Title: Girl with a Pearl Earring (Film)
Author: Tracy Chevalier
Director: Pieter Webber
Characters Minimized/ Cut
Many characters are cut in the film such as Agnes, Frank, and Mrs. Van Ruijven. The siblings are important since it tell the audience a bit about Griet’s life. Mrs. Van Ruijven is significant because her circumstances with her husband’s affairs. Hinting at that Mr. Van Ruijven had bad intentions toward Griet. Other characters that were minimized were Vermeers’ children. The children should represent support and trouble for Griet. Maerte is shown but did not talk and Cornelia still remained as Catherina’s “telling” girl. Short scenes with the butcher’s son, Pieter, and the relationship are not as intense in the film compare to the book. There is a bit disappointing about the cuts in the characters.
Characters Emphasized
The film emphasized more in Griet’s job in the Vermeer’s house. In the house, the relationship between Griet and the Vermeers was “cold.” The impression for the audience about Griet would be just a maid, almost a flat character. However, in the book, Griet is described more as a rounded character. Her family and friends had parts in the book. The interaction between Vermeer and Griet was portrayed the same as the book. Mainly, Griet’s relationship with the Vermeers was emphasized.
Narration
In the book, the narration is in first person point of view (1st POV). The film could not be like that but, it would be strange to hear the narrator throughout the film. Therefore, the narrator is limited. The audience could not tell what Griet thought of her master but we (audience) could tell by the look of her in various scenes toward Vermeer. The audience has to assume to understand the characters’ thoughts. Remember, in the book, the reader gets vivid descriptions to understand the situation. The film makes the images in order for the people to understand the story.
Motifs
The main motif in the film is the huge eight shaped star shown at the start and end of the film. The star is located on the floor. That star symbolized the choices Griet’s made during the film. First, Griet stepped on the star to head toward the Vermeer’s house. Then, she ran away from the Vermeer’s house to somewhere else. In the film do not shows where she went but the days of being a maid were over. She decided to run away from her masters. The star represented Griet’s choices. Another motif is the appearance of Cornelia. Every time the little girl appears, the audience could tell she foreshadow trouble for the protagonist. She was Catherina’s snitch.
Music/ Sound Effects
The music for the film’s background is high quality. It was excellent. The background music fits perfectly in every scene. For example, as Griet cleans Vermeer’s studio, the music is soft and soothing. It is relaxing because the characters enjoy cleaning the studio. Another scene is when Griet returns the pearl’s earring to Maria Thins. The background music is a bit dramatic and “dark.” Similar to the idea of a“foreshadowing misfortune” music. The music helped convey the situation’s atmosphere in the film.
Film Terms in the Film
One of the most interesting shots in the film is when Catherina knows about the painting and Maria Thins is behind her. It is classified as a point of view shot, reaction shot, and medium shot. The point of view is from Vermeer. The director’s shows the audience how Vermeer sees his wife after she saw the painting. She seems to be betrayed about the secret paint. The shot is a reaction shot because it shows both Maria Thins’ and Catherina’s expression after seeing the painting. Catherina looks depressed and miserable. Maria Thin looks worried and regretful. Lastly, the shot only shows the waist upward of both actresses. Notice that Maria Thins looks smaller than Catherina in the shot. It symbolize how helpless the mother was to stop her daughter’s anguish.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Girl With A Pearl Earring (Page 182-233)
Title: Girl with a Pearl Earring
Author: Tracy Chevalier
Page 182- 233
Summary
Many months had passes, Griet and Vermeer were working together in order to finish two paintings at the same time. As the concert painting was completed, Griet’s portrait still needed some touch ups. Except, there was something missing in the painting, the elegant turban and Griet’s posture seem fine. Vermeer felt his painting was not finished. The idea of the pearl earring erupted one night when Catherina wore pearl earrings. With an emerald evening gown and her earrings, the earring stood out so much that Vermeer thought about it. The element needed in the painting was pearl earrings. The painting seemed dull and needed the opaque yet shiny pearls to illuminate Griet’s face. Griet struggled to decide whether to wear Catherina’s pearl earrings, she felt as a traitor toward her mistress. Yet, Vermeer asked her to wear them. She couldn’t contradict the person who had saved her and her family from starvation. At the end, Griet accepted Vermeer’s request and the painting was completely finish. The problem came when Catherina saw Griet’s portrait. She was so mad that a maid had worn her beautiful pearl earring and that her own husband kept it a secret from her. Catherina’s anger caused so much commotion that Griet ran away from the Vermeers. Ironically, Griet did not have a chance to see her portrait completed. Ten years had gone by, Griet decided to live with Pieter as the butcher’s wife. The Vermeers had not pay the money they own to the butcher. However, Pieter did not mind. He explained it was the cost for his love. Anyhow, Griet’s life had changed dramatically. She became a common butcher and a mother. There were rumors of the Vermeers’ lost of Johannes Vermeer. Catherine had 11 children to feed and huge debt to pay up. One day, Maerte, daughter of the Vermeers, came to invite Griet to their house. Once again in the same place, Griet saw Catherina. Catherina only requested her presence just to follow her husband’s will. According to the will, Griet should keep the pearl earrings. After that, Griet left with the earrings and sold them. The money was to repay the Vermeers’ debt to her husband. Griet wanted to prove that, “a maid came free” (Chevalier 233).
