“Slower Than the Rest” by Cynthia Rylant is a realistic short story about a 10 year old boy who had no confidence. His life was changed when he finally found a friend. In the beginning, Leo found a turtle, named Charlie, and kept it. In the middle, He bonded with Charlie, and decided to present him to the school. In the end, Leo won an award for the first time, and finally felt “fast”. Charlie was a good friend to Leo. One way Charlie was a good friend to Leo was that he was a good source of entertainment. This story opens up by telling us that Leo was not the brightest kid around. He hadn’t many friends to talk to or to hang out with. Leo would play and talk with Charlie. In paragraph 7, the text states that “Leo came home from school, took
Suzak is saying that true friendship is shown through common interests, and friends would do anything for their friend no matter what it is. “The two of them gradually become friends due to the fact that neither of them was terribly interested in fighting. They preferred shooting rolling cigarettes to rolling in the snow and mud. They preferred shooting craps to shooting bullets. A firm friendship was built on gambling, smoking, and music, not to mention a shared desire for survival” (Zusak 175). Hans and Erik’s friendship grew through their share of common interests. All they wanted was to survive and go back home to their families. “It said, “Hubermann, sir.” The voice belonged to Erik Vandenburg. He obviously thought that today wasn’t the appropriate time for his friend to die” (Zusak 177). Erik Vandenburg saved Hans’ life by telling the sergeant that he had the best penmanship and should stay behind. So when Erik went into war that day he never came back meaning Hans survived. Which this shows a true friendship between Hans and Erik. “Now I think we are friends, this girl and me. On her birthday, it was she who gave a gift - to me” (Zusak 235). Max explains that he thinks that him and Liesel are becoming to be friends because instead of him giving her a gift on her birthday she gave him a gift. Liesel brought newspapers home for Max when what she saw one just to show that she cares
One way Charlie changes Leo’s life is that Charlie takes care for Leo’s happiness. In paragraph 6 Leo tells the reader that Charlie makes Leo happy. In paragraph 6 Leo says that “But Charlie took care of Leo’s happiness”. This shows that Charlie is a piece of Leo’s
Lauren Alleyne uses the rigid form of the sonnet to navigate through the healing process after being sexually assaulted. Ten years after that night, she writes the sonnet sequence Eighteen, which deviates from the typical sonnet form in the aspects of the speaker, subject, and format. Playing off of the standard sonnet form, Alleyne is able to recount the emotions of that night during the first sonnet in the sequence. The typical sonnet tends to objectify the female body or one’s lover; in this sequence, the sonnets address what happens when an individual acts on these objectifications and assaults Alleyne. Alleyne deviates from the standard subject and speaker of the typical sonnet form to begin the healing process; the process begins
Most everyone has experienced a time when they did not have to worry about financial problems, jobs, or even lives. That time for most individuals is a time of immaturity and learning. Childhood is an important part of everyone’s life. Who a person will become is the result of this period in one’s life. Although the majority had an enjoyable and carefree childhood, there are still many that do not have the chance to enjoy it. Just as a coin has two faces, Annie Dillard’s “An American Childhood” and Luis Rodriguez’s “Always Running” have shown the readers that not everyone had a fun and exciting childhood.
In the beginning, Smalls was new to the neighborhood and no one wanted to be friends with him except for Benny. Then Benny taught Smalls how to play baseball. Benny then joined the sandlot boys. That shows good friendship to people because friends are there to help and be with people. Especially since Smalls came during the summer time which means he cannot meet new people like he would at school. Benny shows a good example to people here. Where people should talk to someone who is alone and get to know them. Another great example is when the sandlot boys were arguing with the young boys who played baseball as well but had matching socks and uniforms. They showed people the true meaning of friendship because they were on each other's side.
In many of Leo Lionni's children's books, one of his characters is always helping a fellow friend out. For example, in Frederick and Swimmy, there are characters that help others to survive. These characters possess human attributes and carry across important messages to the reader.
In the beginning, Charlie was doing funny things in front of Leo. In paragraph 4, Charlie would poke his head into Leo’s neck. It kept both Leo and Charlie entertained. (In paragraph #6, Charlie acts like he is swimming.”His front and back legs moved as like he was swimming.” He then would sniff the air.) This proves that Charlie did funny things in front of Leo. This shows that Charlie
Charlie's attitude appears to be that of an introvert, "introvert is more comfortable with the inner world of concepts and ideas." (Engler p.73) I say this because he seems constantly in his own world, coming up with new ideas, and talking about the abstract world of the paranormal. He also can't keep up with menial day to day tasks like housework, money, and food. Engler explains that, "an extrovert is more comfortable with the outer wold of people and things." (Engler p.73) I took that as meaning day to day upkeep to keep yourself connected with the social world, like cleaning to have guests, or having money to spend it out with friends, etc...
