"Special Topics" Post 2a

Vocabulary
crampons (97): a spiked iron or steel framework that is attached to the bottom of the shoe; used in climbing on ice or snow
Golighty [dress] (111): alluding to the style of clothing worn by Hepburn in her role as Holly Golightly from "Breakfast at Tiffany's"

Figurative language
Personification: "The same word, when you said it, went limp" (94). Blue is explaining the power over words that Hannah has; her way with intonation that makes the same wordd, when another says it, seem much more dull. The words are not actually goign limp, they just do not have the same electrifying effect as when Hannah speaks them.
Allusion: "'Maybe it's her Rosebud.'" (104). Blue is referencing the movie "Citizen Kane", in which Kane spends his entire life looking for Rosebud. This gives the reader a sense of the depth of Hannah's fixation for Valerio that has been impressed on Blue, as well as her extensive knowledge.
Simile: "'It's fun to imagine they're as epidemic as illiteracy or chronic fatigue or any other cultural malaise that graces the covers of Time and Newsweek, but sadly, most Bob Joneses off the street are just that, Bob Jones'" (105). This simile (which one can tell from the use of the word as to compare the numbers of double lives and other cultural deficiencies) shows that Blue's father doubts her theory on the double life that Hannah leads, and also demonstrates his ideas of problems in society (illiteracy, etc.)

Quote
"Frankly, it could get a little stale how Dad, within minutes, could elicit such worldwide acclaim. Sure- I was the first person to stand up and throw him roses, shout, "Bravo, man, bravo!" But sometimes I couldn't help but feel Dad was an opera diva who garnered reverential ratings even when he was too lazy to higt the high notes...; something about him seized everyone, regardless of the performance" (112). I really liked this quote because it shows a lot of Blue's character. She really seems to rely upon her father almost has her star to pull out for others to admire, and so she takes a rather protective stance on his praise in the quote as if she is the only one she can stand doing it. It also shows that she perhaps isn't completely happy just being his daughter, instead of her own character, her own star.

Theme
Sometimes one must delve deeper to find the truth.