"Building Bridges" Response.

        There are all kinds of relationships, most of which, just like in the short story “Building Bridges” are complicated, having more to them than what meets the eye. In the short story “Building Bridges” by Andrea Pinkney, the main character who we know only as Bebe, living with her grandmother in roughly the 1980’s undergo a difficult, stress-filled week or so when Bebe is informed she is qualified to be the only girl working on the Brooklyn Bridge reconstruction project. But her grandmother can’t seem to let her go just yet and refuses to sign her permission slip. We as readers explore further into Bebe’s struggle against her controlling grandmother to state her independence and follow her dreams. In this story, the author shows us that peoples’ relationships change when they are put through tough decisions through Bebe and her grandmother’s argumentative relationship.

            In the beginning of the story as the characters are introduced Bebe and her grandmother who she lives with and calls “Mama Lil” were always at odds, and constantly calling out one another’s flaws. For example, on page 18 Bebe is introducing her and her grandmothers’ relationship to the reader and says “Mama Lil hated the six studs I wore in my left ear; I hated the tacky red wig she pulled down close to her eye brows whenever her hair wasn’t done.” This quote highlights that fact that they fight a lot by mentioning that the two of them have found flaws in one another and use them frequently in arguments. This is because Bebe probably wouldn’t care too much if Mama Lil insulted her earrings once, but since she uses them so frequently she remembers Mama Lil’s opinion. This quote also shows that even though they know what the other one of them dislikes about themselves, they clearly don’t try and alter things about themselves in any way to please the other one of them. Additionally, on the same page and general conversation/idea, Mama Lil says “’How you ever gonna land a decent man with them chunky arms and those hoochie-cut T-shirts? No self-respecting seventeen-year old should let it hang out like that.” And Bebe responds by saying more to the reader than anyone else “Whenever Mama Lil got on her “self-respecting seventeen-year old” sermon, I came back with warning under my breath.” These two pieces of evidence also support the claim that the state of their relationship during the beginning of the short story was not the best in any way. It tells us that Bebe’s grandmother, who is her guardian and lives in the same house as her doesn’t support her or her ambitions, but to add to it, all Bebe does is retaliate rather than try to solve anything. From this I’m sure it has been made obvious that the characters’ relationship was very bad in the beginning of the short story, but as you read further into the book, if you pay attention you can see change as they undergo more difficulties and stress.

            As the reader journeys further into these characters’ stories, you begin to be hinted towards what the story will be about, and can see that their relationship changes only from bad to worse. For example, on page 20 to 21, as Bebe is in another paragraph of dialogue explaining what Mama Lil dislikes about her, she explains, “But the biggest obstacle of all, the thing that made Mama Lil the most stubborn, was my dream of becoming an engineer.” This demonstrates the fact that their relationship is getting worse simply by showing that they now have yet another thing to argue about. And seeing how frequently they argued, and how nothing in these arguments was even attempted to be resolved, that they just blatantly threw insults at one another, clearly, nothing positive can come from this. Moving on, on page 27 as the time until the permission slip is due shortens and Bebe becomes sick of Mama Lil’s attitude of not wanting anything to do with it, the author writes “Mama Lil did something that got me real mad. She brought home a summer job application from Rimley’s Beauty Parlor.” This quote shows that another reason their relationship is only getting worse is because Mama Lil seems to not care how much she wants to work on the bridge. It also shows that another reason Mama Lil doesn’t want Bebe working on the bridge is because she thinks women should have what she stereotypically thinks are women’s jobs. Having a stereotype like this stuck in your head would be very hard to undo and would make it seem very difficult for Bebe to ever convince her grandmother otherwise. However, to add more fuel to the fire, on page 28 the author shows us that Bebe simply won’t give up without a fight. The text states “Mama Lil, your eyes are always closed. Closed to seeing me.”…”I don’t want to spend my summer sweeping hair. The bridge is where my heart is at, Mama Lil.” These last two quotes put together show that Mama Lil is completely ignoring Bebe. Rather than even try to see her side of the argument, she just blinds herself to all the issues arising to her through her stereotypical view of the world. It shows just how stubborn Mama Lil can be, which is about ten times more than enough Bebe needs to get angry. Therefore, from observing this evidence you can easily conclude that their relationship starts as a bad one and only gets worse.

            As the story begins to slow down we come to a point at which there is less than a day left until the due date for the permission slip. Here it may surprise the reader to realize their relationship starts off as it was in the middle, but slowly rebuilds as a resolution comes into view. To support this, on page 29 when Bebe finally decides she really has no choice or alternative to confronting Mama Lil and not letting her use any excuses to leave the text states, “Mama Lil let out a heavy breath. Then she admitted what we’d both known all along. ‘Your dream are the kind that’ll take away from Bebe- away from your Mama Lil.’” This quote shows that Mama Lil is finally opening up to Bebe and giving calm, un-argumentative reasons for Bebe not to work on the bridge or become an engineer, which is a step in the right direction. Additionally it explains :she admitted what they’d known all along” which really is that Bebe is going to be taken away from her, but only to follow her dreams, which shows she finally begins to look at Bebe’s side of the argument. Also on page 29 the author writes “Mama Lil was right. My dreams would take me away from her.” This also shows their relationship is getting better because Bebe is finally attempting to see Mama Lil’s side of the argument. These pieces of evidence support the fact that their relationship is becoming better, because their opening up to one another and having the kind of talks or arguments that have reasoning behind them and aren’t just yelling insults at one another. These pieces of evidence show that they decided to calm down and practically start anew, knowing they would need to rebuild their relationship. Acknowledging the fact that they must respect one another along with their opinions and ambitions as they are a family.

