Blog Option 5

In my opinion the short story “Sucker” has to with two children one looking for self-affirmation from the other sex and the other dealing with the admiration he has for an older brotherly figure. The story starts out with the older boy named Pete and his younger cousin named Sucker who has lived with Pete for a very long time. Pete explains that, “half the time I forgot that Sucker wasn’t my brother” (McCullers 1). The story goes on to point out that Pete felt like he had full control of the room the two shared and that Pete up until a certain point had treated Sucker with indifference. This turning point however is when a girl named Maybelle comes into the picture. Pete has a fascination with Maybelle that eventually is reciprocated on her part, but only for a short period of time. During that time, Pete starts to treat Sucker better, even confiding in him about Maybelle only adding to Sucker’s “hero-worship” of Pete. When Maybelle stops showing interest in Pete is ultimately the downfall of Pete himself and his relationship with Sucker. Pete realizes that no amount of gifts could buy her affection and the cold realization that Pete was the only one invested in their “relationship” leaves him feeling un-wanted and angry. Eventually these feelings come out but are directed towards Sucker in an intense confrontation between the two, “ I guess I wanted to ignore somebody like Maybelle did me. You could always tell by Sucker’s face when his feelings were hurt. I don’t remember all the ugly remarks I must of made because even when I was saying them my mind was on Maybelle.“ (McCullers 2). Pete eventually regrets his harsh words but by this point it is too late, “His face seemed different now. He used to look timid and sort of like he was afraid of a whack over the head. That expression was gone. “ (McCullers 3). I would give this short story a 4. I thought it did a good job of exemplifying certain events and emotions that are very real when you have two adolescent boys (and girls) going through this journey of growing up. Even more so with people you consider to be family. There have been many times when I can remember getting so angry with my younger siblings and saying things that I immediately regretted after I said them. Issues dealing with affirmation from those around you, especially that of the opposite sex, and having people that you admire in your life disappoint you are all things that at some point have been experienced by the majority. I would recommend this story, it can convey a lot about growing up and the effect that your words and your actions have on those around you.

Herland Modern Soundtrack

“Girls Just Want to Have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper is the song that immediately came to me at the beginning of Herland when the men first encountered Celis, Alima and Ellador up in a tree. “”Celis,” she said distinctly, pointing to the one in blue; “Alima”- the one in rose; then, with a vivid imitation of Terry’s impressive manner, she laid a firm delicate hand on her gold- green jerk- “Ellador”” (Perkins 17). This scene came across as funny and light-hearted, like the song, because it seemed Ellador was in a way making fun of Terry and his overdramatized introductions. If the song had been played during this scene it would have made clear the women’s personality and intentions and also would have added to the humorousness.  

“Sisters Are Doin’ It for Themselves” by Aretha Franklin is the next song in my hypothetical soundtrack. This song would have been perfectly placed in the section where Van is recounting the history of how Herland became a land of all women. “There were many of them, and but few of these would- be masters, so the young women, instead of submitting, rose in sheer desperation and slew their brutal conquerors” (Perkins 59). The song if played during this scene would have permeated a feeling of feminine power. The emotion of the song reflects what these women were doing. The song might seem a little light- hearted because of the women’s desperation but the meaning of the song is saying what needs to be said. These women did not need men to survive and thrive.  

“Complicated” by Avril Lavigne reminds me of the scene when Van is expressing the men’s desire to live in separate houses with their wives and he tries to communicate to Ellador that he just wants to be alone with her. ““We are alone, dear,” Ellador explained to me with gentle patience. “We are alone in these great forests; we may go and eat in any little summer- house- just we two”” (Perkins 137). In this scene it is obvious that Van is becoming slightly annoyed and maybe a little frustrated that Ellador does not understand him. The song talks about how she likes her boyfriend just the way he is and she does not understand why things have to be so complicated. If the song had been played during this scene it would have made Van’s plight easier to understand and would have gained him some sympathy from the reader.    

“Love the Way You Lie” by Eminem featuring Rihanna is the perfect song for the act where Terry tries to attack Alima in her room. “Love the Way You Lie” is a song about a couple who love each other but are in a drastically tumultuous relationship. More than once in the book the story refers to Alima and Terry’s relationship as on- again, off- again and both had short tempers. This song would describe Alima’s attack perfectly. “Terry put in practice his pet conviction that a woman loves to be mastered, and by sheer brute force, in all the pride and passion of his intense masculinity, he tried to master this woman” (Perkins 145). The unrestrained relationship described in the song and in the book are a perfect match and hearing the song during this scene would have further proven how the relationship between Terry and Alima was filled with conflict.

