Who also knew Dana would cut herself?! So fellows, why do you think Dana cuts herself? (Don't read ahead or skim-read!) Well we all know she cuts herself to forget the pain she's been through, right? But what kind of pain do you think she's trying to escape? (Home or the streets?) And if you were in Dana's situation, what would you do to forget about your past?
Now we also found out that Brent is gay or questioning. Do think Dana is going to act strange around him and make him feel different? Or is she going to act normal like nothing happened? Or is she going to ask him or confront him?
We've been doing great guys! Let's keep this discussion juicy and thoughtful!
Here's my response:
ReplyDeleteDana has been through a lot. She's young. She's very soft and emotional. She's always thinking about home and her little sister. She's trying to escape the pain she's been through both at home and the streets. Her stepfather beats her up for no reasonable reason. Her actual father doesn't care about them. Or more likely forgot about them! She's cutting herself to forget the nights she has been through on the streets. The days when she was offered money for prostitution. The day when the leader of that gang grabbed her breast and beat up her brother and sister.(Ashley and Brent) However, I don't blame her. What she's been through is extremely terrible. On the other hand, I wouldn't cut myself, do drugs, drink or commit suicide either. I would keep up with what she's doing and clear my mind through arts. Like I escape my thoughts doing poetry. I know Hannah escapes her thought through drawing. I know Melissa escapes her thought singing. And Sara playing her guitar. Everyone has a hidden talent in this life. They can use it to be recognized and escape their thoughts. So if I were in her situation I would write poetry to escape my thoughts, or move to another city like Brent suggested. However, that might be a little hard to start a new life in a whole new city where you don't know the area.
For Brent's situation, I was insanely shocked! I never saw it coming! Because just like Dana said, he doesn't act like it. But I also agree with Ashley on the fact that not everyone act like their gay or tell anyone about it. I think Dana would act a little bit different at first and then she might go back to normal. I don't think it would be a good idea if she confronted that Ashley told her everything. It's true they're like family and know mostly everything about each other's past. Thus, what I found funny/strange that three of them didn't know each other's last names! So I don't think Dana would confront him because it might cause trouble. However, I assume that he might be ok with it since he was going to tell her is what I am predicting.
Who else was insanely shocked by the fact that Brent is gay? And that it was also the reason he was kicked out of his house since it's against his religion.
I was very surprised by the fact that Dana cut herself because she's scared of everything and I thought that she would be too scared to cut herself, I guess I was completely wrong and Melissa was completely right. One of the reasons why Dana used to cut herself was probably because of all the cruel things her stepfather did to her. She also thinks her parents split up partly because of her, because she started getting bad grades and getting into trouble a lot. We don't know why she started getting problems in school even before her parents split up, maybe she had a learning disability? Well, another reason why I think she used to cut herself is because her real father and her mom used to fight a lot and they probably said really hurtful things to each other and maybe Dana could not take it anymore and decided to let it out by cutting herself. Melissa was right about Dana not wanting the knife because it would tempt her to start cutting herself again. During this section we read that Dana cut herself, which was after she had that whole conversation with Ashley. They were talking about their family and their old life. The conversation reminded Dana about her stepfather and everything he did to her, so she cut herself to make her forget about it. Remember how Dana said that she felt nothing on the outside while she was cutting herself, but she felt it spread around her arm and eventually made its way to the centre of her head. At the end of that paragraph it said that she felt nothing no emotions at all. She didn't have to think anymore, but about what? I think she meant that she didn't have to think about living on the streets or her stepfather or anything else that she's sad, mad or worried about. I think she should keep on doing art to express her emotions and to let out her anger or sadness, that's what I would do.
