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Question
answer the questions below using the race strategy. you do not need direct quotes from the novel, but you should be able to reference the novel for your citation. responses should be between 3-5 sentences. why do you think charlie chose to write letters so someone instead of keeping a journal? your answer why do you think charlie feels so strongly about michael’s death? your answer what is one theme that is presented in part 1? how is this theme shown throughout part 1 of the novel? your answer
First Question: Why do you think Charlie chose to write letters to someone instead of keeping a journal?
Using the RACE Strategy (Restate, Answer, Cite, Explain): Restate the question—Charlie’s choice of letters over a journal. Answer: Charlie likely chose letters to feel a connection, as he’s isolated and yearns for understanding. Cite: In the novel, Charlie is a shy, observant teen with few close confidants. Explain: Writing to an anonymous “friend” gives him a sense of sharing his thoughts (like his experiences in high school) without the loneliness of a private journal, as he hopes for a response or empathy.
RACE: Restate—Charlie’s strong feelings about Michael’s death. Answer: Michael’s death likely impacts Charlie deeply due to their relationship and Charlie’s own struggles. Cite: Michael was Charlie’s friend (or relative, based on the novel), and Charlie has experienced loss and trauma. Explain: Michael’s suicide (as per the novel) may resonate with Charlie’s own feelings of isolation or guilt, and the loss of someone he cared about, combined with his sensitive nature, amplifies his emotional response, making him reflect on life, death, and his own place in the world.
RACE: Restate—Identify a theme in Part 1 and show its presence. Answer: A theme is “the struggle of adolescence and self - discovery.” Cite: Charlie’s first - year high school experiences, his interactions with friends (Sam and Patrick), and his family dynamics. Explain: In Part 1, Charlie navigates new friendships, like with Sam and Patrick, which help him explore his identity. He also grapples with fitting in, understanding his place, and processing his past (like Michael’s death). His letters detail his confusion, growth, and attempts to find himself, showing how adolescence is a time of both struggle and self - discovery.
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Charlie may have chosen to write letters instead of a journal because he craves connection and understanding. As a socially isolated teen, addressing letters to an anonymous recipient allows him to share his innermost thoughts (like his first - day high school jitters or family dynamics) in a way that feels less lonely than a private journal. The novel shows Charlie’s desire for belonging, and writing letters gives him the illusion of a listener who might empathize, unlike a journal that would just hold his thoughts without the potential for response or shared perspective.