MuskaE_B08L12D_Blog10

Summary

Mrs. Dazinger calls her daughter at camp. Katherine’s Grandpa died from his second stroke. Katherine takes it tough. She wants to go home. She wants to comfort her Mom and Grandma, but must stay and tell Jamie. She is reminiscing of all the times she had with her Grandpa. Theo comforts Katherine. He kisses her forehead. Katherine begins to passionately kiss him, but Theo stops her. Katherine tells Jamie the news. Katherine talks to her Grandma on the phone. She writes Michael a letter, telling him about her grandfather's death. Theo tells Katherine he wants to see her after camp. She says she needs to think. Michael writes Katherine two letters that she doesn't answer. Katherine writes him a letter about her mixed up feelings with love after meeting someone. She cries and rips it up. Theo and Katherine are holding hands now. Michael comes to visit Katherine at camp because he grew worried after she didn't answer his letters. They talk over dinner. At the motel they kiss. Before going further, Katherine stops Michael. She wants to be honest. Michael thinks she's upset because of her grandfather. Then he guesses that there is another guy. He asks Katherine what happened to “forever”. Michael wants her to choose, but Katherine says she can't make any promises. It's over. Katherine gives him back the necklace. He won't accept it. Dropping her off at camp, he tells her that he fooled around in North Carolina. Artie is home. They run into each other before leaving for college. Katherine wants to tell Michael so many things; that she loves him and that she doesn't regret anything. She hopes that her eyes say it all. Jamie is hanging out with a boy. Theo calls.

Things That Make Me Go "Hmm"

At first, I found it odd that the death of Katherine’s grandfather would be included in this story. One of the major themes is teenage sexuality so I find including death into the subject matter a little perplexing. On the other hand, the second major theme is the lasting power of love. After some thought, the inclusion makes sense. I think that Judy Blume included the death of Katherine's grandfather into the story, because she wanted to show an example of all good things coming to an end. Someone was loved very much, yet they died. Katherine and Michael loved each other very much, yet their relationship died. Just because “forever” dies, does not mean that love must also die. Even though Katherine’s grandfather is gone, she still loves him. Likewise, even though Katherine’s relationship with Michael dies, she still loves Michael. Mr. Danzinger’s death shows that love can remain after someone is gone (forever). Katherine can (and does) still love Michael even though he is “gone”. Therefore, love is stronger than death.

At the end of the book, when Theo calls, it seems like “forever” is about to start all over for Katherine. The same could be said for Jamie (who has a new boyfriend); she is going to start a relationship “forever” as well.

Assigned Focus-Sociogram

Katherine-tennis racquet

Katherine is an assistant tennis counselor at her sister’s camp for the summer.

Theo-moustache, number 21, tennis ball

Theo has a brown moustache that turns downward. He is twenty one years old, and he plays tennis.

Erica Small-shorts

Erica is less than five feet tall, and her last name is Small.

Juliette Small-newspaper

Erica’s mom is a famous movie reviewer. I used a broken line to circle her, because she is only talked about twice, briefly, in the book.

Sybil Davison-baby

Sybil Davison hides her pregnancy, and then gives her baby up for adoption.

Artie Lewin-hospital bed

Artie was in a psychiatric hospital after he attempted suicide. He was absent from the book when he was in the psychiatric hospital.

Katherine’s Dad (Roger Danziger)-tennis ball

 He plays tennis, sometimes with Katherine.

Katherine’s mother (Donna Danziger)-palm tree plant

She received a palm tree for her fortieth birthday.

Jamie-large heart, small paintbrush

Jamie is becoming more interested in boys, and seemingly less interested in the arts.

Katherine’s grandfather (diseased)-cane

He has walked with a cane ever since his stroke. I used a broken line to circle him, because he is deceased at the end of the book.

Katherine’s grandmother-hat

Katherine really liked it when her Grandmother wore a hat (yellow). Katherine followed her grandmother in the fashion.  

Tommy Aronson-bed

Tommy Aronson dated Katherine, but was solely interested in having sex with her. He is mentioned briefly in the book.

