Final Blog

The Stones of Summer written by Dow Mossman in 1972, was not a widely known or read book, but it did change the life of one, Mark Moskowitz. After reading brief summaries of Mossman’s novel, it is clear why this book changed someone’s life. Internally, we all need to find ourselves and Mossman’s character Dawes Oldham Williams does just that, searching for himself, with interesting intertwined stories along the way. This man was so intrigued by the novel and the author himself, that, twenty-five years later, he decided to make a documentary called the Stone Reader. In his great endeavor, Moskowitz attempted to track down the author and anyone involved in the publication of the book or written within the lines of the texts. His ultimate goal was to have the book reprinted and show society a great book that they more than likely missed out on. His endeavors were unfortunately leading him no where until he finally got leads with the original (multiple) manuscripts at the library, meeting with the editor, and finally coming into contact with the author himself. Mossman at first appeared to have animosity for the book that may have caused him many hardships to write, but then was really excited that someone loved his one hit novel.

The documentary was rather enjoyable and very interesting. The fact that someone spent so much time to get a book into reprint in a dying field where real books exist is impressive dedication. At first it seemed to be a loss cause, but Moskowitz’s perseverance illustrates that when you truly believe in something, you go all out.

I enjoyed this section of English 215. I enjoyed a majority of the books, especially the ones closer to the end of the semester like Saints at the River and Glengarry, Glenn Ross. I really appreciated the blogging aspect as well, rather the weekly writing assignments. They helped me to dig deep into the poems, plays, stories, etc. rather than just read over them. This portion of the class was really helpful and I took a lot away from it. I definitely think there should be more class discussion, between the class as a whole and the teacher, incorporated. The assignments and test were at a decent level of difficulty equal to that of the class. I liked this class and I am glad that I took it.

Love and Honor and Pity and Pride and Compassion and Sacrifice

“I told her my father didn’t know about her…’He’s only here for three days.’”

                The narrator’s relationship with Linda appears to be a lasting one; however, the father’s unawareness of his son’s girlfriend is strange to Linda. The young couple does not discuss his father, but when he emerges in conversation it is only in negative light. When Linda learns that his father will be in town, it is obvious that she would like to meet him just as, just as all serious relationships evolve. It is understandable that a father and son may not have a close and open relationship, but it would seem that fathers want to meet those who are important to their children. Rather, the son lies about Linda such as when he wants to see her instead he says he is going on a walk, allowing the father to assume nothing important and tagging along.

“My father was drawn to weaknesses, even as he tolerated none in me.”

                Some fathers are depicted as tough men who do not accept failure in themselves or their family. With the narrator’s father’s background, the father is hard on his son because he wants him to have a better life than he did. He pushes him to the best he can be. However, as the old man slowly deteriorates, his back pains become a problem, more of weakness, where his son must even aid him in walking. His pain is a weakness and roles are reversed, where previously immaturity was seen as a weakness.

“The thing is not to write about what no one else could have written, but to write what only you could have written.”

                There are a plethora of topics that a writer can choose from to compose a variety of works. The narrator’s friend points out his unusual topics that he has written his last three books about, including lesbian vampires and painters with hemorrhoids. His father would prefer he write about something else rather than the boat men of Vietnam. But, it is with the narrator’s resources, mainly his father’s stories, that allow him to write about this topic, that not only have few written on but also because he can write about it. His drive to write this story, on a typewriter, and perfect it shows his ability to write on this certain topic and therefore should be allowed to write whatever he so chooses.

equably: free from many changes or variations; uniform (Love and Honor and Pity and Pride and Compassion and Sacrifice 3)

metronome: a mechanical or electrical instrument that makes repeated clicking sounds at an adjustable pace, used for marking rhythm, especially in practicing music.  (Love and Honor and Pity and Pride and Compassion and Sacrifice 4)

rheumy: pertaining to, causing, full of, or affected with rheum. (Love and Honor and Pity and Pride and Compassion and Sacrifice 13)

The Lazarus Project by Aleksander Hemon

“Home is where someone might notice your absence.”

