The Bean Trees
By: Barbara Kingsolver
Page 312
"She watched the dark highway and entertained herself with her vegetable song, except now there were people mixed in with the beans and potatoes: Dwaye Ray, Mattie, Esperanza, Lou Ann and all the rest. And me. I was the main ingredient."
This quote concludes the novel as taylor is finally able to have Turtle as her own and able to keep her safe forever more. Turtle finally learned some new words. This shows that people are the most important thing and thats the not the bokk closes on. Taylor cares for Turtle and Turtle cares for Taylor.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Confidence
The Bean Trees By: Barbara Kingsolver
page 299
"Mama, you were always so good to me. I've been meaning to tell you that. You acted like I'd hung up the moon. Sometimes I couldn't believe you thought I was That good"
"But most of the time you believed it."
"Yeah. I guess most of the time I thought you were right."
Children who are told they are awesome will grow up believing they are awesome. The words you say are powerful and you need to know to gaurd your words
page 299
"Mama, you were always so good to me. I've been meaning to tell you that. You acted like I'd hung up the moon. Sometimes I couldn't believe you thought I was That good"
"But most of the time you believed it."
"Yeah. I guess most of the time I thought you were right."
Children who are told they are awesome will grow up believing they are awesome. The words you say are powerful and you need to know to gaurd your words
Smile
The Bean Trees By: Barbara Kingsolver
Page 280
It's also interesting how it's hard to be depressed around a three-year-old, if you're paying attention. After a while whatever you're mooning about begins to seem like some elaborate adult invention.
Children forget easily and forgive often. They are very blunt and will tell you when they are unhappy. The don't hide their emotions and when they are happy you can't help but smile. Children remind of what it is like to live life care-free and just be happy in the moment.
Page 280
It's also interesting how it's hard to be depressed around a three-year-old, if you're paying attention. After a while whatever you're mooning about begins to seem like some elaborate adult invention.
Children forget easily and forgive often. They are very blunt and will tell you when they are unhappy. The don't hide their emotions and when they are happy you can't help but smile. Children remind of what it is like to live life care-free and just be happy in the moment.
Fresh Start
The Bean Trees By; Barbara Kingsolver
Page 259
"I chose a new name for myself too, when I left home," I said to Estevan. "We all have that in common."
"You did? What was it before?"
I made a face. "Marietta."
He laughed. "It's not so bad."
Taylor is making an observation that all of them have moved from their original homes and have changed their names. Taylor used to be Marietta, Estevan is changing his name to Steven and Esperanza changed her name to Hope. they all did it for different reasons. Taylor wanted a new life and Steven and Hope needed to change if for safety purposes. Sometimes everyone just feels like need a new start of life and a new place to be.
Page 259
"I chose a new name for myself too, when I left home," I said to Estevan. "We all have that in common."
"You did? What was it before?"
I made a face. "Marietta."
He laughed. "It's not so bad."
Taylor is making an observation that all of them have moved from their original homes and have changed their names. Taylor used to be Marietta, Estevan is changing his name to Steven and Esperanza changed her name to Hope. they all did it for different reasons. Taylor wanted a new life and Steven and Hope needed to change if for safety purposes. Sometimes everyone just feels like need a new start of life and a new place to be.
Guardian Saints
The Bean Trees By: Barbara Kingsolver
(pg. 254-272)
They were stopped by the boarder patrol and everything checked out okay until they asked if Turtle was Taylor's daughter or Estevan and Esperanza's. Taylor hesitated so Estevan said she was theirs. The next day they were driving through Oklahoma to the Broken Arrow Lodge. When they got there Irene made a large supper for them and put them up for the night. The next day Esperanza and Estevan decided to go with Taylor to the bar where she got Turtle before going to the safe house. When Taylor found the place they had changed owners and she had lost all leads. So when she couldn't figure anything else to do she decided to go to The Lake O' the Cherokees and they decided to come with her.
Taylor drove all that way only to be devastated that the owners had changed and she had no clue how she would ever get a relative of Turtles to sign her over to her. I wish Taylor would get a lead and be able to legally keep Turtle.
(pg. 254-272)
They were stopped by the boarder patrol and everything checked out okay until they asked if Turtle was Taylor's daughter or Estevan and Esperanza's. Taylor hesitated so Estevan said she was theirs. The next day they were driving through Oklahoma to the Broken Arrow Lodge. When they got there Irene made a large supper for them and put them up for the night. The next day Esperanza and Estevan decided to go with Taylor to the bar where she got Turtle before going to the safe house. When Taylor found the place they had changed owners and she had lost all leads. So when she couldn't figure anything else to do she decided to go to The Lake O' the Cherokees and they decided to come with her.
Taylor drove all that way only to be devastated that the owners had changed and she had no clue how she would ever get a relative of Turtles to sign her over to her. I wish Taylor would get a lead and be able to legally keep Turtle.
Night-Blooming Cereus
The Bean Trees By: Barbara Kingsolver
(pg. 231-253)
Taylor and Turtle continued for weeks to visit Cynthia, the social worker and Turtle eventually opened up and talked about the 'bad man'. Turtle was improving and all was well except one problem. Cynthia informed Taylor that she had no legal right to April (Turtle). Taylor was initially accepting that a state house might be able to take better care of Turtle than she could but eventually she decided she would do everything she could to keep Turtle. She soon found that the social worker, Cynthia wanted to help her keep Turtle too and gave her a name of someone in Oklahoma City that might help her.
