As we read these acts, please post your best insights on this blog. Each day, you should post 2-3 great ideas: label them with the appropriate reading strategy and link your thinking to text. Focus on great questions, inferences about characters, insights about big ideas/themes, responses to others' ideas, and answers to purpose questions. To receive full credit, you must adhere to blogging expectations and use textual support.
Here are a few good ideas from your peers to get you started:
ReplyDeleteQuestion: How long has Johnny Reeves been in the Klan? Do you think Johnny could be a preacher so he can teach the way of the Klan without people really knowing?
Question: How should society deal with opposing ideas and conflict?
Question: What does this act show us about the line between being a witness and being a participant?
Question: Is hatred more taught by parents or surroundings?
Society needs to be more open and respectful with opposing ideas and conflicts. We should stand up for our side of the argument but we should hear what the opposing side has to say but it is important to share and represent your side of the argument or conflict. In the book, there is a strong presence of the Klan in the town. People that have an opposing opinion to the Klan do not express it due to the fact that they are afraid of the consequences. If the Klan could allow the opposing side to speak out then they could understand their opinion. Answering ideas.
DeleteSociety should educate everyone correctly on both ideas and not lie about one side or the other so everyone is well educated on the both sides
DeleteVery true Jon. Also society should teach both sides of arguments in order to let people make their own decision instead of following the one side that they are taught. Only being taught one side is how North Korea teaches their citizens, and that has not turned out so well for them, so we need to avoid that.
DeleteAwesome ideas gentlemen! What would be the most efficient and successful way to educate people of both sides of an idea?
DeleteQuestion: How would people feel nowadays if they saw a colored person walking with an expensive item?
ReplyDeleteNowadays most people would not think twice about it if the person was not acting suspicious.
DeleteNathan- I agree with Lauren because racial profiling is very much alive today. African Americans are 66% more likely to be stopped by police than a white man, and many studies have been done confirming people are mistrusting of minorities with expensive items.
DeleteLauren, I think that it really depends on where the area is. If it was somewhere like a culturally diverse area, I don't think there would be as much resistance against a person. However, if someone is a minority in an area, people may sadly assume that they are immoral, and bad. Ideas on different groups of people are simply supported by experience. Some areas have prejudice against African American groups, and this can be supported by the quote "if a dog dies between night and morning, neighbor, it is blamed on the klan." pg 107 - The city has such harmful views on African Americans that people know that they are the ones who caused harm
DeleteJackson, I don't think you are wrong. I also think it depends where in the United States this is happening and who is being profiled. In certain areas of the United States the profiling happens less, and what type of person they are also should affect the outcome.
DeleteNathan, where in the United States would racial profiling be a problem? Where does profiling happen less? Do we see it in Colorado?
DeleteIn many populated cities like Chicago and L.A. there are many circumstances of racial profiling. We see it less in smaller cities where most people get along and rely on each other. There is certainly some racial profiling here, but we do not hear about it from most of Colorado. I would say that if there was any racial profiling it would be in areas like the Preserve that do not see as many African Americans as they do British (White) Americans.
DeleteLeanora is slowly losing her dislike of Caucasians because of her time with Mr. Field.
ReplyDeleteWill this start a trend with other characters?
DeleteSara Chickering is starting to warm up to Leanora because she saved Esther from the train. Once someone gets to know another on a deeper level, they can change the way they see that person.
DeleteNathan, I disagree with that, on page one of Act Four, Leanora talks about her time with Mr.Field. In this chapter she talks about how she would want to walk home with Mr.Field so she won't be suspected of stealing, saying that she "never do like being seen with white folks" implying that she still has her old conceptions of the white man, and only sees Mr.Field as an exception.
DeleteI feel as if instead of Lenora losing her dislike she is just regaining very tiny amounts of respect. Not for white people in a whole grouping but within some of the more traditional elders. She shows this side of admiration for Mr. Field because of how he talks and how he carries himself. So instead of Lenora gaining more respect for white folks within the community she is simply gaining more respect as far as their opinions on life.
DeletePlaying devil's advocate here- Is the Klan almost becoming a scapegoat- much like they use scapegoats to blame their shortcomings or problems on? Food for thought, after Johnny Reeves says "If a dog dies between night and morning, neighbor, it is blamed on the klan."
ReplyDeleteJackson, the people in the book do not blame without good reason. All actions blamed on the klan would fit in perfectly with all other actions they have confirmed to have done earlier in the book.
