Author’s note: This is a piece focusing on Text Analysis. I am writing a play of a scene in the book Rules of the Road. The purpose is to show how a teenager can make a huge difference is someone’s life.
Narrator 1: Mrs. Gladstone is an old woman who is facing her fear right now. Her son, Elden is trying to take over her beloved business.
Narrator 2: Jenna has been Mrs. Gladstone’s chauffer and assistant all summer. They have got to know each other very well over the course of this time.
Narrator 1: Mrs. Gladstone explains to the stock holders of her business what happens today this is their reaction.
Mrs. Gladstone: *Standing at podium* I am retiring from my beloved job today.
Jenna: *pop up from sitting in a seat in the back of the room* Mrs. Gladstone, no!
Crowd: *Few clap* *most have their mouths wide open*
Jenna: *walk towards the podium*
Elden: *Whisper Loudly*
Mrs. Gladstone: Oh, but she is a stock holder, Elden. Fifty Shares. I gave them to her.
Elden: *Look disgusted*
Jenna: *Stand at the podium* I got fired today,
Crowd: *Gasp*
Jenna: I’m Mrs. Gladstone’s Driver and personal assistant. Elden has just tried to put me back on a plane to Chicago because I don’t like the way he’s been treating his mother. I don’t like the way he’s been treating this company, either.
Elden: *Stand up* I think that is quite enough!
Man 1: Let her speak!
Elden: *sit down*
Jenna: *Take a deep breath* See I know what selling shoes ought to be because I had the privilege to know Harry Bender. I’ve been hanging with Mrs. Gladstone all summer long. I’ve gotten dunked in what good business should be like so much that I can smell something wrong a mile off.
Elden: *Croaks and Squeaks*
Jenna: I’ve been on the road with Mrs. Gladstone this summer. We’ve visited Gladstone stores from Peoria to Shreveport. And I can tell you those economic brands aren’t doing this company one bit of good. People come into Gladstone Shoes expecting quality, just like people on a paper route expect their carrier to deliver what the customer ordered. You don’t start tossing a Chicago Weekly instead of a Chicago Tribune. You would have no way of keeping your job.
Elden: *Groans*
Crowd: *Claps softly*
Jenna: I am the youngest one in this room by far, but I can tell you that the teenagers I know take their money seriously. We work hard for it just like all of you. We are looking for product to buy that we can trust. We’re looking for respect when we walk into a store. I think one of the best ways to show respect to anyone is to give them the best you’ve got to give. I can believe that is what Gladstone’s has offered to customers all these years.
Elden:*Frowning*
Mrs. Gladstone: *Smiling proud*
Jenna: So I am taking my fifty shares of stock and voting on Mrs. Gladstone to stay with this business, somehow. I know that this isn’t a ballot but that’s what I’m going to write on mine. Because I know that if she stays connected, this company will have a chance to keep the good things that everyone expects from Gladstone’s Shoes that people like Mrs. Gladstone and Harry Bender always kept safe.
Jenna: *Swallow Hard*
Jenna: *Whisper* I’m done.
Man 1: I’m voting with you.
Crowd: *Stand up one by one* Me too.
*Pause*
Announcer: The vote has been approved by the holders of seventy-three percent of the voting shares.
Mrs. Gladstone: *Stand straight and proud*
Announcer: But, over four hundred votes came in for Madeline Gladstone to stay with her company.
Crowd: *Clap*
Mrs. Gladstone: *Ram her cane to the ground* I accept! My son can tell you the woman in my family live to a ripe, old age. So, Elden I’m going to be around for a long, long time. Won’t that be nice dear?
Elden: *Half/ fake smile*
Narrator 1: Elden is now miserable and gloomy because he has to now spend time with the person he hates the most, his own mother.
Narrator 2: This is what happens when you get in between a woman and her business.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Friday, February 10, 2012
All is Fair in Love and War
Author’s Note: This is an essay defining and explaining one quote said by Mrs. Gladstone to Jenna said in the story Rules of the Road by Joan Bauer. This piece is a Text Analysis piece. The purpose is to explain the quote “It’s Harry Bender” she said firmly, choking back the tears. “He was in a car accident. Hit head-on by a drunk driver.” She shook her old head in disbelief. “My Lord, Jenna, he’s dead.” This story is about a young teenager named Jenna working at a shoe store. The owner of the shoe store, Mrs. Gladstone, asked Jenna to drive her half way across the country to Texas, for an unknown reason. Along the way they come across tough times and things they can’t control.
