Chapter 8, page 91: " Why am I doing this?
But I know why.
I did it to myself.
I went and got myself an honest job."
This is how chapter eight begun. The main character went to find himself a job. While he did not want the job to get money or have an income, he did it so that he could have the satisfaction of having a job. The main character had previously earned money by collecting bottles and selling copies of Street News. However he wanted to have a job with a little more impact, and as the reader knows, the wants of the main character drive his actions. The main character became a writer for the newspaper. He claims that the job gave him nothing that he did not already attain form living on the streets. However, throughout the chapter the main character grows accustomed to living indoors. I enjoyed this chapter because it gave insight into the working habits of the main character. It showed the reader that he enjoyed working and writing. Although the main character claims that he was not considered a real newspaperman, he still enjoyed writing, so that is what he choose to do. He stayed with the newspaper even though they were experiencing a downfall. He stayed because that is what he enjoyed doing at the time. It was this chapter that helped lead the main character out of his street days.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Independent Reading: Changes (Prompt #12, Chapter 7)
Page 71, "...he 'took a bullet' in one arm trying to escape (a matter of particular pride)..."
Lee Stinger chose to include certain events from his time on the streets, while leaving other things to our own conclusions. He always seemed to include other people, and their story, along with his own. He described his encounters with people in detail. He wrote not only what they said, but how they said it. The reader could tell how the person seemed to have felt while speaking. It was interesting to read such descriptions. Stringer would especially go into detail when writing about a person's choices. In the quote above he was describing a person who he saw just for a moment, but was prideful in his attempt to escape the police. I think that Stringer enjoyed writing about other people's choices. It was as if he were studying them, or learning from them. He noticed reasons behind actions, similar to that of his own. Stringer wrote about his life and choices on the streets, but he also included to write about the people he met on the street.
Lee Stinger chose to include certain events from his time on the streets, while leaving other things to our own conclusions. He always seemed to include other people, and their story, along with his own. He described his encounters with people in detail. He wrote not only what they said, but how they said it. The reader could tell how the person seemed to have felt while speaking. It was interesting to read such descriptions. Stringer would especially go into detail when writing about a person's choices. In the quote above he was describing a person who he saw just for a moment, but was prideful in his attempt to escape the police. I think that Stringer enjoyed writing about other people's choices. It was as if he were studying them, or learning from them. He noticed reasons behind actions, similar to that of his own. Stringer wrote about his life and choices on the streets, but he also included to write about the people he met on the street.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Independent Reading: Book Title (Prompt # 18, Chapter 7)
Page 69, " In New York City there are three centers for people living on the street: Central Park, Grand Central Terminal, and Central Booking."
Central is a key word in the quote, and the book's deeper theme. It relates to the lives of people living on the street, and where they stay. It also applies to the message of self choice, and modivation. The Book's Title is Grand Central Winter: Stories from the street. I believe that the author chose this title becasue of its importance to his journey. I believe the author chose to include Grand Central Terminal in the title of his book, because it's location, and importance to his overall theme. Grand Central Terminal was where the author changed his life, and became a writer. But it was also where he spent his time while on the streets one winter. The title also relates to the overall theme simply by the use of the word central. It relates back to his theme of self choices, and modivation. That his life was the center of all his choices. Stringer chose to be homeless, and he chose to become a writer. Those choices were modivated by his wants. Stringer went from wanting to have no impact, fading into the crowds at Grand Central Terminal, to wnating to impact he world through his story. That his time onthe streets led him to become a new man.
Central is a key word in the quote, and the book's deeper theme. It relates to the lives of people living on the street, and where they stay. It also applies to the message of self choice, and modivation. The Book's Title is Grand Central Winter: Stories from the street. I believe that the author chose this title becasue of its importance to his journey. I believe the author chose to include Grand Central Terminal in the title of his book, because it's location, and importance to his overall theme. Grand Central Terminal was where the author changed his life, and became a writer. But it was also where he spent his time while on the streets one winter. The title also relates to the overall theme simply by the use of the word central. It relates back to his theme of self choices, and modivation. That his life was the center of all his choices. Stringer chose to be homeless, and he chose to become a writer. Those choices were modivated by his wants. Stringer went from wanting to have no impact, fading into the crowds at Grand Central Terminal, to wnating to impact he world through his story. That his time onthe streets led him to become a new man.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Independent Reading: Deeper Message (Prompt # 8, Chapter 6)
page 67, " Who are the true homeless anyway but people trying desperately to live alone?"
