Character
Narrator/Protagonist
Who is William?
Define Symbolism.
What is when an object represents something else?
Name two types of conflict in LWD.
Internal Conflict (Person v. Self)
External Conflict (Person v. person, Person v. society)
Why didn’t Reynolds read as a child?
Reynolds didn’t read much as a child because he couldn’t relate to the stories. He didn’t recognize any of his experiences in the literature.
What are the rules? IN ORDER
1. No Crying
2. No Snitching
3. Get Revenge
Who does Will automatically assume killed his brother Shawn?
What is a symbol of the hidden darkness, secrets, and pent-up violence within Shawn?
Shawn’s middle drawer
What primary internal conflict does William face in Long Way Down?
The primary internal conflict Will faces is a "Person vs. self" struggle between following his neighborhood's unwritten "Rules" to avenge his brother, or should he break the cycle of violence?
He is torn between obeying the cycle of violence and choosing a different path.
How does Reynolds control the rhythm of his poetry?
Reynolds uses line separation and white space to control the rhythm of his poetry.
Why did William’s father put the gun to his head? What do you think his point or objective was?
William’s father might want to show William what will happen to him if he follows in this family’s footsteps. The cycle of violence means that they are each contributing to each other’s deaths.What is "No Snitching"?
Who asked William "what if you miss?", that made him think more deeply about committing murder?
Who is Dani?
Mama says to her boys, Will and Shawn, “Don't let the nighttime get into you”. What does she mean?
What is don't let bad influences and temptation affect you?
How are person vs. person conflicts resolved in Will's community?
What influence did Reynolds’ mom have on him?
Reynolds mom taught him to take pride in how he presented and conducted himself, and to behave as though he was representing their family and their community.
What does Uncle Mark mean when he says “it’s never the end?” What role do the rules play?
When Mark says “it’s never the end,” he means that each killing begets another. Rule number three ensures that the cycle of killing never ends because each death demands another.
Who killed Buck?
Who is Frick?
What does the smoke in the elevator represent?
What is William’s confusion and uncertainty?
List a two examples of person vs. person conflict in Long Way Down:
1. Will vs. Shawn (His Brother)
2. Will vs. His Father (Pop)
3. Will vs. Dani (His Childhood Friend)
4. Will vs. Carlson Riggs
What does Reynolds want to achieve with his writing?
Reynolds simply wants “kids to feel cared for” when they read his work. He wants them to connect with the stories, recognize their own experiences, and see them as real.
What three things does someone have to do to become a Dark Sun?
1) Turf: The Dark Suns occupy a neighborhood nine blocks from where Will lives.
2) The Shining: a cigarette burn under the right eye.
3) Dark Deed: robbing, beating, or killing someone.
Wanted to be a filmmaker.
Who is Uncle Mark?
What in the story represents William’s decision process?
What is the Elevator?
Name 2 main arguments on each side of William’s internal conflict?
A. PROS/CONS OF GETTING REVENGE
B. PROS/CONS OF BREAKING THE CYCLE
A. PROS/CONS OF GETTING REVENGE
B. PROS/CONS OF BREAKING THE CYCLE
How does Jason Reynolds use symbolism and/or metaphor in Long Way Down?
Reynolds uses symbols and metaphors to enhance imagery and deepen meaning.
The elevator ride is a metaphor for William’s decision journey about whether he should or shouldn’t follow “the rules.”
The smoke is an evocative, effective symbol of William’s confusion because it obscures his vision and makes it hard to see.
Complete the ANAGRAM: ELBOW > _ _ _ _ _
BELOW