Fiction Reading Response - Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, is about how Nick Dunne's wife; Amy Elliot, suddenly disappeared on their fifth wedding anniversary, leaving behind nothing but clues that assist the idea that Nick, had killed his wife. Throughout the story, we came in contact with Nick's insecurities and how he dealt with them using alcohol, sex, and his twin sister Margo. Nick was used alcohal, sex, and Margo, to help deal with his insecurities about his marriage as well as his wife.                In the beginning of the book, when the disappearance of  Amy, was confirmed, he went against Margo's wishes, and drank a great deal of alcohol, the night before a press conference. Nick drank a lot to was away the idea of Amy's disappearance  "I didn't listen to go about the booze. I finished half the bottle sitting on her sofa by myself ..."
As the story continued, we discovered Nick's mistress; Andy. Nick had been having sexual relations with Andy a year and a half before Amy disappearance. Nick began seeing Andie due to problems in his marriage, and continued seeing Andie, because of an initial attraction. "You love her? she gave it a jokey spin to show how unlikely it was. Yeah I really think I do. I did. I do."
                Nick also, relied on his sister for comfort to his problems. Nick grew up with his sister, and she had always helped him with his problems. "Go was moving on to a story about her refrigerator light and showed no sings of flattering. Filled with a sudden heavy gratefulness, I leaned across the couch and kissed her on the cheek. 'What's that for?' 'Just thanks' i felt my eyes get full with tears."
                  Nick had many insecurities about his marriage, as well as his wide. As seen throughout the story, Nick seems to go back to theses things for his "relief" or "distractions". drinking, sex, and confining in other others is how Nick Dunne has handled and dealt with his insecurities and his stress Yet as the book and story line unfolds itself, Nick seems to move away from those things and developed new customs as the investigation concludes to an end.

Darkness Too Visible - by: Megan Cox Gurdon - Darkness Too Visible

     Darkness Too Visible by Megan Cox Gurdon, is a biased article that discusses the topic of Young Adult Literature, and whether or not it's too "dark" and "inappropriate" for teens. In the article, Gurdon uses examples from other generations and multiple books along with others' opinion on the topic, to support her claim that; teens shouldn't be exposed to books with such appalling themes.
     "Hundreds of lurid and dramatic covers stood on the racks before her, and there was, she felt, "nothing, not a thing, that I could imagine giving my daughter. It was all vampires and suicide and self-mutilation, this dark, dark stuff." Gurdon used this description to help support her claim because she is using another persons' opinion to help persuade her readers. Gurodon also used the contrast between previous generations to support her claim, such as the idea the Luaren Myracle, is this generation's Judy Blume. Gurdon displayed the idea that Judy Blume had written risky novels that delt with puberty and a novel about teenagers lose their virginites. While this generation's Judy Blume, Lauren Myracle deals with homosexuality, assault, alcohol consumption, drug use. And Gurdon used these examples out of Myracle's work to magnify the idea that some of Myracle's writing shouldn't be read by teens.
     In conclusion, while Megan Cox Gurdon did have promising points in her article, this article was biased and Gurdon didn't really explore a lot of Young Adult Literature. Gurdon used example from books that did have a bit of a dark edge, yet while there are still plenty of Young Adult Literature that isn't as gruesome, and in my opinion, teens should be able to explore and enjoy Young Adult Literature because in conclusion, the books were all written with purpose.

The Year I Turned Sixteen - By Diane Schweem - Blog Post #2

Kennedy Tavares

806

October 20, 2014

Blog Post #2

                                         The Year I Turned Sixteen - Blog Post

“You have to love yourself, before you can love another"  – Kennedy Tavares

Do you think, being a sixteen year old girl, who has recently lost her father, been told of that her family was going broke, and stuck in acquisitive relationship while taking on the rough task as an older sister, is easy?  

The Year I Turned Sixteen by Diane Schweem, Is about four sisters, Rose, Daisy, Laurel, and, Lily, and what happens on the year they turned sixteen. I read about Rose Walker and how when she turned sixteen she dealt with her father’s death while managing relationships with her family, friends, and boyfriend(s). As I continued to read more about Rose Walker and her sixteenth birthday, I learned that, that you have to have a certain amount of respect for yourself and your family, because if you don’t, you will be miserable.

