A Wrinkle In Time is one of those beautiful books that you can never stop learning from. No matter how many times you read this book, you can always come out of it with new knowledge of the book, and the world. It's wonderful how Madeleine L'Engle incorporated so many lessons, so many ideas into a couple hundred pages. And what I truly appreciate is this: You can tell that these lessons and ideas mean something to her. They aren't just BS to give the story props with the parents. Madeleine L'Engle herself hates conformity. L'Engle herself has had issues with being the odd one out. I'm sure that she has felt the ways Meg feels, in feeling insignificant and not special.
It's a problem I've always had in writing; I find it hard to connect my personal problems to others. Well, it's not even just a problem I've had in writing-It's a problem I've had in life. It's hard for me to understand that the problems that I have, other people have too.
L'Engle realizes what I haven't quite yet, and she channels this into her books. She writes about problems that not just her and I can connect to, the whole world can connect to. She really hits home with all the issues in the book, to a point where I want to reach out and comfort Meg myself, tell her that she really isn't the only one. I want to scream to Charles Wallace, No! Even if it sounds good to have everyone think like you, you know conformity isn't right!
Last year i had a lot of trouble in my independent writing piece. One night as I went to bed I listened to A Wrinkle In Time, and felt the soul in the piece. I realized that as I listened, I felt as if I were Meg. I felt her own emotions, and for that time as I was half-awake, I was Meg. I realized what my piece was lacking. In the morning I brought the book to school and used it as a mentor, and it really helped. Now I know this was a cheesy connection, but that is the magic of the book. It's the difference between the argument you make just for the sake of argument, and when others can tell that your argument is coming from within.
Madeleine L'Engle is my idol. She learned how to channel her emotions into writing so she did not only create this one brilliant book, but over sixty more. And all her work paid off-She received a Newberry Medal. One of the things that really upsets me in my life so far is that I feel like I can't connect. Although a little part of me knows that many many people feel the same way I do, I can't bring myself to find out if the people I know understand. In this way, I'm caged. I can't get out of this personal bubble of mine, because I can't talk to people. Madeleine L'Engle has popped the bubble that is more like a steel wall to me. I know I'm only thirteen, but if I keep on doing this I know I'm only going to start hating myself.
Everybody can fall in love with this book. Everybody can love and hate the characters at the same time, in the exact same way you love and hate yourself.
This book is fabulous, this book is life-changing. This book is one that not just I could appreciate, but anyone.
I really liked your draft. I think that the some of the things that I said about my book, you said about your book except in a more explanitory way. I really like the ending too, it's just so cool.
ReplyDeleteYou seem so thoughtful about your book. I love how you express a clear understanding of it. I'm really encouraged to read the book :)
ReplyDeleteIs the focus: 1) how L'Engle inspires you to write; 2) how this inspires philosophical questions such as what else is out there; 3) loss of loved one. You wrote she packs in so many great ideas - what is one or two that you want to elaborate on?
ReplyDeleteI love how passionate you are about the book. That really shows through. If I were you I would just elaborate more on a specific idea, but great job!
ReplyDeleteWow Ana, this appreciation is amazing! I loved how personal it was (i didn't think your connection was cheesy at all!), and how visible your love and respect for the book was. I feel like, similar to what ms.galang commented on above, that you could focus your appreciation a bit more. It's great that you love so many things about the book, but I feel like if you pick one of the ideas you mentioned as the main one, it would make your piece stronger and more focused. Great job! :)
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