Quote
“As she turned her head to brush more powder on her face the earring swung back and forth, caught in the light from the front windows. It made us look at her face, and reflected light as her eyes did” (Chevalier 193).
Reaction
Chevalier’s narration style throughout the novel had been outstanding. The storyline of the book had been amusing. Chevalier’s original creativity to decipher the history behind Vermeer’s enigmatic painting to the world is superb. The history behind the idea of the pearl earring in the painting was unique. In the quote above, Chevalier conveys to the reader how Vermeer came up with the pearl earring idea. As Catherina nags to Griet about her clumsiness to spill wine over her expensive green dress, the pearl earring shined with its radiance. This radiance caught Vermeer to make Griet wear the earring that foreshadowed trouble ahead. Also, the quote has a simile. The simile compares Catherina’s eyes and the pearl’s light, how they complemented each other. The dénouement was fantastic. Griet came back to peaceful times and lived happily. It was shocking when Vermeer died. I did not see that coming. Overall, the book was great!
I rate this book 4.9 out of 5. A bit dissapointed with the dénouement. ;)
Author: Tracy Chevalier
Page 182- 233
Summary
Many months had passes, Griet and Vermeer were working together in order to finish two paintings at the same time. As the concert painting was completed, Griet’s portrait still needed some touch ups. Except, there was something missing in the painting, the elegant turban and Griet’s posture seem fine. Vermeer felt his painting was not finished. The idea of the pearl earring erupted one night when Catherina wore pearl earrings. With an emerald evening gown and her earrings, the earring stood out so much that Vermeer thought about it. The element needed in the painting was pearl earrings. The painting seemed dull and needed the opaque yet shiny pearls to illuminate Griet’s face. Griet struggled to decide whether to wear Catherina’s pearl earrings, she felt as a traitor toward her mistress. Yet, Vermeer asked her to wear them. She couldn’t contradict the person who had saved her and her family from starvation. At the end, Griet accepted Vermeer’s request and the painting was completely finish. The problem came when Catherina saw Griet’s portrait. She was so mad that a maid had worn her beautiful pearl earring and that her own husband kept it a secret from her. Catherina’s anger caused so much commotion that Griet ran away from the Vermeers. Ironically, Griet did not have a chance to see her portrait completed. Ten years had gone by, Griet decided to live with Pieter as the butcher’s wife. The Vermeers had not pay the money they own to the butcher. However, Pieter did not mind. He explained it was the cost for his love. Anyhow, Griet’s life had changed dramatically. She became a common butcher and a mother. There were rumors of the Vermeers’ lost of Johannes Vermeer. Catherine had 11 children to feed and huge debt to pay up. One day, Maerte, daughter of the Vermeers, came to invite Griet to their house. Once again in the same place, Griet saw Catherina. Catherina only requested her presence just to follow her husband’s will. According to the will, Griet should keep the pearl earrings. After that, Griet left with the earrings and sold them. The money was to repay the Vermeers’ debt to her husband. Griet wanted to prove that, “a maid came free” (Chevalier 233).
