"Pedro and Me" Panel Page 43
In the panel we chose, found on page 43. It’s representing one of the main themes of the book, of Pedro in ability to grieve and deal with his loneliness, after the loss of his mother. Therefore in an attempt to fill the void of the love he’s loss from his mother, he has chosen to get involved in risky sexual behavior. In the panel there are tones of sadness represented as darkness, and the light represents happier tones. Pedro is sitting in a black room with a circle of white light illuminating him. He however is slumped over at his desk, doing homework, school is something he is good at and proud of, which we see as the white. The darkness represents his grief and loneliness this seen through his facial expression in the panel. We find the colors and tones to be a strong symbol in our panel. The wording is straight forward in that it states, Pedro is looking for the love his misses, which lead him to become sexually active at the age of 13. Pedro’s posture gives us the impression of depression due to his loneliness. We also noticed that things were missing from in the picture, that seem should have been there; such as a phone, computer, or even a friend to study with. We feel this was an attempt to show the depth of his loneliness as a result of his grief.
You succinctly cover each question that is required in this assignment - nice job. I would add that all of the other panels on the page show Pedro putting on a happy face when he is with other people but when he is alone the grief is overwhelming. The academics occur in the evening when there is a lamp on and the shadow is displayed on the wall via the shading and the hours that he is most likely to be alone and in the home where his mother is missing from.
ReplyDeleteI think that you guys did a really nice analysis of the frame. I think that you made a nice point in stating the differences of the light surrounding pedro, and the lamp shining on him and his homework that he excels in, and then there is that looming dark that encompasses him, that seceret that self doubt that he is maybe a little ahead of his time and it just doesn't feel right. I think that you made good observations about what is there and not there...the lack of any communication as Pedro sits and studies, to me it looks as though he is looking right through the books on his desk. So, very nice job and I think that you guys answered all the questions right on, in clear concise statements.
ReplyDeleteYou did a good job of showing how Pedro was when he was alone. Pointing out the lack of stuff around him when he was studying, like he was isolating himself. This is a well put together analysis. You did a very good job of getting all the observations for each question in here. I think you did a great job of talking about the differences in the lighting surrounding Pedro and what the different shades mean.
ReplyDeleteI think your group made some good observations. However, one nitpicky thing I'd like to point out is that at the time Pedro was a boy, and especially since the family came form Cuba and did not have a lot of money, it's unlikely that his lack of computer is out of loneliness.
ReplyDeleteBesides that note, I thought what you pointed out was just about right on. You did a great analysis of this panel.
Nice job on the analysis! I agree that this panel depicts the loneliness that Pedro feels after the death of his mother. I feel that the darkness that is behind Pedro while he is at his desk, symbolizes the burden of grief that he is feeling. It is just hanging over him, like he can’t escape from it. I also found it interesting how you thought there were items missing. He could have had those items, but they just weren’t in sight or like Amanda said, he may not have them because he can’t afford them.
ReplyDeleteI think that you did do a good job relating the light and darkness in the panel. There was a lot of detail that you were able to point out. It is a good panel to give insight to the feelings that he has after the death of his mother. It also displays things that Pedro does do to escape his life. I do think that you could've focused more on the happiness that is also in the panels. He is growing up and his life is continuing to change.
ReplyDeleteI liked the panel your group picked, as it is unusual, yet a very important part of Pedro's life. It is not a huge part of the story, as this is a story of Pedro's quest to deliver the message of HIV to a nation. You have pointed out, though, what probably had been one of the defining moments in Pedro's life up until his diagnosis, and illness. You did a good job pointing out the color contrasts, and the lonliness that he felt which probably was a factor in his sexual promiscuity as a young teen. Great insight to have picked this panel.
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