Davis English 9

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Witness Act I

1. As you answer, be sure to include details from the text in the form of quotations or paraphrases. Include the page #.

2. Include a proper school heading, the journal number, Title and author. Write out the question on all journals.

QUESTIONS

Act I (pages 3-31)

In Act I, we are introduced to the characters of Lenora Sutter and Esther Hirsh. What do these two characters have in common? How are their situations similar? Give evidence to support your answer.

posted by Davis @ 12:13 PM  

94 Comments:

  • At 1:01 PM , Blogger Moriah said...

    Moriah Denler
    Davis
    English 9
    February 17, 2010

    In the novel Witness by Karen Hesse Esther and Lenora both are the outcasts of society. Lenora has to deal with racism everyday because of the color of her skin; "I told daddy I wasn't going to school today. He said of course you are"(Witness 13). Every day Lenora has to be brave and face another day of teasing. Esther, since Jewish, was the only friend of Lenora; “Only Esther didn't mind about me being colored"(Witness 3). The two were brought together by the torment each had to go through throughout the days. Both of them because of their differences are separated from society; “Separated... from all those limb-tight white girls"(Witness 3). Both were different and different was bad. The only difference between the two was that Esther was Jewish and Lenora was african american. Both Esther and Lenora had their differences but were brought together by their similarities.

     

  • At 1:03 PM , Blogger John N said...

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  • At 1:04 PM , Blogger Sam Crawford said...

    In Karen Hesse novel Witness Leanora Sutter and Esther Hirsh are similar in the way that they are both young and always stay positive. Leanora is a young girl that always stays positive;I leaped and swept through the fountain of youth(Hesse...3). With all the tough times that are going on she is able to stay positive. Esther is also a young girl that goes through a lot but he still remains happy and positive; "Ester playing in the kitchen with her clothespin dolls.(Hesse...11). With not that much she still remains positive and happy. During the time of the KKK it was very hard to stay positve especially if you were a colored person. Esther and Leanora showed that there are ways to stay positive even if you are a kid.

     

  • At 1:05 PM , Blogger jfootball25 said...

    hi world

     

  • At 1:07 PM , Blogger John N said...

    In "Witness" the main girl, Leanora, and her best friend, Esther, are very similar people. They are both persecuted for how they look, races, and beliefs. "I opened the window to get the stink of her out of my nose". There's a phrase that says "Misery loves its company" and this is true in "Witness". Both the girls aren't liked or trusted, so they turn to one another in hope of finding anyone that will be kind and care for them."Only Esther would roll out the company best for a colored girl". Common sufferings turned the two girls together and friendship is keeping them together.

     

  • At 1:07 PM , Blogger callien said...

    Esther and Leanora are different in that they don't believe in the same things. Even if they do, Leanora is the only one who truly shows it. Leanora shows it by sticking up for herself. Esther is scared and doesn't have as much courage and definitely does not show herself if the same way. For instance, Leanora sticks up for herself a lot. In the story the men threaten her to light her on fire. She does the right thing by walking away from it. She clearly represented herself in the best way she could. Leanora is a black girl that doesn't have the same opportunity as most children because of her color. Esther for instance is a bit different. She is a Jewish girl. She is the witness of crimes and does not stop them. She doesn't realize the consequences of what is going on. The similarities between the two are that they are both apart of a none aryan race. They are both discriminated against, judges and treated with no respect. The two girls are definitely similar with many differences.

     

  • At 1:07 PM , Blogger baby_chick123 said...

    In Karen Hesse's novel "Witness" the characters Leanora and Esther are similar because they both are very concerned about the Klan and all of the racism that is surrounding them. They are both also concerned about death. Leanora claims that she will not go to school because of the harassment that she is being put under by a white boy.“ I told daddy I wasn't going back to school... daddy said: of course you are”(Hesse 13). This shows that her fathers thinks she needs to be tough, she needs to make sure that she gets an education, even if she encounters racism at school. Esther “ In New York... whose poor head did have a bullet inside it...daddy said that bullets are a very bad thing...you can even get a shooting in the head and still be okay...so it has to be true”(Hesse 17). Esther is worried about the senator who has been shot. Still a young child, she believes what her father and Sara say. Blind trust of adults. Instead of believing something for herself she believes her father and Sara thinking that they are right. Leanora is scared because a fellow school-mate was literally bullied to death the day before.“ He got himself killed yesterday...this time the sand slid right down on top of Lewis and buried him... I am being buried, too, in whiteness”(Hesse 27). Lewis was killed by bullies, the sand was pushed on top of him and he drowned. Leanora is being buried by to cruelness that the white people in her life display. Both girls display similarities through their opinions about death, the Klan, and racism.

     

  • At 1:08 PM , Blogger Katey said...

