A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin is as much a classic fantasy story as it is a captivating political thriller and personal drama. There is a reason it has easily captured the imagination of a long-stagnant audience of fantasy fans sustained for decades on predictable dollar bin paperback adventures, and gone beyond the typical audience to pull in new readers in droves.
It introduces us to an unfamiliar fantasy landscape, in which the fantasy has long been extinguished. The dragons are extinct. Magic and monsters have faded into nothing but legend. The world is ruled by men, flesh and blood, mortal men, many of whom thrive through betrayal and opportunistic seizing of power. The continent of Westeros is resting easy fifteen years after the long-reigning Targaryen royal line was overthrown by Robert of the House Baratheon to rescue his love, Lyana Stark, from Prince Rhaegar Targaryen, who killed her before Robert could save her. His fury is the foundation of legend, the rage that won him the Iron Throne and toppled the Targaryens forever. Now, he's grown old and fat, sitting the throne for fifteen years. As many a citizen of Westeros have pointed out, Robert was a sword, made for fighting, and when the fighting was over, he was hung up to rust and go dull. When he lead the rebellion, his cause was clear. He knew his enemies and his friends like night and day. Now, he lives in a world of ambiguity, a world of transparent alliegences where enemies call themselves friends. The world has changed and, unwilling to change with it, he remains close-minded and angry.
This is the king we're introduced to, and the world in which he rules. Within it, we follow the narratives of multiple characters throughout the book.
Eddard Stark- Lyana's brother, Lord of Winterfell, Warden of the North. He is Robert's friend, more like a brother. House Stark has always been known for their honesty and their honor (as well as many other silent "h" words that are synonymous with good) and Eddard is a prime example of that reputation. He believes in doing the right thing, regardless of his own benefit. When he makes a promise, he keeps it, regardless of the cost to himself. It is for these reasons why King Robert approaches him to offer him the position of Hand of the King, his most trusted adviser and ruler in his stead. Since he is seemingly the only trustworthy man in the realm, King Robert pressures him relentlessly to accept the position. Reluctantly, Eddard accepts and leaves his eldest son, Robb, to lord over Winterfell in his absence. It is in his narrative that we see the center of the political nature of the book. We see a good man in the lion's den, surrounded by enemies disguised as allies, sworn to serve the crown with loyalty and obedience while his code of honor forces him to challenge the amoral verdicts of the King.
Jon Snow- Lord Eddard's bastard son, a reject from a family that he is bound to by half his blood. He has no idea who his mother is or what she was like. While some of the trueborn Stark children treat him as a brother, he receives no love from Lady Catelyn, who sees him as a smudge on her husband's good name. His feelings of rejection and isolation lead him into the arms of the Night's Watch, a group entrusted with the lonely task of guarding the Wall in the far north of Westeros. When he arrives, he finds that they are resentful of the coddled life he lived within Winterfell. He had spent so much time feeling sorry for himself before, and now, he is simultaneously humbled by the plight of the others who have come to take the Black and shunned by them.
Tyrion Lannister- The youngest of three siblings in the House Lannister. His family's reputation as traitors and thieves precedes him, as does his own reputation, being born a dwarf and harshly referred to by many as "The Imp". He has garnered equal resentment in his own family since childhood, especially by his father, who has seen him as a failure since birth. His survival can only be attributed to his quick wits and sharp tongue, with an honorable mention to his family's tremendous wealth. No one, either reading the story or inhabiting it, can tell where his loyalties lie, and that is what makes his narrative so intriguing, along with his devilish sense of humor.
Daenerys Targaryen- One of the only two surviving Targaryen children, who were placed on a ship to escape before Robert's armies flooded the castle. She grew up never knowing her true home or identity, knowing only the cruelty of her older brother, Viserys, who feels entitled to the Iron Throne and takes out his frustration on her. They have wandered aimlessly through the continent of Essos for years, unable to return home for fear of King Robert's wrath. In a business transaction, Viserys sells her to the Dothraki horselord, Khal Drogo in exchange for an army of Dothraki riders to cross the sea and take back his rightful crown, but stays close to her until Drogo honors his side of the deal. She marries the Khal, timid and frightful after years of abuse and belittling by her brother, but she slowly discovers her own strength by the mighty Khal's side as his cherished khaleesi. In fact, she soon begins to discover that she is stronger than Viserys, that she has always been stronger than Viserys, and that the fear and intimidation that had surrounded him for so long was nothing more than a mask for a weak, pitiful, spoiled child. It is this discovery of personal power and strength that makes her story so fulfilling to observe, and so captivating to watch unfold.
