Summary
50,000 Rupees
A census man came into Colonel Taylor's house and asked their name, sex, and age. Taylor was the owner of the house where he owned servants, where Ram was one of them. Colonel Taylor and his family are all diplomats and are from Australia. Ram was practicing the Australian accent which was amusing. One day, a man named Jeevan Kumar called the house and spoke with Mr. Taylor about illegal documents. As Mr. Taylor was going to the destination, Ram called the Inspector and spoke an Australian accent to meet at the location where Taylor was going to get the documents. The next night, police came to the house where Mr. Taylor was asked to be declared "persona non grata" (unwelcome person) and was to leave within forty-eight hours by the Foreign Office.
Prem Kumar whispers to Ram that his luck has just ran out. He expects him to use one of his lifeboats to answer the question, where Kumar dislikes people that wins the quiz show. The next question was, "When a government declares a foreign diplomat persona non grata, what does it mean?" Ram answered, D. that the diplomat is not acceptable.
100,000 Rupees
Ram is now a bartender at Jimmy's Bar and Restaurant. It was past midnight and there was a lone customer at the bar who refuses to leave. Ram decides to have a conversation because he is having a troublesome life. His name was Prakash Rao, managing director of Surya Industries, which is the biggest manufacturer of buttons in India. His brother, Arvind Rao which Prakash replaced, is not saddened. Prakash remembered going to Mauritius for his honeymoon, to Port Louis. Then he decides to change the topic since Ram asked what happened to his brother. His brother Arvind was a great businessman who built Surya Industries. He sent Prakash to New York, and make him head of international sales, where the office was located. Prakash in New York, met a women named Julie. Julie was an illegal immigrant from Haiti. The capital was Port-au-Prince.
The next question was, "What is the capital of Papua New Guinea?" Is it A. Port Louis, B. Port-au-Prince, C. Port Moresby, or D. Port Adelaide? Ram crossed out the wrong answers which were not Port Louis that was located at Mauritius, it was not B. which is located at Haiti, and D. which is located in Australia. Ram answered, C. Port Moresby.
200,000 Rupees
Ram was on the railroad train with fifty thousand rupees, where in his mind is like fifty million. As he has awoken in the train by dacoit's(criminals of robbery), they had pulled a gun out asking for everyones valuables. Everyone handed in their valuables, even Ram with his fifty thousand rupees. As the dacoit was about to jump off the train, Ram jumped on the man and they both rolled on the ground fighting. As the dacoit was about to pull the trigger, Ram twisted the gun to his chest and the man died. Ram stood there holding the gun and examined it saying "Colt" on the pistol.
The next question was "Who invented the revolver?" Ram answered, A. Samuel Colt.
1,000,000 Rupees
On a bus, Ram was confronted by ruffians(a tough person) to be killed because he was a Muslim. But someone in the back named Ahmed Khan pulled out his revolver and pointed at them. The ruffians left, scared for their life. Ram was relieved that he lived and are now friends with Ahmed. Ahmed invited Ram to his house, where he loved watching Mumbai Crime Watch and cricket. Ahmed is a gambler, where he does illegal betting for cricket matches. One match, he betted that Sachin Malvankar, India's greatest batsman, would win. At the end of the game, Malvankar had lost, and the cricket player lost his thirty-seventh century by one run.
The next question was, "How many Test centuries had India's greatest batsman, Sachin Malvankar, scored? Ram answered, C. thirty-six.
Quote
"Tonight Mr. Thomas really seems to be the Man Who Knows!" (Swarup 129).
Reaction
As Ram Thomas got all his answers correct, Prem Kumar is shocked. He never had of guessed that a regular slumdog waiter such as Ram could make it this far. Kumar doubted his chances even by giving him a free answer. Prem Kumar doesn't want anyone to win the quiz show, as he always grins and chuckles at Ram.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
Slumdog Millionaire pg 1-102
Summary
Prologue
"I have been arrested. For winning a quiz show (Swarup 1). Ram Mohammad Thomas is the boy who won the quiz show, and was interrogated by an inspector named Godbole. Ram is just a waiter at a restaurant, who never went to school or read a newspaper. The commissioner started to ask questions just like another game show but Ram didn't understand the answer to the questions. Ram told him he just knew the answers and got lucky. Later on, they started to torture Ram until suddenly, a lawyer named Smita Shah came in and compromised with Godbole. Smita brought Ram back to her house and asked him how he won, where Ram told Smita it was through understanding his entire life.