    In the book Witness by Karen Hesse Leonora and Esther have things and common, but some things very different. Leonora is black, Esther is white. They are both not racist, though. It seems like Esther is pretty young and doesn't really know what racism is yet, but Leonora is old enough to understand it and she gets her feelings really hurt by it. "Only Esther didn't mind me being colored" (3). Leonora and Esther are both witnessing things that aren't right for them to see because they are both innocent. Esther saw the preacher sexually abusing someone. "Johnny stood up.. and a girl did stand up.." (9). Leonora is being called horrible names and what not when it's not even her fault, and there's nothing she can do about it. "You're already useless.. brown island" (7). Esther and Leonora are friends because neither are racist, and they are going through similar troubles.

     

  • At 1:09 PM , Blogger Jalin 65 said...

    Jalin Mckinnon
    Witness, Karen Hesse

    In Karen Hesse novel Witness, the characters Leonora and Esther are similar in that they both are little girls in a very racist community. Every day they both have to deal with people making fun of the, for Leonora its that she is African American In a time when people hate African Americans because of their color. For Esther its that she gets made fun of for being nice to Leanora. Back then if you went against the KKK s beliefs they would kill you. And the little girls both refer back to their past when something happens.

     

  • At 1:11 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

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  • At 1:12 PM , Blogger alexy said...

    In ACT One of Karen Hesse's novel Witness two characters are introduced, Ester and Leanora who have many similarities and very few differences. The two girls both grew up with no mother. On page 5 Esther states that her a daddy were going to live with Sara Chickering nd doesn't mention anything about a mother, Sara Chickering is more of a mother figure to her. Leonora on the other hand had a mother but Percelle Johnson said that she died of a sickness(pg. 8). Both girls were motherless and penniless. Esther grew up in New York in a poor part of town where she watched people die of starvation and suicide (pg 17). While Leanora was poor due to her race and not being excepted. She was the only dark skinned girl in her school and her dad said she was "already nothing but a wild brown island". Leanora wasn't necessarily "penniless" with money but she was penniless of friends and people who had respect for her. Esther and Leanora lead similar lives but come from completely different backgrounds.

     

  • At 1:13 PM , Blogger Lexi612 said...

    Lexi Mercier Period 6
    Act 1 of "Witness" is mostly explaining who all the characters are, and two main characters are Leonora Sutter and Esther Hirsh. Both characters are very independent as a result from their situations. Leonora had to deal with being separated from most people because of her race; “separated...from those limb-tight white girls”(pg3). Esther, on the other hand had to deal with not having a mother; “to have our livings in Vermont with Sarah Chickering” (pg5). Both girls had to be strong because of everything they were going through. “felt like skidding on ice as I read.."(pg7) Leonora had been called names and threatened by bullies at her school. “ a girl did stand up....” Esther had seen the preacher do something to a girl by the riverbank. But in the end both characters are independent;“I didn't feel the cold, I was that scorched.”Leonora would get angry at the kids at school who were mean to her. “only esther didn't mind about me being colored.”(pg3) Esther didn't care about race or didn't even think about it. Overall these two characters are similar in what they've been through.

     

  • At 1:13 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Savannah Anderson
    Witness, Karen Hesse

    In Karen Hesse's novel “Witness,” the characters of Leanora Sutter and Esther Hirsh are similar in a way that some do not realize. When the Ku Klux Klan moves into the small Vermont town that the two young girls inhabit, neither are safe. Leanora is twelve, and African American. Esther is six, and Jewish. The Klan is against anyone who thinks themselves superior to the Christian religion. “...we cast those who are not like us into the arms of Satan.” (Hesse, 31). Johnny Reeves is a strong racist who is against anyone who is inferior to him. Leanora feels discriminated against because of the racism at school. “I am being buried, too, in all this whiteness.” (Hesse, 27). Esther is discriminated against, but is too young to realize. “...and Johnny Reeves did yell and make fist shakings at me...” (Hesse, 9). Johnny Reeves is racist against anyone inferior to himself, and has a point to make it known to everyone. The Klan has moved into town, making days outside home extremely dangerous for Leanora and Esther.

     

  • At 1:13 PM , Blogger JTJ10 said...

    Leanora and Esther are two people with some stuff in common, they are both disliked by the KKK and whites, but liked each other. Leanora is black and many whites dislike her; “separated on the stage from all those limb-tight white girls.”(3). White girls disliked how she is black so they won't dance with her. Esther is the only person that liked Leanora; "Only Esther didn't mind about me being colored."(3). Esther was a true friend to Leanora and didn't care that she was black. When Leanora was dancing some people left; “Opened window…to get the stink of Leanora…out of the room”(4). Leanora only caused people to leave because she was black. being Jewish Esther also had trouble being liked by the community. Esther and Leanora were both disliked, but the were nice to each other.

