Journal Three: Gavin Sullivan

 

Gavin Sullivan

English 1109 at 10:30, T-Th

9/13/2020

 

Journal Three: Reading Response

 

“How is your active reading going so far? What is going well, and what is going less well?”- Mike Lohre So far it is my belief that I am doing a good job. I still have much to learn though and find that with marking new characters and settings I am doing well. For example, in The House on Mango Street I have found new characters easily and sometimes forget old ones who have reappeared. I usually can figure it out through the dialogue between characters, but I do admit that I did struggle at some points. I also feel as though I fall short on sometimes finding a good reading quote as well as trying to create a nutshell for a chapter.  It is hard for me to gather in some chapter what a theme might be and my assumptions are sometimes correct, but not always.

 

“What are the strengths and weaknesses of each book so far, in your view? Which do you prefer thus far, and why?”-Mike Lohre Beginning with the strengths that I can clearly see from the books is that the authors communicate very well how they feel about certain parts or situations in a book. I get a good sense of this when reading Maurice’s book especially when he clearly states his views and how they have changed between him now and the person he was in the past. One of the weaknesses that I do see though is the fact that I have trouble relating to the characters at a lot of different points in their stories. For example, in The House on Mango Street, I have trouble at times trying to sympathize with a young girl. Most likely because first off, I am a guy, but also because I grew up with much more care towards my family members. Maybe it is because I grew up with my brother a year younger than me since before, I could even form memories. Anyhow in conclusion I have troubles relating to both stories at points. Moving onwards I like and prefer Maurice Clarett’s book because I can not only relate better, but I have had acquaintances like this throughout my career so far. People who run into trouble to much and feel misunderstood or simply wronged by circumstances and things they could not control. Those are the types of people I usually get to talk to, and I believe it is mostly because I just lend an ear listen, and try to give another perspective on the situation.

 

 

“Share a good question that you have created from reading Clarett thus far. Then write a paragraph about something important you have noticed in Chapter Four and Five of One And Done.” One such good question I have formulated thus far is, how can you be a team leader if the only gains you are out there for are your own? This question like the many others I asked throughout this book relates to the fact that Maurice at this time was focused on one goal which was furthering himself. Although this goal is good at getting him away from an awful home life now that he has his own place and a car I feel as though he should have started to at least make more friends or even try to branch out a little and spread the knowledge on how he succeeds with others at this point. But it seems like he wants to keep the secrets to himself, which I understand but still at least try to act like you care about the other players. I believe it is this attitude that will ultimately cause problems down the road because being selfish is good if you are not playing a team sport. I get it people have to carry their weight and do things for themselves but at this level in football, you would assume that everyone wants to be better so why not try to spread your wisdom instead of hog it. In conclusion, it is my belief that young Maurice is in for a rude awakening and feels as though his teammates may have a quarrel with him in the future over his attitude.