Plot Pro- Week #1 5 Main Events so far in chronological order: 1. Claudia realizes something is wrong, and that it isn’t just a coincidence that Monday hasn’t shown up to school. She visits Mrs. Charles (Monday’s mom) and Mrs. Charles gets extremely angry and threatens Claudia not to come back. 2.Claudia decides to talk with her old teacher Ms. Valente about Monday’s disappearance. They have Ms. Clark look up and find out where Monday might have gone, but finds out that Monday, and her brother and sister were not registered for school. 3.Claudia is at the grocery store with Ma, and thinks she finally sees Monday. Claudia approaches her, only to find out that it was Monday’s sister, April. April looks extremely tired and worn down, and is acting strange. She tells Claudia to stay away. 4.Remembering in the past, one day Monday and Claudia were hanging out in their tent, and as Monday goes to climb out she sees a purple bruise on her back. When she asks about it, Monday makes up a lie and then acts like everything is fine. Claudia then questions the whole situation. 5.Claudia goes to the Library one day, and talks with Ms. Paul. She finds out that Monday checked out a book a week before Claudia left for Georgia, and has yet to return it. Monday never returns her books late. Claudia knows something is wrong.
Predictions 1.My first prediction is that Monday and her siblings are being abused by someone in their family. Hence the bruise that Claudia found on Monday’s back a few years ago, and the fact that when Claudia approached April at the grocery store, she looked exhausted, and more like a mom than a child. Another reason why this may be the case, is because when Ms. Charles was telling Ma that someone needed to help Shayla’s mother, it almost sounded like a cry for help. She seemed extremely passionate about getting Shayla’s mother out of the abusive marriage, and got her the help that she needs. 2.My second prediction is that Claudia is going to save Monday from whatever is going on in her life. Claudia is the type of person who doesn’t give up, and when she sees that something is wrong, she isn’t going to stop until it’s fixed. Claudia knows Monday so well, that she knows she isn’t “Visiting her aunt” like April claimed she is. She knows there's something more to the story, and I don’t see her stopping till she gets to the bottom of it. Who knows, she might even save a life.
I agree with both of your predictions. The first one especially because I also thought that when I barely started reading the book. And you backed it up with all the evidence that directly points to that conclusion. and for the second prediction I hope that is the case because I also think Claudia won't stop until something is done/someone listens, because otherwise I don't think anything would come of Mondays disappearance.
After reading the five main events, I would have to say I agree with both of your predictions. You claim that someone in Monday's family is abusing her. this is proved not only by the marks and her little sister being more of a mom than a child but also her lack of enrollment in school. I also believe Claudia will either save or find out the truth about Monday considering she hasn't given up yet.
To start, I really like how your 5 plot points were important to the story and written concisely. You did a great job. As for your predictions, I think they are very insightful and I could definitely see them as a possibility. For the first prediction, It totally seems that someone from her family could be doing the abusing. As for the second prediction, I agree as well because I also got the vibe from Claudia that she is a person who perserveres through her problems. -Dora Vaccaro
Five quotes and paragraph: 1. "I know what you're thinking. how can a whole person, a kid, disappear and no one say a word? like, if the sun just up and left one day, you'd think someone would sound an alarm, right?" (Jackson 1).
Claudia's frustration with Monday's disappearance really shines here because she is taking note that Monday's disappearance is so obvious yet no one is saying anything. Along with that, the author included a nice form of personification that is easy to read + gets readers hooked.
2. "Exhausted, I finally climbed into bed close to midnight, ignoring the gnawing in my stomach. Something wasn't right, but I couldn't put my finger on it." (Jackson 6)
Despite everyone telling Claudia that Monday is probably just sick or not at school, she still experiences a gut feeling that her best friend is in trouble. This unsettling feeling that Claudia has on repeat is so repetitive that it sets an unnerving tone for readers to question while diving into the book.
3. "My throat closed as she stood over me, leaning so far down we could have bumped foreheads. her hands bawled into fists as her legs cocked back, ready to kick through my side. A siren went off in my head.." (Jackson 19)
I really wanted to highlight this quote because immediately, readers are introduced to both a potential abuser and even suspect. readers can feel Claudia's fear when she says that she "couldn't feel her feet and move." We're given a glance into what could have been Monday's every day life.
4. "I love the dust particles, a fresh colored pencil leaves behind with the first stroke, the sound it makes kissing the page when i'm done filling the voids." (Jackson 25)
Really, I just wanted to take note of how beautiful this passage was. It's so detailed that it makes me very intrigued to see how detailed the author will get!
5. "This was us in our own world, with our own language and customs. We live inside a thick, shiny bubble that no needle was sharp enough to pop." (Jackson 35)
The very first thing I thought of after reading this passage was the line "We lived inside a thick shiny bubble..." which meant nobody could go against them, bring them apart or down. This made me question Mondays life on her own. We already know that Claudia has a loving family who wants the best for her yet Monday's is quite the mystery. What about Monday?
Extra ideas + thoughts (Trigger warning- mentions of assault/sexual assault) : Why did the author include Mondays body difference from Claudia's (referencing her chest and bottom)? Because of the characters being so young, this really surprised me when i read it. These are children, no older than thirteen years old. From what i'm inferring about Monday's life at home, I believe she referenced this because of either assault or even sexual assault toward her. Another thing that made me think of this again was when the boys at the carryout was staring at Monday's legs, whispering to his friends (once again bringing attention to Monday's body).
I definitely agree with the mention of why the author has detailed Monday's body type. I feel like there is a definite reason for doing so, and I feel like we will find out soon in the book. I agree with #2 and how this gut feeling that Claudia is getting about Monday's disappearance gives an impact on the reader. By showing how passionate Claudia is about finding her friend, we know as readers that there is definitely something wrong and that Monday didn't just "move schools" or "is spending time with her aunt."
Claudia Coleman: Claudia is the narrator of Monday’s Not Coming. She is the best friend of Monday, so she is motivated to find out what happened to her because of their relationship. In actuality, her purpose in the story as a whole is to move the plot along, but in the story, it is to figure out what happened to Monday. She thinks a lot of nervous thoughts because her best friend is missing and she is only in 8th grade. In the beginning of the story, Claudia makes her way around town to find Monday and realizes that it is really difficult to do. It is then made known to the reader that Claudia struggles in school, and feels anxious when she is there. From Claudia, one theme in the book is that it is important to show love and affection to those around you now.
Jacob Miller: Jacob Miller’s role in the story was that of Monday’s love interest. The reader does not know his thoughts throughout this story because it was written from the point of view of Claudia. Jacob and Monday started a relationship. In the novel, Jacob's purpose was almost like that of an antagonist, and a motivator for Monday to do what she did. This can be seen by how badly he treated her: he bullied her online, called her names, and would physically harass her. The theme I got from watching Jacob Miller’s character is that it is important to be nice to everyone you meet because you never know what your words or actions can do to someone.
