SON OF ITALY: what is the moment or scene (not a major theme) that you remember most vividly? Why do you think it has made such an impact on you?
EXAMPLES:
the vampire;
the "commissary system," similar to the Gulag or indenture servitude (aka slightly less cruel than slavery);
the wheel barrow scene;
the flooded room;
the letter to the editor.
PART 2: choose one of your classmates choice and comment about it, either because you missed it or because it also made an impact.
The scene that I remember the most is the horrible accident that happened to Andrea and Teofilo. It really made me feel so sad that they were killed that way and everyone else couldn't help them.
ReplyDeleteThat scene was quite horrifying.
DeleteVery sad and horrifying scene. I had to read it over to see if that really did happen.
DeleteI remember the scene when D’Angelo sees the old lady in the woods and feels bad for her. I think it shows that humans are naturally good and evil and negativity is taught. He was brought up in a town where everyone blames this old lady for all the bad things that happened, she was the scapegoat. But when he saw her out there all alone, hungry and scared, he was willing to give her his food and help her.
ReplyDeleteSad but true. As we grow up our perspectives changes.
DeleteYes I chose this scene as the most memorable for the first part of the book. I find it to be a really sad scene. I tried to imagine what it was like for that old woman. She must of felt very alone.
DeleteThis scene was very sad, it takes a lot to witness someone suffering so greatly. It has an incredible after affect.
DeleteThe most memorable scene for me was when D'Angelo discovered that rhyme was not essential in poetry. Since he did not know how to write in rhyme himself, finding an excuse seemed to him as a better solution. It awoke anger in me. Following his opinion, an artist doesn't need to know how to draw, musician doesn't need to know music notes (by the way he tried to do the same with musical instrument and I was happy that he never became a musician), a filmmaker doesn't need to know how to use a camera. In creative world, the one should master the rules before braking them. I did not see it in D'Angelo's work. He succeeded with a prose and had to continue, then perhaps, he would get recognized faster.
ReplyDeleteThe letter to the editor was the most memorable for me because it was made me think that sometimes it's ok to act vulnerable. The letter signified a cry for help, he had been strong throughout the whole book to not show any sort of weakness or need for pity until the end where he had nothing else but to be honest and hope it would be successful.
ReplyDeleteSometimes we bottle everything inside because of pride, but sometimes it's ok to crack open and step out of our shell.
That was very admirable of him, he didn't give up and he kept on going as to achieve his goal.
Deletethe scene where Andrea and teofili were killed and no one could help them
ReplyDeleteI agree, it was a sad scene and I didn't expect it. I can only imagine how hard and scary it was to witness it as well.
DeleteThe scene I remember most vividly was the letter to the editor because of the way he wrote with such vulnerability. It was like he finally let his guard down because he wanted to be successful and he was running out of options so he kinda of exposed himself in the letter by saying he needed someone's help to make it.
ReplyDeleteThe scene I remember most vividly was when he wrote the letter to the editor. This scene made me smile when reading it. It stood out to me because he wanted to give up after all the hardships he had been through but he didn't. I like the way he went about continuing to learn English, focus on his writing and question the editor. I was happy at what he did and that he began to become noticed by others. He continued to motivate himself and achieve his goal. He realized that there was still hope for himself, which was great and I admire that.
ReplyDeleteI agree! I thought it was an excellent scene.
DeleteThe scene that I remember most is when he decided not to go back to Italy with his father, he chose to stay in America with no guarantee of a brighter future and without his father. He knew one day he would make his parents proud and that he did!
ReplyDeleteI agree! This part of the book was saddening to me too!
DeleteI had forgotten about this, but definitely a scene that gives deeper meaning to Pascal's ambitious character.
DeleteI was a little confused, since I don't recall what happened to his father. After the group breaks up, he is no longer mentioned until the ending.
DeleteWhen Pascal wrote the letter to the editor at the end of the novel, that part of the book stood out to me the most. By explaining to the editor about his struggles in America, and despite all of that, maintaining to keep his head help high, I was floored. His determination and strength was incredible and inspiring.
ReplyDeleteA great scene!
