Golden Lines "Golden lines" are powerful quotes that automatically provide interesting discussion material. Many students find it much easier to select something the author said than to come up with their own reactions. Therefore, Golden Lines are an easy and effective strategy for gathering information to discuss.
Post your Golden Lines for Marshfield Dreams to invite discussion.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
8 comments:
Here are a few "golden lines" that stood out to me when I was reading:
" I had Jesus on the inside, sweet summer outside, and the possibility of some heavenly doughnuts not to far down the road." (pg. 79) Fletcher was reflecting on how he felt the day his family had to wait in the back of the church because they were late. This line struck me as so vivid. Even taken out of context it speaks to you!
Another golden line I found interesting was when Fletcher was talking to his little brother about going to school. He says, "Its not like home. You've got to follow the rules or you'll get in trouble." (pg.39) This made me laugh - only at school do you get in trouble when you don't follow the rules?
"School was fine for a kid like me because I knew how to shut up and listen. But it seemed wrong to take an outside kid like Jimmy and lock him inside for six hours a day." We all know kids like Jimmy. The kind who can't sit still during reading but can tell you anything about building a fort or if he's a city kid - which streets you should stay away from after dark. When I read this, I felt for Jimmy because the world seemed so open and full of imagination before he entered school. Then he entered school and realized that his freedoms were taken away from him. I haven't finished the book yet but I wonder what kind of career he pursued when he got older.
Meg,
I like your second quote about how school is different from home because there are rules. That is funny. Did they not have rules or get in trouble at home? Although, from a kid's perspective you're more restrained at school so it seems as though you are controlled more. The rules are different from home. The kind of kid that Jimmy was it was probably difficult for him to be in school. In school, you have to sit most of the day, you have to raise your hand to speak, you have to ask to use the bathroom, etc... you're not as free.
"I loved being sick, because that's when I got extra-special care from Mom." (p. 66) I'm sure with having eight other siblings, getting special one-on-one attention was seldom. This also reminded me of when I was sick and my mom gave me special attention and care.
"It seemed like I had shed my tight family skin for something bigger, looser, more comfortable, if only for a few days." (p. 53) Ralph had to go to his Uncle's and Aunt's house when his mom was having another baby. He described it as being "farmed out". And he didn't really miss his family. He got to have fun with his cousins, didn't have any chores, Aunt Louise made her delicious fried-egg sandwiches, they went to the beach, and played outside at night. What kid wouldn't like that. He was too busy to even think about his family.
The golden lines I enjoyed, because they hit so close to home, were....
"These kisses were a regular part of the bedtime routine, like brushing my teeth, having the nightly bowl of cereal, or hearing a story before lights-out. It felt like having air to breathe or a blanket to keep me warm - automatic - and I never gave it a second thought."
Wow!
The funny thing is even though my boys are both teenagers, 17 and 15, we still do this. Actually, they both tilt their heads so we can give them a little peck on the head, but still it's the same thing.
I feel sorry for Ralph that it ended for a while with his dad. I think that way of thinking was a generational thing. Some men just feel that their boys will be sissy's if they continue to give hugs and kisses. Thankfuly, my husband doesn't.
Michelle,
I also thought the part of the book when Ralph's dad stopped kissing him was so interesting. I felt bad for Ralph because he wasn't ready for that routine between him and is father to stop. As I was reading that part I wondered if the dad made a conscious decision to stop giving him a kiss because in his mind he thought Ralph had passed that stage and was becoming a man. I like that you haven't stopped that with your boys. They obviously still enjoy it (even though they probably would never admit it!!!!) and feel loved every time you do it.
"It's too dark. you can't even see the ball! Someone's going to get hurt!"(107). Ralph's mother was telling him and his brother to come inside when it got dark. I remember when I was a young girl I loved to play outside late and my mother used to say the same thing. all children love to play wether it's day or night.
"Hey, Dad", I asked, if you say Jesus, is that a swear?" Ralph talks to his father about when it is acceptable to say the name Jesus and when it is using his name in vain.
I like your second quote. A lot of children now-a-days don't have many rules at home. So when they do get to school it definitely is a shock. But what I did like was that Ralph tried to give Jimmy a little advice about what it would be like and some of the things he needs to know such as the Pledge of Allegiance.
The same quote that Leigha mentioned was the one I thought was a golden line as well. On page 53, "It seemed like I had shed my tight family skin for something bigger, looser, more comfortable, if, only for a few days". Ralph was describing his visit with his Aunt Louise and Uncle Paul who lived in Rhode Island. When Ralph and Jimmy were there they never had to clean the dishes or do any household chores like they did when they were at home. It was like a vacation to them. They went to the beach, played flashlight tag at night and had delicious meals! Their aunt had them call their parents so they wouldn't get homesick. Little did they know that Ralph was actually not at all homesick, and he felt guilty about it too.
Post a Comment