Thursday, September 30, 2010
Running with Scissors: Augusten Revealed
Running with Scissors, by Augusten Burroughs whom is also the main protagonist of this memoir wrote this dating back to her memories of when she was a child with an insane mother and a "care for nothing" father. My very first impression of Augusten was that I can specifically say she is a mama's girl: "I don't want her to go. My umbilical cord is still attached and she's pulling at it" (pg.2). For a child about to enter their adolescence years nowadays, she would be seen as a very immature individual. Augusten continuously looks up to her mother's style of fashion of a glamorous perfection trend. For example, "she takes two pads from the box...[and] she peels the paper strip off...the pads and slides it through the neck of her dress" (pg. 3) which shows the effort she strives towards for perfection. Alone, Augusten is quite an imaginative little girl. She "[switches] the spotlights on in the living room" and she "[runs] from the wall and stand in the spotlight" imitating a real fashion show catwalk as she imagines her mother in particular doing the same (pg. 7). Even though I instantly concluded that she's immature, I cannot say that she's not relatable and real to some people I know. Not everyone mentally develops at the same rate which leaves some youths, like Augusten, behind in our norm. Personally I'm able to relate to her family of flaws. I hardly get to see my Dad as his work hours are constantly varied and would only come home just to sleep. I can sense that Augusten has a hidden sympathetic side of her which is not directly revealed. Her actions of knowing that she must let her mom leave when she really doesn't want to shows her sympathy:"I smile back at her [as she leaves]. I don't want her to leave." (pg. 5). Augusten is indeed a likable individual, understanding that she is a family of non-fulfillment. I do not expect anymore than what she is from the reading I've completed so far. There really isn't anything to dislike about her under these conditions. My standards of acceptance is based on sense of will, to not be afraid to express your joys. I predict that Augusten will continue to be same mentally. But personally and emotionally she will deal with great obstacles in daily family flaws. But these obstacles will be the initial step she can take to become an independent individual.
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ReplyDeleteHi David,
ReplyDeleteFrom reading your blog, your book seems to be really compelling. To me, the protagonist of your story seems to be like many young girls who often exhibit a desire to emulate their mothers. From playing the mother figure in a game to playing dress-up, girls often get a thrill out of mimicking their mothers. Augusten's act of mirroring her mother's sense of fashion and her catwalk seems to display that she looks up to her mother and wants to follow in her footsteps. It is really dismaying to know that she does not have a close relationship with her family- her mother leaving and her father not devoted. Maintaining a close relationship with your family members is important because they are always the ones to offer unflinching support. Also, I completely agree with you when you say that the obstacles she encounters will help her to become independent. Overcoming obstacles will always help to develop a person's strength of character. I feel that your character will definitely grow both mentally and physically as the story continues. I look forward to seeing how her strength of character grows as the story develops.
Hi David,
ReplyDeleteThis book seems very interesting. It is unfortunate that Augusten has to grow up with an insane mother and a father who does not care about her; family conditions like that can affect the way she grows.To me, it seems like Augusten is still immature because she does not want to leave and her mom is not letting her go: "I don't want her to go. My umbilical cord is still attached and she's pulling at it" (pg.2). She says that her umbilical cord is still attached but also that her mom is pulling at it. The fact that her mom is pulling at is seems to give off the impression that her mom is restricting her like having her on a leash. Sometimes mothers can be overprotective of their child not knowing how to let go and let them experience life for themselves without having them decide everything for them. It does not surprise me that Augusten tried to imitate her mother because most children look up to their parents. As if they are the best people in the world and want to be like them. I am looking forward to see how her character develops in this story as she faces obstacles in life.
Hi David,
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to keep the same format as the above^
I enjoyed reading how you felt about the book and what you thought of it. Although I have not yet read the book, I can argue with you right away. I feel that in every book, that the protagonist has a mental turning point whether if it is for better or worse. In addition, I found your post very enjoyable because of the way you are able to relate to Augusten. I feel that she is my exact opposite; I never really saw my parents as role models although I have the utmost respect for them. Although I am a teenager with a long list of immaturities, clinging on to my parents was never apart of that list.