Monday, June 16, 2008
Sideman
Many of our novels tell the story of loyalty/betrayal between two close friends. This relationship is often quite complex, but frequently one person emerges as the leader, while the other is the "sideman." Listen to Paul Muldoon reading his poem "Sideman," and post your response about how this poem might shed light on the changing nature of the relationship of the dyad in "Absolutely True Diary" or even in our current novel. (I do not have the text of the poem at this point, so you may have to listen to it several times.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvnlgjsXJ28
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"Along for the ride," I'll be by your side," and "I'll let you take the lead." These lines are repeated in Paul Muldoon's poem, and they lead me to believe that perhaps the role of a sideman is one that is willingly chosen
Like the characters in a noel, many real life best friends are different as night and day, and often one is the sideman. One friend is outgoing, while is more introverted. One friend is daring and the other is cautious. One is sthe apparent leader and the other is the sideman. These relation-ships all mutual growth, or may hold someone back.
In "Absolutely True Diary," I think Arnold chooses to be Rowdy's sideman. Perhaps it is because Rowdy is his protector. Arnold loves Rowdy and likes to make him happy (i.e. he draws Rowdy's dreams
and cartoons for him).
Eventually most sideman sprout wings and fly on their own. Arnold became a diferent person when he went to Reardon H.S., where he de-
veloped new relationships and new thoughts on life. This changed the dynamics of his relationship with Rowdy. Arnold was no longer the sideman.
Perhaps the role of a sideman is a transitionary one, a rite-of-passage, that some people go through on the road to finding their identity and becoming their own person. Whether or not a rela-
tionship survives, depends on how much the two people/friends cvare for each other. At the end of the novel, Rowdy seemed to understand that Arnold was headed down a differnt path than he was, and he was happy for Arnold.
The relationship between Arnold and Rowdy can be seen in clearly in Muldoon’s reading. He describes not only people and characters that are strong and popular, but he describes them against other characters that are more popular or smarter. He says, “I’ll be your Keith Richards to your Mick Jagger “ This is interesting, because Keith Richards is known as one of the greatest guitar players ever, but when he cant compared to Mick Jagger’s popularity. Richards is talented at what he does he is a gritty rock blues guitar player. I see Arnold and Rowdy a lot like them. Rowdy the character with more of an edge, and more likely to get into trouble then Arnold, just like Keith and Mick. Rowdy is very talented in sports, and physical activities.
Arnold is a little more social and not afraid to put himself out there he might look a little silly, just like Mick Jagger, but he is a smart man driven by words. Keith and Rowdy are driven more by the physical side of life: playing the guitar, playing basketball. Arnold and Mick are driven by more of a creative side: writing songs, drawing pictures. The important part to realize is that both Mick and Keith needed each other to create their success, just like Arnold and Rowdy did. Arnold would get into situations where he would get beat up, and Rowdy would come to fix the situation. Arnold would do funny things to make Rowdy laugh, so he is not always serious.
Muldoon does reference relationships that have conflicts, Roadrunner and Wilde Coyote, Sears and Roebucks. This is important to look at because at a times Arnold and Rowdy where against each other, but their relationship got the best from each other. When I heard the roadrunner line, I thought of when Arnold chased Rowdy down to block his shot. It fits because Arnold and Rowdy’s relationship always had Rowdy as the aggressor; he was always the one initiating the violence. Now we see that Arnold is the roadrunner and he finally changes what people see of him and takes down the man who has been attacking him. I am sure Alexis didn’t use Looney Tune cartoons for inspiration, but reading the book, and hearing Muldoon talk about the differences of relationships it is interesting to find.
I agree with Linda in stating that "the sideman is a role that is willingly chosen". Muldoon's poem does bring out how the sideman is willing to let the other man take the lead,which is exactly what Arnold did for Rowdy in the beginning of the novel.
