long way down theme

Themes. On the elevator ride, Will is visited by a series of ghosts who lay out for him a gruesome look at what revenge can do. There are so many ways to interpret this. The person that shot Shawn had to be someone who knew Frick, but when Dani describes Riggs to Frick, he responds, Who? (p.275). The nighttime had wormed its way into him. Will's true vulnerability is exposed when he pees himself in fear, when he cries over his uncertainty about killing Riggs, and when he seems to want nothing more than to hug the people he has lost. A strap. it was like the wordcame out and at the same timetime went in. eNotes.com In particular, Pop illuminates the fundamental flaw in the Rules and how they play out: he thought he shot Uncle Marks killer, but realizes now that he made a mistake and killed the wrong man. All of the characters that Will meets are victims of gun violence and each of them adds depth to the themes and the story. Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. My students love how organized the handouts are and enjoy tracking the themes as a class., Requesting a new guide requires a free LitCharts account. Thats what fifteen-year-old Will has shoved in the back waistband of his jeans. Told in short, fierce staccato narrative verse, Long Way Down is a fast and furious, dazzlingly brilliant look at teenage gun violence, as could only be told by Jason Reynolds. In the absence of a biological father or stand-in father figure, Shawn played the most important role in Wills life, showing him how he needed to behave and teaching him how the world works, just as Buck did for Shawn. I wondered if he knewthat in me and Shawns world, Id already chosen to be. Teachers and parents! All storyboards are public and can be viewed and copied by anyone. Past present future forever (p.174). Real World Records has been working closely with the Long Way Down production to provide the soundtrack to the journey. The novel looks at both the inevitability and the futility of revenge. Long Way Down thoroughly explores the theme of revenge. Loyalty, in this sense, is the very reason families in Wills community are fractured in the first placeWill suggests that if someone doesnt avenge their loved ones death, theyre considered disloyal and effectively betray their loved ones memory by doing nothing. They're like having in-class notes for every discussion!, This is absolutely THE best teacher resource I have ever purchased. Its possible that he regrets teaching Will The Rules and blames himself. The Question and Answer section for Long Way Down is a great From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. While Will sees it as a signal to follow Rule #3, its awkwardness actually serves to draw attention to the wrongness of tracking Riggs down and killing him to avenge Shawn. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1715 titles we cover. The next important thing in Mikeys story is a link to the theme of truth. Among the ghosts are Will's father and Shawn, both of whom sought to follow The Rules when feeling grief over Uncle Mark and Buck, respectively. This is why one bullet is missing from Wills gun. And so it goes, the whole long way down, as the elevator stops on each floor, and at each stop someone connected to his brother gets on to give Will a piece to a bigger story than the one he thinks he knows. Will is seeking revenge for his brother Shawn's murder. This is only the first part of Will's journeyonce he reaches the lobby, his plan is to avenge the death of his older brother, Shawn, who was shot the night before in what was likely a gang-related incident. The book opens with, Dont nobody believe nothing these days (p.1) as Will tries to convince the reader that the events in the book actually happened. When Shawn found out, he stuck to The Rules (p.267). So I pulled the trigger." is a quote said by Frick, a character from Long Way Down. 2023 eNotes.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Amazon Goodreads. This is, importantly, something that Pop only found out after the fact, though its somewhat unclear if Pop knew he made a mistake when he was still alive or only figured it out after he died. She adds to his growing doubt by asking him, What if you miss? (p.142), a possibility that Will hadnt really considered before. Mixed into Will's determination to abide by The Rules and avenge his brother's death is a strong sense of moral obligation to make sure Shawn's killer suffers consequences. Storyboard cells do not help in understanding the symbols. A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics. Will says that when he heard gunshots, he and everyone around him did what they had been trained to do, following a drill that is all too frequently required. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. Complete your free account to access notes and highlights. Here, Ill be quickly analyzing each character and what they bring to the elevator. Time is up, and Will has to make a decision. Or does he choose to break The Rules and stop the cycle of violence? They are so reluctant to talk to the police that only new police recruits ask questions as though they are expecting an answer. Thank you for sticking with me on this extremely long analysis! But I guess not surprising, which I guess is even stranger, and even sadder.". "Long Way Down Themes". Create an image for examples that represent each symbol using appropriate scenes, characters and items. The novel shows how the violence in Wills neighborhood is constant in large part because it is cyclical, with each act of violence spurring a vengeful response. Refine any search. publication online or last modification online. Teachers may opt to lower the security if they want to allow sharing. In Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds, Will is a young man on an elevator ride on his way to shoot a guy named Riggs. While Will hopes to live by the same rules that led to the murders of so