Reading Log #7

Every week I edge closer and closer to accomplishing my number one goal for the semester: reading all of the novels written by Jane Austen.  Unfortunately, this being my last reading log, I have fallen slightly short and have just begun the final novel on my journey, Mansfield Park.  I spent the week finishing the last 50 pages of Emma and beginning the first 50 of Mansfield Park.  Although I have not accomplished my goal by the end of the semester, I plan to finish Mansfield Park this summer.  This book has truly fascinated me because it has taken a completely different view point than Austen’s other books.  Fanny Price is a young girl who was raised by her rich aunt and uncle and is treated terribly by all of her cousins except Edmund whom she secretly loves.  Although the same basic themes and motifs remain the same, the difference in plot line and emphasis on the theme of family has truly taken a new light in this novel.  I’m excited to continue reading it and see how Austen plans to travel down this peculiar plot line.  Reading all of these novels by Austen has really made me evaluate my own life because I have seen the various factors that have affected her characters.  I’ve found myself considering what positively and negatively affects my life and what ways I can relate to the characters in Austen’s novels.  Since all of the settings in her novel are based in early 1800 England, I feel as though I’ve learned a substantial amount about the culture and lifestyle of the Romantic Era.  Not only has reading these books expanded my personal evaluation of life, but also my knowledge on Britain’s history.    

Reading Log #6

After reading the next 100 pages of Emma by Jane Austen, I’ve discovered that this book is significantly longer than her others.  50 pages still remain between my current spot and the ending.  As I near finishing this one, I look forward to reading a non-fiction book and Mansfield Park to complete my reading goals.  The more I read Jane Austen, the more I find that I enjoy her and that my reading tastes truly differ from most people.  The majority of my friends express to me their disbelief that I’m reading her books for fun.  After reading Sense and Sensibility in AP Literature, many of my friends have forever turned their backs on her classic literature.  On the other hand, I cannot seem to get enough of the high caliber humor.  She intelligently weaves her elevated wit and satire into each of her novels, but if her style is not appreciated, then the humor will go to waste.  I’ve also found that from reading her books my vocabulary on an everyday basis has improved substantially.  By truly immersing myself into her work, I’ve found that I’ve been inspired to elevate my writing and vocabulary to a whole new level.  I enjoy the fact that through Austen’s consistent plots based around marriage and society, she has managed to personally challenge me.  That is simply one of a plethora of reasons why Austen is an author worth reading.    

Reading Log #5

After reading the next 100 pages of Jane Austen’s Emma, I found that unlike the other books, the enticing and captivating element of mystery was a common occurrence.  Most of Austen’s books have a slight section of hesitant doubt about the relationship of some of the characters actually working out, but the ultimate direction and ending is usually fairly clear.  In Emma, the various twists and turns of the plot along with the countless characters creates the perfect breeding grounds for a plethora of mystery.  Nothing with any of the characters seems to be set in stone and all of their actions seem to contradict their last; I can honestly say I’m not sure how the book will end.  This mystery adds a fresh new pace to the classic novel.  As I progress in Emma, I get closer to completing my reading goal of finishing all of the Jane Austen novels.  I can not wait to solve this mystery and then move forward and finish the final novel, Mansfield Park.  

Reading Log #4

The next 100 pages of Emma by Jane Austen, Emma’s sense of superiority gets the best of her when her attempt of match-making with her friends Harriet and Mr. Elton backfires.  One night when they are alone, Mr. Elton declares his love and offers a proposal of marriage to a flustered and shocked Emma.  Through this turn of events, Emma is forced to somewhat humble herself and admit against the will of her prideful heart that she was in the wrong.  Emma in many ways, aside from her constant attitude of superiority and unbearable pride, is in a situation much like Austen herself.  Both are not married (at least Emma is not so for now) but both live in a society where marriage is the driving focus and livelihood for nearly every female.  Being married to a man with the right characteristics, family situation, and monetary stability absolutely consumes every woman with the exception of Austen and her character Emma.  The ironically similar and unusual view of society gives the book an edge.  As I hit the halfway point of this novel, I step closer and closer to accomplishing my goal of reading all the Jane Austen novels.       

