This is an example of how the black community is connected by nicknames and how people in this 3rd person account feel so close to City that they already have given him a nickname. It is also interesting to see how he is being recognized and applauded for his achievements in the media and by the deacon himself. This is a representation of how the black community is proud of its members and celebrates each other no matter if they are in the media or just living day-to-day.

We weren’t exposed to many of the “finer” things in life until later on in our lives. I feel like it’s a form of passing judgement and stereotyping.

Mixing with the blues was a speckle of colors, and it seemed like each speck, represented an individual emotion. In other words, the colors symbolized the complexities of sadness, a sadness made of so much more than just a single emotion.

From this text, I think we can learn that sometimes, even in a chaotic world, small moments of calmness and beauty can be found. This is emphasized by the birds. Since they lay still while the chaos is all around them, and still find solace in being present, it’s an example of stillness amidst the storm. It’s an example of hope and joy that amidst hard times there is still beauty – a reminder to take time and appreciate those small moments of time that we have.

It is important for all readers to take a moment and re-read the text to find what universal lessons and understandings of peace and joy the writer has suggested. Does the presence of the birds mean something more? Could its symbolism provide further understanding of the message of hope that is presented in the text?

The protagonist was shocked to find Sooo Sad in the shed of a family they were visiting. Sooo Sad had bruises all over him and was handcuffed and chained. His body smelled bad and he was wearing only white undergarments and mismatched socks. It was clear he had been mistreated.

The protagonist spoke to Sooo Sad and found out that he was an illegal immigrant who had been brought to the family’s house to work for them. He was held in the shed and was not provided any food or water. The protagonist then helped Sooo Sad escape and take refuge in a nearby church.

This text is about the protagonist finding a man mistreated and held captive in the shed of a family the protagonist was visiting. The man, Sooo Sad, was there illegally as a slave to the family. The protagonist freed the man and helped him take refuge in a nearby church. Now reread the text with this summary in mind. Is there anything you would add to this summary? Please let me know what you are thinking about the text in your reply.

The house was empty and it felt like a ghostly kind of absence. This hints at Grandma’s having some kind of secret that’s being left out. It draws readers in to want to find out more. Let’s look closer to decipher any other choices the writer has made and what they could mean for the story.

Grandma was a very frugal woman who liked to make the most of her resources. She didn’t like to let anything go to waste, so she preserved and reused things whenever possible. Grandma was also very creative and had a knack for making use of multiple items for various projects. She was the kind of person who could make something out of nothing and never let an opportunity go to waste.

City finds himself in an exciting, yet potentially dangerous situation when his grandmother isn’t home and he has the chance to investigate the white man in the work shed. While searching for the shed key, City finds his grandmother’s key chain that has a heavy pocket blade connected to it. His grandmother always insisted he not hold the knife, but it was highly formidable. Now City must decide if he should take the risk of investigating the shed even further.

It is possible that City has a connection with the shed, and this connection can be seen in the way he describes it as familiar and as if it has a history of being used by his grandfather. This is a counter-argument to the idea that City simply sees the shed as an old and worn-out structure. To support this counter-argument, we could look to evidence from the text that shows how City notices and appreciates the nuances of the shed, like the hue of its vinyl siding, the scratches from a marker, the baseball-sized hole, and the sawdust on the floor. Furthermore, we could look for sources that discuss the importance of familial connections and memory, and how objects can be viewed as a reminder of the past. This could help us further understand City’s connection to the shed.

” (Laymon 79).
This sentence is important as it shows the protagonist, City, making important steps to investigate the claim of the “witch” and her family legacy. By demonstrating City investigating, it sets the scene for what the central theme of “Long Division” is — discovery (both of a family legacy and the character’s own identity). Laymon explores the theme of discovery by having City engage in the process of uncovering her identity and family history in the present and the past. This allows the reader to connect with the protagonist and explore what it means to uncover secrets, and also grapple with the impact of that discovery.

The background information needed to understand this text is the setting and context of the novel. “Long Division” takes place in the fictional town of Wheaton, Mississippi and is set in the modern day South. Laymon emphasizes the importance of understanding the ways in which history affects identity, while also exploring the effects of racial identity in the American South. By understanding the connections between history and identity, as well as how the American South shaped these two forces, readers can gain an insightful understanding of the novel’s deeper themes.

