TATDOAPTI 2

After finishing The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian, I still don't think that the book is "of comparable literary merit" to the other books we've read this year. At the same time, I had fun reading it, understood the whole thing, and was emotionally invested in the characters. It was a good reminder that a good story is always fun to read. 

There were some parts about the book that I didn't like. The lack of intricacy that is in other books we've read was noticeable at different points, and the message seemed kind of inconsistent. If he was supposed to leave and follow his dreams, like Rowdy says in the end, why did his sister die from doing this exact thing. For all the other deaths the argument could be made that the reservation killed them, driving him away, but the sister's death didn't seem to fall in line with the message of the book. I guess that Alexie could be simply trying to show the effect reservation life has on Indians; like The Bluest Eye but a bit of a happier ending (not a hard thing to do), but it doesn't feel like that was his goal.

TATDOAPTI

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian is an interesting, pretty easy read. It seemed almost too easy, but at the same time it's enjoyable to take a break from the higher reading level. The more basic structure, so long as it's well written provides interesting insight. It's easier to see why Sherman Alexie is writing parts in the book in comparison to Toni Morrison. For example it's easier to see the significance of the geometry book than it is to make the connection between Soaphead Church and Cholly in The Bluest Eye. It's also easier to follow the way Sherman sets up the setting, establishes conflict, then starts building on this conflict. I guess my point is that while it's an easier book to read, I don't feel like I'm learning any less about literature. It's like instead of muscles and organs, we're looking at a model of a skeleton for books.

Bluest Eye Ending

I think the most interesting aspect of Toni Morrison's book The Bluest Eye is the subtle way it delivers its message about racism. Direct interaction between racist whites and black characters is uncommon in the book. Instead the characters feel and react to societal discrimination and the long lasting effects this discrimination has had on their own families. The main result of this discrimination is a self hatred for their race, which they take out on those they have power over, be it wives, husbands, children, or peers. I think the most effective way Morrison demonstrated the tragic, cyclical nature of this hatred is by delving into the past of Pecola's parents. The way they both acquired this hatred, then reluctantly and helplessly passed it onto their children makes the story personal, and thus more effective in conveying it's depressing message. 

The Beauty Myth

Reading The Beauty Myth by Naomi Wolf, I felt that good points were being made, but that it was difficult to continue reading to the end. Often while reading, I felt like instead of trying to convince me, she was accusing me. In order to feel sympathetic to her cause, I needed a way to relate to what she was saying, but I consistently felt pushed away. This lead me to think that it was written not to make an argument but to generate fervor and excitement within a confined movement. I understand that this was likely not Wolf's intention, but, for me, it is what it seems like it would achieve. Instead of attacking every man who reads her writing, I think Wolf would be much more successful by acknowledging counterpoints to her argument and offering solutions to the problem of "The Beauty Myth." She establishes that there is a problem, but she also alienates male readers without offering a solution.