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In these five Chapter Catherine deals with a lot of internal struggles. She has put a lot of hope in making a new friend next door and imagining the things they can do together. When Catherine meets Kristi she "knows she will be popular" (Lord, 2006, pp.79-80). Think causes Catherine to realize Kristi will not be the person she imagined Kristi to be in her head and she worries even more about how David acts. Catherine is excited about the opportunity to become friends with a popular girl, but deals with the internal conflict of what she will have to do differently to have such a friendship. For example, Catherine will need to be more selfish. She choose to go to Kristi's house instead of going to OT to bring Jason his new cards and she knew she was being selfish and possibly hurtful in that choice. Also, Kristi has become friends with Ryan who has been mean to David and Catherine does not like for this reason, but Catherine says nothing about this because she wants to be accepted in Kristi's world, even if Ryan is a part of it. Kristi needles Catherine on the point of if she has a boyfriend named Jason and Catherine is uncomfortable with this question, more uncomfortable than the reader would expect. Catherine lets Kristi think Jason is her boyfriend thinking they will meet, but the summer dance at the community center has been foreshadowed for the second time.
Growing up, we all want that opportunity to live next door to our best friend and have flashlight signals through our window. I actually got to do this. I had my best friend who lives 2 streets down from me in my neighborhood. She then moved into the house next door, and her bedroom window was facing mine, so we actually could have flashlight signals. We were fifth graders at the time, so it really was the coolest thing in the world. Little did we know that this was a temporary, "stepping stone" move, where they were renting until they found a house all the way in Florida. So I was able to experience the dream situation for about 6 months but I paid a big price: my best from moved far away for good.
In a more general sense, I think everyone tries to "play it cool." We all have a deep desire to fill our sense of belonging, especially at Catherine's age. Catherine's world is different than most of her peers, and she worries about things that most people do not have to worry about. This chapter shows how frustrated that makes her. When she chooses to be selfish, she finds it to be a freeing experience, but it is likely because she knows how temporary is. Catherine never explicitly says or wonders what it would feel like to be selfish all of the time/only have to worry about yourself all of the time. I think this is because she loves her brother and takes her roles as big sister very seriously, as frustrating as it may be, she does not wish David away. Regardless, I don't think any reader is surprised by Catherine's actions or word choices when talking to Kristi as she is clearly trying very hard to fit in and be liked by Kristi. We have all been there. This is the most relatable experience in the world (I know that is hyperbolic, but it is such a relatable experience!)
Hi Sarah,
ReplyDeleteYour discussion of the flashlight signals in the book reminds me of Anne of Green Gables, when Anne and Diana devise a system to signal each other using their candles or lamps—I remember that five flashes meant something like, “Come over at once, for I have something important to reveal.” It’s amazing how many things haven’t changed over the years, despite all of the things that have (such as the portable cassette player in Cindy’s post)! I wonder, though, if that’s partially because Lord’s book was published in 2006, before smartphones were quite as big as they are now. I wonder if the same idea—using flashlights to signal through windows—will still appear in books written today and in the future, or if technology has obliterated it.
Thank you for sharing your own story about flashlight signals—that is a wonderful book/life connection to make. Even though you only got to have your best friend next door for six months instead of years, it sounds like you made the most of it. It’s such fun when you can live close to your friends.
Rebekah
I love the Anne of Green Gables series. I was once obsessed. I even went to Prince Edward Island to visit where the author lived and wrote. I do remember the existence of a flashlight system between Anne and Diana: great connection!
DeleteEven better is your thoughtful question about if technology has taken the fun out of these whimsical childhood notions of flashlight codes out our windows. I hadn't even considered that question. I assumed it was the kind of thing every kid would secretly want (which is why I wasn't surprised when Catherine started to daydream/sketch about the idea of making a new friend who would share a flashlight code with her); it just seems so...universal. But you are right: technology changes the game. Kids no longer need to think outside of the box for such games and whimsies; it's all on their phone. That is why we need to push for more creativity in the classroom; where else is it going to happen?
Following the same logic, I recently wondered if board games are also going to become obsolete, because phones carry interactive games on them. I recently brought board games to a party, but all the games we played were on phones...some of the games I brought had phone adaptations. We had fun, but it seems strange to have everything streamlined on one object.
Thank you for that great question, and for visiting my blog even though you didn't read my book!
Sarah:
ReplyDeleteYou made a comment, "Catherine never explicitly says or wonders what it would feel like to be selfish all of the time/only have to worry about yourself all of the time." Why do you think this from your perspective? I thought that Catherine did not become selfish at all times because she takes on a lot of responsibility in doing all she can for David, even though not admittedly. Do you think Catherine's outlook on how she is treated by her mom and dad has been intentional and that Catherine has been expected by her mom and dad to take on more responsibility in helping with David? Do you think this made Catherine miss out on aspects of her own childhood growing up because she had to grow up?
Cindy
I don't think Catherine wonders this because Catherine's life probably has more reality than she would prefer. If she chooses to be selfish for an afternoon, she pays for it (disappointing Jason). This shows in an exchange between Kristi and Chatherine where Kristi complains that her mom doesn't understand how hard is is having her stuff in two places (Lord, 2006, p.135). Catherine thinks this is similar to her trying to balance between her regular world and David's world (but doesn't say this outloud) (Lord, 2006, p. 135); these two things are not remotely the same. One is materialistic and superficial and the other is about internal conflict, but it shows how desperately Catherine longs for someone to understand her struggles. She has a ton of responsibility for someone her age. I am glad that the author explores this thread, especially the way Catherine feels about the expectations her parents have of her and the ways in which she feels neglected by them. This tensions builds and explodes. Because Catherine's parents (who were never even given names), were such minor characters, I wasn't sure if the author would let use see this conflict happen, but much to my surprise, this conflict ended up being right at the climax. The author designed this particular thread so artfully.
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