I'm a writer and blogger who enjoys writing in a variety of genres. Will says the drawer sticks out "like a random, jagged tooth in a perfect mouth." Long Way Down (2017) by Jason Reynolds is a young adult novel in free verse about Will Holloman, a young black boy struggling to make a decision after his brother Shawn is shot dead in the street.Will plans to seek revenge, but before he can leave the elevator of his building, he is greeted by a series of ghosts who confuse and complicate his perspective on Shawn's death and the idea of . Long Way Down tells the story of Will, a 15-year-old boy riding the elevator in his apartment building down to the lobby. Stepping stones can be a metaphor for life in many ways. A battery can be a life metaphor of being drained and recharged through life, such as the daily drain of energy related to work, followed by weekends and evenings in which to recharge. At only fifteen, Will assumes this responsibility as though it is a rite of passage into manhood. Sometimes there are rapids, and sometimes it's smooth sailing. All storyboards are private and secure to the portal using enterprise-class file security hosted by Microsoft Azure. Past present future forever (p.174). But what if metaphors aren't simply tools of language but part of thought itself? When Shawn found out, he stuck to The Rules (p.267). A journey is a common metaphor for life, as it reminds us that the destination is not our only goal. The ones that I want to highlight are the middle drawer, the nighttime, and Wills use of anagrams. Example 1: The Rabbit and Me - Just a story based on the tips of this article. Here's an example: "The first rays of sunshine gently stroked my face." We all know sunshine can't literally stroke your face, but we can all relate to the sensation. They are a way of creating a comparison that while not literally true, provides a figurative meaning. Will believes the men in his life all followed The Rules, and he reaches for these guidelines when coping with the loss of Shawn. Griefdeep sorrow caused by someone's deathis a major theme in Long Way Down. For example, someone might say "my love is like a rose" to describe the beauty and perfection of their partner. Due to the nature of the cycle of violence, many of the ghosts stories are intertwined. In this activity, students will identify figurative language such as similes, metaphors, personification, imagery, hyperbole, onomatopoeia, etc. At fifteen, he has already lived through innumerable shootings, and so he and Tony know the drill when they hear shots, ducking until the sound stops and then standing up to count bodies. These are just examples and not every metaphor will resonate with every individual. Joining us for a special Audacy Check In today with KROQ's Klein & Ally is with Dave Gahan and Martin Gore of U.K. synthpop favorites Depeche Mode to discuss their upcoming album Memento Mori, 2023 touring plans, and more. ", "Life is a classroom; you'll always be learning new things. Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. The book Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds is a unique free verse poetry book. There are so many examples of figurative language present throughout Jason Reynold's Long Way Down, adding to its powerful poetry. (sensory language). Theres so much packed within these two simple words. The Language of Composition: Reading, Writing, Rhetoric, Lawrence Scanlon, Renee H. Shea, Robin Dissin Aufses, Edge Reading, Writing and Language: Level C, David W. Moore, Deborah Short, Michael W. Smith, PRACTICUM 8: SUNDRY CONVENTIONAL ENGLISH FORMS. Frick doesnt know Riggs, and because of this, he becomes the final attack on Wills certainty. The cycle of violence would continue to carry on. ", "Life is a garden; with care and love you can cultivate beautiful flowers. LitCharts Teacher Editions. Dani is the reminder of Wills childhood and the seed for the cycle of violence to begin in him. Learning to reframe a situation such as this can shift your perspective and change your perspective. Long Way Down has one main setting in this story, an elevator. Will doesnt know her, but she knew him. A fast but fiery group of kids from wildly different backgrounds, chosen to compete on an elite track team. Will doesnt recognize her at first because the ghost he sees is older than he remembers Dani was Wills childhood friend. for RULE. While Will tries to follow The Rules, the ghosts put up repeated challenges to his masculine posturing until Will breaks. (p.150), Two large hands, the largest I'd ever seen, rushed through the cloud hard and fast, snatched fistfuls of my shirt, yoking me by my neck, holding me there until the elevator door closed. 