Independent Reading

Simplicity = Happiness


Books tell of the high and low parts in life. The good things and the bad. “Literature is where I go to explore the highest and lowest places in human society and in the human spirit, where I hope to find not absolute truth but the truth of the tale, of the imagination and of the heart,” was once said by Salman Rushdie. This statement is correct, meaning that books are a way to explore mankind. They contain everything a person could experience in life and more. Books will also help a reader escape reality, bringing one into a world filled with feelings and imagination. It’s Kind of A Funny Story, by Ned Vizzini is a fictional novel that explores a downside of life and its survival. Life comes with several problems. Accompanied with a little reflective thinking, the simplest things in life are the solutions to all life’s problems.
Craig Gilner is the main character of It’s Kind of A Funny Story. At first glance, Craig is an average high school student. He pushes himself to excel in school, and loves hanging out with his friends. After being accepted into Pre-Professional High School, Craig’s life takes a turn for the worse and he starts his downward spiral towards a serious depression.
Craig is on a constant battle with himself, both physically and mentally. He begins to have trouble sleeping. His head is filled with a constant cycling. It interrupts his daily activities, forcing him to think the “same thoughts over and over again. Thoughts that race against each other in a circle” (p 105). Craig’s life is filled with “tentacles,” a term he coins “evil tasks that invade his life” (p 14). He also calls things that “occupy his mind and make him feel good temporarily,” his “anchors,” but he can’t seem too find many at this point in his life (p 15). Craig’s thoughts and actions regarding his life are always discussed between him and a military voice in his head. At times the voice coaches him through tough situations, but also belittles him when he does something wrong. Another dilemma Craig is faced with is having difficulty eating. If he can eat, it’s only in little amounts. Every other time, he either can’t start, or can’t keep it down. After struggling with these problems for a short period of time, Craig decides to inform his parents of his current mental state.
Mr. and Mrs. Gilner are very supportive of Craig and offer to get the best help for his condition. After a handful of therapists, Craig settles with Dr. Minerva. He is completely open with her and even goes as far as explaining his choice of vocabulary for life’s problems and its stabilities. During his sessions with Dr. Minerva, Craig establishes his tentacles and anchors. “School weighs heavily as a tentacle because it spirals into many different things. Craig likes his anchors to be simple things. He enjoys riding his bike and watching others play video games at his best friend Aaron’s house” (p 14-15). These simple things in Craig’s life brings him back to reality. They keep him sane and happy. But before everything can be cured for good, Craig needs to take time to analyze everything.
After a dinner incident resulting in a race to the bathroom, Craig thinks he has the final decision to end this madness. What he’s chosen, to him, “makes a lot of sense: suicide” (p 134).
What will be seen as a miracle, Craig decides to read one of his mothers books for his final few hours sitting at home. In it, suicide hotline numbers are mentioned. After speaking with two suicide hotlines, they convince Craig to check himself into the nearby hospital.
The first evening there, a small shift is made. Craig eats two servings for dinner and, although shy around other kids, manages to acquaint himself with others of the adult psychiatric wing. These two simple things in life make him “feel better than he has about anything he’s done in a long time” (p 213). Craig meets a girl his age and together they form a friendship and a special bond. “They have similar situations and Craig sees it as a chance to connect because they can be open about it” (p 397). While in the hospital, Aaron wonders where he is. Craig returns his call but it turns into an argument showing Craig that the friends he thought he has, are not truly his friends at all because they’re not there for him. Realizing all his tentacles are on the outside of the hospital, Craig takes advantage of his stay and experiences small shift changes from simple group activities.
During an Arts and Crafts activity group, Noelle opens up a part of Craig’s childhood. As a young boy Craig used to draw city maps. “Creating his own city maps made him happy; it was his anchor” (p 27). In the activity group, Noelle suggests Craig draw something from his childhood. He starts to draw these maps and by the end of the group, he’s drawn several. This simple activity from childhood has kept Craig occupied and happy. A special visitor plays a guitar during Musical Exploration. Within a matter of minutes, everyone is up, dancing, and playing instruments, including Craig. Small, simple group activities show Craig just how easy it is to enjoy life, giving him more motivation to gain his victory over depression.
Finally, the last day at the hospital arrives. Craig worries about having to check his email, a tentacle resulting from school. Pre-Professional High School is the main cause of most of Craig’s stress. With the assistance of Dr. Minerva, Craig decides he is going “to call his parents and tell them he wants to transfer schools,” from his current one, to an art school (p 391-392). As a final goodbye and thank you, Craig draws brain maps for everyone. From his short stay at the hospital, Craig has gotten to know and understand each patient. From this he designs the maps of each person to show their personalities and characteristics. Craig also has his father bring Blade II for the entire floor to watch. He asks Aaron to bring Egyptian music for Muqtada, and finally gets him to come out of the room. As Craig leaves, the final shift occurs.
Craig decides to walk home by himself to have time alone and “think things over” (p 440). He’s not better, everything is still the same, only now he realizes he can’t give in to all of life’s tentacles. Craig is a survivor. Thanks to his childhood passion, the shift Craig has been waiting for, has finally happened. All he has to do is live day to day, every simple thing to the next, and enjoy it. “His brain doesn’t want to think anymore, it just wants to do,” simple activities (p 443). Craig just has to live.


Works Cited

Vizzini, Ned. It’s Kind Of A Funny Story. New York: Miramax. 2006.