Monday, December 27, 2010
Welcome to the Lit-in-the-Middle Blog
As future teachers of tweens and teens, you will be creating, and responding to blogs related to adolescent literature. For each novel we read, please think of one DEEP question to post on this blog. Respond to all other blog questions from your classmates at least once for each novel.
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What influences in your life could cause you to develop an eating disorder like Lia? And do you think any of these influences affected Lia's eating disorder?
ReplyDeleteIt came into debate throughout Wintergirls whether or not Lia and Cassie's friendship was healthy for either of the girls. After reading the novel what is your take on their relationship? Have you ever struggled with a friendship that may have been personally harmful to you or your friend?
ReplyDeleteI believe in the beginning it was healthy as they seemed to relate well to each other sharing time together. This was when Lia was a "real girl" which means she was happy. Once they made the pact to be the skinniest girls in school, they reinforced each other's unhealthy eating habits. Once this happened, their relationship became unhealthy. And for me, I do not think I have had any unhealthy friendships. My mother made sure of that growing up.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Kaite's question, I think their friendship was based on generic values of friendship. I think their inability to realize what their pact was doing to one another made it unhealthy. But in the book, they reflected back on several times that Lia was their for Cassie as a true friend would be. And I believe that Lia really wanted to be that crutch for Cassie but maybe somewhere deep in her subconcious she felt knowing if she helped Cassie, she wouldn't be able to ever help herself.
ReplyDeleteIn high school I definitely had a friendship that was personally harmful. Throughout elementary and middle school I absolutely idolized my best friend. She had a "following" of girls who wanted to be her friend and be just like her. I felt like I was special because I was her "best friend." In high school, she put me in some very bad situations and I almost felt guilty if I didn't tag-along with her because, after all, she "chose" me to be her best friend. It wasn't until after I finished my undergrad did I realize what kinds of scars the friendship or "friendship" actually left on me. I'm definitely a stronger person and better friend because of it.
In response to Nick's question, the pressures I had put on me by one of my parents (you can decide which one) almost pushed me to verge of an eating disorder. Trying to live up to the impossible standards set for me, I felt as though my body was the only thing I could try to be in control of.
ReplyDeleteI think that Lia probably felt like a mistake from as early as she could understand because her parents had her by accident and felt like they had to marry because of her even though they couldn't stand each other. It was a problem rooted deep early on that kept growing.
Winter Girls Deep Question:
ReplyDeleteThroughout Wintergirls, Lia crossed out Mom and referred to her as Dr. Marrigan. She also criticized her mother for never really being a mother. The book illustrated a very special relationship between Lia and Emma. Do you think Lia's caring and fondness of Emma were a result of things Lia wishes her own mother would've done for her? And do you think what Emma saw Lia doing was turning point in the road to Lia's recovery?
In response to Nick's question, growing up in an environment where there is an unbalanced focus on weight issues can be a potential influence. The media is certainly guilty of a lack of balance in the way "super skinny" is depicted as the norm and in the way that dieting and weight loss are excessively covered. Parents need to be aware of their attitudes about weight and how they communicate those attitudes in front of or directly to their children and other young people. Lia's stepmother had issues with weight as were demonstrated in her quests to control Emma's ice cream intake. Jennifer unwisely communicated her thoughts directly to Lia, which only served to add fuel to Lia's mission to starve herself.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Shelley's question I do think that Lia's fondness and nurturing nature with her does have something to do with her troublesome relationship with her mother. Because her mother was always busy caring for or saving someone else Lia felt her mother didn't really know her, let alone care for or want to save her own daughter. Lia clearly cared for Emma did the things that I think she was hoping her mother would do for her.
ReplyDeleteEmma was one of the people closest to Lia so when Emma saw her hurting herself and at her very lowest point Lia realized she had hit rock bottom. She wanted to be strong and brave for Emma, but when Emma saw her like that and she scare her, and then couldn't see her anymore Lia was finally able to recognize her problems and found the strength to address them.