Typically, many people would most likely agree with her mother's "immigrant faith" because parents do want the best for their children and better than what they, the parents, have. I agree that children should use their parents as "guidelines" to the way they live so that they can live up and exceed their parents expectations. It is so sad that in this day in age there are cycles and, for example, many stereotypes are: if you are raised poor, you'll end up poor and if you're raised wealthy, you'll end up wealthy. I have seen both of these cycles among my peers and I don't think there is an excuse for anyone because each state does so much for those in need.
- slat (Page 58): 1. a long thin, narrow strip of wood, metal, etc., used as a support for a bed, as one of the horizontal laths of a Venetian blind, etc.
- incessantly (Page 59): continuing without interruption; ceaseless; unending
- coy (Page 60): 1. artfully or affectedly shy or reserved; slyly hesitant; coquettish 2. shy; modest
"The first time Vic asked me out, he talked of feminism and holism and macrobiotics." (Page 62)
It seems as if she is very "hung up" on Vic, who is clearly stated as her EX boyfriend. At first I could not tell if Vic was just a good friend, but then she mentioned him asking her out and the fact that they lived together and had "rituals" and daily routines; that quickly changed when Vic decided to up and leave New Jersey without any warning. From a girls perspective, break-ups seem way harder when they are unexpected and I think that is why she compares almost everything she does to Vic and what Vic did or what they did together or what he enjoyed.
- macrobiotic (Page 62): 3. long-lived 4. lengthening the life span
- squabble (Page 66): to engage in a petty quarrel
- parochial (Page 68): 1. very limited or narrow in scope or outlook; provincial
"I make the kiss really sexy so they'll know I've slept with this man." (Page 68)
This quote is very, can't quite find the right word to express how I really feel but, confusing? I don't understand why she would want to make the kiss "sexy" so her parents and family would know she has slept with him. It is one thing if she kisses him to show affection that he means something to her and he's important in her life, but it's another thing to kiss him "really sexy" to show what she's really been doing with him. Growing up, I would hug and kiss my family on the cheek when seeing them but when it came to having a boyfriend around family I would barely even hold his hand! I suppose that the two cultures clashing in this story plays a huge role in what's acceptable and traditional.
"He looks very much the head of the family, a rich man steeply in debt to keep up appearances, to compete, to head off middle age." (Page 69)
I believe this quote could describe a lot of middle to upper-class men in this day in age. Everything is so materialistic in today's society and everyone wants to make a statement. I feel like the people that flash their possessions around do it to fill a void, that in this case may be a void in their bank account, and people that keep their possessions to themselves appreciate what they have and the hard earned money they've used to gain these possessions. Also, I feel like he is very flashy with the way he dresses and the cars he drives and all of his possessions because his father is Amish and as simple as it gets!
- effeminate (Page 70): 1. (of a man or boy) having traits, tastes, habits, etc., traditionally considered feminine, as softness or delicacy
"Our scars are so innocent; they are invisible and come to us from rough-housing gone too far." (Page 74)
This quote is so inspirational. When I think about all of the scars that I have, I think about the time I fell off my bike when I was young or the time I tried cooking in the oven for the first time, and she's right our scars are innocent. But for Ro, all of his scars may not be so innocent and I think that is why it is hard for her father to take. The family seems very uncomfortable when Ro talks about his scars, all except for Franny, and I think because they do not really know where he is from it is hard for them to understand.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this story and when reflecting on it I feel like there was a lot going on in such a short story. I thought the story would start off as a sappy love story because she talked all about her ex-boyfriend, but it quickly evolved into a family-oriented, dysfunctional, and somewhat emotional story. I feel like this captures a typical family holiday: the new boyfriend everyone wants to know about, the men talking about sports, the women in the kitchen, the bratty daughter that doesn't say much until the end, political conversations, etc.
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