Eleanor & Park Argument Posting

As we begin to read this book, I am very intrigued at how fast the book is moving already. Eleanor in so many ways is someone who I feel can identify with many of the students I work with today. She isn't popular, well liked, attractive nor does she have a high level of self-esteem. But what we do know about her is the fact that she feels alone. Eleanor is introduced first by us learning about Park, an asian student who encounters her on the bus when no one would let her sit next to them. The first question I thought of as I was reading this book was what qualities does she have that just doesn't seem to fit in with others? The author describes her as somewhat overweight, with her own sense of "style unlike anyone else". But don't most teenagers today have these same characteristics?

The thing with Eleanor that I find the most troubling is the fact that her home-life is so difficult. She practically feels like she's a burden when she's at home with her mother, siblings, and "step father" Richie. As we go deeper in the story, we are beginning to get more and more hints of his convoluted her home life really is. Eleanor was kicked out of her home by Richie for a little over a year, but we do not know exactly why. There is evidence that shows that the relationship between her and Richie is very much strained--afterall, when she does move back in the home, she tries to stay as far away from him and he barely acknowledges her existence. The book picks up with giving subtle hints that she feels uncomfortable around Richie, almost as if she resents him (maybe for coming into their lives and kicking her out?). Her siblings barely remember her and all but one seem like they don't know who she is.

All while we are learning about the person Eleanor is and where she comes from, we are also learning about Park as well. Even though the only interaction that the two have with each other happens to be on the bus (indirectly), we do get a clue that when she wasn't sitting next to him on the bus, Park didn't like the idea that she was forced to fend for herself in the back of the bus. Eventually in chapter 6, Park decides that even thought she is weird for the way she dresses, it is more weird to not talk to her. What i do find to be interesting is the fact that even though Park finds her weird, he begins to start to like little things about her--beginning of a romance? We aren't sure yet, but what we can infer is that Park too has a somewhat down-headed view of himself as well. When Cal tries to tell him he's going to ask out Kim, he claims "she's too cool for me". What I am able to draw as a conclusion for what we've read thus far is that yes these two are somewhat different in their own regard, and even though Park doesn't like her now, I argue that because of these interactions that he is having with Eleanor, eventually he will come to rely on them as a sense of self-worth and self-confidence. How? Well in the book we notice that when he sits with her or in front of her, not only does he, but Cal also notices that she is paying more attention to him.  She's reading his comics from behind, and eventually he tries to accommodate her by holding the book more widely open, but also reading slower so she can "catch up". Why else would he do this? I also argue that despite Park knowing that his friends wouldn't approve of this relationship, he will be tested to move past their thoughts and move on to thinking about how he can engage with Eleanor. These two have definitely got a weird attraction for each other, even if neither will try to talk to one another.

I am curious to know more about Eleanor's home-life. I would love to know more about Richie and where he has come from, and also why she hates him so much. We do know that when Eleanor's mom came to bring her home, she had little bits of evidence that she was abused. Coincidence? (thanks for planting that seed, Alyssa).