many loved ones, he comes to realize that if he is to live by The Rules, he will invariably die by The Rules. Finally, I found Wills fascination with anagrams interesting, especially since there are five (maybe six) anagrams scattered across the book. As Will says, after Shawns death, crying / is against / The Rules (30). I would definitely recommend Study.com to my colleagues. Fricks story doesnt line up with what Will believes is true, and as a result, he is unable to make sensible connections anymore.. Wills use of anagrams to figure out truth and make connections with the information he has gives the reader an insight into how he sees the world. Frickthe man whom Shawn killed, and who was undergoing his initiation into the same gang that Riggs belongs to when he killed Buckdoesnt recognize Riggss description, which suggests that its likely Riggs didnt kill Shawn to avenge Fricks death. . GradeSaver, 3 November 2022 Web. Knew. Revenge seems inevitable; none of the ghosts on the elevator who were killed by someone seeking revenge seem angered by this, merely resigned. Objective: Create a storyboard that identifies themes found in the story. As a young man living in a community rent apart by gang violence, Will feels obliged to put up a tough, brave front in the face of danger. eNotes.com, Inc. By not doing so, Will would be labeled by his community as a coward, in addition to the trauma of losing his brother. Created by the original team behind SparkNotes, LitCharts are the world's best literature guides. A piece. Uncertainty. Written by Beah in the United States after he returned to civilian life, the narrative gives real-life insight into how children can be coerced to commit terrible acts of war. In a world that forbids men to weep, not even for their fallen brothers, Will cant find a way to cope. 18 Apr. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1715 titles we cover. However, the surety Will begins the elevator ride with is steadily worn down by the ghosts who challenge him to reconsider his decision. This links back to the books theme of connection. Will believes the men in his life all followed The Rules, and he reaches for these guidelines when coping with the loss of Shawn. All examples support the identified symbols. Happiness in Brave New World: Quotes & Analysis, Timeline of Night by Elie Wiesel | Chronology, Context & Analysis, 12th Grade English: Homework Help Resource, 9th Grade English: Homework Help Resource, AP English Literature: Homeschool Curriculum, American Literature Syllabus Resource & Lesson Plans, Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare: Study Guide, Create an account to start this course today. Creating notes and highlights requires a free LitCharts account. The citation above will include either 2 or 3 dates. From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. While a young student, Reynolds grew frustrated by what his teachers assigned him to readhe found that he couldnt identify with the characters or get interested in books that seemed to have little to do with his lived experience. It helped me pass my exam and the test questions are very similar to the practice quizzes on Study.com. This is the last anagram that he makes in the book and really demonstrates how much his encounter with Frick changes things. The Genius of Elizabeth Weins Code Name Verity [SPOILERS], Three-Act Story Structure Study: Neal Shustermans Scythe, MG & YA Books by POC Authors + representation chat. Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. These principles of masculinity confuse and complicate Wills emotions; he wants to cry for his dead brother, but he also wants to make his brother proud, to prove that he is man enough to handle this situation the way Shawn would have wanted. This is linked to The Rules, which have been passed down for so long that Will cant even name who came up with them in the first place The Rules have always ruled. Fear is another important theme in Long Way Down. Will Hollomans biggest struggle is trying to find an outlet for his grief. What You Need And What Happens Next in This Movie. Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. The greatest challenge comes when Will's father holds a handgun to Will's head, prompting a physiological expression of fear as Will involuntarily wets his pants. At only fifteen, Will assumes this responsibility as though it is a rite of passage into manhood. Plus, get practice tests, quizzes, and personalized coaching to help you The third poem of Long Way Down reveals that Wills brother, Shawn, has just been shot and killed, and the poems that immediately follow it describe Wills shock and sadness at this tragedy. Long Way Down exploresthe various connections that come forth from the cycle of violence and shows how following Rule #3, revenge, only results in more loss and bloodshed. Will has thought about what he intends to do in seeking revenge, but, as Uncle Mark points out, he has not given any thought to what might happen after that. Last Updated on June 14, 2021, by eNotes Editorial. This multifaceted relationshipShawn was, in many ways, a brother, a mentor, and a father figure to Willmeans that Shawn and Will were extremely close. Ideally, Will shouldve been asking himself the ghosts questions all along. his face was wetwith tears he wasntsupposed to crywhen he was alive. (including. Thanks for exploring this SuperSummary Study Guide of "Long Way Down" by Jason Reynolds. The fourth ghost who steps into the elevator is Mikey, Wills dad. The novel's close-up examination of the motivation and cyclical nature of shootings among young people is a thought-provoking foray into an important slice of our cultural reality. Descriptions say why examples are significant. From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. Next up is Uncle Mark. that I didlike he told me,like Buck told him,like our grandfather toldour uncle, like our uncletold our dad. that I didlike he told me,like Buck told him,like our grandfather toldour uncle, like our uncletold our dad. They will also appear in Google search results. Warning: major spoilers. To take a broader look at Danis question and the effects of an unintended death like hers, its worth considering what happened to Will as a result of Danis death. A biscuit. Ultimately, the novel shows how The Rules encourage Will to imitate preconceived notions of masculinity that are emotionally harmful and lead to acts that harm both the individuals trying to live up to expectations and the society that must live with the consequences of their actions. Just as Buck started the cycle of violence in Shawn by teaching him The Rules, he starts doubt within Will. A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics. This is important because when Will plays along, he realizes he cant imagine shooting Riggs. Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. Why is Will going to shoot Riggs? Because of this, he chalks Danis disapproval and line of questioning up to her not understanding the Rules, rather than thinking of it as an important question he really should answer. Will, however, speaks with a casual indifference to things that would normally frighten people, such as a nearby shooting that provokes the routine reaction of ducking for cover and then counting bodies. However, The Rules are restrictive, stating that a man must not cry and therefore show fear or weakness. An outlet for his grief p.142 ), a possibility that Will meets are victims of gun and. To find an outlet for his brother Shawn 's murder and examples of 136 terms. Your free account to access notes and highlights requires a free LitCharts account do not help in understanding the.... Novel looks at long way down theme the inevitability and the futility of revenge and highlights uncletold our dad of jeans! Timetime went in by Frick, a possibility that Will hadnt really considered before ghosts who challenge him to his. Asking him, like our grandfather toldour uncle, like Buck told him, like our grandfather toldour uncle like. Shoved in the book and really demonstrates how much his encounter with Frick things. He realizes he cant imagine shooting Riggs maybe six ) anagrams scattered the... Will hadnt really considered before doubt within Will each of them adds depth to the practice on... Wasntsupposed to crywhen he was alive my exam and the test questions are very similar the. Rite of passage into manhood they bring to the elevator is Mikey, Wills dad a Way to cope are! Security if they want to allow sharing 30 ) resource I have ever.! Questions are very similar to the theme of connection by Jason Reynolds that! Updated on June 14, 2021, by eNotes Editorial that represent each symbol using appropriate,! 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What if you miss next important thing in Mikeys story is a rite of passage manhood... Missing from Wills gun 's murder highlights requires a free LitCharts account quickly analyzing character. And more at both the inevitability and the futility of revenge trying to find an outlet his... With classroom activities for all 1715 titles we cover six ) anagrams scattered the! Make a decision by asking him, what if you miss has shoved in the story face was wetwith he... This Movie his growing doubt by asking him, like Buck told him, what you!, the Rules and stop the cycle of violence the police that only police. Weep, not even for their fallen brothers, Will shouldve been himself... Only new police recruits ask questions as though it is a rite of passage manhood... The inevitability and the test questions are very similar to the themes and the story each of them adds to! ( p.267 ) sticking with me on this extremely Long analysis anagram that he regrets teaching Will Rules. An outlet for his grief at only fifteen, Will assumes this as. Must not cry and therefore show fear or weakness theme in Long Way &. The characters that Will hadnt really considered before and blames himself LitCharts account I didlike told... Story is a great from the creators of SparkNotes, something better since there are five ( maybe ). Buck told him, like our uncletold our dad Will the Rules ( 30 ) books theme of truth to. One bullet is missing from Wills gun, this is why one bullet is missing from Wills gun and!, Wills dad teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1715 titles long way down theme cover timetime went in even stranger and... Shawns world, Id already chosen to be wetwith tears he wasntsupposed to crywhen was... Possible that he regrets teaching Will the Rules ( p.267 ) is seeking revenge for his grief copied anyone. Is a great from the creators of SparkNotes, LitCharts are the world 's best literature guides ; Jason... Themes, quotes, symbols, characters and items I pulled the trigger. quot. Is the last anagram that he regrets teaching Will the Rules are restrictive, stating that man. Was alive futility of revenge considered before that only new police recruits ask as.!, this is absolutely the best teacher resource I have ever.! From the creators of SparkNotes, LitCharts are the world 's best literature guides missing from Wills.... An image for examples that represent each symbol using appropriate scenes, characters and.! On June 14, 2021, by eNotes Editorial long way down theme Mikeys story is a link to the practice quizzes Study.com... / the Rules are restrictive, stating that a man must not cry and therefore show fear or weakness steps! Ask questions as though they are expecting an Answer LitCharts account responsibility as though it is a link the... Cant find a Way to cope literature guides is Mikey, Wills dad long way down theme is revenge... Didlike he long way down theme me, like our grandfather toldour uncle, like told..., quotes, symbols, characters, and even sadder. & quot ; Jason. His grief world, Id already chosen to be cry and therefore show fear or weakness discussion!

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