In the first 60 pages of SON OF ITALY you came across an infinite amount of DETAILS.
Don't focus on the plot, the action, the major themes etc. etc. etc.
COMMENT:
FOCUS on one small detail, something that had an impact on you and that most other people probably noticed but did not spend much time thinking about.
Instead, for you it had a particular meaning.
Why? What is it that led you to choose it?
Read your classmates' comments first and avoid repetition.
REPLY: choose the comment of someone who wrote AFTER you did (you will have to come back.) Choose something you had NOT thought about or you had NOT noticed and explain why this comment caught your attention.
One of the details that caught my attention most was the use of the word "dress" in the first chapter of the book. The narrator writes of an attempt to escape a punishment coming from another boy's mother and states "I felt her huge rage-gripping hand that caught my loosely buttoned dress," (pg 9). Up until this point, I had pictured the story being told by a younger boy, as the title of the book "Son of Italy" would suggest. But from this sentence, the story could have been told from the viewpoint of a girl. I myself being female, completely imagined the events from a girl's perspective, and they felt even more personal to me because I had gotten many punishments as a child for bad behavior. I sincerely remembered the feeling of hiding, and anxiously anticipating the scolding that would come from an authority figure for whatever I had done. For a brief part of this story, I imagined it belonging to a girl's memory, and it made just as much sense. Later in the chapter, the mother addresses the narrator as her son and the mix-up is clarified. The interesting part of the detail, for me at least, is that the author is able to bring us back to a very universal childhood memory, as many of us probably were trouble makers or just happened to get caught in an accusation where it is difficult to stand up for oneself being so young and having no autonomy. It is a small detail, but it made a difference in how I imagined the story, and also made me question if little boys actually wore dresses in 19th century Italy, or if "dress" was used interchangeably with the word "garb" in that context.
ReplyDeleteThis is very interesting! I completely agree, looking back at this passage, its less of a boy's story and more of a universal childhood experience. The fact that you can relate to the story from the perspective of the opposite sex really speaks to his writing ability. Being falsely accused, hiding out of fear from the consequences of someone else's actions are something that we've all experienced some time or another.
DeleteI had the same thought when I read the word dress! I've been trying to think of a reason for the word dress being used for a male child's clothes. One reason that I came up with was that boys did wear what we call dresses because they were easier and cost less material to make, and the mother did make a lot of the clothes as I read later in the book. But a dress from a farming standpoint doesn't seem too practical. So dress probably did mean our version of plain clothes.
DeleteThe child blaming also stuck out to me because this still happens today. My nephew will steal something from my house and my brother wouldn't believe me because it is his child, and his child is capable of no wrong in his eyes.
A moment that l truly love early in the novel is when the protagonist is told that his father is going to America. This moment is so quiet yet filled with emotion. His mother does not want his father to leave but he's made up his mind and she has to be content with it. His father does not want to go but knows this is what needs to be done for his family, he also knows that it would be best for his son to come with but does not want to take him away from his mother. And, our protagonist knows he needs to go with his father but doesn't enjoy leaving his mother alone. Each person is faced with an emotional dilemma and has to brave through it. lt's an incredibly powerful thing to read and really highlights how familial bonds can be strained but not broken. How doing what's best for the family is not always the easiest thing to do.
ReplyDeleteI loved reading the part where the mother somehow knew the son would follow his father to America. As a reader you can almost predict this by the way he described her looking at him, asking him questions, and being more concerned about him, as if she knew she might lose him. It's a really touching part of the novel.
DeleteReading this part of the novel, gave me a flashback of my life. When i was 5 years old living in Macedonia, and my mom was hesitating to tell us that she and my dad found out that my dad will be leaving us to come to New York. My mother was the same as mother in the story, where she didn't want to tell the kids that the father will be leaving to America because she didn't want them to be hurt with the news. Reading this part of the novel, definitely made me think of my childhood when i heard about my dad leaving us to come to America. I can definitely relate to the narrator of the story, because thats exactly how i felt. I broke down, knowing my father wouldn't be around us and not knowing when we would see him again. Now that i look back at that day, i do realize that he did it for the best, eventhough it wasn't easy like Justin said, but when i was 5 years old i wasn't thinking that.
