In Chapters 13-22 it seems that people nationwide are taking interest in Nathaniel. This is both a good and bad thing. People are offering instruments and apartments to Nathaniel because they feel like they’re helping a struggling musician/homeless man/ man with schizophrenia. Nathaniel turns down these offers because he prefers to live on the streets. He views skid row as his home and would rather not relocate.
What people don’t think about is all these apartments and things that Nathaniel has been turning down could be offered to others living on skid row. I’m sure that many of those people would love getting back on their feet. Unfortunately, these people aren’t Julliard Alumni and didn’t happen to lose their sanity along the way. I think the fact that people are willing to help a person in need is amazing but there are other people around the world less fortunate that are struggling while supporting themselves and their families.
If I were Steve Lopez I would have found an organization that assisted the homeless and mentioned it in my pieces concerning Ayers. That way all the loyal followers of Ayer’s story would be able to help out others who want the help rather then make useless offers that Nathaniel resists.
When grading my blog please keep in mind I'm not schizophrenia basher, I just have little patience for people who won't except help when they definitely need it.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
The Soloist 7-12
Things are really starting to pick up in the story in chapters 7-12. Steve Lopez shows his true interest in Nathaniel and telling his story to others. Lopez decides to sleep on skid row with Nathaniel and experience a night in the life of a homeless man. Although he didn’t sleep he just sat there, he still made the attempt. I feel that Lopez just wanted to be there for Nathaniel; he has so much talent and lives in one of the most dangerous places in the country. He just feels better knowing he’s not alone. Lopez goes to a nearby hotel and checks in but soon enough he leaves only to roam the streets until morning. I viewed this section as selfless on Lopez’s part. That would be the day that I went and stayed on skid row with a man with schizophrenia. As the story develops you realize Steve isn’t just in it for the story. He genuinely cares for Ayers in a way that I could never fully understand. He’s one of a kind considering many journalists are just out for themselves, they print the story and move on to a new one. Lopez takes the time to let the story take it’s course.
I don't have any specific ways for you to grade this post. Just do your thing :)
I don't have any specific ways for you to grade this post. Just do your thing :)
Friday, May 8, 2009
The Soloist 1-6
In chapters 1-6 of the soloist you learn a lot about the personalities of Nathaniel Ayers and Steve Lopez.
Lopez becomes fascinated by the fact that a former student of Julliard ended up on the street playing an instrument with two strings. Through reading some of Lopez’s other pieces I’ve realized it’s not just Ayers he was drawn to. Whenever he spots someone with potential he journeys to the end of the earth just to help him or her out. Lopez is an extremely generous and caring person, even though he doesn’t even know Ayers he still wants to protect him. When Lopez publishes his first piece about Nathaniel he receives a lot of feedback. People are offering to send violins & cellos for Ayers and all Lopez can think about is Nathaniel getting robbed/hurt. The first few chapters really show how Nathaniel is starting to grow on Lopez, despite his problems.
In the beginning of the book, Ayers seems sketchy of everyone especially Steve Lopez. When Lopez sees him playing he immediately walks up to talk to Ayers. Ayers jumps back as if he is scared or nervous. The next couple times Lopez goes to see him he isn’t frightened anymore. He becomes comfortable with him and starts to open up to him. When Lopez mentions the instruments to him, instead of getting excited he first says he can’t accept them nor can he afford them. It just shows the kind of person that Nathaniel is. It’s amazing that even though his life consists of nothing but surviving on the streets, he still doesn’t want to take from people. Although his schizophrenia tends to affect his decision-making, his true persona shines through occasionally.
Overall, I enjoyed reading these chapters. I think they really gave me a feel for the characters. I am now able to relate to some of their traits.
I don't have any specific ways for you to grade this post. Just do your thing :)
Lopez becomes fascinated by the fact that a former student of Julliard ended up on the street playing an instrument with two strings. Through reading some of Lopez’s other pieces I’ve realized it’s not just Ayers he was drawn to. Whenever he spots someone with potential he journeys to the end of the earth just to help him or her out. Lopez is an extremely generous and caring person, even though he doesn’t even know Ayers he still wants to protect him. When Lopez publishes his first piece about Nathaniel he receives a lot of feedback. People are offering to send violins & cellos for Ayers and all Lopez can think about is Nathaniel getting robbed/hurt. The first few chapters really show how Nathaniel is starting to grow on Lopez, despite his problems.
In the beginning of the book, Ayers seems sketchy of everyone especially Steve Lopez. When Lopez sees him playing he immediately walks up to talk to Ayers. Ayers jumps back as if he is scared or nervous. The next couple times Lopez goes to see him he isn’t frightened anymore. He becomes comfortable with him and starts to open up to him. When Lopez mentions the instruments to him, instead of getting excited he first says he can’t accept them nor can he afford them. It just shows the kind of person that Nathaniel is. It’s amazing that even though his life consists of nothing but surviving on the streets, he still doesn’t want to take from people. Although his schizophrenia tends to affect his decision-making, his true persona shines through occasionally.
Overall, I enjoyed reading these chapters. I think they really gave me a feel for the characters. I am now able to relate to some of their traits.
I don't have any specific ways for you to grade this post. Just do your thing :)
Friday, May 1, 2009
The Catcher in the Rye
After reading The Catcher in the Rye I feel a little depressed. The whole book is about a teenager who can't find anyone who truly cares about him. His parents let him go from school to school and could care less when he's coming home.
When I read a book I try to look for a deeper meaning in the story. What I found is that Holden seems to get himself kicked out of each school just because he wants attention from his family.
Unfortunately, each time he's just shipped off to another school. Holden just wants to be noticed and appreciated for who he is. His grandmother sends him money constantly, not because she wants to but because she forgets how much she sends and when his birthday actually is. All the money he has doesn't mean anything to him; it's just dead cash.
Throughout the story he talks about having someone and being lonely. This problem roots from his home life. Holden goes from schoolmate's mothers, to prostitutes, to random women just searching for someone to care, or at least pretend to. This all just adds to his angst. The only people he seems to have a real connection to are Jane and Phoebe. They are the only people that he has nothing but good words to say about them.
In closing, this book but it shows how vulnerable teenagers are and that a little attention goes a long way.
When I read a book I try to look for a deeper meaning in the story. What I found is that Holden seems to get himself kicked out of each school just because he wants attention from his family.
Unfortunately, each time he's just shipped off to another school. Holden just wants to be noticed and appreciated for who he is. His grandmother sends him money constantly, not because she wants to but because she forgets how much she sends and when his birthday actually is. All the money he has doesn't mean anything to him; it's just dead cash.
Throughout the story he talks about having someone and being lonely. This problem roots from his home life. Holden goes from schoolmate's mothers, to prostitutes, to random women just searching for someone to care, or at least pretend to. This all just adds to his angst. The only people he seems to have a real connection to are Jane and Phoebe. They are the only people that he has nothing but good words to say about them.
In closing, this book but it shows how vulnerable teenagers are and that a little attention goes a long way.
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