Wednesday, July 6, 2011

On My Honor

Bauer, M. D. (1986).  On My Honor.  New York: Bantam Doubleday Dell Books for Young Readers.

On My Honor is a John Newbery Honor Book for 1986.  It is also on the list of Challenged Books. (Death)

Explication:  The main characters of the book are Joel Bates and Tony Zabrinsky. 

Conflict:  Joel was more level-headed and not willing to risk his life for a thrill.  Tony was a dare-devil and nothing could stop him from doing something he set his mind to doing.

Rising Action:  Joel just wanted to go swimming in the local pool, but Tony had it in his mind to climb the bluff at the state park.  On the way, Tony got side-tracked at the bridge over the Vermillion River.  He decided he wanted to go swimming in the river instead.  Joel didn't really want to but was goaded into challenging Tony to a race out to the sandbar in the river.

Climax:  When he got to the sandbar, Joel couldn't find Tony.  He looked underwater for him then ran up to the highway and flagged down an older boy to look for him.  They couldn't find him.

Falling Action:  Joel went home and didn't say anything about Tony to any one.  He felt like the whole thing was his fault, Tony going in the river and drowning.  He acted like he didn't know what happened to him. 

Resolution:  Eventually, Joel did come clean and tell what happened.  He kept smelling decaying fish he attributed to the river water.  He could smell death.

This book is one that depicts what happens to young boys in real life.  There is always one in a group who will dare someone to do something foolish and another one who will take that challenge.

Literary Elements:
  • Cosmic Irony - Tony's fate was self inflicted and it was ironic that Joel was a victim of Tony's fate.
  • Metaphor - Tony was a "prehistoric monster emerging from a swamp".
  • Imagery - Joel could smell dead fish, the smell of death, even though he had cleaned himself.

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