Elizabeth-bikini

Elizabeth wears a tiny bikini in the school play that Katherine and Michael watch together. I used a broken line to circle her, because she is an absent character in the second half of the book.

Michael Wagner-skis

Michael is a ski instructor. A broken line is between him and Katherine, because they have split by the end of the book.

Sharon (Michael’s sister)-skull

Sharon is an anthropologist, and significantly absent the second half of the book.

Ike (Sharon’s husband)-physician’s symbol

Ike is a doctor, and significantly absent the second half of the book.

MuskaE_B08L11D_Blog9

Summary

Katherine is emotional at Michael's graduation. She attends the after party at Michael's house. She talks to his family members, and finally meets his parents. Afterwards, they have sex at Katherine's house. She explains to Michael about “their” rug. Katherine graduates. They spend the weekend at Erica's beach house. Artie was supposed to be there too. Some of the kids there smoke and drink, but Katherine and Michael make love on the beach. Jamie and Katherine leave for camp. Chapter 22 consists entirely of letters. Katherine tells Michael about her roommate. She mentions the head tennis counselor Theo. They miss each other terribly. Katherine writes about water skiing and jokingly tells Michael not to talk to females. Erica writes to Katherine about her summer, enclosing Artie's address at the clinic. Katherine writes to her parents, including how Jamie has a boyfriend. She mentions that a boy named Theo calls her Kat. Michael leaves. Katherine writes a friendly letter to Artie. Katherine writes to Erica, saying that she should have sex before college. She mentions Theo is twenty one and a senior at Northwestern. She's trying to fix up Nan and Theo. Erica writes she is going to wait to have sex with someone special. Katherine’s Mom writes to her daughter that she will see her at visiting day. Theo watches Katherine. They hang out together. He asks what “forever” on her necklace means, concluding that it's a long time. Katherine's letters to Michael get shorter. Theo, Nan, and Katherine go to a movie. Katherine used to dream of being with Michael, but now she dreams that she is with Theo. Theo slow dances with Katherine. She cries afterward. She admits there is something growing between them. Visiting day comes. She plays tennis with her Dad. She shows her Mom the box full of letters from Michael.

Things That Make Me Go "Hmm"

I admire Katherine, because she stands up for herself. At Michael’s graduation party, Michael’s uncle asks her what she wants to do with her life. She says she wants to be happy, and make others happy. (I like that answer.) He says that’s not enough. She says that’s all she knows, and walks away. Katherine can be outspoken when she gets angry. I would have just agreed with the guy to make things easy. I like how she defends her thoughts.

I hope I don’t get a roommate in college like Katherine does at summer camp. Angela doesn’t believe in shaving body hair, and thinks that her natural body odor smells amazing. Hence, she doesn’t use deodorant.

(Image above from http://blogs.monografias.com/sistema-limbico-neurociencias/files/2010/05/bad-body-odor.jpg .)
Erica has changed. Before she wanted to have sex with anyone, but now she is willing to wait for a special guy to come her way.

Theo seems to be more emotionally mature than Michael. Possibly, Katherine is attracted to his sophistication.

Judy Blume has a sense of humor. For example, in Katherine’s letter to Michael, Katherine writes “’I have all your pictures taped on the wall above my bed. Angela says you’re very natural looking. I think that’s supposed to be a compliment. I didn’t tell her that you usually wear eye shadow and color your hair. Ha ha.’”

(Image from http://juiced.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/black-and-white-photo-wall.jpg .)