I think that Arnold was initially willing to do that because he felt weak and superior to Rowdy. Therefore he felt that he needed some type of protection. His tough friend Rowdy was a bully among bullies. Later on in the novel when Arnold learns to stand up for himself while at Reardan, he realizes that he no longer needs that support but he still desires the friendship.
He became to himself what Rowdy was for him. The guy with courage. Another important part of the novel was that Rowdy was the only person who accepted Arnold the way he was. Others only picked on him and showed no respect. After standing up to the bully at Reardan, he became socially accepted. Not to mention what his success on the basketball team did for him.
Rowdy, on the other hand, had a more difficult time being Arnold's sideman. He did not want to allow Arnold to take the lead in their relationship so he kicked against the pricks for a while.Arnold no longer felt inferior to Rowdy but he did not assume that he was superior either. After seeing that Arnold was not willing to back down and become less than his equal, Rowdy succumbed to his inner feelings and sought to rekindle their friendship. Only now they will be equals.
I think that Arnold and Rowdy’s relationship starts off with Arnold as the sideman to Rowdy. This is because Rowdy is Arnold champion so to speak, he steps in and rescues Arnold from those who bully him. Also, Rowdy is physically superior to Arnold and therefore Arnold relies on him for defense in tough situations. The relationship changes however once Arnold leaves the reservation to attend Reardan. Arnold then becomes the leader, confident in his own abilities after the Roger incident. As the story goes along Rowdy is fighting against taking the sideman position to Arnold’s lead and that is where their conflict comes to life. Eventually, Rowdy softens in his anger and accepts Arnold’s decisions enough to come together on a more equal basis. The ending though to me shows that Arnold is more the front man because he is encouraging Rowdy to dream about playing in the NBA. Rowdy realizes that Arnold is meant for bigger things than the reservation and in the end accepts it and supports him. I think that here is where I see Rowdy taking the role as the sideman instead of Arnold. I think in friendships there is always a duality in the roles we play, either the front man or the side man, and which role we take on at a certain point depends on what life is offering at the time. The ability to switch between the two roles is what keeps friends together.
In the novel “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian” Arnold switches roles over a period of time between the sideman and the hero. At first it seems that Arnold is the sideman to Rowdy because of the protection that Rowdy contributes to Arnold’s safety; however, after the time spent at the new high school he seems to reverse roles. I noticed in the poem that the sideman seems to be the person who keeps everything down to earth. Instead of letting Wylie Coyote run wild, Roadrunner calms him down, not just in a physical way. Arnold is the roadrunner because he able to keep Rowdy calm most of the time. A sideman contributes to the hero and without that contribution the hero would cause more chaos then good.
In the end the roles reverse because Arnold now has the courage to play the hero role. The confidence that he has received from the new high school contributes to the role reversal. Arnold no longer needs the protection from Rowdy because he has proven himself through basketball. By winning the final game against the Rez, Arnold’s character is granted the freedom from being the sideman. He no longer is afraid of others because of the freedom that comes with winning. His pursuit of a better education allows him the respect that he deserves from others, especially Rowdy.
Its Brad
Sidemen, a rare breed indeed. The ability to become a leader is quite rare. I myself, often find a way to keep out of the limelight and still give my fair share of comments. It’s much easier that way and you put less of yourself out there for people to pick apart. In the books we read, as well, I find it is the sidemen who choose the reality that they are in, rather than choosing to rise up as a leader.
I’m not sure I would characterize Rowdy as a leader. His physical capabilities allow him to excel athletically above any other person his age on the reservation, but his inability to relate to anybody else on the reservation, puts Rowdy almost at Arnold’s level. I feel Arnold and Rowdy then, are dependant on each other because they have no one else to connect with. In the same way Arnold is definitely a “sideman” to Gordy at his new school. He is only a sideman when it comes to education though. Gordy is smarter than just about everyone and as a result doesn’t have any friends (I know this is just the way things are). Arnold chooses to be friends with Gordy because Arnold realizes that Gordy could use one. The friendship is then beneficial for both parties.
