QUIZ - CRITIQUE 7 - Chaon London and Collins
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Gavin C.
Quiz/Critique 7
1.
In “Big Me” Chaon writes that, “we leave such a trail of bodies through our teens and twenties that it’s hard to tell which one is us.” Explain how the theme of self-invention is demonstrated in this statement. People have an array of opportunities as they transition into adulthood, and even then our choices are just now in a trial phase. Self-identity is intensive and is often built upon failures or disappointments, with each phase being left behind like bodies. We associate ourselves with things like interests or beliefs but even those can be altered or completely reinvented as
you go through life. However, unlike others who carry on in life with newfound identities, Andy still seems to be actively connected with his former and made-up versions of himself when he says “I doubt that she would find much of interest in the many former selves that tap against my head, like moths.”
2.
Describe the “blackouts” in Chaon’s “Big Me.”
The blackouts are a form of disassociation from the trauma in his life. That’s why he seems so oblivious to his parents’ tension, but his brother Mark seems to be at the front of it all.
The blackouts are almost like intense daydreams, but Andy feels as if he is waking up or entering a room when he regains consciousness. After his first blackout, he “awakens” at his
dinner table and feels that “No one seemed surprised by my sudden appearance.”
3.
In London’s story “South of the Slot,” who is “Big” Bill Totts?
Bill Totts is Freddie’s alternate persona who was a product of Freddie’s consistent visits south of the railroad tracks. He is loud, impulsive, determined, and ultimately becomes a crown jewel to the working class.
4.
Early in “South of the Slot,” London says this of Freddie Drummond: “At first he had been merely a good actor, but as time went on, simulation became second nature. He no longer played a part.” Explain how this week’s overall theme of self-invention is demonstrated in this statement.
I feel like this story is mostly about personal conflict between identities, although it’s not like the natural phases of life and its changes. Freddie didn’t know his alternate persona would manifest so much to the point where it merely possessed him. Bill was an accidental struggle that acted as a natural state of people, i.e., freedom, determination, and connection. He was awakened once Freddie affiliated himself with the community south of the slot. Even Bill’s relationship with Mary seems natural, while one can say the relationship with Catherine is cultivated by the expectations of their upper class, and also a gesture to overpower Bill’s hold on the central conscious.
5.
Out of these two stories, which do you feel is the most effective? How did the author make this story so effective?
“Big Me” is the most effective out of the two as it breaks down something very traumatic and
subjective so that outsiders (readers) can have a better grasp of mental health. I feel like it has several layers in the plot that make the story very mysterious.
Gavin C.
6.
What aspect of either story do you feel is the most ineffective? How did the author make this
aspect so ineffective?
“Big Me” had a lot of subtext that was difficult to keep track of. This mainly occurred with Andy/Andrew. The instantaneous transition from the older/younger character makes you shift your understanding, mainly when readers are aware of a character’s future outcome but must alter their perception when returning back to young Andy (since he isn’t aware yet).
7.
Connect one of the two stories we’ve covered this week with another story we’ve covered from a different week
via themes. What theme(s) do they share?
“Big Me” connects with “Escapes” as they are both about characters who underwent traumatic experiences and utilize coping mechanisms to escape reality, Andy with his alternate reality of Beck, and Jennifer using self-harm. The main theme would be traumatic disassociation.
8.
Name the crisis action, or the pivotal action or choice made by the protagonist in each story.
“Big Me” – Andy leaves the notebook at Mr. Mickleson’s house only to find him actively reading through it when Andry returns to retrieve it. “South of the Slot” – When Freddie is overtaken by Bill when witnessing the labor riots, completely shocking Catherine.
9.
What is the resolution of each story, or how the central conflict is resolved?
“Big Me” – there is no formal resolution. The blackouts are a mystery, and we are left to wonder what Andy was suffering from and who was actually real.
“South of the Slot” – Bill walks away with Mary back below the tracks, insinuating his permanent victory over Freddie. 10. Close your eyes. What are the two or three most important images for each story?
“Big Me” – The cats that were tied up and questioned. I feel like this solidifies Andy’s mental health issues. It’s very odd and gives off serial killer vibes on top of his existing obsession with stalking people.
“Big Me” – The Santa photo. I feel like this solidifies a connection between Mickleson and Andy in a way that can’t be explained. The entire story is focused on Mickleson’s mystery and whether he is the future Andy, and that is combined with unexplained blackouts and alternate realities that take over Andy’s consciousness. Andy seems to have more familiarity
with his detective life rather than his real one (is it real?). This happens a lot when Mark is bringing up family history and it seems that Andy only recollects happy moments, and somehow the detective is mentioned in some way. Mark even threatens to hypnotize him so that he will remember the traumatic events. Andy states, “The truth is, I mostly recall the Detective” and “I wanted to tell her about the things that the Detective had read about in the weeks and months following the first incident—about trances and transcendental states, about astral projection and out-of-body travel. But I didn’t.”
The blackouts are a mystery, but I feel like there is some glitch happening in Andy’s mind when he looks at the photo. It’s almost like he unintentionally bridged two realities and his mind is clashing between two timelines. This could solidify that Mickleson was his alternate self. Who knows.
Gavin C.
“South of the Slot” – Bill throwing the coal at the police captain. It’s referred to as a black baptism, inferring the importance of the working class and their freedom.
“South of the Slot” – When Catherine hears Bill let out an unearthly yell and rose to his feet.
Poetry
Read Billy Collins’ poem “Passengers” from the Poetry for ENGL 114 collection. Compare and contrast this poem with Chaon’s “Big Me” and London’s “South of the Slot”
1.
In your opinion, which story does this poem most closely align to? Explain why.
This poem aligns more with “Big Me” as the narrator is similar to Andy in how they ponder about aspects of life that most people wouldn’t think twice about.
2.
If you were to turn this poem into a short story, how would you characterize the protagonist?
The protagonist would be a regular person, but someone who has experienced some sort of
hardship or loss that causes him to reevaluate life and consider how close people are to death doing everyday things. 3.
What images are most effective in the poem? How does the poet make this image so effective
When he says “that could be gathered in a flash”, Collins is emphasizing how instantaneous death is and no one can prepare or see it coming.
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