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Monday, April 19, 2010

Turning Points

Rodriguez's chapter 4 has some of the most critical elements of the book. In this blog, I'd like you to choose one of the following questions to respond to here--but be prepared to discuss all questions in class Thursday:

1. What is the significance of eggs in chapter 4?
2. What do you think about Rodriguez's portrayals of women?
3. In chapter one we identified scent as a central metaphor...how is "sniffing" used in chapter 4?

As always--when responding to a question please quote at least one passage and respond to another classmate's post (unless you are the first to respond).

47 comments:

Count Olaf said...

As Rodriguez said on page 102, "Spray was dangerous; it literally ate your brain. But it was a great escape…I sought it so desperately. I didn't want to be this thing of bone and skin. With spray, I became water." Now, before I go any further, the term "sniffing" is used when talking about inhaling the fumes of substances such as spray paint and gasoline to get high. Here, Rodriguez claims that his major reason for "sniffing" spray was to escape from the harsh realities that he faced daily as both a gang banger and a Mexican American. This, in turn, ties in with the title of the book, Always Running, because he's using hard core "drugs" as a tool of temporary freedom. In his high state, he compares himself to feeling like running water, basically saying he's free to go wherever he wants whenever; something he can't do in reality, which is why he was constantly trying to stay high.
However, it wasn't until he experienced the best high of his life (when he almost died and stated seeing the infamous light) did things get into perspective for him. He began to realize that by getting high, you escape from your problems temporarily, and that the only permanent out of suffering is death. So he contemplated committing suicide, and was on the verge of slitting his wrist in desperation and depression when BEHOLD! Another revelation came to him in the form of a song; a song that made him change his mind about death and even consider bettering his life to the best of his ability. Therefore, I believe that possibly him participating in "sniffing" may have actually been a wake up call for him to change the direction in which his life was going, and to do so quickly.

Mrz.Kita said...

I think that Rodriguez has a fair portrayal of the women he circles himself around. He doesn't seem to depict women in any way,but he allows them to classify themselves. Throughout chapter 4 there are many times where Rodriguez would come across different females, many of whom he admired and respected. There are three females in particular whom he paid much attention to in chapter 4.One women being his mother. A women who he respected and always cared about their feelings. On page 107 he says, "Can I stay here and eat this morning?", which shows respect and also authority to his mother, the higher power. Rodriguez mentions on page 93 that he felt torn, knowing that he was a vato from Lomas and yet here he was with a Sangra girl( in respects to Viviana). Then on page 105 when he talks to Wilo about his sister Payasa he shows his concern with her health, he asks,"Why do you let your sister do this?". In every instance it seems that Rodriguez tries to identify each individuals wishes. He never disrespects any femal ewhe comes in counter with, he simply tells the story straightforward, he keeps it 1 hundred. This is why I think that Rodriguez's portrayal of women is a fair one, he doesn't take any sides against no one women.

michie2011 said...

In chapter 4, I believe the significance of eggs has something to do with Rodriguez constantly comparing himself to eggs. I notice him do this two times. On page 103, he states "While on spray I yelled. I laughed. I clawed at the evening sky. I felt like a cracked egg. But I wouldn't stop." When his sniffed spray, he felt loose and uncontained like a cracked egg. He felt a sense of freedom. The second times he mentions an egg is on page 107. He states "Hey --do these eggs have anything to do with me?" Since he feels that he has similar qualities to an egg when he is on spray, the sight of eggs makes him think of his use of spray. The night before Rodriguez asks this question about the eggs, he was contemplating committing suicide in order to have the feeling of an egg forever. He likes having the feeling of being like an egg, but he realizes that the feeling is so great to lose his life over. I agree with Count Olaf that sniffing helped bring him to this realization.

Mz_C said...

