The American Scholar 2/14

"Each philosopher, each bard, each actor, has only done for me, as by a delegate, what one day I can do for myself."
In this statement from The American Scholar, Emerson is stating that everyone has the same rank in life. He is taking down worshiped people such as poets, actors, and philosophers down to the level of the average man. This statement explains that we are all capable of bringing the same amount of pleasure to others through our talents- just as the person sitting next to us is able to bring pleasure to others through their talents. He is destroying the pedestal we put those we look up to on and stating 'you can do the same.'

Journey Narrative

That Thing You Do- plot

A man living in Pennsylvania named Guy Patterson has a very simple life. He works for his dad in his store where he sells laundry and radio appliances. Guy plays the drums in the downstairs of his father’s store and in essence lives a simple life. One day a group of boys in band approach him because their drummer is no longer able to play.  Guy agrees to play with the band for a local talent show. When they play in the local talent show, Guy speeds up the tempo without asking the band’s permission and the band wins.

            After this talent show, the band begins to become wildly popular and record labels begin to ask if they can claim the band ‘The Wonders’. Mr. White, a Playtone record manager, asks Guy Patterson to sign with Playtone for his band. Guy wants to wait to talk with his band and they decide it would be an exciting adventure for their band. The band begins a tour throughout the United States playing at fairs. The band is worshiped and adore by all of the screaming fans, which affects some members of the group more than others. The lead singer in the band begins to deny his girlfriend of affection because of his extreme fame that raises him above her in his mind. Lenny, another member of the band chases after a former playboy bunny as his fame takes him over.

            As the band begins to fall apart, Guy shakes his head in disbelief and seems to be the only steady band member in this group of dynamic characters. The band’s song ‘That Thing You Do’ raises to the top of the charts and The Wonders appear on television. This is the peak of their fame and career as each member of the band is seen on television with a note underneath their name. Jimmy- the band member with the girlfriend- appears on the screen with ‘Careful Girls, he’s engaged’ underneath his name. Jimmy freaks out after the television show and yells at his girlfriend. She breaks up with him and leaves. Lenny goes to Vegas that night wit his new playboy bunny and T.B. goes off with hi military friends. The next day, the band is meant to record in studio and Jimmy and Guy are the only band members who show up. Jimmy is so prideful that he quits on the spot and guy is left alone at the drum set. The band is officially broken up and Guy is right back where he started- alone with his drums. Guy then pursues the woman that the lead singer broke up with the night before and continues his life with her.

Analysis-

In That Thing You Do, Geographically, guy travels with the band on this journey to fame. The story begins with him in his home in Pennsylvania where he is alone and drumming on his own time. As the story progresses, Guy joins a band and is swept up into this life of fame and stardom where he plays the drums with many others. He travels from state to state across the US with the band and each of them begins to drift off into the sky as they all rise to stardom together. After the band breaks up, Guy is back to point A once again, alone and playing the drums. When he comes back to point A this time, he has the confidence and understanding to approach Fae and pursue her whole-heartedly.

In this story “nature” is becoming famous. It is this place that Guy travels to for a short period of time and experiences these new things away from his usual comfort zone. Stardom is a place of darkness and unknown outside of his home town and this changes many people around him. The people in his ‘town’ are his fellow band members. They change violently as he enters the ‘forest’ them, otherwise known as the limelight. This story’s conflict is humility vs. fame. The life the people lead in the small town was a humble life and unknown. When the band enters the tour, they become famous and everything is centered on them. This story emphasizes the dangers of fame and stardom while emphasizes the goodness in the simplicity of leading a humble life.

My name is Kayla Jane Pero. I was born in Orange County and did not move from there until I graduated Calvary Chapel High School a year and a half ago. I spent a majority of my time growing up on a stage preforming in musical theater plays in an after school program. Since moving to San Francisco last year- my time is solely devoted to school (SFSU), my church (Reality SF), my place of work (Super Duper Burgers), and galavanting around the city with friends. On a day off from work and school, you will find me reading in a local coffee shop, eating massive amounts of food with friends, and laughing hysterically at one thing or another.