Arya Stark- The youngest daughter of Eddard, a wild and rebellious girl who had a hard time following the constraints of the patriarchal society in which she lives. She doesn't accept that her only option for greatness in life is to marry a man whose actions will define her, and whose sons will be her only contribution to the world. She is the second black sheep of the family, and identifies with Jon more than the rest of her family, heartbroken when he decides to leave for the Wall.
Sansa Stark- The eldest daughter of Eddard. She is betrothed to King Robert's son, Joffrey, and holds it over her repugnant little sister's head that she will one day be Queen and Arya will have to kneel to her. This only adds to the mockery she's heaped on Arya since childhood. Being the daughter who inherited their mother's beauty, she has long mocked her sister for inheriting the harsh, masculine features of a Stark by calling her "Arya Horseface". She is more comfortable with the clearly defined roles of women in Westeros, and despises her sister for embarrassing her by refusing to fall in line. Her character arc is perhaps the most jarring as she spends her life admiring and fawning over Prince Joffrey, while the reader eagerly anticipates her realization of his true nature.
Bran Stark- The second youngest son of Eddard. His story is one of solemn reflection, as he is crippled in an accident early on in the story, forced to bear the indignity of being carried around like a baby by the giant simpleton, Hodor.
Catelyn Stark- The matriarch of House Stark (unintentional rhyming has its benefits) who struggles to protect her husband, her son, her daughters, and her House, despite all of them being spread to the corners of Westeros. She goes above and beyond in her duties as a mother and wife to defend her family and do what is honorable and just, not as an avatar of her husband's will, but out of her own integrity and strength of character.
These are the key players in the game of thrones, a game in which you win or you die, and there is no greater pleasure than watching them explore the deep and richly developed world which George R.R. Martin has placed before them. Cultures, customs, histories and religions have been fleshed out to almost realistic quality, which says something considering it involves dragons and ice monsters.
It's a world filled with symbolism, from the Iron Throne's embodiment of the dangers of power to the five direwolf pups adopted by the five Stark children, and the albino runt taken in by Jon. It's a breathtaking and brilliant fantasy world that defies the long-established trappings of Tolkien fantasy and creates something all its own, something worth experiencing.
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Story Corps Interview Analysis 8
http://storycorps.org/listen/surinder-and-rupinder-singh/
Possible questions:
What was it like first coming to America?
What was school like for you?
Were there ever times when people pressured you to take off the turban and fit in?
Do you still feel persecuted when you go outside?
After all you've been through in America, has it changed your perspective on the world or your perception of people?
1. When Surinder says that when he came to America, nobody even knew what a Sikh was, it shows the situation they were entering, the isolation that they were bound to face.
2. Rupinder says that when he was a child, he just accepted that persecution and name-calling would be a given wherever he went to school. This illustrates how much a child in that situation loses their identity and their confidence, or rather, how it's taken from them.
3. Rupinder talks about how he wasn't certain who would be his friend one day and change their mind the next, about how hard it was for him to give his trust to anybody knowing what so many before had done to him.
4. Supinder talks about a job he was hired for, and how he was told that he had to remove his turban and look like everyone else. He refused and lost the job, but maintained his dignity.
5. Despite the harassment they've endured based on their religion and appearance, Supinder and Rupinder still see the world as mostly good, and try to avoid the bad side of humanity, knowing that there is no shortage of good people they would rather associate themselves with.
http://storycorps.org/listen/ken-rensink-and-laurel-hill-ward/
Possible questions:
What was it like recovering from your accident?
What do you think made you harder on your students than most special ed teachers?
What, in your opinion, was the difference between you and most other special ed teachers?
Was there any particular student that you remember?
Did you ever run into him after graduation?
1. When he talks about the condition he was in after his accident, Ken says that his arm was too weak to even hold a cup of water. This introduces us to a man at his absolute lowest, in a situation that most would be unable to return from.
2. When Ken says that he completed a nine month physical therapy regimen in five weeks, it shows his determination and strength of will.
3. The story of his willingness to give one of his students another chance after being caught with alcohol shows that he doesn't let these kids, who the rest of the world has given up on, give up on themselves.
4.When he met the student years later, he was grateful for getting another chance, but Ken was equally grateful to him for not wasting it.
