So in the boys next door, one might feel sorry for the characters. One might never wish the mental disabilities that Norman, Lucien, Arnold, and Barry have on their worst enemies. I have thought, and maybe this is a general conclusion that most ignorant people think about the mentally disabled, that they are trapped in a cage and are helpless. Although what I am about to state may be controversial, I have given it some thought.
Maybe the boys next door do have it "made." Maybe all of their dreams do come true for them. Because they are not in touch with reality, they can make their own reality; and if someone tried to tell them otherwise then that person was not in touch with reality. I can definitely see how this could be the case with Barry. From his conversation with Mr. Hedges, or "Hodges", Barry truly believes that he is the Class A teaching professional who can fix his clients golf game. Heck, he even runs a business off of this premise. Obviously this is his reality and he has made a living out of it. The summary on the back of the book states, "Barry, a brilliant schizophrenic who is devastated by the unfeeling rejection of his brutal father, fantasizes that he is a golf pro."
Look at Lucien P. Smith for a second. He has the mind of a five year old. He cannot read and can barely say coherent sentences. But Jesus states in Matthew 18:3 "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." Children are dependent on their parents to look out for their welfare and for their needs. I think Jesus is telling his disciples here that to enter the kingdom you have to give up your independence and become dependent on him. In the same way Lucien depends on Government funding and a social worker to live. All I am getting at is that maybe Lucien feels safe and taken care of at his current state. So maybe he really doesn't have it as bad as we might think...maybe we do because we all strive for our independence.
Norman and Shelia's love seems so elementary and genuine. I can remember my first love, although I won’t share it with you I can definitely say that I did forget the words of Taylor Swift in her song Fifteen, "don't forget to look before you fall". I fell, and so do Norman and Shelia. Man, what a beautiful feeling. Truly, I think Norman has it better than if I was dating the finest women on earth (Miley Cyrus), because he doesn't have any baggage from the past that we know of. He displays the same juvenile mindset as a love-struck fifteen year old would when he predicts Shelia and his marriage and children.
So maybe the mentally handicapped do not have it as bad as we make it out to be. After all I would not know what it would be like to be mentally handicapped. But I do know what it felt like to be 5 years old imaging I was Michael Jordan, or 14 years old and falling like a sack of potatoes for my first love. Those were the days...
10 November 2010
08 November 2010
Barry and his Giant
The Boys Next Door is a great piece of work where a lot of solid themes can be extracted and applied to real life. I want to focus on one aspect of this play where Barry and his father, Mr. Klemper reunite after not seeing each other for 9 years. What I am hoping to learn from this scene and from Barry, is how to not shy away from the giants in my life that I face and affect me every day of my life. Barry thinks that he needs to be superstar golf pro for his father to accept him. I pick up on the fact that Barry was probably abused as a child by his father, from the scene where they reunite. Once Mr. Kempler hits Barry across the face, Barry seems to go into this shell of fear from back when he was a kid. He made himself something he is not, partly because of his disorder and probably because of his child hood abuse situation. Now I know that Barry suffers from schizophrenia, but I do not know what the causes of it are. Here is some research that I found on schizophrenia....
"Schizophrenia is a brain disorder that affects the way a person acts, thinks, and sees the world. People with schizophrenia have an altered perception of reality, often a significant loss of contact with reality. They may see or hear things that don’t exist, speak in strange or confusing ways, believe that others are trying to harm them, or feel like they’re being constantly watched. With such a blurred line between the real and the imaginary, schizophrenia makes it difficult—even frightening—to negotiate the activities of daily life. In response, people with schizophrenia may withdraw from the outside world or act out in confusion and fear."
