In this online discussion, you should comment on the blog at least three times. Here are a few questions to get you started. You can also post the questions you have, now that we're done with the text.
- Look at the image to the right. Notice the teaser, and then think about the title.
What symbolic significance does the title Witness have? Think about the synonyms for this word: observer, spectator, bystander, onlooker, eyewitness, watcher. How do these words apply to various characters? What about the outcome of this text?
- How does the title connect to the theme of the text?
- Think about Merlin. What does this text teach about bullying, and its relationship to a lack of role models and economic strife?
- How do emotions like jealousy and fear and problems like ignorance influence one’s prejudice?
- Are we responsible for protecting our friends, neighbors, and even acquaintances?
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In this online discussion, you should comment on the blog at least three times. Here are a few questions to get you started. You can also post the questions you have, now that we're done with the text. 
1. Everyone is a witness yo
ReplyDeletelets get it poppin'!
ReplyDelete2. Esther had to watch her dad get shot and saw the shooter.
ReplyDelete1) I think that it represents Esther in the fact that she saw Merlin through the keyhole. This is also shown in the poster above.
ReplyDelete2) I think that it is saying that if you are just a witness and you don't do anything, then that is just as bad as promoting the bad act itself.
2. it relates because all of the main characters are witnesses to something in this story
ReplyDeleteIt looks like the door has been beaten just like the people of the story and how they go through the circumstances that the KKK has made the town experiance
ReplyDeleteEveryone in Witness is an observer to the KKK and what is going on in their town. Yet, no one does anything about it because they are all too afraid.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think happened to Merlin and Mr. Hirsh?
ReplyDeleteThe title connects to the story because the entire town is a witness of the KKK's actions towards esther's and leonora's families.
ReplyDeleteLook at the image to the right. Notice the teaser, and then think about the title.
ReplyDeleteWhat symbolic significance does the title Witness have? Think about the synonyms for this word: observer, spectator, bystander, onlooker, eyewitness, watcher. How do these words apply to various characters? What about the outcome of this text?
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I believe that the significance of the title Witness is that all the characters in the sotry WITNESS it in a different way. All the characters have a different set of ideals, have different perspective, and have separate background knowledge and experience, making the witnessing of the events different for all of them. The title suggests that we are all witnesses, and that we all see what happens in different ways.
i think this teaser makes the book look like its a horror book. but after reading it, its not close to horror.
ReplyDeleteJames- Johnny was the one that shot Ira through the keyhole
ReplyDelete3. since merlin wasn't exceptted in the KKK and he doesn't have a role model so one of the only solutions for him was to be a bad kid, he was so desperate to wanted he would even KILL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteJames, Esther saw Johnny not Merlin im pretty sure
ReplyDelete2.) The title connects to the theme of the text because it seems as if you are witnessing the racism in the story and then thinking about it.
ReplyDelete4.)Emotions can influence ones prejudice because say your dad is killed by MUslims you will probably have a prejudice against them since they killed your dad because your blinded by hate.
~Jacob Wiegman
2) The title kinda speaks about when Esther is was front of the train, trying to stop it, no one but Leanora tried to save her, everyone who witnessed this decided to not help
ReplyDeleteAnd the title talks about how Esther knew it was Johnny Reeves shot her dad but she was too scared to say anything
Leanora witnessed that Merlin wasn't at the crime scene that night, he was at ther house about to poison her water, but he decided not to.
Everyone is a witness somehow
I meant Johnny. Oops.
ReplyDeletethe title connects to the story because everyone in the book seems to be seeing things that they probably shoulnt see. in other words a witness.
ReplyDelete1. I think that eyewitness could be a word for Esther becasue she saw who shot her dad and I think that she observed a lot of things in the toen that a lot of people didnt notice. Things with Johnny and his personalitly and relixing that just because Leanora was black does not make her any less of a person.
ReplyDeleteIn the book everybody tells about each other in the 3rd person view, however Leanora and Ester talk in 1st person. I think this may be, because they are the dynamic characters.