Reading Log #3

This week, I embarked on a journey down the first 100 pages of another Jane Austen novel.  Emma is by some thought to be Austen’s best novel, and I can see where the idea sparked because this novel mediates from the regularly trodden path of her other works.  The main themes are kept constant, marriage and society; however, the point of view in this story changes from what is normally a lover to someone who is watching love affairs from the outside.  From the get-go it’s obvious that pride and thinking her opinion to never be in the wrong are Emma’s tragic downfalls.  In the first 100 pages, the time bomb is ticking as the reader sees inconsistencies and flaws in Emma’s plan to unite Mr. Elton and Harriet.  Her arrogance and pride blind her from seeing that her “invincible” plan is doomed to fail.  Most of Austen’s novels are told from the point of view of the sensible, reasonable, unflawed character.  Reading Emma has so far shown me the versatility of Austen’s takes on her world.  Reading this novel pushes me toward accomplishing my reading goal of finishing all the Jane Austen novels; I’m excited to continue the journey through the rest of the novel.

Notes 2 & 3

Note #2

The Notebook Lake Scene

In this poignant scene from The Notebook, the sudden shift in weather signals a loosening tension and ultimate relational shift between the lovers.  The drastic change from a calm sunset, to a downpour, and finally a wild storm represents the characters’ movement from impersonal acquaintances to crazed lovers. The lake was initially quiet, still, and placid resembling the peaceful, formal, and uptight interaction of the long-lost lovers.  The spontaneous, overwhelming rainfall is similar to their love in the beginning before the tension.  The throbbing sheets of rain eventually seem to wash away the apprehension and renew the lovers’ youthful spirits.  The soaking, unexpected downpour is initially unwelcome as it causes frustration and discomfort to Allie who frantically attempts to rescue her appearance, almost as if she is fighting to save the mask of her new life.  Eventually, the buffeting rain defeats any attempt of salvaging her pointless facade and she embraces her soaked appearance and the fury of the storm together with Noah.  The methodical, rushing drops that allow the exhilarating release of tension and formality cause Allie to release her hair from its restraining pins and ties.  Her echoing laughter breaks seems to pummel the final barrier as her hair falls down her back and flings about, taking in the bitter caresses of the downpour.  The letting down of her hair parallels the falling rain as a sort of falling curtain ending an awkward, proper, impersonal stage of Allie and Noah’s relationship and beginning an intimate, frenzied, passionately crazed love.  Both the rain and the hair represent a liberating, relaxing release of inhibition and resistance.  The final shift in the weather to not just a downpour, but a raging storm electrifies in Allie a liberating abrasiveness as if the crack of the lightning struck into her an unanticipated boldness.  This gargantuan burst of courage caused words of confrontation and confession to furiously flow from her mouth like the wild rain surrounding her.  Step by step the weather parallels the shift in the lovers from placidly peaceful to fervently passionate.

Note #3

"The Rain"

I hear leaves drinking rain;
I hear rich leaves on top
Giving the poor beneath
Drop after drop;
'Tis a sweet noise to hear
These green leaves drinking near.

And when the Sun comes out,
After this Rain shall stop,
A wondrous Light will fill
Each dark, round drop;
I hope the Sun shines bright;
'Twill be a lovely sight

By: William Henry Davies

In “The Rain” by William Henry Davies, the simple diction and stimulating description creates a soothing sense of unity in nature and paints a tranquil image of an undisturbed landscape.  The “sweet noise” and “green leaves drinking” powerfully appeals to the senses of taste and hearing arousing a connection physically.  The slow, mellifluous “drop after drop” of the drizzling rain produces an overwhelmingly peaceful mood.  This calming disposition from the relaxing drizzle makes the rain desirable.  The elementary diction and short but sweet lines allow the words to flow smoothly like the rain itself as it caresses the silky coats of the leaves.  The personification of the privileged “rich leaves” nurturing the disadvantaged “poor beneath” develops a sense of an affectionate community within the flourishing branches.  When the sun’s appearance causes the rain to cease, it is given an undeclared omnipotent power over the inferior elements of the weather and earth.  As the sun “shines bright” and generates “a lovely sight” it tenderly radiates its superiority over the hushed landscape like a fostering deity.  In the hushed serenity of the untouched landscape one can almost hear the poem whispered in the breeze rustling the glistening leaves on the tree of sparkles.       

