*She was also one of Daddy’s clients (‘A little ganja’s good for my glaucoma, Junior’) and, Quan had noticed over the years, the only neighbor who didn’t look at him funny - or avoid looking at all - when Quan would play outside or when he and Daddy would drive through the neighborhood in Daddy’s BMW (Stone 20) ~ I can relate to this passage because back in Ohio there was a lot of known drug dealers in my neighborhood. So, when we saw their car drive down the street, or a specific car pull up to their house, everyone knew what was happening. *Despite her skin tone, Mrs. P let everyone know she was Greek, not white (Stone 19) ~ Now people like to make the comment that some of us are white and some of us happen to be white. I think this is definitely going to be something that everyone continues to to because of the amount of racism that has happened, and is still happening, in the US *P.S.S. (or is it P.P.S.? Yo, you ever heard that song “O.P.P.”? I love that song.): REMINDER- don’t tell NOBODY I wrote this! (Stone 27) ~ I also get sidetracked a lot when I talk to people. I split off into side stories - or I backtrack - because I easily lose focus. *It’s not that Quan doesn’t like his cousin Emmanuel. He just don’t know what the hell to say to the dude. (Stone 53)~ There have been so many times where I don’t know what to say in a situation, so I sit there silently, and someone tells me I’m being mean and need to at least pretend I like the people. I’m just an awkward person, especially if I know someone who doesn’t like a person that is close to the person trying to talk to me. *Quan wasn’t sure Dwight actually had parents - seemed more likely he was the spawn of demons or the result of some test tube experiment gone wrong - … (Stone 64 & 65) ~ There is a running joke in my family - and some friends - that I am an alien, or from a test tube. When my older cousin saw my sonogram, he said I looked weird so my dad decided to tell him that I am an alien. I have trouble sensing atmospheric temperatures (hot in winter, cold in summer) so I wear a thin jacket in the winter and hoodies and jeans in the summer. I also have trouble reading some social cues so it all just becomes more “evidence” that I am an alien.
Would Daddy go to prison? For how long? What would happen now? (21)
To start off, I chose this quote because it is very relevant to the plot of the story. Many kids grow up with incarcerated parents, and it’s not talked about enough. A child should never be asking these questions at such a young age. I think this is only a partial buildup of how Quan made decisions after his father’s arrest, which leads to my next quote:
Mama might’ve been a mess, but Dasia and Gabe were just fine. Despite their daddy being a human garbage disposal, they laughed and smiled and were doing good in school… All because Quan stayed focused. (30)
Despite his father’s arrest and his mother being abused by his new stepfather, Quan continues to stay strong for not only his father, but also for his younger siblings. With things being so bad at home, Quan has no choice but to take care of his little brother and sister - getting them up in the morning, making their breakfast, taking them to the bus - Quan just wants to stay focused. He wants his father to be proud.
“I wish they would’ve never made that announcement. Winning an academic bowl isn’t ‘cool.’ Everybody just makes fun of me.” Quan shrugs. “Maybe they just jealous cuz they ain’t never won nothin’.” (8)
Justyce is an extremely smart kid and has a bright future ahead of him. Despite this, kids at school make fun of him for it - too nerdy, too special - it’s something that does happen to gifted kids, especially when so many kids suffer from bad circumstances at home. They don’t expect you to get out of your current situation, to have an aspiration - but Justyce succeeds in his future.
“You heard me! Your teacher called. Told me you cheated on the test!” “I didn’t cheat, Ma!” (34)
Even with everything happening inside Quan’s home, even his own mother doesn’t believe he can achieve anything. This hits Quan like a sucker punch. After staying so focused and trying his best, his mother doesn’t take his word. Quan got a 98% on the test and was so excited to not only show his mother, but send the paper to his father in prison via mail. Now all Quan’s left with is a clenched jaw.
I keep thinking, like: What would my dad say if he could see me now? How disappointed would he be? (25)
Lastly, this is the first letter Quan sends to Justyce while he’s incarcerated. Quan reminisces on the sixth anniversary of his father’s arrest and how vividly he can recall it. He shows just how much time he has to think while he’s locked up, and expresses it to Justyce. Despite everything, he says how he’s always looked up to Justyce, and hopes he writes a letter back.
I love how you chose to connect the quotes all together. Instead of just quote and explanation over and over again, it takes me through more of a journey. I am easily able to recall the surrounding and place of each line you chose. On top of this, the quotes you picked stand out very boldly. You did a phenomenal job of picking lines out.
Great connections of the quotes! Also, your explanations of each quote are amazing, you are a very detailed and concise writer, which I appreciate. I also like the organization. You put the quote, explained it, and repeated the process. Very good job, thank you Alexia!
This isn't my groups book but, I definitely wish it was. You explained the quotes you chose and tied them all together. Your analysis was obviously very well thought out, and I agree that children should not have to deal with their parents/guardians problems, or the results of their problems.
(I have online copy and it does not show page numbers so I have no idea what page my quote is from. However I pulled it from one of the first pages of the book.)
I decided that my illustration should not have color. The visual that I have created is not colorful or fun. I am hoping to insight a feeling of gloom using images that Quan has painted for us with his words and I have sketched with a pencil. I can’t help but try to put myself into the shoes of Quan. He is dealing with so much; his mom's abusive scumbag boyfriend, the incarceration of his father, the wellbeing of his little brother and sister, and meeting his own needs.
One of the main recurrences I have seen so far is the impact domestic abuse has on Quan. “The aftermath bloom in the funny-looking bluey-purple blotches that made Mama’s arms and legs look like someone had tossed water balloons full of paint all over her.” There are several passages that talk about caked makeup Quan’s mother used to hide bruises or braces on wrists and ankles. I drew illustrations of the vivid picture that is painted. It is NOT a pretty picture.
I agree with you because this is just the beginning of the story an it's already starting off pretty scary and gloomy.Also it makes since not to do color because sad and depression is known as dark things so it would make sense to have it white and black.One thing i dont agree with in this story that is sad on the mothers part is tinstead of her telling the policewhat's going on in her abusive relationship she would rather hide it with makeup.~this is nysia
It is true that Quan's life is gloomy. It wouldn't surprise me that you used dull colors for the illustration! I feel like I can imagine a huge blob of dark squiggles in Quan's mind as an illustration - it seems like that's what his thoughts depict. This is a great connection!
Your illustration was a great connection to the story and depicted the situation very well. Not to mention it was also just a phenomenal drawing. I myself am an artist so I have an eye for detail and the shading was so good. I also really like that it was in black and white because, like you said, its not a fun topic so I think had it been colorful, it would have taken away from the message. Amazing job Hailey!