Monday’s Family: I count Monday’s family as one character because they all serve the same purpose, and there was not enough information individually to write this paragraph.
In the story, Monday’s family consists of her mother and her sister, April. Her mother yells at Claudia when Claudia knocks on their door to help. April tells Claudia that she needs to stay away. Monday’s family also unenrolled her from school. The family does not tell Claudia anything about Monday, except that she is at her father’s (obviously a lie). Again, because this story is only in the view of Claudia, the reader does not know the thoughts of other characters. The purpose of this character in the novel is to add mystery and show the severity of Monday’s disappearance. One theme the reader can get from Monday’s family is to accept help from others when they offer.
I agree with your decision to count Mondays family as one character because of what little information is provided. I really like how you described them, Claudia, and Jacob. Specifically how you tied Jacob's actions towards Monday with him being an Antagonist in the story. Also your theme at the end of his description I believe is an important takeaway.
Illustrator-Week #1 Mia Berhorst My drawing depicts Claudia on her bike when she rode to Monday's house on Ed Borough st. I put sound lines around the door to reference how Mrs. Charles was blaring The Simpsons even though Claudia commented on how Monday hated the Simpsons. She is stopped in front of Mondays house which is a tanish building with the same houses at the way to the end of the street.
I wanted to draw this scene because it was very early in the book that she decided to go by Mondays house and where the altercation with Mrs. Charles ensued. It also offers many clues into Mondays life because of the way her mom acted.
"My throat closed as she stood over me, leaning so far down we could have bumped foreheads. her hands bawled into fists as her legs cocked back, ready to kick through my side. A siren went off in my head.." (Jackson 19) I'd say this is my favorite quote because it offers the most info in reference to the situation.
Anne Gammell: I really like that you decided to draw this scene considering how impactful and eye opening it was. this scene (to me at least) is the first sign that readers should be worried about the whereabouts of Monday. From the mothers "she isnt here" to almost hurting Claudia, this scene was scary and had me thinking about what Monday went through on a daily.
1. When Claudia is freaking out because Monday hasn't answered her for weeks . We all get worried when someone close to us doesn't answer for a bit. You get anxious and nervous because you just want to here from them. When Monday didn't show up to school the first day Claudia really got worried about her which everyone can relate to. Not seeing someone you usually see everyday can get you worried about how they are and if they are ok.
2.Claudia getting bullied because she is taking a long time on her packet because she is upset. . Shayla and everyone are criticizing Claudia and making fun at her because she is upset that Monday still hasn't come to school or reach out to her at all and her sadness is showing with her school work. Shayla says to Claudia "So your girlfriend ain't here." referring to Monday and Claudia get even more upset at that and talked back and they ended up both getting in trouble. This can relate to real world problems because bullying has always been a problem in life and people will always find a reason to pick on someone. Nobody knows how Claudia is feeling
#3 When Claudia got excited about the teachers talking about Monday and then gets upset when they say she isn't registered . Everyone has hopes with certain things and their hopes get crushed when they hear they answer they don't like. If someone were to have an interview for a job they really wanted and thought they did a good job at it, they are going to have high hopes for it, but if they hear bad news that they didn't get it and they gave the job to someone else they'll be crushed. Everyone has had their hopes crushed at least one time in their life and never feel good about it.
#4 When Claudia is failing her classes because she is upset .Emotions can affect everything one does in a day. If you had a bad morning before work you might feel angry and upset and not be fully paying attention at your work. At school teens are experiencing some big emotion changes. as you get older your emotions change, sometimes for the worst, or for the better. A lot of teens at school struggle to keep up with their emotions while at school and grades can prove it. When a student has been in an upset mood for sometime their work won't be as great as it should. You'll see their grades drop in every class. This is what's happening to Claudia because she is super upset and worried about Monday
#5 Rumors being told by Jakob about Monday and August having sex, then turning it to be that Monday is lesbian and is in love with Claudia .In schools kids are always spreading false rumors all the time about someone. One kid tells it to another, then they tell 5 other kids, and it turns into a big game of telephone. People spread rumors to hurt ones feeling and make them feel bad about themselves even though they know they are false. It's hard to try and defend yourself when a rumor is being spread about you because people won't listen to you because they heard different and believe it. It really brings brings people down when there is a false rumor going on about you.
Before starting, I just wanted to say that these connections are all very elaborate and insightful, as well as something that most people (especially teenagers) in this age can connect to. I also think you picked really important events from the story to talk about and elaborate on. The connections that stuck out to me most were the second and fifth ones. The second one is really important because just walking down the hallways at school, I would hear snarky comments judging someone for their sexuality or using it as an insult. For the fifth one, I cannot count how many times i've heard a rumor from someone and it turned out to be not true and then later really upset the person it was about. Again, I think your connections are great and really important to kids of this age.
-Breanna Winkleman I really liked the connection you made between Claudia getting upset when Monday disappeared,because in real life most of us would also have that same reaction like you mentioned. The connection you made in #2 I also completely agree with. I feel like kids get bullied for reasons the bully couldn't possibly understand. It is really sad when that happens. I also agree with #4, because I know when I am having a bad day, I also do not want to do my school work or anything else, and Claudia unfortunately has a bad day everyday without Monday.
Illustrator- Week #2 For my picture, I drew the scene where Trevor greets Monday and Claudia in the morning at school, and shows them the picture that was taken of them in the school bathroom. I drew the outline of Trevor's phone, his hand holding it, with the picture of the girls on the screen, I included Monday laying on Claudia's lap with Mondays mouth opened laughing. I drew the tiles on the bathroom floor, along with the sink and toilet to make it look real. I also included the buttons and details of the phone. 1. For this job task I decided to illustrate a scene from the book that stood out to me. It was “One year before the before” when Trevor approached Monday and Claudia in the hall. There was a rumor going around that they were gay for each other. Trevor then pulled out his phone and showed him this picture that was on Facebook of the two. It had a thousands likes, and Claudia and Monday were in shock, and extremely upset. 2. I chose this scene to draw, because I feel like It was important to see what Monday and Claudia’s relationship was like. They were so close of friends that their peers felt like there was something else going on. In this picture, Monday was actually laying on Claudia’s lap crying in the school bathroom, because of an incident that had happened previously. But from the angle of the picture it looked wrong, and their classmates misinterpreted what was going on. “Monday and I hid in my room, waiting for the storm to blow over, trying not to worry about the permanent damage that would remain.” (Jackson 237) After what happened, Claudia and Monday still stayed together, and comforted each other after what happened. This really shows the strength of their friendship, because after something like this happens, most people would be so embarrassed to even be around that person again, thinking that the rumors will continue if they did. But they didn’t care, they knew it wasn’t true, and I really admire that about them.