1,000 Rupees
Salim was his best friend. He is crazy about Hindi films that stars with an actor, Armaan Ali. Salim is obsessed with him that he got pictures all over his wall. Ram and Salim would watch movies together about Armaan. One day, Salim saw Armaan Ali as he was entering a hotel.
The first question was, "Which blockbusting film in which Armaan Ali starred with Priya Kapoor for the very first time?" Ram answered, D. Betrayal.
2,000 Rupees
As a young boy, he was left on the cold winter night of December 25 in a large bin near Church of St. Mary. St. Mary ran an orphanage where Ram was put up for adoption. Ram was then adopted by Mrs. and Mr. Thomas and named Ram, Joseph. Since the family was religious, they decided not to name him Joseph because they didn't know if he was Christian. They were suggested his name should be Ram, one of their favorite gods. Ram would be used to going to church. Ram saw the altar and above it was a large crucifix of Christ and the letters I N R I.
Prem Kumar, the host of the quiz show, whispered that he would change the next question because he felt sorry that Ram should get at least a little money. Prem Kumar changed the question to "What is the sequence of letters normally inscribed on a cross? Ram answered B. I N R I.
5,000 Rupees
Ram and Salim lived in a poor neighborhood. They lived next to a friend called Gudiya, where her father is an astronomer, where he studies the planets and stars. One day, Guydiya found a cat and wanted to name it. The father said, since he was the smallest in the family, they would call it Pluto.
Question three on the quiz show was, "Which is the smallest planet in our solar system?" Ram answered, A. Pluto.
Quote
"After all, a quiz show is not so much a test of knowledge as a test of memory" (Swarup 18).
Reaction
As Ram told Smita about how he won the quiz show, Smita told the show was a test of memory. Ram's memories were displayed throughout his life, where he decides to tell her memories to Smita. Coincidentally, all the questions that were asked on the game show matched Ram's experiences.
Prologue
"I have been arrested. For winning a quiz show (Swarup 1). Ram Mohammad Thomas is the boy who won the quiz show, and was interrogated by an inspector named Godbole. Ram is just a waiter at a restaurant, who never went to school or read a newspaper. The commissioner started to ask questions just like another game show but Ram didn't understand the answer to the questions. Ram told him he just knew the answers and got lucky. Later on, they started to torture Ram until suddenly, a lawyer named Smita Shah came in and compromised with Godbole. Smita brought Ram back to her house and asked him how he won, where Ram told Smita it was through understanding his entire life.
1,000 Rupees
Salim was his best friend. He is crazy about Hindi films that stars with an actor, Armaan Ali. Salim is obsessed with him that he got pictures all over his wall. Ram and Salim would watch movies together about Armaan. One day, Salim saw Armaan Ali as he was entering a hotel.
The first question was, "Which blockbusting film in which Armaan Ali starred with Priya Kapoor for the very first time?" Ram answered, D. Betrayal.
2,000 Rupees
As a young boy, he was left on the cold winter night of December 25 in a large bin near Church of St. Mary. St. Mary ran an orphanage where Ram was put up for adoption. Ram was then adopted by Mrs. and Mr. Thomas and named Ram, Joseph. Since the family was religious, they decided not to name him Joseph because they didn't know if he was Christian. They were suggested his name should be Ram, one of their favorite gods. Ram would be used to going to church. Ram saw the altar and above it was a large crucifix of Christ and the letters I N R I.
Prem Kumar, the host of the quiz show, whispered that he would change the next question because he felt sorry that Ram should get at least a little money. Prem Kumar changed the question to "What is the sequence of letters normally inscribed on a cross? Ram answered B. I N R I.
5,000 Rupees
Ram and Salim lived in a poor neighborhood. They lived next to a friend called Gudiya, where her father is an astronomer, where he studies the planets and stars. One day, Guydiya found a cat and wanted to name it. The father said, since he was the smallest in the family, they would call it Pluto.
Question three on the quiz show was, "Which is the smallest planet in our solar system?" Ram answered, A. Pluto.
Quote
"After all, a quiz show is not so much a test of knowledge as a test of memory" (Swarup 18).
Reaction
As Ram told Smita about how he won the quiz show, Smita told the show was a test of memory. Ram's memories were displayed throughout his life, where he decides to tell her memories to Smita. Coincidentally, all the questions that were asked on the game show matched Ram's experiences.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson pg 160-200
Summary
While being invited by Rachel to a party in August, Melinda went to the end-of-summer party with underage drinking and seniors; it became a disastrous night. While Melinda being drunk and became intimate with a guy named Andy Evans, he began to rape her. All of a sudden she called 911 and the party was over and Melinda walked back home without a word.
