I really was interested in reading this novel when we were first introduced to it on the syllabus. From the brief description we received in class, it seemed like a drama you would see in today's tv guide. I feel like as a teenager, you go through a process of trying to figure out who you really are. The things you liked growing up, you start to dislike as you gradually age, and you start to notice the world around you in a quite peculiar way. It was very interesting to witness Jeanette, the main character go through this. It was like we watched her grow and blossom into a person she had to learn to understand herself.
In a way, I just think that parents just don't seem to understand the process we all go through although they've been through it themselves. There are things in the world that not even a parent can keep and protect their child from as much as they try. To Jeanette's mom, it was as if the world only consisted of demons and harm everywhere. I guess I can understand that as a mother, the best way to protect her daughter was to enlighten her on all the bad things she can come across. But it was like nothing but the words of the God that controlled her and if Jeanette didn't follow; she wasn't accepted in anything she did. I really felt for her.
A quote that stuck out to me as we started to see how involved the religion and the church was to Jeanette's mother was when their Pastor exclaimed "This little Lily could herself be a house of demons"(pg 12). I felt like no matter what Jeanette did, she still wouldn't be seen as an innocent little girl even if she wasn't doing anything remotely wrong. Her mother embedded this idea that God was the only way but at the same time it was like all or nothing for her. It's just crazy to me how she alienated her own daughter because of how strong her beliefs were. It's very heart wrenching.
I love this post because its true. Growing up no one knows who they are and Jeanette was just going through that. think her mother just was too hard on her daughter because she was once like the neighbors or any non church goer. This obviously triggered her to be too strict. A lot of parents don't realize that their child isn't always going to turn out perfect. And Jeanette's mother probably thought its either my way or you're going straight to hell.
ReplyDeleteI love this post because its true. Growing up no one knows who they are and Jeanette was just going through that. think her mother just was too hard on her daughter because she was once like the neighbors or any non church goer. This obviously triggered her to be too strict. A lot of parents don't realize that their child isn't always going to turn out perfect. And Jeanette's mother probably thought its either my way or you're going straight to hell.
ReplyDeleteIt does really show the struggles that teenagers do go through while going to high school and college. That is why I feel that this book is very relatable.
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