ReplyDeleteI don't think Dana would act different around Brent, it's not like she found out that he killed someone, all she found out was that he's gay or questioning. I don't know about Dana but I don't think it's a big deal if you find out that one of your best friends is gay. She would probably not tell him because she promised Ashley that she would not tell him what she knows about him being gay. Maybe she would ask him indirectly ask him if he was gay, but I doubt it. It's really sad why Brent ran away, he could have lived a very good life and could have made something out of himself, but he probably could do it while he's living on the streets. The reason why Ashley ran away was really sad too. We have a vague idea about why Dana ran away. Her stepfather is mean and controlling, but her mom was really nice and so was her sister. I hope we find out more!
Thank you Haneen for referring to me as "the amazing Hannah." Excellent questions you asked, I can tell that you really paid attention to the book and are intrigued by it. You are right about Eric Walters always surprising us!
ReplyDeleteI think Dana started cutting herself because of her stepfather but like Sara mentioned, it could be for any reason. I think she started cutting herself and then got carried away and it spun out of control. I'm guessing that she started self-injuring before she was on the streets because she took her shower shortly after leaving home where we fist heard about her cut arms. It probably continued and got worse once she was on the streets. Right now in my life if I had a bad situation going on in my life I would deal with it by talking to someone because I now realize that most people can actually really help you through a bad experience or situation. I would also try to put all my negative energy into something positive such as an intense sport or art that you can throw your emotions into without hurting yourself or others. Haneen, I appreciate how you wrote all of our talents and I am flattered that you think I control my emotions by drawing. However, I sometimes find drawing to be stressful and I deal with most of my negative emotions by singing and playing guitar, I find it calms me. Just thought I'd point that out.
As far as Brent's sexuality goes I was actually not too surprised. I wasn't necessarily expecting it but I did think about it before Ashley told Dana. When the bully that beat up Brent and Ashley and sexually assaulted Dana called Brent a not nice word I suspected it even more because I figured since Brent has been on the streets for a while he might have known the guy before and the guy may have known that Brent was gay or questioning. I hope that the discussion of Brent's sexuality comes up with the three of them or at least between him and Dana. It would be helpful for Brent to know that he has friends who support him and I don't think Dana and Ashley should come to assumptions too quickly since it was only confirmed when he was stoned. When he was first on the streets he was probably really desperate for money so he had sex and there were only men who were interested in using a prostitute so that doesn't confirm that he is gay either. I don't think Dana will act strange around Brent because she told Ashley that there is nothing wrong with being gay but she obviously has some stereotypes for gay people because she said Brent doesn't look or act gay. I think Brent should be really glad to have friends like Ashley and Dana who accept him. It's unfortunate that his parents (I think it was mainly his dad) aren't educated enough on homosexuality to realize that Brent is just the same as he would be if he were straight.
Wow I think Haneen is right! I just realized that every time I feel mad, sad, or even happy I play my guitar for a really long time! The other day I got really mad and I played my guitar for like three hours and now some of my fingertips are numb. I guess we all do have hidden talents that we use to escape the real world, and some don't even realize what their talent is. Just like Hannah, playing guitar calms me down too. I wasn't too surprised either about Brent being gay or questioning. Thanks for pointing that out Hannah. Now that you mention it maybe the street kid that harassed them knows what Brent used to do. I also find it sad that his dad doesn't know a lot about homosexuality and that's why most people think that they're weird and think negative thoughts about them.
ReplyDeleteEverything I typed just erased so I will try this again.
ReplyDeleteIt's true, people who think gay people are "perverts" or "a disease" aren't bad people they just don't know any better. It shouldn't matter what people do in the privacy of their bedroom, it's not harming anyone.
Sara, I totally know the numb fingers feeling after hours of playing guitar. I think it's so great that we all have talents and good ways to calm ourselves down so we don't have to turn to something negative like Ashley, Dana and Brent did (drugs, cutting, prostitution and running away).
In the part when Dana said said she didn't have to think anymore I don't think she just meant about living on the streets. I think she meant she didn't have to think about ANYTHING, she could just let her mind go blank and relax. If only Dana knew about guided visualization so she didn't have to turn to cutting to get that numb feeling.
