Have you ever heard of a saying that goes “if someone kills your loved one, you must find them and kill them”? Well, that is an actual thing in the novel “Long Way Down”. Written by Jason Reynolds, this powerful novel has stories that are full of emotion. It all starts with the main character named Will. His brother Shawn was unfortunately killed, and Will is determined and pressured to find his brothers killer and murder them. While on his journey to get revenge for his brother, he encounters people he used to know that have passed away due to violence. They tell Will their stories and explain how the cycle of violence ended their lives too soon. The cycle of violence is essentially a pattern of dangerous acts committed by people within the same community, that result in harming others or in some instances, death. The story “Long Way Down” shows cycle of violence in many ways throughout this story such as “The Rules” and Will hearing his loved one's powerful stories. …show more content…
Well, the rules in this story consist of one no crying, two no snitching, and three revenge. One of the rules that truly shows in the cycle of violence is rule three revenge. This rule in the book says, “If someone you love gets killed, find the person who killed them and kill them.” (Reynolds 33). This quote demonstrates that no matter what, you must get revenge for your loved one who has died by finding their killer. Not only does influence people to kill others but people in the story view this as amazing because it shows how “brave” one truly is. The Rules transpire throughout the story by everyone condoning the rules, and people being looked at as less than if they do not follow these rules. This can be why Will is so compelled and determined to kill Shawns
“Killings”, Andre Dubus’ short story, revolves around a father who seeks vengeance against his son’s killer. The story is about the murders committed by Richard Strout and Matt Fowler in their attempt to get retribution and ease the pain in their hearts. The circle of killings is first caused by the murder of Matt Fowler’s son, Frank, by Richard, which leads to the retaliatory killing of Richard, by Matt. This infinite, unforgiving circle of killings and attempts at retribution is what Dubus portrays in a nonjudgmental view. The readers are left to see how the act of killing affects Richard and Matt and decide how much their retribution costs them.
In the novel “The seven deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle” we follow a man named Aiden Bishop as he attempts to escape a prison with his friend, by solving a decades-old mystery. Despite what it appears, the main theme of the book does not have to do with the solving of the murder. Instead, the mystery is used as a tool to represent Aiden’s journey as he progresses from a miserable man, who has given up everything, to developing into a new person and escaping into the real world. “My mind has gone blank. I don’t know who Anna is or why I’m calling her name.
1. During the trial, Gerald Stanley’s lawyer claimed that the trial was not “a referendum on race”. In what ways does Storying Violence provide a response to this assertion? Storying Violence: Storying Violence: Unravelling Colonial Narratives in the Stanley Trial provides an opposing response to the claim of Stanley’s lawyer, Scott Spencer, that the trial was not a “referendum on race”.
This also relates to Bergmann’s quote in the beginning of this essay, as this ongoing drug trade changes how the young people in the society view the length of natural life and timely death. Gun violence directly cuts off the future life and aspirations for the criminal and the victim, as one’s life is cut short by death while the other’s is cut short by life in jail. This endemic gun violence and the early deaths and prison sentences create a scenario where as Bergmann describes “there are few living models of the drug-hustling adult to which young drug dealers turn in Detroit.” This is also present in Dude’s own life as his own brother’s life is cut short by his life long prison sentence as a direct cause of the drug trade. This instead causes him to take part in this same trade.
This plot is one like no other. It combines the supernatural and the regular world, into an impactful novel in verse, that discusses empowering motifs such as gun violence and community influence on personal identity. In the novel Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds the protagonist, Will Holloman, had a brother, Shawn, who recently died due to gun violence. Will lives in an immensely toxic community, where violence is encouraged, and where brutal murders are normalized. In Will's community, there are three unwritten rules that must be followed by everyone.
Long Way Down Persuasive Essay Long Way Down, a novel written by Jason Reynolds, is a story about a 15 year old boy named Will who would like to avenge his dead brother Shawn who was killed in gun violence. Will has an option though. He goes into the elevator with 7 floors, and on each floor he is greeted by people he knew before they died. He is then told a story about why gun violence was so bad in their situations. At the end of the novel, we never really find out what Will had decided since it ended with a decision that only Will could make.
90.65% of homicides are revenge related. 100% of those happen because of emotional hurt or hatred. Will leaves in a rough neighborhood. His actions are dictated by three rules. His brother dies and he’s faced with the decision of killing his brother’s murderer or letting him walk.
The demonstration of the narrator's imagination unconsciously leads his own thoughts to grow into a chaotic mess that ultimately ends in a death. By murdering, it’s his own way of finding peace. He is portrayed as being a sadist, sick man with an unnatural obsession for
The Worst Crime: Matt’s or Richard’s “Killings”, written by Andre Dubus, illustrates how the death of a loved one may lead to dire consequences for all the parties included. Matt Fowler’s son, Frank, was murdered in cold blood by a jealous soon-to-be ex-husband, Richard Strout. When the death of Frank sunk into the lives of the Fowler’s, Matt believed he had to retaliate in some sort of fashion. The sort of fashion he chose was to seek revenge and kill Richard for his wrongdoings, which he did. Some people believe that the murder committed by Richard Strout can be considered more serious because of his act of passion and his lackadaisical style of living without worrying about his future.
For example, Will’s father was meant to follow The Rules and avenge Uncle Mark by killing his killer. He ended up killing the wrong person, and later dying at a payphone. His story shows Will that he may also not know the right person who actually killed Shawn and end up going through what his father did. The Rules caused him to be angry and violent, and how this cycle of violence won’t end as long as The Rules are still in place. Dani, who was Will’s childhood friend, also was in the elevator.
Rule number three is revenge, and while explaining his revenge plan, Mikey reveals, “ I didn’t know he wasn’t the right guy,/ I was sure that was Mark’s killer./ Had to be” (Reynolds, 220). The Rules are expected to be followed, which is why Mikey thought he had to kill someone. Being so intimidated by this, he was horrified when he realized he killed the wrong guy.
Andre Dubus, short stories contain a common theme of revenge, morality, and justice. In “Killings” published in 1979, Andre displays the theme of revenge and justice through the development of characters, the title of the story, and the thrill of the suspense. Dubus neglects to take sides with the characters in the “Killings”, which leaves it upon the readers to make assumption whether the killings were justifiable. Dubus has a very unique style of writing, the main characters in “Killings” were given a choice that could’ve led them to a completely different outcome. Dubus keeps the readers on their toes because the opposite usually ends up happening.
No matter how we try to change our situation or better ourselves in society, variables will obstruct the path we choose. One cannot take control of everything that surrounds us as fate decides what happens to us. In Cold Blood by Truman Capote explains the murder of the Clutter family in the quiet town of Holcomb, Kansas. The murderers, Richard (Dick) Hickock and Perry Smith, try to escape the consequences of their actions, believing that they can get away with what they did. The story tells what the murderers were thinking after and before they committed the crime and their various interactions.
Crime happens around the world each day. Whether rits murder, rape, theft its a crime and should be looked at as breaking the law. In the short story, “Killings” written by Andre Dubus a boy who goes by the name Frank is murdered. His murderers name is Richard Strout. While awaiting trial Frank 's father Matt Fowler decides to give Mr.Strout a punishment he felt was necessary.
What is violence? Violence is, as described by Google,”behavior involving physical force intended to hurt, damage, or kill someone or something. Strength of emotion or an unpleasant or destructive natural force. And the unlawful exercise of physical force or intimidation by the exhibition of such force.” Both 1984 by George Orwell, and Brave New World by Aldous Huxley have violence threaded throughout each novel.