So Taylor decided she would drive Esperanza and Estevan to the safe house in Oklahoma and while there get one of Turtles relatives to sign her over to Taylor. This idea was further cemented the night before she left, when the Cereus bloomed.
This occurrence happens once a year at night when the plant matures to a bloom. After this night the flower will not show a bloom for another year. This amazing occurrence gave Taylor hope and she felt she was doing the right thing. She decided that though this would be dangerous it was necessary for her to keep Turtle.
(pg. 231-253)
Taylor and Turtle continued for weeks to visit Cynthia, the social worker and Turtle eventually opened up and talked about the 'bad man'. Turtle was improving and all was well except one problem. Cynthia informed Taylor that she had no legal right to April (Turtle). Taylor was initially accepting that a state house might be able to take better care of Turtle than she could but eventually she decided she would do everything she could to keep Turtle. She soon found that the social worker, Cynthia wanted to help her keep Turtle too and gave her a name of someone in Oklahoma City that might help her.
So Taylor decided she would drive Esperanza and Estevan to the safe house in Oklahoma and while there get one of Turtles relatives to sign her over to Taylor. This idea was further cemented the night before she left, when the Cereus bloomed.
This occurrence happens once a year at night when the plant matures to a bloom. After this night the flower will not show a bloom for another year. This amazing occurrence gave Taylor hope and she felt she was doing the right thing. She decided that though this would be dangerous it was necessary for her to keep Turtle.
Image:
http://www.thelavarock.net/OceanView/NightBloomingCereus081906.jpg
A Special Flower
The Bean Trees By: Barbara Kingsolver
Page 250
Lou Ann nosed into the flower at eye level and reported that it had a smell. She held Dwayne Ray up to it, but he didn't seem especially awake. " I can just barely make it out," she said, "but it's so sweet. Tart almost, like that lemon candy in a straw that I used to die for when I was a kid. It's just ever so faint."
"I can smell it from here." Edna spoke from the porch swing.
"Edna is the one who spots it," Virgie said. "If it were up to me I would never notice it to save my life."
This flower that boolms only once a year only a blind woman can smell. She is the one who spots when it blooms with the senses she has not with the one she doesn't.
Page 250
Lou Ann nosed into the flower at eye level and reported that it had a smell. She held Dwayne Ray up to it, but he didn't seem especially awake. " I can just barely make it out," she said, "but it's so sweet. Tart almost, like that lemon candy in a straw that I used to die for when I was a kid. It's just ever so faint."
"I can smell it from here." Edna spoke from the porch swing.
"Edna is the one who spots it," Virgie said. "If it were up to me I would never notice it to save my life."
This flower that boolms only once a year only a blind woman can smell. She is the one who spots when it blooms with the senses she has not with the one she doesn't.
Into the Terrible Night
The Bean Trees By: Barbara Kingsolver
(pg. 215-230)
One night before the first summer's storm Mattie took Taylor, Estevan and Esperanza to the top of the mountain to watch the storm. She explained that the first summer storm was the start of the Native American New Year. they waited and Watched as the rain gave new life to everything. They danced in the rain and enjoyed the smell in the air. On the way back to the truck they heard small toads croak as loud as the could and then they ran into a rattle snake in a tree. They went around the other way and made their way home.
When Taylor got home something terrible had happened to Turtle while Edna and Mrs. Virgie were watching her. Someone laid hands on Turtle. Taylor was devastated after she had worked so hard to make Turtle feel safe and then this happens. Taylor couldn't eat.
Nothing is what it seems and bad things can happen at anytime and you never know what to expect. Turtle was safe and loved but someone bad messed that up in an instant. No matter how hard Taylor tried to protect Turtle she couldn't sheild her from the world.
(pg. 215-230)
One night before the first summer's storm Mattie took Taylor, Estevan and Esperanza to the top of the mountain to watch the storm. She explained that the first summer storm was the start of the Native American New Year. they waited and Watched as the rain gave new life to everything. They danced in the rain and enjoyed the smell in the air. On the way back to the truck they heard small toads croak as loud as the could and then they ran into a rattle snake in a tree. They went around the other way and made their way home.
When Taylor got home something terrible had happened to Turtle while Edna and Mrs. Virgie were watching her. Someone laid hands on Turtle. Taylor was devastated after she had worked so hard to make Turtle feel safe and then this happens. Taylor couldn't eat.
Nothing is what it seems and bad things can happen at anytime and you never know what to expect. Turtle was safe and loved but someone bad messed that up in an instant. No matter how hard Taylor tried to protect Turtle she couldn't sheild her from the world.
Dream Angels
The Bean Trees By: Barbara Kingsolver
(pg. 203-214)
Lou Ann got a job at the Red Hot Mama's Salsa factory as a packer. She worked the swing shift so she would watch the children until 3pm when she would go to work and wouldn't get home until eleven at night. Through this Lou Ann gained more confidence and one night told Taylor why she was such a "worry wart." She had a dream one night were she was told by what appeared to her to be an angel told her Dwayne Ray would not live to the year 2000. Taylor comforted her by assuring her it was just a dream and telling her how great of a mom she was.
