I always knew that Edina was in a way a bubble. It had been explained to me before that there is very little racial variety here relative to other cities, and to ther states. Everyone in Edina more or less acts and dresses the same, especially if you compare us to Minneapolis or St. Paul where you would find a much greater variety of people. Like I said I knew areas outside of my little bubble were different, more out there, more wild. Reading Beautiful Children helped me understand just how much my home is different from the rest of Minnesota, how it is different from places such as Los Vegas. This book made me wonder how much an area really has an effect on someone. If I would have been born in Nevada, and grown up in this setting, would I too arise to become a person similiar to the character Daphney or Ponyboy?
My final thoughts on themes after reading and reflecting on this novel is that if one grows up and is surrounded in an environnement such as that in Beautiful Children, one will never go anywhere in life. The shattered youth in Los Vegas will always find themselves unfullilled and lonely, no matter how many times they have sex with others around them. Bock finsihes off his novel with Kenny asking "just what am I supposed to do now?" (407). No one answers him. Because of the lack of an answer, it can be inferred that Bock meant for us to understand that there is nothing for Kenny to do now, that he stuck forever in a paranoid sort of isolation. From this novel, especially the ending, I understand something very clearly. Thankfully I am in no danger of it happening to me, but I will always be aware of it's prescence in my mind. The children in Beautiful Children ended their lives tragically, pointlessly, leaving them emty behind them. Charles Bock blames modern technology, the wide availability of drugs and alcohol, and so many other vulgar factors found throughout his book. If our society can control these factors, an immeasurable number of lives will be saved from the waste that took over his characters.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Beautiful Children Post 5
It was not until far into Bock's book Beautiful Children did I stop to consider the title. At first I thought immediatedly back to the possible themes on youth that I have already mentioned. Bock's title is in a way his opnion. At first thought I was confused of why Charles Bock would think that pregnant, drugged, poor, alcoholic, distressed children were beautiful. It was not long after this that I wondered if Bock's title was sarcasm. Depending on which way you see and understand the characters of the book (especially which characters you choose to look at) I think the title meaning could go either way.
After reading page and page after drugs, partying, and sex I began to also wonder if Bock perhaps was trying to include a message about relationships in his book. Perhaps Bock is trying to communicate the theme to readers that young love is incredibly rare and most adolescant love affairs or relationships are purely physical. I suspect this to be a theme based off of how much sex Bock does include in his writing. There is much more just fooling around in his novel than there are commited relationships. Bock writes "They want the prettiest white girl with the blondest hair and the biggest tits. They want to watch Catholic schoolgirl cheerleader prom queen Miss America get thirteen inches of wood put to her" (286). Not only does this support the idea that any sort of affair between boys and girls in adolescant stages are purely physical but also that there is mutually no effort even to find something deeper. This is an idea greatly looked down upon by many adults in my society today. It is considered inhumane and morally wrong. I have decided I very much enjoy Charles Bock's writing because of how blunt he will state the actions and events that he wishes to take place. Despite some of the intense vulgarity that was present strongly in this chapter, I thoroughly enjoyed the reading so far.
After reading page and page after drugs, partying, and sex I began to also wonder if Bock perhaps was trying to include a message about relationships in his book. Perhaps Bock is trying to communicate the theme to readers that young love is incredibly rare and most adolescant love affairs or relationships are purely physical. I suspect this to be a theme based off of how much sex Bock does include in his writing. There is much more just fooling around in his novel than there are commited relationships. Bock writes "They want the prettiest white girl with the blondest hair and the biggest tits. They want to watch Catholic schoolgirl cheerleader prom queen Miss America get thirteen inches of wood put to her" (286). Not only does this support the idea that any sort of affair between boys and girls in adolescant stages are purely physical but also that there is mutually no effort even to find something deeper. This is an idea greatly looked down upon by many adults in my society today. It is considered inhumane and morally wrong. I have decided I very much enjoy Charles Bock's writing because of how blunt he will state the actions and events that he wishes to take place. Despite some of the intense vulgarity that was present strongly in this chapter, I thoroughly enjoyed the reading so far.
Beautiful Children Post 4
In Charles Bock's Beautiful Children, certain themes are starting to become apparent. As most of his characters are wild crazy adolescants, I assume that the main messsage of the book has to do with youth. In addition all of the adult character's actions and ways of life center around the story of the adolescants. I think that Bock is trying to say to people to seize their youth. His tatooed crazy drug teenagers certainly do, but I am not quite far enough in the novel to be able to say what Bock means to say about crazy drug life, except that many people do it. Daphney being one exclaims "Base of my clit. Right wree the nub splits" (208). This is describing where Daphney got a piercing. It demonstrates her and her friends' wild natures and crazy lives.
Bock might also be saying in his book that those who get involved with adult affairs, at no matter what age, will have to deal with the adult consequences. The character Daphney has been created to be the party girl type so far in Beautiful Children. She thinks to herself "It looks like I'm having my baby on the street" (209). Rules are set in place for young people because they are not presumed ready to deal with the possible aftermath. This is similiar is Daphney's case but not exactly the same. In my society it is strongly encouraged that teenagers do not engage in sex so that they do not get pregnant. Daphney of course understood the risks of sex before engaging but one can't help but wonder if she would have been raised in a different environnement, a more regulated area, would she still be facing the same problems? Although Daphney's situation might not be entirely her fault, she is still the one who must face the adult consequences that a teenage pregnancy will bring. Beautiful Children not only is an enjoyable novel but also forces me to reflect on my own life.