     

  • At 1:14 PM , Blogger Autumn S said...

    In Karen Hesses novel Witness the Characters Leanora and Esther are similar/different in many ways. One way is that they are kind and they don't mind about what people think. Leanora "....Only Esther doesn't mind that I'm color" Esther isn't races and Leanora isn't ether. One day Leanora came home from school wet and cold. She had a bad day and Esther gave her one of the companies good quilts. Only Esther will do that. Both Esther and Leanora believes there parents. Esther "In New York... i did see someone whose poor head... did have a bullet inside it... have blood everywhere in the street... where he did sleep so still...daddy said that bullets is a bad thing... sometimes when you get shot in the head you'll be ok... so it has to be true." Learnora " willie torn a article from the paper... daddy said:how alone do you want to be learnora? you're already nothing but a wild black island"

     

  • At 1:14 PM , Blogger sarah said...

    In the Witness by Karen Hesse, the two characters Lenora Sutter and Esther Hirsh they both are similar and live in similar situations. First Lenora, is a young colored girl that suffers from racism. She quotes “ it felt like skidding on ice” Pg.(3) saying how much it hurts to have people look down on you. Ester on the other hand had no mother, was homeless and lots of people looked down upon her. Leonora may have had a mother but lots of people looked down upon her and she had a ruff time. she is very independent a strong willed. she also encountered the preacher doing something to another girl, "when i looked another girl ran away from the preacher"pg.(28) And Leanora had to hear about the little boy that was killed. “i am being buried to in all of this whiteness”pg.(27) she says this because when the little boy was killed everyone was saying it was his fault even though, he was bullied to death. see Leanora and ester are both similar they both live in good conditions they are both more on the poor end. And they both have to go through dealing with other people judging them wrongly.

     

  • At 1:14 PM , Blogger Alex Y said...

    In Karen Hesse's Witness , the characters Leonora and Esther are similar in that they both had someone they knew die in a very bad way. Leonora said that Lewis was killed by bullies, "He(Lewis) got himself killed yesterday... this time the sand slid right down on top of him and buried him... I am being buried, too, in whiteness." (Hesse,27). She hated witnessing that and wished she didn't. Also Esther saw a person being shot to death."In New York... whose poor head did have a bullet inside it..." (Hesse,17). They hated to see this and they didn't like it, they also need to have a better life. "I told daddy I wasn't going back to school." (Hesse, 13).

     

  • At 1:14 PM , Blogger Alex Y said...

    This comment has been removed by the author.

     

  • At 1:15 PM , Blogger jfootball25 said...

    In "Witness" the main girl, Leanora, and her best friend, Esther, are very similar people.They are both persecuted for how they look, races, and beliefs. "I opened the window to get the stink of her out of my nose". There's a phrase that says "Misery loves its company" and this is true in "Witness". Both the girls aren't liked or trusted, so they turn to one another in hope of finding anyone that will be kind and care for them."Only Esther would roll out the company best for a colored girl". Common sufferings turned the two girls together and friendship is keeping them together.

     

  • At 1:16 PM , Blogger KevinH said...

    In Karen Hesses novel Witness , the characters leonora and Ester are similar in that they both are being discriminated against. "The preacher man Johnny reeves didn't have anything to say at the river bank." This is inferring that she got raped and there was nothing to about it. This relates to leonora because she can't do anything about the racist people at her school.

     

  • At 1:16 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Katie Gillen
    In Karen Hesse novel Witness Leanora and Esther are the same in the ways that they both are getting affect by the hatred that is going around. Esther is blinded by adults and how she trust them, where Leanora is facing it first hand; “He {lewis} got himself killed...i am being buried too in all this whiteness...” (Hesse...27) The fact that Leanora say that she's getting buried in all off it to demonstrate how the emotional aspect is hurting her. To the point where she almost feels like it suffocating her. Another way they are alike is how they are different color but neither are racist. With Leanora being twelve and Esther being six, and yet they both have their own individual mind set. Its amazing to see that a six year old being exposed to both Sara and her dad views she still has her own ways; “...only Esther didn't mind about me being colored.” (Hesse...3) The way she talks earlier about how all the other girls didn't want to dance with her nor did they, and us not being able to see what age they were or what their parents saw African American, but a six year old didn't mind. On the other hand, since we weren't able to see how their parents view the Klu Klux Klan, we don't truly know if the girls were not dancing with her because of her color or because their parents didn't like her color. Could Esther and they other children be blinded by trust in their parents? “In new york...whose poor head did have a bullet inside it...daddy says that bullets are a very bad thing...you can even get a shooting in the head and still be okay...so it has to be true.” She believed her dad because of the fact she trust him, and if every child back then was the same way; how do we know if they wont grow up and feel different. So in ways I do believe they are alike, but in some I would have to see how they feel when they grow up.