Madison Killebrew I think the lack of color doesn't necessarily mean it isn't pretty. You could have still drawn the bruises in color and the message still would have been portrayed. The explanation behind the picture definitely helps understand Quan's perspective.Overall it definitely fits together, but I have my own creative view, that doesn't mean there is anything wrong with yours.
"It is true that Quan's life is gloomy. It wouldn't surprise me that you used dull colors for the illustration! I feel like I can imagine a huge blob of dark squiggles in Quan's mind as an illustration - it seems like that's what his thoughts depict. This is a great connection!" - this comment is Alexia by the way! :)
*She was also one of Daddy’s clients (‘A little ganja’s good for my glaucoma, Junior’) and, Quan had noticed over the years, the only neighbor who didn’t look at him funny - or avoid looking at all - when Quan would play outside or when he and Daddy would drive through the neighborhood in Daddy’s BMW (Stone 20) ~ I can relate to this passage because back in Ohio there was a lot of known drug dealers in my neighborhood. So, when we saw their car drive down the street, or a specific car pull up to their house, everyone knew what was happening. *Despite her skin tone, Mrs. P let everyone know she was Greek, not white (Stone 19) ~ Now people like to make the comment that some of us are white and some of us happen to be white. I think this is definitely going to be something that everyone continues to to because of the amount of racism that has happened, and is still happening, in the US *P.S.S. (or is it P.P.S.? Yo, you ever heard that song “O.P.P.”? I love that song.): REMINDER- don’t tell NOBODY I wrote this! (Stone 27) ~ I also get sidetracked a lot when I talk to people. I split off into side stories - or I backtrack - because I easily lose focus. *It’s not that Quan doesn’t like his cousin Emmanuel. He just don’t know what the hell to say to the dude. (Stone 53)~ There have been so many times where I don’t know what to say in a situation, so I sit there silently, and someone tells me I’m being mean and need to at least pretend I like the people. I’m just an awkward person, especially if I know someone who doesn’t like a person that is close to the person trying to talk to me. *Quan wasn’t sure Dwight actually had parents - seemed more likely he was the spawn of demons or the result of some test tube experiment gone wrong - … (Stone 64 & 65) ~ There is a running joke in my family - and some friends - that I am an alien, or from a test tube. When my older cousin saw my sonogram, he said I looked weird so my dad decided to tell him that I am an alien. I have trouble sensing atmospheric temperatures (hot in winter, cold in summer) so I wear a thin jacket in the winter and hoodies and jeans in the summer. I also have trouble reading some social cues so it all just becomes more “evidence” that I am an alien.
The beginning of Dear Justyce shows flashbacks of the main character's, Quan's, life and how things led up to present time, where he is incarcerated for killing a white cop. Not only does part one of the novel contain flashbacks, it has letters that Quan writes to his childhood friend Justyce. They meet when Quan runs away from home to a playground in the neighborhood because of his mom's abusive boyfriend, Dwight, and sees Justyce there and that's how they meet. Two years after they meet, Quan's father is arrested and incarcerated for drugs and he vows to care for his younger siblings. Dwight moves in with them all and continues to beat his mom and take control of her fiances. Once Dwight starts leaving Mama and the children without food or money, Quan learns how to steal. This gets him in a lot of trouble and he finds himself in and out of juvenile prison, and eventually joins a neighborhood gang called Black Jihad.This as far as I've gotten.
The five most important events so far are as follows, in no particular order of importance:
1. Quan runs away from home and meets Justyce 2. Dwight moves in with Quan and his mom 3. Quan learns how to steal and makes this a habit 4. Quan serves a year sentence in juvy 5. Quan joins the Black Jihad
My two predictions for what happens next is as follows:
1. I already know a cop ends up getting killed but I have this feeling someone else is going to die. I don't really have any other evidence than him joining the gang. I have a feeling someone might wrong someone who is higher up in the gang, I'm not sure, this is mostly gut instinct.
2. The gang leader Martel is pretty nice and took a quick liking to Quan because of his interest in math, so I can see them becoming good friends and possibly making Quan a higher up member of the gang at some point.
what i like about your plot about the story is that you put a lot of detail into it and you broke it down in pieces where i could really understand it.A questioni did have was do you think quan is stealing so much because of his life situation at home or if he's doing it because his mom is poor because of his step dad.What i disagree with this is that i dont think quan should be around drug dealers yet and learning from bad habits.
I think all 5 of the main events you have are on point. I wish however that the arrest of Quan's father was on there somewhere. His house was obviously the place he went to in order to escape Dwight as well as the things he had going on at home. His father was also a huge provider of money for Quan's mom and his two other siblings. Not only did the arrest of his father have an emotional impact on Quan, but a lot of the events that have happened might not of had his father still been around. Dwight would of never moved in and took control of finances. Quan never would of been forced to steal in order to provide for his family. And on and on.
I would like to say as much as I criticized, you do have an amazing writing style an are very good with words.
I too feel that someone in the Black Jihad is going to either end up injured or killed. It feels like something that is too good to be true - Quan finally finds a place where he can be accepted, but it could tumble quickly, just like many things in his life.
I also agree with you about Martel, he's taken on a father figure that Quan's been missing for years now. I just hope this relationship isn't taken away or ruined.
Nysia, I totally agree he should not be doing the things he's doing. But, I do think hes really only doing it because in a way he has to be the man of the house since Dwight is horrible, and he has limited options to support his family. I don't think he would have voluntarily gotten into any of this trouble if he wasn't forced to due to limited finances. (also thank you, I try to always be detailed and concise :) )
Hailey, Omg you're totally right, I don't know why I didn't add that. I should've made that #2 and then combined #'s 3 and 4, thank you for the constructive criticism. (and tysm, I love writing so it's good to hear I'm pretty good at it lol!)
Alexia, Right! I literally have no evidence of it but I just have this feeling idk. And same, he might be a gang leader, but Martel just seems very nice and compassionate towards Quan.
I was the character watcher for this week and what i realized about the characters so far is that quan is a nine year old boy that alrady goes through depression and lonliness at a young age.But is somewhat strong about his situation.Justyce is another character i found in the book and what i've noticed about him is that he is a smart black guy but he wants it as a secret and finds it embarrasing if the whole school knew that he was a nerd and he is kinda similar to quan because he also deals with daddy isssues at home but still keeps his head up and move forward in life.The last character i found in my novel was a lady named mrs.p and shes an older lady that has known quans dad for years and even watched his dad as a kid and would literally do anything for his family and she is the one that took quan out of jail by signing guardian papers.
