AT THE END OF EVERY PROMPT, YOU SHOULD ASSUME THAT THERE IS ALWAYS THE QUESTION "WHY" OR THE ADDITIONAL PROMPT, "PLEASE EXPLAIN WHY."
Separate paragraphs.
Geremio is a completely different person in this film, as compared to the other Geremio in the novel.
1) What did you like-dislike the most about Geremio? (OK, if you were indifferent, say so. Otherwise I will be accused of forcing your comments.)
2) And what about Annunziata? Isn't it really her stubbornness (to buy the house) that causes all the troubles?
3) Is there an aspect or detail of this film, something small, that "made you think?"
a) Read your classmates comments and mention the comment that "made you think some more."
b) What is your detail or aspect, and why does it matter to you.
1. I like Geremio's character overall. The one thing I did not like was how he was portrayed as a drunk in the movie but in the book he was portrayed very honorable at times. I obviously dislike the idea of a drunk women abuser being the main character but it is just a book/movie.
ReplyDelete2.I do not think the trouble came from Annunziata's stubborness to buy the house. I feel that she was right for wanting to buy a house. Annunziata and Geremio have almost eight kids, in my opinion they need their own space to raise their kids. It is the right thing to do for the kids, provide for them what they deserve.
3. One thing that made me think was, why Geremio and Annunziata had so many kids.. I do see these two being fit to have so many kids with the life they were able to sustain. I feel that it was not the best choice and I wonder this same thing about some people I know with a lot of kids who may not be the best parents or provide the best.
4. I will answer this question when more people answer, I will list this answer in the comments.
Answer to classmates responses: After reading Ifakat's comment about Annunziata it made me think more about her character. I was more focused on Geremio I guess but Ifakat is very right about Annunziata, she is being spoiled and needs to realize that Geremio is working a lot and may not be able to afford the dream she is looking for.
Delete1. I enjoyed the film and how Geremio was portrayed in the film. I enjoyed the film more than the book. I don't think I disliked anything about Geremio in the film if I'm being honest.
ReplyDelete2. This is an interesting question. In the film, she got upset when the guy (I don't remember his name nor do I know how to spell it) came to their apartment and said he can't sell it to them so instead, will sell it to the government to get money since he didn't have funds for himself. She got upset and gave her the money. This showed how determined she was to get the house given that she had multiple children and was just looking out for the family. Geremio was working hard but I don't really consider Annunziata's stubborness to be the cause of troubles
3. Mine is similar to Josephs comment. The fact that she had so many kids was alot to maintain. I think taking care of this many kids (especially during their time period) is a lot of work and money which also slows down the process on purchasing the house. If they had less kids, that would mean they would spend less money which would mean they would get the house faster (Just my 2 cents).
4. Josephs answer to number 1 is an eye opener. I didn't see him being drunk in the movie but in the book was an honorable person a dislike but I can understand where he is coming from.
I think you bring up a great point. If Annunziata and Geremio had less mouths to feed, maybe they would have been able to afford their own home quicker, and for a longer period of time. It makes me wonder, if Annunziata was less focused on the "house", and more focused on her families structure and security, could she be living a different, more superior, life?
Delete1. I honestly disliked how Geremio was represented within the film. I felt he was a deceiving, tyrannical schmuck. He was a cheating on his wife with his ex-girlfriend and treated his “friends” like worthless laborers. I felt Geremio in the film “Give Us This Day”, was completely different from Geremio in the book “Christ in Concrete”.
ReplyDelete2.I felt Annunziata was very stubborn and almost delusional. I felt like she wanted the American dream of owning her own home, but she didn’t realize her husband could not afford it. Although they were able to save enough money to live in a house, they were not able to save their family from falling apart.
3. One thing that truly “made me think” was, the way Annunziata insisted Geremio stay at the hall during the birth of their first child, so that Geremio would not miss out on a potential job opportunity. It is clear just how dedicated Annunziata is about buying a home, since she would even insist on her husband missing out on the birth of their first child. I understand her dedication for a better life, but realistically, what’s more important? A possible job opportunity (adding a few dollars to their savings)? Or the moments of your first child being born? In my opinion, Annunziata was being selfish, and only thinking of the house.