Have you ever thought about losing someone you love? How would you cope with all of your feelings? Would you control your feelings by crying, being cranky, or maybe just needing some alone time? In the story Rules of the Road by Joan Bauer Jenna, Mrs. Gladstone, and Alice lose somebody they all loved very much. They lost Mr. Harry Bender. He was a great man who always knew what to say. There is one quote in the story that impacted the book drastically. The quote is “It’s Harry Bender” she said firmly, chocking back the tears. “He was in a car accident. Hit head-on by a drunk driver.” She shook her old head in disbelief. “My Lord, Jenna, he’s dead.” This quote was said by Mrs. Gladstone telling Jenna about the tragic event that just happened. Their beloved Harry Bender had just died. This quote maybe self-explanatory but it is very meaningful in the adventure novel Rules of the Road by Joan Bauer.
Harry Bender was a great and down to Earth guy that everyone loved to be around. Unfortunately at 2:00 AM one morning in Texas he had a tragic accident that left every ones heart stopped and broken. Harry Bender was one of Mrs. Gladstone’s best friends and he helped her with everything from business to help with her son. Now he is gone and was to be never seen again. His amazing way to cheer people up and help them with anything that they threw at him will be missed from everyone who ever knew him. Harry Bender changed many people’s life including Jenna who met Mr. Bender a couple of days before his accident but it had seemed to Jenna that they have known each other forever. Even though Jenna didn’t know him very long she already thought on page 132 that she wished her dad was Harry Bender. Harry had such an impact on everyone’s life that he met.
Mr. Bender was a great man and he will be greatly missed by everyone who met him in this story, he always said things perfectly. When Mrs. Gladstone told Jenna about Harry's death can mean a lot of different things to different people but I think that Mrs. Gladstone said it with great passion and with just the right wording. It always seems that Mrs. Gladstone has the perfect things to say at just the right time, just like Mr. Bender. Just how she came in and said it flat out to Jenna means that she is going through something very hard. The way Mrs. Gladstone said “It’s Harry Bender” is great, besides just saying “Jenna, something happened to Harry Bender” she said it with more intensity to keep you wondering. It was said absolutely perfect. Also how she said “He was in a car accident. Hit head-on by a drunk driver.” Was also perfect because she didn’t say he was hit head on she just said “Hit- head-on by a drunk driver.” This also means she is going through something hard, at least when I am stressed out I either stutter or skip or jumble up all of my words. Mrs. Gladstone said it just like I would if I were so incredibly sad like she was, that is if I would be able to say it over all of my tears. After that she told Jenna the worst news, not just did Harry get in a car accident but he was dead. This was another perfect way of telling Jenna, “My Lord, Jenna, he’s dead.” It shows all in one sentence that she was hesitant of saying it because she added words unneeded like “My Lord”. This also tells us that Mrs. Gladstone is religious, which we haven't seen yet in the book. I have never had to tell somebody that a person close to them has died but I know if I had to I would not be as perfect as Mrs. Gladstone.
Although this quote can mean different things to different people, it still has the same significance to the book to everyone. This quote means a lot to this book, without Harry Bender Mrs. Gladstone does not have that help that is needed from him. I am not saying that Mrs. Gladstone will not be able to function without him but it will be harder because there is never going to be another guy that can help her as much as him. Harry was just an all around great guy and without him this book is going to be so different. Not just will Mrs. Gladstone miss him but everybody involved in the Gladstone Shoes business. Now that he is gone there is no one to do all of the work that he did to get the great name of Gladstone Shoes out to the public. Also the death of Mr. Bender is going to push back Mrs. Gladstone journey for a couple days because they need to arrange an unreal and after his funeral they are still going to be sad and mourning for a few days. Everybody will be affected by the death of a truly darling person.
In conclusion, Harry bender is going to be sincerely missed to many people but mostly to his family and Mrs. Gladstone. Even though this quote says everything straight out it can be very meaningful in the story Rules of the Road. Harry was a great guy that helped everyone that he was in acquaintance with. He even helped people with alcoholism; he would support them and try to make them stop drinking. Just the irony of this because Jenna's dad was an alcoholic and Mr. Bender got killed by a drunk driver has such a huge impact on the story. It will haunt Jenna later on because what if her dad wants her to get the car with him? What will happen then? Anybody should be proud to have known him. I would be so very proud if I could be as great of a person as he was. Finally the quote “He was in a car accident. Hit head-on by a drunk driver.” She shook her old head in disbelief. “My Lord, Jenna, he’s dead.” changed the book Rules of the Road drastically. It’s crazy how one death can impact as many as the death of Harry Bender.
