Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Chapters 18-19
Go back through chapters 18 and 19. Find one passage in each chapter you had underlined/annotated in some way because it stood out to you as something important. Type the passage (cite it correctly!) and post your comments about its importance to the novel as a whole, its symbolic value, or whatever other reason you may have annotated it.
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"'You owe something Jefferson. Not to me. Surely not to that sherrif sitting out there. But to your godmother. You must show her some kind of understanding, some kind of love"' (Gaines 139).
ReplyDeleteI agree with Grant and i believe that Jefferson owes it to his godmother because shes shown so much care and love throughout his jail time
Mc Jackhammer said first quote but forgot to put his screen name. my bad
ReplyDelete"If thats what they want," Jefferson Said.
ReplyDelete"No, not what they want; what you want."
"If thats what they want"
I think this passage was really important because it shows that jefferson has given up to what society wants him to do, Its not what he wants, its what they want to him. This further explains that jefferson has givin up on life.
Chiefs Fan
'"Old hog get some rest then"' (Gaines 140). Jefferson is saying that he doesn't care about anything anymore, but Grant says that he owes his godmother something '"You must show her some understanding, some kind of love"' (139). He needs to show her that he does care even if he doesn't
ReplyDelete-smsXCrocks
ALBD Chapter 18.
ReplyDelete"'Hogs don't worry. Hogs just know,' he said. 'Hogs don't know anything, Jefferson,' I said, 'Only human beings know. Only human beings worry'"(Gaines 140).
Jefferson doesn't worry about being executed because it's going to happen anyways so why worry. He just knows it's going to happen, but Grant is trying to tell him that hogs don't know anything and don't worry; only humans do. Grant is calling Jefferson human for knowing whats going to happen while a hog would have know clue what's going on.
~WhoSaidThat
"what do you want to talk about?" "that chair", he said.he watched me now because he knew he had caught me off gaurd. jefferson knows that soon he is going to die, and wants to embrace it. also, i think he realizes there is nothing he can do about it, so why not talk about it?
ReplyDelete-smsdrummajor
Chapter 18
ReplyDelete"She dished up a small piece of meat and some mustard greans on the spoon and held it up to his mouth. He would not open his mouth" (137 Gaines)
This is symbolic because it shows Miss Emma showing love (food is love). Jefferson is rejecting the love because he feels he does not deserve it and he is not happy about the situation. I feel Jefferson is still upset about the situation and needs to stop feeling like he is a hog.
Chapter 19
"I heard the same corals all my life, seen the same little play, with he same mistakes in grammar. The minister had offered the same prayer as always, Christmas or Sunday. The same people wore the same old clothes and sat in the same places. Next year it would be the same, and the year after that, the same again. Vivian said things were changing. But where they changing?" (151)
Grant thought things where always the same, but now Grant feels change for whatever reason. Grant is finally not being an annoying main character that complains about all his problems that really aren't that big in comparison to other problems, like that of his people (African-Americans) and Jefferson.
Raiders Rock
chpt 19: "I had heard the same carols all my life, seen the same little play, with the same mistakes in the grammar. The minister had offered the same prayer as always, Christmas or Sunday. The same people wore the same old clothes and sat in the same places. Next year it would be the same, and the year after that, the same again"(Gaines 151). I believe this shows that grant has given up hope and doesnt think anything will ever change their, infering he agrees with his old teacher.
ReplyDeleteM.C. Jackhammer
"I'm not doing any good up there, Vivian," I said. "Nothing is changing."
ReplyDelete"Something is," she said (Gaines 141)
Grant doesn't think he is doing anything for Jefferson. Even though Vivian doesn't go and see Jefferson she still believes that Grant is getting inside Jefferson's head. Grant should still go visit Jefferson. Grant shouldn't give up!!
~soccer-909
ch 18
ReplyDelete"you go'n to eat for me jefferson" (Pg. 139 Gaines)
I think when Miss. Emma ask that she's asking for love because in the book eating food that your loved ones made for you means you love them back but Jefferson is eathing so it makes Miss. Emma think that Jefferson doesn't love her, because he's not eating none of her food
wild4635
Chapter 18
ReplyDelete"I be glad when it's over," he said. "Old hog get him some rest then."
