Monday, March 21, 2011

imitation...

Don't leave leave the house without my permission. Wash your own clothes. Make your own food. Wear deodorant. Sit with your legs closed. Don't yell at me. Never be the first to throw a punch in a fight. Never lie to me. If you use it, put it back. Don't chase, replace. Pour me some too. Brush your hair it looks like a nest. Lock the door. Answer me when I call you. Quit texting in the dark. Make your bed. Be nice to your brother. Wipe your feet. Quit complaining. Don't eat all of it. If you go, bring me back a plate. Tell your tia I say hi. Don't believe a word that any man says. Turn off the lights when you aren't in the room. Stop wasting so much gas. Don't buy that car, it's broken. If you get pregnant, tell me don't hide it.

Monday, March 14, 2011

final draft...

As I read the novel, The Flowers, I noticed how Sonny gained maturity through his teenage issues and overcame obstacles as a stepchild and only son. Sonny experiences many changes throughout the story. For example, he learns some French, he dislikes Cloyd more as each day passes, loses his virginity, falls for the girl next door, and he also majorly improves his bowling skills. Sonny is a typical American teen who loves cheeseburgers, engaging in risky behaviors, and simply hanging out with his friends. I’m sure most readers can relate to Sonny, as they all have something in common that they did in their teens, like driving for the first time and feeling nervous around a crush. Most people have experienced some sort of influence from the people in our lives, just like Sonny. I feel as I observed changes in Sonny it reminded me of typical high school students. As the story progressed, I learned that Sonny is an average teenager who is easily influenced, learns lessons and grows wiser through the issues he faces.
Since day one, Sonny had been playing games with Cloyd’s mind. Sonny tricked him into thinking that he wanted to visit Notre Dame. He even went so far as to get a French book from the twins and learn the language of the people. Learning French didn’t do much to budge Cloyd’s thoughts, he even forgot completely about Sonny’s dream to travel, but it did help charm Sonny’s crush, Nica. Cloyd made Sonny clean the whole apartment complex without salary, but Sonny got back at him by stealing Cloyd’s money from his office. Sonny didn’t know what he wanted to do with the money at the time, but he knew he’d save it for something special. If I were in Sonny’s shoes, I would save the money until I really needed it for something important. Cloyd also complains about Sonny from time to time, and Sylvia, Sonny’s mother, tells Sonny about the complaints. Cloyd would also talk about his mother. “One time I heard Cloyd on the phone. He said, 'i love to eat them tacos, and now I even got myself married to a pretty little Mexican gal.' He said that. Really. The dude who my mom married.” (51). By the time that Sonny finds this out, he really starts to dislike Cloyd. Cloyd is very strict, he and Sonny have mutual hatred and the only thing keeping them together is Syliva. Sonny seemed to have gained tolerance from seeing the negativity coming from Cloyd, in a way that Cloyd was his anti-role model. From the negativity that was brought upon Sonny, he learned that not everybody he encounters is going to agree with him, and he learned how to deal with it.
Sonny loses his virginity from the girl upstairs because, well she isn’t the classiest person on the planet and Sonny is a normal teenage boy whose hormones control his actions sometimes. The girl is lonely, and always feels the need for Sonny’s company when her husband is away. Sonny doesn’t take advantage of her because she is the one to always come onto him. I could also tell that Sonny had some respect for her even though she acts the way she does. I saw this through the stories he would tell his friends, “'for being in her apartment?' I asked... 'once you were in there, yeah, how could you not cork his wife?' said Joe” (136). he never got very specific with the details but they’d still go crazy. Sonny matures through his visits with her, because eventually he stops when he starts to like Nica. I can relate to this because I know many guys my age who like plenty of girls and if they have a girl on the side who’s willing to give them what they want, they’re gonna keep her. Sonny acts mature in this situation because he is willing to move on and solely focus on Nica.
As Sonny gets closer to Nica, he starts to make decisions with his mind and not with his body. He listens to what she has to say, and sometimes he gets an urge to kiss her but doesn’t. He falls for the typical girl next door, but not for what she is willing to give. He likes her personality, the way she speaks, her beauty, her shyness and her secure bubble she’s used to. He wants to take her out and show her new things, like pizza and bowling. Most of all he wants to show her how to love and be loved. Nica likes Sonny as well, and she smiles every time a French word comes out of his mouth. “'Je t'aime,' I said. And it made me smile. 'Cause I didn't know what else to say or how, and that's what finally came to me. It didn't make me laugh but it did make me feel better, and it made her smile so much” (249) I think the two of them relate because of their culture, where they live, their age, and they both have stepfathers. Sonny can view Nica as a future mother-figure because she takes care of Angel. It shows that she is responsible and is home whenever Angel needs her, unlike Sylvia in Sonny’s case. Nica had a positive influence on Sonny because she made him want to be a better person.
Sylvia goes out and does whatever she wants, and it teaches Sonny to do the same. Sonny likes to walk the streets, eat American food, crack jokes, and go bowling. He spends much time at the bowling alley when things aren’t quite right at home. It’s his getaway time, just a place to think alone. I believe many people have a place where they can go to have some time to their selves, just like Sonny. During his time at the bowling alley, he learns how to speak with respect. His conversations with the Zunigas are enjoyable, but they don’t let him curse in their fun zone. They also reward him with free games and delicious food. If I got the same thing when I went to a bowling alley, I’m sure I would go back more often as well. The Zunigas have a positive effect on Sonny because they teach him in a lesson in respect.
Sonny learns a lesson from Josep as well when he tells Sonny and Nica about a girl from Russia. Josep was spending time with Sasha, it could be called a date. They’re having a lovely time on a boat, when suddenly Josep spots a dead dog floating in the river. At first, Josep hopes that Sasha doesn’t see the dog, but they float closer and her eyes fall upon the dead dog. The situation turns out differently as Josep explains further, “But it is not as you are thinking. Instead of wanting to leave, Sasha moves closer to me. Closer. She puts her arm around me, and she rests her hair on my shoulder, and I put my arm around her, which she wants. Now it is better! The dog is dead, yet I am lucky because I am in love and I feel as a man full of his strength” (130). To me, this story gave a good message. It means that even though someone is put into a tough situation with another person, it should be a time where they can use each other for comfort. Through the trouble one experiences with another, it draws them closer than they were before.
The Flowers is an excellent book that teaches many lessons. Sonny is an interesting character who relates to everyone some way or another. I enjoyed reading about how Sonny deals with his problems, because when he would learn something new, it gave me some satisfaction knowing that he was becoming a better person. It showed how people are influenced by the people surrounding them, even minor characters have an impact on how people go about their lives. The people who Sonny encountered, helped shape him in into a responsible young adult. Along with the maturity he gained, he also learned how to be happy for others as well as himself.