ReplyDeleteThis picture is perfect for Witness. The word Witness is good for this book because in the book the characters are either a witness to something or something is happening to them (if that makes sense).For example Percelle Johnson was a witness to Leanora's mothers death. Also, the climax of the book was when Johnny Reeves shot Esters Dad. She saw Johnny shoot her Dad through the key hole. Something I notice about the book was a least of of the characters didn't do/ didn't have something happen to them. They were onlookers giving their opinion about an event that happened.
ReplyDeleteI think Chris is right, we all witness things differently and in this book all of the characters see what happens, whether or not they agree with it.
ReplyDeleteno we are not responile for protecting our acquaintances because we dont know them that well but we are resposbile for protecting our friends and any body we know well
ReplyDeletealso the teaser does not really say much about the plot or anything in this book.
ReplyDelete4) Many of the people throughout the book were "witnesses" of things happening. Their prejudice or fear could change how they retell the incident that happened or if they tell it at all. Esther never told anyone that she knew Johnny Reeves shot at her dad because of fear. Merlin may have told the story of Leonora saving Esther differently because of his prejudice towards blacks.
ReplyDeleteIn this book everyone is a witness to something and it talks about how they deal with what they see.
ReplyDeleteThe Keyhole in this picture probably has to do with the feelings Leanora has throughout this story. Leanora probably feels like she is being locked in her life because people treat her so unfairly. 2. There are a lot of witnesses throughout this story therefore the title connects well to the text. Everyone in this story is a witness in some way!!!! All witness the KKK, even though some join the KKK and some stay against it.
ReplyDeleteIn response to the 1st question, It applies to everyone in the book. It seems that everyone was a witness to a certain significant event in the novel. A prime example is Esther and when everyone put the blame of killing her father on Merlin. She knew who did it and didn't tell anyone.
ReplyDelete4. i think that for instance the KKK almost feared African Americans, scared that they would take there jobs homes and money, so they result in racism and violence. they were to ignorant to realize that wasn't necissary
ReplyDelete5. I think we are responsible for protecting our friends, neighbors and acquaintances. As a human being, we must help and protect fellow human beings. We can't sit around and do nothing. We have to stop being selfish. We have the responsibility to make a difference in this world
ReplyDeleteWhy didn't anyone stand up to the KKK? No one took a real stand against them
ReplyDeleteIt makes feel like another Witness along with everybody else.
ReplyDelete2) The title shows that everyone in this town is witnessing the same issue, from different points of view. All the people who are witnessing the KKK in their town have different ideas and accounts that make up the entire story. By Putting the story in different points of view it gives us a wider understanding of what id really going on in the town
ReplyDeleteWas Merlin excepted into the KKK?
ReplyDelete5. We are all one people yo
ReplyDeletei think the keyhole in the picture represents the fact that every person sees through the hole at a different perspective, so they only see a part of the big picture, but when the whole town's points of view are put together it becomes obvious that there is something bad going on.
ReplyDeleteTravis why does the teaser not say anything about the book? I think it does
ReplyDeleteChris- I think that no one stood up to them out of fear. They didn't want to put their own life at risk even if it was the right thing to do.
ReplyDeleteI agree with James I think that the picture is representing when Esther sees Johnny through the key hole.
ReplyDeletewhat made the KKK leave at the end? i forgot....
ReplyDeletei think in this book everyone is a witness to something regardless of how little importance it mayy seem it might be the key to getting rid of hatred
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jacob. We are all one people. Yo
ReplyDeleteWHen it comes todisecting Merlin as a charater in the book I think that he can and can not be a good role model in society. I think that he can be could becasue he changed his thinking and belifes for the better through out the book. If i were looking at him at the endof the book then i think he would not be conisdered a bully at all because he steped away form wrongness. ANother thing about him being a bad role model would be the fact that he ran away from his problems insted of facing them, which I dont think is a good role model for how to face your fears and problems.
ReplyDelete3. Merlin's only role models were the KKK until he changed his mind about them. Because of this he grew up as a bad kid and getting into trouble. But towards the end of the book we noticed a change in the way he was acting. For example, when the KKK asked him to poison the Sutter's well, he couldn't go through with it.