            In the beginning of the book, Rose Walker was portrayed to be insecure yet selfish, especially around her wealthy boyfriend; Parker. And you begin to see more of that when her mother announces that the family was going broke, Rose begins to feel ashamed of her family’s financial status which sends Rose in to a whirlpool of shame as she begins to distrust herself. When her mother asked Rose to get some groceries using food stamps. “’Need help carrying in the groceries?’ … ‘I’m so sorry, choral practice ran over and I was late picking up Daisy … I’ll run back out’ I offered praying she wouldn’t call my bluff.” (55), this evidence proves her insecurities and the fact that she is embarrassed about her family’s new financial status.

            Shortly after Rose’s breakup with Parker, Rose began seeing Stephen; a peer of Parker’s, Rose’s attitude about life began to change as her relationship got more serious. When Stephen took Rose out on a date Rose learned that even though Stephen comes from money he isn’t like Parker. After their unexpected breakup, however, Rose was left in a rut and if it weren’t for the help of her family, she wouldn’t had gotten over him, and her after that, Rose had a newfound appreciation for her family and connected with them on a different level.

            In conclusion, I leaned from Rose Walker’s sixteenth birthday that you need to be comfortable with yourself and your family before you engage into any romantic relationship. And this was proven as the story unfolded and her feelings evolved and Rose matured, we as readers, were able to see where Rose developed.

Where You Least Expect It - By: Mattiewilda - Blog Post #1

     Where You Least Expect It, written by; Mattiewilda, is a fanfiction story based off of the 90's - 00's hit sitcom; Boy Meets World. The story is about a couple that found unexpected love and faced hardships brought on by family, friends - and Hollie. Yet as unforeseen difficulties cross their path, their true love prevailed in the least expected ways.
     Eric Matthews and Angela Moore were reunited eight years after Angela had left Pennbroke to travel to Europe with her father. When she returned to Philadelphia  and reunited with one of her old college friends, the chemistry shared, was indefinable, which initally caused the unplanned one night stand. And the morning after, the two both realized they had feelings for eachother, however as we sooned learned; Angela has a fear of getting too close to people because of her father's health condition, which eventually caused her to leave the relationship she had started. And concluded from this, Angela is scared to face her true feelings and engage in a relationshp. "Because leaving would be taking the easy way out, for you anyway."
"For me? Angela, did I do something that's made you uncomfortable or..."
"No, you've been wonderful," she smiled sadly. "You've treated me better in these couple weeks than anyone has in a long time. When I said me leaving now would be taking the easy way out for you, I meant it will hurt less when I leave later," this evidence from the text helps support the claim previously made because Angela openly admits she would leave.
     As the story progressed we got a look into both of Eric and Angela's previous relationships and we were introduced to Hollie; Eric's ex-girlfriend who had cheated on him with another guy, patently ending thier relationship. And as the story advanced, the more Hollie had not only showed up, became a problem, to Eric and Angel'a relationship. As proven when an elevator ride, took a precipitated turn."You see, he got screwed over and lied to in his last relation...oh, wait, you know. You were there." Maybe she was being a tad bitchy, but she finally had Hollie alone and was only letting herself say about a tenth of what she really wanted to.
"Yes, I messed up, me. Meaning if I hadn't, we'd still be together. We'd be together in a relationship where we started as friends that gradually became more. Unlike you."
Angela crossed her arms. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"It means I didn't have to get knocked up and saddle Eric with a little brat in order to get him to stick around and be my boyfriend."
The sound of Angela's hand connecting with Hollie's cheek echoed throughout the small elevator. Both women stood there, somewhat shocked by what had just transpired. This piece of text supports the idea of Hollie becoming a problem and invading Eric and Angela's relationship.
     In the end, I realized that dispite all, love conquers all. And that was proven in Eric and Angel's unfinished story. And eventhough there were hardships thrown their way, their love was never compromised.


~ Fanfiction is fiction  written by a fan of a particular tv series, movie, play, etc ... ~