In the first 60 pages of SON OF ITALY you came across an infinite amount of DETAILS.
Don't focus on the plot, the action, the major themes etc. etc. etc.
COMMENT:
FOCUS on one small detail, something that had an impact on you and that most other people probably noticed but did not spend much time thinking about.
Instead, for you it had a particular meaning.
Why? What is it that led you to choose it?
Read your classmates' comments first and avoid repetition.
REPLY: choose the comment of someone who wrote AFTER you did (you will have to come back.) Choose something you had NOT thought about or you had NOT noticed and explain why this comment caught your attention.
In the beginning of the book it was a little confusing. At first I had to read the chapters several times to understand what was going on. The one thing that impacted me was when the young boy chose to leave America without having to be asked by his father. Even though his family was very poor they still manage to be happy and help each other out. The young boy took up the responsibility of taking care of his family along with his father at such a young age.
ReplyDeleteBack in the days it was about family unity, typically boys would go out with the father while the girls stayed home helping out their mothers with housework, cooking and gardening. There are a lot of single parents or broken families that have to work two and three jobs and children need to grow up by themselves. Some children grow up to be very mature at very young ages and can handle whatever is thrown at them, however there are children who can not handle it since they might be so dependent on their caregiver or whoever they are around. The ones who can handle the stress do things like finish school. The ones who can't, end up in sticky situations such as drug use,stealing even dropping out of school. I was one of those children who lived in a broken home but instead of failing or disappointing my mother I helped out with my little sister and took care of all the house duties and made sure my sister and I finish up school. I always made a promise to myself that when I became a parent to raise my children with the understanding that life is not easy and the harder you work the more you appreciate what you get out of life.
It is made clear to us through the first few chapters that the people living in Italy at the time lived in great poverty. We see how the young boy had to suffer with rats, terrible sleeping conditions, and various other things due to his poverty. However, there is one thing about poverty that the author said that really touched me. He said that although his family mostly ate poor people food, his family was still happy. Even with all the hardships that came along with being poor, his family was still content and happy with their lives. Money was not more important than health and happiness to them.
ReplyDeleteI really took this to heart because I see the opposite happening all around me. People seem to care more about money, and less about happiness. Money is not what brings happiness, so I question why people insist on chasing it. Often people spend their entire lives chasing after money in hopes of achieving happiness, but never reach true happiness. It is nice to see the boy realize at such a young age the true meaning of happiness.
We know what they say about being curious. Curiosity didn’t kill this particular cat, but gave it wider eyes to better understand the world around it. What we see through the young boy’s eyes is an example of childhood curiosity in its prime.
ReplyDeleteFrom his perspective I could feel both the childlike wonders and fears that come with curiosity. From these events of simply wanting to accompany his mother through town, or wanting to test the legends of needling a witch, I could connect with the young boy through my own childhood memories. That’s not to say I have lost my own senses, but I don’t often feel it in such a simple way anymore.
When our main character is pasturing his sheep and goats on the side of the mountain, he comes across the old woman presumed to be a witch by the people of his town. Despite his fear, he does not run away. Instead when she asks for food, he gives her his lunch. There is never a moment’s thought about when was the last time he ate or how hungry he might be later. He gives her the food simply because she asks for it and she clearly needs it more than he does. His entire upbringing, he has been told to fear and respect this woman because she is a witch and/or a vampire, with strange powers. As a child, he hid from her when she appeared at his door, begging his parents for food. What really made me think about the main character is how he saw her and how he believed she saw herself. Even though he is afraid of her, I noticed that upon seeing her, he takes her as she is. By this I mean he sees a tired, old, injured and afraid person and not the monster his townspeople believe her to be. He was empathetic enough to be able to recognize how she saw herself (upon her collapsing to the ground he says, “What thoughts must have filled her – what remorse – what horror at herself!”) but sympathetic enough not to view her in that way himself.
ReplyDeleteI chose this particular detail because it gives me a glimpse into the soul of the main character. I hope that I would also feel this away about a person in the old woman's situation. Our main character seems to be a person with a good heart, lacking any instinct for cruelty.
When I was reading the book one thing stood out for me. When the boy was playing with other kids and by accident one of them got hit with a stone on a his forehead. Kids started to blame a boy and he decided that the only right thing to do was to run away. “ My father wouldn’t defend me if his father came to my house to hit me, nor my mother.” I personally was little shocked when I read that. I suddenly felt so sorry for this boy who couldn’t find the protection in his own place, who felt scary and lonely. In a despair and fear he ran away.
