Darian's Changes In Between The Lines

Change is something one is unable to accept at first. We are usually accustomed to one path, so moving on from it can be a struggle. Darrian, a prominent character in the novel Between the Lines by Nikki Grimes, was one of many who faced these crossroads in order to achieve his dream of becoming a journalist. The novel revolves around many students of different backgrounds, who all take a poetry class together. They all grow and change throughout the course of the book, but the most significant changes occur in Darrian’s character due to the vast amount of different paths he took.

One of the ways Darrian grew as a character was by taking a poetry class in order to achieve his dreams. At first, he was very reluctant toward poetry. As the librarian suggested courses he takes to become a journalist, he expressed disgust toward poetry. "I quit writing [down notes] when he gets to the last thing, [poetry]" (Grimes 5). The reader can sense his distress toward poetry and how he would much rather avoid it at all cost. However, by the end of the book, his viewpoint completely changed. His thoughts clearly express how Darrian changed his perspective on poetry.

He was merely curious about the personalities behind each of the student's names at first. He questions himself as the students are introduced, "I wonder about the personalities behind each of the student's names" (Grimes 8). However, by the end of the book, he came to understand all their viewpoints and stories with more depth and was able to connect with them as well. He reminisces about them at the end of the book, "I got to meet some of the most newsworthy kids around, not to mention finding a girlfriend" (Grimes 203). He evolved and created relationships with people who were complete strangers to him in the beginning of the book. Such marks another stepping stone for Darrian in the