The Cask of Amontillado
Summary
The narrator, Montresor, opens the story by stating that he has been irreparably insulted by his acquaintance, Fortunato, and that he seeks revenge. He wants to exact this revenge, however, in a measured way, without placing himself at risk. He decides to use Fortunato’s fondness for wine against him. During the carnival season, Montresor, wearing a mask of black silk, approaches Fortunato. He tells Fortunato that he has acquired something that could pass for Amontillado, a light Spanish sherry. Fortunato (Italian for "fortunate") wears the multicolored costume of the jester, including a cone cap with bells. Montresor tells Fortunato that if he is too busy, he will ask a man named Luchesi to taste it. Fortunato apparently considers Luchesi a competitor and claims that this man could not tell Amontillado from other types of sherry. Fortunato is anxious to taste the wine and to determine for Montresor whether or not it is truly Amontillado. Fortunato insists that they go to Montresor’s vaults.
Montresor has strategically planned for this meeting by sending his servants away to the carnival. The two men descend into the damp vaults, which are covered with nitre, or saltpeter, a whitish mineral. Apparently aggravated by the nitre, Fortunato begins to cough. The narrator keeps offering to bring Fortunato back home, but Fortunato refuses. Instead, he accepts wine as the antidote to his cough. The men continue to explore the deep vaults, which are full of the dead bodies of the Montresor family. In response to the crypts, Fortunato claims to have forgotten Montresor’s family coat of arms and motto. Montresor responds that his family shield portrays "a huge human foot d’or, in a field azure; the foot crushes a serpent rampant whose fangs are imbedded in the heel." The motto, in Latin, is "nemo me impune lacessit," that is, "no one attacks me with impunity."
Later in their journey, Fortunato makes a hand movement that is a secret sign of the Masons, an exclusive fraternal organization. Montresor does not recognize this hand signal, though he claims that he is a Mason. When Fortunato asks for proof, Montresor shows him his trowel, the implication being that Montresor is an actual stonemason. Fortunato says that he must be jesting, and the two men continue onward. The men walk into a crypt, where human bones decorate three of the four walls. The bones from the fourth wall have been thrown down on the ground. On the exposed wall is a small recess, where Montresor tells Fortunato that the Amontillado is being stored. Fortunato, now heavily intoxicated, goes to the back of the recess. Montresor then suddenly chains the slow-footed Fortunato to a stone.
Taunting Fortunato with an offer to leave, Montresor begins to wall up the entrance to this small crypt, thereby trapping Fortunato inside. Fortunato screams confusedly as Montresor builds the first layer of the wall. The alcohol soon wears off and Fortunato moans, terrified and helpless. As the layers continue to rise, though, Fortunato falls silent. Just as Montresor is about to finish, Fortunato laughs as if Montresor is playing a joke on him, but Montresor is not joking. At last, after a final plea, "For the love of God, Montresor!" Fortunato stops answering Montresor, who then twice calls out his enemy’s name. After no response, Montresor claims that his heart feels sick because of the dampness of the catacombs. He fits the last stone into place and plasters the wall closed, his actions accompanied only by the jingling of Fortunato’s bells. He finally repositions the bones on the fourth wall. For fifty years, he writes, no one has disturbed them. He concludes with a Latin phrase meaning "May he rest in peace."
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Monday, May 5, 2008
stupid edgar allan poe notes
this one is short, but has the most stuff in it
"The Tell-Tale Heart" is a first person narration of an unnamed narrator who insists he is sane but suffering from a disease which causes sharp senses The old man with whom he lives has a clouded, pale, blue “vulture-like" eye which scares the narrator that he plans to kill the old man. The narrator insists that his careful precision in committing the murder shows that he cannot possibly be insane. For seven nights, the narrator opens the door of the old man's room, a process which takes him a full hour. However, the old man's vulture eye is always closed, making it impossible to do the deed.
On the eighth night, the old man awakens and sits up in his bed while the narrator performs his nightly ritual. The narrator does not draw back and, after an hour, decides to open his lantern. A single ray of light shines out and lands precisely on the old man's eye, revealing that it is wide open. Thinking he hears the old man's heartbeat beating unusually loudly from fear, the narrator decides to strike, smothering the old man with his own bed. The narrator proceeds to chop up the body and hide the pieces under the floorboards. The narrator makes certain to hide all signs of the crime. Even so, the old man's scream during the night causes a neighbor to call the police. The narrator invites the three officers to look around, confident that they will not find any evidence of the murder. The narrator brings chairs for them and they sit in the old man's room, right on the very spot where the body was hidden, yet they suspect nothing, as the narrator has a pleasant and easy manner about him.
The narrator, however, begins to hear a faint noise. As the noise grows louder, the narrator comes to the conclusion that it is the heartbeat of the old man coming from under the floorboards. The sound increases, though the officers seem to pay no attention to it. Shocked by the constant beating of the heart and a feeling that the officers must be aware of the sound, the narrator confesses to killing the old man and tells them to tear up the floorboards to reveal the body.
Annabel lee is long, but is mostly just description. this is mainly what happens.
The poem's narrator describes his love for Annabel Lee, which began many years ago in the kingdom by the sea.. Though they were young, their love for one another burned with such an intensity that the angels became jealous. For that reason, the narrator believes, she was killed. Even so, their love is strong enough that it extends beyond the grave and the narrator believes their two souls are still together. Every night, he dreams of Annabel Lee and sees the brightness of her eyes in the stars. He admits that every night he lies down by her side in her tomb by the sea.
"The Tell-Tale Heart" is a first person narration of an unnamed narrator who insists he is sane but suffering from a disease which causes sharp senses The old man with whom he lives has a clouded, pale, blue “vulture-like" eye which scares the narrator that he plans to kill the old man. The narrator insists that his careful precision in committing the murder shows that he cannot possibly be insane. For seven nights, the narrator opens the door of the old man's room, a process which takes him a full hour. However, the old man's vulture eye is always closed, making it impossible to do the deed.
On the eighth night, the old man awakens and sits up in his bed while the narrator performs his nightly ritual. The narrator does not draw back and, after an hour, decides to open his lantern. A single ray of light shines out and lands precisely on the old man's eye, revealing that it is wide open. Thinking he hears the old man's heartbeat beating unusually loudly from fear, the narrator decides to strike, smothering the old man with his own bed. The narrator proceeds to chop up the body and hide the pieces under the floorboards. The narrator makes certain to hide all signs of the crime. Even so, the old man's scream during the night causes a neighbor to call the police. The narrator invites the three officers to look around, confident that they will not find any evidence of the murder. The narrator brings chairs for them and they sit in the old man's room, right on the very spot where the body was hidden, yet they suspect nothing, as the narrator has a pleasant and easy manner about him.
The narrator, however, begins to hear a faint noise. As the noise grows louder, the narrator comes to the conclusion that it is the heartbeat of the old man coming from under the floorboards. The sound increases, though the officers seem to pay no attention to it. Shocked by the constant beating of the heart and a feeling that the officers must be aware of the sound, the narrator confesses to killing the old man and tells them to tear up the floorboards to reveal the body.
Annabel lee is long, but is mostly just description. this is mainly what happens.
The poem's narrator describes his love for Annabel Lee, which began many years ago in the kingdom by the sea.. Though they were young, their love for one another burned with such an intensity that the angels became jealous. For that reason, the narrator believes, she was killed. Even so, their love is strong enough that it extends beyond the grave and the narrator believes their two souls are still together. Every night, he dreams of Annabel Lee and sees the brightness of her eyes in the stars. He admits that every night he lies down by her side in her tomb by the sea.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Part 4- Pages 144-178
Plot
Part four begins with several headlines revealing Josh. Josh Swensen apparently died that day without knowing it. At first the media attention was good- meeting Bono, not having to worry about secrecy. But then things started turning for the worse. To use his own words, Larry became a product. Even at home things turned sour. Peter yelled at him for using his information to conrol millions, insulting his father, threatening to move. Peter is out of control (pgs. 151-155). Josh talks about Beth totally ignoring him, until one day he sneaks into the store. He helps her do inventory, and Beth wonders how she could have failed to see it. Josh then retires to his hideout in the woods (pgs 156-159). In a short amount of time, books on Josh were out, the website had been closed down, and companies were approaching Josh to endorse their products. His life is being consumed (pgs 160-162). Josh meets Beth at the cemetery, and she tells him that she is going to Seattle. They bicker, and then Josh learns that she had feelings for him as much as he had for her. She then leaves, and Josh is left saring at a banner for a company who had not asked for endorsement but went ahead anyway (pgs 163-168). Josh can no longer even leave the house for fear of assault by the media. Josh is stuck watching analyzations of himself. When the mailman comes to deliver the five bags of post, they switch outfits and Josh leaves and goes to Bloomingdale’s. Josh’s mother offers suicide, and Josh realizes that the connection is gone (pgs. 169-172). Several signs are telling Josh that his mother had given him good advice - the tarot card with death, the photos of the cemetery. He left on his bike for Sagamore bridge to see what it would be like to jump. He realizes he couldn’t do it (pgs 173-175). However, when playing with Greek word roots the next day, he chances upon a combination that might make sense in his life - pseudocide, to pretend to kill yourself. He gets onto his computer and starts planning (pgs 176-178).
Characters
Josh/Larry - Is suffocating under the media tidal wave and needs a break, but is unable to find one.
Beth - Has had feelings for Josh since ninth grade. Can’t stand living next to him anymore, and leaves for Washington.
Peter - Is losing everything he had - his stepson, his business.
betagold - Is getting tons of cash and positive attention for outing Josh.
Theme
Abandonment - Josh is being torn from everything that is him - life, family, friends, even his alter ego.
Symbol
Media, and the effect it can have on people’s life. Embrace it or be destroyed by it, there’s no ignoring it once the spotlight’s on you.
Settings
Josh’s house, the hardware store, the cemetery, Sagamore bridge.
Quotes
She concentrated on a patch of moss near the tombstone. “Just since ninth grade.” - Beth on the time she’s had feelings for Josh.
“Pseudocide. A way to start agaom as someone else, to burn the old self and try on a new one.” - Josh contemplating pseudocide.
