Week 5 Post B

I am happy for Toby and the fact that he was able to get his head on straight and succeed. However, I was very dissapointed in the beginning of the last section I read, where Toby was hanging out with Chuck and getting into all kinds of trouble. I think that he should have stayed friends with Arthur. It wasn't until Toby had a talk with Fathr Karl, that he began to realize that he needed to get his life together. From then on it was all uphill for him, except for deciding to stay friends with Chuck. He began making good grades and was able to get a full-ride scholarship to Hill. This was a huge accomplishment for him.

In then end of the memoir, Toby plans to unite his whole family back together; his brother, his mother and his father. However, he is still friends with Chuck, and continues drinking. Although that he is not strayed away from important things like school, it is still not a good idea to stay friends. It doesn't really make sense to me, Chuck is a loser and is the main reason for the down fall of Toby's life earlier, right when he had finally decided to improve his life. Over all, I thought that this memoir was pretty good but good have been a little more interesting, since the book was about the same thing happening over and over until the end. Toby would finally get his life together and then get in trouble again.

Week 5 Post A

Vocab:



brooding: preoccupied with depressing or painful memories or thoughts.



frivolity: the state or act of being frivolous(lacking serious purpose).



Appeals:

"Chuck congratulated me when I told him about the scholarship, but I was careful not to let my happiness show too much" (263). This is a logical appeal, which show that even though Toby was excited for getting a scholarship to Hill, he still couldn't share his happiness with his best friend, Chuck, since Chuck was going through tough times.

"I was remembering it. Over $1,300. But it wasn't really the money that made me feel sorry for myself, it was the time" (262). In this emotional appeal, Toby is upset that all the time he put in to saving up so much money was now wasted.

"Look at yourself. What are you doing? Tell me what you think you are doing" (250). In this quote Father Karl is trying to get through to Toby, to get his life back on the right track. He was getting drunk, smoking and hanging out with people that were a bad influence on him.

Quote:

"My wallet was thick with bills which I would lose at cards in one night, but which I then believed would keep me going for months. In a couple of weeks I was leaving for California to be with my father and my brother. Soon afther I got there, my mother would join us. We would all be together again, as we were meant to be" (286). This quote just shows that at the end of this memoir Toby was able to get his life together and his family was finally united together, everything had turned out well, after all the hard times he had gone through.

Theme:

A final theme for this memoir is hard work pays off. Toby was able to get his life together due to all the hard work he put in. An example of his hard work paying off is when he got a full-ride scholarship to Hill.

Week 4 Post B

Toby seems to finally show some signs that he is maturing. He seems to have a better grasp of his life, even though some bad habits of the past have stayed with him, like stealing. He has matured, because he is now hanging out with better kids, like Arthur, who Toby is becoming closer and closer with. Toby trusts Arthur so much, that he tells Arthur about his plan to move somewhere else with the money that he has saved up. Arthur then asks to go with him and Toby reluctantly agrees.

I am not sure whether this whole "plan" is a great idea. It has a pretty good chance of not working out well, since his mom will be worried and probably send the police to search for him, which could obviously turn out badly. However, at least he is putting forth the effort and if he is able to send back to his mother on time, as planned, it will all go well. I am eager to find out about how everything works out in the end of the memoir.

Week 4 Post A

Vocab:

taut:in good order or condition; tidy; neat.

languidly:lacking in vigor or vitality; slack or slow.

Apeals:

"After Kenneth had wolfed down a sandwich, Dwight made the mistake of offering him a drink" (149). In this appeal Dwight accidently makes a bad decision to offer Kenneth a drink, which causes emotions to errupt. Kenneth was offended, and Dwight didn't think it was that big of a deal. Kenneth says, "I'm sure the drug fiend doesn't see the harm in a needle now and than" (149).

"We could all see that Norma didn't love Kenneth" (151). This emotional appeal is significant, since no one could really figure why Norma married and lived with Kenneth, when she clearly didn't "love" him. Everyone wanted her to leave him, but for no apparent reason she wouldn't.

"By the time I started my first year at Concrete High School, I had over eighty dollar squirreled away in the ammunition box. Some of it had been given to me by customers on my paper route, as tips for good service; the rest I'd stolen from other customers" (155). This logical appeal shows that Toby had found a way to save enough money to travel to some place better be able to send for his mom later. His plan could now be executed, since he had the money.

