Lorraine

__The Last Song__ by Nicholas Sparks

=Entry 1:=

Pages read: 1 to 126 New Title: Point of View Date: 4/25/10

"Sometimes she wished her father had started her on the electric guitar. What was she supposed to do with the ability to play the piano?...Look where the piano had gotten [her father]. He'd ended up quitting Julliard so he could hit the road as a concert pianist and found himself playing in rinky-dink venues to audiences that barely filled the first couple of rows...//How did that work for you, Dad?//"
 * Quote (pg 10):**

Ronnie's aggravation at her father causes her to have a pessimistic outlook on her situation. (Ronnie's parents are divorced, and Ronnie hasn't seen her father since he left her mother, her little brother, and herself three years ago. Her mother decided to have Ronnie and Jonah -Ronnie's little brother- stay at their father's house, and Ronnie is going against her will.) Due to her pessimistic outlook, she thinks her father's life is horrible because of his failures. She believes that the piano and her amazing talent aren't useful because if they weren't helpful to her father's life, they won't be helpful in her life. She is very mistaken, and if she had read the letters her father send (she didn't because she was angry at him for leaving), she would find that her father was sorry for leaving and that the piano was a source of joy for him. His life really wasn't a failure because he was happy, forgiving, and ready to give Ronnie a second chance that she didn't want to give him.
 * Explanation:**

What is your opinion of Ronnie?
 * HOTQ:**

I have mixed feelings about Ronnie. I think she's the epitome of the rebellious teenager: she gets bad grades, she ignores curfew, and she has a purple streak in her hair. She often seems nonchalant, and she's sarcastic to and unforgiving of the people who love her. However, underneath it all, she's a good person. Although she hangs out with a bad crowd of people, she's never been drunk or had drugs because she was firm in denying any offers of them. She often shows that she cares about her little brother by taking him to the park and ruffling his hair. Also, she slept on the beach several nights to protect a nest of sea turtles from raccoons. All in all, I think she's a good person who has put up a mask for some reason.
 * Answer:**

I have a cousin who reminds me of Ronnie. My cousin is a typical rebellious teenager as well. Like Ronnie, she's often so sarcastic and mean to the people who love her that it makes me wonder if she's blind to all they do for her and how much they love her. But also like Ronnie, my cousin is kind in actions. She has a pet who she adores, and she often lends clothing and books to her younger sister. Clearly, my cousin is very similar to Ronnie.
 * Connection:**