     

  • At 1:17 PM , Blogger Zach said...

    Leanora and Esther are both girls that are part of a hated nationality. These two girls both have to put up with a lot of racism at school or in other aspects of their life, however they both handle it well. Leanora is black and Esther is Jewish, which are both hated by the KKK. These two become friends and share similar views because of their persecution. "Willie handed me an article torn from the town paper. It said: an person to whom an evening of hearty laughter is poison had better keep away from the community club minstrel show Friday evening at the town hall. All others will be admitted for a night of fun brought to you by 22 genuine black-faced coons." They both had to deal with this racism and had parents that had trouble supporting their families. There is nothing they can do about their situations except waiting for improvement in the American society.

     

  • At 1:24 PM , Blogger isaac3777ahsfootball said...

    isaac

    Esther and lenora are alike because they both have to face bulling and discrimination. lenora has a lot of trouble at school with bully making fun of her because of her color."Willie said at the clain meeting last night the dragons talked about lighting your daddy up on a cold day to get some warmth on a cold day." Esther also has trouble with people judging her. "Esther dragged my best quilt into the kitchen and worked it up over Leanora shoulders. only Esther would go lugging out the companies best for a colored girl.

     

  • At 1:24 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Kaley Smith
    In Karen Hesse's book Witness the characters Leanora Sutter and Esther Hirsh are opposites. Leanora and Esther are outcasts but Leanora is angry about it and Esther is a happy little girl. Leanora knows shes different and is sick of white people;"I'm buried in all this whiteness"("Hesse" 27). She doesn't want to take it any more. Esther just lives her life; "I do catch the wiggle fish through a hole..in the ice." She doesn't let her race effect her. Leanora lets all the mean stuff people say bother her; "As I read i felt like twisting steel"("Hesse"7). Leanora ia angry about how mean people are and Esther just lives her life.

     

  • At 1:30 PM , Blogger Zach said...

    Leanora and Esther are both girls that are part of a hated nationality. These two girls both have to put up with a lot of racism at school or in other aspects of their life, however they both handle it well. Leanora is black and Esther is Jewish, which are both hated by the KKK. These two become friends and share similar views because of their persecution. "Willie handed me an article torn from the town paper. It said: an person to whom an evening of hearty laughter is poison had better keep away from the community club minstrel show Friday evening at the town hall. All others will be admitted for a night of fun brought to you by 22 genuine black-faced coons." They both had to deal with this racism and had parents that had trouble supporting their families. There is nothing they can do about their situations except waiting for improvement in the American society. "I did ask daddy to have out livings in Vermont with Sara Chickering for keeps." Esther has a white person that is nice to her and Esther really likes her. Leanora met Sara when Sara let her in her house because she was very cold. Esther was there and wrapped her in a nice blanket. These two girls are both desperate because of their poverty. "I leaped my way through the fountain of youth." These girls don't care what people think of them, they are just going to be themselves and enjoy their life.

     

  • At 3:39 PM , Blogger Luke Marshall said...

    Luke Marshall
    Davis
    English 9
    February 17, 2010


    In Karen Hesse's novel Witness Leanora and Esther are similar in that they are both discriminated against and outcasts. Leanora is a young African-American girl and Esther is a young Jewish girl therefore they need to stick together; “Esther didn’t mind about me being colored” (Hesse 3). They are both ‘different’ compared to everyone else. The people are racist at school and they don’t want to be there; “I told daddy I wasn’t going back to school…daddy said: of course you are” (Hesse 13). She gets teased every day but she has to suffer through it. Leonora isn’t having a good life at all; “Felt like skidding on ice…felt like twisting steel…” (Hesse 7). The things that these girls deal with are terrible. Esther and Leanora are very much alike; they both deal with discrimination in school and are outcasts.

     

  • At 6:03 PM , Blogger Allen said...

    in the book "witness" by Karen Hesse esther and leanora are both descriminated upon and are the outsiders of the people. Leanora is put down and rejected by many people because of the color of her skin and how shes african american.
    esther on the other hand is hated because shes a jew and during this time they were descriminated upon and many were killed just because they were so called "the reasoning for all the troubles, less than us, and demon type people." in the story esther mentions how she doesnt mind the fact that leanora was colored and leanora thought it was weird in a way but she liked it. Esther and Leanora who have many similarities and very few differences should become good friends and get to know each other more because they could really help each other out in the end and be there for each other through out all the troubles with school the newspapers and the KKK.

     

  • At 6:25 PM , Blogger Jenny L said...

    In Karen Hesse novel "Witness" the characters Lenora Sutter and Esther Hirsh are different because Lenora only feels heat from the cruel world around her and Esther is at peace with the world surrounding her. When Lenora is dancing she explains how she feels separated from all the other white girls on stage; "The ones who wouldn't dance with a negro...but they wouldn't touch any brown girl"(3). Feeling this alone and different from everyone else Lenora becomes frustrated and angry with the world. Esther bring the complete opposite of Leonora is nice to her even though she is black; “only Esther didn’t mind about me being colored” (3). This trait of Esther’s describes how Esther doesn’t notice color while it is all Leonora thinks about. Another example of just how at peace with the world Esther is, when she found Leonora wandering around she was the kindest host anyone could ask for; “only Esther would go lugging out the company best for a colored girl”(11). This act of kindness Esther thought nothing of, while Mrs. Chickering and Leonora were astonished. Esther is kindhearted only wanting the best for everyone else without completely understanding the changing world around her while Leonora feels the weight of the racist world crushing down on her.

     

  • At 7:18 PM , Blogger valgavi23 said...

    Valentina Gatica
    English 9
    In the book Witness by Karen Hesse characters Leonora and Esther have similar lives and obstacles to face throughout there lives. Leonora can be known as and outcast because her color and Esther is just a girl who also isn’t on the top rank of society. Leonora and Esther are friends for they both don’t mind the different features of each other; “Only Esther didn’t mind about me being colored” (Witness…3). They see past each others differences and maintain a close relationship. Both girls can become harassed or harmed in different ways. How Leonora is always picked on by white people and Esther because she is young still doesn’t understand much; “I told daddy I wasn’t going to go to school, Daddy said yes you are” (Witness…13). People taking advantage of them or feeling like they are little importance is something they have in common. While both think there lives are bad they see how other people have difficulties too; “Seeing people starving on the streets of New York”(Witness…19). Even though Leonora and Esther have completely different lives they both suffer from similar obstacles.

     

  • At 7:53 PM , Blogger da-artistBS said...

    Bailey Smith
    2/17/10
    period 6


    In Witness, a novel by Karen Hesse, Leanora Sutter and Esther Hirsh are similar because of their situtations, both in family life and society, and that they are upset by thier situation. In act one, the author reveals that both of them are motherless; "...seeing those two motherless children in my kitchen, before the stove...(Hesse page 12). In the first act of the book, it is also established that Leanora is an African-American and that Esther is Jewish; "...but they wouldn't touch any brown skin girl..."(Hesse page 3). This book takes place in the 1920's, and the fact that Leanora is black and that Esther is Jewish joins them together in dosplacement. Through out act one, the reader can see that both children upset and confused about their situation; "...why can't folks just leave me alone?" (Hesse page 7). Leanora is constantly harassed for being African-American, and it offends her deeply. Even though Leanora and Esther seem different at first, they are surprisingly similar in family life, their place in society, and their reactions to their situation.

     

  • At 12:23 PM , Blogger howdy95 said...

    Dominick Brevig

    Davis English 9 period 6

    In Karen Hesse's Witness, the characters Leanora and Esther are similar in the fact that they are both out casted from the Ku Klux Klan, and many in society. Esther is Jewish, a religion that is not very common in America. The reason that the Klan does not like this is because they are Christian, and exclude anything inferior to the American way of life. Leanora is an African American, and is also excluded from the Klan because of her race; "The ones who wouldn't dance with a Negro" (Karen Hesse page 3). This is what makes Leanora and Esther different. Also some of the town’s folk see them as inferior to the Christian religion as well; “We shall reign in the kingdom neighbor. We shall form a great fist, and we shall still those who oppose us” (Karen Hesse page 31). Lastly they are both poor; "to have our livings in Vermont with Sara Chickering" (Karen Hesse page 5). They are poor because of their race and religion, making it hard for them to get a job. Leanora and Esther are both treated differently because of the small things that make them who they are. I foresee them becoming friends in the future.

     

  • At 12:25 PM , Blogger sarah said...

    i agree with moriah! i think you did a good job explaining how the two characters are similar. i think you said it all briefly and good!

     

  • At 12:27 PM , Blogger da-artistBS said...

    I agree with AlexLY (Alex Younkes). Your points were valid and they were not very obvious in the book; great detective work! Also, I like your use of paraphrasing and quotes; it is an interesting combination that doesn't make the writing boring.
    WAY TO GO!!!

     

  • At 12:27 PM , Blogger howdy95 said...

    Allen, I agree with the fact that in the future Leanora, and Esther will become great allies, because of how they are different from others. It is funny what can drive two people together. Dominick Brevig

     

  • At 12:27 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Alex Younkes. I liked how you started you paragraph not only your topic sentence but how you added an extra sentence to explain your point better

     

  • At 12:28 PM , Blogger Allen said...

    lucas marshall i agree with you in the fact that they need to stick together and how they are very much alike. they are both outsiders of the people but they can get alone with each other and help get through things when needed.

     

  • At 12:28 PM , Blogger Sam Crawford said...

    I agree with you Bailey because their lives are very similar in the fact that they both are going through some tough times in their lives. They are two very unfortunate girls but they still manage to get the best of their situations.

     

  • At 12:29 PM , Blogger Moriah said...

    CAITLIN!
    I agreed with the comment that each girl had to deal with racism and dealing with the Klan. How are they similar in their ideas about death? I don't completely understand your logic. Overall it was a wonderful piece!

     

  • At 12:29 PM , Blogger alexy said...

    I agree with Bailey Smith because Leanora was poor because of her race and Ester was poor because of her religion. They both had tough lives as young children. That is why I agree with BAILEY!

     

  • At 12:29 PM , Blogger Katey said...

    I agree with Katie in how they both are being surrounded by hatred, but in different ways. It's a good example of how they are alike and different at the same time.

     

  • At 12:29 PM , Blogger callien said...

    Kevin! Try to go into further detail about what happened to the them. See things from the characters perspectives and show what they were thinking!Try and tell how what happened to the charactors reflects on how they react. Once you do that i think that your paragraph will sound more developed.

     

  • At 12:29 PM , Blogger Autumn S said...

    I like how Allen commented on how both Esther and Leanora both are different but by there differents they are best friends.

     

  • At 12:30 PM , Blogger howdy95 said...

    KevinH, how does this comment show the simalarities between Esther, and Leanora, it only shows that Johnny Reeves is not a good man. Dominick Brevig

     

  • At 12:30 PM , Blogger C.P. said...

    I agree with Moriah Denler's opinion on the similarities of Leanora Sutter and Esther Hirsh. They are both truly outcasts of society due to their color, and religion. She seems to explain this fact very well, and keeps you drawn into the writing.

     

  • At 12:30 PM , Blogger Zach said...

    Alex Y...
    I agree with your comment and the points you made. The idea of comparing that both the girls had witnessed murders was a very effective tactic. Both of the girls have been through a lot and your comment proved just how tough life was for them.

     

  • At 12:30 PM , Blogger Jalin 65 said...

    I agree with jfootball25 because what he said is very true and his facts are correct. I like all the quotes from the book that u used. I like what u said about "Common sufferings turned the two girls together and friendship is keeping them together".

     

  • At 12:31 PM , Blogger JTJ10 said...

    I think Jack needs to give reasons why Leanora and Esther are similar then just saying they are both discriminated because of their race and only using one example to tell Leanora is discriminated but not say that Esther has been discriminated.

     

  • At 12:31 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Moriah I love how you concluded your paragraph by saying that they were different but brought together by their similarities. The word choice helps end the paragraph well

     

  • At 12:31 PM , Blogger valgavi23 said...

    Valentina Gatica
    Period 6
    I agree on what Zach said throughout his paragraph, I like the quote that states, "Both girls come from a hated nationality", it clearly states the position both girls are coming from. I agreed with all of his sentences about how both of their races are disliked by the KKK and how they struggle through daily lives because of racism. I believed they quote from the book "Black-Faced coons is very strong and it shows the life of both leonora and esther.

     

  • At 12:31 PM , Blogger callien said...

    I agree with luke because it is important for those who are being segragated against to stick together so they can think of the good things. It is much easier to get along with people that you can relate to.

     

  • At 12:31 PM , Blogger Sam Crawford said...

    I think you are totally right Allen the two girls were hugely discriminated and they both have their own problems. You can see when two people are outcast that they can come together.

     

  • At 12:31 PM , Blogger Alex Y said...

    Valentina, i liked what you said I thought that you explained what you thought about the characters well. I agree with the situation that the two are in and the struggles that they both go through.

     

  • At 12:31 PM , Blogger Luke Marshall said...

    I agree with Bailey, she said they were both confused and upset about their situation and I agree they are.

     

  • At 12:32 PM , Blogger Unknown said...

    Moriah,
    i disagree because ester was not discriminated agents because of her skin color. but i liked tour word choice in this sentence..."Every day Lenora has to be brave and face another day of teasing."

    P.S i like your picture!

     

  • At 12:32 PM , Blogger Prettynpink62091 said...

    In Witness by Karen Hess, Lenora and Esther are very similar they both have to deal with being teased. Lenora (Pg.13)"I told Daddy i wasn't going to school today, he said of course you are." Each day Lenora has to go to school knowing nothing is going to change and she is just going to be made fun of for being colored, something that she can't control.
    Esther faces the same issues but because she is Jewish. The kids make fun and tease but they never really stop to think about how Esther would feel.
    Those two girls connected by the force of the kids making fun of them.