Madison Killebrew I think you might only be looking at everything at face value. Yes, at the beginning Quan is nine, but as the book goes on he gets older. Justyce doesn't necessarily wish to hide his intelligence, but he is embarrassed by it being his only defining characteristic to others. You did a great job at explaining what happens, you just need to look a little deeper.
plot pro Who: quan,dwight and his mother What: quan wants to do football but he has to pass his math class in order to play When: during the school day at school Where: at school,classroom Why: because his dad got a scholarship for playing football in school and quan wanted to see if he can do the same thing,because he was destined to achieve what his dad didn't do because he would do anything to make his dad happy
What i think is going on in this second chapter of dear justyce is that quan is going through a lot of thinking about his dad and football.Another reason why i say that is because in this part of the story he was saying that his dad was receiving scholarships where he could’ve played football in college but didn't do it because quan was born and he wanted to find something else that he can do to help financially take care of his son and be there for them.So he aced his test that he studied really hard on because he was passionate in himself to join the team but his teacher called his mom and told her that he cheated on the test and she didn’t want to believe in what quan had to say because he’s never brought good grades in the house like that.But the teacher said that because he doesn't like quan.This brought me to a point in the story,where maybe this whole book is going to deal with racism and discrimination.
Another thing that I've noticed about this book and the reason why I put quan’s mother in the whole area at the top is because it also talks about how she uses most of her boyfriends for money. So she can get her rent paid off instead of actually loving the men that she dates and care for them and she doesn't show attention to her other children that she has and quan is always left babysitting them or taking care of them.Another thing about quan’s mom so far is that she will do whatever it takes to keep her boyfriend dwight in the family,even if dwight beats on her and verbally abuses her she won’t stand up for herself.
1. Quan In my perspective, it seems Quan's actions are driven by his desire to disassociate from his home life. He's constantly thinking about his mom, his siblings, his father, etc. Black Jihad was his escape. I think his purpose in the story is to serve as a lesson for himself.
2. Justyce While Quan is locked up, Justyce desperately wants to help Quan get the justice he deserves. With his girlfriend and college friend, the three work together to conduct a proper judicial solution to Quan's arrest in hopes of getting him out. Because of this, I believe Justyce serves as a savior to the story and to Quan and is very loyal to their friendship.
3. Justyce's Girlfriend I'm hoping she ends up playing a large role in the story, as she is a big help to Justyce's cause - helping Quan get out of prison. She's extremely smart and holds a great dynamic with Justyce - I sense loyalty coming from her as Justyce is to Quan.
Madison Killebrew I also hope she plays a large role. I believe Justyce would have had a harder time getting Quan released. They both serve as the protector/ parental role that Quan is missing in his life.
Yes i honestly think if quan was in a better home and was raised right or even just speak up to his parents about his feelings.I think that his situation in his home could have changed because all that anger and hate that he had will just build uo anger and make you want to do something you would totally regret.Also i agree to what you said about justyce girlfriend i really hope people notice her later in the story and acknowledge what she's doing to help free quan out of juvie because if it's more than one person protesting or speaking up,the more people will get up and listen and realize that he does need to be free and that he's just a kid and still has a life to live.
I think you did a wonderful job describing the characters! I'm not reading this book now, but I did read Dear Martin and I feel like the descriptions really match a lot of what I remember and give me a lot of insight to the characters now. I can especially see that in your description of Justyce. His loyalty really stuck out to me from Dear Martin, so I loved that you highlighted that. Your character descriptions make me really want to read Dear Justyce, too! (Rachel Vrazel, Dreamland Burning.)
great character descriptions! I too think quan only wanted to escape home. i also think it was due to his need and desire for any form of support that he otherwise didn't have at home and his only option at the time in his eyes was joining the black jihad.
*“When Quan is done, Martel tells him how the organization functions and offers Quan an in, provided he can abide by the rules. (Quan does notice there’s no explanation of what happens if one breaks said rules, and it does make him hesitate - but only for a second.)” (Stone 90) ~ Quan choses to mindlessly follow Martel. He has no idea what the disciplinary actions will be, but still accepts.
*“Four days later - a Tuesday - Quan got called to the front office at school. His heart beat in his throat ears skull the whole way out the door down the stairs and up the hall from English class.” (Stone 99&100) ~ He knows something is going to happen and is scared.
*“Yeah, Roosevelt comes from hella money and more or less has the whole world at his fingertips, but homie is the furthest thing from happy Justyce has ever seen.” (Stone 145) ~ I thought this was just a powerful quote in general. You might not know what someone is going through. They could have a picture perfect life and still be unhappy.
*“Then came the dilemma. Because while he could never snitch, the fact still remained that he was being detained for a crime that he didn't commit.” (Stone 155) ~ This shows that Quan would rather be loyal than free. He would rather take the blame for something he didn’t do then tell who it truly was.
*“His eyes roam the small room where delinquents like him ( if you let the state tell it) convene with their attorneys.” (Stone 160) ~ Even if he wanted to tell the attorney the truth so that he could leave, other delinquents will still be there. He has no privacy.
I decided to draw the image of a hand holding a “ghost gun” This represents the fact that while Quan was holding a gun at the incident, he did not kill the officer nor Dwight, and yet was charged with both murders. I also decided (like Hailey did on week one) that the image should be in black in white. I feel as though adding color would take away from the seriousness of the subject matter. I personally get very upset if I am accused of things I did not do, no matter how small or minuscule it is, so I literally could not imagine being charged with TWO murders, neither of which I did not commit. I can only begin to think of the kind of mental turmoil that would cause in someone and I think that is apparent with Quan’s diagnosis of PTSD and panic attacks.
I also think that none of this would have happened had Quan not joined the Black Jihad. Last week when I was Plot Pro, I predicted that Quan and Martel’s relationship would grow in a positive way but I was wrong. Martel had Dwight killed even though Quan didn’t necessarily ask for that to happen and then with everything that happened at the birthday party, it wasn’t Martel that got in trouble, but Quan, who did nothing but join a gang that he only joined so that he would have a support system that he otherwise didn’t have anywhere else.
I have an online pdf so my page numbers and chapters are kind of wack but the quote I chose for this was “The reason I joined the Black Jihad: I needed backup. Support without judgment. People who hadn’t—and wouldn’t—give up on me. I needed a family.” (Nic Stone, Dear Justyce) I chose this quote to show that he didn’t join the gang with any bad intentions.
