Journal 4

Scratch Beginnings: May 11, 2010
The events in the last few chapters show a large amount of falling action, besides Adam’s fight with BG. The only issue Adam still has is that BG is always taking his car and not returning it on time. Beyond this Adam is quite well off and has a decent amount of money saved up. What came as the most surprising thing was that Adam and BG got along much better after the fight. Just as all seemed well the story took an unexpected turn and Adam’s adventure came to an end as he had to go home and help his mother and father who had been diagnosed with cancer.
Although the story had a few unexpected turns in the last couple chapters, it seemed quite clear that the story was coming to an end. Adam had achieved everything he had hoped to achieve and more in less time than he had expected. To some degree the story started lose its excitement as we were not left wondering what was going to happen next as each page went on. It seemed a bit obvious that Adam would eventually teach BG his lesson sooner or later, even though it didn’t happen in a manner we really expected.
Adam maintains his adventurous attitude until the very end of the chapter 16. The chapter ends with him saying he was just taking the next step in his life, as if to say this journey would never really end for him. He was just going to keep moving forward trying to become more and more successful. The big twist in his attitude comes in the epilogue where he explains the significance of his story to us Americans. Adam switches to what seems a more negative tone. After experiencing all he did and learning so much about homelessness and poverty, Adam seems upset with the so many Americans who have given up on the American dream. He explains that people would find a lot more enjoyment in life if they didn’t just think of life as something to tolerate. He believes that people need to take charge in their lives if they want their life to have value and be successful. Adam is also upset that so many people who are already well off do nothing to help those in need and explains that it isn’t difficult to find ways to help those who need it.
Adam’s words in the epilogue can definitely be applied to our lives. As students we often question why we need to do this or that in school. Adam explains in this book that we need to take advantage of things in our lives that will help us become successful. Our education gives us an advantage in the world, but only if we make use of it. Also, as people who are not stuck in poverty we have the ability to make a difference in the lives of people who are in poverty. What we can take from reading this story is that success comes from determination and help from others.

Michael Nelson Graphic Organizer ch.15-epilogue

Tyler Johnson Vocab Ch. 15-Epilogue

Pretense- false appearance or action
Debacle- disastrous collapse, total failure
Onset- start
Belated- having been delayed, done to late
Didactic- excessively instructive
Solace- comfort in distress; consolation
Vernacular- everyday language used by ordinary people
Apathetic- indifferent, unconcerned
Flourish- prosper, thrive
Plight- an unfavorable or unfortunate one

Chris Summary Ch. 15-Epliogue

Chapter 15 is the last chapter of Shepard's experiment. The chapter is focused on the growing conflict between BG and Shepard over BG's use of Shepard's truck. BG is continually using Shepard's truck without permission or lying about how long he will be gone or where he is going. Over time this problem escalates and reaches a climax when Shepard gets fed up with BG's lying and attacks him. Shepard looses the fight but as a result BG is begins to realize how much his actions are affecting Shepard and begins to change. By the end of the chapter Shepard and BG are back to being friends. Most of this chapter focuses on Shepard's rising tension due to BG's misuse of his truck, although Shepard takes ample time to explain various reasons behind their actions. At the end of the chapter Shepard is more upbeat and happy that his friendship with BG is now on better terms. Chapter 16 is an overview of the Shepard family's health problems and reasons that Shepard had to cut his experiment short and move home to take care of his mother. This chapter has a more sombre tone because much of it is spent looking retrospectively at his time in Charleston and then looking forward at his parents health problems. The chapter ends with Shepard explaining the truth of his background to BG and then leaving Charleston, ending his experiment. The epilogue is an overview of the experiment and the results that Shepard was able to walk away with. The epilogue reads like a script for some type of motivational talk and there are several cliches that Shepard uses to help demonstrate his ideas for improving society. The epilogue ends by giving the reader three different types of people and asking them to decide which category they fall under.

Michael Nelson vocab ch.13-14

Perpetual-continuing or enduring forever; everlasting.
Confounded-bewildered; confused; perplexed.
Thiamine-a white, crystalline, water-soluble compound of the vitamin-B complex, containing a thiazole and a pyrimidine group.
Nautilus-any cephalopod of the genus Nautilus, having a spiral, chambered shell with pearly septa.
Ramifications-A development or consequence growing out of and sometimes complicating a problem, plan, or statement.
Eloquent-characterized by forceful and appropriate expression.
Cinch-something sure or easy.
Stint-to be frugal; get along on a scanty allowance.
Immaculate- free from fault or flaw; free from errors.
Maalox-an over the counter antacid.

Tyler Johnson Summarizer Ch. 13-14

In chapters 13-14 of the book Adam finally finds a roommate, Bubble Gum. Adam finds Bubble Gum, or BG, from his work partner Derrick. Adam finds BG a very likable person at first, as they have so many things in common. Then he finds out later on that he does not like BG, but he is going to have to deal with him. Later in the chapter Derrick invites BG to join their moving team. Adam does not like this but again just decides that he is going to have to deal with it. One good thing that Adam got out of this was a raise, because Derrick noticed that Adam was having a hard time working with BG. Then near the end of chapter 14 Adam stated that he had finished all of the goals with almost four months to spare. Adam was thinking of quitting early but decided how high up in society he could get.

This section of the book was written much like it was taken out of a journal of his day to day experiences. He would tell how he and BG just argued all day. There was one time where Adam put their whole argument into the book, like he was writing down his problems. He also wrote how he had accomplished his goals for what he wanted to do like a journal.