Question

linked
chapters twenty-one

craft and structure

what important information does the reader gain from reeltoks interview of michael?

several chapters in the book, including chapter twenty-one, are an interview between reeltok and a character. how do these interviews contribute to the plot development of the novel?

if being interviewed by reeltok, how would each character respond to following question.
reeltok: who is the artist behind the swastikas?
dana:
lincoln:
caroline:
clayton:
sheriff ocasek:
michael:

Explanation:

🆕 New Concept Discovered: Analyzing Narrative Structure and Character Perspectives
*How format choices and character viewpoints shape a story.*

This worksheet is based on the novel *Linked* by Gordon Korman. The story revolves around a middle school facing a crisis after swastikas are painted on the school walls, prompting a student named Link (Lincoln) and his classmates to start a massive project to make six million paper chains. A popular student-run vlog channel called "Reeltok," hosted by a student named Tyler, conducts interviews that reveal key details about the characters and the mystery.

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Step 1: Analyze Michael's Interview

In Chapter 21, Michael (the student who is Jewish and whose family's history deeply connects to the events) is interviewed by Tyler for Reeltok.

* **What we learn:** Michael's interview provides crucial historical and emotional context. He explains the personal impact of the hate symbols, sharing his family's history related to the Holocaust. This shifts the narrative from a school prank to a deeply serious issue, helping the community (and the reader) understand the gravity of the situation and why the paper chain project is so meaningful.

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Step 2: Determine the Role of the Reeltok Interviews in Plot Development

The Reeltok interviews serve as a unique narrative device throughout the novel.

* **Plot Contribution:**
* **Pacing and Information Delivery:** They allow different characters to share their internal thoughts, motives, and secrets directly with the audience in a confession-style format.
* **Building Suspense:** Because the community is trying to figure out who painted the swastikas, these interviews act like interrogations or clues, casting suspicion on different characters or revealing who has something to hide.
* **Community Reaction:** They document how the student body's perspective shifts from apathy to active participation in the paper chain project.

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Step 3: Predict Character Responses to "Who is the artist behind the swastikas?"

Based on each character's personality, secrets, and role in the book, here is how they would respond to Tyler's question:

* **DANA:** As one of the few Jewish students at the school, Dana is deeply hurt and serious about finding the culprit. She would likely express frustration that someone in their school could do this and demand accountability, emphasizing that it isn't "art" but a symbol of hate.
* **LINCOLN (Link):** Link, who recently discovered his own Jewish heritage, is highly motivated to find the truth. He would likely say he doesn't know yet, but he is determined to find out, using the momentum of the paper chain project to bring the community together and expose the truth.
* **CAROLINE:** Caroline is highly focused on school reputation, social dynamics, and her own standing. She would likely try to distance herself and her friends from the act, claiming she has no idea who did it and expressing worry about how it makes their school look.
* **CLAYTON:** Clayton is defensive and often suspicious. He might react with hostility or deflect the question, trying to downplay the situation or accuse others of making too big a deal out of it to avoid suspicion.
* **SHERIFF OCASEK:** As the law enforcement officer investigating the vandalism, the Sheriff would give a professional, guarded response. He would state that the investigation is ongoing, they are looking into all leads, and he cannot comment on active suspects.
* **MICHAEL:** Michael is observant and deeply affected. He would point out that whoever did it is ignorant of the pain they are causing, and he hopes they are caught so they can understand the weight of their actions.

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Answer:

1. What important information does the reader gain from Reeltok's interview of Michael?

The reader gains a deeper understanding of the emotional and historical weight of the vandalism. Michael shares his personal perspective as a Jewish student, connecting the swastikas to real-world history and his family's past, which elevates the stakes of the story from a simple school mystery to a profound lesson in tolerance.

2. How do these interviews contribute to the plot development of the novel?

The Reeltok interviews act as a narrative tool to reveal character motivations, build suspense around the mystery of the culprit, and show the evolving perspectives of the student body. They allow the reader to see how different characters react to the crisis in real-time, driving the mystery forward.

3. Character Responses to: "Who is the artist behind the swastikas?"

• DANA: "I don't know, but calling them an 'artist' is wrong. It's a symbol of hate, and whoever did it needs to be held responsible for the pain they've caused."
• LINCOLN: "We don't know yet, but we aren't going to let them ruin our school. That's why we are making the paper chains—to show we are stronger than whoever did this."
• CAROLINE: "I have absolutely no idea! None of my friends would ever do something so awful. It's just terrible for our school's reputation."
• CLAYTON: "Why are you asking me? I don't know. People are making a huge deal out of this when they should be focusing on other things."
• SHERIFF OCASEK: "The department is actively investigating all leads. We cannot comment on specific suspects at this time, but we encourage anyone with information to come forward."
• MICHAEL: "I don't know who did it, but they clearly don't understand the history or the pain behind that symbol. I hope they are caught so they can finally learn what it actually means."