A month later, in June,when Lou Ann had done well in her job and become a manager, a package came from Montana. Angel wanted Lou Ann to come live with her in a yurt and Lou Ann had no clue what to do. Later at work Mattie told Taylor that Estevan and Esperanza might need to be moved to a different safe house or risk deportation.
Just when Lou Ann was starting to stand on her own to feet and gain some self confidence Angel has to send her a package. Id Lou Ann goes to live with him in Montana her confidence will go down the tubes and she'll go back to feeling sorry for herself. Now Estevan and Esperanza are good friends of Taylor, Can she bare to see them go?
Image:
http://www.comments.zingerbugimages.com/Angels/dream_standing_angel.gif
The Bean Trees
The Bean Trees By Barbara Kingsolver
(pg. 190-202)
In the morning Taylor made breakfast for Estevan and sent him on his way. She was thinking of Esperanza and thought she might go see her.
Turtle was much more rumbustious and Dwayne Ray would laugh and watch her play on the sun porch they had turned into a playroom.
That day they were sitting under the dying trees of the arbor in Roosevelt Park when Turtle called out, "Bean trees." Turtle noticed something beautiful about the ugliest tree in the park.
Taylor went to talk to Esperanza though Taylor did all of the talking. Esperanza came close to a smile at one point and ended up crying but Taylor felt she needed to talk to her and tell her she knew about Ismene.
That Wednesday when Taylor got off of work she spotted Lou Ann getting off the bus. When she ca;;ed her over Taylor heard of how the interview went and how terrible the interviewer was. Lou Ann admitted she was jealous of how strong of a person Taylor was.
Taylor admits to herself that she is in love with Estevan and does her best to be a friend to him and Esperanza. Lou Ann sees that she is down trodden and wishes she could be more like Taylor. This friendship between Taylor and Lou Ann brings out the best in both of them.
Image:
http://cindyha.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/clematis_052109.jpg?w=470&h=312
Simple Beauty
The Bean Trees By: Barbara Kingsolver
Page 193-194
Turtle was staring up at the wisteria flowers.
"Beans," she said pointing.
"Bees," I said. "Those things that go buzz are bees."
"They sting," Lou Ann pointed out.
But Turtle shook her head. "Bean trees," she said, as plainly as if she had been thinking about it all day. We looked where she was pointing. Some of the wisteria flowers had gone to seed, and all these wonderful long green pods hung down from the branches. They looked as much like beans as anything you'd ever care to eat
"Will you look at that," I said. It was another miracle. The flower trees were turning into bean trees.
Some things are so beautiful that everyone notices them. Somethings no one ever notices. Then there are things that are so simple yet magnificent in structure and still beautiful that only a child can see. As we get older we get more busy and more distracted with life that sometimes we can't notice the simple beauties of everyday life.
Page 193-194
Turtle was staring up at the wisteria flowers.
"Beans," she said pointing.
"Bees," I said. "Those things that go buzz are bees."
"They sting," Lou Ann pointed out.
But Turtle shook her head. "Bean trees," she said, as plainly as if she had been thinking about it all day. We looked where she was pointing. Some of the wisteria flowers had gone to seed, and all these wonderful long green pods hung down from the branches. They looked as much like beans as anything you'd ever care to eat
"Will you look at that," I said. It was another miracle. The flower trees were turning into bean trees.
Some things are so beautiful that everyone notices them. Somethings no one ever notices. Then there are things that are so simple yet magnificent in structure and still beautiful that only a child can see. As we get older we get more busy and more distracted with life that sometimes we can't notice the simple beauties of everyday life.
Foster MOM
The Bean Trees By: Barbara Kingsolver
Page 162
"I can't answer these questions," i said.
"Are you the parent or guardian?"
"I'm the one responsible for her."
"Then we need the medical history before we can fill an encounter form"
"But I don't know that much about her past," I said.
"Then you are not the parent or guardian?"
This was getting to be a trip around the fish pond.
"Look," I said. "I'm not her real mother, but I'm taking care of her now. She's not with her original family anymore."
"Oh, you're a foster home." Jill was calm again,...
This is really amazing. Every time you got to doctors office they hassle you with a bunch of paper work and you have to answer questions that you don't even understand. When the lady thinks that Taylor is a foster mother then suddenly everything is okay and not real paper work is required. Sometimes, things just fall through the cracks.
Page 162
"I can't answer these questions," i said.
"Are you the parent or guardian?"
"I'm the one responsible for her."
"Then we need the medical history before we can fill an encounter form"
"But I don't know that much about her past," I said.
"Then you are not the parent or guardian?"
This was getting to be a trip around the fish pond.
"Look," I said. "I'm not her real mother, but I'm taking care of her now. She's not with her original family anymore."
"Oh, you're a foster home." Jill was calm again,...
This is really amazing. Every time you got to doctors office they hassle you with a bunch of paper work and you have to answer questions that you don't even understand. When the lady thinks that Taylor is a foster mother then suddenly everything is okay and not real paper work is required. Sometimes, things just fall through the cracks.
Instant Friends
The Bean Trees By: Barbara Kingsolver
Page 101
She made a serious face and fussed with the baby for a while with out saying anything.
"So what do you think?" I finally said. "Is it okay if we move in?"
"Sure!" Her wide eyes and the way she held her baby reminded me for a minute of Sandi. The lady downtown who could paint either one of them: "Bewildered Madonna or Sunflower Eyes." "Of course you can mover in." she said. "I'd love it..."