Exercise #3

Book Reviews I read: Curveball: The Year I Lost My Grip, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, and Nights In Rodanthe

Elements of a Book Review:
1. An introduction describing either the author's style or a personal connection of what brought you to read the book.
2. A body that summarizes the novel (typically without giving away the ending), discusses the basic plot line, and usually focuses on character development.
3. A conclusion that discusses the theme, author's purpose, and your personal opinion about the book.

Reading Log

This week I started down the path of my journey to accomplish what is, in my opinion, my hardest and most important reading goal, to finish all of the Jane Austen novels.  After starting it over a month ago, I finally finished the last 100 pages of Northanger Abbey.  It was one of Austen’s shorter and earlier novels, but nonetheless, I enjoyed it.  It was difficult to make the switch back to Austen novels after reading an easier, leisurely book like The Hunger Games.  However, the difference in culture, elevated diction, and at times hard to decipher humor presented a challenge that revived my passion for classic literature and reverence for Austen.  Although most of her story lines are the same and many of my colleagues that have read her work complain that her novels are either full of just women talking or story lines built up only to be resolved nonchalantly in the last two pages of the novel, there is a simple, rustic elegance about the masterful way she weaves a path through the complex maze of a woman’s mind and articulates it flawlessly while still containing a subtle criticism on society, marriage, and the social standing of women.  Her style is so complicated yet so simple its intriguing.         

Note #1

A teacher asked Paul
what he would remember
from third grade, and he sat
a long time before writing
"this year somebody tutched me
on the sholder"
and turned his paper in.
Later she showed it to me
as an example of her wasted life.
The words he wrote were large
as houses in a landscape.
He wanted to go inside them
and live, he could fill in
the windows of "o" and "d"
and be safe while outside
birds building nests in drainpipes
knew nothing of the coming rain.

-- Naomi Shihab Nye

In Naomi Shihab Nye’s poem “Rain”, the short, sweet, and simple elegance delineates the underlying symbolism and foreshadowing of the oncoming threat and adversity.  The ignorant spelling and gargantuan letters of the young boy’s written response to his teacher’s question not only characterize him as a tenderly innocent, but they also emphasize his malleability.  The boy’s deeply considered, profound answer presents the importance of an event as insignificant as a simple gesture while exposing his heart-wrenching neglect. The teacher’s pity and self-focus on her “wasted life” blind her from the boy’s desire for attention and necessity of affection.  The teacher’s intent and vigorous focus on leading her students to successful futures canopies the extent of her student’s suffering and his cry for help.  The seemingly tragic misunderstanding between the suffering boy and frustrated teacher shines a satirical light on self-centered society.  The rain serves as a festering, unavoidable omen of the boy’s heavy burden.  The boy’s desire for the comforting protection and relieving security of the houses reveals his desperate search for a non-existent refuge from the rain.  The unaware bliss of the busy birds creates a sense of an impenetrable barrier separating the boy and his stormy life from the whirlwind society.  The rain foreshadows an unavoidable coming threat; it’s almost as if he can see it in the distance but not taste, feel, or hear it.  Like a boulder hanging by a thread, all the boy can do is watch and wait for the “coming rain” to attack and completely engulf his life, mind, body, and soul while the oblivious others tragically watch from the sidelines. 