While reading chapter four I first thought that women were seen as a type of protection to men. The reason for this is because at the beginning of this chapter his mother was brought up a lot and how she tried her best to keep him out of trouble. "My mother had thrown me out of the house and afterwards the garage became the compromise between coming back and the street. She was just too tired: pulling me out of jail cells..." (81). His mom was a very worried women and is not portrayed in a negative way, just a caring and loving woman. Another reason why I thought they were seen as protection was because of his sister Ana, "the dull thuds of fists on a face, and rushed to get Mom and Dad" (p.87). When he was in trouble his sister would help him by calling his parents. As I went on my view changed because later on was when the Sangras and the Lomas were introduced. When Viviana was introduces as well as her friend, Viviana seemed like she was protecting him because she didnt let him go fight, she made him stay. While her friend portrayed trouble. Then Payasa was introduced, Payasa was trouble, "Payasa was always high" (p.105). Payasa was trouble, she would always get into fights at school and would always sniff something. This made me see that Rodriguez does not yet see women in any certain way, he describes them the way that they are and does not think much of them, but does not think little of them as well.

itslovely said...

Luis like many Mexican males has much respect for females and shows it. Because in a Mexican family as well as any Latino family females are the reason whey they are around and without them they are just men. Now this can be seen in two ways. Because a majority of Mexicans are catholic one of the biggest females they believe in is La Virgen de Guadalupe, she is looked up to all the time by catholic Mexicans/ latinos so respecting a female is much like respecting her. Males also take pride in their name to carry on their last name is a major deal, and they cant seem to do that without a female. When Luis falls for Viviana a Sangra girl, and him a guy from Lomas he felt as though he had traded it all for her. He let the idea of her touch and scent overwhelm him in a way that he wasn’t able to control himself when he was in her presence. When a guy picks a female and drops all his beliefs for her then he truly respects her and that’s what Rodriguez did on page 93. Now I believe that Luis’s perception of women is pretty accurate to what many Latino males perceive their women to be. I don’t believe that it is wrong, but I do believe it can be tweaked a little bit, like when he speaks English in front of his mom when he knows she doesn’t understand, and he shouldn’t have gotten into a gang, because that is just disrespecting her and the way she raised him. Latino men care for the females in their life.

Unknown said...

In this chapter sniffing is used to show how Rodriguez was able to escape from the "torments" of his life. It also was used to just kind of waste time. "Not going home meant a lot of free time. Sniffing became my favorite way to waste it. I stole cans of anything that could give a buzz: carbono, clear plastic, paint or gasoline." I also believe that Rodriguez was sniffing because it is one of the things that went with being in a gang. So he also was doing it to live the life of a gang member.

Unknown said...

I think the concept of "sniffing" is interesting and can relate to "Gang Leader for a Day." The reason Rodriguez inhales this things, like paint, carbono, clear plastic, or gasoline, is it waste time and to get away from reality. In Gang Leader for a Day you had people abusing drugs because they didn't have the best life. In Always Running, Rodriguez "sniffs" to get away. He compared his high to, "the world becoming jello, like clay, something which could b molded and shaped. This plays into the overall theme of the story. Rodriguez is running away from the person that he really is. The running becomes more than what the eye can see but how the person reacts.

Ultros the Great said...

In chapter 4 Rodriguez's portrayal of women is quite jarring, not in what he said about them, but its the language and diction he uses to describe them. Up until now Rodriguez has used very explicit, and dark language to describe the setting, and the people around it. He'll go into great detail about his mother cutting her ankle, to describing a face after being filled with pellets. Needless to say the language is certainly not very inviting, in fact some times after reading these gruesome details I need to take a minute or two before continuing. However in Chapter 4 when he describes Viviana I'm taken back a bit. Its the same type of extreme detail, however its not dark or grim, but heartfelt, and light.
"Delicate earthenware, glazed in honey...Endless, silky hair...lashes like paint brushes...eyes, which were immense and bursting with brown" (Pg. 88). I had to check the cover of the book to check to see if I was still reading the same book. Its as if Rodriguez was attempting to describe a goddess, because when I read this line I had a throwback to how the goddess Athena was described as being "fair skinned" with "bursting bright eyes". Maybe to say at this time Rodriguez is saying that he possibly reveres women.

Yei N. said...