This is amazing how in just a few short minutes instant friends are made. What these two girls have in common, their children creates and instant bond. This goes to show friends are everywhere if you just open your eyes.
Page 101
She made a serious face and fussed with the baby for a while with out saying anything.
"So what do you think?" I finally said. "Is it okay if we move in?"
"Sure!" Her wide eyes and the way she held her baby reminded me for a minute of Sandi. The lady downtown who could paint either one of them: "Bewildered Madonna or Sunflower Eyes." "Of course you can mover in." she said. "I'd love it..."
This is amazing how in just a few short minutes instant friends are made. What these two girls have in common, their children creates and instant bond. This goes to show friends are everywhere if you just open your eyes.
Ismene
The Bean Trees By: Barbara Kingsolver
(pg. 176-189)
Estevan came to Lou Ann and Taylor's house the tell Taylor Esperanza tried to kill herself by downing a bottle of baby aspirin. They stayed up for a while and talked some about things in their pasts. Taylor told a story of a boy in her high school that fell between the cracks and was a very good student but didn't fit into any of the clicks. That boy killed himself. Estevan told Taylor why Esperanza might want to kill herself. He told he of time in jail in Guatemala and how people who went against what the government said got killed. He and Esperanza knew to much for them to be killed but they took their child Ismene and they never knew what happened to her.
It is very sad that Estevan and Esperanza will never know what happened to their child. That is a lot of grief to live with. Plus with being on the run Esperanza must have thought it would have been better to stop living. That is as low of a point in any person's life as you can go. I hope Esperanza can get better.
Monday, September 6, 2010
The Miracle of Dog Poo Park
The Bean Trees By: Barbara Kingsolver
(pg. 146-175)
Taylor gets a phone message from Lou Ann. While Taylor was out he mom had called to tell Taylor she was getting married. Lou Ann and Taylor go together to Roosevelt Park and Taylor tells her of how it got its name, from when Eleanor Roosevelt stopped and gave a speech. Now the park was mostly dirt and very ugly. There was one part of the park that Lou Ann called the arbor that sure enough come March out of that dry dirt came flowers, a miracle in Dog Poo Park.
When they returned from the park the neighbor informed Lou Ann that Angel was in town and had stopped by when she wasn't there.. Angel did eventually come back nut it was just to tell Lou Ann that he was gone for good. Taylor had gone to a doctor's appointment for Turtle. When she got there she didn't know what to do about the forms and everyone was suspicious until they asked of Turtle was adopted and then they didn't seem to mind what information Taylor put down. After everything checking out to be healthy with Turtle Taylor decided to tell the doctor about Turtles condition when she got he. The doctor took some x-rays and the results were worse than Taylor thought. Turtle had many signs of healed bone fracture and deep bruising and the doctor explained that this kind of trauma could cause the child's physical and social growth to be stunted. That even though Turtle was growing now at some point when people stopped taking care of her she stopped developing meaning that despite how old they thought Turtle was the doctor was sure that she was about three, not two.
After this Taylor met up with Lou Ann and Dwayne Ray at the zoo. They were watching the ducks and sitting across from the Turtles. These two ladies on the bench across were listening into their conversation. While they were talking it soon cam to Lou Ann's attention that whenever Turtle heard the name April she looked up. They were able to figure out that April was Turtle's birth name.
Now Taylor is learning more about Turtle's past. Now that she knows more about Turtle's actual age I wonder if she will treat her differently since she is not so much of a baby as she thought. If Lou Ann goes back to Angel what will happen to Taylor and Turtle?
(pg. 146-175)
Taylor gets a phone message from Lou Ann. While Taylor was out he mom had called to tell Taylor she was getting married. Lou Ann and Taylor go together to Roosevelt Park and Taylor tells her of how it got its name, from when Eleanor Roosevelt stopped and gave a speech. Now the park was mostly dirt and very ugly. There was one part of the park that Lou Ann called the arbor that sure enough come March out of that dry dirt came flowers, a miracle in Dog Poo Park.
When they returned from the park the neighbor informed Lou Ann that Angel was in town and had stopped by when she wasn't there.. Angel did eventually come back nut it was just to tell Lou Ann that he was gone for good. Taylor had gone to a doctor's appointment for Turtle. When she got there she didn't know what to do about the forms and everyone was suspicious until they asked of Turtle was adopted and then they didn't seem to mind what information Taylor put down. After everything checking out to be healthy with Turtle Taylor decided to tell the doctor about Turtles condition when she got he. The doctor took some x-rays and the results were worse than Taylor thought. Turtle had many signs of healed bone fracture and deep bruising and the doctor explained that this kind of trauma could cause the child's physical and social growth to be stunted. That even though Turtle was growing now at some point when people stopped taking care of her she stopped developing meaning that despite how old they thought Turtle was the doctor was sure that she was about three, not two.
After this Taylor met up with Lou Ann and Dwayne Ray at the zoo. They were watching the ducks and sitting across from the Turtles. These two ladies on the bench across were listening into their conversation. While they were talking it soon cam to Lou Ann's attention that whenever Turtle heard the name April she looked up. They were able to figure out that April was Turtle's birth name.
