"The Grimm Conclusion"

Rebecca silver                                                                                                                          808 

                Classic novels, such as “Little Red Riding Hood” and “Cinderella” have been passed down from generation to generation as stories that everybody knows. However, Adam Gidwitz,”the Grimm Conclusion” gives a whole new perspective to the classic fairytales; many of us know and love. For example, Jorinda, a twist on the actual character, cuts off her finger in order to get the a door open, or stepping on the glass slipper, that Cinderella wears, only to be married to the prince after losing it. “The Grimm Conclusion” focuses on the dark perspectives of many enjoyable fairytales; however his writing also shows us that there may not always be a happy ending, such as we were taught as children.

               

                As a child, reading fairytales was a gateway to an imaginary world of magic, princesses and evil. I had never thought that a fairytale would ever be able to poses such a dark plot, that not only includes evil but monsters, vicious beasts, and gruesome details that I can’t explain. However it introduced me to the idea that not everything can turn out the way things are planned to. In “Cinderella” the princess loses her slipper only for it to be returned to her by, of course a prince. “The Grimm Conclusion” has a different way of putting it, where as the prince never actually finds the slipper while Cinderella herself, is only to be put to work as a slave to her two evil stepsisters. As well as Snow White, where she never actually wakes up but is instead in a coma, never to wake up. These obviously aren’t the childhood fairytales we all grew up on, however it really does open us up to the fact that maybe we won’t have our happy ever after’s.

               

                Many parents are of course, are involved in their own lives as well as their children’s such as, television, education and of course books. However recently, “banned” books have made their way into one of the many issues our society faces. Many parents and children have very different opinions and views, on the subject of “banned books” that may have to do with religion, violence, and cruelty. “The Grimm Conclusion,” is of course banned for all of those reasons including, harassment, political views, and unhappy fairy tale endings, that many parents believe their children should not endure. However children do need to learn reality, as though there may not always be happy endings, such as fairytales usually portray them to be. Many parents disagree, that children should NEVER become a subject to, these issues, even when faced with the challenges that come with adult hood. Adam Gidwitz own “the Grimm Conclusion may be one of the many challenges our society faces, however he teaches us valuable life lessons that many readers should know, through his  unique writing style, that includes “dark fairy tales.”

               

                There are many styles of writing, that many authors accumulate over time. Adam Gidwitz has a record of portraying fairytales to be dark, cruel things that many parents disagree with. They believe their child should not be a subject to such horrible things that include abuse, cursing and violence. However “The Grimm Conclusion” has taught me that not everything will turn out the way it should, because nobody’s life will ever be perfect using classic fairytales to show how they would really end up.

adult fiction

Rebecca silver                                 Divergent                             808

            Many children often feel as though they’re neglected, or ignored. They wait to rebel, to hold strife against society, or maybe wanting to strike against their parents will. In any case, children act out against what everybody else believes in, in order to choose what they want. Tris Prior did exactly that. In “Divergent” by Veronica Roth, a 16- year old, Abnegation child is found to be Divergent, a highly dangerous person whose mind is flexible, or is able to shift. Put to the test she chooses Dauntless as her next faction, who is the complete opposite of Abnegation, brave but cruel. The author shows us real life children rebelling, in comparison to Tris’s own experience.

            Many children are often confused, not just about decisions but about life itself, while needing a strong idol to guide them. Tris, while feeling neglected by her Abnegation faction, decides to take the total opposite approach, choosing Dauntless who believes in violence. “One choice will define you, choose carefully.” Says Caleb. One chance. One choice. One whole new personality. This shows the pressure and uncertainty she must feel. The author shows us the difficult challenges she must face in order to choose Dauntless, and in order to get a whole new faction. “I couldn’t bear it anymore, I pushed my hands over the coals, I am Dauntless, I am brave.” Tris couldn’t live like the Abnegation. She’s saying she would rather be brave and choose decide on her own choices, then be told to do something. While showing real life connections, the author shows the joyful and the consequences of making your own decisions.

            There comes a time in each of our lives where we must choose for the better or for the worse. Tris, while still skeptical of choosing her own path, decides to head for Dauntless. “The men and women are very different from what I’m used to, however I must connect.” Veronica Roth shows us the struggles of adapting to a whole new life style, but to do so, you must first connect to those around you in order to create a peaceful environment. Even though it may be strange, choosing your own path allows you to earn a sense of responsibility. “No parents, no brother just me, I get to choose now.” The author shows us that Tris, who always listens to her parent’s guidance, now has a sense of independence and maturity. This shows us that choosing for ourselves isn’t always bad, however responsibility is power.

            Parents nurture and care for their child and, while trying to care for them. However in some odd cases, parent’s guidance doesn’t always help the child, but push them farther away. “The Erudite are bad people, never trust them,” exclaims Tris’s father. She listened, of course but when Caleb, her brother chooses Erudite as his next faction, Tris has no choice but to believe the cruel and judgmental things her parents have been feeding her. “I had no choice, to believe the wicked things they’re capable of.” This shows us that our parents beliefs can commonly make us believe in certain things, without really forming our own opinion.

            Many parents always want to be there for their children. Even though some are, many still rebel just to go against society or their rules. While responsibility is always good, it also comes with price. Using Tris’s experiences, the author allows us to see how maturity and making our own decisions can affect, not only us but everyone around us too. She uses two completely opposite factions to show us the comparison of how much can change, once a child has enough power to decide for themselves what path they want to follow.