Scent was identified as a metaphor. Sniffing plays one of the main roles in Chapter 4. Sniffing is used to escape the cruel reality of life and problems. Rodriguez is going through hard times like getting kicked out of his home that there came a point where he wanted to kill himself. On pg 102 Rodriguez says, "Not going home meant a lot of free time. Sniffing became my favorite way to waste it. I stole cans of anything that could give a buzz: carbono, clear plastic, paint or gasoline.” Sniffing was just a waste of time that he enjoyed because it relaxed him and took him away from his problems. As he states, “I was transported away from what was really there-yet it felt soothing.” He felt relief to once breathe a different air where he felt suffocated of chaos, fights, arguments and melancholy. Sniffing was a way to transport into a dream as he said on pg 104. His life was a torment just as Demetrius said.

nash09 said...

In chapter 4 Luis Rodriguez give us a portrayal of women of being these women i power of the men and almost being kinda easy to get. These women have the power to get the men to become subliminal to them. These women are strong willed and have the men in their hands. They are like one of the guys sometimes. Luis mom is strong willed and she seems like she doesn't tolerate much. These women are strong but the younger they are their personalities change but they still have authority. Luis says "Well, it wasn't much, but the girl next to Viviana lit up and pursued it. Viviana appeared distant , subdued. I felt like leaving. i didn't deserve to breathe the same air as her. The thought of her looking at me and saying"ugh! was killing me"(89). Like we see here this is how these girls had power over the men. We see a lot of this in chapter 4.I agree with Mrz. Kita because I believe that Luis's mother has a lot of authority over him in some way .

green said...

In chapter 4 Rodriguez is very involved in “sniffing”, which is a kind of way for him to get high. All the things that he sniffs are paint, gas, or other different types of aerosols. From the text it shows how Rodriguez problem with sniffing is affecting his life. One time he passed out and was not breathing. Other times he would hurt himself, such as the time he beat his head on a brick wall. “Sniffing” is also affecting the people around him, such as his ex-girlfriend, Payasa. She began sniffing and could not control herself which ultimately lead her to a rehabilitation center.

miss.marie said...

I believe women have a big influence on Rodriguez. Everytime he sees a girl rather she looks nice or smells nice he turns into an actual teenager. In the chapters we have read Luis is always running in the streets, fighting, sniffing or just getting into trouble with the police. By Luis doing these things it makes it hard to remember that he is in fact only 14 or 15 at the time. For example, Viviana brings out the teenager quilties in the Luis. He states things like, "My heart felt like it had been stuffed into my ears.", "It was funny because she made me feel like I could've said anything and she would consider it brilliantly clever." and "But at the same time, all I could think about was her touch, her scent- those eyes." I feel like the author is often very vaunerable when it comes to girls, they just bring the sensitive emotions out of him. I would have to agree with Mrs. Kita, Rodriguez's protrayal of women is a fair one.

Unknown said...

Rodriguez portrays women as important people who are caring and forgiving. He talked about how his mom wanted to protect him and keep his off the streets. "She was just too tired:pulling me out of jail..." page 81. Still she welcomed him back into the house but made him live outside in the garage. He also talked about Viviana and he described her as having "eyes,which were immense and bursting with brown." He felt safe with her and wanted to be with her. He stayed with her when the fight started because she asked him to." all I could think about was her touch...". Rodriguez has always described women as having power over men "women with exotic eyes... churches I worshipped in." Rodriguez has always shown respect towards women.

Kiersten said...

i agree with takita. In chaper four, Rodriguez had a lot of respect for young women, especially viviana. Even though Viviana and Rodriguez were from two rival gangs, he still looked passed that and respected her as a person. If it was a boy, Idon't think he would have had the same respect. He treated them like the guys, to a certain extent. I think the women in this book will symbolize power among the mexicans.

dakid said...

i believe that "sniffing" is a representation of relief. it's their way of getting away from all problems. On page 104 Luis tells a story of how he passed out from sniffing and had a comforting dream about his mother. by sniffing he was able to go to a place of happiness where he wanted to stay.

xavier said...