Bock might also be saying in his book that those who get involved with adult affairs, at no matter what age, will have to deal with the adult consequences. The character Daphney has been created to be the party girl type so far in Beautiful Children. She thinks to herself "It looks like I'm having my baby on the street" (209). Rules are set in place for young people because they are not presumed ready to deal with the possible aftermath. This is similiar is Daphney's case but not exactly the same. In my society it is strongly encouraged that teenagers do not engage in sex so that they do not get pregnant. Daphney of course understood the risks of sex before engaging but one can't help but wonder if she would have been raised in a different environnement, a more regulated area, would she still be facing the same problems? Although Daphney's situation might not be entirely her fault, she is still the one who must face the adult consequences that a teenage pregnancy will bring. Beautiful Children not only is an enjoyable novel but also forces me to reflect on my own life.
Beautiful Children Post 3
In the last section of Beautiful Children by Charles Bock, I noticed a different format in his writing. Bock wrote for a small part of his novel in the form of online chat. In a chat room of four people it is written "]1450SAT: You told him this? ]BRIXXE: Well, he wasn't really verbal. ]1450SAT: Some would argue this is more reason to encourage him" (54). I think using the writing format of online chat was successful. It provides the reader with variety and is the online chat sections effectively move the story forward. This format also gives us a different perspective on the other characters thoughts. Bock continues with his traditional narrative format again but soon switches over to a short letter type format. I think this is also effective and done successfully to tell the story because like before it offers the reader a different perspective. This time the perspective happens to be of more mature figures which stands out among all the other teenager talk throughout the book.
Throughout the novel so far Bock has used vulgar dialogue for many of his characters. At first I was somewhat taken aback but as I continued reading I understood that these words and improprieties were necessary to telling the story. The vulgar words that each of the characters spit and spew at each other show how they respect and act among others. Ponyboy yells to his friends "WHAT UP, COCKSUCKER?" (200). This rude language is not often used in other pieces of literature that I have read, so it really stands out to me. At first I thought that it was informal and that there must be another way for Bock to develop the character Ponyboy and his friends as disrespectful teenagers. After reading further I realized using vulgar dialogue really was the best way to go. Afterall this is how teenagers converse with one another and if an author really wishes to make the reader understand that, there is only one good way to do it; say it how it is.
Throughout the novel so far Bock has used vulgar dialogue for many of his characters. At first I was somewhat taken aback but as I continued reading I understood that these words and improprieties were necessary to telling the story. The vulgar words that each of the characters spit and spew at each other show how they respect and act among others. Ponyboy yells to his friends "WHAT UP, COCKSUCKER?" (200). This rude language is not often used in other pieces of literature that I have read, so it really stands out to me. At first I thought that it was informal and that there must be another way for Bock to develop the character Ponyboy and his friends as disrespectful teenagers. After reading further I realized using vulgar dialogue really was the best way to go. Afterall this is how teenagers converse with one another and if an author really wishes to make the reader understand that, there is only one good way to do it; say it how it is.
Beautiful Children Post 2
As I continue to read Beautiful Children, I have developped a better idea of Bock's writing techniques. Charles bock uses imagery profoundly throughout the novel to make his story come alive for the reader. This writing trait is essential to keep the reader's understanding and interest in the plot of the book. Charles Bock uses imagery when describing the setting of his novel, establishing a base for further action through out the rest of his book. He sets his story to take place in Las Vegas, Nevada. Bock describes the "high walls and gated communities" (14) which stand together “shimmering as if they were the surface of a translucent ocean”(14). He goes on to further build his image into our mind by comparing the overwhelming towers of the Vegas Strip to a “distant row of glowing toys” (17). With this description in our minds of Las Vegas, we can better understand the city and what crime and everyday lifestyle is like there. With this comprehension, it is easier for one to come to terms with the idea of kidknappings, pawnshops and other irregulars brought up through the novel. These kinds of things would cause chaos and bedlam in our home area but if one can grasp the differences between the lifestyles of Edina and Las Vegas, the story itself comes to life in a much more realistic manner.
Although Bock does often use imagery to describe the setting or environnement of a scene, when he starts to talk more about plot his writing reads a bit more like a list. Bock's writing style reminds me much of the book Night that we read earlier this quarter. Wiesel uses detailed description during some scenes such as the hanging of the young child in his concentration camp, but for a majority of the time he tells events and feelings much more than he shows them. I find this style both good and bad. All of Bock's characters are very different (parents, teenagers, strippers, pornographers, runaways, addicts, gamblers etc..) but I think he could have improved upon distinguishing them more from each other by going more into depth when it comes to imagery and description. However, this way of writing enables Bock to get straight to the point and leave small room for confusion of what he is trying to say to the reader. He writes "Kenny could not help but feel the weight of the past" (68). We understand immediatedly what Bock wants us to see about Kenny, but it might have been more interesting to read events and actions and deduce from those that Kenny couldn't control feeling the "weight of his past". Overall I am really enjoying this read and I find the plot innovating and entertaining.
Although Bock does often use imagery to describe the setting or environnement of a scene, when he starts to talk more about plot his writing reads a bit more like a list. Bock's writing style reminds me much of the book Night that we read earlier this quarter. Wiesel uses detailed description during some scenes such as the hanging of the young child in his concentration camp, but for a majority of the time he tells events and feelings much more than he shows them. I find this style both good and bad. All of Bock's characters are very different (parents, teenagers, strippers, pornographers, runaways, addicts, gamblers etc..) but I think he could have improved upon distinguishing them more from each other by going more into depth when it comes to imagery and description. However, this way of writing enables Bock to get straight to the point and leave small room for confusion of what he is trying to say to the reader. He writes "Kenny could not help but feel the weight of the past" (68). We understand immediatedly what Bock wants us to see about Kenny, but it might have been more interesting to read events and actions and deduce from those that Kenny couldn't control feeling the "weight of his past". Overall I am really enjoying this read and I find the plot innovating and entertaining.
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