Oates does an amazing job of putting an emence amount of detail into almost every page. I got a really good visual of all of the characters and events that happened. She makes the reader feel as if they were there, witnessing or being raped, which sends the reader into the same dark corner as Marianne is put in. There is also a whole chapter called "Family Code" where Oates has the Mulvaney's using their pets to talk through. So, in a way, the pets come to life, and recieve human characters (not exactly personification, because the animals are living... but most animals, (at least the ones on the farm) can't speak in the same language humans do) but the Mulvaney's give them human traits.
"His eyes lifted shyly to hers. The heavy lids, the narrow bridge of the nose, the lank hair fallen onto his forehead. His skin looked grainy, as in an old photograph... Music pounded and pulsed threw the walls" (Oates 77).
This is a passage from the incident itself. It describes Zachary Lundt right before the rape, and his "heavy lids" refer to him being intoxicated. As seen in movies, when was drinks, or get dizzy, everything starts going in circles and pictures become messed up, "grainy", Music so loud, it was heard and "pulsed" threw the walls.
"Suddenly his little boat was in rough, unfriendly waters. Storm winds, heaving waves spinning him out of control" (Oates 382)."
This passage is talking about Michael Mulvaney's life, on the hospital bead. It's actually interesting that Oates is just now calling his little boat (his life) rocky and out of control, because its been slowly spinning out of control for quite some time. His life has gotten to a point where he can't just run away from everything and he now has to face what is going on. These "heaving waves" are his issues coming back, making him deal with the past. The boat is little, because he has shut everyone out and he only has himself, no one else. The sad part is, is that he did this to himself. Not necessarily gave himself cancer, but he abandoned his family. It was his decision, no one else's. He also pretty much drank himself sick, causing his liver and his body to shut down. Threw out the book, Oates has Michael's character portray a dark, un-warming side. His physical and mental features are easily understood due to her way of expressing his character, and his characteristics.
"On Michael's last day at High Point Farm he'd tramped about the property, alone. He saw a half dozen deer grazing in the back pasture, drifting into the orchard. He saw that the pond had become so shallow, chocked with cattails and rushes, it was hardly more than a declivity in the earth. And what a rank-rotting odor lifted from death by dogs, only a part of the carcass remaining" (Oates 386).
If this doesn't put a picture in your head, I'm not sure what will. When I sit here and read this passage, I can see the deer running in the pasture, and the pond covered in cattails. My nose cringes and the smell of the dead dogs, making me reach over to grab mine, knowing she is still alive. Oates connects with the reader, and makes them feel lucky for what they have.
Through out the book, there are many lines just like the following:
"Look, you know you want to. Why'd you come with me if you don't? Nobody's gonna hurt you for Christ's sake get cool!" (Oates 87).
These lines are just bits a pieces from the actual rape. What Zachary says to Marianne. This, in a way, lets the reader understand the tone of voice, by the way its written, and just exactly was said in the car before the incident. Again, Oates does a funaminal job making the reader feel as though they were a witness, or even the victim, hopefully reaching out to the reader to let them know that this is not okay, and the life long effects it can have on someone.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Daddy to the rescue
One day, Corrine was shopping in the supermarket when she bumps into one of Mariane's friends moms. The mother tells Corinne that Marianne has been skipping school and going to church. Corinne then goes to pick up Marianne at the Church, and brings her home. On the way home Marianne and Corinne almost hit an animal, causing Marianne to break down and cry. She cant stop crying, and this is when Corinne realizes there is something wrong and tells Marianne that she needs to go see someone. Marianne refuses and says that everything will be okay if she just goes home. Eventually Corrine brings Marianne to see someone, and tests are ran. The doctor is lead to the idea that Marianne was rapped because there are bruises in her inner thighs and near her breasts. After running tests, the doctor finds out and tells Corinne that Marianne was rapped. They then go home so that Marianne can rest, and when Michael comes home, all hell breaks loose. Corinne walks outside to great Michael, and then tells him that she has bad news. She tells him what had happened to Marianne the previous night at the Valentines day dance, and Michael then immediately gets into his car and speeds over to the house where Marianne stayed. Corinne, knowing that Michael is up to no good, calls the police to have a cop sent over to the house just incase Michael tries to do something.
When Michael gets to the house, he goes insane. He tells that father (Mort) of the boy (Zachary) who wrapped Marianne that he must see the boy at once. The father does not let Michael come into the house, and tells Michael that Zachary is not home. Michael then storms into the house, finds Zachary, lifts him up, and starts to shake and yell at him. He is then arrested and Marianne was taken in to be questioned. She keeps saying that she had some alcohol to drink, and that she doesn't remember everything very clearly, and that she doesn't want to make a false accusation. "I was drinking. It's so hard to remember. I can't swear. I can't be certain. I can't bear false witness" (Oates 142). Mort, Zachary's father, said that if the Mulvaney's do not press charges on Zachary, they wont press charges on Michael.