Exercise #2

Weaknesses:                                                                                                                      

1.       “The author enhances the stress by throwing the reader straight into the action.” (Error #4)

2.       He "kept his butt cocked to one side, his feet up on the shut rails so that the bull couldn't grind his leg, brad him up, so that if it  thrashed he could get over the to in hurry." (Error #2)

3.       The bull "loose-skinned brindle Brahma-cross identified in the program as Little Kisses." (Error #2)

Strong Blog: Unfettered

Exercise 1

In her book Cruddy, Lynda Barry expresses an informal, childish vernacular through the hot-headed, undisciplined mind of a child that displays the innocent lack of self-control and extreme emotional fluctuations of youth.  The elementary diction and repetition of the word “cruddy” weave themselves together and embody the age and personality of the young aggravated author.  The use of stereotypical “once upon a…time” and uniquely crafter descriptions of the generic setting creates a flood of vivid imagery and adds a humorous silvery lining.  The naive, inescapable shadow of childish rage bursts through the author’s pen and spills its noisome stench across her words.  The overpowering outrage reveals the passion of childhood.       

Anthology

The theme for my anthology will be rain.  It fascinates me with both is simplicity and complexity.  It is so contrasting with a wide range of variety from the harsh, dark pounding of a stormy downpour to the soft, peaceful drip-dropping of a spring shower.  It can set the mood, cause foreshadowing, and really change the pace of any piece of work.  One artifact I hope to use is the poem Rain by Naomi Shihab Nye because the poem is short and sweet and, even though rain is not the main focus or mentioned at all until the last line, it plays an important role in the poem’s mood while emphasizing the beauty of childhood naivety.  Another artifact I would like to use would be the rain scene in the Notebook because I find it only necessary to have at least one stereotypical, romantic rain scene in my collection.  

Reading Log and Reading Goals

Reading Goals:

• Read every Jane Austen novel.
• Read in 5 different coffee shops.
• Read one non-fiction novel.
• Go on a “reading picnic” with a group of friends.

This week I read the last part of the Hunger Games, and honestly it was hard to tear myself away. I found myself going to the point of planning my schedule around it.  I would strategically plan “homework breaks” while studying or get my classes a few minutes earlier just to read the next few pages.  I told myself I needed to hurry and finish the book since the movie’s release date is fast approaching, but honestly, I was just addicted.  It was simply that good.

While talking to my cousin about the book, he pointed out an eye-opening factor by saying, “The Hunger Games has a corrupt government because, let’s be honest, every good novel has one.”  Initially I disagreed with his suggestion, but once I processed it more in depth I realized he was right.  Of course a corrupt government is not always needed, but many popular novels have them.  For example, Twilight has the Volturi, a very disturbing clan of ruling vampires.  Fahrenheit 451 has a government dedicated to the destruction of books.  The Giver has a bland world without music or color due to government regulation.  Although many are science fiction and placed in futuristic societies, the factor of a corrupt government has become a common occurrence.  However, the audience is not so much captured by the government themselves, but more the individuals that shake the chain of order and serenity by testing the government’s boundaries and breaking their rules.  Not only does this add an adrenaline rushing level of suspense and danger, but it helps the character’s develop and usually discover who they truly are and what they believe in.  Through the tool of a corrupted government, individuals in this book break the current of popular, acceptable society and choose to follow their own uncharted path leading down the path of self-discovery and individuality.  The confidence, boldness, sacrifice, and strength of these characters is inspiring and causes the reader to desire firmly grounded beliefs and the courage to stand up for them.  All around the focus on finding oneself and breaking away from the status quo has become popular as the focus of individuality rises in our culture.  

      This type of writing really appeals to me because I want to be a person that is strong enough to stand up for what I believe in no matter what opposition I may face. 

A Shameless Leap Onto the Bandwagon

I always talk about how I tend to stray from popular culture and read the classics; however, this week I started reading the Hunger Games.  Honestly, I couldn’t resist.  I had to understand the source of the constant hype that spreads like a fever eagerly pouncing on its next victim.  Who can blame me?  The opportunity presented itself and I accepted it with little knowledge of what I was getting myself into.  And so it began and the fever overtook another reader.

