Page 4 - GARCIA_WRITING HOMEWORK

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3. Why do you think Gregory narrates this episode in the first-person point of view? What would be gained or lost if he
instead wrote it in the third-person point of view?

I think that Gregory narrates this episode in the first-person point of view because he wanted the readers to show empathy with
him. He persuades the reader to understand how he felt in the environment he lived. If it had written in the third-person point of
view, the situation he struggled with would not have been as emotional and vivid as it was.

4. Specific details can enhance the reader’s understanding and appreciation of a narrative. Gregory’s description of
Helene Tucker’s manners or the plaid of his mackinaw, for example, makes his account vivid and interesting. Cite several
other specific details he gives and consider how the narrative would be different without them.

“All she saw from the front of the room was a little black boy who squirmed in his idiot's seat and made noises and poked the kids
around him.”

“It was on a Thursday. I was sitting in the back of the room, in a seat with a chalk circle drawn around it.”

“Helene Tucker turned around, her eyes full of tears. She felt sorry for me.”

If the story didn’ have details and more, it wouldn’t have been so vivid as it is.

5. Consider the diction of this essay. What effect does Gregory’s repetition of the word shame have on you? Why do you
think Gregory uses simple vocabulary to narrate this particular experience?

It makes you realize the harsh time he had to pass by. He was just a kid but he had to struggle with discrimination and that stuff.
He uses simple vocabulary to make people to understand better his story. Also, as it is easy to understand, it is easy to feel
empathy with the story.

6. How does society continue to use negativity to keep people down? Why do people feel the need to point out those who
have less or who are different?

People feel the necessity to point out those who does not have anything. By doing that they feel like they are better than others are
because they have more than they do.

7. Describe a time when you have been made to feel insignificant? How does that experience help you to feel empathy
toward Gregory?

There was a time when I had two surgeries done. I could not do anything by myself because I could not stand on my own feet. My
mom and boyfriend helped me during that time. I was grateful with them; however, I felt so embarrassed. As I was notable to do
anything, I felt so useless and insignificant. That experience made me feel empathy with Gregory because he said that Helena
looked at him with a sad gaze, feeling sad because of him. It is horrible when people look at you like that. It makes you feel
ashamed.

8. In what ways could Dick Gregory be considered an outlier?

It could be that he was black. In addition, he was poor.

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