This is the beginning of when Michael Mulvaney starts to go insane in the brain. He can not stand the fact that he let this happen to his little girl. As a dad, he is supposed to protect his kids, especially his baby girl. Michael can't stand the thought of failure, and tries to not come into contact with Marianne as much. Corinne and Michael finally come to the conclusion that it would be best to send Marianne away to live with a distant relative. After she leaves, Michael is never home. He is always out drinking away his problems, and running away from all his failures. This leads to his company closing, the family filing for bankruptcy, the farm having to be sold, the split between him and Corrine, and the corruption of his family.
Running away from problems is not a good idea. Using alcohol as an escape is not a good idea either. Many families today have issues within their family post drinking as well as prior to drinking. Families become abusive and distant due to alcohol and sometimes ends in very tragic ways.
When Michael gets to the house, he goes insane. He tells that father (Mort) of the boy (Zachary) who wrapped Marianne that he must see the boy at once. The father does not let Michael come into the house, and tells Michael that Zachary is not home. Michael then storms into the house, finds Zachary, lifts him up, and starts to shake and yell at him. He is then arrested and Marianne was taken in to be questioned. She keeps saying that she had some alcohol to drink, and that she doesn't remember everything very clearly, and that she doesn't want to make a false accusation. "I was drinking. It's so hard to remember. I can't swear. I can't be certain. I can't bear false witness" (Oates 142). Mort, Zachary's father, said that if the Mulvaney's do not press charges on Zachary, they wont press charges on Michael.
This is the beginning of when Michael Mulvaney starts to go insane in the brain. He can not stand the fact that he let this happen to his little girl. As a dad, he is supposed to protect his kids, especially his baby girl. Michael can't stand the thought of failure, and tries to not come into contact with Marianne as much. Corinne and Michael finally come to the conclusion that it would be best to send Marianne away to live with a distant relative. After she leaves, Michael is never home. He is always out drinking away his problems, and running away from all his failures. This leads to his company closing, the family filing for bankruptcy, the farm having to be sold, the split between him and Corrine, and the corruption of his family.
Running away from problems is not a good idea. Using alcohol as an escape is not a good idea either. Many families today have issues within their family post drinking as well as prior to drinking. Families become abusive and distant due to alcohol and sometimes ends in very tragic ways.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Music explains it so much better..
Let me tell you about a girl I know,
had a drink about a hour ago.
Sitting in a corner by herself, in a bar in downtown Hell.
She heard a noise and she looked through the door.
And saw a man she'd never seen before.
Light skin, light blue eyes, a double-chin and a plastic smile.
Well, her heart raced as he walked in the door
And took an empty seat next to her at the bar.
"My brand new car is parked right outside. How'd ya like to go for a ride?"
And she said."Wait a minute I have to think."
He said, "That's fine. May I please buy you a drink"
One drink turned into 3 or 4 and they left and got into his car
and they drove away someplace real far.
Now babe the time has come.
How'd ya like to have a little fun?
And she said."If we could only please be on our way, I will not run."
That's when things got out of control.
She didn't want to, he had his way.
She said, "Let's Go"
He said, "No Way!"
Come on babe it's your lucky day.
Shut your mouth, were gonna do it my way.
Come on baby don't be afraid,
if it wasn't for date rape I'd never get laid.
He finished up and he started the car
He turned around and drove back to the bar.
He said."Now baby don't be sad, in my opinion you weren't half-bad."
She picked up a rock.,threw it at the car, hit him in the head, now he's got a big scar.
Come on party people won't you listen to me.
Date Rape Stylee.
The next day she went to her drawer, look up her local attorney at law,
went to the phone and filed the police report and then she took the guy's ass to court.
Well, the day he stood in front of the judge he screamed, "She lies that little slut!"
The judge knew that he was full of shit and he gave him 25 years
And now his heart is filled with cheers.
One night in jail it was getting late.
He was jfjghfgfhgf by a large inmate, and he screamed.
But the guards paid no attention to his cries.
That's when things got out of control.
The moral of the date rape story, it does not pay to be drunk and horny.
But that's the way it had to be.
They locked him up and threw away the key.
Well, I can't take pity on men of his kind,
even though he now takes it in the behind.
But that's the way it had to be.
They locked him up and threw away the key.
Well, I can't take pity on men of his kind,
even though he now takes it in the behind.
DATE RAPE!
She didn't want to [x4]
TAKE IT!