As the year was ending, Melinda knew that Rachel, Melinda's friend, was in a relationship with Andy Evans. Andy, a senior, invited Rachel to the prom. In study hall, Melinda decided to tell the truth. Melinda and Rachel started talking and Melinda told her that she was raped during the party. She told it was by Andy Evans. Rachel framed her as if she was lying and told Melinda that she is jealous and that she is more popular.
During prom, Rachel and Andy was arguing with each other. Melinda inferred that what she told Rachel was true. Rachel burned everything Andy gave her and left the ashes in front of his locker. Andy was filled with shame.
As Melinda was going to her locker to get her backpack, Andy slams Melinda into a closet and locked the door. Andy confronts her about how he raped her. He says that she is jealous and wrong, and that the story was all a lie. It began all over again. Andy started to rape Melinda again till suddenly, her friend Nicole and the lacrosse team knocks on the door. Melinda is saved.
Quote
"Let me tell you about it" (Anderson 198).
Reaction
Thanks to the lacrosse team, everyone knew that the story was true. As the seniors came into Melinda's class just to say their last goodbye to their teacher Mr. Freeman, a senior looked at Melinda and hoped that she was okay. Melinda felt popular. As Melinda was doing her last project for his art teacher Mr. Freeman, he proudly said she got an A+. Mr. Freeman asked, "You've been through a lot, haven't you?" Melinda FINALLY responded, "Let me tell you about it." This is the start where Melinda began speaking.
While being invited by Rachel to a party in August, Melinda went to the end-of-summer party with underage drinking and seniors; it became a disastrous night. While Melinda being drunk and became intimate with a guy named Andy Evans, he began to rape her. All of a sudden she called 911 and the party was over and Melinda walked back home without a word.
As the year was ending, Melinda knew that Rachel, Melinda's friend, was in a relationship with Andy Evans. Andy, a senior, invited Rachel to the prom. In study hall, Melinda decided to tell the truth. Melinda and Rachel started talking and Melinda told her that she was raped during the party. She told it was by Andy Evans. Rachel framed her as if she was lying and told Melinda that she is jealous and that she is more popular.
During prom, Rachel and Andy was arguing with each other. Melinda inferred that what she told Rachel was true. Rachel burned everything Andy gave her and left the ashes in front of his locker. Andy was filled with shame.
As Melinda was going to her locker to get her backpack, Andy slams Melinda into a closet and locked the door. Andy confronts her about how he raped her. He says that she is jealous and wrong, and that the story was all a lie. It began all over again. Andy started to rape Melinda again till suddenly, her friend Nicole and the lacrosse team knocks on the door. Melinda is saved.
Quote
"Let me tell you about it" (Anderson 198).
Reaction
Thanks to the lacrosse team, everyone knew that the story was true. As the seniors came into Melinda's class just to say their last goodbye to their teacher Mr. Freeman, a senior looked at Melinda and hoped that she was okay. Melinda felt popular. As Melinda was doing her last project for his art teacher Mr. Freeman, he proudly said she got an A+. Mr. Freeman asked, "You've been through a lot, haven't you?" Melinda FINALLY responded, "Let me tell you about it." This is the start where Melinda began speaking.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson pg 121-160
Summary
To reward Melinda by going to school everyday and not skipping any classes, her mother settled herself with new clothes. Melinda doesn't like to shop with her mother, since all she does is brag about what is stylish and what is not. As Melinda went to a store, she picked out some jeans and went to the fitting room. The fitting room was filled with mirrors everywhere, where she began to look into herself. She began moving mirror to mirror and thinking, how does it feel to walk in a new skin? She reminisced on the times about how her mother and father hating each other, her friend Rachel who hates her, the school is mistreating her, and Heather. She puts on the jeans for a new start. Melinda told herself she needed to stay away from her closet, go to all her classes, make herself normal, and forget the past.
Instead of heading home and sitting in her closet, Melinda decides to stay after school for a basketball game, the last game of the season. She ran down the hall, where the noise in the gym pulled her in. The crowd chanted down the last seconds, where they won 51-50. Everyone was excited. Melinda wanted to be part of it all.
At the end of the Third Marking Period, her grades were failing.
