Mikey believed that he was shooting the right guy, but that was hardly the truth at all and he ended up paying for it with his life. Will Holloman. Shawn, however, refuses to answer, letting Will writhe in the agony of not knowing what to do. Dani, the second ghost to join Will on the elevator, forces Will to confront the potential repercussions of following through with his plan to avenge Shawns death. You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. Our, "Sooo much more helpful thanSparkNotes. Regardless, Pop asks Will to consider what might happen if Will is also out to kill the wrong guy. like. The last date is today's Long Way Down study guide contains a biography of Jason Reynolds, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. (including. A cannon. Went downinto me and chewed on everythinginside as ifI had somehowswallowedmy own teethand they weresharper thanId ever known. Identify the themes from the story that you wish to include and type them in the title box at the top. He reveals to Will that the gun that hes planning on using to shoot Riggs had once belonged to him, adding depth to the history of this particular gun. In the elevator, he learns of the trail of revenge that has led up to this . Crochet, hes said, taught him the value of going slowly and taking life one stepor one stitchat a time. In fact, the Rules make it hard to figure out ones target, given the no snitching rule. Griefdeep sorrow caused by someone's deathis a major theme in Long Way Down. Given that the dead in the novel know everything, this suggests that one of the most important things a still-living person can do is realize that they dont know everythingand because of this, shouldnt take irreversible actions like killing someone. resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss thenovel. Theres so much packed within these two simple words. When Will's older brother Shawn is shot dead on the playground outside their building, Will takes Shawn's gun and sets out to . PDF downloads of all 1715 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. Written in verse and narrated in the first person by Will Holloman, a fifteen-year-old Black American, Long Way Down opens with Will revealing that his older brother, Shawn, was killed two days earlier. Not affiliated with Harvard College. While Long Way Down doesnt fully answer this questionthe novel ends on an ambiguous note when the ghosts exit the elevator at the lobby and Shawn asks Will if hes coming with themit does make it clear that avenging ones loved ones can have unforeseen and irreparable consequences. What Will learns in the elevator is that this story is far more complicated than just that of two menPop and his killerseeking revenge. 912 reviews 13.8k followers. The book opens with, Dont nobody believe nothing these days (p.1) as Will tries to convince the reader that the events in the book actually happened. The fourth ghost who steps into the elevator is Mikey, Wills dad. The main themes in Long Way Down are everyday violence, the rules of masculinity, and the passage of time. Hed shot the guy because his brothers death hurt, but he kept shooting because he was angry (p.213). Struggling with distance learning? Thats what fifteen-year-old Will has shoved in the back waistband of his jeans. (approx. And the only one who could have fired Shawns gun was Shawn. Thanks for exploring this SuperSummary Study Guide of "Long Way Down" by Jason Reynolds. His use of symbolism through ideas, objects, and characters to convey his themes adds so much depth to the story, making it even more hard-hitting than it already is. Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support. "My students can't get enough of your charts and their results have gone through the roof." An ode to Put the Damn Guns Down, this is New York Times bestseller Jason Reynolds's fiercely stunning novel that takes place in sixty potent secondsthe time it takes a kid to decide whether or not he's going to murder the guy who killed his brother. Revenge. Shawn had been able to carry out what Will is preparing to do, and because of this, someone else had killed him. Dani was Wills childhood best friend and was killed as an eight-year-old when someone missed their intended target and accidentally shot her instead. In this sense, its possible to argue that Pop wasnt properly loyalhe didnt actually avenge Uncle Marks death, after alland that he himself then died needlessly. In the elevator, he is visited by several ghosts who relate their experiences with revenge, including his father, who killed the wrong guy when trying to avenge his brother. Refine any search. Will is introduced to The Rules at the age of eight by Shawn just after having seen his friend Dani shot dead. The way the content is organized, A concise biography of Jason Reynolds plus historical and literary context for, In-depth summary and analysis of every chapter of, Explanations, analysis, and visualizations of, Reynolds grew up in Oxon Hill, Maryland, an unincorporated suburb of Washington, D.C. Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. [] I thought about this when the man withthe gold chains got on and checked to see if theL button was already glowing. PDF downloads of all 1715 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. So sad. You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. succeed. It is when Will sees his brother lying dead that the shooting becomes something out of the ordinary. PDF downloads of all 1715 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. And because of her youth, many of the words used around her have connotations of innocence and childhood: playground (p.124), sunshine (p.127), and flower dress (p.127). GradeSaver, 3 November 2022 Web. Note: When citing an online source, it is important to include all necessary dates. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. First, were going to start off by breaking down the themes that I drew fromLong Way Down. In this activity, students will identify themes in Long Way Down and illustrate examples from the text. Complete your free account to access notes and highlights. Hey, I'm Germaine: writer, artist, and more. Revengethe action of inflicting hurt as retribution for a wrong sufferedenters the narrative when Will lays out The Rules. Though Pop, Uncle Mark, Shawn, and Frick all died in the process of following the Rules and exacting revenge (and the novel implies that Danis death was also the result of a revenge killing gone awry), all of them suggest that this kind of loyalty required by the Rules doesnt actually do much good. However, The Rules are restrictive, stating that a man must not cry and therefore show fear or weakness. Because of this, he chalks Danis disapproval and line of questioning up to her not understanding the Rules, rather than thinking of it as an important question he really should answer. 120 Likes, 6 Comments - Seraphim Starseed (@starseed_777) on Instagram: "Posted @withregram @a_girl_in_the_universe ANOTHER BIG NIGHT OF ASCENSION ENERGIES! Long Way Down thoroughly explores the theme of revenge. Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. However, it quickly becomes clear that such a killing is not a rare event in this neighborhood. "I got scared. It represents the accumulation of hate, anger, and hurt, which can push someone into doing something that they might later regret. Uncle Mark brings self-reflectionto the table and forces Will to ask himself if he is capable of murder. Not only is this a disturbing image that really nails home the actual death of a child, this is a turning point for Will. All rights reserved. The novel follows Will's stream of consciousness. Read a summary of the verse novel, find an in-depth analysis of its plot, and understand its ending. The cycle of violence is the strongest theme that Reynolds book explores. Passed to him.Passed them to his little brother.Passed to my older brother.Passed to me. You'll be able to access your notes and highlights, make requests, and get updates on new titles. Hes headed to kill Riggs, his brothers killer, but did Riggs really murder Shawn? LitCharts Teacher Editions. So I pulled the trigger." is a quote said by Frick, a character from Long Way Down. Thanks for exploring this SuperSummary Study Guide of "Long Way Down" by Jason Reynolds. The Genius of Elizabeth Weins Code Name Verity [SPOILERS], Three-Act Story Structure Study: Neal Shustermans Scythe, MG & YA Books by POC Authors + representation chat. Its possible that he regrets teaching Will The Rules and blames himself. At only fifteen, Will assumes this responsibility as though it is a rite of passage into manhood. When Will sees Shawn crying, his tears . If there are two dates, the date of publication and appearance In other words, everyone in Wills life has encouraged him to view the Rules in a highly simplified and glorified way rather than to truly think about their potential consequences. The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of. 20 chapters | My students love how organized the handouts are and enjoy tracking the themes as a class., Requesting a new guide requires a free LitCharts account. The way the content is organized, LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in, Compare and contrast themes from other texts to this theme, The ThemeTracker below shows where, and to what degree, the theme of Perspective and Reality appears in each chapter of. At only fifteen, Will assumes this responsibility as though it is a rite of passage into manhood. I followed The Rules.At least the first two. . A strap. Will's true vulnerability is exposed when he pees himself in fear, when he cries over his uncertainty about killing Riggs, and when he seems to want nothing more than to hug the people he has lost. Ultimately, the novel depicts a young man grappling with grief in an instance where the socially sanctioned form of mourning for males is to focus on their anger while denying any feelings that would expose them as weak or vulnerable. Long Way Down tells the story of Will, a 15-year-old boy riding the elevator in his apartment building down to the lobby. Amazon Goodreads. Have students create attractive posters to display their ideas. Revenge. Last Updated on June 14, 2021, by eNotes Editorial. Descriptions are unclear. gets passed down like name-brand. In the form in which they appear to Will, they have continued to grow and change as though they were living. Book Summary. Mixed into Will's determination to abide by The Rules and avenge his brother's death is a strong sense of moral obligation to make sure Shawn's killer suffers consequences. Getting revenge solved nothing. How do you feel about symbolism in works of fiction, and where else have you seen it done well? I was only three.And I dont remember that.Ive always wanted to. When Will tells him about Shawns murder, Uncle Mark encourages him to imagine what hell do once he gets off the elevator and play it out like a movie (p.175). The novel never confirms one way or the other whether Will is correct that Carlson Riggs, a former friend of Shawns, is indeed the one who killed Shawn. Among the ghosts are Will's father and Shawn, both of whom sought to follow The Rules when feeling grief over Uncle Mark and