Author’s Intrusion
Blog Post #3
As I was anxiously flipping through the pages of Lock and Key written by Sarah Dessen, my eyes drifted to this one paragraph in the middle of nowhere that randomly, is about fishes. “You will need to acclimate them slowly…put the bags in the water for about fifteen minutes so they can get adjusted to the temperature. Then open the bags and let a little bit of your pond water in to mix with what they’re in. Give it another fifteen minutes or so, and then you let them go.” (p174) This simple, yet interesting line (at least to me), made me realize a bigger idea hidden within the book. You’re probably confused by right as I was before, thinking. “Fishes—how interesting." Clearly, I‘ve realized a bigger theme that binds in with the plainness and simplicity in this paragraph.
First of all, this quote reminds me of Ruby’s situation. She had been living by herself illegally under 18, without anyone to rely on, because of the disappearance of her mother. After the secret has been discovered by the landlords, moreover, the school, she was forced to live with her sister, Cora, unwillingly, in a gorgeous mansion-like dream house. She was scared to accept the help of others and is living life gloomily. Ruby didn’t exactly like that place at first. It was just too distinct from her past, original life. She even tried to escape by climbing the fence. “Acclimate” from the excerpt means to adapt, to familiarize, so basically, this makes me think that Sarah Dessen wanted to tell us readers that no one can fully fit in, in a new place right away.
Besides that, it takes time for people to get use to it, to adjust to the unfamiliar surrounding. Furthermore, I can’t transfer to a foreign school and automatically feel comfortable around my classmates either. It’s normal for people. The quote makes total sense. No doubt, you will need to acclimate them slowly. Ruby just needed to give up her tough past. It’s not worth it. In general, I feel that the author wanted to tell us that being in a new environment isn’t something bad. The key is to slowly let them feel adjusted to it…”and then let them go”.
Other than that, "...let a little bit of your pond water in to mix with what they’re in" from the text is another intrusion from the author, in which she is trying to tell you that you will need something you can relate to when moving to a new place, so that you can feel connected. This makes you feel more mutual to the unfamiliar people. This way, you don't feel completely foreign and off-topic.
Additionally, the extract referred to a fish. I feel that it sort of symbolizes humans. When fishes leave their tanks to live in a new location, they usually start of uneasily, their faces popping up, and then disappearing. Generally, they will do fine and get use to their new place, unless herons come out of nowhere and attack them. It is the same as for any average people. Although having a real human adapt to their new atmosphere certainly takes longer than just 30 minutes, as stated in the text, you will still eventually get over their old past and live in the present. Nobody should stay in the fantasy from their memory. That’s like ancient history. You just got to move on. Think about death. You have to learn to accept it, not let the scar follow you around. Fishes are like a role model of humans. They are constantly being moved and played, like toys. Their lives are short, but they never gave up. Ruby shouldn’t live life gloomily anymore. I believe that this excerpt clearly describes a fish, but more importantly, also makes me think of people in general and how they social.
In final consideration, I definitely feel that this simple quote is like a life lesson that teaches not just Ruby, but people how you shouldn’t escape from reality just because you don’t feel comfortable with something. You have to give it some time. Nothing can automatically go the way you want. It’s impossible—unless you’re out of the ordinary, of course. In other words, fishes are like humans. It’s a big shock to their system, leaving the tank, but they usually do fine in the end. Lastly, Sarah Dessen uses this voice to remind us about how everyone in a new environment starts off rough, going up the cliff, but then they can still be able to survive as they slide down from it. Being social really makes a big difference. It’s not hard, but time is the most essential factor. Isn’t this the same for you too?
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