First, I examined her parents. There lack of support, love, and affection really took a toll on how Mel viewed herself. They were not around for dinner time discussions, let alone mom and dad together in the same room. To Mel, her parents had fallen apart long ago- they were just prolonging the inevitable until she graduated high school.
Her parents did show some progressive signs of support. At Christmas, they bought Mel a canvas and sketch pencils. Mel recalls, "I almost tell them right then and there. Tears flood my eyes. They noticed I've been trying to draw. They noticed"( 72). This was such a minor display of affection, and this had almost brought her to tell her parents what had happened to her on that August night. Like many of they stories we have read this summer, Crash, Centerfield, and Monster, Mel is longing for the attention, love, and support from her parents. She reminisces of past holidays, and wishes it had been the same. How often do teens now reflect on their youth and say, "I wish I could go back"- I think this would be a great reflective Interactive journal response. Students can talk about what they miss the most about their own childhood, like Mel.There is also a symbolism of trees. Her teacher, Mr. Freeman (which, I love how Anderson used play on words for her characters; he certainly was a free-spirited man) gave Mel the encouragement she needed to last her through her freshman year. After her friends were long gone, her parents were disconnected, there was one person that believed in her and pushed her to be better. Mr. Freeman and the tree- symbolism of growth? development? nourishment?
Mel worked the whole year on her tree. She used various materials, just like teens change year to year in their own youth. She wanted it to be perfect; the desire for it to look just right- was this because her own self image had disappeared, and happiness could not be obtained for herself? The entire book is a process- a growth. Her growth developed, as did her tree. She was proud of her display, the very last day, because she knew deep inside, it resembled her emotions.
Mel definitely grows from being somewhat stagnate/flat to a dynamic character. The rape has caused an inability to feel; her emotions are drawn from her and she cannot seem to regain strength. With the spring, and courage to make a change, she regains control of her emotions. The fact that she confronted Rachel about Andy made her feel stronger and empowered, something that had been taken away. She wasn't about to let that all go away- especially when Andy confronts her for a second time in the janitor's closet.
The parents angered me. I think they contributed to her silence. They were so indifferent and lazy about making their marriage be better. There were hints at their unhappy marriage - what about how on the night she was raped, she's aware that her dad comes home around 2 and that her mother comes home around 6 in the morning? Seeing them wallow in an unhappy marriage can make Mel that this is just the way to handle things - by ignoring them. I can think of several students who would identify with Mel because of her unavailable parents.
ReplyDeleteI was actually thinking about that as well- It never talked about where her parents were, and she never found out of cheating or love affairs in her own parent's marriage. I felt her mom was so caught up with her job at Effert's that marriage and daughter came second.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree- having kids open up about their home life is not something that happens in every classroom- However, if the class feels like opening up, kids can really begin to express where their parents are in their lives. I had an eighth grader a couple years ago who was silent and reserved, and when I asked if his year was going well, he told me he just missed his dad. (That he'd be spending the next six months in El Salvador). I agree that this can definitely bring perspective into kids lives.
Lisa, I agree with the two of you........Mel was learning from her parents that if you did not speak about unpleasant topics then they would somehow disappear or they would be less painful. What do we teach our children when we do not confront problems? At the same time where were those teachers, those guidance counselors? Counseling was surely something that was needed here. Your reflection makes me stop and think.............am I, as a mother, a grandmother, a mother-in-law, a daughter, an aunt and great aunt ignoring issues and topics that need to be addressed in my family? I do not know.........I will have to think about that. Thanks for getting me to reflect as well. Dr. Ries
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