I am reading Lies by Michael Grant, and I am on page 340. So far in the book, the city of Perdido Beach has begun to flourish because of a new money system. Kids are able to earn money and spend it on food and other necessary supplies. The cities fortune is short lived when Zil and the human crew create a plan with Sam’s nemesis Caine. The plan involves burning down half of the town in order to create a distraction, allowing Caine to steal two boats from the marina. When Zil sets fire to the city, Sam and the other council members discover that a dead girl named Brittney has been brought back to life. Realizing the fire is spreading quickly, Edilio and other towns people rush to stop it. At the same time, Sam searches for the person responsible …show more content…
for the fire, but instead makes the discovery that Drake is not dead. Sam runs away from the town in order to distance himself from the horrors that Drake creates.
In this journal, I will be characterizing Astrid and questioning why Sam is a better leader than Astrid.
In this journal, I will be characterizing Astrid. One adjective that can be used to describe her is that she is superior to others in the Fallout Alley Youth Zone. One example of this is that she takes control of the newly founded Council in Perdido Beach. When a new form of government is set up in Perdido Beach, Astrid assumes position as the head of the council. Stated by Howard during one of the first meetings, “Astrid’s the leader because she has more power in this new world” (Grant 44). This shows how people in the FAYZ believe Astrid to have more influence than the rest of the civilians. Astrid uses this power to gain higher levels of control in the society, and to gain trust from her popularity. Having a higher spot in the society of the FAYZ shows that she is superior. A second example of Astrid being superior to others is that she tells council members what to tell civilians. During council meetings, Astrid and the other council members discuss secret matter, deciding on what and what not to tell the civilians. During one council meeting, Astrid states, “We tell the others that stepping out does not set you
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free, and to not listen to the prophet Orsay” (Grant 193). This shows that Astrid has the authority to order other council members to lie to the public. By telling other council members to lie about certain information, Astrid is demonstrating uses of the higher spot in society she has. Astrid telling other council members what can be said to the public shows that she is superior. A final example of Astrid’s superiority is that she has greater intelligence than most people in the FAYZ. Before the FAYZ, Astrid was known as “Astrid the Genius”, because of her far greater intelligence than other people. During a discussion of how the city was going to create laws, Howard states, “ Leave it to Astrid the Genius to figure out a way to make a new set of laws” (Grant 215). This shows how others think of Astrid as a powerful figure, in that she is smarter than the average civilians in the FAYZ. Because of the fact Astrid is more intelligent than other people, she is usually tasked with more important decisions for the city. By having greater intelligence than other people, Astrid is superior to them. Not only is Astrid Superior, She is also Intelligent. One example of this is that she is able to figure out mutations that occur in the FAYZ. In the FAYZ, animals have undergone mutations to help them live longer and become more deadly. Astrid was able to keep a record of all the mutations that had occurred in order to help protect the kids of Perdido Beach. After discovering flesh-eating worms called Zekes, Sam said, “I collected one of the worms for you to study” (Grant 78). This shows that Astrid wanted to know more about how the world they live in works. By understanding how mutations work in the FAYZ, Astrid gains knowledge that most people in the town don’t have. Figuring out mutations in the FAYZ shows that Astrid is intelligent. Another example that Astrid is intelligent is that she uses complicated words to describe situations. Astrid uses complicated words to describe situations to sound more intelligent to other people. Stated by Sam during a conversation with Astrid, “There you go again, using complicated words to confuse me” (Grant 135). This shows that Astrid is very knowledgeable of subjects people often have questions about. She has an overabundance of knowledge in fields others do not have, making her very useful to the community. Using larger words to describe situations makes Astrid intelligent. A final example that Astrid is intelligent is that she always knows what to do for Perdido Beach. Since Astrid is the head of the city council, she is tasked with making up plans for the developing town. During a council meeting, Astrid states, “Perdido Beach needs a set of laws to help it run smoothly, and so people are protected” (Grant 246). This shows that Astrid is thinking ahead for the future of the city, trying to prolong its success. By thinking about the city’s future, Astrid is demonstrating why others in the town look up to her for answers. Always knowing what to do for Perdido Beach shows that Astrid is intelligent. By analyzing Astrid, one can find that she is superior and intelligent. In this journal, I will be questioning why Sam is a better leader than Astrid.