This quote makes me wonder if the author was trying to portray a deeper message throughout the book. That perhaps was not his recovery story, but another of his own self choices. The reader has learned previously that the main character made a choice to be homeless, and he did not regret that decision. He wanted to be alone, and that was the reason he acted the way he did. His own will inspired his way. He acted in a way that made him happy. Stringer wanted to desperately be free of any obligation, so he choose to be alone. I feel that, with this quote, Stringer was trying to portray a message, that he was not sad, depressed, lonely, or down with self-pity, rather he is trying to be free of what binded him. He wanted to make his own choices, and be responsible for himself only. The deeper message, i believe the author was trying to portray, is one of self being. Whether that was of self: motivation, choice, responsibility, judgment, or whatever; Stringer felt that he was homeless due to his own choice, and state of mind. It was not until he was ready to share his story with others, that he became a writer.
This quote makes me wonder if the author was trying to portray a deeper message throughout the book. That perhaps was not his recovery story, but another of his own self choices. The reader has learned previously that the main character made a choice to be homeless, and he did not regret that decision. He wanted to be alone, and that was the reason he acted the way he did. His own will inspired his way. He acted in a way that made him happy. Stringer wanted to desperately be free of any obligation, so he choose to be alone. I feel that, with this quote, Stringer was trying to portray a message, that he was not sad, depressed, lonely, or down with self-pity, rather he is trying to be free of what binded him. He wanted to make his own choices, and be responsible for himself only. The deeper message, i believe the author was trying to portray, is one of self being. Whether that was of self: motivation, choice, responsibility, judgment, or whatever; Stringer felt that he was homeless due to his own choice, and state of mind. It was not until he was ready to share his story with others, that he became a writer.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Independent Reading: Connections (Prompt # 10. Chapter 5)
Page 57, " Like Ellison's Invisible Man, we had receded into that part of the landscape that refused to support the American Dream."
When reading this book I was surprised to find a reference to a book that I had previously read in English class. The author, Lee Stringer mentions the book Invisible Man, by Ralph Ellison. The quote surprised me because I had failed to make any previous connections between the two books. The books seemed different in so many ways. In the book, The Invisible Man, the main character seems to want to stand out, and live the American Dream with hope and enthusiasm. Whereas the main character in this book fails to have any hope for the future at all. He seems less enthusiastic, and less demanding on the world around him. In fact the author once mentions being free of any outside obligations. Although i guess the ways in which Lee Stringer mentions Ellison's book seems appropriate. He mentions a connection between the two characters, as they both seem to fade away from "The American Dream", he also seems to mention that they are "Non people in a No-Man's void." meaning that they do not seem to have a purpose or role in the world around them. They simply fade into the everyday lives of others. I was surprised to see a mention of Ellison's book, but it also was interesting to learn of a new interpretations, and ideas from the book.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Independent Reading : Puzzled Part (Prompt # 2, Chapter 3 )
In this part of the book, the reader has been exposed to various events that have shaped the main character's life. At this point in the story, the main character has gone to a shelter, which provided him with food, shower, and shelter. However, despite the fact that the main character was taken care of, by the end of the chapter he quotes, " I left behind my meal ticket, my clothing issue, and everything else they had given me," ( page 42) This part of the book is confusing to me. The author was given freedom, and the lack of responsibility that he had been craving. Finally, he was free of any obligation, he was being taken care of. However, despite this, he choose to leave the shelter, and sleep on the streets. I wonder if he feels the streets are where he belongs. I wonder if the choice was made out of guilt and self pity. Perhaps further reading will bring light to his choice, but i wonder why he felt the need to leave a shelter, if all he claims to have wanted is freedom from responsibility.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Independent Reading: Choices (Prompt # 13, Chapter 4)
The choices that the main character made were interesting. They seemed to have been completely justified in his own mind. He seemed to have made them without regret, and without hesitation. He did not seem to want pity, because according to others, he was brilliant. The biggest choice that was made by the main character, Lee Stringer, was that to go live on the streets, and to be free of obligation. It was this choice, the author seems to justify in a conversation on page 50.
"I tell him I am no less happy now than I was then... I tell him that I don't find living on the streets a major inconvenience."
This quote was taken out of a conversation between Lee Stringer and his former boss. The conversation was set around values, and the choices made by Lee. Lee did his best to explain that, despite the fact that the he was currently living on the streets, it was a choice, and one that he did not regret making. The main character goes on to explain that his new lifestyle was one without remorse. That the new life he led, allowed him to face new challenges to surviving the day. The main character explained that he believed himself to be a surviver; making money, and living in new ways.
"I tell him I am no less happy now than I was then... I tell him that I don't find living on the streets a major inconvenience."
This quote was taken out of a conversation between Lee Stringer and his former boss. The conversation was set around values, and the choices made by Lee. Lee did his best to explain that, despite the fact that the he was currently living on the streets, it was a choice, and one that he did not regret making. The main character goes on to explain that his new lifestyle was one without remorse. That the new life he led, allowed him to face new challenges to surviving the day. The main character explained that he believed himself to be a surviver; making money, and living in new ways.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Independent Reading: Essential Question (Promt #16, Chapter 1-3)
"Who did the main character want to become? What impact did he have on the world around him?