ReplyDeleteI think the reason why people didnt stop the KKK was because they are afraid to be killed. And they dont want to get between what the kkk are doing and to just let them deal with their ideas and all.
ReplyDelete3. Merlin expresses how fragile some things are in life. The way we live for example. Merlin was a victim. He obviously did not have the kind supportive family he need. The important thing is that it can change. It also shows some simple things such as neglect can have a devastating affect. It also shows how simple standing by is not always right. Raynard took up Merlin under his wing instead of letting things be which drastically changed Merlin's attitude. If he did not try and change or help him, merlin might have been caught up with the Klan so much that more serious things could have happened. Bullying may be hard to prevent, but we don't have to stand by. Small things can lead to great things.
ReplyDelete2) I think that the title relates to the text in a couple of ways. The first one is how the town was a witness to Johnny Reeves killing himself. The town constable took action but the rest of the people just stood there it seems. Also, Esther was a witness to seeing Johnny Reeves shoot her father and yet she didn't tell anyone. Also, Iris was a witness to seeing Merlin walking by himself after disappearing and she was too scarred to tell his family. Another was when Merlin could've sworn he saw Johnny shadowing him all the time and smelling that river stench. He was afraid to tell anyone he saw him because they would think he was going crazy. Also, Percelle could've helped Leanora's mother when she was dying from the cold but he chose to do nothing. Lastly, the entire town was a witness to the evil workings of the KKK but they just let it happen.
ReplyDeleteyo yo yo the KKK is wack you
ReplyDeletei think that the title connects to the text because in alot of the pages people talk about how they see other characters doing things that break the law and people are not who they seem to be.
ReplyDelete2. What i think is that The title relates to the text because their are some people are witness in a crime where they are involved with some sort of problems, & that people who involve with the problem is a witness.
ReplyDeleteJacobP said...
ReplyDeletewhat made the KKK leave at the end? i forgot....
@jacob: The governor did not accept their request to stay and conduct their business.
Jacob- Im not sure why they left but I think its just cause activity in the town and interest in the KKK died down.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Maddie!
ReplyDeleteThe title relates to the theme of reaction. Everyone was a witness to the hatred and the evil of the KKK and of racism. The story is about how the different characters react. Their reactions determine their character and their reputation. Reaction is a vital part of this book.
ReplyDelete3) We don't know alot about Merlin's childhood but I think that he probably was taught that Blacks were not as good as whites and that bullying was the way to deal with jealousy and out yourself up. You follow mostly what your peeers and adults around you do and I think Merlin fell into that trap.
ReplyDelete3) Merlin was bullied into trying to kill the suttters, but he couldnt do that, he had too strong of a heart
ReplyDeletebecause the teaser to me makes it seem like this book is bit about the kkk or how the book is played out to mckenna
ReplyDeleteAt the beginning of the book Merlin is a very racist teenager that easily joins the KKK. It takes a lot of bravery for him to realize that the KKK is wrong and to not poison Leanora's well. Merlin turns into a nice person but he still flees the town because of guilt for being so mean to Leanora and for fear the KKK will kill him for not fulfilling his task as a KKK member.
ReplyDeleteI think merlin was deprived of any role model and thats why he was swayed so easily by the KKK. When Reynard gave him a chance (and also gave him so attention and acceptance) he changed his views about people who were different then him. He proved it by not poisoning the Sutter's well.
ReplyDelete1. In this teaser i think that it is representing a keyhole that outlooks onto the town. This means that whoever looks through it is a witness to the events that take place in the town. I think throughout this book each character looked through it everyone saw it differently than the others
ReplyDeleteThis picture definitely represents the keyhole in Sara Chickering's door because that was one of the big incidents where witnesses were necessary. The only person who actually knew that Johnny committed the crime was Esther.
ReplyDeleteWhat does Mr. Field represent in Witness?
ReplyDeleteHow much does Esther truly perceive around her? Does she have reasons other than the obvious for her action?
Why does Hesse leave so many loose ends?
thanks James
ReplyDeleteChris- i think no one stood up to the KKK because they were all too afraid. They all knew what the KKK was capable of doing and even if they believed the Klan was in the wrong, they couldnt bring themselves to stand up to them.
