1.) Do you think Vincent’s research at the monastery was useful? Why did she choose to do research here and what conclusions did she draw?
I was very surprised when I started reading about Vincent joining a monastery as Ned. I was not expecting this at all after the strip clubs and countless dates Ned went on. I felt like this chapter was mostly fringe stuff and it was unlikely to give the author a true cross-section of “typical” masculine behavior. Her intentions were to see what happens to men when they are out of their element when they are without the company of women. I suppose I understand why she did this, but I just feel like it was a weird twist to add in the book. She found that the men in the monastery lacked interpersonal skills and were not very social. Considering some of them had been living for thirty years or more, one would think that they would know all about each other and their interests. However, Vincent observed that this was false. She also concluded that they are not allowed to show any intimacy or affection to one another. This is shown in the book when Vincent tries to hug Brother Virgil and every one freaks out. In my opinion, I do not think the monastery represents a typical guy world that she is researching and she could’ve chosen a better place to research.
2.) On page 139, Vincent tells us how Ned did everything Vergil had said. For example, “he’d motion me to his side with a curt hand gesture that meant “come.” And like a trained subservient, I did come. I’d flip my book open to the right page and he’d point his index finger, again without looking at me, at the right place in prayer.” Vincent says it was like Ned was the pupil, and Vergil was the master. Do you think this affected how she viewed things and would’ve had different research if she had a mind of her own instead of following all orders?
I think that Vincent followed what was going on just because she didn’t want to cause any trouble. If she would’ve just stood in the back and not made any friends with Vergil or Brother Felix then she would’ve had a hard time connecting with them and getting the information that she did. Overall in this book, I think that Ned has done a great job building relationships with everyone and has tried relating as much as he could to a real man’s life. Throughout the chapter Ned begins to have a mind of his own and ends up standing up to Vergil and getting closer with him. I think that her reactions in the beginning definitely affected how she viewed things because she was under such a tight leash and while I was reading I kept thinking she was like a dog obeying its master. I just wanted her to stand up for herself and not do everything Vergil said. However, on the other hand I think she did what she had to and it was necessary for her to do as she was told in order to make friends and be accepted in this monastery.
3.) Vincent titles chapter five “Life.” Why do you think she chooses this title and do you think it pertains and describes the chapter well?
Obviously the first thing that one notices when starting a chapter is the title (if it has one). When I read this chapter title, I did not see this context coming at all. I thought it was possibly going to be about family members or traveling to different parts of the world, but the notion of a monastery did not cross my mind once.
Religion is a very important part of many people’s lives. It can alter or effect how a person views certain things and the practices and rituals are all different depending on the religion and culture. I feel that Vincent chose the title “Life” because of how significant religion is for some people. However, she never mentions this in the chapter and she only states the reason for joining a monastery is to get away from the common sex life of most males. She states that many things done at the monastery are very different from what she is used to such as hugging and the social life. I do not think that this title represents the chapter well and she should’ve explained why the monastery was chosen to be called “Life” and what her intentions were for choosing this.
4.) So far Vincent has ended up revealing herself to almost everyone she has become close with. In this chapter, she describes her revelation to Vergil as “receptive, understanding, immediately forgiving, just as Father Fat had been.” How would you react to Vincent if you played a part in her book and why?
I am actually very shocked by many of the responses that Vincent is getting when she exposes herself and tells the truth. To my surprise, I have yet to read about someone who gets very angry and ends up turning against Vincent and never talking to her again. If I were to play a part in this book and Vincent revealed herself to me, I would probably be very upset at first especially if I had said a lot. Depending on the role I played and how close we got as friends (or if we ever went on a date) would suggest how upset I would get by this. I am not a person to hold grudges so in the end I’m sure I would understand. However, it would not be something that I would ever forget. I hope that something exciting happens in the future chapters regarding her revelation and that we see a different reaction other than the usual acceptance that we’ve seen by Vergil, Father Fat, Sasha, and his bowling team so far.
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