So my favorite author is Ellen Hopkins and one of my favorite books of hers is impulse. Here is some I wrote about one of her books that I adore
Impulse
“Act on your impulse, swallow the bottle, cut a little deeper, put the gun to your chest.”(4). Impulse, a novel written by Ellen Hopkins; a young adults author who relates to all readers. Impulse is a novel written out of pure love and passion about three characters. Tony, Vanessa, and Conner; “Three people with nothing at all in common except age, proximity, and a wish to die.”(2). Seeming depressing in a way to the outside, but as one reads and gets to know each character one learn that everyone has some form of demon that lives inside them. The demon will either be conquered or conquer over the person. Even though the three lived completely separate lives, at the end of the day they are the same in a way.
Before going into the story one should know the background information. Impulse is a novel that talks about the environment being in Aspen Springs. Even though this is a fictional novel, Aspen Springs mental hospital does happen to be real. Located in Reno, Nevada where Ellen Hopkins has spent some time visiting some of the teens that were once there. That’s how she was inspired to write this novel.
To illustrate a young adult author that inspires teens from all over. Diane Roback once said, “Young Adult author Ellen Hopkins writes novels in verse—but not your typical verse. Her previous books have tackled suck hard- hitting issues such as addiction, physical abuse, attempt suicide, sexual abuse, and eating disorders. Hopkins hears regularly from her readers, many of whom tell her about the impact her books have on their lives, More than one million copies of Hopkins books are in print.” Ellen Hopkins writes to show the imperfect side of teens that explains why someone would cause such harm to themselves. She shows the side of people that one ever knows about. As one reads one of Hopkins novels one will see the deep impact on their life.
Looking back to about seven years ago, Ellen Hopkins had Impulse published (the year of 2007). In the same year she had her second book to her series “Crank” published, which was “Glass”. That following year she published her second book in the “Impulse”series called “Perfect”. In Impulse you know it’s a modern novel because of the clothes they described. They go into the movies that just came out and the music the characters listened too before they arrived to Aspen. They were not allowed to have phones but in the middle they were allowed to watch “Fear Factor” which was popular in late 2000s.
Other groups of information you should know is the general elements of fiction. The elements of fiction tell the plot, setting, characters, conflict, symbols, point of view and theme. Plot is the sequence of events that a writer used to make up a story, such as the start, middle then the end. The setting is where the story takes place. It can be very general or very specific. Characters are what type of individuals is being described, characteristics as what an individual says, or does. Then there is conflict. There is external and internal conflict. External is a person going against nature, and internal conflict is man going against one’s own self. Symbolism which makes a physical object symbolizes something else. Point of view is how the story is told. And it goes into who tells the story. Different views tell different parts of the story. First person is the personal thoughts of the main character, other than third person which plays as an observer. And lastly there is theme. The theme of the story is an overall meaning of a story. Each and all parts of the elements of fiction can either create a strong or weak story.
Being opposite to most novels that go into the lives of characters, Hopkins generates a novel that shows what could save a life. Ellen Hopkins goes into the novel first introducing each character in the exposition. The exposition is where all the characters and a setting are introduced and where the conflict is being set up. Nest is the conflict. Conflict is going to lead to the climax of the story. After is the sexton in the story that keeps a reader going and not wanting to put a book down. Lastly is the resolution. It’s the climax coming to an end; the last pieces of the puzzle.
In the beginning, the story opens up showing three teens entering Aspen. All living separate lives but ending up in the same place for the same reason. First to be introduced was Tony. Tony arrived before the other two. He gave what he felt already being there. Vanessa arrived a little bit later, she was nervous coming into Aspen. She was nervous and had her mind set on only her brother and grandmother. Lastly was Conner mind open and only set on where he had to sleep. He stayed pacing his room and described every detail. “I pace the plain room, counting steps from near wall to far, right left. Eight by ten, eighty square feet to call my own for then, next how many days? Eighty square feet, with no television or phone, only tiny beds, w closet, and one vinyl chair near a window – A window that doesn’t open, not even a crack for air”(23). Then later we learn about the levels.