DeleteOne of the detail that caught my attention most was the witch and the illness of the young innocent boy. When the baby became sick, in the town people knew what have happened to that poor boy. All of the people were blaming the old woman and her supernatural powers because she heard the conversation of the man about her. People in the town were scared of her and they were constantly talking about her doings to that boy. I felt really bad for the boys parents especially when the father was feeling guilty. Boys father kept repeating to himself “Why must innocent baby suffer for its parents’ folly?” p.39. This part of the book stuck with me, because we believe that wrong doing leads to a trouble, in this case punishment for the father was sickness of his child and later his wife. Later the witch was driven out of the town and her house was destroyed.
ReplyDeletePascal seems to identify with the places and locations in his life very strongly. It is as if he is relating his emotions into a physical place. I first noticed this when looking over the poetry that he interjects at pivotal moments in the story. He describes the beauty of places, the darkness of places, and he puts it in context of the important moments of his life. I think it is this reason that he wants to go to America with his father. I think it is this reason that he eventually thrives in America, after a long period of doubt, oppression, and marginalization. He says early in the novel that he never returned to Italy. Yet, his poetry and his words somehow suggest something else. That Italy, and the mountainous village that he grew up in, will forever be imprinted in his memory. One poem that stood out to me in particular: "The road is like a little child running ahead of me and then hiding behind a curve - Perhaps to surprise me when I reach there. A lark drops down from the cloudless sky Like a singing arrow, wet with blue, sped from the bow of space. But my eyes pierce the soft azure, far, far, beyond, To where roam eternal lovers Along the broad blue ways of Silence." (Midday, page 16.) I felt the need to write the entire poem out because it is so simple in its beauty yet becomes increasingly more profound in meaning as the story evolves and Pascal travels to America. In a way, it reminds me of my own childhood experiences in Sicily and the beautiful blue - the ocean and the sky - that is vivid in those memories. It makes me nostalgic for a place that I haven't been in years and in that way, I feel like I can understand Pascal and his longing for the place of his childhood.
ReplyDeletePascal writes so clearly of a unique immigrant experience. However, it became so easy to relate to as a child of immigrants. Even though this is a different time and country than which my family came from, it is somehow still relatable to see the guy hear about his family leaving to go to America. Pascal makes it a universal story for the readers no matter what their background may be. One of the memorable parts of the 60 pages is when the boy knows his father is leaving. The boy struggles and it evokes emotions out of the reader as well. He is confused, scared and most of all sad about his father which is what many people would feel about immigrating. Pascal allows the reader to make their own emotions about the story but also lay out real and raw emotions of his own.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you this part of the story was filled with a lot of emotions and excitement for Pascal. Even though he did not want to leave his mother behind, but his curiosity grew each day about the new land. And as a reader we can see that he wanted his reader to feel the same emotions which he felt.
DeleteWhen describing his childhood in the early pages of the book, the narrator uses visual imagery to convey his sometimes scenic landscape or the demonic village characters. One line that particularly struck me reads, "Little by little the rainfall ceased, and a pouring night wiped all the rosy stains of twilight from the tattered clouds" (Pascal, 15). This line brings to life a serene and warm Italy. I personally am not a fan of writers who are very detail oriented and prefer Hemingway's Iceburg Theory, but this detail is beautifully written. It paints the image of a sky most have seen a thousand times in a different way. I picture a dark wine pouring over a canvas wtih "rosy stains". The tattered cloud are not just disappearing but deteriorating. This line is poetic and Pascal's use of visual imagery is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI also wrote about Pascal's use of poetry and visual imagery. It romanticizes his experience. It's like trying to explain a childhood memory to someone and although they might not understand why it's so poignant, Pascal is able to paint this nostalgic portrait for us with surprising accuracy. I love the lines that you picked out because I had overlooked those through my reading. It really demonstrates Pascal's immense talent. His use of the English language, while being a poor, uneducated immigrant is truly profound and inspiring.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe detail that stood out to me the most was the moment when Pascal's mother finally asked him if he wanted to go with his father to America. What stood out to me was the stillness of the moment. I could almost feel the mother's gaze upon Pascal, and the sorrow in her eyes. It felt so real to me. The long silence, unable to confront each other, as she knew that she couldn't blame him for leaving, but still she couldn't stand to see her family get torn apart and Pascal knowing that, but still unable to deny his growing curiosity. What really touched me though was when his mother was trying to speak. "Her lips moved tremulously. But not a sound came forth from them." I was heart broken. If I was Pascal in this moment, I don't think I would be able to leave. His mother's sorrow is depicted so clearly, I could feel every bit of fright, sadness, and frustration that she was feeling, which was doubled when Pascal said "I realized I had never been away from her love even one night."