A “almost” true sideman that we read about would be Hassan to Amir. Hassan qualities as a person exceed those of Amir. Hassan chooses to continue to hang out with Amir even though Amir reaps all the benefits. Perhaps the only argument against this thought would be that Hassan is Amir’s servant. Because Hassam is a servant then, he could not ever eclipse Amir when it pertains to society’s influences. I believe though, that is not the case though, and Hassan is truly a sideman.
Sidemen are those who choose to be in the background while someone else displaying lesser qualities are allowed to take credit for their mutual work. This does take a tremendous amount of character on the sideman’s behalf, and I feel only when the “leader” truly appreciates this sideman, can this relationship work.
Throughout the entire novel, with the exception of when Jimmy and Crake are attending college, the boys are literally by each others side. “I’ll stand by you in lists with our market strategists” This part of the poem reminded me of when the boys would play Extinctathon together. Crake eventually excels more than Jimmy with the game when they are older as he becomes a grandmaster.
“I guess I’ll let you take the lead” - Crake attends the highly coveted school, while Jimmy attends the scummy school. Eventually, Crake has his own business and he hires Jimmy to promote the product. Again, Crake is in control. Both Jimmy and Crake like Oryx when they see her in the film. Crake finds Oryx and puts her to work for himself and as a teacher for the Crakers. It would seem at first that Crake “gets the girl”. She is openly involved with Crake, however, she is secretly with Jimmy at times. Oryx admires each man for their differing traits - she admires Crake because he is brilliant, and she admires Jimmy for his personality.
“I’ll be Keith Richards to your Mick Jager, before he let things slide.. I’ll be the Sears to your Roebuck Before he took the head staggers and opened Nationwide” Both of these quotes indicate that this kind of partnership eventually goes awry. This ties in with Jimmy confronting Crake about the hot biform, and then killing him. Not all friendships last forever. It is often the sideman who can see when the front runner is taking advantage of their capabilities.
After Crake is killed, Jimmy takes control of his life (and the Crakers). However, he does not expel Crake from the life of the Crakers. He is still the sideman to Crake. Jimmy/Snowman tells the Crakers that Crake is God. Eventually, Jimmy embodies the critical thinking skills that Crake once dominated. He tells the Crakers to bring him fish “because Oryx and Crake said to”. This situation indicates that sidemen sometimes prefer the less-in-control role.
Gerri, I think your last sentence truly touches on the issue of loyalty and it really jumped out at me. Your statement is so true.
True friends have to accept the changes each one undergoes. A true friend has to be happy with the growth he/she sees in a friend. If we can't be happy in the accomplishments of a friend, or in how they are becoming a better, wiser, and stronger person, then the friendship will not last.
"I'll let you take the lead." You could almost see Crake thinking this exact thought as he was plotting his climactic death. I think that, throughout the novel, Crake did a wonderful job of remaining on a similar plane with Jimmy, even though his unbelievable mental capabilities proved that he certainly was not. He was always able to "dumb down" his actions and vernacular just enough to be on the same level as Jimmy, and did so with a flair that was not over-the-top. I suppose this bit of acting was just another example of Crake's genius.
