Prologue

CONNECTOR

There was only one connection between the book and the oustide world that really popped out at me. "During my term, I visited the school for board meetings, and I talked with the students. I could feel their attention one fall evening when I told them to try to think of St. Paul's as their school, too, not as a white place where they were trespassing" (pg. 5). Everyone feels out of place sometimes and this quote just proves it! Sometime we just have to think through certain things in a positive manner. Some of the kids who listened to this advice, actually graduated highschool very successfuly.

Chapter 1-3

Literary Luminartor

In Chapter One, I found one quote that seemed meaningful. It was when Lorene's mother talked about Lorene's incident with her old science teacher. The science teacher wasn't being fair and ultimately making her mom more defensive for her Lorene. "I forgot for the moment, how relieved I'd felt when Mama had stood in front of that teacher defending me with a blinding righteousness, letting the teacher know that I was not as small and black and alone as I seemed, that I came from somewhere, and where I came from, she'd better believe, somebody was home" (pg. 16). This quote proves that her relationship with her mom and at her public school are secure. Lorene knows that there will be problems at her public school, but i think she knows now how to get over it and figures if people won't accept her for her, then she'll just forget about them. 

In Chapter Three, there was another quote that maybe be a little foreshadowing or maybe it was just a feeling she felt before she went to her new school. "I went inside to bed then, becuase for the first time since I had applied to St. Paul's School, I realized that I had no idea what I was getting myself into (pg 42)." I believe this is where the rising action begins in this novel. Just becuase this is where she feels her life is begining to be troubled; and later on, maybe we'll see why she believed she made a mistake coming to this new school.

Chapter 4-5

Vocabulary Enricher

Emblazoned- "His black satin jacket, emblazoned on the back with a red-and-yellow dragon, hung open to reveal a fishnet T-shirt that cast tiny shadows on his chest" (56).

-To inscribe (a prominent marking) on a surface

Rudimentary- "Despite the rudimentaryy ettiquette, (wee did not eat until everyone at table was served; we tried to as for seconds rather than grab for them; and we did not as to be excused intil the dessert was served), we ate fast" (pg. 70).

-Being imperfectly or incompletely developed

Capricious- "It changed direction in an instant. It was tyrannical capricious" (pg. 69).

-instability; casually changeable

Great page so far, Chloe. Mrs. CE

Chapter 6-8

Connector

In the very end of chapter 7, there was one quote that stuck out on page 132. "'Finally the child gathers up her courage and jumps. She leaps toward her daddy's arms-and her father, he steps aside. The child falls, of course. She falls down on that hard ground, and it hurts. She's scraped herself, and it hurts. Her daddy helps her up and dries her tears, and she cries to him and cries and asks him, 'Papa, why didn't you catch me, Papa? Why did you let me fall? You said to jump, Papa, and I jumped.' "And he says to her, 'Listen to me Izzy, and listen carfully. 'Lean this one and never forget: Trust no man.'" Being the connector for this week, I'm supposed to say how this relates to the reader's world. I think almost every girl who is reading this book, can relate to this quote. I know my dad has given me this talk, (almost every day) but not this extreme. However, Lorene is taking this story a way bit further that imagined. She says, "I would remain alone, I would trust no  man" (132). Sure, a girl doesn't want to get their heart broken, but Lorene definetly needs a man in her life as a friend (a.k.a Jimmy).

Chapter 9-10

Discussion Director

When Lorene is telling the story of how she first slapped her sister, do you think there is another importance behind the story rather than just her turning into adult?

 Lorene said that she was on the Disciplinary Committee and she liked to learn other people's secrets. Why do you think that is?

Chapter 11-End

Connector

One quote that really stuck out to me was "'You've got to get as much as you can here, be the best that you can, so that when you come out, you'll be ready. But you cannot foreget where you've come from'" (pg. 203). I know my job is to be the connector, but this quote is something everyone promises to do in their life. No matter how far a person can succeed, they will always have to remember where they started from. Also relating to the the quote above, is another quote that is somewhat similar. "What, I wondered, were they expecting of me? How could I be grand enough to fit?" (pg. 211). I think everyone feels that way once they graduate. A parent always has high expectations for their kid, and they want their kid to be famous, get rich and have a fabulous life in the future. I guess Lorene feels just ordinary, and she can only do the best she can do.