Plot
Part four begins with several headlines revealing Josh. Josh Swensen apparently died that day without knowing it. At first the media attention was good- meeting Bono, not having to worry about secrecy. But then things started turning for the worse. To use his own words, Larry became a product. Even at home things turned sour. Peter yelled at him for using his information to conrol millions, insulting his father, threatening to move. Peter is out of control (pgs. 151-155). Josh talks about Beth totally ignoring him, until one day he sneaks into the store. He helps her do inventory, and Beth wonders how she could have failed to see it. Josh then retires to his hideout in the woods (pgs 156-159). In a short amount of time, books on Josh were out, the website had been closed down, and companies were approaching Josh to endorse their products. His life is being consumed (pgs 160-162). Josh meets Beth at the cemetery, and she tells him that she is going to Seattle. They bicker, and then Josh learns that she had feelings for him as much as he had for her. She then leaves, and Josh is left saring at a banner for a company who had not asked for endorsement but went ahead anyway (pgs 163-168). Josh can no longer even leave the house for fear of assault by the media. Josh is stuck watching analyzations of himself. When the mailman comes to deliver the five bags of post, they switch outfits and Josh leaves and goes to Bloomingdale’s. Josh’s mother offers suicide, and Josh realizes that the connection is gone (pgs. 169-172). Several signs are telling Josh that his mother had given him good advice - the tarot card with death, the photos of the cemetery. He left on his bike for Sagamore bridge to see what it would be like to jump. He realizes he couldn’t do it (pgs 173-175). However, when playing with Greek word roots the next day, he chances upon a combination that might make sense in his life - pseudocide, to pretend to kill yourself. He gets onto his computer and starts planning (pgs 176-178).
Characters
Josh/Larry - Is suffocating under the media tidal wave and needs a break, but is unable to find one.
Beth - Has had feelings for Josh since ninth grade. Can’t stand living next to him anymore, and leaves for Washington.
Peter - Is losing everything he had - his stepson, his business.
betagold - Is getting tons of cash and positive attention for outing Josh.
Theme
Abandonment - Josh is being torn from everything that is him - life, family, friends, even his alter ego.
Symbol
Media, and the effect it can have on people’s life. Embrace it or be destroyed by it, there’s no ignoring it once the spotlight’s on you.
Settings
Josh’s house, the hardware store, the cemetery, Sagamore bridge.
Quotes
She concentrated on a patch of moss near the tombstone. “Just since ninth grade.” - Beth on the time she’s had feelings for Josh.
“Pseudocide. A way to start agaom as someone else, to burn the old self and try on a new one.” - Josh contemplating pseudocide.
Part 6- Pages 197-227
Plot
Josh checks into a hotel near Boston to watch the reaction to his suicide. He imagined the reactions of his family. A shoe of his turns up on the shore. He doesn’t even recognize himself anymore. He watches the news for the next few days, worried about a Larry hunt. Instead he finds a hunt for Gil Jackson, the alias he gave the detective at the crime scene. He watches his funeral on the TV. To his surprise, even Beth contributes. He watches Peter dig the grave alone, and feels closer to him because of it (pgs 199-205). He goes to his own grave, sits at a tree, and thinks. He goes to see Beth. He is ready to leave Massachusetts as Tom (pgs 206-209). Then the stories start. A person is claiming Larry as the father of her baby, sixteen people come claiming they’re Larry’s true father, Larry was behind the Olahoma bombing. He knew he couldn’t go back, or the lawsuits would keep him in court his whole life. He switched towns, names, and disguises every few days. He decided to write out his story (pgs. 210-215). After finishing the manuscript, he goes to visit Walden Pond, where he has never been before. He realizes that if the story was published, he would our himself. He realized he could still change the world-just from a smaller scale (pgs 216-219). In the author’s note, Ms. Tashjian talks about getting the story published and how it has changed her. Of course, she maintains that it is not fiction, and the story ends with her and her son watching a plane write “LARRY COME HOME” in the clouds (pgs. 223-227).
Characters
Josh - takes on a variety of faces, names, and places while in his self-exile. Realizes he has to come to terms-with himself.
Theme
Redemption - Josh has a chance to start over. He siezes it eagerly, but realizes he might be hanging on too tight-that he might have to go back.
Symbol
Walden Pond - Josh goes to the place of his idols to be alone, to think, to connect with nature.
Settings
Shady Time Motel, cemetery, various towns (names not given), Walden Pond.
Quotes
“He had a laser-like mind that focused on one thing-looking inside instead of outside ourselves for answers” - Beth on Josh.
“I remembered an article I’d read during my anthropology phase. It described a “primitive” tribe with no doctor or shaman. Whenever anyone in the village was sick, he or she stood in the middle of a circle surrounded by their community. The person was asked, “What is left unsaid?” People sometimes sat for hours, days, however long it took them to draw the courage to say whatever they had been holding back, which was, of course, what was making them sick. In a culture with no doctor, the cure rate was 98 percent.” - Josh, reflecting on himself.
Plot
Josh checks into a hotel near Boston to watch the reaction to his suicide. He imagined the reactions of his family. A shoe of his turns up on the shore. He doesn’t even recognize himself anymore. He watches the news for the next few days, worried about a Larry hunt. Instead he finds a hunt for Gil Jackson, the alias he gave the detective at the crime scene. He watches his funeral on the TV. To his surprise, even Beth contributes. He watches Peter dig the grave alone, and feels closer to him because of it (pgs 199-205). He goes to his own grave, sits at a tree, and thinks. He goes to see Beth. He is ready to leave Massachusetts as Tom (pgs 206-209). Then the stories start. A person is claiming Larry as the father of her baby, sixteen people come claiming they’re Larry’s true father, Larry was behind the Olahoma bombing. He knew he couldn’t go back, or the lawsuits would keep him in court his whole life. He switched towns, names, and disguises every few days. He decided to write out his story (pgs. 210-215). After finishing the manuscript, he goes to visit Walden Pond, where he has never been before. He realizes that if the story was published, he would our himself. He realized he could still change the world-just from a smaller scale (pgs 216-219). In the author’s note, Ms. Tashjian talks about getting the story published and how it has changed her. Of course, she maintains that it is not fiction, and the story ends with her and her son watching a plane write “LARRY COME HOME” in the clouds (pgs. 223-227).
Characters
Josh - takes on a variety of faces, names, and places while in his self-exile. Realizes he has to come to terms-with himself.
Theme
Redemption - Josh has a chance to start over. He siezes it eagerly, but realizes he might be hanging on too tight-that he might have to go back.
Symbol
Walden Pond - Josh goes to the place of his idols to be alone, to think, to connect with nature.
Settings
Shady Time Motel, cemetery, various towns (names not given), Walden Pond.
Quotes
“He had a laser-like mind that focused on one thing-looking inside instead of outside ourselves for answers” - Beth on Josh.
“I remembered an article I’d read during my anthropology phase. It described a “primitive” tribe with no doctor or shaman. Whenever anyone in the village was sick, he or she stood in the middle of a circle surrounded by their community. The person was asked, “What is left unsaid?” People sometimes sat for hours, days, however long it took them to draw the courage to say whatever they had been holding back, which was, of course, what was making them sick. In a culture with no doctor, the cure rate was 98 percent.” - Josh, reflecting on himself.
Part 5- Pages 179-196
Plot
Josh gets really into his hypothetical planning, he is glad to have found something to do to make his life worthwile. He has to leave no body, or he will be discovered. He decides on drowning in the end. He has to complete several steps: register his bike, buy disguise supplies, sell stocks, and more. He realizes he will hurt those close to him, but it will be for the best. He will be able to move freely again once he is neither Josh nor Larry. He marks a D on the selected date. D for destiny, for death (pgs 181-185). He plans it so he will be able to claim he never drowned, and gets three different driver’s license from different cities. He realizes he is actually contemplating going through with his plan, and goes on a vision quest. He goes to his spot in the woods for three days to think. He realizes that he must either go crazt, die, or disappear. He knows he has to disappear (pgs 186-191). On D Day, he gets ready to go. He said goodbye to everything in the house, gathers his twelve possessions he is bringing, and leaves for the bridge at two-thirty in the morning. He quickly changes when nobody is on the bridge, and flags down a car and tells the person inside that someone had jumped. When the police come, he gives them a small amount of information, and is allowed to leave (pgs. 192-196).
Characters
Josh - Is completely ready to ‘die’ and give up Larry and Josh, and everything else.
Peter - Is resorting to getting autographs from Josh to sell to pay for the mortgage.
Theme
Execution - in both senses of the word. Josh is ready to carry out his plan and in doing so, kill his former self.
Symbol
While Josh is on his vision quest, he realizes his situation is similar to that of Jesus’ in Gethsemane- worshipped, but still lonely and doubtful.
Settings
Josh’s house, Josh’s hideout, Sagamore bridge.
Quotes
“One good whing about all those cop shows; anybody who watches TV knows how to deal with a crime scene” - Josh remarking on the ‘crime’ scene and how onlookers deal with it.
“A for-profit prophet” - Peter on Josh, means more than he realizes.
Plot
Josh gets really into his hypothetical planning, he is glad to have found something to do to make his life worthwile. He has to leave no body, or he will be discovered. He decides on drowning in the end. He has to complete several steps: register his bike, buy disguise supplies, sell stocks, and more. He realizes he will hurt those close to him, but it will be for the best. He will be able to move freely again once he is neither Josh nor Larry. He marks a D on the selected date. D for destiny, for death (pgs 181-185). He plans it so he will be able to claim he never drowned, and gets three different driver’s license from different cities. He realizes he is actually contemplating going through with his plan, and goes on a vision quest. He goes to his spot in the woods for three days to think. He realizes that he must either go crazt, die, or disappear. He knows he has to disappear (pgs 186-191). On D Day, he gets ready to go. He said goodbye to everything in the house, gathers his twelve possessions he is bringing, and leaves for the bridge at two-thirty in the morning. He quickly changes when nobody is on the bridge, and flags down a car and tells the person inside that someone had jumped. When the police come, he gives them a small amount of information, and is allowed to leave (pgs. 192-196).
Characters
Josh - Is completely ready to ‘die’ and give up Larry and Josh, and everything else.
Peter - Is resorting to getting autographs from Josh to sell to pay for the mortgage.
Theme
Execution - in both senses of the word. Josh is ready to carry out his plan and in doing so, kill his former self.
Symbol
While Josh is on his vision quest, he realizes his situation is similar to that of Jesus’ in Gethsemane- worshipped, but still lonely and doubtful.
Settings
Josh’s house, Josh’s hideout, Sagamore bridge.
Quotes
“One good whing about all those cop shows; anybody who watches TV knows how to deal with a crime scene” - Josh remarking on the ‘crime’ scene and how onlookers deal with it.
“A for-profit prophet” - Peter on Josh, means more than he realizes.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Part 3
-Josh gets the news that Bono is making a Rock concert called Larryfest to take place on the fourth of July.
-The theme is anti-consumerism and all the Larry fans tell him to come but to stay incognito. Josh is happy to contribute. (pg. 111-113)
-Josh asks his Mom what she thought and gets the response: keep it up it' your life’s work (pg.114)
-betagold leaves a message saying that he will be at Larryfest. Josh ignores it and finds that over 230 000 people had signed up for Larryfest. Josh leaves a sermon saying that Larry will be going to Larryfest. (pg. 115-118)
-At Larryfest Josh sees that all of the food and stuff was being given at cost. He is proud of himself for being so positive. Bono and local bands will be playing on the same stage. (pg. 120-123)
-Beth and Josh come across a booth that is run by betagold with a petition for Larry to fess up. (pg. 124-125)
-Josh contemplates telling Beth that he is Larry because he sees them as a couple but decides not to (pg. 126-127)
-Josh meets an old lady who had dropped her toothbrush in the mud, so he gives her one of the many spares that Beth had brought.
