# 4 Seniors--Point of View PURPLE CLASS
# 4 Seniors--Point of View PURPLE CLASS
In the movie, The Dead Poets Society, English teacher John Keating (played by Robin Williams) stands on his desk, and invites his students to do the same, in order to see the world from a different point of view. When Keating is fired at the end of film, his students stand on their desks in tribute to their "captain." You'll just have to watch the film to understand all of this, but you don't need to in order to complete this journal assignment.
For this fourth and final journal exercise of the second marking period, you'll learn how point of view effects a story.
Here's the scene that you will write about--- It's lunchtime at a large diocesan Catholic school in Delaware with these three characters: Joe, Tom, and Susan. Tom and Susan are high school seniors and have been dating for a while. Joe is Tom's best friend, but he and Susan don't get along too well. Tomorrow all three have a big Calculus test, but tonight, the football team is playing in the state finals (it's a Sunday night football game--it could happen). Win or lose, a big victory party is planned afterwards, and "everyone" is invited.
Tom is torn—to study or not to study, that is the question.
Susan is very certain of her position. Knowing that Tom needs a good Calc grade this semester to get into Virginia Tech (to which she has already been accepted), Susan feels the need to get together with him to study; to her, the football game is not an option.
Joe, on the other hand, will definitely attend the game and the party, and hopefully with his friend, Tom. Whether Susan joins them is up to her.
The three are in the middle of a conversation at lunch. Tom and Susan are the major characters, while Joe observes and participates as much as you want him to.
Choose one of the following points of view to tell your story of what takes place:
Interior monologue—the reader gets to tune in to somebody's train of thought or stream of consciousness. Choose either Tom,
Dramatic monologue--another first person point of view. The reader gets to overhear someone speaking aloud to another person. The "other person" does not respond. See "Straight Pool" in Points of View for an example.
First person observer narration (minor character)—narrated by Joe, a minor character, who focuses his storytelling on the couple, frequently giving his personal insights. "Johnny Bear" is an example of observer narration.
First person subjective narration—told by Tom or
First person detached autobiography—told by Tom or Susan some weeks later, like "The Lucid Eye in Silver Town."
posted by JTF @ 4:18 PM
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SDPurple said...
Interior Monologue- Susan
How could he even consider this? It’s obvious what he needs to do, right? Seems like he doesn’t even care about how crucial this grade is. If this is his ticket to VTech, why is he not prioritizing studying? I’m ready help and everything, this is something he needs to offer up and just do! A football game really doesn’t matter in the long run. College and a potential future with me? I’d think that’d be a little more important, but hey, maybe I’m wrong. Wow, am I a lot more serious than he is? Am I wasting my time? I’m willing to but forth so much effort and he’s not even accepting or not to mention appreciative.
Ah, I wish Joe would just shut up! I know Tom better than he knows himself. I know if he didn’t have Joe’s influence he would totally recognize how important our study date is tonight. He needs to do well, why would he slack off now? He can’t see my effort to help him, is he going to let that go as “unimportant” too? Does he not dare about going to the same school as me for the next four years? He knows I’m so scared of the long-distance thing, why can’t he just do this for me? I’m usually so easygoing and he can do whatever he wants without worrying if I’ll be mad, but this is the one thing he knows I think is important. Why is this bothering me so much? I don’t really care what he does; I’ll just study and get a better grade than both of them, that’s fine with me! Whatever…I can’t control his actions or decisions, if he wants to watch football and party, go for it! Then have fun figuring out your college options.
Look at me, now I’m just getting mad and turning against him. I just need to help him. He gets a good grade, he gets into VTech, he’s with me, and I’m happy! Perfect. Now I just have to get Joe out of here so I can remind my love what is really important! Nah, better idea, this’ll be a test, I know he’ll figure it out and everything will work out just how I want it to.
Interior Monologue- Tom
This conversation is getting so annoying. I have to decide between the people who are both pressuring me to side with them. I really don't know what I want to do. I know I should probably study for the Calculus test but the game and party would just be so much more fun. I dont know if i would get to go to another championship football game again if I don't go to this game. Both Susan and Joe are trying to control me. Susan always thinks that she can control me. We have been going out for so long and she always thinks that she is right and she can tell me what to do! She is really getting on my nerves! If tell her that I want to go to the football game she is going to get mad at me, again! I really don't know how much longer I can handle being in a relationship with her if she wants to control me all the time. Ever since she has been accepted into VTech all she has talked about is me going there with her. I don't even want to go there anymore. It is all she talks about anymore. She wants us to spend our whole future together and I don't want to do that. I have to tell her soon that I have been looking at other colleges. I know she is going to be upset but my parents don;t want me going to VTech just becasue she is going there. I am also really questioning our relationship. I think I need to talk to her about what I am thinking. Whatever, I know what I am going to do. I am going to study sunday morning for the test that way I can still go to the game. That way I can still get a good grade on the test and I can still have a good time at the game with my best friend. Then, I can just talk to Susan about our relationship Sunday morning. I will see if she wants to study with me then and we can get everything figured out.
Interior monologue- Tom
What am I supposed to do? Now either Susan or Joe will be mad at me. I could go to the game with Tom, but that could jeopardize my chances of getting into Virginia Tech and Susan will get mad at me or I could study with Susan and miss the game, therefore making Tom mad at me for ditching him. Either way someone will get angry. This is so unfair. Why do both things have to occur on the same night? Well maybe the game and the party won’t be that much fun. Yeah right! Those parties are always a lot of fun. I wish I would’ve paid more attention in math class. Now I need to study a lot more. Here we go again. Wow! Those two are arguing with each other about what I should do. I wish they would both be quiet and just let me think! Susan does have a point. This is my future. It’s pretty important. There will be other games. I’ll only be missing this one. I really want to get into Virginia Tech to be with Susan. She’s important to me. I love her. If I don’t get in, our relationship could be in jeopardy. Oh great now Joe’s giving me the look and saying that if I was his friend I’d just go to the game. Well maybe I could go and just study when I get home later. I’ll probably be really tired though. I wish they would be more understanding and think about me. I need help deciding what the reasonable thing is to do! Ah! This is getting ridiculous. Ok I need to think about what is best for me. Wait a minute. If Joe really was my friend then he’d understand how important this test is to me. It’s only a game! We’ll still be friends whether I go to it or not. I think I know what I’m going to do. I hope both of them will be satisfied with my decision.
I cannot believe they are arguing, AGAIN. That is all they do, fight –about everything. She never lets him have any fun, so what if he doesn’t study for one test, it is only one test. The whole school is going to be at that game and almost everyone is going out afterward, and it is the state final and our senior year, this is our last chance. I tried to reason with him.
“Tom, dude, seriously, everyone is goin’ tonight.”
“I know man, but I need a good grade on that test, it’s my last chance to get an A for the quarter.”
“Whatever dude, you’re beat, it’s our last state final and our last state final after-party, come on.”
Then she decided to intervene, AGAIN.
“Tom, you should probably study, you have to get a good grade if you want to go to V-Tech with me next year, you can come over – I’ll make dinner if you want.”
“Aw, babe that’s so sweet, maybe.”
“What do you mean, maybe?”
“Well, I, uh, I might go to the game I haven’t decided.”
“You’re really going to go to that game with him, who by the way probably isn’t getting in to college, instead of studying to get a good grade on an important test? I cannot believe you.”
I had had enough. How is she gonna talk about me like that? She just never shuts up; I don’t know how he dates her.
“At least I know how to have FUN. You wouldn’t know anything about that, you haven’t let him out of your sight for six months so he probably forgets what it is anyhow!”
Tom laughed a little, so did I.
“TOOOOOM! Are you gonna let him talk to me like that?”
“Uh-well, uhm…”
“Dude, Tom, if you wanna have a GOOD time tonight, come out with me and the boys, we’ll show you a good time, unlike little Miss Prissy over there.”
I grabbed my tray and started walking over to the trashcan, as I walked away I could here them arguing, AGAIN.
“Susan, you know what, have fun studying, but count me OUT. And you know what, count me out of the whole ‘you and me’ thing, I’m done, I’m sick of you controlling me, and I’m gonna go enjoy my senior year – goodbye.”
“But Tom…”
“No Susan. I have nothing left to say to you.”
I looked back, saw Tom get up and run to catch up to me. He looked, relieved.
“Thanks man, I don’t know what I was thinking. So where we meetin’ for the game?”
“Everyone’s comin’ to my house at six.”
“Alright see ya then.”
“Later dude.”
Inner Monologue- Joe
I don’t even know why she’s here. This isn’t her lunch period, she’s got a free. They have half their classes with each other. Is that not good enough? I see Tom for maybe 5 minutes before homeroom, and lunch. That’s it. Tom’s in higher phases than me, I was lucky enough to get him in my lunch, but he has to spend every possible second with his darling precious Susan. It’s great he found a nice looking girl, but loosen the leash a little, Susan! She won’t give me a word in edgewise, or even acknowledge I’m standing right next to Tom. It’s not like she has anything interesting to say either. Blah, blah, blah, GPA. Blah, blah, blah, college. There’s more to life, ya know. Tom used to be fun, and his grades were fine. He got mid to high 80s, usually. What’s wrong with that? It won’t exempt him from any finals, but he’s gotten close. She’s brainwashing him. He spends his entire free period in the library studying with her getting good grades because she says so, to get into Virginia Tech; the college she wants to go to, not him. Finally she’s shut up. I can get a word in edgewise for once. I need to find out when Tom’s picking me up for the game tonight. This is going to be so awesome, especially the party later that night. He really needs this. He hasn’t even been to a movie all school year thanks to her…What? He’s not going? Oh no, he’s got a calculus test tomorrow, and little Miss A+ wants him to study tonight. Look at that smug smile on her face. Tom obviously wants to go to the game. He doesn’t need to study. I’ve seen him doing his homework before. He’ll ace that test, studying or not. Besides, he already bought the tickets on Monday. I can’t believe she completely changed his mind in one stinking week. Even if he can’t make the game, why can’t he come to the party at least? They’re going to study together the entire night? This is bogus. Why does he put up with her? When we’re alone, he just complains about her, and if they’re not studying, they’re arguing over every stupid little thing. …I guess someone else will have to give me a ride…Maybe Kevin…No, his car smells funny.
First person subjective narration :Tom
Today was a big day for me --This whole month had been. Virginia Tech was sending out their application decisions. Everyday I have the same routine until I were to find out a simple YES! or no. I would come home with Susan, look in the mailbox and then if nothing was in there for me she would ask, "did you want to get a milkshake? my treat!" And, I of course, would never turn it down. Finally, the day had come for Virginia Tech to send me something. Susan stood right beside me. It was a smaller envelope. I had not anticipated that, but I was still very hopeful! I ripped this bad boy open and out springs a letter staring with Dear Tom,... blah blah BLAHH!!! "I GOT IN!" I turned around to find Susan jumping on me to hug me! We bounced up and down excitedly for a few more moments. It was finally all happening. We both looked at eachother and ran for the door, ready to scarf down ice cream sundaes from Friendlys!
When I think back on my success, I remember a specific night of my life. The night I stayed in to study with Susan rather than enjoy a night out with Joe and everyone at the game. I felt prepared for the Calc test and I got what I deserved-- an A! My face lit up and I knew that I had done it! Although it would have been great to enjoy a very important night for my high school, my future seemed to be more important and I was right. The next week Joe joked around that I stayed in that night instead of going out. Then I asked myself: does he even know where he is headed after high school? And there in lies my excited face and it was so nice to know that I had achieved something great.
Point of View: First Person Detached Autobiography [Susan]
“ Tom, we’re still on for our study date right? You know you need a good grade.”
“ Nahhh he is going to the game with me, right dude? Than the party at Sam’s house after. You don’t need to study, you’ll be fine. Just wing it like me.” Joe interrupts.
I sit back and fold my arms glaring at Tom and listening to the conversation between the boys. Both of them so excited for the game and talking about how we are going to crush Sallies and about how the party after will be so much fun. I can not believe Tom is not even thinking about me or his future. It almost seems like I care more about him getting into college more than he does. Does he not see that it is obvious to study? These thoughts race through my mind like a flood of water and the wall holding everything back, finally breaks.
“ Tom, you know you need an “A” on this calc test and if Joe is really your friend he would understand that and go to the game by himself. There is no question in my mind what you should do and if you are seriously debating on what to do, than maybe you’re not the guy I thought you were. When we first started dating you had goals and priorities and that guy that I thought was my boyfriend would never pick a football game over studying for a test that will make such an impact on his future. It’s your choice; I’m not going to make the decision for you. I’ll be studying Sunday night with or with out you and if not with you, than maybe it’s best we take a break for awhile.” I can’t believe I said all that. I don’t really mean that I don’t want to be with him, I just want what’s best for him. I am right aren’t I? He has to care, right? I slowly get up from the lunch table throw my trash away and walk out of lunch feeling right but wrong; empowered but uneasy. Not sure if I did the right thing, we are seniors. Oh man what did I just do?
“Wow! Your girl is going crazy, but I know you’re not whipped like that. You’ll tell her how it is. But I got to go see you Sunday man! It’s going to be insane.” Joe says while getting up from the table leaving Tom to take in all that just had happen.
“Yeah yeah…” Tom says softly thinking but Joe was already gone.
Sunday comes around; no call all day. Is he really going to the game and is he not going to tell me? I guess we are really done. Was I too harsh on him? Calling him over and over and he doesn’t answer. Leaving him a message but no response, where could he be? He probably hates me because I gave him an ultimatum. Only if Tom knew how worried I was, he would call back.
One month later, I am single and depressed with no one. Tom went to the game but did not go to the party because he knew he had to study. He told me if I had only given him the chance to talk, I would have known that. He did pass his calc test with flying colors. Than he goes on to tell me how maybe my controlling attitude is not what he needs in his life. What did I do? My whole plan with Tom and me, going to the same college and being together forever gone. All because of my quick and harsh attitude.
Interior Monologue- Joe
Tom is gettin me really mad. We finally got to the state championship, and there's going to be a huge party afterwards. But, we have a calculus test tomorrow. To me, the word "but" shouldn't even be in the sentence. Tom already got into Virginia Tech. He's in CALCULUS, and he's not smarte enough to realize that he CANT fail so badly his grade will drop dramatically. Even if he did, Virginia Tech would probably not un-accept him. But even after i had him concidering going to the game, this girl Susan came up and told Tom that she wanted him to study with her. She's just as dumb as he is. She must not realize that i see right through her. She just wants Tom to come be with her alone at her house. She's not the best looking girl in the school. In fact, shes one of those insecure, controlling girls. She neets Tom to make her feel better about herself and she knows that if he goes out with me we would be getting so many better girls than her. We might even meet a girl with a personality. She cant stand the tought of Tom and I at a crowded game, let alone a crowded PARTY. But what makes me mad is she won't just SAY it. She knows I can see through her little "study" strategy but shes so scared Tom will just leave her. So she is acting like she wants to help Tom and Tom needs HER, when in reality she needs him. She knows the test isnt gonna be too hard. It's not history where you can read it over and over again and you remember random facts. Studying for math is like studying for a maze. You can look at the answer to the maze for hours, but chances are you aren't gonna have the same maze on the test. You can study strategies to solve the maze, but that doesnt take much time at all. They could at least go to the game and some of the party. I dont know whether i should just let Susan manipulate Tom and go enjoy myself tonight. I might as well just call up somebody else to go with. You can't talk to a girl like susan. She's too insecure to admit that she wants tom and tom is too into Susan that he cant see how manipulative she is. I guess if you look at it like that, theyre a perfect match.
Interior Monologue- Joe
Why Tom? Why does this girl keep talking about what SHE wants you to do instead of you telling her what YOU want to do? This test will be easy tomorrow, and you know it. Why doesn't he stop worrying about what to do and just relax at the game and than chill at the party instead of studying for a test? Jeez, Susan doesn't stop talking. And she's so predictable. I know for the four hundredth time that she has a 3.8 GPA but she still feels the need to remind Tom that she earned it. How is Tom not sick of this boring conversation? I'm so fed up with both of them that I don't care what the heck Tom does, but I'm not going to worry anymore. What? Tom is studying with her for the test? He'd rather be with that than come with me to the game? I guess I'm just the third-wheel here? Forget it, I have other friends to go to the game with.
First Person Subjective Narration- Tom
Two weeks ago I made the worst decision I have ever made. It all started during lunch when Susan, Joe, and I were sitting down and eating lunch together during fourth period. We were all excited about the big football game coming up and even more ecstatic about the party that was going on after the game. Well Joe and I were excited and Susan, not so much. She always puts school ahead of everything and It’s been annoying me a lot over the past couple months. At times she even would rather get an early start on a project or read ahead in English class instead of hanging out with me. Well anyways, we were at lunch talking about if we should go to the game and the party, but like always Susan was already backing out on Joe and I because she said she wanted to be exempt in Calc and that this test was important to her. So it seemed as if it was just going to be Joe and me going to the game and having a good time at the party later on that night when Susan reminded me that this Calc test was the most important test of my life. I had to get a good grade on the exam in order to get into my number one school Virginia Tech. Susan already got in there but that’s because all she does is study and do homework. So Susan was trying to convince me to go over her house instead of the game so she could help me study for the test. She was starting to act really pushy and it really made me nutty. Joe was always telling me how I’m whipped and that I always listen to her and that I cant stand up for my self. Well I proved him wrong and told her that we needed to break up because I was tired of her pushing me around and making decisions for me. I mean c’mon, I’m 18 years old. I’m responsible enough to make my own decisions! So I ended up going to the game with Joe. Afterwards we went to the party and had a good time. I didn’t get home until 2:30 am and quickly went to sleep. The next day I bombed the exam. During the test I couldn’t even think, I was so tired. I couldn’t focus and I didn’t feel good either. So I ended up getting a 46% on the exam which made me have a failing grade for the semester. All this lead up to me getting denied from Virginia Tech. So now I have no girl friend, and I didn’t get accepted to Virginia Tech. How much worse can it get?
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