ReplyDeleteLeeAnne- Merlin was accepted into the KKK because they asked him to poison the Sutter's well. But because he didnt, he was kicked out.
The word witness applies to everyone in this book but some of the synonyms are better for different characters. One of the words "spectator" works better for Parcelle because he just stands by and watches when the Sutters are moving and he doesn't help Mrs. Sutter when she is sick.
ReplyDeleteTravis, that makes absoultely no sense
ReplyDelete5. I believe that everyone is responsible for protecting their acquaintances. If you knew of someone planning a plot set to kill one of your good friends. It would seem to make sense to immediately tell him and the police. Or if one of your friends or family members were suffering from severe depression. You are potentially their lifeline.
ReplyDeleteWhat characters do you all think were the most dynamic and why?
ReplyDeletei agree
ReplyDeleteTimmy!!!! You are doing a great job thinking!!!
ReplyDeleteI agree with everyone in the book being a witness. Everyone may see the same scene but interprite it in diffrent ways and I think that that is what makes people witnesses in a way.
ReplyDelete4. Ignorance, jealousy, and fear affect people's prejudice in many ways. For example, people were prejudice against African Americans because they were ignorant enough not to realize that they are equal in every way.
ReplyDeleteThink back to Xavier's comment about only seeing part of the story through the keyhole. What happens in the text, and in life, when people are allowed or take the time to see the whole perspective?
ReplyDeleteI think maddie is right about merlin, he realizes that they are evil and turns against them gradually. One key line i think about is when he says he could get really high up in the Klan if he gave them the keys to the Newspaper Office, but he couldn't because of his respect for Mr. Alexander
ReplyDelete@Cara W.-
ReplyDeleteI think Merlin was the most dynamic, at the beginning of the story he wanted to join the klan but when they asked him to poison leonora and her father he changed, when Ira got shot he realized how bad the klan was and ran because he wanted no part to do with them.
Absolutely, Chris. Merlin is one example of someone who, as he comes to see the whole picture, changes his attitude about racism, the klan, and Leanora, specifically.
ReplyDeleteThanks Riely!!
ReplyDeleteI agree with LeeAnne. It seems like Merlin never had an influence when he was growing up and he was easily bullied to an extent that drew him into the KKK. When Reynard trusted him with the keys i think it was his first step to change. His 2cd was running away.running away gave him time to think about things
ReplyDeleteRacism comes out of people when they are trying to blame other people for their problems and mistakes. Merlin blamed black people for everything and so did the KKK. They thought the root of evil in the world was created by African Americans cbecause for some reason they could not accept the fact that they had contributed to bad things in this world also.
ReplyDeleteDo you think that Ira Hirsh's gun wound ended up being fatal? Or crippling? Or do you think that he ended up being fine?
ReplyDeletebased on the racism and everything already in the town before the klan gets there, do you think that merlin would still have joined the kkk if he had a role model?
ReplyDeleteyes we are responsible for protecting our friends family and neighbors
ReplyDeleteyou would think that the KKK would be that there is only one black family in the town, they didn't cause any trouble either, they weren't protesters yo yo yo
ReplyDeleteGreat, Georgia and LeeAnne. I think that's one of the most important lessons in this book. Without good role models and parents, it's very easy to have ignorant and skewed views of people and life.
ReplyDeleteCan we think of other examples from modern times?
well they got bullet out of Ira and Sara seemed to know what she was doing as far as keeping him alive so i would assume he probably lives
ReplyDeletei dont know because merlin was rased that way he still may be a little racist you know
ReplyDeleteAbout James's comment I think Ira Hirsh will end up dieing from the gun shot.
ReplyDeleteDerrick- I have to disagree with becasue I think that Sara can be cosidered a role model and even Merlin. And not all role models have to be good, like Johnny is a bad role modle, but still could be condidered one. I think that their are parts an peicses to everyone in the book to be role models.
ReplyDelete4) I think we are definitely responsible for protecting all those who we know. Even if you've only met someone, you have made some sort of difference in that person's life. If you can do anything to help someone, wouldn't you? Why would you just let something awful happen to anyone?
