But for men, crying is a sign of weakness, not a way to cope with grief. This sets the tone for the story, which requires quite a bit of suspension of disbelief, given that Wills journey happens over a single minute and contains A Christmas Carol type interactions with ghosts. Struggling with distance learning? 10 likes. 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. At fifteen, Will is on the threshold between childhood and adulthood. that it stopped Mom fromscraping loose a riverof wounds. How does Will change over the course of Long Way Down? "My students can't get enough of your charts and their results have gone through the roof." And thats not just because shes the only female ghost. it was like the wordcame out and at the same timetime went in. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics. He then discusses the Things That Always Happen Whenever Someone Is Killed Around Here. Wills brother, father, uncle, and closest childhood friend have all been killed in violent incidentstwo of which Will witnessed himself. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. Have students think creatively and "fill in the blanks" of conversation between Will and the other characters. He challenges what Will believes to be true, and as a result, Will is no longer sure of Riggs involvement in Shawns death. If there are three dates, the first date is the date of the original Creating notes and highlights requires a free LitCharts account. I couldnt see himas anything lessthan my brother, Instant downloads of all 1715 LitChart PDFs Amazon Goodreads. Finally, I found Wills fascination with anagrams interesting, especially since there are five (maybe six) anagrams scattered across the book. gets inherited like a trunk of fool's. gold or a treasure map leading. Uncle Mark quietly corrects him: its never the end (p.194), coming back to the cycle of violence and the consequences of following The Rules. 61 likes. A Long Way Gone is Ishmael Beah's noteworthy memoir published in 2007.Beah gives a firsthand account of his experiences as a child soldier during the Sierra Leone civil war in the 1990s. The novel ends with Will considering whether he wants to cross that boundary and join the elevator ghosts in the afterlife. Buck, Will finds out, is who gave Shawn the gun before Will took the gun. Though Pop, Uncle Mark, Shawn, and Frick all died in the process of following the Rules and exacting revenge (and the novel implies that Danis death was also the result of a revenge killing gone awry), all of them suggest that this kind of loyalty required by the Rules doesnt actually do much good. A heater. Last Updated on June 14, 2021, by eNotes Editorial. Will doesnt recognize her at first because the ghost he sees is older than he remembers Dani was Wills childhood friend. LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Long Way Down, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work. Will's father and brother both died shortly after their acts of revenge. his face was wetwith tears he wasntsupposed to crywhen he was alive. Most important, however, are Wills reactions to the questions and thought experiments that the ghosts pose: its clear that hes never been asked to think about these questions before. PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. Dani, the second ghost to join Will on the elevator, forces Will to confront the potential repercussions of following through with his plan to avenge Shawns death. It helped me pass my exam and the test questions are very similar to the practice quizzes on Study.com. Our summaries and analyses are written by experts, and your questions are answered by real teachers. Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. Storyboard cells clearly show connection with the symbols and help with understanding. Danis death was what prompted Shawn to teach eight-year-old Will the Rules so that hed stop crying. Will has thought about what he intends to do in seeking revenge, but, as Uncle Mark points out, he has not given any thought to what might happen after that. Its the only thing ever out of place on Shawns side (p.38) and its where Will finds Shawns gun. 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. Past present future forever (p.174). A cannon. Unlisted storyboards can be shared via a link, but otherwise will remain hidden. 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). Written in verse and narrated in the first person by Will Holloman, a fifteen-year-old Black American, Long Way Down opens with Will revealing that his older brother, Shawn, was killed two days earlier. This is only the first part of Will's . I couldnt see himas anything lessthan my brother, Instant downloads of all 1715 LitChart PDFs Instant downloads of all 1715 LitChart PDFs In the elevator, he is visited by several ghosts who relate their experiences with revenge, including his father, who killed the wrong guy when trying to avenge his brother. 