I think Sketches would make a really good movie. Normally when I read a book I don't actually see the characters it's just a personality or an emotion, much in the same way as you sometimes see a real persons personality before their physical appearance. However, in the part where they got jumped in the alley I could actually see Brent's face gushing blood, I could see Ashley clenching her broken rib in pain and I could see the sly look on that guys face. The only other book where I had that was The Hunger Games which I also think would make a great film. Sketches is reminding me even more of The Hunger Games now. In the part when Dana made the painting called "The Sisters" and she was talking to Robert Erickson he reminded me a lot of Cinna (my favourite Hunger Games character) because Katniss and Cinna had been really close and had heart-to-heart conversations. Ashley and Brent are starting to remind me of Peeta and Gale because they are Dana's/Katniss' best friends that are as close as family. Dana's little sister and mom are at home in the same way that Katniss' sister, Prim and her mother were at home. The biological father is not in the picture in either situations. I've noticed that in almost every good teen book they get rid of the parents early on in the story.
Wow great stuff girls! And What kind of things do you guys think would help anyone to forget about the pain they've been through. I really like how Hannah brought up the guided visualizing idea. Very smart! Us the teens can be really sensitive about things that go around us right? We can also make very weird connections. Let's admit it guys, right? So what kind of things do think would help us and Dana be less sensitive and making wrong connections?
ReplyDeleteAlso I agree with Hannah how some people refer to gay people as "perverts." Brent kind off reminds me of Jer. (The gay guy that came to our school.) Do you guys remember him? Do you remember when he talked about how he was kicked out of the house by his dad because he was gay and it was against his religion? It's the EXACT same story as Brent! My mind was blown when it popped up in my head!
And for you Oshawa friends who don't know about Jer...
He's a gay guy who came to our school to talk a bit about his life and how tough it is living as a gay man and being mistreated. He's been always teased and pushed around for being brown, and gay as well. He was kicked out of the house by his dad because he was religious and being gay was against it. What's cool is that one of the questions that came up is that have he ever thought about killing, or cutting himself. Guess what was his response?
.
.
.
.
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It was a yes! A well grown, mature man thought about killing himself because of that! It's very sad that someone would want to take away their lives for not being accepted for who they are and their sexuality.
But I really like how we can relate this book to a true story, and a person we've met in reality who has an identical character in the book who's been in the same situation as well!
Sadly, that's actually very common among gay people. About 30% of all suicides are committed by LGBT people. Gay people are 4 times more likely to consider, attempt or commit suicide than their heterosexual peers. And it's all because of bullying and people being afraid to come out. I wonder if Brent has ever though about or attempted suicide. I sure hope not because he has a lot to live for.
ReplyDeleteIt's so true about us teenagers making weird connections. Sometimes I connect things that are unrelated but to me they make sense.