Quote
“As she turned her head to brush more powder on her face the earring swung back and forth, caught in the light from the front windows. It made us look at her face, and reflected light as her eyes did” (Chevalier 193).
Reaction
Chevalier’s narration style throughout the novel had been outstanding. The storyline of the book had been amusing. Chevalier’s original creativity to decipher the history behind Vermeer’s enigmatic painting to the world is superb. The history behind the idea of the pearl earring in the painting was unique. In the quote above, Chevalier conveys to the reader how Vermeer came up with the pearl earring idea. As Catherina nags to Griet about her clumsiness to spill wine over her expensive green dress, the pearl earring shined with its radiance. This radiance caught Vermeer to make Griet wear the earring that foreshadowed trouble ahead. Also, the quote has a simile. The simile compares Catherina’s eyes and the pearl’s light, how they complemented each other. The dénouement was fantastic. Griet came back to peaceful times and lived happily. It was shocking when Vermeer died. I did not see that coming. Overall, the book was great!
I rate this book 4.9 out of 5. A bit dissapointed with the dénouement. ;)
Monday, February 8, 2010
Girl With A Pearl Earring (Page 118-181)
Title: Girl with a Pearl Earring
Author: Tracy Chevalier
Page 118-181
Summary
Griet was now 17 years old. The butcher’s son Pieter became interested in her. Griet still avoid his feelings. Except, soon her parents noticed him by his gifts to the emaciated family. Due to his gifts, Griet’s parents influenced her to be with him. Therefore, they started to date. As Griet’s relationship with Pieter became more intense and deep, Vermeer was done with the baker’s daughter portrait and began to paint another painting. The painting was a portrait of van Ruijven’s wife. With the help of Griet, Vermeer became a bit faster in his work. The faster Vermeer could paint, the more money will bring to the large family. Griet’s help toward Vermeer was a secret from Catherine. Griet felt anguish to run the errands of the mistress and the master simultaneously. One day, Mr. van Ruijven came up with the idea of painting Griet. He wanted a painting of her and, of course, Vermeer couldn’t deny his request. Mr. van Ruijven was his patron. He was well known womanizer and had a bad reputation despise his wealth. Once, there was a rumor of one of van Ruijven’s maid being painted with her master. At the end of the painting, the maid was pregnant. Griet heard the rumor from Pieter. She became aware of Mr. van Ruijven’s intentions. Maria Thins appeased Griet that she will not be painted by the likes of Vermeer’s patron. Thins tried to evade van Ruijven’s train of thoughts by proposing of his son in law to paint three musicians in a concert which he thought it was an excellent idea. On the other hand, the patron’s idea remained. Vermeer painted two pieces of arts. One painting about his patron and his two daughters playing musical instruments and another one of Griet alone, Griet’s portrait was a kept a secret from anyone in the story besides Maria Thins.
Quote
“His expression was not angry, but weary, as of a man who just seen all the wood he must chop, or a maid faced with a mountain of laundry” (Chevalier 163).
Reaction
Finally, Vermeer starts to paint Griet. Chevalier made a great assumption behind this mysterious painting. Since, most historians do not know who the girl in Vermeer’s painting is and why he painted her. Anyhow, Griet’s life has been common. She had gotten used to the endless chores and Catherine’s expectation from her. Griet’s conscience became heavier and heavier every single day by keeping secrets from her mistress. I foreshadow the secret will be divulge anytime soon. In the quote above, the narrator describes the reader about Vermeer being drunk. Vermeer was jaded by doubling his job. This quote is excellence since it has two literary devices. One is the simile with Vermeer and a man who cuts wood. The other one is the hyperbole with Griet and her laundry. The reader gets the idea that Griet has a ton of laundry but not exactly as a mountain. It is an interesting quote!