The essential question this year has applied to the books we have read in class. However, the question can also be asked in my independent reading book.
In the first chapter of my independent reading book, the author (and main character) wrote his story, and his struggle to break out of his repressive state of being. The second chapter, the main character wrote about his going into his repressive state. Chapter three the author wrote about his life before he was taken into a world of drugs, and homelessness. In chapters two and three, the author explains how he had a bight future. He took off after high school, and worked in business. He really didn't have any expectations on the world, but he said that he "conquered considerably less of the world than i imagined i would."( page 23) He believed that eventually he could have a impact on the world around him, it would simply take him longer to do so. It was not until his brother died, that the main character felt he could have a negative impact on another person. He quoted, " it unnerved me to bear witness to the rude influence i had upon him." ( page 23) The main character had always been hard on his brother, because he believed that his brother had no desire to go anywhere. But when his brother came to him sick, homeless, and in trouble, Lee Stinger (main character) felt that it was his own fault for not having a better impact on his brother. When his brother died, Lee went into a spiral of depression, drinking, and smoking anything to take his mind off of his brother. When he finally lost his house, he quoted" There is nothing, anymore, that i am obliged to do." ( page 33) At this moment Lee felt that he no longer needed to have an impact on the world around him. He felt that he did not want to become anything, nor impact anyone. It was not until later that Lee took up writing, and realized that he could have a positive impact on the world around him. Becoming a writer, and telling his stories, brought him back to reality, and out of his repressive downfall. By writing, Lee felt that he could tell others about his life, and perhaps advise them to live differently. Lee Stringer's experiences and troubles, answered his essential question. He wanted to impact the world around him by becoming a writer.
The essential question this year has applied to the books we have read in class. However, the question can also be asked in my independent reading book.
In the first chapter of my independent reading book, the author (and main character) wrote his story, and his struggle to break out of his repressive state of being. The second chapter, the main character wrote about his going into his repressive state. Chapter three the author wrote about his life before he was taken into a world of drugs, and homelessness. In chapters two and three, the author explains how he had a bight future. He took off after high school, and worked in business. He really didn't have any expectations on the world, but he said that he "conquered considerably less of the world than i imagined i would."( page 23) He believed that eventually he could have a impact on the world around him, it would simply take him longer to do so. It was not until his brother died, that the main character felt he could have a negative impact on another person. He quoted, " it unnerved me to bear witness to the rude influence i had upon him." ( page 23) The main character had always been hard on his brother, because he believed that his brother had no desire to go anywhere. But when his brother came to him sick, homeless, and in trouble, Lee Stinger (main character) felt that it was his own fault for not having a better impact on his brother. When his brother died, Lee went into a spiral of depression, drinking, and smoking anything to take his mind off of his brother. When he finally lost his house, he quoted" There is nothing, anymore, that i am obliged to do." ( page 33) At this moment Lee felt that he no longer needed to have an impact on the world around him. He felt that he did not want to become anything, nor impact anyone. It was not until later that Lee took up writing, and realized that he could have a positive impact on the world around him. Becoming a writer, and telling his stories, brought him back to reality, and out of his repressive downfall. By writing, Lee felt that he could tell others about his life, and perhaps advise them to live differently. Lee Stringer's experiences and troubles, answered his essential question. He wanted to impact the world around him by becoming a writer.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Independent Reading: "Key Quote" (Promt #14. Chapter One)
Chapter One : page 18
"After that there were four things I did every day. Hustle up money, cop some stuff, beam up, and write. And in the end I wound up dropping the other three."
This quote describes the book as a whole. It is a dairy about a writer, who gets himself clean by writing his stories, and sharing them with others. Lee Stringer, the main character and author, was once a homeless drug addict, who changed his life by meaning of a pencil. The story he has written is about his struggles to become a writer while losing his old self in the process. The end of his story is the end of this quote. While he was once spent most of his day wasted, he would soon spend it only writing, and changing his future.
"After that there were four things I did every day. Hustle up money, cop some stuff, beam up, and write. And in the end I wound up dropping the other three."
This quote describes the book as a whole. It is a dairy about a writer, who gets himself clean by writing his stories, and sharing them with others. Lee Stringer, the main character and author, was once a homeless drug addict, who changed his life by meaning of a pencil. The story he has written is about his struggles to become a writer while losing his old self in the process. The end of his story is the end of this quote. While he was once spent most of his day wasted, he would soon spend it only writing, and changing his future.
Independent Reading: Writing Style (Promt #11, Chapter two.)
