When first reading The Soloist, you see Steve Lopez trying to find a possible topic to write an article about. He finds his topic in musician Nathaniel Anthony Ayers, a person who suffers from schizophrenia. Although Lopez at first just helps Nathaniel because of the article, I feel that through reading the rest of the book you see Lopez start to help Nathaniel because he has truly developed a friendship with this man. Done is Lopez just trying to find information for his "story". He now finds information to help Nathaniel into recovery, and to help him get his life back into order. He is able to get Nathaniel certain "privileges" and learns the story of the man who once was.
When starting these chapters out, Lopez decides he wants to spend a night with Nathaniel on the streets. Although obviously disgusted and nervous, Lopez wonders how Nathaniel is able to sleep out in these conditions, and realizes the world isn't always a nice peaceful place. He states that by doing this however, he feels closer to Nathaniel. Continuing the reading you see Lopez go through the process of having to worry about missing time with his family, and worrying about losing his job since the person who hired him has decided to resign. With these fears, Lopez realizes he cannot constantly worry about Nathaniel and cannot continue to help him out constantly, although he does not want to abandon his relationship with Nathaniel.
Lopez is able to get Nathaniel the chance to go see the Los Angeles Philharmonic during a rehearsal. He hopes that this will possibly help lead to Nathaniel's recovery. Although this trip doesn't completely help Nathaniel realize his troubles, Lopez is happy of the fact that Nathaniel had a good time and that he seemed to be in peace in the Disney Hall where "Beethoven might still be lingering in the shadows." I feel that Lopez has moved on from just using Nathaniel as an article, and has decided to help this man into recovery.
- Check my grammar.
- Check sentence structures.
- What do you think?
Mikaela, I'm not sure if this is a completed post...If you're looking for suggestions for how you might elaborate further on your reading, I would be interested in reading your interpretations about the second question you ask above ("Does Steve Lopez still see Nathaniel as just a news story, or has their relationship evolved into more?"). You might look to Chapters 7-12 and write about your ongoing thoughts in response to this...
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