"And I know that I'm the happiest of all of them" (433). This, before his brain shift on page 443 ("I feel my brain on top of my spine and I feel it shift a little bit to the left. That's it"), shows me that there is a change in Craig-a real change. He is new and improved, and he will never go back to his awful stages in life again.
Lastly, on the last page, "Travel. Fly. Swim. Meet. Love. Dance. Win. Smile. Laugh. Hold. Walk. Skip..." and "So now live for real. Live" (444). This is probably the best modo I have ever heard and I want to actually use this-I love it.
This book has inspired me a lot, and opened my eyes. Any thoughts?
I really like the motto on the last page as well!
ReplyDeleteI think being exposed to people who are going through what he was going through caused Craigs "mental shift." What especially helped him was encouragement from the people around him about his art. I think part of his depression was caused when he was told that what he thought was his one talent in life, drawing maps, was pretty much useless because they have computers, etc. Ebony especially helped encourage Craigs art. I think that an art school would be perfect for him, as suggested by the counselor.
Another quote I really liked was, "People are screwed up in this world. I'd rather be with someone screwed up and open about it than somebody perfect and ready to explode.”
Nia and Aaron struck me as the kind of people who were screwed up and ready to "explode" in some way. Noelle and Craig got along because they were both able to open up to each other about their imperfections, and be themselves.
Yes! The last lines of the book gave me chills; "travel. Fly. Swim. Meet. Love. Dance. Win. Smile. Laugh. Hold. Walk. Skip..." and "So now live for real. Live" (444). I loved the ending. I wondered why Craig asked Aaron about the 'Egyptian Masters Volume Three' album, the connection of it being egyptian music, and egyptian Muqtada I didn't even think of. Honestly, the part where he took Muqtada out to hear the egyptian music, made me teary eyed! I had a soft spot for Muqtada the whole book, i felt so sorry for that man, old and rotting, out of all the others in the hospital. He was one of the only ones that never got out to play cards, or go to the lunch room to eat like the other patients. And then Craig took him out to hear his favorite egyptian music... :') so sweet.
ReplyDeleteOverall this book was one that I wont forget. It made me very thankful for my life, and that i appreciate it the way I do. It showed me how easy it is to get lost in the world, and how many people around me could easily slip into a mental disorder. However the book gave me hope, proven from Craig's triumph. I would recommend this book to anyone, it can really change a life.
This book made me happy as well :) There were so many key quotes in the reading that stood out to me as inspiring, or funny. I agree that the last page was so uplifting as it showed that Craig had "shifted." My favorite part of that page was the last two lines where he said, "So now live for real, Craig. Live. Live. Live. Live. Live."
ReplyDeleteWith Muqtada, it made me so happy to know that Craig changed that man's life. It didn't appear to me that Craig realized that, but later down the road I think he would. Craig brought Muqtada back to the real world and now he can start living again. Through Craig's recovery, he also helped Muqtada recover as well.
I agree with all of the points made. I truly believe we need to realize how precious life is and how fortunate we are to be healthy. Craig has taught me to recognize how the little things in life could mean a lot to someone less privileged. He has made outstanding progress through out his time at Six North, and I have confidence in him that he will be just as successful in his new life outside of the hospital. He said, “Jeez, why was I trying to kill myself? It’s a huge thing, this Shift, just as big as I imagined. My brain doesn’t want to think anymore; all of a sudden it wants to do” (359). As you guys gave examples above, Craig wants to make all these proactive changes in his life and try new things, because at the hospital he realized how segregated he was from the real world. These activities and motives were inspired by his final steps out Six North and will continue to help his strive to invent a “new” Craig who “lives for real” (360).
ReplyDelete"Travel, Fly, Swim, Meet, Love, Dance, Win, Smile, Laugh, Hold, Skip.."(444) These are all actions that Craig was incapeable of doing, and made up most of his "Tentecels" However at the end of the book he wants to live and not be consumed and restricted. Craigs ability to help others (Muqtada) recover at the end of the book proved to me that he is able to change himself and loosen up and live the life a 16 year old boy should.
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