Although the book takes place in what I believe to be the future of a post-apocalyptic North America, it maintains a rustic elegance.  The use of hand tools like bows, arrows, knives, and more keeps an ancient feel about it.  At the same time, there are some items used that the audience is familiar with such as trains, showers, elevators, and television.  Even with both these antique and modern elements, the future plays a major role with the use of so many unusual items such as hovercrafts and an assortment of mutated plants and animals as well as scientifically advanced tools used for warfare.  The fascinating combination of past, present, and future puts an intriguing spin on reality and allows a valuable connection as well as extreme suspension of disbelief.  They all work together in an ineffable harmony that helps the flow of the plot.  The book combines what should be estranged, yet it meshes with a curious grace.  If the creativity and mastermind put into the meticulous details of the book isn’t enough to catch the audience’s attention, the heart-stopping plot will blow them away.  I won’t go into detail for fear of spoiling the book.  If you are considering reading it, I highly recommend it.  

It is everything I thought it would be, and so much more than I had expected.  I didn’t realize how addicted I was to the book until my eyes were practically glued to it as precious homework time slipped away.  As quiet and sneaky as a snake, the story crept into my mind and captured my fascination; without even realizing it, I was hooked.  It’s worth reading.   

Back on the Bandwagon: Northanger Abbey

“All [women] have been, or at least have believed themselves to be, in danger from the pursuit of some one whom they wished to avoid; and all have been anxious for the attentions of some one whom they wished to please.” Pg. 54-55

I just couldn’t take it another week.  I had to hop back on the Jane Austen bandwagon.  No other style of writing is quite as fascinating to me.  Surprisingly, Northanger Abbey was a bit of a fresh twist in comparison to Austen's other novels.  Obviously it centers on her typical plot line of a woman finding a man, but the naivety and inner conflict of the main character as she pursues one man and completely avoids another creates a ludicrous cycle of utter felicity and complete disappointment while exploring the rollercoaster of youthful society.

Although most of her novels touch on some of youthful society’s ridiculous civilities and the empty headedness many conduct themselves with, this novel seems drown itself in mockery of it.  The novel sets a satirical tone with a constant sarcasm about the ways, formality, and communication in England's youth.  Throughout the novel, it constantly mocks the misunderstandings and chaotic agonizing over matters of very little importance.  It’s almost as if Austen characterizes the whole of women as hysterical, worrisome, fretful, delicate ninnies and the men as dense, tiresome, and overwhelmingly conceited.  To me, I could not help but detect that Austen had written this novel under extreme dejection and distaste for social custom and behavior.

(Isabella’s reaction after a day of separation) “It was ages since she had had a moment’s conversation with her dearest Catherine; and, though she had such thousands of things to say to her, it appeared as if they were never to be together again; so, with smiles of most exquisite misery, and the laughing eye of utter despondency, she bade her friend adieu and went on.” Pg. 48-49  

After being under the distress of reading non-classic novels, this beautifully written piece is exactly what I needed.  The parallel of my distaste modern literature and Austen’s frustration with youthful folly of her society almost creates a sort of bond that gives me ineffable enjoyment in reading this book.  I can’t wait to continue.

The Nice vs. The Not so Nice

Good Claims:

Books for Dummies (Like Me)- The frantic movement of the kids and the thundering suspense of the music conveys this sense of carnage and trepidation so that the audience might pee their pants in fright.

A Puppy’s Point of View- In Cate Parr's portfolio of about six watercolor paintings, the subtle vibrant colors and free flowing strokes of paint highlight the vulnerable passion for beauty.  

Not as good: 

As I've been told my whole life, the sun makes people happy. Maybe it's because the sun brings color and joy and hope to people. As someone once told me, "It's impossible not to smile when your world is full of color."  There is more to the beach then the sand, and the palm trees, and the ocean.

One article discusses his importance in sports and in China.  His popularity has grown everywhere, because of him, people in China have tuned in to watch him play.  His humbling story and attitude make him likable to fans everywhere.

The Spartan Reader #4

Sarah Illenberger: Architectural Digest

The radical range of color schemes, discombobulating object scale, unusual item combination, and drastic angling of geometric shapes combine to form a divine harmony in the middle of a flustering discord.  From drastic reds and harsh blacks to soft pinks and peaceful blues, the colors of the rooms create a dramatic range of mood from breathtaking to calming.  The objects are surprising and typically out of place, from an authoritative moon to a tediously arranged triangle of ripe, green apples.