"Sniffing became my favorite way to waste it. I stole cans of anything that could give a buzz: carbono , clear plastic, paint or gasoline. Sometimes I'd mix it up in a concoction and pour it on a rag or in a paper bag we sniffed from."
The way they use "sniffing" in this chapter is actually sniffing. Luis actually goes somewhere and sniffs whatever he could get his hands on. If a person stopped at the quote above they would think that Luis was referring to crack or cocaine,however as you read on you later understand that he basically sniffs anything. The gang uses sniffing to pass the time, as a "great escape" from life. "Spray was dangerous...but it was also a great escape." As I was reading this however I thought that this gang or "club" was different because they didn't have a way to take a load off. Obviously this chapter proves me wrong.

mr. mohawk24 said...

In chapter three I saw scent as a metaphor for being introduced to new places, but now I believe the sniffing is about escaping from the world in going to a better place with none of the problems in reality. I totally agree with Cout Olaf that Rodriguez does what he does to escape from his life as a gangbanger and mexican american. On page 104, Rodriguez says "The world fell into dust around me. Images of the past pitchec by: my brother tossing me off rooftops, my mothers hearty laughter, my father's thin and tired face, the homeboys with scarred smiles and the women with exotic eyes and cunts which were the churches I worshipped in. Everything crashed. Everything throbbed. I only knew: I had to get to the light, that wondrous beacon stuffed with sweet promise: Of peace. Untroubled. The end of fear". This passage to me explains my point because Rodriguez is saying how everything is crashed or basically gone and all he knew is that he had to reach the light.

Queen Q said...

I think that Rodriguez has a good protrayal of the women that's around him. Even though Rodriguez gts into many activities, he never brings his self to disrespect women in any kind of way, but he do let them be theirselves. Rodriguez focus on many women but the two that I feel he admire and love the most is his mother and sister. On page 83 he talks about how his mother put him out and he was satying in the garage. Within this situation Luis still respected his mother and helped out when he could because he knew he was in the wrong. On page 107 Rodriguez so his worries and concerns for Payasa Wilo's sister. Rodriguez asks Wilo why do he like Payasa sniff spray. This right here shows that deep inside he has a soft spot for women where he shows them nothing but respect and love and demands their every wish as an individual.

Ro² =] said...

Eggs I think symbolize a different thing than what Michie2012 states. Since on the last page (107), Luis finally gets to have breakfast with his family in the house, eggs seem to symbolize the comfort and respect with his family that he seems to get back. I do agree with Michie2012 that eggs do get mentioned a lot throughout as a comparison with himself, but I got the main point at the end when he has a small moment with his mom. Eggs are one of the golden things in a morning breakfast. Since it was gold, I connected it to the strong love between a mother and son, especially the type of relationship that Luis and his mom have; a struggling one. The gold object of that morning was the recreation of that mother son relationship.

MC Dragon said...

Rodriguez portrays the women in different yet similar ways: in respect and care. Like his mother for example, "She was just too tired: pulling me out of jail cells..." (pg.81). It's like his mother is strict and caring in a very fair way, she kicks him out for his actions and doesnt accept his money bribes(pg.82, Paragraph 2). Also with his new 'girlfriend' Vivian, with this quote, " I felt torn. There I was, a vato from Lomas staring into the eyes of a Sangra girl. This made me a traitor. But at the same time, all I could think about was her touch.."(pg.93) It shows that Rodriguez had a soft-spot for certain women he knew, he never disrespected them, he knows what they want but its only his pride that keeps him from making correct decisions, but Viviana stopped him from fighting that one day.

History Girl said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
History Girl said...

Sniffing was all about leaving the world, feeling free, letting all the pressures that come along with life go. Rodriguez found a way that he can no longer remember the troubles. "Behind the school, on the field, inside the tunnel, at Marrano Beach and alongside the concrete banks of the San Gabriel River: I sniffed," (102) where ever he was, he was "sniffing," which shows that his problems were everywhere and the only way for them to go away was to sniff some gasoline. I agree with Count Olaf, that "sniffing" distracted him from killing himself in a way or maybe it felt like dying to him, so he did it. When Rodriguez was talking about how he felt when "sniffing," he said that he felt like a cracked egg. I believe that Rodriguez, himself, is an egg. His life acts as the egg shell, thin and at risk of breaking. The more and more things that does that could ruin his life, makes more and more cracks on the egg and finally the egg is spoiled. Thus, if Rodriguez continued to do what he was doing, he would of been dead, because of how many times he pushed himself to the limit.

