The outsiders
The Outsiders seminar reflection My overall reaction to this seminar was very good. I was surprised so many people shared my thoughts, and contradicted my thoughts, too. For example, it was said that Ponyboy and Johnny’s reaction to the children being inside the burning church was an ‘escape plan’ for them, and would help them in court (mentioned by Jake and Jonah). I believe that they are truly heros, and genuinely wanted to help those children. I loved how Rowan made personal connections and explained how she felt and what she wanted to say through personal examples. I think it was a great and insightful seminar, because I could really connect to what people were saying. I connected more with Rowan and Connor the most, because not only did they share my opinions most of the time, but explained things very well and helped me see things with more clarity, allowing me to connect more than I already was.
Now, as to making connections inside and outside of the book we were talking about, I think the Outsiders is the best example of socialization in a book, but another great example is a book called The Perks of Being a Wallflower. I read it a little while back, but from what I recall, you see our main character go from a very quiet wallflower into something more, someone open and willing for change. It’s a beautiful book that, looking back at it, shows socialization very well. Speaking of doing things well... I think I need decent during the seminar. I could have spoken more, but I was too wrapped up in what people were saying. I feel strange, however, about when I did speak. I voiced my opinion, and I’m not sure if I explained is very well. I did well on the listening part, just not the explaining part. I was impressed with how well Will and Connor were speaking, though. They had some great points, which is what I want to talk about next. Connor said, “...A reverse Looking-Glass Self.” That was the part of the sentence that stuck out to me the most, and made me think a whole lot about it. What would be a reverse Looking-Glass Self? How does that fall into socialization? Rowan said that when people try to contradict her thoughts and ideas, it only makes her want to believe in them more. Her sister mocks her brightly colored hair, and it makes her want to dye it more. That is the reverse Looking-Glass Self. I looked further into it, and a research has shown that talking to people about subjects that contradict their beliefs actually help reinforce them. A lot of research shows that humans process information wanting to reinforce what we already believe. This is known as 'motivated reasoning': we passively accept as truth information that confirms what we believe and dismiss information that doesn't. There’s even more on this matter in the article, “How facts backfire” by Joe Keohane on http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2010/07/11/how_facts_backfire/?page=full This seminar was full of amazing things said, and a lot of great opinions and ideas, but those I have mentioned are the ones that will stick with me for quite a while. I enjoyed this seminar, and am looking forward to seeing what we will talk about in our future seminars. |