How Does Money Figure in A Time To Kill by John Grisham

                  Money controls everything. Now I know what you’re going to say, “No it doesn’t”. Well newsflash it does, especially in the book A Time to Kill by John Grisham. In this book, money figures as a way to maintain life, without it we would be dead. Grisham shows this very well by making the main character Carl Lee Hailey’s life lay in the hands of money.

                A Time to Kill by John Grisham takes place in Ford County, Mississippi where seventy three percent of the population is white and racist but at the time most of the south was racist toward African Americans. In the book these two white males around their mid-thirties raped a ten year old black girl. “A man’s supposed to protect his family” (Grisham 60), knowing that the men would get loose without being charged, Carl Lee Hailey the father of the little raped girl killed the two men in cold blood as they were leaving the courtroom to avenge his daughters rape. Now Hailey has been indicted with manslaughter and might face the gas chamber.

                The only way Hailey has a chance of not dying by the gas chamber is if he has a great lawyer that can prove him innocent and keep him alive, but to have a good lawyer, you need the money to pay for one. Hailey, being in jail until the trial, can’t make the money he needs because he’s the one with the income in his family and he lost his job because he is in jail. Jake, Hailey’s lawyer was explaining to Hailey that he needs to gather up the money to pay for all these fees for the trial, “You’ve got to have cash, Carl Lee. Not for me but for the psychiatrists. Why? Because I’d like to keep you away from the gas chamber which is only a hundred miles away. And to that, we need them to believe you were crazy when shooting those boys and we need an expert, a doctor to do so and they don't work for free.” (Grisham 208). The thing is if Hailey had the money he would’ve given it to Jake but he doesn’t have the money. His family barely has enough money to put food on the table.

                What I think was really cool was that Grisham showed that money affects everyone not just Hailey. Most of the African American people in Ford County live in poverty and don’t have jobs and barely have enough money to even scratch up a dollar for a good cause. The author shows this by having the local church have a fundraiser to help Hailey’s case, but they only made a couple thousand dollars because most of the people could only scratch up the few dollars they had.

How Does A Time To Kill by John Grisham Make You Think About Justice in the World?

I grew up watching Law and Order: Special Victims Unit. It showed me that justice isn't always fair and that some people, when emotionally unstable, will take the law into their own hands and commit a crime. Now I learnt all that from watching a television show for almost five years.

The book A Time to Kill by John Grisham taught me the same exact thing but in a different way in a different time period. A Time to Kill takes place in the conservative and racist south, in Ford County, Mississippi, where 73 percent of the population is white and most of them are racist. A ten year old black girl gets viciously raped by two white men by the name of Willard and Billy Ray Cobb. While the two men were coming out of their indictment from court, Carl Lee, the father of the raped girl takes the law into his own hands and kills the two rapist in cold blood. Now he is in jail and waiting to get his indictment.

The book shows me that justice doesn't always mean fair. I’m only in the beginning of the book and I have already learnt that back in the day that whites could get easier punishments and get acquitted easier for murder than blacks. For example in the book Jake, Cobs’ white attorney says to Cobb:

“I’m white, and this is a white county. With luck I could get an all-white jury, which naturally would be sympathetic. This isn't New York or California. Mans supposed to protect his family. Some whites would admire you but most would want to see you hang. It would be much harder to win an acquittal.”(Grisham 61).

    This textual evidence shows that back some hundred or maybe even fifty years ago that justice wasn't nondiscriminatory, it used to depend on skin color.

    Now comparing justice back then and now I believe that justice is fair, depending where the location is fairness varies but at least today the government goes through a lot more for a person to have a fair trial. In the book, the one who is being charged with the crime, depending on how much power he or she may have could get a bias jury or a jury or judge to their liking. Today, the jury is randomly selected and has to meet requirements such as no connection to the case or the people. The jury is usually a mix of different races and genders from different backgrounds so the jury can’t be bias. The point I’m trying to prove is that comparing the two time period I’m glad to say that the justice system may not be equal and fair but the government at least tries to make the playing field leveled as possible the law will let it be.