Okay, so the song might take rape a little too far.. but it does get down to the point. The real music video visually shows what goes on, but personally, it's a bit too PG-not to watch at school. So I decided to leave it off. No one should go the the bar alone. If the girl in the bar had been with another person, that other person could have kept her from drinking that much, or even being raped. This is a lesson to all girls, especially ages 15-25. Never be alone in a bar. Anything bad could happen. And DO NOT let another guy buy you drinks unless you know his intentions or you know him well.If some random guy, possibly the guy who bought you the drinks, offers to take you home, say no and call up a friend or a cab, so that you know where you are going to end up. The girl in the song made a mistake by drinking, so she already is a little woozy, and doesn't know your boundaries. But mainly, she got in the car with the man she didn't know, and of course he has other intentions rather than taking her home because he is intoxicated as well so A. he shouldn't even be driving in the first place and B. all he has on his mind is sex. Also, at parties, keep your cup in hand, and know what people are serving you. Know your boundaries, and don't drink to much when your in a unsafe of unusual situation. Be smart.
had a drink about a hour ago.
Sitting in a corner by herself, in a bar in downtown Hell.
She heard a noise and she looked through the door.
And saw a man she'd never seen before.
Light skin, light blue eyes, a double-chin and a plastic smile.
Well, her heart raced as he walked in the door
And took an empty seat next to her at the bar.
"My brand new car is parked right outside. How'd ya like to go for a ride?"
And she said."Wait a minute I have to think."
He said, "That's fine. May I please buy you a drink"
One drink turned into 3 or 4 and they left and got into his car
and they drove away someplace real far.
Now babe the time has come.
How'd ya like to have a little fun?
And she said."If we could only please be on our way, I will not run."
That's when things got out of control.
She didn't want to, he had his way.
She said, "Let's Go"
He said, "No Way!"
Come on babe it's your lucky day.
Shut your mouth, were gonna do it my way.
Come on baby don't be afraid,
if it wasn't for date rape I'd never get laid.
He finished up and he started the car
He turned around and drove back to the bar.
He said."Now baby don't be sad, in my opinion you weren't half-bad."
She picked up a rock.,threw it at the car, hit him in the head, now he's got a big scar.
Come on party people won't you listen to me.
Date Rape Stylee.
The next day she went to her drawer, look up her local attorney at law,
went to the phone and filed the police report and then she took the guy's ass to court.
Well, the day he stood in front of the judge he screamed, "She lies that little slut!"
The judge knew that he was full of shit and he gave him 25 years
And now his heart is filled with cheers.
One night in jail it was getting late.
He was jfjghfgfhgf by a large inmate, and he screamed.
But the guards paid no attention to his cries.
That's when things got out of control.
The moral of the date rape story, it does not pay to be drunk and horny.
But that's the way it had to be.
They locked him up and threw away the key.
Well, I can't take pity on men of his kind,
even though he now takes it in the behind.
But that's the way it had to be.
They locked him up and threw away the key.
Well, I can't take pity on men of his kind,
even though he now takes it in the behind.
DATE RAPE!
She didn't want to [x4]
TAKE IT!
Okay, so the song might take rape a little too far.. but it does get down to the point. The real music video visually shows what goes on, but personally, it's a bit too PG-not to watch at school. So I decided to leave it off. No one should go the the bar alone. If the girl in the bar had been with another person, that other person could have kept her from drinking that much, or even being raped. This is a lesson to all girls, especially ages 15-25. Never be alone in a bar. Anything bad could happen. And DO NOT let another guy buy you drinks unless you know his intentions or you know him well.If some random guy, possibly the guy who bought you the drinks, offers to take you home, say no and call up a friend or a cab, so that you know where you are going to end up. The girl in the song made a mistake by drinking, so she already is a little woozy, and doesn't know your boundaries. But mainly, she got in the car with the man she didn't know, and of course he has other intentions rather than taking her home because he is intoxicated as well so A. he shouldn't even be driving in the first place and B. all he has on his mind is sex. Also, at parties, keep your cup in hand, and know what people are serving you. Know your boundaries, and don't drink to much when your in a unsafe of unusual situation. Be smart.
Monday, November 9, 2009
To sum it all up.. (not a main post)
The Mulvaney's were the most perfect family one could ever meet. They had everything going for them. A perfect house, perfect children, perfect lifestyle. Everything. Until on night on Valentine's day, Marianne, the Mulvaney's only girl, was asked to the formal by a friend. While at the dance, her date left her, and was escorted home by her friends brother, Zachary. Little did she know that the next few minutes of her life would change everything forever. That night, she was rapped by Zachary Lundt. Marianne's rape turned the lives and reputation of all the Mulvaney's upside down. Her father, Michael Sr., was embarrassed at the fact that he failed to keep his daughter safe. Her two older brothers, Michael Jr. and Patrick, were made fun of at school and around town, and her little brother Judd lacked someone to look up to. After this tragic event, Marianne was sent away to a cousins house, and pretty much forgotten about. Her father said he would keep in touch, but never did and her mother a siblings failed to call a lot as well. After Marianne leaves, things get worse. Michael Sr. and Michael Jr. both become alcoholics, and Michael Jr. is sent away to the Marines. The family farm is put up for sale. Michael Sr.'s company closes. The family files for bankruptcy. MIchael and Corinne (Marianne's mother) split. And Michael Sr. dies due to cancer. By the end of the book, after a long long long time of being separated, the family comes back for a July 4th reunion with their families. Everyone seems to be happy, and everyone seems to be changed for the better.