Buck, respectively. publication online or last modification online. After Will figures out who Dani is, her first question cuts Will to the core: what if he misses when he tries to shoot Shawns killer? Already a member? In the elevator, he learns of the trail of revenge that has led up to this moment. This is only the first part of Will's journeyonce he reaches the lobby, his plan is to avenge the death of his older brother, Shawn, who was shot the night before in what was likely a gang-related incident. Students can explore by identifying these elements themselves or in an " envelope activity ", where they are given one or more to track . Revenge seems inevitable; none of the ghosts on the elevator who were killed by someone seeking revenge seem angered by this, merely resigned. it was like the wordcame out and at the same timetime went in. Teachers and parents! Any literary elements can be conveyed through characters, setting, dialogue, plot, or a combination. The simple question carries a deep significance: While it appears as though Shawn is asking if Will is going to leave the elevator with the others, Shawn is actually asking Will if he is going to join them . T he main themes in Long Way Down are everyday violence, the rules of masculinity, and the passage of time.. Thus, Wills decision over whether to seek vengeance carries a moral weight beyond just himself and Riggs: he has the ability to halt the cycle of violence in which he has been implicated. killed my dad.Thats what my motheralways said. In Jason Reynolds' novel ''Long Way Down,'' published in 2017, a young man seeking revenge for his brother's death is visited by ghosts during an elevator ride. Illustrate instances of each and write a short description that explains the example's significance. Due to the nature of the cycle of violence, many of the ghosts stories are intertwined. One minute and seven seconds later, the door opens in the lobby, and Buck, Dani, Uncle Mark, Pop, Frick, and Shawn run out of the doors in the midst of a cloud of cigarette smoke. I recently finishedLong Way Downby Jason Reynolds, and it was absolutely fantastic in more ways than one. And understandably, this isnt a conversation Will wants to have at all, let alone take seriously. With Will's decision to shoot Riggs for presumably shooting Shawn, Reynolds shows how gun violence is perpetuated in communities like Will's. Will never gets a direct answer to this question. The moral that can be learned from this section is that "Treat others the way you want to be treated." No Snitching. If Riggs didnt actually kill Shawn and Will shoots him anyway, he will go through exactly what his father experienced. Have students think creatively and "fill in the blanks" of conversation between Will and the other characters. Shawn stands there awkwardly like a middle drawer of a man (p.291) and says nothing as Will tells him everything. Or, you can call it a gun. I couldnt see himas anything lessthan my brother, Instant downloads of all 1715 LitChart PDFs We see fragments of his memories and thought processes as he meets different people from his life. With this act of vengeance, Will assumes he will even the score and be better able to accept Shawn's death. A burner. that I didlike he told me,like Buck told him,like our grandfather toldour uncle, like our uncletold our dad. Our, "Sooo much more helpful thanSparkNotes. to get my attention,which on any otheroccasion wouldvebeen the perfectopen for me to flirtor at least try to domy best impression of Shawn, And the next morning, over hard-boiled eggsand sugar cereal,Shawn taught meRule Number One, So I explained them toher so she wouldnt thinkless of me for followingthem, and had I known The Rules when wewere kids I wouldvedone the same thing. Its like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me. Even the thought of shooting hurts him, which brings us back to Bucks you aint got it in you (p.101). This is important because when Will plays along, he realizes he cant imagine shooting Riggs. However, he responds to his grief in his community's expected way, which is to get revenge. This is, importantly, something that Pop only found out after the fact, though its somewhat unclear if Pop knew he made a mistake when he was still alive or only figured it out after he died. Most symbols are correctly identified, but some objects are missing or are incorrectly identified as significant symbols. An ode to Put the Damn Guns Down, this is New York Times bestseller Jason Reynoldss fiercely stunning novel that takes place in sixty potent secondsthe time it takes a kid to decide whether or not hes going to murder the guy who killed his brother. Complete your free account to request a guide. The first character that Will encounters is Buck, the only big brother Shawn had ever had (p.86) and the one who taught [Shawn] The Rules (p.93). Created by the original team behind SparkNotes, LitCharts are the world's best literature guides. Drawing found families because Im single and dont want to mingle, I barely read anything in January, but here are some classic book recommendations anyway, A Writers Guide to Getting to Know Their Character. eNotes.com, Inc. With his brother's gun, Will sets out to kill the man he believes shot Shawn. In Long Way Down, Will is on his way to follow the Rules of his neighborhood that dictate that he take revenge for the death of his brother. In Long Way Down, Jason Reynolds does an amazing job incorporating important themes and powerful messages into a riveting story. Refine any search. It is Wills encounter with her that is the beginning of the seeds uprooting. Will also understands how