10/17/12 Alexander Ho

Dear Mattie,

    After reading about your life from pages one-hundred and one to two-hundred seven, I am interested in your view of books. For example, you said the there are two kinds of books, ones that " show you life like you want it too be" (201) and those that "show you life more like it is" (202). You like the real books because when you read them you do not feel that you have to be a noble and unselfish person. I think that when you read those kinds of books they remind you of how you brother was selfish and left the family, and how you plan to leave home to study in college. I too believe that those are the two types of books, but I like to read the kind that shows life like you want it. I think the difference between is the the setting of our lives. You live on a farm in the 1930's , and do not have many opportunities or money, while I live in the 21st Centuries, where everyone is living your American dream. If I were living during your time, I would probably like the more realistic books too. 

     Next, I was surprised that Lou volunteered to take your chores so you could work for Miss Wilcox and earn enough money for the train ticket to college. I did not expect Lou to go against Pa and support you when they knew that if Pa found out, the girls would be punished for helping you. I remember a time when I helped someone even though I knew I would be punished if I was caught. I also wonder about murder. Why is it necessary for the book? I feel that if the murder was taken out, Jennifer could have gone into more depth about Mattie’s life, but I believe that the story behind Chester and Grace demonstrates the difficulties in life. 

     In addition, after reading, I feel that my views towards the world have changed. I always thought that people in the past, especially white people would have easy and happy lives, but everyone's seems to have their own problems. For example, Pa says he "haven't got the money to send her" (166) to college. Even then, people had the same troubles as people do now: earning enough money for higher education. I now realize that people's lives in the past were just as hard if not harder than they are today.

                                                                                                                                                                  From,

  

                                                                                                                                                                             Alex Ho