Born On A Blue Day Analysis

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To simply put it, society is a person in and out of itself. As a group, we have developed similar values, beliefs, and expectations for everyone; whether it applies individually or not. Though these rules are mostly positive, acting as a basic guideline for everyone to follow, what if people can’t live up to the expectations we have established for ourselves? That is why when a significant group faces discrimination due to no fault of their own, it’s appropriate to challenge the values and beliefs of society. In both Daniel Tammet’s memoir Born on a Blue Day and a fictional piece The Speed of Dark from Elizabeth Moon, it talks about what it’s like to live with a mental illness, Savant Syndrome and Autism respectively. These two books describe…show more content…
In The Speed of Dark, they’re slowly trying to eliminate autistic people at that time, and have invented a treatment that will allow them to become “normal”. In Lou Arrendale’s case, he is literally being forced to take the treatment or risk losing his job. He knows that autistics are looked down upon, they are judged, and mistreated but there’s nothing he can do about it. Lou is born this way, through no fault of his own, distinguishing him from the rest of society. From the things he does to the way he thinks, everything is different. Lou says “my key slides into my car’s door lock easily, now that I have the right music.” (Moon, pg 5). Its almost as if Lou and his people have created their own world amidst ours. In comparison, Daniel Tammet shows more extreme symptoms that differ him from society. When he was younger, Daniel had a hard time controlling his actions, often not knowing how to behave appropriately. A video which was shown in class proved to be a little too intense for Daniel at the age of 7, and he recalls “feeling agitated I ran from the class - refusing to return until the television was removed”. (Tammet, pg. 66) Both these situations prove how an autistic individual may differ from the rest of society though through no fault of their own. Unfortunately, they are still judged by society and Lou says early on, “Hi-I’m-Jean doesn’t like us and mutters under her breath if she sees us” (Moon pg 7). These are…show more content…
Definitely not! So why does Daniel deserve to receive this treatment? In the fictional world, Lou, like Daniel, works very hard to blend in with society, acting only in a way that is expected of him. “I wear the same clothes as the others. I say the same words at the same times: good morning, hi, how are you… I obey the traffic laws; I obey the rules…” (Moon, pg 38) However, his efforts are proved worthless when Don, whom he thought was his friend turned his back against him. Don blames the reason why he doesn’t hold a steady, respectable job on people like Lou. He stalks Lou in the parking lot of a grocery store one day and confronts him saying “‘You’re a freak, Lou - you understand what I’m saying? You’re a freak and you belong in a zoo.’” (Moon pg 212) Lou, would never even dream of treating anyone like this, no matter how disrespectful they were. However, Don, believes that this is okay, simply because Lou is

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