Possible questions:
What was it like first coming to America?
What was school like for you?
Were there ever times when people pressured you to take off the turban and fit in?
Do you still feel persecuted when you go outside?
After all you've been through in America, has it changed your perspective on the world or your perception of people?
1. When Surinder says that when he came to America, nobody even knew what a Sikh was, it shows the situation they were entering, the isolation that they were bound to face.
2. Rupinder says that when he was a child, he just accepted that persecution and name-calling would be a given wherever he went to school. This illustrates how much a child in that situation loses their identity and their confidence, or rather, how it's taken from them.
3. Rupinder talks about how he wasn't certain who would be his friend one day and change their mind the next, about how hard it was for him to give his trust to anybody knowing what so many before had done to him.
4. Supinder talks about a job he was hired for, and how he was told that he had to remove his turban and look like everyone else. He refused and lost the job, but maintained his dignity.
5. Despite the harassment they've endured based on their religion and appearance, Supinder and Rupinder still see the world as mostly good, and try to avoid the bad side of humanity, knowing that there is no shortage of good people they would rather associate themselves with.
http://storycorps.org/listen/ken-rensink-and-laurel-hill-ward/
Possible questions:
What was it like recovering from your accident?
What do you think made you harder on your students than most special ed teachers?
What, in your opinion, was the difference between you and most other special ed teachers?
Was there any particular student that you remember?
Did you ever run into him after graduation?
1. When he talks about the condition he was in after his accident, Ken says that his arm was too weak to even hold a cup of water. This introduces us to a man at his absolute lowest, in a situation that most would be unable to return from.
2. When Ken says that he completed a nine month physical therapy regimen in five weeks, it shows his determination and strength of will.
3. The story of his willingness to give one of his students another chance after being caught with alcohol shows that he doesn't let these kids, who the rest of the world has given up on, give up on themselves.
4.When he met the student years later, he was grateful for getting another chance, but Ken was equally grateful to him for not wasting it.
Monday, January 28, 2013
Story Corps Interview Analysis 7
http://storycorps.org/listen/daniel-ross/
Daniel Ross is a former crystal meth addict in prison for aggravated assault of an officer, but he serves as one of many inmate firefighters lightening the workload during wildfires in the western United States. His story shows a man who regrets his crimes and is stricken by the realization that people see him as a hero. It's a story of growth and personal redemption, and it has a strong emotional core when he tells of his reaction to the gratitude so many people had for his actions.
Possible questions:
What is it like to be in the middle of an inferno?
Did people see you in a different light when you were on the job?
How did it feel to be treated like a hero?
Was there any particular moment when someone thanked you for helping them?
What effect did these experiences have on you?
1. The listener immediately shares Daniel's feeling of danger and fear when he describes his surroundings in the middle of a forest fire.
2. He talks about how people treat him differently on the job, even if they know that he's a convict.
3. The perception of these men is further illustrated when the people of a town they were working at donated them a prime rib dinner.
4. When he finds out that the people serving them at the dinner were volunteering civilians, it shows just how deeply his actions have effected the world, and the gratitude and admiration that people feel for him.
5. Daniel's need to step away and compose himself shows how greatly their admiration has resonated.
6. The pride he feels in his service as a firefighter shows his growth and change from the man he was when he was first convicted.
http://storycorps.org/listen/philip-susan-mcclinton/
Philip and Susan McClinton met in a topless bar where he was bouncing and she was trying to win some money at amateur night. From there, they began dating and eventually married, working together on gaining degrees in biology despite their mutual ninth grade education.
Possible questions:
How did you meet?
What was your first real interaction together?
What was the hardest experience you ever shared?
Who had the most difficulty getting the degree?
How would you summarize your relationship?
1. The abrupt nature of the story's beginning pulls the listener in and makes them curious to see how this situation could unfold.
2. The fact that Susan was competing in amateur night to win some money and support her children shows what kind of person she is, as well as how far she's willing to go for her family.
3. When Philip says that he looked at her and could tell that she was someone who didn't belong there, it shows more about her character, as well as his perceptive and caring nature.
4. When they talk about working together on biology degrees, despite their shared inability to pass 10th grade, it shows their dedication to one another and their willingness to better themselves together.
5. Philip's struggle with school and Susan's persistence in helping him through it shows the struggle they shared in this pursuit.
6. Susan refers to their love as a 'rescue romance' because they saved each other, giving an appropriately sentimental ending to a story that began on such a shocking note.
