The Bluest Eye (82-136)

Summary

Now in the novel the town is smoothly being broken down for the reader to understand the different difficulties there are in one family. The next character which is being introduced is a woman by the name of Geraldine. Geraldine is a quite soft spoken woman who keeps herself in a well manner that people will be able to respect. Geraldine later marries a man that is well put together himself. These two create a marriage which Geraldine is not as sexual as most would think but it is sexual enough for the two of them to conceive a child which all does not turn well. When Geraldine's son;Junior is about Precolas' age he begins to notice the attention he receives from his mother becomes less and less. Over the past years Geraldine has become this person who wants her life from the craziness and rather to be by herself with her cat. Since having this cat Junior felt if he could not get the attention he deserves then he would make his other give it to him. One day Junior lures Precola into his house, lying to her about how he would show her some kitty's and she could play with them. When Precola does arrive without any knowledge of what Junior is doing Gerladina's' cat is thrown on to her by Junior. Precola not knowing what to do just tries to run even though she was being blocked. After things settle down Junior allows his emotions get the best of him when the cat begins to rub against Precola. This causes him to throw the cat and killing it. Geraldine steps into the house and begins to disrespect Precola due to the fact Junior said she had killed her cat.

On the evening of a spring day Claudia is being whipped. Claudia explains that in the winter it is different from being whipped in the spring due to the fact in the spring she gets whipped with the twigs from off the tree. When Claudia is done with her punishment she runs upstairs to find comfort but also discomfort from seeing Frieda crying about being touched on her breast inapproiatly by the Magican Mr. Henry from early on in the novel. Freida explains that Mr.Henry touched her and she ran away and told her parents. Then her parents ran him off. It seems like Mr. Henry is not a guy who would do such things because of the friendliness he showed when he first met the girls. But at the same time the same time his magic tricks consisted of them to touch on him in looks of finding anything he may have hid. In one day all may be too much but Freida wished to find Precola and tell her what happened due to the fact she should relate to her situation as well. When the girls arrive to the house where Precolas' mother worked the came with a question of wondering why Freida's' mother said she was 'ruined' and wished for an answer. Entering with a question and leaving without one being answered but left them with another question of 'Why does Precola get treated so wrong by her mother?' When Precola accidentally dropped the pastry he rmother cooked for the little white girl Polly she dropped them when in attempt to get one. When Polly come in upset Precolas' mother Mrs. Breedlove calms her down by causing Precola out in a manner that no mother should.

Quote

"Outside, the March wind blew into the rip in her dress. She held her head down against the cold. But she could not hold it low enough to avoid seeing the snowflakes falling and dying on the pavement"(Morrison 93).

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In conclusion this novel has showed me that inner beauty can allow one to separate themselves from negativity. If one is able to dig deep and have the feeling of confidence and happiness then that would be one less stressful currency on their mind. This novel has given me a chance to view life on stereotypical beauty. In this case a white girl with blue eyes is a definition of beautiful. I think when others read this novel they are going to feel as if they could relate to these young ladies in the situation that holds them.

The Bluest Eye (pg.41-81)

Summary

When Precolas' father gets out of jail the Breedloves move into an old store which is now their apartment when Precola was younger and was living with her parents before being put into the system. The house that the Breeloves stayed in was not very furnished. The furniture was old, the house was divided in a way that their are two part to the house. In each bedroom where beds for each family members but furniture in the house mad the mood of how it would be in the house. One piece of furniture that the Breedloves had was a couch. This couch was told to them that it was new and when they receive it basically there would not be a problem. Soon as the Breedloves received the couch such words they were told were untrue. When the couch arrived it had a spilt down the middle and the Furniture sellers refused to take it back and refund their money. The Breedloves were unable to do anything but they also had a coal stove int he house that gives the family difficulty. Not only but they have a firewall which causes a lot of drama due to the fact who in the house will get logs. The Breedlove is a family where feelings are not considered because they are categorized as the ugly family in town. Living in a town where believed they are ugly brings drama to shore. One Autumn morning Mrs.Breedlove begins to argue with her husband and one thing leads to another. When Mr. and Mrs.Breedlove begin to fight and argue the situation seems serious to Precolas' brother but it isn't; all Mrs.Breedlove wanted was wood. Precola then goes to visit the whores that live in the next apartment. Precola wonders why they have so many boyfriend but they explain to her that its a job that they have that help them have money and they love what they do. Not only but they started when they were young and selling 'themselves' was a way to make a living. In reality it may seem that they love what they do but they actually don't.