(Alexia Smith) This is a really good entry, Izzie! If something's gonna be drawn in relation to this book, it would probably be a gun. I too thought Quan's relationship with Martel would grow.
Madison Killebrew I think this is a perfect representation of this part of the book. I actually didn't see their relationship growing in a positive way. It turned out how I imagined. Quan was the only one with any ties to Dwight so the blame was bound to fall on him.
I really like how you decided to leave the illustration in black and white. I am illustrator for my novel, and I did something similar with my illustration for this week. Although our books are not the same, I feel like they handle a lot of the same ideas and themes surrounding racial justice and I chose to leave it without color for the same reason of wanting the seriousness of the situation and the impact of racial injustice to be more concretely represented. I also really relate to what you said about being blamed for things you didn't do, and I can't imagine how difficult that would have been for the character. (Rachel Vrazel, Dreamland Burning)
i like this because it represents the fact that all of this was a big misunderstanding and since it's a ghost gun it's a definition of saying that quan was holding the gun but it wasnt harming anyone or anything because you can't see or feel ghost and ghost don't leave any finger prints because there invisible.
1. Quan meets Justyce. 2. Quan’s father goes to prison. 3. Quan meets Trey, then meeting Martel through Trey, which leads into Quan joining the Black Jihad. 4. Quan gets in trouble with the police while a standoff between a group of officers and members of the Black Jihad. 5. Quan lands in a detention center for a crime he didn’t commit.
I predict that Justyce will have a large role in helping Quan get out of prison. SInce they’ve been exchanging letters, Quan opens up more and more about the case. Since Justyce is a law student, it’ll only make sense for Justyce to want to do the best he can to help his friend. Although he can only do so much, since they are separated by iron bars - I’m thinking Justyce will raise awareness to a few of his friends, maybe even at his college campus.
I also predict that Quan will eventually have a good relationship with his mother - there’s major tension between the two of them. If Quan really gets out of prison, I hope he’s able to get back to his family and start over. Hopefully the Black Jihad will continue to help Quan’s mother and maybe even she’ll become a mother figure to other members of the Black Jihad. Quan deserves a happy ending.
i totally agree with this because the last etter is telling quan that he's fed up and will dowhatever he can in his will to get him out of prison because the longer they take with the process the more and more theyll keep quan in jail.Also i do think that this may have happen for a good reason,just so his mom can change her mind set and actaully care about her son's feelings and want the best for him.I also agree with the part where justyce may put an awareness around his campus is because if more people agree with justyce the more the police stations and judges will actually do something. this is nysia
1.connection to real life I compare this book to real life situations because i have a cousin named david that went to jail because of false news.He was also a very nice,sweet and innocent person like quan but one thing about my cousin he wasn't in a gang he was more just not surrounding himself around loyal friends.So one day david went bowling with his friends and they had a great time doing that but it all happened when they went to this expensive mall at frontenac and they went in the store called lululemon.Next after they were all done shopping one of his friends put a headband in my cousins pocket to make it seem like he was stealing when he really wasn't and he told the employees that he’s innocent but they still called the cops on him anyways and when the cops get there they asked david’s friends if they knew about him stealing and they lied and said they saw him put it in his pocket just so they wouldnt get in trouble and the op believed in them more than david so they put him in handcuffs instead.Also yes david was black and all his friends were white and that’s mainly why i connect this to the story because my cousin went in jail for a lie just like quan. this is nysia
QUAN As a child, he seemed to be on the path to success with an interest in math, but when Daddy was arrested, things began to change. Through the span of the whole book, he goes from an academic child to a thief and gang member, to a falsely accused murderer, to a hopeful and freed man. He starts as this 9-year-old boy growing up in a low-income home, already struggling with his home life, and with his feelings of betrayal towards his mother, he is sort of pushed away from having that family support system and so he finds this gang that will take him in and treat him like a family member. I think a theme that goes with Quan is making decisions without thinking about the future consequences. He joins this gang without thinking about the repercussions and negative sides of being in a gang. And also even just the instinctively pulling out a gun in front of a cop without thinking of what comes after.
MARTEL My opinion of him changed a lot throughout the course of the novel. In the beginning, I really did like him because he took a quick liking to Quan and really supported him. Then, my view of him turned negative when he just went and killed Dwight with no warning, and then all of a sudden Quan was in debt to him without Quan even asking. Then later he changes up a bit when Justyce asks him to free Quan from the gang with the stipulation that he pays back his debts, but the funny thing was is that he never cashes any of Quan’s checks which alludes to the fact that he wants Quan to be financially free. Not only that, but he helps Quan’s mom get out of the more dangerous part of Atlanta and also helps Mama through Dasia’s cancer diagnosis while Quan is incarcerated. So, I think the theme that goes along with Martel is having a change of heart.
MAMA While little is said in the novel about Mama, I still think she is a key character. Quan talks about the betrayal he felt after she didn’t believe him when he said he hadn’t cheated as the school had told her. She also pushes him away and this neglect causes Quan to join the Black Jihad. It’s never really said why exactly she didn’t believe her own son and it never specified whether she even tried to protect her children from Dwight’s abuse, it seemed to me that Quan did more protecting of his siblings than she ever did. She does have a change when Martel has her move to the safer suburbs and she seems to be happy with her new life, and she even begins to repair her relationship with Quan when he gets out of prison. So, the theme that I think correlates with Mama is a mother’s love and how important it is for children to experience that at a younger age rather than waiting years to repair a broken relationship.
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*She was also one of Daddy’s clients (‘A little ganja’s good for my glaucoma, Junior’) and, Quan had noticed over the years, the only neighbor who didn’t look at him funny - or avoid looking at all - when Quan would play outside or when he and Daddy would drive through the neighborhood in Daddy’s BMW (Stone 20) ~ I can relate to this passage because back in Ohio there was a lot of known drug dealers in my neighborhood. So, when we saw their car drive down the street, or a specific car pull up to their house, everyone knew what was happening.
*Despite her skin tone, Mrs. P let everyone know she was Greek, not white (Stone 19) ~ Now people like to make the comment that some of us are white and some of us happen to be white. I think this is definitely going to be something that everyone continues to to because of the amount of racism that has happened, and is still happening, in the US
*P.S.S. (or is it P.P.S.? Yo, you ever heard that song “O.P.P.”? I love that song.): REMINDER- don’t tell NOBODY I wrote this! (Stone 27) ~ I also get sidetracked a lot when I talk to people. I split off into side stories - or I backtrack - because I easily lose focus.