Daniel Ross is a former crystal meth addict in prison for aggravated assault of an officer, but he serves as one of many inmate firefighters lightening the workload during wildfires in the western United States. His story shows a man who regrets his crimes and is stricken by the realization that people see him as a hero. It's a story of growth and personal redemption, and it has a strong emotional core when he tells of his reaction to the gratitude so many people had for his actions.
Possible questions:
What is it like to be in the middle of an inferno?
Did people see you in a different light when you were on the job?
How did it feel to be treated like a hero?
Was there any particular moment when someone thanked you for helping them?
What effect did these experiences have on you?
1. The listener immediately shares Daniel's feeling of danger and fear when he describes his surroundings in the middle of a forest fire.
2. He talks about how people treat him differently on the job, even if they know that he's a convict.
3. The perception of these men is further illustrated when the people of a town they were working at donated them a prime rib dinner.
4. When he finds out that the people serving them at the dinner were volunteering civilians, it shows just how deeply his actions have effected the world, and the gratitude and admiration that people feel for him.
5. Daniel's need to step away and compose himself shows how greatly their admiration has resonated.
6. The pride he feels in his service as a firefighter shows his growth and change from the man he was when he was first convicted.
http://storycorps.org/listen/philip-susan-mcclinton/
Philip and Susan McClinton met in a topless bar where he was bouncing and she was trying to win some money at amateur night. From there, they began dating and eventually married, working together on gaining degrees in biology despite their mutual ninth grade education.
Possible questions:
How did you meet?
What was your first real interaction together?
What was the hardest experience you ever shared?
Who had the most difficulty getting the degree?
How would you summarize your relationship?
1. The abrupt nature of the story's beginning pulls the listener in and makes them curious to see how this situation could unfold.
2. The fact that Susan was competing in amateur night to win some money and support her children shows what kind of person she is, as well as how far she's willing to go for her family.
3. When Philip says that he looked at her and could tell that she was someone who didn't belong there, it shows more about her character, as well as his perceptive and caring nature.
4. When they talk about working together on biology degrees, despite their shared inability to pass 10th grade, it shows their dedication to one another and their willingness to better themselves together.
5. Philip's struggle with school and Susan's persistence in helping him through it shows the struggle they shared in this pursuit.
6. Susan refers to their love as a 'rescue romance' because they saved each other, giving an appropriately sentimental ending to a story that began on such a shocking note.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Story Corps Interview Analysis 6
http://storycorps.org/listen/edith-green-and-her-granddaughter-chaya/
Possible questions:
How did you meet the man that did this to you?
What was your relationship with him like in the time leading up to the incident?
What, if anything, do you think instigated his attack?
What happened that night?
Did you ever hear anything of him after he was sent to prison?
1. Edith talks about how they were perfectly happy platonic acquaintances, thereby establishing the norm, which is doomed to be broken.
2. She describes a night in which she went to a play with one of her other friends in New York and saw him there, following her. This begins to rouse suspicion and fear, with good reason.
3. On the fateful night, she tells of the gun being drawn with such immediacy that it surprises the listener.
4. When she says she didn't see the gun or hear the bullet, it gives the reader a deeper understanding of the suddenness and absolute shock of the situation.
5. She provides very visceral details of the damage the bullet did to her.
6. Chaya, Edith's granddaughter, talks about how she had only ever known her grandmother in crutches, but also talks about how it never slowed her down or kept her from living her life as she wanted.
http://storycorps.org/listen/julie-sanders-and-randy-blazak/
Possible questions:
What lead you to this group?
What was your typical routine?
Could you describe that night?
Did you know anything about the man who was killed, or make an effort to learn about him afterward?
Have you ever forgiven yourself for being involved in this murder?
1. Julie talks about the feelings of exclusion and neglect that eventually lead her into the fold of a white supremacist group, because all she had to do to be loved and accepted by them was be white.
2. When they couldn't find anybody to harass, the group would usually turn on her, depicting further isolation and abuse within the only group that would accept her.
3. Being nearly strangled to death by her boyfriend shows the cruelty of the people she associated herself with, and the depths of her desperation that she would be willing to stay with them.
4. She shows the guilt she felt when she describes the man she watched die, saying that he was born in Ethiopia, and had a son, but, "we only saw black."
5. She talks about her struggle to raise her sons to become better than herself, and the pride she feels at their kindness, for example, one of her sons, who protects a crossdresser at his school from ridicule.