"Do you want me to leave, Jefferson?"
"Leave when you want. Old hog don't care."
(Gaines page 140)
*I annotated this because it shows that Jefferson has pretty much given up and doesn't care anymore. He let the whole "hog" comment get to him and believes he is a hog and isn't listening to anything anyone else is saying about it.*
-senior101
Chapter 18.
ReplyDelete"If thats what they want," Jefferson said.
"No, not what they want; what you want."
"If thats what they want," Jefferson repeated.
"Is it a yes, then?"
"If that's what they want," Jefferson said. "I'm go'n die anyhow."
Pg 135
**I annotated this because it clearly indicates that Jefferson has already given up and he's right on the edge. He doesn't really care where his visitors visit him at; whether its in his cell of the dayroom. Either way, he feels worthless and am sure he even feels like he's not worth visiting at the first place. He has grown up in an environment where he can't express his feelings or voice out his opinion and thats why he doesnt really care of say what he thinks about the visits.**
-Prettygurl 94
Chapter 18
ReplyDelete"Hogs don't give nothing. Hogs don't leave nothing,"
(Gaines 139)
* I annotated this sentence because it is showing that Jefferson has his mind set that the world he is in will never change. An neither will Jefferson and the situation he is in. The world is not legally in slaved however this is an allusion to slavery.
lvuKU
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteChapter 18 "Easter when they nailed him to the cross. And he never said a mumbling word" (Gaines 139).
ReplyDeleteThis is important to the novel because it is a HUGE christ referance. I think that Jefferson is bringing this up because he knows he is like Jesus. He knows Jesus died when he didn't do anything wrong, but he did it for his people. Jefferson didnt do anything wrong and he is dieing, for his people(the black community).
-superman23
"I looked back at the people around the tables, talking, eating, drinking their coffee and lemonade. But i was not with them. I stood alone" (Gaines 151). I think that Grant feels alone and he feels like he is the only one trying to help and nobody cares what he does.
ReplyDelete-smsXCrocks
ch 18 pg(140)
ReplyDelete"Hogs dont worry, hogs just know" "Hogs dont know anything, only human beings know. only human beings worry."
i beilieve that jerferson has this self-image that hes nothng but a mere animal compared to humans... nobody would think such thoughts unless they were prgrammed to do so. it makes me sad when people think this way. "if you tell a big enogh lie often enough people will begin to believe it"
- DJ XTC
from kdog420
ReplyDelete"You go'n eat for me Jefferson?
ReplyDelete"You'll eat if I feed you?"
He would not open his mouth. Miss Emma looked at my aunt and could see all the hurt in her face
This shows how food symbols love because Miss Emma is hurt deeply when Jefferson does not eat
Jefferson5
Chapter 18-"Hogs don't give nothing. Hogs don't leave nothing,"..."Jefferson, do you like coming out here, or you prefer staying in the cell?" (pg 139, Gaines)
ReplyDeleteJefferson is calling himself a hog while Grant is trying to tell him that he is not one. I feel that Jefferson is feeling this way because the people around him are making him feel like a "hog". Since he is black, that also plays a major role in the situation.
PeachwaveChick
Chapter 18-"No matter how bad off we are," I said, "we still owe something. You owe something Jefferson. Not to me. Surley not to that sheriff out there. But to your godmother. You must show her some understanding, some kind of love."
ReplyDeleteI think that Grant is trying to teach Jefferson about himself showing that he is a human and people do love him but in the process Grant is learning about himself as in the teacher is being tought
-brockafrock
Ch 18
ReplyDelete''Smooth face when he first came here was beginning to show some bone structure.''(Gaines Pg 138)
I think she's liking the way he looks at her.
-leandrew
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletechapter 18
ReplyDelete"you go'n eat for me, Jefferson?" Miss Emma asked him. he kept his head bowed, his shackled hands under the table and he did not answer her "you'll eat if i feed you?" she asked when he did not answer her, she dished up a small piece of meat and some musterd greens on the spoon and held it up to his mouth he would not open his mouth.
I feel like he is acting like a baby and she is trying to feel him.
