October 2010
Theme Notebook Entry #2
“Showing compassion builds character” is a dominant theme in Langston Hughes’s short story “Thank you Ma’am”. The story begins with the protaganist, a woman named Luella strolling along a side walk on the way home. While she was walking, a child tramp of the name Roger attempts theft on her purse. Luella was outraged of the teenage boy’s decision and forcefully dragged him back to her apartment. While at the apartment, Luella did something very unexpected. Luella left the purse in Roger’s reach while she decided to prepare a meal for them. Roger was debating on either running out with the purse or waiting for Luella to finish the meal. In most cases, teenagers had “self pride” to earn what they wanted. However, Roger was the complete opposite. Roger decided to commit an immorral and illegal action instead of going going through the long process of working hard. In the end of Roger’s debate, he ended up not stealing the purse. By Luella trusting that he wouldn’t steal the purse made him want to develop a bond between Luella. Luella showed him compassion in her own unique way by trusting him after his crime. By trusting him that he wouldn’t attempt theft on her belongings again, Roger developed a trait called “pride”. By developing pride, the idea of stealing was removed from his alternatives on getting what he wanted. When Luella decides to dismiss Roger from her house, Roger wanted to say more than “Thank you” due to Luella’s compassion. Luella’s compassion “struck” him emotionally so hard, because Roger knew Luella went out of her way to teach him right from wrong. The character of Roger has improved due to Luella’s compassion and Roger has realized this which makes him want to do something special to pay-back Luella. However, Luella shuts the door on him before Roger could thank her. In my opinion, I think the reason why Luella shut the door on him was to imply that the only way she’ll accept a thank you was if he changed his behavior. With Luella’s unique ways of showing compassion and her clever implied messages, showing compassion builds character clearly is a dominant theme.
Another story that has the theme “Showing compassion builds character” is from a story called “Three letters from Teddy”. The story begins with Teddy, a troubled 5th grader and a teacher named “Miss Thompson”. Teddy is one of Miss Thompson’s least favorite students. However, her opinions toward Teddy changed halfway through the year. Miss Thompson was required to read write-ups from other teachers from Teddy’s previous grade levels. She noticed remarkably positive things about him in grades 1st to 3rd, but in 4th grade, she discovered Teddy’s problem. Teddy was suffering from the loss of his mother. Miss Thompson was hit emotionally by guilt when she discovered this, and promised herself she was going to make Teddy a stellar student. She showed compassion towards Teddy by giving him extra attention and worked with him one-on-one. As she worked with him, she began to bring his mind to life developing his character into something positive. Miss Thompson encouraged Teddy several times and his work ethic came back. At the end of the year, Teddy became one of Miss Thompson’s smartest students. Teddy Stallard became a kind, hardworking, and intelligent man. Miss Thompson’s compassion struck Teddy emotionally and turned his life around for him.
“Thank you Ma’am” is about a boy who is shown compassion by a stranger and builds a more positive character along the way. The boy leaves the life of a criminal and becomes a person that lives like an honest person. The story “Three letters from Teddy” is about an emotionally distressed boy whose attitude changes when his 5th grade Miss Thompson takes action and turns his life around. Both stories involve a person taking action and changing the direction of another’s life.
September 2010
Theme Notebook Entry #1
“Lamb to the Slaughter” by Roald Dahl begins with Mary Maloney, the "perfect" house-wife. Mary Maloney provides her husband everything, a flawless home, tasty meals, and of course, the "perfect" after-work beverage. Mary Maloney is so "perfect", it's in her routine to always wait for him to start the conversation before engaging with her husband. Mary Maloney is also the mother of Patrick Maloney's soon to be first child. Betrayal can lead to vengeance is a dominant theme in Roald Dahl's short story "Lamb to the Slaughter." Later on, Patrick Maloney's first act of betrayal occurs. Patrick announces to Mary that he is leaving her. After all the care and luxury Mary provided Patrick how could he betray her now by leaving her? Mary is flabbergasted and can't think for herself. She switches to "auto-pilot" by going back to the kitchen to prepare the meal. However, Mary’s mind was cleared when Patrick says, "For God's Sake, I'm going out." This is Patrick's second act of betrayal, because he swore at her which is rude and it is considered unacceptable to talk to a woman like that. Mary than seeks vengeance on Patrick and ends up bashing his skull unintentionally. As soon as Mary kills Patrick, a hidden side of hers, breaks through its shell. That “hidden side” is how smart she is, and how well she can plot things. By discovering that hidden side, Mary becomes motivated to obtain the "perfect" vengeance by getting away with the murder. Getting away with the murder is also very important to her, since her baby’s life is in her hands. In the end of all the trauma, she ends up succeeding. Mary created the perfect alibi for herself making her the least expected suspect. She uses the full potential of her ingenious abilities and tricks the police-officers into eating the only evidence, the leg of lamb. Therefore, betrayal can lead to vengeance, since Mary would go through a long step by step process to achieve success.
Betrayal that leads to vengeance among loved ones is something that occurs throughout history. A little over a thousand years ago, there was general named Julius Caesar. Julius Caesar was very popular among the community of Rome, but not everyone was happy about him being king. Brutus, Julius Caesar's adopted son, wanted the throne for himself. Eventually, Brutus teamed up with General Cassius. Together, they plotted how they were going to kill Caesar. Brutus resulted to be the one landing the fatal blow. The way that Brutus betrayed Caesar was that Caesar offered him a home and gave him a place in the senate. That was everything a citizen of Rome could ever ask for. After Caesar's death, the people of Rome were not happy, since the murderers were about to take the crown. However, there was a brave man named Marc Antoine that decided to fight against the General and Brutus. The General and Brutus ended up losing the fight. In the end, Brutus committed suicide out of guilt. In the end, the city of Rome and Julius Caesar got their revenge unexpectedly.
In both stories, they suggest that betrayal doesn't always turn out "pretty". In Patrick Maloney's position, he betrayed Mary Maloney by leaving her, and he ended up getting his skull bashed into pieces. In Brutus's position, the fact that he killed his step dad tears him up emotionally and he ends up suiciding. The tendency to betray others is in all humans, and people should work on improving the fact that betrayal is not the best solution because vengeance always takes place in the end.
