https://padlet.com/hkooner1_1/ra1cpllbag99kier en-us 2021-03-01 04:39:42 UTC 2024-12-06 18:37:52 UTC hello@padlet.com hkooner1_1 https://padlet.com/hkooner1_1/ra1cpllbag99kier/wish/1251448715 In this blog post I would like to analyze the many settings and locations that Felipe is seen throughout the novel, and use them to explain the multitude of conflicts that he is going through. Furthermore, I wish to answer the following question: To what extent does one's geographical setting influence their character? This question relates to my personal life and can be seen in my relationship with my cousins. My cousins and I are from completely different countries, with my cousins being from England while I am from America. As a result of this difference in geographical settings, my cousins and I have vastly different societal beliefs and an overall worldview. I believe that this difference in worldviews can also be seen through Jerome.

To begin, the two main geographical settings for Felipe include New York and Southern California. Throughout the novel, Felipe is seen jumping between the two locations somewhat constantly. His mom always makes the decision to move but appears to regret it pretty soon after. As a result, Felipe lives two different lives, depending on where he lives. In New York, Felipe takes on a more bad-boy or gangster persona, evident through his relationship with the Frenchmen, a local gang (Otten 241). This sudden jump of becoming a gang member sparks an internal conflict within Felipe. He is unsure of what path in life to take and he questions whether he wants to be a student and pursue college, or become a gangster and commit crimes. His teacher, Miss Shapiro, attempts to steer Jerome towards the right path by telling him not to become a gangster, stating "You could go to college if you wanted to..." (244) Furthermore, Miss Shapiro even goes as far as inviting Jerome to her home and giving him some books to read, hoping he would spend his time focusing on education, as compared to spending it committing crimes with his gang. To add, this conflict that Jerome has can also be classified as Man vs Society because he is conflicted on whether or not he should go against societal expectations and stay in school or if he should conform to societal norms and become a gangster. These two conflicts stacked on top of one another give Jerome a great deal to think about. 

Moving on, I would like to go back and analyze the geographical settings used for Felipe's character. It appears to me that the author uses the weather and season in the geographical settings to mirror and parallel Jerome's character, specifically how he feels. New York is constantly described as being cold, with the season being Winter. Here in New York, Jerome always appears to be troubled. From the top of my head, I can think of him and Jose being beaten up, Little Bobby also being beaten up, and him cheating on his wife. It appears that New York's coldness and darkness reflect Jerome's inner character. On the other hand, when Jerome is in California he lives a completely different life. Southern California is always described as being sunny, evident when Jerome states " The Californian warmth stayed in my body..." (262) Furthermore, Jerome appears to be much happy and positive living in California than when he is living in New York. His life in California revolves primarily around school and close, neighborhood friends. This is clear when he states" I get a scholarship. I'm elected student body vice-president at the second biggest highschool in L.A." (259). While he is living in California, he resolves his internal and external conflicts and decides to focus on school, leaving his gang life behind. Through this analysis, I am able to answer the question I started the blog off with and decide that one's geographic setting plays a massive role in developing one's character. The setting and the people within it constantly change and reinforce one's beliefs and morals, ultimately influencing their worldview. 



]]> 2021-03-01 04:41:33 UTC https://padlet.com/hkooner1_1/ra1cpllbag99kier/wish/1251448715 drosenow1 https://padlet.com/hkooner1_1/ra1cpllbag99kier/wish/1262275724 Hello Harman, I analyzed the role that setting played on Felipe as well and I noticed we agreed on many aspects. You mention that Felipe moves between California and New York and that these two geographical locations greatly impact his double persona. His life in New York, mainly characterized by his affiliations with gang life, greatly contrasts the life that he spent in California where he was detached from that aspect. I was wondering what you thought may have been the result if Felipe stayed in California one of the times he moved there? Could he have developed similar gang affiliations? I believe that part of the reason he was more inclined to join gang activities was due to his immediate surroundings, being friends such as Jose who introduced him to the Frenchman. You also mentioned that a couple external conflicts are derived from his geographical location in New York. I agree that this double persona develops into an internal conflict as later in life he questions as to how he can even be himself, implying that these contradicting sides he has developed may have become so distanced that he can no longer satisfy one side without feeling like he will lose the other. You also mentioned he deals with man vs. society as he doesn’t know the path he should pursue. On page 253 it is seen that Felipe wants to continue with gang affiliations as he had saved Jose. I believe that he seeks to continue with this part of his life, but internally knows it is wrong as he gives into his mom’s desire to leave for California. I was wondering, what other external conflicts do you think may have been stacked upon man vs society and the internal conflict, if any at all? Continuing on, bringing up how weather, location, and season can reflect Felipe’s inner character is very insightful. New York is a place where the vast majority of Felipe’s conflict takes place, so rightfully so it makes sense to give it dark imagery, a contrast to the light imagery associated with California where Felipe doesn’t become involved with much conflict, but rather lives a normalized lifestyle. Why do you think the author set up this contrast in imagery? Do you think it could be done in order to demonstrate Felipe’s magnetism and urge to follow his darker desires? You made a lot of good connections, thanks for sharing!

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