 In Picture 1, the cold, rusty, silver, steel bed frame contrasts the blinding white and cooling blue soft, woolen blankets, but they are wistfully knit into unity with the bliss of the hopeful painted sky strewn across the walls.  The artful blending of the peaceful colors emphasizes the quiet, serene mood.  It is almost as if one can feel the soft, blowing breeze.  The size of the objects produces a vague, disconnecting illusion that throws away worldly perceptions and hurls one like Alice into a disproportionate Wonderland.

 Picture 5 contains eye-blazing contrast with a dramatic checkerboard of the white and black walls, tile, and bed comforter.  The angle of the bed and decreasing size of the contrasted diamonds creates a distinct depth that seems to elongate the room.  Splashes of color are provided from the vibrant lobster clawing its way across the bed;  the rustic, golden key with the matching authoritative door; and pink floral throw pillow lounging across the bed-spread.  The screaming contrast and overwhelming collection of colors and shapes arouses a mood of radical excitement and fascination. 

 Each picture, excluding the last, contains a bed. It generates a familiarity and parallelism with each of the photos and somehow subtly interconnects the gallery.  The bedroom is commonly the most personal, well known space in a house.  It is the one portion of the house dedicated typically to solely one individual.  Creating such wild combinations by bringing together such random objects and putting them in a bedroom begs the question: who would stay in this kind of room?  The neat, organized and yet mind-boggling arrangements mold an order out of chaos that catches the eye and intrigues the mind.  It is almost as if the pictures are teetering on the edge between sporadic decoration and perfectly designed order, and an object added or subtracted would completely tip the scale.

Lock and Key

Reading Lock and Key has emphasized the fact that I should definitely do my research about the literature I choose to read before doing so.  I was sitting at the library baffled with no idea what to get contemplating which book may be the best judging by the size, color, and title.  It was not the best decision I later discovered, and in a rush, I blindly picked up the book Lock and Key hoping it would be something of interest.  So far, I’m not a fan.

Lock and Key is a typical book for the day-dreaming teenager looking for a nice fantasy.  Ruby, the main character, has been taken from her past rough, poverty stricken lifestyle and thrown suddenly into an elite school, a perfect family, and a million dollar house when moving in with her long-lost sister.  Most people would find it to be the ideal fantasy and change of pace, but of course, to create an unsettling inner conflict; Ruby does not like her new life.  She finds herself wandering back to her old house and taking the long bus rides to see her old friends, and the adjustment to the new life is made all the more difficult.  She doesn’t fit in at the new school in all ways from appearance to personality, and her new home life is filled with a constant underlying awkwardness.

Just like every wistful teenage girl novel, there’s an “unexpected” love interest.  Following the stereotypical plot line, Ruby is interested in a boy named Marshall that is low, trashy, and shallow.  Her overbearingly confident belief that she’s in control of her whole situation blindly leads her into believing that he is everything she needs and she can handle their estranged, unusual relationship.  On the other side of things, she meets a boy named Nate who is the definition of the ideal man.  With an athletic body, friendly personality, broad intellect, and high placement on the high school food chain, its obviously assumed that most every girl would be interested in him except, of course, for Ruby.  Although I am not far enough to know where they’re relationship is headed, it’s obvious that the old idea of opposites attract is at play.  As different as they may seem, it already appears that they are being drawn together, and maybe later in the book similarities will reveal themselves and bonds will be made.     

Short List 2-19-12

The Art of Clean Up

Supposedly, it should be exceptionally satisfying to make order of chaos; however, there’s something disconcerting and robotic about the organization of things that are meant for sporadic arrangement.  In my head, I almost hear sounds attached to each photo.  In the commotion of the park I imagine a bustling place with a thousand different conversations, screaming children, and blasting music.  When I see the order in everything from color, age, and gender, I feel that any sound would disturb the peace and a pin dropping would tip the scale into utter insanity.  The unusual order is disturbingly fascinating; it emphasizes the turmoil around us all the time that we take for granted simply because it’s normal.  

