Think, pair, share. Please discuss and post a comment answering these questions with a partner. List BOTH names
1. True life is elsewhere…
One French critic called The Elegance of the Hedgehog “the ultimate celebration of every person’s invisible part.” How common is the feeling that a part of oneself is invisible to or ignored by others? How much does this “message” contribute to the book’s popularity? Why is it sometimes difficult to show people what we really are and to have them appreciate us for it?
One French critic called The Elegance of the Hedgehog “the ultimate celebration of every person’s invisible part.” How common is the feeling that a part of oneself is invisible to or ignored by others? How much does this “message” contribute to the book’s popularity? Why is it sometimes difficult to show people what we really are and to have them appreciate us for it?
2. This book will save your life…
The Elegance of the Hedgehog has been described as “a toolbox one can look into to resolve life’s problems,” a “life-transforming read,” and a “life-affirming book.” Do you feel this is an accurate characterization of the novel? If so, what makes it thus: the story told, the characters and their ruminations, something else? Can things like style, handsome prose, well-turned phrases, etc. add up to a life-affirming book independently of the story told?
The Elegance of the Hedgehog has been described as “a toolbox one can look into to resolve life’s problems,” a “life-transforming read,” and a “life-affirming book.” Do you feel this is an accurate characterization of the novel? If so, what makes it thus: the story told, the characters and their ruminations, something else? Can things like style, handsome prose, well-turned phrases, etc. add up to a life-affirming book independently of the story told?
2. Continue working on your character sketches and stories
3. HMWK: REad to page 98 for Tuesday. QUIZ!
Akhiyar Abdi & Joshua Phonharath & Karina Torres
ReplyDelete1. The feeling of being ignored is very common at any age. The message contributes to the popularity because the book is relatable to readers. It's difficult to show people our true selves because we fear judgement from people who have clashing opinions with ours.
2. Yes, this is an accurate representation of the novel because the theme of suicide provides a sense of relatability to the readers, it gives them hope and a better outlook on life. Different words impact people in different ways.
Victoria & Jenna
ReplyDelete1. It's a very common feeling because people hide things in order to fit in with the social norm. We think that this message contributes to the book's popularity because it's a situation that most people can relate to. It can be difficult to show people what we're really like because we just want to fit in, for the most part, and we don't want to have to deal with negativity regarding what we're like, especially because people don't always accept others.
2. No, because it's not accurate in terms of the general population. The book is philosophical and provides a different perspective of life. Regardless, it's more than likely that not everyone would take everything in the book to heart. Some people may see it as simply fiction, and of little importance to reality. Things like style, handsome prose, well-turned phrases, etc., can add up to life affirming comments because if a book sounded like it was written for a kindergartner, nobody would be inspired. They certainly wouldn't think much of it, and they most definitely wouldn't refer to it as "life changing." Unless they're actual kindergartners, in which case, the book may be inspiring to at least one audience.
It is very common to feel that a part of oneself is invisible or ignored by others because many people have a fear of being judged for their insecurities, embarrassing stories, or other characteristics they feel as odd/unfavorable and they neglect to tell outsiders about them. This message greatly contributes to the books popularity because many people can relate to that feeling. It is difficult to show people what we really are and have them appreciate us for it because many people won't like us, or we think that many people won't like us, for parts of who we really are.
ReplyDeleteI think that at the point in the book we are at currently, it does not appear life affirming because as of now, the girl is still suicidal and the concierge is still hiding her intelligence and the story isn't particularly interesting. What makes a story life affirming is a story that causes the reader to appreciate the beauty of life and formulate their own new and revised will to live and experience reality, this can be achieved through well developed characters who are dynamic (go through change throughout the book), paired with an interesting/controversial plot line. I think that things like style, handsome prose, well-turned phrases. etc. can't add up to a life-affirming book independently of the story told, however, such characteristics greatly improve on the beauty and level of development/comprehension that can take place and in a lot of cases are a necessity in order for the story to be life-affirming.
- Isobel and Pahz
1. I think it is very common for one to feel that a part of themselves is invisible to or ignored by others simply based on the fact that people don't necessarily care about all of you. People see what they want to see not necessarily what's there. I think this message contributes greatly to the books popularity because I feel like a lot of people think of themselves as being ignored or invisible to others. More often than not, people are not as confident to speak there mind and show all of them, and therefore pieces and bits would get ignored or become invisible. I think it is sometimes difficult to show people what we really are because most don't have the confidence or most are afraid of judgment.
