The deeper I read into Eleanor & Park, the more I fall in love with the story. I can imagine so many ways that this book could end. I keep wondering, “Will Eleanor and Park stay a couple throughout the book?”, “Will Eleanor's home life improve?” and even, “Is the drama as school going to get less harsh?.” I am very anxious to see how this book is going to play out.
This middle half of the book really opened my eyes to the amount of anxiety that Eleanor is suffering with. Eleanor feels very out of place and awkward around regular people, like Park’s parents. While at his house she has cried multiple times and even tried to leave a few times. I would blame her socially-awkwardness on her mother. Eleanor’s mother is very passive and for some reason allows Richie to physically and mentally abuse her and cuss at the kids. This type of at home behavior might definitely be the cause of Eleanor's anxiety.
The gender roles in this story are far from “traditional”. From the start of this book it was apparent that Eleanor dresses like a boy, and is not your typical girl when it comes to anything that relates to appearance. She doesn't even try to fit in with other girls. She is totally out of her comfort zone when Park’s mom does her hair and makeup in her beauty salon. My heart filled with sympathy over the fact that Eleanor didn't even want to look at herself after she is given a makeover because she thought she would look ugly. Similarly, Park is not a typical masculine character. At one point he even starts wearing eyeliner to school,, making his father very unhappy with him. Both characters are defying the norms of the time period.
I would also like to talk more about the financial situation of Eleanor's family. It is obvious to everyone that they come from a very poor household. My assumption is that Richie goes out and spends all of their money very irresponsibly. He was able to buy all of the children a present for Christmas, and he even spared $50 to give to Eleanor (even though her mom spent it on Christmas dinner). When Richie leaves money in his pants pocket, Eleanor's mom finds it in the laundry and spends it on toys and new jeans for Eleanor. If Richie is keeping that much money in his pants pocket, it makes me wonder how much he is really making and hiding from his family so he can spend it however he pleases…
Mattie- I totally agree that how much Richie makes is a curiosity. It seems like most of the money he earns goes to drinking alcohol, which also effects his demeanor, along with his memory. There was a line describing money found as not considered missing and as probably spent.
ReplyDeleteI do think that Richie withholds money from his family. After all, she does say he smells of marajuana all the time. That's a fairly expensive habit to maintain for a family so in need.
ReplyDeleteI like your point about the gender roles in this book. I think this is what makes this story so unique and great. I was so frustrated the first time Eleanor went to Park's house. I just wanted her to get along with his family smoothly, but she definitely has a lot of anxiety. I was glad to see that she seemed to get better as it went on, and she got more comfortable at Park's.
ReplyDeleteI think the fact that he gives Eleanor 50$ is kind of awful. With how he acts around her, you can bet that whatever he was hoping she would buy is probably something she would not want to have. Though he gives presents to the other kids, and maybe that is kind of him, Im glad that Eleanor hands that money straight over to her mom.
ReplyDelete