I think it was really important to draw this scene because it really highlights the bullying that the two friends went through. Its a good example how people can twist an event into something entirely different and pit others against each other.
I like how descriptive you are when talking about the details of your art. I know that scene probably couldn't have been easy to draw, but in my opinion I think it was important to draw, so kudos to you. When talking about why you chose this scene, I like how you mentioned that it truly highlighted what their relationship was like. The reader knows that they were obviously close, but to help each other in this hard time, truly shows just HOW close they were. I think it also makes the reader wonder what was so bad to Monday that she couldn't even tell Claudia?
You explained your drawing really well I felt like I had been looking at it not reading you describing it and I think you chose a very important scene to depict and you followed up with a perfect explanation of how Monday and Claudia reacted and went on from the experience when most people would of unintentially started to distance themselves from eachother after seeing something like that, but they didn't and stuck together closer than ever and also as you said admire them beacuse of it. True Friendship.
“Using all my strength, I tried to find the power to fight back, when I heard the voice of an Angel” (Jackson 195). This quote was very important to me because I think it was significant that Claudia’s bullie resorted to physical violence. Previously, all the tormenting that had been done to Claudia was just verbal and, for the most part, emotional. This session of violence against Claudia deepened her feelings of being alone and frustrated. The voice of the angel belonged to Ms. Valente who came to help Claudia get out of her situation. Personally, I think it is pretty symbolic that the person who came to save her was a teacher who is just doing her job, rather than another friend. “‘There ain’t no other girl in the whole school who’ll be blond like me. I’mma be the first” (Jackson 206). This quote struck me as important because it highlights Monday’s ambitious ways and zest for change and the future. Monday normally has been seen as an energetic person, but when she talks about changing her hair, it's obvious that she loves life and is excited for it. It also shows how excited she is to be different than everyone else at her school. The combination of her love for life and her excitement for uniqueness, goes to add more mystery to the novel. By having these plans for the future, it makes the reader think that she wouldn’t do anything to try and hurt her own future on purpose.
“‘Monday was never sick. She never had the flu” (Jackson 231). This is a turning point in the novel. Throughout the whole story, Claudia kept comparing this time that Monday is missing to the time that Claudia didn't see her because Monday had the flu. Finding out that Monday didn’t have the flu only made Claudia more confused and have a whole other group of questions. This starts to put bouts of doubt into Claudia’s head that maybe something serious is going on-more serious than she previously thought. Moving on, that must be scary for Claudia because she spent this whole time believing this elaborate lie that her best friend told her, only to find out that it wasn’t true. For Claudia, it begs the question, what else did Monday lie about?
“She shook her head and groaned. ‘Okay fine. I’ll go. Not sure if it’ll be anytime soon, but we’ll see” (Jackson 227). I also think this is another turning point for Claudia. Every adult she went to before for help (such as her own mother and father as well as Ms. Charles) didn’t help her at all, or even take her seriously. For Ms. Valente to help her and take her seriously is an important step. Now that she has help from an adult who can help with other, more serious resources, she is one step closer to finding Monday. From Claudia’s perspective, this must give her hope to keep looking, as well as make her a little disappointed that it took so long for her to get the help she needs in a very important time. “‘Monday’s. Not. Coming. She ain’t never coming back!’[...] I needed to know why my best friend in the whole wide world wanted nothing to do with me” (Jackson 305). The reason I put this down as an important passage is because the reader can truly see how hurt Claudia is when she accepts this truth. People had been telling her, repeatedly, that Monday didn’t want to be friends with Claudia anymore, but she had always brushed it off because she knew it wasn’t true. But now when April is yelling at her, Claudia finally accepts it. This is so devastating for Claudia because her best and only friend just suddenly didn’t want her, and the reader can feel the heartbreak in this quote. Part of this heartbreak stems from the fact that now Claudia is all alone when she gets bullied, eats lunch, and starts at a new school.
Week 2 Comment - I definitely can agree where you said "this is a turning point in the novel" talking about how when Mrs. Valente explains that Monday was out of school for neglect. This part of the book really made all of our predictions come to life about what might have happened to Monday. I also really like how you explained Monday's character, and I can agree that she is like a Mystery to the novel because we hear all of these interesting things about her, but still haven't gotten to meet her yet.
I agree with your first quote when you said it is symbolic that it was just a teacher helping Claudia, not a friend. at this point, readers know that Claudia's only friend is Monday but this really shows how alone she is in friendships because it wasn't even another peer that helped her but as you said "a teacher just doing her job"
week 2 comment With what Anne and Breanna said I believe it really helped Claudia believe she wasn't crazy when Mrs. Valente agreed that something is going on and that it was wild nothing had been done/ her disappearance had gone unnoticed. Especially when Mrs. Valente didn't falter and even went to the office with Claudia to inquire and work around the basic excuses the desk lady was giving to make sure something was being done about it.
Claudia: Throughout the story, we watch as claudia desperately searches for her friend Monday. In this section we read that Claudia discovered that Monday is being homeschooled. after learning that she is dyslexic, she wants to do anything to be close to monday. even asking to be homeschooled. its clear she doesn't want to be judged by her peers or seen as 'stupid". this is important because in the beginning of the book, Monday did all of claudias homework. Monday now knows why all of her school work was more difficult for her.
Mrs. Valente: Throughout the section, Mrs. Valente has proved to care about Monday's disappearance and continuously takes Claudia seriously whether it comes down to her missing friend or learning disability. More than once, she checked with the school about monday's whereabouts and did everything she could to talk to Mrs. Charles. She also held herself accountable when she claimed that she suspected claudia's dyslexia but was distracted by her life. she's a significant character because she validates Claudias fears and does everything in her power to find Monday. she is also important because she clearly cares about their students and their education.
Mrs. Charles: Seemingly a bully and potentially an abuser, the mother of Monday seems to not get along with many. whether it be the ruthless rude comments toward Claudia's mother or even being so scary, Monday was afraid of her- Mrs. Charles has proved she is an antagonist. its clear that she isn't a small role character and we'll for sure be hearing more from her. one specific thing from this section that really caught my attention was her comments about Claudia's mother's miscarriages. she continuously used it as an insult and that really shook me to the core.
Week 2 Comment- I definitely agree with your viewpoint on Mrs. Charles. From the start of the book I have always gotten a bad vibe from her, and I can agree she is potentially abusing her children. I also really agree with your take on Mrs. Valente. I feel like she is one of the only people in Claudia's life who has actually listened to her and tried to help in some way.
I 100% agree with your comments about Ms. Charles. I like how you used strong words when talking about her, such as "abuser" "antagonist" and "bully." She is a scary character and obviously had something to do in Monday's dissappearance. And her comments about the miscarriages made me tear up. Like, how can anyone, much less a grown woman, just throw that back in someone's face?