ReplyDeleteThe idea of leaving your family for a place that you haven't even seen before is something that I could never really process. This section of the book brought into a very real and emotional place for me. The fact that things are desperate enough to travel so far, to leave behind those you love is absolutely terrifying. The idea of being left behind has always been a fear of mine, which is why I empathize with the mother more, rather than Pascal. Her family is leaving and she very well knows that they may never come back, no matter how much they promise they will and that is something that evokes a very strong sadness.
p. 55 "and the scene at the station was one of undescribable confusion, lamentation and exclamation", I chose this detail because I myself can relate to the character's confusion and excitement when leaving a familiar place like home and stepping outside your comfort zone being the new land, and in both our cases that was America. It is a scary sensation going somewhere you know nothing of and for me it was a scary airplane ride as was the boat journey for the protagonist because we both experienced something like that for the first time. What are people most scared of? The unknown! Leaving your family is scary and I too had to leave most of my family behind although i got lucky unlike the protagonist who had to leave his mother behind and probably knowing he won't ever come back. One more detail that I cannot omit is on p. 46 "I was famished but I decided to wait." to me this shows a great deal of not only poverty but self restraint and control, the main character used a very emotion filled word, famished, not just hungry but to the extreme. People of that town are kind and warmhearted but no where near lazy, in fact the most hard working I've ever read about, this too reminds me of Ukraine. My grandma along with all the other women would work in the fields all day during scorching summers and not once was there a complaint. Work means food and food is survival.
ReplyDeleteThe moment that stood out to me most also had a very personal influence on how I felt. - The scene where Pascal was having a conversation with his mother about leaving to America seemed like a notable situation most immigrants go through. The reason why it was different to me was because I am first generation born in America, my parents both came here in their early 20's to have me and chase their dreams. So reading the question as to whether or not Pascal wanted to go with his father to America was a rather interesting concept to me. I always wondered how close I was to almost "not" being a first generation born here in the states. How different my life would have been if I was born in Turkey because they chose to live there. Would I have eventually moved here on my on? Or when I wished to have children and become part of the American dream, would it have been that appealing to me like it was to my parents? These were the sort of questions the scene influenced me to have. Growing up I began more aware of what it meant to be first generation here, learning English as a primary language and being cultivated into the American melting pot. I used to ask them many questions when I was younger, many of which would start off with the baseline: "Why did you guys leave your life in Turkey?" And over the years it evolved into questions of "When did you make the decision? Why did you decide to leave? What was so appealing about America to you back then? How did you feel when you finally got here?" And so on.
ReplyDeleteI also identified with this moment in the novel even though I am somewhat first generation American. My father was born in Italy and I heard many stories of the hesitations he had when his parents were thinking of moving to a new land. your question of whether or not you would have moved here on your own is very interesting to me. I never asked my dad that question. However, I think to myself, knowing the type of person I am, would I move to a foreign land after being born somewhere else or would I be too frightened?
DeleteWhat stood out to me the most was the poetic way in which D'Angelo writes. Especially, the moment in the novel when he is speaks to his mother about his father leaving. The tone in which he writes makes the reader sympathize with the character more. I also related to this part of the novel more than anything due to the fact that my parents went through a time in which divorce was a possibility. Like the main character in the novel, I was also very young. D'Angelo writes p.47, "Still I sobbed at the thought that my father would go away. But she, with a mother's divine art, softly calmed me." At that moment in my life, I too turned to my mother for her maternal nature helped me through what I thought was a tough time.
ReplyDeleteEven though I am not an immigrant in this country, I am a first generation America, for my father and grandparents were born in Italy. My father continuously tells me many stories about his journey to the US and the hardships he faced once he got here. While reading Pascal's hesitations about coming to a new land, I immediately think of my father and what it was like for him to go somewhere so foreign at such a young age. Therefore, it makes me appreciate my father so much for he as overcome many hardships in his lifetime.
Looking back at it, I compare these poems as like a sad Celine Dion song in movies that pierces our hearts as we read it and and makes us sinker deeper into our emotions and connection with the protagonist.
