The Lovely Bones

Do you believe in a life beyond this world? Is it something magical and serene? Heaven is portrayed as many things in Alice Seybold’s “The Lovely Bones”. Susie Salmon, a 14 year old girl who was raped and murdered by a man living in close proximity learns that heaven can be very different for everyone, however they are all intertwined. Susie becomes trapped in the “in-between” of what heaven truly is and hell; it is alluding to being a perfect world. Although it is not a place where she is happy; it is a place where she can’t fight the urge to linger over the lives of the people she left behind.

The way “The Lovely Bones” was portrayed from paper to screen by renowned director Peter Jackson was without a lot of detail that was needed in the understanding of some of the main concepts of the plot. Some of the events were shown out of order which was a tad confusing at times, as the family ties were also not explored to the depth that Seybold had presented them. Peter Jackson however did succeed in the storytelling of Susie’s fear and resistance of letting go of Earth and entering into the final stage that had been accessible to her the entire time. In both the book and the film Susie expresses the emotions of anger, jealousy and just straight out fear when it comes to losing what she once called her life.

Certain relationships in the film example Samuel Heckler and Lindsey Salmon (Susie’s’ younger sister) were not explored as most readers would have hoped. In the book the relationship of Samuel and Lindsey develop into a love story revolving around great understanding, compassion and undying love. In the film version this relationship was almost overlooked; pushed aside is if without any importance at all.

The malicious man who committed this fatal crime over and over was seriously disturbed possibly resulting from certain events that occurred throughout the course of his childhood. The film is flawed in this area as well as it did not refer to the troubles he dealt with in his early years regarding his mother. That got quite horrific at times.


Overall the contrasts between the book and the film of “The Lovely Bones” were great; the transfer of details was done quite poorly and with minimal character development that most readers would agree was necessary for depth that the film clearly lacked. The efforts that were made are condonable yet only receive 4 out of 10.

How Far is Too Far?

Freedom of Speech. Some people may argue that the problem with that is that it's free. Ann Coulter a well established extreme right wing columnist in the the U.S. Has recently journeyed her way to the University of Western Ontario where she proclaimed her controversial views on Muslims during her speech to the University she commented on how Muslims should no longer be allowed to fly on our airlines as they propose terrorist threats; following this comment a Muslim student asked her what was a better method of transportation.Coulter replied with the crude comment of " Go ride a camel to the U.S" When word leaked out of Coulter's polemicist ways and utter disregard for common courtesy, her next scheduled stop at the University of Ottawa was cancelled because of the outrageous amounts of angered protesters.

The question everyone is proposing is has she gone to far? The laws of Freedom o Speech in Canada are as the following revolving around the basic idea of defamation law. It is an attempt to balance the private right to protect someones reputation with the public right to freedom of speech. Defamation law gives people the privilege to sue those who say or publish false and malicious comments.At this time there have been no arrests or evidence of a trial,and no acts of reconciliation on the matter.

Ann Coulter in the eyes of many is a disgusting ,malicious monster who should know better. However Ann Coulter did her state right wing opinions which were quite offensive and derogatory. Ann Coulter has crossed the lines of what the meaning of freedom of speech should be allowed. Coulter should be sent away to learn the lesson of respect and how she can influence the world for the good and not the negative. If she hasn't gone too far this time, will she the next time?

Descriptive

The doors opened to the dusty saloon, the smell of liquor grasping every breath where the sharp edge of his hat lingered over the caterpillars he called his eyebrows;his eyes cringed as he stared off in the distance at the gleaming sun.His nose straight as a bone; a centimeter away from meeting the grimace of a smile he held on his face. His shirt clung to his shoulders as cold sweat dripped down his body,the pistols occupying his hands ready to fire on command.The ball of fire in the distance we call the sun was setting so beautifully.It was a typical scene every cowboy dreams of. Clint's jeans were tore around the edges,the responsibility for the slight damages was a scuffle earlier that day."There was bruises on the other guy,he was bloody to the bone" Clint said."However he was the one came out the real winner."

Love at first sight

So there's this guy. I know I know patience is a virtue but when I saw him our eyes locked he was definitely something more then what the cat dragged in.Bet you bottom dollar I wasn't going to just stand by while some other girl was trying to steal him away I wasn't born yesterday. All is fair in love and war you know. I was going to be as busy as a bee to make that girl avoid him like the plague. She was going to work as hard as a dog if she didn't want my brother to give her a knuckle sandwich for trying to steal away my knight in shining armour thank you very much.You might ask why this boy was so special,well he's tall ,dark and handsome , the usual prince charming type

december 8 1980

Hidden beneath the shadows its December 8 1980. The 38 special revolver clutched tightly in his hand. His Heart pounding as his target was spotted. Yoko and John passed by when he released five hollow point bullets.The first one missed flying over Lennon's head smashing into the painted glass of a window in the Dakota Building.The remaining bullets penetrated into the left side of his back and left shoulder.He was Dead.
Its 12:00 noon December 6 1980 the sun beaming on the freshly landed snow Mark David Chapman climbed out of a local taxi in beautiful New York City. His stretched loafers pounding the pavement,Chapman was approaching a local company Charter Arms Gun Company to be exact.The thought had been planted, the plot to kill one of the most beloved idols of all time.Unbenounced to Chapman piercing eyes were watching;watching his every move.Inside the store containing those malicious weapons the murder weapon was purchased.The onlooker knew they had to stop it; stop this dreadful event from occurring.Later that night the onlooker followed Chapman to his hotel peering around corners avoiding the imprisonment of accusatory stares.Upon the rising of the gleaming sun on a new day ,Chapman deliberated the finishing touches of his plan ;rehearsing it over and over in his mind.In a deep and small part of Chapman's brain he was reconsidering going through with this life altering task.Could he really kill a man? Not just any man, but the writer who created the music that in his times of dispare healed his soul? It was too late to back out now he told himself.
December 8 1980,The gritty tones of sand surrounding the monumental archway on 72nd and Broadway were to become a place where history would unfold;that is if the onlooker fails at the task they were given.It was nearly 8pm and the time was drawing near. Lennon would be arriving home in the coming hour.Chapman's heart was pounding harder and harder as each moment passed.As John and Yoko approached Chapman centered in on his target, took a deep breath and prepared himself for the moment he knew would change his life forever as well as most of the world.The onlooker seeing the reflection of Chapman's eye knew what had to be done. Chapman raised his right arm wielding the revolver just about to shoot. The onlooker mentally prepared, dove into the line of fire produced by the oncoming bullets. The task was completed, the assination attempt of John Lennon by Mark David Chapman had been stopped.This critical moment altered the way music influenced the world for generations to come.