     

  • At 12:32 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I agree with Valentina because, indeed, Leanora and Esther face similar obstacles when it comes to discrimination and rank in society. The only difference is that Leanora is old enough to realize that she is being picked on and humiliated, while Esther is too young to notice. But while both girls face obstacles that make life difficult, they realize the friendship between themselves, and keep it strong by supporting each other through everything they are forced to endure.

     

  • At 12:32 PM , Blogger nacho.man said...

    Ty Butcher
    Mrs. Davis
    Feb 17 2010

    In Karen Hesse's Novel Witness, the characters Leanora and Esther are similar in that they are nothing alike. Like when Leanora went to school one day kids were threatening her; "You'd be cheap fuel..." And Esther just lives her life they way she wants;"I do catch the wiggle fish through a hole..in the ice." She wont let her race and other people get the best of her unlike Leanora who lets people get to her.

     

  • At 12:33 PM , Blogger baby_chick123 said...

    Katie G.,
    I really liked how how you compared Leanora and Esther. You used good word choice in your writing, for example when you said "The fact that Leanora say that she's getting buried in all off it to demonstrate how the emotional aspect is hurting her. To the point where she almost feels like it suffocating her. Another way they are alike is how they are different color but neither are racist." I thought this was really good examples and really draws attention to what the character is feeling. You supported your opinion with good lead-ins and lead-outs. Good Job!
    Caitlin

     

  • At 12:33 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I agree with Moriah because of how she said that they are different but yet the same. I also agree with Bailey and how she showed and explained they were the same but started out different.

     

  • At 12:33 PM , Blogger Lexi612 said...

    Bailey,
    I agree with you because both characters where alike in family life and society. The examples you gave with the quotes were really good and thought out. I also liked how your concluding sentence referred back to the topic sentence almost restating it but in a different way.
    Lexi Mercier per6

     

  • At 12:33 PM , Blogger Autumn S said...

    I like how Callie tells us how both Esther and Leanora are different in ways. How Leanora can stick up for herself and isn't afraid to show people who she really is. And how Esther is afraid to show how she really is and doesn't stick up for herself.

     

  • At 12:33 PM , Blogger Luke Marshall said...

    Kevin, I think you should go into more detail about what they have to suffer through but good job

     

  • At 12:33 PM , Blogger Allen said...

    dear isaac you handsome man you make a good point and i like how you think but put more detail in there and say more about how you think they will turn out

     

  • At 12:34 PM , Blogger da-artistBS said...

    To 'baby_chick123'.
    Although I agree with your position, you didn't use specifics from the novel. I mean, in one sentence you say that Esther and Leanora are concerned about the KKK. In the book, it only mentions Leanora's fear, but Esther doesn't seem to have any fears(or she doesn't show them). Other than that, your writing is great and the response is well organized. Good job!

     

  • At 12:34 PM , Blogger Katey said...

    This comment has been removed by the author.

     

  • At 12:34 PM , Blogger Moriah said...

    JOHN!
    How are both of them prosecuted because of their beliefs? With in the book is doesn't talk about Lenora's beliefs. Overall it was a good piece! Good job!

     

  • At 12:34 PM , Blogger sarah said...

    i agree with katie i think that you gave really good points showing how they both have simi. situations.

     

  • At 12:34 PM , Blogger Jenny L said...

    Zach- Are you sure that they are alike? So far in the book Esther hasn't been discrimnated against by anyone, the book hasn't told us Esther is Jewish we learned this from reading the back cover of the book. Also I don't agree with your statement that Leanora is at peace with the world. When the boys at school say nasty things to her she walks out of school, “they made me mad...I was scorched”(10). It might just me but I don't think that sounds like someone who is at peace with the world surrounding her.

    Kaley- I agree with you completely on them both being discriminated against but it doesn't mean that they are similar at all. I like how you word Esther being just a “happy little girl” while Leanora “knows she is different”.

     

  • At 12:35 PM , Blogger JTJ10 said...

    I agree with Lexi because i think that Leanora and Esther are both individual people. She said that they are individual but in different ways and thats true.

     

  • At 12:35 PM , Blogger nacho.man said...

    I agree with Kaley because Esther and Leanora were different and her facts were good

     

  • At 12:35 PM , Blogger Alex Y said...

    Autumn, try and go more in depth about what your quotes mean and how they explain your point. I didn't fully get what you were pointing out in your paragraph.

     

  • At 12:35 PM , Blogger KevinH said...

    Dominick Brevig

    I thought you had very good comparisons and it really related to my prompted.I liked how you talked about segregation from the clan even tho they were both different from each other. You described how they where both poor to, which made me think about how they were growing up. If they were rich or had power would it be different for them in this situation?

