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The book Nothing But The Truth demonstrated ninth grader Philip Malloy of Harrison New Hampshire’s suspension as he sang the “Star Spangled Banner” during homeroom. His story spreads and eventually becomes a national news story. The book takes readers through many different perspectives and changes of characters to show the theme. Avi conveys the theme people often subjectify truth to make themselves seem superior.
One way Avi presents the theme of the novel is through change in the main characters. Originally, Miss Narwin, Phillip’s homeroom teacher, was opposed to the suspension of Phillip. In a conversation with Dr. Panelli she said, “Did you really have to suspend him?...He’s a really nice boy.” (Avi 90) Later in the book, on page 206,
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in a conversation between her and a reporter, she explains how Phillip insulted her, his classmates, and even the national anthem. To start, Miss Narwin was a kind and calm teacher but once the news story turned national, she herself sparked a lot of attention. Many people were shaming her for her poor choices, which may have gotten to her and changed her way of mind. Instead of being blamed, she tweaked the truth to look superior over others opinions. Avi additionally changes the main character Philip to demonstrate the theme. Phillips wrote in his diary on March 15th, “Track team practice season starts next week. Can’t wait. That’s all Dad and I talk about.” (Avi 10) He was a track star and could not wait to start the season. But suddenly in a conversation between him and his dad, Phillip says, “I,ah… was thinking of not trying out.” (Avi 35) Avi changed Philip did not tell his dad why he wasn’t trying out. He changed the truth by saying he isn't as “into” running as his dad was. This was not the complete truth, as the truth was he didn’t have good enough grades to try out. To look better and more accomplished than his grades show, he changes the truth. The ways the main characters change in the novel lead the way to the theme of people often subjectify truth to look superior. The second way Avi presents the theme is through the varying points of view presented in the text.
Nothing But The Truth is a book written in many different parts from teachers, students, and newscasters. Due to this, readers can see how different people tell the same story. For example, in a conversation between Philip's parents and him about Miss Narwin yelling at him, Phillip explains the incident as, “Yeah. Right. Hum. No big deal.” (Avi 53) Whereas the principal, Dr. Panelli explains Phillips punishment to his mom as, “Disturbing a class.” (Avi 84) Phillip explains his side as a less disastrous action in order to make himself look right. Dr. Panelli also tries to make himself look right by accusing Phillip in a more harsh way. Both of these character apply their opinion to the truth to make themselves look superior over one another. Miss Darwin's point of view on this event varied from the others. She was on the fence. She thought Phillip was just trying to make an incident and something must’ve been bothering him at home. She thought it was rude and distracting to the class but at the same time did not blame it on Phillip. She chose to be lenient to both sides to look superior to both opinions already presented. The different point of views presented in Nothing But The Truth evidently led to the theme of the
novel. Nothing But The Truth by Avi presented the theme people often subjectify truth to make themselves look superior. This theme was presented across the points of view and changes in main characters. Avi incorporate many literary aspects to lead to the theme and construct a complex novel. All in all, the theme people often subjectify truth to make themselves look superior was exhibited in the story.
...acter this way”? The student could then answer that the author is trying to make the reader like the character or feel an emotional connection to the character, this could be taken as an appeal to pathos as well. An excerpt from the book that contains a lot of dates or facts could have a prompt like “How does the author establish ethos in this passage”? Then the student describe the use of many facts and dates (logos) to show the author has done plenty of research to be knowledgeable about the topic (ethos). A third AP prompt could come from an excerpt in the book where there is a lot of imagery, the prompt could be “Discuss the author’s use of rhetorical devices in this passage”. The student could write about the author’s very descriptive word choice (diction) and how he uses those words to create imagery in the passage and help the reader visualize the situation.
3) This quote reflects the overall theme because it is one of many quotes in the book that show Holden's fear of growing up. For example, he always describes adults as "phony" and children as innocent.
Through the various misconceptions of the children in her short story, "The Brother in Vietnam," Maxine Hong Kingston allows her reader to see just how necessary truth is to the vulnerable minds of our youth.
What are the important themes of the book? What questions or issues about teaching and learning does it address?
To Kill a Mockingbird is a novel written by Harper lee in 1960. The novel tells the story of Atticus Finch, a white lawyer, and Tom Robinson, a black servant, accused of raping a white female. Finch defends Robinson in court arguing lack of evidence as his main point. However, the judge and jury still believe the woman’s testimony and orders Robinson to be killed. The novel has been praised for its outstanding literature since its publication. However, it remains a banned book by the American Library Association for its use of racial slurs and profanity. Due to it being banned, many high schools have reconsidered the notion of teaching it to their students. Two prominent authors wrote articles pertaining to this piece of literature: Angela Shaw-Thornburg wrote an article on her re-reading of the novel and her opinions on it; while Malcom Gladwell wrote an article comparing Atticus Finch to a state governor liberalist, James Folsom, and the restraints of liberalism in the south. In addition, Rebecca Best contributes her thought on how the novel should be taught by introducing the idea of “the other.” Regardless of the modern day political arguments surrounding this piece of literature, this novel contains a large insight into the time period of the 1960s which is an influential topic that should be taught to young high school students.