6. She says that she will never forgive herself for being part of the incident, and shows that, while many emotional journeys can have neat, concise resolutions, guilt does not.
Possible questions:
How did you meet the man that did this to you?
What was your relationship with him like in the time leading up to the incident?
What, if anything, do you think instigated his attack?
What happened that night?
Did you ever hear anything of him after he was sent to prison?
1. Edith talks about how they were perfectly happy platonic acquaintances, thereby establishing the norm, which is doomed to be broken.
2. She describes a night in which she went to a play with one of her other friends in New York and saw him there, following her. This begins to rouse suspicion and fear, with good reason.
3. On the fateful night, she tells of the gun being drawn with such immediacy that it surprises the listener.
4. When she says she didn't see the gun or hear the bullet, it gives the reader a deeper understanding of the suddenness and absolute shock of the situation.
5. She provides very visceral details of the damage the bullet did to her.
6. Chaya, Edith's granddaughter, talks about how she had only ever known her grandmother in crutches, but also talks about how it never slowed her down or kept her from living her life as she wanted.
http://storycorps.org/listen/julie-sanders-and-randy-blazak/
Possible questions:
What lead you to this group?
What was your typical routine?
Could you describe that night?
Did you know anything about the man who was killed, or make an effort to learn about him afterward?
Have you ever forgiven yourself for being involved in this murder?
1. Julie talks about the feelings of exclusion and neglect that eventually lead her into the fold of a white supremacist group, because all she had to do to be loved and accepted by them was be white.
2. When they couldn't find anybody to harass, the group would usually turn on her, depicting further isolation and abuse within the only group that would accept her.
3. Being nearly strangled to death by her boyfriend shows the cruelty of the people she associated herself with, and the depths of her desperation that she would be willing to stay with them.
4. She shows the guilt she felt when she describes the man she watched die, saying that he was born in Ethiopia, and had a son, but, "we only saw black."
5. She talks about her struggle to raise her sons to become better than herself, and the pride she feels at their kindness, for example, one of her sons, who protects a crossdresser at his school from ridicule.
6. She says that she will never forgive herself for being part of the incident, and shows that, while many emotional journeys can have neat, concise resolutions, guilt does not.
Monday, January 21, 2013
Story Corps Interview Analysis 4
http://storycorps.org/listen/mark-and-jessie-edens/
Police Officer Mark Edens tells his daughter about a night when he had to deliver the news to a woman that her husband was killed in a car accident, and tell a child that his father wasn't coming home. The story interested me because I've had no shortage of moments in my life in which someone had delivered me terrible news, or had to comfort someone as they received bad news of their own. It's never easy to be the person who tells someone something like that, but those who can endure it, and do their best to help the loved ones process and accept it, are truly admirable people.
Possible questions:
How do you feel other people perceive you when you're on the job?
What was the most difficult or memorable moment in your career?
How did you break the news to his wife?
Why did you decide to tell the boy yourself instead of letting the mother handle it?
How do you feel about this part of the job, and your experiences with it?
1. Mark's first words in the story, “Most of my interaction with people was the worst moment of their life,” shows how aware he is of other people's perception of him, and what role he tends to play in their lives.
2. When he tells us about arriving on the scene of a car accident and identifying the body as someone he knew, the circumstances immediately becomes more personal, drawing the listener in.
3. He mentions how most people prefer to tell the loved ones about the accident and immediately leave, but he chooses to take her inside and comfort her, help her process the news. It seems as though he isn't simply doing this because he knows her, but because this is how he generally prefers to deliver bad news, even to strangers.
4. When Mark chooses to tell the child of the victim what had happened to his father, he accepts the responsibility of delivering something so heartbreaking to a child. He knows, in that moment, that they don't need to hear something so devastating from someone with tears in their eyes. They need to hear it from someone calm and strong, to lead by example, and since he was the person most detached from the situation, that someone was him.
5. He accepts the solemn duty of delivering a death message to someone because, despite it's unpleasant and often heart-wrenching nature, because it needs to come from somebody who can withstand the raw emotion of such an event, while still remaining a compassionate shoulder to cry on.
http://storycorps.org/listen/randy-and-judy-pilgrim/
Judy and Randy Pilgrim tell the story of their son, Lance, a Sergeant in the Army who returned home and was discharged for his abuse of prescribed medication to deal with his PTSD. He died of an accidental overdose shortly after returning home, and was denied a military funeral because of his dishonorable discharge.