*It’s not that Quan doesn’t like his cousin Emmanuel. He just don’t know what the hell to say to the dude. (Stone 53)~ There have been so many times where I don’t know what to say in a situation, so I sit there silently, and someone tells me I’m being mean and need to at least pretend I like the people. I’m just an awkward person, especially if I know someone who doesn’t like a person that is close to the person trying to talk to me.
*Quan wasn’t sure Dwight actually had parents - seemed more likely he was the spawn of demons or the result of some test tube experiment gone wrong - … (Stone 64 & 65) ~ There is a running joke in my family - and some friends - that I am an alien, or from a test tube. When my older cousin saw my sonogram, he said I looked weird so my dad decided to tell him that I am an alien. I have trouble sensing atmospheric temperatures (hot in winter, cold in summer) so I wear a thin jacket in the winter and hoodies and jeans in the summer. I also have trouble reading some social cues so it all just becomes more “evidence” that I am an alien.
Alexia Smith - Entry 1, Week 1 - Passage Finder
ReplyDeleteWould Daddy go to prison?
For how long?
What would happen now? (21)
To start off, I chose this quote because it is very relevant to the plot of the story. Many kids grow up with incarcerated parents, and it’s not talked about enough. A child should never be asking these questions at such a young age. I think this is only a partial buildup of how Quan made decisions after his father’s arrest, which leads to my next quote:
Mama might’ve been a mess, but Dasia and Gabe were just fine. Despite their daddy being a human garbage disposal, they laughed and smiled and were doing good in school…
All because Quan stayed focused. (30)
Despite his father’s arrest and his mother being abused by his new stepfather, Quan continues to stay strong for not only his father, but also for his younger siblings. With things being so bad at home, Quan has no choice but to take care of his little brother and sister - getting them up in the morning, making their breakfast, taking them to the bus - Quan just wants to stay focused. He wants his father to be proud.
“I wish they would’ve never made that announcement. Winning an academic bowl isn’t ‘cool.’ Everybody just makes fun of me.”
Quan shrugs. “Maybe they just jealous cuz they ain’t never won nothin’.” (8)
Justyce is an extremely smart kid and has a bright future ahead of him. Despite this, kids at school make fun of him for it - too nerdy, too special - it’s something that does happen to gifted kids, especially when so many kids suffer from bad circumstances at home. They don’t expect you to get out of your current situation, to have an aspiration - but Justyce succeeds in his future.
“You heard me! Your teacher called. Told me you cheated on the test!”
“I didn’t cheat, Ma!” (34)
Even with everything happening inside Quan’s home, even his own mother doesn’t believe he can achieve anything. This hits Quan like a sucker punch. After staying so focused and trying his best, his mother doesn’t take his word. Quan got a 98% on the test and was so excited to not only show his mother, but send the paper to his father in prison via mail. Now all Quan’s left with is a clenched jaw.
I keep thinking, like: What would my dad say if he could see me now? How disappointed would he be? (25)
Lastly, this is the first letter Quan sends to Justyce while he’s incarcerated. Quan reminisces on the sixth anniversary of his father’s arrest and how vividly he can recall it. He shows just how much time he has to think while he’s locked up, and expresses it to Justyce. Despite everything, he says how he’s always looked up to Justyce, and hopes he writes a letter back.
Hailey Jaynes
DeleteI love how you chose to connect the quotes all together. Instead of just quote and explanation over and over again, it takes me through more of a journey. I am easily able to recall the surrounding and place of each line you chose. On top of this, the quotes you picked stand out very boldly. You did a phenomenal job of picking lines out.
Thankyou Alexia this is amazing!!!
Izzie Richmond
DeleteGreat connections of the quotes! Also, your explanations of each quote are amazing, you are a very detailed and concise writer, which I appreciate. I also like the organization. You put the quote, explained it, and repeated the process. Very good job, thank you Alexia!
This isn't my groups book but, I definitely wish it was. You explained the quotes you chose and tied them all together. Your analysis was obviously very well thought out, and I agree that children should not have to deal with their parents/guardians problems, or the results of their problems.
Delete(I have online copy and it does not show page numbers so I have no idea what page my quote is from. However I pulled it from one of the first pages of the book.)
ReplyDeleteI decided that my illustration should not have color. The visual that I have created is not colorful or fun. I am hoping to insight a feeling of gloom using images that Quan has painted for us with his words and I have sketched with a pencil. I can’t help but try to put myself into the shoes of Quan. He is dealing with so much; his mom's abusive scumbag boyfriend, the incarceration of his father, the wellbeing of his little brother and sister, and meeting his own needs.
One of the main recurrences I have seen so far is the impact domestic abuse has on Quan. “The aftermath bloom in the funny-looking bluey-purple blotches that made Mama’s arms and legs look like someone had tossed water balloons full of paint all over her.” There are several passages that talk about caked makeup Quan’s mother used to hide bruises or braces on wrists and ankles. I drew illustrations of the vivid picture that is painted. It is NOT a pretty picture.
I agree with you because this is just the beginning of the story an it's already starting off pretty scary and gloomy.Also it makes since not to do color because sad and depression is known as dark things so it would make sense to have it white and black.One thing i dont agree with in this story that is sad on the mothers part is tinstead of her telling the policewhat's going on in her abusive relationship she would rather hide it with makeup.~this is nysia
DeleteIt is true that Quan's life is gloomy. It wouldn't surprise me that you used dull colors for the illustration! I feel like I can imagine a huge blob of dark squiggles in Quan's mind as an illustration - it seems like that's what his thoughts depict. This is a great connection!
DeleteIzzie Richmond
DeleteYour illustration was a great connection to the story and depicted the situation very well. Not to mention it was also just a phenomenal drawing. I myself am an artist so I have an eye for detail and the shading was so good. I also really like that it was in black and white because, like you said, its not a fun topic so I think had it been colorful, it would have taken away from the message. Amazing job Hailey!
Madison Killebrew
DeleteI think the lack of color doesn't necessarily mean it isn't pretty. You could have still drawn the bruises in color and the message still would have been portrayed. The explanation behind the picture definitely helps understand Quan's perspective.Overall it definitely fits together, but I have my own creative view, that doesn't mean there is anything wrong with yours.
"It is true that Quan's life is gloomy. It wouldn't surprise me that you used dull colors for the illustration! I feel like I can imagine a huge blob of dark squiggles in Quan's mind as an illustration - it seems like that's what his thoughts depict. This is a great connection!" - this comment is Alexia by the way! :)
DeleteThe Unknown comment is HAILEY JAYNES.