ReplyDeleteI always had in my mind that my house and my parents are my protection from anything. Since I was a child I felt that the only place I can be safe no matter what is my own home. But when I read that he assumed that no one would protect him I couldn’t understand why he would feel that way. Kids usually know that there’s no other safe place than home. Now we are not kids anymore, however, I personally still have that feeling that my home and my parents are my fortress.
I chose that detail because the theme of family is very important for me and I feel like every child should feel protected in their home.
That also stood out for me as well. I must of read that over 2-3 times. That probably would of been the last thing to come to mind where BOTH of your parents wouldn't defend you. I know for sure if that was me and my parents it would be completely different. As I also had in my mind that my parents are my protection as it should for any other child in this world. Without that you are alone and lost of what to do. Which is exactly what happen when he fled and hid from the scene.
DeleteThe author explains that his family was so poor, they barely had enough money to buy things that are needs. I was in total shock when he explains the story of when it rained, water leaked in from the cracks on the ceiling and that his father had to cover the patch with clay. His mother had to use her own clothing to cover his since he was shivering from the cold.
ReplyDeleteWe can tell that from a very young age the author was a very curious boy. Many of the experiences that he encountered at a young age matured him and I think as a result he gained bravery. In one of his past memories he explains that many men who leave to America stop writing back, they either die in accidents or get killed, and even though he knew this he still decides to leave with his father. He wants to know what great things are in America, because the people that do make it back come back with money. This part touches me the most because coming from immigrant parents I can't help but imagine what they must have gone through. Both my parents came by their own choice. They come from Mexico, there is a lot of violence happening at the borders. For example drug dealers sometimes rape and kill women, children are taken for their organs. I think it sad that a boy at that age, at the age of 15 has to make a decision to leave his country to peruse something better somewhere else.
Something that really stood out to me after reading the four chapters was the story of the kids obsession with bird nests. The obsession with bird nests stood out to me because it made me think, "This is their source of entertainment?" I just found it so weird and weirdly put into the story as an opposition of the elder's songs. One other note I got from the bird nests is that they knew that they would get beat and deliberately kept on pursuing. The kids found challenges in simple bird nests that they would have discussions over after potentially getting whipped by their parents.
ReplyDeleteThe thing that led me to choose this is that it puts their age into perspective and the time they are living in into perspective. I now get a visual track in my head from this two paragraph story of the kids climbing fruit trees to find bird nests. I also chose this detail because I want answers. Are the kids stealing bird eggs from the nest or the kids just amazed at the bird nests themselves? I honestly wonder.
This is a great point that you brought up. I did not even think twice about the children playing with the bird nests. After looking back at the text, I am starting to understand what puzzled you. Why are these children so obsessed with the nests? They went so far as to risk punishment just to play with the bird nests. I wonder if this was their only means of entertainment during their busy childhood. It really puts the lives of children in Italy at the time into perspective.
DeleteThis also interested me. I did not think too much into the symbolism of it but it spark my attention. It's always a shock to see the change in a generation. For example, in the 21st century no group of children would spend their free time entertaining themselves this way.
DeleteThe author talks a great deal about the topic of poverty and mentions it frequently throughout the autobiography. It is clear that poverty plays a huge role in his and his family's development, along with being the main instrument that influences many of his ideas and or his behavior. With that being said, the most striking detail within the reading included his thoughts about the "givers" within Introdacqua and the pleasantries that this town had to offer, especially to the local beggars. He says "the givers themselves are poor, though rich in kindness." This minor detail intrigues me, being that, the individuals who offer their last to those who are less fortunate, have even less for themselves. Such senseless acts of kindness are rare in today's society, where money is the motive. Being rich in kindness has no value in the current world that we live in so, reading that line instantly triggered an emotional reaction for me. Even while speaking about these acts, the author seems to understand the impact that their kindness has on those who ultimately have nothing. More interesting however, is the fact that he goes from speaking about the pure positivity of Introdacqua to the topic of witches and vampires who seemed to plague the town. Such a striking contrast!
ReplyDeleteI totally just brushed that line off without any thought towards it. It really the character of the people in his town. They live in a society that even the rich are considered poor. When I read the line that the mom was looking out the window and the "rich" people of the town were fortunate enough to own a donkey. I was like a donkey? That is what you buy with money? That is my initial thought from me putting into context of my life rather than their time period. So, the givers line has been essential to the story now that I think of it.