2nd Draft Argument Essay

“The important task of literature is to free man, not to censor him”-Anais Nin. Parents and teachers should not ban A Fraction of the Whole by Steve Toltz for comprising inappropriate language and content for middle school students. A Fraction of the Whole by Steve Toltz is about the main character Martin Dean and his son Terry Dean and their unique life. The book shouldn't be banned because it is a well acclaimed book, showing the consequences of bullying which kids these days need to know about; while the book does have sexual content and profane language, it is something that teens are already exposed to.

Many parents believe that many young adult books that their children are reading have hideously distorted portrayals of life and reality. One of those parents are Meghan Cox Gurdon. She complains about depravity and hideously portrayals in young adult literature. Unlike Gurdon, the author of Why the Best Books are Written in Blood states, “When I think of the poverty stricken, sexually and physically abused, self-loathing Native American teenager I was, I only wish, that I’d been given the opportunity to read the… the books that Ms. Gurdon believes to be irredeemable.”(Sherman Alexie). Also A fraction of the whole by Steve Toltz is seen as not hideous, but “grows in the shadow of great expectations.”(New York Times). It has also been recently listed for the Man Booker Prize. This shows that A Fraction of the whole shouldn't be banned because it is a highly acclaimed book and teaches kids how to cope with their problems.

Another reason why A Fraction of the Whole by Steve Toltz should not be banned is because the inappropriate language and content in the book is something teens are already exposed and introduced to in reality, so the content isn't out of the ordinary life of a teenager. For example, words like “condom” which is used on page 372 of A Fraction of the Whole isn't a new word heard by students. They are familiar with the word. The violent and sexual content isn't written in explicit detail, so it doesn't make the reader uncomfortable to the point where their minds are scarred. Also, while there is cussing in the book it isn't frequently used but instead philosophical sayings and ideas are filled in the book that will make the reader think. For example in the book Toltz writes, “True creative power isolates one and demands something that has to be subtracted from the enjoyment of life” (Toltz 560). This will make middle school students stop and really think about the quote which is good for class subjects.

           The final reason why the book A Fraction of the Whole shouldn't be ban is because there is a need for young people to know the consequences and effects of bullying. The book A Fraction of the Whole teaches suicides is not only a result of teens being bullied and pushed over the edge but that adults also commit suicide when pushed over the edge when bullied by teens. For example in the book it states, “I [Terry] missed all the signs. I didn't interpret the nail-biting as a cry for help or as an indication that he would soon be rotting dumbly in the earth. After Brett’s death, I dissected that afternoon in my head countless times…I could’ve said something, or done something, to change his mind. Now I wonder, why do we wish our loved ones back to life if they were so obviously miserable?”(Toltz 306). In this part of the book Terry Dean’s only friend Brett has committed suicide. He is grieving but knows that Brett is better off dead. Also in the next couple pages in the book, the death of Brett makes his father and teacher depressed. Terry ends up playing a prank that would push his teacher over the edge and commit suicide himself like his dead son. The book also accurately portrayals a teens point of view on sensitive topics and topics that are very normal in a teenager’s life.

          A Fraction of the Whole by Steve Toltz shouldn't be banned just because of inappropriate language and content. The book opens the mind to really about our surroundings and how it affects us and one way the author shows it is by using things from our daily life such as language and putting some meaning to it. Read the book and decide whether or not the book should be banned but keep in mind that the most important task of literature is to free man, not to censor him.

Monday Muses: Inspiring Myself

2 years ago, when I was in sixth grade, I went on a trip with my class 603 and Ms. Isaac to this cool place where you could feel the way blind people live. The point of the trip was to use our other senses besides sight so our writing could be more detailed and interesting. Also it would make our writing more visual and realistic to the reader. Anyways, I never expected the trip to inspire me and open up my eyes in a new way.

On this trip they took us into a room in groups. We sat on these lighted cubes, it was really cool. The lights slowly started to become dimmer and dimmer and the room became darker and darker until the room was pitch black. I couldn't see anything, not even shapes of things moving around, which by the way is what you see in the dark usually.