To explain the steps of their lives in Aspen the three had daily challenges that involve five levels. When first arriving to Aspen everyone starts off on level zero, which is isolation, then as one opens up to the doctors then one can move on to level one, which is out of isolation. You attend a mandatory church service every Sunday. Level two is almost the same but church is optional, you get to play pool, watch television, and get more free time with the opposite sex. Level three is trips to the mall movies, and weekend visits home. Level four is the wilderness camp, also known as the challenge by choice. After you complete level four you have the privilege to leave which is level five(211). The challenge with moving on to over levels is that Tony, Vanessa, and Conner have their own secrets and don’t trust anyone, it’s hard for them to open up and deal with their past. Tony deals with his past and what he had to do to survive on the streets. Vanessa holds back her and her mother’s secrets. Conner holds back the details of a relationship that was forbidden and how he feels at home. The conflict really escalates when visiting day comes, when they have to make their way to level three. Tony’s father left him with his mother as a child. And now that tony is in Aspen his dad decides to come back in Tony’s live. His dad sees that Tony rejects him, so for Tony to receive the privilege to level three he must have a positive interaction with his father. Vanessa reaches conflict whenever she reaches an extreme high or low point. When reaching those points she tends to want to cut herself. Then there is Conner who reaches his point when his mother finally visits him after six weeks of being in Aspen.
As time passed and levels went by Tony, Conner and Vanessa had to visit home. Tony realizes that he is alone when he visits his dad’s home. Conner felt that his home is no longer a home, it’s cold and seems to be just a place to visit. Conner soon learns from being home that his parents made the love of his life Emily move away. That’s when Conner felt completely alone. Then he goes back to Aspen and to go on the wilderness challenge. The wilderness challenge is made to teach the teens about trust, reliance, self-satisfaction, and endurance. Seeing change in all the character hitting this point. Vanessa is more attracted to Tony. Tony doubts he is gay. Connor is losing control. His visit from home was too much for him, and everyone can tell especially Tony. He knew since Conner has been off his medicine he can’t sleep like he used to (568).
The trip coming to an end. Tony, Conner, and Vanessa sit down and disease Phillip and how Tony feels then it goes into what Phillip and how Tony feels then it goes into what label Tony feels then it goes into what label Tony is. Tony asked Vanessa but she doesn’t care. Then Vanessa confesses to her love for Tony and that leads her to wanting to cut herself. Tony becomes angry and says if she does it because of him. He would walk out of her life. She then says, “Only love can make me quit.” (592). After so much talk about love, Conner just thinks to himself. He feels that no one will love him, or is capable to love him. He later confesses the sexual abuse he had as a child. And that opens up a window to show how his craving for older women started. Since it’s the end each and every teen received a letter from home. All were warm and heart-felt except Conner’s, he folded his arms and took a walk knowing at the end of the day nothing will change for him. So he throws the letter in the air. Then the next challenge all on his mind is his twin and mother. Standing on a ledge Connor soon finds his peace. Tony blamed himself and questioned why Connor would do it. Then a paper plane flew to him. It was Connor’s letter.
After reading a story one thinks about each character of the book. Now what puts those thoughts in one’s mind. Characterization is the name. Characterization is the way the author gives off information and feels about the characters they decided to use. This section of a story can be direct or indirect. Direct shows just a blunt characteristic of a character. Indirect shows what a character portrays with his/her actins, words, or thoughts. Other mannerisms such as descriptions of a characters appearance, behavior, likes, and desires. But why is this important to the story? Characterization is a serious part of making a story not able to resist, or evoking an interest. The characterization is what moves a reader so some can relate to a character on a personal level and seem real.
First to enter, Tony Ceccarelli, grew up on the streets after being in juvenile for several years when the death of a close friend sends him to the pills. It all started when Tony was eight years old. A father not present in young Tony’s life, only the men who were in and out of his mothers life. Then came her new boyfriend, Larry. Larry sexually abuses Tony night after night. After one night of getting violated by Larry, Tony went into Larry’s truck and stole his gun. This gun was also what Larry used to threaten Tony’s mother. He used this gun on Larry and it sent him to juvi for nine years. After serving his time, Tony decided that he would rather live on the streets than live with his mother again. While homeless, Tony would do anything for food, money, drugs, and shelter (87). Then he met Phillip. Phillip was an older homosexual male who gave Tony a place to stay without having to doing anything in return. All Phil wanted was a friendship with Tony before he died. Since Tony grew up in juvi, no one expected him to learn much but when he met Phillip he was the one who had high expectation for Tony. He taught Tony everything he knew for he was an ex college professor (227). Then Phillip dies and Tony feels alone feels alone again leaving him in a depressing that leads him to the pills, and that’s how Tony ends up in Aspen and meets Vanessa and Connor.
