Connection: Juxtaposition to Bones

For a while now, I have been trying to find a suitable way of describing the TV show, one of my favorites, Bones, to others, but oddly enough, I have never found the right words. It was as I was watching the second episode this weekend that I could finally come up with the means of portraying how it was more than just a crime show.

The juxtaposition that I would like you to view begins at roughly 41:48.
Click here for the link to the video

When we first were learning about juxtapositions I was very confused, but after seeing the ending of this episode, not only did I gain a better understand about the characters and the relationship that they share, but what juxtapositions were clicked in my head. I found it ironic that television put it into the right context for my brain to comprehend. By placing the lives and lifestyles of both Temperance Brennan, the anthropologist, and FBI agent Seely Booth. I thought that it was an intelligent filming choice to have this juxtaposition early in the television show because it allowed for a better, more comprehensive understanding of the main characters in the show. Not to mention, but this technique of using a juxtaposition early on in a story or even a show is incredible valuable because it allows one to quickly provide complex information about the character. This, I imagine will be incredibly useful when we are doing our sonnets and short stories; it will be almost a necessity. This also tells me a lot about Temperance Brennan. She can only connect to bones; bones are her life, her world, whereas Seely Booth leads a normal life and can connect to people, but yet, he still seems so distant. This makes me wonder...

Why is Temperance Brennan so unconnected?
Why does Seely Booth isolate himself and close himself off from others?

Best of the Week: Is Assef a Sociopath?

I think that the most important thing that was discussed was whether or not Assef is a sociopath. He is a cruel person that uses people and does terrible things to them. But why is Assef this type of person? One possible answer is that Assef is facing a problem that he has by handling the situation poorly and responding with something that my Health teacher called the reaction formation. The reaction formation response is when you behave in the opposite of how you are feeling. Perhaps Assef is lonely and is demonstrating that loneliness by being angry and cruel to the people he encounters. But you also have to wonder, is it Assef upbringing or his nature that made him who he is? Personally, I believe that any person's personality is strictly determined by his/her experiences. In other words, we are who our experiences shape us to be. Two possible solutions to Assef's personality are either poor or strict parenting. Theory #1: Assef's parents did such a terrible job that he never distinguished the difference between right and wrong and never experienced guilt, which psychologist consider a learned emotion, so he feels no shame when he does something that we believe to be horrible. Theory #2: Assef's parenting was superb. His mother, of whom we know little about, is a passionate believer in Hitler and all of his values and thus instilled them in her son to make him the terrible person that he is today. I am leaning, more like falling, towards theory #1 because it seems much more plausible in the context of the book. For example, at Amir's party, Assef did all the talking for his parents almost like he had control over them not the other way around.

The most likely place that I see myself using this information, is in analyzing characters in novels. The question that I always enjoy contemplating the most is: why is the character in question the way he is? If you can understand the characters, then, I believe, that you can understand the novel and the messages that the author is attempting to portray. Another instance when I can use this, is in everyday life. It will help me from criticizing someone or their work, and tell to myself that I don't know anything about this person so it is unfair for me to make prior assumptions. This will also help me live up to the Code of Living that I shared in the previous post.

Carry It Forward: The Code of Living

The Code of Living is a unique idea at Cheley Colorado Camps, the camp that I have been attending for the past six summers. I find it fascinating. Fifty to sixty teenagers, some who have never met, and as a group write the rules and standards that we, as campers, want to hold our self and others to; the belief being that a person is more likely to follow the rules if they are a part of the process of creating them and they can see their influence. All the campers sign it, like a contract, and receive a blue kerchief that symbolizes the code that they are striving to live up to. And I find, that I become a different person for that one month. Let me share with you this summer's Code of Living.

Initiative
Have the courage to be the one to take the first step.

Communication
Communicate honestly so we may trust each other. Communicate thoroughly so we do not misunderstand each other. Communicate respectfully so we may strengthen the bonds of our community.

Individuality
Have the courage to be yourself. Put your own spin on everything you do. "Dance like no one is watching." Do this keeping in mind that your actions as an individual affect the community as a whole. A complete puzzle is made of unique pieces.

Passion
Do everything with heart and purpose. Make each step your strongest. Push yourself.

Appreciation
Be thankful for what you have. Be proud of what you accomplish. Be glad for the help you receive along the way.

What is so special and unique about the Code of Living is that each year, it changes. Returning and new campers arrive at camp the next summer and different traits are selected with the input of all. No Code of Living has or will be the same.


What I attempt to do is carry that code of living with me throughout the rest of the school year and try and force myself to be who I am at camp. It is a tough challenge and there have been times when I have realized that I have not been living up to the code. I have let myself down. And maybe, my actions will rub off on someone else. All the North students will roll their eyes when I say this, but it is similar to paying it forward. Held together by a fragile strand of trust that each individual is responsible for keeping in tact.