Now Taylor is learning more about Turtle's past. Now that she knows more about Turtle's actual age I wonder if she will treat her differently since she is not so much of a baby as she thought. If Lou Ann goes back to Angel what will happen to Taylor and Turtle?
How they Eat in Heaven
The Bean Trees By: Barbara Kingsolver
Page 145
"Now," he went on, "you can go and visit heaven. What? You see a room just like the first one, the same pot of stew, the same spoons as long as a sponge mop. but these people are all happy and fat."
"Real fat, or do you mean just well-fed?" Lou Ann asked.
"Just well-fed," he said. "Perfectly, magnificently well-fed, and very happy. Why do you think?"
He pinched up a chunk of pineapple in his chopsticks, neat as you please, and reached all the way across the table to offer it to Turtle. She took it like a newborn bird.
The people in hell were angry and starved because they couldn't feed themselves. The ones in Heaven had the same predicament but they did not stave and they helped each other. This help to show that in any situation in life things are what you make them, and you should always make the best of everyday.
Page 145
"Now," he went on, "you can go and visit heaven. What? You see a room just like the first one, the same pot of stew, the same spoons as long as a sponge mop. but these people are all happy and fat."
"Real fat, or do you mean just well-fed?" Lou Ann asked.
"Just well-fed," he said. "Perfectly, magnificently well-fed, and very happy. Why do you think?"
He pinched up a chunk of pineapple in his chopsticks, neat as you please, and reached all the way across the table to offer it to Turtle. She took it like a newborn bird.
The people in hell were angry and starved because they couldn't feed themselves. The ones in Heaven had the same predicament but they did not stave and they helped each other. This help to show that in any situation in life things are what you make them, and you should always make the best of everyday.
A Friend
The Bean Trees By: Barbara Kingsolver
Page 60
"You want more juice, don't you?" Mattie said to Turtle in a grownup-to-baby voice. "It's a good thing I brought the whole bottle down in the first place."
"Please don't go out of your way," I said. "We've put you out enough already. I have to tell you the truth, I can't even afford to buy one tire right now, much less two. Not for a while, anyway, until I find work and a place for us to live." I picked up Turtle but she went on banging the cup against my shoulder.
"Why, honey, don't feel bad. I wasn't trying to make a sale. I just thought you two needed some cheering up."
Mattie was doing something nice just for the sake of being nice. She didn't have an ulterior motive behind her hospitality she just genuinely wanted to help. I think this speaks volumes on how to be a friend, which is one of the themes of the novel, friendship and family.
Page 60
"You want more juice, don't you?" Mattie said to Turtle in a grownup-to-baby voice. "It's a good thing I brought the whole bottle down in the first place."
"Please don't go out of your way," I said. "We've put you out enough already. I have to tell you the truth, I can't even afford to buy one tire right now, much less two. Not for a while, anyway, until I find work and a place for us to live." I picked up Turtle but she went on banging the cup against my shoulder.
"Why, honey, don't feel bad. I wasn't trying to make a sale. I just thought you two needed some cheering up."
Mattie was doing something nice just for the sake of being nice. She didn't have an ulterior motive behind her hospitality she just genuinely wanted to help. I think this speaks volumes on how to be a friend, which is one of the themes of the novel, friendship and family.
Image:
http://frugal-mommy-living.info/Photos/photo041909001.jpg
How they Eat in Heaven
The Bean Trees By: Barbara Kingsolver
(pg. 121-145)
A group of people gathered and in two cars drove up to a mountain and hiked to a picnic spot Lou Ann knew of. It was Lou Ann, Dwayne Ray, Taylor, Turtle, Mattie, and a young couple Esperanza and Estevan. Estevan was an English teacher back in Guatemala but Esperanza didn't speak a lot of English. Esperanza first was shocked when she saw Turtle because she reminded her of a child they had known in Guatemala. After eating Taylor, Estevan and Esperanza went for a swim.
On the drive back Estevan drove in front and then Taylor. As they were driving Estevan slammed on the breaks as a mother quail and her babies crossed the road. Taylor was petrifies and worried about Turtle until she found the noise she had made was a laugh.
Later in the week Taylor was helping Mattie plant seeds and showing them to Turtle when Turtle said her first word, 'bean.' Taylor was so proud of her and Turtle began to learn new words, mostly vegetables.
When they hear Mattie is going to be on TV they organize a dinner at Lou Ann's and Taylor's house. Then Lou Ann remembered that Angel had taken the TV and decided she would invite the neighbors as well for dinner and they could bring their portable TV. Taylor prepared the dinner and decided to make a Chinese dish. She had been in the store buying the supplies for the dinner when she ran into Estevan. So later when they cam to dinner Estevan brought chopsticks so it would be less dishes to wash, and be a more authentic meal. After watching Turtle struggle to eat with chopsticks Estevan tells a story of how they eat in Heaven.
We start to see Mattie is much more than an auto mechanic. She is also a gardener and an activist who tries to help those who flea to the United States for refuge. Taylor has been making friends with Estevan and Esperanza though she doesn't know much of their past. I wonder if Lou Ann will gain more strength as the novel progresses.
