Innocence was the only word that fit all aspects of Cheryl and her life. She was a character who was married in high school and expecting a child and yet seemed to be more innocent than most high school students. Following the rules and being honest and true to her beliefs guided her life to an extreme. Cheryl deals with most of the basic teenage situations: boyfriends, gossip, secrets, parents and sex. Just add a little alcohol and some drugs and she has the bases covered. The unique aspect of Cheryl is how she deals with 
the issue in a slightly different way. For the most part I am referring to her getting married so she could have sex with her boyfriend. To most people, that sounds completely insane, but not to Cheryl or her boyfriend Jason, to them it was the right thing to do. They actually thought this was appropriate for the situation. In most other cases, if kids are worried about others finding out they are having sex, they are sneaky or they lie. But to get married was, in most cases, way worse of a decision than having sex. Yet Cheryl’s innocence which she gains through her faith changes her view of the world and what is acceptable.
In part one of Hey Nostradamus! the readers see Cheryl and her innocence in an even larger light. During the horrific situation, when most teenagers would abandon God and enter into a state of complete panic, she lays there praying. Praying for herself, her friends and even praying for the killers. Within her prayers she is constantly asking questions, not questioning her faith, but questioning God. Her innocence and optimism towards the world hides from her the reality of the situation and saves her from entering a state of complete hysteria. Many people will most likely disagree and argue that she is not innocent, but purely kind hearted. Unfortunately I believe that to be as pure of heart as Cheryl was you have to be innocent to the realities of the world.
In saying that I am slightly envious of Cheryl, she was not scared of anything, not of her marriage, her pregnancy or even her death. In that light, maybe her innocence was not a gift of religion, but a gift from God.
the issue in a slightly different way. For the most part I am referring to her getting married so she could have sex with her boyfriend. To most people, that sounds completely insane, but not to Cheryl or her boyfriend Jason, to them it was the right thing to do. They actually thought this was appropriate for the situation. In most other cases, if kids are worried about others finding out they are having sex, they are sneaky or they lie. But to get married was, in most cases, way worse of a decision than having sex. Yet Cheryl’s innocence which she gains through her faith changes her view of the world and what is acceptable.In part one of Hey Nostradamus! the readers see Cheryl and her innocence in an even larger light. During the horrific situation, when most teenagers would abandon God and enter into a state of complete panic, she lays there praying. Praying for herself, her friends and even praying for the killers. Within her prayers she is constantly asking questions, not questioning her faith, but questioning God. Her innocence and optimism towards the world hides from her the reality of the situation and saves her from entering a state of complete hysteria. Many people will most likely disagree and argue that she is not innocent, but purely kind hearted. Unfortunately I believe that to be as pure of heart as Cheryl was you have to be innocent to the realities of the world.
In saying that I am slightly envious of Cheryl, she was not scared of anything, not of her marriage, her pregnancy or even her death. In that light, maybe her innocence was not a gift of religion, but a gift from God.
Completed By: Brianne Grainger
1 comment:
It is so sad how Cheryl and her unborn child, whom are both innocent and victims to the chaotic world, died. However, I think she has leaded a satisfying life. There’s a saying that “ignorance is bliss”. Besides Cheryl being innocent, she’s rather ignorant and naïve to her reality, which in turn, makes her life seem so much more content, carefree and different (as in viewing the world differently from others, perhaps much simpler?). Like most other people, I find it pretty bizarre and crazy that she agreed to marry Jason at the age of seventeen just so she can have sex without feeling guilt or disobeying her religious commandments and faith. In our modern world, I highly doubt anyone would go through such extent to have sex. I wonder if Cheryl ever felt regret after, or perhaps in her short-lived life she never had the chance to question it? Would she have undergone self-reflection if she had the chance in the future? Hmmm?
I feel that Cheryl’s very innocent to the concept of marriage, and ignorant to the consequences that follow after. I believe she did mention briefly that she did not intend to have a career, and just wants to be a housewife nurturing her children. In my opinion, it seems very childish and unrealistic of her to see her future so simple. I totally agree with you that her innocence and strong faith is “a gift from God” and perhaps this innocence is what makes her life and world unique and help her guide and chose her paths.
Rosalie Pham =)
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