Raisin said...

I think eggs are significant in this chapter because Luis' comparisons between him and eggs reveal just how delicate he really is. On page 103 he says "While on spray I yelled. I laughed. I clawed at the evening sky. I felt like a cracked egg." On the outside he appears as a trouble-maker that belongs in his gang, but when he sniffs he sees how he really is, which is insecure and delicate. He calls himself a cracked egg because of how his life isn't perfect and it's very easy for him to break apart because of life's challenges.

I kinda agree with michie2011 because him sniffing does seem to bring forth that egg-like feeling that he wants, but i don't think he sniffs just to get that egg-like feeling since I think he always had that insecure, easily breakable, cracked egg feeling to begin with.

maya grandberry said...

Rodriguez refers to woman being many things in chapter 4. Rodriguez mainly portray women being as worst as the men.In the previouse chapter, especially chapter 4 it seems he describes the women as being hoodrats, but there were some women who didnt portray themselves as hood rats. "These girls were known to start many fights which their homeboys inevitably had to finish",page 91.Rodriguez portrayed the women to be more into the gangs and the violence than some of the men.Viviana and the author's mother is the only women who have been portrayed to have some type of sense and are different from the other women and young girls.Rodriguez even portrayed some girls as drug addicts, getting addicted to sniffing drugs.Payassa was agood example how Rodriguez portrayed some young girls as drug addicts.I disagree with Mrz.Kita when she mentions Rodriguez has a fair portrayal of women because he nevers listen to his mother, he disresct his mother, he labels women all under one category, to me he could care less about women, due to the fact they represent themselves a certain way to Rodriguez.

Abdul M. said...

Alim
7th Period

3.)

Sniffing is another way to get high, just like using other drugs such as marijuana and cocaine. In this case though, the person would use their sense of smell, thus "sniffing", rather than their mouth to suck in the smell. In the book, Luis (or Louie) used sniffing as a way to relax and get away from it all, he even metioned the feeling that it gave him. Rodriguez says, "The world became like jello, like clay, something which could be molded and shaped. Sounds became louder, clearer - pulsating. With spray, I became water." (Rodriguez 102). So already, he tells us (the audience) how he felt while he was sniffing, it made him hear and see things much more clearly. However, he could not respond or react in a timely manner since he was effected by the sniffing, which slowed him down physically, and somewhat mentally as well. Also, going back to the title, and main theme of the book "Always Running", as Count Olaf had mentioned too, he was running from his issues/problems by using these drugs, to again, get away from it all. At one point, he had wished he was dead, because where he was while he was dead for that second was his 'happy place'. It was a dream that he wished he could have lived in forever, and the only way to do that is to die. "I was no longer this dream. I was me again. I wished I did die." (Rodriguez 104)

Anonymous said...

In chapter 4, as he says sniffing was used as a method of escape from the world around him. " i became flesh with a dream. the infested walls of the wash turned to mud; the trickle of water a vast river. the homeboys and i looked like something out o Huckleberry Finn or Tom Sawyer. With stick fishing poles. the sparkle o water below us. Fish fidgeting below the sheen." in this passage he tells about how he felt as if he was in a dream after sniffing and later said that he didn't want it to end. this shows that he uses sniffing as a escape from the issues in his life such as his family, friends, enemies, and the drama that come along with them, or to basically escape from reality.

Andrea C. said...

As I read chapter four, I think that Rodriguez protrayed women as a safe place for him like a protection from the gang life. I agree with Mz_C that earlier in chapter two Rodriguez had mentioned how his mother was worried and upset on his behavior," She was the penerating emotion that came at you through her eyes, the mother-guilt..." (46). In chapter four when he met Viviana he felt this connection with her as he says "But at the same time, all I could think about was her touch, her scent-those eyes" (93). She prevented him from going off and fighting with Sangra. I also think it depends on who the woman is. With Payasa although he went out wih her, he did not have strong emotions with her and she did not have the same power other women in his life has had. She was just a person he enjoyed being with.

