In my life-choice memoir I used reflective writing and description. I watched the video on reflective writing to enhance my skills and to use less description which I hope to use in later drafts. My first draft contains several scenes, but I would like to include more for a better visual representation of my life choice. I am struggling with the concept of "show not tell" in my writing because I rather explain facts than write creatively. The video has given more insight of how to improve my narrative process as a writer.
1 Comment
My parents have always allowed me to make my own beliefs and never restricted me from becoming who I am. I am very similar to my father as we think similarly and tend to have the same views on certain topics. At a young age I lost my faith and realized that I do not believe in God or the Holy Bible. To my grandparents, this is immoral and basically grants me a one-way ticket to Hell. I do not attend church or receive communion out of respect for those who cherish their Catholic religion and not rebellion which they assume. I know this will prompt a difficult conversation when I get married because I do not want a ceremony in a church. I do have an open mind however and if I begin to believe again, I will embrace that.
I believe the woman does keep the baby and does not follow through with the abortion. As the man and woman contemplate their future together, the woman is has a very passive aggressive tone and tends to discourage the man's attempts to persuade her. Also, Ernest Hemingway uses symbolism to represent life, like the grain and water the couple can see from the station. Also, Hemingway uses motifs to represent the connection between a mother and child like the number two. Also, I believe the woman does not stay with the man. She questions their future if she goes through with the operation, asking if he would love her and be happy. By doing so, she seems to ridicule his feelings toward her now as her pregnancy should not be considered a liability to their relationship. Near the end, she tends to say that she doesn't care about herself and only wants to make the man happy which can be referred as her seeking for his attention and approval. He does not comply and she asks for the conversation to end as it seems she has made her decision about the baby, not considering his beliefs. In my life, I struggle getting along with my family on my mom's side as my personality and beliefs are very conflicting with theirs. My dad does not like like my mom's family as they are extremely disrespectful and hold on to family traditions too tightly with expectations that are constricting. I am very similar to my dad and he is one of my favorite people and to see him at a young age arguing with my family members was very conflicting. As I got older, I began to be questioned more about my faith, education, love, etc. and they became very harsh and rude if it did not match their expectations. If I live by my family standards (although I am saying family, it is mostly my grandparents), I realized I would not be happy. I am very independent and strong with a drive to learn. I am interested in law and politics which was very confusing for them as most women in my family are expected to become teachers. I made the decision last year to distance myself from my grandparents and my parents were very proud of my decision. We held our own Christmas parties, Thanksgiving, birthdays, and other events that we used to spend with them. I am at a point in my life where I am making several life changing decisions regarding my future and hearing their negative, restricting advice was detrimental to my happiness. I hope to reconnect with them in the near future once I have my plans established.
I do agree with the family's choice to deceive Wang's grandmother because it was beneficial and her grandmother did the same thing to her husband. Although it was a risk that her grandmother may not receive the help she needs, not knowing the news and experiencing joy with her family seemed to work just as well. Especially at her older age, the grandmother may not have been able to handle the treatments and her final days may have been miserable without family. Also, clearly the grandmother would understand the family's decision because she made the same one not to long ago for her husband which worked as well. I would not agree with the decision if the grandmother was younger, if she clearly was affected by the cancer, and did not make the same decision in the past. Also, judging by the Chinese culture that mental and physical health are linked and joy is considered a treatments, the decision even respected the grandmother's culture instead of forcing the American culture on her. If I was in the grandmother's situation, I do not believe I would want to know about my cancer especially if it was not affecting me yet. I think I would psyche myself into having the affects of cancer and would benefit from being ignorant. I also would not want to spend my final months in a hospital, suffering through treatment when I could be with family and living life to the fullest.
I do agree with Margaret's decision to break the casserole dish and two green glass cups because she stood up for what means a lot to her by breaking something that meant a lot to Mrs. Cullinan. Margaret's name is her self identity which she cherishes and becomes infuriated with Mrs. Cullinan when she shortens it to Mary to save time. Mrs. Cullinan was too ignorant and racist to understand Margaret's disapproval of her new nickname. After being a servant for a short while, Margaret discovered Mrs. Cullinan's love for the casserole dish and two green cups. By breaking the dishes, she was breaking Mrs. Cullinan's power and superiority. It was a very meaningful message that I believe was necessary. Before the discussion in class, I first responded that I have never been oppressed as a white female. I have never experienced racism and being a female has never restricted me from an opportunity. Although, I have been oppressed by my family regarding my religion. My parents were raised Roman Catholic, with my mom having a stronger faith than my father. Most of my family on my dad's side is deceased, so he lost his enthusiasm for going to church. My mom has a lot of family on her side with both of her parents being alive, several aunts and uncles, and four brothers; all being Catholic. I have been raised Catholic, but have never been forced to go to church. I attended CCD where I received my first communion involuntarily and made the decision not to be confirmed. My grandparents were very disappointed with me, but even more once my parents pulled my little brother out of the program as he did not want to attend without me. Although a teenager, my grandparents have been planning my wedding, my children's names, my children's baptism and everything else I should not be considering at my age. I lost faith once I entered high school which some blame my age for which is understandable. I do not believe in the Bible or most of what the Catholic religion preaches, but I believe in an afterlife and higher being. I believe I only have this belief to stay sane and not as fearful of death. I am one of the first family members on my mom side who does not cherish the Catholic religion which will be a huge dispute as I grow older and consider events such as my wedding. |
Caroline
|