Altaf’s Reading Experience
Freshman Fall
Breath, Eyes, Memory by Edwidge Danticat
1) How and when did you come across this book and what were your initial reactions to reading it?
I came across this book in my fall semester of Freshman Compostition and as most assigned reading I looked at is as homework because it wasn’t something I could relate to on a cultural or a gender perspective.
2) How did the characters’ approach/attitudes towards life and their situations compare to yours at the time? to yours now?
The protagonist, Sophie Caco, after leaving her native Haiti to America discovers that the only way to create opportunities was to excel in her academics. This is most likely the only relatable theme in the novel. As the majority of Stuyvesant High School, I find that to be successful in life you must shine in your education or else the doors of opportunity available will be little to none. This mind set is something I took to thought more seriously in my earlier years of high school. While it is still as applicable it is not something that plagues my mind as much as I would want it to.
3) What memorable moments were there in reading the book, discussing it, or interacting with it and with others in any way?
For most of the novel there was a solemn tone that overshadowed any possible memorable moment. Even as Sophie Caco loses her mother to suicide she is at the very end able to set herself free from the fears associated with her mother’s rape. This is shown in her reenactment of the event and this is probably the most memorable in that it resolves many of the problems of the characters.
4) What connections to other books/movies/television shows/real life can you make?
From experience there is nothing I can particularly connect it to, although for some reason I seem to think that this is a relatively common occurrence, in comparison to our society, in African and African descending cultures.
Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt
1) How and when did you come across this book and what were your initial reactions to reading it?
This is the second book that I read in my fall semester of Freshman Composition that instantly reminded me of stories about the experiences of immigrant families in America.
2) How did the characters’ approach/attitudes towards life and their situations compare to yours at the time? to yours now?
We learned that the author, Frank McCourt, was a Stuyvesant student but that was about all I could personally relate to. His parents were complete opposites where his father would do nothing but drink away all of the money and his mother having to care for the children without the aid of money. Frank McCourt was stuck living a life of deprivation which I have yet to experience. One aspect of Frank that I also experience is his feeling of responsibility and empowerment while working. Even though I have only had one job it had a feeling unlike anything I have felt to that point in my life. It was a sense of purpose that I had not come across before.
3) What memorable moments were there in reading the book, discussing it, or interacting with it and with others in any way?
One of the memorable moments in reading the book is when Frank McCourt saves enough money to return to New York City. It brings the story full circle where he expects to begin the journey towards a successful future. Even as these noteworthy thoughts are revealed he doesn’t waste time in adapting to “American” culture where he attends a party and sleeps with an American woman.
4) What connections to other books/movies/television shows/real life can you make?
As many Stuyvesant students can relate to, my family is the first of their family to come to America. They experienced hard ships as they had no one to lean on for help. The only thing one can hope for is that circumstances will only get better as it did for my family and me.
Catcher in the Rye J.D. Salinger
1) How and when did you come across this book and what were your initial reactions to reading it?
This is the final book we read in the fall of Freshman Composition. On initially reading it we were introduced to a Stuyvesant student’s greatest fear. This being the fear of becoming a failure at school and subsequently at life. It helps to convince us to not become Holden, the protagonist of the story.
2) How did the characters’ approach/attitudes towards life and their situations compare to yours at the time? to yours now?
Holden’s approaches and attitudes towards life and their situations is something I can easily compare to my own, as of present day. My determination and focus in doing what is necessary to get going with life is slowing dwindling. It is not something that someone should be proud of but I cannot sit here and deny the fact.
3) What memorable moments were there in reading the book, discussing it, or interacting with it and with others in any way?
Oddly enough as most other books the most memorable moment of The Catcher in the Rye is at its ending. Holden is able to revolve his issues regarding life due to what I believe is his sister’s influence. We are told that he plans on returning to school and is optimistic for the future
4) What connections to other books/movies/television shows/real life can you make?
As known before my experience is starting to sadly parallel the major events in Holden’s life. I am at the lowest point I have been in my academics and am only hopeful and optimistic for my college education. Like the story resolves itself, I hope to resolve my issues as soon as possible.
Freshman Spring
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey
1) How and when did you come across this book and what were your initial reactions to reading it?