transitions...

addition: last, moreover, equally important, in addition, besides, and then.

comparison: also, the same way, likewise, similarly.

concession: granted, naturally, of course.

contrast: although, and yet, at the same time, even so, in contrast, in spite of, nevertheless, otherwise, regardless, yet.

emphasis: certainly, indeed, in fact, of course.

example or illustraion: after all, for exapmle, for instance, in fact, in other words, in short, it is true, to illustrate, thus, truly, specifically.

summary: all in all, altogether, finally, in conclusion, therefore, to summarize, to put it differently, that is.

time sequence: finally, after a while, afterward, again, also, at that time, before, further, formerly, since, furthermore, in addition, in the first place, subsequently, in the part, last, lastly, meanwhile, simultaneously, second, presently, then, thereafter, soon, still, too, until now, when.

Monday, March 7, 2011

rough draft...

Rough Draft
As I read the novel, The Flowers, I noticed how Sonny gained maturity through his teenage issues and overcame obstacles a stepchild and only son. Sonny experiences many changes throughout the story. He learns some French, he dislikes Cloyd more as each day passes, loses his virginity, falls for the girl nextdoor, and he also majorly improves his bowling skills. Sonny is a typical American teen who loves cheeseburgers, engaging in risky behaviors, and simply hanging out with his friends. I’m sure everyone can relate to Sonny, as we all have something in common that we did in our teens, like driving for the first time and feeling nervous around our crush. We all experienced some sort of influence from the people in our lives, just like Sonny. I feel as we observed changes in Sonny it reminded us all of a young version of ourselves.
Since day one, Sonny had been playing games with Cloyd’s mind. Sonny tricked him into thinking that he wanted to visit Notre Dame. He even went so far as to get a French book from the twins and learn the language of the people. Learning French didn’t do much to budge Cloyd’s thoughts, he even forgot completely about Sonny’s dream to travel, but it did help charm Sonny’s crush, Nica. Cloyd made Sonny clean the whole apartment complex without salary, but Sonny got back at him by stealing Cloyd’s money from his office. Sonny didn’t know what he wanted to do with the money at the time, but he knew he’d save it for something special. If I were in Sonny’s shoes, I would save the money until I really needed it for something important. Cloyd complains about Sonny from time to time, and Sylvia, Sonny’s mother, tells Sonny about the complaints. The time that Sonny finds this out, he really starts to dislike Cloyd. Cloyd isn’t the best stepdad in the world, or even a good person for that matter, but one thing he did do was keep a roof over Sonny’s head. Cloyd is very strict, and he and Sonny dislike eachother but the only thing keeping them together was Syliva. I think Sonny changes from being around Cloyd, because Cloyd is racist and Sonny seemed to gain tolerance from seeing the negativity coming from him.
Sonny loses his virginity from the girl upstairs because, well she isn’t the classiest person on the planet and Sonny is a normal teenage boys whose hormones control his actions sometimes. The girl is lonely, and always feels the need for Sonny’s company when her husband is away. Sonny doesn’t take advantage of her because she is the one to always comes onto him. I could also tell that Sonny had some respect for her even though she acts the way she does. I saw this through the stories he would tell his friends, he never got very specific with the details but they’d still go crazy. Sonny matures through his visits with her, because eventually he stops when he starts to like Nica. I can relate to this because I know many guys my age who like plenty of girls and if they have a girl on the side who’s willing to give them what they want, they’re gonna keep her. Sonny acts mature in this situation because he is willing to move on and solely focus on Nica.
As Sonny gets closer to Nica, he starts to make decisions with his mind and not with his body. He listens to what she has to say, and sometimes he gets an urge to kiss her but doesn’t. He falls for the typical girl nextdoor, but not for what she is willing to give. He likes her personality, the way she speaks, her beauty, her shyness and her secure bubble she’s used to. He wants to take her out and show her new things, like pizza and bowling. Most of all he wants to show her how to love and be loved. Nica likes Sonny as well, and she smiles everytime a French word comes out of his mouth. I think the two of them relate because of their culture, where they live, their age, and they both have stepfathers. Sonny can view Nica as a future mother-figure because she takes care of Angel. It shows that she is responsible and is home whenever Angel needs her, unlike Sylvia in Sonny’s case.