ReplyDeleteMerlin is racist yo, even though that foo is jewish yo
ReplyDelete1. In the picture, the type of key hole represented, usually is see through, and you can see object through it, however you can't in this picture and it's dark... This could be because there is hatred and racism in the town and it's dark...
ReplyDeletei think you are responsible for protecting your friends and neighbors. But i dont think you have full responsibility over them. because everyone needs to learn to look out for themselves otherwise when danger comes to them and nobody is there to protect them they may end up getting hurt
ReplyDelete5) If you feel that it is your responsibility to protect your neighbors and friends than it is your responsibility....but nothing can be your responsibility unless you believe it should be.
ReplyDelete5) I don't think we are responsible for protecting them. Certainly the law does not make us responsible, usually. But I because of the relationships I have with my friends and family have an instinct to want to protect and make sure my friends stay safe and happy. So yes in my head I feel responsible for them even if other people and the law don't require me to be.
ReplyDeleteI think we have an obligation to help and protect our neighbors, but in the end its our choice. like wbhat super heros do
ReplyDeletenananananananananananananananananana BATMAN
In witness pretty much everyone is a witness at one point in the story.
ReplyDelete4) i think everyone has a choice to help or not, the right thing to do is help, but it is not a have to thing
ReplyDelete5. I think that in the long run protecting our neighbors, friends and acquaintances is necessary because if we dont the situation could get out of hand and end up effecting us. I believe it depends on how bad the situation is
ReplyDeleteI think that Mr. Field represents the moral conscious of all the people because he help Leanora to tell the truth and help Merlin even though merlin was very mean to her. He lead by example how we should treat people. He was always there doing the right thing when others started to stray off path.
ReplyDelete4. The problem is its easy to get swayed by your emotions on anything. When people talk abt being prejudice they are often influenced by there emotions and/or there past. For example Sara Chickering seemed like she had a history of being racist (possible from her family); however, she proved that its never to late to change. Another character similar was Merlin. He hated leonora at the being but by the end he changed his views
ReplyDeleteHow will Raynard finish his story as the news writer and will the KKK make threats to force him to join.
ReplyDeleteAbout Cara's comment, I think that Merlin was easily persuaded but eventually found his way. If he had a good role model from the beginning I think that he would have the right mind set in the first place.
ReplyDeleteI AGREE WITH MADDIE
ReplyDeleteWe are somewhat responsible for protecting our friends and neighbors or even complete strangers because if we don't stand up for what is right when there is something bad happening and we witness it then we might as well be the one commiting the crime.
ReplyDeleteGood thinking Riely!! I agree with you almost in a way that they story is still dark in some parts and can not be completly told. Maybe the whole stroy can not be told throgh the keywhole and the "light" parts have to be revelied in another perspective.
ReplyDeletei agree w/Hayden
ReplyDeletei think we need to look out for our friends and try to help them make the right choice, but if they do something that will get them in big trouble or hurt we cant control that and feel bad with what they went and did. But if your apart of whatever happened then you can take responsibility for both you and your friend.
ReplyDeleteAbout McKenna's comment, the law actually does require you to help in some ways. Like if you see witness a car accident, you are required to help. Also, if you see someone really hurt, would you let them lie there just because you're not legally responsible?
ReplyDeleteIn thinking about who we protect, I appreciate what Jessie said. Even after we've known someone a moment, we are invested in that person. How could we walk away? And isn't that what Percelle, Leanora, and Sara learn? That it is better to get our hands dirty than to carry the guilt of not being a NEIGHBOR.
ReplyDeleteWhoa, guys.
I don't understand why some of the characters didn't even techanically finish their accounts. Like sara wasn't even in Act 5
ReplyDeletei think that maddie is posting some really great stuff
ReplyDeletei agree with jessie, of merlin had batman as his role model he wouldn't have joined the Klan. nanananananananana BATMAN
ReplyDeleteJames- i think ira was hurt but lived. Esther said "might have had the living run out of him" this implies that he did not in fact die but he is not there and was hurt
ReplyDeleteI wonder if Esther ever admitted to the fact that she saw Johnny Reeves shot her Daddy
ReplyDeleteWhy does the KKK hate everyone?