Author: Tracy Chevalier
Page 118-181
Summary
Griet was now 17 years old. The butcher’s son Pieter became interested in her. Griet still avoid his feelings. Except, soon her parents noticed him by his gifts to the emaciated family. Due to his gifts, Griet’s parents influenced her to be with him. Therefore, they started to date. As Griet’s relationship with Pieter became more intense and deep, Vermeer was done with the baker’s daughter portrait and began to paint another painting. The painting was a portrait of van Ruijven’s wife. With the help of Griet, Vermeer became a bit faster in his work. The faster Vermeer could paint, the more money will bring to the large family. Griet’s help toward Vermeer was a secret from Catherine. Griet felt anguish to run the errands of the mistress and the master simultaneously. One day, Mr. van Ruijven came up with the idea of painting Griet. He wanted a painting of her and, of course, Vermeer couldn’t deny his request. Mr. van Ruijven was his patron. He was well known womanizer and had a bad reputation despise his wealth. Once, there was a rumor of one of van Ruijven’s maid being painted with her master. At the end of the painting, the maid was pregnant. Griet heard the rumor from Pieter. She became aware of Mr. van Ruijven’s intentions. Maria Thins appeased Griet that she will not be painted by the likes of Vermeer’s patron. Thins tried to evade van Ruijven’s train of thoughts by proposing of his son in law to paint three musicians in a concert which he thought it was an excellent idea. On the other hand, the patron’s idea remained. Vermeer painted two pieces of arts. One painting about his patron and his two daughters playing musical instruments and another one of Griet alone, Griet’s portrait was a kept a secret from anyone in the story besides Maria Thins.
Quote
“His expression was not angry, but weary, as of a man who just seen all the wood he must chop, or a maid faced with a mountain of laundry” (Chevalier 163).
Reaction
Finally, Vermeer starts to paint Griet. Chevalier made a great assumption behind this mysterious painting. Since, most historians do not know who the girl in Vermeer’s painting is and why he painted her. Anyhow, Griet’s life has been common. She had gotten used to the endless chores and Catherine’s expectation from her. Griet’s conscience became heavier and heavier every single day by keeping secrets from her mistress. I foreshadow the secret will be divulge anytime soon. In the quote above, the narrator describes the reader about Vermeer being drunk. Vermeer was jaded by doubling his job. This quote is excellence since it has two literary devices. One is the simile with Vermeer and a man who cuts wood. The other one is the hyperbole with Griet and her laundry. The reader gets the idea that Griet has a ton of laundry but not exactly as a mountain. It is an interesting quote!
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Girl With A Pearl Earring (Page 61-117)
Title: Girl with a Pearl Earring
Author: Tracy Chevalier
Page 61-117
Summary
As days when on, Griet had gotten used to the mistreatments of Catherina and Tanneke and her duties as a maid in the Vermeer household, her favorite part of being a maid was to clean the Johannes’ studio. Her talent to clean the studio “without moving anything” was superb. Griet only had to clean the room and then put the objects were they were. There had been some interaction between Griet and Johannes, but barely they saw each other. One day, while Griet was doing some errands for her mistress, Priet the son informed her about the plague near her family’s house. A sudden quarantine was place there. With fear and anguish, Griet runs down to the Vermeers and asked them to let her go. Except, Catherine rejected her request, Griet was not allow to return to her house for many weeks. During those weeks, Johannes had finally finish his portray of van Ruijven’s wife. The patrons were elated to see the final result. Anyhow, as the quarantine had been finally lifted, Griet received the news that her younger sister Agnes had died because of the plague. Grieve and sorrow came to Griet’s family, everyone became distant. On the other hand, Catherine gave labor to her baby. One perished and another life flourished. The Vermeers hosted a celebration party, which led Griet to distract herself from her family’s sorrow. The party was the only event that kept the house festive for the whole year of 1664. In 1665, Johannes had begun to paint another painting, thanks to Griet while she was cleaning the dusty windows in the studio. The streaks of sunlight illuminated Griet’s face while she turn toward him, this event led to her being more involve with this talented painter. From that moment on, Griet had begun to help his master by crushing bones to create paint or other errands behind her mistress’s back. Griet began to assist him while he painted the portrait of the baker’s daughter. Despite the hard time Tanneke gave her, after she found out several weeks after the master began to order Griet, Griet was still satisfied to spend time with him.
Quote
“The shock of his touch made me drop the muller, which rolled off the table and fell on the floor” (Chevalier 103).