ReplyDelete2. I think at this point in the book, it can be considered a peak into life's problems, but not yet life changing or transforming. I think this because more so than not people can relate to the characters and how they feel because as mentioned before confidence is something most people lack. With Renee, being the outcast or the "less than" person who in all reality is great but is hiding herself from the world, and Paloma being one who questions humanity and life itself, many people can relate to the depressing side of life, but because as of right now the book is simply speaking on Renee hiding from the world and Paloma planning her death, it is not really life changing or life transforming. It could be considered life changing to someone like me because you can view it as something that you shouldn't do or shouldn't be. You could view the book in a way where, because you are confident in yourself and in your life, what's in a the book is life a reminder to enjoy your time living the best way you can and make sure you never get labeled as less than when in reality you are great. It could be looked at as a confidence booster. Also, aside from the characters themselves, I do think things like style, handsome prose, well turned phrases, etc. add up to the book being life affirming simply because with a handsome prose and a great style the novel would attract people. With attraction people would probably want to look further into the book and find that they relate.
Jesziah M. Vazquez Alquasia J. Maye
ReplyDeleteWe think everyone has a part of themselves that they hide from everyone. Also people already have a perception on other people so no one changes because they're comfortable in their every day life so they don't want to take a change drastically and negatively. We feel like people get frustrated with these characters for hiding who they are because a part of us knows we do it all the time and so we see that flaw in other (fictional and non-fictional) and we attack it. As if fixing it in someone else makes when we do it ok, we're not scared it's just choice then. A lot of people go through depression because they hide what's bothering and hurting them for the fear of it making them different.
Question 2: Paloma's logical-due to her intelligence- and innocent-due to her age- look on life makes you look at your own view on life and change it. She's so smart you forget she's twelve, and then she notices things that most older people don't pay any mind to. Or don't have the time to pay mind to it. Then you read Renee and she's at that point, she's been through life. And for her life was hard, and in someways dissatisfying. Hearing both of these voices in our heads makes them combine in your own mind a create whole new perspective. It's definitely accurate to say it's "life-affirming" it enacts a feeling of nostalgia. Also through the old school style and setting, but the modern problems or more accurately ones that still happen today. We feel this whole book is provoking nostalgia to make the reader re-look their views through out life.
Kemani White, Britney Rios
ReplyDelete1. I personally keep how I feel to myself. I don't tell people how I feel because people can use that against no matter how close you are with someone. That's invisible but its invisible because I choose to keep it to myself. (Kemani)
-Sometimes I feel like I cant tell me the stuff I want. If im feeling some way about something I have to bite my tongue and just let it go. At home I keep stuff to myself. I be in my room on my phone or watching tv just in my own bubble because I don't want people in it with me. People expect me to tell them stuff but they never ask, why should I tell them stuff when they don't really care its only a way for me to help them never the other way around.
-Paloma is secretly really intelligent but she dumbs herself down a little so other people won't know.
-Renee basically talks down on herself. She basically hides her real self but in reality she knows her worth.
2. I feel as if this novel is life-transforming and life-affirming. It has feelings about people that happen in reality. It can help people get through some hardships that relate to the book.
Javant, I don't really express my feelings externally because in my opinion there is no point and affection is not one of my top characteristics. I guess society has forced me to build an emotional wall. This relates to the book because the protagonist(s) are very inexpressive as well.
ReplyDeleteRaeona, a part that I feel is invisible to others is my wild side. Only my inner circle understand how adventurous and open to new things I am and how much of a eleutheromaniac I am. This contributes to the novel because it appears as if the protagonist(s) are so reserved, but in reality they crave an intense freedom.
Kordae, I feel that people don't see my complexity and depth. I don't allow them to see this side because I refuse to be taken advantage of. However, my closest friends and inner circle know how poetic and intense I can be in serious or dramatic moments. It definitely relates to the novel simply because the protagonist(s) are absolutely complex and there's more than meets the eye to them.
We all believe that the book is definitely a reference or a life lesson to inspire us. It displays how much a human can really absorb and develop information. As well as, an example of how intelligent we can be and how far our abilities can extend.