"Night Walker" Blog

     I was on my way to Louisville, Kentucky to see a concert. Bonnie “Prince” Billy was playing in an old church, an exclusive show. I had been a fan for a long time, and had never seen him live, so I was pretty excited. At this time I had been going to concerts frequently. A bunch of friends and I would pile into the car and head out to the nearest city that would be hosting live music. When at these shows I noticed that most people had similar looks, the indie or hipster look is most common. While walking down the streets of Nashville or Memphis, it is easy to identity the other people on their way to the show. For the many concerts I had attended this was true, I liked the fact that I could tell by looking at a person that they probably listen to similar music as I did, and therefore we would have something in common, but on this particular night I would be proven wrong.

     Upon arriving at the church my friend Tim let me know that he in fact did not have tickets, he was hoping to buy them when we arrived, but we had no such luck. So Tim went to plan B. He did what he usually does at concerts, and struck up a conversation with the person next to him. This person too had the same plan, and was on the lookout for tickets for sale. While sitting on the curb, trying to figure out how we were going to get into the show I spotted a man. He was sitting with another man, a six pack of beer between them. They both looked out of place. They were dressed in all black. Their shorts were almost down to their ankles and their shirts were three sizes too big. They had a thug look to them. Surely they were not here to see Bonnie “Prince” Billy. I assumed they were scalpers. I pointed the two guys out to Tim suggesting that he ask if they had tickets, but Tim refused. They didn’t look very approachable. Eventually we talked to some people who told us how to get in. It was dishonest, but we didn’t drive five hours to sit on the curb in Louisville and not see Bonnie “Prince” Billy.

     The room that the show was held in was small and crowded. The stage was no more than two feet off the ground, the floor was slanted and there were maybe two lights on. But it was perfect. Bonnie “Prince” Billy is a bit eccentric, not the usual musician, so this was the perfect venue for him to play at. As we crowded into the room, we tried to push our way to the front. There weren’t any amps, so it would be difficult to hear his guitar and his singing if we were too far back. As we were making our way up to the stage, I spotted the man that I had seen outside. He was right up against the stage. I wondered why he was here. Did he know who was playing? Now I was curious. I kept looking over at him, wondering about him. The show began, and my attention was turned toward the show. After the first song, I looked to see if the guy was still there, and he was. So I continued to watch him. As the second song started, I noticed that this guy new all the words. He was singing along! He knew the words better than I did! I nudged Tim and pointed at the guy; he just chuckled and said, “Go figure.” He wasn’t as astonished as I was.

     I guess I was shocked because I always assumed that people that dressed a certain way liked certain music. Usually this is true, but I was definitely proven wrong that night. I judged this man based on how he was dressed. Because he was dressed so differently than me, I assumed that he must not listen to the same music as I do, we must not have anything in common. That is one day that I think I will never forget because it has taught me not to judge someone so quickly. I have learned that a person’s outer appearance says little to nothing about who that person really is. 

“Night Walker” Response Questions

1. Why do you think Staples refers to the woman he encounters in the beginning of his essay as a

“victim”?

     I think that Staples refers to the women he encounters as victims because of the way he made them feel. I think he understood that women feel helpless and scared when walking alone at night, especially when a man, a black man is walking their way. Due to stereotypes, men of color seem to be avoided most, feared most, and the author understands this.

2. What, exactly, is his “unwieldy inheritance” mentioned in the second paragraph?

     The unwieldy inheritance that he mentions refers to the image or stereotype that he is forced to deal with daily. Staples realizes that due to his race, people assume things of him, such as a mugger or rapist, based solely on his appearance. Your race is something that you do not chose, therefore he inherited this burden.

3. What, exactly, is “the language of fear” (paragraph three)?  What examples does Staples give to

illustrate this “language”?

     The language of fear that Staples describes is the actions that people take when they are in situations that they do not feel comfortable, or they are afraid in. Some examples that Staples gives to illustrate the language of fear is when he would cross in front of a stopped car, he would hear the locks being pushed down on the car door, or when he is walking down the street toward a woman she would cross the street.

4. This piece is sometimes printed under the titles “Just Walk on By: A Black Man Ponders His

Power to Alter Public Space” or “Just Walk on By: Black Men and Public Space”;  how do

these very different titles affect your understanding of Staples’ reason for writing? How would

your perception of his purpose for writing this essay change, if given these different titles?

     I think that the other two titles give the essay a different meaning. The title, “Just Walk on By: A Black Man Ponders His Power to Alter Public Space,” makes me think that the author’s message to the reader is one based on personal issues, rather than how the public relates to him. Staples ability to alter public space has less to do with his race than it has to do with stereotypes. The other title doesn’t give a good sense of what the essay is about. Black men and public space could deal with any different kind of issue. The title, “Night Walker,” although vague, suits the essay best.

5. Why do you think whistling selections from Beethoven and Vivaldi seem to make people less

afraid of the author?

     I think that the author whistled selections from Beethoven and Vivaldi to try and relate to people. The assumption of thugs is that they wouldn’t know any classical music, so to hear a man, one you would initially be freighted of, whistling a familiar selection of Beethoven may immediately ease your mind. I think it was a smart tactic on his part. 

"On Fire" Blog

     For the past six years I have been working as a server, on and off. I have worked in an array of restaurants. From bars, to chain restaurants, buffets, to fine dining. Although the job has been difficult, I find it very rewarding. Each type of restaurant presented its own challenges, and I had to learn to adapt to perform the job adequately. I have had many different jobs over the years, most in customer service, but serving is the job that I have enjoyed most.

     For those who have not had the pleasure of working in the restaurant, one cannot understand the pressures and stress that go along with the job. There are many days when I come home, tired, sore and angry. Angry because maybe I didn’t make much money, or I dealt with customers that made my job difficult. Working in customer service, the most important thing that I must always keep in mind is that the customer is always right, no matter what. Sometimes it is hard to try and please someone when no matter what you do they aren’t happy. But that is just part of the job; swallow your pride to try and to make a few bucks.

      I find that serving is difficult because it is crucial to stay on your toes, and most times you should stay ahead. Being responsible for five tables at a time, which is possibly twenty guests, is not an easy task. I have to greet the table, bring bread, recite the specials and the soup of the day. Interest them in a glass of wine, always trying to upsell. Do you want an appetizer? How about a salad? Load the tray up with glasses of water and wine, try not to spill it, then remember which guest had what. Take the order; guide the guest through the menu. I must know the menu backward and forward so that I can answer any questions that are fired at me. I must also know a lot about wine. Before working at my current job, I did not know a single thing about wine. I have had to taste wine, learn how to describe wine, and know which wine pairs best with certain dishes. This is one part of the job that I found to be the most difficult, and I must constantly continue to learn more information. So besides having to know an array of knowledge, I must constantly be moving, watching my tables to make sure that each guest has what they need. If I have a full section, then I have to make sure that I have everything written down and in order so that I do not make mistakes. Thinking ahead is important because it helps me to multitask, which saves a lot of time.

