Friday, February 27, 2009
BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN #3
Lately, in Beautiful Children, Bock writes about Kenny from his youth to his current teenage years. He seems to be a pretty well rounded kid but the way he is described makes him seen to have a troubled childhood because of his mother and father's frequent absence. Thankfully, Kenny is often with his aunt. She works at a pawn shop but she is very kind and one of the closest persons in Kenny's life. Bock writes, "Kenny could not help but feel the weight of the past" (68). Although the author does not tell us exactly what has happened to Kenny we can assume it was because of his father's addictions and his mother's bad parenting. Bad parenting is a very big reason why kids throughout the world suffer and maybe make choices that can lead to others suffering. For example; their own children. I am afraid Kenny will learn enough from his aunt so he doesn't have to make the same decisions his parents have. Also, Kenny is surrounded by very inappropriate people and language while still a little boy. A customer at the pawn shop starts yelling at Kenny' aunt for not pricing an engagement ring high enough. He yells, "MOTHERFUCKING KIKE" at her and Kenny is very surprised and scared (64). These types of things can lead Kenny to use the same language when he gets older getting him into a lot of trouble. Before you know it he will be another one of them. One's bad examples truly do impact younger generations and can be the leading cause of many people's suffering.
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4 comments:
This is a very good point!
Many children that grow up with a poor family life turn out to become the trouble makers of the group. Without a supportive family one is unalbe to receive the attiquite love, attention, and guidance they need to make the right decisions. Many people have to find out things the hard way instead of being able to look to thier parents for guidane.
I'm reading beautiful Children too lane, and after reading many other people's blogs tonight, a lot of the books we are reading seem to be focusing on children and abuse, and how this affects their futures. The abuse Kenny endures may not always be physical, but every negative thing he endures affects his future and creates the disturbed person he has come to be. I agree with sam that family must have love, etc., and without supportive parents, I don't blame Kenny for wanting to run away.
I agree with Sam, this is a really good point! People that are surronded by bad language, even just on tv or in magazines, will often grow up and have a distorted image of the world. I hope that Kenny chooses a different path!
I can see how Kenny could be a troubled kid because of his parents' absence. That always seems to happen to kids. I think it is because they don't have someone to show them the ways of life. I wonder if Kenny would've been different if his parents would've had a bigger importance in his life. You brought up a good point on how Kenny will have to learn the ways of life from his aunt and how he is still suffering from his parents' bad decisions. I think they will effect the way his life will end up playing out.
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