The Destructors

1.) Who is the protagonist in this story-Trevor, Blackie, ot the gang? Who or what is the antagonist? Identify the conflicts of the story. I'd have to go with Blackie being the protagonist in this story because he really tries to stay on the positive side of things all the time. For example, when the gang starts to turn against T. and tries to make fun of him at the end of the story Blackie in a way sticks up for him and keeps things balanced. I beleive the house is the antagonist because everyone is all into destroying it. Their main objective is the demolish the place so that it never stands again.

Hunters in the Snow Questions

3.Which is the most sympathetic of the three characters? The story deals, in part, with the power struggle among the characters. Which character is the most powerful? Do the balance of power and alliances between the characters shift as the story proceeds?
I’d have to say Frank becomes very sympathetic at the end when he realizes how tough he and Kenny have been on Tub. He apologizes and feels bad about treating Tub the way he did and changes his attitude towards him. I believe at the end Tub becomes the most powerful because he shows it and in a way takes charge. Yes, because when Tub and Frank are in the tavern they find out stuff about each other that they didn’t know and that brings their relationship closer. In the beginning Frank and Kenney are like taking sides and leaving Tub out but that changes at the end.

7. What is the purpose of the scene in which Frank and Tub stop at the tavern for food and coffee, leaving the wounded Kenny in the back of the truck? During there conversation, Frank analyzes his own character and expresses remorse. Are his insights and remorse genuine? Why or why not?
They stop at the tavern because they’re freezing cold and need to warm up in order to keep driving. I strongly believe that his remorse is genuine because he shares it only with one person and that is Tub. Usually you don’t tell just anyone your personal problems unless you’re really close and have a good amount of trust.

My Great Grandfather

Aaron D. Thomas
9.11.07
Intro to Lit

My Great Grandfather

I’d have to say my great grandfather’s death was a life changing experience for me because he meant so much to me. I use to look up to him a lot because he was a positive role model and was awfully wise. The majority of the community came to him for guidance and advice. Just being the leader that he was brought a great sense of pride to me.
When I first heard of his death I became utterly shocked and speechless. I didn’t know what to do, I felt terrible but I should’ve expected it because he was getting pretty old. Even still I felt horrible because he was gone and I wouldn’t ever see him again. Than I began to think about all the good times we spent together and the things he taught me about my culture and how he would always treat me out. Everything he taught me I’m positive I will never forget. Such as where I come from and my culture.
For about a week I just mopped around and thought about him. It wasn’t until the end of the week I started to recover from the blow and began to get back to my normal self. Things started to become exceptionally better and about a week later I started to reflect back on him and how everyone loved him because he was always looking at negative circumstances in an upbeat manner. Than that moment changed my life. I realized that I wanted to be just like him, I wanted to be strong minded and positive and an all around good guy.
So from that day forward I strove to look at all types of situations on a bright note and concentrated on school tremendously. I read more, focused on finishing all my schoolwork no matter how complex, and participated in class to a much greater extent. Eventually, a lot of amazing things started to happen. I was building my vocabulary and doing great on quizzes from all my subjects. Overall I just became better at things.
I believe much of what I do these days is all thanks to my great grandfather. I learned that pondering over his death wasn’t a good idea and from it the whole experience changed my life in a positive manner. Nowadays when I look back at that time I’m surprised because I would have never expected the outcome to be the way it turned out. Still I wish he was around to talk to and ask for advice and things like that. But I know if he was here today and saw the individual I’ve become I know he would have been proud and jubilant.
One teaching I will never forget is when he told me never to give up. No matter what your doing he would always tell me never to quit but to always try my best even if it was pitiful. Just those little things he would tell me create a huge impact on my life and I will forever remember him for it.