     Team work is an important aspect in a restaurant. I have worked at many restaurants where no one helps each other. This makes the job extremely difficult. I am always helping people, and asking for help. It’s part of being a successful server. Sometimes there are just too many things that I have to do at once, and although I would like to do them myself, I ask for help. Sometimes I get stressed out, running around trying to catch back up, but once I ask for help I can get organized again, and things will flow.

     Although I find serving to be stressful and difficult, I think it has helped me become a hard worker. I’m glad to have chosen serving as a job; it has taught me how to multitask, stay clam when things get stressful, and I am better organized. The skills that I have learned through serving will help me with my career ahead.

“On Fire” Response Questions

1.       1. What process does Brown describe? 

     Brown uses process narrative to describe what it was like being a firefighter. The process narrative is used to describe a personal experience, so the process described is about Brown’s specific experience being a firefighter.

2. How is this essay unlike the typical process explanation, presented in strict chronological

order?  Why does this departure “fit” his subject matter/occupation? 

     This essay is unlike the process explanation because Brown is not describing how to do something, he is not providing instructions, but he is letting the reader know what it was like for him while he was a firefighter. This departure from the process explanation fits the subject matter because Brown describes firefighting as being an occupation that is unpredictable. So this way of writing, everything mixed together, no order, best matches his description of the job.

3. In the first paragraph, Brown uses a simile when he says that one of the things a firefighter

learns is that they “can burn like a candle.”  What other examples of figurative language does

he use?  How does such language enhance the essay?

     Brown describes himself as being human, made of flesh, not Superman. He compares himself to Superman to let the reader know that he does not have superpowers, that he is only human trying to do an extraordinary job. But Brown also compares his job to bagging groceries or painting houses, maybe to let the reader know that he is proud to have this extraordinary job; that it is well worth the dangers. I think that this language gives the reader different perspectives of the job. You think of Brown as just another guy with a different kind of job, one with a lot of responsibilities, but at the same time you think of him as a person that you could never connect with because he is a firefighter.

4. Throughout his essay, Brown repeatedly uses the second-person pronoun you. Why do you

think Brown uses the second-person perspective, instead of the more usual first- (I) or third-

person (he or she) in his essay? What effect does it have?

     I think that Brown uses the second-person pronoun while describing his experience as a firefighter because it helps the reader to picture themselves in his shoes. While reading the essay I could visualize the experiences that he described and I could therefore understand what it may be like to be a firefighter.

5. What overall impression(s) of firefighting do you think Brown wishes to convey?  How is this

purpose exemplified in his final paragraph?

     Brown wishes to convey to the reader that firefighting is a job that requires complete dedication and attention. He wants the reader to understand that not only is he responsible for human lives, but he is also responsible for many other jobs which ultimately help in saving lives. I think the most important message that he wanted to convey is that no matter what, no matter how tired he was or how scared, he had to be ready to do the job at any moment.

"Conk" Blog

     Being a woman, I am constantly trying to enhance my appearance. Now that I am older, I am more comfortable in my appearance, and any enhancing I do is mainly for myself. When I was younger, I followed the trends, wore make up and I would lay out in the sun to try and achieve that perfect skin color. For women, there are many pressures to look beautiful at all times, and unfortunately girls pick up on this at a young age. I suppose I started to become more preoccupied with my appearance when I entered into my teenage years. I did not wear much makeup, nor did I wear the provocative clothes that most girls at school were wearing, but I did want beautiful bronze skin. Living in Las Vegas, most girls have blonde hair and dark tans; they were usually the prettiest. Already being blonde, I was half way there, so I set out for dark, beautiful skin.

      Being a white girl, this was going to be hard to achieve, but I was ready to go to any lengths to get a beautiful tan. This particular event took place when I was in middle school. I was twelve or thirteen years old, and I was very aware of my appearance. I remember spending a lot of time in the mirror making sure that my hair was perfect; I would wake up early to pick out the best outfit, but still I did not look like the pretty girls at school. I thought, maybe if I had a tan, I would look like them; it seemed to be the only thing missing. My best friend Heather lived across the street, so I went over to her house one day to propose my plan. She was also white with blonde hair, and agreed that a tan would enhance our appearance. She was on board with the idea.

     Other than lying out in the sun, I did not have much else of an approach, but Heather had it all planned out. She told me to go home and get my bikini and meet her back at her house. On this particular day that we decided to tan, it was July, one of the hottest months in Las Vegas. I don’t remember the exact temperature, but it must have been over 100 degrees. I remember running across the street to my house and seeing the heat waves coming off the pavement. I could have fried an egg on the street it was so hot, but all I kept thinking about was my soon to be perfect tan. After grabbing my bathing suit, I ran back to Heather’s house. When I got there she was already in her bathing suit, and she was lathering her body with baby oil. “Why are you using that? It’s for babies, isn’t it?” I asked, looking confused. I thought we were supposed to use tanning oil to get tan. “This is what my mom uses” she said, “and she is the tannest person I know!” So I agreed, put on my bathing suit and began rubbing the baby oil on my body. I remember the sweet, soft smell of the oil, and the slippery feel of it on my skin. After we were covered head to toe in the oil, we grabbed some towels, a radio and a couple of sodas and headed outside. The second half of Heathers plan was presented when we got to the backyard. “I think we would get tanner if we lay on the roof, we would be closer to the sun!” she said. For some reason, this made complete sense to me, so I happily followed her. The roof seemed like the perfect place to tan; it was only slightly inclined so our radio and sodas sat perfectly upright while we talked, and basked in the sun. I don’t know how long we were up there, but it seemed like hours. We made our way down when we got hungry, and this is when our brilliant idea turned out to be not so brilliant after all. My skin was hot to the touch, and very pink in color, but I thought that was just the first step before I was to become tan and beautiful.

     It didn’t take much time before we were in complete pain. I remember that it was painful to move, I did my best not to put my arms down. We didn’t know what to do. Should we sit in cold water? Or rub ice cubes on our arms and legs? As we were trying to figure out what to do, Heather’s mother came home. She looked horrified. She began to curse and scream while she rushed us into the bathroom. I didn’t understand why she was so upset. She pulled out a bottle of green goo called Aloe Vera and began gently rubbing it on our skin. I remember with every application I winced with pain, but was relieved by the cold soothing feeling. Eventually our skin blistered pretty badly, and then our skin peeled off in patches. We never did get the tan that we set out for.