I came across this book during my Spring semester of Freshman Composition. When first reading it I thought it would be a disturbed and awkward piece of writing as it centered itself in a psychiatric hospital. It proved to be otherwise.
2) How did the characters’ approach/attitudes towards life and their situations compare to yours at the time? to yours now?
Initially all of the characters introduced were seemingly lifeless and overly submissive. This we can conclude represents most of society who do what is expected of them. On the other hand there is Randle McMurphy who is unlike everyone else in the ward and gives the patients hope. He represents who everyone aspires to become including myself.
3) What memorable moments were there in reading the book, discussing it, or interacting with it and with others in any way?
The memorable moments of the story were the rare occasions in which the patients were able to taste part of the normal life most notably the fishing trip. There was also much to discuss about the influence McMurphy played in the outcome of the patients.
4) What connections to other books/movies/television shows/real life can you make?
This novel could be compared to any situation in which those facing oppressive powers are given hope by a lone authority. This is something that is usually most often seen in the victory of independence by many people of their native lands.
Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare
1) How and when did you come across this book and what were your initial reactions to reading it?
This book was the second reading of my Spring term of Freshman Composition and as many English students I cringed alone at the thought of reading Shakespeare. I thought to myself that there was no way I was going to be able to read and understand what I read.
2) How did the characters’ approach/attitudes towards life and their situations compare to yours at the time? to yours now?
The male protagonists in the story are all concentrated on finding themselves the “right” woman but in order to get there someone must marry the faulty woman. Yet the woman with fault turned out to be the better of the lot. This shows that no matter who it may be someone is capable of changing.
3) What memorable moments were there in reading the book, discussing it, or interacting with it and with others in any way?
I can clearly remember the focus of the discussion for class consisting solely of interpretation and translation of Shakespearean literature. Towards the ending it was obvious that the most shocking moment of the story was when it is revealed that the woman most suitable and appropriate is the character who is thought to have been the worst.
4) What connections to other books/movies/television shows/real life can you make?
The connections to other books, movies, and television that can be made between real life and it are significant somewhere along the lines of don’t judge a book by its cover because its contents may be different that what it is made out to be.
Rule of the Bone by Russell Banks
1) How and when did you come across this book and what were your initial reactions to reading it?
This novel perhaps the last of my freshman reading proved to be the best to that point in high school. It instantly drew the attention of the minds of young readers with its relatable protagonist and issues.
2) How did the characters’ approach/attitudes towards life and their situations compare to yours at the time? to yours now?
Chappie or Bone the protagonist is a character much in line with the beliefs of Holden, the protagonist of Catcher in the Rye. Chappie drops out of school and is guided by a Rastafarian which I can safely assume hasn’t and won’t be something I will be experiencing. All of this is his weird way of finding himself which I hope I will be able to do without involving awkward and shady characters.
3) What memorable moments were there in reading the book, discussing it, or interacting with it and with others in any way?
The moments I can still remember to this day are the scenes in reference to drugs and sex which although a touchy topic for young teens represents a real problem worth taken a look at. It was something that was specifically in reference to our age group and not something really pertaining to anyone else.
4) What connections to other books/movies/television shows/real life can you make?
This story took the extreme route in which the author was to discover himself. It took him from struggles in America all the way to Jamaica due solely to the awkward people he has met on his journey on self-discovery. Once again I am unable to recall anything specific that can connect to other book, movies or television.
Sophomore Fall
The Odyssey by Homer
1) How and when did you come across this book and what were your initial reactions to reading it?
This is my first book of my Fall term of Classical Literature which for the most part revolved around the study of mythology and understanding its basic setup. In looking at the book you are immediately intimidated as to how deep and complicated the story will get.
2) How did the characters’ approach/attitudes towards life and their situations compare to yours at the time? to yours now?
Even though the protagonist, Odysseus, is being assisted by the help of the gods; he manages to somehow remain alive leaving hope for his wife and his kingdom. That in itself, the struggle to survive, is an instinctual trait that all of us attain but use in the rarest of circumstances. He is able to, after ten years of battle, get past the most trying of obstacles to return to his normal life. All of us struggle to do this on a daily basis although we are not faced with obstacles of this sort.