Eric Walters has done it again, he unexpectedly suprised us! Great questions you asked Haneen, and great responses and additions Haneen, Sara and Hannah! For Dana's situation, I knew that Dana would use the knife that Brent gave her to cut herself again, which is devastating. No one should ever do that, people should find other ways to escape the pain they experience. I think that Dana cuts herself to try to escape the pain that she has experienced both on the streets and at home, because she's been through a lot of stuff. Her parents got divorced, her stepfather abuses her, she runs away from home and now lives homeless, coping with life on the streets, fighting to get the things she needs. Dana should escape her pain by going to Sketches more and expressing herself with art, it'll be safer. If I were in the same situation, I would write journal entries about it, or since I have a passion for music and I love to sing, I would sing some songs or write some songs, because it helps me escape through rough patches that I have encountered. Also, if I had a punching bag in my room, I would punch the crap out of that and use that to help me escape the pain that I've encountered in my life. For Brent's situation, part of me didn't think that Brent was gay, but another part of me had a sense about Brent being gay. When that street fight happened, the kid who assaulted Dana called him a faggot, and part of me thought "Could he actually be gay?", and the other part thought that, "It meant nothing". People tease people by calling them faggot sometimes, because they're joking about it. People can say like, "Stop being such a fag!", and they joke about it. To be honest, I've been called a fag, but I know the person who called me that was joking. However, in Brent's situation, it wasn't a joke, it was terrible, and people beat him up which led him to a concussion. This year I've been learning about people committing suicide, because they're either gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans-gendered or questioning, and it's also devastating to see these people being bullied so much that they can't take it anymore and they kill themselves. Now to the other question, when Brent was collecting the posters of Dana, Ashley and Dana were talking about Brent's personal life and about he and Aslhey being an item, but Ashley said that neither of them weren't his type, because he's into boys. I think Dana will talk to him about his personal life when they're alone just like she did with Ashley. I don't think that she will act weird around him or confront him, because she isn't like that. When Dana and Brent have some time alone, Dana will talk to Brent about his life, and if Brent doesn't want to, she'll tell him that he doesn't have to just like she did with Ashley. In conclusion to this response, if you're struggling with your life, please don't do things, such as cutting yourself. Try letting it out in ways that aren't harmful. Express yourself. Also, treat everyone the way you want to be treated. Be kind to someone when this person is different from you. This world would be so boring if we were all the same. We're all different. if you're being bullied, because for example, you're gay or you have a different skin colour and you feel like killing yourself, please DON'T DO IT! There are people who love you and care about you, and you're not alone.
ReplyDeleteHannah, it's great that you made a text-to-text connection to the Hunger Games like Haneen at the last discussion. Can anyone else think of a text-to-text connection from Sketches not only in Hunger Games, but in any other book that you've ever read. I agree with you Hannah, Sketches would be an excellent movie! Me, you, Sara and Haneen should see it in Ottawa and Andrianna, Karran and Arianna should see it together in Oshawa, and then we could discuss the movie on our blogs. That would be so cool!
ReplyDeleteOur Oshawa Sketches discussion buddies are missing out on all the thoughtful and juicy discussions this week, and these discussions are thoughtful and juicy times two, since we have two questions this week! At the end of the week, it's going to have been an awesome discussion times two!
ReplyDeleteI agree with everything you said Melissa! Good job writing those encouraging words at the end of your first post. It's amazing how much someone saying that can do to a person. I have a punching bag but I don't usually punch it when I'm mad, I've tried that but for some reason it just doesn't work for me. However, people who like getting their anger out through physical aggression should definitely try that option.
ReplyDeleteI could potentially be the first from Hillsdale to post, finally.
ReplyDeleteMy response: I think Dana cuts herself because she needs to escape the pain of the world all the weight on her shoulders pushing her down. I once read a book called Cut by Patricia McCormick, where the girl named Callie cut herself to escape the reality of her brother getting sick I think he got leukemia, and her father being an alcoholic. After time Callie became addicted to cutting herself I think that is what Dana has is an addiction to cutting herself, the same way people are addicted to drugs, Callie ended up in a a place called Sea Pines, a place for troubled girl teens she was so addicted to cutting herself she would go through drastic measures such as using the paper towel dispensers' sharp blade to break the skin on her wrist it then goes in depth on how she can no longer feel anything either, how she just goes in to this high. I think Dana feels the same way as Callie, that the cutting is an escape she can't live without, that's why she cuts herself to escape the problems in the real world. I also think that Dana is trying to escape the problems from at home solely because living on the streets isn't all that bad for the three of them, it could be worse much worse. If I was in Dana's situation, I would look to drugs or alcohol for release because the thought of sex or cutting , makes me queasy, and I don't have much other things I do to calm me down.
My response to the question about the way Dana will act now that she knows Brent is questioning the same if not closer to Brent possibly because she is curious, and maybe because she is no longer afraid that he will try to do things to her (sexually) but I definitely don't think she will confront him she is too shy and polite. She could possibly do what Melissa said, I hadn't thought of that yet.