     That was one of the most painful and memorable experiences that I have. That day I learned the dangers that the sun poses, especially when one is covered in baby oil! That day gave me such a negative experience of tanning, that never again would I go to such lengths to try and get tan. Although I still do things to alter my appearance, whether it is to feel good about myself, or to try and give a certain impression, I make sure to do it in a healthy way.  

“My First Conk” Response Questions

1. Why did Malcolm X want to get his hair conked?  What did the conk symbolize to him at the

time he got it? What does it symbolize at the time he writes about it?

     Malcolm X wanted to get his hair conked so that he would resemble a white man. I think that Malcolm X was looking to be accepted by the white race, and so he conked his hair to try and achieve that. At the time, the conk symbolized acceptance; no longer be inferior to white men. At the time he wrote the essay, his attitude of the conk changed. He now symbolizes the conk as something negative, something he did to conform or be accepted.

2. Why do you think Malcolm X write this selection as a process explanation instead of a set of

instructions?

     I think he wrote this as a process of explanation rather than a set of instructions because he wanted the reader to understand the pain he endured to be accepted. I think if he wrote the essay as a set of instructions, Malcolm X would not get the same reaction or understanding from the reader.

3. Why do you think Malcolm X includes so many references to the pain and discomfort he

endures as part of the process?

     I think that he references the pain and discomfort that he went through because he wanted the reader to know that he subjected himself to such pain just so that he would fit in, or look like a white man.

4. In the last paragraph, Malcolm X encloses several words in quotation marks. Why do you think

he does this? What is the effect of these quotation marks?

     I think he encloses specific words in quotation marks to illustrate that the ideas that he thought were important, or ideas that represented a standard are no longer ideas that he upholds.  The effect of the quotations marks on me as a reader make me think that Malcolm X is mocking those ideas.

5. The Autobiography of Malcolm X was published in 1964, when many African Americans

regularly straightened their hair. Is his message/thesis still relevant today? Are there any current

trends or practices that you would consider a contemporary equivalent of conking?

     I think that the message of conforming or mutilating your body to fit in is still relevant today. I think with every generation and every culture, there will always be people that change their appearances to look like someone else. Depending on what a person perceives as ideal, they may or may not try and change their appearance. Some girls tan to change their skin color, some girls get perms to get that “fro” look, and some people bleach their skin to change the color. Some of these changes are harmless, and are done to improve their appearance, but others, such as tanning, are harmful. I think that everyone should adhere to Malcolm X’s message, and not endure pain just to try and obtain a certain image.

“Family Lessons” Response Question

1. Are you able to picture the characters in your head?  What other character-related details

would enable you to “see” the writer’s characters?

     There is not much character description, so I am not able to picture the characters in my head. I think the writer should include more detail, especially about her cousin, Clayton. It would be helpful to know what he looked like so that we can envision him riding the bull.

2. What other characters would you like to see in the story?  Are there any characters that you

would take out of the story?  Why/why not?

     The writer mentions her uncle briefly, so I think he should have been a bigger part of the story, or should have been taken out. Also, I think it would have helped the story if we knew more about the writers relationship with her cousin, so maybe those characters could have been developed more.

3. Is the plot/action entertaining?  What could the writer do to “spice” up the action? 

     The story as a whole is interesting, but I think it could have been a little more exciting. If the writer used more description and sensory words, the reader would have a better sense of the characters and the surroundings. I think to spice up the action the writer could have described the bull a little better, making him sound big and scary.

4. Can you picture where the story/action takes place?  Why or why not?  What else could the

writer do to establish the setting of the story?  Are there any crucial scenes that are

underdeveloped or completely omitted?

     The writer mentions that her cousin would be going to Arizona, and she mentions that it is the month of June, but other than that, no other descriptions about the setting are mentioned. We know that she has a horse so we can assume that she lives on a farm or open land, but other than that the reader is left to guess. I think it would help if the writer described more about where she lives, smells, sights, sounds. I think the scene that was underdeveloped was when her cousin was attacked by the bull. Although she was not there, she could have used the details that her cousin told her.

5 Does the dialogue in the story seem realistic?  What could the writer do to improve the

dialogue?  Where would you like to see less/more dialogue? 

     The dialogue does seem realistic, but it is very brief. I think the writer could have included more dialogue between her and Clayton, especially when they were talking about why he wanted to go ride bulls. The dialogue between them about the kidney transplant was brief, and I think she could have included a little more of the conversation to add some emotion to the story.

6. What can the writer do to revise this essay and make it better?

     To make the essay better, I think the writer should add more sensory detail, more character description, and some more dialogue to add some emotion. I think overall the story is interesting, but it could be a little more engaging.

Peer Review for Elise Sollman- Ground Zero Blog

Writer’s Name: Elise Sollman

Reader’s Name: Briana Salter

1.     Is the introductory paragraph engaging?  Why or why not? What does the writer give you to make you want to continue reading?

The introductory paragraph is engaging, it makes me want to continue reading. The last sentence intrigues me and keeps my interest.

2.     Is the point or purpose of the description clear?  Can you find a sentence (or two) that reveals the writer’s reason for writing this descriptive essay?  If the thesis is explicitly stated, copy and paste it below…if the thesis is inferred, type what you believe to be the writer’s thesis below:

The point of the essay is clear. The writer states in the first paragraph that the trip she took with her father led her to the most beautiful thing that she has ever seen. There isn’t a clear thesis, but the purpose of the essay is clear to the reader.

 3. Do individual paragraphs seem well detailed?  What suggestions would you make about adding specific details?  What else would you like to know?

    Although the writer makes it clear what she did and what she saw on her trip, there isn’t much detail over all. I felt as though the main point of her essay, the moment her and her father witnessed the sunrise in the state park, was not described in much detail at all.

a.     Where would you like the writer add more visual detail?

I think that more visual detail could have been added throughout the essay. She could have added more visual detail while explaining the other stops they made, as well as much more detail about the sunrise.

b.     Where would you like the writer add more sound detail?

Very little sound detail was included. Although she included the sounds of birds chirping, she could have included noises while in the car; the stereo, cars zooming past…

c.      Where would you like the writer add more smell detail?

I did not find any smell detail in the essay. If the writer included the time of year, she could have described the smell of the outdoors, or while they were watching the sunrise she could have included smells from that setting.

          d. Where would you like the writer add more taste detail?

            No taste detail was included in the essay. Although the ice store that they usually stopped at was closed, she could have included the taste of the snacks that they brought along on their trip.

          e. Where would you like the writer add more feel or touch details?

             Because most of her trip was spent in the car, I could see why she didn’t include much detail, but she could have included the hard feel of the car door or window against her head.