ReplyDeleteIt will not let me sign into my school account and publish a comment. I will figure this out hopefully.
Connector
ReplyDeleteMadison Killebrew
*She was also one of Daddy’s clients (‘A little ganja’s good for my glaucoma, Junior’) and, Quan had noticed over the years, the only neighbor who didn’t look at him funny - or avoid looking at all - when Quan would play outside or when he and Daddy would drive through the neighborhood in Daddy’s BMW (Stone 20) ~ I can relate to this passage because back in Ohio there was a lot of known drug dealers in my neighborhood. So, when we saw their car drive down the street, or a specific car pull up to their house, everyone knew what was happening.
*Despite her skin tone, Mrs. P let everyone know she was Greek, not white (Stone 19) ~ Now people like to make the comment that some of us are white and some of us happen to be white. I think this is definitely going to be something that everyone continues to to because of the amount of racism that has happened, and is still happening, in the US
*P.S.S. (or is it P.P.S.? Yo, you ever heard that song “O.P.P.”? I love that song.): REMINDER- don’t tell NOBODY I wrote this! (Stone 27) ~ I also get sidetracked a lot when I talk to people. I split off into side stories - or I backtrack - because I easily lose focus.
*It’s not that Quan doesn’t like his cousin Emmanuel. He just don’t know what the hell to say to the dude. (Stone 53)~ There have been so many times where I don’t know what to say in a situation, so I sit there silently, and someone tells me I’m being mean and need to at least pretend I like the people. I’m just an awkward person, especially if I know someone who doesn’t like a person that is close to the person trying to talk to me.
*Quan wasn’t sure Dwight actually had parents - seemed more likely he was the spawn of demons or the result of some test tube experiment gone wrong - … (Stone 64 & 65) ~ There is a running joke in my family - and some friends - that I am an alien, or from a test tube. When my older cousin saw my sonogram, he said I looked weird so my dad decided to tell him that I am an alien. I have trouble sensing atmospheric temperatures (hot in winter, cold in summer) so I wear a thin jacket in the winter and hoodies and jeans in the summer. I also have trouble reading some social cues so it all just becomes more “evidence” that I am an alien.
Izzie Richmond - Week 1 - Plot Pro
ReplyDeleteThe beginning of Dear Justyce shows flashbacks of the main character's, Quan's, life and how things led up to present time, where he is incarcerated for killing a white cop. Not only does part one of the novel contain flashbacks, it has letters that Quan writes to his childhood friend Justyce. They meet when Quan runs away from home to a playground in the neighborhood because of his mom's abusive boyfriend, Dwight, and sees Justyce there and that's how they meet. Two years after they meet, Quan's father is arrested and incarcerated for drugs and he vows to care for his younger siblings. Dwight moves in with them all and continues to beat his mom and take control of her fiances. Once Dwight starts leaving Mama and the children without food or money, Quan learns how to steal. This gets him in a lot of trouble and he finds himself in and out of juvenile prison, and eventually joins a neighborhood gang called Black Jihad.This as far as I've gotten.
The five most important events so far are as follows, in no particular order of importance:
1. Quan runs away from home and meets Justyce
2. Dwight moves in with Quan and his mom
3. Quan learns how to steal and makes this a habit
4. Quan serves a year sentence in juvy
5. Quan joins the Black Jihad
My two predictions for what happens next is as follows:
1. I already know a cop ends up getting killed but I have this feeling someone else is going to die. I don't really have any other evidence than him joining the gang. I have a feeling someone might wrong someone who is higher up in the gang, I'm not sure, this is mostly gut instinct.
2. The gang leader Martel is pretty nice and took a quick liking to Quan because of his interest in math, so I can see them becoming good friends and possibly making Quan a higher up member of the gang at some point.
what i like about your plot about the story is that you put a lot of detail into it and you broke it down in pieces where i could really understand it.A questioni did have was do you think quan is stealing so much because of his life situation at home or if he's doing it because his mom is poor because of his step dad.What i disagree with this is that i dont think quan should be around drug dealers yet and learning from bad habits.
Deletethis is nysia
Delete(Hailey Jaynes)
DeleteI think all 5 of the main events you have are on point. I wish however that the arrest of Quan's father was on there somewhere. His house was obviously the place he went to in order to escape Dwight as well as the things he had going on at home. His father was also a huge provider of money for Quan's mom and his two other siblings. Not only did the arrest of his father have an emotional impact on Quan, but a lot of the events that have happened might not of had his father still been around. Dwight would of never moved in and took control of finances. Quan never would of been forced to steal in order to provide for his family. And on and on.
I would like to say as much as I criticized, you do have an amazing writing style an are very good with words.
Thankyou Izzie :)
Alexia Smith
DeleteI too feel that someone in the Black Jihad is going to either end up injured or killed. It feels like something that is too good to be true - Quan finally finds a place where he can be accepted, but it could tumble quickly, just like many things in his life.
I also agree with you about Martel, he's taken on a father figure that Quan's been missing for years now. I just hope this relationship isn't taken away or ruined.
Great entry!
(Izzie)
DeleteNysia, I totally agree he should not be doing the things he's doing. But, I do think hes really only doing it because in a way he has to be the man of the house since Dwight is horrible, and he has limited options to support his family. I don't think he would have voluntarily gotten into any of this trouble if he wasn't forced to due to limited finances. (also thank you, I try to always be detailed and concise :) )
Hailey, Omg you're totally right, I don't know why I didn't add that. I should've made that #2 and then combined #'s 3 and 4, thank you for the constructive criticism. (and tysm, I love writing so it's good to hear I'm pretty good at it lol!)
Alexia, Right! I literally have no evidence of it but I just have this feeling idk. And same, he might be a gang leader, but Martel just seems very nice and compassionate towards Quan.
I was the character watcher for this week and what i realized about the characters so far is that quan is a nine year old boy that alrady goes through depression and lonliness at a young age.But is somewhat strong about his situation.Justyce is another character i found in the book and what i've noticed about him is that he is a smart black guy but he wants it as a secret and finds it embarrasing if the whole school knew that he was a nerd and he is kinda similar to quan because he also deals with daddy isssues at home but still keeps his head up and move forward in life.The last character i found in my novel was a lady named mrs.p and shes an older lady that has known quans dad for years and even watched his dad as a kid and would literally do anything for his family and she is the one that took quan out of jail by signing guardian papers.