2
The number of minutes that passes between rapes in America, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
75
The percentage of female rape victims who require medical care after the attack.
48
The percentage of all rapes and sexual assaults in America that are reported to the police; that's fewer than half!
20
The percentage of rapes and sexual assaults reported in South Africa.
475
Prostitutes from five different countries (South Africa, Thailand, Turkey, USA, and Zambia) reported that: 62% had been raped in prostitution. 73% had been physically assaulted in prostitution.
83
Every 83 seconds a woman is raped in South Africa.
68
The percentage of rapes in the U.S. that occur between the hours of 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.
45
The percentage of rapists who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs during the rape.
SouthernBell says, "Date rape is still rape. It is in the name. If you date some person and they rape you, they clearly have no respect for you at all."
29
The percentage of rapes when the offender used a weapon.
47
The percentage of rapes when the victim sustained injuries other than rape injuries.
75
The percentage of female rape victims who require medical care after the attack.
50% Of women in South African women will be raped.
7%
Of the rapes that were reported and prosecuted in 1999. (Around 4,000 rapes were reported)
223,280
The number of rape, attempted rape or sexual assault in the U.S. from 2002-2003.
4,065
The number of those 223,280 attacks that resulted in pregnancies.
10%
Of the rape victims in 2003 that were male.
44%
Of rape victims are under the age of 18.
15%
Of rape victims are under age 12.
http://www.youthnoise.com/page.php?page_id=2620
2
The number of minutes that passes between rapes in America, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
75
The percentage of female rape victims who require medical care after the attack.
48
The percentage of all rapes and sexual assaults in America that are reported to the police; that's fewer than half!
20
The percentage of rapes and sexual assaults reported in South Africa.
475
Prostitutes from five different countries (South Africa, Thailand, Turkey, USA, and Zambia) reported that: 62% had been raped in prostitution. 73% had been physically assaulted in prostitution.
83
Every 83 seconds a woman is raped in South Africa.
68
The percentage of rapes in the U.S. that occur between the hours of 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.
45
The percentage of rapists who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs during the rape.
SouthernBell says, "Date rape is still rape. It is in the name. If you date some person and they rape you, they clearly have no respect for you at all."
29
The percentage of rapes when the offender used a weapon.
47
The percentage of rapes when the victim sustained injuries other than rape injuries.
75
The percentage of female rape victims who require medical care after the attack.
50% Of women in South African women will be raped.
7%
Of the rapes that were reported and prosecuted in 1999. (Around 4,000 rapes were reported)
223,280
The number of rape, attempted rape or sexual assault in the U.S. from 2002-2003.
4,065
The number of those 223,280 attacks that resulted in pregnancies.
10%
Of the rape victims in 2003 that were male.
44%
Of rape victims are under the age of 18.
15%
Of rape victims are under age 12.
http://www.youthnoise.com/page.php?page_id=2620
Image Study
http://www.sungboutiquela.com/purple-satin-halter-evening-dress-p-635.htmlHere is a picture of a purple satin dress. This dress resembles the dress that Marianne wore to her Valentine prom. She made it herself, and everyone complements her on it and the hard work that was put into it. Marianne was so proud of her work and was in love with her dress. She wore it with pride, and in a way it was a symbol of who she was. A very pristine, beautiful, comforting girl just like the dress. But, after only wearing it for only a few hours, everything turned and went down hill. Zach wanted to rip the beautiful dress off of Marianne, and ruin the work and effort she put into making it. A dress once cherished and loved by Marianne slowly became into a dress that she could not let her eyes see.
"That Sunday afternoon, upstairs in her bedroom, Marianne methodically emptied her garment bag of everything except the satin prom dress, her fingers moving numbly and blindly, yet efficiently. She then zipped the bag shut again and hung it in the farthest corner of her closet beneath the sharp slanting eaves. Always, you maintain you dignity" (Oates 65). After the dance, she no longer saw the dress by its utter beauty, but by its horrible memories, and the time when she lost her innocence. No longer will she be able to wear the dress again, partially due to the fact that its torn and has many blood stains on it and also because she can't continue to bring herself back to that awful night."Unless a giddy blur, a girl not herself and not anyone she knew. Coughing and chocking dribbling vomit hot as acid across her chin, in a torn dress of cream-colored purple satin and strawberry-colored chiffon, legs running! running! clumsy as snipping shears plied by a child" (page 74-75). After being torn by Zach when he raped her, she tried running away from him, which caused the dress to tare even more. The beautiful elegant dress is now nothing but memories that Marianne doesn't want to remember.