Connector Week #2 #1 Claudia sneaking around to get to class coming from 'TLC'. Everybody has had an experience where they don't want to be caught somewhere or doing something in fear of being viewed differently and even going to great lengths to not be found out.
#2 Claudia at the tutors not enjoying it/getting frustrated Most people at some point struggle to learn something and become frustrated when not able to do what they might view as 'simple'.
#3 Claudia overhears her mom and dads conversation about her and Monday. Sometimes you hear things you shouldn't or are not supposed to hear/listen in on but you do and maybe wish you didn't hear it all all. Maybe it offers a point of view you didn't think of or you hear someone saying something you view as mean about you.
Connector Week #2 #1 Claudia sneaking around to get to class coming from 'TLC'. Everybody has had an experience where they don't want to be caught somewhere or doing something in fear of being viewed differently and even going to great lengths to not be found out.
#2 Claudia at the tutors not enjoying it/getting frustrated Most people at some point struggle to learn something and become frustrated when not able to do what they might view as 'simple'.
#3 Claudia overhears her mom and dads conversation about her and Monday. Sometimes you hear things you shouldn't or are not supposed to hear/listen in on but you do and maybe wish you didn't hear it all all. Maybe it offers a point of view you didn't think of or you hear someone saying something you view as mean about you.
Passage Finder Week #3 1.”She shoved the door closed and turned on the light. Now I saw why Mrs. Charles always opened the door halfway. Right behind it, against the wall, was a large freezer chest. The kind you find at the grocery stores holding frozen turkeys and precooked hams. It buzzed like a broken fluorescent light.” (Jackson 320)
This scene is significant because it gives insight into what happened to Monday, but the reader does not know it yet. Monday was in that freezer, and Claudia had no idea, but as the book went on Claudia kept hearing the buzzing of the freezer and it was hard to get rid of. It gives you the chills when you think about it. Thinking about how she walked past her dead best friend without even knowing it.
2.”On the floor near the tub, I noticed an empty box of hair dye. The same one Monday had used over a year ago. My stomach sank.” (Jackson 333)
When Claudia was in that bathroom, I feel like she knew that Monday was gone. The house was a mess, and there was no way she was still living there. She knew that something terrible happened to her friend, hence the hair dye she had used so long ago was not thrown away. Monday was clean and she was always picking up after herself at Claudia’s.
3.”The tickling in my stomach turned sharp. Tip Charles fumbled with his keys like someone running away from the killer in a horror movie-his face pale, eyes terrified.” (Jackson 361)
In this scene, Claudia was trying to find Tip Charles (Monday’s father) to help bring attention to Monday’s disappearance. She thought that he might know where she was, or that maybe he could help her. Tip looked frightened because Monday had died two years ago, and Claudia was just having a spell where she forgot what happened. Claudia did not figure out that she was having a spell till after, so Tip was scared when she showed up at his job.
4.”My legs, my arms, my hands...everything went numb. The voices drowned out, mouths still moving but silent. I could hear nothing but my heart racing...and the buzz of the freezer. BUZZZZZ.” (Jackson 371)
At this point in the book, Monday was finally found, and she was dead, inside of the freezer that was in their home. Claudia was at the scene and even though she knew that something terrible happened to Monday, she was in shock. Finding your best friend dead after being missing for almost a year is extremely traumatic. I cannot even imagine the emotions that were running through Claudia’s mind.
5.””Claudia, Monday died two years ago,” Ma said gently, grabbing my wrist to keep me steady. “Her and August were...were…” The bursting of our bubble could be heard around the world. “No,” I gasped, trying to back away from her.”” (Jackson 374)
In this scene, Claudia’s mom finally tells her that she is having an episode where she forgot that Monday had already died. It has been two years and Claudia is now 16 and in highschool being homeschooled. But she thought she was still 14 and that Monday was still missing. Having to relive the moment where they tell you that your best friend is dead is heartbreaking to hear over and over again. It is like she’s just finding out for the first time repeatedly. It is because of the trauma. It is so sad, and depressing.
Claudia feels like she is drifting from Monday. This is something that is very common in friend groups, especially when there is or was a big change, such as going to a new school. This is something that is a natural part of life because as we grow older, our interests change and thus, our friend groups change. Sometimes it is peaceful, yet sometimes it is tragic. In this case, for Claudia, it is tragic because she feels as though she is slipping away from her only friend. Fortunately, as the story progresses, Claudia finds herself making new friends. Claudia goes to her first highschool party, and she feels out of place. When Claudia goes to this party she immediately feels like an outsider because it is not her normal setting. When she starts to relax a little, she feels guilty about not being there with Monday because Monday would have loved it. It is common for people to feel out of place when they go to an event that is outside of their comfort zone. For instance, if a highschool football player were to go to a basketball game, they would probably feel more comfortable than if they were to go see a highschool play. That is completely normal because they’re in a totally new environment. April prostitutes herself in order to make money for the family. Unfortunately, this is not uncommon in poorer areas. Many people feel the need to prostitute themselves just to get by because they have no other way of making money. This can be very harmful to one’s mental and physical health. As a society, it is important not to shame these people (like they do to April), but help them. Most people only do it as a way of survival, not because they want to. It is a very unfortunate situation, however it is a very prominent issue in today’s world. Claudia reads Monday’s journal. The reason Claudia does this is to understand the part of Monday’s life that Monday didn’t tell her and to feel connected to Monday again. Many people do something similar to this. After a loved one dies, a lot of times people will wear a piece of their clothing or jewelry, or keep something of theirs in order to remember them. This gives many people comfort and security in knowing that they always have a piece of that loved one with them. Ironically, a lot of times physical objects make us feel spiritually connected. Personally, I have a necklace that was my grandpa’s that I wear everyday. Claudia learns that Monday had been dead for years and she repressed it all. When something so traumatic to humans, our brains actually repress it as a defense mechanism. This is why Claudia does not remember the death of her best friend. Many people experience this. For instance, some people may have nightmares about fires because they may have been traumatized by one when they were younger, but they dont remember it because their brain is preventing them from remembering it. It is the reason why some people may need therapy even if they don't remember anything bad happening to them.
ReplyDeletePlot Pro- Week #1
5 Main Events so far in chronological order:
1. Claudia realizes something is wrong, and that it isn’t just a coincidence that Monday hasn’t shown up to school. She visits Mrs. Charles (Monday’s mom) and Mrs. Charles gets extremely angry and threatens Claudia not to come back.
2.Claudia decides to talk with her old teacher Ms. Valente about Monday’s disappearance. They have Ms. Clark look up and find out where Monday might have gone, but finds out that Monday, and her brother and sister were not registered for school.