In conclusion, through this you can see that Bebe and Mama Lil’s relationship went from bad, to worse and at the very end to an improved version compared to anything they’ve ever had. When they were put through these hardships after a while they finally opened up to one another and were able to almost restart their relationship in a completely new and changed way. Which goes to show that when relationships go through hard times, no matter who or what kind of people are involved, the outcome changes the characters’ true feelings and therefore their relationship as a whole- a concept the author (Andrea Pinkney) very successfully wove into a short, entertaining story without taking away the importance of the topic. She gave multiple descriptive examples of this idea that happens in many relationships helping make this the well written book with an essential message that is.

My Name Piece.

My name is Oliver. When naming me, my parents debated between about six different Spanish names, and ended up with Oliver. As I understand it, my parents chose the name Oliver because it fit well with my brother’s also-American name “Miles”. As if we were identical twins that would constantly be attached to each other. Like our names had to fit together like Legos, and stay put that way. It’s not that I am completely against the name Oliver, but when I compare it to a name I could’ve had, -for example, “Xavi”- I feel Oliver isn't the best thing to suit me. Having a name from a different culture and country that few people had would be something setting me apart in a positive way. Reflecting the part of me that enjoys being different and unique. While having a commonly used name simply blends e into my surroundings, having me become something more missed and overlooked.

My nickname, Oli, is special and just as important as any other part of my name. It reflects who I am in ways that I think all names should. In one short and quick name it identifies my personality and me. It adapts throughout the languages of my family without losing any of its content. When I’m at home, no matter which language it’s in, to me my nickname says like pink; optimistic and energetic, ready to stretch out without any limits or boundaries. However, when I reach school, it eventually goes back to being the blue shade of deep water it always will have a hint of. Unknown, unexplored and holding its own way of life like in the deep ocean, becoming the name Oliver again. Mirroring my efforts to be a more formal and educated person during the school day. In school it becomes something else, contained and inventive. But there’ll still be some happy, optimistic pink, hidden and covered up by my real name, ready to reappear.

On a more positive note, given the choice I wouldn't be able to persuade myself to change my name. I might’ve when I was younger, but the name Oliver means something to me and about me that I couldn't replace. If I could pile up all my achievements and experiences, my name would be the tape holding it all together, labeling each and every one, because I can’t escape something I use every day, over and over again Out of the hundreds of thousands of words in the English language the one I'm connected to more than any other is my name. That’s not something you can just walk away from. It’s become a part of me. It’s a way to describe me. It is me overall. Whether I like it or not, I’m stuck to my name like my head is stuck on my neck. And if you don’t like the shape of our head, I’m pretty sure no one in their right mind would cut their head off. My name is just as much a part of me as my eyes, my nose and my mouth. And I wouldn't try and separate myself from my name under any circumstances that aren’t completely out of the question and/or ridiculous.

No matter how I look at it, my name will always be what and who I am, whether I would prefer some other name or not. My name won’t ever change even if I’m given the choice because as I said, it’s who and what I am as a person and I wouldn't like to change a single thing about me.

Summer Book Response. The Maze Runner by James Dashner.

            The Maze Runner, written by James Dashner is a thrilling sci-fi book based in the future told from the perspective of Thomas who has been robbed of his memories and has been lifted in an elevator into a large field with around 50 other boys who are roughly 12-16 years old and are no different from him. The field which they live in is surrounded by what they call The Maze, and some boys have been there for nearly two years. It’s made of enormous stone walls hundreds of feet high with vines hanging down with walls in the middle of each side that open at dawn and close at dusk with horrible monsters inside. Once you’re trapped in The Maze, there’s no way out. No one’s ever survived a night in the Maze. Things begin to change when Thomas arrives, and he and his new found friends adventure to escape the Maze and regain the memories. Throughout the book, the author does fantastic work in developing and constructing his characters. Including anything from building their personalities through their actions and experiences, to making them more realistic as people through their internal thoughts and dialogue and everything in between. Overall the way in which the author develops and presents the characters to make them seem more realistic greatly enhances the quality of the characters and everything that revolves around them. And through this, increases the quality the book itself.

