Salem Witch Trial Day

Response 1:

   This is the last straw!  I am fed up with all this nonsense, occurring during the past few days. It is absolutely insane! People are accusing other people in the town of being a witch, even though no one has done anything wrong. It has baffled me how many people really think these innocent people are witches. However, even I am beginning to question myself if this is actually real and true.  The consequences are getting worse and worse, many are going to hang, and I question the sanity of every person. There is no trust in this town of Salem, everyone suspicious of who might be a witch, and being careful at what they do. Many people are terrified that they will be accused next! The trials are horrible and cruel - no one knows how to stop them. It is getting out of hand and these witch trials have made me lose my sanity once and for all! This morning I was accused of being a witch by a young teenage girl by the name of Rebecca Porter. She accused me of singing to the devil on my porch. She said she was afflicted by it as she was walking home one day from visiting her friends next door. How crazy! I was only singing my favorite song by my old friend from Barbados...well, and looking through a book....which is also apparently my "book of witchcraft". I heard this news from my friend, and I am so shocked that this young girl would accuse me of all people. I have decided to gather all my necessities and flee from Salem, as it looks like the rest of the possibilities shall end up with horrible consequences. I only want to preserve my life, and not get caught up with this witch business. I must hurry, the officials will soon look for me and question me! I'll write soon!

Response 2:

     Looks like I have no money! I tried looking for some money in my purse, but I don't have enough to board a ship and sail off to another town. It is making me terrified. I have no money, not even some spare change, and I don't know what the consequences will be when they find out that I am in hiding, and that I had tried to escape. I am afraid I will not see the end of this. If they find out that I have escaped and have been hiding, the consequences will be worse. I will have to think of a back up plan to keep myself alive. I am thinking that I will confess to being a witch because there is honestly no hope for me now.  Others have confessed to being a witch and are still alive and helping others to find other witches, so it seems like the best go for me. I do not care about my name anymore and it looks to me like the only option. There is little time left, for I have to go and get myself caught! I hope I will be able to write soon, however, I don't know if I'll even be alive to tell the tale!

Homework Journal #4

A) When the Walls family moves to Little Hobart Street, they quickly descend into impoverished living conditions. How does Jeannette cope with the deficiencies in her life? Discuss at least one specific example.

Little Hobart Street had the Walls family scavenging for food. When the Walls family didn't have enough food at home, and no one at school would believe Jeannette if she told them she forgot her lunch, she would hide in the bathrooms and wait for kids to throw away their lunches. Then, once they were gone, Jeannette would grab their lunches out of the garbage, and eat the rest of their lunch. Jeannette in a way, took advantage of the situation, but it was in order for her to survive. Sometimes Jeannette would also go with Brian to steal food from Old Man Wilson's farm. Soon, they became experts at stealing food, just because they were starving and living in poor conditions.

B) How do Jeannette and her siblings tolerate abuse? To what extent do you sympathize with her situation? Are her justifications (for her father's behavior, her mother's neglect, etc) valid or has she been taught to believe in a false reality?

Jeannette and her siblings often times ignore it, or help each other to stay strong and not give up, even in the midst of tough situations. Sometimes, they try to show their parents that they are not taking care of them the way they should. They try to help each other because they don't know what else to do, and don't know how to do it. Although, sometimes they get mad at their parents for not taking care of them the right way. For example, when Jeannette and her siblings find out that their mom was withholding chocolate from them when they were starving, they take it and eat it right in front of her, wanting to show her exactly how hungry they are and making their mom feel guilty. I sympathize with the
Walls siblings' situation because they didn't truly know how to take care of themselves, or their parents, and if I was in their position, I probably wouldn't even have known what to do besides the same things they did to stay sane and not give up. I believe that Jeannette's justifications for her father's behavior and her mother's neglect are valid, but I also believe that her own parents didn't know how to take care of the Walls children, or even take care of themselves. So, in a way, I sympathize for both the Walls parents and children. However, I sympathize more for the children because I feel that they should have had better parents that knew how to properly take care of their children.  

Homework Journal #3

A) How do the Walls siblings show loyalty toward each other? Cite specific examples. Despite her family's support and loyalty, during which instances does Jeannette feel lonely?

The Walls siblings are very loyal to each other. They always stand up for each other through thick and thin. For example, in Phoenix, when a creepy pervert came into their house at night and was touching Jeannette, Brian came and helped her by bringing out a hatchet and chasing him into the night. They then began to go Pervert Hunting, which was like Demon Hunting, except with perverts. Also, when Erma touched Brian perversely, Jeannette came and helped, telling Lori about what happened. Erma then got angry and slapped Lori, and then they both started fighting each other because Lori was standing up for Brian. Even when their parents came back home, they still stood up for each other saying that it wasn't right for Erma to do that. The Walls siblings are loyal to each other, but Jeannette feels lonely sometimes. She feels lonely at school, when no one else is there to help her fight off bullies and fight off the harsh words people say to her.

B) How does the Christmas incident signify a turning point in Jeannette's life? Does the event change her perspective about her father?