DeleteQuestion: How can the klan be justified in killing an animal?
ReplyDeleteHey Isaac - I personally believe that they don't have a very good excuse to harm animals, however I do think I know why they might do it. I believe that people who harm animals have a lot of problems, and since animals can't always do a lot to defend themselves, they harm the animals to feel better. People involved with the KKK cannot reason for themselves, and they form hate groups to feel better about themselves. It disgusting, unnecessary, and sadistic, but it is still sadly a common behavior in individuals with issues.
Deletewhat happened to Jerry. and what did the letter say.
ReplyDeletewhy would they blame the dogs death on the Klan? Leanora was talking with Mr. Field and she was saying that every time she talked with him she would learn something new but she was soon getting sick of her time with him.
why would jonny reeves throw him self on a school girl
ReplyDeleteJohnny Reeves was caught before with his "neighbor" by Esther and so the more he does it the more is becomes "ok" for him to do it, even though we know it is wrong.
DeleteJohnny Reeves is an interesting character. He plays the preacher but as his mother was saying he is following the wrong religion to preach. This suggests that his mother may not support the klan traditional values and thinks that they are wrong, especially when they say they are killing for the name of Christ. The scene where his mother talks about Jonny being caught with a school girl is very similar to the situation where Esther caught him touching his "neighbor". I have a feeling that Jonny Reeves is going to be reviled as a false preacher at some point because of his "afternoon activities".
DeleteReally love all this thinking, ladies and gentlemen! Johnny is definitely a difficult character. His mother still loves him, though. Makes me think he's still redeemable.
Delete4. I feel like its more of a combination of both, because whether people know it or not, most people try to take in their surroundings and act based based on what's going on around them. Part of it comes from parents treating their kids badly, but if the kid truly wants to be a better person then their parents, then they can act based on the kind of person they want to be. But on the other hand, the other part comes from the kid surrounding themselves with people that they think will satisfy their need for acceptance.
ReplyDeleteCharacter Inference: Sara Chickering thinks of Esther as her own child.
ReplyDelete"...How silent my world would be without Esther." Pg. 104
I think it goes much more than Sara seeing Esther as her child. I believe that Sara and Esther's father may have had previous relations and that Sara is finally starting to realize that instead of the negative world there was before, there can be light and hope. Sara sees this through Esther's thought processes and actions. Whereas Esther views Sara as a mom like figure. It is very relevant the Esther misses her mother dearly but I think Sara presents a solution to the missing mother role in Esther's life.
DeleteSeeing Sara's influence on Esther makes me wonder if Ira and Sara will get married. Thoughts?
DeleteQuestion: Could the school girl be the "neighbor" that he is talking about and the person that Ester saw with him?
ReplyDeleteI believe that when Johnny reeves says "neighbor" as a way to be more conventional with people, (inference) this helps his image to be friendly and a nice person. Despite this, most people in the town know his true purpose is to try and get more people to join the KKK.
DeleteYes, gentlemen! Such great ideas. I think you're both right about the word neighbor.
DeleteWhen Alexander says, "a threat came from the Klan, in the form of a letter,advising me to be careful what I print" I related this to present day in the fact that the media is used a lot in the form of propaganda, to persuade a side and convey their points even if they arent always right.
ReplyDeleteHatred is more thought form both sides, parents and teachers. Teachers can sway to one side or a another when it comes to school today and back in the past. And parents also tell there children there views. (pg 103 witness) " in our homes, in our schools..."
ReplyDeleteI think hatred is more something you learn from a parent because they are the ones the teach you most of the rules of life outside of school.
ReplyDeleteIs Johnny going to blame the school girl for him getting in trouble
ReplyDeleteI don't think that Johnny Reeves will blame the school girl from getting him kicked out of the Klan, I feel like he will blame it more on the Klan and maybe Harvey Pettibone.
DeletePrediction: I predict that Reynard will soon start acting upon his newly changed viewpoint, and start posting negatively about the KKK. I predict this because of his reaction to seeing that the KKK is now everywhere in Vermont, and his comment to what they will do, saying, "it has worked its fingers through the fabric of the state and if we do not mend the rents soon, we'll fall to pieces." Even though in his next text, the KKK sends him a warning, I believe he will still be eager to try and eliminate the KKK from their town.
ReplyDeleteSeems like people are listening to Leanora because she is being more assertive and seems like she is in a better place with how she sees herself.
ReplyDeletewould Jonny visit this schoolgirl often, and is this the same girl Esther caught him with?