ReplyDeleteI agree with McKenna when she said racism is a form of blaming people. I thought merlin was jealous of Leanora for her talents. So thats why he would say mean things like he wanted to " get the stink of leanora sutter out of the classroom"
ReplyDeleteJacob PEREZ, you are doing exactly what I asked you NOT TO DO.
ReplyDelete5. I agree with Mckenna. The law never says we are required to protect our neighboors but morally i think it is sort of a requirment. I would protect my family, friends, neighboors if i had the choice because i would want them to do the same for me, although i think everyone has there own choice to make when it comes to this question.
ReplyDeleteSorry Mrs Ackerman! i'll stop!
ReplyDeleteMcKenna- i think some characters don't finnish because life does not always have solutions. It makes it apply to many more situations.
ReplyDeletei think that jealousy can make people have hate to anyone that they envy
ReplyDeleteWait so Johnny Reeves lived through the jump didn't he?
ReplyDeleteThe KKK thinks they are super cool. Thats why they hate everyone
ReplyDeleteI agree with Trevor. We should take care of our friends and neighbors even if they aren't very nice.
ReplyDeleteThat frustrates me some too, McKenna, but my thinking is that, as a witness, we can't finish the whole story because we don't know the whole thing. And, it suggests that, for Sara, this is just the beginning. She has learned something, and has a bright future with Esther, so we don't know the end.
ReplyDeleteWas Hesse trying to get a point across by not having dynamic characters such as sara chickering not talking in act 5?
ReplyDelete1. the teaser goes with the character Esther, because she observed most of the acts of Johny Reeves and said nothing of them, granted she is young and didn't know of all the crimes, but knew his of his acts and said nothing to an adult, she remained a witness due to this.
ReplyDelete2. the title connects the theme of the book, because every character in the book where a witness to acts by the kkk and had opinions about them, but most never voiced their opinions, leaving them to be a witness with no reaction living in fear of the kkk
i disagree with trevor when you said "if they do something that will get them in trouble or hurt we cant control that" because i think we have some control because we can persuade them to stop what they are doing and its not completely out of our hands
ReplyDeleteTowards Ackerman, i could picture that. They see the event through the key hole but what actually happened might not have been as bad as what you've seen.
ReplyDelete1. I believe that the observer is Esther Hirsh because she just sits back and doesn't really do anything. It seems like shes waiting to make a good inference on what to do. She sees a lot of the stuff that goes on like when Johnnyy Reeves killed her dad.
ReplyDelete2. The title does have a connection to the theme because the story is about who sees what and what happens from that point or does that person do anything about what they saw.
3. From the text it shows you that when you bully someone they get a lack of self confidence. or sometimes that person ignores it but I think that Merlin, when he came back, was put in the position of how Leanora feels. It shows that where you live are people who are harsh and will judge you on anything. it makes it so people won't want to move into that neighborhood because of all the hell thats there.
4. When someone is jealous of a person or is scared that someone else that is suppose to be looked at at a lower class can out do them then they try to prove that they are better by judging on things that have nothing to do with how they really feel. People try to cover up jealousy by judgments.
5. In away we can be responsible for our friends, neighbors and/or acquaintances. If you know your someone you are around is doing something towards others and it's coming back at that person then no you shouldn't be held responsible for protecting them. but if you know something is going to happen to someone that is not fair at all then you should feel obligated to help instead of sitting back as something horrible happens.
Good question Melissa I think that she will not becasue I think she would rather have/ or still see Johnny suffer in his own guilt than watch him get locked up
ReplyDeleteI wonder if, in Act 5, she only has characters who still have something to learn? Or perhaps it's characters that need punishment...
ReplyDeleteReally cool question, LeeAnne.
Everyone is not always responsible for protecting friends and acquaintances because it depends on the situation because if you get involved in something that is not your fight, it could make things worse. Just like we said before we started reading; sometimes inaction is just as effective as taking action.
ReplyDeletepeople can change and that people don't always stay the same and people dont always choose to be prejudice and can change when other people influence them
ReplyDeleteCourtney I agree with you!!!
