I learned... that outcasts occur in many different ways, and not just in the social outcast archetype that the character of Gretchen Luttermann presents. The concept of being an outcast is portrayed equally in Calvin's compassion and worry about people/animals, because no one else around him seems to feel this way, or feel any apparent empathy about the mistreatment of Gretchen, McCluskey's dog, and rabbit he finds early in the novel. I think another representation of outcasts in the novel is Calvin's father, who is being pushed out of his job and society because of the eradication of streetcars. In this way, I think he's more an outcast from the industrialization and modern values of America, not necessarily a social outcast like Gretchen, but still demonstrates an isolation from another part of society, which I think is a key theme and idea in the book.
I rediscovered... that everyone has a story and a past, and things in their own lives that trouble/torture them. This is especially demonstrated by Gretchen and her family (of course), as she faces a number of troubles (domestic abuse, neglect, rape and other sexual assault, emotional trauma, etc.), and yet none of the people around her know these things, or care enough to intervene. What she had to endure is something that no human should ever have to be faced with, especially as a child, but these events (and much worse) frequently occur in our world. The pain and abuse she endures is only a glimpse into the horrors that can be presented to an individual, and the sad truth is that often these troubles go unseen.
I was surprised... by the way that Cal views the world. I think I underestimated his depth as a character when the novel began, but now that I'm nearly halfway through the novel, his personality and thoughts seem to have evolved into a dynamic and thoughtful character.
I'm beginning to wonder... how exactly the novel is going to progress and eventually resolve, as there have been several instances that Cal alludes to "what happened", and wishes that he hadn't ever become involved with Gretchen in the first place.
I was disturbed... greatly with the treatment of Gretchen and Helga, and the creepy religious justification that both of their parents use. There is of course NEVER an excuse for rape or abuse, and I feel like the way their parents go about "explaining" the actions of their father is both completely ridiculous and really worrying. When Gretchen and Helga reach out to their mother for help/protection from their father's abuse, rape, and murder (of Helga's baby), she claims that they shouldn't do anything because he's a Godly man. Gretchen is constantly talking about how it's a sin to disobey her father, and that she'll suffer in Hell, etc. if she even thinks about doing something against his will. I find this religious influence in their horrific mistreatment to be incredibly disturbing, as they're completely terrified that their souls/lives after death will be affected by how they obey their father. Gretchen has been brainwashed to believe that she can't step out of line without it meaning her eternal damnation, and that her father is on some omniscient pedestal/god-like status. There is no feasible end to the abuse that she has faced: emotionally, mentally, physically, and even spiritually.
I was confused... at first by the historical context of the novel, and the way that this affects the financial state of the Gant family. Many novels that take place directly/closely after World War II show the economic and social flush in America from their victory, but I think this novel really exemplifies the day-to-day financial life of an average family. They still have money issues because of their father's looming loss of employment (not to mention Cal's mother being immensely scrupulous and stingy because of the Great Depression). I think it's interesting that Cal mentions often that he doesn't want his friends to think that their family is poor just because they don't own a car, and I think there are a lot of financial aspects of daily living that affect their family dynamic and what people notice about them.
I was interested... by the themes of humanity and intervention in the novel. From helping the rabbit and McCluskey's dog, to intervening in Gretchen's abuse, one concept that keeps coming up is the importance of not remaining silent in the face of horrible mistreatment of others. I think many people have heard the famous speech/quote by Elie Wiesel (a Holocaust survivor/author): "We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Sometimes we must interfere" (Wiesel, 1955). Not only is this an amazing quote, it perfectly emphasizes the importance of standing up for people/groups that are facing injustice, even when it would be easier or "more polite" to mind our own business. This could be present in bullying and genocide, or domestic abuse and rape, such as in Until They Bring the Streetcars Back. Even in the novel, Cal's father tells him not to report McCluskey to the Humane Society for animal abuse, and to mind his own business about the kid being beaten by their father. Though he later intervenes by calling the Humane Society himself, this event aptly shows the regularly occurring perspective that we should mind our own business, or turn a blind eye to the troubles that others are facing. Though it's often not meant with malice or profound selfishness, there are so many preventable deaths, conflicts, and traumas in our world that could have resulted differently if someone had the humanity/ability to intervene.
