AP Chiefs discussion

It is inspiring to reflect upon the hardships Peekay has endured while really focusing on the fact that he was merely six years old when his suffering began. While some of his problems – for example, bed wetting – are normal for young children, most of them are more intense than I could have handled. I, being a high school senior, cannot handle the concept of death whether it is of a loved one or of myself. Yet, Peekay rather calmly confronts and accepts death –as he portrays it – numerous times. I know times have changed, but Peekay doesn’t even think twice about traveling a great distance alone on a machine he has never been on. I have never been on a train, but I know that I would be nervous about traveling on one by myself even at the age of a legal adult. The reader forgets that Peekay is just a child, because he doesn’t express any fears of a typical child. Peekay survived more than I could ever imagine with more confidence and independence than I could hope to have. I believe this truly depicts the power of one that he contains within him.

I agree wholeheartedly--Peekay is a powerful character. I found his insights astounding, especially for a young child, and have no idea how I would fair in similar circumstances. I think that in many ways Peekay never really thought of himself as a child as he was forced to deal with very adult situations (abandonment and abuse) at a very young age. Even more, his acceptance of Doc's death was, for me, the most poignant part of this novel.

: Throughout the entire time span of reading this book I have always had to remind myself that Peekay is a child. Children are afraid of the dark, monsters that are not real, and vegetables. Peekay never seemed afraid even when he had to go before the Judge and the Nazi troopers during their meetings, or when he would walk to the prison very often to see doc. When I was 6, 7, even 8, and 9 I don’t even think I fully understood what a prison was aside from the jail in monopoly and its get out free cards. Peekay was rudely awakened to the cruel world at a very young age also including the understanding of war and Hitler, even though the view was a little skewed in the beginning. As you both said above, I do not know how I would react to death and loss like Peekay had to experience in his life. Peekay really is a strong character and it is very empowering to read about his "adventures".