Melissa's Readers Blog

Monday, January 3, 2011

Lit Response #1- exam
                                                     On the Bridge

   The short story called On the Bridge by: Todd Strasser is based on friendship. The two protagonists are Adam and Seth they’re both different. Adam is dishonest, party, cool, brave, and a confident person. But Seth is a good kid, coward, and a dishonest person. “Seth kept glancing toward the exit ramp to see if the women the blue car had gotten off. He was really tempted to leave but he stayed because he liked being with Adam. It made him feel good that a cool guy like Adam let him hang around (4)”. They have some crazy, scary days like the one the had that day on the bridge.

The thesis is that friendship is stronger than any other thing in the world. These are three quotes that represent some examples of Adam helping his friend Seth.” I tried to help,” Adam said, “but one of them held a knife on me (5).” “You want a hand?” Adam asked (5). “ I’ll get those guys for you, man,” Adam said (6). These are examples showing Adam cares about Seth feelings even though Adam started the problem.

    The rising action in the story is when Adam decides to act cool and throw the cigarette out the car window. But by mistake he hits a car in which 3 tough guys are on. This is what causes the fight between Seth and the three guys. "He held the butt of his cigarette between his thumb and his middle finger and flicked it over the side of the bridge and down into the traffic. With a burst of red sparks it hit the windshield of a black car passing below. Adam turned and grinned. Seth smiled back uncomfortably. He was beginning to wonder how far would Adam would go (4)”. This is an example showing that Seth didn’t like what Adam did but instead of leaving he stayed and got in trouble. Adam and Seth had to face the consequences.

      The conflict in the story is man vs. man. Adam and Seth decide to act cool, and Adam throws his cigarette out the car window. What he doesn’t notice is that he hits the black car behind him. “Seth didn’t notice it until he heard a door slam. He turned and saw three big guys getting out of the car. Seth suddenly decided it was time to go, but he quickly realized that the three guys spread out, cutting of any way to escape. He and Adam were surrounded. This was when one of three guys grabbed Seth and made him lick the windshield. Then Adam decides to help his friend and they resolve the problem.

        My opinion of this story is that I love it because it was based on friendship and how it lasts forever. Even though Adam blames Seth for what he did it wasn’t because he wanted to run away but it was because he had a plan on how to get away with it. I really liked the turning point because I thought at first that Adam was going to leave Seth pay for his consequences but he didn’t. I think this story is a must read because it really nice and wonderful.

Monday, December 13, 2010

                                                             Charles
   Many kids lie to their parents inventing some other characters to not tell them what they did, and to be able to see how their parents react to this. The theme in the story is based on growing up. Parents think that because kids grow up they become more mature. For example in the short story called Charles by: Shirley Jackson. The parents expect Laurie be all mature and respectful, but what they didn’t notice was that he’s just a kid.
The characters in the story are Laurie, the mother, and the father. Laurie is basically a typical kindergarten kid who just likes trouble. He’s always misbehaving and he tells his parents. But he created a new kid named Charles but it was based on him. That way he gets to see how his parents act and deal with this.
   The plot in the story is based on a kid misbehaving and doing terrible, rude things. He’s trying to tell his parents but pretends and creates a new kid named Charles. His parents don’t know that it’s him; they think it’s some other kid named Charles. The kid decides to lie because he wants to see how his parents would react to this.
     This story is basically about a kid trying to be cool and growing up. While his parents think he’s all grown up and mature he actually isn’t. Until the end of the story they find out that there’s no Charles. "We don’t have any Charles in kindergarten”. This quote shows that the parents finally realize that Laurie made up Charles and it's him.

Class Blog List

Mr. Schiff:324readers.blogspot.com
Mr. Donahue: samsreaders324.blogspot.com
Abdue: abduesreaders324.blogspot.com