1. Why did Ms Gruwell have the Freedom Writers study the Holocaust and meet Holocaust survivors ?
In diary 21, we learn Renee Firestone is a Holocaust survivor. She lost everything in the Holocaust (including her family). Later she came to America and became a successful clothing designer. Ms Gruwell wants to show to her students, that their life can be better. If they want, they can change their future, like this Holocaust survivor.
First the Freedom Writers didn't know what was the Holocaust. After Ms Gruwell's course, they were interested in the life of other people. They learned in Europe there were racist wars too.
2. How did the Freedom Writers relate to Anne Frank ? Give examples.
In diary 36, the student wasn't happy to read Anne Frank's diary, because he/she hated reading. In the movie, at the end, the Latino Girl was interested about Anne Frank's diary, because Anne Frank was like these students today, she saw her friends die and she had the same age and teenage tears.
3. In what way Zlata Filipovic impacted the students’ lives? Give examples from several writers. What really surprised the Freedom writers?
Zlata Filipovic gave hope to the students. After they read her diary, they had hope for their future and they had new perspectives. They learned Tolerance. They met Zlata Filipovic and they learned : like them, she saw her friends die. She was a courageous lady.
Anne Frank and Zlata Filipovic impacted the student's lives. The Freedom writers were surprised because they had a lot of similarities with Anne Frank and Zlata Filipovic : same age, alienation and teenage tears. They were in similar situation. In diary 37, the student says "I'm beginning to realize that Anne Frank, Zlata Filipovic, and I have a lot in common".
4.In diary 47, the writer says: ”Now if you ask me what race I am, like Zlata, I’ll simply say, “I’m a human being.””How could you explain that quote? Do you relate to it?
If we ask to Zlata "What race are you ?", she answers "I'm a human being". It means that, for her, race doesn't exist. And now this student understood that. Racism is stupid. Everyone is a human being, our colour isn't important.
vendredi 8 février 2008
vendredi 1 février 2008
The Freedom Writers Diary
After reading Anne Frank's diary the Freedom Writers wrote letters and raised money to invite Miep Gies to visit their school. I would like to invite Ms Gruwell, because I admire her. I think she's a generous person and she wants to help people. My classmates read her book and I think they changed. We learned a person can change the world.
The question of the writer of Diary 36 : "Why should I read books about people that don't look like me ?"
My answer : We can't always read books we like. We should read different books, because we should learn different things (not always the same things), different opinions. From reading Anne Frank's diary, the Freedom Writers learnt to help other people. Anne Frank was a role model for them.
Stereotypes give you your place in the society and you can't do what you want to do. People are going to be identical. There is no originality. The danger is people think "I must be in a gang".
The freedom writers are Asians, Latinos, whites, blacks, ...
The "hood" is described by the freedom writers like a dangerous place. It dubbed Long Beach (gangsta-rap capital). There are two or three buses to get to school.
The students' parents play an important role in their lives. In diary 13, the student never knew his/her father so it's difficult for him/her, because the parents are very important. An another student was sad, because her mother doesn't like him/her.
Experience of a student has been to juvenile homes : In diary 12, a student arrives at juvenile hall, she/he says "it was scary" and on his/her first night she/he cried. It's an horrible experience.
Before students didn't want to read books. Now when they see a book, they want to open it.
In French "we began to understand the true meaning of not judging a book by its cover" means "nous avons commencé à comprendre la vraie signification de juger un livre par sa couverture".
The main issues of the freedom writers : They have problems with alcohol, drugs. They often belong to a gang. There are wars between the different gangs. They don't respect the law.
In diary 6, the writer talks about his experience about death. I learn his/her friend died and unfortunately it often happens in the US. I felt sad, because it's horrible to die so young.
In diary 15, the student talks about her/his teacher Mrs Gruwell. We learn her/his teacher wants to understand why this girl/boy think that way. The teacher wants to change the student, to help him/her to be a good person.
The question of the writer of Diary 36 : "Why should I read books about people that don't look like me ?"
My answer : We can't always read books we like. We should read different books, because we should learn different things (not always the same things), different opinions. From reading Anne Frank's diary, the Freedom Writers learnt to help other people. Anne Frank was a role model for them.
Stereotypes give you your place in the society and you can't do what you want to do. People are going to be identical. There is no originality. The danger is people think "I must be in a gang".
The freedom writers are Asians, Latinos, whites, blacks, ...
The "hood" is described by the freedom writers like a dangerous place. It dubbed Long Beach (gangsta-rap capital). There are two or three buses to get to school.
The students' parents play an important role in their lives. In diary 13, the student never knew his/her father so it's difficult for him/her, because the parents are very important. An another student was sad, because her mother doesn't like him/her.
Experience of a student has been to juvenile homes : In diary 12, a student arrives at juvenile hall, she/he says "it was scary" and on his/her first night she/he cried. It's an horrible experience.
Before students didn't want to read books. Now when they see a book, they want to open it.
In French "we began to understand the true meaning of not judging a book by its cover" means "nous avons commencé à comprendre la vraie signification de juger un livre par sa couverture".
The main issues of the freedom writers : They have problems with alcohol, drugs. They often belong to a gang. There are wars between the different gangs. They don't respect the law.
In diary 6, the writer talks about his experience about death. I learn his/her friend died and unfortunately it often happens in the US. I felt sad, because it's horrible to die so young.
In diary 15, the student talks about her/his teacher Mrs Gruwell. We learn her/his teacher wants to understand why this girl/boy think that way. The teacher wants to change the student, to help him/her to be a good person.
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