Summary
In these concluding pages of the book, a lot of dramatic things happen. Picking up where it was left, Louisa and Ray are going back home after the party, and back home, he seems to be too into his work to pay much attention to Louisa, who gets fustrated. Next, Louisa explains how she met Ray, and the secretive relationship they had. She mentions how she tried to break it off with him because she couldn't deal with the secretive relationship. but that Ray started crying, and so since neither of them wanted it to end, she stayed with him. Then, Louisa switches up the story she was telling and is all dressed up to go somewhere with Ray, her last day for something, although it is unknown what it could be. In the end of the chapter it is learned that Louisa and Ray are attending some sort of exhibition in a museum, and looking at some sort of object that was owned by a person named Esteban.
In the next chapter, Clem is now narrating. She starts off by talking about bears and the big controversy with them living so close to people. Then, she mentions how getting close to these bears makes it easier for them to feel closer to her. She noticed that in a family of three bears, the boy bear, which was named Danny, was smalled compared to the female cub, which is not normal because he is supposed to be much larger. Later in the chapter it is learned that he has a hole in his heart, and that if he is to live longer, he will need surgery, or otherwise he would die soon. Clem becomes in charge of getting the paperwork done, and a surgeon comes. There is a lot of publicity for this, and everyone is anxious for it to end well. Unfortunately, it doesn't end well, and Danny dies. This leaves Clem crushed. This chapter ends with Clem home alone at night before she goes to sleep.
In the last pages left, Louisa narrates. At first it seems confusing with what she is saying, but then readers learn that Clem has died. The reason becomes unknown, until one of Clem's colleagues tells Louisa it seems Clem killed herself due to the death of the cub. Louisa talks about how she went to Clem's house and went through what Clem owned, finding it hard to believe she really died. Louisa saw Clem one last time in the funeral, and her parents were crushed and upset that Clem had died.
Quote
"She holds her life tight, never letting it out of her sight for a minute. So how could she be marked?" (Glass 204).
Reaction
The ending of the book was really sad. The fact that Clem died really brought upon a depressing mood for the rest of the book. It also seems like when the end of the book was approaching, the author got more confusing in letting know who was narrating the story next. It also made clear that even though Clem was reckless, it was as if she kept the family together, and once her death came, it was as if her family fell apart. The story stopped meaning so much once her death came, and she became the tragic hero of the story.
I liked this quote because it shows the sympathy Clem has towards her sister Louisa. Louisa was going through hard times, getting chemotherapy because of the tumor she had, and Clem felt as if it wasn't fair that Louisa was experiencing this. She thought that with her recklessness, she would be the one to get this, and that she would be the one that would die. So when this happened to her sister, it's as if she was upset that it couldn't have happened to her. This quote could have foreshadowed the death that Clem was awaiting.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
I See You Everywhere (Pgs. 144-185)
Summary
In the following pages of the book, a lot has happened. Clem is still in the hospital from the accident she was in, but she still doesn't remember how it occurred. There was a new character that is brought up, who goes by the name of Larney, which Clem doesn't remember at all. She seems to still have amnesia, and that is why she doesn't remember much. Clem's dad also comes and visits her, although their encounter is very brief. He tells her how the accident occurred, which was through a boat accident. Larney seems to be convinced to win Clem over, although Clem only has her heart set for Jerry. He finally calls her, and they discuss why he hasn't come to visit her. It seems as if Clem forgot that her and Jerry were over because he was interested in someone else. She only slightly remembered when Jerry told her how they had to be put "on hold", and how she ran away from him, realizing later that the gypsy that they had consulted earlier stole her wallet. The chapter concludes by Larney picking up Clem from the hospial, and taking her home.
The next chapter begins in a confusing manner, talking about some machine. It then progresses to mention an interview with a character named Esteban. Through the mention of an interview is it learned that it is Louisa who is now narrating this chapter. She talks of going to visit this artist, and to learn of what he does and his inspirations. After this, Louisa goes to the hospital for some check- up procedure. After this, readers learn that she is no longer with Hugh, but is now living with a man named Ray. Through her, we learn that she is desperate to have children, but he doesn't seem to agree with the idea. We also learn that she was diagnosed with breast cancer, and that she tells Clem so Clem can try and help her. Then Louisa goes and tells her mom, who doesn't seem as worried as a mother should be. The end of the section concludes with Louisa and Ray attending a party hosted by Esteban and his pregnant wife. Here Louisa meets Esteban's mother, who is deaf. She asks her if she will have children, and they tell her it's okay to adopt a child. The section concludes with Esteban telling Louisa his mom had cancer too, telling Louisa that he knew, even if she never told him.
Quote
"Completely tuned in to our mother's words, she was staring me down, the look on her face triumphantly sour. She'd always said I was our mother's favorite, and I would deny what I knew to be true, because until then she never had proof. Here it is at last, said her look, what she'd been waiting for: justification she could bank against any future family injustice" (Glass 154).
Reaction
In these pages, the usage of the switching of narration is rarely used. It seems as if Clem and Louisa each tell their story in seperate chapters. Confusion as to who is narrating still occurs, because the reader doesn't know who is talking to who until a name is mentioned, or when one of the sisters is speaking to the other. The change in time gets somewhat confusing as well, because the beginning of the chapters don't pick up where the previous chapter had ended. It seems as if the book is picking up some pace now. In this section, although readers don't learn of Clem's age, we do learn the year difference between her and Louisa, which is four years.
I chose this quote because it shows some sibling rivalry. This quote was said by Clem, and she was referring to when her mother had publicly stated that she was her favorite. Here, it shows another reason why the relationship between Clem and Louisa was strained back when they were younger. Also, we learn of the jealousy Louisa felt towards her sister, her being the favorite. Readers learn through Clem that Louisa was awaiting this moment, to prove to her sister she was right about what she had suspected, and in the future, she couldn't be blamed for anything unjust. It shows Louisa was upset that their mother had openly declared that, and in the future, if anything unjust was done against her, she now had a legitimate excuse as to why nothing was ever done to Clem.
In the following pages of the book, a lot has happened. Clem is still in the hospital from the accident she was in, but she still doesn't remember how it occurred. There was a new character that is brought up, who goes by the name of Larney, which Clem doesn't remember at all. She seems to still have amnesia, and that is why she doesn't remember much. Clem's dad also comes and visits her, although their encounter is very brief. He tells her how the accident occurred, which was through a boat accident. Larney seems to be convinced to win Clem over, although Clem only has her heart set for Jerry. He finally calls her, and they discuss why he hasn't come to visit her. It seems as if Clem forgot that her and Jerry were over because he was interested in someone else. She only slightly remembered when Jerry told her how they had to be put "on hold", and how she ran away from him, realizing later that the gypsy that they had consulted earlier stole her wallet. The chapter concludes by Larney picking up Clem from the hospial, and taking her home.
