Destiny

            In the novel, Strider is asked if he wanted to live in Rivendell. He replied that he would like to stay in comfort and safety in Rivendell, but that it is not his destiny. The question that is now raised is: what part does destiny play in the lives of the characters? With that being said, destiny is defined as, the fixed order of things; invincible necessity; fate; a resistless power or agency conceived of as determining the future, whether in general or of an individual, by the Webster’s Dictionary.

            I can see how people may think that destiny plays a role in the lives of the characters, and maybe it does a little, but I have disagree some too. Sure Bilbo could have been “destine” to find the ring, which then was “destine” to make it to Frodo, who was “meant” to realize he had to leave the shire to protect everyone. And sure Sam could have been “destine” to be caught listening to Frodo and Gandalf to be then picked to go on the trip, but there is also a different side to it. This novel is all made up, so, so is the destiny of each character along the way. Everything was meant to happen for a reason like that, because that is how J.J.R. Tolkien set it up.  Destiny does play a role in the lives of the characters, but their destiny was decided in a different way.

            The question was also asked: If literature is an imitation of life, or a mirror image, if you will, then what does that mean about real life?  I believe this means that there is such thing as destiny in real life; it just depends on the situation at hand.

Independent Reading Journal #4

             Mick’s next goal is to make the varsity football team. It may be a long shot for him, considering he is going to be entering school as a freshman.  Mick, however, has the drive and the passion to pull it off. He works harder than anyone on and off the field. Over the summer he gets a call from the varsity coach. He wants him to come out and practice with the team.  He worked really hard at those practices. He eventually makes the team, along with his friend Drew, another freshman. The two of them give it their all, trying to get some playing time. Eventually, they both start, due to an incident with the starters in their positions.

                This is something I found myself relating to quite a bit. When I was a sophomore all I wanted to do was make the varsity lacrosse team. I went to open gyms over the winter to work on my game. A few of my friends, same grade as me, had the same goal in mind. Along with some of my friends, I was on the varsity team my sophomore year. I was happy to be on the team, working with some great players. I eventually worked my way to a starting spot that year. Mick and I had a lot in common when it came to this situation, though he was a freshman. I enjoy when I can flashback to something that occurred in my life while reading a book, and that is exactly what I did here.

Independent Reading Journal #3

              My suspicion of the trophy rooms fourth wall and Mick’s coaches ‘dislike’ for his father has been answered. Mick began to get suspicious of his father’s football career as well. He made the decision to Google his father.  It turns out that Mick’s father didn’t last very long in the NFL.  He had a bad attitude and lacked work ethic. This is when Mick starts to put the puzzle together. His father was never injured; he was just a troubled kid. He lacked discipline. Mick realizes that the fourth wall was never supposed to be for him. The wall was supposed to be for his father’s NFL career. 

                As much as Mick was hurt by his father’s lie, I believe that it only helped him to know the truth.  Mick was starting to act out at practices, just as his father did. He thought he was better than everyone else.  This research on his father is only going to make Mick stronger.  He starts giving 110 percent at practices, and following all the rules. He wanted to work the hardest, and get the farthest. His next goal was to make the varsity football team, and to prove everyone wrong about him, and his father.

Independent Reading Journal #2

                After reading more of Gym Candy, by Carl Deuker, I am starting to notice some interesting things. Mick’s father seems to be very hard on him. He is always telling him what he needs to do, and how he needs to do it. Normally this kind of behavior from an athlete’s parent would make me think that the kid will eventually start to not like the sport, because it is being pushed on them so hard to be the best.  However, this seems to make Mick work harder. Everything seems to be all about football. Mick’s mother states early on that she can’t come to watch his games anymore because she doesn’t like the constant fear that he will get hurt. I found this a bit strange. Most moms like to go and watch their kids play.

                Also, Mick’s dad has a trophy room. The room is covered with three walls of the father’s football accomplishments. The fourth wall, however, is empty. He is always telling Mick that that wall is for him to fill. At first I thought nothing of this. Later on though, I began to be suspicious of the wall left for Mick. One of Mick’s coaches doesn’t seem like a big fan of his father. This makes me wonder if his father isn’t the guy I thought he was. I look forward to reading more to see if I might be right about Mick’s father.

Independent Reading Journal #1

                I chose to read the book Gym Candy, by Carl Deuker. When I first picked this book, I didn’t want to read it. I grabbed it because it was one of the books in the library that had a sports sticker on it that I haven’t read before.  I planned on returning it the next day, because I had another book in mind.  Once we got to class though and I started reading, I actually liked it.

                The book is about a boy, Mick, who has a passion for football. His father played college football and also made it to the NFL.  He is the one who created Mick’s love for the game, teaching him the fundamentals he needs to know to be a great athlete starting at a young age.  He is constantly pushing Mick to work hard and to do his best. He wants him to have dreams for himself.  Carl Dueker does a good job so far of keeping the reader interested.

Sherlock Holmes and Christopher Boone

                We have just finished watching Sherlock Holmes in Class. After watching this movie, I couldn’t help but notice many similarities between the movie, and the novel, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Most the similarities I noticed were between the main characters of the two, Christopher Boone, and Sherlock.  The first similarity I noticed was that both the characters are very interested in solving mysteries.  In the novel, Christopher tries to find his mother.  He travels to London in order to do so, facing many challenges along the way. In the movie, Sherlock was trying to solve how Lord Blackwood came back from the grave. He also faced many challenges along the way.

                The second similarity I came across was that both characters like to think pretty logically.  Both are not too fond of illogical things, and tend to stick to their math and science type of things.  Christopher uses logic to find his mother, who lives in London. Sherlock Holmes uses logic to figure out many different things throughout the film, such as Lord Blackwood’s plan.  Although I only exemplified two similarities between the two characters, there are many others as well, concluding that the novel The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and the film Sherlock Holmes have many similarities.

Book Reaction

                After reading The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, by Mark Haddon, I would have to say that I actually enjoyed the book. I had my doubts when we first received the book, but I was able to learn many things by reading it.  The book isn’t a book I would typically read. It isn’t too exciting, but somehow Haddon does an excellent job of keeping the reader interested. Having the book written in the prospective of a mentally handicapped person, Christopher, was something new for me.

                The unusualness of this book is what kept me interested.  I now have a better understanding of what goes on in the mind of a person with a mental disability.  This book proved to me that there is actually a lot of intelligence running around in the mind of someone of Christopher’s type. Many disabled people in this world aren’t given the credit they deserve.  Christopher was able to travel all the way to London, on his own, to find his mother. I was very impressed with his accomplishment.

                Christopher’s journey to London and his family’s situation gave me mixed emotions.  First, I enjoyed watching the growth of Christopher on his trip. It proved to both the reader, Christopher family, and Christopher himself that he has the ability to survive in this world on his own.  Second, Christopher’s family life was a bit confusing to me. It seemed for the most part that Christopher’s father tried being as supportive and patient with Christopher as he could.  There were a few situations when his father got physical with him, and I didn’t like that. Also, I don’t get why his dad would ever keep his mother’s life a secret from him. I don’t care if he thought he was protecting him, it’s just wrong.

                Overall, this book was very interesting. Getting the chance to see what goes on in the life of a person with Aspergers syndrome was really fascinating. For some this book could have been viewed as boring, but for me Haddon did an excellent job of keeping me interested.  There is a new surprise at every flip of the page. Haddon also did an excellent job of showing development in Christopher’s character throughout the novel, which was very enjoyable. I would definitely recommend this book to others.