A Tiny Clack of Sparks: Morrisa, Lauren, Ashley, Donika, Kevin

[Morrisa Luddy]

Post.

[ashley fort]

While reading this, one line stood out to me. "Grady was a boy at home in his body." This stood out to me because I like how the author wrote that. I think the author is trying to say that Grady is comfortable in his own body and that he can do many things. For example, he's good at basketball, arm wrestling and backslapping.

[Donika Prevalla]

The first thing I'd like to reflect on is when Theresa turned around and blurted out to Bernard "are you a fag?" I can't imagine how he felt at that very moment. He was in such shock and claimed he wasn't and asked her why she asked. This is something I'd never be able to just ask someone like that. I thought it was very rude and if someone wanted to share that information with me they would themselves, I would never feel the need to ask. If I'm asking it clearly shoes it's not my business.

[Morrisa Luddy]

On the second page of the story (Page 315), I thought that it was really rude for Theresa to ask Bernard if he was a "fag". It caused him a lot of confusion throughout the rest of the story; he tried to figure out if he really was or not. But, if she hadn't asked that, Bernard may not have been able to determine if he was straight, or he really was a "fag". Right when she asked that, the word stuck out to me and how horrible it is to say that. Theresa could have chosen any other word, but she chose that one..

[Donika Prevalla]

I agree with Ashley. This line also stood out to me because it was very well written. The author didn't simply just say he was comfortable in his own body but instead said he was at home giving a sort of simile of being so comfortable at your own house.

[Donika Prevalla]

I agree with what Morrisa said. Even just a kinder term would have been a better idea instead of using "fag." Maybe Bernard wouldn't have even thought about it if it wasn't for Theresa asking. For the rest of the story it stuck in his head and he questioned it numerous times.

[Morrisa Luddy]

Theresa really seems to know that the author is gay. On page 319, she says that the note he is holding is "no ordinary note." She's almost hinting that the note from one teacher to the other teacher is a love note, and the two teachers are both guys. It's almost as if she's trying to help him realize his confusion. I feel kind of bad for the author, because he's so lost. 

[Lauren Aresco]

The author is very descriptive when he writes. for example on page 314, "She was the tallest girl in school. Her bouffant hairdo, streaked with blond, was higher then the flaccid bouffants of other girls. Her smooth skin, plucked eyebrows, and painted fingernails suggested hours of pampering, a worldly and sensual vanity that placed her within the domain of adults". The author really shows the reader exactly what Theresa Sanchez looks like and how she fits in. The deep description makes it easy for the reader to understand Theresa Sanchez.

[Donika Prevalla]

On page 315 Bernard says "My body was a marvel I hadn't gotten used to; my arms and legs would sometimes act of their own accord, knocking over a glass at dinner of flinching t an oncoming pitch." This shows that he wasn't very comfortable in his own body and at times very clumsy. He didn't really have much self confidence growing up and I think that's why he couldn't express himself well and show everyone the real him.

[Donika Prevalla]

On the bottom of page 315 he told how much of a perfectionist his mother is. That probably put so much pressure on him growing up. From her picking out every single seed out of a watermelon before serving it to her smoking cigarette after cigarette. It probably wasn't the best house hold for him to grow up in while facing the problem he did. All of these things made it harder on him one way or another

[Morrisa Luddy]

I agree, and I think that Bernard was trying to compare himself to Grady. While Grady was comfortable in his own body, Bernard wasn't. He was unsure of who he was; he's confused and not at home in his body. 

[Morrisa Luddy]

To add to that, it's also probably because he is still trying to discover who he is. He's gay, but he wants to pretend he isn't. He's unstable and confused about his orientation. I kind of feel bad for him.

[Lauren Aresco]

I feel as if the main character is trying to hide it true sexuality so he will "fit in" with everyone else. on page 315 he said, "Instead, i emulated Grady in the belief that being seen with him, being like him, would somehow vanquish my self- doubt, would make me more normal my association. i feel bad for him because i don't beilive that you ever have to hid your true self and he must be going through a very difficult time. 

[ashley fort]

I agree with Lauren because the main character definitely isn't being himself. He is trying to fit in with his peers at school and his friends. On page 321, he does actually admits that he regretted telling Theresa that he was a "fag". "I have a few regrets. But one is that I hadn't said to Theresa, 'Of course I'm a fag.' Maybe I'd met her friends. Or become friends with her. Imagine the meals we might have concocted:hamburger Stroganoff, Swedish meatballs in a sweet translucent sauce, streaming slabs of Salisbary steak. This was the last paragraph of the story, so I feel like he finally realizes that he should have just told Theresa but now he can't because she transferred to a different school so his opportunity is know gone. Also, he questions and wonders if things would be different

[ashley fort]

I agree with this because I can definitely picture Theresa in my mind, the author shows great imagery. Another example would be when he is walking to Debbie's party. "The Santa Ana wind blew relentlessly the night of Debbie's party, careening down the slopes of the Hollywood hills, shaking the road signs and stop lights in its path. As I walked down Beachwood Avenue, trees thrashed, surrendered their leaves, and carob pods bombarded the pavement. The sky was a deep luminous blue, the air hot, abrasive, electric." I think this is great imagery and the author used really good descriptive adjective words

[ashley fort]

I feel like Bernard is ashamed and embarrassed to tell his parents or at least talk to them about him being gay. On page 316, he says that he made the mistake of asking his mother what a "fag" was. His mother reacted strongly by grabbing him by the shoulder and asked him if someone called him that. Bernard responded by saying no and telling his mother that someone called Bobby Keagan that. His mother looked relieved and didn't answer Bernards question. After this short conversation with his mom he kept thinking about the shocked expression and most of all her silence. I feel like I can relate to this because I have a friend who is gay and he was nervous and scared about how is parents would react but then after awhile they got used to the idea

[Lauren Aresco]

The author of this story uses great imagery. On page 320 the author writes " ..i felt like the model of the visible man in our science class, my heart's undulations, my overwrought nerves legible through transparent skin" this is a great way to show the reader just how nervous the main character was. 

[Lauren Aresco]

I agree because i dont think anyone should be ashamed of who they truly are, they should except themselves and everyone else will except them too. 

[Lauren Aresco]

i agree with this, no one should ever be asked that in that kind of way. people decide to tell people how they feel when they think the time is right. it must have been awful to get asked that and to feel like you have to lie about your feelings isn't fair to anyone.