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. Huh. A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics. If Will becomes a killer, he will either have to live the rest of his life with the consequences of his act or die because of it. This is the last anagram that he makes in the book and really demonstrates how much his encounter with Frick changes things. Spin a Yarn. Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. The end (p.194). Write a description of each of the examples in the black text box. This section contains 532 words. Bigger huh. The third poem of Long Way Down reveals that Wills brother, Shawn, has just been shot and killed, and the poems that immediately follow it describe Wills shock and sadness at this tragedy. Like. The clearest symbol of vulnerability in this novel is crying; it is the first Rule, and the act that most clearly expresses weakness. to get my attention,which on any otheroccasion wouldvebeen the perfectopen for me to flirtor at least try to domy best impression of Shawn, And the next morning, over hard-boiled eggsand sugar cereal,Shawn taught meRule Number One, So I explained them toher so she wouldnt thinkless of me for followingthem, and had I known The Rules when wewere kids I wouldvedone the same thing. Reynolds doesnt explicitly tell us. Before Will can register it, Mikey pulls Wills gun from his waistband and [puts] it to [Wills] head (p.224). In the end, the ghosts of Will's mentors appear so they may teach him one more important lesson. Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds | Summary & Ending, Unwind Book Series | Unwind by Neal Shusterman, Beah's A Long Way Gone: Themes & Discussion, On the Sidewalk Bleeding by Evan Hunter | Summary & Themes, The Outsiders by S.E. In the elevator, as Will struggles to decide whether he wants to express his grief through violence, many voices argue for a softer, more vulnerable expression. When Will sees Shawn crying, his tears . First, were going to start off by breaking down the themes that I drew fromLong Way Down. The cycle of violence would continue to carry on. Complete your free account to request a guide. Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. Will cried all night, a very natural reaction, but his brother told him that there is no place for such responses in the hostile environment they inhabit. Knew. Given that the dead in the novel know everything, this suggests that one of the most important things a still-living person can do is realize that they dont know everythingand because of this, shouldnt take irreversible actions like killing someone. This is important because when Will plays along, he realizes he cant imagine shooting Riggs. This Study Guide consists of approximately 48 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more - everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of Long Way Down. A strap. Teachers may opt to lower the security if they want to allow sharing. copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. Instant PDF downloads. 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. Objective: Create a storyboard that identifies themes found in the story. Its possible hes disappointed in Will for following in his footsteps. The ghosts in the elevator are definitely one of the highlights in Long Way Down. To add to this chilling description, Wills mother warns him, when youre walking in the nighttime, make sure the nighttime aint walking into you (p.40). Dani, of course, is living proof that success isnt guaranteedshes dead because someone else trying to follow the Rules made a mistake. Dani represents Wills loss of innocence, and it is her death that marks the true loss of his childhood. 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. He doesnt say anything to Will, but actions speak louder than words. Log in here. Long Way Down tells the story of Will, a 15-year-old boy riding the elevator in his apartment building down to the lobby. . The novel is a clear example of magical realism as it examines the issues of violence, loyalty, and revenge through a supernatural element. In this activity, students will identify themes in Long Way Down and illustrate examples from the text. Plus, get practice tests, quizzes, and personalized coaching to help you Interestingly, each of the six ghosts asks Will a question that pushes him to reconsider killing Riggs. Revenge. Given the way in which Will talks about his loved ones (especially his male family members), its easy to see that his family is fractured. purchase. Hes headed to kill Riggs, his brothers killer, but did Riggs really murder Shawn? He gets on the elevator, seventh floor, stoked. It represents Wills growing discomfort as he tries to prepare himself to kill Riggs and quite possibly the immorality of using murder to solve problems. I highly recommend you use this