3.Claudia is at the grocery store with Ma, and thinks she finally sees Monday. Claudia approaches her, only to find out that it was Monday’s sister, April. April looks extremely tired and worn down, and is acting strange. She tells Claudia to stay away.
4.Remembering in the past, one day Monday and Claudia were hanging out in their tent, and as Monday goes to climb out she sees a purple bruise on her back. When she asks about it, Monday makes up a lie and then acts like everything is fine. Claudia then questions the whole situation.
5.Claudia goes to the Library one day, and talks with Ms. Paul. She finds out that Monday checked out a book a week before Claudia left for Georgia, and has yet to return it. Monday never returns her books late. Claudia knows something is wrong.
Predictions
1.My first prediction is that Monday and her siblings are being abused by someone in their family. Hence the bruise that Claudia found on Monday’s back a few years ago, and the fact that when Claudia approached April at the grocery store, she looked exhausted, and more like a mom than a child. Another reason why this may be the case, is because when Ms. Charles was telling Ma that someone needed to help Shayla’s mother, it almost sounded like a cry for help. She seemed extremely passionate about getting Shayla’s mother out of the abusive marriage, and got her the help that she needs.
2.My second prediction is that Claudia is going to save Monday from whatever is going on in her life. Claudia is the type of person who doesn’t give up, and when she sees that something is wrong, she isn’t going to stop until it’s fixed. Claudia knows Monday so well, that she knows she isn’t “Visiting her aunt” like April claimed she is. She knows there's something more to the story, and I don’t see her stopping till she gets to the bottom of it. Who knows, she might even save a life.
- Breanna Winkleman
DeleteI agree with both of your predictions. The first one especially because I also thought that when I barely started reading the book. And you backed it up with all the evidence that directly points to that conclusion. and for the second prediction I hope that is the case because I also think Claudia won't stop until something is done/someone listens, because otherwise I don't think anything would come of Mondays disappearance.
DeleteAfter reading the five main events, I would have to say I agree with both of your predictions. You claim that someone in Monday's family is abusing her. this is proved not only by the marks and her little sister being more of a mom than a child but also her lack of enrollment in school. I also believe Claudia will either save or find out the truth about Monday considering she hasn't given up yet.
Delete-Anne Gammell (I have my email set but its not showing up, whoops)
DeleteTo start, I really like how your 5 plot points were important to the story and written concisely. You did a great job. As for your predictions, I think they are very insightful and I could definitely see them as a possibility. For the first prediction, It totally seems that someone from her family could be doing the abusing. As for the second prediction, I agree as well because I also got the vibe from Claudia that she is a person who perserveres through her problems. -Dora Vaccaro
DeletePassage Finder- Week #1
ReplyDeleteAnn-Maree Gammell
Five quotes and paragraph:
1. "I know what you're thinking. how can a whole person, a kid, disappear and no one say a word? like, if the sun just up and left one day, you'd think someone would sound an alarm, right?" (Jackson 1).
Claudia's frustration with Monday's disappearance really shines here because she is taking note that Monday's disappearance is so obvious yet no one is saying anything. Along with that, the author included a nice form of personification that is easy to read + gets readers hooked.
2. "Exhausted, I finally climbed into bed close to midnight, ignoring the gnawing in my stomach. Something wasn't right, but I couldn't put my finger on it." (Jackson 6)
Despite everyone telling Claudia that Monday is probably just sick or not at school, she still experiences a gut feeling that her best friend is in trouble. This unsettling feeling that Claudia has on repeat is so repetitive that it sets an unnerving tone for readers to question while diving into the book.
3. "My throat closed as she stood over me, leaning so far down we could have bumped foreheads. her hands bawled into fists as her legs cocked back, ready to kick through my side. A siren went off in my head.." (Jackson 19)
I really wanted to highlight this quote because immediately, readers are introduced to both a potential abuser and even suspect. readers can feel Claudia's fear when she says that she "couldn't feel her feet and move." We're given a glance into what could have been Monday's every day life.
4. "I love the dust particles, a fresh colored pencil leaves behind with the first stroke, the sound it makes kissing the page when i'm done filling the voids." (Jackson 25)
Really, I just wanted to take note of how beautiful this passage was. It's so detailed that it makes me very intrigued to see how detailed the author will get!
5. "This was us in our own world, with our own language and customs. We live inside a thick, shiny bubble that no needle was sharp enough to pop." (Jackson 35)
The very first thing I thought of after reading this passage was the line "We lived inside a thick shiny bubble..." which meant nobody could go against them, bring them apart or down. This made me question Mondays life on her own. We already know that Claudia has a loving family who wants the best for her yet Monday's is quite the mystery. What about Monday?
Extra ideas + thoughts (Trigger warning- mentions of assault/sexual assault) : Why did the author include Mondays body difference from Claudia's (referencing her chest and bottom)? Because of the characters being so young, this really surprised me when i read it. These are children, no older than thirteen years old. From what i'm inferring about Monday's life at home, I believe she referenced this because of either assault or even sexual assault toward her. Another thing that made me think of this again was when the boys at the carryout was staring at Monday's legs, whispering to his friends (once again bringing attention to Monday's body).
I definitely agree with the mention of why the author has detailed Monday's body type. I feel like there is a definite reason for doing so, and I feel like we will find out soon in the book. I agree with #2 and how this gut feeling that Claudia is getting about Monday's disappearance gives an impact on the reader. By showing how passionate Claudia is about finding her friend, we know as readers that there is definitely something wrong and that Monday didn't just "move schools" or "is spending time with her aunt."
DeleteClaudia Coleman:
ReplyDeleteClaudia is the narrator of Monday’s Not Coming. She is the best friend of Monday, so she is motivated to find out what happened to her because of their relationship. In actuality, her purpose in the story as a whole is to move the plot along, but in the story, it is to figure out what happened to Monday. She thinks a lot of nervous thoughts because her best friend is missing and she is only in 8th grade. In the beginning of the story, Claudia makes her way around town to find Monday and realizes that it is really difficult to do. It is then made known to the reader that Claudia struggles in school, and feels anxious when she is there. From Claudia, one theme in the book is that it is important to show love and affection to those around you now.
Jacob Miller:
Jacob Miller’s role in the story was that of Monday’s love interest. The reader does not know his thoughts throughout this story because it was written from the point of view of Claudia. Jacob and Monday started a relationship. In the novel, Jacob's purpose was almost like that of an antagonist, and a motivator for Monday to do what she did. This can be seen by how badly he treated her: he bullied her online, called her names, and would physically harass her. The theme I got from watching Jacob Miller’s character is that it is important to be nice to everyone you meet because you never know what your words or actions can do to someone.
Monday’s Family:
I count Monday’s family as one character because they all serve the same purpose, and there was not enough information individually to write this paragraph.
