Browse our Free Essay examples and check out our Writing tools to get your assignments done.
To write this essay you will need to of read the book "Nickel Boys" by Colson Whitehead
The Nickel Boys Essay
Colson Whitehead has described Elwood and Turner as “two different parts of my personality” with Elwood Curtis being “the optimistic or hopeful part of me that believes we can make the world a better place if we keep working at it,” and Jack Turner, “the cynical side that says no -- this country is founded on genocide, murder, and slavery and it will always be that way.”
Review your Nickel Boys Guided Reading Notes (Parts I, II and III), Turner Sketch and Elwood All Grown Up assignment and consider what one character would be without the other character. Select one of the following questions to answer in a three page response, staking an arguable thesis with specific quoted evidence from the text as suppor
OR
Schedule:
Monday, February 28th
Tuesday, March 1st
Wednesday, March 2nd
Friday, March 4th
Thesis establishes a clearly articulated, genuine
purpose and arguable claim.
Introduction has logical and meaningful context for
the assignment, includes the text and author, and
provides relevant background information (little to no
plot summary). Conclusion addresses a counterclaim
and moves the reader to a deeper understanding
of the character.
Carefully selected, specific support, not plot summary,
is used to prove the argument. All examples relate
back to the thesis.
Analysis of quotes and examples from the text is thorough
and offers perceptive and precise insight, and directly
supports the thesis. Quotes include specific passages that
directly link claims to the overall thesis. Minimum of three
quotes are properly cited. (Whitehead Page #
Writing supports a clear progression of ideas and fluid
transitions between paragraphs. Topic sentences reflect
the author’s purpose and the entire paper flows in a
logical order.
Appropriate and precise use of word choice - no use of
first or second person narration, general narration,
cliches or informal language. Well developed and
varied sentence structure engages and assists in
reader’s understanding.
Use of proper and sophisticated grammar, spelling and
punctuation.
**I need a draft by Wednesday if it's not too much to ask. If not, Friday is fine.
My notes are included if that helps at all
Student’s Name
Course
Professor’s Name
Date
Who would Turner be without or Elwood be Without Turner? (Nickel Boys)
Introduction
The Nickel Boys is a novel written by Colson Whitehead based on a true story and basing it on American history on Jim crow. The climax of this novel is when Turner and Elwood run to their freedom, but Elwood is killed by Harper while Turner manages to jump over a fence and disappears by the woods. The setting of the novel is on hypothetical Nickel Academy in Florida. Whitehead presents various themes that stand relevant today. Some of the addressed themes in the novel are depression and trauma, power, fear, sacrifice, unity, hope, and racism, among others. Elwood and Turner best present the themes of sacrifice, unity, support, hope, and secrecy in their relationship. Both Turner and Elwood have a long sustained friendship and support each other as they are facing adversities and oppression. Elwood’s friendship with Turner is able to sustain him. Turner is more helpful to Elwood than Elwood has been to him; he has a good understanding of the schools and thus offers to protect Elwood from oppression and later offers to help Elwood flee after discovering the school wanted to kill him. However, Elwood is killed before they manage to flee (Martín-Salván, 12).
Turner is caring and minds the fate of Turner; he advises Elwood when he approaches him with a proposal of sneaking a letter to the government inspectors when they visit school. Turner understands the risks that are associated with writing that letter when they are discovered because they will all be in trouble. “I’m going to give it to the inspectors when they come.” What do you think they going to do? Put your picture on the cover of Time magazine?” I did it to stop it” (Whitehead, 81). Turner earlier had promised Elwood to protect him in his stay in the institution and give him the support that he would need. “I said I’ll do it, I’ll do it. You got someone else? ”Elwood gave it to him and ran north without a word” (whitehead, 80). It is adherence to these words that Turner rethinks on his stand on the letter and decides to take the letter by himself. Spencer, the superintendent, learns this and decides to call Elwood, later beats him and confines him. The schools feel that they are agitated by Elwood, and there is a plan to execute Elwood for...
