Answer: Title of short story or novel: "Wonder"
Author: R.J. Palacio
Describe the setting of your novel or short story:
The novel is set in present-day New York City, primarily in the suburban community of North River Heights. The story takes place at Beecher Prep School, a private school for grades 5-8.
Provide a quotation from the text to support your answer:
"The universe takes care of all its birds" (Part One, Chapter 2).
Describe the protagonist of your novel or short story:
The protagonist of "Wonder" is August "Auggie" Pullman, a ten-year-old boy born with facial abnormalities.
Provide a quotation from the text to support your answer:
"I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse." (Part One, Chapter 1).
Discuss the main conflict in your novel or short story. If the conflict is not perfectly clear yet, what do you suspect it will be? Explain who is trying to do what:
The main conflict in the novel is Auggie's struggle to fit in and be accepted by his peers at Beecher Prep School, as he faces bullying and discrimination due to his appearance. Auggie is trying to find a place where he belongs and makes friends while his classmates struggle to accept and understand his differences.
Which of the four major types of conflict best describes the situation you discussed?
The conflict can be described as a character vs. society conflict, as Auggie is facing opposition and discrimination from his classmates due to his physical appearance.
Provide at least two examples of dialogue in your novel or short story that support the type of conflict you have identified:
Example 1:
"'I don't understand why you're being so mean to him,' I said.
'Because he looks like he does. That's why.'
'But that's not his fault,' I said.
'Yeah, I guess you're right about that,' he said. 'It's not his fault. It's just his face.' (Part Two, Chapter 4)
Example 2:
"'You really are a wonder, Auggie. You are a wonder.' I smiled at him. I couldn't help it. He looked so proud, like he himself had won an Oscar or something. 'You are a wonder,' I repeated my voice soft but with a catch in it. 'Auggie, you're a wonder.'" (Part Eight, Chapter 22)
Explain how each example of dialogue supports the conflict:
Example 1 shows how Auggie's appearance is the primary reason for the bullying he is facing, and how this is a societal issue that goes beyond just the actions of individual classmates. Example 2 highlights the impact that Auggie has had on those around him, and how his differences have made him unique and special despite the discrimination he has faced.
Describe two examples of rising action events in your novel or short story:
Example 1: Auggie decides to go to school and his parents enroll him in a mainstream private school, Beecher Prep. This event sets the stage for the primary conflict of the novel, as Auggie must navigate a new and challenging social environment.
Example 2: Auggie's classmates start to get to know him better and become more accepting of his differences. This is a gradual process that takes place over several chapters, but it represents a significant shift in the rising action of the story as Auggie begins to find his place at Beecher Prep.
Provide a quotation from the text to support your answers:
Example 1: "So I said I would go. Mom and Dad were really happy when I said that. They didn't say anything, but I could tell they were really, really happy." (Part One, Chapter 2)
Example 2: "But I didn't go to lunch. I went to the nurse's office instead. And for the rest of the day, I avoided Via and Miranda and everybody else who knew me before I went to school here. When I got home, I went straight to my room and locked the door." (Part Two, Chapter 3)
Step-by-step explanation:
Example 1 shows how Auggie's decision to attend Beecher Prep is a pivotal moment in the story and how his parents are thrilled with his bravery and determination. Example 2 shows how Auggie's progress is not always linear and how setbacks and challenges are an important part of his journey as he tries to fit in and find acceptance at school. Both events contribute to the rising action of the story and move the plot forward.