This passage states that a schizophrenic may believe that others are trying to harm them. In this same article where I found this passage it states that, "most cases of schizophrenia usually appear in the late teens or early adulthood." With this information I can guess that Barry's case of schizo was probably affected by his father. Again this conclusion is made from the fact that Barry seemed to immediately curl up into a child-like state of mind once his father harmed him. So maybe in this case, Barry's disorder could have been prevented if he had just "faced his giant" and confronted his father's actions. It is a difficult and daring task (one that I have failed to own many of times) but, avoiding a situation might make one feel comfortable for the moment, but have devastating effects on one's life the more the giant is allowed to grow.
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/schizophrenia_symptom.htm
03 November 2010
Response to "Walking Home from Oak-Head"
I sit in the hall of a school or in the seat in the library
wandering about time. "How have I spent this time and
for what reason have I spent this time?" I ask myself.
I spend this time because I want to make good times later in life and ultimately in eternal life.
In these halls and in these chairs is where time seems to stand still.
Half of the time I don't know what time it actually is.
I do believe that time is meant to be spent observing its qualities.
This happens when one thinks back on all the good times he has had
or all the past failures that have affected his life. To think back on the good
and on the bad, is what brings my heart elation.
The funny thing is, is that these reminiscent moments are spent in nature
where like Oliver describes, it "brings out the lovely meaningless of time."
Why does time spent in nature have to be different than times spent in a library
or in a school hall, or in music, words, in the fires of the heart?
These times are all the same. Learning, watching, praying, listening are all ways that time is spent.
They all contribute to the walk home from Oak-Head, where home is the final destination of who we really are.
So the times, good and bad spent here on earth, on this long walk home
will seem like the world is falling apart
but no need to worry because waiting by the door
inside that warm log cabin
will be the lover a man who has been draggin'
draggin' with times on his back and in his head that have weighed him down
and still other times that have made his arrival worthwhile.
But it is kind of funny how all these memories might vanish
Because once I reach that warm place
and worship the one who made my face
new memories of streets of gold, angelic beings, and pearly gates
will replace all the times spent that I thought could never be erased.
wandering about time. "How have I spent this time and
for what reason have I spent this time?" I ask myself.
I spend this time because I want to make good times later in life and ultimately in eternal life.
In these halls and in these chairs is where time seems to stand still.
Half of the time I don't know what time it actually is.
I do believe that time is meant to be spent observing its qualities.
This happens when one thinks back on all the good times he has had
or all the past failures that have affected his life. To think back on the good
and on the bad, is what brings my heart elation.
The funny thing is, is that these reminiscent moments are spent in nature
where like Oliver describes, it "brings out the lovely meaningless of time."
Why does time spent in nature have to be different than times spent in a library
or in a school hall, or in music, words, in the fires of the heart?
These times are all the same. Learning, watching, praying, listening are all ways that time is spent.
They all contribute to the walk home from Oak-Head, where home is the final destination of who we really are.
So the times, good and bad spent here on earth, on this long walk home
will seem like the world is falling apart
but no need to worry because waiting by the door
inside that warm log cabin
will be the lover a man who has been draggin'
draggin' with times on his back and in his head that have weighed him down
and still other times that have made his arrival worthwhile.
But it is kind of funny how all these memories might vanish
Because once I reach that warm place
and worship the one who made my face
new memories of streets of gold, angelic beings, and pearly gates
will replace all the times spent that I thought could never be erased.
01 November 2010
Adam :/
I wonder what it was like..
How did the grass feel between your toes?
Did mosquitoes ever bother you?
I bet you were never frightened
because you had Him with you.
What was the temperature like?
Was it all you had hoped and imagined?
I bet you never went hungry,
I bet you never had a boring moment.
How could you have messed up so badly?
The grass cuts my feet.
The mosquitoes bite at my flesh!
I am frightened because I know things are out there to get me in the dark.
I am hungry and cannot eat the wild fruits because they are poisonous.
All this happened because you fell.
But there is still beauty in this fallen world.
I can still find satisfaction through the pain I endure.
I can still recognize the beauty of this world.
But I can only imagine what it looked like back in your time.
The withered trees and the oily waters seem to tell me of their glory days
when their leaves were vibrant and waters were crystal clear.