Finally, “Leave (Get Out)” by JoJo was quite fitting in the final acts of the novel when Terry was banished by the women of Herland. While Alima was not the specific woman that banished or “broke up with” Terry, her beliefs and feelings were reflected in that of her sisters. “After a while Terry had his sentence. He waited, grim and defiant. The sentence was: “You must go home”” (Perkins 146)! The trial was Alima’s final farewell to Terry and her way of telling him to get out. A slowed down version of this song would have made the scene where they announced Terry’s sentence even more damning.

Is it all just about acceptance? #5

             Acceptance, we all need it and we all want it. Why? Why do we feel the need to be accepted? When did being accepted by someone else become more of a priority than accepting yourself? This is the theme that I found to be most important in the short story “Sucker” by Carson McCullers. I believe the way McCullers showed acceptance through the struggles between Sucker (Richard), Pete, and Maybelle was very accurate and true.  She demonstrated the struggle of needing to be accepted through two brothers. One, the younger brother Sucker, who just wanted to feel accepted by his older brother Pete. This is what I like to call the younger sibling syndrome, the feeling of needing to live up to or admire the older sibling. Every older sibling knows what I am talking about because we have all had the uncomfortable talk with our moms where she tells us we MUST be on our best behavior because our younger siblings are looking up to us and doing everything that we do. That’s the problem with acceptance, we feel so pressured to get the approval by someone else that we lose who we are. This is why I would recommend this short story to anyone. It gives life lessons without you even realizing it.

While reading this story you are so caught up on the fact that Pete is so rude to Sucker that you may miss the underline theme. In the story Pete says it is Maybelle’s fault for causing the tension and problems between him and Sucker. I totally agree because if Maybelle would have accepted and liked Pete then the two boys would have never fought. Even in the story it says when Maybelle and Pete were getting along, so was Pete and Sucker. Due to Maybelle dropping Pete and not accepting him, in a sense, he became cruel and rude to Sucker.  He felt like he wasn’t being accepted by Maybelle and that’s all he wanted, was to have that feeling of acceptance. So what does he do he despises someone who accepts him because he doesn’t understand why some people like him and some don’t.

Another character that is just looking for acceptance is Sucker; he is looking for the acceptance from his older brother. He was trying to be just like him. He just wanted to know what he was up to in his life and whom he was hanging out with. Sucker wanted more than anything for Pete to like him, “You do like me as much as if I was your own brother, don’t you Pete?” (Sucker, 70). He just wanted Pete to like him and he would have done anything for him just so he would accept him. This is why I think McClluers shows a life lesson that all need to hear. We all need/want to feel accepted but sometimes its hard to admit that to yourself, so reading it was a good wake up call telling us about what the need for acceptance can lead to.  

Amanda Patino: Blog Option #5

They say siblings are your best friends for life, but if they are your best friends for life, why do we tend to treat them poorly at times? In the short story Sucker, written by the critically acclaimed author, Carson McCullers, the readers become divulged in the lives of two brothers: Pete and Richard (Sucker). While Sucker spends most of his days trying to earn the respect and friendship of his older brother, he is met with dismay when Pete constantly treats him poorly. 

After having his heart broken by the girl of his dreams, Pete's anger and frustrations escalate to the point where he then takes it out on Sucker. During his rampage Pete states, "Nobody cares anything about you! And just because I felt sorry for you sometimes and tried to act decent don't think I give a damn about a dumb-bunny like you" (70).  Once calmed down, Pete realizes all that he has just said, along with the drastic change in Sucker’s persona, and begins to immediately regret everything, even how he has treated Sucker his whole life.

Throughout the short story, McCullens implies that the main theme is acceptance. While Pete was trying to be accepted by the apple of his eyes, Maybelline, Sucker was trying to be accepted by his older brother, Pete. In the story, McCullens writes, “If a person admires you a lot you despise him and don’t care-and it is the person who doesn’t notice you that you are apt to admire” (69). While reading Sucker, I couldn’t help but to think how much truth McCullens statement held, as well as the many times I had been unpleasant towards my younger brother.

