Thursday, March 15, 2012

Wonder - Part Five: Justin

Justin's part is introduced with a quote from The Elephant Man, a play written by Bernard Pomerance that is based on the life of Joseph (sometimes called John) Merrick. John Merrick was a real person who lived in the 1800s. When he was two years old, growths began to appear on his face. As he grew older, his appearance continued to change until, according to Wikipedia, "His skin appeared thick and lumpy, he developed an enlargement of his lips, and a bony lump grew on his forehead. One of his arms and both feet became enlarged." His head grew to be 36 inches around.

The name "The Elephant Man" comes from John Merrick's time in a carnival freak show where people paid to look at "freaks." He was advertised at "The Elephant Man." He eventually did leave the freak show, but died in a hospital at the age of 27.

In one line of the play, John Merrick says the words quoted at the beginning of Justin's section.

"Sometimes I think my head is so
big because it is so full of dreams."



*All photos linked to their source.

Continue to pages 186-204.

30 comments:

  1. Any ideas why Justin's part is written with no caps.

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    1. I think it is just to give us a glimpse into Justin's personality.

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    2. I think it was just to give us another way of looking at Justin's personality.

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    3. I agree. I would describe Justin as sympathetic, and shy. It was harder for me to read because of the fact that there was no caps.

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    4. It's interesting that on the very first line of Justin's section, he capitalized Olivia's name, but later on the same page it's "olivia" and "via's". It's almost like he accidentally shows readers how important Via is to him by capitalizing that first O, but then remembers that he's a no-caps kind of guy and makes it lowercase the rest of his section.

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    5. I think it is because he feels he is not important because he has very little people who pay any attention to him.

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    6. No it is because his not a special person and no one cares about him like his family

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    7. He really love via

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    8. because maybe its about his life, not really exiting... theres one capital letter, try to find it

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  2. The F.A.Q. on R. J. Palacio's website has a great response to your question. You can read the entire answer here: http://rjpalacio.tumblr.com/post/36554274751/wonder-faqs

    Here's one of the lines from her answer that sticks out to me: "The running monologue inside his head has no time for capital letters or punctuation: it’s like his thoughts are streaming inside his mind."

    Brian

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  3. You can find the answer at the end of the book but in short, it has to do with musical notes

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  4. nakiama jarmon2/10/16, 10:54 AM

    how does justin feel after talking to jack about agust

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    1. It think Justin's actions say a lot about how he feels. Right after talking to Jack is when Justin pretends to be the tough guy - the "hit man" - to Julian, Miles, and Amos. Why would he act that way after talking to Jack? Why is he sticking up for Jack?

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    2. i think he feels mad because they are bullying Jack just because he is friends with August

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  5. I agree that it shows some of his personality like how he is a little lay back and how he cares about Olivia/Via of how he capitalizes her name

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  6. what does "sometimes i think my head is so big because it is filled with dreams" have to do with justin's character

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  7. I think it is amazing how you have put so much effort into making a website that could help me and my class so much.We are studding wonder at school.

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  8. hi, why is justin' section not capitalized or punctuated in the book. Also, what does that quote mean by elephant man and The little prince for jack's chapter. thank you so much! please try to respond ASAP. thanks again!

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    1. the author did this so justin would have a personality. the only word he capitalizes was the first oliva in the section, because shes most important to him

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  9. why is Wonder Part 5 Justin's view so short!!!!! Make it longer!!!!!!!!

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  10. what is the quote "elephant man mean" is it supposed to tell us something about julian

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  11. i feel so bad for him!

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  12. Who the author of the book??

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  13. i think it is like that because it is just his personality

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  14. Nora Brueckner11/1/22, 5:46 PM

    Personality

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