Have you ever thought about losing someone you love? How would you cope with all of your feelings? Would you control your feelings by crying, being cranky, or maybe just needing some alone time? In the story Rules of the Road by Joan Bauer Jenna, Mrs. Gladstone, and Alice lose somebody they all loved very much. They lost Mr. Harry Bender. He was a great man who always knew what to say. There is one quote in the story that impacted the book drastically. The quote is “It’s Harry Bender” she said firmly, chocking back the tears. “He was in a car accident. Hit head-on by a drunk driver.” She shook her old head in disbelief. “My Lord, Jenna, he’s dead.” This quote was said by Mrs. Gladstone telling Jenna about the tragic event that just happened. Their beloved Harry Bender had just died. This quote maybe self-explanatory but it is very meaningful in the adventure novel Rules of the Road by Joan Bauer.
Harry Bender was a great and down to Earth guy that everyone loved to be around. Unfortunately at 2:00 AM one morning in Texas he had a tragic accident that left every ones heart stopped and broken. Harry Bender was one of Mrs. Gladstone’s best friends and he helped her with everything from business to help with her son. Now he is gone and was to be never seen again. His amazing way to cheer people up and help them with anything that they threw at him will be missed from everyone who ever knew him. Harry Bender changed many people’s life including Jenna who met Mr. Bender a couple of days before his accident but it had seemed to Jenna that they have known each other forever. Even though Jenna didn’t know him very long she already thought on page 132 that she wished her dad was Harry Bender. Harry had such an impact on everyone’s life that he met.
Mr. Bender was a great man and he will be greatly missed by everyone who met him in this story, he always said things perfectly. When Mrs. Gladstone told Jenna about Harry's death can mean a lot of different things to different people but I think that Mrs. Gladstone said it with great passion and with just the right wording. It always seems that Mrs. Gladstone has the perfect things to say at just the right time, just like Mr. Bender. Just how she came in and said it flat out to Jenna means that she is going through something very hard. The way Mrs. Gladstone said “It’s Harry Bender” is great, besides just saying “Jenna, something happened to Harry Bender” she said it with more intensity to keep you wondering. It was said absolutely perfect. Also how she said “He was in a car accident. Hit head-on by a drunk driver.” Was also perfect because she didn’t say he was hit head on she just said “Hit- head-on by a drunk driver.” This also means she is going through something hard, at least when I am stressed out I either stutter or skip or jumble up all of my words. Mrs. Gladstone said it just like I would if I were so incredibly sad like she was, that is if I would be able to say it over all of my tears. After that she told Jenna the worst news, not just did Harry get in a car accident but he was dead. This was another perfect way of telling Jenna, “My Lord, Jenna, he’s dead.” It shows all in one sentence that she was hesitant of saying it because she added words unneeded like “My Lord”. This also tells us that Mrs. Gladstone is religious, which we haven't seen yet in the book. I have never had to tell somebody that a person close to them has died but I know if I had to I would not be as perfect as Mrs. Gladstone.
Although this quote can mean different things to different people, it still has the same significance to the book to everyone. This quote means a lot to this book, without Harry Bender Mrs. Gladstone does not have that help that is needed from him. I am not saying that Mrs. Gladstone will not be able to function without him but it will be harder because there is never going to be another guy that can help her as much as him. Harry was just an all around great guy and without him this book is going to be so different. Not just will Mrs. Gladstone miss him but everybody involved in the Gladstone Shoes business. Now that he is gone there is no one to do all of the work that he did to get the great name of Gladstone Shoes out to the public. Also the death of Mr. Bender is going to push back Mrs. Gladstone journey for a couple days because they need to arrange an unreal and after his funeral they are still going to be sad and mourning for a few days. Everybody will be affected by the death of a truly darling person.