The next chapter begins in a confusing manner, talking about some machine. It then progresses to mention an interview with a character named Esteban. Through the mention of an interview is it learned that it is Louisa who is now narrating this chapter. She talks of going to visit this artist, and to learn of what he does and his inspirations. After this, Louisa goes to the hospital for some check- up procedure. After this, readers learn that she is no longer with Hugh, but is now living with a man named Ray. Through her, we learn that she is desperate to have children, but he doesn't seem to agree with the idea. We also learn that she was diagnosed with breast cancer, and that she tells Clem so Clem can try and help her. Then Louisa goes and tells her mom, who doesn't seem as worried as a mother should be. The end of the section concludes with Louisa and Ray attending a party hosted by Esteban and his pregnant wife. Here Louisa meets Esteban's mother, who is deaf. She asks her if she will have children, and they tell her it's okay to adopt a child. The section concludes with Esteban telling Louisa his mom had cancer too, telling Louisa that he knew, even if she never told him.
Quote
"Completely tuned in to our mother's words, she was staring me down, the look on her face triumphantly sour. She'd always said I was our mother's favorite, and I would deny what I knew to be true, because until then she never had proof. Here it is at last, said her look, what she'd been waiting for: justification she could bank against any future family injustice" (Glass 154).
Reaction
In these pages, the usage of the switching of narration is rarely used. It seems as if Clem and Louisa each tell their story in seperate chapters. Confusion as to who is narrating still occurs, because the reader doesn't know who is talking to who until a name is mentioned, or when one of the sisters is speaking to the other. The change in time gets somewhat confusing as well, because the beginning of the chapters don't pick up where the previous chapter had ended. It seems as if the book is picking up some pace now. In this section, although readers don't learn of Clem's age, we do learn the year difference between her and Louisa, which is four years.
I chose this quote because it shows some sibling rivalry. This quote was said by Clem, and she was referring to when her mother had publicly stated that she was her favorite. Here, it shows another reason why the relationship between Clem and Louisa was strained back when they were younger. Also, we learn of the jealousy Louisa felt towards her sister, her being the favorite. Readers learn through Clem that Louisa was awaiting this moment, to prove to her sister she was right about what she had suspected, and in the future, she couldn't be blamed for anything unjust. It shows Louisa was upset that their mother had openly declared that, and in the future, if anything unjust was done against her, she now had a legitimate excuse as to why nothing was ever done to Clem.
Monday, December 6, 2010
I See You Everywhere (Pgs. 85-144)
Summary
In this new section of the book, at least two new chapters began. Picking up where it was left off, Louisa and Clem are bonding over lunch. They are discussing things in their lives, mainly about Louisa and her marriage. Clem is trying to cheer her up and give her good advice, but that backfired. Zip was the one that mainly helped Louisa as best as he could so she wouldn't be as depressed, and through this they bonded a lot while she was with Clem. Clem also started questioning her relationship with Zip because she felt the spark seemed to be disappearing, but after one night together the sparks came back. Then, in that same chapter, Clem and Louisa found Tighty, the guy that worked for her mom who ran away with her dogs. They talked and caught up, and one of the dogs gave birth. The chapter concludes with Zip keeping a puppy and him and Clem trying to name it.
In the next chapter, the years are passing by, and it is now 1989. Hugh and Louisa are still married, and it has now been four years since they have been together, and yet they still haven't been able to rekindle a spark. At lunch, even Louisa's mother questions why they haven't had children. In this chapter, Louisa reminisces on her childhood, and found a lot of things while cleaning out the barn her parents had bought. At the end of this chapter, Louisa is still questioning what she should do with Hugh. Following this chapter, Clem is now speaking, and she is just waking up in the hospital and she has found out she was asleep for almost an entire month, yet she doesn't recall the accident. She does recall, though, other accidents that have put her in the hospital, and she brings up how she still speaks to Luke, but now her new infatuation is this guy named Jerry, who is a vet. The section concludes with Clem asking Louisa to get in contact with Jerry to tell him where she is, and it seems they appear to visit her while she is in the ICU.
Quote
"Louisa looks both apalled and demoralized, and it's all my fault. How can I laugh at Zip? At least he knows how to console"(Glass 89).
Reaction
In these chapters, it feels like time is being pushed back yet brought forward, and the reader can't really tell why something that happened in one chapter is different from how it is in the next chapter. The only indication that the reader knows that time is moving forward is through the beginning of new chapters, and if the characters slightly mention it as well. The narration still switches from Clem to Louisa, but now they seem to switch through a new chapter. They both also continue to reminisce, and they get so caught up in it it gets hard to tell how it forms part of the past. The difference in what they reminisce on is that Louisa goes through objects that remind her of what had happened in that time, and it can usually be associated with good memories. With Clem, her being stuck in the hospital makes her remember reasons why she has been there before, and these memories contain scars and pain.
The reason I chose this quote was because it shows Clem's helplessness in helping her sister not be so down, and yet she can't seem to do anything about it. This seems to bother Clem, and in my opinion, this is a moving quote because even though they hurt each other and argue, they still love each other, and they help each other out when needed. Even if Louisa didn't treat Clem very well when they were little, Clem still wants to help her big sister. It also seems to bother her that even Zip seems to know how to console Louisa better than Clem, and it makes her feel useless that she can try but won't succeed. She even said it herself that it's her fault, which means she doesn't know what to do, and it has her fustrated. It shows how caring she is, even if she acts like she doesn't care.
In this new section of the book, at least two new chapters began. Picking up where it was left off, Louisa and Clem are bonding over lunch. They are discussing things in their lives, mainly about Louisa and her marriage. Clem is trying to cheer her up and give her good advice, but that backfired. Zip was the one that mainly helped Louisa as best as he could so she wouldn't be as depressed, and through this they bonded a lot while she was with Clem. Clem also started questioning her relationship with Zip because she felt the spark seemed to be disappearing, but after one night together the sparks came back. Then, in that same chapter, Clem and Louisa found Tighty, the guy that worked for her mom who ran away with her dogs. They talked and caught up, and one of the dogs gave birth. The chapter concludes with Zip keeping a puppy and him and Clem trying to name it.
