This Boy S Life Practice Essay

Words: 1262
Pages: 6
Open Document
6. It is Jack’s lack of a stable, male role model that is to blame for his actions. To what extent do you agree?
Tobias Wolff’s memoir, “This Boy’s Life”, explores the idea that an individual’s actions can be altered due to the people they are exposed to. The protagonist Jack Wolff lives an impressionable life where he undergoes somewhat of a dilemma in relations to his actions, being incapable of changing for the greater good of himself. The absence of a proper male role model plays a large role on Jack’s actions, though is definitely not the only reason. Jack’s actions are influenced by Rosemary’s abusive and power craving ex-husband Roy, as well as Dwight’s violent and arrogant personality. However, Jack is also responsible for his …show more content…
Wolff utilizes the effect of sentence length in this same passage, where he transitions from a long sentence to two short and meaningful sentences. By varying the sentence lengths, he is adding emphasis on the fact that he was a thief. Jack’s disobedience is evident when he states that “[he] was the kind of person who took advantage of other people’s kindness, or wrote filth on bathroom walls.” This is a significant quote that portrays the type of person that Jack chooses to be, and as well as how he chooses to act on his own. Wolff presents the idea that an individual’s actions can be positive or negative, depending on their mindset and what their intentions are. It can easily be seen that the actions undertaken by Jack are his own choice, and that he is responsible for these actions.
Additionally, Rosemary has not disciplined Jack enough, and is the reason as to why Jack acts unethically. Throughout the memoir, Wolff presents numerous occasions where Rosemary’s role as a parent is at fault. It is Rosemary’s kind-heartedness which Jack takes advantage of. The fact that Rosemary has “never been able to spank [Jack]”, or that she “couldn’t even raise her voice convincingly” is a prime reason as to why Jack thinks it is acceptable to act immorally. Rosemary’s leniency is highlighted during her discussion with Jack’s vice principal. She simply disregards the vice principal’s remarks by
Show More

Related Documents: This Boy S Life Practice Essay

Clause Conectors Essay

paragraphs and essays, you need to know some vital information about clause connectors. These important words and phrases are like signs and signals found on roads. They direct the reader and help writers join clauses and make changes in directions of thought. When you finish this unit, you’ll be able to recognize and use various clause connectors appropriately. We’re going to be looking at words that can be used to join clauses. Remember that a clause must have a subject and a verb. Example(s) Norman…

Words 685 - Pages 3

The Failure Of Boys Within The American Educational System

The Failure of Boys within the American Educational System Brian Woodall Liberty University Lacie Wright 201440 Fall GRST 500-B12 LUO The Failure of Boys within the American Educational System According to most sociological analyses, women constitute the disadvantaged group along the demographic axis of gender. Whitmire (2010), though, in his book Why Boys Fail, has put forth the controversial thesis that it is actually male children who are overwhelmingly disadvantaged within the American…

Words 2929 - Pages 12

Evil In Lord Of The Flies Analysis

ways this can be perceived: For…

Words 1329 - Pages 6

Essay about Novel and Dynamic Character

Where the Red Fern Grows Essay explanation and Prompt Throughout the novel, Billy exhibits many positive and admirable characteristics. He would be considered a dynamic character because he has grown and learned so much by the end of the story. Any character who has many sides to his/her personality is a dynamic character; authors create and develop these kinds of character because they are more interesting to read about and more like real people. A dynamic character is not completely wonderful…

Words 1878 - Pages 8

Research Essay

Research Essay Outline I. Introductory Paragraph Thesis statement: This paper attempts to discuss the differences of whether single-sex schooling is beneficial with regards to the students’ academic achievement, personal development and social interaction. In doing so, it will provide a critical and evaluative viewpoint on some of the important concerns relevant to the two scholastic settings. II. Body paragraphs 1) Academic performance/achievement a) Single-sex schools i) Teaching/learning perspective…

Words 2209 - Pages 9

Essay on HOW TO BE AWESOME

THE DRAIN, and Midna`s Stone. Although the titles are interesting, the books themselves are NOT!! His teacher, Ms. Stephanie Jordet, is a HORRIBLE teacher for encouraging insensate "Literary Genius" PrestonWL. PrestonWL is not a Literary Genius nor will he never be, hence the reason he failed Language Arts and my expections!!! Before the pen touches the paper with the first word of your personal experience essay you should consider a basic points that will help your essay be a success. The purpose…

Words 4145 - Pages 17

Essay Final 1

Abuse of Power Ting Liu Indiana University South Bend Abstract This article mainly writes about the abuse of power. Through Brody claimed in his essay “The Social Power of Expert Healers”, people often stress that they need to have certain powers, but they neglect powers abuse. My article selects Rodriguez’s case. His experience is useful to illustrate Brody’s theories. Rodriguez is the victim of abuse of power. His tragedy not only comes from a “public” abuse, but also comes from a “private” abuse…

Words 1586 - Pages 7

Critical Best Practice

The area of social work which will be the focus of this essay is work with adolescents. More specifically, the group work Mentoring program I have both observed and participated in at Fusion South Sydney Youth Services – an organisation driven by the belief that every young person should have the opportunity to envision and achieve their full potential and best life. This positive practice experience helped to exemplify critical best practice and how group work with adolescents can be applied cross-culturally…

Words 1727 - Pages 7

Essay plan- altruism

Critically analyse the role of self in altruistic behavior. BRIEF INTRODUCTION H umans are born in need of nurture therefore it is the environmental, social and physical teachings from the nurturer that mold an individual’s psychological processes, this making them ultimately altruistic or selfish. Altruistic behaviors have been noted as acting unselfishly for another’s sake. Researchers (e.g., Batson et al., 1981; Cialdini & Kenrick, 1976) argue that altruism should be defined to acknowledge only…

Words 1389 - Pages 6

Essay on California Peace Officer Study Guide 1

improve performance on aptitude tests. This is because aptitude tests measure existing skills that have been developed over a long period of time. If an individual is weak in the areas associated with successful performance, the aptitude test will detect these weaknesses and render scores that reflect a decreased probability of success. The only way to predictably improve scores on an aptitude test is to improve existing skills through extensive learning and practice (e.g., coursework, training). Because…

Words 9206 - Pages 37