Quote
"Why, look at pretty-eyed Precola. We mustn't do bad things in front of those pretty eyes" (Morrison 46).

Reaction
When I read this quote it makes me think of the many girls in the world who wish they are pretty and they never once look into the mirror and actually see the truth. Precola seems like a pretty girl girl with a nice personality but having so many people around her tell her other wise gives her the impression that she is not pretty at all. I like this quote because it should give young gives a mere sense that no matter what someone thinks they should never set themselves in this fame of mind.

The Bluest Eyes (pg. 1-40)

Summary

In the novel The Bluest Eyes by Toni Morrison, the main character Claudia and her sister start off to collect coal for the Autuoccupied mn which is about to begin. Even though it would not be Claudia's fault she retained a cold that her mother was upset about. After a while her sister begins to comfort her and a boarder by the name of Henry Washington came to live with her. After the death of Claudia's father her mother decided with the extra room that maybe that taking in boarders would be a way of getting a little money on the side. Mr. Washington would preform magic tricks that kept the during the day while in the house. With additional member being added to the house a girl by the name Pecola around Claudia and her sisters' age. After Pecola became comfortable she had this cup that Claudia hated. This cup represented the little white girl Shirley Temple that was an indication of pretty to many young girls. Claudia did not like the fact that each Christmas that went by she would get a white doll baby that she cared nothing for. As the girls grew closer together Pecola was with the girls outside one day and started the process of menstruation. Having her sisters by side they tried to help her clean up herself without her mother knowing what was going on. As they tried to help her a little girl from next door begins to yell and scream that the girls were outside being inappropriate which was not the case. Claudia's mother came running outside and begin to beat the three young girls until she noticed that Pecola was becoming a young woman. That day was the start of their understanding of life.

Quote

"The Pecola asked a question that never entered my mind.'How do you get somebody to love you? But Frieda was asleep. And I didn't know' (Morrison 32).

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When i read this quote it made me think about how the girls are starting to mature and are starting to think beyond wall. For then they played with dolls and ran around they did not really pay attention to what the word love is. As I read The Bluest Eyes by Toni Morrison I began to notice that the girls are just like me and my two sisters that I am close with. My sisters and I always do things together and when we don't we find it hard to do things without each other. I think that this novel will become a view of how the young girl become attached and learn to need each other more because of certain events that they will soon come to endure.

The Sound of Soul (pg.168- 238)

Summary
The novel Sound of Soul is closing on a good note. The novel is closing on a way that i generalizing the overall background of Blues. The background of the Blues came mostly from African Americans who was doing what they felt as though will help the, create a stable life. Aretha Franklin such like the King of Soul is considered the Sister of Soul. Aretha Franklin sung of life, love, and thrill-driven moments that went on throughout her life. By the time Aretha reached 27 she was a top recording artist during her time. This was very rare because women during the time were not ones who were known to succeed and accomplish. Many men were working hard to get that spot in life and be known but for Aretha she made it possible to be known in her time. After awhile she was taking a break from the stardom and was almost forgotten. In 1967 she later came back with the hit song Respect. For Garland Aretha was a woman with a fierce attitude and was not letting anything get in her way.

Quote
"Black folks adopted the song as their new 'national anthem' in what David Llorens of Ebony Magazine has called 'the summer of the Retha, Rap and Revolt"(Garland 194).