For extra credit, Melinda's history teacher, Mr.Neck, assigned students to write a report about suffragettes because many students were failing. Melinda wrote about how women couldn't vote, own property, or be allowed in schools. But, Mr. Neck told the students it was an oral report, where Melinda did not want to speak. During class, Melinda put up a sign that says that suffragettes fought for the right to speak, and she should not be forced to give speeches where Melinda chooses to be silent. In the end, Mr. Neck gave her a D.
Quote
"Anything you say will be used against you" (Anderson 157).
Reaction
As Melinda was watching lawyers on TV, she heard the cops say, "Anything you say will be used against you." She relates this to the situation where she did not want to speak during the oral report. I wonder why Melinda doesn't speak. Is it her past or she has nothing to say?
To reward Melinda by going to school everyday and not skipping any classes, her mother settled herself with new clothes. Melinda doesn't like to shop with her mother, since all she does is brag about what is stylish and what is not. As Melinda went to a store, she picked out some jeans and went to the fitting room. The fitting room was filled with mirrors everywhere, where she began to look into herself. She began moving mirror to mirror and thinking, how does it feel to walk in a new skin? She reminisced on the times about how her mother and father hating each other, her friend Rachel who hates her, the school is mistreating her, and Heather. She puts on the jeans for a new start. Melinda told herself she needed to stay away from her closet, go to all her classes, make herself normal, and forget the past.
Instead of heading home and sitting in her closet, Melinda decides to stay after school for a basketball game, the last game of the season. She ran down the hall, where the noise in the gym pulled her in. The crowd chanted down the last seconds, where they won 51-50. Everyone was excited. Melinda wanted to be part of it all.
At the end of the Third Marking Period, her grades were failing.
For extra credit, Melinda's history teacher, Mr.Neck, assigned students to write a report about suffragettes because many students were failing. Melinda wrote about how women couldn't vote, own property, or be allowed in schools. But, Mr. Neck told the students it was an oral report, where Melinda did not want to speak. During class, Melinda put up a sign that says that suffragettes fought for the right to speak, and she should not be forced to give speeches where Melinda chooses to be silent. In the end, Mr. Neck gave her a D.
Quote
"Anything you say will be used against you" (Anderson 157).
Reaction
As Melinda was watching lawyers on TV, she heard the cops say, "Anything you say will be used against you." She relates this to the situation where she did not want to speak during the oral report. I wonder why Melinda doesn't speak. Is it her past or she has nothing to say?
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson pg 81-120
Summary
Back to school from winter break, Melinda is grateful to be back. During gym, since there was about two feet of snow on the ground, the students had to play inside. The first sport they played was basketball. Ms. Connors, the teacher, teaches the students how to shoot foul shots. Melinda stepped on the line, and shot it. It went in. Ms. Connors tells her to repeatedly do it over and over, and she sunk the ball again and again. After class, Ms. Connors wanted to meet Melinda during activity period. She checked her grades, but sadly, Melinda had a 1.7 GPA and couldn't play for the team. As the boys basketball team came in, they practiced their foul shots and humiliatingly made thirty percent. Melinda had a deal with Ms. Connors that if she volunteer to teach the team how to shoot a foul shot, she will automatically get an A in gym.
In English class, writing essays are troublesome to the students. On the first essay, the English teacher gave an assignment to write "Why America Is Great", due in three weeks. Only one person turned it in on time. Another essay that was assigned was "The Best Lost Homework Excused Ever", and everyone in class done it the next day. No one was late.
At the end of the Second Marking Period, her grades weren't as good as the first.
Another day in English class, the students are reading The Scarlet Letter, and are trying to figure out symbolism in the book. The teacher describes how the author chooses every word, comma, paragraphs, are done on purpose. Melinda gets interested in finding symbolism because it's like code breaking to find hidden secrets. A students then shouted out how symbolism is not needed in the book but the enjoyment of reading does. She doesn't believe how all the symbols are made up. The teacher explains how Hawthorne, the author is a genius and relates symbolism to math by saying how three times four equals twelve. "Once you figure it out, it's as clear as day."
Quote
"They swallow her whole and she never looks back at me. Not once" (107).
Reaction
In lunch cafeteria, Heather spoke out her confession towards Melinda. Heather says that she will ruin her reputation because of who she hangs out with, a creepy weirdo. Heather couldn't be Melinda's friend anymore. She walks back to her table with the Marthas and never look back at her once. The Marthas has taken full advantage of her lifestyle in school.
