The Complete Persepolis

Our most recent feat in College Lit is that of reading a Graphic Novel! Since I've never actually read a graphic novel before, I was very interested by this book and especially by its subject matter. I am definitely a current events nerd, judge me if you'd like, but Iran frequently pops up in the news. I think that in general, Americans have a poor perspective of Iraqi and Iranian people because of the bombings on the Trade Towers.
This judgement is honestly unfair and untrue; nevertheless, there are many religious extremists in these countries but they don't speak for the population as a whole. This book would be able to open the minds of those close minded people across the United States about Iraqi and Iranian people. Reading this book, I realized that every country has its own internal struggles, and it is so unfair to judge these people because we have NEVER been in their situations.
I know that I couldn't imagine changing the way I looked, acted, dressed, and traveled all because my country says I should, and if I didnt, I could be arrested or even executed! It's so important to keep these things in mind while reading this book, because it has really opened my eyes to the life in Iran.
This book is now a movie, that I have actually seen, and is definitely worth seeing!

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

Our most recent theme discussed in class has been War, coming from the book Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut. I'm sure most of you readers out there have seen the most common war movies out there, considering nobody had any trouble choosing a movie....I chose The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas because it's a little less well known then most, and takes on a different aspect of the war.

The story takes place during World War II and is shown through the stories of two boys - a Jewish boy named Shmuel living at Auschwitz, and a Nazi Commandant's son named Bruno. Bruno's family moves to the countryside after his father is promoted to Commandant, and quickly befriends Shmuel because he was forced to leave his family behind. His father, Ralf, is very vague about what goes on at the "farm" behind their house where the Jews live, and even his wife is unaware that one of the most brutal concentration camps is literally in their backyard. They face a lot of problems in their friendship, especially since Bruno isn't supposed to be anywhere near the camp, but still brings Shmuel food and water when he can. When Shmuel's father goes "missing" in the camp, Bruno decides that it is a good opportunity to help Shmuel - to fix the wrongs done against him. They are instructed that they will be taking a shower with the others from Shmuel's dormitory. Bruno's abscense is noticed by his family, but don't make it in time for him to be saved from the gas chambers.

I personally think that this movie isn't glorifying war at all. It is doing the exact opposite. It gives the viewer an insight to life as it was in a concentration camp, and the tragedies that ALL families can face because of them. It doesn't have a lot in common with Slaughterhouse Five, but does remind me of Vonnegut's intro to the Children's Crusade. The filmmaker's goals with this movie were to definitely de-glorify the aspects of the war, especially WWII. The Nazi's were a very proud group of people, influenced by a very strong leader. This movie showed how a Nazi Commandant was a person too, and could suffer just like anybody else.

Mary O'Hare would definitely like this movie. In no way is it glorifying any aspect of war. It puts the ideas of WWII into a simple perspective - that of a child's.

Being Part of a Group

Being part of a group or team can have different meanings, values, and affects on people depending on the circumstances. Groups can be effective, efficient, and productive; They can also be harmful and use their strengths in numbers against other people. Personally, I like to balance working alone and working in groups because then I am able to see all aspects of how each situation works.
One of the problems with groups is that people don't want to or are afraid to stand up to the leader of that group. Take Nazi Germany for example. Hitler was a strong leader who obtained many followers on a principle that went down in fame as one of the most notorious movements in history. It's crazy to think how strong the power of a group can be....
We see groups here at school everyday - here, we call them cliques. I think that this is a perfect example of how people can end up doing things that they normally wouldn't do if they were alone because of the power of groups. This is probably more common in groups of girls than in groups of boys, but many girls feel stronger and better knowing that they have a pact of friends always behind them in case they need help.
To me, being a part of a group is essential - especially at my job. I'm part of a team, and to be part of a team we all have to pull our weight, be able to rationally discuss things, and work toward a common goal. It is a really going feeling knowing that you can accomplish something with other people, and still get individual credit....but don't let groups take away your power to say yes or your power to say NO.

Leftovers

Since we had just finished our choice novels and our multigenre projects, I thought it would be fitting to tell a little bit about the book I read. The book was called Leftovers, by Laura Weiss, and was about two young women's struggle through adolescence. It shares what it feels like to be society's outcasts, and how it can impact lives forever. The book does a great job of making the character's, Blair & Ardith's, lives/stories believeable and relatable.
The book also addresses many common issues of today's society, like cutting, assault, rape, and injustice, but did so in a subtle way so that the reader could understand where the girls were coming from. Many stories of children & adults alike that have suffered like Blair & Ardith did haven't made the headlines, but there are many that did.
Finally, children who were once contemplating suicide have a place to go and look for help. Cyberbullying isn't taboo and schools are learning to treat these complaints with the severity that they have needed for years and years. Some of these stories may be familiar to you, also the people I did my multigenre project on, but read the stories close & think about how they affect YOU personally - in school, at home, at work, wherever. They are true stories, and could happen here too.



Pheobe Prince : I'm sure most of you have heard her story and the outcome. Pheobe was bullied so relentessly that she killed herself - she hung herself in the stairwell to their second story apartment and was found by her younger sister. She died on January 24th, 2010 and was only fifteen years old. Her story is a common one, one we have probably all heard before. She was bullied for dating a popular senior football player, both physically and verbally, and reached out for help before turning to suicide. She was a recent immigrant to America, but her story does have a happy ending. Six children from her school were prosecuted for charges ranging from harassment to statutory rape, & resulted in the enactment of the anti-bullying legistlation in Massachusetts.



Seth Walsh: His story wasn't as well known as Pheobe Prince's, but is even worse than her story. Seth was only 13 when he committed suicide by hanging from a tree in the backyard of his own home for persecution at school for being openly homosexual. He was smart, funny, quirky, and a person all his own. He was talented in ways people never recognized, and was supported at home for his sexual identity. He had many friends, but didn't matter when people started teasing Seth in sixth grade.

"Shawn joshed that his brother could be "a pain in the butt" at times but that Seth was "the best big brother in the world — no, the galaxy" - Shawn Walsh, Seth's younger brother speaking at his funeral.

Read more: http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2023083,00.html#ixzz1M3SC9etA

 

He was a person that was someone other people wanted to imitate. He treated others with utmost respect, even the people that bullied him. He was a model to the way people should treat others, and it was a shame he had to die for something he couldn't control.

 

 

So think about these stories next time you want to make fun of someone (:

Here's the deal....

For those who didn't already know, blog fodder is a phrase that means :

An interesting idea, story, or link referred to as blog fodder when your first reaction is to use it in your blog.

 

My name is McKenzie, and I'm a senior in High School posting this blog for the wonderful class College Literature! My interests outside of school include running, exercise, reading, spending time with friends & family, and of course, catching up on my sleep.

 

As for after high school, I plan to go to Edgewood College to obtain my Bachelor's Degree in Nursing. After that, I plan to continue my education and recieve a Masters in Nursing, also called a Nurse Practitioner. After these long six years of college, I plan to go on to recieve specialized education in Anesthesia, so I can become a Nurse Anesthetist (giving anesthestia to patients.) I've already been accepted into Edgewood College, and made my decision easily.

 

Favorite book, movie and musician? It wouldn't be fair to choose just one.