Megan Beers Period 3 Blog #1

Over the summer I chose to read Three Little Words, by Ashley Rhodes-Courter. It is a memoir about a young Ashley Rhodes-Courter, who was taken away from her drug addicted mother and was bounced around fourteen different foster homes within nine years. Throughout her journey, Rhodes-Courter, is forced to endure manipulative and humiliating treatment from abusive foster care families the, being juggled between caseworkers, moved from school to school, and living with the horrific memories of being taken away from her home. This memoir I believe has literary merit, because of complex plot and the capability of changing perspectives to makes its readers reflect deeply on the morals of humanity.



One of the key elements that give a book literary merit is the complexity of the plot. Complex meaning that it makes the reader think about the story and what the story is saying in a deeper meaning; what's underneath the surface? The plot of this book has very complex ideas about the norm within society. Throughout the novel the plot twists and turns; through each change that Courter faced, within the book, she presents a new perspective that challenges her reader to think about how society perceives foster care children. Each section of the plot is designed to question different part of society, one of the most important themes being acceptance. What also makes the plot complex is the use of imagery, motifs, and symbolism. Throughout the plot Courter uses a lot of imagery to bring the reader closer into her situation. By using these elements of literature she make more of an impression on the reader and emphasizes the key elements of her plot that are meant to move the reader.



Another major element that give a book literary merit is the ability to challenge and change perspectives about a certain idea. This book challenges the way that society views foster children. It brings aware the troubles that each one goes through when within in the system.  For a book to have strong literary values it must make its readers question the way society works. One of the main challenges that Courter faces in the book is the morals of society and how foster children are viewed within the social norm. Another major element that gives a book literary merit is the ability to make its reader question the structure and morals of humanity. The main purpose for her writing this book was to bring aware the flaws within the morality of foster care society. Throughout her book Courter questions the difference between norms of society and foster care. Throughout the novel the major question I found myself asking was how could humanity let children be treated poorly and never make a change to fix it? Like many books that I have read for literature classes this one presses and important message about how society works. The struggle with society I believe is seen within many books that are considered to be literary geniuses. Courter portrays these struggles in a very unique way that makes her original and literary.