Blog #1

As the Senior Capstone begins, I am looking forward to reading and understanding the knowledge of writers to a better degree of interpretation. So far, we have read Slave Moth, which I thought was an outstanding book and really enjoyed reading it. I have read other slave novels and just didn’t get into them as much as I did with this story. I have never read a novel by Thylias Moss, but I thought the characters and plot of the story was good. It is hard to imagine what it would be like to be a slave and back then with limited freedom. I felt a sense of pride and thankfulness to be a part of this country where freedom is not an issue. I think people should be more educated about freedom and that people back then had to go through horrible, excruciating situations. The character of Varl to me seems like such a free spirit and full of life even though she is held captive as a slave. Her talents of sewing and learning how to read and write are inspiring to read especially at a time where things of that nature were not even heard of especially from a slave. Her emotions to be liberated and break free of the slave life capture the essence of the story. I thought the cover of the story was interesting in that It is a dress that she wore and at the end she talked about she was “finished with the perfect dress.” I also liked the word on the dress especially the first sentence, “All of my name Varl fits into larva, into what undergoes complete metamorphosis.” She is transforming herself right before our eyes in that in the end she is no longer a slave. She is no longer a prisoner held captive. The comparing of the cocoon which she says throughout the story is her unfolding into something beautiful. She is more than a slave and she feels liberated. Another story I enjoyed reading was The One- Legged Wonder and Other Names. This story really touched me and it is difficult to find your identity and come to terms with who you are. We live in a society that is very judgmental and when someone has a disability some people don’t give them the respect they deserve. I have the most respect for people who have confidence in themselves. I had to undergo surgery for a tumor that was removed from my throat and went to school with a huge scabbed over scar from my surgery and didn’t want to walk around campus looking like that. I lacked confidence and it showed. I didn’t want to go anywhere until it healed, but thought to myself, why? I know my story is nothing like this one, but for me I questioned my identity. I was embarrassed when I didn’t need to be. You can’t control what life deals you, but you just have to find a way to deal what life gives you. I also liked in the story that he went and talked to God and prayed every day. He embraced who he was and found peace within himself. He was proud of his ability to be in front of people and sell magazines while at the same time making some money. He felt special and that his body was something special. Those two readings were my favorite so far and I look forward to reading more!