Reaction
Chevalier’s transitions from time to time had been excellent. As 1664 ends, 1665 begins; the story takes a dramatic turn as Griet helps her master do another painting of the baker’s wife. In these series of pages, the narrator and Vermeer became more close to each other. Compared to the exposition, both maid and master work together to finish this painting. Despite keeping it a secret with the rest of the world, the interaction between these two develop a strong relationship with each other, maid and master. I assume that Griet might fall for Vermeer, which would be strange since he is already married to a haughty wife. The quote above comes from the passage when Vermeer showed her how to grind bones in order to create black paint. The touch of his master made Griet embarrassed, there are complex feelings Griet developed toward his master. They might be admiration, gratitude, curiosity or maybe love?
Author: Tracy Chevalier
Page 61-117
Summary
As days when on, Griet had gotten used to the mistreatments of Catherina and Tanneke and her duties as a maid in the Vermeer household, her favorite part of being a maid was to clean the Johannes’ studio. Her talent to clean the studio “without moving anything” was superb. Griet only had to clean the room and then put the objects were they were. There had been some interaction between Griet and Johannes, but barely they saw each other. One day, while Griet was doing some errands for her mistress, Priet the son informed her about the plague near her family’s house. A sudden quarantine was place there. With fear and anguish, Griet runs down to the Vermeers and asked them to let her go. Except, Catherine rejected her request, Griet was not allow to return to her house for many weeks. During those weeks, Johannes had finally finish his portray of van Ruijven’s wife. The patrons were elated to see the final result. Anyhow, as the quarantine had been finally lifted, Griet received the news that her younger sister Agnes had died because of the plague. Grieve and sorrow came to Griet’s family, everyone became distant. On the other hand, Catherine gave labor to her baby. One perished and another life flourished. The Vermeers hosted a celebration party, which led Griet to distract herself from her family’s sorrow. The party was the only event that kept the house festive for the whole year of 1664. In 1665, Johannes had begun to paint another painting, thanks to Griet while she was cleaning the dusty windows in the studio. The streaks of sunlight illuminated Griet’s face while she turn toward him, this event led to her being more involve with this talented painter. From that moment on, Griet had begun to help his master by crushing bones to create paint or other errands behind her mistress’s back. Griet began to assist him while he painted the portrait of the baker’s daughter. Despite the hard time Tanneke gave her, after she found out several weeks after the master began to order Griet, Griet was still satisfied to spend time with him.
Quote
“The shock of his touch made me drop the muller, which rolled off the table and fell on the floor” (Chevalier 103).
Reaction
Chevalier’s transitions from time to time had been excellent. As 1664 ends, 1665 begins; the story takes a dramatic turn as Griet helps her master do another painting of the baker’s wife. In these series of pages, the narrator and Vermeer became more close to each other. Compared to the exposition, both maid and master work together to finish this painting. Despite keeping it a secret with the rest of the world, the interaction between these two develop a strong relationship with each other, maid and master. I assume that Griet might fall for Vermeer, which would be strange since he is already married to a haughty wife. The quote above comes from the passage when Vermeer showed her how to grind bones in order to create black paint. The touch of his master made Griet embarrassed, there are complex feelings Griet developed toward his master. They might be admiration, gratitude, curiosity or maybe love?
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Girl With A Pearl Earring (Page 1- 60)
Title: Girl with a Pearl Earring
Author: Tracy Chevalier
Page 1 to 60
Summary
The exposition of the book began in 1664 at Delft, Netherland. The main character is Griet. Her family was composed of a mother, a father, an older brother, and a little sister. Her older brother’s name is Frans and her little sister’s name is Agnes. The family had strong bonds. She was only sixteen years old when her lifestyle turned upside down after her dear father became blind. Her father was a tile painter but in the tile factory, an accident occurred. The accident’s impact was the loss of his eyesight. Since then, Griet’s family had economic troubles. However, one day her mother introduced her to the Vermeers. The Vermeers were well known at the time because of Johannes Vermeer, a talented painter. He was married with Catharina. They had five children and expecting another one. The Vermeers sought for a maid and specially a maid to clean Vermeer’s studio “without moving anything” (Chevalier 9). After Griet moved to the Vermeer’s household, she faced extreme house tasks to earn few pennies to bring bread to her family. She was in charge of the whole house’s laundry and Catharina’s errands to bring meat and fish to the house. During her errands, Griet had met the butcher’s son, Pieter. He became interested in her but she avoided his intentions. Many weeks passed, Griet felt many kind of feeling people felt about her. Catherina and Tanneke detested her because Griet was allowed to enter Vermeer’s studio, in order to clean it. Tanneke is another maid of the Vermeers. Despise their jealousy, Griet made an excellent job cleaning and had fun. She saw the painting Vermeer had worked on. It was a portrait of Mrs. Van Ruijven. The van Ruijvens were Vermeer’s patrons. As for the relationship between Griet and Johannes, they are distant. Similar to a master and maid relationship, barely Griet talked to him.