Our sight was taking away to be in a blind man’s perspective and they gave us walking sticks like the ones blind people use. It was an unbelievable experience. They took us to these rooms I suppose, I couldn't see where I was going, obviously. All I can say is that it’s an experience that was totally new to me. They took us to these part of the building where we went upstairs and downstairs, a room that sounded like a forest, a room with different sized doors, a train I think, because it felt like one. We couldn't see so you really had to use your senses and really think about what was in front of you. I can say one thing though, we weren't calm and cool at all. Everyone’s hands were everywhere trying to find someone around them or trying to guess who they were. I was clenching on to my best friends hand the entire time so I wouldn't get lost.

That day on the trip inspired me to appreciate what I have. We take our sight for granted and don’t realize how hard or confusing life is without it. Without it we couldn't see the beautiful colors and people around us and the world.  Without sight we would be living in a world full of darkness which seems really scary to me at least because I’m afraid of the dark. Not only has the trip inspired me to appreciate my sight but has also inspired me to appreciate blind people. I think it’s amazing how they use their other senses like touch and hearing to their advantage and still being able to do most of the things we do in our daily lives.

1st Draft Argument Essay

Parents and teachers should not ban A Fraction of the Whole by Steve Toltz for comprising inappropriate language and content for middle school students. The book shouldn't be banned because it is a well acclaimed book, showing the consequences of bullying which kids these days need to know about; while the book does have sexual content and profane language, it is something that teens are already exposed to.

Many parents believe that many young adult books that their children are reading have hideously distorted portrayals of life and reality. One of those parents are Meghan Cox Gurdon. She complains about depravity and hideously portrayals in young adult literature. Unlike Gurdon, the author of Why the Best Books are Written in Blood states, “When I think of the poverty stricken, sexually and physically abused, self-loathing Native American teenager I was, I only wish, that I’d been given the opportunity to read the… the books that Ms. Gurdon believes to be irredeemable. Also A fraction of the whole by Steve Toltz is seen as not hideous, but “grows in the shadow of great expectations.” It has also been recently listed for the Man Booker Prize. This shows that A Fraction of the whole shouldn't be banned because it is a highly acclaimed book and teaches kids how to cope with their problems.

Another reason why A Fraction of the Whole by Steve Toltz should not be banned is because the inappropriate language and content in the book is something teens are already exposed and introduced to in reality, so the content isn't out of the ordinary life of a teenager. For example, words like “condom” which is used on page 372 of A Fraction of the Whole isn't a new word heard by students. They are familiar with the word. The violent and sexual content isn't written in explicit detail, so it doesn't make the reader uncomfortable to the point where their minds are scarred. Also, while there is cussing in the book it isn't frequently used but instead philosophical sayings and ideas are filled in the book that will make the reader think. For example in the book it states, “True creative power isolates one and demands something that has to be subtracted from the enjoyment of life” (p560). This will make middle school students stop and really think about the quote which is good for class subjects.

           The final reason why the book A Fraction of the Whole shouldn't be ban is because there is a need for young people to know the consequences and effects of bullying. The book A Fraction of the Whole teaches suicides is not only a result of teens being bullied and pushed over the edge but that adults also commit suicide when pushed over the edge when bullied by teens. For example in the book it states, “I missed all the signs. I didn't interpret the nail-biting as a cry for help or as an indication that he would soon be rotting dumbly in the earth. After Brett’s death, I dissected that afternoon in my head countless times…I could’ve said something, or done something, to change his mind. Now I wonder, why do we wish our loved ones back to life if they were so obviously miserable?” The book also accurately portrayals a teens point of view on sensitive topics and topics that are very normal in a teenager’s life.

          In conclusion, A Fraction of the Whole by Steve Toltz shouldn't be banned just because of inappropriate language and content. The book opens the mind to really about our surroundings and how it affects us and one way the author shows it is by using things from our daily life such as language and putting some meaning to it. Read the book and decide whether or not the book should be banned.