Next came Vanessa O’Reilly; grew up in a broken military home. Her military father was in and out of her and her brother’s life. Her mother had a serious case of bipolar disorder. Throughout the story Vanessa decides to keep that fact that she also suffers from the same disorder as well (92). Since their parents are not always present, their grandmother steps in. Due to a relationship, Vanessa was in Aspen. This relationship did not last however because of her bipolar disorder and the guy she was dating couldn’t handle her. Vanessa is not dealing with all of her emotions, so she cuts herself and it becomes an addiction (199). Vanessa explains,” I cut to focus when my brain is racing. I cut to make physical what I feel inside. I cut to see blood because I like it. I don’t like to cut, but I cant give it up.” (199). So she tries to stay at an average not too much, to a simple calm place. She describes and thinks things in color, and the main color she sees or feels is blue. The main person that pushes her out of average is Connor. Connor is what everyone thinks to be perfect. He is tall, bright brown hair, athletic figure, and has a boyish charm. Everyone finds him attractive but no one knows he is full of demons. When Connor was eleven years old, his babysitter sexually violated him. Connor began to grow close to her, but she pushed him away. He then threatened her so she’d be with him but she moved to protect her reputation. This was Connors first experience with an older female and it is also what turned him to really enjoying older women. The reason Connor was in Aspen was because he was having relations with a teacher who ran every morning in his neighborhood. Later, the female rejected him, this led Connor to try to commit suicide. He failed.
Going into the theme one should know what theme means. Theme is the overall view or meaning of the full out story. Ellen Hopkins shows that love, trust, and happiness conquers all. Impulse shows three teens; Tony, Connor, and Vanessa. All three of these teens are in Aspen because of the people they love. Tony craved the love of his father for years and holds in anger because of it. Then when he finally gets the love he rejects it so he’d feel like a bigger man than his father. Connor craves a simple normal loving family who doesn’t compare him to his twin. Vanessa shows that love is the only way for her to stop cutting. They all show that trust is the way to happiness. They have to open up to the doctors and trust them enough to open up and trust each other to get out what they have held in for years. Vanessa states that before she came to Aspen she wasn’t happy but after meeting Tony and Conner she gains hope for happiness. “My happiest memories have no place in the past; they are those I have yet to create.” (358).
Speaking about theme there are other aspects of a great story. Other elements of Literature are foreshadowing, irony, metaphors, personification, and symbolism. Foreshadowing is a way the author hint what is going to come. Foreshadowing tells the reader that something is going to come. What makes it important is that it adds a certain tension to the story and gets an anxiety to the reader over what is to come. Next is irony. Irony shows the reader what to expect but goes against it. Authors use this element to make readers thing. Then there are metaphors. Metaphors are used to make two unlike objects compare. Personification goes objects qualities that humans posses. Symbolism is using a symbol or object but the object that serves a bigger more in depth meaning.
Impulse is a novel which has plenty of literal elements. Flashbacks are the main elements used in this novel. To find out the past and what sent each teen to Aspen. Each teen must go to therapy so the doctors can know how to treat their depression. For example, Conner was the main teen to open up to the doctors. The doctor got Connor to look back in his past and describe the events in great detail. “It was the exact opposite for me. At first all I wanted was sex with her, but soon I wanted more. More sex yes, in unusual places, and all different kinds, but that wasn’t all. I wanted her to fill the empty spaces left by a father who never once praised me, friends who used me, and ice princess mom who raised me with ice kisses.” (134). Ellen Hopkins also used symbolism to make Vanessa’s mothers bipolar outbreaks seem real.
All in all, even though the three lived completely separate lives, at the end of the day there are all the same with their lives. The novel goes into an in depth look on three teenager lives. Publishers Weekly states,”Hopkins weave together the story of three troubled teens locked up in a psychological facility after suicide attempts, once again writing in artful free verse. Each character is full-bodied and distinct. Connor is a wealthy overachiever who had an affair with a teacher; Tony , who thinks he is gay. Was locked up in juvi for years after killing his mother’s child molesting boyfriend; Vanessa is a manic depressive who cuts herself to “hush her demons shrieking inside my brain.” All three have attempted suicide – But readers will find themselves invested in the characters by the time the three had their outdoor challenge (Novel List),” Even though everyone deals with their demons in different ways, Impulse shows three teens that overcome them in finding friendships that weren’t expected. A certain honesty and truth inside themselves and hope that everything will get better.