            James Dashner uses the characters’ internal thoughts and feelings along with their dialogue to develop and establish the characters. One of the ways in which he did this was demonstrating characters reactions to something in their minds versus how they react to something through dialogue, knowing that their dialogue is open to be something people use to judge the person who said it and their thoughts are not. For example, on pg. 9, the author explain how scared and even lonely Thomas is in this new place but nevertheless Thomas acts and speaks as if he were in complete control. This tells us about his personality. It establishes that he is the kind of person who WANTS to be thought of as someone who can stay calm and be tough. While we can see that he really is the kind of person who takes a bit of time to adjust to completely new areas. Something similar also shows up on pg. 19, still on Thomas’ first day when he disobeys the rules and enters a restricted area. When he is caught and yelled at he hides his feelings and thoughts through dialogue like this:” Thomas felt weak. ‘I…uh…want some answers, `’Get down those stairs right now!’ Alby ordered. Thomas was humiliated and scared. He felt like he had shrunk to the size of a small rat. Without saying a word he pushed past Alby and headed down the creaky steps, going as fast as he dared.” This quote demonstrates how realistic of a character Thomas is by showing that even though he felt weak, humiliated and scared he pretended to be tough and in control through what he said, just like anyone would when meeting new people. Especially if they had to live, survive and work with these people for who knows how long. One thing I thought was interesting that the author added into the book was that the characters had developed their own vocabulary. I think this shows a lot about the characters. That they are, in a way kind of saying they’re proud of what they've done. The vocabulary they developed is almost like them showing off that they can adapt and get through this. Another interesting thing that isn't in many other books is that Thomas and another character are given the gift of telepathy. It’s interesting again to see what people say to one another in private versus in public and through this telepathic thinking they reveal more about themselves because no one is around so we too- as readers- lean more about the characters. I think this is a very unique way of developing characters too because they don’t know anything about themselves either so when they find out they must have known each other before the Maze they begin to start having hope and learning about their pasts. Overall, through the characters’ internal thoughts, feelings and dialogue James Dashner was able to develop the characters in a unique way that made it much easier to relate, connect and empathize with them, which in the end made the book much better.

            The author was also able to develop and construct his characters through their actions and experiences. For example, on pg. 112, at the end of a day two boys are running to make it back from inside the Maze, but they aren't going to make it before the walls close and trap them out. “They weren't going to make it. Time was up. That was it. Thomas heard Newt scream from behind him. `Don’t do it Tommy! Don’t you bloody do it! ` The rods on the right wall seemed to reach like stretched out arms for their home grasping for those little hole that would serve as their resting place for the night. The crunching, grinding sound of the doors filled the air, deafening. Five feet. Four Feet. Three. Two. Thomas knew he had no choice. He moved. Forward. He squeezed past the connecting rods at the last second and stepped into the maze.” This quote shows what kind of a person Thomas is. Rather than let people be in danger he’d brake the number one rule and help them even though he knew they wouldn't make it back safely and neither would he. And since he knows nothing about himself yet, he doesn't know if he’s athletic of strong enough to evade the horrible creatures for the whole night until the doors reopen. It shows he’s a caring, sacrificial person instinctively attempts to protect people, and also might be a little impulsive at the same time. He is very brave and confident in himself as well. His actions in this scenario established what kind of a person he was under lots of pressure. Additionally, on pg. 294 Thomas’ actions develop him as a character by giving us more of his character traits. At this point in the story, the walls separating them from the maze have stopped closing at night and the creatures have gotten into the field taking one boy a night and they have no way of stopping them and can only hope for safety by waiting it and feeling guilt after relief in knowing after hours of waiting that the one boy taken wasn't them even though it could been one of their friends being dragged off by the horrible creatures and you still have to live knowing there’s always tomorrow night. Thomas once again sacrifices himself to help others:  “Tom! Teresa screamed inside his head.  What are you doing!? He ignored her. He just kept running. The Griever holding Dave-a kid Thomas had never spoken to-was rolling along on its spikes toward the West Door, churning and whirring. The other Grievers had already gathered in the courtyard and followed their companion toward the Maze. Without hesitating, knowing the others would think he was trying to commit suicide, Thomas sprinted in their direction until he found himself in the middle of the pack of creatures. Having been taken by surprise, the Grievers hesitated. Thomas jumped on the one holding Dave, tried to jerk the kid free, hoping the creature would retaliate. Teresa’s scream inside his mind was so loud it felt as if a dagger had been driven through his skull…Thomas felt pain erupt over every inch of his body-needle pricks that told him he’d succeeded.” In this scenario, Thomas knows that by getting stung by the creatures will give him his memories back. This shows how selfless he is because he’s willing to sacrifice himself to benefit the whole group of boys, because with his memories he can lead them out of the maze. It’s also shown that he is smart and knows his friends well because he seemed sure they’d stop him or convince him not to do it if he told them or paid attention to them. In the end James Dashner used a great deal of actions in the book which helped the characters develop a more realistic personality

            In conclusion, James Dashner found a unique and brilliant way to use the internal thoughts, feelings, along with the actions and experiences of his characters to create and establish the characters themselves, and their personalities which made the characters more believable and interesting and through that made The Maze Runner an amazing book.