Quote
“She moved down the hall way like a ship with its sails full, holding on to her bunch of keys so that they wouldn’t clink, and disappeared into the great hall” (Chevalier 54).
Reaction
Tracy Chevalier’s writing style is so vivid and enchanting. Even though the point of view is in first person, her wise choice of words made the book more enjoyable. One of the best styles of narration I had read in my entire life! The storyline of the book is incredible. Most people who read few pages will be entice to read until the very last page. Believe, I am one of them. So, the narrator of the story is Griet, protagonist. In the quote above, she compared her mistress, Catherine, to a ship. The quote is taken when Griet assisted her mistress to her room since she was pregnant. The keys symbolize the power Catherine had in the house. They signify authority she has in her house. The reason is that Catherine’s mother, Maria Thins was the really one in charge. She was wiser than her daughter but still, Catherine just wanted to be superior. She wanted to be The woman of the house. Similar to Walter Lee Younger's situation from A Raisin in the Sun, he wanted to be the man of the house yet his mother, “Mama,” was in reality in charge of the house.
Author: Tracy Chevalier
Page 1 to 60
Summary
The exposition of the book began in 1664 at Delft, Netherland. The main character is Griet. Her family was composed of a mother, a father, an older brother, and a little sister. Her older brother’s name is Frans and her little sister’s name is Agnes. The family had strong bonds. She was only sixteen years old when her lifestyle turned upside down after her dear father became blind. Her father was a tile painter but in the tile factory, an accident occurred. The accident’s impact was the loss of his eyesight. Since then, Griet’s family had economic troubles. However, one day her mother introduced her to the Vermeers. The Vermeers were well known at the time because of Johannes Vermeer, a talented painter. He was married with Catharina. They had five children and expecting another one. The Vermeers sought for a maid and specially a maid to clean Vermeer’s studio “without moving anything” (Chevalier 9). After Griet moved to the Vermeer’s household, she faced extreme house tasks to earn few pennies to bring bread to her family. She was in charge of the whole house’s laundry and Catharina’s errands to bring meat and fish to the house. During her errands, Griet had met the butcher’s son, Pieter. He became interested in her but she avoided his intentions. Many weeks passed, Griet felt many kind of feeling people felt about her. Catherina and Tanneke detested her because Griet was allowed to enter Vermeer’s studio, in order to clean it. Tanneke is another maid of the Vermeers. Despise their jealousy, Griet made an excellent job cleaning and had fun. She saw the painting Vermeer had worked on. It was a portrait of Mrs. Van Ruijven. The van Ruijvens were Vermeer’s patrons. As for the relationship between Griet and Johannes, they are distant. Similar to a master and maid relationship, barely Griet talked to him.
Quote
“She moved down the hall way like a ship with its sails full, holding on to her bunch of keys so that they wouldn’t clink, and disappeared into the great hall” (Chevalier 54).