"I'll let you take the lead." Could it have been that, throughout the development of the Crakers and his "utopia," Crake was preparing to present Jimmy with one final, parting gift? In agreeing with several people above, I believe that a "sideman" willfully chooses to activate his or her role as a sidekick. This viewpoint lends even more support to the theory that Crake had planned his and Oryx's death long before they actually occurred. After a life of unintentional (or perhaps intentional?) one-upsmanship, Crake was ready to repay his friend. And whether it was a blessing or curse, I can easily envision Crake's final message to his friend being: "Here, Jimmy. For once, I'll let you take the lead. I leave my final masterpiece to you. "
Like “Kite Runner,” it appears that “Sideman” is written from the perspective least expected. This poem is written from the mouth of the sideman, not the leader referring to his sideman. In ATDPI, Junior makes his choice to be a sideman, like Linda mentions. At whatever point Rowdy decides to start protecting him, Junior willingly and lovingly takes the part of sideman. This can be seen in several sections of the book, but particularly when Rowdy wants to go to the powwow. Rowdy looks to his sideman to go with him and even says “please.” Junior attends to his position by going, and then reminding Rowdy not to drink. When Rowdy gets angry and begins to beat the van that offended him, Junior runs, afraid of his position of sideman. This is similar to the lines of the poem that say “I’ll be your ever faithful guide” and then “I’ll be the Roadrunner to your Wiley Coyote, and take you in my stride.” Just like this scene with Junior and Rowdy, he first tries to guide him in the right direction and then runs from him, just as Roadrunner does repeatedly when Coyote gets upset and begins to plot revenge.
Junior does this again whenever he begins classes at Reardan. He becomes the sideman to Gordy. Although the relationship is not as strong as with Rowdy, Junior still takes the backseat to Gordy’s position within the class, and he does so willingly. Junior seems to enjoy this secondary position of loyalty to the other people with which he has contact. It is a submissive role, but yet is actually the more important role in the relationship. Being the sideman also means, being the rock, foundation, and constant in someone’s life. Maybe Junior likes to be that position to others so that others don’t have the same feeling of emptiness Junior feels, since he has nothing to fall back on when the going gets tough.
Paul Muldoon’s poem, “Sideman” was very moving. The reasons that made it so moving and heartfelt are because it all comes from the truth of our world today. It seems that in our world today our “sidemen” carry all the same quality; they are the one’s that seem to go by unnoticed and unrewarded, they are our unsung heroes. In the novels that we have read through out this class there were many “sidemen” that served for a great purpose in the novels. There was Duke, Hassan, Rowdy, Snowman, and Florence/Phelps. I feel that all of these characters were “sidemen” in the stories. They all backed up the leader, whoever they were in the story. Duke was the “sideman” to Pono, Hassan was the “sideman” to Amir, Rowdy was the “Sideman” to Junior, Snowman was the “sideman” to Crake, and last Florence and Phelps were the “sidemen” to Miles. Through out all of these novels there was either a loyalty that existed between them, leader and “sideman”, or there was a betrayal that existed between them. Either way the “Sidemen” were the characters that stood back while someone else was being acknowledged, when in fact they had reasons to be recognized as well, but let the leader take all the recognition. That is why I say the “sidemen” reflect our unsung heroes of today. Our heroes were and are those that follow a certain cause and fight for a certain cause but, very often someone else receives the recognition for it in one way or another. This is why even though there was light to the poem” Sideman” to me it touched me and I was very moved by it.
In his amusing poem “Sideman” Paul Madoon lists of the many great twosomes in the world. Many seemed where more partners than sidemen, but his poem has a many true points on sidemen. I see how Arnold and Rowdy would find themselves in this sort of relationship. The personalities of the two parties involved usually have a more outgoing and rough exterior like Rowdy and the sideman is the one with the brains and the laid back and more protected personality. Arnold fits into this category and seems to relish in the position and letting Rowdy take the lead. When Arnold adventures to his new high school he has to become a solo flier and he ends up doing very well for himself after some bumps in the road. The reader can still feel his love and friendship with Rowdy at the end of the book and how the friendship will always have the awkward sideman relationship. I don’t think this bothers Arnold that he is Rowdy’s sideman and he plays the part with loyalty and pride for his life long friend.
The poem Sideman can be a tribute to most of the novels we've read this semester. Paul Muldoon compares the relationship of a sideman to a leader, like the road runner to Wylie coyote, Boo-Boo to Yogi bear. This relationship, where the sideman depends on the leader is similar to Arnold's relationship to Rowdy in Absolutely True Diary Of Part Time Indian. Like the Sideman, Arnold lets Rowdy "take the lead" in their relationship. He supports Rowdy in return for his protection.
