In Mike Tyson's book "Undisputed Truth"Tyson speaks about his incredibly tough upbringing. I think there is one main lesson that comes out of this book and that is that even the toughest still have a heart. I think that is the overall main lesson of the book and even though I am not finished, you can tell that all he wanted was to be loved and he would do whatever it took to receive love.
Mike Tyson grew up in Brownsville, and with no real father and a drug addict mother. He committed 38 felonies before he was 13 and he was just involved with gangs and fighting and with all kinds of bad influences around him. In the prologue, he mentions that he was in such a search for love that when he was famous, he would give so much money to charities and people around him thinking that they could love him. Not the image of Mike Tyson you think about when you hear his name. When you hear his name it's one of the strongest, craziest boxers and people to ever live. But this man didn't know what love was and had never experienced it. It seems ironic that a man who punches another until they fall unconscious was in search of love, but that was the only way he could find love. By winning fights, by winning money, and then using money as a way for people to love him.
In conclusion, I think that this book on Tyson not only reveals his inner, more gentle-hearted self, but also shows how even the toughest and baddest of all people, still have a heart. And that heart may be the only thing they've been looking for, and will do anything to find it.
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Open by Andre Agassi
In the book "Open" by Andre Agassi, Agassi's relationship with his dad is what Agassi speaks most about. He talks about how much he hates his dad and tennis, yet his dad is the reason he has become the legend he is today. This is contradictory, and the real lesson that comes out of this book, is to pursue what you love.
One way Agassi gets this message across to the reader is by showing his relationship with his dad. His dad forced him to play tennis because he saw the real potential Andre had, but Andre hated tennis. What I find incredibly interesting, is that still to this day, Andre doesn't like tennis. The game that brought him money, fame and glory and that he was at one point the best in the world at, he hates. It shows his character and the independent person he was, but was not allowed to be due to his father's overshadowing and decision to make him pursue a career as a tennis player. Also, you can tell he was unhappy and wanted another life. For example, he rebelled against his school when he was shipped to Bollettieri's academy, he would not listen in school and go against the rules. It shows how unhappy he was. Even if he knew that tennis would be the key to success, he didn't want to go down that road.
All in all, my admiration for Agassi is endless, because as I am still young and play tennis, and know all the frustrations that come with the game, I can't imagine what it would be like to play it everyday, especially when you don't like it. To overcome his hate for tennis, and play because he loves his dad and wants to please his dad is above all the reason he played. And I am still amazed at how one person could hate a game that brought them everything they have.
One way Agassi gets this message across to the reader is by showing his relationship with his dad. His dad forced him to play tennis because he saw the real potential Andre had, but Andre hated tennis. What I find incredibly interesting, is that still to this day, Andre doesn't like tennis. The game that brought him money, fame and glory and that he was at one point the best in the world at, he hates. It shows his character and the independent person he was, but was not allowed to be due to his father's overshadowing and decision to make him pursue a career as a tennis player. Also, you can tell he was unhappy and wanted another life. For example, he rebelled against his school when he was shipped to Bollettieri's academy, he would not listen in school and go against the rules. It shows how unhappy he was. Even if he knew that tennis would be the key to success, he didn't want to go down that road.
All in all, my admiration for Agassi is endless, because as I am still young and play tennis, and know all the frustrations that come with the game, I can't imagine what it would be like to play it everyday, especially when you don't like it. To overcome his hate for tennis, and play because he loves his dad and wants to please his dad is above all the reason he played. And I am still amazed at how one person could hate a game that brought them everything they have.
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Social Issues Response: The Help
In the book "The Help" written by Kathryn Stockett, the main social issue, racism, is treated in many different ways based on the point of view of the characters. More specifically, it's not just racism that's the issue, it's the way the characters in the book interact based on what they should believe and what society asks of them, and how they morally feel about the issue.
One way the characters interact based on what society says you should believe in is the relationship between the white owners of the homes, and the cleaning ladies. For example, Aibileen gets along with Ms. Skeeter extremely well because Ms. Skeeter is different then what the stereotypical white lady of the house that is expected from everyone in that time period. What's expected from society is that black people are treated poorly and should be given no attention by the whites. But as Ms. Skeeter treats Aibileen with respect, and talks to her nicely, it shows how much stronger and independent she is then the rest of society during that time period. Even when you see how she talks and interacts at her bridge games with all the other plantation owning white ladies, she's different. She's more independent, she doesn't let society bully her into treating blacks the way the rest of them do. It shows that she's smarter, and has the guts to decide for herself what's right and wrong. It shows heart and awareness and even though she is just 22, she can already distinguish what's right and wrong.
In conclusion, the social issue of racism is treated differently then a stereotypical book written in the South during that time period. The relationship that Aibileen and Ms. Skeeter develop is a beautiful and inspiring relationship that teaches everyone to rebel against society, especially when deep down, you know what society is doing is morally wrong.
One way the characters interact based on what society says you should believe in is the relationship between the white owners of the homes, and the cleaning ladies. For example, Aibileen gets along with Ms. Skeeter extremely well because Ms. Skeeter is different then what the stereotypical white lady of the house that is expected from everyone in that time period. What's expected from society is that black people are treated poorly and should be given no attention by the whites. But as Ms. Skeeter treats Aibileen with respect, and talks to her nicely, it shows how much stronger and independent she is then the rest of society during that time period. Even when you see how she talks and interacts at her bridge games with all the other plantation owning white ladies, she's different. She's more independent, she doesn't let society bully her into treating blacks the way the rest of them do. It shows that she's smarter, and has the guts to decide for herself what's right and wrong. It shows heart and awareness and even though she is just 22, she can already distinguish what's right and wrong.
In conclusion, the social issue of racism is treated differently then a stereotypical book written in the South during that time period. The relationship that Aibileen and Ms. Skeeter develop is a beautiful and inspiring relationship that teaches everyone to rebel against society, especially when deep down, you know what society is doing is morally wrong.
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