They Cage the Animals at Night
By Jennings Michael Burch
Setting: 1952, NYC
Characters: Jennings- main character, writes in first person, in and out of foster care system
Doggie- stuffed animal that Jennings keeps
Sal- Bus driver that Jennings meets, looks out for Jennings
Mark- a “lifer” that Jennings meets and befriends at The Home of the Angels. He dies later in the story of heart failure.
Mom- sick, fell off roof and broker her neck
Brothers- George, Larry, Walter, Jerome, Gene
Foster Homes- Carpenters (mean), Fraziers ($, Martha-cook), Officer Daily
Summary: TCTAAN is a true story. Jennings goes back and forth between his home, Home of the Angels and foster homes. He meets various children, Sisters, foster families, and Sal along his journey.
Themes: Survival, Foster care, child abuse
Foreshadowing- