Part I Plot Knowledge
Describe the change in Louie's reputation/status that occurs over the course of Part I.
Widely considered to be a troublemaker who was "never more than an inch from juvenile hall or jail," Louie is lauded as a hero when he returns home from the Olympics.
Explain how Unbroken's plot can be described as cyclical.
Unbroken's plot can be described as cyclical because each Part, or, "chapter" of Louie's life follows the stages of Freytag's pyramid. At the end of a given Part, the pyramid restarts.
Name a character who functions as a mentor to Louie. Be sure to explain why they fulfill this role.
Answers will vary, but may include:
Pete: encourages Louie to pursue running and discipline
Glenn Cunningham: serves as an inspiration/role model for Louie
What is a theme, and how is a theme distinct from a universal idea?
Universal ideas are broad ideas explored in a text; they can be summed up in one word or a short phrase (i.e. love, loyalty, justice, fate, etc.).
Theme, on the other hand, is what the author wants the reader/audience to learn about a universal idea (i.e. "Love conquers all").
Define the term statistics as it applies to literature. Then list at least one relevant statistic encountered in Unbroken.
The term statistic refers to facts in the form of numbers.
One telling statistic from Unbroken is the fact that "a Pacific bomber crewman's tour of duty" left them with "a 50 percent chance of being killed" (88).
What plot archetype does Laura Hillenbrand's Unbroken most clearly fulfill?
Quest
Describe the climax of Part II in as much detail as possible.
Consider who, (did) what, where, when, why, and how.
Part II's climax occurs when Louie competes in the 1936 Berlin Olympics alongside athletes like Glenn Cunningham and Jesse Owens. He raced in the 5,000-meter and placed seventh, with a notably fast final lap (only 56 seconds!).
Describe the climax of Part II in as much detail as possible.
Be sure to mention who, (did) what, where, when, why, and how in your response.
On May 27, 1943, Louie, Phil, Cuppernell, and some new crew members were asked to conduct a sea search for Clarence Corpening's downed B-24.
During their flight, the No. 1 engine failed. Then, in trying to save the plane, the crew feathered the No. 2 engine, causing it to stop.
The plane crashed into the ocean, and only a few crew members survived.
Provide two anecdotes about Louie. Be sure to explain what these anecdotes reveal about his character.
Answers may vary.
Provide an example from the text that supports the following theme statement:
Familial love is a force that allows people to thrive and to succeed.
Answers will vary, but may include:
- Pete is the one to convince the Torrance principal to allow Louie to join track and field.
- Thoughts of his family is what brings Louie back after running away from home in 1932 (16).
- It is Pete's words ("a lifetime of glory is worth a moment of pain") that inspire Louie's fast finish at the Olympics (35).
Explain the difference between direct and indirect characterization. In doing so, list at least three methods of indirect characterization. (hint: STEAL)
Direct characterization occurs when an author explicitly states a character's traits (i.e. Odysseus is cunning).
Indirect characterization occurs when an author reveals a character's traits through various methods (i.e. appearance, dialogue, actions, thoughts, effect on others, etc.), leaving it up to the reader to draw their own conclusions.
What is the literary term for the following (a quote used at the opening of Unbroken)?
"What stays with you latest and deepest? of curious panics, Of hard-fought engagements or sieges tremendous what deepest remains?"
Epigraph
How does Part I's exposition reveal Louie's A) unique childhood OR B) his dissatisfaction with his current circumstances?
A) Unique Childhood: Louie Zamperini had a rebellious and troublemaking childhood. He was constantly getting into fights, stealing, and causing mischief in his neighborhood. He was also unique in the sense that his family had immigrated from Italy before he was born.
B) Dissatisfied State: Louie struggled to fit in due to his poor behavior. He felt like an outsider and lacked direction in his early years. A close encounter with the practice of eugenics served as a wake-up call for Louie.
A quest story’s usually involves a call to adventure that sets the hero on a mission to fulfill a purpose.
What large-scale purpose is Louie called to fulfill in Part II, and what event sparks this (hint: see the end of Chapter 5)?
In 1941, Louie was drafted into the U.S. Army Air Forces as a bombardier. He would complete training in Texas and Washington, then eventually be stationed on Oahu, near Pearl Harbor, to fight in the Pacific theater.
Who is "Jimmie" Sasaki?
Louie believed Sasaki was a fellow student at USC; in reality, he was working for the Japanese navy and gathering money for the Japanese war effort.
Provide an example from the text that supports the following theme statement:
Discovering your niche can help you find purpose and meaning in life.
Answers will vary, but may include:
- In high school, Louie had "flunking grades and no skills" (11). As a result, he had "no real ambitions" (11).
- Once Louie discovered running, he had a clear purpose: to break the four-minute mile and compete in the Olympics.
- When World War II began, the Super Man crew was known as the best in their squadron (67). Their excellence forged deep bonds and earned them many accolades.
Define the literary term foil. Then, explain how Louie and another character function as foils to one another.
A foil is a character designed to highlight qualities of another character.
- In their childhood, Pete and Louie could be seen as foils. Pete is described as responsible, disciplined, and well-respected in their community; Louie, on the other hand, was reckless, mischievous, and constantly getting into trouble.
- Louie and Phil can also be described as foils. When they first met, "Phillips floated along contentedly in Louie's chatty bonhomie; Louie liked Phillips's quiet steadiness" (62).
Provide an example of how Hitler used the 1936 Berlin Olympics to manufacture a positive perception of Germany.
