Blog Post: Significance

The book I'm currently reading is Yellow Line By Sylvia Olsen. Their are two main points in the story that I feel are very significant to the progression of the plot. The first example is the scene with Vince and the old man in the rain. When Vince talks to the old man, he offers this advice, "Let me tell you something, son. If you're sorry for something then pick up the bat, step up to the plate and play the ball. It ain't going to do you no good walking down a dark road in the rain talking to yourself for the rest of your life."(Page 87)This part of the story is significant because it represents the change in Vince. This old man's advice has helped him become a more confident person, so much so that the day later he sat with the rest of the Indians on the bus, and he would go no where near there earlier in the story. This also helps him because when he sees Raedawn next, he has the confidence to talk to her. Another part of the story that I found significant was when Raedawn and Vince meet in the campsite office. "Her voice, like an electric arc, shoots out and grabs my sopping wet body.You know how you think of something over and over and plan exactly what you are going to do? Then when it happens, you forget everything. I'm finally alone with Raedawn and I'm paralyzed." This is significant because it represents the climax of the story. Raedawn and Vince are finally alone together again, and this time Vince steps up to the plate and plays the ball, leaving all his emotions on the table. This is the climax and the most suspenseful part of the story, when as the reader you are wondering whether Vince and Raedawn will get together, or if she will be unable to forgive him for his friends actions. I'm not going to spoil the ending, you'll have to read the book to find out.

Blog Post #3: Define and Describe a Character

The book I'm currently reading is called yellow line by Sylvia Olsen. Here is a citation for it:
Olsen, Sylvia. Yellow line. Victoria, BC: Orca Book Publishers, 2005. Print.
The character I am focusing on is  Vince. Some of the character traits I would give him is Short-Tempered, Caring, and Unconfident
Short-Tempered: Having a quick, hasty temper; irascible. The reason I would say that he is short tempered is because that he got really angry and left the gym during practice because he was angry that people were making fun of him and calling him chicken legs.  In the story, it says, "I clench the end of the bench and hold on until my knuckles turn white. I'm pumping with a crapload of energy like a freaking maniac. If my hands bust loose, I'd be down the hall in an instant, busting a few heads." This proves that Vince has trouble controlling his temper, as he's a bit of a hothead. (Page 21)
Caring: Feeling and exhibiting concern and empathy for others. The reason I would say Vince is Caring is because even though he was mad that Sherry was acting very rude towards him, he still tried to help her out and talk to her parents about her boyfriend Steve. Vince and Sherry were very good friends; and even if he was a little jealous of Steve, it was great that he helped Sherry out with her problems. "It's okay Sherry," I say. I can't imagine what we would say that would change their minds, but it's all I can think of. "You can't move to town Sherry. I would miss you. That would be crap." (Page 63)
Unconfident: Lacking confidence, being shy or insecure, etc. Vince is very unconfident because when he sees Raedawn in her house while walking on the Indian reserve, he doesn't have the confidence to go up to her and talk to her, even though he really likes her. His lack of confidence may stem from the fact that he gets bullied a lot by the other Indians like Charlie. It takes the wisdom of an old man and the brave actions of Steve to finally convince him to talk to her. "I slow down and start thinking of something to say. Suddenly, the sky explodes and rain starts beating down. I forgot my words, and any confidence I had runs down the road with the rain. (Page 86)