Quote:

"I told no one but Arthur, who kept my secrets even when I betrayed his. He liked the plan. He thought so highly of it that he asked to be included" (156). This quote shows that Toby has finally found a trustworthy friend, who unlike his old ones' isn't up to no good. Arthur and him are so close, that Toby agrees to allow Arthur to come along on his plan to run away.

Theme:

A new theme for this memoir is overcoming hard times. Toby is trying to overcome the rough times he's had, mainly due to the lack of money his mom provided and he is hoping that his "plan" will work out.

400 Blows

I thought that the "400 Blows" was a very fascinating movie. It made you feel what Antoine was going through, in a way that made you feel like as if you were there with Antoine. It kept you rooting for Antoine and excited to find out what his next move would be. I also felt that the movie was interesting, because Antoine had problems, and it isn't really interesting to watch a movie about someone that is perfect. In general, I felt that "400 Blows" was a great movie.

The "400 Blows" is about a boy named Antonie, who is unable to satisfy his parents, and always gets caught getting into trouble, such as when he is caught stealing his father's typewriter. His friend, Rene, is usually the mastermind of their mischevous tasks. It comes to the point where his parents can't take him anymore, so they send Antoine to a "Juvenile Observation Center." At the end of the movie Antoine is found walking escaping from the Observation Center, and arriving safely at the ocean shore. Antoine and his best friend, Rene, are very similar. They both enjoy playing pranks and having fun, and don't really care about the consequences. Antoine's dad is caring yet impatient with Antoine, which is shown when he gives rights to Antoine, to the Observation Center. Antoine's mother is strict and even more impatient with him, and is not forgiving at all. She is always scolding him, except for the short phase whene she was nice to him. She also isn't even at heart a good person, for example she cheats on her husband. The movie takes place in the 1940's in France. One symbol in the movie would include the ocean, which symbolizes freedom, becaus it is where he goes when he is finally free from everything, the Observation Center and his parents.

The director, Francois Truffaut did a great job with the dramatic aspects of this film. The actors were phenomanal, especially Antoine (Jeane-Pierre Leaud), who at such a young age was able to fit his role greatly. He made you believe the emotions that he was going through. I also felt that the actor of the role of Rene (Patrick Auffay) did a great job as well. He was the typical trouble maker, who always had an idea to have some kind of fun, and was also very believable to me as the viewer. One other character that fit their role well was Antoine's mother, Gilberte (Claire Maurier) who fit the typical evil mother. She was glamarous, bossy, cheated on her husband, and just had this swagger that fit her role beautifully. I felt that the director picked the right actors for the right roles, and I have no complains about them. The lighting of the screenplay, seemed to set the mood of Antoine, for example it was always dark when he was home, a place where he didn't like to be and it was light at the end of the movie, when Antoine was happy to be free. It might just be a coincidence, but I personally think that it was done on purpose.

The cinematic aspects of the film were definetly important for the enjoyment of the movie. I thought it was cool how the director had a view from Antoine's eyes as he was spinning in the ride at the fair they went to. This makes you feel as if you were in the ride, with Antoine. The movie mainly uses birds eye views to make the viewers feel as an onlooker of Antoine's life. An example of this is when there is a birds eye view of Antoine in gym class. There is also a freeze frame on Antoine's face at the end of the movie, which I felt was just used to symbolize the end of the movie.

I felt that "400 Blows" was a lot more interesting than "Black Boy." Maybe, because "400 Blows" was a movie, which allowed me to visualize what was going on better. The protagonists of both "400 Blows" and "Black Boy" both had troubles dealing with society and both of them got into some bad habits. For example, Antoine wasn't accepted by his parents, who wanted him to be a good student and stay out of trouble, yet he would always skip class and get into trouble. Simirarily, Richard Wright was never really accepted by society, since he was black, and he was never accepted by most of his relatives. Richard Wright also had some bad habits, like reacting on curiousity, which led to him burning the house down. However, Antoine and Richard from "400 Blows" and "Black Boy" also have fairly different lives. Richard, being black, had to deal with racism,and really wanted to get an education and become an outstanding writer. Whereas, Antoine really could care less about school, and even though he was given the opportunity to receive and education, he would rather go on adventures through France, with his best friend.

