Angled Retelling in the Introduction, Leading to the Argument

Angled retelling in the introduction, leading to the argument

Gate A-4, by Naomi Shihab Nyetells the story of a woman who steps in to comfort another passenger, when their flight is delayed. The woman in distress if from another country, and she doesn’t speak English, and she’s worried she will miss her medical treatment the next day. In stepping up to help, including trying to communicate in a second language, the narrator finds that she not only makes a new friend, closeness is built with all those who are traveling on the flight. The story suggests that even though it can be hard to intervene when others struggle, it can bring surprising rewards, including learning to be courageous, making a difference, and connecting with others.

In Gate A4, Naomi Shihab Nye tells the story of a woman who finds herself alone and frightened in an airport. She doesn’t speak the language, she doesn’t know anybody, and she is desperate to get to where she is going for medical treatment. Things get really scary for her – but the story shows that when you really need it, people will help you. They help by reaching out to others, by gathering around, and by not abandoning you.

Gate A4, by Naomi Shihab Nye, tells the story of strangers in an airport who become close, as they try to help a fellow traveler. The story suggests that people can be kind to each other. They try to help each other, they listen to each other’s troubles, and they give small gifts to each other.

Framing, analyzing and elaborariting evidence…a progression

One way the story suggests that people can be kind to each other is by trying to help each other. For example, when the older woman falls to the floor wailing, all sorts of people try to help her. This shows how people can be kind.

One way the story suggests that people can be kind to each other is by trying to help each other. For example, there is a moment when an older woman, who is “in full Palestinian dress,” falls to the floor wailing (p. 1). It turns out that the plane has been delayed, and she thinks it has been cancelled. She’s terrified because she needs medical treatment the next day, and now she thinks she will miss it. All sorts of people try to help her. This shows how people can be kind, because it’s not just one person who helps her – it’s a lot of people. First the flight service person puts out an announcement to the whole airport. Then the narrator comes to help. Then there’s a whole list of people who give her comfort. It says, “we called her son…then we called her other sons…then we called my dad…then…some Palestinian poets.” It’s like a whole global community gathers around her. Which just goes to show that people, when you reach out, will help. It gives you faith in how good people can really be – they really can be kind, even to total strangers.

One way the story suggests that people can be kind to each other is by trying to help each other. For example, there is a moment when an older woman, who is “in full Palestinian dress,” falls to the floor wailing (p. 1). It turns out that the plane has been delayed, and she thinks it has been cancelled. She’s terrified because she needs medical treatment the next day, and now she thinks she will miss it. All sorts of people try to help her. The author uses the actions of the characters to reveal their kindness. She also repeats their actions, because it’s not just one person who helps her – it’s a lot of people. First the flight service person puts out an announcement to the whole airport. Then the narrator comes to help. Then there’s a whole list of people who give her comfort. It says, “we called her son…then we called her other sons…then we called my dad…then…some Palestinian poets.” It’s like a whole global community gathers around her. Which just goes to show that people, when you reach out, will help. The way the author reveals these kindnesses ends up stirring up empathy among the characters, and in the reader. It gives you faith in how good people can really be – they really can be kind, even to total strangers.