Assigned Focus-Letter

Dear Katherine Danziger from Forever…,

You and I live at very different times. We come from disparate places. Did you know that we share a common bond? Our circumstances, don't be mistaken, are polar opposites. For instance, I desperately tried to get pregnant. I desperately hoped for a son. I cannot fathom taking a pill, in order to not get pregnant, like you did! In addition, my relationship with my husband was forced. Although, I must say, our bond grew stronger throughout our marriage. I cannot believe that you got to choose Michael! That is so strange, yet it must have been special for you! Let these two examples illustrate the differences in where we come from, and in the different times we come from. But do not let our differences disguise the common bond we share, Katherine. For our similarity has the power to unite us as…well…almost like laotongs. I realize that this portion of my letter is embarrassing for you to receive (and equally for me to write). I was scared, as you were, the first time that I had sex. By telling you this, I hope to comfort your soul and sympathize with your heart. Have you ever heard that things get better with time? Well Katherine, this saying is true in your circumstance as it was in mine. Things do get better with time. I know that you found some comfort in the newspaper article your mother gave to you. It pertained to sex and relationships, but you related it to your “first time”. I wish I had a mother like yours growing up. Your mother understands you. She gives you advice, but in a silent way. Your relationship with Michael will only grow stronger from time. Keep up your womanly duties, and he shall find no reason to be unhappy with you.

Best wishes in your relationship,

Lily from Snow Flower and the Secret Fan

MuskaE_B08L10D_Blog8

Summary

Mr. Danziger gets Katherine a summer job as a tennis counselor at Jamie’s camp. Katherine is furious. She will be away from Michael for seven weeks. She refuses to go. Her parents don’t budge. They say she needs a change. In order to be honest, she decides to tell Michael about her job immediately. Erica cancels her weekend plans due to Katherine being upset. Michael and Artie come over Erica’s. Artie is in a good mood until they sing Happy Birthday to Michael. The song triggers Artie’s somber feelings on life. Michael and Katherine have sex. Katherine uneasily tells Michael about her job. Michael confesses he has a job too. He’s known for weeks, and was going to tell her that night. They are both upset. Michael and Artie leave. Erica starts to cry, because Artie threatened to kill himself that night. Later, he attempts suicide, ending up in a psychiatric hospital. Michael and Erica blame themselves. Artie wanted to talk to Michael on the way home, but Michael was consumed by his own problems. Artie was waiting for Erica when she came home from school, but she ended them for good. Katherine gets Michael a sweater for his birthday. He loves it. The three go to a bar the next night. Michael and Erica get drunk. Katherine’s parents help Michael and Erica get cleaned up. They let them spend the night after calling their parents. Katherine cries. June arrives. Katherine cuts her afternoon classes one day, spending the time with Michael in bed. Katherine’s family celebrate Mrs. Danziger’s fortieth birthday. Erica and Katherine visit Sybil and her baby girl. Sybil has a lot to say. 

Things That Make Me Go “Hmm”

In the beginning of this section, Katherine's Dad tells her that the boy Sam Fox originally hired to be assistant tennis counselor contracted hepatitis. Katherine’s family was not shocked, or even a little bit surprised. This made me conclude that hepatitis was more common in the 1970's, due to the sexual revolution.

I can feel by cheeks burning along with Katherine’s. Her parents took the job at the camp for her. I cannot stand it when my parents answer for me, like when they answer the phone and tell my boss that I can come into work that day. 

I realized that Jamie looks up a lot to Katherine. She gets really worried when Katherine talks of leaving home.

( Image of luggage from http://aroundthesphere.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/luggage.jpg .)
Erica is such a good friend. She canceled her weekend plans at a beach house in order to comfort Katherine.

Michael loves spinach. He eats a whole bag. Sounds like my brother.

( Image of spinach from http://www.sustainableisgood.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/06/24/popeye_spinach.jpg .)
I cannot believe that Katherine had never seen Erica cry until the night Artie was suicidal. They have been friends since their freshman year.

When Artie attempts suicide I wonder if he did so because of his uncertainty with his sexuality. It's sad that suicides relating to sexuality are still occurring today.

At first I was confused as to how Erica, Artie, and Michael got drinks at a bar showing their driver licenses. Upon researching, I found that the legal drinking age was lowered to eighteen in the 1970’s (before it was quickly raised back to twenty one).

Katherine's parents are so relaxed with her drunken friends (Michael and Erica). They help them get cleaned up, and they let them spend the night. My parents would have been upset if I brought my friends home drunk.