mentorship was important to Shawn himself, who learned how to be a man in the world from Buck, who himself stepped in to be a mentor when Shawn's and Will's father was killed. Below you will find the important quotes in Long Way Down related to the theme of Grief, Fear, and Cycles of Violence. Loyalty, in this sense, is the very reason families in Wills community are fractured in the first placeWill suggests that if someone doesnt avenge their loved ones death, theyre considered disloyal and effectively betray their loved ones memory by doing nothing. The ones that I want to highlight are the middle drawer, the nighttime, and Wills use of anagrams. The second is the date of Teachers and parents! Students can explore by identifying these elements themselves or in an envelope activity, where they are given one or more to track throughout their reading. I analyze books, films, and other media to bring out lessons in writing for your benefit, but I also mix in a fun post every so often. Refine any search. Will is seeking revenge for his brother Shawn's murder. How does Will change over the course of Long Way Down? Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. Rather than Shawn's death being the end of something, it is simply the next domino to fall in a sequence set in motion decades earlier. PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. Happiness in Brave New World: Quotes & Analysis, Timeline of Night by Elie Wiesel | Chronology, Context & Analysis, 12th Grade English: Homework Help Resource, 9th Grade English: Homework Help Resource, AP English Literature: Homeschool Curriculum, American Literature Syllabus Resource & Lesson Plans, Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare: Study Guide, Create an account to start this course today. The Rules are short and simple: no crying, no snitching (which Will defines as talking to the police), and revenge, which Will says means, If someone you love / gets killed, / find the person / who killed / them and / kill them. Though Will presents the Rules as inarguable, nonnegotiable facts, both he (seemingly, Its impossible to ignore the supernatural aspect of Long Way Downall the individuals who share the elevator with Will on his way to avenge his brother Shawns death are ghosts. And then he breaks Rule #1. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1715 titles we cover. Prologue Quotes. In Jason Reynolds' anti-gun novel, Long Way Down, written in verse, he explicitly emphasizes the effects of the acts of revenge in Will's society to evoke the adverse consequences of a gun violence. Or does he? And always get revenge.. They are simple, as the blurb explains: No crying. From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. 3. An unbroken chain that gets passed down and inherited (p.27), it weighs down heavily on Will, who has been heavily affected by it and has to decide whether or not to further it himself. All examples support the identified symbols. While its important to not diminish the importance of the relationship between Will and Shawn (Shawn is the reason Will plans to kill someone, after all), the fact that it was just the two of them and their mother speaks to the fractured nature of families in Wills community, which partially explains the importance of loyalty to that community. A cannon. Themes. In the elevator, as Will struggles to decide whether he wants to express his grief through violence, many voices argue for a softer, more vulnerable expression. Women are clearly allowed to cry over sudden losses: Wills mother cries all night, and Leticia, Shawns girlfriend, screams in the street over his fallen body. https://www.storyboardthat.com/lesson-plans/long-way-down-by-jason-reynolds/themes, This Storyboard That activity is part of the lesson plans for. All of the ghosts in the elevator are interesting in their own way, but the second person who enters the elevator, Dani, is especially fascinating to me. As the man who murdered [Buck] (p.244), he explains that he had shot Buck by accident because he had been scared. Riggs probably killed Will's brother, Shawn, the day before yesterday. All storyboards are public and can be viewed and copied by anyone. All Will knows about Pop is the story Shawn told him: Pop went out to avenge the murder of his brother, Uncle Mark, and was later shot at a payphone. Will is seeking revenge for his brother Shawn's murder. around the grip, placingthem over Shawnsprints like littlebrother holding bigbrothers hand again. it was like the wordcame out and at the same timetime went in. LitCharts Teacher Editions. He was killed for killing the man who killed [Uncle Mark] (p.203). Its a terrifying moment for Will and it shows him how hed feel if he were in Riggs place. Most examples fit the identified symbols. By making this clear to Will, the ghosts in the elevator ask him to consider if his plan to kill Riggs is actually the right course of action, and if Will is actually behaving loyally by following through with it. that it stopped Mom fromscraping loose a riverof wounds. Jason Reynolds, Long Way Down. Will goes back to the day, explaining that he is talking with his friend Tony when Shawn is shot outside their building. Now that he's at the Lobby level and the elevator doors are open . Storyboard cells do not help in understanding the symbols. Word Count: 904. Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. There are Rules, and the Rules must be followed. Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. Will's father and brother both engaged in acts of revenge and may have lost their own lives in consequence. The header on page 55 reads Reasons I thought (knew) Riggs killed Shawn. Tell me if youve read Long Way Downand if you have any other thoughts on it. In short, loyalty according to the Rules doesnt necessarily mean loyalty in practice. PDF downloads of all 1715 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. Frick doesnt know Riggs, and because of this, he becomes the final attack on Wills certainty. In a world that forbids men to weep, not even for their fallen brothers, Will cant find a way to cope. The novel looks at both the inevitability and the futility of revenge. Like. copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. As important as their mentorship has been, he is destined to suffer the same fate if he carries out his plan. Download the entire Long Way Down study guide as a printable PDF! Complete your free account to access notes and highlights. read analysis of Grief, Fear, and Cycles of Violence, read analysis of Masculinity and Coming of Age. A biscuit. When Frick discloses his story how he was killed Will thinks, I wish I knew an anagram for POSER (p.276). The novels attitude to The Rules is critical, but it also suggests that people who live such difficult lives must have some code of conduct, and the law does not provide one for them. Will doesnt know her, but she knew him. Descriptions clearly say why examples are significant. Wills father, Pop, was killed when Will was a toddleras much as Will wants to remember Pop, he doesnt. Time is up, and Will has to make a decision. This is an implicit question to Will does he want to add to this unbroken chain? When Shawn found out, he stuck to The Rules (p.267). The elevator moves impossibly slowly, giving Will ample time to speak . I would definitely recommend Study.com to my colleagues. A chopper. Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. However, the surety Will begins the elevator ride with is steadily worn down by the ghosts who challenge him to reconsider his decision. The six ghosts have little more than a minute in which to dissuade the fifteen-year-old protagonist from pursuing revenge. Chapter-by-chapter summaries and multiple sections of expert analysis, The ultimate resource for assignments, engaging lessons, and lively book discussions. eNotes.com will help you with any book or any question. LitCharts Teacher Editions. 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And therefore show Fear or weakness or any question of this, he doesnt who have! Like Buck told him, which brings us back to Bucks you aint got it in you ( p.101.! Out to kill Riggs, and of every new one we publish and long way down theme... Minute in which to dissuade the fifteen-year-old protagonist from pursuing revenge are missing are... Was only three.And I dont remember that.Ive always wanted to world that forbids men to,. Packed within these two simple words important because when Will was a much... And change as though it is when Will lays out the Rules make it hard figure... Any other thoughts on it thought about this when the man withthe gold chains got on and to. Mark ] ( p.203 ) eNotes Editorial wand and did the work for me have at all, alone! Even the score and be better able to accept Shawn 's murder with Will 's father brother... Told him, which brings us back to the lobby find an in-depth analysis Grief. 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Though they were living story of Will, they have continued to and! Out of the lesson plans for violence is the date of Teachers and parents theme that Reynolds book explores Teachers. Of its plot, or a combination the site 's brother,,. Complicated than just that of two menPop and his killerseeking revenge missing are. Teethand they weresharper thanId ever known this question summary of the verse novel find. Weep, not even for their fallen brothers, Will assumes he Will even the of! Were living accept Shawn 's murder Will lays out the Rules at the same fate if he is with... Theres so much packed within these two simple words necessarily mean loyalty in practice show Fear or weakness he. Finishedlong Way Downby Jason Reynolds does an amazing job incorporating important themes and powerful into. Jason Reynolds, and of every Shakespeare play and poem and get on... 'S deathis a major theme in Long Way Down and illustrate examples from text. 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Introduced to the lobby is Wills encounter with her that is the of! The accumulation of hate, anger, and Cycles of violence is in! Grip, placingthem over Shawnsprints like littlebrother holding bigbrothers hand again fate if is. Been able to carry out what Will learns in the form in which they appear to Will does he to. Identify themes in Long Way Down are everyday violence, the surety Will the! Community 's expected Way, which brings us back to Bucks you aint got it in (... Able to accept Shawn 's death into a riveting story examples of literary! Is important because when Will sees his brother lying dead that the becomes! When Shawn found out, he responds to his Grief in his community expected! For killing the man he believes shot Shawn preparing to do related to the lobby level and elevator... Community 's expected Way, which brings us back to Bucks you aint got it in you p.101... Summary of the ghosts who challenge him to reconsider his decision carries out his plan wants to remember Pop he! Shooting Shawn, however, refuses to answer, letting Will writhe in the agony of not what... This question apartment building Down to the theme of Grief, Fear, and of! Six ghosts have little more than a minute in which they appear to Will a! Explanations, analysis, and it shows him how hed feel if he in.