ReplyDeleteAbout LeeAnne's comment I don't think that was what Hesse was trying to do because Merlin was still a very dynamic character in act 5. I don't think Sara had anything else really to prove for her character.
ReplyDeleteJacob is being a BAD BOY. GO TO THE CORNER.
ReplyDeleteKurtis, the KKK hates everyone because they believe that God made whites superior to blacks and jews and other minoritys. I think some of the KKK truly did not believe that though and they were usuing the KKK to rise to power or to blame someone else for their issues
ReplyDeleteI think that Esther has very specific reasons for her actions. I think she chose not to tell people about Johnny Reeves because it is not about WHO did it but that anyone could have done it and it did happen. It is a wake up call to everyone and their moral.
ReplyDeleteAs these characters lives go on, how do u think they will change?
ReplyDeleteJacob- I believe Johnny didn't live through the book because fitgerald flitt said " but the way he hit, no one could survive". I think that merlin was seeing his ghost though.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Georgia and Mckenna over question 5!!!! I would feel like it was my responsibility to protect my family, but not everyone is in that situation. Some people have a terrible family and want nothing more than to get away from it.
ReplyDeletei think that the story isn't about getting justice for the events that happened, but for town to acknowledge that they were wrong, the town as whole has been wrong and at the end they all realize they were wrong and kick the Klan out. The things that happened to Esther, Sara, Ira, Leonora, and Leonora's father were terrible but the town sees that so instead of punishing people they are asking for forgiveness
ReplyDeleteTimmy, when they say not doing something is just as effective as doing something it usually means effective in a negative way. Like when Esther wouldn't tell anyone that Johnny was the one to shoot her father, Merlin went to jail.
ReplyDeleteHow do Ester and Leanora grow up after from what we have read?
ReplyDeleteGeorgia- They will get older and more wise. Less racist hopefully, for those that are racist.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think happened to the Pettibones'? Divorced? did they work it out? or did they set their relationship status to "Complicated"
ReplyDeleteIgnorance defiantly plays into prejudice because those people are not willing to change their ways also won't respect people of a different race or religion so no progress will be made.
ReplyDeletethey probably wont change that much but theres probably less racism
ReplyDeletei agree with tyler lampard
ReplyDeleteGeorgia-- I think that people will be less racist against each other and more people will be friends with each other.
ReplyDeletei think johnny survived because Merlin said he smelled of river slime, merlin couldn't have known anything about the river because he ran away, johnny was either a ghost or alive
ReplyDeleteLeeAnne- how could merlin be seeing a ghost iif he said the "ghost" smelled like river slime or whatever when he didn't even know about johnny jumping
ReplyDeleteI think that just like in witness just like highschool the influence of our peers is very dominate in our lifestyle and influences our choices greatly.
ReplyDeleteHow could Johnny ever survive that fall from some where that high, and did the news get to the KKK and other towns?
ReplyDelete4. all of those influence one's prejudice, because its easier to go with the crowd and discriminate against races than stand up and be a minority and voice what one feels is wrong. also the way people are brought up, it controls a lot of their thinking, children don't go against what their parents say at a young age. they go along with it and believe it, a parent conntrols a kids mind at young ages, making it difficult to change their minds when old enough to decide for them selves.
ReplyDeleteIs Johnny still alive?
ReplyDeleteIs Johnny a ghost after all?
ReplyDeletehe lived
ReplyDeleteFlitt Fitzgerald seemed like the most positive character in the book so why did Hesse not make more entries for him?
ReplyDeletewell brandon like i said earlier merlin claims he saw him and he smelled the the river and he didn't know about johnny jumping so he couldnt have made it up
ReplyDeleteBrandon- he fell in the water so theres always a chance he survived it.
ReplyDeleteIS JOHNNY ALIVE!?!?!?!?!?!
ReplyDeletebecause hes a doctor
ReplyDeleteGeorgia, how is Fitzgerald Flitt the most positive?
ReplyDeletewell riley its an open ended question. what do you think
ReplyDeleteI think somehow Johnny almost facked his Jump...i dont relally know how but maybe he had someone planned out to have somthing below to catch him or proect him
ReplyDeleteI think Johnny's alive because he had another monologue in the book after he died.