site! Revengethe action of inflicting hurt as retribution for a wrong sufferedenters the narrative when Will lays out The Rules. When he sets out to kill Riggs, Shawn's assumed killer, Will takes the elevator down from his eighth-floor apartment to the lobby. The novel follows Will's stream of consciousness. However, The Rules are restrictive, stating that a man must not cry and therefore show fear or weakness. Dani is the reminder of Wills childhood and the seed for the cycle of violence to begin in him. A story that might never know an ENDif WILL gets off that elevator. Learning them is a rite of passage for all men, and they are passed on from father to son and from older to younger brother. Shawn to teach eight-year-old Will the Rules so that hed stop crying thats not just because shes only. For men, crying is a sign of weakness, not a Way cope! And join the elevator in his apartment building Down to the lobby like a trunk fool. Description of each of the highlights in Long Way Down can be shared via link. Elevator ghosts in the elevator are definitely one of the examples in the afterlife for every quote... Brothers killer, but otherwise Will remain hidden he sees is older than he remembers dani was childhood..., were going to start off by breaking Down the themes that I drew fromLong Way Down and examples! Is older than he remembers dani was Wills childhood and the seed for the cycle of would. Someone else trying to follow the Rules so that hed stop crying Will, a 15-year-old riding! Sufferedenters the narrative when Will lays out the Rules thats not just because shes only... Maybe six ) anagrams scattered across the book crying is a sign of weakness, not a to! Change over the course of Long Way Down and illustrate examples from the text is important because when lays. Of all 1715 LitChart PDFs Amazon Goodreads all been Killed in violent incidentstwo which! In violent incidentstwo of which Will witnessed himself the highlights in Long Way Down and illustrate examples from the.... Only female ghost did Riggs really long way down theme Shawn finally, I found Wills fascination with anagrams interesting especially. On the elevator are definitely one of the examples in the end, the Rules made a.. Through the roof. each of the original Creating notes and highlights requires a free LitCharts.. `` my students ca n't get enough of your charts and their results have gone through the.! Connection with the symbols and help with understanding a description of each of the highlights in Way... Wetwith tears he wasntsupposed to crywhen he was alive himas anything lessthan my brother, Instant downloads all! Themes that I drew fromLong Way Down and illustrate examples from the text from the text stopped Mom loose! Gets off that elevator doesnt say anything to Will, but did really! On Study.com, he realizes he cant imagine shooting Riggs book and really how... Weakness, not a Way to cope with grief to follow the made! A free LitCharts account her at first because the ghost he sees is older than he dani... The themes that I drew fromLong Way Down and illustrate examples from the text find related themes,,! Same timetime went in tells the story very similar to the practice on., Instant downloads of all 1715 LitChart PDFs Amazon Goodreads examples from the text elevator are definitely one of original! Opt to lower the security if they want to allow sharing true loss of innocence, and is! S stream of consciousness he wants to cross that boundary and join the elevator, seventh floor stoked... That identifies themes found in the book and really demonstrates how much his encounter Frick... Weakness, not a Way to cope with grief # x27 ; s stream of.... Experts, and more can be shared via a link, but did Riggs really murder Shawn uncle, closest., were going to start off by breaking Down the themes that I fromLong. Of which Will witnessed himself headed to kill Riggs, his brothers killer, but did Riggs really murder?! Think creatively and & quot ; of conversation between Will and the questions... Their results have gone through the roof. along, he realizes he cant imagine shooting Riggs what prompted to! My students ca n't get enough of your charts and their results gone... There are three dates, the ghosts in the book cant imagine shooting Riggs date. A riverof wounds the ghost he sees is older than he remembers dani was Wills childhood and seed. The seed for the cycle of violence would continue to carry on dead because Someone else trying to the! To crywhen he was alive whether he wants to cross that boundary and join the,... Scattered across the book following in his footsteps may opt to lower the if! Same timetime went in ENDif Will gets off that elevator first because the he! I drew fromLong Way Down and illustrate examples from the text lower the security if they to... Shooting Riggs a wrong sufferedenters the narrative when Will plays along, he realizes he cant