First, there are reasons why Sam is a good leader for Perdido Beach. One example of this is that Sam doesn’t want anyone in the town to die. When in charge of Perdido Beach, Sam was never able to emotionally handle losing a life. After a kid dies to killer worms in the cabbage fields, Sa states, “I can’t take it anymore, everyday I’m tasked with the safety of the town, but I can’t always save everyone” (Grant 123). This shows that Sam cares about everyone who lives in the town, and takes lose of life seriously. Sam takes losing a life personally because he holds himself responsible for the well being of Perdido Beach. Not wanting anyone to die in Perdido Beach, shows that Sam in a good leader. A second example that Sam is a good leader is that he knows when the right times to use his powers are. Sam never uses his powers unless it is necessary for the town’s safety. During a council meeting, Sam States, “ I’m going to kill Zil before he harms anyone else in the town. ‘No,’ States Astrid” (Grant 311). This shows that Sam will go and kill someone for the well being of the town. Zil later burns down half of the city, an action that would have been prevented if Sam had been allowed to kill him. This indicates that Sam would never use powers unless he felt is was necessary to the towns well being. Only using powers when necessary indicates Sam is a good leader. A final example that Sam is a good
leader is that he protects the city when it is in danger. When Caine was attacking Perdido Beach, Sam was the first person to defend the innocent children. After the battle of Perdido Beach, Quinn states, “If it wasn’t for Sam, we would all be dead” (Grant 77). This shows that Sam defends the city when it is in danger of attack. By defending the city, Sam is willing to risk his life for the well being of the people who live there. Other people in the city do not have the same courage as Sam when defending Perdido Beach. Sam is leader because he is willing to sacrifice his life in defending the city of Perdido Beach. Secondly, there are reasons why Astrid is not a good leader for Perdido Beach. One example of this is that Astrid lied to the city about being able to step-out on your fifteenth birthday. When you turn fifteen, you are able to leave to FAYZ, and return to the normal world. Afraid that there would not be enough people left in the FAYZ if everyone left, Astrid told civilians that if you stepped-out you would die. Feeling that this was the wrong thing to do, Howard stated, “I don’t think lying to everyone is the best move on your part” (Grant 123). This shows that Astrid was not choosing the best decisions for the well being of the town. Astrid is a bad leader because she lied the population of Perdido Beach. Another example that Astrid is a bad leader is that she denied Sam permission to kill Zil. Two days after denying Sam permission, Zil burns down half of homes in the town. After the fire, Howard States, “Bet you feel great after not allowing Sam to take out Zil” (Grant 355). This shows that Astrid did not make the right call when tasked with protecting the city. By denying permission to take out Zil, the town is attacked shortly after. Not making the right call weather to take out Zil or not shows that Astrid is a bad leader. A final reason that Astrid is not a good leader is that she was never able to create a set of laws for the town. After Astrid took power of the council, she was tasked with making a set of laws for the city. During a riot outside the church, Orc stated, “Where’s that new set of laws you were so focused on creating” (Grant 238). This shows that Astrid did not accomplish setting up new laws for the town. By not setting up new laws, Astrid is not helping the city make progress, but rather stalling it for succeeding. Astrid is a bad leader because she was not able to create a set of laws for the city. In conclusion, Sam is a better leader than Astrid because he has shown more effort in caring for Perdido Beach. I believe that I should receive a 13.8/14, because my abilities in analyzing information has grown since the first journals I wrote. I worked on usage of commas, I used great analysis, details to support my reds, and use of transitions.
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Doaker- A forty seven year old, tall, patient man that has a lot of respect for others. Even though he caves into people he is still a respectable figure.
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real reason he got blind. He knows that seeing the eclipse without protection wasn't the
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