The Christmas incident really made Jeannette realize how much her father was always the one ruining things. It showed that she had never really realized before that her dad had always caused the family a lot of trouble, because she was almost always the only one supporting him and on his side. Once the Christmas incident had occurred, Jeannette's mindset on her father changed some. She didn't trust him as much as before. Near the start of the book, she trusted him a lot, believing that he could help the family's life get better, and believing he could build a glass castle for them as well. However, after this Christmas incident occurred, her views on her dad changed. She became wary of what her dad said, not fully trusting everything he had to say, and she began to want to leave the house. She desperately wanted to go to New York, dreaming of a beautiful life there, with great opportunities.

C) How does the Walls' life in Welch compare to Battle Mountain and Phoenix? In what way does Jeannette's life in Welch shape her late childhood/early adolescence?

The Walls' life in Welch seems a lot worse compared to the Walls' life in Battle Mountain, and Phoenix. Going into Welch, they literally have nothing, and have nowhere else to go but there. At Battle Mountain, they had a nice depot house, that fared well for the family. The Walls family mom also got a job as a teacher at the elementary school, which helped them get more food, and items that helped them survive. At one point, they didn't have a lot of food again, and their life wasn't all that well, but their life there was a lot better than in Welch. In Phoenix, they also had a nice place to live in. It was Grandma Smith's old house, which was very nice, and had many antiques lying around there. They managed to have enough food, and the family was doing fine. However, Welch does not compare to Battle Mountain or Phoenix. In Welch, the Walls family, relied mostly on the help of Erma, the kid's grandma on the dad's side. Erma didn't even help much either. The Walls family lived in the basement of Erma's house, until Erma kicked them out, and they were back on the road to poverty. They finally found a house on Little Hobart Street, that did not help them whatsoever. It was the worst house they had ever lived in because it needed a lot of repairs and the Walls parents didn't have enough money to pay for repairs, let alone food. Jeannette's life in Welch helped shape her to become a lot more independent, smarter in choices she made, and a little proud. Living in Welch helped her in the future because she got a job, started pursuing her dream of becoming a journalist, and began wanting to become independent and go to live in New York. 

Homework Journal #5

A) In what way do Jeannette's job at the jewelry store and her interest in journalism allow her independence?

Jeannette's job at the jewelry store brings out the curiosity and want in her. When she wanted one of the watches in the store so badly, she ended up stealing it, but then putting it back later on because she felt bad. She was so curious to try it out that ended up stealing it. This event describes her independence because she didn't even tell anyone that she stole the watch, she kept it for herself. She also shows independence just by having the job, because she so badly wanted to go to New York, and getting the jewelry store job helped her to gain the money to get there. Plus, her interest in journalism sparked her interest in getting a job at the jewelry store, leading her to go to New York. She had heard about New York from her sister, Lori, who had heard if its great wonders from two filmmakers originally living in New York City. Lori had explained that they could get good jobs in New York and pursue their dreams, being independent. Jeannette liked the idea especially since she had already decided leaving home as soon as possible.

B) How does the move to New York symbolize a second turning point in Jeannette's life? Is this another "skedaddle" or a more justifiable move for Jeannette?

Moving to New York really changes Jeannette in that she becomes much more independent. While in Welch, before she left for New York, she was already slowly becoming more and independent, but her parents were still there with her, and she depended on her older sister, Lori, to help her get to New York. Once she arrives at New York, she becomes even more independent than before because her parents weren't there to watch her, and she didn't fully rely on Lori anymore. Jeannette began her own path in life. It changes her life entirely. She starts from a poor girl living on Hobart Street in Welch, to a fairly well-paid independent young lady, living in New York. This move to New York would not be considered another "skedaddle" for Jeannette because she willingly chose to go to New York by herself, and it was not to get away from people that were trying to chase her. Jeannette had a valid reason to go to New York, and she got to follow her dreams in getting to New York. However, in a way, going to New York was a "skedaddle" because it was like an adventure to her, and also she didn't want to live near her parents in Welch anymore. Moving to New York was overall a good choice, and it benefited her greatly. I believe that it was of a more justifiable move for Jeannette, more than a "skedaddle".

C) Why do you think Jeannette's parents choose to continue living on the streets, even after their children are grown?

Jeannette's parents were different, and I think that they really didn't care what happened to them, as long as their children were okay and prosperous. The beginning of the book really made them seem like horrible parents that didn't care for their children at all, but by the time most of the Walls kids moved to New York, the care that the parents really show for the children is shown throughout the parents' time in New York. I believe that the Walls parents really did love their children a lot and wanted the best for them, but really didn't know how to take care of them or how to be a parent. So, after their kids were thriving in New York, I think the parents kind of gave up and came to realize that they couldn't even take care of their kids, much less take care of themselves. They didn't want their kids to have to take on the same burden of taking care of someone and cause trouble for their future lives.

D) Why does Maureen stab Rose Mary? Why does Jeannette apologize, "for everything" in her mind (p. 276)?