Back to school from winter break, Melinda is grateful to be back. During gym, since there was about two feet of snow on the ground, the students had to play inside. The first sport they played was basketball. Ms. Connors, the teacher, teaches the students how to shoot foul shots. Melinda stepped on the line, and shot it. It went in. Ms. Connors tells her to repeatedly do it over and over, and she sunk the ball again and again. After class, Ms. Connors wanted to meet Melinda during activity period. She checked her grades, but sadly, Melinda had a 1.7 GPA and couldn't play for the team. As the boys basketball team came in, they practiced their foul shots and humiliatingly made thirty percent. Melinda had a deal with Ms. Connors that if she volunteer to teach the team how to shoot a foul shot, she will automatically get an A in gym.
In English class, writing essays are troublesome to the students. On the first essay, the English teacher gave an assignment to write "Why America Is Great", due in three weeks. Only one person turned it in on time. Another essay that was assigned was "The Best Lost Homework Excused Ever", and everyone in class done it the next day. No one was late.
At the end of the Second Marking Period, her grades weren't as good as the first.
Another day in English class, the students are reading The Scarlet Letter, and are trying to figure out symbolism in the book. The teacher describes how the author chooses every word, comma, paragraphs, are done on purpose. Melinda gets interested in finding symbolism because it's like code breaking to find hidden secrets. A students then shouted out how symbolism is not needed in the book but the enjoyment of reading does. She doesn't believe how all the symbols are made up. The teacher explains how Hawthorne, the author is a genius and relates symbolism to math by saying how three times four equals twelve. "Once you figure it out, it's as clear as day."
Quote
"They swallow her whole and she never looks back at me. Not once" (107).
Reaction
In lunch cafeteria, Heather spoke out her confession towards Melinda. Heather says that she will ruin her reputation because of who she hangs out with, a creepy weirdo. Heather couldn't be Melinda's friend anymore. She walks back to her table with the Marthas and never look back at her once. The Marthas has taken full advantage of her lifestyle in school.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson pg 41-80
Summary
Heather, Melinda's friend, has found a clan called the Marthas. She finally feels that she fits in with the school, not being a loner. The Marthas has to have their outfits coordinated, crisp, and seasonally appropriate: plaid for autumn, sweaters for winter, and skirts for spring. The Marthas also are a big support for the school, who help on projects and do good objectives.
At the end of the First Marking Period, Melinda's report card grade came out not-so-good for a student.
The Second Marking Period begins and Melinda's parents want her to stay after school every day to get help from the teachers. She agrees, but she decides to stay in her closet. She has a Spanish teacher that thinks that all the students would understand the homework assignments, and if they don't they will get detention for "pretending". She has a social studies teacher that is very ignorant about students opinions. She has an art teacher, which is the only subject Melinda is interested in, since she only got an A in that class.
Family for Melinda is very important for her. On Thanksgiving, her mother cooks dinner. It's the definition of being a mother and since her family doesn't talk much, cooking a Thanksgiving dinner describes the importance of being a family.
Melinda also sees her family as a failure. During winter break, she understood the point of Christmas and presents. Once Melinda found out that getting presents were from Santa was a lie, it broke their parents hearts. Melinda says if she wasn't born, her parents would be divorced, and Melinda was a disappointment. Melinda describes herself as her parents, an ordinary drone dressed in secrets and lies.
Quote
"It's a shame we can't just admit that we have failed family living, sell the house, split up the money, and get on with our lives. Merry Christmas" (Anderson 70).
Reaction
Melinda shows how her life from the start, should never had to begin with. The relationship with their parents are not very compatible, as Melinda says. With Melinda being born, her parents had to agree upon living together. Melinda feels this is her present for Christmas.
Heather, Melinda's friend, has found a clan called the Marthas. She finally feels that she fits in with the school, not being a loner. The Marthas has to have their outfits coordinated, crisp, and seasonally appropriate: plaid for autumn, sweaters for winter, and skirts for spring. The Marthas also are a big support for the school, who help on projects and do good objectives.
At the end of the First Marking Period, Melinda's report card grade came out not-so-good for a student.
The Second Marking Period begins and Melinda's parents want her to stay after school every day to get help from the teachers. She agrees, but she decides to stay in her closet. She has a Spanish teacher that thinks that all the students would understand the homework assignments, and if they don't they will get detention for "pretending". She has a social studies teacher that is very ignorant about students opinions. She has an art teacher, which is the only subject Melinda is interested in, since she only got an A in that class.