In the next chapter, the years are passing by, and it is now 1989. Hugh and Louisa are still married, and it has now been four years since they have been together, and yet they still haven't been able to rekindle a spark. At lunch, even Louisa's mother questions why they haven't had children. In this chapter, Louisa reminisces on her childhood, and found a lot of things while cleaning out the barn her parents had bought. At the end of this chapter, Louisa is still questioning what she should do with Hugh. Following this chapter, Clem is now speaking, and she is just waking up in the hospital and she has found out she was asleep for almost an entire month, yet she doesn't recall the accident. She does recall, though, other accidents that have put her in the hospital, and she brings up how she still speaks to Luke, but now her new infatuation is this guy named Jerry, who is a vet. The section concludes with Clem asking Louisa to get in contact with Jerry to tell him where she is, and it seems they appear to visit her while she is in the ICU.
Quote
"Louisa looks both apalled and demoralized, and it's all my fault. How can I laugh at Zip? At least he knows how to console"(Glass 89).
Reaction
In these chapters, it feels like time is being pushed back yet brought forward, and the reader can't really tell why something that happened in one chapter is different from how it is in the next chapter. The only indication that the reader knows that time is moving forward is through the beginning of new chapters, and if the characters slightly mention it as well. The narration still switches from Clem to Louisa, but now they seem to switch through a new chapter. They both also continue to reminisce, and they get so caught up in it it gets hard to tell how it forms part of the past. The difference in what they reminisce on is that Louisa goes through objects that remind her of what had happened in that time, and it can usually be associated with good memories. With Clem, her being stuck in the hospital makes her remember reasons why she has been there before, and these memories contain scars and pain.
The reason I chose this quote was because it shows Clem's helplessness in helping her sister not be so down, and yet she can't seem to do anything about it. This seems to bother Clem, and in my opinion, this is a moving quote because even though they hurt each other and argue, they still love each other, and they help each other out when needed. Even if Louisa didn't treat Clem very well when they were little, Clem still wants to help her big sister. It also seems to bother her that even Zip seems to know how to console Louisa better than Clem, and it makes her feel useless that she can try but won't succeed. She even said it herself that it's her fault, which means she doesn't know what to do, and it has her fustrated. It shows how caring she is, even if she acts like she doesn't care.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
I See You Everywhere (Pgs. 44- 84)
Summary
In these pages of the book, a new chapter begins. Louisa begins by mentioning the type of relationship she had during the summer with her sister Clem. She mentioned how they talked about their activities in the summer, and talked about encounters with strangers. Readers also learn more about Clem's character through her love of wildlife and nature, and the activities she was committed to during the summer that she mentioned to Louisa. Besides learning about Clem's devotion to the wildlife, Louisa also mentions Clem's boyfriend Luke. Louisa mentions how the relationship Clem and Luke have is complicated, where Luke is devoted to her and wants to marry her, whereas Clem doesn't even have marriage in mind. Clem isn't even as committed and as into Luke as he is with her, yet he remains by her side. She got together with other guys when he was gone, and once, when he found them together on her porch, her sitting in this stranger's lap, she apologized to Luke, but told him that if he made a scene, the relationship would end(pg.47). In this chapter Louisa also mentions her life in New York City, and her job as an editor.
In these pages readers also learn about love interests of Louisa. She mentions Sam, who is a painter. and how she fell for him because he is different and full of surprises(pg. 51). Through Louisa readers also learn about the jealousy she got towards Clem after she grew up and stopped listening to her, because she was so used to being in charge of her. Something else learned was how Clem experienced a lot of accidents, as if she was prone to them. There was one incident in which Clem got a big scar due to almost being killed when she got runover while she was riding her bike. To conclude the rest of the pages left, Sam calls Louisa to meet up to have dinner, but then Clem shows up a wreck and ruins the moment. Luke shows up as well. Clem woudn't tell Louisa what had happened, but in the end she told her that she had had something with this guy named "Spider", and that she ended up becoming pregnant, and that now she had no idea as to how she was going to tell Luke.Louisa also goes to Clem after she had married a guy named Hugh, but that he wasn't doing anything to keep the relationship going. Lastly, through Clem readers learned what happened in her point of view about Mike, the guy Louisa claims Clem took from her, and how nothing was going on between them when Louisa got mad and threw wine at Clem (pg.84).
Quote
"Suddenly, she no longer took my threats seriously. Try as I might, I could not gain her fear, her respect, never mind her trust. Well, I thought, this is what I deserve for being such a tyrant, for having assumed my regime was infallible. Tyrants, no exception, fall" (Glass 53).
Reaction
In these pages, the author doesn't swith the narration as much as the first time. Actually, she barely switches narration. Maybe once or twice or possibly more did Louisa and Clement switch being narrators. Other than that, mainly Louisa told the story. Also, it is somewhat confusing to understand what is happening, whether time is moving forward or backward, but as the new chapters begin, time is moving forward by the years. The envy between these two sisters is more apparent, but at the same time, they are bound together no matter what, and they depend on each other and go to each other when they need advice or when something bad happens. Reminiscing into the chidhood of both Clem and Louisa happens less frequent as well.
I chose this quote because readers can learn the behavior Louisa had towards her younger sister. She had enjoyed always telling her what to do, and being in control. So, when Clem grew up and then grew out of being bossed around by Louisa, that bothered her a lot. She wanted to control her sister, yet she wanted them to be close. Apparently she lost both in one shot, and Louisa doesn't blame anybody but herself because that happened. Not only does this quote show the childhood of both Clem and Louisa, it also shows where the relationship got damaged, and why it remained that way up until they both grew up.
In these pages of the book, a new chapter begins. Louisa begins by mentioning the type of relationship she had during the summer with her sister Clem. She mentioned how they talked about their activities in the summer, and talked about encounters with strangers. Readers also learn more about Clem's character through her love of wildlife and nature, and the activities she was committed to during the summer that she mentioned to Louisa. Besides learning about Clem's devotion to the wildlife, Louisa also mentions Clem's boyfriend Luke. Louisa mentions how the relationship Clem and Luke have is complicated, where Luke is devoted to her and wants to marry her, whereas Clem doesn't even have marriage in mind. Clem isn't even as committed and as into Luke as he is with her, yet he remains by her side. She got together with other guys when he was gone, and once, when he found them together on her porch, her sitting in this stranger's lap, she apologized to Luke, but told him that if he made a scene, the relationship would end(pg.47). In this chapter Louisa also mentions her life in New York City, and her job as an editor.