As someone with members of the military in my family, and friends planning on entering the military, I always find myself dreading the possibility that a situation such as this could come to pass. However, my first thought is sympathy for the countless families who do go through this in the wake of every war, dealing with the physically and emotionally damaged survivors of the most confusing and scarring circumstances ever invented by man.
Possible questions:
What was the first sign, to you, that something was different about Lance?
How would you say he was different?
What lead to his discharge from the Army?
What were your feelings about the day leading up to his passing?
Did he receive a military funeral?
1. The line at the beginning of the story referring to when they tried to drive around a dead deer in the road and Lance broke down crying immediately pulls the listener in and puts a harsh depiction of PTSD up front.
2. When Lance told his father about how, in Iraq, they weren't allowed to let anything slow them down, so they ran over dead bodies in the street. This gives a first glimpse into the cause of his PTSD, and why the war effected him so greatly.
3. Randy describes his son after returning from war as, "almost helpless," compared to the strong, independent young man who had left, showing the transformation Lance underwent in the eyes of his parents.
4. Randy's reflection on the day before his son's death shows a crushing amount of regret and guilt, wishing that he could simply do it over again and offer his son more support in his time of need.
5. He says that they requested a military funeral, but, in light of his recent discharge, it was denied.
6. Judy tells of how the Army reviewed the facts and got his discharge reclassified as an honorable one, but it was two years after he had passed. Details such as these display the additional tragedy of the situation, that he had endured so much and done so much for his country, and because of the addiction he suffered from due to his psychological damage, he was denied the posthumous honor he deserved for his service and his sacrifice.
Police Officer Mark Edens tells his daughter about a night when he had to deliver the news to a woman that her husband was killed in a car accident, and tell a child that his father wasn't coming home. The story interested me because I've had no shortage of moments in my life in which someone had delivered me terrible news, or had to comfort someone as they received bad news of their own. It's never easy to be the person who tells someone something like that, but those who can endure it, and do their best to help the loved ones process and accept it, are truly admirable people.
Possible questions:
How do you feel other people perceive you when you're on the job?
What was the most difficult or memorable moment in your career?
How did you break the news to his wife?
Why did you decide to tell the boy yourself instead of letting the mother handle it?
How do you feel about this part of the job, and your experiences with it?
1. Mark's first words in the story, “Most of my interaction with people was the worst moment of their life,” shows how aware he is of other people's perception of him, and what role he tends to play in their lives.
2. When he tells us about arriving on the scene of a car accident and identifying the body as someone he knew, the circumstances immediately becomes more personal, drawing the listener in.
3. He mentions how most people prefer to tell the loved ones about the accident and immediately leave, but he chooses to take her inside and comfort her, help her process the news. It seems as though he isn't simply doing this because he knows her, but because this is how he generally prefers to deliver bad news, even to strangers.
4. When Mark chooses to tell the child of the victim what had happened to his father, he accepts the responsibility of delivering something so heartbreaking to a child. He knows, in that moment, that they don't need to hear something so devastating from someone with tears in their eyes. They need to hear it from someone calm and strong, to lead by example, and since he was the person most detached from the situation, that someone was him.
5. He accepts the solemn duty of delivering a death message to someone because, despite it's unpleasant and often heart-wrenching nature, because it needs to come from somebody who can withstand the raw emotion of such an event, while still remaining a compassionate shoulder to cry on.
http://storycorps.org/listen/randy-and-judy-pilgrim/
Judy and Randy Pilgrim tell the story of their son, Lance, a Sergeant in the Army who returned home and was discharged for his abuse of prescribed medication to deal with his PTSD. He died of an accidental overdose shortly after returning home, and was denied a military funeral because of his dishonorable discharge.
As someone with members of the military in my family, and friends planning on entering the military, I always find myself dreading the possibility that a situation such as this could come to pass. However, my first thought is sympathy for the countless families who do go through this in the wake of every war, dealing with the physically and emotionally damaged survivors of the most confusing and scarring circumstances ever invented by man.
Possible questions:
What was the first sign, to you, that something was different about Lance?
How would you say he was different?
What lead to his discharge from the Army?
What were your feelings about the day leading up to his passing?
Did he receive a military funeral?
1. The line at the beginning of the story referring to when they tried to drive around a dead deer in the road and Lance broke down crying immediately pulls the listener in and puts a harsh depiction of PTSD up front.
