What’s the significance of Shirley Temple? What meaning does she hold for Lovey?
In the beginning, Lovey and he best friend, Jerry are watching the Shirley Temple movie before they go to church. They never get to see the end because they have to leave so they end up making the ending themselves in the middle of the pastors sermon.
I think growing up, we all search for meaning and purpose; who we are as individuals and I think that Shirley Temple was like a hero type in a way to Lovey in this story. She was like the girl that Lovey always wanted to be and she found such happiness and joy in the things that Shirley did throughout her life. I think she was really important to her and who she was and who she becoming, the things she was finding out about herself through Shirley growing up.
I also think that she maybe wanted a different life. She was always humiliated at school and didn't like the stuck up girls that would have the nice long hair and the nice purses and things like that and I feel like she envied Shirley in a way that she wanted to speak english, and she wanted to be more 'white' as well and from watching her movie she sees such a great and inspiring little girl growing up that she had such significance to her as a child. It's kind of sad in a way if you think about it but at the same time we all have that hero or one person maybe we wish we could be a little more like.
Hi Hailey,
ReplyDeleteI think you're right that Lovey wants a new life. I'm sure most kids fantasize about being someone else or having nice things, but in Lovey's case, all this fantasizing is compounded by the fact that her actual life is tough. She's often teased, she's poor and she doesn't speak standard English. Shirley Temple is an escape and a means to transcend all of her problems. However, while the fantasies offer her relief, when she returns to her life after the fantasy, she's let down even more by the stark contrast; each time she's disappointed even more about her life.
I wonder about the affect media has on children and teens. We all know that media is selling us desire-we want that car, that pair of shoes or that dish liquid. I'm not sure young children can resist the allure of media, especially when most adults are drawn in to it.
Thanks for your insights.
Take care,
Lauren
Hailey,
ReplyDeleteI think you did a great job, on describing what you read and gleamed from this story. I agree with you that Lovey must have had a much different life. The part that struck me the hardest was when Lovey says, “We weren’t good enough for that kind of love that Shirley had every Sunday the kind of love that makes the bottom lip quiver and mothers rush through crowns to hug you at the end of the movie. I am so grateful that Lovey had Jerry, because I think the reason, she wanted to be like Shirley, was because she was missing the kind of love and caring that she believed Shirley received. Like most girls we always think that the grass is greener on the other side and Lovey that this as well. She thought all she needed was to be white with a beautiful dress and those amazing curls and everything would be so much better. This reminds me of how young girls, young woman, and even older woman, get caught up believing that if they look like the models in the magazines, they will either be accepted or even loved. I wish that they knew just how wonderful they and Lovey are in there own unique way. Maybe someday!
Thank you for sharing you did a great job/
Stacy
Funny, heart-breaking and sometimes gritty recollections back to middle school years. I really enjoyed the way you depicted the truth behind adolescent girls struggles and so specific to this character, and I would think that most anyone would be able to relate. Vivid descriptions in the story ; I felt like I could see, hear, smell it all. Most of Lovey's triumphs are pyhrric and her losses leave her more wounded than before. Despite this, she shows an amazing inner strength and resilience that the people in her family have always had. Common as it is with young girls, Lovey seems to take for granted underscores the tragic beauty of her own life, which she desperately longs to escape.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your reading!! Daye
I think that Lovey had a rough time while growing up and creating stories about Shirley was an escape from her real life. This brought joy and entertainment to the simple uneducated life she had at home. I think this is a sad story and the saddest part is that Lovey feels like she dosent deserve Shirley’s perfect life. You brought up a different point of the story and I really enjoyed reading your personal thoughts!
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Natalia
I like your thoughts and response to this question. I agree with the fact that Lovey looked up to Shirley temple as a hero figure, and in a way found a sense of escape with this show. I feel like Lovey disliked her life and found it easier to create happy endings for Shirley rather than herself. Everyone goes through this I feel like. Every person has their hero figure that they look up to and in a way they want to be more like that person more than themselves. But if Lovey wanted to be more happy I feel like she should've worked on her own happiness rather than a figurine like Shirley Temple. Thank you for your insights Hailey!
ReplyDeleteJarrod