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. As the man who murdered [Buck] (p.244), he explains that he had shot Buck by accident because he had been scared. Book Details: Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds In this elevator, Will, the main character, is greeted . While it can be read quickly, Long Way Down challenges readers to really think about these issues in our communities. his face was wetwith tears he wasntsupposed to crywhen he was alive. The only thing left out of place is the middle drawer of Shawn's dresser. Cops flashed lights in our faces and we all turned to stone. Sometimes it is better to be loving than to be right or win. Some examples of metaphors for life include: Kim ES, Hagan KA, Grodstein F, Demeo DL, De Vivo I, Kubzansky LD. 2019;27(2):443-450. doi:10.1007/s00520-018-4325-8, Frber F, Rosendahl J. walking me to the store,teaching me how todo a Penny Drop. Add appropriate illustrations for each. Metaphors are figures of speech that state that one thing is actually another thing. The header on page 55 reads Reasons I thought (knew) Riggs killed Shawn. PDF downloads of all 1699 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. BUCK IS DEAD. But it also suggests that such emotions, and the violent actions that Will and others like him want to take as an expression of that loyalty, have irrevocable consequences for all parties involved. A race can also be a negative metaphor, as in the "rat race," describing how sometimes we are so busy going from one place to another that we never really stop to enjoy any particular moment. It is Wills encounter with her that is the beginning of the seeds uprooting. David and Tamler "dive into" George Lakoff's theory of metaphors and "explore . In a courtroom, everything in life should be fair. They can help you make sense of your life and feel grateful and fulfilled. Shawn had been able to carry out what Will is preparing to do, and because of this, someone else had killed him. He asks Will, Why are you here? (p.167). This is just how I interpreted the book. The end result of careful and regular care, with timely interventions for insect infestations or decay, can lead to plants(or relationships) that are growing, producing oxygen that helps you breathe, and create beauty as they flower. It is a bit of a long post, so in Bucks words, Might as well relaxits a long way down (p.97). The final ghost that steps into the elevator is Shawn himself. It represents the accumulation of hate, anger, and hurt, which can push someone into doing something that they might later regret. Shawn is the embodiment of Wills pain, his death the catalyst to why Will is in the elevator in the first place. And the next / day, kids would play mummy with it. Finally, I found Wills fascination with anagrams interesting, especially since there are five (maybe six) anagrams scattered across the book. The first anagram we are introduced to has been hastily scribbled on his wall, reading: SCARE=CARES (p.36). Teacher Resource For Long Way Down By Jason Reynolds Anchor Text. Mikey had killed the wrong guy (p.218). In another sense, stepping stones can be a very positive metaphor of a life lived with goals in mind, and conscious awareness of the steps needed to get there. Then he begins to tell Will how he really died, and in doing so, unpacks a number of important elements. In this metaphor, Will likens the experience of remembering that his brother is dead to one's tongue probing the space where a tooth has been removed. By not doing so, Will would be labeled by his community as a coward, in addition to the trauma of losing his brother. Wills interest in anagrams may be because they remind him of his bond with Shawn same letters, different words, somehow still make sense together, like brothers (p.37). You may feel like you don't have choices and that others have the power. Crying 2. You'll be able to access your notes and highlights, make requests, and get updates on new titles. Metaphors not only help us define and describe an experience, but they can be used to improve our lives in many ways. In this metaphor, Will speaks of murder witnesses' unwillingness to speak to the police as though they have been made deaf and blind by the gunshots. 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. Fifteen-year-old Will's big brother has been shot and killed. 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. Metaphors & Similes - Things Fall Apart - SparkNotes. It does this by stating that Thing A is Thing B. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. So Mikey represents Will if he kills Riggs. 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. Metaphors not only help people describe and make sense of their lives, but can serve as a source of encouragement, motivation, or gratitude. Even the thought of shooting hurts him, which brings us back to Bucks you aint got it in you (p.101). Sometimes they need to be pruned. Optimism and cause-specific mortality: a prospective cohort study. As important as their mentorship has been, he is destined to suffer the same fate if he carries out his plan. But Bucks in the elevator? What do you think the above sentence implies? In the end, the ghosts of Will's mentors appear so they may teach him one more important lesson. All of the characters that Will meets are victims of gun violence and each of them adds depth to the themes and the story. If it was a struggle, then we often see struggles for the rest of our life. Revengethe action of inflicting hurt as retribution for a wrong sufferedenters the narrative when Will lays out The Rules. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. In a negative sense, stepping stones may describe the phenomena in which we barely get comfortable where we are before we are looking for a better job or a bigger house. Metaphors for life may help you think about your life and problems in a different way. Is language limited? This links back to the books theme of connection. He knows who hes after. Long Way Down Jason Reynolds. Hosted by Editor-in-Chief and therapist Amy Morin, LCSW, this episode ofThe Verywell Mind Podcast, featuring legendary composer and talk show host John Tesh, shares how to motivate yourself when you're struggling, how to use visualization in a helpful way, and the one kind of list everyone should create for themselves. For example, some people see life as a battle. How do these metaphors develop? Rule No.3 states simply: "Get revenge." As the elevator stops on the sixth floor, on comes Buck. PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. MARY: I agree that Long Way Down is compelling. that it stopped Mom fromscraping loose a riverof wounds. (p.185), Pop said he took off running so fast his sneakers barely touched concrete. The elevator ride down to the lobby serves as a clever metaphor for the consequences that will most likely happen to 15-year-old Will if he follows "The Rules." . Example 2: The Hawk's Nest - A metaphor to give to your students during training. 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. Tom Odell - Long Way Down (Official Audio)New album "Best Day Of My Life" out 28th October 2022Pre-order or pre-save album now - https://ffm.to/bestdayofmyli. Metaphors can help add color to your written work. In addition, any storyboard can be made sharable, where a private link to the storyboard can be shared externally. Create an image for examples that represent each symbol using appropriate scenes, characters and items. A story that might never know an ENDif WILL gets off that elevator. Creating notes and highlights requires a free LitCharts account. Here, Ill be quickly analyzing each character and what they bring to the elevator. A roller coaster can be a metaphor for life or it can describe the speed bumps we encounter. Refine any search. Will explains that the broken middle drawer was the only thing out of place on Shawns neat and tidy half, Instant downloads of all 1699 LitChart PDFs Metaphors for life such as comparing your life to a garden, journey, stepping stones, or a classroom can serve as a source of inspiration, positivity, and growth. Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. When hoping to flirt with Dani, Will admits to this chain of influence, saying that Dani brushing his hand is "the perfect open for me to flirt or at least try to do my best impression of Shawn, which was his best impression of Buck." No crying. They can also help inspire you as you deal with life's challenges and motivate you to pursue your goals. After Danis death, Shawn begins to teach him The Rules. Its the only thing ever out of place on Shawns side (p.38) and its where Will finds Shawns gun. 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. Its a terrifying moment for Will and it shows him how hed feel if he were in Riggs place. When Shawn is shot dead in public, Will witnesses his mother standing over Shawn's body and moaning. treatment : disease :: elixir : _________. Cultivating an attitude of gratitude by taking the time to see what isn't obvious at a quick glance can be illustrated by this metaphor. He makes a painful piercing sound (p.300), as if hes mourning, until the elevator finally stops. Thank you for sticking with me on this extremely long analysis! 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. What You Need And What Happens Next in This Movie. First the guilt, then the grief that comes with discovering the truth, and finally death as one of Riggs loved ones follows through with The Rules and kills Will. The cycle of violence is the strongest theme that Reynolds book explores. Once you have a firm foundation in place, whatever that means to you, it's easier to confidently add floors and rooms which will stand the test of time and weather. (including. I said,after listening tomy father admitwhat I had alreadyknown, wouldve been totell Buck how importantthat soap was. Relationships, especially, are not always a competition. Shawn begins to softly [snot] and [hiccup] like a little kid, tears pouring from his eyes (p.291). He shows Will what its like to be on the other side of the barrel, whats it like to be afraid for your life. If you view life as a courtroom, life can be challenging. Viewing your life as a mission can be either positive or negative. Positive mental health among cancer survivors: overlap in psychological well-being, personal meaning, and posttraumatic growth, The association between resilience and mental health in the somatically ill, The power of positive thinking: Pathological worry is reduced by thought replacement in generalized anxiety disorder, "Life is a song; we each get to write our own lyrics. Long Way Down exploresthe various connections that come forth from the cycle of violence and shows how following Rule #3, revenge, only results in more loss and bloodshed. Uncle Marks parting words are chilling. I followed The Rules.At least the first two. In particular, Pop illuminates the fundamental flaw in the Rules and how they play out: he thought he shot Uncle Marks killer, but realizes now that he made a mistake and killed the wrong man. Flower dress. Complete your free account to access notes and highlights. (p.65), It's uncomfortable when you feel like someone is looking