Final Exam English Business

ALL SHE WANTED

By: Aphrodite Jones

The book is inspired by the story of a girl named Teena Brandon Renage, who was born in Lincoln, Nebraska December 12, 1972. Her mother named JoAnn Brandon and her father was named Patrick. Her father had died in a car accident eight months before she was born. Teena also has a 3 year old sister is on it, named Tammy. They stay at grandmother’s home (JoAnn’s Mom) at Pine Acre Mobile Home Park in Lincoln. Since childhood Teena already experiencing difficulties in life because from birth she had not had a father. And the twists and turns of her journey to success is long. Understandably, as a father figure is needed in a leader and as a family breadwinner. Their lives are very short actually, but they all should be able to make up the difference. Her mother worked as a clerk at a retail store in Lincoln women to provide for the family. At that time, Teena was 3 years old and Tammy 6-year-old.

In 1975, JoAnn married a man named Jug. Actually she does not love Jug and do not want to marry him. But this is all done for the sake of their children, so that they feel and have a father figure to guide and provide for their lives. A father figure is important when they are young and need affection from both parents. Teena and Tammy are very happy to see their mother remarried, the Jug was very fond of Teena and Tammy like a child of their own. They also become a close knit family and often spend time together to play and go on vacation. Unfortunately, in 1980 JoAnn and Jug divorced because they feel better to be friends. Fortunately, they have no children of this marriage because JoAnn did not want to have children of Jug.

Teena is very sad to see her mother and Jug divorced. And she also realized that Jug is not her biological father, and she had lost two fathers meant in her life. Although JoAnn feel happy and free after divorcing Jug, but she also feels difficulty in her life because she had not worked. She was afraid her life will be hard as before. However, Tammy and Teena compiled by the Social Security in their country and met their needs ranging from day-to-day living needs to the needs of the school. They also stayed back at his grandmother's house in Lincoln since Jug also has sold the house they shares with the time. Although divorced, Jug keep visiting Tammy and Teena and occasionally took them out and play together.

Teena and Tammy was entering the school. They are enrolled in primary school in Lincoln Pius High School. Since childhood, Teena already looks tomboyish, very different when compared with Tammy is so feminime. She was also wearing a school uniform with a more masculine style like men. Tammy always use make-up when going to school, while Teena was not. In everyday Teena was prefer to use the shirt, training pants, and men's socks. Tammy prefer to use a floral dress or skirt and socks colorful. Teena was a hair short like men, while Tammy with long hair. JoAnn was free to let her two children grow and express themselves in accordance with their respective interests. About school, JoAnn was never worried because her two children are students who excel in school and have higher value compared to other students.

When entering puberty, Teena met with Sara Gapp in basketball game at Santa Teresa. Santa Teresa is Teena’s school rival in junior high school, Santa Marry. But it all does not deter Teena and walked over Sara to introduce herself. Sara has long black hair, brown eyes and has a natural beauty. Shortly, Teena see Sara as a model in a magazine. They also start a chat with a very serious and Sara feel comfortable sharing stories with Teena. They talked about themselves, their mothers, schools, and others. From the that discussion they became very close and eventually became a friend.

Teena had worked part-time at McDonald's as a waitress. It's all she's doing to sufficient her needs of life and her familiy at once ease the burden of her mother. In addition to the Mcdonald's, Teena also worked at a restaurant owned by the parents of Sara and also worked as a seller purifier room. At the age of 18 years old or at the time of Teena graduated from high school, she aspires to be an artist. None of the support and trust of its intention, including her best friend Sara. They consider Teena was not talented to be an artist because of her performance is cool, tomboyish, and not as an artist. In fact, she wants to achieve success by being a great film player and well-known  and improve the lives of their families to be better. However, only the closest people underestimate and do not have the support of none.

Teena started thinking how so she could be an artist . She does not care about what other people who can only underestimate her desire , she kept trying to go to any lengths . Suddenly she thought would follow the casting of the film, but as a male role . Because she felt more comfortable if she acts as the male, look very tomboyish appearance and masculine . She utilizes the tomboyish appearance as selling her to become an artist . Maybe that she felt better , than if she had to act as a beautiful woman who certainly required to look feminine , sexy , and luxurious like Hollywood actresses . She feels it's not her actual identity . Without hesitation she began to emphasize looks just like the men and began to look for casting . She was informed that there was a producer and director who was searching for a player in the movie " Boys Do not Cry " . Teena immediately took the opportunity to try casting the title role in the film . She uses the name Brandon is a man to play a role in the casting .

