Christina Bonvicin
May 8, 2009
The Soloist Part II
During this week's discussion, a few questions stuck out to me about The Soloist. We had a very lively discussion on Wednesday, contributing ideas for the class about Steve Lopez's writing style and the topics he writes about. To me it seems that Lopez writes about the things that no one else really knows about, like the basketball player from Compton or the censored radio station Pacifica.
Nathaniel is someone no one really knows about... That is, until a twist of fate brings him right into the hands of Lopez, who just happens to be a writer for the LA Times. Sure, the people on Skid Row know about Nathaniel. They know he's homeless like all the rest of them. But they don't know that he's a Juilliard alum, a prodigy that has to transpose the pieces of music he's learned from the double bass onto a violin with two strings. They don't know him like that. Lopez wouldn't have known if he hadn't stumbled across Nathaniel. Lopez wouldn't have known much about Nathaniel if he hadn't cared about Nathaniel the way he does. It's great that Lopez does care. He learns much about the prodigy that is Nathaniel Ayers.
One series of questions that arose during the discussion on Wednesday was a question that was prompted by Jamal's talk of people with mental illness, on whether or not they should be forced to take medication or if they could make choices by themselves. Well, does having a mental illness take away from one's freedom to choose for themselves? At what time do you force someone to do something, because you can't tell if they are completely there? Is it right either way?
These were the questions formed in my mind during that discussion. Personally, I don't think that having a mental illness takes away one's right to be able to make there own discussions. The only way that should happen is if the person has multiple personalities, where one or more of the personalities wants to do wrong by their 'host' body, or if the mental illness has reached such a stage that the person has no idea what to do for themselves anymore. These are the situations, I believe, that are the only times that people can take away one's right to choose. If someone takes away another person's right when they are fully capable of of making their own decisions.
In all, the discussion on Wednesday prompted those questions, because in the book Lopez wonders on whether or not he should get Nathaniel help. I think it's better for the both of them if he just let's Nathaniel be, for now, since Nathaniel seems happy and content living on the streets. That's really all that matters in life, right? Happiness?
Focus on...
--- ramble/flow of piece
--- any grammar mistakes
--- my ideas vs. ideas in the book vs. your ideas
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being that i just finished chapt 12 I really understand where you are coming from....great specific detail good piece of writing
ReplyDeleteChrissy you always write a long piece. Great idea in giving your thoughts. You are always able to express yourself well and you give a lot of thought into your work.
ReplyDeleteWow, your posts are always long xD anyway, I liked how you included about our class discussion on Wednesday, along with Jamal's points on mental illness. Your grammar seems to be very good and I can't seem to find any mistakes. The flow of your post is very consistent and there isn't much rambling at all.
ReplyDeleteI don't think what you've written here is rambling. On the contrary, I think you're working to unpack some pretty big questions about Lopez's involvement in Ayer's life, and more broadly about any individual's involvement in the lives of the poor, mentally ill, and/or disenfranchised members of society. As Lopez states in his book, his motives for the actions he has taken have been called into question, especially since with the publication of a book and the release of a major motion picture he has certainly had a great deal to gain from this relationship. It will be interesting to see how/if you are able to resolve of the questions you pose as you continue your reading.
ReplyDeleteChrissy this post is very specific and in detail. I found it interesting how you linked it to previuos discussions that we had on the book .This shows you turely pay attetnion towhats goin on weven if its not your favorate thing. I also see verty little rambling and lots off good grammer
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