Moon Under the Microscope

Mr. Palomar: Moon in the Afternoon by Italo Calvino

One of the sentences I enjoyed the most was one in the first paragraph that said: “It is so fragile and pale and slender; only on one side does it begin to assume a distinct outline, like the arc of a sickle, while the rest is all steeped in azure.” When I read this sentence I cannot help but think how deeply the moon is being described here. The moon is such an everyday thing that most people may look at it for a second or two and then move on with their day (or night.) But Mr. Palomar describes it to its fullest. Everything he notices about the moon in the daytime he adds to his description, comparing it to a sickle  whose crescent blade is the the muted moon in the azure blue sky. I love how he takes the mundane things in life and puts it under a microscope and blows it way out of proportion. He questions things about the moon that others would not even begin to think of. After reading this I get the feeling of encouragement to take note of even some of the smallest, overlooked details in everyday things. 

Comment on Syd Jodon:

I like your connection of observing the moons phases to observing changes in people. If we see something every day, we never notice the changes that happen over time. But if we don't observe it for a while, we begin to notice what is different. The moon is very much like a person in that sense. It is always moving and changing we hardly seem to notice the changes because its always around us every day.

Comment on Kimberly:

The Earth’s seasonality is a great comparison to the moon. Today may not look any different than yesterday, but there could be noticeable changes today compared to a month or two ago. Similarly with the moon, it may look identical to itself on the next day but in a week it will be in a new phase. I also agree with how we take things for granted the more present they are in day to day life.