Maureen stabs Mary (the mom) because she was angry that her mother was kicking her out of the house and onto the streets, even though her mother was only trying to help her move on a be independent, having a future for herself. However, Maureen didn't know how to be independent, and wanted someone she could depend on. The reason why Jeannette apologizes "for everything" is because she honestly felt bad for what Maureen had to go through, and regretted that she didn't take care of Maureen very well like she had promised her when she was still a baby. She realizes that when Maureen and the other Walls siblings were younger, Maureen would always go to her friend's houses and live with them for a while, so now that Maureen is older, she doesn't really know how to take care of herself. Maureen most of the time relied on someone else to take care of her, not knowing how to be independent. In this way, Jeannette has regret for not helping to take care of Maureen the proper way, like she promised.

Homework Journal #2

A) How does the following passage epitomize the Walls' lifestyle and demonstrate Jeannette's tolerant and understanding character? How does the swimming event compare to the fire incident on p. 9?
(swimming event passage on p. 66)

The passage describing the event in which Jeannette's dad threw her in the water to help her learn to swim actually can apply to everyone's lives. In life, we all have times where we are at a crossroad. The crossroad literally being "sink", or "swim". It is ironic that Jeannette experienced this event because it gives hint at describing her whole life. Everything that the Walls family does depends on them sinking or swimming. This does not only show through this part of the book, but throughout the whole book. Most of the time, Jeannette's dad is the one who causes all the family problems. He loses his job, gets drunk, and his kids and wife are left with little food, and little hope to hold onto. Each time, the Walls family kids have to ask themselves if they want to keep hoping that life will get better, or give up. It demonstrates the fact that their whole lives revolve on sinking or swimming - holding on, or giving up. The swimming event can also relate to Jeannette in her fire incident. After the incident occurs, she could have either gotten scared of fire for the rest of her life, or conquer fire and not become afraid of it. The catastrophe called Jeannette to make a decision, and she chose to swim.

B) How does Jeannette describe her father in the beginning of the memoir? How does she express her trust in her father? Cite specific examples.

Near the beginning of the book, Jeannette describes her father as really smart, brave, tough, and supportive. In her mind, her father is like a hero. She trusts him with situation their family is in because she knew about it better than anyone else in her family. On pg.78, she says, "I knew more about Dad's situation than they did because he talked to me more than anyone else in the family...He told me I was his favorite child...'I swear, honey, there are times when I think you're the only one around who still has faith in me,' he said. 'I don't know what I'd do if you ever lost it.' I told him that I would never lose faith in him. And I promised myself I never would." The passage indicates that she trusted in him because she didn't want him to give up, and because no one else really ever had trust in him. She cared for her father so much, that even when he explained to her he was going to build a glass castle in which they would be safe, she trusted that he was going to build the castle, and hoped he would. She didn't want to lose her father, even though he was the center of most of the family's problems.

Homework Journal #1

A) What impression of Jeannette's mother do you get in the first section (pp. 3-5)? Why do you think she chooses to begin the memoir with this encounter?

The beginning of the book described Jeannette's mother as being homeless, picking through a dumpster as Jeannette rode by in a taxi. The book portrayed her mother as a very nice, homeless old lady; however it was assumed that Jeannette and her mother did not have a good relationship because of the reaction Jeannette gave upon seeing her mother this way. This section of the book made me question why the mother was homeless.  If her daughter had enough money to ride in a taxi, why didn't her mother have the money? or why did Jeannette not lend her mother some money so she would not be homeless? I wondered what kind of family Jeannette had, and how she came to have more money than her own mother. I believe that Jeannette chose to begin with this encounter because she wanted the reader to wonder what I was wondering and the reader to keep in mind how the mother was described and why the particular passage about her mother is important later on in the book.

B) How do Jeannette's parents explain the "skedaddle?" How do they justify all the moves? What are Jeannette and her siblings' reactions to constantly moving?

Jeannette's parents don't really explain the "skedaddle." They justified it as packing up the most important things needed, and heading out of their old town to go wherever they ended up. The kids never knew where they were going, so for them it was sort of an adventure, moving from one place to the next. The Walls' father most of the time said that the family was running away from "henchmen, bloodsuckers, and the gestapo". He made some crazy story up about how the FBI were chasing the family, and then they would take off. The Walls children didn't like moving, but they liked the adventure of going to a new place with more to discover there.

C) Describe a memory you have of moving, whether it was moving homes, schools, or even rooms. What kind of impact or significance did the move have on you? 

July 7th, 2006. That was the day my family and I moved to Floyds Knobs, Indiana, from Columbus, Ohio. I was almost 8 and 1/2, and I remember the day very clearly. It was bright, sunny, hot, and not a cloud was in the sky. I remember my family, six of us, grabbing our stuff and piling into our Toyota Sienna van. The moving truck was in front of us, carrying all of our still usable furniture, leaving our garage-size home behind. It was a long day, a four-hour drive. The move did not effect me as much as one would think. I did miss a lot of my school and church friends in Ohio, but I was a young child, and ready to make new friends. Once we arrived in Indiana, I put my old friends aside, and made a lot of new ones. I believe if I had left Ohio when I was much older, it would have had a much bigger impact on my life. 

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