ReplyDelete1. Society should take on opposing ideas the same way Martin Luther King Jr. did, by peacefully protesting.
ReplyDelete2. I believe that hatred is more taught by parents, because people are inherently good. Someone can grow up around the Klan but still not hate black people, because their parents don't.
Question: If the school girl is the one he was seen with by Esther, and he calls her neighbor, could he be talking to her in all of his dialogues which is why he always says neighbor and why he always seems to be talking to someone in his dialogues.
ReplyDeleteDue to the fact that Johnny Reeves is a preacher, i believe that when he refers to people as neighbor he is often referring to members of the congregation that he preaches to. While it is completely possible that he is always talking to the school girl throughout his dialogue in the book, It is more likely that he is referring to members of the church and she happens to attend the church that he preaches at.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteQuestion: Is the death of Sara's dog used as a way to symbolize Esther growing up and loosing her innocent perspective on the world? How might Esther's interpretation of future events be reflective of her possible change in mindset?
ReplyDeleteQuestion: How did Harvey and Viola end up getting married if they argue and disagree so much? Were they like this when they first met each other?
ReplyDeleteArguments can bring people together. It is good to disagree because then you see two different point of views. When you get closer to someone, you care about their opinion even if you believe yours is correct.
Delete@Lauren Harvey and Viola are only acting mean to each other and disagreeing a lot because of the conflict with the KKK. This has forced them to have two separate opinions, and causing them to fight. It can be inferred that they were not always like this, especially since it was only recently that Harvey started trying to do business with the KKK.
DeleteQuestion: Why did Johnny Reeves' mother give Harvey a letter rather than talk to him face to face?
ReplyDeleteJohnny reeves mother gave Harvey the letter because she didn't want to confront him and get killed by the Klan and to save his soul.
DeleteIs johnny going to try to blame the girl for what he did to her?
ReplyDeleteEarlier in the book Johnny stated how women only create mess and they are to blame for a man's mistake. So he will not blame himself, but the girl because he feels that men are perfect without women.
DeleteI highly doubt that since nobody will believe him. He now just wants to redeem himself to the Klan and to God.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMaybe that is why Viola wants to gain back a name for Harvey by donation that record, and thats why she is going and doing things under his name so she doesn't feel a need for embarrassment if she is walking threw town.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteADD-ON: Could it be because they are Jewish to why e got shot?
DeleteA KKK member did not shoot Esther's dad it was Merlin van Tornhout that did when Percill asked for help from a detective to figure out who did it.pg 127
DeleteMerlin Van Tornhout is a kkk member and was recently kicked out
DeleteMerlin is going through a tug of war conflict in his head when hi is asked to poison the well. P 115
ReplyDeleteExcellent idea, Aaron D. Absolutely. These tug of wars are part of what makes characters change.
DeleteIt seems as though there is a change in heart in Merlin once again. Especially on page 115, he is internally debating and it seems as though he is realizing that he doesn't want to be a killer or perhaps even a Klansman deep down. If I had to infer, he will slowly change deep down, and become a dynamic character.
ReplyDeleteI think you are very correct Jackson. Great inference
DeleteQuestion- Why does Johnny feel pressured to do more harm then good just to feel like he has to redeem himself?
ReplyDeleteSuch a thoughtful question, Brei. I think it's a lot about his perception of the Klan's expectations; he knows the stories of them hurting those who aren't like them, so he believes that he must prove himself capable to destruction in order to show himself worthy. That he can harm the KKK enemies. Seems similar to suicide bombers, perhaps?
DeleteHow has conflict helped these characters? How has it helped some of them unite?
ReplyDeleteHey Ms Ackerman - I think that conflict helps us figure out who we are, what our beliefs are, and if we are going to put our beliefs into actions. An example from act 4 that supports my idea is when Merlin Van Tornhout runs away from putting the poison into the well because without being asked to do this, Merlin would not truly know if he stands for justice. "...he said they'd come after me, the klan would. i don't have any choice but to run."
DeleteA second character that I saw improve because of conflict is Esther. Because of the conflict that she has with herself with the death of her dad, she seems to be closer to her mother. I specifically saw this when act 4 was talking about how she got dressed up in her work clothes, and helped her dad. Additionally, I noticed that this detail was important because it mentions the death of her dad, and the time she spent with her mom on pages close to one another. The reason that this conflict has helped her is that the loss of one individual often times makes people a lot closer to everyone else they love. "i did come out in my chore clothes to help her and she had smilings for me."