-Josh asks his Mom what she thinks of Larryfest. She responds through the old lady who says: your mother would be so proud of you.
-Josh posts a sermon after Larryfest about how happy he was that it was a success.
-He checks his messages and there is one from betagold saying that he knew that Josh was using a cell phone as his modem. He contemplates shutting down the site but decides not to just yet. (pg. 131-133)
-Larry meets Beth, but doesn’t change out of his pajamas. He wears a life jacket to bed because he has dreams of himself drowning. Thinking they are a couple, he kisses Beth who tells him she is dating Todd again. They get in a fight and Josh tells Beth to leave. (pg. 134-137)
-Katherine and Peter get back from the flea market with a Humpty Dumpty candle that Katherine is obsessed over. Peter tells Josh that people at his office are determined to bring Larry down. (pg.137-138)
-There is a knocking on the door. Josh opens it to find the old lady from Larryfest and reporters. He realizes that Larry is no longer a secret. (pg. 138-141).
-Josh gets the news that Bono is making a Rock concert called Larryfest to take place on the fourth of July.
-The theme is anti-consumerism and all the Larry fans tell him to come but to stay incognito. Josh is happy to contribute. (pg. 111-113)
-Josh asks his Mom what she thought and gets the response: keep it up it' your life’s work (pg.114)
-betagold leaves a message saying that he will be at Larryfest. Josh ignores it and finds that over 230 000 people had signed up for Larryfest. Josh leaves a sermon saying that Larry will be going to Larryfest. (pg. 115-118)
-At Larryfest Josh sees that all of the food and stuff was being given at cost. He is proud of himself for being so positive. Bono and local bands will be playing on the same stage. (pg. 120-123)
-Beth and Josh come across a booth that is run by betagold with a petition for Larry to fess up. (pg. 124-125)
-Josh contemplates telling Beth that he is Larry because he sees them as a couple but decides not to (pg. 126-127)
-Josh meets an old lady who had dropped her toothbrush in the mud, so he gives her one of the many spares that Beth had brought.
-Josh asks his Mom what she thinks of Larryfest. She responds through the old lady who says: your mother would be so proud of you.
-Josh posts a sermon after Larryfest about how happy he was that it was a success.
-He checks his messages and there is one from betagold saying that he knew that Josh was using a cell phone as his modem. He contemplates shutting down the site but decides not to just yet. (pg. 131-133)
-Larry meets Beth, but doesn’t change out of his pajamas. He wears a life jacket to bed because he has dreams of himself drowning. Thinking they are a couple, he kisses Beth who tells him she is dating Todd again. They get in a fight and Josh tells Beth to leave. (pg. 134-137)
-Katherine and Peter get back from the flea market with a Humpty Dumpty candle that Katherine is obsessed over. Peter tells Josh that people at his office are determined to bring Larry down. (pg.137-138)
-There is a knocking on the door. Josh opens it to find the old lady from Larryfest and reporters. He realizes that Larry is no longer a secret. (pg. 138-141).
Part 2 Continued...
-Josh makes sermon on how much celebrities are worshiped (pg. 80-82)
-people begin to try really hard to find out who Larry is.
-Guy named Billy North finds a bogus way to decode Larry’s sermons to find words that describe him. Josh emails Billy to say that Larry would just change the way he writes his sermons, but Billy rejects the fact, saying that Larry is either doing it subconsciously. (pg. 83-85).
-betagold leaves Larry a comment saying that he is going to be tracked down one way or another. Josh relishes the challenge. (pg. 86-87)
-Bono reads the Larry site and likes it, which leads all of U2s fans to the website. We learn that Josh’s Mom was a huge U2 fan. Larry’s website might crash if he didn’t have enough memory for all the people. (pg. 87-92)
-Josh asks his mom if all this was a good sign, but all the universe gives him is Katherine and Peter laughing. (pg. 92-93)
-At the next Larry meeting, people are more numerous and are worried that Larry’s popularity will take the luster off his message away. The Larry club heads make anti-consumerism ads. (pg. 94-95)
-Beth asks Josh if he is going to the prom (which neither of them is going to) (pg. 96-97)
-Peter finds some anti-consumer ads and gets so angry he ends up shoving Josh against the fridge. But he apologizes. (pg. 98-100)
-Josh gets Beth a birthday present and that is when she shows him her new Larry tattoo (Josh is immediately turned on) (pg. 102-103)
-Beth and Josh post the new ads all around the mall, where their teacher finds them. He is okay with it. Beth suspects that he is Larry. They go home. (pg. 104-107)
-Josh makes sermon on how much celebrities are worshiped (pg. 80-82)
-people begin to try really hard to find out who Larry is.
-Guy named Billy North finds a bogus way to decode Larry’s sermons to find words that describe him. Josh emails Billy to say that Larry would just change the way he writes his sermons, but Billy rejects the fact, saying that Larry is either doing it subconsciously. (pg. 83-85).
-betagold leaves Larry a comment saying that he is going to be tracked down one way or another. Josh relishes the challenge. (pg. 86-87)
-Bono reads the Larry site and likes it, which leads all of U2s fans to the website. We learn that Josh’s Mom was a huge U2 fan. Larry’s website might crash if he didn’t have enough memory for all the people. (pg. 87-92)
-Josh asks his mom if all this was a good sign, but all the universe gives him is Katherine and Peter laughing. (pg. 92-93)
-At the next Larry meeting, people are more numerous and are worried that Larry’s popularity will take the luster off his message away. The Larry club heads make anti-consumerism ads. (pg. 94-95)
-Beth asks Josh if he is going to the prom (which neither of them is going to) (pg. 96-97)
-Peter finds some anti-consumer ads and gets so angry he ends up shoving Josh against the fridge. But he apologizes. (pg. 98-100)
-Josh gets Beth a birthday present and that is when she shows him her new Larry tattoo (Josh is immediately turned on) (pg. 102-103)
-Beth and Josh post the new ads all around the mall, where their teacher finds them. He is okay with it. Beth suspects that he is Larry. They go home. (pg. 104-107)
Bifocal Notes
CHAPTER ONE: JAY
Posted on November 27, 2008
Pg.1-16: Exposition
Ellis’ and Walters’ novel begins with the first protagonist, Jay, who is surrounded by his peers in the school weight room. As a group, they cheer his bench pressing ability. Just as he attempts one beyond ten presses, Jay is interrupted by a student’s voice: it alerts, “There are cops in the school” (3). Students note the school is surrounded by dozens of police officers.The opening scene switches to the school hallway (4), where Jay and his friends scope out the current incident. They see two armed officers in black uniforms enter the building, followed by a squadron of police. Kevin leads Jay and Steve to see more of the action from an unauthorized area. When the PA announces a LOCKDOWN, warning students to follow lockdown protocols, the 3 boys ignore the announcement, enjoying their own “lockdown spot” to view the action from the school roof. Intrigued by the number of vehicles / officers / artillery, the boys are also confused and speculate about their purpose (10-11).
The boys see black suited cops that “towered over two students”, cuffed and held by officers (13), followed by Ms. Singh. When the 3 boys are spotted by the police, they escape back through the trap door (14-15), finding a room to hide so not to get caught.
Chapter 2 NotesPlot Summary: Haroon is the narrator in this chapter of the novel, which is written by Deborah Ellis. Ms. Monalisa Singh, the coach of the ‘Reach for the Top’ course, which is probably some sort of extracurricular academic course for the students that have a wider range of knowledge and are willing to expand and compete on it. Suddenly, the PA turns on with Principal Atkins yelling out that there is a lockdown. Ms. Singh, who taught for a year in the Gaza Strip, in unmoved by this announcement. The team, consisting of Haroon, Jose, Nadia, Marie, Azeem, and Nygen, continues on in their Reach for the Top lighting round. While they are competing, the police break into the classroom and they handcuff Haroon and Azeem. In this chaos, Ms. Singh is very angry, often telling the police to let go of the boys. Haroon, after telling the man in authority that he is a 3rd generation Canadian-Persian, has his handcuffs taken off, but Azeem is arrested and put into the police car. The lockdown is then considered officially over and the students are ordered to leave the school immediately. Haroon meets up with his friend, Julian, who is using a puppet. While they are walking through the halls, a bunch of white ninth graders give some racist comments to Haroon and Julian. After telling the ninth graders to back off, they walk away, trying not to be noticed by the sea of police or interviewers outside the school
Key Characters
Monalisa Singh- Coach of the ‘Reach for the Top’ team
Taught in the Gaza Strip for one year
Teaching in the Gaza Strip built up her mental confidence and endurance, although she was not physically a large person
Objects to the handcuffing and potential arrest of Haroon and Azeem (although Azeem is still arrested)
Represents Deborah Ellis in a way, as she is a confident and intelligent. Also, Deborah Ellis is an anti- terrorism war activist, and so is Ms. Singh
Haroon Badawi- Protagonist of the portion of the book Deborah Ellis has written
-->3rd generation Canadian Persian
-->Implied to be academically successful, as he is on the ‘Reach for the Top’ team
-->He is handcuffed and nearly taken away by the police
-->A quiet and almost cowardice person, as he makes no attempt to help his team mate/friend Azeem when he is being taken away
Azeem- One of Haroon’s team mates/friends from the ‘Reach for the Top’ team
-->Brown skinned
-->Handcuffed and taken away by the police
-->Was handcuffed along with Haroon because they were ‘likely’ suspects for the unknown crime ( 9/11 Terrorist Attacks)
Jose, Nadia, Marie, and Nygen
CHAPTER 3
Chapter 3 is Jay’s story written by Eric Walters. It starts with Kevin, a highly respected football player in Grade 12 & Jay’s friend, driving Jay home. Kevin can’t think of anything while Jay can only think about whether he has a possible future in football or not and the days traumatizing, exciting, and strange events. (29-30). Jay also reflects on how there are different groups of people at his school and how they were generally based on race or religion. He thinks about how these different groups are most commonly organized by what table you sit at lunch (30-32).Jay is the one grade 11 kid on the team, and [this status] gives him a better position at his school[:] more respect and responsibility (33). [When h]e comes home to his mother, the[ two] watch the news (34). It turns out a group of 17 terrorists in a covert group with possible association with Al Queda have been arrested (35-38). Azeem from Jay’s school was the one minor and the cause for the lockdown. (NOTE: This [portion of the story] is based on real events [in Canada]). They discuss how this could have happened, and what the terrorists could have done to the public. Why couldn’t repeats of 9/11 and the Spain and London bombings be possible? Jay is deeply disturbed by the thought (39-43).Key Characters:Jay: a linebacker on the football team at his high school.He is in grade 11. He is not involved in the terrorist investigationmore than any other student at his school. So far…Kevin: Jay’s friend and ringleader of the group.He is in grade 12 and he probably has a future in college football.He hates missing practice for any reason, including homegrown terrorism.Jay’s Mother: She is worried about Jay when the reportsof the terrorists [appear] on the news. She also scares Jay bytelling him that terrorist attacks could happen here [in hisown community].
