Through most of my reading of When Everything Feels Like the Movies (WEFLTM), I must say I wasn’t too sure as to how this book pertained to my role as a teacher. Although I found the book hard to put down, I wasn’t able to fully wrap my head around how reading about a teenage boy’s fantasies would help me in my career. However, after giving myself a chance to reflect upon the book, while pairing it with other readings including Why We Must Read Young Adult Books That Deal With Sexual Content and discussing the role, or even importance, of sexual-content-filed books for teenagers, I have come to realize that teacher’s must all be prepared and aware of discussion surrounding teen sexuality.
Educating students about safe sex is critical. There have been many debates regarding the intent and appropriateness of talking about sexuality in schools, particularly since the change in the Sex Ed curriculum for public schools in Ontario. However, these readings have also made me realize the importance of teens not only understanding safe sex, but also having resources such as teen fiction novels that provide very raw and true representations of teen sexuality. The book WEFLTM can be used as an outlet, a safe space or a site of exploration for teenagers. This novel, although sometimes overly graphic, can be a useful piece of information to any type of reader. An adult can read this book to better understand the thought process and emotions that teens experience in their everyday lives. Also, straight teens can read this book to better understand the difficulties gay teens go through on a regular basis; this novel is a small window into the life of someone else, as with every novel. Although it does not have a happy ending, this book is an important avenue for understanding other people’s experiences. Finally, a gay teen and read this book feeling that they are not alone. Of course, not every LGBT teen will relate perfectly with the main character. Some may find him vulgar, a misfit or too attention seeking. Regardless of his downfalls, this character is real. Jude goes through some struggles that all teens go through and others specific to him, his family life, his gender and his sexuality. It is important to see that although much of this book focused on his fantasies, romantic relationships and sexuality, there was so much more to the character that everyone can relate to. I also found it interesting how the author decided to use Hollywood as an escape for Jude. He was able to replace the torment in his life with fame; agony to stardom. I find that this form of escape portrayed by Jude not only contributed well to the basis of the story, but also helped the reader understand some coping mechanisms teens use in order to free themselves of what feels like unbearable situations. I found this method of storytelling helped Jude through his journey, helping him realize that there is more to life beyond high school. I also feel the Hollywood façade contributed to the reader feeling that much more deeply for when Jude was murdered. I know that regardless of how the story was told, I would have cried reading the last chapter; nonetheless, I think the genuine hope that Jude felt through the use of this superstar script for his escape from his personal and social agony made his downfall even more heartbreaking. When I was researching other resources to support this novel for our multiliteracy group, the first theme that can to mind was LGBT teens and bullying. The next theme was how family dynamics affect the teenage experience. Although this book is seen in a sense as overtly sexual, sex was one of the last thing I considered or got from re-thinking about this book. This process has allowed me to reconsideration the true meanings behind the text. As mentioned, sex and sexuality are a critical component to the book and are sufficiently discusses; nonetheless, I think it is critical to understand how the individual character and all of his life experiences and relationships shaped his story.
1 Comment
linda radford
10/31/2015 04:14:50 am
Thank you for sharing your adventure of insight here Nicole. You have really pulled the layers back of what is represented in this text and its significance to teacher reader. I especially appreciate your point about how the author's representation of the character is so much more than just his sexuality and that allows us to identify with him in complex and enlightening ways.
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