(pg. 121-145)
A group of people gathered and in two cars drove up to a mountain and hiked to a picnic spot Lou Ann knew of. It was Lou Ann, Dwayne Ray, Taylor, Turtle, Mattie, and a young couple Esperanza and Estevan. Estevan was an English teacher back in Guatemala but Esperanza didn't speak a lot of English. Esperanza first was shocked when she saw Turtle because she reminded her of a child they had known in Guatemala. After eating Taylor, Estevan and Esperanza went for a swim.
On the drive back Estevan drove in front and then Taylor. As they were driving Estevan slammed on the breaks as a mother quail and her babies crossed the road. Taylor was petrifies and worried about Turtle until she found the noise she had made was a laugh.
Later in the week Taylor was helping Mattie plant seeds and showing them to Turtle when Turtle said her first word, 'bean.' Taylor was so proud of her and Turtle began to learn new words, mostly vegetables.
When they hear Mattie is going to be on TV they organize a dinner at Lou Ann's and Taylor's house. Then Lou Ann remembered that Angel had taken the TV and decided she would invite the neighbors as well for dinner and they could bring their portable TV. Taylor prepared the dinner and decided to make a Chinese dish. She had been in the store buying the supplies for the dinner when she ran into Estevan. So later when they cam to dinner Estevan brought chopsticks so it would be less dishes to wash, and be a more authentic meal. After watching Turtle struggle to eat with chopsticks Estevan tells a story of how they eat in Heaven.
We start to see Mattie is much more than an auto mechanic. She is also a gardener and an activist who tries to help those who flea to the United States for refuge. Taylor has been making friends with Estevan and Esperanza though she doesn't know much of their past. I wonder if Lou Ann will gain more strength as the novel progresses.
Valentine's Day
The Bean Trees By: Barbara Kingsolver
(pg. 103-120)
Taylor got a job with Mattie at Jesus is Our Lord Used Tires and Lou Ann would watch Turtle for her sometimes. Other times Mattie didn't mind if Taylor brought Turtle to work with her. Taylor was getting better at the job but eventually admitted to Mattie her fear of tires. Mattie promised that if they got a tractor in there she would do the tires.
One day after work Taylor decided to got to the "New to you store" and get Turtle some books. When she got home Lou Ann was making dinner and reading off names from a baby book to Turtle trying to see if Turtle would recognize one. This made Taylor mad especially since Lou Ann was watching Turtle and making all of the meals. So she talked to Lou Ann about it over a beer and they ended up laughing about it the whole night and forgave each other. Plus Lou Ann told Taylor more about Angel and why she was thinking about him because it was Valentine's Day.
Its amazing that the first person she met in Tucson has now given Taylor a job and been extremely helpful to her the whole time. Taylor is starting to get set-up in this town and though its very different from Kentucky she bonds with Lou Ann who is also from Kentucky originally and they both have babies. They formed an instant bond which we see hear will stand the test of time.
Harmonious Space
The Bean Trees By: Barbara Kingsolver
(pg. 87-102)
Taylor got the job at the Burger Derby but because of problems with the boss she quit after six days. After that she had to find a new place to eat breakfast. She ate at Diners and discovered she could read the newspapers people left in their booths. So she started looking at the classifieds and looking for a new place to live as the Hotel Republic wasn't exactly the bast place to raise a child. One place was really environmentalist and earth mother. The second place Taylor checked out was right across the street from Jesus is Our Lord Used Tires and the owner also had a child.
Lou Ann Ruiz was the owner and on account of her husband moving out she got Taylor as her new housemate. Taylor and Turtle would have their own room and be able to use the screened in porch out back.
Well now it had definitely clicked that Lou Ann is not Turtles mother. But it is really great that these two characters have started such a wonderful friendship all from the common fact that the both have a child. Turtle is a girl and been around a few year and Dwayne Ray is a boy and a newborn but they still get along fine. I have also started to pick up on more of Lou Ann's low self esteem. This looks like it might be a good arrangement for the both of them.
Tug Fork Water
The Bean Trees By: Barbara Kingsolver
(pg. 71-86)
Lou Ann convinced Angel to move back in while her family visited but they were still getting divorced. Because Lou Ann's family is Baptist her Grandmother Logan brought a Pepsi bottle filled with Tug Fork water from the creek Lou Ann and all her family were baptised in to pour over the baby when he was baptised, yes Lee Sing the grocer was wrong the baby is not a boy. They stayed for a while to see the baby and Grandma Logan was ready to leave due to the heat. Even though it was January is was still very hot. After they left Angel got home from work and when he found the water he poured it down the sink.
I think it is really nice of Lou Ann's family to come all that way to see the baby. It is weird that she won't tell her family she is getting a divorce and even so doesn't plan to give the child a baptism. I do think it is extremely rude for Angel to dump that water down the sink and I hope he leaves for good he is a jerk. It does appear that Lou Ann need s Angels support and can't completely function on her own.
(pg. 71-86)
Lou Ann convinced Angel to move back in while her family visited but they were still getting divorced. Because Lou Ann's family is Baptist her Grandmother Logan brought a Pepsi bottle filled with Tug Fork water from the creek Lou Ann and all her family were baptised in to pour over the baby when he was baptised, yes Lee Sing the grocer was wrong the baby is not a boy. They stayed for a while to see the baby and Grandma Logan was ready to leave due to the heat. Even though it was January is was still very hot. After they left Angel got home from work and when he found the water he poured it down the sink.