Finally, I see people uniting in this book by becoming more vocal about their beliefs. At the start of this book, I noticed that a lot of people oppressed their opinions, but now I have seen a lot of development in beliefs. A lot of the characters have become more vocal, or changed their beliefs in the last act or two.
Question: Will there be another assassination attempt on Ira Hirsh?
ReplyDeleteHow do the characters define "American"? How has that changed throughout the story?
ReplyDeleteQuestion: Before her mom died, what was Leanora’s relationship like with her dad? How did it change?
ReplyDeleteIt seems like Leanora and her parents were really close to one an other before her mother passed. When she did die, things were not the same. This is because in Act 4 she says "first time we are right together like that, since mamma's gone."
DeleteWhy did leonoras dad laugh, was it because white people already had a white name, so she thought what they said was so disappointing it was laughable?
ReplyDeleteThey laughed because throughout their lives they were being discriminated against, and the thought of them having a good name in the first place was laughable to them
DeleteCorrection- when I say "The thought of them having a good name" I mean white people
DeleteQuestion: If Harvey stays in the KKK, will Viola divorce him, or will she stay with him and convince him to leave the KKK? Will Viola ever be forced join the KKK?
ReplyDeleteBack in that day divorce was viewed as the women did something wrong in the relationship so there really wouldn't be a chance of Viola divorcing Harvey but there may be a chance of her becoming more distant.
DeleteIt seems that history repeats itself. Back then in the book, the KKK had a strong presence, and constantly judged people for their color, saying that they do not belong. Nowadays, as seen with what has happened in places like Virginia, the same judging is going on, almost the same exact way as before, getting more and more violent. In the book, there are threatening letters such as the ones to Reynard alexander about not writing negatively about the KKK, and today, we have people giving verbal warnings, even riots like seen before, demonstrating this hate, going in a constant cycle.
ReplyDeleteKieran, so true! How have we stopped this cycle in the past? Does this help you make a predication about what might happen during the rest of the book?
DeleteQuestion: Is the attempted murder on Ira Hirsch going to be the final straw that finally awakens law enforcement and also creates a case upon which to shut out the Klan and get some key members arrested for conspiracy to commit murder and attempted murder?
ReplyDeleteThat's an excellent prediction/inference/question, Jackson. In the perfect world, this would be what brings down the KKK. That those who are wrong or evil will be punished, that right will win, and that hatred will be destroyed.
DeleteI feel as if Lenora and her father did not have the best relationship together but I believe that Lenora's mother was the thick thread that kept them together and close the one thing they thought was the most important in their lives. It seems that Lenora and her father may have rekindled this kind of agreement.
ReplyDeleteQuestion: Was Lenora's relationship with her father always rocky or did it shift after her mother died?
ReplyDeleteIt had shifted after her mother had died because it seems as if her and her family were quite close from some of the things we heard about them. Also in the text she stated, 'first time we're right tighter like that since mamma's gone.'
DeleteI theorize that Johnny Reeves was the one trying to shoot Esther and her father to get back on good terms with the Klan. He thought that if he killed them that he would be welcomed back with open arms, because the Klan didn't like Jewish people and had been trying to run Esther and her father out of the town with threats and now violence.
ReplyDeleteWill Viola still stay principled enough not to join the KKK and continue to try to help her husband on the right path?
ReplyDeleteWhat a great question, Kyra. I think they're the best example of the tug-of-war activity. She's determined to pull him through to her side. She's been steadfast throughout, never waivering, quite brave.
DeleteI believe that Viola is already trying to help her husband back on the right path. Based on page 108, when Viola says, "i'm trying to buy back your good name, harvey pettibone" she shows that she still cares, and she wants him to know what is right and wrong, and by getting rid of the things he may like a lot, he will realize there are more important things to know/care about.
DeleteI think that with her giving away that record she is trying her best to stay on the right path and its getting a little difficult for her to continue so she had to give it away for her sake not his, is what Im really getting out of the text.
DeleteQuestion: What was Harvey doing out so late? Was he responsible for shooting Mr.Hirsh?
ReplyDeleteHe's quite a puzzle isn't he? He has not proven trustworthy, for sure.
DeleteI also wonder what Harvey was doing out so late, however I don't think he was responsible for the shooting. I predict it was Johnny Reeves that shot Ira Hirsh because on pg. 116 he says, "There is only one way to redeem myself with my Klan brothers." The page after that (pg. 117), Esther is caught talking about her dad being shot.