CHAPTER 4 Haroon’s father is making his famous lamb casserole for dinner, famous because it’s not very good (44)- Haroon engages in a good-natured talk with his father (44)- He tells his father what has happened at school that day: the lockdown, police, media, and arrests (45)- Hearing that Haroon almost got arrested, Haroon’s father shows his parental concern and instantly stops his usual jokes (45)- Haroon’s sister, Zana, comes into the house bouncing her basketball explaining that there have been rumours about Haroon turning Azeem over to the police so he could replace Azeem on the ‘Reach for the Top’ team (45)- Haroon’s family discusses what might happen to Azeem as a result of his arrests and expresses their sympathy towards Azeem’s family (46)- Haroon’s mom is a doctor specializing in high-risk pregnancies and works late (47)- Haroon’s dad is professor at an university; he enjoys reading classical books such as those of Charles Dickens (47)- Haroon’s family watches non-cable TV about the day’s arrests and commotion (48-49)- Haroon’s mother comes home. Haroon’s family has developed a secret family code: Good Day-means there were no deaths of mothers in Haroon’s mother’s hospital shift (51)- At school the next morning, Detective Moffett finds Haroon in Brown Town (where most Muslims gather at the school) and forces him into a police car to be interrogated (55)- Moffett and two other policemen lecture and interrogate Haroon until Haroon’s best friend Julian comes and ‘saves’ him.KEY CHARACTER’S IN CHAPTERHaroon’s father- is a professor at an university who is very knowledgeable- he likes to read book such as Charles Dickens-kind and compassionate (tries to comfort and make Haroon feel better about the rumours at school)- thankful for what he has (shown on pg.47 “Dad grabs us and holds us close. I know he’s thinking about the parents who cannot hold their children today…”)Haroon’s mother- is a doctor who specializes in high risk pregancies- kind and very responsible (pg.47 mentions that Haroon’s mom never wants to leave at the end of her shift if a new mother is in trouble)Detective Kenneth Moffett-is the detective on the “terrorist case” who interrogates Haroon-presumes Azeem already guilty before trial (shown on pg.57 “Friends like that are dangerous to keep” referring to Azeem)
CHAPTER 5 The chapter begins with Jay and the rest of the football team running laps and remembering what happened yesterday, wondering if it had all been real. They finish and Mr. Pruit (the coach) calls them in (60-61). He says he’d like to tell them about what happened the previous day, but he doesn’t know. It had been all over the newspapers, and most people had seen it. The team had also dropped to fifth, for the exact reasons Kevin had predicted. Kevin is quick to point this out. The coach then went into an extended metaphor describing the relationships between war and a football game, all the time his voice getting higher and higher. Apparently Jay’s school is known for its football skills, so it was that much more important to them (62-65).After running a lap, the team goes inside where Jay sees clearly the locker that belonged to Azeem. While he is looking at it, he is interrupted by a group of girls who would like to pass. Among the group is Zana, who remarks how hard it is to believe that Azeem would be involved. She points him to Mustafa, whom Jay knows only as ‘Moose’ (66-69). In the locker room, he approaches Mustafa, who doesn’t know anything about Azeem, and starts to get mad until Zana is mentioned. He then cools down and explains that Azeem was more often at the prayer group, which Jay didn’t even know existed. Mustafa says that all he prays for is that the lines at McDonald’s are short (70-71).Later in the day, as Jay is in class, thinking about what Mustafa had said, when the fire alarm begins to ring. Since this is a fairly common occurrence, nobody, not even the teacher is overly concerned or excited until they see the smoke, when the panic begins. After some arguing over possessions people are reluctant to leave behind, the entire school exits and goes to the yard to see the smoke pouring out of the school. When the firemen arrive, Jay’s imagination goes wild until he calms down and realizes someone probably threw out a cigarette. The firemen emerge, holding what Jay instantly recognizes as a smoke bomb (72-76).
CHAPTER 6 This chapter begins with Haroon sitting in a circle with his classmates in Mrs. Singh's religion class. She asks the class a question if 'we created god or god created us'. It gets the class thinking and she divides the class up into groups based on their own personal thoughts on the question. Haroon is in the group that doesn't know.After her class Haroon is pulled aside by Mrs. Singh and is asked about one of his buddies on the Reach for the Top team. His name is José and his mother pulled him out of school because of she thought he would be around terrorists. Haroon feels awkward almost because he has been teases the last few days about him being almost taken away.Haroon then runs off to his Algebra class with his sister Zana. This is a class where Haroon isn't doing to well in with a B. Yet he is not worried because at home after school Zana goes over the work with him. Zana is smarter than Haroon in some classes like Algebra but not in many others. The teacher puts a question on the chalk board for the class to figure out individually. As Haroon is about to solve the question the fire alarm goes off. The students are told to exit the building in a orderly fashion and stay with their classes outside. Since nobody ever stays with their class and they all just group off again into jocks, goths, preppy girls, nerds and so on Haroon finds Julian and sits down with him. They talk about how they think it is the real thing because firemen are racing into the school and police cars are speeding in the parking lot. Out of the blue someone yells 'LOOK' and they see smoke pouring out of the windows. Not too soon after that a fireman walks out of the school holding a smoke bomb.As the students are walking back into school Detective Moffett comes up to Haroon and tells him if he had anything to do with the bomb he should speak to him. Julian tells him to ignore him and as they are going into the school Zana tells Haroon to stick up for himself once and a while.
Chapter 7, Pages 84-99 - RespondentThis Chapter in Bifocal is a very racist one and I will demonstrate that for you in this response to chapter seven. In this chapter Jay, Kevin and Steve are ending their morning football practice and talking about the recent smoke bomb that had been set off in the school. Kevin needs to go to the mall to pick up some dog food so the other two boys tag along because they need a ride home and it is on the way. Once in the car with Kevin, Steve and Jay are then exposed to Kevin’s racism and rude comments. Once at the mall there is a Muslim woman blocking a parking spot. “Can’t you read the sign? It says no parking! You should be riding a camel instead of driving that piece of crap. Get it moving- unless you’re planning a suicide bombing!” Yelled Kevin at the Muslim woman. It is obvious to the reader of Bifocal that Jay knows what is happening is wrong and is too embarrassed to do anything. In the book Steve and Jay question whether what Kevin was doing was right but he claims, “ I was performing a service”. Kevin is trying to cover up and make it seem like what he had said was acceptable and appropriate but both Steve and Jay and the reader know it was simply racism.Moving on in chapter seven, Kevin makes another racist remark when he says “ Sikhs, Arabs, same difference”. After this quote is said Jay tries to distinguish the difference between the two and not just watch the racism happen. Kevin dismisses his comments and says, “ since when are you an expert on religions”. Jay realizes that he should not be talking back to the captain of the football team and quickly shuts his mouth before he says too much. In my opinion Jay should not have backed down, he should have made a stand and not just sat back and watched Kevin make extremely racist comments. While reading this chapter, I and I am sure other readers get an uncomfortable sense of being because we know the racial remarks being made by Kevin are not right and should never be said in our life and community.
Chapter 8 starts off as Kevin shows Jay the front page of the news paper.Kevin reads Jay the newspaper article and he starts going into a frenzy.The article says that all whites are racist and it is because of them that they bring bombs.Kevin gets a group of kids and storms off in search of the kid that was interviewed in the article.Kevin meets up with Zana and she tells him that Husain didn’t go to school that day.The football team is called for a meeting in the gym when they get there they see no coach, instead they see the principle.The principle inquires into the incident and tells the team to stay away from the brown kids lockers.,Kevin asks about Husain and if he got punished.CHAPTER 9 This chapter is in Haroon eyes. Julian is the one that come up with the idea of going to Azeem’s court hearing. Eventually Julian persuades Haroon to go. That night around the kitchen table Haroon and his family are talking about him not being able to go. Usually Haroons mother and father don’t agree on very much, but they both agree that Haroon should not get himself even more mixed up in this then he already is. Before he goes to bed, Haroon phones Julian and tells him that he will go to the court hearing against his fathers and mothers wishes. The next morning Haroon meets Julian at the schools bike racks, Julian has borrowed his mothers car because it is very hard to get there using public transportation. During the car ride Julian and Haroon talk about Azeem, the police say that they have evidence that Azeem attended a terrorist camp in the woods but both of them don’t believe it. Outside of the court room there are many men and women outside of the court house, the men have long beards and wear shalwar kameez and caps or turbans, a few women have faces showing but a lot have veils hiding there faces. Before Julian and Haroon go into the courthouse they have to go through a metal detector, the guards take more time inspecting Haroon then they do Julian. Haroon sees Azeem’s family and goes over to offer them his best wishes. The judge comes in then Azeem is brought to the acussed box. He looks at Harron and Julian and actually smiles and waves. The gavel comes out and Azeem is taken away. Outside the court room a reporter confronts Julian and asks him if he knows the accused and if he knew about Azeems involvement with terrorists. To this Julian gets angry and the camera goes away. Right before Haroon leaves he hears Zana’s voice then turns and sees her dressed in a hajab she tells him to stand up for himself then melts into the crowed.
CHAPTER 10 This chapter is in Jay’s eyes. Jay gets home from a hard practice, he is exhausted. His mother says that she won’t be able to go to the next game. Jay is thankful for that because he likes hat his parents were interested in his sporting life but it was a little bit embarrassing. He turns on the TV, on the news there is something about a war in the Middle East. His mother then asks him if he knows anything about the arrest made at his school but Jay was hoping to see something on the news himself. Right on cue the news turns to “Home grown terrorist.” The scene then shifts to the court house where there are many people milling about the entrance. Jay says that the women look like characters out of star wars like the evil characters dressed in black and breathing like Darth Vader. The announcer goes on but doesn’t say any thing new. Then it goes to any interview with Julian and Haroon. They are asked a couple of questions then the reporter asks, “Did you have any idea your classmate was involved in terrorist activities?” Julian replies, “Do you have ESP, do you have special powers that let you know the outcome of a trail before it even starts? If not, then don’t ask such stupid questions!” At this Jay laughs out loud at this then gets up to eat.
In CHAPTER 11, Haroon’s parents find out that Haroon went against their wishes and went to Azeem’s trial with Julian. After, Haroon’s mom gets into an argument with Zana wearing the abaya.In CHAPTER 12 Jay and his football team beat the Streetsville team by a lot. After the game, Jay, Kevin, and Steve saw Moose stumbling in the locker room. Moose explained that it was Ramadan (a special time in the Muslim calendar) and during Ramadan, Muslims can’t eat or drink anything after sunrise and before sunset. That’s why Moose was so tired. Jay, Kevin, and Steve helps Moose get his books. When they exit the school, they saw the principal, vice-principal, some teachers, kids, and two cops. The principal sees Jay and motioned for Jay to join them.In CHAPTER 13, Haroon just finished the Reach for the Top practice. Haroon and Ms. Singh walk outside and see Brown Town defiled. Racial slurs are painted everywhere and the whole place is littered wit ham.
