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mothers, and endings
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From: Robin L. Gibson <rlgibso2>
Date: Thu, 14 Sep 1995 15:22:53 -0500
Hello everyone,
I have recently read both of the Myers books (probably some of the last outside reading I'll be doing for a while now that I'm in graduate school!), and also found then to be very powerful and gripping.
A few weeks ago when we discussed the mothers in the Mahy books, I was thinking ahead (I was reading Scorpions at the time) to discussing the mother in it --again, it seemed to me, a mother trying to be strong in the face of multiple demands (more similar to Kate than Claire, really, although in some ways both of their lives seem a bit idyllic in comparison to what this woman must face). And instead of weak, or just less developed characters as fathers, in these books we have none (or practically none). A definite reality, I know, in today's society, but nonetheless a harsh one.
And not much support from father type figures for either Jamal or Perry. (I still think of him as Perry instead of Richie). Both have brothers, but in both cases, one younger, one older, they are weaker than themselves. I really disliked Jamal's older brother Randy intensely, even though we never actually met him in the book. From Jamal's point of view, I sensed frustration, (that he wasn't supportive or a role model like a big brother should be) and anger (for making his mother so upset, and for the additional pressure on him).
And I was a bit frustrated with the ending of this book. I know that all books can't have happy endings--well, I guess they could, but life certainly doesn't. But so much seemed unresolved for Jamal. His best friend, his support in school and life, Tito, is gone. The difficulties of the environment around Jamal are unresolved -- nothing at school has changed. I was incensed at the part about him being asked to stay after school to work on the play sets, and then being given some menial chore and not allowed to use his talent in drawing. His brother is still alive, still in jail, and the family still needs the money for a lawyer. And he's not in a gang for now, but surely he's going to continue to face these pressures . . . argh! The ending of Fallen Angels was exactly happy, I know, but at least the two main characters get to come home--get to leave Vietnam. Of course, they will never be the same again, and have lots to deal with, but it's so much safer in comparison. Like someone else (sorry I don't remember who), I also felt for the first time that I have an inkling of what these young men had to deal with upon their return. Only an inkling though, because most of the horror was beyond my comprehension . . .
As you can probably tell, I've been saving up my thoughts for quite a while--composing them on the bus on the way home! I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts and responses,
Robin
Received on Thu 14 Sep 1995 03:22:53 PM CDT
Date: Thu, 14 Sep 1995 15:22:53 -0500
Hello everyone,
I have recently read both of the Myers books (probably some of the last outside reading I'll be doing for a while now that I'm in graduate school!), and also found then to be very powerful and gripping.
A few weeks ago when we discussed the mothers in the Mahy books, I was thinking ahead (I was reading Scorpions at the time) to discussing the mother in it --again, it seemed to me, a mother trying to be strong in the face of multiple demands (more similar to Kate than Claire, really, although in some ways both of their lives seem a bit idyllic in comparison to what this woman must face). And instead of weak, or just less developed characters as fathers, in these books we have none (or practically none). A definite reality, I know, in today's society, but nonetheless a harsh one.
And not much support from father type figures for either Jamal or Perry. (I still think of him as Perry instead of Richie). Both have brothers, but in both cases, one younger, one older, they are weaker than themselves. I really disliked Jamal's older brother Randy intensely, even though we never actually met him in the book. From Jamal's point of view, I sensed frustration, (that he wasn't supportive or a role model like a big brother should be) and anger (for making his mother so upset, and for the additional pressure on him).
And I was a bit frustrated with the ending of this book. I know that all books can't have happy endings--well, I guess they could, but life certainly doesn't. But so much seemed unresolved for Jamal. His best friend, his support in school and life, Tito, is gone. The difficulties of the environment around Jamal are unresolved -- nothing at school has changed. I was incensed at the part about him being asked to stay after school to work on the play sets, and then being given some menial chore and not allowed to use his talent in drawing. His brother is still alive, still in jail, and the family still needs the money for a lawyer. And he's not in a gang for now, but surely he's going to continue to face these pressures . . . argh! The ending of Fallen Angels was exactly happy, I know, but at least the two main characters get to come home--get to leave Vietnam. Of course, they will never be the same again, and have lots to deal with, but it's so much safer in comparison. Like someone else (sorry I don't remember who), I also felt for the first time that I have an inkling of what these young men had to deal with upon their return. Only an inkling though, because most of the horror was beyond my comprehension . . .
As you can probably tell, I've been saving up my thoughts for quite a while--composing them on the bus on the way home! I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts and responses,
Robin
Received on Thu 14 Sep 1995 03:22:53 PM CDT