1. I liked Geremio character. He is strong yet kind. He has to be the boss man but yet feels for other workers. Geremio is a husband that wants to support and give for his family everything he possibly can and does keep the truth from his wife of his concerns of the safety of this particular job. In the movie though yes I do see the standard point of being a “drunk”
ReplyDelete2. I don’t really feel stubbornness in Annunztia’s character. Her character demonstrates the wife and mother during this period of time in America that I feel was the “norm”. I mean they had so many kids, I think it would be any mother’s concern to have the “ideal” home to raise her children.
3. In my opinion the one detail that “made me think” Geremio in “Christ in Concrete” is his strong faith throughout the text especially at the very end. It’s parallel to what many Catholics, Christians or any religious denomination is going through now with COVID-19. All around the world people are turning to God and praying more than they ever did before.
4. Joseph- I like the point you made how Geremio’s character was different in the reading then the text.
ReplyDelete1.For me Geremio as in the movie so in the book is a strong character who despite all difficulties tried his best to provide his family with all necessary resources for the life while each day risking his life at the construction sites. I even do not blame him while in a movie he was shown drinking in bars because it is emotionally very difficult to always be on the verge of life and death and with realization that he didn’t have a choice because except him , no one else will love and support his children as their native father.
2.I think that due to Annunziata’s stubbornness their family received the chance to live in their own house. And it is normal for a mother of 8 children to persevere for the better conditions for her family members. The Annunziata character is an image of Italian immigrant mother who struggled in a variety of ways such as assimilative process in a new country or difficult financial situation and at the same time who did not give up and tried to create a cultural universe in her home which was made out of the values and principles of her native world.
3. Catholicism played a big part in the lives of early twentieth century Italian-American immigrants and Di Donato's novel powerfully depicts this religious dimension even at the name of the book and I found that the movie did not highlight this aspect in the same way as in the book. For me Geremio's last speech in the book was more powerful than in the movie. I think that this happened because in the movie Geremio's character was distorted from the men who devoted to religion and his family to the men who cheat on his family and who forgets about human values such as friendship and respect for loved ones.
4. Paulina raised an interesting aspect that at all times when people face difficulties they try to relive their emotional pressure through religion or start to believe in superstitions. In the movie Geremio started to follow suggestions of the neighbor by tearing hair out of his eyelash in order to help his wife to give birth to their first child.
1.) I think the film in particular captures Geremio in a more realistic way, making him more susceptible to drinking and not always doing what's best, but I think he is trying. He comes around more relatable and that's one thing I like.
ReplyDelete2) I feel like although Annunziata was sort of stubborn, she was doing it in the interest of her family and she'll do what it takes to provide them with a better life.
3) Well I do wonder why Geremio was sort of altered from book to movie, I like the little changes but I'm interested as to why his character has changed for the sake of the film. Did it create a better plot or banter between him and the audience?
4.) Joseph was curious as to why they had so many children, and I was thinking that as soon as I read and saw the film. It's a big part of the plot as a whole I think, to why they have so many kids if they struggle.
1) What did you like-dislike the most about Geremio? (OK, if you were indifferent, say so. Otherwise I will be accused of forcing your comments.)
ReplyDeleteI disliked Geremio’s dishonesty. I did not like when he was dishonest to Annunziata about owning a house and when he was dishonest about his true intentions about marriage. He wanted to get married, but he was still in love with Kathleen, however since Kathleen did not want to get married it seemed like he was desperate and just picked Annunziata for his own selfish reasons. Finally, I did not like how he secured a rotten contract and endangered his workers. They trusted him and he abused it once again for his own selfish gain.
2) And what about Annunziata? Isn't it really her stubbornness (to buy the house) that causes all the troubles?
I don’t think that Annunziata’s stubbornness caused all of this trouble. All she wanted was stability and that is a realistic goal especially having that many children. The root cause would be Geremio’s dishonesty, he was aware of Annunziata’s request and if he could not provide it he should’ve been honest.
3) Is there an aspect or detail of this film, something small, that "made you think?"
I think when Luigi fell and to see Geremio lacking compassion towards him even though they were friends. It made me think about how money and deception poisons people’s minds. When I saw him drowning in the concrete, I could not help but think that he holds some of the blame for his own death.
a) Read your classmates comments and mention the comment that "made you think some more."
b) What is your detail or aspect, and why does it matter to you.