Reaction
Tracy Chevalier’s writing style is so vivid and enchanting. Even though the point of view is in first person, her wise choice of words made the book more enjoyable. One of the best styles of narration I had read in my entire life! The storyline of the book is incredible. Most people who read few pages will be entice to read until the very last page. Believe, I am one of them. So, the narrator of the story is Griet, protagonist. In the quote above, she compared her mistress, Catherine, to a ship. The quote is taken when Griet assisted her mistress to her room since she was pregnant. The keys symbolize the power Catherine had in the house. They signify authority she has in her house. The reason is that Catherine’s mother, Maria Thins was the really one in charge. She was wiser than her daughter but still, Catherine just wanted to be superior. She wanted to be The woman of the house. Similar to Walter Lee Younger's situation from A Raisin in the Sun, he wanted to be the man of the house yet his mother, “Mama,” was in reality in charge of the house.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Yoruba Girl Dancing (Page 161-185)
Title: Yoruba Girl Dancing
Author: Simi Bedford
Page 161-185
Summary
The main conflict Remi had throughout the story was that she was a lonely girl in England. Her family lived in Africa. She had to face discrimination in her school and accept herself as an African. In Germany, she had to face strange stares at her because she was “unique” than the rest. It was hard for her to be in her father’s friends’ house and people asking her question about Africa. As Remi returned to Dove House School, her friend Phoebe inquired Remi about the experiences she felt. The answer was, “I was treated like some kind of freak” (Bedford 169). One of many examples, Remi had to adapt in order to live in England. Her loneliness soon vanished as her entire family moves to England. About Remi’s academics, she had excelled greatly in English but her father chose her profession to be about law. So, Remi did not complained and follow his order (makes me mad). All her childhood friends were in England to study. There was a touchy reunion when Remi finally met her best friends. With all the excitement of being united again, Remi and her friends celebrated by preparing a “reunion” party. The denouement of the story was Remi and her friends dancing happily. Then, an older women ask the reader, “Is there a sight more beautiful…than a Yoruba girl dancing?” (Bedford 185).
Quote
“When we arrived the house was so bright it was like a flare in the dark and you could almost see the walls vibrating with the music” (Bedford 184).
Reaction
During the story, the narrator, Remi, had to accept her appearance and expected reactions of other people. She had faced isolation from her family. But all turns well in the end of the story, her family moves to England. The protagonist has a happy ending. Remi finally has her own people in this cold and lonely place (England). The quote above describes the atmosphere of the reunion party her family planned. This great quote has a simile. The simile compares the house hosting the party to a flare in the dark. Meaning, the party is lively and festive. The description informs the reader that it was major event for the narrator. Excellent imagery in this quote!
I rate this book 4.5 out of 5! Narration is fine the issue is the exposition.
Author: Simi Bedford
Page 161-185
Summary
The main conflict Remi had throughout the story was that she was a lonely girl in England. Her family lived in Africa. She had to face discrimination in her school and accept herself as an African. In Germany, she had to face strange stares at her because she was “unique” than the rest. It was hard for her to be in her father’s friends’ house and people asking her question about Africa. As Remi returned to Dove House School, her friend Phoebe inquired Remi about the experiences she felt. The answer was, “I was treated like some kind of freak” (Bedford 169). One of many examples, Remi had to adapt in order to live in England. Her loneliness soon vanished as her entire family moves to England. About Remi’s academics, she had excelled greatly in English but her father chose her profession to be about law. So, Remi did not complained and follow his order (makes me mad). All her childhood friends were in England to study. There was a touchy reunion when Remi finally met her best friends. With all the excitement of being united again, Remi and her friends celebrated by preparing a “reunion” party. The denouement of the story was Remi and her friends dancing happily. Then, an older women ask the reader, “Is there a sight more beautiful…than a Yoruba girl dancing?” (Bedford 185).
Quote
“When we arrived the house was so bright it was like a flare in the dark and you could almost see the walls vibrating with the music” (Bedford 184).
Reaction
During the story, the narrator, Remi, had to accept her appearance and expected reactions of other people. She had faced isolation from her family. But all turns well in the end of the story, her family moves to England. The protagonist has a happy ending. Remi finally has her own people in this cold and lonely place (England). The quote above describes the atmosphere of the reunion party her family planned. This great quote has a simile. The simile compares the house hosting the party to a flare in the dark. Meaning, the party is lively and festive. The description informs the reader that it was major event for the narrator. Excellent imagery in this quote!
