Overall I would say my active reading is going well. Active reading has helped me notice things that I wouldn't have noticed if I was just reading through the book like I normally would. It gives me the chance to really think about what I am reading. I would say that it has been a bit harder for me to pick out themes in chapters that we have been reading.
Both of the books have many strengths and weaknesses that can be found when reading them. In The House On Mango Street and A Long Way Gone both authors have been able to give us a better realization as to what it was like growing up in the conditions that they grew up by simply being honest. Their honesty though it is sometimes a bit much has really helped them tell their stories in a way that can be better understood to those who will never completely understand. With strengths in each book there are also weaknesses. In A Long Way Gone I would say a weakness would be the fact that the events he has gone through in his life are very frightening to talk about and to even read about sometimes. After reading multiple chapters from each book I can say that I prefer to read Cisneros over Beah because The House On Mango Street is easier for me to connect to and a little easier to understand.
While reading chapter 8 in A Long Way Gone I began to notice a reoccurring theme of constant fear throughout the book for various reasons. Each day as Ishmael was constantly walking and or running in hope of finding people and a safe place to stay he constantly feared for his life. When I read " I walked for two days straight without sleeping. I stopped only at streams to drink water. I felt as if somebody was after me." I began to pick up on the unsafe feeling he felt even when he was okay for the time being. Another passage that helped me see this was " Once again I was with a group of boys. This time there were seven of us. I knew this was going to be a problem, but I didn't want to be by myself anymore." To me that was Ishmael telling us how no matter what he was scared. He was scared to be with people and he was scared to be alone.
I think you did a great job explaining some strengths and weaknesses with the books, some that I even agree with greatly myself. The theme of honesty is something that I have payed attention to a lot within the books. I also relate immensely to the frightening aspect in a long way gone. I too notice the reoccuring theme of fear in a long way gone, and in fact have fear myself when reading through the stories. We relate closely on the same aspects when reading!
ReplyDeleteMady, I agree that Beah can be brutal to read. The fact that it is non-fiction and we know these events happen is sobering.
ReplyDeleteI like how you work to use quotes to develop and display themes you see. Themes are hard to discern and discussion and writing like this are essential to decide which will be most important and meaningful for each of us.