Characters
This character was one of the two central characters in the book. He is an African-American junior at Springfield Central High.
Who is Rashad Butler?
The voice is always in this POV.
What is first person?
The novel indicates that _ is based on the psychological foundation of stereotypes, hypocrisy, and fear, which are exacerbated by the abuse of power and excessive authority.
What is Racism, Stereotyping, and Police Brutality?
"And for the record, you should've did it in a way where the paint dripped. Almost like vampire blood style." This is an example of this type of figurative device.
What is simile?
"Honestly, I just wanted to take it easy for the rest of the day. I didn’t want to hear Spoony preach about how hard it is to be black, or my father preach about how young people lack pride and integrity, making us easy targets," was said by this character.
Who is Rashad?
A main character. He is white and a senior at Springfield Central High. His father was a soldier who was killed in Afghanistan
Who is Quinn Collins?
This is where Mrs. Fitzgerald works within the hospital.
What is the gift shop?
The novel suggests that black people are sometimes excluded from the idea of “Americanness” that exists in the popular imagination, despite being just as American as white people.
What is American Culture, Values, and Patriotism
In this novel, uniforms are at times presented as a figure of discipline, respectability, and belonging.
What is symbolism?
"I wasn’t a stand-in for Dad. Nobody could be that. When the IED got him in Afghanistan, he became an instant saint in Springfield. I wasn't him. I'd never be him. But I was still supposed to try. That was my role: the dutiful son, the All-American boy with an All-American fifteen-foot deadeye jump shot and an All-American 3.5 GPA," was said by this character.
Who is Quinn?
This character is Guzzo’s older brother. Like Guzzo, he is an “enormous,” powerfully-built white man. After Quinn’s father’s death, he promised to support Quinn and has acted as a father figure to him.
Who is Paul Galluzzo?
This is what Darnell Shackleford was reaching for when he ran from David Butler to get something from his backpack.
What is his inhaler?
The novel suggests that this may simply be the nature of many _ relationships. The young male characters constantly face pressure not only from their actual fathers, but also from father figures, such as Paul and Coach Carney. At times, it seems almost impossible to live up to the expectations set by these older male figures.
What is Fathers and Sons?
Reynolds and Kiely write "That's the way the story goes. A different kind of Lifetime movie".
What is a metaphor?
"My brother took the bus trip down to Selma. He begged me to go. Begged me. But I told him it didn't matter. I told him that he was going to get himself killed, and that that wasn’t bravery, it was stupidity.," was said by this character.
Who is Shirley Fitzgerald ?
She is Rashad and Spoony’s mother. She is a kind, caring person who Rashad describes as a peacekeeper within the family, always trying to settle disputes between others and keep everyone happy.
Who is Jessica Butler?
When Quinn arrives at the protest on Friday, this is what Jill is doing.
What is handing out fliers?
The novel suggests that it is important to balance this carefree way of being with the _, _, and _ that comes with being an adult. Although adolescence inevitably involves facing the difficult realities of the world, such as racism, corruption, brutality, and inequality, it is also unfair that young people like Rashad are forced to confront these injustices in such a violent, personal manner.
What is, Maturity, Discipline, and Responsibility?
Reynolds and Kiely write in an inspirational, serious manner. This element of author's craft refers to the writer's diction and syntax to convey her attitude.
What is tone?
"I didn’t need ROTC. But I did it, and I did it good, because my dad was pretty much making me. He's one of those dudes who feels like there's no better opportunity for a black boy in this country than to join the army. That's literally how he always put it. Word for word," was said by this character.
Who is Rashad
He is Rashad and Spoony’s father and Jessica’s husband. He has traditional, conservative ideas about discipline, duty, and success.
Who is David Butler?
This novel suggests that servicemen are commonly framed as American _ who dedicate their lives to their countries and communities. However, calling someone a hero can sometimes mean that this person is taken to be infallible, when in reality, everyone makes mistakes and should be held accountable when they do.
What is Heroes vs. Villains?
When Berry lists names of African Americans who have been killed by the police, this is an example of this type of literary device.
What is allusion?
"If I didn't want the violence to remain, I had to do a hell of a lot more than just say the right things and not say the wrong things," was said by this character.
Who is Quinn?