2. When Lance told his father about how, in Iraq, they weren't allowed to let anything slow them down, so they ran over dead bodies in the street. This gives a first glimpse into the cause of his PTSD, and why the war effected him so greatly.
3. Randy describes his son after returning from war as, "almost helpless," compared to the strong, independent young man who had left, showing the transformation Lance underwent in the eyes of his parents.
4. Randy's reflection on the day before his son's death shows a crushing amount of regret and guilt, wishing that he could simply do it over again and offer his son more support in his time of need.
5. He says that they requested a military funeral, but, in light of his recent discharge, it was denied.
6. Judy tells of how the Army reviewed the facts and got his discharge reclassified as an honorable one, but it was two years after he had passed. Details such as these display the additional tragedy of the situation, that he had endured so much and done so much for his country, and because of the addiction he suffered from due to his psychological damage, he was denied the posthumous honor he deserved for his service and his sacrifice.
Friday, January 18, 2013
CPR- Book One- Blog One
A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin is considered one of the most refreshing and captivating fantasy novels of all time, and the beginning of a series that completely redefined the genre. I was first introduced to the book through a friend's recommendation. He tried to sell me on it by describing which parts and which characters were most "badass", but upon looking a little deeper, I saw the book's widespread critical acclaim for its character development and risk taking in defying the long-established norms of the fantasy genre.
My interest in the book was doubled by the popularity of the HBO series inspired by the novels. I've always had a habit to read the book before watching the movie, or, in this case, show. Perhaps it's just my petty urge to feel superior to everyone who doesn't, but I digress, everything I had seen of the show peeked my curiosity and made me want to learn more about this deep, richly developed world inhabited by intriguing and unique characters, or so I'd been told.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Story Corps Interview Analysis 3
http://storycorps.org/listen/teresa-diane-tells-his-name-and-bonnie-buchanan/
Diane Tells His Name talks with her daughter, Bonnie Buchanan, about first discovering that she was an adopted Native American, and the decision she and her husband made to adopt a child from the same tribe themselves. It's understandable and relatable to hear a story of not fitting in, feeling out of place, even in your own family, and to generally think that you don't belong. It's uplifting to hear about her discovering why she was different, and being able to turn that into an improvement in the life of a child, as well as in her own.
My mother was adopted, and later on, she gave our sister (whom I never knew about until I was six) up for adoption. But now, she has become a part of our family, and her children along with her. I can see the meaning of such stories, of families brought closer together by isolation, because in many ways, it's my story.
Possible questions:
When did you first begin to realize that you were different?
What sort of things made you feel out of place in your family?
When did you find out that you were adopted?
What motivated you to adopt a child from your tribe?
What lead you to choose Bonnie for adoption?
1. Diane describes differences, both physical and mental, between her sister and herself, which led her to realize that she didn't fit in. This also establishes feelings of isolation, separation, and inadequacy, which is to be expected in such a situation.
2. When she talks about, "going through family albums looking for my face in old photographs," Diane shows her curiosity at such a young age, and her desire to know the truth, but also to see if she ever fit in at all.
3. She also says that when she saw old pictures of herself, "I didn't see me." This depicts her lack of identity when she realizes that she's an odd, mismatched piece in the puzzle that is her family, but she doesn't know why.
4. When she was finally told that she was adopted, Diane recalls a sense of relief and elation that she "wasn't crazy," and that the questions that had troubled her throughout her childhood had finally been answered.
5. Deciding to adopt a child from her tribe brings a full-circle sense of completion to her story, and shows how willing she is to take in the life she was not aware of for so long.
6. The brief anecdote regarding which child they chose to adopt brings a sense of levity and humor, as well as painting a more detailed picture of the relationship between this mother and her adopted child.
http://storycorps.org/listen/marcela-gaviria-and-dempsey-springfield/
This is the story of Marcela Gaviria and Dempsey Springfield, a young girl who nearly lost her leg to bone cancer, and a doctor who went the extra mile, not only to heal her, but to give her hope. Their trust and familiarity continues to this day because of his kindness and dedication.
The story of this doctor and patient goes to show how far an act of kindness can go, and what a difference an encouraging soul can have on the life of a child. Whether they be a doctor or a teacher or a parent, a simple gesture of kindness and good faith can spark an unforgettable change in a life.
Possible questions:
What was it like having Dr. Springfield as a doctor?