I have to listen so intently though to hear nature
I bet in your days before your fall, the trees and waters shared in your joy.
But now, now they moan and talk about "back then."
And sense I am your son, I am disconnected with this world just as you were.
It runs in the family.
The only difference is, is that you lived in a time where you saw true beauty.
So what I see is true beauty in a fallen world.
I went to Lake Bonny Park for this field trip, and I stayed there for at least 45 minutes.
My time spent at Lake Bonny park was a very eventful visit. I will do it more often. The thing that got me was the fact that it was Halloween night, around 7 o’clock, when I went for my visit, alone. I was startled a bit when I heard things in the dark. It sounded like something was being eaten. The mosquitoes were very annoying and I must have run into at least 30 spider webs as I walked along the 1.3 mile long walking trail. My head was filled with many different types of thoughts. Some of the thoughts took me back to past memories of my childhood. The trees along the trail reminded me of the trees that bordered my Nana's house out in the North Carolina country. The smells of fresh pine, dirt, and flowers helped me escape the real world for a second. For a short period of time I felt like I was not even in Lakeland. I did not know where I was. I even had the sensation of being watched by nature. I imagined what nature would say to me. Would it say, "Look at that human, what is he doing here? His race destroys us! Go away!" I was mesmerized by the beauty of the setting sun over the trees and the faint wind that sent the scents of the fresh vegetation to my nostrils was very welcomed. I thought back to how this earth must have been when Adam and Eve lived together in the garden. My mind was captured by the beauty around me that imagining what it was back then made me sick. It also made me mad at Adam! I felt like he messed it up for me. Then this reminded me of all the bad things I was capable of. I found that being in nature probably brought out the true nature of my being. Here I am, a person in this big world that has intricate systems and layers. Being in nature made me realize that I am much more intricate than a single tree or bush. But nature relies on each other for so many things, and in this way it was a good reminder for me that I need to be in community with others in my "ecosystem" and with the maker of it all. So yes, nature did bring out my flaws and also brought me joy. It provided a much needed escape and awakening for my being.
How did the grass feel between your toes?
Did mosquitoes ever bother you?
I bet you were never frightened
because you had Him with you.
What was the temperature like?
Was it all you had hoped and imagined?
I bet you never went hungry,
I bet you never had a boring moment.
How could you have messed up so badly?
The grass cuts my feet.
The mosquitoes bite at my flesh!
I am frightened because I know things are out there to get me in the dark.
I am hungry and cannot eat the wild fruits because they are poisonous.
All this happened because you fell.
But there is still beauty in this fallen world.
I can still find satisfaction through the pain I endure.
I can still recognize the beauty of this world.
But I can only imagine what it looked like back in your time.
The withered trees and the oily waters seem to tell me of their glory days
when their leaves were vibrant and waters were crystal clear.
I have to listen so intently though to hear nature
I bet in your days before your fall, the trees and waters shared in your joy.
But now, now they moan and talk about "back then."
And sense I am your son, I am disconnected with this world just as you were.
It runs in the family.
The only difference is, is that you lived in a time where you saw true beauty.
So what I see is true beauty in a fallen world.
I went to Lake Bonny Park for this field trip, and I stayed there for at least 45 minutes.