ReplyDeletethis is nysia
DeleteMadison Killebrew
DeleteI think you might only be looking at everything at face value. Yes, at the beginning Quan is nine, but as the book goes on he gets older. Justyce doesn't necessarily wish to hide his intelligence, but he is embarrassed by it being his only defining characteristic to others. You did a great job at explaining what happens, you just need to look a little deeper.
plot pro
ReplyDeleteWho: quan,dwight and his mother
What: quan wants to do football but he has to pass his math class in order to play
When: during the school day at school
Where: at school,classroom
Why: because his dad got a scholarship for playing football in school and quan wanted to see if he can do the same thing,because he was destined to achieve what his dad didn't do because he would do anything to make his dad happy
What i think is going on in this second chapter of dear justyce is that quan is going through a lot of thinking about his dad and football.Another reason why i say that is because in this part of the story he was saying that his dad was receiving scholarships where he could’ve played football in college but didn't do it because quan was born and he wanted to find something else that he can do to help financially take care of his son and be there for them.So he aced his test that he studied really hard on because he was passionate in himself to join the team but his teacher called his mom and told her that he cheated on the test and she didn’t want to believe in what quan had to say because he’s never brought good grades in the house like that.But the teacher said that because he doesn't like quan.This brought me to a point in the story,where maybe this whole book is going to deal with racism and discrimination.
Another thing that I've noticed about this book and the reason why I put quan’s mother in the whole area at the top is because it also talks about how she uses most of her boyfriends for money. So she can get her rent paid off instead of actually loving the men that she dates and care for them and she doesn't show attention to her other children that she has and quan is always left babysitting them or taking care of them.Another thing about quan’s mom so far is that she will do whatever it takes to keep her boyfriend dwight in the family,even if dwight beats on her and verbally abuses her she won’t stand up for herself.
it says unknown but it's me nysia
Deletethis is nysia blog#2
ReplyDeleteAlexia Smith - Week 2 - Character Watcher
ReplyDelete1. Quan
In my perspective, it seems Quan's actions are driven by his desire to disassociate from his home life. He's constantly thinking about his mom, his siblings, his father, etc. Black Jihad was his escape. I think his purpose in the story is to
serve as a lesson for himself.
2. Justyce
While Quan is locked up, Justyce desperately wants to help Quan get the justice he deserves. With his girlfriend and college friend, the three work together to conduct a proper judicial solution to Quan's arrest in hopes of getting him out. Because of this, I believe Justyce serves as a savior to the story and to Quan and is very loyal to their friendship.
3. Justyce's Girlfriend
I'm hoping she ends up playing a large role in the story, as she is a big help to Justyce's cause - helping Quan get out of prison. She's extremely smart and holds a great dynamic with Justyce - I sense loyalty coming from her as Justyce is to Quan.
Madison Killebrew
DeleteI also hope she plays a large role. I believe Justyce would have had a harder time getting Quan released. They both serve as the protector/ parental role that Quan is missing in his life.
Yes i honestly think if quan was in a better home and was raised right or even just speak up to his parents about his feelings.I think that his situation in his home could have changed because all that anger and hate that he had will just build uo anger and make you want to do something you would totally regret.Also i agree to what you said about justyce girlfriend i really hope people notice her later in the story and acknowledge what she's doing to help free quan out of juvie because if it's more than one person protesting or speaking up,the more people will get up and listen and realize that he does need to be free and that he's just a kid and still has a life to live.
Deletethe one above is nysia
DeleteI think you did a wonderful job describing the characters! I'm not reading this book now, but I did read Dear Martin and I feel like the descriptions really match a lot of what I remember and give me a lot of insight to the characters now. I can especially see that in your description of Justyce. His loyalty really stuck out to me from Dear Martin, so I loved that you highlighted that. Your character descriptions make me really want to read Dear Justyce, too! (Rachel Vrazel, Dreamland Burning.)
Delete(izzie)
Deletegreat character descriptions! I too think quan only wanted to escape home. i also think it was due to his need and desire for any form of support that he otherwise didn't have at home and his only option at the time in his eyes was joining the black jihad.
Madison Killebrew Week 2 Passage finder
ReplyDelete*“When Quan is done, Martel tells him how the organization functions and offers Quan an in, provided he can abide by the rules. (Quan does notice there’s no explanation of what happens if one breaks said rules, and it does make him hesitate - but only for a second.)” (Stone 90) ~ Quan choses to mindlessly follow Martel. He has no idea what the disciplinary actions will be, but still accepts.
*“Four days later - a Tuesday - Quan got called to the front office at school. His heart beat in his throat ears skull the whole way out the door down the stairs and up the hall from English class.” (Stone 99&100) ~ He knows something is going to happen and is scared.
*“Yeah, Roosevelt comes from hella money and more or less has the whole world at his fingertips, but homie is the furthest thing from happy Justyce has ever seen.” (Stone 145) ~ I thought this was just a powerful quote in general. You might not know what someone is going through. They could have a picture perfect life and still be unhappy.
*“Then came the dilemma. Because while he could never snitch, the fact still remained that he was being detained for a crime that he didn't commit.” (Stone 155) ~ This shows that Quan would rather be loyal than free. He would rather take the blame for something he didn’t do then tell who it truly was.
*“His eyes roam the small room where delinquents like him ( if you let the state tell it) convene with their attorneys.” (Stone 160) ~ Even if he wanted to tell the attorney the truth so that he could leave, other delinquents will still be there. He has no privacy.
(Alexia Smith) GREAT quotes. These tell a lot about the book! I particularly like the quote about Roosevelt.
Deleteamazing choice of quotes. they represent and summarize this section of the novel perfectly! great job
Deletethat was izzie btw (i keep forgetting to put my name oops)
DeleteI decided to draw the image of a hand holding a “ghost gun” This represents the fact that while Quan was holding a gun at the incident, he did not kill the officer nor Dwight, and yet was charged with both murders. I also decided (like Hailey did on week one) that the image should be in black in white. I feel as though adding color would take away from the seriousness of the subject matter. I personally get very upset if I am accused of things I did not do, no matter how small or minuscule it is, so I literally could not imagine being charged with TWO murders, neither of which I did not commit. I can only begin to think of the kind of mental turmoil that would cause in someone and I think that is apparent with Quan’s diagnosis of PTSD and panic attacks.