DeleteThe thing that stood out to me would be the part where the witch/vampire cursed he baby and Pascal brought his friend to help. He first tried poking a needle into this fat lady very secretly, almost like a ninja, and yet all they got was a beating. They did the same with the vampire, as they snuck up behind her, jabbed a needle into her bony body, and got a loud irritating screech. It didn't turn her back into a regular being, instead it drove her out of the village. This reminded me of when I was younger and my friends and I would run about the block playing hide and seek, we would run into backyards, climb over gates, hide under cars, you name it. Pascal reminded me of those days as his mischievous ways would lead him to do this instead of working on the field.
ReplyDeleteIt was a very paranormal/inhuman moment that was kinda interesting to see? That this happened in their home country, before the thoughts of leaving to America and all that. I wonder what all that was about?
Deleteone of the many details that stood out to me would have to be the line that pascal uses when describing how his parents wouldn't have prevented him being smacked by the little boys mother. he said instead his parents would tell him "you know that they are like that why do you go with them." this line really stood out to me because i actually i have been told the same thing by my mom. i can't recall the exact event but i remember i was 9 and i was hanging out with bad kids and seeing they were trouble yet i guess i wanted to fit in. and i remember getting in trouble for just hanging around them while this event happened, it was a fight and i recall the mother coming up to school for her son and i remember thinking aw crap my mom is gonna whip me for even being mentioned in this.
ReplyDeleteThe one detail that stood out to me was the basic aspect of the witches. I think of the son being a child and having this superstition told to him by his parents. If these types of townspeople didn't move and stayed here over generations, did the parents also have the same superstitions told to them when they were children? It's a vicious cycle of the telephone game and the victim happens to be the old lady that every in town fears. She is painted as this scary witch with magical powers for no reason. As the superstition was told over and over her "powers" were probably exaggerated. And this is why at that point in the book everyone turned to fear and treat her as a villain and outcast
ReplyDeleteI also think it's very interesting to look at the way witches are portrayed in novels. Especially looking at non-industrialized countries and their individual folklore. The idea of a myth varies from culture to culture but a general higher power to explain the good and bad of one's life is interesting to study.
DeleteI also think it's very interesting to look at the way witches are portrayed in novels. Especially looking at non-industrialized countries and their individual folklore. The idea of a myth varies from culture to culture but a general higher power to explain the good and bad of one's life is interesting to study.
DeleteWhile reading "Son of Italy", I noticed that most of the community called the old hag a "vampire". This term was used many times to label the woman, and it got me thinking. The community never saw the woman do anything that a "vampire" does. She didn't suck blood or live in a coffin. I found myself getting annoyed at this term, and referred to her most of the time in my mind as a "witch" (mostly because she fit my definition of a witch). But then I realized that I was also labeling someone just like the community had done! I believe that we as people are so quick to judge and label people, and half of the time we don't even realize it. I think people need to be more aware of how they perceive other people because no one should ever judge a book by it's cover.
ReplyDeleteI found it intriguing that the author, shortly after showing the witch crying and and beaten to then show the mother crying and mentally defeated. It's as if the author is making a comparison, showing the human side of the witch and her human vulnerabilities. The lady or witch as they call her may not have fit in with what they had set as norm on the outside, but her tears were just the same as the mother's.
ReplyDeleteI actually didn't see this connection but after reading what you wrote, it makes sense. Perhaps Pascal was showing the reader that the "witch" had feelings and struggles just like any other person.
DeleteWhat caught my attention the most, was when Pascal mentions that he could be beaten by older elders or by someone who is somewhat family. That to me was shocking in a way because if it's not your child than you have no right and reason to put a hand on them. I wouldn't let no one yell at my child , yet alone put a hand on her.
ReplyDeleteWhat caught my attention the most, was when Pascal mentions that he could be beaten by older elders or by someone who is somewhat family. That to me was shocking in a way because if it's not your child than you have no right and reason to put a hand on them. I wouldn't let no one yell at my child , yet alone put a hand on her.
ReplyDeleteWhat really caught my attention was how, family matter so much to the people in the village. For example, Pacal and his family were very poor, but they loved each other very much. They shared everything, including the bed. It shows how you dont have to rich to be happy, and have people around you who loves you. The families protected each other, and everyone contributed to help everyone survived. everyone worked together to survive. They were poor, but they all worked as a team.
ReplyDelete