In these pages readers also learn about love interests of Louisa. She mentions Sam, who is a painter. and how she fell for him because he is different and full of surprises(pg. 51). Through Louisa readers also learn about the jealousy she got towards Clem after she grew up and stopped listening to her, because she was so used to being in charge of her. Something else learned was how Clem experienced a lot of accidents, as if she was prone to them. There was one incident in which Clem got a big scar due to almost being killed when she got runover while she was riding her bike. To conclude the rest of the pages left, Sam calls Louisa to meet up to have dinner, but then Clem shows up a wreck and ruins the moment. Luke shows up as well. Clem woudn't tell Louisa what had happened, but in the end she told her that she had had something with this guy named "Spider", and that she ended up becoming pregnant, and that now she had no idea as to how she was going to tell Luke.Louisa also goes to Clem after she had married a guy named Hugh, but that he wasn't doing anything to keep the relationship going. Lastly, through Clem readers learned what happened in her point of view about Mike, the guy Louisa claims Clem took from her, and how nothing was going on between them when Louisa got mad and threw wine at Clem (pg.84).
Quote
"Suddenly, she no longer took my threats seriously. Try as I might, I could not gain her fear, her respect, never mind her trust. Well, I thought, this is what I deserve for being such a tyrant, for having assumed my regime was infallible. Tyrants, no exception, fall" (Glass 53).
Reaction
In these pages, the author doesn't swith the narration as much as the first time. Actually, she barely switches narration. Maybe once or twice or possibly more did Louisa and Clement switch being narrators. Other than that, mainly Louisa told the story. Also, it is somewhat confusing to understand what is happening, whether time is moving forward or backward, but as the new chapters begin, time is moving forward by the years. The envy between these two sisters is more apparent, but at the same time, they are bound together no matter what, and they depend on each other and go to each other when they need advice or when something bad happens. Reminiscing into the chidhood of both Clem and Louisa happens less frequent as well.
I chose this quote because readers can learn the behavior Louisa had towards her younger sister. She had enjoyed always telling her what to do, and being in control. So, when Clem grew up and then grew out of being bossed around by Louisa, that bothered her a lot. She wanted to control her sister, yet she wanted them to be close. Apparently she lost both in one shot, and Louisa doesn't blame anybody but herself because that happened. Not only does this quote show the childhood of both Clem and Louisa, it also shows where the relationship got damaged, and why it remained that way up until they both grew up.
Monday, November 22, 2010
I See You Everywhere (Pgs. 1-43)
Summary
I See You Everywhere by Julia Glass recaps the story of two sisters, Clement "Clem" and Louisa Jardine and the major differences they have, not only with looks, but also with personality. Clem is more of the outgoing one, whereas Louisa is more of the quiet yet artistic type. Despite this, the sisters come together, even if they don't really talk, through the death of their aunt Lucy. In the beginning chapter of this book, everything is introduced. The readers start learning that Louisa has to leave California go to Vermont after the death of her aunt, and she was really wishing she could avoid the reunion. Louisa talks about her sister Clem, and how she was wishing she didn't have to see her because she was hoping she wouldn't have to talk to her. When the sisters do see each other, they don't make much conversation, but they do hang out with Ralph and Hector, guy friends of Clem. Through hearing about them, Louisa determined that she was going to steal of them away from Clem (pg.20). Later on in the chapter it was learned that Louisa had a reason behind this, the reason being that she had a grudge against her sister after she stole of one her boyfriends. Even if Louisa denied it, Clem knew the truth, and she wasn't entirely surprised that her sister still felt that way (pg.28). The chapter also mentions a lot of history behind Aunt Lucy and ehr family, and what had brought her to live in Vermont. The chapter ended with Louisa, Clem, Ralph and Hector being together in a small picnic, and Louisa came into the realization that she needed to ask Clem an important question that she needed an answer to.
Quote
"He had to be the one, I decided - the way he put his arm arm around Clem and whispered in her ear- but I liked him too...At first I thought it was a game- a taste of revenge- but now, with the wine singing in my ears, I decided, both overjoyed and mournful, that I was falling for the guy" (Glass 27).
Reaction
In this first chapter, the author can confuse the reader with the shift of narration. because the reader is just starting to learn about Clem and Louisa, and then suddenly the narration changes and one sister is talking about the other. Also, in this first chapter, the reader uses a lot of reminiscence when each character is remembering some things in their past. An example of this usage can be seen when the past of Aunt Lucy and her sister is being told. In short, the narration in the first chapter is used in variety, and it takes a few pages for the reader to understand what is happening with the change of who is narrating the story.
I chose this quote because I liked how it showed so much emotion in one simple sentence. In this one simple quote, the reader learns the reason behind Louisa's distaste towards her sister. Although Louisa didn't go into detail in this page about what she meant with revenge, it was clear nonetheless that it had something to do with taking away a guy from Clem. Through this quote the reader can also learn that besides revenge, Louisa was sincerely falling for this guy, even if her intentions weren't very nice in the beginning. It can make the reader wonder exactly how far Louisa will go to get revenge towards her sister, whether it's on purpose or unintentionally, considering Louisa was falling for Ralph.
I See You Everywhere by Julia Glass recaps the story of two sisters, Clement "Clem" and Louisa Jardine and the major differences they have, not only with looks, but also with personality. Clem is more of the outgoing one, whereas Louisa is more of the quiet yet artistic type. Despite this, the sisters come together, even if they don't really talk, through the death of their aunt Lucy. In the beginning chapter of this book, everything is introduced. The readers start learning that Louisa has to leave California go to Vermont after the death of her aunt, and she was really wishing she could avoid the reunion. Louisa talks about her sister Clem, and how she was wishing she didn't have to see her because she was hoping she wouldn't have to talk to her. When the sisters do see each other, they don't make much conversation, but they do hang out with Ralph and Hector, guy friends of Clem. Through hearing about them, Louisa determined that she was going to steal of them away from Clem (pg.20). Later on in the chapter it was learned that Louisa had a reason behind this, the reason being that she had a grudge against her sister after she stole of one her boyfriends. Even if Louisa denied it, Clem knew the truth, and she wasn't entirely surprised that her sister still felt that way (pg.28). The chapter also mentions a lot of history behind Aunt Lucy and ehr family, and what had brought her to live in Vermont. The chapter ended with Louisa, Clem, Ralph and Hector being together in a small picnic, and Louisa came into the realization that she needed to ask Clem an important question that she needed an answer to.
Quote
"He had to be the one, I decided - the way he put his arm arm around Clem and whispered in her ear- but I liked him too...At first I thought it was a game- a taste of revenge- but now, with the wine singing in my ears, I decided, both overjoyed and mournful, that I was falling for the guy" (Glass 27).
Reaction
In this first chapter, the author can confuse the reader with the shift of narration. because the reader is just starting to learn about Clem and Louisa, and then suddenly the narration changes and one sister is talking about the other. Also, in this first chapter, the reader uses a lot of reminiscence when each character is remembering some things in their past. An example of this usage can be seen when the past of Aunt Lucy and her sister is being told. In short, the narration in the first chapter is used in variety, and it takes a few pages for the reader to understand what is happening with the change of who is narrating the story.
