Friday, May 6, 2011

Imitation Writing: Harper Lee



Harper Lee's Style:
  • Her writing in this passage is very simplistic and descriptive
  • The language she uses matches the time period she is writing about
Original Passage:
"When he was nearly thirteen, my brother Jem got his arm badly broken at the elbow. When it healed, and Jem's fears of never being able to play football were assuaged, he was seldom self-conscious about his injury. His left arm was somewhat shorter than his right; when he stood or walked, the back of his hand was at right angles to his body, his thumb parallel to his thigh. He couldn't have cared less, so long as he could pass and punt."

Context:
     Jem overcame his obstacles to be able to do what he wanted, even though he still had challanges.

Imitation:
     Five months after the accident, he still had the ugly scars as proof. At first, he was terrified that he would never wrestle again. After all, how many people can wrestle with one arm? But he was determined. After months of vigorous training and therapy, he was ready to try his favorite sport again. Walking onto the mat, he could sense the stars from the people in the stands and the other wrestlers, doubting his abilities, but he just kept on walking with his head held high.


Original Passage:
"I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It's when you know you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do."
Attitus Finch, Chapter 11.

Context:
     Atticus wants his children to know what real bravery is, not a false sense of security provided by weapons.

Imitation:
     When I think of bravery, I think of soldiers as the best example. Not because of the guns and the tanks and the bombs. Because of their willingness to go out everyday and risk their lives for us, go out and know there is a chance they might not come back. They know what they are getting into when they enlist, but they do it anyway, to defend our freedom to the best of their ability.

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