4. Do all of the paragraphs contribute to the development of the essay’s thesis?  Is it clear to you how each of the paragraphs relate to the description or observation the writer is providing?  Why/why not?   Indicate the paragraph(s) that don’t seem to fit the focus of the essay below:

          

     I feel as though the focus of the essay is lost towards the end. The beginning of the essay implies that the main focus is about seeing the sunrise, but the end of the essay is about the time she spent with her father and how that is important to her. I think to make the essay flow more, she should incorporate both of the themes, or chose one and focus on that. I think if the writer wants to focus on the sunrise, then the end paragraph should be rewritten.

5. Would the essay improve if the paragraphs were arranged differently?  Do the main ideas seem logically organized (using chronological or least-to-most-important or spatial order, for example)? Why/why not?  Note the paragraph(s) that seems out of order below:

     I think that the essay has good organization. The writer does a good job with presenting the ideas so that the writer has a sense of where the story is going. Although I think the last paragraph veers a little off course, she does a good job of wrapping up the essay.  

6. Are the paragraphs connected to one another smoothly and logically?  Are there transitions between paragraphs that help you understand how the writer’s ideas are connected?  Let the writer know which paragraphs need transitions.  What could the writer do to make the connection between the main ideas expressed in the individual paragraphs and the thesis clearer?

     I think that there is a good transition between the first and the second paragraphs. The writer does a good job at ending one paragraph and beginning another. The thoughts are began and ended well within each paragraph. I think that the last paragraph could have included more of the thesis.

7. Write a summary comment that explains what you like best about the paper.  Then, describe the two features of the paper that most need improvement.  What suggestion(s) for overcoming these problems do you have?

     What I like best about the essay is that I get a good mental picture of the trip that she took with her father, and I can understand why that meant so much to her. To make this essay better, I think she could include more sensory details that would help to enhance the imagery. Another change that could help to improve the essay would be if she tied the last paragraph back to the thesis statement. 

Peer Review for Natalie Scott- Describing Sharon

Writer’s Name: Natalie Scott

Reader’s Name: Briana Salter

1.     Are you able to picture the characters in your head?  What other character-related details (age, height, personality, interests, etc.) would enable you to “see” the writer’s characters on the page?

Yes, I think that Natalie give a good, detailed description of Sharon. I have a good sense of what she looks like, how she gets around, her likes and dislikes, and even the sound of her voice. I don’t think any further detail would be necessary.

   2.     Does it seem like an essential major or minor character is missing from the story? What other characters would you like to see in the story?  Are there any major or minor characters that you could cut from the story?  Why/why not

Because Sharon is the main character, she should get most of the spot light, but I think Natalie should have included more of Sharon’s and Nate’ relationship. Maybe she could have included a couple of brief stories about their relationship. Sharon’s mother was mentioned in the story, but not I don’t know much about her, so she should have described her a little more, or left her out.

   3. Is the plot/action entertaining?  What could the writer do to “spice” up the action or captivate your attention?

I think to make the story a little more interesting, she should have included some more stories about Sharon. She does a good job at describing her, but I don’t feel as though I know as much as I could about her.

   4. Can you picture where the story takes place?  Why or Why not?  What else could the writer do to establish the setting of the story?

Form reading the story, I know that Sharon lives in an apartment, but I don’t know much else. To make the setting more interesting, Natalie could have included that state she lives in or a particular season.

   5. Where in the draft could the writer add more description or background?  Where would you like to have more specific who, what, when, where, why, or how details?

As I mentioned before, she could have included a specific story that involved Nate and his grandmother, then she could have included specific details such as why, how, and what.

   6. Does the dialogue in the story seem realistic?  What could the writer do to     improve the dialogue?  Where would you like to see less/more dialogue?

There is very little dialogue in the story. The only dialogue is when Sharon yells things at the television, or the comment she makes about her mother. If a specific story was told, then dialogue could be incorporated.

   7. What can the writer do to make this story better?

I think including a specific story about the character would make the essay more interesting. 

"Ground Zero" Blog

When I was still in high school, the best thing that happened was when my best friend and I got puppies. We had talked about it for months, behind our parents’ backs of course. We would go to the animal shelter almost every day to look around, to try and find the perfect puppies. One day my little brother called me and told me that his dog had puppies. It could not have been better timing. They were Labrador Retriever and Blue Heeler mixes. They were solid black and perfect. Two months went by and we were finally able to pick the puppies we wanted to take home. My mother was easy to convince. I came home with the little squirming fur ball in my arms, and she fell in love. My friend’s parents on the other hand were not so easy to convince. My friend tried asking before we went to pick them up, but they said no. So we went with plan B. She kept her puppy at my house for a couple of days, hoping that her parents would forget what she had asked, then she went home with the puppy and used the “I found it in the street” story. Although they resisted at first, they finally gave in. For the next three years they would never leave our side.

                Zoe, my dog,  grew to be a smart, energetic, tennis ball obsessed dog. She was incredibly smart and she always wanted to be by my side. She grew to look like a Lab, but was the size of a Blue Heeler. She was solid black and had floppy ears. For me, she was the perfect dog. My friend’s dog, Sage was a little shyer, but smart all the same. She was a bit smaller, had a slight curly tail and somewhat erect ears. Sage was a little more difficult to train, but my friend was able to teach her amazing tricks. Sage was as attached to my friend as much as Zoe was attached to me. From the minute we got them home, we started training them. After having them for only a few weeks they knew a list of commands and were potty trained in no time. The latter made it that much easier for our parents to fall in love with them. Every day after school, we would rush home, get the dogs and meet at the park where we played with them all day. On the days that they had a little more pent up energy, we would put their harnesses on and have them pull us on roller blades. It was so much fun for us, and it really wore them out. As they got a little bit older, I started staying at my friend’s house over the weekends with Zoe. We would take them to the lake, go on walks for hours, or lay out by the pool all day. As time went on, the dogs became less than pets, and more like our best friends. We did not leave them at home unless we had to. Going on a car ride was one of their favorite things to do, so we couldn’t deprive them! They were part of the family. Growing up I had dogs and cats, but I never had a relationship with an animal like I did with Zoe.

                After graduating high school, everything changed. My friend’s aunt lives in Kentucky and she   invited us to come and live with her family, and the dogs were invited too! They live on 50 acres outside of Murray, Kentucky on a dirt road, so the dogs would be able to run freely without fear of them getting into trouble or getting hurt. It was August when we moved, so we spent much time with the dogs, playing fetch and exploring the outdoors. Moving from Las Vegas to Murray, KY was a big change for them. The weather is more humid and uncomfortable, fleas and ticks bit and scratched at them, and there were more wild animals that posed harm, but they could not have been happier. I think most dogs would prefer the country life to the city life any day. The only downfall to this new living arrangement was that the dogs were not allowed in the house; they had to stay in the garage at night. This was a major adjustment for us, especially the dogs, because most nights they would sleep in bed with us. But I think having the run of the land was almost an equal trade, so they didn’t put up too much of a fight.

