VolciakLens3TrueNotebooks

Samantha Volciak Lens 3: True Notebooks

In our discussion groups last week one question was raised that got me thinking and influenced the direction of this paper. Olivia had asked, “If we got the opportunity to teach at a juvenile center would we take the job or no?” I immediately imagined Mark’s experience, so my first response was yes. As I made my way further into the book, however, I started to become unsure of myself. I have ultimately decided that if the opportunity arose, I would take a chance on the job, but I would go in feeling nervous and skeptical.

First, it is necessary to consider the possibility of an experience like Mark’s to actually occur. The success Mark had with the kids was called into question, and some felt it was too good to be true. However, this novel is a true memoir, and I think he had so much success due to the level of appreciation from the kids. His students spent most of their day in an overcrowded cell with very few personal belongings. They contained no TVs, computers, or any other materials that most kids their age have access too. Even paper and pencils were hard to come by; therefore, when given the chance to be part of a writing class, the kids perceived the opportunity as prestigious and rewarding. We see this contrasted with the students from Mark’s “ordinary” creative writing class who wrote about untrue events and made fun of each other’s work. The kids on the “outside” could not access anything meaningful to write about, while the kids on the “inside” poured their feelings and experiences into their writing. I feel this has to do with the fact that the mind is all these kids have to access. When one is locked up all day long they can only escape through their thoughts and imaginations; this gives them access to something kids on the “outside” could never understand.

I also feel that Mark directed a lot of encouragement and praise onto the students that not only influenced their writing, but lifted their self esteem. While the guards attempted to not make the kids feel special, Mark was able to see past the number 187, and get to know their true character. This is why I would be skeptical about taking this job. Mark admitted to his father that he did not dwell on their depressing situation; however, I don’t think I would be capable of this. I feel that my emotions would get the best of me. It was somewhat difficult to read this novel and lose characters as the story went on, I can’t imagine experiencing it in real life. The benefit of getting emotionally involved would be that the kids would have someone that cared for them, like Sister Janet. However, I feel that my emotions can only run so high before it would start to have a serious negative impact on me. Overall, I feel that even though my emotions would scare me into taking this job, I would still accept the opportunity and work on techniques to keep my emotions in check. I think that Mark, Duane, and the Sister were the most moral characters in the book for doing the jobs they did. They were able to look past the kids’ horrifying past, and understand them as people. In addition, they worked so hard to help these kids; even though they could not get them out, they helped them cope with a depressing, horrifying situation and find hope when it didn’t seem possible. I admire these three characters the most, and if I could make a difference like they did, it would be very satisfactory.