ReplyDeleteJohnny is dead because he fell off a bridge, and from what i read he was trying to kill himself. so i bet he died
ReplyDeleteI assert that Johnny is dead; Merlin is haunted by evil guilt and that is represented by the most evil person in the story, Johnny. Though he does smell like river slime, that could be a metaphor for Johnny being the SLIME of the earth...maybe that's too much of a stretch?
ReplyDeleteFitzgerald doesn't speak against anybody (that i remember..)
ReplyDeleteI think that the town won't be a racist anymore because the Klan is starting to fall apart and they won't hold as much of a presence so nobody will influenced.
ReplyDeleteI think Johnny is still alive because he did make a last entry on page 155 after stated dead, and how could merlin know what he smelt like without knowing where he died, and no body found, whether he hit the ricks hard or not, he still could've lived
ReplyDeleteWell i think he is because of the end of the book of Ester "seeing him" and that one guy having feelings of him, "it looked like he had just seen a ghost"
ReplyDelete2.I think the Johnny and Merlin situation showed the town just how powerful the KKK is.
ReplyDeleteWhy was iris even included in this story? she didn't do much...
ReplyDeleteJessie, the monologue does not mean he is alive. it could be him as a ghost
ReplyDeletei predict that johnny is gonna skip town and change his name to Shanaus Ivy and become a firefighter.
ReplyDeletethen chris how do explain he entry after he jumped
ReplyDeleteInteresting question about Flitt. Hmm. Perhaps because he's a static character who doesn't need to change or learn anything. He's there to give comfort and strength to others only?
ReplyDeletei dont think johnny is dead. Cause there was another entry of him talking so i believe he is alive and just ran away from the town
ReplyDeleteI think that the title Witness has a symbolic significance is to see who will become a bigger person in the end and stand up to the racialisms.
ReplyDeleteI think Merlin has become a bigger person because he was put in the position of being judged for something he didn't do.
Why is it that people think that when they hear little bits and pieces of things and they are automatically in the situation?
OR merlins a psychic! he just KNEW that Johnny jumped..
ReplyDeletehonestly I'm not sure we will ever no if he did survive. To an extent i think it depends on your personal perception of the book.
ReplyDelete@Chris: Maybe it is to show that even people that did illegal things had some sort of motivation.
ReplyDeleteGeorgia- i think Hesse put him in for hope and not for dynamic. sometimes things get much worse before they get better. He was only ment for a little hope through the bad and not to make the reader feel like things were in fact "okay".
ReplyDeleteMrs, Ackerman. I think that metaphor has real potential. I think that when they said he smelled of slime that he meant he was evil even after death
ReplyDelete@ Cara. He is magical
ReplyDeleteGood comment. i Agree
ReplyDeleteMcKenna: But he talks about a little girl in his church which is most likely esther and her monologue was about him. Also, Merlin sees and smells him
ReplyDeleteIris--voice of a strong woman. This book, to me, isn't just about racism but overcoming all MISCONCEPTIONS about others. Iris and Harvey must learn to do that; plus, she's a voice of reason in some cases because she knows the klan is evil from the beginning.
ReplyDeleteMaybe Johnny wasnt the one jumped and he was mistaken for someone else and thats why they saw her
ReplyDeleteI agree; all a metaphor. Perhaps he is haunting Esther in her dreams because she was too scared to tell anyone, and this book is about sharing knowledge to better a community and protect others.
ReplyDeletemabey he didnt jump that far down and it was like aa 10ft drop
ReplyDeletei agree with tyler. i think someone was mistaken
ReplyDeleteFIRST LAST COMMENT
ReplyDeletei think you mean viola not iris.
ReplyDelete5. I think that we are responsible for protecting our friends, neighbors, and acquaintances but it depends on the circumstances. If your best friend is in a bad situation and you know it will hurt him/her than i believe you are responsible for protecting them.
ReplyDeleteI personally believe Johnny is still alive
ReplyDelete~~ Jacob Wiegman
WU TANG!
ReplyDelete