A Tiny Clack of Sparks: Lawrence, Ian, Damien, Jordan K., Evan

[Lawrence Betterini]

Post here fool

[Ian Tamburini]

As I was reading, Bernard Cooper's admiration for Theresa seemed like that of anyone his age. The story was progressing smoothly for the first page when very suddenly without warning, Theresa exclaims, "are you a fag?"

This line immediately changed my interpretation of the stories tone from gleeful to something much more severe. I'm curious to see how the remainder of the story will unfold.

[Jordan Kinney]

I lie what you are saying and yeah i got the same feeling as though
all of the sudden he became frantic and
didnt know what to say and as the story went on it seems as though he
tries to explain himself.
On Sep 20, 8:02 am, Ian Tamburini <ian.tamburini.berli...@gmail.com>
wrote:

[Evan Regan]

It seems that Theresa Sanchez is far ahead of her age group due to the maturity level she is on. I started to think this on pg.314 when the boy that sat in front of her in math class said that shes always reading books like Let Me Live My Life, and 101 ways to cook hamburger. I might be wrong but my understanding of 14 year-olds is that they don't throw dinner parties and read books that are intended for a more mature audience.

[Jordan Kinney]

If you were "gay" and you knew it deep down and somebody came up to
you and asked straight out, "Are you a fag?" how would you respond?,
would you lie to yourself?, Would you lie to the person?

On Sep 20, 7:48 am, Lawrence Betterini <lbetterin...@gmail.com> wrote:

[Jordan Kinney]

[Evan Regan]

I agree with that comment I want to see what the real story line in is because of that one statement. Also, it seems like the story is going to be more intresting the more it progresses.

[Lawrence Betterini]

This piece of literature shows just how different of a life that homosexuals live.  They live in fear of what they really are and what the reaction of others may be towards their sexual preference.  It must be extremely tough and aggravating to have to deal with the question of who your are each and every day of your life.  In the novel, the boy wouldn't even tell his parents in fear of a negative reaction to his sexual orientation. 

[Damien Blair]

On page 316 a perfect example of the homophobia in 1950s-60s is shown.
When Bernard asked his mother what the word "fag" was she showed
absolute fear at the prospect that someone had called her son that
word. Whether she would reject her son or not if he was gay (which
many parents did and sometimes still do) she still feared about her
son. Fag was one of the worst things you could call someone in that
time period and before. If someone did find out you were gay you would
suffer relentless "bullying" ranging from being outcasted to beaten.
While today the homophobia is toned down considerably it still exists.
Especially in the school systems among students. Maybe not in
highschool so much but in middle school especially. Calling someone
"gay", "crooked", or a "homo" was taken lightly, like you should hate
people of that sexuality. Today when the word gay is used it is
usually used with a joking tone. "That was so gay." Whether or no
people who use the word like this accept gays or not varies. However
to someone trying to come in terms with their sexuality it could be
harmful to their "coming out" process especially since the very word
is used in a negative aspect almost every time it is used.

[Lawrence Betterini]

It is very interesting that the only person who realized Bernard's sexual orientation was in fact a girl.  I wonder if during his childhood, if the author had eventually let other people his age know that he was in fact homosexual.

[Evan Regan]

If I was  him it would deffinetly make me feel awkward and a little bit embarrased. Not alot of people would just come up and say are you a fag. Its offensive and derrogitory, it could make someone feel bad about themselves.

[Lawrence Betterini]

This piece of literature gives a great example of peer pressure or influences in which a homosexual person may have to experience.  For example, in oreder to fit into society, they may try to exhibit heterosexual tendencies.  This is why Bernard Cooper showed up to the "make-out party".  He wasnted to try and convince himself that he was heterosexual to try and fit in with the other adolescents his age.  I find it sad that even at age 14, in our society kids are so cruel as to point out differences in ones way of like that may not be considered "normal" by the standards of our ignorant society.

[Lawrence Betterini]

The biggest question I had in reading this piece is "Why was Bernard so afraid to admit his homosexuality to others?"  I think the answer to this question is that deep inside, he may have known that there was no chance of him living a life in which he wasn't constantly harassed afterwards.

