Question

linked
chapters eleven - twenty
reader response

develop an argument to support the theory that link is not the same person he was at the start of the novel. cite three examples from the text to support your answer.

Explanation:

⚡ Using what you learned: character development and narrative arcs

Step 1: Analyze the Prompt and Character Arc

To show that Link is not the same person he was at the start of Gordon Korman's novel Linked, we need to look at his character development.

At the beginning of the book, Link is a popular, somewhat superficial prankster who doesn't think deeply about the consequences of his actions or the feelings of others. However, as the mystery of the swastikas unfolds and he discovers his own family history, he undergoes a major transformation.

Step 2: Identify Three Textual Examples of Change

We can trace Link's growth through three key developments in Chapters 11–20:

1. Discovery of Jewish Heritage: Link discovers that his maternal grandmother was a Jewish girl hidden during the Holocaust. Instead of ignoring this, he actively embraces it, which shifts his entire worldview.
2. Decision to Prepare for a Bar Mitzvah: To honor his heritage, Link decides to study for and have a Bar Mitzvah. This requires immense dedication, maturity, and vulnerability, especially doing so in front of his entire school and community.
3. Shift from Prankster to Leader: Instead of participating in mindless school jokes, Link becomes a central figure in the paper chain project, taking real responsibility for fighting hate and promoting tolerance in Chokecherry.

Step 3: Draft the Argument

We will combine these points into a cohesive, structured response that supports the thesis statement: Link is no longer the same superficial prankster he was at the beginning of the novel because he embraces his heritage, takes on serious personal responsibility, and becomes a leader for tolerance.

Answer:

At the beginning of Gordon Korman's Linked, Link is introduced as a carefree, popular prankster who rarely thinks about serious issues or the impact of his actions. However, by the middle of the novel, he undergoes a profound transformation into a mature, self-aware, and empathetic individual. Three key examples from the text support this change:

1. Embracing His Jewish Heritage: After discovering that his grandmother was a Jewish child who survived the Holocaust, Link does not ignore this revelation. Instead of remaining indifferent to the hateful symbols appearing at his school, he feels a deep, personal connection to the victims and actively seeks to understand his family's history.
2. Committing to a Bar Mitzvah: Link decides to prepare for a Bar Mitzvah. This decision requires a level of discipline, study, and public vulnerability that the old, joke-cracking Link would have avoided. By taking this step, he shows a new willingness to stand out for something meaningful rather than just trying to be popular.
3. Taking Responsibility and Leadership: Rather than participating in superficial school trends, Link becomes a driving force behind the project to make six million paper chains to commemorate Holocaust victims. He shifts from someone who creates chaos for fun to someone who uses his social influence to unite his community against hate.