Bibliographic Entry (Author, Title, Publisher, Place and Year):
James Weldon Johnson, Along This Way (The Autobiography of James Weldon Johnson),
Da Capo Press, United States of America, 2000
What is the Subject of the Novel? It is a novel of the autobiography of James Weldon Johnson which talks about the life of Mr. Johnson.
Find and state (in the author's words) a "defining" passage, one
which best summarizes
the direction of the novel-its theme.
"The prosperity in Nassau had collapsed with the close of the Civil War;
and the great hurricane of 1866 had blown away its remnants. I left my family
in Nassau and went to Jacksonville."
Paraphrase this passage (in your own words):
The prosperity in Nassau collapsed with Civil War. He left his family to go
to Jacksonville to meet to new world.
Paraphrase three subsidiary, supporting ideas, images or symbols using complete
Sentences:
1. "When Dr. Summer Died, I finally realized a lot of things and what
he taught me about life."
2. "My mother named my brother Rosamond because she was hoping to have
a girl, but he turned out to be a guy."
3. "I had to move from places to places, and everywhere I go, I stand
out."
Make a list of and name the characters you have found in the essay, supply
a
characterizing quotation and tell why you think the author used the character.
Character's Name
Quote the text!
Why used?
1. Johnson, Helen Louise Dillet (mother)
"When I was born, my mother was very ill, too ill to nurse me."
(P.9)
The quote was used because is really shows how James Weldon Johnson can take
care of himself due to his mother's health condition. It shows what kind of
person he is. He is very independent.
2. Dr. Summers:
"The one day I was shocked to learn that Dr. Summers had committed suicide.
I was deeply grieved, for I had lost an understanding friend, one who was,
in many ways, a kindred spirit." (P.99)
The quote is used because it shows how life can change so fast. Things can
happen so unexpectedly and how shocking it could be. It shows the pain he
needs to take to loose a close friend like Dr. Summers, because it is very
hard to have a friend who can really understand you.
3. Anna Karenina:
"I remember, specifically, that we saw Anna Karenina at the old Herald
Square Theater; She was the steamer to see me sail; and, as the ship slipped
out of the pier, the thought came down on me heavily that I was a lonely Man;
and I knew that I was really deeply in love with her." (p.253)
The quote was used because it shows that no matter how independent he could
be, he still needs someone to love. It gave me a feeling (and made me realize)
how people can sometimes feel lonely and feel that they really need someone
to be there for them. And, it tells how love at the first sight can be so
strong and unforgettable to a man
4.Rosamond John, Johnson:
"When I reached New York, I went directly to Washington to report at
the State Department and receive instructions. I took time to run over to
Baltimore for a night to see Bab and Rosamond; they had written a new show
called The Red Moon, and were playing there. My two former partners were enthusiastic
about the future under their new managers. (p. 252)
The quote was used because it shows the colored people can also be very successful
in areas. It encourages people not to look down on colored people. It shows
that all people are created equal, if you can do it, they can too!
Summarize the plot, noting the complications, climax or crisis and resolution
of the
piece:
Life is not as easy as what other people thinks. When you learn to live, you
will go through a lot of problems and changes. This is when you start to grow
up, from a guy to a man, from a lady to a woman. When there is a problem stated,
you don't just stay there and wait until it's good, you go do something about
your personally problems. Like the issue of prejudice raised in the book,
you don't have to worry too much about how people look at you, you can prove
to them how you can do so much better. And, whenever you have a chance to
do something, you hold on to the opportunity. Chances won't wait for you!
Explain your view on the issues raised in the book. Do you agree, disagree
or partially
agree with the author? Give at lease three reasons you believe as you do.
I agree with Mr. Johnson because when you are used to a certain area you've
live in for a long time, somehow you'll feel protected in ways. But, when
you leave the place and go off in your own world, there are a lot of things
you need to be aware of. You need to be independent, clever to the things
around you, and you need to be able to survive in any new environments. Things
do change in our lives, you can't expect everything to stay the same, you
need to know how to accept changes. When you have made a mistake, you don't
just break down, you learn from it and not fall for the same issue again.