Family for Melinda is very important for her. On Thanksgiving, her mother cooks dinner. It's the definition of being a mother and since her family doesn't talk much, cooking a Thanksgiving dinner describes the importance of being a family.
Melinda also sees her family as a failure. During winter break, she understood the point of Christmas and presents. Once Melinda found out that getting presents were from Santa was a lie, it broke their parents hearts. Melinda says if she wasn't born, her parents would be divorced, and Melinda was a disappointment. Melinda describes herself as her parents, an ordinary drone dressed in secrets and lies.
Quote
"It's a shame we can't just admit that we have failed family living, sell the house, split up the money, and get on with our lives. Merry Christmas" (Anderson 70).
Reaction
Melinda shows how her life from the start, should never had to begin with. The relationship with their parents are not very compatible, as Melinda says. With Melinda being born, her parents had to agree upon living together. Melinda feels this is her present for Christmas.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson pg 1-40
Summary
It is the start of the First Marking Period. The first morning of high school, Merryweather High. The school is separated by clans: Jocks, Country Clubbers, Idiot Savants, Cheerleaders, Human Waste, Eurotrash, Future Fascists of America, Big Hair Chix, the Marthas, Suffering Artists, Thespians, Goths, Shredders. But Melinda Sordino is an outcast. High school for Melinda is different in ways that she doesn't respond to anyone, or ignore the people around her environment. Melinda lives inside her own mind, where her thoughts are unnatural. She has a list that explains the meaning of high school.
THE FIRST TEN LIES THEY TELL YOU IN HIGH SCHOOL
1. We are here to help you.
2. You will have enough time to get to your class before the bell rings.
3. The dress code will be enforced.
4. No smoking is allowed on school grounds.
5. Our football team will win the championship this year.
6. We expect more of you here.
7. Guidance counselors are always available to listen.
8. Your schedule was created with your needs in mind.
9. Your locker combination is private.
10. These will be the years you look back on fondly.
As Melinda starts her first year of high school, she seems like from the start, she already disliked it. Melinda thinks her teachers are weird by how their appearance, how the cafeteria is separated by groups, or how her old friends are not friends they use to be. As Melinda and her friend Heather thinks about joining a club, Melinda was careless. Melinda thinks clubs are stupid and a waste of time. Heather asks, "What are your goals, Mel?" Melinda responds, "My goal is to go home and take a nap."
Quote
"We are nobody" (Anderson 34).
Reaction
As Heather talks about wanting to join the musical, Melinda thinks otherwise. Melinda said, "We are nobody," which means that the people who doesn't have a purpose in school has no meaning in school. Heather bursts out crying because of how high school has changed her life. Melinda thinks her life as being a "nobody" as she is an outcast in school.
It is the start of the First Marking Period. The first morning of high school, Merryweather High. The school is separated by clans: Jocks, Country Clubbers, Idiot Savants, Cheerleaders, Human Waste, Eurotrash, Future Fascists of America, Big Hair Chix, the Marthas, Suffering Artists, Thespians, Goths, Shredders. But Melinda Sordino is an outcast. High school for Melinda is different in ways that she doesn't respond to anyone, or ignore the people around her environment. Melinda lives inside her own mind, where her thoughts are unnatural. She has a list that explains the meaning of high school.
THE FIRST TEN LIES THEY TELL YOU IN HIGH SCHOOL
1. We are here to help you.
2. You will have enough time to get to your class before the bell rings.
3. The dress code will be enforced.
4. No smoking is allowed on school grounds.
5. Our football team will win the championship this year.
6. We expect more of you here.
7. Guidance counselors are always available to listen.
8. Your schedule was created with your needs in mind.
9. Your locker combination is private.
10. These will be the years you look back on fondly.
As Melinda starts her first year of high school, she seems like from the start, she already disliked it. Melinda thinks her teachers are weird by how their appearance, how the cafeteria is separated by groups, or how her old friends are not friends they use to be. As Melinda and her friend Heather thinks about joining a club, Melinda was careless. Melinda thinks clubs are stupid and a waste of time. Heather asks, "What are your goals, Mel?" Melinda responds, "My goal is to go home and take a nap."
Quote
"We are nobody" (Anderson 34).
Reaction
As Heather talks about wanting to join the musical, Melinda thinks otherwise. Melinda said, "We are nobody," which means that the people who doesn't have a purpose in school has no meaning in school. Heather bursts out crying because of how high school has changed her life. Melinda thinks her life as being a "nobody" as she is an outcast in school.
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