Paulina and I both agreed that Annunziata was not stubborn. I think that she raised an interesting point when she said that Annunziata was just trying to fill the role as a housewife. I agree, I still think that it can be seen as the “norm” today. Most mothers are willing to do whatever to have a stable home for their children.
1. I preferred the book version of Geremio much more. While in the book it is obvious how his life revolves around his family and giving them a good life, in the movie he is cheating on his wife with his ex as his family is going through a tough time.
ReplyDelete2. While I agree with Ifakat’s answer to number two about how Annunziata’s stubbornness to buy the house causes the families troubles, I also understand where her stubbornness comes from. In her letter before she comes to America Annunziata says that all she wants is her own house. She tells Geremio that even if he can not provide that for her right now that she will wait for him or until he can. Instead of being honest and waiting, he lies to her because he didn’t want to wait. She left her whole family behind in a different country to marry a stranger only to find out it has all been a lie.
3. One small detail that made me think was how Geremio’s reaction becomes less and less excited every time one of his kids is born. Its obvious by the third child that he doesn’t want any more kids yet he keeps having kids.
1) Although Geremio is different from the Geremio portrayed in the book ’m indifferent towards him, there is no particular aspect of his personality that I dislike. But I didn’t like it when he slapped Annunziata because first of all I am not a fan of domestic violence and second of all she had every right to be mad at him. He had forgotten about his own birthday and had his family waiting for him. Then he had the audacity to treat her as if she was wrong.
ReplyDelete2) Prior to coming to America Annunziata was promised a home and as her honeymoon ended, she finds out that it was a lie. She expressed her desires to be a homeowner prior having her first child. Seven children later and she still isn’t a homeowner, so I wouldn’t say she was stubborn. I like Annunziata because I think she is a strong woman. After they had to leave the house and moved into the apartment she kept a positive attitude, and throughout the years where they faced hardships she stood by Geremio’s side.
3) Watching the film made me think about how foremen and construction companies knowingly made poor immigrant laborers work on projects that were dangerous and life threatening. When I think about poor working conditions during that era my mind immediately goes to the factory workers that protested. But now having seen the film it has broadened by horizons.
4) The last sentence of Ifakat’s answer to question three has put a spotlight on an aspect that I had forgotten about while answering question two. I can understand and she why she views Annunziata as being selfish for making Geremio go to the Union Hall so he doesn’t miss out on a job opportunity, therefore making Geremio miss the birth of his first child. But although the house is her desire in the long run it benefits everyone in the family.
This is John Giannusa.
ReplyDeleteI didn't like how Geremio was very impressionable in the film vs the book. He took Luigi's advice without hesitation and didn't to seem to give much thought to the consequences of marrying someone you're not in love with.
I think Annunziata's stubbornness is somewhat warranted. Geremio lied to her and said he would have a house waiting for her when she arrived. But at the same time, if she gave in a little bit and was more understanding their marriage wouldn't have had the issues that it did.
One thing that caught my eye was that the song that was song at the wedding kept on repeating lyrics about how no one wants to die alone. When this song was being sung, the camera focused on Luigi and his facial expression seemed like he was upset. I think this speaks to Luigi's conversation with Geremio and how Luigi had the chance to be married but it didn't work out.
I like Josephs comment because I think Geremio and Annunziata had so many kids to try to create this image of a family to hide the clear issues within their own relationship.
1. I personally liked Geremio in the film. He's a hard worker determined to buy the house and make Annunziata happy in the first half at least but he did make mistakes such as cheating on her and changing the original man he was when he met her. However I do not think he was bad overall.
ReplyDelete2. Annunziata's stubborness to buy the house really annoyed me. It seemed that was the only thing she cared about instead of being grateful to at least have an apartment to live in. And I feel she only married him because he promised her a house instead of loving him first out of being desperate.
3. One detail that made me think was how many kids they had knowing they needed to make the $500 and more. Of course contraceptive was not around back in this time but there were other precautions they could have taken. It was also not fair for all those kids to live in a small apartment together and it's more costly to take care of that many children.
4. Hanna's comment made me think as she stated religion, specifically Catholisicm was much more prevalent in the book (hence the title) vs the movie. I think they could have incorporated religion in the movie by showing Annunziata praying that they make enough money or them going to Sunday mass.