Here is a picture of what I personally think Molly O looks like. Molly O is Marianne's horse that she got as a gift when she was a little girl. When Marianne comes home from the dance the next day, she doesn't want to talk to anyone. She tries to go though the day without letting her mother see her, and when Patrick comes to pick her up, she barley says one word to him. When Corinne, Marianne's mother asks her to help with supper, just as she usually does, she excuses herself and tells her mother that she is going out to the barn to see Molly O. Marianne has not been out to see her in a while, nor ride her in a while because of all the work she has had to do for school and the extra practice time she has to put in for the cheerleading team. She apologizes to Molly O and gives her a treat. Marianne used to ride Molly O all the time as a little child. Marianne wants to be able to feel as though she still has her innocence of a little girl, and hopes that by going out to the barn, she will see that everything is just that way she left it. Unfortunately, when walking into the barn she realizes that nothings the same, including her.
http://www.smokymountainparkarabians.com/tremepartyz.com/
http://www.youthnoise.com/site/images/fitc/dv2017013.gif
Above is a picture of a girl who has just been raped and only wants to be alone. She has been taking advantage of and feels likes she is the dirtiest person alive. She has lost her innocence and her dignity, and does not know who to turn to. Marianne feels so violated by Zach, and can't bring herself to think about that horrific night.
"You know you want to, Marianne- why's you come with me if you don't? I'm not gonna hurt you for Christ's sake. Come on! Nobody plays games with me" (Oates 68). Zach is yelling at Marianne to do what he says, and she has no idea what else to do but go through with what he wants. She is at this time a bit intoxicated, but she is also in complete shock.
http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/10099808/Riser
The picture above is the Bouguereau's L'Innocence: Both young children and lamb are symbols of innocence. The loss of innocence is a big theme in this book, and it continue throughout, and Marianne is forced out of her comfort zone and into the adult world. She can no longer be the baby, and her mother can no longer take control of Marianne and her actions, as well as baby her and keep her safe. The background of this picture is very dark, and mysterious, and the path of life will lead Marianne on some winding journeys, but soon she will hit the light, and everything will clear up for her.
"O Jesus have pity, Jesus let me be alright.
Always, you maintain your DIGNITY. You're a Mulvaney, you will be judged by different standards." (Oates 90).
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Character Study
So far, there are only two main characters that have been introduced in the story. There is Judd, who the story is told by, and also Marianne, whom was the one that ruined the Mulvaneys' reputation. Also their mother Corinne has come into play and shows how important love is in a family so big.
Judd Mulvaney - The youngest of the Mulvaneys' which makes him feel as if he has been left out, especially when it comes to memories when he wasn't born."Where's the baby? Whose got the baby?" (Oates 4). He continuously gets forgotten about and has to grow up faster due to the people that surrounded him and his environment When Judd is around thirty, he becomes the editor of a twice-a-week local newspaper.
Marianne Mulvaney - She is the only girl of the family and is pretty much flawless. "The Miracle baby" (Oates111). She is popular, leader on the cheer squad and a member of the 4-H club. Everyone at her school looks up to her, and is asked by Zachary Lundt to the Valentine's dance. When the dance is over, she sleeps out in the town with her friends. Unfortunately, her date put alcohol in her drink, and she passed out. Zach then took advantage of her and raped her. When she got home after that night, she didn't want to be near anyone and felt like she couldn't get clean. She took shower after shower after shower and still couldn't get clean. She just wants to be alone, and feels as though no one else wants to be near her either because she has done something bad, and that she is contaminated.
Corinne Mulvaney - Is the mother of both Marianne and Judd, along with Patrick and Michael Jr. She is the glue that keeps the family together, and always has a positive outlook on everything as well as life itself. She is very compassionate about her belongings and her hobby of refurnishing antiques. She tries to equally spend time with her children and makes sure that she always tell each child how much she loves them. Corinne and her husband Michael Sr. get along very well and almost never fight. But after the family finds out about Marianne being rapped, she stands by her husband and agrees to send Marianne away because it is to hard and embarrassing to live with her. Corinne as well as Michael feel like they have failed their children by not taking care of Marianne and making sure that nothing like the night of the rape was to ever happen.
