Tuesday, March 22, 2005
Journal 8
After finishing American Son, I was pleased but not completely satisfied. I feel like the author avoids particular areas that is of certain discussion, such as the true meaning of the dogs and Tomas' relationship with his mother. This leaves many questions unanswered, one of my biggest pet peeves with books. Authors try to be mysterious by leaving the readers wondering what happens next, yet this is not the point to literature.
On the whole, I found the story entertaining and emotionally appealing. The tensions and silent battles between Gabe and his mother were very interesting and something many could identify with even if the surrounding conditions are different. However, the mother as a character was not appealing and I blame the author for that. The author makes her meek and unable to stand up for herself, making the assumption that that is how Filipina women act, or even how they are supposed to act. Even if this wasn't his intention, the feminst side in me picked up on these attributes right away. The mother could have been developed more without ruining the story.
The relationship between Gabe and Tomas was also interesting, and more realistic. Although Tomas had his tough side, Gabe in a way brought out his more sentimental attributes. Tomas related Gabe to the dogs and his mother, two things that made him come off of his high horse and back down to earth to show love. Yet it seems ironic that Tomas would want to bring Gabe into his dangerous world since he had been so ademant about protecting him previously, and even continued to do so. This part does not coincide with the themes of protection in the book.
Gabe and Tomas' mother was also protecting them, but sheltering them from her Filipino history and the life in the Philippines. By avoiding her brother's advice for so long, it is clear she wanted them to become more "American," and would live through any conditions to make it a reality.
I guess altogether, this was a good book, but as I mentioned before, did not incorporate further story lines that I felt was necessary.
On the whole, I found the story entertaining and emotionally appealing. The tensions and silent battles between Gabe and his mother were very interesting and something many could identify with even if the surrounding conditions are different. However, the mother as a character was not appealing and I blame the author for that. The author makes her meek and unable to stand up for herself, making the assumption that that is how Filipina women act, or even how they are supposed to act. Even if this wasn't his intention, the feminst side in me picked up on these attributes right away. The mother could have been developed more without ruining the story.
The relationship between Gabe and Tomas was also interesting, and more realistic. Although Tomas had his tough side, Gabe in a way brought out his more sentimental attributes. Tomas related Gabe to the dogs and his mother, two things that made him come off of his high horse and back down to earth to show love. Yet it seems ironic that Tomas would want to bring Gabe into his dangerous world since he had been so ademant about protecting him previously, and even continued to do so. This part does not coincide with the themes of protection in the book.
Gabe and Tomas' mother was also protecting them, but sheltering them from her Filipino history and the life in the Philippines. By avoiding her brother's advice for so long, it is clear she wanted them to become more "American," and would live through any conditions to make it a reality.
I guess altogether, this was a good book, but as I mentioned before, did not incorporate further story lines that I felt was necessary.
# posted by Kristin @ 1:47 PM 