I chose this quote because I liked how it showed so much emotion in one simple sentence. In this one simple quote, the reader learns the reason behind Louisa's distaste towards her sister. Although Louisa didn't go into detail in this page about what she meant with revenge, it was clear nonetheless that it had something to do with taking away a guy from Clem. Through this quote the reader can also learn that besides revenge, Louisa was sincerely falling for this guy, even if her intentions weren't very nice in the beginning. It can make the reader wonder exactly how far Louisa will go to get revenge towards her sister, whether it's on purpose or unintentionally, considering Louisa was falling for Ralph.
Friday, October 29, 2010
The Little Prisoner (Pgs. 201-267)(***End of Book***)
Summary
In these last pages of the book, Jane talks about the birth of her new daughter, Sophie, and that she was glad that Richard and her mother hadn't found out that she had become pregnant again(pg.205). She also mentions how her and Steve were trying really hard to make everything betweeen their family be at ease, although she may have stressed Steve out just a bit. She also talked about how, once she told him the truth, him and his parents felt that it would be best if she went to the police so that Richard could get arrested, but Jane didn't have the courage to do so. She talks about how she and Steve had money problems, and how she felt bad that she couldn't get Emma some decent gifts. The rest of the chapter finishes up when Jane decides to get the courage to tell the police what has happened to her. She also gets in contact with her father and old friends, including her brother Jimmy. The last thing she mentions at the end of the chapter was how she was nervous as the first day of the case was approaching, and some horrifying thoughts she had(pg.232).
The next chapter starts off by talking about the morning of the trial, and how nervewracking it was for her(pg.235). She then goes on to mention how she was called in first, and how her brother Pete and an uncle of hers kept trying to intimidate her, and how she hid her face so she wouldn't have to see Richard. She continued on by mentioning how she felt embarrassed because everything had to be explained with graphic detail. The case went on for about three days, and on the third day, she encountered Richard, and even after she wanted to keave, he followed her into the office, just never entering, and she felt the same fear she did as a child, and had a nervous attack(pg.242). The chapter ends by some of Jane's witnesses declaring their bit, and in the end, Richard was found guilty for almost everything, and that he would be in jail(pg.247).
In the last pages of the book, Jane mentions how Richard was given fifteen years, which was the maximum. She also mentions how some of the people that testified for her kept getting threatened by her family, and how her brother Tom still remained by her side, even if the others weren't. She also got in contact with some old school friends, and decided to meet up with them. In the end, she lost her mother for staying by Richard's side. Also, she got hurt for going back to the area where she used to live, but how she felt she had to do what was right, even if she got beat up.
Quote
"I wasn't going to back down now. I had no respect for any of the people who caved in and refused to back me up. After all he'd done to them as well. I stared back defiantly at my brother and uncle and shook my head, as if telling them I couldn't believe what they were doing, that I was disappointed in them as men"(Elliott 236-237).
Reaction
In this summary which finishes the book, the author gets the confidence she has needed. She mentions how even if she was scared of her family and friends getting hurt, she was still glad that she did what she had to do. She also explains how most of her family turned against her, and how that disappointed her, because Richard has mistreated them as well, yet they remained loyal to him. She may have gone through a tough depression and suicidal thoughts but in the end, the author came through and made sure Richard was put in jail, so he would no longer be harming her or other people.
This quote is important because it shows how the Jane's confidence increased while in court. It shows that she wasn't giving up in her stepfather being arrested, that she had gotten this far and that she didn't plan on backing down now just because she was being intimidated. Through this quote, the reader can learn how Jane learned to not care so much about the people who turned agaisnt her, even if they had gotten mistreated as well. The quote shows the emotional growth Jane experienced, and how she no longer felt bad in what she was doing, because she knew it was the right thing to do.
In these last pages of the book, Jane talks about the birth of her new daughter, Sophie, and that she was glad that Richard and her mother hadn't found out that she had become pregnant again(pg.205). She also mentions how her and Steve were trying really hard to make everything betweeen their family be at ease, although she may have stressed Steve out just a bit. She also talked about how, once she told him the truth, him and his parents felt that it would be best if she went to the police so that Richard could get arrested, but Jane didn't have the courage to do so. She talks about how she and Steve had money problems, and how she felt bad that she couldn't get Emma some decent gifts. The rest of the chapter finishes up when Jane decides to get the courage to tell the police what has happened to her. She also gets in contact with her father and old friends, including her brother Jimmy. The last thing she mentions at the end of the chapter was how she was nervous as the first day of the case was approaching, and some horrifying thoughts she had(pg.232).
The next chapter starts off by talking about the morning of the trial, and how nervewracking it was for her(pg.235). She then goes on to mention how she was called in first, and how her brother Pete and an uncle of hers kept trying to intimidate her, and how she hid her face so she wouldn't have to see Richard. She continued on by mentioning how she felt embarrassed because everything had to be explained with graphic detail. The case went on for about three days, and on the third day, she encountered Richard, and even after she wanted to keave, he followed her into the office, just never entering, and she felt the same fear she did as a child, and had a nervous attack(pg.242). The chapter ends by some of Jane's witnesses declaring their bit, and in the end, Richard was found guilty for almost everything, and that he would be in jail(pg.247).
In the last pages of the book, Jane mentions how Richard was given fifteen years, which was the maximum. She also mentions how some of the people that testified for her kept getting threatened by her family, and how her brother Tom still remained by her side, even if the others weren't. She also got in contact with some old school friends, and decided to meet up with them. In the end, she lost her mother for staying by Richard's side. Also, she got hurt for going back to the area where she used to live, but how she felt she had to do what was right, even if she got beat up.
Quote
"I wasn't going to back down now. I had no respect for any of the people who caved in and refused to back me up. After all he'd done to them as well. I stared back defiantly at my brother and uncle and shook my head, as if telling them I couldn't believe what they were doing, that I was disappointed in them as men"(Elliott 236-237).
Reaction
In this summary which finishes the book, the author gets the confidence she has needed. She mentions how even if she was scared of her family and friends getting hurt, she was still glad that she did what she had to do. She also explains how most of her family turned against her, and how that disappointed her, because Richard has mistreated them as well, yet they remained loyal to him. She may have gone through a tough depression and suicidal thoughts but in the end, the author came through and made sure Richard was put in jail, so he would no longer be harming her or other people.