[Lawrence Betterini]

I think Theresa was the one to realize Bernards homosexuality because she was so advanced passed her years that she was able to understand the severe differences of all people in society.  She was a very important piece to this story

[Evan Regan]

I think that Theresa is a good interpreter of people because one of the first times that Bernard talked to her she picked out that he was a homosexual. This shows that she must have experience being around other homosexuals and also very mature for her age.

[Evan Regan]

To be tagged as a homosexual as a teen can be tramatic for some due to all the cruelty that other teens inforce. I think this is one of the reasons that Bernard trys to act like a heterosexual so he does not become ridacculed at school by his peers.

[Jordan Kinney]

@ Lawrence
I agree because she is very mature and advanced that nobody else knows
how she is so smart and witty. It seems as though she is going to
change Bernard's life for the worse because as he grows up he will
change to not being "gay" and even though he wants to be society won't
let him.

[Jordan Kinney]

I agree with Bernard's mom on page 317 at the top she says to Bernard,
"'Live,' shouted my mother over the rumble of the Mixmaster. 'Expand
your horizons. Try new things.'" This shows that even his mom is
telling him that hes not doing anything wrong he just needs to step up
and do something out of his comfort zone.

[Jordan Kinney]

In the first paragraph on 318 Bernard tries changing but no matter how
hard he tries it wont work. He tried kissing a girl but that didn't
work because all he could imagine was Grady coming out of the pool.
Every time the lights came on he saw Grady but it didn't work because
he kept thinking about him.

[Ian Tamburini]

@Damien
This is a great real world connection to the story. Extreme hate and resent towards homosexuals has like you said toned down over the years, but still persists. In a school environment hate words referring to homosexuals are frequent. The term "gay" has almost evolved into a new context, but still is offensive. Now just imagine living in the 1950-60's. For Bernard, teh situation was far more severe because there was practically no tolerance for homosexuality. He made an effort to even change himself on page 317 with Debbie's "make out party." He tries to change his sexuality because of the surrounding pressure.

[Ian Tamburini]

@Jordan
You have noted a perfect example of how Bernard cannot change who he really is. Throughout the short story he explains his insecurity about his sexual orientation, like on page 315 where he describes his secretadmiration for Grady; "freckled shoulders shinning, my atraction to members of my own sex became a matter i could no longer suppress..."  Grady acts as a stimulant of sorts, to Brenard's identification of himself. For without Grady, Bernard may have never been sure or secure enough to even consider his sexual preference.

[Ian Tamburini]

The title, "A clack of tiny sparks" is meant to symbolize Bernard's gradual acceptance his homosexuality. These various "sparks" include Bernard's first talk with Theresa, adulation of Grandy, and Debbie's party. Each encounter made him consider himself more and more as a homosexual, and made him more confident. "Spark" can also be used in relationship terms for example, a newly wed couple has a "spark." This is the very feeling that Bernard lacked at the party. Supported again on page 318 is the repeated symbolism when Bernard says, "i could hear the clack of tiny sparks and see them flare here and there in the dark like meager, short lived stars." Now realizing that he lacks this spark of emotion, Bernard is able to come to terms with himself.

[Ian Tamburini]

By the stories end, it is clear that Bernard in his lifetime has come full turn. Now proud of himself, Bernard writes, "I have few regrets, but one is that I hadn't said to Theresa, 'Of course I'm a fag,' " (321). Near the exposition he could barely speak such words. A bold declaration like this reinforces that despite the remorse and fear felt while young, ultimately he has prevailed and become a better more secure, person.

[Lawrence Betterini]

One story that Sanders wrote about was when the mother asked what the
girl would feel like if she knew that two boys were gawking at her. I
feel that she wouldn't have minded because she clearly knew that the
way she was dressing would attract attention if she "was wearing
clothing that looked like she was poured into"(Sanders). I can
connect to this because based on the way I dressed, i know how people
may view me. For this reason on a formal occasion I will dress nicely
as opposed to a night out with my friends where I may wear nothing but
sweatpants and a sweatshirt. I'm sure that every reader can connect
to dress affecting their self-esteem and image and therefore it
improves their view on what Sanders is trying to say.

On Sep 20, 7:48 am, Lawrence Betterini <lbetterin...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Post here fool