As I said in my annual class quiz on Thursday, I really enjoyed the second half of the play “The Boys Next Door”. I felt like having read the first act and visiting Alliance for Independence that I had a better feel for the characters and could appreciate their personality quirks and humor they provided. I mean did anybody else find the part where Norman and Sheila are talking at the dance about what kind of flowers they are hilarious? I laughed every time we read that scene last Thursday in our small groups!! Also, the part where I believe its Arnold who says “you have personality traits that are not fun Jack.”, or something like that. Just the scenes like that made this play so easy and enjoyable to read for me personally and the humor far outshined the sadness. I even found myself re-reading certain scenes because I found them so funny!!
Another thing, while we were reading this story the thing that kept jumping out at me was just the innocence of each character and how unassuming they are. That is something that I’ve always felt we could learn from people with disabilities, most the time there is no hidden motive in their actions. As I read through this story I felt like I got to know each character better and better with every page because they just seem so honest and sincere. I really want to see the movie now just to see how they depict each character and see how it lines up with what I have in my mind.
Bottom line is, this was by far my favorite reading and field trip we have done so far. I enjoyed this play so much that I am looking forward to tell my family about it and hopefully finding the movie.
I know I didn't read the second half of the play on time for class but I finished it Tuesday night and I loved it and honestly wish it was longer so I could keep reading it. :D
ReplyDeleteI so agree with this post. I watched the movie and read the book and both were pretty amazing. The different characters just simply made this play what it is. It made me look at people with a mental disability a lot different now. you right, they are so honest and sincere. That is what I love the most about the boys next door. Thanks for sharing this post with us.
ReplyDeletethis was a good post. i agree that this was one of my favorit reads i really enjoyed this play and goin to AFI most def gave me a great appreciation and deeper understanding toward the characters and adults with disabilities.
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