DeleteThe scene that stuck with me most is when the author is on the ship with his father coming to America. I really enjoyed the vivid descriptions that the author provided such as detailing the nasty soup that they were served, witnessing a knife fight, and sailing through a tough storm. A little later when they finally arrive at Ellis Island, the reader can really sense the young boy's overwhelming sense of wonder and curiosity towards his new home.
ReplyDeleteThat moment he realizes the reason and purpose for coming to America. How at first it was just a dream and now he is part of America.
DeleteThe scene that I remember the most is when Pascual comes home from work and finds his room flooded. His room was the only place where he found comfort, although he did not have any furniture or blankets he was happy with what he had. Persistence is what kept him moving forward.
ReplyDeleteI overlooked this part, you're right this did help Pascal move forward and in a way pushed him to keep going.
DeleteThe part of the book that stood out to me is when Pascal gave his food to the Vampire, I found it odd that he was able to do something so nice for someone that has caused nothing but pain and suffering to everyone he knew.
ReplyDeleteI forgot about that part but that was so nice and thoughtful of him and maybe he saw something in her that no one else did.
DeleteOne of the parts of the books that stood out to me was when Matteo saw a man who he thought needed help so he let him stay with them. Come to find out the stranger stole Matteo pocketbook with $60 inside. That scene showed just a small portion of the exploitation that Italians faced in America. It also showed you can't trust everyone you meet. Your intentions might be good but someone else's may be bad.
ReplyDeleteWhat's the saying, love all, trust few?
DeleteI think that's the ideal example of when you should trust few.
The scene I remember the most is at the beginning when Pascal describes his home in Italy with the lower level being one room (kitchen, dinning room and living room). Also him describing how he sleeps with his parents and brother in one bed and he falls off a lot because he sleeps at the foot of the bed.
ReplyDelete4 people to 1 bed. If I was in his shoes, I'd be the most grumpiest guy ever.
DeleteAt least the animals didn't complain, they lived in his kitchen overnight.
DeleteThis makes me thankful for what I have.
DeleteSyeda Jafri
ReplyDeleteA scene from the book i remember most vividly was when Pascal went to see the opera Aida.It made a impact on me because the way Pascal described it was very unique. A man who goes to see an opera that captivates him. It had a postiive effictive on Pascal. Pascal had alot of negative things going on in his life such as his job and this opera was a type of different yet encouriging thing for him to see.
The living conditions of Pascal and his family was very hard to read. The way he mentions that you have to be in a certain position, in order to sleep comfortably and the leak on the roof with water dripping down.
ReplyDeleteThe most memorable scene for me was when Pascal and his mother saw the old man get struck by lighting. I just kept asking myself what are the odds? And how would I handle seeing such a thing.
ReplyDeleteI agree, that was a very unusual and memorable scene for me as well.
DeleteWhen he was struck, I think it added more to the wizard aspect they mentioned previously about him.
DeleteThe part that I remember most vividly was when the men first arrived in West Virginia. They were walking for miles through the ice and rain. It was raining which made it even colder than just snow because they were soaked. He said he felt like needles were piercing his skin. I have walked from the train to my house without an umbrella in the cold and I know how uncomfortable it is. I cannot imagine walking through these conditions and then getting to my destination and still not having warmth or dry clothes.
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing worse than being wet in the cold.
DeleteThe scene that I remember most vividly is when Pascal and a bunch of his room-mates are dragging the stranger who stole Matteo's wallet to jail. It made me see that although they didn't have much, they had each other and that was enough to keep them living for so long. The group Pascal had lived in was like a new family and so naturally fighting for Matteo's wallet was like brothers standing up for a younger sibling.
ReplyDeleteWhen young Pascal was hiding because he was blamed for hurting the young boy. He describes his adventure in such great detail, how he was afraid to go back home and the thunderstorm. It was a good analogy; there was a storm going on outside and there was a storm going on inside of him. I felt like I was with him through the whole ordeal. I felt bad for him that he was blamed for something he didn't do.
ReplyDeleteThe beginning of the book, but specifically the part where he is sleeping in a room with his entire family, Unable to find comfort. For some reason this scene makes me emotional, the sense of poverty from this is devastating.
ReplyDelete