1.
Describe the environment in the short story with special focus on the
relationship between the community and the police in Harlem. Use specific
examples.
- Very few people had jobs and were just
hanging around in the streets. According to the text, the relationship between
the community and the police is not very good, because that the police just
came rushing in the streets and just began shooting without any reason.
The community is not safe with the white policemen, because it is mostly black people living in Harlem, but mostly white policemen. “Lets go, lady,” this cop said. Then he went to take Mary by the arm. She snatched it away from him and said she wasn’t going anywhere with them unless she had a black man with her. (p. 21, l. 25)
The community is not safe with the white policemen, because it is mostly black people living in Harlem, but mostly white policemen. “Lets go, lady,” this cop said. Then he went to take Mary by the arm. She snatched it away from him and said she wasn’t going anywhere with them unless she had a black man with her. (p. 21, l. 25)
2.
Comment on the language in the short story. How is it told and by whom? What
characterizes the tone of voice and word usage of the narrator? Use specific
examples.
- I think it is a young black guy who tells us the story, because he describes the 30-year-old Willie as an old person. Also when Mary wants a black man with her, the cop grabbed the storyteller’s arm, and wants him to go with them.
The story is written in present and in first-person narrator.
- I think it is a young black guy who tells us the story, because he describes the 30-year-old Willie as an old person. Also when Mary wants a black man with her, the cop grabbed the storyteller’s arm, and wants him to go with them.
The story is written in present and in first-person narrator.
3. Select
three quotes from the text that you believe are central to the story in terms
of plot and/or themes. Explain the quotes – what do they mean? Is there any
hidden meaning to them?
1. “Lets go,
lady,” this cop said. Then he went to take Mary by the arm. She snatched it
away from him and said she wasn’t going anywhere with them unless she had a
black man with her. (p. 21, l. 25) – this explains that black people don’t
trust in white people and don’t feel safe.
2. One thing about 145th Street. Half the guys on the block don’t have jobs and so they’re always on the stoops or just standing around with nothing to do. (p. 18, l. 14) – there are a lot of unemployed people in Harlem and just hanging around in the streets doing nothing. That’s why they find it very interesting when the police appear and something new is happening.
3. One of them got on the bullhorn and told all the kids to get off the street immediately. He must have meant that as a joke. The kids didn’t have anything to do and they weren’t going anyplace. (p. 18, l. 23) – furthermore the kids don’t have anything to do - they are not even studying or have an education.
2. One thing about 145th Street. Half the guys on the block don’t have jobs and so they’re always on the stoops or just standing around with nothing to do. (p. 18, l. 14) – there are a lot of unemployed people in Harlem and just hanging around in the streets doing nothing. That’s why they find it very interesting when the police appear and something new is happening.
3. One of them got on the bullhorn and told all the kids to get off the street immediately. He must have meant that as a joke. The kids didn’t have anything to do and they weren’t going anyplace. (p. 18, l. 23) – furthermore the kids don’t have anything to do - they are not even studying or have an education.
Rigtig godt sprog, med få fejl!
SvarSlet"because that the police just came rushing in the streets and just began shooting without any reason." - Forkert sætningskonstruktion, intet 'that'
"this explains that black people don’t trust in white people and don’t feel safe." - Forkert sætningskonstruktion, intet 'in'