Also Melissa I found that so strange that you questioned if we had any other text-text connections, because I as I was writing my response I did not know that you had commented.
ReplyDeleteEven though I had already made my text-text connection.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete"Callie ended up in a a place called Sea Pines,"
ReplyDeleteIn my first response I accidentally put two A's in this sentence so I apologize for that.
What a wonderful, interesting, and insightful discussion! I'm so impressed with the connections and ideas that you are all sharing here, and I can't wait for the other Hillsdale students to gen involved. Well done, Sketches group!
ReplyDeletePowerful message at the end their Melissa! And Hannah, That would be SO cool if we go watch it together.
ReplyDeleteAndrianna, that's a really good text-to-text connection.
Great resposes as well guys! Where's Karran and Arianna? They're missing out on a lot of juicy stuff!
I agree on the fact that it's really devestating of what people do to themselves because of all types of bullying. Some people don't know how much impact they have on others. They also don't realize that little words can cause a lot of influence on other people's lifes and way of thinking. I also REALLY like how Hannah thought about the punching bag. I do it all the time since I am a kickboxer! I always go to the gym and punch bags, even when I am not angry. It's just my way of releasing stress. Also basketball and competitive basketball help me escape the rough times in life. So my conclusion is, Dana should find a better way of escaping the thoughts and pain other than cutting herself. She can do art, play "street basketball" if that was available.
How do you guys escape your thoughts? Any arts or sports? Explain how you feel before and how you feel after.
Imagine if you were Ashley and saw that Dana's arm was cut and you knew that she cuts herself, what would you do or say? Would you be like Ashley's mom and just pretend not to know because it's easier?
ReplyDeleteIt was actually Melissa who brought up the punching bag, I just commented on it. Another way I express myself to release stress it through dance. The type of dance I do (modern and contemporary) is actually a lot harder than it looks and can be stressful. So it doesn't really release stress but it can help to focus my stress on something else and distract my mind. You can also pour a lot of emotion into dance so it's a good thing to do if your over-joyed or upset. I want to try a more intense dance in the future like hip-hop or street jazz (like jazz dance but with a bit more swag). I'm trying to find a sport that I like to get out aggression but everything I've tried so far doesn't interest me. I'm thinking of trying tennis because you can whack the ball pretty hard! Andrianna, I've wanted to read cut for a while. I'm assuming it's quite good? I like how you made the connection of cutting being addictive like drugs because not many people know that and in extreme cases people have to go a rehab like place but for cutting.
ReplyDeleteI definitely wouldn't just pretend not to see the way Ashley's mom did. I would tell Dana pretty much what Ashley said, that she is not alone and there are other girls who cut themselves too. However, I would not try to make it seem like it was okay, I would do what a friend should do and help her get help because nobody should have to go through that. At one point in my life I was having a bit of a rough time and someone helped me through it, I hope she realizes how much she helped me through that time and I would want to give that back. If I were in Ashley position I would tell Dana was that person told me.
ReplyDeleteI am so thrilled I can join this conversation early.
ReplyDeleteIf I found out my friend was cutting their self I would not be all calm and reassuring I would completely go nuts on their faces and tell them that this can be helped, because if my friend was telling me this we would have to be pretty close so they would understand what my personality is that inside I would already be formulating a plan for action to get them help or to help them, I would definitely not ignore what they were doing.
Hannah thank you for sharing that with us we all do have rough time that we go through I know I have had some bad patches in my life too and I am only thirteen.
Haneen when I get angry sometimes I go for walks or sleep it off I try to remove myself from the situation instead of getting more heated. I also like escaping through reading books, I find basketball really gets my anger out however it is not my favourite sport to play when I want to get my frustration out I play soccer because all the running just gets my endorphin’s pumping, I feel energized afterwards that nothing gets me down I am just an all around happy hyper person.
