the level of vocabulary he has at a very young age. He throws it in there to really get to us about his childhood.
8.) colors- pg 82, although it may not seem like much, colors is very very srtong and loaded. It shows that he has respect for all people and their beliefs no matter the color of their skin (its implied in the phrase the word is in)
9.) crime- 99, crime and mischief is all he grew up around, crime, and those who partake in criminal activity. He used this word to show how he overcame this.
10.) motherfucker, pg 107, simply this shows hos anger as a young man growing up was very tough for him.
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