In conclusion, Harry bender is going to be sincerely missed to many people but mostly to his family and Mrs. Gladstone. Even though this quote says everything straight out it can be very meaningful in the story Rules of the Road. Harry was a great guy that helped everyone that he was in acquaintance with. He even helped people with alcoholism; he would support them and try to make them stop drinking. Just the irony of this because Jenna's dad was an alcoholic and Mr. Bender got killed by a drunk driver has such a huge impact on the story. It will haunt Jenna later on because what if her dad wants her to get the car with him? What will happen then? Anybody should be proud to have known him. I would be so very proud if I could be as great of a person as he was. Finally the quote “He was in a car accident. Hit head-on by a drunk driver.” She shook her old head in disbelief. “My Lord, Jenna, he’s dead.” changed the book Rules of the Road drastically. It’s crazy how one death can impact as many as the death of Harry Bender.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Control
Author's Note: This is piece it's working on Character Development from the book Rules of the Roadby Joan Bauer. It describes how two characters have trouble with control. Jenna is a shoe saleswoman at Gladstone Shoes, then all of the sudden the owner of the business asked Jenna, the main character to drive her across the country to Texas.
Control, have you ever thought about it? There are things you can control and then there are things you can’t. Jenna Boller is a character in the adventure novel Rules of the Road by Joan Bauer. Jenna is an amazing shoe sales woman because she loves to do it and knows how very well. This is something she can control. She doesn’t deal with her alcoholic dad because it is something she can’t control. All she can do is sign her dad up for help but he would never go. Jenna’s attitude about selling shoes helps people every day when she is selling shoes. In the beginning of the story Jenna didn't know how to feel about Mrs. Gladstone, but by the end of the story Jenna was more confident and looked up to Mrs. Gladstone. Jenna learned that she is not just an old cranky woman but she can be sweet and that she has a soft side.Jenna does the things she can control to avoid the things she can’t manage.
Even though Jenna is great at doing things she can control, Mrs. Gladstone, Jenna’s boss isn’t as good at it. Mrs. Gladstone is an old, rich woman that is cranky who only control’s what she can. Although she is cranky she has a nice side to her. She helps people think again about everything they do and she helps make it better by giving them feedback. Mrs. Gladstone is trying to control her business Gladstone Shoes, but Elden is wrench in her plans. Elden is Mrs. Gladstone’s son; Elden is trying to take over her business. Mrs. Gladstone’s told Jenna that Elden is buying more and more stocks in Gladstone Shoes just so he can own more of it. Another thing Mrs. Gladstone’s can’t control is her getting old and getting old comes with consequences, such as a crippled leg. Mrs. Gladstone has a leg that is not working properly, she tries to get around as much as she can but her leg is getting too bad to walk. Mrs. Gladstone has things she can control and things she can’t.
In conclusion, these two characters have to deal with control, we all do. Mrs. Gladstone needs to deal with her son and getting old and Jenna has to stay in control of staying out of things she can’t manage. Staying involved in things Jenna can manage helps her stay away from her alcoholic dad. Jenna has changed throught this story, she has grown. Think, what can you use more control of?
Control, have you ever thought about it? There are things you can control and then there are things you can’t. Jenna Boller is a character in the adventure novel Rules of the Road by Joan Bauer. Jenna is an amazing shoe sales woman because she loves to do it and knows how very well. This is something she can control. She doesn’t deal with her alcoholic dad because it is something she can’t control. All she can do is sign her dad up for help but he would never go. Jenna’s attitude about selling shoes helps people every day when she is selling shoes. In the beginning of the story Jenna didn't know how to feel about Mrs. Gladstone, but by the end of the story Jenna was more confident and looked up to Mrs. Gladstone. Jenna learned that she is not just an old cranky woman but she can be sweet and that she has a soft side.Jenna does the things she can control to avoid the things she can’t manage.
Even though Jenna is great at doing things she can control, Mrs. Gladstone, Jenna’s boss isn’t as good at it. Mrs. Gladstone is an old, rich woman that is cranky who only control’s what she can. Although she is cranky she has a nice side to her. She helps people think again about everything they do and she helps make it better by giving them feedback. Mrs. Gladstone is trying to control her business Gladstone Shoes, but Elden is wrench in her plans. Elden is Mrs. Gladstone’s son; Elden is trying to take over her business. Mrs. Gladstone’s told Jenna that Elden is buying more and more stocks in Gladstone Shoes just so he can own more of it. Another thing Mrs. Gladstone’s can’t control is her getting old and getting old comes with consequences, such as a crippled leg. Mrs. Gladstone has a leg that is not working properly, she tries to get around as much as she can but her leg is getting too bad to walk. Mrs. Gladstone has things she can control and things she can’t.
In conclusion, these two characters have to deal with control, we all do. Mrs. Gladstone needs to deal with her son and getting old and Jenna has to stay in control of staying out of things she can’t manage. Staying involved in things Jenna can manage helps her stay away from her alcoholic dad. Jenna has changed throught this story, she has grown. Think, what can you use more control of?
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