Michael Mulvaney- He is the father of Marianne, and is a huge supporter of all of his kids. He was the go to guy, and cherished and loved his family. But after the rape of Marianne, his status continued to go downhill. He stopped caring for his family, stayed out late drinking, lost all his friends, and lost control of his life. He became an alcoholic and never spent time at home. He lost his business, causing him to loose his job. He lost the farm, and also lost Corinne and the family. He couldn't take on the stress anymore, and always ran away from his problems. After plummeting down a long, dark tunnel, he finally hits rock bottom, and is found on the side of the street unconscious. He is rushed to the hospital, and the only people that the police could trace him back to was his family that he had betrayed. Michael was diagnosed with cancer, and called for someone important on his deathbed. BUT; no one is sure if he was calling for Marianne, his daughter whom he had not seen in many years, or his sister Marian. Michael Mulvaney was an extremely round character, because he had many different sides to him, and never seemed to stop changing, unfortunately for the worse.
Michael Jr. Mulvaney - Eldest son of the Mulvaney family, and was the stud on the football team. After the Marianne's rape, everything for him too went down hill. Like father like son. Michael drank and was alway getting pulled over by the police. Because of his football reputation, he talks his way out of almost all of his tickets, but after getting in a serious car accident with one of the girls he was talking to, he decides it is time for a change. He signs up to join the Marines and is shipped of to work.
Patrick Mulvaney - Second born of the crew."One that kept you on your toes, but was capable of heartrending sweetness"(Oates 110). He is the genius of the bunch but after the incident, his reputation too goes down. He was asked to speak as valedictorian at his graduation, and screws up his chance by setting off a stink bomb in the vents. He turns into a rebel, because Marianne has ruined his life at the high school, because no one wants to be friends with him. He then goes off to college in his own and one spring break, he comes home to visit the family. He is still mad about what Zachary did to his little sister and starts to plan his revenge. He sneaks out one night and kidnaps Zachary, holding him a gun point and almost drowning him. He then leaves college and travels around the world. When he is seen at the reunion, his life seems to be back in order and going well.
Zachary Lundt - Zach is a popular boy he attends the same High school as the Mulvaney's. He is the boy who rapped Marianne. He saw her at the Valentine's day dance, and couldn't keep his eyes off of her. Zachary is a year older than Marianne, and the same age as her older brother Patrick. After seeing Marianne's date leave her without a ride home, he offers her a ride in his car. Once in the car, Zachary offers her a drink, which is really alcohol. He then talks to her about his life, and how complicated it is, and tells her that she is an easy person to talk to. But after only a few minutes in the car, Zachary becomes upset, and hits and rapes Marianne. Unfortunately, all of the people at the High school take Zach's side, and turn against the Mulvaney's.
Judd Mulvaney - The youngest of the Mulvaneys' which makes him feel as if he has been left out, especially when it comes to memories when he wasn't born."Where's the baby? Whose got the baby?" (Oates 4). He continuously gets forgotten about and has to grow up faster due to the people that surrounded him and his environment When Judd is around thirty, he becomes the editor of a twice-a-week local newspaper.
Marianne Mulvaney - She is the only girl of the family and is pretty much flawless. "The Miracle baby" (Oates111). She is popular, leader on the cheer squad and a member of the 4-H club. Everyone at her school looks up to her, and is asked by Zachary Lundt to the Valentine's dance. When the dance is over, she sleeps out in the town with her friends. Unfortunately, her date put alcohol in her drink, and she passed out. Zach then took advantage of her and raped her. When she got home after that night, she didn't want to be near anyone and felt like she couldn't get clean. She took shower after shower after shower and still couldn't get clean. She just wants to be alone, and feels as though no one else wants to be near her either because she has done something bad, and that she is contaminated.
Corinne Mulvaney - Is the mother of both Marianne and Judd, along with Patrick and Michael Jr. She is the glue that keeps the family together, and always has a positive outlook on everything as well as life itself. She is very compassionate about her belongings and her hobby of refurnishing antiques. She tries to equally spend time with her children and makes sure that she always tell each child how much she loves them. Corinne and her husband Michael Sr. get along very well and almost never fight. But after the family finds out about Marianne being rapped, she stands by her husband and agrees to send Marianne away because it is to hard and embarrassing to live with her. Corinne as well as Michael feel like they have failed their children by not taking care of Marianne and making sure that nothing like the night of the rape was to ever happen.
Michael Mulvaney- He is the father of Marianne, and is a huge supporter of all of his kids. He was the go to guy, and cherished and loved his family. But after the rape of Marianne, his status continued to go downhill. He stopped caring for his family, stayed out late drinking, lost all his friends, and lost control of his life. He became an alcoholic and never spent time at home. He lost his business, causing him to loose his job. He lost the farm, and also lost Corinne and the family. He couldn't take on the stress anymore, and always ran away from his problems. After plummeting down a long, dark tunnel, he finally hits rock bottom, and is found on the side of the street unconscious. He is rushed to the hospital, and the only people that the police could trace him back to was his family that he had betrayed. Michael was diagnosed with cancer, and called for someone important on his deathbed. BUT; no one is sure if he was calling for Marianne, his daughter whom he had not seen in many years, or his sister Marian. Michael Mulvaney was an extremely round character, because he had many different sides to him, and never seemed to stop changing, unfortunately for the worse.