In the story, Monday’s family consists of her mother and her sister, April. Her mother yells at Claudia when Claudia knocks on their door to help. April tells Claudia that she needs to stay away. Monday’s family also unenrolled her from school. The family does not tell Claudia anything about Monday, except that she is at her father’s (obviously a lie). Again, because this story is only in the view of Claudia, the reader does not know the thoughts of other characters. The purpose of this character in the novel is to add mystery and show the severity of Monday’s disappearance. One theme the reader can get from Monday’s family is to accept help from others when they offer.
I agree with your decision to count Mondays family as one character because of what little information is provided. I really like how you described them, Claudia, and Jacob. Specifically how you tied Jacob's actions towards Monday with him being an Antagonist in the story. Also your theme at the end of his description I believe is an important takeaway.
DeleteIllustrator-Week #1
ReplyDeleteMia Berhorst
My drawing depicts Claudia on her bike when she rode to Monday's house on Ed Borough st. I put sound lines around the door to reference how Mrs. Charles was blaring The Simpsons even though Claudia commented on how Monday hated the Simpsons. She is stopped in front of Mondays house which is a tanish building with the same houses at the way to the end of the street.
I wanted to draw this scene because it was very early in the book that she decided to go by Mondays house and where the altercation with Mrs. Charles ensued. It also offers many clues into Mondays life because of the way her mom acted.
"My throat closed as she stood over me, leaning so far down we could have bumped foreheads. her hands bawled into fists as her legs cocked back, ready to kick through my side. A siren went off in my head.." (Jackson 19)
I'd say this is my favorite quote because it offers the most info in reference to the situation.
Anne Gammell:
DeleteI really like that you decided to draw this scene considering how impactful and eye opening it was. this scene (to me at least) is the first sign that readers should be worried about the whereabouts of Monday. From the mothers "she isnt here" to almost hurting Claudia, this scene was scary and had me thinking about what Monday went through on a daily.
ReplyDeleteWeek #1 Connector Tyler R
1. When Claudia is freaking out because Monday hasn't answered her for weeks
. We all get worried when someone close to us doesn't answer for a bit. You get anxious and nervous because you just want to here from them. When Monday didn't show up to school the first day Claudia really got worried about her which everyone can relate to. Not seeing someone you usually see everyday can get you worried about how they are and if they are ok.
2.Claudia getting bullied because she is taking a long time on her packet because she is upset.
. Shayla and everyone are criticizing Claudia and making fun at her because she is upset that Monday still hasn't come to school or reach out to her at all and her sadness is showing with her school work. Shayla says to Claudia "So your girlfriend ain't here." referring to Monday and Claudia get even more upset at that and talked back and they ended up both getting in trouble. This can relate to real world problems because bullying has always been a problem in life and people will always find a reason to pick on someone. Nobody knows how Claudia is feeling
#3 When Claudia got excited about the teachers talking about Monday and then gets upset when they say she isn't registered
. Everyone has hopes with certain things and their hopes get crushed when they hear they answer they don't like. If someone were to have an interview for a job they really wanted and thought they did a good job at it, they are going to have high hopes for it, but if they hear bad news that they didn't get it and they gave the job to someone else they'll be crushed. Everyone has had their hopes crushed at least one time in their life and never feel good about it.
#4 When Claudia is failing her classes because she is upset
.Emotions can affect everything one does in a day. If you had a bad morning before work you might feel angry and upset and not be fully paying attention at your work. At school teens are experiencing some big emotion changes. as you get older your emotions change, sometimes for the worst, or for the better. A lot of teens at school struggle to keep up with their emotions while at school and grades can prove it. When a student has been in an upset mood for sometime their work won't be as great as it should. You'll see their grades drop in every class. This is what's happening to Claudia because she is super upset and worried about Monday
#5 Rumors being told by Jakob about Monday and August having sex, then turning it to be that Monday is lesbian and is in love with Claudia
.In schools kids are always spreading false rumors all the time about someone. One kid tells it to another, then they tell 5 other kids, and it turns into a big game of telephone. People spread rumors to hurt ones feeling and make them feel bad about themselves even though they know they are false. It's hard to try and defend yourself when a rumor is being spread about you because people won't listen to you because they heard different and believe it. It really brings brings people down when there is a false rumor going on about you.
Before starting, I just wanted to say that these connections are all very elaborate and insightful, as well as something that most people (especially teenagers) in this age can connect to. I also think you picked really important events from the story to talk about and elaborate on. The connections that stuck out to me most were the second and fifth ones. The second one is really important because just walking down the hallways at school, I would hear snarky comments judging someone for their sexuality or using it as an insult. For the fifth one, I cannot count how many times i've heard a rumor from someone and it turned out to be not true and then later really upset the person it was about. Again, I think your connections are great and really important to kids of this age.
Delete-Breanna Winkleman
ReplyDeleteI really liked the connection you made between Claudia getting upset when Monday disappeared,because in real life most of us would also have that same reaction like you mentioned. The connection you made in #2 I also completely agree with. I feel like kids get bullied for reasons the bully couldn't possibly understand. It is really sad when that happens. I also agree with #4, because I know when I am having a bad day, I also do not want to do my school work or anything else, and Claudia unfortunately has a bad day everyday without Monday.
Illustrator- Week #2
ReplyDeleteFor my picture, I drew the scene where Trevor greets Monday and Claudia in the morning at school, and shows them the picture that was taken of them in the school bathroom. I drew the outline of Trevor's phone, his hand holding it, with the picture of the girls on the screen, I included Monday laying on Claudia's lap with Mondays mouth opened laughing. I drew the tiles on the bathroom floor, along with the sink and toilet to make it look real. I also included the buttons and details of the phone.
1. For this job task I decided to illustrate a scene from the book that stood out to me. It was “One year before the before” when Trevor approached Monday and Claudia in the hall. There was a rumor going around that they were gay for each other. Trevor then pulled out his phone and showed him this picture that was on Facebook of the two. It had a thousands likes, and Claudia and Monday were in shock, and extremely upset.
2. I chose this scene to draw, because I feel like It was important to see what Monday and Claudia’s relationship was like. They were so close of friends that their peers felt like there was something else going on. In this picture, Monday was actually laying on Claudia’s lap crying in the school bathroom, because of an incident that had happened previously. But from the angle of the picture it looked wrong, and their classmates misinterpreted what was going on. “Monday and I hid in my room, waiting for the storm to blow over, trying not to worry about the permanent damage that would remain.” (Jackson 237) After what happened, Claudia and Monday still stayed together, and comforted each other after what happened. This really shows the strength of their friendship, because after something like this happens, most people would be so embarrassed to even be around that person again, thinking that the rumors will continue if they did. But they didn’t care, they knew it wasn’t true, and I really admire that about them.
