Delirium Allusions (Review # 4)

Allusions In the book Delirium by Lauren Oliver, love is considered a disease called amor deliria nervosa. Lena, the female protagonist, is about to go through a procedure to rid her of her feelings and the worst one, love. But Lena falls in love and this causes her all sorts of problems, from realizing that the government has been lying to her, losing the only people she knew as family, and dealing with the love of her life. Throughout the book there are many referances to real life books, authors, and stories. All of these have a reoccuring theme in the book by showing how far the government went to try and erradicate the feeling of "love". In this prezi, you can see the allusions used and what they signify. These allusions all connect and help propel Lena towards the truth of her society and how twisted it had become. They also allow readers to connect with the book because the allusions are commen and many people will know of them.

Comparison (Review #3)

So. I have recently finished the book Delirium by Lauren Oliver. Unsatisfied is an understatement to how I feel. I have also read The Hunger Games  by Suzanne Collins a few years back and seeing as they are both dystopias, I may have gone into this new book with too high of expectations. Of course, it was only the first installment of the trilogy so I assume the story will grow more dramatic towards the end.

Let's compare Lena (female protagonist from Delirium) and Katniss (female protagonist from The Hunger Games). Their stories are set up in a very similar way. They both live in an oppressive world where the government keeps many secrets from its citizens and both Lena and Katniss are in the more impoverished area of their country. There are resisters who preside in the world outside of the main lands. They also are missing parts of their families and have little sisters that they care immensely about. It seems that a lot of their set up is the same. They have similar backgrounds and living environments but they go about their rebellion completely different from one another.

Where Katniss is a strong independent protagonist, Lena is a loving but timid one. They both are suspicious about their predicaments but Katniss catches on slightly faster (although that could have to do with being forced to kill other kids . . . maybe). The interesting thing is that they go through parallel internal conflicts. Katniss starts to become slightly more caring and loving to those around her where Lena becomes slightly stronger and more independent. This is an interesting and alternating way for the characters to develop. I would imagine that going through the emotions they have (extreme shock at learning that your whole life was a lie) would do that to a person. One would, perhaps, gravitate towards attributes that they didn’t have previously have in an attempt to adapt to their new environment. I look forward to continuing Lena’s journey in the next books and comparing them to Katniss’ own journey.

What is a Book? (Reflection #3)

A book is an experience. When reading a book, I feel like it is an event. I feel as though I'm not just reading something but I'm having an experience, if you know what I mean. Quite a few senses are incorporated into your reading experience when you actually read a hard-back book instead of one off of a kindle or nook. The smell when you turn to a fresh new page or flip through an old copy. The feeling of the pages whether they are crisp and new or soft and worn. The sight of the thin fonted words like wisps of smoke or the small page break icons. I mean, all of these qualities can be consciously or unconsciously noticed but they contribute to the overall experience of reading.

 I do think that there is something “magical” about reading an actual book which would be why I agree with Nancy Jo Sales in her article “Home Word Bound”. A book makes the story a “living, breathing companion” as she says. Coming from someone who has experienced both sides of books (I have a kindle and often read from it) there does seem to be a difference. I never feel as satisfied when I finish a story on the kindle than I do when I actually read the book. Do you understand? Perhaps it is just me but I want the full experience of the book. Even if I have to actually physically turn the pages, Heaven forbid.

                       VS.

Being Human (Review #2)

3 Things that Lauren Oliver does to make Lena Haloway a relatable character:

 

1.      Inner Thoughts

Throughout the book “Delirium” Lena Haloway is the main character and it is told in first person through her. I always have thought that when authors allow us to have a look into the minds of their characters that it provides a stronger connection to them. We can really see WHY Lena feels this way or WHY she said what she said. Like most control freaks (as I relate myself to often), I feel very satisfied when I know exactly what is happening and why. I prefer to be on the inside of every inside joke and first person allows me to do so.

2.      Gradual Feelings

In some books that are mainly focused on relationships, the main character almost immediately falls in love (i.e. Twilight). I suppose that this happens to some people, but I think that gradual feelings are more common. Although Lena is interested when she first sees her love interest (the dashing and rebellious Alex Something-or-other) she doesn’t immediately start up the goo-goo eyes. She actually is disapproving of him because she knows he’s an invalid (someone who ran away from the government) and the first time she sees him she thinks, “fear clamps down on my stomach, and I open my mouth to shout something—I’m not sure what, exactly.” Throughout the book she builds a relationship with him which I feel is more realistic than a sudden true love.