Michael Jr. Mulvaney - Eldest son of the Mulvaney family, and was the stud on the football team. After the Marianne's rape, everything for him too went down hill. Like father like son. Michael drank and was alway getting pulled over by the police. Because of his football reputation, he talks his way out of almost all of his tickets, but after getting in a serious car accident with one of the girls he was talking to, he decides it is time for a change. He signs up to join the Marines and is shipped of to work.
Patrick Mulvaney - Second born of the crew."One that kept you on your toes, but was capable of heartrending sweetness"(Oates 110). He is the genius of the bunch but after the incident, his reputation too goes down. He was asked to speak as valedictorian at his graduation, and screws up his chance by setting off a stink bomb in the vents. He turns into a rebel, because Marianne has ruined his life at the high school, because no one wants to be friends with him. He then goes off to college in his own and one spring break, he comes home to visit the family. He is still mad about what Zachary did to his little sister and starts to plan his revenge. He sneaks out one night and kidnaps Zachary, holding him a gun point and almost drowning him. He then leaves college and travels around the world. When he is seen at the reunion, his life seems to be back in order and going well.
Zachary Lundt - Zach is a popular boy he attends the same High school as the Mulvaney's. He is the boy who rapped Marianne. He saw her at the Valentine's day dance, and couldn't keep his eyes off of her. Zachary is a year older than Marianne, and the same age as her older brother Patrick. After seeing Marianne's date leave her without a ride home, he offers her a ride in his car. Once in the car, Zachary offers her a drink, which is really alcohol. He then talks to her about his life, and how complicated it is, and tells her that she is an easy person to talk to. But after only a few minutes in the car, Zachary becomes upset, and hits and rapes Marianne. Unfortunately, all of the people at the High school take Zach's side, and turn against the Mulvaney's.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Tick-tock, Tick-tock..
"You're a Mulvaney, you will be judged by different standards" (Oates 90).
Marianne begins to recall more and more lines of the horrible event that happened the previous night. Since getting home from the LaPortes', she had bathed twice. She stumbled into her friends house way after everyone else was in bed, in a torn dress and vomit dripping down the side of her mouth, legs bruised and out of breath. She needed to be clean, needed to scrub her body until she was raw. She felt like her innocence had been ripped from beneath her at the drop of a hat. Perfect little popular goody goody Marianne, stuck in this type of situation. How could someone hurt and abuse such a perfect child? She never thought that she would be taken advantage of, and neither did anyone in her family. No one could go as low as harming an angel.
"You know you want to, why'd you come with me if you don't?" (Oates 82).
"Nobody's gonna hurt you for Christ's sake get cool." (Oates 82).
Marianne's date offered to get her orange juice, and Marianne thought that there was no harm to it whatsoever.
WRONG.
He put alcohol in her drink, which made her loose her strong sense of awareness. The OJ stung the back her throat, unlike any kind of juice she's ever had before.
Why her? Why perfect little Marianne?
On a side note, everyone should be aware of this event. This could always happen to, obviously, anyone. Putting your drink down at a party = bad idea. Keep your drink with you at all times, therefore no one has a chance to drop something in it. Be aware of who you are with and your surroundings, when you get uncomfortable. Leave. The sooner the better. If Marianna had left when she first felt the sense of things going wrong, she would have never fallen into this ordeal.
The longer she lays in bed, the louder the clock gets.
Tick-tock, Tick-tock...
Marianne begins to recall more and more lines of the horrible event that happened the previous night. Since getting home from the LaPortes', she had bathed twice. She stumbled into her friends house way after everyone else was in bed, in a torn dress and vomit dripping down the side of her mouth, legs bruised and out of breath. She needed to be clean, needed to scrub her body until she was raw. She felt like her innocence had been ripped from beneath her at the drop of a hat. Perfect little popular goody goody Marianne, stuck in this type of situation. How could someone hurt and abuse such a perfect child? She never thought that she would be taken advantage of, and neither did anyone in her family. No one could go as low as harming an angel.
"You know you want to, why'd you come with me if you don't?" (Oates 82).
"Nobody's gonna hurt you for Christ's sake get cool." (Oates 82).
Marianne's date offered to get her orange juice, and Marianne thought that there was no harm to it whatsoever.
WRONG.
He put alcohol in her drink, which made her loose her strong sense of awareness. The OJ stung the back her throat, unlike any kind of juice she's ever had before.
Why her? Why perfect little Marianne?
