Jessica’s Comments (group member since Jan 02, 2013)

Jessica’s comments from the Classics Without All the Class group.

I read this one fairly recently. So I'll wait until the discussions start up, then join in. Great book! Hope you guys enjoy it.

I haven't read "A Mother" yet. But I wonder if some of the issues in "Boarding House" were due to the culture for that time period? I'm not saying whether anything was right or wrong. But it might have been a part of life for them.

Does that make sense?

I believe so. Return of the Native is one of my favorites. it's been a while since I read it, but I think it leaves one feeling kind of frustrated at the end. I was trying to see if I could find an article or something relating to this topic, earlier, but couldn't find anything.

I love reading classic literature, especially Hardy. But I have to take breaks between the reads because it can get a bit daunting at times.

Part of the romance genre of that time. Tragedy was more popular than the happy ending.

I had to use sparknotes when reading these just to make sure I was grasping what was going on in the first few. It's actually disturbing to read there is an air of pedophilia suggested in both. The second specifically more so than the first. The man wandering around actually exposes himself to the boys. It seems more a study on how fear in these stories can effect a child. The first one also looks at how children deal with death. It feels odd to me to look for a lesson learned in these stories though because of the things suggested...would seem to put blame and shame on them. But that's just me.

Sometimes the truth is better received when the finger isn't pointed directly at you. Orwell does a fantastic job if driving his point home without really ever suing the blame game.

And it makes for a more interesting read. :)

Martin wrote: ""Improve nuts" has got be be one of the best Freudian auto spell mistakes ever ... ;-)
(Loving the book, by the way.) X"

LOL I didn't even notice that until now. Wow, proofreading is going to be something I do better at in the future. But in this context has created a good laugh for all. :D

I liked how the author reversed the role of the woman with the Nurses. They became the driving force or decision makers in this story. While on the outside/real world women were still fighting for that voice in the career world. Nurse Ratchet not only had control over the patients (who were all men) but the Doctor as well. Which was only accomplished by her adopting a very masculine and forceful personality.

And the "black boys" (as the book calls them) are abusive to the patients. Knocking them around and keeping them in submission, which was the polar opposite of what was going on during the Equal Rights Movement. The patients/white man had not rights in the institution. They were not equal and were stripped of the things that made them feel human.

However in both of these instances, there is still a good deal of stereotyping going on. The women, although in charge, are portrayed with a sexual undertone. As if that is the only good thing they have going for them. The "real" way they control everyone. The Black boys are portrayed as not being able to think for themselves. They are still slaves to the nurses by doing whatever they are ordered and will be punished when they don't. There were times it came off that they were stupid or simple minded. And, sadly, all of the above is how both parties were portrayed in the world when this was published.

I do think improve nuts have been made though. The information and awareness about things have helped society tremendously. But there are still faults. We are only human.

I agree. I don't think we will ever be able to comprehend the workings of the human brain. Let alone use out brains to their full capacity. I feel like there are so many questions that will never be answered. Like what do babies think about? They are only just developing vocabulary, communication, sensory, etc. so what does their interpretations look like?

Targets for so long were elderly or the 30 year old woman who had a child and because she doesn't want the husband to have an affair he throws het in an institution. Now I really believe it's the opposite end of the she spectrum. Children and teens are pubescent and angry all the time. It's part if hormones and being a teenager but I feel some parents don't get that. So they send them away, hopefully, before the neighbors or church finds out. Out of sight out of mind.

Has that really stopped though. Based on personal experiences it seems the new targets are teens. Is your child mellow dramatic, pubescent, and angsty? Throw em in a facility and then hound them until they get better.

McMurphy was a sacrificial lamb to me. But who he is in the beginning verses who he is at that moment are two different people. There is a lot of character growth evident in him.

Colleen wrote: "The descriptions were great. I had to google so I could see it visually, and was pretty much what I expected. Lovecraft obviously spent a lot of time on it, and he did well."

I was googling too. I loved his descriptions but I wanted to see these hideous monstrosities he kept talking about.

Anyone constantly think of Prometheus while reading this? Love that movie and I can see where a lot of inspiration for it came from now.

This was my first Lovecraft experience and I enjoyed it. The imagery and nightmare world he created is really intriguing.

That, is something I wish I had checked out while I was reading. Great illustrations!!

I finished Gathering Blue (second in The Givet quartet by Lois Lowry). I love the series so far.

Trucking through Tigana at the moment. It's considered a must by some fantasy lovers. I'm enjoying it. Fast paced and lots going on.
I will be starting The resurrectionist with the Quirk book group soon.

I got mine Saturday! Woohoo! Can't wait. :)

Hmm

Are we supposed to be getting those soon?

Reading 1984 and Tigana.