Anne, Week 2 comment-
DeleteI think it was really important to draw this scene because it really highlights the bullying that the two friends went through. Its a good example how people can twist an event into something entirely different and pit others against each other.
Isadora Vaccaro Week Two Comment
DeleteI like how descriptive you are when talking about the details of your art. I know that scene probably couldn't have been easy to draw, but in my opinion I think it was important to draw, so kudos to you. When talking about why you chose this scene, I like how you mentioned that it truly highlighted what their relationship was like. The reader knows that they were obviously close, but to help each other in this hard time, truly shows just HOW close they were. I think it also makes the reader wonder what was so bad to Monday that she couldn't even tell Claudia?
You explained your drawing really well I felt like I had been looking at it not reading you describing it and I think you chose a very important scene to depict and you followed up with a perfect explanation of how Monday and Claudia reacted and went on from the experience when most people would of unintentially started to distance themselves from eachother after seeing something like that, but they didn't and stuck together closer than ever and also as you said admire them beacuse of it. True Friendship.
DeleteIsadora Vaccaro
ReplyDeletePassage Finder
“Using all my strength, I tried to find the power to fight back, when I heard the voice of an Angel” (Jackson 195).
This quote was very important to me because I think it was significant that Claudia’s bullie resorted to physical violence. Previously, all the tormenting that had been done to Claudia was just verbal and, for the most part, emotional. This session of violence against Claudia deepened her feelings of being alone and frustrated. The voice of the angel belonged to Ms. Valente who came to help Claudia get out of her situation. Personally, I think it is pretty symbolic that the person who came to save her was a teacher who is just doing her job, rather than another friend.
“‘There ain’t no other girl in the whole school who’ll be blond like me. I’mma be the first” (Jackson 206).
This quote struck me as important because it highlights Monday’s ambitious ways and zest for change and the future. Monday normally has been seen as an energetic person, but when she talks about changing her hair, it's obvious that she loves life and is excited for it. It also shows how excited she is to be different than everyone else at her school. The combination of her love for life and her excitement for uniqueness, goes to add more mystery to the novel. By having these plans for the future, it makes the reader think that she wouldn’t do anything to try and hurt her own future on purpose.
“‘Monday was never sick. She never had the flu” (Jackson 231).
This is a turning point in the novel. Throughout the whole story, Claudia kept comparing this time that Monday is missing to the time that Claudia didn't see her because Monday had the flu. Finding out that Monday didn’t have the flu only made Claudia more confused and have a whole other group of questions. This starts to put bouts of doubt into Claudia’s head that maybe something serious is going on-more serious than she previously thought. Moving on, that must be scary for Claudia because she spent this whole time believing this elaborate lie that her best friend told her, only to find out that it wasn’t true. For Claudia, it begs the question, what else did Monday lie about?
“She shook her head and groaned. ‘Okay fine. I’ll go. Not sure if it’ll be anytime soon, but we’ll see” (Jackson 227).
I also think this is another turning point for Claudia. Every adult she went to before for help (such as her own mother and father as well as Ms. Charles) didn’t help her at all, or even take her seriously. For Ms. Valente to help her and take her seriously is an important step. Now that she has help from an adult who can help with other, more serious resources, she is one step closer to finding Monday. From Claudia’s perspective, this must give her hope to keep looking, as well as make her a little disappointed that it took so long for her to get the help she needs in a very important time.
“‘Monday’s. Not. Coming. She ain’t never coming back!’[...] I needed to know why my best friend in the whole wide world wanted nothing to do with me” (Jackson 305).
The reason I put this down as an important passage is because the reader can truly see how hurt Claudia is when she accepts this truth. People had been telling her, repeatedly, that Monday didn’t want to be friends with Claudia anymore, but she had always brushed it off because she knew it wasn’t true. But now when April is yelling at her, Claudia finally accepts it. This is so devastating for Claudia because her best and only friend just suddenly didn’t want her, and the reader can feel the heartbreak in this quote. Part of this heartbreak stems from the fact that now Claudia is all alone when she gets bullied, eats lunch, and starts at a new school.
Week 2 Comment -
DeleteI definitely can agree where you said "this is a turning point in the novel" talking about how when Mrs. Valente explains that Monday was out of school for neglect. This part of the book really made all of our predictions come to life about what might have happened to Monday. I also really like how you explained Monday's character, and I can agree that she is like a Mystery to the novel because we hear all of these interesting things about her, but still haven't gotten to meet her yet.
Anne, Week 2 comment-
DeleteI agree with your first quote when you said it is symbolic that it was just a teacher helping Claudia, not a friend. at this point, readers know that Claudia's only friend is Monday but this really shows how alone she is in friendships because it wasn't even another peer that helped her but as you said "a teacher just doing her job"
week 2 comment
DeleteWith what Anne and Breanna said I believe it really helped Claudia believe she wasn't crazy when Mrs. Valente agreed that something is going on and that it was wild nothing had been done/ her disappearance had gone unnoticed. Especially when Mrs. Valente didn't falter and even went to the office with Claudia to inquire and work around the basic excuses the desk lady was giving to make sure something was being done about it.
Ann-Maree Gammell
ReplyDeleteCharacter Watcher- Week 2
Claudia: Throughout the story, we watch as claudia desperately searches for her friend Monday. In this section we read that Claudia discovered that Monday is being homeschooled. after learning that she is dyslexic, she wants to do anything to be close to monday. even asking to be homeschooled. its clear she doesn't want to be judged by her peers or seen as 'stupid". this is important because in the beginning of the book, Monday did all of claudias homework. Monday now knows why all of her school work was more difficult for her.
Mrs. Valente: Throughout the section, Mrs. Valente has proved to care about Monday's disappearance and continuously takes Claudia seriously whether it comes down to her missing friend or learning disability. More than once, she checked with the school about monday's whereabouts and did everything she could to talk to Mrs. Charles. She also held herself accountable when she claimed that she suspected claudia's dyslexia but was distracted by her life. she's a significant character because she validates Claudias fears and does everything in her power to find Monday. she is also important because she clearly cares about their students and their education.
Mrs. Charles: Seemingly a bully and potentially an abuser, the mother of Monday seems to not get along with many. whether it be the ruthless rude comments toward Claudia's mother or even being so scary, Monday was afraid of her- Mrs. Charles has proved she is an antagonist. its clear that she isn't a small role character and we'll for sure be hearing more from her. one specific thing from this section that really caught my attention was her comments about Claudia's mother's miscarriages. she continuously used it as an insult and that really shook me to the core.
Week 2 Comment-
DeleteI definitely agree with your viewpoint on Mrs. Charles. From the start of the book I have always gotten a bad vibe from her, and I can agree she is potentially abusing her children. I also really agree with your take on Mrs. Valente. I feel like she is one of the only people in Claudia's life who has actually listened to her and tried to help in some way.
