His retrospective on the story lets the reader know that he may not be telling the story truthfully, because it was 15 years ago. It is hard to believe everything that he is telling you. Gene likes to exaggerate the truth, like how small the trees and how hard the stairs are. He also likes to use metaphors. For example, he says "This was the tree, and it seemed to me standing there to resemble those men, the giants of your childhood, whom you encounter years later and find that they are not merely smaller in relation to your growth, but that they are absolutely smaller, shrunken by age. In this double demotion the old giants have become pigmies while you are looking the other way." (Page 14).
Do you think it helps the story that Gene is so opinionated? Why or why not?
Do you, the reader, believe the story Gene was telling? Why or why not?
Good Job Rachel. I think this brings up an excellent point.
ReplyDeleteYes, I do believe the story he is telling is true. Although you had said that Gene has a tendency to over-exadgurate, when he says that the school now reminds him of a museum I think that the author might have meant that in more of an abstract way than in a literal way. I also think that the fact that this tree was one of the two places he came back to visit, it shows there was some value that came along with it, therefore he is telling the truth.
I for one believe that he was telling it truthfully, because what motive would he have to lie? He's not likely to lie in something that is similar to his journal. Usually, unless he doesn't know or remember the truth himself, one wouldn't lie to his own journal. I don't believe that he forgot it, because seeing as we already know how dark the book will be, it's unlikely to not remember something so disturbing. So, for the second question, I believe the story that Gene was telling.
ReplyDeleteI like the way that you gave a bit of a background of the beginning before answering the question.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of answering your first question, I do think it does help if the story is opinionated. Since it has an opinion as opposed to straight facts, it lets us as readers have a bit of imaginative freedom. Also, because of the opinions that Gene has, it gives us a bit of an insight on Gene's personality especially in the area where how he would react is concerned. Of course, as with anything, there is a point where Gene's opinions become a bit excessive and extreme. What point do you think Gene's opinions become a nuisance?
Again, nice job Rachel.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Chloe that he is telling the truth but he may be over-exagerating. To answer your first question Rachel, I do believe that Gene's opinions help construct the story. Gene is telling the story though his eyes, and by seeing the way he understood the world in 1942 adds to our knowledge about him and we see his growth in 15 years. Through this following quote you see his opinions when he was 15 years younger and as the readers we see his thought process and learn more about his personality: "Phineas in those days almost always moved in groups the size of a hockey team- and they stood with me looking with masked apprehension from him to the tree." (p.15)
Again, Again Good Job Rachel,
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kofi I think Gene's opinions show his personality and character and gives the reader more imagination to create our own interpretation of Devon School. But adding to this, Gene's opinions gave real life experience on Gene's life and gave his friends personalities using examples within the dialogue and feeling that Gene has, to show and give the readers a sense that they are in the story. It also gives a first person view for the story and shows his emotions, instead of having the author say something like,"The boy was happy." as if the author was looking down from above.
Good job Rachel!
ReplyDeleteI also agree with Lucia and think that Genes opinions make the story more affective. Without it, you would not be able to fully understand all of the ideas that are running through his mind at the time. It also enhances how he views his time at the Devor School. Answering the second question, i agree with Chloe. Although the way Gene told the story did seem exaggerated, i think that the basis of it was factual. He might have taken some details and expanded them to make the story more interesting. Overall, Genes opinionated personality and magnified details makes the story more pleasurable to read and learn about.