I think it is really nice of Lou Ann's family to come all that way to see the baby. It is weird that she won't tell her family she is getting a divorce and even so doesn't plan to give the child a baptism. I do think it is extremely rude for Angel to dump that water down the sink and I hope he leaves for good he is a jerk. It does appear that Lou Ann need s Angels support and can't completely function on her own.
Jesus is Our Lord Used Tires
The Bean Trees
By: Barbara Kingsolver
(pg. 47-70)
(pg. 47-70)
We are back to Taylor and Turtle as they adventure into Arizona. After staying at the Broken Arrow Lodge for a few weeks to make some money and stay for the Holidays. Mrs. Hoge had convinced her that they would need extra help around the Holidays because her overweight daughter couldn't stand for too long.
Shortly after arriving in Tucson they ran into trouble. Taylor managed to pull into Jesus is Our Lord Used Tires and discovered she had two flat tires. The owner Mattie was as sweet as could be. She offered Turtle peanut butter crackers and even got her some juice. Taylor told Mattie that she really didn't have the money for tires right then until she found a job and a place to live. Mattie was really sweet and was willing to keep her car until Taylor had the money.
Taylor stayed at the Hotel Republic, which wasn't what you would call nice but it was a room. It was downtown near all the hustle and bustle, which there was defiantly none of in Pittman County or at The Broken Arrow. Taylor took Turtle everywhere with her and every morning they would eat breakfast at the Burger Derby, where Taylor met a girl who worked there who also had a child and had found a place she could have free daycare while she worked. Taylor thought she might check that out and apply.
Taylor and Turtle have begun to settle down in this pleasant area and have met some very nice people and it looks like she plans to stay a while. I wonder how Taylor is going to afford all the expenses of herself and a child. Will she keep Turtle or try to report what happened to authorities? I would be scared to just drive away from my home with no idea where I was going with no one I knew and just start a new life. Taylor seems pretty brave.
Image:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3256/2748899892_3d9f2d3fd4.jpg
New Year's Pig
The Bean Trees By: Barbara Kingsolver (pg. 33-46)
This section switches and starts to introduce a new character, Lou Ann Ruiz, who as far as I can tell has no connection to Taylor. Lou Ann is described as a woman who had had to work through some troubles. Her husband Angel three years prior to the present time being described, on Christmas day had a trucking accident where he lost one of his legs from the knee down. Being September and Lou Ann due to have her first child in two months, she wanted nothing more than for the baby not to be born on Christmas day. Angel had changed since the accident and had begun to blame people for things that were beyond their control. Lou Ann liked being pregnant and looked forward to having the baby but was worried about Angel. Lou Ann had never thought any different about Angel after the accident but it bothered him a lot.
That Halloween Angel left her. She had just gotten home from running errands. She had an appointment with the doctor and then stopped buy the market where the Chinese clerk told her she though she was having a girl. It was funny what the clerk said that having a girl is like feeding your neighbors' New Year's pig, all that work and it goes to a different family. After running errands she cam home to find Angel gone, no notice, no note, he just left and took what he decided was his including some books, his clothes, and the television. When the children came to the door to trick-or-treat she had completely forgotten it was Halloween. Because she didn't have any candy she dipped into her diaper savings and gave each child a penny. Later that night she had to go to sleep with her shoes on because they had Velcro straps that usually Angel would undo for her because she couldn't reach. So Lou Ann went to bed in her shoes and cried herself to sleep.
It is very sad the situation Lou Ann is in. Her family didn't like Angel to begin with, mostly because he is Mexican. Then she marries him and is ready to have his child and give it a catholic name, even though her family is Baptist. She stayed with him through thick and thin even when he lost a leg and then out of the blue, he leaves her. I wonder if perhaps this is Turtles mom and if Lou Ann is pregnant with Turtle and because Angel left her she has to give up the child. I can't figure out otherwise how this will connect to a small town girl from Kentucky.
Image:
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQjQZ0vEvrtxU6Ke1qczxTolRdM1MpkvTqCrjEvOJB_J5iBtjdefKaFFVl-kvLhhUvLjoAWRokO2pGaMQgCGssSEn077fkaMYGqNt2eVzKso_vGBCtSZWjEIQvO0ayXZdbqIgON86xNw/s400/Happy+New+Year+Pig.jpg
Sunday, September 5, 2010
The One to Get Away
The Bean Trees By: Barbara Kingsolver (pg.1-32)
Chapter One
In the first sentence of the novel the speaker and a fear has been identified. The speaker is the main character, Marietta, who is apparently afraid of putting air in a tire because she saw one explode once and it sent a man ten feet in the air. Marietta grew up in a small town which she describes as low income, and minimal education but she works hard in school so she can make a better life for herself.
An opportunity arrives her senior year when her science teacher announces an employment opportunity to the class. Mr. Walter's wife was head of nurses at the Pittman County Hospital and needed a student to do odd jobs around the Hospital after school, and after graduation they might be offered a full time position. Though Marietta feels there are several other students in her class her teacher would pick over her, her mom pushes her to ask. When Marietta asked about the position he told her she could have it because she was they only one who had had the guts to ask.
One day after working at the Hospital for a while a strange occurrence transpired. Two patients came in screaming and yelling and Marietta knew who they were. The one girl had graduated two year before and gotten pregnant and married Newt Hardbine, the boy whose father was shot in the air by the exploding tire. When Jolene came into the Hospital she was yelling and cursing with blood all over her. She was fine but Newt ending up not making it. When Marietta asked her why she chose the life she did Jolene didn't really have a reason other than her dad was already calling her a slut anyway so why not.