                It is at home, where you friends and family know you the most. When you leave, it should not be a question as they “might notice you absence.” Brik feels that no one notices him whether he is present or not. Since he is a foreigner in America, with just in-laws for friends, and no job, he has nothing to help him stand out. His wife, Mary, says that once he has a job he will have a more normal life and possibly be more noticeable in his “home.” Brik, however, has two homes, the other in Sarajevo, where he is also not recognized.

“Even if you knew what you want to know, you would still know nothing. You ask questions, you want to know more, but no matter how much more I tell you, you will never know anything.”

                Rora always had elaborate, thrilling stories to tell Brik during their travels. He knows how to captivate his audience and keep them on the edge of the seat, when to withhold information to allow for more suspense. In the middle of a story, like normal, Rora withholds information from Brik, who expectantly becomes annoyed and begins to ask a numerous amount of questions. Rora becomes annoyed and tells him that even if he were to answer every possible thing for Brik, he would still not know nor understand anything because he has not lived through it. His questions can never fully be answered until he experiences for himself.

“If there are more dead than living, then the world is about death, and the question is: What are we to do with all the death? Who is going to remember all the dead?”

                While Rora and Brik are visiting the Jewish Community Center, they meet Iuliana who is their guide to answer questions and show them around. Not surprising, Brik begins to ask questions that can not only be answered but also force Rora and Iuliana to questions his sanity. Writing a book about Lazarus, which started with his questionable death/murder, Brik has the idea of death constantly in his brain, constantly thinking about it. 

shivah: the period of formal mourning lasting seven days from the funeral during which the mourner stays indoors and sits on a low stool (The Lazarus Project, 223)

Kaddish: is a prayer found in the Jewish prayer service. The central theme of the Kaddish is the magnification and sanctification of God's name (The Lazarus Project, 223)

yeshiva: is a Jewish educational institution that focuses on the study of traditional religious texts, primarily the Talmud and Torah study (The Lazarus Project, 229)

Saints at the River by Ron Rash

“A man stood on the rock where I’d photographed Herb Kowalsky.” He ate a Hardee’s breakfast biscuit as he peered into the water.”

                The construction of the temporary dam by Brennon’s men to search for Ruth Kowalsky’s body drew a huge audience like a spectator sport. People, for and against, serious and casual, stood on the river banks to watch what might happen. There was a seriousness in the action taking place, but there was also a nonchalant feeling among some of the people who were there. Since the young girl was not a part of the small community, no one had close ties with her and therefore was not too concerned.

“It would have been interesting to know which people, if any, Sheriff Cantrell considered the bad guys in this situation.”

                The situation was definitely a “Catch 22.” On the one hand, the Kowalsky’s want to retrieve Ruth’s body and have a proper burial for their daughter. And on the other hand, the construction of the damn will interrupt the stream of nature. Based on the politics, the personalities and their stances, it would be really difficult to choose a side and therefore decide who is right and wrong under the circumstances. However, many were able to choose who was in the wrong and who was in the right. But those in power, had to go by the thoughts of those higher up on the chain not by their personal opinions.

“After death, everything in a house appears slightly transformed”

                The feeling of death is always a dark one. Not only does it create a darkness in the mind filled with depression and sorrow but also the atmosphere is gloomy as well. When someone has passed away, close friends and family visit at the house. In the house, the mood can be very depressing which can force the lighting to appear dim. In the dark, things do appear different. Things can be scary as well which will make the atmosphere more depressing.

conciliatory: to overcome the distrust or hostility of; placate; win over (Saints at the River, 190)

eddies: a current at variance with the main current in a stream of liquid or gas, especially one having a rotary or whirling motion (Saints at the River, 191)

gamut: the entire scale or range  (Saints at the River, 195)