Assigned Focus-Thinking Aloud

MuskaE_B08L09D_Blog7

Summary

Katherine and Michael both get extremely ill with the flu. Michael takes Katherine out for her birthday. He gives her a silver necklace. “Katherine” is engraved on one side of a silver disk and “Forever… Michael” is engraved on the other. She becomes emotional, so Michael leads her out of the restaurant. Katherine tells Michael that she is taking the Pill. She initiates sex, but she is reluctant to go to Michael’s house. Michael shows her around his neat house. His own room is very messy. Katherine picks out her favorite aftershave of his. They have sex on the bathroom floor, but Michael comes early. They try again in bed, and Katherine comes this time too. She is excited after. Katherine is best friends with Michael. They share a different friendship then the one she shares with Erica. Katherine wants to spend every day with Michael; forever. They shower together, and then go out to dinner together. Katherine wants to meet Michael’s parents. She also wants to have sex again. Jamie is in love, but not serious love. Michael and Katherine want to find summer jobs. Erica gets an exciting job. Sybil is pregnant. She doesn’t know who the father is, and is putting the baby up for adoption. Erica’s Mom is going to make her daughter take the Pill, because of Sybil’s situation. Career day comes. Sharon and Katherine’s grandmother attend. Katherine and Michael have a plan arranged with their college trimesters so that they will see each other. Sybil gets accepted to every college she applies to. She has her pregnancy hidden because of her large size. Katherine accepts Denver’s offer immediately. She tells her parents about how Michael and she plan to see each other. They are not happy.

Things That Make Me Go “Hmm”

I can relate to Katherine when she is opening her birthday present. She says that she doesn’t know how to act when she gets a present. I never know how to act either for some reason! I think it is an awkwardness that Katherine and I both feel.

( Image of birthday gift and birthday balloons from http://www.shrcsc.net/images/birthday-gift-balloon.jpg .)

The title of the book might come from the engraving on the necklace that Michael gives to Katherine.

I was surprised that Michael and Katherine have been dating for awhile (near a half of year), but she still has not met his parents.

Sybil did not want to tell her parents about her baby, because she knew that they would force her to have an abortion. On the flip side, Erica and Katherine would readily have an abortion; without giving it any thought. I wonder why they have such different views, especially because Erica and Sybil come from the same family.

( Image of baby, below, from http://supermon.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/baby.jpg .)

I did not realize how overweight Sybil is. She is able to hide a pregnancy. In addition, her family was going to send her off to a camp so that she could lose weight.

Assigned Focus-Genre Choices

Judy Blume’s novel, Forever…, is categorized in the genre of young adult fiction. Judy Blume chose Young Adult Fiction to express teenage sexuality, because she wanted to show teenagers what sex was all about if they did not have anyone to talk to. In this way, Judy Blume takes on a motherly role. She describes a teenager relationship for those who have never had one. She offers compassion for those who have. Hence, by choosing such a genre Judy Blume is able to comfort and inform her audience. In addition, Judy Blume chose the genre of young adult fiction to express her theme, because doing so allowed her to write for an attentive audience. Young adults, including myself, become engrossed in this book. Due to the popularity of Forever… among young adults, I think that Judy Blume made the correct decision by expressing her theme in young adult fiction. Young adult fiction is a suitable genre considering that the book deals with the theme of teenage sexuality. This theme would have been too mature for preteens, but not mature enough for adults. (Young adult fiction is written for those that are age fourteen to those that are age twenty one.) The theme of teenage sexuality contains some language that is vulgar, and subject matter that is descriptive. For these reasons, most adults would not enjoy the book. For these reasons as well, the book would have been inappropriate for children.  In conclusion, the theme of teenage sexuality would not have been as successful if Judy Blume wrote about such a theme in a different genre (Middle Grade Fiction, Children Fiction, Adult Fiction, Suspense, Romance, or Romantic comedy). Young adult fiction expresses the theme of teenage sexuality well. Fiction means fake, but that does not equate to a story that is not believable. Writing in fiction allowed Judy Blume to be more open. In young adult fiction, most likely an adolescent is portrayed as the protagonist. This makes the story more relatable for the audience. Themes relate often to the challenges that youth brings, while the subject matter and is consistent with age of the main character. In my opinion, the genre and the theme complimented each other beautifully.