                One night after arriving home from work, I let the dogs out of the garage to use the bathroom. While they were out running around, I went inside and joined my friend and her aunt at the kitchen table. While engaged in conversation, we noticed Zoe sitting outside of the kitchen door. I remember her staring intently at me, almost with a serious expression. Usually she is the one that runs off a little too far to get into trouble, so it was odd that she was sitting there, but I ignored this and we tried to get her to do tricks by giving her commands through the glass door, but she remained still. After a few minutes, my friend opened the door and called for Sage, but she did not come. So she grabbed her car keys, and Zoe and I jumped in the car with her. As we turned right on the dirt road, we found her, lying on her side, not moving. My friend screamed and ran to her. I just sat there, shocked, not knowing what to do. My friend picked Sage up, sobbing loudly, and carried her to moist soft grass. Zoe was whimpering, running from the spot that Sage was found in the road, to where she lay in the grass, just as confused and dazed as I felt. After coming to my senses, I ran inside to get help, not saying much, tears flowing from my eyes. Sage was buried that night. A best friend, a part of the family, was lost that night. I will never know what my friend felt that night, but the magnitude of loss and sadness filtered through us all that night, and for many nights to come. After Sage’s death, Zoe was not the same. She grieved for a long time, and was never truly herself again.  For the twenty-four years that I have been alive, I have never experienced a family member’s death, so Sage was the first. Experiencing that lose made me appreciate life a little more, and helped me to understand how important family is, even if that family member is just a dog.  

"Ground Zero" Response Questions

1. What do you think Berne means when she says that as her eyes adjust to what she is seeing,

“nothing” becomes something more potent, “which is absence”?

    I think what Berne means when she says that what she saw was absence means that there is nothing there when there should be. When someone says they see nothing, or there is nothing there, that means to me that there is lack of, but absence means that something is missing.

2. According to Berne, how were the televised images of ground zero different from the actual

experience of seeing it?

    Berne described the experience of seeing ground zero as unbelievable. She said that people would make comments about the experience, but they were unable to say what they were truly feeling because it went beyond anything they had ever seen before. Berne said that people would try to relate to the newspaper and television images of ground zero, but because they were not seeing it in person they did not get those same feelings.

 3. What scene is most crucial to the essay—where/when does she slow down and re-create the

events taking place?

    The scene that is most crucial is when she goes to a sandwich shop and she finds a clear view of ground zero. As she sits there and watches the movement happening, she sees that there is a body being carried up a ramp. Everyone in the deli rises from their seat, and there is a moment of silence. Maybe the sight of the body reminded everyone of the people that died there, and it made what they were seeing a little more real.

4. In paragraph 3, Berne says that ground zero at first looks like “nothing”; in paragraph 4, she

says it looks like a construction site. Then, in paragraph 7, she describes ground zero as “a great

bowl of light.” And finally, in her conclusion, she refers to it as a pit.  Why do you think Berne

describes ground zero in so many ways?

    I think that Berne describes ground zero in so many different ways because as she moved around and had different views of ground zero, she experienced different emotions that made her feel differently about the experience. I think that a person can have many different descriptions about one thing, and especially when emotions are stirred; that person will think of that thing in a different way.

5. This piece is sometimes printed under the title “My Ticket to the Disaster”; how do these very

different titles affect your understanding of Berne’s reason for writing? How would your

perception of her purpose for writing this essay change if it were called “My Ticket to the

Disaster”?

    I personally think that the title, “Ground Zero” has more of an effect than does the title, “My Ticket to the Disaster.” The second title does not make me think of the World Trade Center buildings, nor does it give it the respect it deserves. There is a sentence in the essay when Berne asks a security guard where she could purchase tickets to the disaster, and he just looks at her and repeats the question, almost a little offended and taken aback. Ground Zero commands respect and sensitivity and so I do not think that the title, “My Ticket to the Disaster” does it justice.

6. What do you think Berne means in her conclusion when she says that with so many visitors

coming to see ground zero, a form of “repopulation” is taking place?

    I think that what Berne meant is that before the incident, the World Trade Center was a place that was busy with people. There were so many people in this one area, and after the fact, even though a lot of these people are gone, new people due to their curiosity, are once again filling the space.

"Catfish in the Bathtub" Blog

Summertime is the season of green trees, colorful blooming flowers and honey suckle. All of these things should bring pleasant thoughts and feelings, but for me honey suckle makes my stomach turn. I have only eaten honey suckle once in my lifetime, and it was definitely the last.

There were several factors that made the honey suckle experience negative for me, so I’ll just start at the beginning. I was in elementary school. It was a hot summer day, the Las Vegas sun was beating down, making play time outside less than pleasurable. It was the weekend and my uncle invited me to stay that night with him. When I was little my uncle was the coolest person I knew. He had the most interesting job and really cool hobbies. I always wanted to be around him. I remember begging him to let me come over and stay with him. Sometimes he would say yes, but he would very soon after break his promise, but I would always hold on to hope. Again I asked and again he said yes, and the plans were made. After work he would pick me up and we would have dinner and watch a movie at his house. I was so excited. It was all I could talk about. To preoccupy me, my mother took me to the grocery store with her. I remember complaining about being hungry, but I wanted to want for my uncle, he was going to take me to a wonderful dinner. My hunger overpowered my desire to wait, so my mother bought some Chinese food from the grocery store for lunch. After returning home and devouring the Chinese food, I went outside to play. Because it was too hot to run around, I found my friends at the front of the neighbor’s yard picking flowers and eating them. I had never eaten a flower before, and I wondered why they were. They told me that it was a honey suckle they were eating. They said that there was sweet nectar inside the flower, and they showed me how to entice it out. I did not have to eat the flower, but instead suck the nectar out. I tried one and discovered the sweet taste that my friends told me about, and one by one I helped devour the honey suckle bush. After getting our fill, we turned our attentions to the next adventure. After what seemed like ages, he finally came. My uncle kept his promise. We ate at the Olive Garden, which I thought was a pretty fancy place and went to his house to watch a movie. We ate popcorn, drank soda and enjoyed the movie. When the movie was over, he made me a place to sleep on the floor with his sleeping bag and pillows and turned out the lights. This is when my wonderful day turned into a most terrible one.