When Arnold leaves the rez for his new school, his sideman qualities are slowly adjusted. He still loves Rowdy, as he brings him a present on Christmas, but he isn't dominated by Rowdy anymore. "I'll be by your side" is a good way of describing their relationship in the end of the novel. Arnold and Rowdy are equal parts of the friendship now, and they will continue to be by each other's side.
In The Kite Runner, Hassan is truly the sideman in Amir and his friendship. Like the twosomes mentioned: Lewis and Clark, McCartney and Lennon, Lenin and Marx, Hassan and Amir way of life depends on each other in their childhood. It's hard to imagine Hassan without Amir and Amir with Hassan. Hassan supports Amir with everything, even if it means putting himself in harm's way. At the end of the novel, Amir becomes the sideman to Sohrab, as he is willing to go through anything to save him.
When Junior chooses the role of “sideman” to Rowdy he does so knowingly and gratefully. During the first years of Junior’s life he is not able to stand up for himself and he looks to Rowdy to take care of him. He, in fact, feels fortunate that he has someone close enough in his life to love him and feel that he needs to be protected. Junior is so beaten down by the unfortunate things that have happened in his life that he doesn’t see himself as the leader, but the one in need of a leader to get him through his everyday life.
When he realizes he can get his education outside of the reservation, though, he is willing to forgo his leader in order to achieve what he wants. He is afraid of being at the new school without Rowdy, and even tries to get Rowdy to go with him. He meets the challenge, however, and is able to convert himself from sidekick status to the front man of his own life. He no longer has to rely on Rowdy to physically protect him because Junior has realized that he can go through life without physical altercations in the life he has established for himself. He changes his life from being that of the scared little boy that has to depend on his leader to take care of him to a strong leader that is no longer afraid and can take care of himself.
Arnold and Rowdy do indeed share a complex relationship. Although most of the time it seems Arnold assumes the lead role in the relationship, they appear to also share the lead in some instances. While Arnold goes off of the reservation to attend school, Rowdy continues his education on the reservation, but Arnold tries to emulate Rowdy in certain situations he confronts at his new school. This may not always be the ideal way to approach some of the situations, but Arnold looks to Rowdy even when he is not present.
In other instances Arnold definitely takes the lead. He very much wants Rowdy to attend the new school with him, but Rowdy is mired in the negative thinking that prevails in their community. He sees no future for himself outside of the reservation and he has not plans to do anything in particular with his life. Arnold, however, with the help of one of his teachers, realizes his potential and he attends the new school without Rowdy and without the approval of his community.
Both of them assume the role of sideman at different times in the story.
Arnold is the main character in this novel. Rowdy is definitely the sideman. Arnold decides that he wants to get out of the reservation school and go to a school that is outside the reservation. Arnold's point of view is shown through his thoughts, actions, and cartoons he draws. Rowdy is not like Arnold at all. Rowdy is mischievous and uses his body power to express himself and will defend Arnold no matter what. He had no desire to leave the reservation school and go to Reardon like Arnold. He figures that he will just stay on the reservation like everyone else, and he is o.k. with that.
Arnold is a very bright young boy. He knows that if he is given the opportunity to make something of himself, he can achieve much more than he ever could on the reservation. Paul Muldoon's poem helps one reflect about Arnold's and Rowdy's relationship. Arnold is a go getter and can take the lead while Rowdy will follow close behind. No matter what arguments these two may get into, they always remain loyal to one another and solve their problems. Arnold is a passive character while Rowdy is an aggressive character. The two compliment one another and like Amir and Hassan in Hosseini's novel, they both are foils for one another. Arnold and Rowdy go together like peanut butter and jelly!
Hello,nice post thanks for sharing?. I just joined and I am going to catch up by reading for a while. I hope I can join in soon.
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