Being the middle child while growing up could be great at times. I looked up to my older brother in multiple ways and tried to gain his respect by accomplishing many things. But to my own dismays, he seemed to always shrug off or ignore what I had to say and all that I would do. Feeling resentment towards my older brother, I began to take it out on my younger brother. While my younger brother would harmlessly try to be my friend and admired me, I ignored him and acted the same way towards him that my older brother acted towards me.

When Sucker’s personality changed, it made me realize how I had acted towards my younger brother in the past. Even though my brothers and I can fight at times, we have all earned each other’s respect and are one another’s best friends.  Sucker, is a short story that I would recommend to all of my friends. Although I am rating it a 3, it has the ability to make us reflect on our use of words and actions to those around us. 

Blog Option #2 - Katsigiannis

Option #2

“Sucker” – Carson McCullers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16AWcaERD6I

In Carson McCullers short story, “Sucker” Pete admires Maybelle and claims all of his troubles sprouted from his admiration of her. This song by Aqualung called Strange and Beautiful says, “I’ve been watching your world from afar and I’ve been trying to be where you are… You’d be so perfect with me, but you just can’t see you turn every head but you don’t see me...” This relates to the scene where Pete was dreaming of Maybelle and he said he wanted to ignore someone like Maybelle ignores him.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnmIaBRNPx0&feature=youtu.be

This song, Popular girl buy another Friday is the theme song to Maybelles life. I can just imagine Pete singing this to her. The lyrics remind me of Pete’s struggle to be noticed by the popular senior and all of the obstacles he went through to get her attention.

            https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVyUySWNMFI&feature=youtu.be

           

            Although we don’t get to read this short story from Suckers’ prospective, I feel that every time he reaches out to Pete and ask Pete if he loves him as a brother and the fact that he would do anything to please Pete goes to show that Sucker could really use a big brother or somebody like him after loosing his parents. He is at a very impressionable age and needed Pete.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWkpqb6Zo3k&feature=youtu.be

           

This song describes the waves of Pete and Suckers relationship; initially Pete was always picking on Sucker, calling him stupid but by the end of the short story Sucker had enough and eventually had the upper hand. The room was now both Pete’s and Suckers’. I would imagine this song would come on at the end when Pete says If Sucker could, he would kill him.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IYpu91QwXU

Finally, since Pete is narrating the short story and he seems to be reflecting on his mistakes, I believe the song Lessons Learned by Carrie Underwood is a great song to represent how Pete felt overall about the decision he made regarding the way he treated Sucker.

Option 5

Many stories we read often stick with us past the moment we read them and while thinking back on them we wonder why certain things had happened. To me, “Never Marry a Mexican” by Sandra Cisneros had this effect, I think that the point of the story had to do with stereotyping that occurs within a single race and the concept that just because someone is not seen does not mean they are not there.

Stereotyping came into play when Clemencia’s mother drilled into her head never to marry a Mexican although she herself was Mexican. Clemencia’s father’s family thought he had married down by marrying her mother and after her mother drilling these thoughts into her brain we see a direct impact of how Clemencia see’s men. “I'll never marry. Not any man. I've known men too intimately. I've witnessed their infidelities, and I've helped them to it” (Cisneros 51) the fact the she treats men this way proves her nonattachment in sexual relationship’s caused by her mother she treats these men as her art that she can mold and shape into what she desires.

Art and sexuality played a major role in this story specifically with Clemencia, “I paint, and repaint you the way I see fit even now after all these years did you know that little, fool” (Cisneros 59) which also proves her desire to mold men specifically in that she feels she has sculpted the relationship she had with Drew. This relationship had absolutely no regard to the fact that Drew was married and had a family, she just wanted to feel the power over his wife (we see this on page 60 when she is with Drew the night his child is born). This sense of power continues over Megan as Clemencia leaves gummy bears in places where Megan would know someone had been there, she wanted Megan to know about her relationship with Drew. It was a strange satisfaction to her and it was strange for me to read because I was confused, why would she want to get caught doing something she shouldn’t be? Although Megan did not see her, she wanted to be known.  

I would recommend this story to a friend because it makes you think about all relationships. The relationship between parents and children, lovers, and affairs and how just because is not seen or said doesn’t mean it isn’t there. This story in my opinion is a 5 because I would want to go back and read it again and I would want my friends to read it, Cisneros' writing is extremely interesting and thought-provoking.