 I can’t remember if I fell asleep or if I laid there with my stomach turning, but suddenly green vomit made its way up and out, all over my uncles’ sleeping bag and pillows. I remember the awful green color, and the putrid smell.  I was so mortified that I just sat there and cried. I suppose my sobs woke my uncle up and he came rushing out of his room. The moment he saw the green sick all over the place he began yelling, asking me why I didn't go to the bathroom. Not having children of his own, I suppose he did not know how to handle this type of situation, so he immediately called my mother. We both sat there, waiting, me crying and him fuming. Being the wonderful mother that she is, she did not over react to the green mess; she calmed me down as well as my uncle. She cleaned up, apologized to my uncle and took me home. The one chance I got to spend with my uncle, I ruined it. I was devastated. Why did I exorcist vomit all over his living room? Was it the Chinese food, the honey suckle or Olive Garden? Being older and wiser now, I understand that combining different foods leads to an upset stomach, but I did not understand that then and I blamed it all on the honey suckle. The pretty little flower that tasted so sweet ruined my wonderful night. From then on I associated that flower with green vomit, and never again would I go near it.

To this day if I smell a honey suckle whether it be the plant or a perfume made to smell like honey suckle, my stomach turns, I have horrible flash backs of the green vomit and I feel as though I could get sick. The honey suckle experience had such a negative impact on me that I do not think I will ever enjoy the smell, and frankly I am okay with that.  

                                                                                                                                                                                                                

"Catfish in the Bathtub" Response Questions

1. How does Kingston use the five senses to create descriptive imagery?  Give examples of her

use of sounds, tastes, smells, sights, and feelings.  Which do you believe are the most effective?

    Kingston uses sight, sound, smell, taste and touch to give the reader a vivid description of the cuisine that her mother prepared. I think that it was necessary to use the five senses to the fullest extend to get a full understanding of the food that Kingston was forced to eat. Some examples of the use of the five senses are when she describes the smell of the skunk when her mother was butchering it, and how she tried to cover up the smell by burying her nose in candy. When Kingston described the time when she would hide under the bed and plug her ears when her mother was boiling turtles, she was using the sense of sound to describe the experience. While reading the essay, I thought that the use of sight and sound were the most effective in delivering the experience of her mother’s cuisine.

2. Evaluate the use of dialogue (records of spoken words or conversation) in this essay?  What

effect does it have on your understanding of Kingston’s main point? 

    The dialogue in the essay was provided by her mother. Her mother would tell stories of people eating monkey brains, or other unique foods, I think to defend her choice of ingredients. Her mother said, “If it tastes good, it’s bad for you, and if it tastes bad, it’s good for you.” I think she made this statement because she wanted her children to understand that what she was feeding them was for their health, not to punish them. I believe that Kingston included this dialogue so that the reader has a better understand of the Chinese culture and traditional cuisine.

3. Although other incidents or ideas are described rather briefly, Kingston devotes a full, detailed

paragraph to a description of the monkey feast…why do you think she does this?

    Although a monkey fest is something that I have known about, I think she uses the story to introduce the reader to new world of cuisine. The monkey feast is so bizarre compared to western culture’s eating traditions that I think it was meant to shock the reader as well as teach the reader about other cultures. I think it is important to respect other cultures, especially their cuisine.  It is important not to judge no matter how disgusting or brutal we find another cultures food choice or way of eating.

4. Throughout the essay, Kingston combines very realistic description (the bear’s claw, the turtles

thudding against the pot, the monkey feast) with various similes and metaphors…what figures

of speech (see description notes) does Kingston use in the essay?

    Kingston uses a combination of objective and subjective description, although she relies more heavily on objective description. Kingston did use simile in her essay, for example when she says, “there was a tender plant with flowers like white stars…”

5. “Catfish in the Bathtub” opens with a lengthy catalog of foods that Kingston’s mother

prepared, yet ends with a very brief, simple statement.  Why do you think she does this?  How

effective is this concluding strategy?

    I think that Kingston begins the essay with a list of the foods that she ate growing up so that the reader had a sense of her family’s cuisine. Throughout the essay the reader learns and understands why her mother prepared the foods she did, and why Kingston never grew to appreciate the food. As her mother stated that food that is good for you tastes bad explains why the Chinese answer yes to the question, “have you eaten yet?”

"Words Left Unspoken" Blog

After reading the topic of this assignment, one person came to mind immediately, my friend Jessica. She is a twenty-one year old journalism student at Murray State University. I chose her to write about because she is the most unique, interesting person I think I have ever met.

I have known Jessica for seven years now, and she never fails to amaze me. When I met her, she was in high school and I worked at Subway. I don’t remember how we were introduced, but our friendship was one that grew over time. I mentioned that she is unique and I will tell you why. Other than the fact that she has pink hair that resembles cotton candy, she is stick thin and pale white; she is one of a kind. Her outward appearance gives a conflicting message. Her pink hair gives the impression that she is loud, and outspoken, while her slouching body language gives the impression that she is shy and not sure of herself. She is all of these things rolled into one. I have never met such a meek, loud, shy, demanding person. At times is shy and sweet, behaving almost like a little girl. When I first meet her she was very quiet, I hardly ever heard her speak. I think with age she has become more confidant, so now when Jessica is quiet I know something is wrong. Her voice gets real little and she keeps her eyes to the ground. Talking about something that has upset me is hard to do, so I understand Jessica when she is upset. When I encounter her at these times I try not to ask her what is wrong. I will talk about something completely unrelated, and then out of nowhere she will spit it out. She will unleash everything that is bothering her up to that point, and she doesn’t do it quietly, it’s like a freight train. Quiet Jessica is replaced by the loud, demanding Jessica. She will yell and complain until she gets it all out. I am amazed at how she so easily glides between emotions; it’s almost as if she is turning on and off a switch. I am a fairly even tempered person, I don’t usually sway between emotions, so I am envious of Jessica and her ability to express how she feels. After she is through unleashing all of these emotions, I can tell that she feels better. That is one thing that I need to learn how to do.

So when Jessica is not being shy or quiet, she is being loud and demanding. For such a small girl it is almost humorous to see her get so upset. When she talks to me about something that has upset her, she stomps around the room, fuming. She talks a million miles an hour, and gets red in the face, but just as quickly as it begins, it ends. It is after the rampage that she is able to communicate, and I can help talk her through her problem. It seems as though she needs to go through a cycle of emotion before she can calm down and think about her problem. Part of her loud side includes her road rage. She is the only person I know that gets so upset while driving. There is a mixture of fear and excitement that stirs inside of me when I get in the passenger seat of Jessica’s car. She is a critical driver and she lets people know when they have made a mistake. It is not uncommon for her to follow a car whiling cursing about their bad driving habits, but at the same time keeping a conversation with me. Although I wish that this one personality trait were not present, I suppose I have to accept it.