Cyclops said...

In Chapter one the word scent was about the smell in a certain area or thing but now in chapter four the word sniffing is is used for an escape. In the chpter it was stated that "Spray was dangerous; it literally ate your brain. But it was a great escape. The world became like jello, like clay, something which could be molded and shaped. Sounds became louder, clearer- pulsating. Bodies removed themselves from bodies, floating with the sun. I sought it so desperately. I didn't want to be this thing of bone and skin. With spray, I became water." (112) In the chapter Louis made the word sniffing seem a way to escape with some dangerous side effects. I agree with Count Olaf when he says him sniffing ties in with the title of the book Always Running because to free himself he has to sniff so by sniffinf he is running away from his problems.

Anonymous said...

I think the significance of eggs is sort of a new turning point for him. The "huevos estrellados" seemed like an oppurtunity for him to settle with his mom. Like an invitation to the family again. I think food in any culture sort of brings people together. So maybe that's what I'm reading it as. Like Ro² =] said, eggs are mentioned a lot in this chapter. I noticed how the chapter started out with breakfast and ends with breakfast. Which brings me to the same point: Food unites people. No matter what happened in the chapter it represents unity, that no matter what the family goes through the tradition of breakfast sort of bounces them back to reality.

MzAlreadyFamous said...

In Chapter 1, a lot of senses were used and smell was a main one. Rodriguez started to do immature things as he continued to grow up. I agree with Count Olaf about how sniffing things brought him to some type of realization. “I had come home in a stupor from pills, liquor and from sniffing aerosol can spray” (pg. 81). There is a difference of “smells” from Chapter 1 and Chapter 4. In Chapter 1, his smells were a good smell. Those smells represented change and his move to California. Here in Chapter 2, his smells are a type of bad smells. He starts sniff things that can actually harm him or kill him—even though that was the point of doing it.

Cindy-Lu said...

In chapter one we identified scent as a central metaphor...how is "sniffing" used in chapter 4?

I chapter 4, sniffing played a big role in Luis life during this time. Luis stated the “sniffing became my favorite way to waste it” (102). Sniffing was a way for him to zone away from his problems at home and around him. The only way he could feel good was from drugs and pain. “Spray was dangerous; it literally ate your brain. But it was also a great escape” (102). Luis admits that sniffing and spraying is very dangerous and bad for you body, but he can’t leave it alone because the can release his problems from doing this. I agree with Count Olaf, sniffing relates to the title because he is in a way running from the rest of the world by zoning out from sniffing. He is running from his problems because he doesn’t know how to approach them because everyone is always criticizing him so he relies on sniffing to relive his pain.

Boss Ladii T said...

Totally agreeing with Count Olaf, in this chapter sniffing was used as a way to consume the smell of something or to intake drugs. on page 91 Luis states "able to snif the blood in the air". He probably tried to covey the fact that there was alot of blood being sheaded that night. And also on page 102 Luis states "Sniffing became my favorite way to waste it. I stole cans of anything that could give me a buzz:..." Being expelled from school gave him plenty of free time which sparked more of his intake in drugs. So basically he was sniffing aerosol to get high.

J_Hdez said...

In chapter four i think that Rodriguez has different portrayals of women. Unlike what mrs kita said about having women classify themselves, i believe he portrays the older adult women as someone who should be respected and who are smart. He tries to give money to his mom to make up for the stuff he did wrong, but she doesn't accept, saying money can't buy her respect. Additionally, he talks about the waitresses in the restaurant were he used to work. "The waitresses were cool and understanding,considering they had to endure even more abuse since they were women- dressed in peasant blouses which had been plunged down to reveal their shoulders and short poblana skirts with ruffles. They helped make sure I didn't get cheated on the tips, something the waiters were inclined to do." (101) Then he portrays the younger females as "cholas" with their peroxided red hair, and as big fighters. He also talks about his ex girlfriend Payasa who was fun to hangout with but she was always high, and he didn't like this about her. Unfortuantely for her that was the only way she could take everything she dealt with, which included her brothers cutting her with the razor when she failed to win any fights. Aside from her, he talks about Viviana. He tries to be funny and get to know her more because she is different, not such a chola, who is very admireable for her personality and beauty. Throughout the chapter it seems like despite the differences in style or personality, he seems to admire the way they are.

