I found looking at the progression of the map, and seeing where push-pins were placed to be really interesting. While reading the book it’s obvious that David and the Schearls remained pretty much in the same area through Roth’s constant mentioning of Avenue D. They didn’t have the money or the means to really explore the city. Bertha was really the only one that had the charisma and drive to explore more than just Avenue D. I find it interesting that despite David going out into the street frequently, and spending time with his friends outside, it still is constrained to or around this one place.
One really interesting push-pin that I would like to comment on is the Statue of Liberty. The text doesn’t really fit the picture. In the text, the Statue is swallowed in shadows and appears to be very overbearing and overwhelming. It’s written that she’s “rising on her high pedestal,” which gives the feeling of immense authority and intimidation (14). The Statue in the novel is representative of looming difficulties and hardships. It expresses the fear and strains of immigration; it embodies the unknown in leaving everything behind in their homeland. The picture is bright and beautiful, and gives the sense of hope and power for all. I think in a way this picture does relate to the last line of the text, but in a different sense than what Roth was going for. It’s written, “The child and his mother stared again at the massive figure in wonder” (14). This picture incites wonder, but I feel that in this picture it’s a hopeful wonder, a wonder of the opportunities to come, and the wonder felt in the novel is a fearful wonder, a curious, cautious wonder.
Call It Sleep, Henry Roth, 14, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, New York, 1991
One really interesting push-pin that I would like to comment on is the Statue of Liberty. The text doesn’t really fit the picture. In the text, the Statue is swallowed in shadows and appears to be very overbearing and overwhelming. It’s written that she’s “rising on her high pedestal,” which gives the feeling of immense authority and intimidation (14). The Statue in the novel is representative of looming difficulties and hardships. It expresses the fear and strains of immigration; it embodies the unknown in leaving everything behind in their homeland. The picture is bright and beautiful, and gives the sense of hope and power for all. I think in a way this picture does relate to the last line of the text, but in a different sense than what Roth was going for. It’s written, “The child and his mother stared again at the massive figure in wonder” (14). This picture incites wonder, but I feel that in this picture it’s a hopeful wonder, a wonder of the opportunities to come, and the wonder felt in the novel is a fearful wonder, a curious, cautious wonder.
Call It Sleep, Henry Roth, 14, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, New York, 1991
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