This quote is important because it shows how the Jane's confidence increased while in court. It shows that she wasn't giving up in her stepfather being arrested, that she had gotten this far and that she didn't plan on backing down now just because she was being intimidated. Through this quote, the reader can learn how Jane learned to not care so much about the people who turned agaisnt her, even if they had gotten mistreated as well. The quote shows the emotional growth Jane experienced, and how she no longer felt bad in what she was doing, because she knew it was the right thing to do.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
The Little Prisoner (Pgs. 131-200)
Summary
In this new section of the book, Jane begins by talking about how, as she got older, she was given a bit more freedom. Including, one night, she was allowed to attend a party, and in this party she met a new guy named Joe. She started a relationship with him, and after about three months of dating, they slept together(pg.131). Richard was nice about her being with him, but he didn't know that she had slept with Joe. Richard still messed around with Jane, only in ways that would humiliate Joe(pg.132). After a while though, Richard kept asking Jane if she had already slept with Joe, and after she was on the floor with him holding her by the throat, and she had to confess. She provides an important detail, that being that no matter what way Richard abused of her, he had never "penetrated her"(pg.134). Richard's response to her confession, though, was surprising. He told her that now that she had slept with Joe, she would have to be doing it with him as well, claiming that it would be the same as with Joe. Jane then goes on to mention the horrible experience she had, and how she would have to keep doing it. It got worse when her mother got a job helping out as a secretary at a boxng club her brothers attended, and she would be stuck with him alone once she returned from work(pg.138).
In the next chapter that follows, Jane talks about she went out with Paul after Joel, and how Richard would continue to play the game of being friendly, welcoming him to live with them, but then not wanting to see him when he wasn't in the mood. One day, while Jane and Paul were still asleep in her room, Richard came into her room, threw away her birth control pills, and told her that she needed to make him a granddad. Even though she tried not to show her happiness, she truly was excited, and she developed the idea that if she became pregnant, she would get an escape from Richard(pgs.144-145). She continued to try and have a baby with Paul for about three months, while when with Richard, he used a condom. At that third month, she became pregnant, but it turned out to be worse for her because Richard decided that now that she was pregnant, he wouldn't need to use condoms anymore. Even as her stomach got bigger, Richard still wanted to be with her. After she gave birth to her baby, which she named Emma, Richard was really affectionate with the baby, and Jane's mother signed a letter for her to move out the house, which Richard didn't get upset about it. But, as usual, this meant he would figure out where she would be living, so he could continue to torment her.
In the last few or so pages left of what was read, Jane talked about how she had to break up with Paul, she met Steve. and fell in love again. She also mentioned how she stood up to Richard, saying no to him when he came once to picking up Emma, and how because of this, Richard practically kidnapped Emma. In the last chapter read, Jane explains how she had to tell Steve the truth about Richard. After he found out, he was in shock, he decided they needed to move to a different place, and she talked about the difficult transition it was for her to get accustomed to having freedom, and how she was still terrified because her thoughts tormented her.
Quote
"Although I was now physically free of Richard, I was still suffering mentally from everything that had happened before, as well as from the ever-present fear that he would track me down and turn up on the doorstep"(Elliott 199).
Reaction
In this summary, the author endures more mental and emotional pain as she continues to recall how her life kept falling apart under the hands of Richard. The only moments of joy she had were when she had Emma and the times she fell in love. She seems to be reliving everything as if she were there all over again, explaining everything that she felt, and what was going on in her mind. But, in this summary, she finally decided to take a stand and control her life. She needed to do what was best for her daughter and for herself, and she needed to place Richard in the place where he belonged, which was jail.
This quote is important to understand because it shows the mental and emotional abuse she underwent, and the damage it has done on her. It shows that even if she was physically free from Richard, the scars he left will never quite heal completely. It also shows that he will always have control of her, because she will live in fear for practically the rest of her life. He has made her paranoid and the damage that he has made might even spread through her daughters and other people. This quote shows how she needs help from somebody before she decides to do something that will not benefit anybody, or before she falls apart completely.
In this new section of the book, Jane begins by talking about how, as she got older, she was given a bit more freedom. Including, one night, she was allowed to attend a party, and in this party she met a new guy named Joe. She started a relationship with him, and after about three months of dating, they slept together(pg.131). Richard was nice about her being with him, but he didn't know that she had slept with Joe. Richard still messed around with Jane, only in ways that would humiliate Joe(pg.132). After a while though, Richard kept asking Jane if she had already slept with Joe, and after she was on the floor with him holding her by the throat, and she had to confess. She provides an important detail, that being that no matter what way Richard abused of her, he had never "penetrated her"(pg.134). Richard's response to her confession, though, was surprising. He told her that now that she had slept with Joe, she would have to be doing it with him as well, claiming that it would be the same as with Joe. Jane then goes on to mention the horrible experience she had, and how she would have to keep doing it. It got worse when her mother got a job helping out as a secretary at a boxng club her brothers attended, and she would be stuck with him alone once she returned from work(pg.138).
In the next chapter that follows, Jane talks about she went out with Paul after Joel, and how Richard would continue to play the game of being friendly, welcoming him to live with them, but then not wanting to see him when he wasn't in the mood. One day, while Jane and Paul were still asleep in her room, Richard came into her room, threw away her birth control pills, and told her that she needed to make him a granddad. Even though she tried not to show her happiness, she truly was excited, and she developed the idea that if she became pregnant, she would get an escape from Richard(pgs.144-145). She continued to try and have a baby with Paul for about three months, while when with Richard, he used a condom. At that third month, she became pregnant, but it turned out to be worse for her because Richard decided that now that she was pregnant, he wouldn't need to use condoms anymore. Even as her stomach got bigger, Richard still wanted to be with her. After she gave birth to her baby, which she named Emma, Richard was really affectionate with the baby, and Jane's mother signed a letter for her to move out the house, which Richard didn't get upset about it. But, as usual, this meant he would figure out where she would be living, so he could continue to torment her.
In the last few or so pages left of what was read, Jane talked about how she had to break up with Paul, she met Steve. and fell in love again. She also mentioned how she stood up to Richard, saying no to him when he came once to picking up Emma, and how because of this, Richard practically kidnapped Emma. In the last chapter read, Jane explains how she had to tell Steve the truth about Richard. After he found out, he was in shock, he decided they needed to move to a different place, and she talked about the difficult transition it was for her to get accustomed to having freedom, and how she was still terrified because her thoughts tormented her.
Quote
"Although I was now physically free of Richard, I was still suffering mentally from everything that had happened before, as well as from the ever-present fear that he would track me down and turn up on the doorstep"(Elliott 199).
