|
Page |
What you
noticed |
Why do you
think it’s important? |
|
Belmont Harbor |
“fuck” |
Ha ha – I remember doing that in high
school. If you curse at the pillow you still get mad and feel
macho without getting into any real trouble.
|
|
Belmont Harbor |
“Come on, Porcellino, you pussy” “Fuck you,
Brad” |
It seems like I’m just obsessed with
vulgarity, but honestly, I love it. It’s a perfect
representation of high school dialogue – I already like this
more than American Splendor. |
|
Belmont Harbor |
Poppers |
I wish Porcellino had included a little
more internal monologue in this – it would be interesting to see
what he actually thinks about Tina’s use of drugs. That kind of
thing would have scared the pants of me at that age. |
|
Belmont Harbor |
“I wish…” soul-rising? |
What is that? His soul raising or his wish
or something? I don’t understand this part… |
|
Haircutting Time |
“John you’re acting like a real asshole
lately” |
Does his mother really talk to him like
that? I can’t tell if this is teenage false memory for effect or
if they really speak to him this way… |
|
Haircutting Time |
No more real than shadows… |
Ahh, the poet laureate of 11th
grade…I remember thinking I was very profound, too. Sadly, these
“realizations” are clichés that every kid pretty much realizes.
Although I’m beginning to wonder if John has a problem with
depression… |
|
Haircutting Time |
Even happy things are somehow sad. |
This is something I can relate to – there
are different ways to look at everything. I don’t fully
understand depression – I get depressed and bummed but I sort of
feel that feeling depressed is self-perpetuating…I like the
picture of the dog on the floor. |
|
In-Between Days |
We made complete jackasses of ourselves but
it was ok |
I feel like this a lot…almost that if I’m
not making a jackass of myself I’m being boring. I could
probably try a lot harder if I don’t look like a fool. |
|
In-Between Days |
I thought we all thought drinking was
stupid… |
I remember this exact moment in high
school. I was one of the first guys in my group of friends to
try drinking but shortly after we agreed it wasn’t worth the
risks (rules-wise, not health risks). The moment when I
discovered other people were doing that and other drugs was very
disheartening. Abandoned. |
|
In-Between Days |
Now I was really confused… (last page) |
Tell me about it. Didn’t John just ask that
other girl out? Lita seems like a nice girl and a friend oh
John’s that is really going to get hurt because he is settling
for her. John seems like a good guy but I don’t know what kind
of decision he’ll make here… |
|
|
|
|
|
4th of
July |
Columbo in the background |
I like this aspect of Perfect Example a lot
– it really does make it the perfect example for teenage
experience. Many people remember certain aspects of specific
scenarios like that. |
|
4th of
July |
Fred gives Kristi a ride home |
This goes against everything in the Bro
Code, which I have had discussions about earlier this semester.
I’m disappointed in Fred and sad for John – it seems like Fred
is doing his best to rub it in. |
|
4th of
July |
“I had decided I was going to kill
myself”/John’s freak-out |
It’s odd – even though John clearly didn’t
kill himself I was nervous. When he flipped out on the front
door, I think that was healing for him. Sometimes it’s important
to just cut loose and scream. It’s therapeutic. |
|
Celebrated Summer |
Lita |
Have they been dating for a while? It seems
like she hasn’t been around for a while but I’m not sure how
much time has actually passed…I’m glad at least that John
recognizes the potential power to hurt he has in his hands, and
that he’s scared of abusing it. |
|
Celebrated Summer |
Bridge Over Troubled Water |
I still try to be clever like that… |
|
Celebrated Summer |
Epiphany |
This is what I was waiting for in American
Splendor. Some real overhaul of his way of thinking that shows
he may become a better person. John’s depression may not be
“cured” but he at least has recognized a major source of his own
pain. |
|
Celebrated Summer |
I want to live, I want to be happy, I want
to be alive. (the end) |
Way to man up, sonny. I’m proud of this kid
I don’t know who is now a man old enough to be my
father…regardless, I admire the moves he made in his own life. |