CHAPTER 14 Jay and Steve had walked with moose to brown town only to find the principal and the caretaker with a bunch of kids staring at the bleachers, covered in graffiti
The bike racks read camel parking and the bleachers read sand monkey which moose said was as insult to Muslims. As well there was ham on the field which was the most impure meat to Muslims.
The media comes by and wants to get the scoop on what is going on. Mr. Atkins doesn’t want the reputation of the school destroyed so he gets everybody to work on cleaning up the field. He also says if the media must show these messages then they will show the students working to clean them up
They all start cleaning the words up. Jay and Steve scrub on the bleachers and the caretaker spray paints the concrete.
Steve then saw Haroon, who was a friend of Julian’s and they became friends.
Jay mentions the trial to Haroon and the reason he was there. Haroon tells him he wanted to support Azeem.
Haroon tells jay that Azeem was arrested in Reach for the Top practice.
Steve then says the Haroon is getting to be a TV star and tells him he is on tonight's news
CHAPTER 15 There is a special assembly and haroon notices the principal is very angry about the graffiti yesterday.
While Haroon is walking back to class he hears phrases that show dislike to whoever graphitized the bleachers. Haroon’s parents are trying hard to keep a truce with Zana. Haroon is grateful when Julian comes for the evening due to Iftar. Julian speaks with Zana the same way he talks with her when she is wearing blue jeans. When julian leaves haroon’s house azeem calls him and tells him that he was happy to see Haroon and Julian. Azeem wishes haroon a happy Ramadan. Then they talk about the Reach for the Top team. Haroon wakes up the next day and at school he feels that everybody is afraid of him even though he wears the same clothes and sings the same national anthem. Hadi whose locker is next to Haroon states that “if they stop killing us over there we will stop killing you over here.” Azeem’s parents come to an evening of Iftar at Haroon’s house but not a successful one. Zana is going to iftar at her friends house Zana states about how the world is attacking muslims and shows how Haroon is not mature enough They went to the mosque to pray. As soon as they leave and reach the block Detective Moffet shows up and new face names professor Badawi They tell Haroon’s dad that haroon has been taking calls from Azeem. His father knows his son and Detective moffet tells Haroon to stop receiving Azeem’s calls.
CHAPTER 16 It is the day before Eid (a Muslim holiday). Haroon’s family always works at the food bank on the last day of Ramadan, and Julian is also there helping out, as they always do everything together. Haroon celebrates Kwanza with Julian and his mom. Zana is avoiding Haroon because of their confrontation, but Haroon is optimistic that things will be ok because his cousin who is about the same age as them is coming and may lessen the tension. Haroon’s father gets a call from his uncle saying that the family was not allowed to fly because he was on the no-fly list. The book skips to the next day where Haroon and his family are at the mosque they go to, wishing everyone a happy Eid. Haroon hopes that the mood will stay all good when he goes to a group of people standing in the parking lot around a newspaper, with a story on the man who told the police about the terrorists. The people around it start to have a heated discussion; some saying that he did the right thing while others were saying that he betrayed his religion and his people by turning them in. Zana reads ahead in the article and sees that the man got 50 thousand dollars for turning them in
CHAPTER 17
Jay is at church during this chapter, getting bored out of his mind and wanting to fall to sleep. Jay was noticing all of the technology that was in the church, getting really bored when his mom nudged him and told him the priest was talking about the terrorism The priests speech was very powerful to Jay, really moving him, when the priest said that they should not hate on a religion just because a few of the members had so much hatred and evil inside of them, taking the words from the Koran and the teachings of Mohammed, and making them a reason to kill people. The service ended, and Jay sat in the pew thinking about what the sermon had said. Jay and his family went to Harvey’s for breakfast, and then went home where Jay had a discussion with his father In their discussion, Jay’s father gave the impression that he thought that all the people arrested were terrorists and that they were a little racist. Jay’s father seemed to be a racist towards Muslims.
This CHAPTER18 is in Jay’s point of view it talks about how Jay, Kevin and Steve are they are the Three Bears. In the first part of the book they have a confrontation with Julian. In which Kevin gets very upset with Julian because he quit the football team. Then they meet Zana and have a huge issue Kevin that in quotes calls her a “Sand Monkey”. Then Zana and Jay start arguing about Kevin and his really bad attitude towards everything.
CHAPTER 19 This chapter is seen through Haroon’s eyes he has a pretty uneventful morning in till he goes to Ms. Singhs class and before the class everyone is gathered around the DVD player and Haroon wonders what it is. Then someone starts talking to him about the party and someone makes a really rude comment saying” YOU SHOULD DRESS UP AS YOUR SISTER!!” Then Mrs. Singh comes in and see’s the video tape and get s really upset. He then finds out that Hadi was watching a terrorist recruitment video. Then Mrs Singh confiscates it and Hadi begs for it back. She then gets really angry at Hadi and Haroon threatens him and tells him to stop.
CHAPTER 20 Julian beats Jay, Kevin and Steve in the costume contest because the brown kids cheered for Julian, Kevin says. Steve then takes Jay and Kevin out for a coffee and a doughnut on him. Kevin then remembers that it is Halloween and he tells Jay and Steve to get some guys and meet behind the school at 10 P.M and to wear some dark clothes and a mask.
Key Setting
The key setting in this chapter is the school’s cafeteria where the costume contest takes place.
Key Characters
Kevin: In this chapter Kevin shows how obnoxious he is towards the brown kids saying things like “ I’m tired of these kids, the way they dress and the way they smell.”
Julian: In this chapter Julian shows what a great sense of humor he has when he is doing his acceptance speech after he wins the costume contest.
CHAPTER 21 Haroon is at the Reach for The Top show. All his family is there and Zana is wearing her hajib. Haroon says she is not the weirdest looking person there. The show’s host is named Betty Olson. All the contestants are given cards to write something interesting about themselves. Betty Olson comes around to read them out and on Haroon’s card, he says hi to Azeem. Part way through the show the building is evacuated when a bomb threat is called in. When they get back in for the show, Haroon gets really mad and starts to answer all the questions correctly, and in the end Haroon’s team destroys Rutherford.
CHAPTER 22 “The eggs and tomatoes were one thing, but we had crossed the line. If there had been another pot right there beside me, I might have thrown it too. And that scared me most of all.”(235)
This quote sums up what Jay and his football friends did that night. Not only did they vandalize the houses of the people they disliked with vegetables and toilet paper, but they also crossed the line by breaking a window. The quote above expresses not only what happened in the chapter, but also Jay’s final realization that the leadership and direction that Kevin and the football team was going did not emulate Jay’s values. Jay finally realized that he was turning into a person that could hurt others just for fun or personal vendetta because of peer-pressure from his football teammates. Another quote that expresses Jay being peer pressured is when Jay gets pressured into drinking beer-“I wanted to spit it out or rinse my mouth, but I couldn’t. I couldn’t do it for the same reason I couldn’t say no thank you when it was passed my way.”
Chapter twenty-two is a significant chapter for Jay. While vandalizing houses, a window is smashed. Before all the vandalism, Jay already had a bad feeling about what Kevin was planning to do. However, before Jay could think clearly, he was already caught up in the mix of things. He joined his friends in vandalizing because he didn’t want to feel left out. When the window of the house was smashed, Jay was shocked and came back to his senses. He knew a lot of things he did with the company of Kevin were wrong but he just didn’t have the guts to oppose Kevin; he was being controlled like a robot by Kevin’s commanding leadership. While vandalizing houses with vegetables seemed not too harmful to Jay as the act could be reversed, breaking someone’s window made him realize that the act was irreversible. What made him fear most was the fact that if there had been another pot beside him, he might be tempted to break another window himself! At that thought, he knew that he had crossed the line, and that he had had enough. Chapter twenty-two was the turning point of Jay’s perspective. He was finally ready to admit his mistakes.
CHAPTER 23 First of all in Chapter 23, the Badawi family was in a jovial mood while driving home, shooting jokes back and forth. But the second they entered their own driveway, their moods all plummeted.
“Our beautiful house, beautiful because it is our home, has been savaged.” Pg. 240.
Haroon’s mind went awhirl at that moment, and started to believe it was another one of Hadi’s antics driven by jihad and making Allah happy. But all of Haroon’s thoughts about Hadi and his antics soon disappear as he notices the words “Camel Jockies” written on his house; this is when racism is added into the midst of the conflict. Though the Badawi family does not know of the culprits, they can rest assure it was done by people without the Muslim culture.
“Fear of Terror. Terror of Fear.” Pg. 243.
The next morning, Haroon brings up a vital point within the themes of the novel. While thinking to himself in his own room, Haroon ponders about why one feels safe when terrorizing others. For example, Hadi and the people who trashed the Badawi’s house are not afraid because they have struck first. This theme also relates to real life relationships between the Counter-Terrorists (US Government, United Nations, etc.) and the Terrorists (Al-Qaeda, Taliban, etc.)
CHAPTER 24 Chapter 24 is based on the confrontation between Jay and Steve after the night of vandalism. All of the people that participated in the event were in a horrendous mood, mainly recalling the pot crashing through the window.
“Join the club. It just got out of control.” Pg. 248.
During the conversation between Steve and Jay, Steve had a revelation about the relationship of his grandfather and his father in the past. Because Steve’s father is black and his grandfather is white, his grandfather would have been throwing bricks and rocks at his father. And Steve could not have believed that he was doing the same to someone else.
“Nobody can prove anything if we don’t admit to it.” Pg. 250.
In the end, both Steve and Jay resolve to have the team stick together to one story. If any of the members says something wrong, the entire team would sink with that one person. Though this shows a large amount of team bonding, it shows a lack of honesty even while they all knew what they have done was wrong.
Posted on November 27, 2008
Pg.1-16: Exposition
Ellis’ and Walters’ novel begins with the first protagonist, Jay, who is surrounded by his peers in the school weight room. As a group, they cheer his bench pressing ability. Just as he attempts one beyond ten presses, Jay is interrupted by a student’s voice: it alerts, “There are cops in the school” (3). Students note the school is surrounded by dozens of police officers.The opening scene switches to the school hallway (4), where Jay and his friends scope out the current incident. They see two armed officers in black uniforms enter the building, followed by a squadron of police. Kevin leads Jay and Steve to see more of the action from an unauthorized area. When the PA announces a LOCKDOWN, warning students to follow lockdown protocols, the 3 boys ignore the announcement, enjoying their own “lockdown spot” to view the action from the school roof. Intrigued by the number of vehicles / officers / artillery, the boys are also confused and speculate about their purpose (10-11).
