Q3 Outside Reading Week 2 Post B

This week, I wanted to do a brief character analysis on the Fitzgerald family: Sara, Brian, Jesse, Kate, and Anna.

Sara: Sara is the mother of the Fitzgerald family. She used to be a lawyer before she decided to quit her job and become a full time mom. She was happy with her two kids, Jesse and Kate, but once Kate was diagnosed with leukemia, she became her main focus. Ever since then, Kate is Sara's priority. This, in my opinion, makes Sara completely oblivious to her other children. Although I do understand the choices she makes to keep her daughter alive, I don't really think neglecting her other children is a responsible thing to do. For Sara, everything is from Kate's perspective. The world revolves around her eldest daughter, which is disastrous for Jesse and Anna. I don't think she is a bad mother, I just don't think her approach/ logic is entirely fair nor reasonable.

Brian: Brian is the father of the Fitzgerald family. He is a firefighter who is constantly on call. He is dealing with an arsonist (who unknown to his knowledge is actually his son) and Kate's illness. He tries his best to be fair and seems like the protector of Anna in the family. Both of the Fitzgerald parents neglect Jesse because Kate is the main focus. Brian does have a special attachment with Anna that Sara just doesn't seem to share, but even with that, I don't think what they do to Anna and even Jesse is fair. But I think Brian is trying to be the happy medium which annoys me a little less than Sara.

Jesse: Jesse is a special case. He is the oldest Fitzgerald child. He is completely neglected by his parents because he cannot help Kate (like Anna), and he isn't sick like Kate. Despite what his parents think, Jesse is very in touch with reality. He knows that his parents don't find much worth in him, and I feel bad for him. He is a very interesting character that, with the proper upbringing, could have real potential. But because of his sister's illness, he is hindered from success and accomplishment. I like Jesse and I don't think he is treated fairly at all. The only person Jesse truly has is Anna and I hope they continue to share that connection.

Kate: Kate is the middle child and the one with APL leukemia. She is portrayed as the helpless damsel in distress. We don't hear from her...at least I don't think until the very end. The narration may be a reason why I don't relate to Kate well, but despite her illness, I don't seem to connect with Sara's level of concern for Kate. I can relate more to Jesse and Anna than to Kate for a reason that I don't know. It makes me feel like a horrible person, but I just don't think any of this is fair. It's a hard life to live, and from her standpoint, I can understand possibly what she's going through, but sometimes I want her to just stop. I know it sounds mean, but I can't help whose side I'm on, not really anyway.

Anna: Anna is my favorite character so far, but Jesse does come close. She is the youngest of the Fitzgerald children and born to be a perfect match for Kate. Since the beginning of the book, I've been on her side and I anticipate some flip-flopping, but for now, I'm with Anna. I don't think her parents should be able to force her to give her life away for Kate. She's living, breathing, and has the right to herself. Otherwise they're basically telling Anna "You're alive now, but you've been created for Kate so the main purpose is for you to give your life to Kate." It's just NOT FAIR! I want her parents to stop, to just leave her alone, but I don't want Kate to die. I don't understand why such a horrible thing has to happen to such nice people. I feel like Anna is so alone in the world, with no one on her side except for Jesse, Campbell Alexander (her lawyer), and me (as of right now). I don't want Anna to have to go through with this for the rest of her life. She deserves independence and her own right to live, no one should be able to take that away from her!

I understand that this is a difficult situation for everyone and I have no idea what I would do if I was put here, but as of right now, I think Anna has a point to make and she should make it. No one has the right to take your life away from you, not even your parents or other family members. I know Kate's dying, but that doesn't mean that Anna should have to suffer on her own for Kate. Although all the family members are suffering, making Anna donate and give against her will isn't fair, and that's why Sara bothers me. Her only concern is Kate and she doesn't seem to notice her other children. They need their mother, they need her, just as much, yet she doesn't seem to understand. It's just not fair for Jesse and Anna, and although this is a horribly mean thing to say, but I think they've sacrificed enough for Kate. There has to be another way.