Assessment

In the story there are a couple of prominent symbols and themes. One major theme is the feeling of nostalgia. The boys constantly keep going back to the best memories that had at the theme park. They talk about how they remembered their favorite rides and attractions. Even some of the attractions are nostalgic, like the 1950's diner. One big symbol in the story is the earth quake attraction that the boys go and stand over. They were trying to get a better understanding as to what it looked like after the towers had fallen. The feeling of loss is also very apparent. The boys lose their favorite place to go to while an entire nation loses an architectural symbol.

              Some of the elements I can connect to in the story is the feeling of nostalgia. Looking back at something that I cherished when I was younger always brings back good memories and feelings. I was able to connect to the fact that the boys had lost something that they had loved. It is the worst feeling when you have such a strong attachment to something and in just disappears without much of a reason. The boys seemed around the same age as me when the towers fell. Though I do not remember as much, I do remember that something severe had happened. I just remember that we were in class and were told to go to the gym, they told us what had happened and the rest is a blur.

              If I were to adapt this story into a different medium, I might want to try and make it into an animated short. I feel like it would have as a similar vibe to Pixar's Up. That film was great because it struck a great balance of having a very serious and adult tone, but also kept a great sense of wonder and excitement. The short might jump around to the boys reactions to the attack, to their memories of the theme park, and to where they break in and revisit the park when it is closed.