I would most definetly recommend "400 Blows" and would give it a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. The only thing that I must critique, is the ending. It wasn't a very satisfying ending to me, since I still had questions left about Antoine. Other than that though, I felt the director, François Truffaut did a superb job directing and writing this fascinating film on the life of a troubled youth in France. The viewers that I would recommend this movie to would be a teen to adult audience, since I don't think most children would understand the plot enough, to appreciate this great work.

Week 3 Post B

I was thinking that Toby's life could only improve after him and his mother moved to Seattle, unfortunately things only got worse. Toby is now hanging out with the wrong crowd and his mom went on a date that turned out terribly. When are things going to change for Toby?

I think that Toby should start to get on the right track by focusing on school and hanging out with different a group of friends. Right now, Toby is badly influenced with his friends, and is up to no good. I think that Toby's mom needs to push him harder and keep an eye on him more. I felt that Toby and his mom moving to Seattle was never a good idea in the first place. It seemed like Toby was finally starting to get use to life in Utah. I really hope Toby finds a way to get his life on the right track in the chapters to come.

Week 3 Post A

Vocab:

sepulchral: of or pertaining to burial.

malicious: mischievous in motivation or purpose.

Apeals:

"Unlit cigarettes dangling from the corners of our mouths, eyelids at half mast, we studied ourselves in the mirror"(43). In this quote Toby is describing how him and his friends try to act "cool." It seems to me that Toby and his friends are the type of kids that skip class and pull pranks and are they are also pretty immature.

"I rocked and murmured to her. I was practiced at this and happy doing it, not because she was unhappy but because she needed me, and to be needed made me feel capable"(55). This emotional appeal shows the care that Toby has for his mother. At first I thought that Toby cared for both his mom and dad the same, but now I see that he is a lot more closer to his mom. After his mom came home from a bad date crying, Toby was there to comfort her.

"Our problem was that I wanted a bike and she didn't have enough money to buy me one. She had no money at all"(52). This is a logical appeal and shows the tough times that Toby had to go through in his chilhood. His mom struggles to make ends meet and can't even afford to buy him a bike, which most kids take for granted.

Quote:

"We heard the eggs smack the pavement,boom against the car. This time there was no cry of protest"(47). I chose this quote to show that that Toby and his friend's fun can turn bad quickly. It started out with them throwing eggs onto the street and ended up with them wrecking someone's nice thunderbird and causing chaos throughout the whole neighborhood.

Theme:

I believe that an appropriate theme for this section of the memoir is, happiness is more important than glory(money).

Week 2 Post B

Dear Mr. Tobias Wolf,

I am continuing to enjoy your memoir, as it keeps getting better and better. However, there are many questions that I have, that hopefully will be answered as I continue reading. The main question that I have for you is how did you put up with your mom and her constantly have the two of you move. I mean the first time it was somewhat justified, since you both didn't enjoy life in Florida. But the second time you had to move was only justified by the reason that your mom was wanting to get away from your dad, which she didn't even tell you. Weren't you angered by this, I mean you were finally happy with your life and was settling in, in Utah and then all of a sudden your mom told you that you were moving.

I also wonder whether you will eventually become a "good" person, because at the point i'm at in your book, you are kind of going down hill. First of you lie quite a bit to your mom, then you shot a squirell, when your parents told you specifically not to touch your rifle unless they were supervising you. These to things aren't that bad, but they led to you getting badly influenced by your friends in Seattle. You guys steal cigarettes from Terry Taylor's mom. Not only is stealing bad, but smoking is even worse. I really hope you get your acts together in the next chapters.

Best Regards,

Hamish

Week 2 Post A

Vocab:

• ecstasy: an overpowering emotion or exaltation.
• grotesque: odd or unnatural in shape, appearance, or character; fantastically ugly or absurd; bizarre.

Appeals:

1. '"Now I won't have to go looking for you. Why don't you check your room and make sure I've got everything." "We going somewhere?" "Yes"' (30). This quote is an emotional appeal to show the struggle between Toby's parents. Yet again Toby's mom is taking Toby with her and moving away from her abusive husband, Roy.
2. "One afternoon I pulled the trigger. {...} I had to shoot. I looked up and down the street. It was empty. Nothing moved but a pair of squirrels chasing each other back and forth on the telephone wires" (25). I believe the author used this logical appeal to show how impatient and intrigued he was about guns when he was a kid. He just couldn't resist to stop pretending to shoot things and actually loading up the gun and killing a squirrel. This lack of self-control is similar to that of his father.
3. "We went for the biggest and most pretentious, sneering at ranches and duplexes--anything that smelled of economy" (37). In this quote Toby is describing how him and his mom would go for walks around luxurious neighborhoods looking in awe at the houses. This appeals emotionally, since it shows Toby's as well as his mom's desire to be able to one day live a luxurious lifestyle.

