Choose a primary character? Type the name of the character and the play that they are in.
Elliot Ortiz , Water by the spoonful.
What are five relevant Given Circumstances to that character? Use a sentence to explain each one so you have five sentences total
Was adopted by his aunt
Fought in Iraq
Injured his leg in war
Constantly sees a ghost
Aunt Ginny dies
What do they want and Why do they want this? Use three sentences to answer this.
Elliot wants to start a new life and get his life together. He wants this because he’s been through so much with his addiction and seeing ghosts, and the passing of his Adoptive mother just makes things worse.
What are five examples of tactics/verbs that they use throughout the play? Five Verbs
Helplessness
Guilt
Forgiveness
Grievance
Comfort
Cite an example/moment in the play where they use that tactic/verb? One sentence.
Comfort
This dream was different than usual. I’m fixing a Subway hoagie, I feel eyes on the back of my neck, I turn around and expect to see him, the first guy I shot down in Iraq. But instead it’s Mami Ginny. Standing next to the bread oven, smiling. You know how her eyes smile? (Elliot, pg 121)
What page number is the monologue you are looking at from? Single word
Page 6
Who are they speaking to and what is their relationship to that person/people? Single sentence.
Elliot is talking to his cousin Yaz.
What do they want from the person/people they are talking to? Single sentence
Elliot is asking his cousin Yaz for some help with his Ginny.
Why do they speak uninterrupted? Think about this a little. Normally, we don’t get to just talk a long time without another person answering us. Political Speeches are an example where the speaker is uninterrupted. A Thank You speech after getting a reward. Why does this character get to speak uninterrupted? What is your opinion? Five Sentences
Elliot talks for so long during this scene without being interrupted because he’s filling in his cousin Yaz in on what the doctor says. Yaz who was trying to convince Elliot that his Aunt was doing and she had a good breakfast and morning.Elliot who really cares and loves his aunt goes on for so long because he wants to make sure that Yaz knows his Ginny has to eat healthier food. I think Elliot is also really passionate when it comes to his aunt because she took care of him for so long so this is why he goes on for so long.
What would you identify as the theme of the play? What is the play About? Five Sentences
I would say that the theme of this play is what injured war soldiers deal with once they come home from war. Elliot suffered physically and from there it got worse. He got addicted to pain medicine and was also meantly ill I believe. His Ginny then soon passed away which made things a lot tougher. Elliot didn't give up though he got help and started a new life.
What in the play resonated with you right now? What felt relevant to you? What did you identify with? Five sentences.
What resonated with me the most was how Elliot got through so much adversity things just continued to get worse but he seeked help and got better even though he still sees ghosts. I think that this is a real problem in the world that our soldiers sometimes do not get enough help sometimes they put their lives on the line to protect that's what feels relevant to me. I believe that Ginny is more important then we give credit for she raised Elliot when his mother Odessa neglected him and pushed him away
Jamare, I disagree with your analysis of the text. I think that the text pretty explicitly says that he doesn't get help and struggles alone. I also believe that a major theme of the play is that Elliot is lying to himself about being "over" his addiction, as evidenced by the scene in the hotel room.
Additionally, I find your mention of Elliot's mental illness interesting. Did you mean to say that Elliot had a mental illness beyond his PTSD and substance use, or did you just mean those?
Jamare, I am so glad you got onto the Virtual Classroom! This is a great Journal Entry. I think your theme is spot on and I very much agree with you about the ghosts.
I think you have some strong verb/tactics - like comfort and guilt. But keep watching out for States or Emotions - like Helplessness. Keep trying to think of ways to articulate Action that can be DONE to another person. You can comfort or guilt a family member but you can't helplessness them. Does that make sense?
I look forward to reading more of your thoughts in the coming weeks. Check out that Writing Prompt and Video Prompt for March 31st when you can!
I am so glad to read your thoughts.