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This quote shows me how a black community can have so much support in one person. Even though Aretha Franklin was not in the music industry they community never forgot who she was and the type of music she created. The community showed a sense of pride in her because soon as she came back on the charts the amount o support doubled for her. I can relate this to myself because once i take a break from helping and staying out of the public eye its not like my community forgets about me. But soon as i enter back in its like they are just waiting for the next big thing.

The Sound of Soul (pg. 97-168)

Summary
In the novel Sound of Soul by Phyl Garland there is a section on the King of Blues. It is known in time that the King is B.B also known as Beale Street Blues Boy. B.B King was a young boy who started fresh in the Mississippi Delta who worked his way out by singing and playing his guitar . As B.B claimed in age his music only got better. B.B king worked hard for the things he wanted and he did not stand around and wait on it. Not only but it is known that many artist in history have preformed at The Apollo Theater and many are aware of that. In 1969 B.B King preformed at the Apollo with the Dellphonics( a black singing group). Even at the Apollo is was easy for groupies to get in contact with the performers at the show just by verifying that they are close friends. Once they are verified they arrive at the theater in search of the artist with a head full of lies claiming they are who they are not and sooner or later they are there with the artist. I believe Phly Garland had me B.B King in person and actually happened to sit down with him and have a conversation. Garland explain the conversation she held with B.B King and how she was able to share a side of him that most do not get a chance to see. Throughout the chapter Garland is just trying to get a true meaning to what Jazz is to other people and how they look at it.

Quote
"Cause somebody's goin' to look under that color and see the real thing"(Garland 166).

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I've chosen this quote because it gives an insight bout what the time was like and what people looked at and judged first before actually see who that person really is. Not only but during that time there was segregation and many people was judged upon what they look like and not fro who they are. B.B King also say this quote emphasizes his music as well because people just see the artist and don't try to understand who they are as people and what the meaning to their music is and why they create it.

The Sound of Soul (pg. 42-97)

Summary
It is claimed that most people do not know when blues music was created which was created during the 1600s; a period of slavery. When African Americans where brought over to America which was known as the "New World" they began their own way of music. This music was created in such a way that it could be traced from generations before hand. This music was handed from generation to generation and at the same time a twist of originality was put upon the sounds. The idea of blues used as a common denominator of black music in the Western World that embodied the captive's adaptation of those aspects of the culture of African Americans. Throughout this time there were other types of slaves which differed. Slaves would differ between the cost for a slave and the type of slave being bought off and an indentured servants; that worked for a certain amount of years then let got. Now when talking about the soul part of slavery plantations are looked upon. In the plantations slave would create a melody that was formed from the Europeans and the African Americans creating such a sound. Not only but as time went by it became known that the South had better performers than the ones in the North. The performers in the South were more experienced because of the European background. Even the black men were exposed to white music during The Great Awakening. During that time white ministers went throughout the country's frontier spreading the "word." At the time slaves would not be able to practice their music until they were alone where the nigth was the best time that the slaves felt expressing themselves was best.

Quote
"The use of the ability to entertain as one of the means of survival, in fact, was carried over to the plantation, where, as cartoonist E. Simms Campbell noted in 1939 in his essay on 'The Blues' "(Garland 83).

Reaction
This quote generalizes why African Americans decided to create their own tune. Even though they created music because of lack of entertainment that they had they also created it because it was a sense of survival and strength in their eyes. African American slaves were under enough pressure at the time and coming together and creating gave them another way of looking at like. This quote inspired me because I take music a a get away as well. I use the sounds to escape whenever I feel as though life hasn't been turn out to well for me.

The Sound of Soul (pg. 20-41)

Summary

Phyl Garland reminisce about how her parents use to listen to the blues that was preformed during her time. Phyl explains that her parents were able to grad a sense of certain music but they wanted her to be exposed to have advantages they were not able to have such as classical music. In Garlands household there was a jukebox which played the music she began to become fond of. The sounds that spoke through the box was blues and r&b at this time it was the fifties where artist would create whatever came to mind. Their music that was played could not always be identified but when listening to the feelings and emotion in the song then it soon could be determined. Garland later experienced a change in with her families jukebox with another system. Even though she lived in a neighborhood which lacked their idea of diversity in it the blacks never were kept from the rhythms of their music.