On a side note, everyone should be aware of this event. This could always happen to, obviously, anyone. Putting your drink down at a party = bad idea. Keep your drink with you at all times, therefore no one has a chance to drop something in it. Be aware of who you are with and your surroundings, when you get uncomfortable. Leave. The sooner the better. If Marianna had left when she first felt the sense of things going wrong, she would have never fallen into this ordeal.
The longer she lays in bed, the louder the clock gets.
Tick-tock, Tick-tock...
Monday, November 2, 2009
The secret slowly uncovers..
Marianne calls home early and tells her mom that she needs a ride home early than what her date was offering, so Corinne, Marianne's mother, tells Patrick, one of her son's, to go get her from the house she was at.
Patrick, in his head, talks about how good of a girl Marianne was, and looking back after the family had been destroyed, he should have picked out the flaws of the trip home from Marianne's date's house. Marianne was extra quite on this particular day, but Patrick was relieved that they were going to be able to ride home in silence. After all, going several miles into town to pick up his kid sister on a weekend was not all to appealing. When Marianne got out of the car, Patrick offered to get her stuff out of the trunk. She snapped and said its fine. i have it. its fine. Looking back, Patrick feels so guilty for not realizing that his sister was hurting, and that she had been hurt as well.
The chapter continues to talk about a young lady named Della Rae. She was some "dirty" girl whom not many people we fond of. She repeated grades numerous amount of times, was never clean, and was teased and used by the upper class-men. Also, Corinne, the mother of the family, talks about her experience when she was a little child, with her mother one winter afternoon. She talked about how her mother and her were in the car and all of a sudden, a snow storm swept in, trapping them and sending them into a ditch. They got out of the car, and walked for several miles one way. Then, after Corinne's mother prayed, a family of fireflies swooped down and Corinne and her mother decided to follow them. Amazingly, the fireflies led them to shelter, which just so happened to be Corinne's school, which was on break for the winter holidays.
Unfortunately i am forced to continue to put this book down, due to an emense (killed the spelling on that word..) load of homework these past two weeks. But im going to stay up late to read tonight:)) YAYAYAYAY!!!
Patrick, in his head, talks about how good of a girl Marianne was, and looking back after the family had been destroyed, he should have picked out the flaws of the trip home from Marianne's date's house. Marianne was extra quite on this particular day, but Patrick was relieved that they were going to be able to ride home in silence. After all, going several miles into town to pick up his kid sister on a weekend was not all to appealing. When Marianne got out of the car, Patrick offered to get her stuff out of the trunk. She snapped and said its fine. i have it. its fine. Looking back, Patrick feels so guilty for not realizing that his sister was hurting, and that she had been hurt as well.
The chapter continues to talk about a young lady named Della Rae. She was some "dirty" girl whom not many people we fond of. She repeated grades numerous amount of times, was never clean, and was teased and used by the upper class-men. Also, Corinne, the mother of the family, talks about her experience when she was a little child, with her mother one winter afternoon. She talked about how her mother and her were in the car and all of a sudden, a snow storm swept in, trapping them and sending them into a ditch. They got out of the car, and walked for several miles one way. Then, after Corinne's mother prayed, a family of fireflies swooped down and Corinne and her mother decided to follow them. Amazingly, the fireflies led them to shelter, which just so happened to be Corinne's school, which was on break for the winter holidays.
Unfortunately i am forced to continue to put this book down, due to an emense (killed the spelling on that word..) load of homework these past two weeks. But im going to stay up late to read tonight:)) YAYAYAYAY!!!
Monday, October 26, 2009
And so it begins..
So far, I have gotten in trouble in 4 out of 6 classes for having this book out durring another teachers instructional hour. I have yet to get into the juicy part of the book, but have so far been intrigued by the character whom is taking the lead role right now, Judd. He currently is the Editor in chief of the Chautauqua Falls Journal, and is writting a "good,decent,truth-telling paper" (Oates 11) and thats where his backround story comes into view. He has gone back to when he was only 10 years old, and talked about how he was never included into any of the families memories. He tries so hard to remember the times that his family always laughs and talks about, and even though he was not alive then, he tells himself he was part of it. Judd says that when he was young, and he went to bed, he was gone. He fell into a deep deep sleep, and was never awoken. Except for one night when he heard a doe outside, and went eagerly to follow it. He followed it all the way down to the pond, where a pack of dogs took her and brought her into the woods, and Judd never saw the doe again. He then went inside to clean up and runs into his older brother. But he knew that his brother would not tell on him. His secret was safe.
Later, Corinne talks about how perfect her children are, and that they are so self-dependent, that she never has any issues with them. But one day, when Marianne goes to the prom with her "date" everything turns around for the Mulvaneys, not knowing whether or not their status would ever return.
Later, Corinne talks about how perfect her children are, and that they are so self-dependent, that she never has any issues with them. But one day, when Marianne goes to the prom with her "date" everything turns around for the Mulvaneys, not knowing whether or not their status would ever return.
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