Stephanie’s Comments (group member since Nov 13, 2019)

Stephanie’s comments from the Spine Crackers group.

Abby wrote: "Stephanie wrote: "Abby wrote: "I think the choice to include some Spanish language in her writing, Acevedo is able to covey the theme of Emonis Puerto Rican heritage. Even in the chapter “Blood Boi..."
Yes, all the recipes and the cooking she does always has a little bit of her heritage and culture in it. This is important to add this into the storyline. Allow readers to realize that heritage is important.

Abby wrote: "Declan wrote: "Throughout the whole book Acevedo has and develops the theme of perseverance. Emoni said "I've known since I was little that we had to learn to treat money like a rubber band and str..."
Absolutely, her determination is what helps her get through all the challenges. I liked how you added how she could have gave up after having babygirl. That didn't stop her from her dream. You can see the dedication and time she puts forth for the fundraiser in order to go on the trip. She spends most of her time"working afternoons at the Burger Joint"(264). In order to make enough money for the trip. on top of work she has a child and school.

Abby wrote: "I believe that in Emoni's recipes in the beginning of each part, at the top it says what the recipe serves, for example, on page three it states “ Serves: Your heart when you are missing someone you..."
I agree, the author does do a good job portraying Emoni's gift of cooking by using imagery. When she cooked for the fundraiser, "These are the skewers of winter veggies and single-serve portions of herbed stuffing..."(220). I think that cooking is a huge part of her life. As you mentioned, her cooking has the power to make people feel. "The food was good and everybody looked happy. They all cleaned their plates. I could taste you in the sweet potato..."(225).

Each part of the book starts off with a recipe. Each recipe states what it serves for. Acevedo adds this into her writing to show what emotions Emoni is going through. With all the stress of keeping up with school and a child; her future is also very important to her. Cooking is where she goes to relieve her stress, it has the ability to make people feel something. All the ingredients do not have exact measurements. For example, "As many strawberries as you can find, sugar to taste"(141). This shows how Emoni takes risk and that in her life not everything is perfect, and there are challenges in the way.

Abby wrote: "I think the choice to include some Spanish language in her writing, Acevedo is able to covey the theme of Emonis Puerto Rican heritage. Even in the chapter “Blood Boil”, when Emoni is beyond stress..."
Absolutely, the idea of adding her own culture into the writing gives readers the idea that her heritage is important to her. In the chapter Coven “ ‘Que Dios te bendiga, m’ija.’”(202). As well as the one you included in your response. Not only does her choice of diction portray the love she has for her culture. The recipes she cooks are influenced by her culture. Why do you think the author adds this into her writing?

The theme of respect is shown in these chapters, A Number Game and Chivalry. In A Number Game respect is shown when Buela is introducing Emoni to Joseph Jagoda she says " Oh, I'm being rude. Let me intoduce you to someone"(226). Buela is apologizing for her mistake and being sincere. In the chapter Chivalry, Malachi shows respect by taking it slow with Emoni. Knowing her past and is considerate for what she wants. "'Thank you for taking it slow. To be honest, I'm not sure what I what. Not with you, not with college, not with anything"'(247). Portraying respect in the following chapters.

Declan wrote: "The first part that comes to mind for me is when Tyrone comes to pick up Babygirl. Emoni describes it as "She blinks up at her father like he's a burst of sunshine sliding through window. I'm not j..."
Yes, there is jealousy wishing that Babygirl could return the same attitude towards her like she did to Tyrone. She also gets worried, making sure that everything goes right and Babygirl is safe. She reminds Tyrone how to contact her. "'Anything else just text me..but I can answer during my break. And 'Buela will be here all day"'(Acevedo 48).

Abby wrote: "Acevedo uses imagery a decent amount throughout this novel to convey her themes. Obviously the author uses imagery when speaking about cooking, for example stating “ The chicken looks juicy, smothe..."
I agree with this, Emoni becomes defensive and is afraid to let others into her life. For example, she says “‘Malachi, we aren’t friends. We can be friendly, but I don’t want you to get it twisted”’(Acevedo 84). As the book progresses like you said Malachi allows her to recover form her past.

Acevedo connects imagery to the theme of being faced with constant challenges. Having a child at a young age, and trying her best to keep up her grades, as well as pursuing her dream of being a chef. In addition to trying to make ends meet. She states “...but I grab that hope between my fingers and crush it like the strands of saffron,praying it doesn't leave a smudge”(Acevedo 104). Emoni's connection with her father is not perfect, she continuously tries to ignore him. She is confused "...like batter that isn't fully blended so there are still hard lumps baking beneath the surface"(117). She feels as if her father reserves the best of him for strangers and “...his own family gets the short end of the stick”(117).