Works Cited
Wiesel, Elie. Night. New York: Hill and Wang, 1955. Print.
I rediscovered... that everyone has a story and a past, and things in their own lives that trouble/torture them. This is especially demonstrated by Gretchen and her family (of course), as she faces a number of troubles (domestic abuse, neglect, rape and other sexual assault, emotional trauma, etc.), and yet none of the people around her know these things, or care enough to intervene. What she had to endure is something that no human should ever have to be faced with, especially as a child, but these events (and much worse) frequently occur in our world. The pain and abuse she endures is only a glimpse into the horrors that can be presented to an individual, and the sad truth is that often these troubles go unseen.
I was surprised... by the way that Cal views the world. I think I underestimated his depth as a character when the novel began, but now that I'm nearly halfway through the novel, his personality and thoughts seem to have evolved into a dynamic and thoughtful character.
I'm beginning to wonder... how exactly the novel is going to progress and eventually resolve, as there have been several instances that Cal alludes to "what happened", and wishes that he hadn't ever become involved with Gretchen in the first place.
I was disturbed... greatly with the treatment of Gretchen and Helga, and the creepy religious justification that both of their parents use. There is of course NEVER an excuse for rape or abuse, and I feel like the way their parents go about "explaining" the actions of their father is both completely ridiculous and really worrying. When Gretchen and Helga reach out to their mother for help/protection from their father's abuse, rape, and murder (of Helga's baby), she claims that they shouldn't do anything because he's a Godly man. Gretchen is constantly talking about how it's a sin to disobey her father, and that she'll suffer in Hell, etc. if she even thinks about doing something against his will. I find this religious influence in their horrific mistreatment to be incredibly disturbing, as they're completely terrified that their souls/lives after death will be affected by how they obey their father. Gretchen has been brainwashed to believe that she can't step out of line without it meaning her eternal damnation, and that her father is on some omniscient pedestal/god-like status. There is no feasible end to the abuse that she has faced: emotionally, mentally, physically, and even spiritually.
I was confused... at first by the historical context of the novel, and the way that this affects the financial state of the Gant family. Many novels that take place directly/closely after World War II show the economic and social flush in America from their victory, but I think this novel really exemplifies the day-to-day financial life of an average family. They still have money issues because of their father's looming loss of employment (not to mention Cal's mother being immensely scrupulous and stingy because of the Great Depression). I think it's interesting that Cal mentions often that he doesn't want his friends to think that their family is poor just because they don't own a car, and I think there are a lot of financial aspects of daily living that affect their family dynamic and what people notice about them.
I was interested... by the themes of humanity and intervention in the novel. From helping the rabbit and McCluskey's dog, to intervening in Gretchen's abuse, one concept that keeps coming up is the importance of not remaining silent in the face of horrible mistreatment of others. I think many people have heard the famous speech/quote by Elie Wiesel (a Holocaust survivor/author): "We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Sometimes we must interfere" (Wiesel, 1955). Not only is this an amazing quote, it perfectly emphasizes the importance of standing up for people/groups that are facing injustice, even when it would be easier or "more polite" to mind our own business. This could be present in bullying and genocide, or domestic abuse and rape, such as in Until They Bring the Streetcars Back. Even in the novel, Cal's father tells him not to report McCluskey to the Humane Society for animal abuse, and to mind his own business about the kid being beaten by their father. Though he later intervenes by calling the Humane Society himself, this event aptly shows the regularly occurring perspective that we should mind our own business, or turn a blind eye to the troubles that others are facing. Though it's often not meant with malice or profound selfishness, there are so many preventable deaths, conflicts, and traumas in our world that could have resulted differently if someone had the humanity/ability to intervene.
Works Cited
Wiesel, Elie. Night. New York: Hill and Wang, 1955. Print.