A Separate Peace ~John Knowles~

I just finished reading A Separate Peace by John Knowles. At first glance one may wonder what this book and I actually have in common, as it takes place in a boys’ boarding school during World War II. However, it has really felt personal to me. I was Gene: I felt what he felt, and I realized the deceitfulness of my own heart, when he realized the same deceit in his own. 

The main theme of the book is war, not the physical battle, but the emotional one, between two characters, Phineas and Gene. Phineas is fun, athletic, and controls everyone he meets with his charming character. Gene feels like everyone sees him in the shadow of his friend Finny (Phineas). When Gene pushes Finny off of a tree, resulting in Finny’s handicap, Gene begins the process of understanding the evil in his own heart. By the end of the novel, Gene can say that his jealousy and anger towards Phineas has died; he realizes that each man is evil inside, and everyone is fighting that same battle of evil vs. good inside his heart.

I have certain friends that I am jealous of---but it’s an odd sort of jealousy. I would classify them as my friends; yet, I often feel frustration towards them rooted in envy. Often times, just like Gene, I react to them horribly, losing my temper and control. So, this book was strangely personal, as I felt that Gene and I were one, journeying through the battles of jealousy towards ones we hold dear.

Fifty Shades of Grey ~EL James~

okay, so I don't rant very often.

okay, that's a lie. i rant. i just usually don't do it online.

however, i'm on a mission to actually use this blog, and so, tonight, instead of doing my homework or pinteresting (guilty as charged), i'm gonna write a rant.

it's about the novel by EL James, 50 Shades of Grey.

and before you think, "oh dang, not another one of these 'Top 5 Most Horrid and Wrong and Condemningly Wicked Things in 50 Shades of Grey' articles that have pretty much flooded social media, keep reading.

now for starters: i haven't ever read the book. and i'm not planning it. (aka i'd rather die first)

however, i will say this:

i understand why people want to boycott the movie, or warn people about the dangers of reading the book.

i really do.

most likely, they're using social media in hopes of betterment of the individual, and to gain supporters and believers in purity, mentally and physically.

however, i honestly think this whole thing has been dragged out too far,

because it's causing people all over the world to be curious about it, to want to know more, to read the books, or watch the movies.

in the past few years, i've dedicated much time to becoming aware of world problems and controversies, and deciding my position on these issues: am i for abortion or against it? should gay marriage be legal? is the hunger games series ruining the minds of children world wide? does God exist? what is the lifestyle Christ would want us to live? is racism a problem in america? what clothing is modest? does antiperspirant deodorant give breast cancer?

(some of these are more serious controversies than others, but you get the idea: i don't like it when i base my beliefs about controversial issues off of other peoples' opinions) (and i also don't like not knowing what and why i believe something) (i've always clashed with people who believe things for the sole purpose of "well, so and so said", or "i just always figured...")

having said that, i really wanted to have an opinion about this 50 Shades of Grey, not based on what other people said about it, but what i read for myself.

however,

i can't quite justify reading it.
(even if it's for a "good purpose", it would still be:
a.) disturbing
and
b.) disturbing )

and so basically, here i am with this opinion: why talk about something SO INCREDIBLY frequently, when change is not probable. the movie theaters are not going to ban the movie, the author is not going to jump off a cliff, and people everywhere are still going to see the movie. articles are not going to stop the average person from being interested. in fact, i will go as far to say, that these articles spike interest towards the book and movie, and actually increase its popularity.

and that's sorta what happened:
because of the publicity of 50 Shades of Grey, i was interested; albeit, not enough to read the book, but enough to be curious.

i think anyone else without my reason of "purity of mind", would easily go see the movie or read the books, because of its publicity. media has made it a huge thing, and i personally think that if people would stop talking about it so much, the overall curiosity and interest in the movie and book would decrease.

....that was my rant, thank you.

sorry for the bad grammar---i'm running off of three cups of coffee, and pessimism.

and we all know that when that happens, grammar goes out the window.