I 100% agree with your comments about Ms. Charles. I like how you used strong words when talking about her, such as "abuser" "antagonist" and "bully." She is a scary character and obviously had something to do in Monday's dissappearance. And her comments about the miscarriages made me tear up. Like, how can anyone, much less a grown woman, just throw that back in someone's face?
Delete(isadora vaccaro week 2 comment)
DeleteConnector Week #2
ReplyDelete#1 Claudia sneaking around to get to class coming from 'TLC'.
Everybody has had an experience where they don't want to be caught somewhere or doing something in fear of being viewed differently and even going to great lengths to not be found out.
#2 Claudia at the tutors not enjoying it/getting frustrated
Most people at some point struggle to learn something and become frustrated when not able to do what they might view as 'simple'.
#3 Claudia overhears her mom and dads conversation about her and Monday.
Sometimes you hear things you shouldn't or are not supposed to hear/listen in on but you do and maybe wish you didn't hear it all all. Maybe it offers a point of view you didn't think of or you hear someone saying something you view as mean about you.
Connector Week #2
ReplyDelete#1 Claudia sneaking around to get to class coming from 'TLC'.
Everybody has had an experience where they don't want to be caught somewhere or doing something in fear of being viewed differently and even going to great lengths to not be found out.
#2 Claudia at the tutors not enjoying it/getting frustrated
Most people at some point struggle to learn something and become frustrated when not able to do what they might view as 'simple'.
#3 Claudia overhears her mom and dads conversation about her and Monday.
Sometimes you hear things you shouldn't or are not supposed to hear/listen in on but you do and maybe wish you didn't hear it all all. Maybe it offers a point of view you didn't think of or you hear someone saying something you view as mean about you.
Passage Finder Week #3
ReplyDelete1.”She shoved the door closed and turned on the light. Now I saw why Mrs. Charles always opened the door halfway. Right behind it, against the wall, was a large freezer chest. The kind you find at the grocery stores holding frozen turkeys and precooked hams. It buzzed like a broken fluorescent light.” (Jackson 320)
This scene is significant because it gives insight into what happened to Monday, but the reader does not know it yet. Monday was in that freezer, and Claudia had no idea, but as the book went on Claudia kept hearing the buzzing of the freezer and it was hard to get rid of. It gives you the chills when you think about it. Thinking about how she walked past her dead best friend without even knowing it.
2.”On the floor near the tub, I noticed an empty box of hair dye. The same one Monday had used over a year ago. My stomach sank.” (Jackson 333)
When Claudia was in that bathroom, I feel like she knew that Monday was gone. The house was a mess, and there was no way she was still living there. She knew that something terrible happened to her friend, hence the hair dye she had used so long ago was not thrown away. Monday was clean and she was always picking up after herself at Claudia’s.
3.”The tickling in my stomach turned sharp. Tip Charles fumbled with his keys like someone running away from the killer in a horror movie-his face pale, eyes terrified.” (Jackson 361)
In this scene, Claudia was trying to find Tip Charles (Monday’s father) to help bring attention to Monday’s disappearance. She thought that he might know where she was, or that maybe he could help her. Tip looked frightened because Monday had died two years ago, and Claudia was just having a spell where she forgot what happened. Claudia did not figure out that she was having a spell till after, so Tip was scared when she showed up at his job.
4.”My legs, my arms, my hands...everything went numb. The voices drowned out, mouths still moving but silent. I could hear nothing but my heart racing...and the buzz of the freezer. BUZZZZZ.” (Jackson 371)
At this point in the book, Monday was finally found, and she was dead, inside of the freezer that was in their home. Claudia was at the scene and even though she knew that something terrible happened to Monday, she was in shock. Finding your best friend dead after being missing for almost a year is extremely traumatic. I cannot even imagine the emotions that were running through Claudia’s mind.
5.””Claudia, Monday died two years ago,” Ma said gently, grabbing my wrist to keep me steady. “Her and August were...were…” The bursting of our bubble could be heard around the world. “No,” I gasped, trying to back away from her.”” (Jackson 374)
In this scene, Claudia’s mom finally tells her that she is having an episode where she forgot that Monday had already died. It has been two years and Claudia is now 16 and in highschool being homeschooled. But she thought she was still 14 and that Monday was still missing. Having to relive the moment where they tell you that your best friend is dead is heartbreaking to hear over and over again. It is like she’s just finding out for the first time repeatedly. It is because of the trauma. It is so sad, and depressing.
isadora Vaccaro//week 3
ReplyDeleteClaudia feels like she is drifting from Monday.
This is something that is very common in friend groups, especially when there is or was a big change, such as going to a new school. This is something that is a natural part of life because as we grow older, our interests change and thus, our friend groups change. Sometimes it is peaceful, yet sometimes it is tragic. In this case, for Claudia, it is tragic because she feels as though she is slipping away from her only friend. Fortunately, as the story progresses, Claudia finds herself making new friends.
Claudia goes to her first highschool party, and she feels out of place.
When Claudia goes to this party she immediately feels like an outsider because it is not her normal setting. When she starts to relax a little, she feels guilty about not being there with Monday because Monday would have loved it. It is common for people to feel out of place when they go to an event that is outside of their comfort zone. For instance, if a highschool football player were to go to a basketball game, they would probably feel more comfortable than if they were to go see a highschool play. That is completely normal because they’re in a totally new environment.
April prostitutes herself in order to make money for the family.
Unfortunately, this is not uncommon in poorer areas. Many people feel the need to prostitute themselves just to get by because they have no other way of making money. This can be very harmful to one’s mental and physical health. As a society, it is important not to shame these people (like they do to April), but help them. Most people only do it as a way of survival, not because they want to. It is a very unfortunate situation, however it is a very prominent issue in today’s world.
Claudia reads Monday’s journal.
The reason Claudia does this is to understand the part of Monday’s life that Monday didn’t tell her and to feel connected to Monday again. Many people do something similar to this. After a loved one dies, a lot of times people will wear a piece of their clothing or jewelry, or keep something of theirs in order to remember them. This gives many people comfort and security in knowing that they always have a piece of that loved one with them. Ironically, a lot of times physical objects make us feel spiritually connected. Personally, I have a necklace that was my grandpa’s that I wear everyday.
Claudia learns that Monday had been dead for years and she repressed it all.
When something so traumatic to humans, our brains actually repress it as a defense mechanism. This is why Claudia does not remember the death of her best friend. Many people experience this. For instance, some people may have nightmares about fires because they may have been traumatized by one when they were younger, but they dont remember it because their brain is preventing them from remembering it. It is the reason why some people may need therapy even if they don't remember anything bad happening to them.