Sylvia goes out and does whatever she wants, and it teaches Sonny to do the same. Sonny likes to walk the streets, eat American food, crack jokes, and go bowling. He spends much time at the bowling alley when things aren’t quite right at home. It’s his getaway time, just a place to think by himself. We all have a place like that where we can go to get away. Sometimes I like to go driving in the mountains and listen to music alone. It gives me time to think, and a breeze in my hair is an added perk. During his time at the bowling alley, he learns how to speak with respect. His conversations with the Zunigas are enjoyable, but they don’t let him curse in their fun zone. They also reward him with free games and delicious food. If I got the same thing when I went to a bowling alley, I’m sure I would go back more often as well.
Sonny learns a lesson from Josep when he tells him and Nica about a girl from Russia. Josep was spending time with Sasha, it could be called a date. They’re having a lovely time on a boat, when suddenly Josep spots a dead dog floating in the river. At first, Josep hopes that Sasha doesn’t see the dog, but they float closer and her eyes fall upon the dead dog. The situation turns out differently as Josep explains further, “But it is not as you are thinking. Instead of wanting to leave, Sasha moves closer to me. Closer. She puts her arm around me, and she rests her hair on my shoulder, and I put my arm around her, which she wants. Now it is better! The dog is dead, yet I am lucky because I am in love and I feel as a man full of his strength” (130). To me, this story gave a good message. It means that even though someone is put into a tough situation with another person, it should be a time where you can use each other for comfort. Through the trouble one experiences with another, it draws them closer than they were before.
Sonny is not allowed to date Nica, which creates a problem. Nica is willing to wait for Sonny, and he does. One day, Sonny takes Nica for a ride in the car, but Nica doesn’t want to return home. She wants to go to Mexico and she explains to Sonny that she doesn’t have the money. Sonny puts Nica before himself and says he has the money and they can go together. Through the selflessness Sonny gained through his experiences, he ends up getting the girl he loves, and he is finally happy. That is the biggest change in Sonny. Along with his maturity, he learned how to sacrifice for other people.

Sunday, March 6, 2011

racism and Sonny...

Everywhere in "The Flowers" there is racism.  Each person molds to their stereotype, but some not completely.  Sonny doesn't like racism, and he tolerates most people.  He's friends with everyone.  Pink looks white, but he's actually black so I guess he could count for both.  Anyway, Cloyd is a typical white redneck who hates black people and has his own white redneck friend, Bud.  Bud had his own white wife, but Cloyd enjoys his Mexican wife because she can make him Mexican food to chomp on with his beers all day long.  Sylvia sticks with her Mexican culture and caters to her husband like a traditional Mexican woman would.  Nica is Mexican and she stays home and takes care of the house too.  Pink is black, and has black friends.  He sells cars without a permit, and likes to talk with Sonny and call him brother.  Sonny is Mexican, but he is also American.  He loves his burgers and cokes, and he has respect for most people.  He may steal a little here and there, but we all have a guilty pleasure.  Sonny is a good mix of traditional and modern, and his personality allows him to get along with anyone who is as open-minded as he is.  He is the balance in the novel and is a good role model on how to deal with racism.  Be tolerant and don't contribute to the issue.

money prediction...

I think Sonny is going to keep the money and either save it for something he needs, or splurge on something that he wants.  If I was in his position I would try to save it.  I say try because saving money isn't my claim to fame.  Sonny would be smart to buy the Bel-Air and leave the apartments and go live on his own.  I think another option of his woud be to actually visit Notre Dame.  This wouldn't be the wisest decision because he wanted to go out of spite.  Lastly, I think he would buy something for Nica.  He would get her something that means something to her and it would make her happy.  Afterall, Sonny is always trying to please the people he cares for, right?