The boys see black suited cops that “towered over two students”, cuffed and held by officers (13), followed by Ms. Singh. When the 3 boys are spotted by the police, they escape back through the trap door (14-15), finding a room to hide so not to get caught.
Chapter 2 NotesPlot Summary: Haroon is the narrator in this chapter of the novel, which is written by Deborah Ellis. Ms. Monalisa Singh, the coach of the ‘Reach for the Top’ course, which is probably some sort of extracurricular academic course for the students that have a wider range of knowledge and are willing to expand and compete on it. Suddenly, the PA turns on with Principal Atkins yelling out that there is a lockdown. Ms. Singh, who taught for a year in the Gaza Strip, in unmoved by this announcement. The team, consisting of Haroon, Jose, Nadia, Marie, Azeem, and Nygen, continues on in their Reach for the Top lighting round. While they are competing, the police break into the classroom and they handcuff Haroon and Azeem. In this chaos, Ms. Singh is very angry, often telling the police to let go of the boys. Haroon, after telling the man in authority that he is a 3rd generation Canadian-Persian, has his handcuffs taken off, but Azeem is arrested and put into the police car. The lockdown is then considered officially over and the students are ordered to leave the school immediately. Haroon meets up with his friend, Julian, who is using a puppet. While they are walking through the halls, a bunch of white ninth graders give some racist comments to Haroon and Julian. After telling the ninth graders to back off, they walk away, trying not to be noticed by the sea of police or interviewers outside the school
Key Characters
Monalisa Singh- Coach of the ‘Reach for the Top’ team
Taught in the Gaza Strip for one year
Teaching in the Gaza Strip built up her mental confidence and endurance, although she was not physically a large person
Objects to the handcuffing and potential arrest of Haroon and Azeem (although Azeem is still arrested)
Represents Deborah Ellis in a way, as she is a confident and intelligent. Also, Deborah Ellis is an anti- terrorism war activist, and so is Ms. Singh
Haroon Badawi- Protagonist of the portion of the book Deborah Ellis has written
-->3rd generation Canadian Persian
-->Implied to be academically successful, as he is on the ‘Reach for the Top’ team
-->He is handcuffed and nearly taken away by the police
-->A quiet and almost cowardice person, as he makes no attempt to help his team mate/friend Azeem when he is being taken away
Azeem- One of Haroon’s team mates/friends from the ‘Reach for the Top’ team
-->Brown skinned
-->Handcuffed and taken away by the police
-->Was handcuffed along with Haroon because they were ‘likely’ suspects for the unknown crime ( 9/11 Terrorist Attacks)
Jose, Nadia, Marie, and Nygen
CHAPTER 3
Chapter 3 is Jay’s story written by Eric Walters. It starts with Kevin, a highly respected football player in Grade 12 & Jay’s friend, driving Jay home. Kevin can’t think of anything while Jay can only think about whether he has a possible future in football or not and the days traumatizing, exciting, and strange events. (29-30). Jay also reflects on how there are different groups of people at his school and how they were generally based on race or religion. He thinks about how these different groups are most commonly organized by what table you sit at lunch (30-32).Jay is the one grade 11 kid on the team, and [this status] gives him a better position at his school[:] more respect and responsibility (33). [When h]e comes home to his mother, the[ two] watch the news (34). It turns out a group of 17 terrorists in a covert group with possible association with Al Queda have been arrested (35-38). Azeem from Jay’s school was the one minor and the cause for the lockdown. (NOTE: This [portion of the story] is based on real events [in Canada]). They discuss how this could have happened, and what the terrorists could have done to the public. Why couldn’t repeats of 9/11 and the Spain and London bombings be possible? Jay is deeply disturbed by the thought (39-43).Key Characters:Jay: a linebacker on the football team at his high school.He is in grade 11. He is not involved in the terrorist investigationmore than any other student at his school. So far…Kevin: Jay’s friend and ringleader of the group.He is in grade 12 and he probably has a future in college football.He hates missing practice for any reason, including homegrown terrorism.Jay’s Mother: She is worried about Jay when the reportsof the terrorists [appear] on the news. She also scares Jay bytelling him that terrorist attacks could happen here [in hisown community].
CHAPTER 4 Haroon’s father is making his famous lamb casserole for dinner, famous because it’s not very good (44)- Haroon engages in a good-natured talk with his father (44)- He tells his father what has happened at school that day: the lockdown, police, media, and arrests (45)- Hearing that Haroon almost got arrested, Haroon’s father shows his parental concern and instantly stops his usual jokes (45)- Haroon’s sister, Zana, comes into the house bouncing her basketball explaining that there have been rumours about Haroon turning Azeem over to the police so he could replace Azeem on the ‘Reach for the Top’ team (45)- Haroon’s family discusses what might happen to Azeem as a result of his arrests and expresses their sympathy towards Azeem’s family (46)- Haroon’s mom is a doctor specializing in high-risk pregnancies and works late (47)- Haroon’s dad is professor at an university; he enjoys reading classical books such as those of Charles Dickens (47)- Haroon’s family watches non-cable TV about the day’s arrests and commotion (48-49)- Haroon’s mother comes home. Haroon’s family has developed a secret family code: Good Day-means there were no deaths of mothers in Haroon’s mother’s hospital shift (51)- At school the next morning, Detective Moffett finds Haroon in Brown Town (where most Muslims gather at the school) and forces him into a police car to be interrogated (55)- Moffett and two other policemen lecture and interrogate Haroon until Haroon’s best friend Julian comes and ‘saves’ him.KEY CHARACTER’S IN CHAPTERHaroon’s father- is a professor at an university who is very knowledgeable- he likes to read book such as Charles Dickens-kind and compassionate (tries to comfort and make Haroon feel better about the rumours at school)- thankful for what he has (shown on pg.47 “Dad grabs us and holds us close. I know he’s thinking about the parents who cannot hold their children today…”)Haroon’s mother- is a doctor who specializes in high risk pregancies- kind and very responsible (pg.47 mentions that Haroon’s mom never wants to leave at the end of her shift if a new mother is in trouble)Detective Kenneth Moffett-is the detective on the “terrorist case” who interrogates Haroon-presumes Azeem already guilty before trial (shown on pg.57 “Friends like that are dangerous to keep” referring to Azeem)
CHAPTER 5 The chapter begins with Jay and the rest of the football team running laps and remembering what happened yesterday, wondering if it had all been real. They finish and Mr. Pruit (the coach) calls them in (60-61). He says he’d like to tell them about what happened the previous day, but he doesn’t know. It had been all over the newspapers, and most people had seen it. The team had also dropped to fifth, for the exact reasons Kevin had predicted. Kevin is quick to point this out. The coach then went into an extended metaphor describing the relationships between war and a football game, all the time his voice getting higher and higher. Apparently Jay’s school is known for its football skills, so it was that much more important to them (62-65).After running a lap, the team goes inside where Jay sees clearly the locker that belonged to Azeem. While he is looking at it, he is interrupted by a group of girls who would like to pass. Among the group is Zana, who remarks how hard it is to believe that Azeem would be involved. She points him to Mustafa, whom Jay knows only as ‘Moose’ (66-69). In the locker room, he approaches Mustafa, who doesn’t know anything about Azeem, and starts to get mad until Zana is mentioned. He then cools down and explains that Azeem was more often at the prayer group, which Jay didn’t even know existed. Mustafa says that all he prays for is that the lines at McDonald’s are short (70-71).Later in the day, as Jay is in class, thinking about what Mustafa had said, when the fire alarm begins to ring. Since this is a fairly common occurrence, nobody, not even the teacher is overly concerned or excited until they see the smoke, when the panic begins. After some arguing over possessions people are reluctant to leave behind, the entire school exits and goes to the yard to see the smoke pouring out of the school. When the firemen arrive, Jay’s imagination goes wild until he calms down and realizes someone probably threw out a cigarette. The firemen emerge, holding what Jay instantly recognizes as a smoke bomb (72-76).
CHAPTER 6 This chapter begins with Haroon sitting in a circle with his classmates in Mrs. Singh's religion class. She asks the class a question if 'we created god or god created us'. It gets the class thinking and she divides the class up into groups based on their own personal thoughts on the question. Haroon is in the group that doesn't know.After her class Haroon is pulled aside by Mrs. Singh and is asked about one of his buddies on the Reach for the Top team. His name is José and his mother pulled him out of school because of she thought he would be around terrorists. Haroon feels awkward almost because he has been teases the last few days about him being almost taken away.Haroon then runs off to his Algebra class with his sister Zana. This is a class where Haroon isn't doing to well in with a B. Yet he is not worried because at home after school Zana goes over the work with him. Zana is smarter than Haroon in some classes like Algebra but not in many others. The teacher puts a question on the chalk board for the class to figure out individually. As Haroon is about to solve the question the fire alarm goes off. The students are told to exit the building in a orderly fashion and stay with their classes outside. Since nobody ever stays with their class and they all just group off again into jocks, goths, preppy girls, nerds and so on Haroon finds Julian and sits down with him. They talk about how they think it is the real thing because firemen are racing into the school and police cars are speeding in the parking lot. Out of the blue someone yells 'LOOK' and they see smoke pouring out of the windows. Not too soon after that a fireman walks out of the school holding a smoke bomb.As the students are walking back into school Detective Moffett comes up to Haroon and tells him if he had anything to do with the bomb he should speak to him. Julian tells him to ignore him and as they are going into the school Zana tells Haroon to stick up for himself once and a while.
Chapter 7, Pages 84-99 - RespondentThis Chapter in Bifocal is a very racist one and I will demonstrate that for you in this response to chapter seven. In this chapter Jay, Kevin and Steve are ending their morning football practice and talking about the recent smoke bomb that had been set off in the school. Kevin needs to go to the mall to pick up some dog food so the other two boys tag along because they need a ride home and it is on the way. Once in the car with Kevin, Steve and Jay are then exposed to Kevin’s racism and rude comments. Once at the mall there is a Muslim woman blocking a parking spot. “Can’t you read the sign? It says no parking! You should be riding a camel instead of driving that piece of crap. Get it moving- unless you’re planning a suicide bombing!” Yelled Kevin at the Muslim woman. It is obvious to the reader of Bifocal that Jay knows what is happening is wrong and is too embarrassed to do anything. In the book Steve and Jay question whether what Kevin was doing was right but he claims, “ I was performing a service”. Kevin is trying to cover up and make it seem like what he had said was acceptable and appropriate but both Steve and Jay and the reader know it was simply racism.Moving on in chapter seven, Kevin makes another racist remark when he says “ Sikhs, Arabs, same difference”. After this quote is said Jay tries to distinguish the difference between the two and not just watch the racism happen. Kevin dismisses his comments and says, “ since when are you an expert on religions”. Jay realizes that he should not be talking back to the captain of the football team and quickly shuts his mouth before he says too much. In my opinion Jay should not have backed down, he should have made a stand and not just sat back and watched Kevin make extremely racist comments. While reading this chapter, I and I am sure other readers get an uncomfortable sense of being because we know the racial remarks being made by Kevin are not right and should never be said in our life and community.
