Historical Fiction = A Fantastic Story

I think overall Sara Gruen did an excellent job with this novel and making it a representation of historical happenings. Before this novel, my knowledge of the circus was only as deep as a child’s understanding. I knew they had clowns, cotton candy, and horses, but that was basically it. I knew nothing about the behind the scenes action and all that goes into the life of a circus worker. Gruen opened my eyes and struck a chord of interest that makes me want to continue developing my knowledge on the Depression-era circus and all that revolves within it.

I think this novel did a very good job of showing the darker side of the circus. To an outsider the circus seems to be a joyous thing, filled with laughter and lighthearted entertainment. However, Gruen envelopes the reader and shows them things that they would not normally expect to accompany such a seemingly happy show. She shows them the dark side – the prostitution, the drinking, the violence, and the power struggle. It may seem like all these things are implanted in the book for pure entertainment value but as we discussed in class Gruen did her homework and thoroughly researched the circus, and all its parts, good or bad, and then presented them here in this novel.

This book and its time period feels like it happened a hundred years ago, when in fact the Depression was not all that long ago. Eventually our economy rose out of it but currently, today with our economic troubles we may be facing another one. It is not a far fetch to imagine our society being put into another depression-like scenario. If this did happen I might be tempted to run away with the circus. Sure, there are plenty of hardships to endure when working for the circus but in the end it would make for a fantastic story.

So Far, Not so Good

Call me uneducated, call my uncultured, or call me crazy, but so far I am not a fan of Junot Diaz’s The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao. I find this book to be difficult to follow and one that you must read very slowly in order to not miss anything, which in turn makes the novel seem slow and uneventful. The Spanish that is embedded throughout each paragraph is left untranslated and therefore creates a gap between you and the characters within the story. I understand the involving the main characters language to add a realistic effect but, I feel that due to the lack of translation the realness trying to be conveyed is loss, mostly because I am left frustrated. It is a book, I read it, therefore what is happening the story should be explicitly spelled out for me. If this were a movie perhaps the language barrier would not be such a big deal since when watching a movie you can pick up on body language and facial expressions. However, within novels these expressions, movements, or postures must be detailed through words to you and in this novel they are not.

Additionally, one of the main characters Oscar, constantly makes different literary references throughout the book. Yes, I understand he is a smart boy and one who loves to read and relate to these works of literature. However, I am not as educated in the English realm and I would have to say that most of our country is not as well, considering that our major newspapers are written at an 8th grade level in the first place. Therefore, while he is going on about some novel or comic book, I am left sitting, bored, confused, and feeling a bit stupid. The more he relates to these writings the more distant I feel from Oscar. The more he talks about these different pieces I have never read, the more I want to turn the page a move on. I don’t get the many literary jokes, and I doubt that many others do as well.

As of now I am disappointed in this novel. It could be due in large part to the fact that in class we just read one of the best books ever, Water for Elephants, or it could be due to the fact that the language and knowledge barrier is getting in the way and causing my brain to overload and slowly shut down. Either way I am praying that this book changes its evil ways and turn into a novel and I can actually get through. I will make the promise to read on and keep and open mind and I will say that I hope this novel proves me wrong and turns out to be an excellent book.

A Great Film

Kite Runner has got to be one of the best movies I have seen in a while. It had depth, realistic emotions, moral questioning, and was a great view of the human condition. I think this movie really touches on what is right versus wrong and makes us wonder about what makes a person stand up for what they believe in versus just sitting back and doing nothing.

When the rape seen happened, most of us in the class were shocked that Amir would just sit back and watch it happen. We all questioned what made him hide and then afterward pretend like nothing had happened. Amir as a child is scared, fragile and a cowered. He stared at the sight of his best friend (and come to find out brother) and did nothing. During this scene I also wondered about what I would have done in that situation. Would I have stopped it, or would I have been just as afraid as Amir was and turned and ran? We all would like to think that we would do something about it but the truth of the matter is, is that you don’t know how you are going to react until you are actually personally experiencing the situation.

As Amir aged, his strength and courage grew with him. He traveled back to his home land and challenged everything to save his nephew. This film suggests, to me at least, that age could possibly correlate with ones ability to stand up against others and for what you believe in. I do believe it is true that as we age we become wiser and so with that perhaps comes inner strength. However, with this, one also knows that Hassan had much inner courage when he was only a little boy. He was able to stand up and protect Amir from the older boys even when Hassan was half their size.

Perhaps, the ability to rise up against the grain or stand up for what is right comes from many different things. Maybe it comes with age, genetics, upbringing, encouragement, or an internal and unexplainable personal strength. Whatever it is I found this film inspiring and thought it taught a good lesson. I think this film raises many questions and for a film to have the ability to make us question is one I believe is worth watching.

A Lesson from "JonFen"

“JonFen” explains that he saves all of his mementos so as not to forget anything, but part of me wonders if there is more to it then that. “JonFen” comes off as a very simple young man who seems to have accomplished very little in his life. At his age you would think he would be in college right now or just beginning his career. But what is he doing instead? Collecting. Therefore, I propose that maybe he collects so that his life has some form of meaning or purpose. Collecting gives him something to do, something to be known for doing by others. I am in no way saying that collecting is a bad way to spend your time I am merely just inferring that perhaps he collects for other reasons than to “just remember”.

If "JonFen" really is just collecting soley to remember then in truth I think that “JonFen” is somewhat of a genius. We all have had those moments we look back on and wish that we had a token from – a picture, a ticket, anything. “JonFen” is simply just taking the time that most of us don’t, to appreciate the moment for what it is a capture something from it in order to remember it fully forever. The things that he collects will remain with him and if ever he wants to reflect on where he has been, the plastic bag is only but a few feet away. I think we should all try and learn something from “JonFen”, I think we should learn that life goes quickly and that often times we can forget all that we have experienced. I think grabbing an item here of there is a practice that all should perform. For what it life if not just a constant reflection of things experienced.