I rate this book 4.5 out of 5! Narration is fine the issue is the exposition.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Yoruba Girl Dancing (Page 122-160)
Title: Yoruba Girl Dancing
Author: Simi Bedford
Page 122 to 160
Summary
Remi’s loneliness ended with her family short staying in England. With her bad report card and complains of the vice headmistress, Miss Valentine, her father finally comes to England! Remi’s family had grown, now there are three more children. They were the apathetic Tunji (already mentioned in the exposition), the stubborn Aduke, and the two lovely little sisters Yejide and Yinka. Remi’s father did not come to have a leisure time but to “rearrange” some businesses in England. He decided to leave Tunji and Aduke in England with their big sister Remi. In addition, he transferred Remi to a new boarding school called Dove House School. Her reaction of such as drastic choice did not give her any grief. As Remi met her dear mother, she reminisce all the horrific and racism experiences she felt. Her mother felt depressed and helpless of not supporting her daughter in her harsh times. After most of Remi’s family left, Remi and her siblings remained being bounce from place to other place during the holidays. She was 15 years old. One of her holidays, she was send to Germany. Living with a German family and having no clue how to communicate with them. Remi has to bear with her awkward situation.
Quote
“The room was dark except for thick wedges of sunlight which slanted in through the leaded windows and gathered in silver pools on the floor. A mile away two tall figures stood in silhouette, their features indistinguishable against the light” (Bedford 129).
Reaction
The narration style of Bedford has become more mature-like and enchanting. Young Remi has become a young adult. She is fifteen years old and accustoms to live in England. The narration had become better and lively. Finally, the naïve Remi understand the world’s “norms” for an African girl. Such as English people, like Ms. Valentine, view a black girl as a savage, Remi understands and stands for her beliefs that she is NOT a savage. The quote above has strong connotations and great descriptive words. The word “slanted” gives me the idea that sunlight has come into the room gracefully, a great imagery word. “Light” has a great sense of connotation for the reason people thinks of light which lead to “hope” or “goodness.” The quote comes from Remi’s point of view when she meets her father after six years. I really like this quote. After this great quote, comedy comes in since Remi do not remember HER own father. In addition, Remi starts to show off her “English” manners which displease her father. He do not want Remi to forget her roots. Remi's actions in England gives a sense to the reader that she has been assimilated into an "English" woman.
Author: Simi Bedford
Page 122 to 160
Summary
Remi’s loneliness ended with her family short staying in England. With her bad report card and complains of the vice headmistress, Miss Valentine, her father finally comes to England! Remi’s family had grown, now there are three more children. They were the apathetic Tunji (already mentioned in the exposition), the stubborn Aduke, and the two lovely little sisters Yejide and Yinka. Remi’s father did not come to have a leisure time but to “rearrange” some businesses in England. He decided to leave Tunji and Aduke in England with their big sister Remi. In addition, he transferred Remi to a new boarding school called Dove House School. Her reaction of such as drastic choice did not give her any grief. As Remi met her dear mother, she reminisce all the horrific and racism experiences she felt. Her mother felt depressed and helpless of not supporting her daughter in her harsh times. After most of Remi’s family left, Remi and her siblings remained being bounce from place to other place during the holidays. She was 15 years old. One of her holidays, she was send to Germany. Living with a German family and having no clue how to communicate with them. Remi has to bear with her awkward situation.
Quote
“The room was dark except for thick wedges of sunlight which slanted in through the leaded windows and gathered in silver pools on the floor. A mile away two tall figures stood in silhouette, their features indistinguishable against the light” (Bedford 129).
Reaction
The narration style of Bedford has become more mature-like and enchanting. Young Remi has become a young adult. She is fifteen years old and accustoms to live in England. The narration had become better and lively. Finally, the naïve Remi understand the world’s “norms” for an African girl. Such as English people, like Ms. Valentine, view a black girl as a savage, Remi understands and stands for her beliefs that she is NOT a savage. The quote above has strong connotations and great descriptive words. The word “slanted” gives me the idea that sunlight has come into the room gracefully, a great imagery word. “Light” has a great sense of connotation for the reason people thinks of light which lead to “hope” or “goodness.” The quote comes from Remi’s point of view when she meets her father after six years. I really like this quote. After this great quote, comedy comes in since Remi do not remember HER own father. In addition, Remi starts to show off her “English” manners which displease her father. He do not want Remi to forget her roots. Remi's actions in England gives a sense to the reader that she has been assimilated into an "English" woman.
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