Friday, March 13, 2009
The Grass Dancer - Harley
All throughout the novel, Harley Wind Soldier has had a heart-shaped hole in his chest. Pumpkin, a talented grass dancer was able to momentarilly fill it. Why do you think that a complete stranger was temporarily able mend the void that had plagued him for years, while the people close to him, including his mother, seemed unable to get near?
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I think a stranger was able to mend that void just because she was a stranger. All his life, Harley has dealt with a certain “betrayal” from those closest to him. For example, his mother chose to not speak after the death of her husband and niece, even to her son. While her grieving is understandable, her actions at the moment are completely irresponsible to that of a parent’s role in his or her child’s life. If I were in Harley’s position, I would ask myself, “What did I do wrong?” Every day I would be reminded that the one living person that I’m supposed to be closest to doesn’t talk to me and I have no means to help fix that. The same may be for his Harley’s deceased father. Just the absence of his presence could be seen as a betrayal to him. Although these betrayals are inflicted unintentionally, they still affect Harley’s life. By constantly being let down by those closest to him, perhaps he saw that a stranger’s kindness is even more reliable. Seeing a stranger take the time to even try to understand him or even talk to him could very well have meant more to him, as no one he knew close to him seemed to even attempt to do the same.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Rebecca. The fact that she indeed was a stranger and yet was willing to listen to mend his "broken heart." Unlike all those around Harley, Pumpkin actually took the initiative to appoach and try to understand him while those close to him took in what he gave and didn't try to dig deeper as to why he did those things.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with the above interpretations of the matter. While his family continuously deepened the hole in Harley's heart, Pumpkin was able to fill the void. Even though she was a stranger, Pumpkin's kindness touched Harley's heart. Sometimes it is simply easier to confide in a stranger than it is to tell those who are close to you how you really feel, because you fear the opinions they may have. In Harley's case, he wouldn't want to further upset his mother who refuses to speak to him as it is. When speaking with a stranger, you have a clean slate.
ReplyDeleteI believe the reason as to why Pumpkin was able to fill his heart was because she became close to him. Unlike his mother who slightly distances herself from her own son by not talking to him.Pumpkin was able to get close to Harley and care about him.All his friends had believed he was a hermit and didn't bother with him because he confided in himself.While at the house, he stated he felt like he was falling. And yet, Pumpkin had told him she will not let him go. It shows that even though she is a stranger, she was able to understand Harley. She became a part of him.
ReplyDeleteI think that the reason that Harley's mother could not fill that hole in his heart is because of the fact that she will not talk to him, Even if she did start talking again, he would still know that she did talk to him for such a long period of time and for a mother to do that to her son is so careless, selfish, and unthinkable. I believe he feels betrayed and hurt by her because she even dared to do that. Pumpkin, a stranger, and Harley have made a connection. The fact that she is a stranger is so exciting to Harley and i believe that is the reason why she is able to fill the hole in his body.
ReplyDeleteI think the reason why Harley's heart was filled by pumpkin is because she was able to get close to him. She listened to his problems and got him to open up to her. He doesn't open up to his mother because of what she had kept from him. He feels he can't trust what she says and does not want to talk to her. Pumpkin on the other hand he feels he can trust. They make a strong connection and he feels that he does not have a hole in his heart after talking to her.
ReplyDeleteUnlike his mother, Harley's new friend Pumpkin (a total stranger) is there for him. As the two of them bond, they grow a relationship that gets stronger and stronger. His mother was probably the main cause of this empty space in his heart as she did not want to talk to him. The connection between Harely and Pumpkin slowly fills that empty space Harley's missing.
ReplyDeleteHarley and Pumpkin recognized each other in a special way. Though they may have been strangers, they connected easily by a spiritual attraction as two isolated, self-proclaimed misfits. They needed each other so fate brought them together to heal. By understanding Harley on a deeper level, unbiasedly, sympathetically, Harley was able to share the pieces of himself still intact without the jealousy, pity, (seeming) apathy, or judgement of those who knew his story. Both Pumpkin and Harley were trying to conform into society, hide their oddities so to be accepted by those around them (Pumpkin her tribe and peers, Harley his mother). However, with each other they are finally able to strip away their masks and be who they really are (symbolized in Harley still wearing his makeup to the deserted house and Pumpkin stripping of her clothes). Harley still hides behind a facade out of fear of showing who he really is, whereas Pumpkin finally shed herself of worry and self-doubt. On the other hand, Harley's mom is the person who Harley feels betrayed him. According to Harley it is her fault that he has a hole in his chest; it is because Lydia gave his soul to her dead "son" Duane. And by not talking to Harley, she only carves his whole deeper as if fills with nothing but more emptiness.
ReplyDelete