DeleteI actually watched a video on social media where a blind man asked for someone to read off his winning lottery ticket . He was of course pretending to he blind . The individuals in the richer neighborhoods tried to cheat him and the homeless beggars actually congratulated him and offered to help him find a place to cash in his winnings . That part of the story immediately reminded me of this video . I suppose the less fortunate can relate .. And ate therefore able to connect .
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ReplyDeleteIn the last chapter, the father was experiencing change in where he wanted to be. The idea of America was introduced and the father wanted to experience it. The author grew interest as well and respectfully wanted to experience it with him. But what I ask is why his brother never said anything about it, talked to him, or anything? This stood out to me the most because for one, you have a brother. Most and I mean most of the time siblings usually stick together right? Hard times especially and the author's family is poor but we don't see his brother's character as much. Did he want to go to America? Was it already planned for his brother to stay with his mother? I just feel like the author and his brother were not close one bit which I found weird.
ReplyDeleteInitially, I did not think twice about this moment being a significant one. However, after reading your explanation, I can completely understand why this was such a striking moment for you, but I apparently cannot say the same for the author of the book. It was quite odd that with all the elaborate details concerning his fathers feelings, his feelings & his mothers were mentioned, but his brothers weren't. I also see that after the first mention of his grandmother in the beginning of the book, he never mentioned her again so, that also in a sense raises my brows. I know that I have a very close relationship with my brother so, I would never be able to travel somewhere without the mention of him or his feelings. I can completely understand where you're coming from with this.
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“ Overjoyed with assured innocence, I entered the house in one leap.
Chapter 1 page 16
And my mother smiled after me”
Line reveals closeness to parent and security that mother provides. He was just cold and crying. One word from his mom and everything changes. His back is to her yet he can feel her smiling at him . The closeness is revealed in this way.
In chapter II he starts talking about the environment that is around him, gives the sensations through his words of what it felt to be there, where he grew up. He talk's in this chapter about a specific event in his life that was life changing. One night when he was talking with his mother and was excited about going somewhere but couldn't due to the fact that it was too far. While at that, when the storm broke they both got scared, and tried to find somewhere to hide but the house they found the owner just laughed at them and few seconds later he got hit by a lightening. This was the first tragic incident in the boy’s life and it was something that made a big impression on him.
ReplyDeleteThis event was life changing for the boy, because he has seen death now in a way. This particular event is sort of extreme because you see that because the owner of the house refused to help them out and was laughing at them he died. It is sort of telling you that things like that shouldn’t be done and that you shouldn’t be evil to people in any way , no matter who they are or from what category of rich or poor they come. Another event that shows more how this boy was is when he talked about Old gray haired Melengo and that he was always saying strange things, that people would laugh at, but the guy was really smart and knew way more than most of the people. Angelo points out through the events that have occurred and not only by the life style but by opportunity as well, opportunity to develop intellectually. Poverty of not being able to develop your knowledge was a big issue, but this wasn’t the most important thing , the small wages , the hard work & food in not the best condition was more important at the time & more controllable.
Something that grabbed my attention was how normal and natural it was in the early 20th century in Abruzzi for other parents to physically discipline a child that isn't theres. My grandparents had a similar mentality for my mother and her sibling but that didn't happen too often in America. It's uncommon. When I read how he was nervous his neighbor was going to beat him for his "wrong doing" I immediately thought of the expression, "it takes a village to raise a child". Everyone needed to parent each other's children.
ReplyDeleteThere were many curious thoughts that I had while reading the first 6 chapters of this book. I find it interesting on how he first started the writing the first few chapters. I really didn’t know what to expect when I turned the first page, but then I presented with a dialogue about him as a small child and how he had an small issue with a neighboring family after he was thought to have a fight with their son. Which follows my next thought on how close knit everyone is where almost anyone of adult age is allowed to lay hands on you if you do something wrong. I also related with his plight to be bigger, so events such as that wouldn’t happen, which eventually happened for him. My next thought is over his strong ability to remember such vivid and detailed recollection of his childhood, because personally if I had to think back to as young as he was I probably couldn’t conjure up such significant events in my youth. This because my memory for such things as that is not one of my best strengths. The last significant thought that came across me while reading this was that the struggles of the community when it came to make ends meet and farming is something that gave him such a strong character, but can’t fathom how he mentioned that most people wouldn’t work under the same conditions and rewards that they are giving at the end nowadays, but they allowed it to happen in the past; even mentioning that you would only do it if you don’t have sense, so I found that curious.
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