Tammy’s Comments (group member since Jun 27, 2011)
Showing 1-8 of 8
Morning! 1. I don't feel the book is degrading at all for the reasons that you all stated above. This book is about consenting adults, and that never crossed my mind.
2. I do believe Ana's inexperience affects her decision making in the beginning. But I also believe that Ana, while a little naive, is really perceptive and is a smart girl. She knows herself and she knows what she wants. She's curious and that has some effect on her decisions as well.
3. I believe Christian is drawn to Ana's innocence, awkwardness, mouthiness, and beauty. She doesn't treat him as others do.
4. I'm not sure that his wealth has any impact on my view of his fetishes. I think there's a reason behind it and we are drawn to story to know why.
5. Yes, I could totally identify with parts of Ana's personality. I believe we all experience love with people we wish we could change in some regard. We fall in love before we know who we are in love with and all of the baggage they bring with them. We love them through their issues and we sometimes lose them because of their issues.
6. No, I don't think the book is about compromise.
7. The writing style didn't bother me probably because of how I read it... on the go, a paragraph here and there.
8. I think it's popular because it's an interesting story that weaves in things that people aren't that familiar with (Christian's lifestyle).
9. Ryan Gosling!!!
First off, I think this book is great. And I really enjoyed reading it. I couldn't put it down. I hope kids start to read this book in school. I know many who could profit from reading it. I believe the absent fathers in both Wes' lives had significant influences on their life choices. While both fathers were absent, the author's father was there until his death. And fortunately for that son, he had positive memories of his father and most importantly his father's lessons, which follow him after his death. The other Wes' father is alive but absent from his son's life. The other Wes is then affected by his father's abandonment and lack of interest for him. With no memory of him, he clings to the only male model in his family, his older brother, who is far from a role model.
Unfortunately, people follow what others do instead of what they say. And that's the reason the other Wes continues to follow Tony's footsteps into selling drugs, having babies, etc. Tony's actions speak much more to Wes than his lofty words. Had he been able to be the example, the other Wes could possibly have a totally different path to follow.
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The author does feel torn between the worlds of his neighborhood and his school. They are two completely different worlds and the author is trying to fit into both of them. Fitting in or having a sense of belonging can be important to young boys as they are trying to figure themselves out in the world. For Wes, his presence at this school wasn't helping his neighborhood rep, which is what he cared about most.
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I believe parental behavior is a large reinforcer of child behavior. While I know that socio-economic, cultural and environmental factors all have an influence, I do believe parents have the ability to shape their child's future. The author's mother is very aware of her son and is very concerned about his future. The other Wes' mother feels the same. Both begin to watch their children take the wrong path in life. But it's the author's mother who intervenes and chooses to do something about it, rather than stand by and watch idly. Her choice out of love is ultimately what starts to put the author back on the right path. She saves her child.
I'd love to keep going!
I liked the movie! But the book was so much better. I understand that everything couldn't fit into a 2 hour movie. But there was so much missing and slight changes! Like...
Skeeter's relationship with her father was a big contrast to her relationship with her mother in the book. That wasn't really clear from the movie.
The story of Constantine's daughter was different in both her appearance and her visit to Skeeter's home. I preferred the book's version.
The relationship with Stuart was a small part of the movie. Though I don't think it was absolutely essential, it did humanize Skeeter and showed more of who she was as just a regular girl not trying to save the world.
But I also loved the portrayal of Hilly's mom much more in the movie. I loved Abileen and Minny's characters as much as in the book. I like the end scenes with Minny & Celia and Skeeter, her mom & Hilly, which were also different from the book.
Overall, I liked the movie. I think it was a great capture of the story of the help and a great translation of the book to screen!
Liz and I will join you!!! Anyone else?
I am really enjoying seeing all of the characters develop a little more. I can't wait to finish this book!-Aibileen is still my favorite character. Little girls will grow away from their wonderful maids (like Aibileen) because at some point that's what they are taught to do. While they may love them in their hearts (just as Skeeter does Constantine), they will eventually treat their maids just as society does. But that doesn't deter Aibileen from being a motherly influence in their lives. And that's the beauty of who she is. I also love seeing Aibileen growing stronger. I believe with each story she writes, she gains a little bit of herself back.
-I also like how Skeeter is becoming more aware of herself and others. She's really starting to see life as it really is and the change is happening to her first.
-I also like seeing Minny reserved and cautious for a change while meeting with Skeeter and Aibileen. Minny has been known for being outspoken and Aibileen more reserved. Minny's caution further highlights how "dangerous" the situation really is.
I love the dialog! Minny and Aibileen are by far my favorite characters. I love Aibileen's strength and love that she's really perceptive to everything going on around her. I love Minny too. And I wonder if Aibileen will become more like Minny and really "tell it like it is."
I too think Constantine really left because Skeeter's mom thought she was pregnant by her husband. I think her pregnancy was what she was writing Skeeter about before the baby was born in her last letter. But everything went down hill after the baby was born.
Ms. Celia is an interesting character as well. It doesn't seem like she grew up with any "help" in the house (which would lend you to believe that her mother did the work). So why is she so incompetent? I think her character really shows how much the white families are reliant on the "help" more than the others.
Hi all! I'm Tammy (3.KO.04). I am excited about getting back into reading and finding out about a variety of good books.