ReplyDeleteI also think that none of this would have happened had Quan not joined the Black Jihad. Last week when I was Plot Pro, I predicted that Quan and Martel’s relationship would grow in a positive way but I was wrong. Martel had Dwight killed even though Quan didn’t necessarily ask for that to happen and then with everything that happened at the birthday party, it wasn’t Martel that got in trouble, but Quan, who did nothing but join a gang that he only joined so that he would have a support system that he otherwise didn’t have anywhere else.
I have an online pdf so my page numbers and chapters are kind of wack but the quote I chose for this was “The reason I joined the Black Jihad: I needed backup. Support without judgment. People who hadn’t—and wouldn’t—give up on me. I needed a family.” (Nic Stone, Dear Justyce) I chose this quote to show that he didn’t join the gang with any bad intentions.
this is izzie btw (illustrator, week 2)
Delete(Alexia Smith) This is a really good entry, Izzie! If something's gonna be drawn in relation to this book, it would probably be a gun. I too thought Quan's relationship with Martel would grow.
DeleteMadison Killebrew
DeleteI think this is a perfect representation of this part of the book. I actually didn't see their relationship growing in a positive way. It turned out how I imagined. Quan was the only one with any ties to Dwight so the blame was bound to fall on him.
I like how you also talked about your previous weeks reading this book to make a connection(Alyson Lawrence)
DeleteI really like how you decided to leave the illustration in black and white. I am illustrator for my novel, and I did something similar with my illustration for this week. Although our books are not the same, I feel like they handle a lot of the same ideas and themes surrounding racial justice and I chose to leave it without color for the same reason of wanting the seriousness of the situation and the impact of racial injustice to be more concretely represented. I also really relate to what you said about being blamed for things you didn't do, and I can't imagine how difficult that would have been for the character. (Rachel Vrazel, Dreamland Burning)
Deletei like this because it represents the fact that all of this was a big misunderstanding and since it's a ghost gun it's a definition of saying that quan was holding the gun but it wasnt harming anyone or anything because you can't see or feel ghost and ghost don't leave any finger prints because there invisible.
ReplyDeletethis is nysia
DeleteAlexia Smith - Job Task Entry #3 - Plot Pro
ReplyDelete1. Quan meets Justyce.
2. Quan’s father goes to prison.
3. Quan meets Trey, then meeting Martel through Trey, which leads into Quan joining the Black Jihad.
4. Quan gets in trouble with the police while a standoff between a group of officers and members of the Black Jihad.
5. Quan lands in a detention center for a crime he didn’t commit.
I predict that Justyce will have a large role in helping Quan get out of prison. SInce they’ve been exchanging letters, Quan opens up more and more about the case. Since Justyce is a law student, it’ll only make sense for Justyce to want to do the best he can to help his friend. Although he can only do so much, since they are separated by iron bars - I’m thinking Justyce will raise awareness to a few of his friends, maybe even at his college campus.
I also predict that Quan will eventually have a good relationship with his mother - there’s major tension between the two of them. If Quan really gets out of prison, I hope he’s able to get back to his family and start over. Hopefully the Black Jihad will continue to help Quan’s mother and maybe even she’ll become a mother figure to other members of the Black Jihad. Quan deserves a happy ending.
i totally agree with this because the last etter is telling quan that he's fed up and will dowhatever he can in his will to get him out of prison because the longer they take with the process the more and more theyll keep quan in jail.Also i do think that this may have happen for a good reason,just so his mom can change her mind set and actaully care about her son's feelings and want the best for him.I also agree with the part where justyce may put an awareness around his campus is because if more people agree with justyce the more the police stations and judges will actually do something.
Deletethis is nysia
1.connection to real life
ReplyDeleteI compare this book to real life situations because i have a cousin named david that went to jail because of false news.He was also a very nice,sweet and innocent person like quan but one thing about my cousin he wasn't in a gang he was more just not surrounding himself around loyal friends.So one day david went bowling with his friends and they had a great time doing that but it all happened when they went to this expensive mall at frontenac and they went in the store called lululemon.Next after they were all done shopping one of his friends put a headband in my cousins pocket to make it seem like he was stealing when he really wasn't and he told the employees that he’s innocent but they still called the cops on him anyways and when the cops get there they asked david’s friends if they knew about him stealing and they lied and said they saw him put it in his pocket just so they wouldnt get in trouble and the op believed in them more than david so they put him in handcuffs instead.Also yes david was black and all his friends were white and that’s mainly why i connect this to the story because my cousin went in jail for a lie just like quan.
this is nysia
(Izzie - Week Three - Character Watcher)
ReplyDeleteQUAN
As a child, he seemed to be on the path to success with an interest in math, but when Daddy was arrested, things began to change. Through the span of the whole book, he goes from an academic child to a thief and gang member, to a falsely accused murderer, to a hopeful and freed man. He starts as this 9-year-old boy growing up in a low-income home, already struggling with his home life, and with his feelings of betrayal towards his mother, he is sort of pushed away from having that family support system and so he finds this gang that will take him in and treat him like a family member. I think a theme that goes with Quan is making decisions without thinking about the future consequences. He joins this gang without thinking about the repercussions and negative sides of being in a gang. And also even just the instinctively pulling out a gun in front of a cop without thinking of what comes after.
MARTEL
My opinion of him changed a lot throughout the course of the novel. In the beginning, I really did like him because he took a quick liking to Quan and really supported him. Then, my view of him turned negative when he just went and killed Dwight with no warning, and then all of a sudden Quan was in debt to him without Quan even asking. Then later he changes up a bit when Justyce asks him to free Quan from the gang with the stipulation that he pays back his debts, but the funny thing was is that he never cashes any of Quan’s checks which alludes to the fact that he wants Quan to be financially free. Not only that, but he helps Quan’s mom get out of the more dangerous part of Atlanta and also helps Mama through Dasia’s cancer diagnosis while Quan is incarcerated. So, I think the theme that goes along with Martel is having a change of heart.
MAMA
While little is said in the novel about Mama, I still think she is a key character. Quan talks about the betrayal he felt after she didn’t believe him when he said he hadn’t cheated as the school had told her. She also pushes him away and this neglect causes Quan to join the Black Jihad. It’s never really said why exactly she didn’t believe her own son and it never specified whether she even tried to protect her children from Dwight’s abuse, it seemed to me that Quan did more protecting of his siblings than she ever did. She does have a change when Martel has her move to the safer suburbs and she seems to be happy with her new life, and she even begins to repair her relationship with Quan when he gets out of prison. So, the theme that I think correlates with Mama is a mother’s love and how important it is for children to experience that at a younger age rather than waiting years to repair a broken relationship.