Monday Muses: Childhood Memories

I remember my childhood memories as little adventures I've taken. Most of them which I took with my best friend Duhita who is a year older than me.

          One of many adventures I took with her was to the Chinese food restaurant called Twin Lins to order some chicken and broccoli, our favorite. So at the time I was only seven and she was eight. My dad gave me a dollar every day before he went to work and I would save it up in my piggy bank. I used to live in the same apartment building as her grandmother so when she came over her dad give her money for a snack.

So one day we decided we were going to buy some Chinese food and it would be our little secret. Well technically it’s not a secret anymore because you’re reading this but anyways you get the jest. At the time my grandparents were out of the country and my parents were at work so her grandma was also babysitting me along with Duhita.

So when her grandmother went to take her daily nap, Duhita and I set out on our adventure. We took this carton of oil that her grandmother had in her kitchen and put it between the door and the wall so the outside door wouldn't lock us out. We were only seven, obviously we didn't have keys, so this was the perfect solution. We walked the long journey of 10 feet to the Chinese restaurant, we had reached our destiny. There we had ordered our food and had paid with twenty quarters since we didn't have any actual dollars. The lady at the counter was confused but didn't say anything. So we waited for our food which took only a few minutes but which seemed like a life to a seven year old me. It felt even longer because we had to make it back home and finish eating before her grandmother woke up. It was like a race to the finish before the time bomb exploded. It was epic. When we got our food we raced home and being the kids we are eating was a competition which I happily won.

What I think I love the most of childhood memories is that what seems like such a simple task now was like and adventure when we were kids. It made things seem like a fairy tale  That’s why the best memories are from our childhood in my opinion.

Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen

“Whatever you do to animals, you do to yourself” I just finished reading Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen, and it took me on an emotional toll which is hard to do. The book is about 15 year old Cole Matthews who smashed Peter Driscal’s skull into the sidewalk. Now Cole has to choose between prison and Native American Circle Justice where he lives in isolation for one year. He chooses Circle Justice. When he is mauled by a mysterious white bear and almost dies, his soul is saved. It sounds like a cliché but it’s true. The theme of the book is change. That people can change for the better. A very positive them for such a dark book.

A part of the book that shows the theme change, is on page 203 where you can see Cole has changed. In the book Cole thinks, “Cole crawled into bed but tossed fitfully. He remembered his own close brush with death and how terrified he’d been. It haunted him to think that Peter had tried to end his life on purpose. How scared must he be to actually go searching for death?” In this part of the book Cole finds out that Peter, who Cole smashed his head brutally into the sidewalk had tried to commit suicide but failed. This part shows change because Cole shows feelings such as regret, sorry, and pitiful instead of the “old” Cole who was cold-blooded teen who was numb to any feels besides anger and revenge. Sounds like a sad and terrible life to me. This part of the book also shows change because he realizes what he has caused with violence and it haunts him to see that he is the real reason why Peter wants to commit suicide. Deep stuff huh?

Another part of the book that shows change is on page 239 when Cole tells Peter, “This morning we forgave each other, we also forgave ourselves… we allowed ourselves to become a part of the big circle. That’s why we saw the Spirit Bear”.  That’s sounds inspirational doesn't it? Makes you want to get up and smell the roses, but anyways back to the change in this part of the book. In the beginning of the book Cole had only picked the Circle Justice to avoid jail. It meant nothing more to him. He would be the one who would lie in the healing circles about how he was improving as a person. Now the Circle Justice was a way of life. The thing that gave him a new life and soul. He understood that the Circle Justice had healed him and Peter and really had changed and improved. This text also shows the theme change because he was also trying to show and explain to Peter that the Circle Justice had done well for Peter too.

I really enjoyed this book. In the beginning it had seemed a bit boring but when Cole has the encounter with the Spirit Bear the book got really interesting and I didn't want to close the book. The theme change really stood out. Usually it’s the characters or the problem that you first see but in this book I knew what the theme was right off the back which is a good thing.