Muffin said...

In the book, Rodregueiz uses sniffing as a way to escape the realities of his pain. He recognizes how harmful it can be for your body, but the feeling of bieng high was way more appeealing to him. He sniffed different things like paint or aerosol cans, with full awarness of how bad it is. His habit not only affected him, but it affected his ex- girl friend, and she began to grow extremely fond of it, and eventually had to be checked into a facility. He is always running form something, and in this chapter it is the reality of his pain and life.

Shari said...

Sniffling is ued as if it was referring to the arousal of drugs. "Spray was dangerous; it literally ate your brain. But it was also a great escape...I sought it so desperately...With spray I became water". This seems like crack/cocaine is just becoming popular and these drugs were being used to make them high and unaware of their actions. This was like their way of of ecsaping the fact that fact of them being mexican and only being able to speak spanish, with only a little bit of english. So the drug, "sniffling" was their way to freedom.

TurnAway said...

The art of sniffing was brought up in chapter 4. He felt like sniffing was his get away in life which made him want to get awway from it more. "Not going home meant a lot of free time. Sniffing became my favorite way to waste it. I stole cans of anything that could give a buzz: carbono, clear plastic, paint or gasoline." Rodriguez would compare it to running water, which I personally couldn't understand, but then again, I don't do drugs.

TaVashane' said...

TaVashane B. P.5

" I felt like a cracked egg. But I wouldn't stop." Page 103

In Chapter 4 the significance of the eggs relates greatly to Rodriguez. When he stated that he feels like a cracked egg, I believe he feels at any moment he can break. He is protected for now by the "shell", in this case being his family (mom)but as he gets older he wants a sense of freedom. He wants to be set free instead of being contained because of situations surrounding him. As far as wanting to commit suicide I believe that relates to him feeling like a egg and him about to crack. So I definetly agree with michie2011 when she made that statement. As the story continues I look foward in seeing if this perception of Rodriguez being like a egg will change.

Nia said...

In chapter 1 sniffing or smells were defined as actual smells that were pleseant or unpleasant. But in chapter 4, sniffing is used as a form of getting with mch of the same affects as pcp. On page 102, "Spray was dangerous; it literally ate your brain. But it was a great escape…I sought it so desperately. I didn't want to be this thing of bone and skin. With spray, I became water." It is now a way to escape from the enviorment instead of smelling it to get a sense of the type of enviorment. It causes you to get light headed and make you feel invincible to the point where you unconsciously kill youself. "The night before I was in combat with myself, against a dark side, poised for destruction, with death about to tap my shoulder. I tried to commit suicide. I had t come home in a stupor from pills, liquor and from sniffing aerosol can spray.

Count Olaf is right about Luis using drugs as a form of escape and freedom. But I thought at this point he's accepted the fact that he's a Mexican American because of this new found power he began to seek in chapter two as far as being part of a gang to put people in fear. Now that he got his power I would think that he would be a happier Mexican. He's bringing these problems in himself and seemingly blames his surroundings and the white people. Nobody's keeping him down, his family is humble, if you don't want problems from the police: don't bang. His high can be his reality if he stop the blame- this is from his oppression...rebellion.

miley said...

i think he potrays women as fast & smart. They run everything and have bad attitudes at time. He really doesn't say what the women are he lets them act the way they act & then classify them.He respects his mother i just think he acts a certain way depending on the person.

lili.lovely828 said...