DeleteQuestion: Will Merlin try to steal back his girlfriend and run away after shooting ira hirsh ?
ReplyDeleteI don't think Merlin was the one who shot Ira, he was sent to poison the Stutter's well and couldn't bring himself to do it. That was with some one he has always hated for the whole book and he has never really expressed any dislike for Ira or Esther. So I don't think he could bring himself to shoot them.
DeletePrediction (conditional) : If Esther's father passes away, Sara may considder adopting Esther.
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting character change Sara has made, huh? Going from single, discriminatory and scared to being willing to risk her life or dedicate her life to another.
DeleteWhy Viola donating Harvey's things so he can have a good name if he is going to join the klan and mess up everything? I doubt he is going to change his mind when it comes to the klan because of the business it would bring to his shop. Question
ReplyDeleteWill Harvey leave the KKK to please his wife Viola? Does Harvey even have the ability to leave or even stop being in the KKK because they might think he's becoming a supposed trader?
ReplyDeleteI think he knows what the KKK is doing is wrong, but feels he has already made a commitment to the group and doesn't want to get himself or Viola hurt by backing out or changing his mind. He may become some sort of secret spy type person, viewing in on the Klan meetings and telling rebels about plans?
DeleteHow does "the power of life and death" change people's opinions? In what way does a realistic situation, such as near murder, affect those closely related to the victim?
ReplyDeleteI think that those close to the victim would become closer to each other, and if they had feuds with each other, they might see past their grudges to realize the terrible event that has affected all of them. They also might find a better or new appreciation for life.
DeleteOn page 127, where Percelle says "Just doesn't feel like Merlin" , Do you think it was set up so it looks like Merlin did it?
ReplyDeleteWhat a great question, James. It does seem like these people trust Merlin, see a different side to him, than we do. Certainly Percelle, Reynard, and Mary find him trustworthy.
Deleteto answer you question gail, I don't think he had to do with the shooting, but I think he was doing business with the kkk, because he told viola he wanted to and continued to grow more interested in it
ReplyDeletePrediction: Harvey Pettibone was the man that shot Ira Hirsh which is the reason for him getting back so late to Viola.
ReplyDeleteAdd on- I also Agree with this because he felt a lot of guilt, too a point where he couldn't even go into his own bed.
DeleteThat is actually a really good thought. And maybe when he goes over to the phonograph area he is feeling remorse for what he did and how he has acted
DeletePredictions: Also Harvey will be killed by the Klan for not fulfilling his duty of the poison or the killing (if Ira survives the wounds)
DeleteI agree with you! He also made a statement: "I never thought it'd come to this. Thought I'd be helping the law, not breaking it." This type of talk makes me assume he did something really bad he didn't know he would have to do for anyone, especially the Klan; he puts the group on a pedestal.
DeleteQuestion: What is it that Johnny Reeves will do to get back into the KKK? Is he the real person who shot Ira Hirsh, or was it actually Merlin? If it was Merlin, what other motivations would he have to shoot Esther's father, other than the fact that Ira is Jewish?
ReplyDeleteQuestion: will Harvey side with viola or will they separate?
ReplyDeleteI think that Viola selling Harvey's phonograph was really a turning point in the book, for Viola and Harvey which leads me to think that Harvey will side with Viola.
DeleteI feel that now a day it isn't as much black people but more middle eastern people that people don't like
ReplyDeleteI agree with this statement as many people are afraid of middle eastern people due to terror attacks that made them feel like all Muslims or Iranians are terrorists
DeleteI feel like you are correct that Islamaphobia is more common than the hatred/fear of african americans. plenty of people don't care for both, and they need to be stopped.
DeleteHarvey originally joins the klan with intentions of bringing more business to his store. Now Harvey admits to breaking the law for the klan. How do you think the klan has influenced his mindset and do you think that he will come back to his original mindset on the klan- purely for business?
ReplyDeleteI am going to answer one of the questions from Mrs. Ackerman's slide. Are we responsible for protecting our friends, neighbors, and even acquaintances? I think we are responsible for protecting our friends, neighbors, and acquaintances. If we don't show that we care, then our friends, neighbors, and acquaintances will most likely reciprocate those feelings. Reciprocated feelings of hatred, or even original feelings of hatred, can make a problem worse and/or create new problems. Friends can become family, neighbors can become friends, and acquaintances can become friends just by showing we care.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMerlin Ran away because since he couldn't bring himself to do the work of the klan and poison the well of the Stutter's house, the KKK would come after him for not finishing the job and he was starting to be afraid of them.