Quote:

"That's a real coincidence, because I was thinking about Phoenix myself. I even got the Phoenix paper. They have lots of opportunities there. Seattle too. What do you think about Seattle" (30)? This quote basically sums up what Toby's childhood was, so far in the book. This is the second time that Toby and his mom have moved. Toby's mom claims the reason that they leave is to go to somewhere where there is more opportunities, however Toby, as well as me as the reader believe it is in order to get away from her abusive husband, Roy.

Theme:

Another theme present in this memoir is the struggle to find happiness. This theme is displayed throughout the book, when Toby's mom constantly decides to move in hope to find hapiness. Hapiness in the sense of getting a higher income as well as getting away from her abusive husband.

Week 1 Post B

Dear Mr. Tobias Wolff,

Your memoir, "This Boy's Life" has so far been a fascinating read and has kept me eager to keep reading on and on. It must be tough for you to deal with the problems between your mom and dad. It is also interesting that you were close to both of them. A quote that does a pretty good job of explaining this situation is "My mother didn't tell me what went on between her and Roy, the threats and occasional brutality with which he held her in place. She was the same as ever with me, full of schemes and quick to laugh. Only now and then there came a night when she couldn't do anything but sit and cry, and then I comforted her, but I never knew her reasons" (14). This shows that although you were aware of the occasional beatings you didn't know what was wrong with the relationship your parents had, and you were close to your mom, but also enjoyed the company of your father. "He always seemed glad to see me. If I was lucky he would put a couple of rifles in his Jeep and we'd drive into the desert to shoot at cans and look for ore" (13). It is also tough for me to tell whether or not your father is truly a bad person. I mean he beats your mom and didn't give any money to the two of you even though the judge ordered him to. Yet, if he didn't care and love you and your mom he wouldn't have come back to both of you. What is your true personal opinion on your father? Well I'll leave it at this for now, and I look forward to your quick response. After all you write to your pen pal twice a week when your only suppose to write once a month.

Best Regards,

Hamish

Week 1 Post A

"This Boy's Life" by Tobias Wolf

Vocab:

ornery(6): ugly and unpleasant is disposition or temper.

taciturn(8): inclined to silence; reserved in speech; reluctant to join in conversation.

Appeals:

1. "I didn't come to Utah to be the same boy I'd been before" (pg.8). This shows that the author wasn't happy with his life and was excited to start over when he moved to Utah. This appeals to me emotionally, because you feel for him, since he didn't have such a good life back in Florida.
2. "It was 1955 and we were driving from Florida to Utah, to get away from a man my mother was afraid of and to get rich on uranium" (4). This is logical appeal and I think it is interesting that Tobias Wolf (the author) said "the man my mother was afraid of" which refers to is dad, but it doesn't say that he is afraid of him.
3. "I also wrote long letters to my pen pal in Phoenix, Arizona. Her name was Alice. My class had begun exchanging letters with her class since school began. We were supposed to write once a month but I wrote at least once a week, ten, twelve, fifteen pages at a time" (pg.13). This shows that Toby is lonely and needs some one to talk to, so in response he writes many letters to his pen pal.

Quote:

"He always seemed glad to see me. If I was lucky he would put a couple of rifles in his Jeep and we'd drive into the desert to shoot at cans and look for ore. He'd caught the uranium bug from my mother" (pg.13). It seems that Toby is a little torn between his father and his mother. He enjoys spending time with both of them, however Toby's dad can get abusive towards his mother. This definetely must have been tough for Toby to deal with.

Theme:

The main theme that I find in the book, "This Boy's Life" thus far is moving on from tough times. Toby wants to have an improved life when he moves away from Florida, this is shown in the quote that i used for my first appeal. He regains confidence when him and his mom move to Utah and hopes to become a successful individual and believes he doesn't need any help from anyone. I think that it is important for him to have goals in life if he plans to be successful.