Jeff Chong EN285

@kayrasahin8 Yes I definitely agree and also think that Beah does such a good job using imagery to portray the images through his words. I legitimately feel the trauma that Ishmael goes through and can better understand his struggle.

This novel sadly highlights the harsh reality that some children have to face/suffer from lots of trauma at a young age. Ishmael’s traumatic experiences make children who do not suffer like him find a new sense of appreciation for their lives and become better educated. #285WLU10

Music for tweens is a way to disconnect from the world. Music is portrayed this way in A Long Way Gone, but is also seen as the positive light for tweens. It saves Ishmael’s life multiple times such as helping with his rehabilitation and saving his life from the rebels. #285WLU10

@Courtney_D_Reid I agree with you but to add to it I think that Woodson made her book this way to appeal to a broader audience. An example is the title. In an interview, she said she purposely called it Brown Girl Dreaming to connect to all girls with colour, not just girls with African decent.

(2/2) The use of poetry shows the style of writing that Woodson prefers, poetry over traditional stories, having short burst of texts that each emphasize real moments in her life. #285WLU9

(1/2) The use of a verse novel by Jacqueline Woodson for Brown Girl Dreaming is very impactful as it connects the author more closely with her story. In the book, the reader sees that Jackie loves poetry and has even created poetry books about butterflies. #285WLU9

@JacobLasby This is very true and Gaiman even uses the aspect of Jack’s name to his advantage. Having his name as Jack Frost shows the reader that he is this typical child’s tale figure. However, like the typical character, he ends up stabbing people in the back and becomes the villain.

The use of Jack is a really good example of why kids shouldn’t always trust adults. He appears nice and kind to Scarlet and her mother only to achieve his end goal of finding Bod. People are not always what they make themselves out to be #285WLU8

@EmilySavoie3 Yes I completely agree with the similarities and I think the author even did it purposely! Like the comparison with the ghouls and the monkeys from The Jungle Book are almost mirror images of each other. They both are seen as minor antagonists and kidnap the main characters.

Bod’s childhood reminds me of the idea of a foster child. I think the author used this story to resemble a fantasized foster life and showed that all children have the potential decide who they want to be. At the end of the book, Bod shows this by remaining as Bod. #285WLU8

@ChrisXu_ Ya this part of the book really portrays the human aspect of greed in society. Most people see a pay day and will almost do anything for easy cash. That’s definitely seen with Abanazer.

@SchwantzBrianna I definitely agree with you and it is also interesting to see the different parenting practices seen within the different time periods. An example of this is Mr. and Mrs. Owens. They lived during the time period where beating there children wasn’t wrong and therefore was normal.

It is interesting to see that Bod, even though being alive, is unnoticeable in the living world but is known by all in the graveyard. This shows that you are shaped on how you are raised and not on where you were born. You can’t be purely judged on physical appearances! #285WLU7

@lauryn_reibling I completely agree with you! The fact that they can get away with this is unjustly. There needs to be more measures put in place, by people like the government, or this will continue to occur. Without these measures, children will be pressured with this negative marketing.

I never knew how drastic of an impact that marketing had on children. The negative side of market that is explained by the Multinational Monitor shows that children are pressured to be unrealistic and unhealthy. This idea is crazy and there needs to be change #285WLU6

@lauryn_reibling I think that Hattie suspects somethings off but doesn’t really care. If she is benefiting and there are no consequences, then why would she. Like if I was in same situation, I would probably do the same thing depending on the circumstance.

Ella always asks for the consent of others but only a few give it back. Consent should be a 2 ways street and this is an important concept. Ella being under this “blessing” is an over exaggeration of consent and shows the importance of obtaining before actions are made. #285WLU5

@BlazeWelling I would think that it wouldn’t break the curse. In my head, I would kind of think it’s like a genie and it’s 3 wishes. There has to be some boundaries for what she has to do, at least I think...

It’s interesting to analyze the limits of Ella’s obedience. If someone commanded her to never be obedient again, would it break the curse? #285WLU3

True friends are the people who are there for you and make you better. In Ella Enchanted, you can easily tell the difference based on if they control Ella’s enchantment or if they protect from others. Finding your true friends is hard to do sometimes but is worth it #285WLU4

@EmilySavoie3 I definitely agree with you! Also the fact that the narrator even tells you to stop reading further of the story or else you’ll be disappointed, makes it more tempting to find about what happens.

The ability to know what a toddler is thinking, like knowing what Sunny is thinking, would be so interesting! Would their thoughts be coherent like Sunnys, or just something like blah blah blah blah blah... #285WLU3

@ChrisXu_ Yes I agree with you! Especially coming from a family that has a lot of caring and supporting beliefs, I personally believe that Harriet’s parents lack some basic parenting skills that will help their child in a significant way. Also, some discipline never hurts anyone either 🤷🏻‍♂️