Reading Blog 1

Reading Blog 1

Noughts and Crosses
Text Type: Extended Written text

Noughts and Crosses written by Malorie Blackman is a romantic, adventures and action story set in the 1960’s but also had technology included from the 1980’s. In those times whites were higher up but in this book Blackman flipped and made it seem like it was an alternate universe where Crosses (blacks) were superior and Noughts (whites) were inferior. Callum and Sephy had a forbidden love that was looked down upon by many. Not many people could look past skin colour and be open-minded about it. In the book most Crosses had thought of Noughts as low lives and people they shouldn’t interact with. Whereas most of the Noughts thought of the Crosses as stuck-up people with materialistic life styles. Both parties discouraged the thought of Noughts and Crosses getting along.

This book made me feel disgusted with the amount of racism in it. For example when four Noughts are accepted into Heathcroft High School the Crosses started a protest in which they said  “No blankers in our school.” Noughts were also referred to as blankers. They were given this name because according to the Crosses they were “Blank, white faces with not a hint of colour in them. Blank minds which can’t hold a single original thought. Blank, blank, blank.” I could really relate to the Noughts when I read that sentence because I have also have had my fair share of racist comments thrown towards me, along with the feeling of not fitting in because of my race and religion. I always felt the need to act and present myself a certain way to be an accepted member of society. Which is exactly what Callum felt the night before school started. We see this when he is unpacking and repacking his bag and saying the same sentence over and over again in his head. “I’m lucky.. I’m lucky.. I’m lucky.. I’m going to school.”

A really big theme in Noughts and Crosses is betrayal. This theme is seen near the end of the novel at the beach. The beach, where Sephy was kidnapped, turns the symbol of friendship into the symbol of betrayal. “Meet around nine o’clock at our special place. It’s very important.” Callum wrote in his letter. Sephy heads to the beach with the thought of meeting her former best friend, but when she gets there she is in for a great shock. I chose this because the picture of Callum stabbing her in the back makes me believe in the saying “Trust is a fragile thing. Easy to break. Easy to lose, but one of the hardest things to get back.”

Dr. Jykell & Mr. Hyde

Chapter 5 “Incident of The Letter”

1.. What does Jekyll say in response to Utterson’s inquiry regarding Hyde’s whereabouts?

Hyde has fled.

2. Why does Jekyll want Utterson to have the letter?

So he can get Utterson to trust him again.

3. Who is it from and what does it say?

The letter is from Mr. Hyde assuring Jekyll that he has means of escape, that Jekyll should not worry about him, and that he sees himself as unworthy of Jekyll's generosity.

4.  How can Poole be so positive that no messenger delivered the letter?

Poole checks the mail.

5. Who is Mr. Guest?

Mr Utterson's  trusted clerk.

6. Utterson says, “There was no man from whom he kept fewer secrets than Mr. Guest; and he was not always sure that he kept as many as he meant.” What does this mean about the relationship between Guest and Utterson?

Mr Utterson doesn’t trust Guest.

7. What special ability does Guest have?

He is an expert on handwriting.

8. How does Guest have an opportunity to compare the handwriting of Jekyll and Hyde?

He has a dinner invitation that he compares the letter to.

Chapter 6 “Remarkable Incident of Dr. Lanyon”

1. Utterson feels that the death of Sir Danvers was more than paid for by what?

The disappearance of Mr Hyde.

2. How does Dr. Jekyll behave at the time of Hyde’s supposed disappearance?

He goes back to his regular self.

3. Between the days of January 8 and January 16 what change has occurred in Dr. Lanyon?

He becomes distant because he knows about Jekyll's secret. He starts to look older and tired.

4. What reason does Lanyon give for his current condition?

Shock.

5. What does Lanyon say in response to Utterson’s mention of Jekyll?

To never speak of him again.

6. What type of document does Utterson receive the night of Lanyon’s funeral?

An envelope that includes a letter.

7. What instructions are given on the second document?

Not to open it until the death or disappearance of Jekyll.

8. What does Utterson do with the two documents?

He puts them in his safe.