-mystery man-
Ch 18
ReplyDelete'"No matter how bad off we are," I said, "We still owe something,Jefferson. Not to me. Surley not to that sheriff out there. But to your godmother. You must show he some understandingm some kind of love."'(Gaines Pg 139)
Being born innto this world and raised by someone tells us we do owe some love in return. Miss Emma loves Jefferson and so then Jefferson must show her some love in return.
-Tuelives
i had told the students that this program should be dedicated to jefferson,and they had taken the message home, and many people who had never attented a christmas or graduation program came to the church that night(Gaines 143). i think this shows that people in the black community care about jefferson, and look up to him. also, dedicating the program to jefferson,it maybe made some people feel like they were doing something about his situation by attending the program. -smsdrummajor
ReplyDeletechapter 18-"jefferson, do you know what moral means? do you kno what obligation means? No matter how bad off we are, we still owe something. you owe something jefferson.Not to me. surely not to sheriff out there. but to your godmother. you must show her some kind of understanding, some kind of love"
ReplyDeletei think Grant is trying to show Jefferson that even though how life might make some one feel so depressed and frustrated you still have to respect the elders. ALWAYZ FAITHFUL
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteALBD Chapter 19.
ReplyDelete"...I was not happy. I had heard the same carols all my life, seen the same little play...The minister had offered the same prayer as always...The same people wore the same...clothes and sat in the same places. Next year it would be the same...Vivian said things were changing. But where were they changing?"(Gaines 151).
Grant isn't sure where the change is happening, but Vivian does. Jefferson is slowly changing by starting to talk to Grant more and eating a little bit of food rather than nothing. You also can tell Grant is changing without him knowing it. He starts to see the depression and anger in Jefferson's eyes and now starts to understand why he acts the way he does and isn't mad at Jefferson anymore. Grant and Jefferson are changing.
~WhoSaidThat
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletech. 18
ReplyDelete"When he did not answer her, she dished up a small pieceof meat and some mustard greens on the spoon and held it up to his mouth. He would not open his mouth. Miss Emma looked at my aunt, who had been trying to eat, could see all the hurt in her face (Gaines 137)."
In this book, food is a symbol for love and that is why Miss Emma always brings Jefferson homecooked meals. When Jefferson denies the food he is rejecting Miss Emma's love and not showing her his love either.
Ch. 19
"She was right;I was not happy. I had heard the same carols all my life, seen the same little play, with the same mistakes in grammar. The minister had offered the same prayer as always, Christmas or Sunday. The same people wore the same old clothes and sat in the same places. Next year it would be the same, and the same after that, the same again. Vivian said things were changing. But where were they changing (Gaines 151)?"
I think that Grant is thinking that nothing is going to change. He thinks this because blacks will always be treated the same way and will not be treated equally. And he does not think that he is helping Jefferson become a man to die with dignity.
kdog420
I had told the students that this program should be dedicated to Jefferson, and they had taken the message home, and many people who had never attended a Christmas or graduation program came to the church that night (Gaines 143).
ReplyDeleteGrant can see that his students and their families know what is going on and care about Jefferson. I think that Grant will tell Jefferson about it and Jefferson might be surprised that people care and it might change his thoughts about being a hog.
~soccer-909
Chapter 19-"Baby Jesus was a white alabaster doll dressed in a long white gown. The girls in the choir whore white dresses, the boys white shirts."
ReplyDeleteI think that segregation is still alive in the community, it may be mostly unnoticed to the rest of the locals but for those being segregated i think this would be very upsetting for them. They were suposed to recieve the rights they deserved, now they realize "separate but equal" is a sham.
Ch 19
ReplyDelete"I had told the students that this program should be dedicated to Jefferson" (pg 143 Gaines)
I think Grant is saying to the students that Jefferson isn't at the program, they should think of Jefferson since he would be gone and wont see the program
Chapter 19
ReplyDelete"She was right; I was not happy. I had heard the same carols all my life, seen the same little play, with the same prayer as always, Christmas or Sunday. The same people wore the same old clothes and sat in the same places. Next year it would be the same, and the year after that, the same again. Vivian said things were changing. But were they changing?"