3.      Doubts

I always think it’s nice to know that the main character is human too. They can’t always immediately charge into a conflict and come out unscathed. Lena actually has a multitude of faults. I was always told that you don’t want your characters to be too perfect unless it is intentional for they will not seem human. Cowardly, emotional, and gullible are a few weaknesses Lena possesses that make her a human being and therefore relatable.  

 

Although the story may not be all that real, the characters are which is an effective balance.

Reflection #2

Your ideal 21st century English class reading list. This is difficult to pinpoint. Since so many kids have different opinions, there's bound to be at least someone who doesn't like the assigned book. The goal would be to try to appeal to the majority then. I think that each time a student has to read a book, there should be at least two options to pick from. That way, the student feels as though they have some opinion into what they will be reading. The lists could vary each year depending on what is popular. They could choose between mandatory reads we have now like Romeo and Juliet, Crucible, or Into the Wild. I do think there is some value to classics. Or they could choose between current bestselling books like The Hunger Games, Harry Potter, My Sister's Keeper, etc. Of course, I am biased toward what books I like and what I don't like but if a group came together to discuss what books the majority likes, then you could find a good balance. Teenagers need something that catches their interest. If you generalize the public and pick a random book that hopefully people like, then you probably won’t find much luck. A love of reading comes from a love of books. It’s all about preference.

Let's Hurry up and See the Light Already (Review #1)

Why is Lena Haloway so one sided on the idea that love is actually a disease?

The novel Delirium, by Lauren Oliver is set in a world where love is actually a disease known as amore deliria nervosa. Once you reach the age of 18, the government sends you to a procedure where doctors “cure” you of having feelings of attachment and assign you a spouse. Lena is the main character who, for some reason, is still being stubborn about the amore deliria nervosa being a bad thing even 230 pages into the book. (For those of you who are wondering, yes, it is almost exactly halfway through and she has had no change of opinion). She says that "and the thing, the disease is inside of me, ready at any moment to start working on my insides, to start poisoning me," (Oliver 142) in referance to love. Poison is a strong word to use. She completely and undoubtedly believes it is a bad thing.

I will say that some progress has been made though. For example, her best friend is starting to see the light (that the government is actually corrupt. Who would have guessed?) And she even met a boy who has feelings for her and is portrayed as the perfect love interest. I’d say that’s a good set up for her opinion to change.

 I suppose it could be because it has been ingrained into her mind for 18 years that love is a horrible thing. Or it could be because it is against the law (It’s punishable by death). But come on! I’m ready for some serious action. When will she betray the suppressive government? Or when will she lead a rebellion? When will she finally realize that having feelings for another is not a bad thing? Let’s go Lena! Pick up the pace a little bit!

I would say that since my whole life I have known people striving for love that I am a bit biased. I was raised that way so I would guess that is why I feel that way. Lena was raised differently (and much more strictly) so I guess I can’t be too critical. Although, the signs are staring her right in the face and if she would just get over her obstinate opinion then she could see she was in the wrong and the story could move on.

Lena Haloway, it’s time to see the light and love it.

Reflection

What does it mean to be a best seller? Now, this might not be that difficult to answer, but the question of whether or not it is a good thing is more difficult to say.  A bestselling book is one that has sold the most over a period of time for some reason or another.  I initially thought that must mean that it is a good thing to be a best seller. After all, there must be some reason or another that people are buying the book. It could be because it is a piece of literary genius and is one of the best written books of its time . . . or it could be because it is so simple and easy that even the average Joe will read it.  BOOM. That took a turn for the worst. But let’s face it; the book would have to appeal to a wide array of audiences for it to be a best seller. That means that even the most illiterate people may like it as well. This point was brought up to me and caused me to doubt my initial positive thought that all bestsellers must be great books. But, whether or not you agree or disagree, the bestselling books are still best selling for a reason. So someone somewhere likes it.

Post #1: Why I Read

Why do I read? Why does anybody read? We all have our own reasons and I have mine. I love being lost in a world that is completely different from our own. To imagine great and amazing things that could not possibly exist, I feel, is one characteristic that most humans possess.

I, in particular, love to explore a new story in a world that is unlike anything I have ever known. Some of the ideas that authors come up with these days are truly astounding and often leave me wondering how that brainchild ever appeared for them. Imagination is a great thing and I love to explore other's stories. In a book world, I feel that nothing is impossible and there are no limits like those of reality. There could just as easily be a horrendous (but entertaining) game where kids kill each other for sport or a hidden school of magic where the closest thing to muggle-like normalcy is the sad un-requitted love of another. But even that could be solved with a love potion.




Whether or not you like The Hunger Games or any of the Harry Potter books (The Deathly Hallows being my favorite), there is always something that can be gained from reading. For me, it is the escape from boring everyday life of reality.