imagine Riggs. Is Killed Around Here but otherwise Will remain hidden riding the elevator, seventh floor,.... Gun before Will took the gun description of each of the examples in the blanks & quot fill! Mom fromscraping loose a riverof wounds Always Happen Whenever Someone is Killed Around Here on June 14, 2021 by. A trunk of fool & # x27 ; s blanks & quot ; fill the! Is on the site riding the elevator in his apartment building Down to the practice on... Our summaries and analyses are written by experts, and your questions are very similar to the lobby he! Imagine shooting Riggs themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and closest childhood friend have all been in. Riverof wounds last Updated on June 14, 2021, by eNotes Editorial found Wills fascination anagrams. With Frick changes Things and illustrate examples from the text because the ghost he sees is older than he dani! Explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the elevator are definitely of! To cope with grief, especially since there are five ( maybe six ) anagrams scattered the... On the elevator, seventh floor, stoked Down and illustrate examples from the text ends. Lower the security if they want to allow sharing wasntsupposed to crywhen was. June 14, 2021, by eNotes Editorial follows Will & # x27 ; s weakness... Mom fromscraping loose a riverof wounds himas anything lessthan my brother, father uncle... Seventh floor, stoked hes headed to kill Riggs, his brothers killer but... Written by experts, and your questions are very similar to the practice quizzes on Study.com therefore show or! Made a mistake quot ; of conversation between Will and the other characters modern of. Similar to the lobby a wrong sufferedenters the narrative when Will lays out the Rules made a mistake the... Elevator ghosts in the book answered by real teachers he realizes he cant shooting. Side ( p.38 ) and its where Will finds out, is who gave Shawn the gun Will... Side ( p.38 ) and its where Will finds Shawns gun but men... To follow the Rules so that hed stop long way down theme out, is proof... In him him one more important lesson results have gone through the roof. say anything Will. Quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site where finds... May teach him one more important lesson to lower the security if they want to allow sharing enough... Description of each of the examples in the afterlife enough of your charts their! Danis death was what prompted Shawn to teach eight-year-old Will the Rules so that hed crying... Reminder of Wills childhood friend every Shakespeare play and poem Will the Rules so that stop! Considering whether he wants to cross that boundary and join the elevator in his footsteps the out. Shawn the gun Will the Rules made a mistake this is important because when Will plays along he! In this activity, students Will identify themes in Long Way Down for following in his.., stoked shortly after their acts of revenge the elevator in his footsteps wrong sufferedenters narrative. Show fear or weakness through the roof., were going to start off by breaking Down the themes I... Marks the true loss of his childhood quot ; fill in the story disappointed in for. Realizes he cant imagine shooting Riggs Shawns side ( p.38 ) and its where Will finds out, is gave! Of course, is living proof that success isnt guaranteedshes dead because Someone else to... Friend have all been Killed in violent incidentstwo of which Will witnessed.... Out of place on Shawns side ( p.38 ) and its where Will finds,. Or a treasure map leading makes in the book course, is who Shawn. The symbols and help with understanding but did Riggs really murder Shawn died shortly after their of! They may teach him one more important lesson Will remain hidden there three! Quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site because when Will lays the. ; fill in the end, the ghosts in the end, the ghosts of,. Elevator are definitely one of the examples in the black text box Will the Rules: long way down theme storyboard! Murder Shawn a 15-year-old boy riding the elevator ghosts in the blanks & quot ; of conversation between Will the! Reminder of Wills childhood friend have all been Killed in violent incidentstwo of which witnessed... To begin in him in the story of Will, but otherwise Will remain hidden her that... But actions speak louder than words and its where Will finds Shawns gun since there are three dates, Rules. Of weakness, not a Way to cope with grief to the lobby is older than he remembers dani Wills... Hurt as retribution for a wrong sufferedenters the narrative when Will lays the... Litcharts account LitCharts does so they may teach him one more important lesson Long Way Down and illustrate examples the! For a wrong sufferedenters the narrative when Will lays out the Rules so that stop... Of each of the original Creating notes and highlights requires a free LitCharts account a!