Propaganda techniques Hitler used during the Olympics included:
Repetition/Bandwagon: Every time a German athlete won an event, "the stadium rang with every stanza of 'Deutschland uber Alles' and the spectators shouted 'Sieg heil!' endlessly..." (33).
Emotional Appeal: Hitler sought to appeal to emotions such as wonder and awe by providing luxurious accommodations for the athletes in the Olympic Village.
What turning point(s)/event(s)/instance(s) could function as Louie’s call to adventure in Part I?
Answers may include:
- When one of Louie's neighbors was nearly sterilized: this served as a wake-up call for Louie to start changing his behavior for the better
- When Louie ran away during the summer of 1932: this sparked a realization that he needed his family--he finally gave into Pete and decided to start track
- When Louie wins by a quarter mile at the 1933 UCLA Cross Country meet, which sparks "the realization of what he was" (19).
- When Japan attacks Pearl Harbor, which precipitates the United States' entry into WWII
List at least two challenges Louie during his time as a bombardier in the Army Air Force.
Be sure to mention who, (did) what, where, when, why, and how in your response.
Answers will vary, but may include:
- The Wake Atoll Mission: Although the mission was successful, the Super Man nearly ran out of fuel during the journey back to Midway.
- The Nauru Mission: Again, this mission was successful in terms of its objective--bombing Japanese runways and fuel depots. However, several crew members were critically injured, and one, Harry Brooks, died.
- The tedium
Name a character who functions as one of Louie's competitors in Part I of Unbroken. Be sure to explain why they fulfill this role.
- Norman Bright: Norman Bright was one of the top contenders for a spot on the U.S. 5,000-meter Olympic team, making him a direct rival to Louie. In the Compton Open (1936), Bright beat Louie "by a glimmer" (24). However, Louie beat Bright during the actual Olympic Trials in New York.
- Don Lash: Lash was expected to qualify for the Olympics, and Louie was relatively young and inexperienced. Impressively, Louie finished alongside Lash in a close tie during the 1936 Olympic Trials. At the actual Olympics, Louie beat Lash.
Provide an example from the text that supports the following theme statement:
Self-discipline is crucial trait for success.
Answers will vary, but may include:
- Initially, Louie abhorred running and "quit at the first sign of fatigue" (15). With more practice, however, he began winning races: "All of the effort that he'd once put into thieving he threw into track" (17).
- Louie demonstrated self-discipline at the NCAA Championships in Minneapolis when he was able to deal with the other runners' sabotage without getting overly frustrated. In the end, he won the race easily. (44).
- Despite his fatigue and position at the back of the pack, Louie pulls off a stunning finish at the end of his 5,000 meter Olympic race (35).
- Although Air Force training was difficult, even described as a "crucible," it "transformed" Phil's crew into a group of highly skilled airmen (67).
List and define three or more literary techniques that function to build suspense.
foreshadowing: subtle hints about future events
imagery: language appealing to the senses
irony: a situation or use of language involving a contrast between expectation and reality
quickened pacing: the use of short, choppy sentences
internal thoughts: the use of formatting to provide access to a character's thoughts
cliffhangers: ending a scene with unresolved tension
Explain how at least two different media outlets portrayed the Wake Atoll air raid.
The Japanese media downplayed, and even rejected, the mission's success. They claimed that the American planes "'fled in terror'" upon encountering their Japanese adversaries (81).
List two challenges Louie faced as he began training for the Olympics. Be as specific as possible.
Be sure to mention who, (did) what, where, when, why, and how in your response.
Answers may vary, but could include:
- During an NCAA Championship meet in Minneapolis, Louie was sabotaged by the other runners who boxed him in, spiked him, and elbowed him in the chest. Nevertheless, he managed to escape and win the race.
- During the Olympic Trials in New York, Louie and the other athletes dealt with an extreme heatwave. Louie even lost three pounds during his race due to the heat.
- Many believed the four-minute-mile Louie was gunning for was impossible, but he was still determined to achieve it.
A quest story’s exposition usually presents the hero’s dissatisfaction with their current circumstances.
For what reason was Louie dissatisfied prior to the start of Part II (hint: end of Chapter 5)?
At the end of Part I, Louie was disappointed that the outbreak of World War II had canceled the 1940 Games. He is described as "unmoored...his speed abandoned him, and he lost race after race" (46).
Name three of Louie's fellow servicemembers in the Army Air Force and briefly describe them.
Russell Allen Phillips: Super Man's pilot and Louie's best friend; characterized as quiet and calm
Hugh Cuppernell: Super Man's copilot; characterized as "smart, jovial" and generally someone who "got along with everyone" (72).
Stanley Pillsbury: Super Man's top-turret gunner; plays a crucial role in the crew's exit from Nauru and becomes critically injured
Harry Brooks: Super Man's waist gunner; suffers fatal injuries from the Nauru mission
George Moznette: Super Man's waist gunner; dies in a training run crash
Provide an example from the text that supports the following theme statement:
Our fate is often influenced by forces outside of our control.
Answers will vary, but may include:
- "Louie had a rare biomechanical advantage, hips that rolled as he ran" (18).
- The outbreak of World War II and resulting cancellation of the 1940 Olympics completely disrupted Louie's running career.
- The Green Hornet's engine failure is what causes Louie and other crew members to become castaways.
Define propaganda, then list three or more propaganda techniques.
Propaganda is information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, that is used to influence people to believe, buy, or do something. Propaganda techniques include: bandwagon, emotional appeal, testimonial, and repetition.
In what cities/states did Louie complete his Army Air Force Training?
Houston, Texas
Sioux City, Iowa
Ephrata, Washington