Brandon is very charming and very good acting in the film casting . Silently turns her save her acting talent and could conquer the producer and director in the film. She can also beat another casting participants even experienced artist . Surprisingly , there is no single person who thinks Brandon that it is a female. Finally , Brandon was accepted as the main character in the movie " Boys Do not Cry " directed by Kimberly Peirce and co-star Lana Tisdel . Brandon tried our best plays that role , because this is her first film and thanks to this film she could fulfill her desire to be an actress . She was able to demonstrate to her mother , Tammy , and Sara about her dream that never underestimated this can be achieved . Brandon appearance unexpectedly and Lana in the film attracted the attention of many people and sold in the market , so the film was nominated for an Academy Award in the arena . Brandon did not think that hard work and totality in acting could make this film a success . In fact , Brandon came out as winners Oscar in the Academy Award and Lana Tisdel entered as a nominee .

Success was achieved by Teena now, despite having to change herself as a man. The strangeness began happening, she felt like being a man and a sex change surgery. She also now has a relationship with co-star, Lana Tisdel  without knowing Brandon that it was a woman. It is already known by JoAnn, Tammy, and Sara. On the one hand they are happy because Teena has succeeded in realizing its goals and achieve success as an artist, but sad on the one hand they want to hear Teena genital surgery to be a man in pursuit of success.

JoAnn strongly disagree with her relationship with Lana and forbade her daughter to a sex change. But Teena insisted on operations and achieve what she wants. Tammy and Sara tried hard to prevent even daring to tell Lana that Brandon was a woman. Lana did not believe in their words and consider it only as a joke. Lana still loves Brandon until whenever even they are plan to get married. JoAnn began confused and depressed, even assume that her daughter is a lesbian. Joann was asked and Teena still deny that she was not a lesbian and just want to be a man.

Brandon and Lana are getting closer and have longer relationship. Now they are friends with former convict John L. Lotter (John) and Martin Thomos (Tom). They often spend time together with play, leisure, and other activities that young children usually do. At Christmas, they spend Christmas together in a hotel room. Suddenly there was a shooting incident that killed several people, including Brandon and her two friends were. Circumstances became more chaotic there, God knows who the shooter was and what its purpose he did the shooting. Many police came to settle this case and keep track of who was responsible. At the time of identification of the victim, then it was revealed that Brandon was a woman.

JoAnn Brandon publish to the media about her daughter who won an Oscar Academy Award, Brandon was a woman. She tells that her real name was Teena Brandon. Many people who do not think why Brandon was willing to be a man, including Lana. Currently Brandon Teena was buried in Lincoln Memorial Cemetry in Lincoln, Nebraska. This murder case will continue to be investigated and disclosed by the police and perpetrators and punished in accordance with applicable law.

After a police investigation, was caught Nissen and Lotter. Nissen has accused Lotter doing murder. Nissen claimed to be a supporter in the murder case. Nissen testified that Lotter inappropriate sentenced to life in prison. Lotter continues to deny Nissen's testimony, the judge decided Lotter guilty of Teena’s murder and received the death penalty. Lotter and Nissen appealed their case. In September 2007, Nissen pulled back testified against Lotter. He claimed that he was the only person who shoot Teena and Lotter had not commited the murders.

Unit 3: Benefit / Experiences

a.    How do feel about the book?

Story in this book is very sad, because from birth Teena had no father. Although her mother married again so that her two children have a father figure, but it does not last long and enduring. After 5 years of marriage, JoAnn divorced from Jug. This makes Teena sad and realize that Jug is not her biological father. I am proud to see Teena persistence in achieving success, but the wrong way. She was determined to change her gender as male in order to achieve even more success. because previously she had played in her first film as a man. Teena has been successful at the time as an artist and make her  family happy, she had to die because of shot. Indeed a very inspiring story, a bit odd, and sad.

b.    What does the book teach you?

The lesson I got from this book is that we must to be as strong like Teena in the face of life's difficulties. And we must have the courage to get up and change our lives for the better. We must be brave and earnest in reaching our goals and achieve success, but it must be the right way and makes sense.