     So that is my friend Jessica. Although we seem to be complete opposites, she is one of my favorite people to be around. I have learned an immense amount through our friendship, and I look forward to the years ahead

"Words Left Unspoken" Response Questions

1. What was Leah Hager Cohen’s earliest memory of her grandfather?  Since she can’t sign and

he’s unable to speak, how do they communicate?

    Cohen’s earliest memory of her grandfather was of his hard pointy chin. He would pick her up by the elbows and rub his chin on her face.  Because Cohen did not know sign language, her grandfather played games with her. He played card tricks, imitated Charlie Chaplin and played a hand slap game. Playing games was his way of communicating with her.

2. What is the significance of the essay’s title? What do you think the “words left unspoken” are?

    To me, the title “Words Left Unspoken” means that there was probably a lot that Cohen wanted to say to her grandfather, as well as a lot that her grandfather wanted to say to her. He died before she learned sign language so they never had the chance to have a deep meaningful conversation.

3. What do you think Cohen means when she says, “That was the longest conversation we ever

had”?

    The meaning of this sentence is that although Cohen and her grandfather did not communicate through sign language, they did have a conversation. Through holding hands and walking together, they must have had an understanding of each other even when no words were spoken.

4. What figures of speech (see yesterday’s notes) does Cohen use in the essay?

    Cohen uses subjective description in her essay. I find that there are similes present in the essay. For example when Cohen says, “he released deep, hushed moans… like a dreaming dog.” She was comparing her grandfather to something that is completely different from him, a dog. Another example of a simile in Cohen’s essay is when she compared her grandfather’s hands to big white fish.

5. In the last paragraph, Cohen says that now, after her grandfather’s death, “everything seems

like a clue.”  What do you think she means by this?  Do you think this is an effective way to

end the essay?  Why or why not?

    To me, this means that maybe she did not know her grandfather as well as she would have liked to. Because he died before she knew how to sign, she was not able to ask him questions and get to know the person that he was. Maybe she finds things like her grandfather’s teeth in a glass a little piece of him, a clue as to who he was, and this is something that remains that she wishes to know. I do not think the end of the essay was effective or ineffective, but it definitely did not have a happy ending. Her grandfather died without her really knowing him, and the fact that she states that there are clues of her grandfather left behind leave me to wonder if Cohen ever found the answers that she sought.

"Only Daughter" Blog

There are many experiences that helped shape the person that I am now. From my mother to my elementary school friends, there are many people that helped me become the person that I am now. I believe that a person is born with certain personality characteristics, and their experiences help to shape who that person will become.

Compared to my brother and sister, I am a very quiet, soft spoken person. I always played nicely, said please and thank you, and very rarely got into trouble. My brother and sister, on the other hand were the complete opposite. They were trouble makers. A frequent saying that went around my house was, “why can’t you behave like your sister!” This saying did not help matters. To this day they think that I am the “favorite.” I mention these particular instances because I believe that people are born with a certain personality. My brother, sister and I have all taken different paths, and I think this is largely due to our personalities. We all grew up in the same house, with our mother and grandmother, we went to similar schools, and were involved in similar activities, but we have all gone down different paths. From the time I was young (middle school age) I knew that I wanted to go to college and get a good job. My mother never finished college and I saw how hard she worked to support us. Through seeing this I knew that I wanted a different life. So when I turned 18 I moved out, moved to Kentucky and got a job. I was taking my first step toward my goal. My brother and sister on the other hand did not have those same goals. Neither of them finished high school, and my sister had two children at a young age. I don’t know if they are happy or unhappy with the decisions they made in life, but I hate to think that this was what they were out to achieve. I am afraid that their lives ahead will be full of hardship. I find it interesting that all three of us grew up similar, but we all turned out completely different. This observation reinforces the idea that although experiences do help shape a person, most of who that person is was already there.

I believe that I was born a determined person. I was always trying to do well in school and I made sure that I didn’t do anything that would get me into trouble. These habits have stuck with me. I continue to do well in school, and I always try my best at work. Since moving to Kentucky there have been several experiences that have helped to shape the person I am. My friends have probably been the biggest influence. I’m not a social butterfly, so I have not acquired many friends, but the friends I do have are all very different personalities. These people have taught me how to communicate in different ways. Everybody is different so I believe it is important to take into consideration that persons personality and learn the best way to communicate. Besides my friends, work has been a major influence. I have learned to be a hardworking responsible adult. Team work is a major aspect in the work environment as well as in life, so I believe my work experiences have helped me become a team player.

Although I am only twenty-four years old, and I have many years to grow and mature as a person, I am very proud of who I am. I believe that although I began life a reserved determined person, I would not be who I am without all that I have experienced.

"Only Daughter" Response Questions

1. What distinction does Cisneros make between being “the only daughter” and “only a

daughter”? 

    For Cisneros, being the only daughter meant that she spent much time alone because her brothers did not want to play with a girl. While being only a daughter meant that her only expectation was to get married. She was not expected to excel on any other level like her brothers were.

2. What advantages does Cisneros see in being the only daughter?  In being only a daughter?

    The advantages of being the only daughter for Cisneros meant that she had time alone to spend on her writing and poems. Being only a daughter meant that she was able to go to college and her parents did not bother her too much about what she was studying.

3. Cisneros quotes her father several times…what do we learn about him from his words?

    The impression I have of Cisneros’s father is not that he does not care about his daughter, but that he is most proud of his sons. Maybe due to his culture it is natural to unintentionally ignore the female children of the family, and spend more time with the males to make sure that they do as they are told. Her father’s only concern for Cisneros was that she gets married, and so maybe he felt that he could not help with that matter, therefore he would not be too concerned with her.

4. Do you think Cisneros intends to convey a sympathetic or unsympathetic impression of her

father?  Explain.

    I do not think that she intended to portray her father in any particular light, but instead show him for how he really was. I think that he was a little more unsympathetic than he could have been, but the final reaction he gave Cisneros made up for the past.

5. Only Daughter” ends with the line: “Of all the wonderful things that happened to me last year,

that was the most wonderful”…what “wonderful thing” is Cisneros referring to?  Why do you

think this “thing” means so much to her?

    The “wonderful thing” that Cisneros refers to is when her father read her story, laughed in all the right places, and requested copies to give to relatives. From the time that she began writing, Cisneros wanted her father to take interest in her writings and poems, she wanted him to read them and enjoy them, but up until this time the only thing he cared about was when she was going to get married. I think that this particular time meant so much to her, because that is all she wanted, approval from her father.