 

Sarah Illenberger: Architectural Digest

Sarah Illenberger’s geometrically beautiful and gravitationally defying collection of architectural artwork is intriguing.  The colors, shapes, and objects sharply contrast to such an extent that they create an obscure harmony.  The designs are clean and organized while still containing a sense of sporadic eyebrow-raising disorder.  The scale of the objects simply throws the room into an unusual proportion that throws the viewer like Alice into some ambiguous Wonderland.  

A Restless Transplant

The pictures from A Restless Transplant contain a sort of freshly artistic feel.  It’s almost as if a representation of the cleanly wiped slate of the photographer can visibly been seen and felt through his photos.  The rustic and antique feel contrasts the vibrant colors and drastic shadows thrown and splattered across the frames.  The peaceful simplicity of them depicts the life of their photographer.  An acute pleasure plants a seed of curiosity an encourages me to travel beyond the safety of my town.  

This American Life: Middle School

MiddleSchool

A few weeks ago, I paid a visit to my old middle school with a group of my friends.  Everything in it seemed to devour my senses and shoot my mind instantly back to both the beautiful and painful memories of those terribly wonderful years.  Every teacher we visited was blown away; each took a step back and a double take as though the young boys and girls they had mentored and taught through those three years were all in some kind of foreign, nearly unrecognizable bodies.  One exclaimed in awestruck surprise, “You all look like real people!”  Needless to say, the middle school years seem to be a time dedicated in every life to growth and development in nearly every aspect of a human being.  Like in any life stage, the choices made in the middle school years help determine the direction of a person’s life and the path they choose to follow.

The Acts 2 and 4 (“Anchor Babies” and “Stutter Step”) of the “Middle School” podcast from This American Life looks into what is really on the minds of Middle School students.  In “Anchor Babies”, instead of reporting the weather and daily lunch menu, the kids on the morning announcements at Parkville Middle School near Baltimore were given a chance to write up a newscast on subjects and social matters that were important to them.  These video announcements mock real newscasts with back drops, theme music, green screens and the whole nine yards; not only is the appearance the same, but they all “tend to follow a formula” like local news.  When the kids were given a chance to report what mattered to them, the results were utterly widespread.  Reports varied from a debate over the appropriate age for trick or treating, rumors about a boy getting suspended for clapping in the lunch room, and an opinionated analysis of the appearance of the new Martin Luther King Jr. statue in Washington D.C.  Everything from concern about dirtying UGG boots to potatoes being permanently removed from school lunches weighed heavily on the intriguingly sporadic minds of the pre-teen world. 

In “Stutter Step”, the focus was taken away from the academics and fully focused on the chaotic social realm.  Middle School dances are the “epicenters of middle school awkwardness”.  A boy named Ethan in a striped button-up shirt picked out by his mother, spoke of his strong desire to slow dance that heavily contradicted his immense fear that he “won’t do it right”.  Ethan, like many of the other kids, aimed to have a good time while still remaining low key enough to keep any tragically humiliating events out of the lime-light.  The exited, nervous, quick, high-pitched, and giggly chatter among the uncertain students filled with a steady presence and repetition of the word “like” defines nearly all of the verbal communication put forth by the middle school students.       

The petty stress, naïve uncertainty, immature arguments, shallow friendships, and constantly high pitched speech depicts middle school as not only a period of mental advancement, but also physical and emotional development as the ambiguous leap from childhood to adulthood is uneasily embraced.  A mental, physical, and emotional foundational base is laid in those tear filled, frustrating, smelly, pimply, and complicated years.  The insecure, undefined battle of middle school is bound to hurl people off-balanced and uneasily into the realm of adulthood by opening their social and intellectual understanding beyond the bounds of mere trifling childhood.  Looking back, I can see how my middle school years molded and shaped me into the person I am today.  The experiences and growth experienced by the kids in the podcast and everyone else at one time is the cocoon that transforms what was once a caterpillar of a child into a butterfly of an adult.