**NO SPOILERS***
In It's Kind of a Funny Story, Ned Vizzini includes several Memory Moments as well as Again and Agains to foreshadow and explain the the situations that the character, Craig Gilner, is put into. For example, when the book opens up with a visit at Craig's latest therapist, Dr. Minerva, he is asked about his aspiration. What follows is a Memory Moment where he describes how he got inspired to be a map maker. He goes all the way back to when he was four, when he had asked his mom to buy him some tracing paper so that he could draw the city that he lived in—Manhattan. However, when he struggled with tracing the map of Manhattan, his mom had told him to make up his own city where the rivers could flow through the buildings. By including this flashback, it shows how intricate Craig's mind is, provides insight on his aptitude for drawing, and reveals his Anchors (things that keep him from taking his own life). The Memory Moment was significant in showing how Craig preferred to spend his time and how easily he became frustrated and agitated (ex. when he couldn't draw a straight line on the paper). Another example of a Memory Moment is when Craig describes the time he met his best friend and Nia, the girl he is interested in. This Memory Moment provides background information on how strong these relationships are, and how weak the rocky parts of them can be. Aaron, Craig's best friend, is seen as self-centered, naturally smart, and "blessed with the most beautiful girl in the world, and he doesn't know it". Since Craig has feelings towards Aaron's girlfriend, Nia, it makes the friendships erratic, which may foreshadow further conflicts.
Vizzini includes many Again and Agains, but the most significant ones are about Craig's love of the city he lives in, how he wants to leave something behind, and his suicidal thoughts. Craig discusses how he loves biking around the city and how it makes him feel when he crosses the Brooklyn Bridge (which is also mentioned many times). This Again and Again may foreshadow to his suicide attempt tha t will lead him to a mental institution, or how he could use the city as an Anchor. Another Again and Again in the book is how Craig always considers how he could leave something behind for posterity when he dies so that he won't truly "die" (similar to a legend). He gets this inspiration when he is leaning over the edge of the Brooklyn Bridge. He believes that the creator of the Bridge left a mark on the city and will forever be remembered for it because it's used every day. This Again and Again may foreshadow to Craig's permanent mark that he might leave behind, or that he may not leave a mark behind that is so impactful to everyone in a city but rather one person. The most common Again and Again in this novel is Craig's recurring suicidal thoughts. He constantly discusses why he would want to leave his life behind and how stressful it is to have all of the "Tentacles" (things that weigh him down) to deal with. He believes that being successful is not a viable option for him since he is at most "average". He also thinks of ways that he could take his life (ex. jumping off the Brooklyn Bridge). This Again and Again is significant in explaining the mental state that Craig is in, and may hint towards the outcome of the story—whether it's good or bad. The Memory Moments and Again and Agains in It's Kind of a Funny Story provide insight on Craig's fanaticism with his city and how he will impact those around him.
In It's Kind of a Funny Story, Ned Vizzini includes several Memory Moments as well as Again and Agains to foreshadow and explain the the situations that the character, Craig Gilner, is put into. For example, when the book opens up with a visit at Craig's latest therapist, Dr. Minerva, he is asked about his aspiration. What follows is a Memory Moment where he describes how he got inspired to be a map maker. He goes all the way back to when he was four, when he had asked his mom to buy him some tracing paper so that he could draw the city that he lived in—Manhattan. However, when he struggled with tracing the map of Manhattan, his mom had told him to make up his own city where the rivers could flow through the buildings. By including this flashback, it shows how intricate Craig's mind is, provides insight on his aptitude for drawing, and reveals his Anchors (things that keep him from taking his own life). The Memory Moment was significant in showing how Craig preferred to spend his time and how easily he became frustrated and agitated (ex. when he couldn't draw a straight line on the paper). Another example of a Memory Moment is when Craig describes the time he met his best friend and Nia, the girl he is interested in. This Memory Moment provides background information on how strong these relationships are, and how weak the rocky parts of them can be. Aaron, Craig's best friend, is seen as self-centered, naturally smart, and "blessed with the most beautiful girl in the world, and he doesn't know it". Since Craig has feelings towards Aaron's girlfriend, Nia, it makes the friendships erratic, which may foreshadow further conflicts.
Vizzini includes many Again and Agains, but the most significant ones are about Craig's love of the city he lives in, how he wants to leave something behind, and his suicidal thoughts. Craig discusses how he loves biking around the city and how it makes him feel when he crosses the Brooklyn Bridge (which is also mentioned many times). This Again and Again may foreshadow to his suicide attempt tha t will lead him to a mental institution, or how he could use the city as an Anchor. Another Again and Again in the book is how Craig always considers how he could leave something behind for posterity when he dies so that he won't truly "die" (similar to a legend). He gets this inspiration when he is leaning over the edge of the Brooklyn Bridge. He believes that the creator of the Bridge left a mark on the city and will forever be remembered for it because it's used every day. This Again and Again may foreshadow to Craig's permanent mark that he might leave behind, or that he may not leave a mark behind that is so impactful to everyone in a city but rather one person. The most common Again and Again in this novel is Craig's recurring suicidal thoughts. He constantly discusses why he would want to leave his life behind and how stressful it is to have all of the "Tentacles" (things that weigh him down) to deal with. He believes that being successful is not a viable option for him since he is at most "average". He also thinks of ways that he could take his life (ex. jumping off the Brooklyn Bridge). This Again and Again is significant in explaining the mental state that Craig is in, and may hint towards the outcome of the story—whether it's good or bad. The Memory Moments and Again and Agains in It's Kind of a Funny Story provide insight on Craig's fanaticism with his city and how he will impact those around him.