Reaction
In this summary, the author endures more mental and emotional pain as she continues to recall how her life kept falling apart under the hands of Richard. The only moments of joy she had were when she had Emma and the times she fell in love. She seems to be reliving everything as if she were there all over again, explaining everything that she felt, and what was going on in her mind. But, in this summary, she finally decided to take a stand and control her life. She needed to do what was best for her daughter and for herself, and she needed to place Richard in the place where he belonged, which was jail.
This quote is important to understand because it shows the mental and emotional abuse she underwent, and the damage it has done on her. It shows that even if she was physically free from Richard, the scars he left will never quite heal completely. It also shows that he will always have control of her, because she will live in fear for practically the rest of her life. He has made her paranoid and the damage that he has made might even spread through her daughters and other people. This quote shows how she needs help from somebody before she decides to do something that will not benefit anybody, or before she falls apart completely.
Friday, October 15, 2010
The Little Prisoner (Pgs. 91-130)
Summary
In the following pages, Jane continues to mention the sexual abuse that she had to undergo under the hands of Richard. She mentions how he created sheds, and how he would have to "help him sort out his tools", but in reality, after they got in there, he would lock the doors and he continued his abuse form there(pg.91 92). She mentions how Richard's grandmother seemed to dislike her as much as he did, and her mom would do what she could so she wouldn't to anything. But, because she lived about five miles from their house, he would take her with him and from there he would get carried away with continuing his abuse(pg.92). He also would take her with him for when he went to buy something, and in the car, she would have to, "Masturbate him in the front while he drove"(Elliott 95). Jane summed up the rest of chapter four by telling the reader the other means of torture Richard thought of to hurt her, most being ways to sexually abuse her, but also painful things in which she would have to hold heavy books in her arms without dropping them, while standing without clothes.
In the next chapter, she mentioned how she became a "young lady" when she first had her menstrual cycle, and how at first, it seemed to work as an advantage for her because she got pampered, but it was also used against her because then she had to stay home longer when it got really bad. She then went on to mention how she loved school, because it served as mean to escape the torture she lived through at home (pg.105-107). She also never showed that she was an abused child, because she was always a happy child in school. But, she had to deny the abuse she ever had if she went to school hurt, because Richard would show up, and so the people in school dropped it. The chapter finishes by her explaining how she couldn't do homework because she wasn't allowed, and how, as she turned into a teen, Richard seemed to have an interest in her(pg.111). Education was seen as a bad thing, but she was allowed ro work so she could help pay the expenses of the house.
To summarize the rest of the pages read. Jane explained how she fell in love with a boy named Nick. At first, Richard seemed to be okay with it, but after a while, she was forced to dump him because Richard seemed as if he were jealous of all the time she spent with him, and how she couldn't cry because then she would have gotten beaten.
To summarize the rest of the pages read. Jane explained how she fell in love with a boy named Nick. At first, Richard seemed to be okay with it, but after a while, she was forced to dump him because Richard seemed as if he were jealous of all the time she spent with him, and how she couldn't cry because then she would have gotten beaten.
Quote
"Despite all the things that he did to me physically, Richard still seemed to have a fantasy life about me as well"(Elliott 118).
Reaction
In this summary, the author seems to recall more the sexual abuse she experienced. She explained everything she was forced to do in detail, which shows how she seemed to remember the most disturbing moments with vivid detail, when she wanted to forget it all. She just seems to be going back into her past, as if she were reliving everything, and it's as if it is hurting even more in the present than it did in the past. She also shows how she had no control over her life, how her life was controlled as if she were a puppet that had to obey every order.
It is important to understand the quote that was chosen because it shows how twisted Richard was. He abused her in every way he could, and yet he still would fantasize about her, when he would tell her that he hated her. Because of his twisted mind, it gave him more ideas in how to torture her, because he hated her yet he wanted her in an inappropriate way. This quote is also important to understand because it helps readers see that the reason why she could have constantly been abused was because he was attached to her in an odd way, and that could have been why she never was able to stay with her first love. She even said Richard was "jealous", which shows that he could have had very sick thoughts of them actually being together, and that's why he constantly sexually abused her, and wouldn't let her go.
Friday, October 8, 2010
The Little Prisoner (Pgs.47-90)
Summary
In these pages, Jane describes the physical abuse Richard gave not only to her, but towards anyone that he encountered, and how people in their neighborhood hated him (pg.47). He loved to get into fights with anyone, and even at one point, their house was attacked with bricks from a group of men Richard had started a fight with (pg. 53). She also mentions how they were poor to buy the necessities of the house despite the fact that Richard and her mother spent their money fixing the house. She explained how she would have to go to neighbors and ask them for supplies they needed. When Jane was sent to do an errand for Richard, she was strictly told that she was to do the errands and couldn't stop to talk to friends. She also mentioned how, as her brothers got older, she had to do more duties toward them, but she didn't mind because she cared about them, while her mother and Richard would stay in bed most of the time. Richard would usually stay in bed when her mother got up and Jane would have to send him tea, where he took the opportunity to sexually harass her, and she was forced to play along with him (pg.51).
Jane mentions how on few occassions her mom would decided to leave Richard, but she never got far because he always forced her to be by his side. She also said that Richard wanted the rest of them to have them fight people strangers as well, and how she was forced to beat up innocent people, whether they may have hurt her by accident or if they didn't do anything at all (pg 55). He even made them fight each other.
To summarize the rest of the pages read, Jane explains how she had a best friend named Hayley, and she was shockingly allowed to go over her house. Once, she even got drunk, but her mom and Richard just laughed it off (pg. 76-78). She also recalls on how the sexual abuse continued, how she was first introduced to pornography, and how Richard pushed her grandfather away from her. The section ends when Jane woke up one night to see that Richard was abusing her mom and how when she tried to intervne, he came to attack her. Her mother went to defend her and stabbed him with a knife, and he went to the hospital. When he came back, he even apologized to Jane, something he had never done. Then, once, when Richard decided to get a girlfriend, she thought she would be free from him. Her mom even went out with a friend. But, he returned, and when he saw she had gone out, he was furious.
Quote
"'Janey,' he whispered as I pretended to be asleep. 'I'm really sorry'. He'd never apologized to me for anything before, but maybe he was only doing it now because he believed I was asleep and couldn't hear him"(Elliott 88).
Reaction
In this section that was read, the author includes a lot more details than before. She seems to be recalling everything with more detail now. Is this section, the author also seems to interact with more people, rather than only talking about Richard, her mother and brothers, altough they are the people she's mostly with. The last thing the author includes in this section would be explaining how other people may have felt, while also including her own thoughts and feelings.