3) What memorable moments were there in reading the book, discussing it, or interacting with it and with others in any way?
As the other books I have reviewed, the ending is still the most common position for a memorable part. This is when Odysseus dressed as a beggar is able to complete the task set by the Queen his wife who suspects that her husband is nearer than she thinks.
4) What connections to other books/movies/television shows/real life can you make?
The connection that is most obvious in this story is the relation to happy fairy tale stories in which the main character overcomes their struggles to live a life happily ever after.
Metamorphosis by Ovid
1) How and when did you come across this book and what were your initial reactions to reading it?
2) How did the characters’ approach/attitudes towards life and their situations compare to yours at the time? to yours now?
3) What memorable moments were there in reading the book, discussing it, or interacting with it and with others in any way?
4) What connections to other books/movies/television shows/real life can you make?
Sophomore Spring
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky
1) How and when did you come across this book and what were your initial reactions to reading it?
This was my first book of Spring term of Modern English. This book at first glance was intimidating in its thickness and fine print. The idea the book played on the psyche of crime and punishment by the main character Raskolnikov.
2) How did the characters’ approach/attitudes towards life and their situations compare to yours at the time? to yours now?
This story has introduced numerous characters in this story but the one that is followed most by the story is Raskolnikov. He feels that he is sly enough to get away with the killing of two people and that no one will ever come to find out. Yet he confesses his crimes at the end out of love for his girlfriend Sonya. This shows that love will lead you to do things you wouldn’t do under normal circumstances.
3) What memorable moments were there in reading the book, discussing it, or interacting with it and with others in any way?
The memorable moments in reading the book were many in number as this book was quite large. The scene in which Raskolnikov murders the two people is incredibly descriptive and set up.
4) What connections to other books/movies/television shows/real life can you make?
This story reminds me of other stories in which people psychologically troubled commit murderous crimes and end up eventually confessing to it or get caught. Yet they are given a lighter sentence to the fact that they confessed or that they are legally troubled people.
Candide by Voltaire
1) How and when did you come across this book and what were your initial reactions to reading it?
This was the last book of Spring term of Modern Literature and as a reading assigned by the teacher it didn’t become more than something other than homework.
2) How did the characters’ approach/attitudes towards life and their situations compare to yours at the time? to yours now?
The protagonist of the story finds himself in situations where he feel his has no choice but to escape or kill someone to come to a resolution. His life has been a roller coaster of feelings and events. He finds himself traveling the world in search of his lover, Cunegonde. Something that I can take from this is that I find myself trying to escape when confronted with challenging problems.
3) What memorable moments were there in reading the book, discussing it, or interacting with it and with others in any way?
Obviously one of the many memorable moments of this novel is Candide’s luck on finding El Dorado, lost city of gold. You will hardly find that readers would forget something as special as this. Another one is where Candide fulfills his promise to marry Cunegonde however much the circumstances have changed.
4) What connections to other books/movies/television shows/real life can you make?
On instantaneous connection that I made when reading Candide was the connection to the movie The Road to El Dorado. Unlike Candide, the two main characters are on a quest for fame and fortune and happen to stumble upon love along the way. This is the reverse though for Candide.
Junior Fall
The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett
1) How and when did you come across this book and what were your initial reactions to reading it?
This is the first book I read in the Detective Fiction class offered at Stuy. I was eager to read any book this class recommended reading as the genre is one of my favorite. However as most detective stories it began the same way with the introduction of the detective and the crime or case.
2) How did the characters’ approach/attitudes towards life and their situations compare to yours at the time? to yours now?
The detective Sam Spade is revealed as being highly attracted to women and that is something we are shown gets tied up with his detective work. To some extent I can say the same for myself with school but it only serves as a visual distraction.
3) What memorable moments were there in reading the book, discussing it, or interacting with it and with others in any way?
The memorable moment in reading the book was as most detective stories the solving of the case. The twist and turns in the case always leaves the reader satisfied when everything that was in question or doubt in unraveled.
4) What connections to other books/movies/television shows/real life can you make?
The “hard boiled” detective genre is something that captures the reader in my mind and thought.
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