Respond to the quotation. Explain the quote. Analyze the quote. What does the reader learn? How does the quote relate to the theme of "fitting in"? Is there anything that you still have a question about?
"This latter adornment the faculty somehow felt was not properly significant of the contrite spirit befitting a boy under suspension" (1)
Sample Exemplary Comment:
Cather conveys to the reader how the teachers did not appreciate the demeanor or temperament that Paul was displaying, despite being in trouble. The actual adornment was the "red carnation" that seems like a better fit if he were going to the senior prom, not the principal's office. I know of a few students in this school that seem to behave similarly when they get in trouble, and I sort of feel bad for them…if they knew the social rules of school they might not have issues with authority. IT is quite clear that Paul is having a difficult time fitting in; his social skills keeping from being accepted by his teachers. I am interested in reading on to see if he actually finds some way to belong somewhere.
Patty-Jane Geller
ReplyDeleteThis quote means that the teachers were not happy with Paul's behavior and appearance at his suspension reading. Paul walked into the principal's office very confidently, with a red carnation on his shirt. Usually those could be worn for weddings or happy occasions; not a scary principal's office. The teachers didn't understand how a boy under suspension could act so confidently. Usually, people in this situation, people would act very scared and apprehensive. But not Paul. Paul obviously has trouble fitting in, since he is such a troublesome boy. I wonder if he has problems at home that affect how he behaves towards the teachers, because they don't seem to understand him. Was Paul really that confident in the principal's office? Or was he just covering up his true emotions?