3/2/13 Mexican White Boy pages 95- 155
Dear Reader,
What confused me the most was that Danny and Uno are becoming friends. After the big fight at the beginning of the book I would never expect these two to be friendly or help each other. This was a total shock to me and I was surprised when Uno apologized and then was being a catcher for Danny. The conflict between Uno and Danny was something that I thought would go through the entire book; now it seems like they are resolving the problem and are becoming a team. Danny is very antisocial and Uno could possibly help him come out of his "shell". Uno and Danny are talking and Danny says, "You could work in if you want" (Pena 111). This exhibits that Danny is coming out and actually talking to someone. This is a new thing and maybe Danny will finally be able to talk. What do you think of Danny and Uno's new friendship?
When Uno was telling his story to Danny I felt sympathetic. Imagine quitting the sport you love because of your father's behavior; that must be awful. Uno tells Danny, "Anyway that was the last time I played organized baseball. I quit the next day. Didn't even go to the championship game, man. Or play n the all-star game. I was through" (Pena 110). I really did feel bad for Uno. That must have been an extremely hard time in his life. Would you be able to give up what you love for your father?
I also saw some racism in the book. Uno is having trouble getting a job because he is half African- American. He is getting treated differently because he lives in a Mexican world. His own stepfather who is Mexican American gets mad at him and treats Uno beneath him. Uno is talking to Sofia, Danny's cousin, and Uno says, "It's cause my ass is half black. It ain't right" (Pena 102). This racism against African Americans is seen in other novels. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee racism is seen. When Tom Robinson, an African American, goes to trial he is found guilty. Even though he was clearly innocent it was a black man's word going against a white man's word. During the 1940's and in the South African Americans were looked down upon in society. This racism is the same a Uno, but he can't get a job. Do you see racism in your life, and how would you feel if someone was judging you because of the color of your skin?
At the drive-in theater I saw a development in Danny's feelings for Liberty. He is head over heels for her, but can't find anything to say. Danny can only "manage a little wave" (123). It must be hard to be tongue tied, but to make matters worst he can't even communicate with her. They speak two completely different languages! Danny speaks English and Liberty speaks Spanish. This must be so hard for Danny and I am really excited to see how their relationship unfolds. I couldn't imagine not being able too communicate with the guy I like and wondering if he actually understands what I'm saying. I feel so bad for Danny and Liberty! How would you feel if you couldn't communicate with the person you have a crush on?
Uno helps Danny regain his confidence on the mound. Uno shows him the train and the power of the train. He also shows him a way to make a wish come true. This shows how the boys are becoming more friends. I also believe that this confidence will help Danny and Uno make the money that Uno needs to go live in Oxnard. I saw this confidence when they went up against a guy named Cory. Unlike his last challenge he was able to pitch perfectly and kept remembering the train. Uno has really helped Danny regain his confidence on the mound. As Danny is about to pitch he "...pictures the train over his head and then pictures nothing at all" (Pena 151). How do your friends support you and give you confidence?
The vocabulary in the book really isn't that challenging. I haven't found any English words that I don't understand. When there is a Spanish word I don't understand I just use Google translate. This is allowing my Spanish vocabulary to expand which helps, especially when I am taking Spanish. The language also helps me learn and interpret the culture of Mexican Americans. This book is allowing me to increase my Spanish vocabulary.
I have really enjoyed reflecting upon this particular section of the book. There are many scenes and development in characters that make this book enjoyable. I enjoy reading this novel and can't wait to continue this story.:) What are you opinions of this book?
Sincerely,
Lauren Abbott
Hi Lauren,
ReplyDeleteI really like your response! Like you, I was also in shock when Danny decided to forgive Uno and willingly forge a friendship with him. I would have never imagined that these two characters would become friends after Uno sent Danny to the hospital for stiches. Although it comes as a surprise to me, I think that the friendship between Uno and Danny is great. It shows that the two of them have moved on from the incident at the home run derby and are ready to make some extra cash from hustles.
I would feel awful if I couldn't speak in the same language as my crush, and I bet that is how Danny feels. To begin with, Danny is very shy and has a difficult time effectively communicating with others. With this being said, he must feel absolutely terrible when he can't understand what his crush is saying. I believe that if Danny really likes Liberty, then he will find a way to make sure that she is aware of this. Hopefully, Danny and Liberty will be able to understand each other and establish a relationship together.
I agree with you on the fact that this book is helping expand my Spanish vocabulary. It will be very useful for me as I move forward in my Spanish class. I also agree with you when you state that Uno helped Danny regain his confidence while pitching. The reason that Danny didn't make his high school baseball team is because he would become too tense and throw wild pitches as a result. Uno helps Danny learn how to relax when he is pitching and let his talent take over, which helps Danny throw amazing pitches and win hustles.
Lastly, I also felt sympathy for Uno when he quit baseball because of his father's actions. It's unfortunate that his father was on drugs at the time because he has proven that he is a different person when off of drugs. For example, Uno's father gives Uno important advice
such as when he says, "Don't just talk about it, be about it" (Pena 99).
Here is a link to a website that explains the impact of great friends who support you.
http://www.webmd.com/balance/features/good-friends-are-good-for-you
Hi Lauren
ReplyDeleteYour response to these page were really good and i feel the same way as you do to the many topics you wrote about. I feel that Uno wants to be friends with Danny. I feel that they could be a close team and help each other out in the everyday problems in the world.
I'm not sure if I could give up the sport I love for my father. I guess it would depend on the sport, my home life and how much my dad cares for me. It would also depend on the reason for quitting the sport.
I don't think i would feel accepted in life if people were judging me based on the color of my skin. I would probably live my life shy and afraid based on the hurtful words said by many people.
I would want to speak the same languauge as my crush. I would probably learn his language so that I could communicate with him.
My friends support me in everything. There always there for me. For example before writing this now i was at a funeral all day adn i cried most of the time. But once it was over my friends gave me hugs and cheered me up and got mne to laugh again.
Here are some pictures and articles against racism.
http://www.123rf.com/photo_3143488_anti-racism.html
http://youthvoices.net/discussion/does-racism-still-exist-america
http://blog.ctnews.com/mixingitup/2012/01/04/does-racism-still-exist/