Tuesday, February 26, 2008

an update from beth.

hi group.

currently. requested by the dr. i have to have bed rest all week because bronchitis and a 103 temp requires that.

however, i am going to attempt to come to class thursday for a hour so i dont miss out and even attempt to stay the whole class depending on how i feel.

but i did read the whole book already and i will post more this weekend about the pages we were suppose to read for this class 1-27.  

hope all is well.
cheers.
beth

The Narrative Thread

Cisneros's ability to weave a narrative through snapshots is delicate and powerful.  The essential sensuality of experience transforms her depictions of Mango Street, moving that neighborhood from the margins to the center of life.  Waving good-bye to Louie's cousin, after he treated them to the novelty of leather upholstery and push-button windows, it seems the small sacrifice of taking a ride in the patrol car is nothing compared to the thrill he gave those young women.  

Or, a line like "The snoring, the rain, and mama's hair that smells like bread" reminds us how to find heaven.  Esperanza's capacity to savor the beauty and excitement of life describes a recipe for living.  She makes the most of each text she is given; and she shows us the challenges of finding redemption in them; like Marin.  Marin is telling about her hopes for the future, and Esperanza understands she is "waiting for a car to stop, a star to fall, someone to change her life."  I cannot imagine such a wise child; but I wish young women were trained to recognize these symptoms as a disease, instead of being encouraged to evaluate their success based on how may times they've been rescued....

But my favorite scene (so far, in these first 27 pages) is when Rachel, Lucy, and Esperanza form their friendship in a joint business endeavor.  The purchase of the bicycle and the negotiations for sharing it, and the final determination to ride it all together are too familiar to me.  Although I had my own bicycle, it was often the case that someone amongst our gang would be without wheels, and would pile on each other s bikes, and travel!  It was fun, and dangerous.  It is wonderful to remember a time when adults could celebrate the fun children were having without worrying about being accused of neglect.  Today, helmets and caution are the law.  I can't imagine my childhood without its wildness.  I share that pleasure with Esperanza.

More later, CG

Thursday, February 7, 2008

NCTE!!!!!!

http://www.ncte.org/store/books/social/106303.htm

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Welcome!

Hi everyone!

This is the blog I created!

Feel free to post away! and change anything with the page. Hope you enjoy what I did with the page thus far.

hope all is well!

cheers.
beth