at you but only when you not looking. (p.131), I swear sometimes it feels like God be flashing photos of his children, awkward, amazing, tucked in his wallet for the world to see. metaphor Shawn's face a candle, melted wax. You may feel that you have talents and gifts you wish to share. A Long Way Gone vs. A Walk To remember "I sat holding my head it felt heavy from all the images it had held" ishmael beah is describibng how he had felt after seeing all the violence and dead bodies "she'd been the answer i was looking for the one my heart had needed to find" By Elizabeth Azua She adds to his growing doubt by asking him, What if you miss? (p.142), a possibility that Will hadnt really considered before. The first thing that Mikey brings is guilt. Throughout the book, masculinity arises as a key theme. A race can be both a positive and negative metaphor for life. Read our. A metaphor is a figure of speech in which one thing is used to symbolize or describe another object or concept, even though the two are not literally related or similar. To differentiate or scaffold, teachers can provide students with a list of types of figurative language to look out for, or have students identify them on their own! The broader issue at the heart of Long Way Down is the omnipresent gun violence Will and his community must deal with. While the witnesses do not literally become rocks, they are so unwilling to give incriminating information over that the police may as well be shining their lights in the faces of statues. You follow life like you follow a river. 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. This is linked to The Rules, which have been passed down for so long that Will cant even name who came up with them in the first place The Rules have always ruled. TNBCs currently have few biomarkers that can be used to detect, diagnose, and treat it, too. Identify the collective noun in each of the following sentences, and write above it S for singular (if it refers to the group as a unit) or P for plural (if it refers to the parts of the group). Finally, Mikey tries to give Will a taste of empathy. We can't burn ourselves out too much, and when we hit setbacks we must remember there's still a long way to go, so don't give up. The family Will has left then, is his mother and, until the day before the novel begins, his big brother Shawn. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Positive mental health among cancer survivors: overlap in psychological well-being, personal meaning, and posttraumatic growth. I found a number of recurring symbols that either represented an idea and/or added to the books themes. There are so many ways to interpret this. This is only the first part of Wills 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. Long Way Down study guide contains a biography of Jason Reynolds, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. "Long Way Down Metaphors and Similes". A strap. And my mom, moaning low, not my baby. While Will hopes to live by the same rules that led to the murders of so many loved ones, he comes to realize that if he is to live by The Rules, he will invariably die by The Rules. ", When bad things happen / we can usually look up and see / the moon, big and bright, / shining over us. This brilliantly crafted novel is suitable for ages 13+ and recommended for teen book clubs. And stray bullets had cut through the playground, and Will had tried to cover her, but she was hit anyway, and so what she wants to know, on that fifth floor elevator stop, is, what if Will, Will with the gun shoved in the back waistband of his jeans, MISSES. They are a way of creating a comparison that while not literally true, provides a figurative meaning. By Leonard Holmes, PhD He was killed for killing the man who killed [Uncle Mark] (p.203). The nighttime had wormed its way into him. ". GradeSaver, 3 November 2022 Web. And as a kid I always figured his heart was forreal / broken like an arm or a toy or the middle drawer.. When the police arrive on the scene of Shawn's murder, they aggressively question witnesses. it was like the wordcame out and at the same timetime went in. Reynolds subtly builds on the theme whenever Will speaks admiringly of Shawn or mentions how he wears Shawn's cologne and oversized hand-me-down clothing. Bubble gum and blood (p.133). Metaphors in A Long Way Gone Metaphors are comparisons between two unlike objects that don't utilize the helper words ''like'' or ''as.'' When Beah reflects on his time with the army, he. This gets both the reader and Will to question if Riggs death really is the right answer. "The worst part / is the constant slipping / of your tongue / into the new empty space" (Part 1, Page 6) Will thinks about grief and how it feels for him. (p.19), Curse the invisible thing trying to eat her. Gravity. Or, you can call it a gun. Good mental health includes having life metaphors that help you see the big picture of your life. 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. PDF downloads of all 1699 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. 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. 