Chapter 8 starts off as Kevin shows Jay the front page of the news paper.Kevin reads Jay the newspaper article and he starts going into a frenzy.The article says that all whites are racist and it is because of them that they bring bombs.Kevin gets a group of kids and storms off in search of the kid that was interviewed in the article.Kevin meets up with Zana and she tells him that Husain didn’t go to school that day.The football team is called for a meeting in the gym when they get there they see no coach, instead they see the principle.The principle inquires into the incident and tells the team to stay away from the brown kids lockers.,Kevin asks about Husain and if he got punished.CHAPTER 9 This chapter is in Haroon eyes. Julian is the one that come up with the idea of going to Azeem’s court hearing. Eventually Julian persuades Haroon to go. That night around the kitchen table Haroon and his family are talking about him not being able to go. Usually Haroons mother and father don’t agree on very much, but they both agree that Haroon should not get himself even more mixed up in this then he already is. Before he goes to bed, Haroon phones Julian and tells him that he will go to the court hearing against his fathers and mothers wishes. The next morning Haroon meets Julian at the schools bike racks, Julian has borrowed his mothers car because it is very hard to get there using public transportation. During the car ride Julian and Haroon talk about Azeem, the police say that they have evidence that Azeem attended a terrorist camp in the woods but both of them don’t believe it. Outside of the court room there are many men and women outside of the court house, the men have long beards and wear shalwar kameez and caps or turbans, a few women have faces showing but a lot have veils hiding there faces. Before Julian and Haroon go into the courthouse they have to go through a metal detector, the guards take more time inspecting Haroon then they do Julian. Haroon sees Azeem’s family and goes over to offer them his best wishes. The judge comes in then Azeem is brought to the acussed box. He looks at Harron and Julian and actually smiles and waves. The gavel comes out and Azeem is taken away. Outside the court room a reporter confronts Julian and asks him if he knows the accused and if he knew about Azeems involvement with terrorists. To this Julian gets angry and the camera goes away. Right before Haroon leaves he hears Zana’s voice then turns and sees her dressed in a hajab she tells him to stand up for himself then melts into the crowed.
CHAPTER 10 This chapter is in Jay’s eyes. Jay gets home from a hard practice, he is exhausted. His mother says that she won’t be able to go to the next game. Jay is thankful for that because he likes hat his parents were interested in his sporting life but it was a little bit embarrassing. He turns on the TV, on the news there is something about a war in the Middle East. His mother then asks him if he knows anything about the arrest made at his school but Jay was hoping to see something on the news himself. Right on cue the news turns to “Home grown terrorist.” The scene then shifts to the court house where there are many people milling about the entrance. Jay says that the women look like characters out of star wars like the evil characters dressed in black and breathing like Darth Vader. The announcer goes on but doesn’t say any thing new. Then it goes to any interview with Julian and Haroon. They are asked a couple of questions then the reporter asks, “Did you have any idea your classmate was involved in terrorist activities?” Julian replies, “Do you have ESP, do you have special powers that let you know the outcome of a trail before it even starts? If not, then don’t ask such stupid questions!” At this Jay laughs out loud at this then gets up to eat.
In CHAPTER 11, Haroon’s parents find out that Haroon went against their wishes and went to Azeem’s trial with Julian. After, Haroon’s mom gets into an argument with Zana wearing the abaya.In CHAPTER 12 Jay and his football team beat the Streetsville team by a lot. After the game, Jay, Kevin, and Steve saw Moose stumbling in the locker room. Moose explained that it was Ramadan (a special time in the Muslim calendar) and during Ramadan, Muslims can’t eat or drink anything after sunrise and before sunset. That’s why Moose was so tired. Jay, Kevin, and Steve helps Moose get his books. When they exit the school, they saw the principal, vice-principal, some teachers, kids, and two cops. The principal sees Jay and motioned for Jay to join them.In CHAPTER 13, Haroon just finished the Reach for the Top practice. Haroon and Ms. Singh walk outside and see Brown Town defiled. Racial slurs are painted everywhere and the whole place is littered wit ham.
CHAPTER 14 Jay and Steve had walked with moose to brown town only to find the principal and the caretaker with a bunch of kids staring at the bleachers, covered in graffiti
The bike racks read camel parking and the bleachers read sand monkey which moose said was as insult to Muslims. As well there was ham on the field which was the most impure meat to Muslims.
The media comes by and wants to get the scoop on what is going on. Mr. Atkins doesn’t want the reputation of the school destroyed so he gets everybody to work on cleaning up the field. He also says if the media must show these messages then they will show the students working to clean them up
They all start cleaning the words up. Jay and Steve scrub on the bleachers and the caretaker spray paints the concrete.
Steve then saw Haroon, who was a friend of Julian’s and they became friends.
Jay mentions the trial to Haroon and the reason he was there. Haroon tells him he wanted to support Azeem.
Haroon tells jay that Azeem was arrested in Reach for the Top practice.
Steve then says the Haroon is getting to be a TV star and tells him he is on tonight's news
CHAPTER 15 There is a special assembly and haroon notices the principal is very angry about the graffiti yesterday.
While Haroon is walking back to class he hears phrases that show dislike to whoever graphitized the bleachers. Haroon’s parents are trying hard to keep a truce with Zana. Haroon is grateful when Julian comes for the evening due to Iftar. Julian speaks with Zana the same way he talks with her when she is wearing blue jeans. When julian leaves haroon’s house azeem calls him and tells him that he was happy to see Haroon and Julian. Azeem wishes haroon a happy Ramadan. Then they talk about the Reach for the Top team. Haroon wakes up the next day and at school he feels that everybody is afraid of him even though he wears the same clothes and sings the same national anthem. Hadi whose locker is next to Haroon states that “if they stop killing us over there we will stop killing you over here.” Azeem’s parents come to an evening of Iftar at Haroon’s house but not a successful one. Zana is going to iftar at her friends house Zana states about how the world is attacking muslims and shows how Haroon is not mature enough They went to the mosque to pray. As soon as they leave and reach the block Detective Moffet shows up and new face names professor Badawi They tell Haroon’s dad that haroon has been taking calls from Azeem. His father knows his son and Detective moffet tells Haroon to stop receiving Azeem’s calls.
CHAPTER 16 It is the day before Eid (a Muslim holiday). Haroon’s family always works at the food bank on the last day of Ramadan, and Julian is also there helping out, as they always do everything together. Haroon celebrates Kwanza with Julian and his mom. Zana is avoiding Haroon because of their confrontation, but Haroon is optimistic that things will be ok because his cousin who is about the same age as them is coming and may lessen the tension. Haroon’s father gets a call from his uncle saying that the family was not allowed to fly because he was on the no-fly list. The book skips to the next day where Haroon and his family are at the mosque they go to, wishing everyone a happy Eid. Haroon hopes that the mood will stay all good when he goes to a group of people standing in the parking lot around a newspaper, with a story on the man who told the police about the terrorists. The people around it start to have a heated discussion; some saying that he did the right thing while others were saying that he betrayed his religion and his people by turning them in. Zana reads ahead in the article and sees that the man got 50 thousand dollars for turning them in
CHAPTER 17
Jay is at church during this chapter, getting bored out of his mind and wanting to fall to sleep. Jay was noticing all of the technology that was in the church, getting really bored when his mom nudged him and told him the priest was talking about the terrorism The priests speech was very powerful to Jay, really moving him, when the priest said that they should not hate on a religion just because a few of the members had so much hatred and evil inside of them, taking the words from the Koran and the teachings of Mohammed, and making them a reason to kill people. The service ended, and Jay sat in the pew thinking about what the sermon had said. Jay and his family went to Harvey’s for breakfast, and then went home where Jay had a discussion with his father In their discussion, Jay’s father gave the impression that he thought that all the people arrested were terrorists and that they were a little racist. Jay’s father seemed to be a racist towards Muslims.
This CHAPTER18 is in Jay’s point of view it talks about how Jay, Kevin and Steve are they are the Three Bears. In the first part of the book they have a confrontation with Julian. In which Kevin gets very upset with Julian because he quit the football team. Then they meet Zana and have a huge issue Kevin that in quotes calls her a “Sand Monkey”. Then Zana and Jay start arguing about Kevin and his really bad attitude towards everything.
CHAPTER 19 This chapter is seen through Haroon’s eyes he has a pretty uneventful morning in till he goes to Ms. Singhs class and before the class everyone is gathered around the DVD player and Haroon wonders what it is. Then someone starts talking to him about the party and someone makes a really rude comment saying” YOU SHOULD DRESS UP AS YOUR SISTER!!” Then Mrs. Singh comes in and see’s the video tape and get s really upset. He then finds out that Hadi was watching a terrorist recruitment video. Then Mrs Singh confiscates it and Hadi begs for it back. She then gets really angry at Hadi and Haroon threatens him and tells him to stop.
CHAPTER 20 Julian beats Jay, Kevin and Steve in the costume contest because the brown kids cheered for Julian, Kevin says. Steve then takes Jay and Kevin out for a coffee and a doughnut on him. Kevin then remembers that it is Halloween and he tells Jay and Steve to get some guys and meet behind the school at 10 P.M and to wear some dark clothes and a mask.
Key Setting
The key setting in this chapter is the school’s cafeteria where the costume contest takes place.
Key Characters
Kevin: In this chapter Kevin shows how obnoxious he is towards the brown kids saying things like “ I’m tired of these kids, the way they dress and the way they smell.”
Julian: In this chapter Julian shows what a great sense of humor he has when he is doing his acceptance speech after he wins the costume contest.
CHAPTER 21 Haroon is at the Reach for The Top show. All his family is there and Zana is wearing her hajib. Haroon says she is not the weirdest looking person there. The show’s host is named Betty Olson. All the contestants are given cards to write something interesting about themselves. Betty Olson comes around to read them out and on Haroon’s card, he says hi to Azeem. Part way through the show the building is evacuated when a bomb threat is called in. When they get back in for the show, Haroon gets really mad and starts to answer all the questions correctly, and in the end Haroon’s team destroys Rutherford.
CHAPTER 22 “The eggs and tomatoes were one thing, but we had crossed the line. If there had been another pot right there beside me, I might have thrown it too. And that scared me most of all.”(235)
This quote sums up what Jay and his football friends did that night. Not only did they vandalize the houses of the people they disliked with vegetables and toilet paper, but they also crossed the line by breaking a window. The quote above expresses not only what happened in the chapter, but also Jay’s final realization that the leadership and direction that Kevin and the football team was going did not emulate Jay’s values. Jay finally realized that he was turning into a person that could hurt others just for fun or personal vendetta because of peer-pressure from his football teammates. Another quote that expresses Jay being peer pressured is when Jay gets pressured into drinking beer-“I wanted to spit it out or rinse my mouth, but I couldn’t. I couldn’t do it for the same reason I couldn’t say no thank you when it was passed my way.”