     

  • At 12:35 PM , Blogger C.P. said...

    I agree with Katie Gillen. She supports her stance very well on how Esther and Leanora are similar and different. I also like how she thought deeper then just now, but in their future. The context in this writing was positioned well.

     

  • At 12:36 PM , Blogger howdy95 said...

    Issac3777ahsfootball, how does the company best comment show that Esther is made fun of? What other comments in the bool show that she is?

     

  • At 12:36 PM , Blogger Katey said...

    Callie, you say that Esther needs to tell about the crimes she saw. But shes young. What if she doesn't really realize how bad the crime is, or if its a crime at all? Leonora is an adult so she has a better idea of what is the right thing to do. Also maybe show some examples of why she doesn't have enough courage and what not.

     

  • At 12:36 PM , Blogger baby_chick123 said...

    MORIAH!!!
    I loved your piece! I liked your conclusion. I thought it really tied your writing together in the end to show the girls' true feelings. Good Job!
    Caitlin

     

  • At 12:36 PM , Blogger alexy said...

    This comment has been removed by the author.

     

  • At 12:36 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Isaac
    I wonder if there was a better quote to use to help explain how Esther is bullied. So far of what we have Esther has not been bullied up front but Jews are simply not liked very well. They are not extremely hated and killed like African Americans.

     

  • At 12:37 PM , Blogger Zach said...

    Valentina...
    I disagree with your comment because Jews and blacks were treated equally as badly by the KKK. The KKK martyred any ethnicity that they thought got in the way of the protestant church.

     

  • At 12:39 PM , Blogger nacho.man said...

    Isaac
    How was Esther bullied? It seemed as if it was only Leanora being bullied

     

  • At 12:40 PM , Blogger alexy said...

    baby_chick123 I don't quite understand what you meant by "they were both concerned with death" where in the book does it say this?? Just because Leanora didn't want to go to school doesn't mean she was concerned about getting killed...be more specific. Otherwise i agree with your argument completely! en

     

  • At 12:40 PM , Blogger valgavi23 said...

    Sara your paragraph was really good but the conclusion needs to be a little stronger. You paragraph was very interesting and flowed throughout the article but the concluding sentence was really weak. Also try to go more into explaining each quote. Other than that I really like your writing.

     

  • At 12:41 PM , Blogger tyler shockey said...

    i believe that adults are more mature than teen in the way they treat other people. teens are very judgmental. any little thing you do will be turned into a big deal. adults on the other hand keep to themselves about rumors, or at least most of them do. they don't turn small things into a big thing.

     

  • At 12:41 PM , Blogger Jalin 65 said...

    I agree with Lexi because both of the the characters did have many problems in there life with growing up without a mom and being African American. i like all your quotes u used from the book because everywhere u put one it made since, it wasn't random.

     

  • At 12:42 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I partially agree with Autumn, but I'm wondering if she ever considered the discrimination that Leanora is forced to face at school and how she must deal with that? Because in some passages of the book, Leanora states that she is being affected by the teasing outside home.

     

  • At 12:43 PM , Blogger KevinH said...

    Callie

    I thought you had some great ideas, but when you say ester is a; witness of crimes and doesn't stop them what do you mean?

     

  • At 12:44 PM , Blogger Lexi612 said...

    Crawdaddy19,
    I question when you say that both girls stay positive through all the tough things that they are going through because in the book, Witness Leonora says “i am being buried too, in all this whiteness.”which to me sounds like she is kind of giving up.

    Lexi Mercier per 6

     

  • At 12:44 PM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Autumn, I think your writing was great, though I think you should try and explain your thoughts more.

     

  • At 12:47 PM , Blogger sarah said...

    This comment has been removed by the author.

     

  • At 12:48 PM , Blogger tyler shockey said...

    i think that what you are taught as a baby will be what you believe as you grow older. so if you are born into the KKK it is hard to think differently than your parents taught. if your family joined when you were 13 or 14 however, it would be easier to think differently.

     

  • At 12:50 PM , Blogger Lexi612 said...

    This comment has been removed by the author.

     

  • At 12:55 PM , Blogger John N said...

    I agree with Luke because as he said, Esther and Leanora are very much alike and people who are bullied or teased need someone else there who won't make fun of them. They both share a common bond.

     

  • At 12:56 PM , Blogger John N said...

    to prettynpink

    I think that people who teased Esther do know how she felt and that's why they would make fun of her. They wanted to make her feel bad and they didn't care how she felt.

     

  • At 1:09 PM , Blogger isaac3777ahsfootball said...

    I agree with Allen when he said that it is hard for jews and blacks in this time.

     

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