Quote
"It must be strange if it were any other way with this music, for the church, with its unfulfilled promise of salvation, has been one of the few constants in the black man's long and tortuous travail in America"( Garland 25).

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When reading this quote i fount it hard to understand and I felt like taking this quote and analyzing it would be the best way to understand. As I analyzed the quote I noticed that the defined soul music comes from the simply from church. In the churches certain actions from the people would become some what an act that most soul artist would use these actions in their performances. So this quote is following the act of what most churches have had during sermons.

The Sound Soul (pg.1-20)

Summary
The Sound of Soul by Phyl Garland is just not the definition of music that people created just for fun but it is the music that comes from the inner emotion of oneself. From artist such like James Brown and Mahalia Jackson all the way to Duke Ellington have gave another meaning to music and another way that people would enjoy it. By the end of 1968 soul music was starting ti form in a way that gained much popularity from many cultures around. During that time the top twelve artist like Aretha Franklin and Otis Reading worked their music to the top in order to have a place in the music industry. But in order for many of these artist to be known as "known" they had to struggle. For many of them they gave up a lot such as family, education, and working to become as famous as they are now. Not only but the one word Soul was taken on as a connotation of linking those rebels who find some reviling way from music. Soul was very fond of the sound of music but also food. In the African American community soul food was known for the way the food is prepared and the entertainment that goes around the gathering.

Quote
.."In the process it examines some of the ethnic forces that have gone into the making of this music, by recreating some of the color and feeling of that special society-within-a-society that gives birth to it and by presenting the attitudes of the musicians toward their music and the world in which they have had to live"(Garland 2).

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While reading this book i began to think that i would be less interested in the idea of Soul music. I don't know why i would be less interested because my entire life spam i have been surrounded by soul music. As i began to read the novel i became very interested in the idea that many of the artist that I've listen to are actually featured in the history of where soul music originated form. As i read the book i want to know more about why soul music is the way it is and different from other genre of music.

The Soloist (Movie)

Movie Review

The Soloist the movie is very similar to the novel The Soloist by Steve Lopez. Before I watched the film the idea to the project was to read a novel that was later turned into a movie. Before I was able to read the book many people were telling me that the movie was not good and it was okay so it made me jump to conclusions that the novel would be the same. I was very hesitant about reading the novel because i felt as if i would later regret reading the novel and would want to change the novel to a different one. Even before I knew it my eyes were consumed to the novel. I felt all different types of emotions and feelings as i read the certain words that was imprinted upon the page. The more I read the more i felt as if i must see the movie and see if those were right because already i felt as if they were wrong. After reading the novel I was able to watch the movie and just as i predicted; they were wrong. Often times when you read a novel then you read a book there are times you will come across something different and would point it out. The same thing occurred with me but it was expected to be somewhat different. The thing that really grasped my attention was the fact that most movies are just the summary of the novel and everything wont be said. Also I liked the idea that the narrator was telling the movie like the novel. This was something i liked because I was able to connect with the narrator on how he felt about the situation Nathaniel was in and helped me understand him. Also i was able to get a visualization of who Nathaniel was and looked like in a way and also Mr. Lopez. With the actors and actresses playing the role of the characters it finished the picture i painted in my mind about the description that I created while reading the novel. The movie is more of the visualization of the novel because i believe it imitates the novel.