Chapter twenty-two is a significant chapter for Jay. While vandalizing houses, a window is smashed. Before all the vandalism, Jay already had a bad feeling about what Kevin was planning to do. However, before Jay could think clearly, he was already caught up in the mix of things. He joined his friends in vandalizing because he didn’t want to feel left out. When the window of the house was smashed, Jay was shocked and came back to his senses. He knew a lot of things he did with the company of Kevin were wrong but he just didn’t have the guts to oppose Kevin; he was being controlled like a robot by Kevin’s commanding leadership. While vandalizing houses with vegetables seemed not too harmful to Jay as the act could be reversed, breaking someone’s window made him realize that the act was irreversible. What made him fear most was the fact that if there had been another pot beside him, he might be tempted to break another window himself! At that thought, he knew that he had crossed the line, and that he had had enough. Chapter twenty-two was the turning point of Jay’s perspective. He was finally ready to admit his mistakes.
CHAPTER 23 First of all in Chapter 23, the Badawi family was in a jovial mood while driving home, shooting jokes back and forth. But the second they entered their own driveway, their moods all plummeted.
“Our beautiful house, beautiful because it is our home, has been savaged.” Pg. 240.
Haroon’s mind went awhirl at that moment, and started to believe it was another one of Hadi’s antics driven by jihad and making Allah happy. But all of Haroon’s thoughts about Hadi and his antics soon disappear as he notices the words “Camel Jockies” written on his house; this is when racism is added into the midst of the conflict. Though the Badawi family does not know of the culprits, they can rest assure it was done by people without the Muslim culture.
“Fear of Terror. Terror of Fear.” Pg. 243.
The next morning, Haroon brings up a vital point within the themes of the novel. While thinking to himself in his own room, Haroon ponders about why one feels safe when terrorizing others. For example, Hadi and the people who trashed the Badawi’s house are not afraid because they have struck first. This theme also relates to real life relationships between the Counter-Terrorists (US Government, United Nations, etc.) and the Terrorists (Al-Qaeda, Taliban, etc.)
CHAPTER 24 Chapter 24 is based on the confrontation between Jay and Steve after the night of vandalism. All of the people that participated in the event were in a horrendous mood, mainly recalling the pot crashing through the window.
“Join the club. It just got out of control.” Pg. 248.
During the conversation between Steve and Jay, Steve had a revelation about the relationship of his grandfather and his father in the past. Because Steve’s father is black and his grandfather is white, his grandfather would have been throwing bricks and rocks at his father. And Steve could not have believed that he was doing the same to someone else.
“Nobody can prove anything if we don’t admit to it.” Pg. 250.
In the end, both Steve and Jay resolve to have the team stick together to one story. If any of the members says something wrong, the entire team would sink with that one person. Though this shows a large amount of team bonding, it shows a lack of honesty even while they all knew what they have done was wrong.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Stick it to the MAN!!!!!
Hi and welcome. this blog is for all gr 8 crescent school guys that simply want to party more and work less. I am mainly posting notes on bifocal and Larry for the exam, but i might post other things, too.
Gospel According to Larry Notes
PART 1
Beth attempts to convince Josh to join a club supporting www.thegospelaccordingtolarry.com (Beth is a huge fan)
No one knows Larry’s identity. (pg.7) Josh decides to join (pg. 8) Josh thinks up a fantasy about him and Beth in the Caribbean. Fantasy is broken when Beth goes to sit with Todd Terrific, a jock. (pg. 10) School day goes on, Josh gets home to read Larry’s sermon. Josh’s stepdad comes up with several reasons as to who Larry might be. Larry finds out that he has to have dinner at his stepdad’s girlfriend’s house (doesn’t like her). Prints out Larry’s latest sermon. (pg. 11-12) Rants on about how ads are everywhere. (pg. 12-13). Josh explains that he is considered weird to kids at school because he doesn’t like doing what everybody else is doing and doesn’t care what people think. (pg. 15)
When his mom was alive she wanted him to be challenged (pg. 16). Explains that he never started slow, always the hardest right away. (pg. 17-19) We learn that Larry posts pictures of his possessions on the web. He has 75. (pg. 20-22) Beth says she only likes Todd because he’s cool (pg. 22-23) Josh goes tom counseling with flip off Philis but pretty much ignores her (pg. 22-25) He later goes to the makeup counter at Bloomingdale’s where he goes to talk to his Mom. He thinks he has been wasting his life. Mom answers by saying she’ll help him through an old lady (pg. 26-29). Katherine likes Humpty Dumpty. She makes lasagna for dinner (Josh doesn’t eat meat) (pg. 31-33). When they leave Josh catches Beth and she tells him that she dumped Todd. Josh gives Beth a gift basket of lotion (pg.34). He goes inside with Beth and they read Larry’ new sermon. It is about choosing your friends wisely. Beth apologizes for ditching Josh. Josh goes home and we find out that he is Larry (34-37).
PART 2
-Josh is using a cell phone modem to hide himself from being tracked by people. (pg. 41)
-Josh is careful as to what photo he is going to post next (pg. 42-43)
-Josh trades or sells something every time he buys something to make sure he doesn’t exceed 75 possessions in total. (pg. 45-47)
-Peter works for an ad agency
-First Larry meeting is held and Josh realizes that Larry is international from all the over-sea Larry encounters. (pg. 48-49)
-Josh finds out that Beth is going back to Todd’s place and I ditched.
-Josh really wants to tell Beth that he is Larry but he doesn’t. (pg. 50-52)
-Josh goes to an underground sanctuary he made in the cemetery and makes another sermon about how climbing the social ladder is wrong.
-He then sits in the woods for a while (pg. 53-57).
-Beth apologizes to Josh after reading the sermon, saying it described her.
-Larry’s 2 new items are a watch and a statue of Ganesh. (pg. 59-60)
-He finds a comment on the Larry site by a guy called betagold. Betagold is bent on finding Larry.
-Josh ponders if anyone would listen to him if they knew who he was. (pg. 60-62)
-Josh writes a sermon on how third world countries have so little.
-betagold leaves a message saying he is close to finding Larry.
-Josh leaves reply saying that he is only using a screen name because he does not want his words to be judged based on what people think of him. (pg. 60-68)
-Josh steals potential ads from his stepdad’s briefcase and makes spoofs of them. When readers of the Larry website see them they make their own ad spoofs. (pg. 70-72).
-Larry is officially announced as a guy after one of his possessions is pictured as a pair of boxers.
-Josh goes to see his Mom after the third anniversary of her death. Because the tombstones were spray-painted by vandals, they were taken in for cleaning. Peter decided to ad Josh’s name to the tombstone because he wanted to get buried with his mom anyway. It read: JOSH SWENSEN, 1983-
-Josh ponders what the next date would be. He also realizes he feels closer to his mom at Bloomingdale. (pg. 73-79)
I'm still working on the rest
Gospel According to Larry Notes
PART 1
Beth attempts to convince Josh to join a club supporting www.thegospelaccordingtolarry.com (Beth is a huge fan)
No one knows Larry’s identity. (pg.7) Josh decides to join (pg. 8) Josh thinks up a fantasy about him and Beth in the Caribbean. Fantasy is broken when Beth goes to sit with Todd Terrific, a jock. (pg. 10) School day goes on, Josh gets home to read Larry’s sermon. Josh’s stepdad comes up with several reasons as to who Larry might be. Larry finds out that he has to have dinner at his stepdad’s girlfriend’s house (doesn’t like her). Prints out Larry’s latest sermon. (pg. 11-12) Rants on about how ads are everywhere. (pg. 12-13). Josh explains that he is considered weird to kids at school because he doesn’t like doing what everybody else is doing and doesn’t care what people think. (pg. 15)
When his mom was alive she wanted him to be challenged (pg. 16). Explains that he never started slow, always the hardest right away. (pg. 17-19) We learn that Larry posts pictures of his possessions on the web. He has 75. (pg. 20-22) Beth says she only likes Todd because he’s cool (pg. 22-23) Josh goes tom counseling with flip off Philis but pretty much ignores her (pg. 22-25) He later goes to the makeup counter at Bloomingdale’s where he goes to talk to his Mom. He thinks he has been wasting his life. Mom answers by saying she’ll help him through an old lady (pg. 26-29). Katherine likes Humpty Dumpty. She makes lasagna for dinner (Josh doesn’t eat meat) (pg. 31-33). When they leave Josh catches Beth and she tells him that she dumped Todd. Josh gives Beth a gift basket of lotion (pg.34). He goes inside with Beth and they read Larry’ new sermon. It is about choosing your friends wisely. Beth apologizes for ditching Josh. Josh goes home and we find out that he is Larry (34-37).
PART 2
-Josh is using a cell phone modem to hide himself from being tracked by people. (pg. 41)
-Josh is careful as to what photo he is going to post next (pg. 42-43)
-Josh trades or sells something every time he buys something to make sure he doesn’t exceed 75 possessions in total. (pg. 45-47)
-Peter works for an ad agency
-First Larry meeting is held and Josh realizes that Larry is international from all the over-sea Larry encounters. (pg. 48-49)
-Josh finds out that Beth is going back to Todd’s place and I ditched.
-Josh really wants to tell Beth that he is Larry but he doesn’t. (pg. 50-52)
-Josh goes to an underground sanctuary he made in the cemetery and makes another sermon about how climbing the social ladder is wrong.
-He then sits in the woods for a while (pg. 53-57).
-Beth apologizes to Josh after reading the sermon, saying it described her.
-Larry’s 2 new items are a watch and a statue of Ganesh. (pg. 59-60)
-He finds a comment on the Larry site by a guy called betagold. Betagold is bent on finding Larry.
-Josh ponders if anyone would listen to him if they knew who he was. (pg. 60-62)
-Josh writes a sermon on how third world countries have so little.
-betagold leaves a message saying he is close to finding Larry.
-Josh leaves reply saying that he is only using a screen name because he does not want his words to be judged based on what people think of him. (pg. 60-68)
-Josh steals potential ads from his stepdad’s briefcase and makes spoofs of them. When readers of the Larry website see them they make their own ad spoofs. (pg. 70-72).
-Larry is officially announced as a guy after one of his possessions is pictured as a pair of boxers.
-Josh goes to see his Mom after the third anniversary of her death. Because the tombstones were spray-painted by vandals, they were taken in for cleaning. Peter decided to ad Josh’s name to the tombstone because he wanted to get buried with his mom anyway. It read: JOSH SWENSEN, 1983-
-Josh ponders what the next date would be. He also realizes he feels closer to his mom at Bloomingdale. (pg. 73-79)
I'm still working on the rest
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