While reading the book, I had a hard time thinking of a question. The book presents some stereotypes and some generalizations about being Jewish. I was thinking of our class discussion and came up with the idea of: Do all children/teenagers challenge their beliefs or values in order to fit into what they see as the norm(what their friends believe/do)? The reason I picked this question is because it seems that Justine wants to be like Mac in order to fit in. Based on page 8, where she talks about being Catholic like Mac, do you think that this is something that she wants to do because she is testing what religion she wants to be or do you think that she is doing this just to be like her friend?
Another idea that is brought up is the idea of Sister Teresa Benedicta, do you think that this is there to show that more teenagers are trying to be like the norm in society so they do not get made fun of or stick out? Or do you think that Sister Benedicta was just brought up to show that other people in history have switched between the two religions? Do you think that Sister Benedicta is seen as a role model and a way to see how she fit into society?
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I think it is normal that we challenge what we value and believe in. This way we know what it really means. I think Mac is testing out being Catholic and less about doing what her friends do, but I do think Justine does have some influence. Yet in the end, what one chooses always ends up being about what they value and not what their friends do or do not do.
As far as Sister Benedicta, I think she is used to show that people do switch religions and that it is possible to do so. Although fitting in is an issue with this book, I don't see her being used to show how people try to get accepted and fit in with the majority.
Where are the Sister Teresa Benedicta passages? I'm not finding them and want to reread before I post.
The one passage I was looking at is on page 47.
I tossed around this idea when I was working on my paper too. I think Justine has a cloudy view of religion as far as what each should really mean to a person. She sees the aesthetic value (like how it wouldn’t be fun to be Buddhist because she would have to meditate all the time or how it would be fun to be Catholic because you get to celebrate Christmas). She also seems to be pushed away from her understanding of Judaism because of her family life, especially when she compares it Mac's completely different family dynamic. This is why I believe she turned to Catholicism. I felt much better at the end of the book when Justine finally realizes the true meaning of her religion.
This was a touchy subject for me in the book because although I feel a lot of people react to what the public believes, it bothered me that in this text it appears that, that is happening in terms of religion. I agree with the idea of challenging what one believes in however, it is hard to say whether or not Mac is doing what he preceives as cool or trying to find a religion for himself. Also I somewhat agree with people choosing what they believe in the end, however sometimes things are more influenced then people realize. Therefore is he choosing it because it's what he believes or because it's what society tells us to believe of feeling?...just a thought! Overall this book was very controversial to me, because I have strong opinions about individual religious beliefs....but I think it's a great issue to address in children's literature.
I think that Paula brings up an interesting question with how children or teenagers challenge their beliefs. I remember when I was younger sitting in church and thinking about what the priest was saying. Did I believe in all that he was talking about? This is something that I still question today. I feel that one's beliefs and values are always changing based on experiences that they go through and encounter in life. While I may figure something out about myself right now, a new challenge may come when I'm 30 and I have to rethink what some of my beliefs. Regarding the book, I think that it is completely natural for Justine to question and explore different religions, let alone different aspects of the world. She may be doing it to fit in, but it's going to happen to everyone of us, and eventually she will learn the right reasons to rethink her beliefs and values in becoming the individual that she wants to be.
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