The Soloist(pg.186-286)

Summary
In the denouement of the novel Mr. Lopez finally opens his eyes to what the true story behind Nathaniel is. Throughout the entire novel Mr.Lopez tried to diagnose Nathaniel because he believed he understood what his problems was. It was true that Nathaniel was a schizophrenic and he allowed that to throw his life away. But the true problem with Nathaniel was he was his own person and he was not trying to have someone else run his life. With Mr. Lopez he put himself in a position almost as a father figure; he wanted to bath him, cloth him, protect him and teach him. Mr.Lopez wanted to do it all but during this process he forgot the main aspect which was being his friend not a father but just a friends someone who looks out for another person but also don't get in the way of how they make their decisions. Mr.Lopez was in the correct state of mind but at the same time he was not listening to what Nathaniel had to say. It seemed as if every month Mr. Lopez would write about how he wanted Nathaniel to do certain things and Nathaniel would refuse such as go to Lamp and receive a good meal, go to Skid Row and get help and live in AN apartment in order to be safe. Mr. Lopez seemed a little demanding in a way because Nathaniel refused to do such things but in some way Nathaniel gave in almost like a son. Even though a child might not want to do something they figure they must and at the same time they are not happy which relates to Nathaniel because he felt guilty almost as if he didn't do it then he would disappoint Mr.Lopez after all he did for him. For Mr. Lopez he soon figures out what the real problem is with Nathaniel ad that is his sense of freedom. Throughout the novel Nathaniel is approached with challenges given by people who just enter his life with no sensibility to who he is. Nathaniel is a person who does appreciate the help he receives but wants to be the person he knows he is. Nathaniel understands that he has problems but he would like to fix him him self without anyone pushing him into something he is not comfortable with.

Quote
"I don't want the concert to ever end" (Lopez 286).

Reaction
This quote amazes me because its almost as if Nathaniel is saying her never wants his life to end so he would be able to listen to the concert play forever. The irony of that is his life will end but he will be able to here it from above. I feel like after reading the novel i was able to see what someone less fortunate goes through and their struggles to over come it all. This novel tough me that no matter who you are never say you can not do something because it is possible and if your willing then it will happen as long as you put in 100 percent you get 100 percent out. This novel is very inspirational to all.

The Soloist(pg.79-186)

Summary
It is fairly easy for many to be able to come back out of a tragic accident but in the novel The Soloist; Nathaniel's has difficulty. For Nathaniel things have been hard for him because it has been hard for him to deal with the sickness that he conceals. Since Steve Lopez has entered Nathaniel's life many people have gained the strength to see beyond the rags that he wears but to actually see the true musician. Mr. Lopez constantly explains that he has a family and it is complicated to take care of a man almost his age and actually take care of the family which he has at home. In a way he sees himself as almost loosing his family but at the same time he sees himself as helping someone less in need. For Mr. Lopez he offers to stay numerous nights with Nathaniel upon the streets of L.A on account he has concerns about the safety of a man he would never imagine to be as close to him. For Nathaniel's he does not hold as much confidence as he once held his self at. Now in his eyes he sees himself as a quitter because he had to leave Julliard. Julliard was Nathaniel's only way into happiness but as problems increased he confidence decreases. With the trust in Mr. Lopez's hand; he set Nathaniel up for a couple of performances at a Club where he will play his Cello. At first things did not seem as they were to go as plans but Nathaniel showed up with a surprise from many. At the peek of his performance the music did not flow out the way most did but once he found his comfort zone and things finished off smoothly. Over the next couple of months with Nathaniel, Mr. Lopez was successful enough to have him perform comfortably only when he goes away things get hectic. Mr. Lopez figured out the idea that Nathaniel needs someone who is willing to stick around to keep him company without that he becomes lost. Each day became harder for Mr. Lopez because he seen the reality of the streets; he noticed that Nathaniel could become really hurt if he continued to stay upon the streets. With so many people noticing his great achievements he has been rewarded many offers such as listening to the Disney Hall Orchestra. Nathaniel's gift brought him very far but not far enough. The streets that Nathaniel lives upon is the only thing that keeps him back from being a hard working musician which also gives others their opinions and cause him to try. Mr. Lopez offered to give Nathaniel an apartment but with the high reality of no one hearing his music then he may never keep himself from danger.

Quote
"Pointing to the window of his room, he says: That is my place"(Lopez 186).