The way I think about Rodriguez's portrayals of women is that he shows how they have an impact in his life. Rodriguez tends to show his soft side to women. When his mother kicked him out the house, and he was trying to get her to change her mind he ends up agreeing to the rules she lays down. p. 83 You see a sense as to what Rodriguez is willing to do in order to get on his mother's good side so she would allow him to go back home.
With Viviana after there is a fight between the Lomas and Sangra people, Rodriguez wanted to leave Viviana to go and fight. Viviana tried to convince Rodriguez to stay with her and he finally did while the fighting broke out between the Lomas and Sangra. When Rodriguez talks about women he seems to talk about them with a sense of respect. When Rodriguez talks about Viviana he talks about her beauty and how she made him feel. "I wasn't funny, but she made me feel like I could've said anything and she would consider it brilliantly clever." (p.89)I feel like the way that Rodriguez portrays women is the correct way because he doesn't disrespect them in any way or calls them bitches or hoes.
I agree with itslovely with the fact that many Mexican males that have respect for women because of religion. Although, I have to include the fact that although there are men who respect women there are many who also disrespect women and are in the mindset of machismo. Meaning that men are inferior to women and that a woman's place is at home, cooking, cleaning, and taking care of the children.

Kyesha_LMSA said...

In agreement with mrz.Kita chapter 4, as in the other chapters, Rodriguez portrayal of women seems to be repsectful. By this i mean he seems to admire them, and looks at them as though they are goddesses. For example, Luis falls for the Sangra girl. Her persence always seemed to overwhelm him. In the Mexican community a guy picks a woman and leaves all of his self preferences and faiths;(him initaially being a vato from Lamos) alone for this specific woman; representing the upmost respect for her as woman, and her authority. Which seems to be the case of Rodriguez on page 93.

trap star said...

The eggs in the story were very important because it was like a peace treaty between Rodriguez and his family. He was kicked out until he decided to obey his house rules. Living in the floor garage is the only type of shelter he had and really I didn’t think anything of the eggs, but he seemed to be welcome back with the eggs feeling at home again.
I really didn't see the relationship between him and the eggs though. Maybe because they were scrambled just like his life, but truly I didn't get it.
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KaylaBayla said...

3. In chapter four, Rodriguez uses sniffing as a form of using drugs. He constantly explains how everyone around him is pretty much doing it and how it's so popular. I think it is definitely not a good thing because they're barely teenagers and they are doing one of the most addicting drugs people die from now days. This also ties into girls, because one of his girlfriends was always doing it. He also found it more attractive because that was when she would be more physically attracted to Louis.

GoSoxCubsSukk said...

In chapter 4, sniffing is a means in order to get high in order for Luis to escape from his unfortunate life. On page 102, Luis said that sniffing spray was dangerous because it made him feel brave enough to do anything he wanted such as suicide. So the use of spray in chapter 4 isn't as innocent as it was used in chapter 1.

%*Miss Siddity*% said...

The significance of "eggs" in chapter 4, is that it symbolizes some positive and negative connotation. For example, on pg.81 it says, "Mama leaned over the stove, preparing corn tortillas to go with the eggs." I think eggs on this page means structure or wholeness, that it gives to the family. It's fuuny how they have prepared tortillas to go with the eggs because when I think of this I feel that maybe the tortilla will hide the fragile egg from society. And eggs alone will show its true weakness. But then on pg.103, it goes on to say that,"While on spray I yelled. I laughed. I clawed at the evening sky. I felt like a cracked egg. But I wouldn't stop." In this sentence,Rodriguez feels free and a sense of freedom. His true colors have shown and he has no worries. He is running from the horrible life he is trapped in. When he sniffs, that shell of built up pressure is let down and there is no more stability. The shells are finally broken and he will not stop. I also agree with Count Olaf ,michie2011, and Raisin I think we all have similiar ideas.

Superstar said...

The reason Rodriguez inhales paint, carbono, clear plastic, or gasoline, was to waste time and to get away from his reality." Not going home meant a lot of free time. Sniffing became my favorite way to waste it. I stole cans of anything that could give a buzz: carbono, clear plastic, paint or gasoline,” page 102. This quote displays how his drug problem was because a lack of activites.

n.y. state of mind said...

"Spray was dangerous; it literally ate your brain. But it was also a great escape." Sniffing seems to be used as his way of escaping the hell of a life he placed himslef in. He goes on to say that sniffing made him feel like he was floating above everything.
As Count Olaf said it does tie in very well with the title because it does seem like he is constantly running for a "better" life.