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). Behav Res Ther. In fact, the Rules make it hard to figure out ones target, given the no snitching rule. In this metaphor, the narrator compares words to food and proverbs to palm oilthe oil the Igbo use to cook their foodthat make words more flavorful. Poignantly written in free verse, it is about a young man faced with a difficult decision. Its after hearing Mikeys story that his questions hits harder: what you think you should do?. Cooper, James ed. Wills father, Pop, was killed when Will was a toddleras much as Will wants to remember Pop, he doesnt. Thehorsewiththesllverymaneandwhitetallwaschosenbythephotographer. The Rules are simple: no crying, no snitching (to the police), and if a friend or family member is killed, the survivor must avenge their loved ones death by killing their killer. ", "Life is a puzzle; you can only see the picture when you put all the pieces together. If your life metaphors are hurting instead of helping, look for ways to reframe your thinking in order to take a more positive, optimistic approach. Your father and you are two drops of water. Dr. Jill Bargonetti's research into TNBC, various biomarkers, and more has put . Emotional resilience allows you to follow the trail as it descends before it turns the corner and heads back up again. (p.215), When I got home I took a hot shower, hot enough to burn the skin off my body, he said. Just as Wills trying to think this through, the door to the next floor opens. The author can choose to leave the storyboard public or mark it as Unlisted. that I didlike he told me,like Buck told him,like our grandfather toldour uncle, like our uncletold our dad. She is known as a reluctant hero who . Students also viewed A LONG WAY DOWN Poetic Devices 24 terms Mrs_Gwyn LONG WAY DOWN Literary Terms 74 terms emilyandrewstaylor Long Way Down figurative language 20 terms Gustavo_Daniel32 Long Way Down #3 Anagrams & Double Meanings & Symb 20 terms Example 3: The Drum - A random story from the Sufi tradition. A burner. (These instructions are completely customizable. The ghosts in the elevator are definitely one of the highlights in Long Way Down. (p.165), Always always always be skeptical of a person who answers a question by asking a question. https://www.storyboardthat.com/lesson-plans/long-way-down-by-jason-reynolds/figurative-language, This Storyboard That activity is part of the lesson plans for. Thats what fifteen-year-old Will has shoved in the back waistband of his jeans. Around my age. metaphors in long way down Visit the A Long Way Gone Study Guide page to learn more. Readers should take the time to explore the imagery and use of metaphors in the novel. Here's a quick summary of our mentor text, Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds. The 10 Best Books About Loneliness of 2022, Community Gardens Benefit Those with Intellectual Disabilities and Mental Health Issues, Daily Tips for a Healthy Mind to Your Inbox. Avoid the last two if possible. Every encounter is a struggle, and if they don't win, they feel like they have lost. The end (p.194). Will notes that she is "hanging over my brother's body like a dimmed light post." Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Depeche Mode are currently preparing to drop their fifteenth studio album, Memento Mori, featuring the haunting new single "Ghosts Again." The . Complete your free account to request a guide. Long Way Down The Graphic Novel By Jason Reynolds Illustrated by Danica Novgorodoff Trade Paperback LIST PRICE $12.99 PRICE MAY VARY BY RETAILER Get a FREE ebook by joining our mailing list today! He would tell me about girls, and i would tell him about pretend girls, who he, In the bathroom in the mirror my face sagged, like sadness was trying to pull the skin off. From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. An example has been completed for you. Hey there! Wills determined to believe that he can pinpoint the blame on Riggs, but deep down, hes not sure if this belief is truth, as implied with the brackets (parentheses?) Metaphor Mentor Text. It's an aggressive form of breast cancer that is more likely to spread to other tissues--a process called metastasis. Why Can't I Be Happy Even When Life Is Going Great? The Question and Answer section for Long Way Down is a great Just as with missions throughout history, your life can be a platform to bring goodness to the world. You may see a battle as a metaphor for your life if everything is a competition or a struggle. Reynolds also emphasizes the importance of mentorship with Will's strong desire to commit to The Rules, the only remaining guidance he has from Shawn, who in turn inherited them from Buck and Mikey and Mark. Do they work for you or do they cause problems and limit your choices? The Question and Answer section for Long Way Down is a great 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. Casey's and Marcos grades CaseysandMarcossgrades\underline{\text{Casey's and Marcos's grades}}CaseysandMarcossgrades, Isabel describe los artculos deportivos que sus amigos tienen y/o los deportes que quieren practicar. That's why my mother always said. And so it goes, the whole long way down, as the elevator stops on each floor, and at each stop someone connected to his brother gets on to give Will a piece to a bigger story than the one he thinks he knows. With Will's decision to shoot Riggs for presumably shooting Shawn, Reynolds shows how gun violence is perpetuated in communities like Will's.