Chapter 2: Page 31
"When the doorbell rings, he is oblivious. But it brings me to a rude awakinging. I drag myself over to the intercom.
'Yes?'
It's the marshal come to repossess the apartment.
I have been expecting him since the seventy-two-hour notice four days ago.
I say and do nothing."
The author writes this book in a style unlike many others. He chooses to write how people think. He uses the spaces on the page to his advantage. He breaks up lines, into thoughts. Since his thoughts have inspired his writing, and his writing inspired his breakthrough, he writes in a way that best shows his point. I enjoy the way Lee Stinger (the author and main character) has written this book so far. It is an effective style that is creative and different from the normal writing style readers are constantly exposed to. The writing style clearly sets a tone of thought. It helps develop a connection between the reader and the main character. The reader is exposed to the changing thoughts and tones with the way the words appear on the page. It is a nice change in writing style, that i have not read in a while.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Che Thesis
Ernesto "Che" Guevara's Journey throughout Latin America constantly challenged his ambitions. Che, who once wanted to change the world by medicine, changed his beliefs, and became a symbol of the Cuban revolution.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Do Now
Che's time spent in Peru influenced him in many ways. In your opinion, what influenced Che the most: The people he met, or the conditions of the country?
Monday, March 9, 2009
Che in Chile
Che's experiences in Chile inspired him both politically and idealistically. His ideals changed due to the hospitality he encountered in Chile. Throughout The Motorcycle Diaries, Che describes the amount of hospitality Chile has, and how it benefits the lives of it's people. The people in Chile gave, and shared what they had with others. The people worked for themselves, and for others. It was a country where there were "no non-volunteers" ( page 64) . It was a place where people looked out for the common person, and were not effected by politics. Che was happy to see that the Chilean government gave to it's people by providing free public hospitals. The personality of Chile's people directly parallels Che's ideals. Che believed that everyone should work for the common person, and should not be oppressed by politics or governments.
However, I think that Che was shaped in some ways by the effects of politics. While in Chile, Che visited Chuquicamata. While there, he was given a guided tour, and met people. On page 79 Che hears someone quote, " Losing thousands of pesos everyday...not to give a poor worker a few more centavos. When General Ibanez comes to power that will all be over." This was quoted by a person who lived in Chile. I think that Che was inspired by the way in which people lived. How some peopel were poor due to their government, yet despite their poverty, still gave, and helped others.
Che was also inspired by the Spanish colonization with Valdivia. On page 85 Che speaks in reference to Valdivia, "That he belonged to that special class of men,.. whom craving power is so extreme that any suffering to achieve it seems natural... ruler of a warrior nation." I think that this also inspired Che's thoughts. While he seems to talk about it negatively, Che reacted similarly when he suffered as commander in the rebel army. Che believed that suffering should be eliminated, but if it were meant to achieve some higher cause like that of the Cuban Revolution, it would be worth it.
While Che was against repressive governments, he believed that a government should be installed. He believed that the government, along with it's people should help the common person. Che's trip throughout Chile inspired his ideals. He wanted other countries to experience social change that would cause them to be more like Chile. He wanted all countries to have a progressive government, that worked for the common person.
However, I think that Che was shaped in some ways by the effects of politics. While in Chile, Che visited Chuquicamata. While there, he was given a guided tour, and met people. On page 79 Che hears someone quote, " Losing thousands of pesos everyday...not to give a poor worker a few more centavos. When General Ibanez comes to power that will all be over." This was quoted by a person who lived in Chile. I think that Che was inspired by the way in which people lived. How some peopel were poor due to their government, yet despite their poverty, still gave, and helped others.
Che was also inspired by the Spanish colonization with Valdivia. On page 85 Che speaks in reference to Valdivia, "That he belonged to that special class of men,.. whom craving power is so extreme that any suffering to achieve it seems natural... ruler of a warrior nation." I think that this also inspired Che's thoughts. While he seems to talk about it negatively, Che reacted similarly when he suffered as commander in the rebel army. Che believed that suffering should be eliminated, but if it were meant to achieve some higher cause like that of the Cuban Revolution, it would be worth it.
While Che was against repressive governments, he believed that a government should be installed. He believed that the government, along with it's people should help the common person. Che's trip throughout Chile inspired his ideals. He wanted other countries to experience social change that would cause them to be more like Chile. He wanted all countries to have a progressive government, that worked for the common person.
Essential Question
After traveling around Latin America, i believe Che wanted to help as many people as he could. Originally, He thought he could do this by way of medicine. However as he continued to travel, he realized that he could have a significant impact on the countries, and world around him, by joining rebel forces and fighting against a government he has seen repressing people. I do not think Che intended to become as popular as he did. I think that Che wanted to make a difference, and became popular in the eyes of many.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
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