DeleteQuestion: What was the main reason the Johnny Reeves jumped off of that building?
ReplyDeleteI think that the main reason he had jumped of was because he was scared of the Klan because what Leanora said that his last words were that he was afraid of the Klan. Earlier in the Act he mentions that he had been visited by the Klan, and he was confused because he though he redeemed himself.
DeleteI noticed a connection from what Reynard said in the book to the events that are going on today, especially with recent events like in charlotte. On page 137, he states, "We have antilynching laws on the books. but that isn't why necks are less often swinging in nooses. it is the people saying no." This is a very powerful part of society, because it can be seen that in present time, that racism is still present, and despite all the laws we have, the only way to truly get people to stop acting is to get the people of society to all stand together, and say no.
ReplyDeleteA boy was found but it wasn't Merlin? who was it what had happened?
ReplyDeletehow did leanora see Merlin by he well at night
ReplyDeleteHe was outside her house by her well.
DeleteUsually a household well will either be in the backyard or in front of the house. So Lenora could have easily seen the well.
Deletewhy did Merlin see Johnny reeves at the end
ReplyDeleteHe didn't it see him at the end, it was saying that while he ran away he was being followed by Johnny.
DeleteMerlin didn't see Johnny he just had a moment where he remembered witnessing Johnny reeves everywhere he went. That's why the book had said he had seen a ghost.
DeleteDid Merlin see Johnny's dead body?
ReplyDeleteI think that honestly Merlin was seeing the ghosts of his guilt. Merlin probably knew that something wasn't right when he left and most likely jumped to the correct conclusions in his head.
DeleteThis act shows being a witness by having accounts of merlin not being the shooter who shot era Hirsh, and seeing Johnny reeves jumping off the bridge. For account of constable Johnson seeing Johnny jump off the bridge and Lenora seeing Merlin at her well when he was supposed to poison the shutters well. But merlin didn't did poison the well and left town, Lenora gave a statement.
ReplyDeleteWhy did Merlin talk about seeing Johnny's body. Did the town ever find Johnny's body after he died. What relationship does the buck have to the book? Could this be some form of symbolism?
ReplyDeleteMaybe setting the buck free symbolizes Merlin being free from the KKK.
DeleteI believe that Merlin talked about seeing Johnny's body because he felt haunted by him, not like Johnny had survived the fall. Merlin rain because of his fear for Johnny and the KKK, and they never found Johnny's body, so it was all just in Merlin's head. I believe the story of the buck is symbolism toward Merlin, and his journey toward and away from the KKK. First, it fell in, then he and Percelle helped it out, and then it fell in again, so they helped it twice. This is like Merlin, since he first went into the KKK, but never committed. After, he then got so deep in their antics he was about to poison someone, but he realized his wrong, and found his way to good once again.
DeleteI thought it was interesting how Johnny Reeves went from leader of his branch of the KKK to an outsider who feared them with his life. On page 140, it talks from Leanora's perspective about how his fear lead him to end his own life, not wanting to take part in the situation. This is just like many of the situations we have going on right now, such as the war on terrorism, or even the conflicts within our own country. People do not want to participate, and therefore will isolate themselves from everything. Why do you think people get so scared of participating in these hard times, when heroes and people are needed most?
ReplyDeleteThe reason people are afraid to help during those times (1920s) is because if they do it could end there lives. In the book the kkk came to Johnny's house and he ended up having a brand on his back.
DeleteThe end of this book really shows what being a witness is about. When she didn't tell anyone about how Johnny reeves shot Mr. Hirsh, but then when Merlin leavers and everyone still thinks its him she still doesn't tell anyone. She only tells when johnny dies which makes her a bystander in the situation, when she doesn't tell anyone what happend.
ReplyDelete1. Why would Esther go into a Church to pray if she's Jewish? I think she went because it was the only place of worship in town, and it was second best to a Jew.
ReplyDelete2. Merlin wants to redeem himself. He does stuff like helping Constable Johnson help a deer out of a frozen river and returning his keys to Reynard Alexander.
Leanora really shows readers what it means to bear witness in the end. Before she shared her story about Merlin, he was being accused of attempted murder. She saved Merlin's life by telling the truth.
ReplyDeleteHow did racism change through out the story, where most of the characters dynamic.
ReplyDelete