(Gaines page 151)
*I annotated this because Grant sounded like he was getting tired of things repeating themselves and having a routine. He seemed like he wanted change but didn't notice any. Like he was getting bored with "the same old story" and wanted things to be different.*
-senior101
"you dont look happy"
ReplyDeletegrants not happy. hes slowly rels=izing that there isnt much hope ;eft and that time is runniong out all he can think about is how bad he is gonna look :/
-DJ XTC
I had told the students that this program should be dedicated to Jefferson.......
ReplyDeleteThis shows that Grant's attitude toward Jefferson is starting to change
Jefferson5
"Miss Lou say bring you this."
ReplyDelete"Thanks, Gloria"
I sat on a chair inside the pulpit, eating fried chicken and bread.
This passage showed food as a sign of love and grant trying to accept love.
Chiefs Fan
Chapter 18
ReplyDelete"'... you owe something Jefferson. Not to me. Surely not to that sheriff out there. But to your godmother. You must show her some understanding, some kind of love"'(Gaines 139).
I think that this quote stated by Grant tells Jefferson how to be a man, because a part of being a man is showing love to his family.
Chapter 19
"Wise Man One: The lowest is the highest in His eyes"(Gaines 149).
This comment moves me because Jefferson is the lowest person in the town, right now, and to God he needs the most help, so he's the highest.
-MusicL21
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletechapter 19-"i had told the students that this program should be dedicated to jefferson, and they had taken the message home, and many people who had never attended a christmas or graduation program came to church that night"
ReplyDeleteGrant really do care about jefferson even thought he finds it hard to teach him to be a man somewhere deep down him he cares alot that he even told his students to go tell people to go for the program. ALWAYZ FAITHFUL
Ch 19
ReplyDeleteNext year would be the same, and the year after that, the same again, vivan sad things were changing. But where were they changing? (Gaines pg 151)
Things are not really changing. Grant seems to be getting no where with is life and everything is still the same as always. I think Grant starts to think that his old teacher was right.
-Tuelives
Chapter 19- "I had told the students that this program should be dedicated to Jefferson, and they had taken the message home, and many people who had never attended a Christmas or graduation program came to the church that night." (pg.143, Gaines)
ReplyDeleteI believe that Grant is telling his students this because in a way he may feel like Jefferson is brave for what he is going through and that other people, including his students should realize this.
PeachwaveChick
the minister had offered the same prayer as always, Christas of sunday. the same people wore the same old clothes and sat in the same places. Next year it would be the same and the year after that the same again wivian said things were changing but wher were they changing?
ReplyDeletei think he feels like ever thing is staying the same but in reality every thing is changing and he just cant see it
-mystery man-
As they were explaining the play...
ReplyDelete"Shepherd two:How we going to know?
wise man one :He'll let us know.
Shepherd one: God on high ?
Wise man one: Works in mysterious ways"(Gaines 149).
I think this is important that he is pointing out this part of the play, because Grant is trying to figure out why everyone is making him teach Jefferson how to be a man. Everybody is also trying to figure out why they accused Jefferson. They all wonder, why is this happening and everyone is stressed. Well, God works in mysterious ways. So, everything happens for a reason. It think this is foreshadowing the end of the book.
-Superman 23
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteCh 19
ReplyDelete''I had told the students that this program should be dedicated to Jefferson, and they had taken the message home, and many people who had never attended a Christmas or graduation program came to the church that night.'' (Gaines Pg 143)
I think he still thinks like Jefferson and even though he's not there with them he is still apart of them.
-leandrew
Chapter 18:
ReplyDelete"He lowered his head. The chains jangled under the table. I wanted to leave, but it was too early: the sheriff would have had his proof that I hadn't reached Jefferson, THat I was giving up. 'They found a pine tree this year,' I said. 'A nice little pine tree'" (Gaines 140).
Before, Grant would not have cared if the sheriff knew he gave up, he would have just left right then and there. Game Over. But he didn't! I think Grant's attitude is totally turning around. He tells Jefferson about the Christmas tree that the childred found, and he sounds excited. Before now, He would have just been grumpy and not cared less about the tree. I think he will be a much more optimistic person from here on out.