Zach wrote: "Not only does Atwood use color to show symbolism, but she uses comparison. For example Offred compares Serena to a withering flower, "Even at her age she still feels the urge to wreathe herself in ..."
Certainly, the infertile women who are old relate to the dried out buds and flowers depict an image of sorrow. "Today there are different flowers, drier, more defined, the flowers of high summer:daisies, black eyed Susans, starting us on the long downward slope to fall"(270).

Melissa wrote: "The use of color is extremely powerful in this novel. This is prevalent in the different colors of dresses or uniforms based on your status in society. Atwood writes "There are other women with bas..."
Absolutely, the use of color does depict where they stand in society. The color red is a color of shame and fertility. " The tulips are not tulips of blood, and the red smiles are not flowers, neither thing makes a comment on the other"(33). The flowers representing the reproductive organ.

Melissa wrote: "I do not think such strictness and lack of power amongst the general public will become a reality in the future. Times are changing and I understand that some parts of the world are still stuck in ..."
Yes, there are many ways to voice your opinion these days in the novel Offred states "I want to be valued, in ways that I am not; I want to be more than valuable"(97). The denial of what she desires impacts her greatly. She has no say in what she wants and what she believes.

Abby wrote: "Stephanie wrote: "Imagery is used in the chapters by giving readers a visual representation of the scene. Atwood describes the scene by stating "The floor was of varnished wood, with stripes and ci..."
I think it allows me to understand what is happening while I'm reading and it keeps me interested, since there is a use of different sceneries that lets me connect with the text. For example," Late afternoon, the sky hazy, the sunlight diffuse heavy and everywhere, like bronze dust"(212). This creates a picture in my head and sets the mood of the coming events.

Abby wrote: "Personally I do not think that what took place in this novel, could ever take place in reality in the United States. I believe that this generation is far to progressive for human and women rights ..."
Absolutely, women empowerment is such a huge part of society and the obstacles that they have been through to gain equality is a huge factor to women. Offred states that "There is no such thing as a sterile man anymore, not officially"(61).

In my opinion I do not believe this could occur in the future due to the established laws that give rights to the people. This is something that can not be taken away from them. People seek change and strive to make it happen. Females in the novel have the exception to bear children and they are given little choice. " There wasn't a lot of choice but there was some, and this is what I chose"(94).This could not happen due to the numerous attempts that women tried to gain equal rights, it is not possible that women can just get rid of their efforts in women's rights. Feminism is something that is still relevant to this day.

Abby wrote: "Margaret Atwood uses tremendous amounts of imagery to let the reader understand the situation in which the narrator is in. Even the first sentence is filled with imagery, Atwood states “ ... floor ..."
I agree, Atwood does do a great job at allowing readers to visualize the text. Imagery is a very important part of the novel. This can also change the emotions of the readers. It makes the story more real in a way that readers can connect with the storyline.

Melissa wrote: "Margaret Atwood included these epigraphs because they connect with some of the topics expressed in the text. For example, the Bible excerpt speaks to the worth of women being dependant on their fer..."
Yes, I agree and I also believe this was a logical, because without the epigraphs it could be hard to comprehend since the readers have no knowledge beforehand going into the novel. Describing the environment paints a picture in the readers mind and allows them to engage more with the text. Atwood also includes "Sunlight comes in through the window too, and falls on the floor which is made of wood, in narrow strips, highly polished"(7).

Symbolism is used in the novel with the the numerous encounters with color. The color red worn by the handmaids symbolize fertility, representing the menstrual cycle and giving birth." Everything except the wings around my face is red:the color of blood, which defines us"(8) Red usually symbolize power, but not in this case since the handmaids are vulnerable in a way they are expected to be involved with the Commander. Offred also relates the tulips to herself. She states "It is through a field of such valid objects that I just pick my way, every day and in every way. I put a lot of effort into making distinctions. I need to make them. I need to be very clear, in my own mind"(33). In life everything has a reason and she has to think through her decisions.

Imagery is used in the chapters by giving readers a visual representation of the scene. Atwood describes the scene by stating "The floor was of varnished wood, with stripes and circles painted on it..."(3). Allowing readers to have a picture in their mind. Atwood also writes "... I could smell, faintly, like an afterimage, the pungent scent of seat..."(3) Describing the conditions the protagonist lives in.

The purpose of Margaret Atwood adding in the three epigraphs is to present the reader with background information. It also sets up the scene in order for them to understand the events that would be occurring during the novel.