That was then, this is now- An analysis in song

As we finish our study of S.E. Hinton´s That Was Then, This Is Now, I want you to think about this song and our protagonist, Bryon.
First, read the lyrics before you watch the video.
This post will help you complete your own comparison between the novel and a song.

"Stand" by Rascal Flatts
You feel like a candle in a hurricane
Just like a picture with a broken frame
Alone and helpless
Like you've lost your fight
But you'll be alright, you'll be alright

Cause when push comes to shove
You taste what you're made of
You might bend, till you break
Cause it´s all you can take
On your knees you look up
Decide you've had enough
You get mad you get strong
Wipe your hands shake it off
Then you Stand, Then you stand

Life's like a novel
With the end ripped out
The edge of a canyon
With only one way down
Take what you're given before its gone
Start holding on, keep holding on
Cause when push comes to shove
You taste what you're made of
You might bend, till you break
Cause it´s all you can take
On your knees you look up
Decide you've had enough
You get mad you get strong
Wipe your hands shake it off
Then you Stand.

Everytime you get up
And get back in the race
One more small piece of you
Starts to fall into place



Does Bryon "stand"? Does he bend or does he break? And would you say that he finds out what he is made of throughout the story?

That was then, this is now Chapter 8

In Chapter 8 the people at the hippie house are described as being "free".
Think about your own personal definition of "being free" or "having freedom". Do you agree with this comparison? Are they really free? Why or why not?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxiYBcJi8y4

That was then, this is now Chapter 7

As you listen to this song by Lifehouse, think about how the relationships in the book are beginning to change. Who is getting closer? Who is growing apart? What relationships are in trouble of surviving?

That was then, this is now Chapter 5-6

As you listen to this song and its lyrics, think about this--
What or whom have you wanted in your life that you now realize was not good for you?
Did others attempt to "talk you out of it" or keep you from getting hurt?
Why did you want it anyway?
Why do we want things that are not good for us?

That was then, this is now Chapters 3-4

As you listen to the song, think about how the idea of being a "HERO" applies to the book That was then, this is now.
Who is looking for a hero? Or who is trying to be a hero for someone else? Are heroes necessary? Or is it dangerous to have a hero?

Characterization TWT, TIN

As you read That Was Then, This is Now, we will spend quite a bit of time analyzing the characters from the story. Rather than just describing them with adjectives, we will use a variety of metaphors and similes that represent their physical, emotional and developmental traits.



In order to familiarize you with this process, each student needs to post 1 description of a person in his/her life as a COMMENT on this post NO LATER THAN 7 October as we will use these in class on 8 October.

You decide if you will use a metaphor or a simile. Remember--the only difference is that a simile uses "like" or "as" to make the comparison.


Here are 3 examples to guide you:

That was then, this is now Chapter 2

Think about Chapter 2 which you have just read for class today.
What connections can you make between chapter and this #1 hit by the Fray?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UksIFm8Ru6s