Seeing a girl about her same age in such a poor life situation made Marietta even more grateful for her situation and more determined to improve it. She worked at the Hospital for five more years until she saved enough money to buy a VW Bug to get her on the move.
When Marietta left Pittman County she promised to give herself a new name and to drive until her car stopped running. She changed her name to Taylor but ended up getting her car fixed in Oklahoma and continuing on the road. She stopped at a bar to get something to eat and when she was leaving a woman put a child in her car and told her to take it. She stopped at the Broken Arrow lodge and convinced the lady to let her stay the night if she made up all the beds in the morning on account that now she had a baby to take care of. When she gave the child a bath she discovered it was a girl and also had been abused. The baby was definitely Native American and Taylor couldn't imagine what had happened to her.
It is very brave of Taylor to take the initiative to move on and try to make better for herself. It is ironic that she had avoided the small town life and managed to not get tied down with a husband and baby at a young age and then as soon as she goes to leave she ends up with a baby and more responsibility than she was ever expecting.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
The truth shall set you free
The Scarlet Letter By: Nathaniel Hathorne
Page 168
"The excitement of Mr. Dimmesdal's feelings, as he returned from his interview with Hester, lent him unaccustomed physical energy, and hurried him townward at a rapid pace. The pathway among the woods seemed wilder, more uncouth with its rude natural obstacles, and less troddren by the foot of man, than he remembered it on his outward journey. But he leaped across the plashy places, thrust himself through the clinging underbrush, climbed the ascent, plunged into the hollow, and overcame, in short, all the difficulties of the track, with an unweariable activity that astonished him."
Prior to Dimmesdale's meeting with Hester he had been living a lie and a life surrounded by secrets. No one knew but Hester what his sin was and this guilt trapped him and made him drown in despair. When he met with Hester he faced his sin and it was a freeing experience. So much so that what previously he had struggle to do he did enthusiastically. Through this Dimmesdale experienced the freedom truth can provide.
Page 168
"The excitement of Mr. Dimmesdal's feelings, as he returned from his interview with Hester, lent him unaccustomed physical energy, and hurried him townward at a rapid pace. The pathway among the woods seemed wilder, more uncouth with its rude natural obstacles, and less troddren by the foot of man, than he remembered it on his outward journey. But he leaped across the plashy places, thrust himself through the clinging underbrush, climbed the ascent, plunged into the hollow, and overcame, in short, all the difficulties of the track, with an unweariable activity that astonished him."
Prior to Dimmesdale's meeting with Hester he had been living a lie and a life surrounded by secrets. No one knew but Hester what his sin was and this guilt trapped him and made him drown in despair. When he met with Hester he faced his sin and it was a freeing experience. So much so that what previously he had struggle to do he did enthusiastically. Through this Dimmesdale experienced the freedom truth can provide.
Hester sympathizes with Dimmesdale
The Scarlet Letter By: Nathaniel Hawthorne
Page 133
"... answered she. "But let it pass! It is yonder miserable man that I would speak."
"And what of him?" cried Roger Chillingworth eargerly, as if he loved the topic, and were glad of an opportunity to discuss it with the only person of whom he could make a confidant. "Not to hide truth, Mistress Hester, my thoughts just happen to be busy with the gentleman. So speak freely; and I will make answer."
"When we spake together," said Hester, "now seven years ago, it was your pleasure to extort a promise of secrecy, as touching the former relation betwixt yourself and me. As the life and good fame of yonder man were in your hands, there seemed no choice to me, save to be silent, in accordance with your behest. Yet it was hot without heavy misgivings that i thus bound myself; for, in having cast off all duty towards other human beings, there remained a duty towards him; and something whispered to me that I was betraying it, in pledging myself to keep your counsel."
In this section we see a profound concern of human nature. Despite the suffering of Hester, she still feels sympathy for Dimmesdale and feels she owes him the truth. She sees the pain her former husband is putting him through and wishes she could stop this pain. This shows an natural impulse that verifies the idea that everyone has a conscience and guilt can make people act.
Page 133
"... answered she. "But let it pass! It is yonder miserable man that I would speak."
"And what of him?" cried Roger Chillingworth eargerly, as if he loved the topic, and were glad of an opportunity to discuss it with the only person of whom he could make a confidant. "Not to hide truth, Mistress Hester, my thoughts just happen to be busy with the gentleman. So speak freely; and I will make answer."
"When we spake together," said Hester, "now seven years ago, it was your pleasure to extort a promise of secrecy, as touching the former relation betwixt yourself and me. As the life and good fame of yonder man were in your hands, there seemed no choice to me, save to be silent, in accordance with your behest. Yet it was hot without heavy misgivings that i thus bound myself; for, in having cast off all duty towards other human beings, there remained a duty towards him; and something whispered to me that I was betraying it, in pledging myself to keep your counsel."
In this section we see a profound concern of human nature. Despite the suffering of Hester, she still feels sympathy for Dimmesdale and feels she owes him the truth. She sees the pain her former husband is putting him through and wishes she could stop this pain. This shows an natural impulse that verifies the idea that everyone has a conscience and guilt can make people act.
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