Blog Post #5

Blog Post #5: What hard things are happening in the book?

   I have just finished reading the book The Autobiography of Malcolm X, by Alex Haley and Malcolm X. I think many hard things happen in this book.

   One hard thing that happens in this book is when Elijah Muhammad betrays Malcolm X. Malcolm realizes this when he learns that NOI wants him dead, and only one person could have stirred up the idea of Malcolm X being killed: Elijah Muhammad. Later, it is revealed that Elijah Muhammad was having an affair with his two secretaries, Malcolm X confronts him about this. He says he must do what all the prophets did, get drunk like Noah, and commit incest like Lot. (Side note/text to text/self connection: Elijah Muhammad is Muslim, and according to the Koran, prophets are examples of morality and good Muslims, and according to the Koran, Noah did not get drunk, and Lot did not commit incest. This makes me think that Elijah Muhammad is very hypocritical.)

  Also, I think another hard time in this book is when Malcolm X is assassinated. Everyone was in a panic, and Malcolm X's house was firebombed with Molotovs, and his wife Betty went hysterical after he died, saying how he knew this was coming, but the NOI said he did it himself for publicity. His family went through hard times right after he died.

Blog Post #4

I am reading the book "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Malcolm X and Alex Haley. This book is a non-fiction autobiography of Malcolm X, however I think this book also has protagonists and antagonists,etc.
   In this book, I can relate a bit to Malcolm, the protagonist. He didn't know what to do with his life, and sometimes I wonder what am I going to do, and feel unsure at times.
 I think that THEM(The Honorable Elijah Muhammad) is a mentor, but also the shadow. I think this because he teaches Malcolm X a lot and changed his life, but at the end the NOI becomes Malcolm's enemy.
  I also think that Shorty and Ella are minor protagonists, as they help Malcolm throughout his life. Shorty taught him a lot that he knows, but Malcolm turns away from the things he learned after he became Muslim like how to sell weed, which bars to go to, etc.

Blog Post #3

     In my book,"Twisted", by Laurie Halse Anderson, Tyler, a high school senior, is going to meetings for "The Foul Deed", which is when Tyler vandalized the school. To pay off the value of what he vandalized, he works for Pirelli's Landscaping. Near the beginning of the book, he goes to a potluck hosted by his dad's boss. At the potluck, he gets into a fight with Chip, who is the son of Tyler's father's boss. Chip pushes him into a waiter and glass shatters, causing Chip's sister, Bethany, to get many stitches. After Tyler goes to a party, he gets into trouble with the law, and that's when the trouble starts. 
   The protagonist in this book is Tyler. He is a good-hearted character, and is on probation for his Foul Deed. His dad is not the best dad, and is always frustrated and has outbursts of anger. His enemy, which happens to be the antagonist, is his boss' son, Chip.
   Chip is the antagonist of this book. He despises Tyler, and injures him on many occasions. Tyler is physically stronger than Chip, however, he does not want to get his dad fired. Nevertheless, he threatens Chip near the end, and his dad gets fired.
   Chip and Tyler have both despised each other, and their relationship seems to go back a long way. The reason is not stated in the book, but I think Chip hates Tyler after he starts seeing Bethany. I think Chip feels this way because he feels Tyler is stealing Bethany away from him.

Blog Post #2

Question #2: Why do you think Paterson had Leslie die in the book? Do you think the book would have been as powerful if Leslie didn't die?
Or something like that....


I think that Paterson had Leslie die in the book because without Leslie dying, it would not really give a powerful feeling to how Jess learns how to deal with things and I cannot think of another climax that would fit this story right. Also it wouldn't have much of an effect if someone else like May Belle dies or something.  I think it would'nt be as powerful if Leslie didnt die because Jess was become too dependent on Leslie, even though she was teaching him stuff. Also I think this story needs a major, sudden climax because there is no rising action in the book.