"Special Topics" Post 3b

I am becoming slightly disturbed by Blue’s behavior. First of all, she doesn’t see it strange that the Bluebloods practically stalk Hannah. This behavior goes directly against her wishes, so I’m not really sure if they respect her or not. I think there’s just a lot of conflict as to the role of Hannah. On one hand, she is an adult and a teacher at their school, so one should think of her as an authority figure. On the other hand, she acts sometimes less like a mentor and more of a simple friend. I think that it is hard for the Bluebloods to reconcile these two roles, and are therefore acting as if they are Hannah’s friends. Unfortunately, I don’t think that she views them this way. Plus, Blue is being dragged into this as well. She seems content with the changes she has been making to herself to fit in with the group, but her writing suggests otherwise, as it is an odd mixture of talk of the Bluebloods and references to her father. I think that she is still torn between the two. Ordinarily, I would say that it is natural for Blue to grow away from her father and find her own group, but in all the towns they have been to this doesn’t seem to have been the case. This change is so unexpected I feel it’s not quite natural. Hopefully Blue will find which side she wishes to be on in the remainder of the book.

"Special Topics" Post 3a

Vocabulary
hebetudinous (161): the state of having dullness of mind, mental lethargy
Marlene Dietrich (160): German-born American actress and singer (1904-1992), internationally famous as a film star

Literary Devices
"a revolted expression spilled all over her face" (141): The author uses the verb "spilled" to better describe how a look of disgust unfolded onto Leulah's face as she got her first good look at "Doc".
"We were stationed somewhere, oceans away from home, afraid of being seen. Leulah was shell-shocked, back straight as a flag pole, her eyes magnetized to the door. Jade was the senior officer... I sort of Vietnamed too" (144): This analogy of comparing the girls witnessing Hannah and "Doc" and men surviving the atrocities of Vietnam shows the effect that this event has had on them, how deeply it has influenced them. Even the simile showing Leulah's disbelief: "back as straight as a flag pole" connects to this idea of surviving a war.
"We all went forward and backward together like children on a bus" (156): Although this simile does well describe the phenomenon that occurs when someone slams on the breaks in a car, it also could be interpreted as the author commenting on the child-likeness nature of the prank the Bluebloods are about to pull: sneaking into Hannah's party.

Quote
"...Dad's favorite ("If there are authentic words of love that exist in this English language, these are the ones people with any real affection should say, rather than the shopworn, 'I love you,' which can be uttered by any hebetudinous Tom, Dick, or Moe")" (161). This quote shows the haughtiness and high standards that Blue's father has in almost everything, as well as his pride in his literary knowledge. However, it also shows the respect that Blue has for her father by including a quote that might pertain to Hannah, who she seems to hold in very high regard.

Theme
Don't try and investigate something that is none of your business.

"Special Topics" Post 2b

In this section of “Special Topics in Calamity Physics”, we begin to witness the transformation of Blue from a wall-flower geek to a member of the Bluebloods, and while I found it extremely satisfying to see her get the respect that she deserves, the ease in which she gives up her personality and conforms to expectations that Leulah and Jade have for her is a little disturbing. In some ways, its showing how Blue is growing independent from her father, which is only natural, and experimenting with how she wants to be perceived. However, when reading the book I feel as if Blue looks up to Jade and Leulah a bit too much and that they could easily abuse this power, which I don’t think they deserve. As Blue says, “being snubbed at Hannah’s was infinitely more electrifying than being mulled over back at the Van Meers” (94). Additionally, however overly condescending, monopolizing, and judgmental Blue’s father is, one has to feel a little sad for him as he is constantly being left behind by his daughter. He must feel a little confused, as not only her appearance changes dramatically but also her values. Before, Blue was focused on the idea of getting in to Harvard; she even snubs Charles in the beginning because she doesn’t want anything interfering with her senior year. This does seem a little extreme, and I hope Blue has fun with the Bluebloods, but I hope she doesn’t lose sight of herself and the future.

"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.

"Special Topics in Calamity Physics" Post 1b

When I first started reading “Special Topics in Calamity Physics”, I was completely awed by the number and breadth of things referenced. In simply the first two pages, Blue talks of Mozart, Matisse, Churchill, Che Guevara, James Bond, Henry Higgins and Eliza from Pygmalion or My Fair Lady, The Aeneid, and even a takes a quote from J.B. Tower: “death is ‘seeing everything that has ever existed all at once’”. Pretty intense for a first two pages. A review of the novel from Publishers Weekly states: “Pessl's showy (often too showy) debut novel, littered as it is with literary references and obscure citations”. However, as the book continued on, the references did add to my enjoyment and understanding of the book. They definitely required some wikipeidia-ing (for example, Lepidoptera (18)) but it also forced me to recognize words that I did not understand and look them up instead of skimming over them. Also, these obscure references do add to one’s understanding of the true depth of Blue’s knowledge- she is definitely a gifted student with a wide basis of information. To gain this, the rigorous training that her dad must have put her through makes the reader question the quality of her childhood, as well as her ability to function in society. Someone who is constantly quoting page numbers and publication years doesn’t seem like an extremely social type. So in a way, the offhand way in which these figures and quotes are tossed about leads the reader to think more about Blue as a character. Also, there is the delight one feels when you realize you know what Blue is referencing already: some form of pride.

"Special Topics in Calamity Physics" Post 1a

Vocabulary
Charles Kuralt (8): radio and television correspondent most popularily known for his "On the Road" segements, in which he traveled across America. In 1979, he became the presenter of "CBS News Sunday Morning".
RKO (55): RKO Pictures is an American film company that was one of the Big FIve during the Golden Age of Hollywood. It is most famous for stars such as Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Katherine Hepburn, and Cary Grant, as well as films such as King Kong and Citizen Kane.

Figurative Language
simile: "She swooped into class and girls scattered like chipmunks and squirrels" (88). Use of the word "like" comparing the girls to chipmunks/squirrels in the presence of an eagle.
metaphor: "While most teachers hair at the end of the day resembled crusty windowsill plants, Hannah's- dark, but rusting a little in the late-day light- posed provocatively around her shoulders like Lauren Bacall in a doorway" (81). Hannah's hair obviously isn't truly "rusting" but instead displaying a more reddish hue in the evening light.
imagery: "The only sound in the room was the ice melting his glass" (72). The ice can't be melting the glass; instead, this is conjures the image of water condensing on the outside of a cold glass, as it is apt to do.

Quote
"'I'll be honest with you, Mr. Van Meer. The name's not healthy. The kids in class make fun of it. They call her Navy. Some of the smart ones call her Cobalt. And Cordon Bleu. Maybe you should think about alternatives."
"Might you have some suggestions, Miss Bergie?"
"Sure! I don't know about you, but I've always loved Daphne."' (78)
This quote shows not only the wit and sarcasm that Blue infuses into her writing, but also the persecution that she has endured as a misfit, even from her teachers.

Theme
In order to get into a good college (Harvard), you need to be amazing.
or
Things aren't always as they first appear.

Synopsis of "Special Topics in Calamity Physics"

Marisha Pessl's mesmerizing debut has critics raving and heralds the arrival of a vibrant new voice in American fiction. At the center of this "cracking good read" is clever, deadpan Blue van Meer, who has a head full of literary, philosophical, scientific, and cinematic knowledge. But she could use some friends. Upon entering the elite St. Gallway school, she finds some - a clique of eccentrics known as the Bluebloods. One drowning and one hanging later, Blue finds herself puzzling out a byzantine murder mystery.
courtesy of barnesandnoble.com