English 325: Blog Post 10: Wintergirls

This week’s blog post will be concerning the novel Wintergirls by Laurie Anderson. This text was one that was really eye opening, simply because of the fact that both of the “main characters” were having the same issue. Something that is not usually seen with these type of drastic elements; at least this is case in my background of reading. However, I really enjoyed how the author set-up the story. It was done very well in following Lia through her journey of beating what has become in modern society a quite common disease. What made this text hit home even more was that Lia had to endure the heartache of losing her best friend of 10 years to the same battle she was fighting. This is an easily relatable topic to students, not just for eating disorders but any problem that they share with someone else. This topic or theme could be brought up in the classroom and made a lesson around the fact that a cry out for help should never be taken lightly, even when fighting your own demons. This definitely sounds easier said than done, but are something that should be brought up. The next topic that this novel brings up is a guilty conscious. Cassie’s ghost throughout makes Lia feel guilty about not picking up the phone and is egging on her negative lifestyle. Lia chooses to handle these thoughts and feelings by herself and not reach out for help. This is yet another life lesson or themed discussion that could be brought up in a classroom setting. Teaching students that’s it is okay to reach out for help when emotionally distraught and that getting help doesn’t make you weak. It is really hard for some students to be able to do this and I believe that this book could show them how not getting help can negatively affect them if they don’t. Bringing these two themes together shows that this book even though graphic, horrific and eye opening makes some good lessons that can be gained out of reading it. The part that was most enjoyable about this novel was that even when you thought Lia had given up and gave in to Cassie’s ghost and no longer wanted to live; she snapped out of it. This gives the side of that it’s never too late to give up; as long as you are living and have the will-power you can change. This would be the most crucial theme or aspect of the novel I would bring up while teaching it because of the fact that students in today’s society give up way to easily on themselves. In reading a novel like this one and seeing everything that Lia had endured and yet still overcame should give them confidence and hope in themselves that they too can change at any moment. This indeed sounds a bit over the edge for a concept to bring into the classroom, but why not bring in such a possible life changing possibility? Even if the students only take away a bit of what was discussed on the novel, they will get the books theme, message and purpose. (Which ultimately is the main goal) Overall I would rate this book a B to B- range and would recommend for a later middle school and on age range.