Reaction
This short quote has much meaning behind it. The quote stated when Nathaniel and a man gets into a small confrontation about him giving up on life. In Nathaniel's eyes his place is not an actual apartment but its the entire world. Nathaniel expresses himself through the music that he wants to share with the world and not trap inside. In my eyes I understand Nathaniel's point of view because by him staying inside no one will be able to get the enjoyment of him playing and no one will know of the great Nathaniel. I feel like people must go out and take life as if it and not settle for anything less.

The Soloist (pg. 40-79)

Summary

After the fact Mr. Lopez had organized a deal with Nathaniel it almost seemed to him he would never show up. The deal with Nathaniel is in order for him to play the new instruments which were given by the readers of the column he had to play them at the recovery program called Lamp. In Nathaniel eyes wanted to refuse the offer on account the environment is not somewhere he feels comfortable at. About a month later Nathaniel finally shows up at Lamp but once left alone a few days later he takes the instruments and back to the place he first felt comfortable at. While Nathaniel is on the streets Mr. Lopez goes to an organization called The Village which is also another recovery program. Mr. Lopez is surprised by the fact many of the people are just like Nathaniel but he can't find a diagnosis so he would be able to examine the people better but from the information he received is you cant always diagnose someone all you have to do is understand them. For which Mr. Lopez offers to spend the night out on the streets with Nathaniel. With the caution of being mugged or harm he doesn't understand what would allow Nathaniel to stay on the streets rather than living in a home. Nathaniel explains why live in a home where my music is unheard but you can live outside and share to the world



Quote

"i've got to dream,she says"(pg.45).



Reaction

This quote is a reference to a woman and how she looks upon life. It quote is a thousand words in one which describes the out look on how most homeless and deranged people think. All they have are their dreams and once someone takes that away they will have nothing. I can compare this to text to self in a way. This is because i have goals and if someone or something was to get in the way of that I would not know what I would then have. Goals and dreams are something that keeps a person moving and in Nathaniel's case he dreams of Beethoven and it keeps that loving side with him.

The Soloist (pg.1-40)

Summary
In the exposition of The Soloist by Steve Lopez the reader is introduced to the characters beginning with Steve Lopez. Steve Lopez is a journalist for the Los Angeles Times and he is in the means of finding a new idea for his next column. Along his search he runs into a homeless man who plays a two stringed violin. This man draws the attention of Steve and he wants to look more into the mans life and history. Among his finds he discovers this man is Nathaniel Ayers (which is the second main character) and he once went to school at Julliard. Julliard is a top elite school for musicians and it was very hard to believe for Steve that this man who is now hopeless use to play for Julliard. Steve begins to go in deeper in the story of the man and finds out that he is a paranoid schizophrenic and became sick and later dropped out of school because of his disorder. This disorder left him homeless, no family nor friends but just the violin which held his music and intellectual memories. As the novel continues it is known that the column allowed many people to want to send musical instruments based of the column about Nathaniel Ayers. The only problem is Nathaniel refuses to enter the Lead program and receive help but he must compromise in order to play the interments he adores so much.

Quote
" Yeah, but i don't need the hassles I'd have to deal with going all the way over there with all of that nonsense. This isn't Cleveland, Ohio. It's a Beethoven town that doesn't have all of that snow and ice. Los Angeles. Roman Gabriel. Jackie Robinson. I like it right here in the tunnels, where i can play all day and nobody's going to bother me"( Lopez 30).

Reaction
When I began to read the novel I thought it was not going to be interesting but I believe it was going to be like the movie which many say is not good. After reading the first couple of chapters I began to draw much of my attention towards the actual events. I began to pay attention to what was occurring with the characters and the hard decisions they are starting or had to face. Reading this quote made me realize that many people are comfortable where they are and they rather not be moved. With Nathaniel Ayers he rather stay in the tunnel to be alone with his music rather than putting up with the difficulty of moving around and becoming custom to a new environment. When he states it is a Beethoven town he is refering to its a town of soul and music to which Beethoven is they key, the main point to where everything is surrounded by. People who need the help will ask for it you can't force it upon them because they will not want it.