I think Dana is cutting herself to escape her past, or her stepdad. Personally I think cutting yourself to forget the past is stupid because all it does is put you in more pain. If I was going to escape my past, I would jump off the CN Tower. I'd die painless death, and I'll be able to have fun on the way down. I think she's trying to get away from everything because she's had such a terrible life.
ReplyDeleteI also read books to help me escape the stress I'm going through because whenever I read it feels like I'm in a different world. Reading is awesome. If you're reading a novel without any pictures it's even more awesome because you can imagine how the characters look sometimes. If I found out that my friend cuts their self I would try my best to not start freaking out and telling them that it's wrong. I wouldn't start freaking out because they probably got that reaction every time they told someone or when someone found out, and they probably didn't like it, I know I wouldn't like it. After telling them that it's wrong I would then tell them how I release my stress and I would also ask them why they do it because when you tell people your problems they have good advice or can relate to you, that way my friend won't feel so alone and helpless. Finally, I would tell them where to get help or give them my own advice. Hopefully they find a new way to release their stress that doesn't involve hurting themselves or other people.
ReplyDeleteGreat additions everyone. I agree with you Andrianna, when I encounter rough patches, I would go to sleep to take my mind off of it, and walking is an excellent way as well when you're stressed. I agree with Sara too, reading books helps you escape rough patches too. Karran, I'm suprised that you said that if you escaped your past, you would jump off the CN Tower! If you experience hard times, think of ideas that we commented on, and try doing one that we thought of! This has been an excellent discussion as usual!
ReplyDeleteOk I guess you're right, but If I was going to die, I'd jump off the CN Tower because the CN Tower is 1,815 ft, so the air time would be really long. It would be very fun, almost escatic, and when you hit the ground it would be painless. You could also contribute to science by getting a scientist to stand where you're gonna fall and they'll be able to see what happens to a skull when it falls from that height
ReplyDeleteSorry, I reread my comment above^ and realised what I said about the scientist. He would be standing where he could get a clear view of me, not where I fall, because then I'd fall on him!
ReplyDeleteIt's true what Andrianna, Sara and Melissa said, sleeping off stress really does work. Usually when you get up after you'll feel better. Reading also helps, or watching something because it takes your mind off what you're stressed about and you just think about the characters and story lines. Karran, I hope you are kidding. I hope you use some of the other things we discussed like Melissa said. I don't think you would find the fall down amusing but rather full of regret. I'd want to die of very old age and in my sleep. We shouldn't even be talking about that though. Hopefully the character's from Sketches choose better options than they have in the past. If they don't though it would probably enhance the story.
ReplyDeleteKarran that was a really random thing you said, especially the scientist thing. I don't think it would be painless because once someone fell from a helicopter and she didn't die. Anyways I think you are kidding, but if you're not then you should read our whole discussion for advice. I agree with Hannah, it would enhance the whole story, but it would also be very sad and boring without, let's say Ashley or Brent.
ReplyDeleteHi Sara,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that what Karran said was a little bit 'off' but I can definitely assure you that he was intending to respond to a previous post in a humorous way.
That's nice to know Ms. Crosbie! Thank you for clearing things up for us. We were just a little unsure seeing as we don't know Karran personally.
ReplyDeleteI kind of knew Karran was kidding, but I wasn't sure, so thanks Ms.Crosbie. I'm glad he wasn't serious and, like Hannah said, we don't know Karran personally and that's what made us kind of unsure whether he was kidding or not.
ReplyDeleteYou guys are all funny! Thanks Karran for making this a little humorous! And yes I really agree with all of you guys. We should make a book on how to release stress and escape unwanted thoughts! Perhaps I should write a poem about that? Those are all great ideas ladies and Karan! But where is Arianna guys? She missed this whole discussion!
ReplyDeleteHave this even happen to you guys? That when it's bed time all the thoughts run back into your head and makes it hard to sleep. I seriously dislike it!