My time spent at Lake Bonny park was a very eventful visit. I will do it more often. The thing that got me was the fact that it was Halloween night, around 7 o’clock, when I went for my visit, alone. I was startled a bit when I heard things in the dark. It sounded like something was being eaten. The mosquitoes were very annoying and I must have run into at least 30 spider webs as I walked along the 1.3 mile long walking trail. My head was filled with many different types of thoughts. Some of the thoughts took me back to past memories of my childhood. The trees along the trail reminded me of the trees that bordered my Nana's house out in the North Carolina country. The smells of fresh pine, dirt, and flowers helped me escape the real world for a second. For a short period of time I felt like I was not even in Lakeland. I did not know where I was. I even had the sensation of being watched by nature. I imagined what nature would say to me. Would it say, "Look at that human, what is he doing here? His race destroys us! Go away!" I was mesmerized by the beauty of the setting sun over the trees and the faint wind that sent the scents of the fresh vegetation to my nostrils was very welcomed. I thought back to how this earth must have been when Adam and Eve lived together in the garden. My mind was captured by the beauty around me that imagining what it was back then made me sick. It also made me mad at Adam! I felt like he messed it up for me. Then this reminded me of all the bad things I was capable of. I found that being in nature probably brought out the true nature of my being. Here I am, a person in this big world that has intricate systems and layers. Being in nature made me realize that I am much more intricate than a single tree or bush. But nature relies on each other for so many things, and in this way it was a good reminder for me that I need to be in community with others in my "ecosystem" and with the maker of it all. So yes, nature did bring out my flaws and also brought me joy. It provided a much needed escape and awakening for my being.
27 October 2010
Himalayan Cedar
25 October 2010
Lectio Divina
"Over the course of my year-long experience of prayer, research, and reflection with Hopkins' poetry, my undergraduate naiveté and novitiate delight evolved into a profound sense of the transformative potential within poetry."
When reading this passage, one should try to apply a perspective that could help him. To be open to a "transformation" like this passage suggests, one has to go into this reading with an open mind. It would not be a bad idea to research the author of this essay, Francis X. McAloon, to really get to know him. In this essay "Reading for Transformation through the Poetry of Gerard Manley Hopkins," McAloon suggests he has trouble comprehending what the meaning of Hopkins's works mean. To apply a particular theoretical perspective to this essay, I think one should experience what McAloon talks about first hand. McAloon talks about how he devoted a full year to the practice of immersing himself with Hopkins's poetry. To truly understand what McAloon means when he writes about reading for transformation, one should apply the practices this author applied. Now, I'm not saying to go on a full-fledged/year-long study of Francis, but I would suggest that one practice lectio divina. I believe to learn something; I have to experience or do what I'm supposed to learn. McAloon used lectio divina to understand Hopkins, so you should use lectio divina to understand what Francis means when he writes about reading for transformation. Take a few lines or a passage from this essay and meditate on it. It might seem awkward but to really tap into his mind and what he is trying to inform us about through this essay, use what he used (lectio divina) to come to a realization or "transformative eureka."
To make myself clear, I want the readers of this essay to pick apart what McAloon writes about by selecting a passage like the one I quoted above and use the process of lectio to understand the gist of this essay. I don't know if it will work but it is possible it can shed light on the essay's information.
When reading this passage, one should try to apply a perspective that could help him. To be open to a "transformation" like this passage suggests, one has to go into this reading with an open mind. It would not be a bad idea to research the author of this essay, Francis X. McAloon, to really get to know him. In this essay "Reading for Transformation through the Poetry of Gerard Manley Hopkins," McAloon suggests he has trouble comprehending what the meaning of Hopkins's works mean. To apply a particular theoretical perspective to this essay, I think one should experience what McAloon talks about first hand. McAloon talks about how he devoted a full year to the practice of immersing himself with Hopkins's poetry. To truly understand what McAloon means when he writes about reading for transformation, one should apply the practices this author applied. Now, I'm not saying to go on a full-fledged/year-long study of Francis, but I would suggest that one practice lectio divina. I believe to learn something; I have to experience or do what I'm supposed to learn. McAloon used lectio divina to understand Hopkins, so you should use lectio divina to understand what Francis means when he writes about reading for transformation. Take a few lines or a passage from this essay and meditate on it. It might seem awkward but to really tap into his mind and what he is trying to inform us about through this essay, use what he used (lectio divina) to come to a realization or "transformative eureka."
To make myself clear, I want the readers of this essay to pick apart what McAloon writes about by selecting a passage like the one I quoted above and use the process of lectio to understand the gist of this essay. I don't know if it will work but it is possible it can shed light on the essay's information.
20 October 2010
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