“We were sort of royalty, almost infallible, with a sort of magic around us”(89). The old Charlie Wales lived during the economic boom of the 20’s, or other wise known as the jazz era. He lived a good life. During that time, he spent a lot of time drinking and throwing away money: “ he remembered thousand-franc notes given to an orchestra for playing a single number, hundred-franc notes tossed to a doorman for calling a cab”(90). Sometimes just acting childish with his friends Duncan Schaeffer and Lorraine Quarrles: “We did have such good times that crazy spring, like that night you and I stole that butcher’s tricycle…”(98). Nevertheless, he spent a lot of time in a bar called the Ritz. When he first got there, it was instinctive to give the head barman his numbers were he was staying as if it was his second home. “If you see Mr.Schaeffer, give him this…It’s my brother-inlaw’s address. I haven’t settled on a hotel yet”(86).
He doesn’t lack of encourage anymore, he has overcome his fear and despair. “I have to go. I have to disobey every impulse and leave her for Jasper Jones, for Jack Lionel, for this horrible mess.” We see a different Charlie from his determination. From escape to face up, he shows us more responsible. From helpless to assertive, he comes to realize what he really wants. He knows the dark side of human nature and this unfair and cold world. His innocent, his perfect world has been destroyed by those horrible things; because of these, he knows the part of real world, he knows how the ‘dark’ actually changes this world, his friends, his family, included
Since best friends affect them so much, they play a big role in both the movie and the book. Charlie said “but he seemed like the kid of guy you could walk up to and say hi even though you aren’t popular” witch was just how nothing(Patrick)was(Chobosky,19). Patrick really had not talked to Charlie before then. Only in shop class once or so. Benny said “Smalls why don’t you come join us and play some ball” in the Sandlot. Benny and Patrick effected Charlie and Scotty by allowing them into their friend group even though the kid wasn’t the coolest or the most athletic. They still went out of their way to make new friends. Similarly, peers help expand horizons. Similarly peers of the same friend group get to know the new kid and allow them to bond.
What does one think of when the word “turtle” is mentioned? This adorable creature is usually thought of as slow, futile, and the unsung hero of “The Tortoise and Hare.” However, Kay Ryan argues in her poem “Turtle” that turtles are more than just these things: they are strong but unfortunate creatures that must put up with many obstacles in order to survive. Despite the struggles that she faces, the turtle exhibits a multitude of different strengths to overcome them, as seen as the poem progresses.
Charlie struggles with apparent mental illness throughout his letters, but he never explicitly addresses this problem. His friends make him realize that he is different and it is okay to be different from everyone else. This change in perspective gives Charlie new opportunities to experience life from a side he was unfamiliar with. Without these new friends, Charlie would have never dared to try on the things he has. His friends have helped him develop from an antisocial wallflower to an adventurous young man who is both brave and loyal. Transitioning shapes how the individual enters into the workforce, live independently and gain some control over their future
In a world that is fast-paced and everything seems to be on the fast lane, it is no surprise that the traditional way of communication has suddenly been beclouded by the power of technology. With the speed of light, a lot can easily be done; many individuals across the globe can now easily interact with one another through instant messaging, text messaging, email, and other faster means. Nonetheless, there are people who still reckon with the hoary way of communicating. In her essay “In Praise of a Snail’s Pace”, Ellen Goodman, the author, depicts a world system that has derailed from the old and decent way of doing things into a “world of hyperactive technology” (52). This has captivated the majority of people into neglecting the slow but graceful way of
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be lonely and slower than everyone else. Well Slower Than The Rest by Cynthia Rylant answers that question. The main character Leo is lonely and has no friends. Slower Than The Rest is about a boy named Leo who find a turtle on the highway and takes it in as a pet. Leo had no friends until Charlie his turtle came and acted like a best friend. Leo brought Charlie into school and talked about charlie and forest fires. At the end of the story Leo got an award plaque for best presentation and for once felt fast. Leo was lonely because he didn't have any friends.