"Homemade Education" Blog

There are many things that I have accomplished, but the one that I am most proud of is running. I am still fairly new to running, so I have not accomplished all that I can, but so far I feel very accomplished. I first became interested in running as a hobby. At first, I thought all I needed to do was move my feet and run. I was very naive to the world of running; I did not know that there is a “science” to it. When merely moving my feet did not get me the results I wanted, I began reading about running first. I learned about the rules to running, such as the best times to run, how to eat properly, and what shoes are best for optimum performance. After gaining this knowledge, I felt a little more prepared. The first step I took to achieving my goal was to start walking, baby steps if you will. By walking I was able to get my body used to going distances such as two to three miles at a time. Increasing the mileage helped to increase my stamina. I found that when I tried running before walking, I was not able to run for more than two minutes before it became hard to breath and I had to stop. I was very discouraged in the beginning, but I kept with it. I think that is the most difficult aspect of running, is just keeping with it. It takes time to get good at it. I am the type of person that if I am not good at something from the start, I quit. But I wanted to be a runner. After walking for a couple of weeks I began running, slowly of course. I found that because I took my time and took baby steps, it was easy to start running. I was not able to run as far as I was walking, but I found that my stamina had increased. Running then became a challenge, a fun challenge; I would push myself a little further each day. I would learn my limits and find that with time, those limits would change. Now I can run miles with ease.

The hardest part of running, is sticking with the routine. I would say that sticking to the routine is the most important part of running. Once I got into the routine, I found that I looked forward to running; it became just as essential as eating and sleeping. My initial goal was to start running, and once I accomplished that, my goal became to stick to it. It is very easy to miss a day, and then the next day talk yourself out of it, especially when the weather is not cooperative. Today, I am not as focused on running as I have been in the past due to work and school, but it will always be something that I enjoy doing. I said that this is the accomplishment that I am most proud of because I feel that it took a lot of will power to accomplish. I had to take many steps (literally), and overcome small obstacles to achieve this goal. 

Malcolm X Response Questions

                                    

1.       

      1.Who or what motivated Malcolm X to begin his studies? 

     I think that there were two motivations for Malcolm X that inspired him to begin his studies. The first motivation for Malcolm was when he realized that he was not conveying his thoughts and ideas to Mr. Elijah Muhammad as clearly as he would like. The other motivation was Bimbi, an inmate he met in Charlestown Prison. Malcolm X was envious of Bimbi’s array of knowledge, and this inspired Malcolm X to learn as much as he possibly could. These two people motivated Malcolm X to improve his literacy skills.

2.     

          2.  What did Malcolm X do to increase his vocabulary?

     To increase his vocabulary, Malcolm X copied the dictionary word for word, starting with the first page. He would then reread what he wrote to become more familiar with the words. After these exercises, Malcolm X discovered that he was able to read and understand books that previously he was not able to.

3. This piece is sometimes printed under the title “Prison Studies”; what’s the difference between

the initial responses a reader might have for an essay called “Homemade Education” vs. one

entitled “Prison Studies”? 

     When I read the title “Prison Studies,” I think of a collection of information based on prison. The title “Homemade Education,” makes me think of a person that learned and studied on their own, that they sought out information and learned it.

4. What are the different ways someone might react to the term “homemade”? What does the

word mean to you, in terms of the way you were raised? (think food, clothes, or family

projects…both positive and negative)  

     To me, the word homemade means something that is not manufactured on an industrial scale. I think that some people may think of something that is homemade as being less than, or not up to scale. I think that there are many ways to obtain or achieve what it is you desire, so I do not have a negative perception of the word homemade.

5. At the end of the essay, Malcolm X states that even though he was in prison, he “had never

been so truly free.”  What do you think he means by this…how is this possible

     I think that before knowing how to read and write, he felt restrained, he felt trapped; he was not able to convey his thoughts to the best of his ability. After studying the dictionary and learning how to write new words, he was able to communicate exactly what he wanted. Malcolm X mentioned that he was introduced to a whole new world of words, words he never knew existed. I think that any new information that you learn gives you a better understanding of the world. 

"Shame" Response Questions

1.           1.What’s unexpected or surprising about where Richard Gregory first experienced shame?  

Richard Gregory first experienced shame at school, and that was surprising. This was surprising to me because school is a place where you should find acceptance, especially by your teacher. Before the incident, Richard knew he was poor and that he didn’t have as much as the other children, but he was not ashamed of it. It wasn’t until his teacher made it known in front of his class, that he was poor and didn’t have a daddy.

    2. How long did Gregory’s shame last?  What (or who) finally allowed him to overcome his

shame?

    That day in the classroom Richard felt ashamed of being poor not only because the teacher pointed it out during class, but because Helene felt sorry for him.  Richard’s shame lasted for twenty-two years. Over the years, any accomplishment that he made was for Helene.  It wasn’t until he got married and started making money that he let Helene, and the shame go.

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                     3.What all does Gregory do in order to impress Helene Tucker?

     Richard went to great lengths to impress Helene. He would make sure that his hair was brushed before school and he carried a woman’s handkerchief so that he didn’t have to wipe his nose on his hand. When the pipes were frozen he had to get a bucket of ice from the grocery store, let it melt, then wash his clothes. He would do this every night. He said sometimes his clothes wouldn’t be dry in time for school, but he would wear them anyway, for Helene. I was most impressed when he said he would put money on her stoop after earning it from shining shoes.

    4. There are three main characters in the story, don’t you agree?  The protagonist and

antagonist in this narrative are pretty clear, but what’s interesting is that one of these

main characters isn’t actually given a proper name…why do you think Gregory made this

choice?

    The third main character in the story is the teacher. The teacher is the one who announced to the class that he was poor and that he didn’t have a daddy, but he felt ashamed because Helene heard it and felt sorry for him. The teacher played an important part in the story, but it was because of Helene that the shame lingered. So for that reason I think Richard Gregory did not give her a proper name.

     5. Gregory uses a lot of dialogue to tell his story—what effect does it have on a reader?

    The use of dialogue in the story allows for the reader to picture the experiences. I think that a story is more effective if the writer gives a descriptive, vivid account of what happened. Personally, I picture the story as I am reading, and as I do this I find that emotions develop. I think that Richard Gregory uses a lot of dialogue to tell his story because he wants the reader to know and feel how he felt on that particular day.

     6. In the final paragraph, Gregory states: “Now there was shame everywhere.”  Why do you

think he says this?  What examples illustrate his point?

     I think that Richard Gregory makes this statement because he realized that he couldn’t escape the shame because he was poor. Before the incident at school, being poor was just a way of life, but after the teacher points it out in class he realizes that everyone else sees him as poor, and that he can’t escape it. He talks about having to go to the grocery store and beg for rotten peaches. He says that he hates going out to the relief truck and wearing the welfare coat. I think that what was most bothersome to Richard Gregory was not that he was poor, but that he was labeled poor. That is what I think he meant by, “Now there was shame everywhere.”