Using the quote to connect it to the entire story, it is important to understand because it showed how Jane wasn't having hope in Richard changing. It also showed his somewhat weak side, although the reader isn't given enough information to know if he was sincere or if it was all an act. He had never apologized to her before, so it could be a turning point for him, although she truly believes he may not be sincere. The reader can assume Jane has stopped having hope for everything to end, and although it seems she may wish that deep down, she won't permit herself to believe he was changing.
In these pages, Jane describes the physical abuse Richard gave not only to her, but towards anyone that he encountered, and how people in their neighborhood hated him (pg.47). He loved to get into fights with anyone, and even at one point, their house was attacked with bricks from a group of men Richard had started a fight with (pg. 53). She also mentions how they were poor to buy the necessities of the house despite the fact that Richard and her mother spent their money fixing the house. She explained how she would have to go to neighbors and ask them for supplies they needed. When Jane was sent to do an errand for Richard, she was strictly told that she was to do the errands and couldn't stop to talk to friends. She also mentioned how, as her brothers got older, she had to do more duties toward them, but she didn't mind because she cared about them, while her mother and Richard would stay in bed most of the time. Richard would usually stay in bed when her mother got up and Jane would have to send him tea, where he took the opportunity to sexually harass her, and she was forced to play along with him (pg.51).
Jane mentions how on few occassions her mom would decided to leave Richard, but she never got far because he always forced her to be by his side. She also said that Richard wanted the rest of them to have them fight people strangers as well, and how she was forced to beat up innocent people, whether they may have hurt her by accident or if they didn't do anything at all (pg 55). He even made them fight each other.
To summarize the rest of the pages read, Jane explains how she had a best friend named Hayley, and she was shockingly allowed to go over her house. Once, she even got drunk, but her mom and Richard just laughed it off (pg. 76-78). She also recalls on how the sexual abuse continued, how she was first introduced to pornography, and how Richard pushed her grandfather away from her. The section ends when Jane woke up one night to see that Richard was abusing her mom and how when she tried to intervne, he came to attack her. Her mother went to defend her and stabbed him with a knife, and he went to the hospital. When he came back, he even apologized to Jane, something he had never done. Then, once, when Richard decided to get a girlfriend, she thought she would be free from him. Her mom even went out with a friend. But, he returned, and when he saw she had gone out, he was furious.
Quote
"'Janey,' he whispered as I pretended to be asleep. 'I'm really sorry'. He'd never apologized to me for anything before, but maybe he was only doing it now because he believed I was asleep and couldn't hear him"(Elliott 88).
Reaction
In this section that was read, the author includes a lot more details than before. She seems to be recalling everything with more detail now. Is this section, the author also seems to interact with more people, rather than only talking about Richard, her mother and brothers, altough they are the people she's mostly with. The last thing the author includes in this section would be explaining how other people may have felt, while also including her own thoughts and feelings.
Using the quote to connect it to the entire story, it is important to understand because it showed how Jane wasn't having hope in Richard changing. It also showed his somewhat weak side, although the reader isn't given enough information to know if he was sincere or if it was all an act. He had never apologized to her before, so it could be a turning point for him, although she truly believes he may not be sincere. The reader can assume Jane has stopped having hope for everything to end, and although it seems she may wish that deep down, she won't permit herself to believe he was changing.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
The Little Prisoner (Pgs. 1-46)
Summary
The Little Prisoner by Jane Elliott portrays the childhood and adulthood of the author. She explains how she's been tortured and mistreated in the hands of her stepfather, Richard. In the first two or so chapters, she introduces how she remembers the occurence of events as faint blur, because she doesn't always remember everything in chronological order. She introduces the readers to her life in foster homes with her brother Jimmy, and the experiences in each foster home(pgs 3-6). She then goes on to mention how her brother was taken into adoption and how she had to go back to live with her mother and stepfather (pgs 8-9). From there on she proceeds to mention how Richard would pull her hair, punch her and make her look bad in front of her mother so she would purposely (pgs 13, 19-20), and how he would also sexually harass her when her mother wasn't home for the night (pgs 21-22, 44-46).
Quote
"When I was about seven I decided that I couldn't face going home any more. The time had come to run away. I used to daydream about escaping all the time, but when it actually came to doing it things seemed to become more complicated"(Elliott 27).
Reaction
The author seems to write in a manner where she appears to always second guess what she does. It is like she knows what she wants to do, but she is too terrified of the outcome if she gets caught. She speaks going back through time, letting the vivid memories come to her, although she mentioned how she doesn't like recalling things because the memories come at the wrong times. But, using this quote to connect it to the whole story, it is important to understand because the readers can connect with the fear the author feels in saying she wants to run away. Readers get a glimpse of the actual emotions the author feels, fearing for her life every day that passes by. Readers can practically feel like they are in this precise moment with the author, thinking of a mental plan, the desire and need to escape being very big. It helps understand the message the author is trying to portray, telling readers that even if this escape were to happen and it fails, it is just the start of a lot more attempted escapes, or the start for her living an even more tormented life.
The Little Prisoner by Jane Elliott portrays the childhood and adulthood of the author. She explains how she's been tortured and mistreated in the hands of her stepfather, Richard. In the first two or so chapters, she introduces how she remembers the occurence of events as faint blur, because she doesn't always remember everything in chronological order. She introduces the readers to her life in foster homes with her brother Jimmy, and the experiences in each foster home(pgs 3-6). She then goes on to mention how her brother was taken into adoption and how she had to go back to live with her mother and stepfather (pgs 8-9). From there on she proceeds to mention how Richard would pull her hair, punch her and make her look bad in front of her mother so she would purposely (pgs 13, 19-20), and how he would also sexually harass her when her mother wasn't home for the night (pgs 21-22, 44-46).
Quote
"When I was about seven I decided that I couldn't face going home any more. The time had come to run away. I used to daydream about escaping all the time, but when it actually came to doing it things seemed to become more complicated"(Elliott 27).
Reaction
The author seems to write in a manner where she appears to always second guess what she does. It is like she knows what she wants to do, but she is too terrified of the outcome if she gets caught. She speaks going back through time, letting the vivid memories come to her, although she mentioned how she doesn't like recalling things because the memories come at the wrong times. But, using this quote to connect it to the whole story, it is important to understand because the readers can connect with the fear the author feels in saying she wants to run away. Readers get a glimpse of the actual emotions the author feels, fearing for her life every day that passes by. Readers can practically feel like they are in this precise moment with the author, thinking of a mental plan, the desire and need to escape being very big. It helps understand the message the author is trying to portray, telling readers that even if this escape were to happen and it fails, it is just the start of a lot more attempted escapes, or the start for her living an even more tormented life.
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