A Wrinkle In Time

Having finished A Wrinkle In Time last week, I can say that this novel was my least favorite of the novels read for Engl 387. I can understand how the plot would be interesting because it consists of the mysteries of time and space and what exists outside of our on world on earth. This part was interesting for me, but overall I thought that the plot and characters did not coincide with my idea of what "freaks" and "geeks" are. I admit I do not have a specific definition in mind and having read all these novels, I realize there may not be a definition, but I enjoyed much more the novels that spoke about what "freaks" and "geeks" mean in relation to the world and societies within the world and am less concerned about "freakishness" outside of our atmosphere. The book, as a whole, as unsatisfying for me, but that might also be because of the juvenile style of the novel, since it is a children book.

After finishing A Wrinkle in Time, I went back to Geek Love since I was not able to finish it earlier in the semester. Geek Love really touched me in the area of family love and family drama. At the end of the novel I was really frustrated by the characters in Oly's family including Oly herself. How Arty controlled every aspect in their lives was frustrating and I kept hoping that Oly would escape from Arty and define her own life. This concept of escapism is reminiscent of Never Let Me Go. While reading this novel I kept hoping that the "students" would escape from the set life from them, but it never happened. This got me thinking that maybe it is more difficult to be a "freak" and escape into "normal" society. It is difficult for "normal" individuals to branch out and define themselves and even harder to become an obvious individual different from the people who surround you. I guess if you are already othered from society and are accepted in a little group of people who are similar to yourself, it would be harder to branch off. Sill, I kept hoping Oly would. I also felt very sorry for the twins because it seemed like they had so much potential and Arty was very successful to stifle it.

The books in Engl 387 made me think a lot about what it means and what it might be like to be othered. None of the books, however, seemed to have a happy ending and because of this, I think that the books were more insightful and real. I am excited to delve into my research essay and learn more about the different sides and experiences of being "freaks" and "geeks".

Never Let Me Go II

Having finished read Never Let Me Go, it has made me think about people and who we consider "freaks". The characters Ruth, Tommy and Kathy are considered to be abnormal because they are only in existence for their donations. From an outsiders' point of view, however, these people would not be considered "freakish" at all. I am having a hard time decided whether i agree with Miss Lucy's point of view on the "students" or Miss Emily's. I agree with Miss Emily trying to encourage the creative side of the students and have them prove that they have souls because I can understand why those who are outside of Hailsham might have this point of view. I do not think, however, that the students should have been as sheltered as they were. I would like to think that the students could grow up with this incredible sense of creativity and self, but with their situation, having the truth told to them completely would make this hard so I understand where both the guardians are coming from.

The story was also very heartbreaking. As a reader, and someone who is a fan of happy endings, I wanted Tommy and Kathy to be together and for Kathy, Ruth and Tommy's relationship to always be positive. This is obviously the fantastical side of me being expressed since the story would have not been very good with my ending. As it is, Never Let Me Go has really touched me in a melancholy kin d of way. It made me really thin about people who are different but try and are encouraged so much to fit in with people who are "normal". With all the novels we have read in this course so far, the "freaks" and "geeks" seem more and more relateable. The characters in Never Let Me Go were especially easy to be empathetic with. The fears, hopes and challenges of being an adolescent and a young adult were very convincing and made it easy for me to relate to the characters.

The point is the definition of Freaks and Geeks is so variant because every individual is different and that is what really came out for me while reading Never Let Me Go. The novel really spoke to me and I am glad to have had the opportunity to think about these characters in a way that I probably would not have if I read it outside of this class.

Never Let Me Go

I have just started reading Never Let Me Go and what has struck me the most interesting so far is the narration. The narrator directs the text directly to the reader as if the text is very important for the reader to know. Each aspect of Hailsham is carefully explained as if the readers' knowledge of the school is vital. The plot is explained to the readers as if we have directly asked the narrator for this information she is providing for us.

In relation to "Freaks and Geeks", the characters so far seem relatively "normal" as compared to the characters in Geek Love and Nights at the Circus. I am excited to learn more about the characters and their mysterious situation at Hailsham during which I hope to learn why these characters might be considered "freaks".