“Convinced by the media and popular culture to believe that, as women, they should look a certain way and that only if they looked that way would they be loved and respected, they turned to dieting as a means of personal fulfillment and self-definition.”  I chose this quote because it reminds me of my life a little bit.  I was previously married to a physically, mentally, and emotionally abusive man.  I thought I looked “good” back then.  He once made the comment after I accepted a job as a school secretary that I better watch myself because my behind (he used other words) will expand from sitting on it all day long.  He also said to one of his friends that if I lose 40 pounds, from where I don’t know, that he would have sex with me more often.  Lucky me!  We divorced soon after that.  I now am married to a wonderful man and have five children with him.  My weight has increased quite a bit and I  have not heard one negative comment from my husband.  This reminds me that you don’t have to be “Hollywood thin” to be loved.  There are a lot of nasty people in this world, but there are also a lot of fantastic people.  This essay tells a lot about how women feel about themselves and the influences that others have on them to look “good”. 

I think the thesis is “Women are up against a long history of devaluation and oppression, and, unfortunately, the feminist movements have been only partially successful in purging those legacies.  Women have always struggled with self image, but with support groups, great friends and treatment, not only to victims, but also to the rapists and batterers, we may be able to reduce the amount of incidences, be it, eating disorders, rape, abuse, and negative self image.

“I am a cripple.”  I chose this passage because it is the truth, it is pure honesty, it is acceptance of oneself.  I tend to live in the moment and deal with what is at hand.  I am a constant reminder that “we will get through this”.  Nancy seems comfortable with her situation and chooses to deal with her “crippleness” rather than dwell on her incapabilties.  I appreciate this kind of attitude.  I believe this passage is the thesis because it explores how she feels about it and what she is doing to overcome everyday challenges.

This reading had me on the edge of my seat the whole time.  “Will he do it?” is all I could think of.  This is the type of story no parent would ever want to know about.  Not only is Roger putting himself in danger, but he must be going through so much pain inside knowing he has to prove himself to make friends.  Not exactly what most people look for in a friend.

The following got my attention:  Even my old cronies, Dwayne and O.T., made it clear I’d never be one of the guys in junior high if I didn’t dirty up my act.  This is upsetting to me because I believe and try to teach my children to accept people for who they are.  You never know when their qualities may benefit you. 

 I think Roger Hoffman wanted to express how hard a child’s life can be.  He went to great measures just to “fit in”.   Just because children become adults doesn’t mean things change, adults are confronted with dares, they are just usually handled in a much different manner. 

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