Themes in literary works are central, recurring ideas or messages that allow us to understand more deeply about the characters. It is a perception about life or human nature that is often shared with the reader. In The Catcher in the Rye, there are several themes that can be found in the words and actions of the narrator, Holden Caulfield. The dominating theme in this novel is the preservation of innocence, especially of children. We can see this throughout the novel, as Holden strives to preserve innocence in himself and others.
In “How to Tell a True War Story” by Tim O’Brien, Orwell’s ideas are questioned and the competition between the truth and the underlying meaning of a story is discussed. O’Brien’s story depicts that the truth isn’t always a simple concept; and that not every piece of literature or story told can follow Orwell’s list of rules (Orwell 285). The story is told through an unnamed narrator as he re-encounters memories from his past as a soldier in the Vietnam War. With his recollection of past encounters, the narrator also offers us segments of didactic explanation about what a “true war story” is and the power it has on the human body (O’Brien 65). O’Brien uses fictional literature and the narration of past experiences to raise a question; to what extent should the lack of precision, under all circumstances, be allowed? In reality, no story is ever really truthful, and even if it is, we have no proof of it. The reader never feels secure in what they are being told. The reliability of the source, the author, and the narrator are always being questioned, but the importance of a story isn’t about the truth or the accuracy in which it is told, but about the “sunlight” it carries (O’Brien 81).
It also deals with the emotions that this black boy faces because he has been treated unfairly by the white people. Major Characters: Jefferson, black boy who is accused of a crime and sentenced to death; Grant Wiggons, teacher sent to help Jefferson. After he went and obtained a college degree, Grant Wiggins went back to live with his grandmother. Being that he is a very educated person, Grant was elected by his grandmother to try and get Jefferson to realize that he was a man and not an animal like the white people had led him to believe. Throughout the entire novel, Grant is battling this idea in his head because he doesn’t feel that even he knows what it is to be a man.
reflects upon the theme of the novel. As it highlights the fact that if people in the society
If there were one word to tell what the theme of the book was it would be innocence. How we are all innocent at some point, how to try to keep our innocence, and how no one can keep their innocence forever. We all fall from our innocence. Adam and Eve fell from grace and innocence and set the tone for all of our lives. Throughout the whole book Holden is trying to make people keep their innocence and he wants to hold onto it himself. What he needs to learn and does learn through the course of the book is that no one can keep his or her innocence. We all fall at some point, but what we have control over is how hard we fall.
Along, with everyone lying this could have caused a completely different outcome of the book if they would have told the truth. The book would have turned to Miss. Narwin not being afraid of just going out in public if Jake Barlow didn't have the dismissal and omission lies. Phillip would still have his friends and track, if he would have not lied about patriotism to the nation. Finally, Dr. Seymour would have a phenomenal teacher in her district if she would have kept Miss. Narwin and cared about the truth. In conclusion, the book would have a contrasting ending is Phillip, Dr. Seymour, and Jake Barlow did not
In a novel, the theme is the insight of real life. J.D. Salinger’s initiation novel, The Catcher In The Rye, describes the adventures of 16-year old Holden Caulfield, the protagonist and first person narrator, who refuses to grow up and enter manhood. The most important theme developed by Salinger is Holden’s problem of dealing with change; he has trouble dealing with death, he refuses to accept children’s loss of innocence as a necessary step in the growing-up process, and has difficulties with growing up.
The overarching theme discussed in the novel is liberalisation. Matapari witnesses the struggle for liberty in a war-ridden, militarised and autocratic regime. However, he adds his own youthful spin to how he perceives the struggle. Often witty, satirical and filled with humour, Matapari depicts that teenagers have a light
Throughout the story, the boy went through a variety of changes that will pose as different themes of the story including alienation, transformation, and the meaning of religion. The themes of this story are important to show the growth of the young boy into a man. Without alienation, he wouldn't have understand the complexity of his feelings and learned to accept faults. With transformation, he would have continued his boyish games and wouldn't be able to grow as a person and adolescence. And finally, without understanding the religious aspects of his life, he would go on pretending he is somebody that he's not. He wouldn't understand that there is inconsistency between the real and ideal life (Brooks et al.).
Nothing but the Truth was released in 2008 and was known as a drama film written and directed by Rod Lurie. The main characters name was Rachel Armstrong who was a reporter for the Capital Sun-Times. She had a son names Timmy who was in school with a girl names Alison. Rachel discovered that one of the fellow mothers at Timmy’s school named Erica Van Doren, was working as a covert operative for the CIA. She had recently returned from Venezuela, where she was doing an investigation of the assassination attempt on the President of the United States. Rachel, being the ambitious reporter that she is confronted Erica and began requesting conformation of the information, Erica refuses to cooperate, however Rachel had no doubt in her mind about Erica’s recent trip to Venezuela.