A Million Little Pieces: James Frey

The novel I read was very interesting! Here is a quick summary!

The novel A Million Little Pieces by James Frey portrays a man named James who is a drug addict struggling to overcome his addiction. James wakes one morning on a plane not knowing where he is or where he is going, he has been injured pretty badly; broken nose, no teeth, a hole through his cheek and eyes nearly swollen shut. James had once again blacked out while doing drugs. This led his family to enroll him in a rehab clinic for drug abusers.During his six month stay, James demonstrates in order to redeem himself he must show self reliance and amend broken relationships. James is so accustomed to abusing drugs everyday, he lost many important figures in his life including his family. James makes drastic sacrifices to give up drugs for good and stay sober.

2013 English class

This year I have thoroughly enjoyed spending my time in English class with my bestfriend Meghan Van der Giessen, we have helped eachother through each of our struggles and she has made me a better person in this class. She is so inspirational and such a role model with her great grades and motivation in school. I have learned much about her during this English class. I have realized I work better and effiecently around Meghan because of her great presence . Thank you Meghan
 

Rachel Lewis

Cleft Lip

I feel as though the cleft lip is a very important symbol.
In the beginning of the novel Hassan's cleft lip symbolized his poverty and low status. With the split lip Hassan was capable of standing up to Assef and being strong. Amir at the beginning did not have a split lip and could not stand up against Assef or save Hassan from being raped. Later on in the novel Amir fights Assef and ends up with a split lip that proves he has then became emerged with Hassan and learns he can now stand up and care the way Hassan did.

Connection to Kite Runner

I highly recommend many people to read A Million Little Pieces by James Frey. The book is very interesting and very moving. The memories and the challenges James overcomes within the book is amazing. The pain and guilt he endures is unbelievable and he pushes through each with such strength. He portrays himself in such negative ways within the novel as if he hates himself, it gives you a sense of sorrow for him. 

I can relate this text to The Kite Runner as James is so accustomed to screwing his life up with drugs and relapsing he has built so much guilt for leaving his family and friends and ruining his life. He then finds a quest to redeem himself by staying in rehab and trying his hardest not to give in to drugs and alcohol. This journey is very challenging and life changing for him. Amir, within Kite Runner also feels guilt for allowing Hassan to be raped and not standing up. His guilt has also accumulated until it drives him to find Sohrab and fight Assef in order to redeem himself.  Both these characters experienced guilt to motivate them to find good again.

A Million Little Pieces

 My ISU novel is very interesting. The topic revolves around drugs and drug culture. I am very sceptical while reading this book because James Frey ( the author) supposedly lied and over aggregated the text. I have to decipher which parts of his book are lies and which are the truth in order to understand drug culture so it is mandatory to have second text to back up the truth and to oppose the lies.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewC-KIe5qng

This video is a little preview on Oprah confirming he had over aggregated his story.

Memes

  http://www.quickmeme.com/meme/3u70vd/

Ideal Marriage

The ideal marriage is more than just love. Yes, you must love the person you're with, but you must also be able to trust them and respect them. They should be youre best friend, and just being with them makes you happy. The ideal marriage is commitment, honesty, laughter, and friendship.

The Murder of Duncan

Q: Who is responsible for the murder of Duncan?  The weird sisters?  Macbeth?  Lady Macbeth?


                I feel as though Lady Macbeth is responsible for the murder of Duncan. Macbeth was a kind, loyal man before the murder occured. He was rewarded from King Duncan for his courage and successful battle, and promoted to Thane of Cawdor. Lady Macbeth is a major contributer to the death of Duncan as she influenced and pressured Macbeth to kill him. Lady Macbeth purposes the plan of killing Duncan and continues to carry it out. Macbeth begins to second guess the plan, and decides not to kill Duncan as he says "We will proceed no further in this business" (Shakespeare I, ii, 31). Shocked by his agruement, Lady Macbeth calls him a coward, insults his manliness and declares she would have killed her own baby "and dash'd the brains out" (I,ii, 58) than break a promise to not kill Duncan. Macbeth is then defeated and gives into her plan to prove his manliness. Lady Macbeth is also indirectly influenced by the weird sisters prophesies because without knowing Macbeth would become King she wouldn't have had the mindset to kill Duncan. Therefore, Lady Macbeth is responsible for the death of Duncan because she persuades and encourages Macbeth by insulting and demeaning him.
            

Escape

"Escape" is a signifigant symbol within the Rez Sisters as each of the 7 women have their own dreams of escsaping the reserve or rising above it. Toronto is an example of evidence because that is where the "BIGGEST BINGO IN THE WORLD" is held. Going to Toronto will give the women a chance to escape and possibly escape for good. The bingo also holds the perspective of escaping because winning the bingo will allow them to get away from the reserve or follow their dreams. Escaping isn't just physical, but they also could escape the situtaion and problems on the reserve.

Money Isn't Always The Answer

           These two pictures are both evidence of the lack of health care the Attawapiskat Reserve receive.
The photo on the top is a child severely burned from a stove fire in such small living spaces, these burns are not rare. The bottom photo is a facial rash commonly contracted from the lack of clean water and sanitation. I feel as though the government can do more than just donate money to solve all their problems.  The government could provide health care systems, social services, environmental repairs and education. The natives aren't as educated and employed as we are so throwing money at them, they won't know what to do with it. I feel the reason they haven't seen improvement is because the lack of knowledge. I feel as though they use the money given to them on drugs and alcohol to ease their depression, and therefore it is going towards their wants not their needs. If the natives knew how to use their money to benefit their health and community they could improve their lifestyle bit by bit.