What was it like having Marcela as a patient?
Why do you still go to Dr. Springfield?
Has your relationship gone beyond doctor-patient over the years?
How does it feel to look at Marcela now, after all this time, and after all she's been through?
1. Marcela describes in detail what Dempsey was like, how he looked and acted, when he came to visit her in the hospital. It shows what an impression he left on her and how he made her feel in his efforts to cheer her up.
2.When Dempsey says that he kept moving and she kept following, she responds saying that she never trusted other doctors as much as him.
3."Every scar in my leg has something to do with you," is a line from the story that, given the context isn't as negative as it might sound. It shows that despite her hardship, she can still look at the marks that others might consider disfiguring and think of the kind man who helped her when she needed it most.
4. When Dempsey says that hers was the first wedding of one of his patients that he had ever attended, it shows the connection these two have.
5. He recalls getting up at the crack of dawn to get to the hospital early, showing his dedication to a patient, and his overall desire to help.
Diane Tells His Name talks with her daughter, Bonnie Buchanan, about first discovering that she was an adopted Native American, and the decision she and her husband made to adopt a child from the same tribe themselves. It's understandable and relatable to hear a story of not fitting in, feeling out of place, even in your own family, and to generally think that you don't belong. It's uplifting to hear about her discovering why she was different, and being able to turn that into an improvement in the life of a child, as well as in her own.
My mother was adopted, and later on, she gave our sister (whom I never knew about until I was six) up for adoption. But now, she has become a part of our family, and her children along with her. I can see the meaning of such stories, of families brought closer together by isolation, because in many ways, it's my story.
Possible questions:
When did you first begin to realize that you were different?
What sort of things made you feel out of place in your family?
When did you find out that you were adopted?
What motivated you to adopt a child from your tribe?
What lead you to choose Bonnie for adoption?
1. Diane describes differences, both physical and mental, between her sister and herself, which led her to realize that she didn't fit in. This also establishes feelings of isolation, separation, and inadequacy, which is to be expected in such a situation.
2. When she talks about, "going through family albums looking for my face in old photographs," Diane shows her curiosity at such a young age, and her desire to know the truth, but also to see if she ever fit in at all.
3. She also says that when she saw old pictures of herself, "I didn't see me." This depicts her lack of identity when she realizes that she's an odd, mismatched piece in the puzzle that is her family, but she doesn't know why.
4. When she was finally told that she was adopted, Diane recalls a sense of relief and elation that she "wasn't crazy," and that the questions that had troubled her throughout her childhood had finally been answered.
5. Deciding to adopt a child from her tribe brings a full-circle sense of completion to her story, and shows how willing she is to take in the life she was not aware of for so long.
6. The brief anecdote regarding which child they chose to adopt brings a sense of levity and humor, as well as painting a more detailed picture of the relationship between this mother and her adopted child.
http://storycorps.org/listen/marcela-gaviria-and-dempsey-springfield/
This is the story of Marcela Gaviria and Dempsey Springfield, a young girl who nearly lost her leg to bone cancer, and a doctor who went the extra mile, not only to heal her, but to give her hope. Their trust and familiarity continues to this day because of his kindness and dedication.
The story of this doctor and patient goes to show how far an act of kindness can go, and what a difference an encouraging soul can have on the life of a child. Whether they be a doctor or a teacher or a parent, a simple gesture of kindness and good faith can spark an unforgettable change in a life.
Possible questions:
What was it like having Dr. Springfield as a doctor?
What was it like having Marcela as a patient?
Why do you still go to Dr. Springfield?
Has your relationship gone beyond doctor-patient over the years?
How does it feel to look at Marcela now, after all this time, and after all she's been through?
1. Marcela describes in detail what Dempsey was like, how he looked and acted, when he came to visit her in the hospital. It shows what an impression he left on her and how he made her feel in his efforts to cheer her up.
2.When Dempsey says that he kept moving and she kept following, she responds saying that she never trusted other doctors as much as him.
3."Every scar in my leg has something to do with you," is a line from the story that, given the context isn't as negative as it might sound. It shows that despite her hardship, she can still look at the marks that others might consider disfiguring and think of the kind man who helped her when she needed it most.
4. When Dempsey says that hers was the first wedding of one of his patients that he had ever attended, it shows the connection these two have.
5. He recalls getting up at the crack of dawn to get to the hospital early, showing his dedication to a patient, and his overall desire to help.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)