Re-read the text and consider how Laymon conveys the central theme of discovery as well as the ways in which the setting of the American South shape the characters’ actions and reactions. Think about how you would have reacted to City’s position in the novel and how it differs from yours, then use that as a launching point to continue the conversation.

This sentence is important as it helps readers to imagine the physical space, allowing them to visualize the setting and its characters. This informs the narrative and gives an insight into Grandma’s character – her creative, can-do attitude. Additionally, it helps to set the scene, contributing to an overall atmosphere.

The kitchen table was the stage for solving the world’s problems, debates, storytelling and jokes.

This sentence is important for understanding the dynamics of the space. It emphasizes the spirit of togetherness, understanding, and appreciation for each other; even as the family members have their disagreements, the kitchen can still provide an oasis of safety and comfort. In addition, the phrase “stage for” introduces a theatrical element, suggesting creativity and demonstrating how the space was filled with emotion and life. It further emphasizes how the kitchen could act as a place for the family and guests to connect with each other.

The kitchen was the heart of the home.

This sentence serves as a summary and conclusion for the paragraph, tying together the two previous sentences. It showcases the importance of the kitchen to the family and serves as a powerful reminder that family love and connections are timeless.

This text offers an insight into an essential bond that ties family together – that of the kitchen as a source of warmth, connection and comfort. To delve deeper into the text, readers could focus further on the symbolism of the kitchen as an emotional space, and explore the ways in which it can become a refuge or a platform for gathering. I invite you to re-read this text and share anything interesting that you find about the kitchen and its role in the family.

We can see that Laymon is using a unique storytelling technique by using non-linear approaches – which leads to us having to puzzle together the narrative in order to make sense of what is going on. This heightens the reader’s engagement with the story, as it makes us active participants in the process of interpreting the text and building the narrative. What do you think of this approach, [Name]?

The smell of Rum and gunpowder was enough to make you gag. – “Long Division”

This sentence is important to the text because it reveals the physical atmosphere of the setting and hints at the struggle the protagonist may experience as he is confronted with violence. The mention of rum and gunpowder establishes a temporal setting of the greater conflict, likely hinting at a violent clash between two parties.

The protagonist’s attempt at evading the violence is further illustrated when the narrator states, “I looked around for somewhere to hide, but it was too late. I had to get out of there fast”. This sentence is important because it illustrates the fear and urgency experienced by the protagonist as he tries to stay alive in a dangerous situation.

The further description of the protagonist’s emotional state is conveyed when they mention “My heart stopped when I felt the barrel of a gun against my back”. This sentence is important as it helps to portray the fear that the narrator is facing as he faces the possibility of violence.

The background knowledge needed to understand this text more deeply is its social and historical context. This involves researching the type of society in which the novel is set, identifying the sources of violence that frame the violent clash in this scene, and understanding the type of racial, identity and societal challenges the protagonist faces.

Reading this passage a second time can help to identify small details or clues that provide further context to these topics. So why not take a few minutes and re-read this text and explore what further knowledge you can find?

Inside of her small toolshed, neighborhood kids called it El Mafoofo; Grandma called it her Fortune 500 company – “Grandma, Inc.”
This sentence is important because it displays Laymon’s ability to use humor to address serious or sensitive topics. Here, he uses humor to talk about the institution of racism within America. The term “Grandma, Inc” gives a clever and lighthearted way to talk about the establishment of racial hierarchies which has disadvantaged and dismissed Black people for centuries.

Furthermore, the statement “inside of her small toolshed, neighborhood kids called it ‘El Mafoofo’" is important as it gives a sense of a thriving community. Despite the fact that they are living under oppressive conditions, they are able to find the joy and humor in it, showing resilience and adaptability.

Laymon’s use of humor to address serious and sensitive topics allows readers to connect with the material on a deeper level. It adds an element of relatability that allows readers to empathize and reflect on a more personal level, whereas a purely serious description would create a more distant experience.

Inviting you to re-read this text and to think about how Laymon uses humor to make valuable points in an entertaining way. See if you can find any other examples of this and feel free to share them in a reply.

His chin quivered as he tried to stop a flood of tears. He had experienced all the horrors this world has to offer, and he had suffered enough.