Chapter 19:
"She was right; i was not happy. I had heard the same carols all my life, seen the same little play, with the same prayer as always, Christmas or Sunday. The same people wore hte same old clothes and sat in the same places. Next year it would be the same, and the year after that, the same again."
Grant is noticing that it is the same program they do every year and he wonders if it will ever change. He notices that the community is RUNNING IN PLACE, he fears it will never change and the only way it will is if he leaves. He can't leave because he cares more about his people than he hates the monotony. He stays because... he doesn't know why, he just knows that he should, he has a moral obligation to them. He wants to get out so bad but he is scared. Mr. Antoine taught Grant and told him that nothing would change until he left and now he is a teacher and nothing as changed so he is getting really irritated and thinking more and more about how much he needs to leave.
~upsdeliveryguy
Chapter 18:
ReplyDelete'"You'll eat if i feed you?' she asked".
(Gaines 137).
>> This sentence stood out to me because, this is showing how desperate Miss Emma is for Jeffersons love. She's to the point where she would physically feed him, even though hes fully capable of feeding himself. She will do absolutely anything for Jefferson to show he still has love for her, and hope for himself.
Chapter 19:
"Next year it would be the same the year after that, the same again. Vivian said things were changing. But where were they changing?"
(Gaines 151)
>> This sentence also stood out to me because, Grant is not only refering to his life as a teacher; that he doesn't think he's really educating the children, that every year he teaches the same things but the outcome of the childrens lives will remain the same. Hes also refering to Jefferson; Grants starting to show compasion towards Jefferson and even though Grants actually truely trying to change Jefferson into a man now, Jefferson lost all hope for life. Grants feelings he had toward turning Jefferson into a man at the beginning of the book are gradually coming back. Grants back to feeling and thinking there really is no hope, no matter how hard he trys, can he; a single person change another person into a "man" and stick up for the black community, all by himself?
>>fedex :)
Chapter 19
ReplyDelete" Even with book learning we were still fools if we did not have God in our hearts,"
(Gaines 150)
* This sentence was annotated because it shows that God has a big part in the whole community lifes. Almost saying that without God their wouldn't be any meaning to themsevles.
luvKU
chapter 18
ReplyDelete"You owe something, Jerfferson. Not to me. Surely not to that sheriff out there. But to your godmother. You must show her some understanding, some kind of love."
"Then why do you speak, Jefferson? Human Beings are the only creatures on earth who can talk. Why do you talk? And wear clothes? Why do you wear clothes?"
(Gaines 139)
I found this passage to be an important example of not only the reoccuring pattern of obligation and how people owe things to Miss Emma and others, but also as the first real argument Grant has had with Jerfferson where I believe he made Jefferson realize that he WAS a man.
Chapter 19
"I had heard the same carols all my life, seen the same little play, with the same mistakes in grammar. The minister had offered the same prayer as always, Christmas or Sunday. The same people wore the same old clothes and sat in the same places. Next year it would be the same, and the year after that, the same again." (Gaines 151)
I saw this as an important example of the symbolism of a "vicious circle" in the African American community that Grant speaks of throughout the story. Also I believe it shows how much Grant wants something to change, how much he wants to break that cycle for his community.
SMSdoherty
ch. 18 "I'm nto doing any good up there, Vivian," I said. "Nothing is changing" "Something is," she said.
ReplyDeleteThis means that the conversations Grant is havning with Jefferson is really changing Grant and might just a little be changing Jefferson even though it might not look like it right now by the end of the book we might see a change from jefferson just by the conversations he is having with Grant.
Gleek101
ch. 19 She was right;I was not happy. i had heard the same carols all my life. seen the same little play. with the same mistakes in grammer. The minister had offered the same prayers. Christmas or sunday. The same people wore the same old clothes and sat in the same places. Next year it would be the same, and the year after that, the same again. Vivian said things were changing. But where were they changing? I looked back at the people around the tables, talking, eating, drinking their coffee and lemonade. But i was not with them. I stood alone.
ReplyDeleteI think this means that Grant felt like the way things were going with Jefferson wasnt so good and because of that he felt like he was alone that nobody liked him because he wasnt doing his job and helping Jefferson.