Quarter 2 SSR Reflection

For the second quarter of the first semester, I spent my time reading Practical Magic, by Alice Hoffman. The book centered on the relationships between three generations of sisters, focusing most on the relationship between Gillian and Sally Owens. I quickly took a liking to Gillian, the spunky, spontaneous, and rebellious younger sister.

Whilst her older sister was well-behaved and responsible, Gillian grew up rebellious, choosing to spend her teenage years with as many boys as possible, using her charm and good looks to get herself through high school. Gillian moved away from her hometown and the aunts she was raised by as soon as she could in order to escape the confinement of the small Massachusetts town, making her way west. She later became involved in three separate marriages, and eventually a case involving one of her ex-husbands, drugs, and murder. Gillian's outrageous lifestyle made her a particularly interesting character, especially because of the pronounced differences that she and Sally displayed.

I reckon that one of the other reasons why I took a liking to Gillian was the dynamics within her own personality. In the beginning of the novel, and even towards the middle, Gillian displayed recklessness and irresponsible behavior, leading her to call on her sister for assistance in her greatest tribulations; however, it is seen as the story progresses that Gillian starts on the path of 'growing up.' She even falls in love, leading to a marriage that is not based off of lust, differing from her previous flings. Gillian changes her perspective of things as well, and she changes her thoughts about her sister, shifting from annoyance and anger at times, to thankfulness and love.

Interestingly enough, I am not like Gillian whatsoever. I suspect that's also why her personality appealed to me. Her confidence and sense of spontaneity are both traits that I sometimes lack in my own life, and I admired her for going through the trials that she faced.