I will say that so far this book is quite enjoyable. I find the title to be interesting since this is not an autobiography at all, but it grabs you initially because, for me it is always interesting to read about other people.
Anyway, we had talked in class a little about how the narrator isn't really a person who really goes above and beyond even though he appears to be quite intelligent and seems to have had a fortunate life where he could attain higher things. So we read a lot about how much he loved his music. That even it was so good it drove him to tears as a child. But, he never really seems to do anything with it. He is in NYC and needs a job, but comes across as having no skills at all. I would think a person with a good education and other skills would have a few more choices then rolling cigars. So as for page 115 the narrator goes on about what a "natural talent and perseverance", "remarkable player of rag-time". He even states he was the best player of rag-time. So if he has so much confidence and "perseverance" why does he seem to be kind of lazy and not really interested in achieving or finding a better life for himself? I don't know if I really like his attitude at this point in the book. He knows he is good and talented, others obviously encourage him to continue and share his talents, but he still just seems sort of lame in a sense. A few chapters back I really thought that "shiny" may have inspired him to be a go getter, but I think really he is much more a follower than a leader of any sort.
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4 comments:
I totally agree with what you are saying but I do think that we have to give credit to the narrator for his musical ability because although he did study music for a short peroid of time he is for the most part self taught. I think that he did pick up rag-time is impressive and that most would not be able to accomplish the same feet. I do agree though that it seems arrogant to call oneself the best. -ashton
I agree, I think I would be more accepting of his arrogance if this was a true auto-biolgrahy but since it is not, I think he goes a little over the top.
But, I do agree with you his musical ability is impressive for being self taught.
You make a very interesting point, Angie. I also see that the narrator has a lot of potential. He is obviously a very intelligent and talented person but he never seems to make the most of it. He seems to waste almost every opportunity that is presented to him. I also do not see him as a leader either. It seems to me that he has depended on the other people in his life to provide him with opportunities to better himself. So far he has not been able to take the initiative to live up to his potential.
I think you are right he really is not a leader. It seems as if he really does not know what he is doing and had to look to other people for advice or support. Just look at the time when his mother died he went to Atlanta and his money ended up stolen. He had no idea what to do until one of the porters I believe it was told him to go to Florida and work for money. If it was not for that man he would have had no idea what to do and would have probably ended up walking the streets of Atlanta.
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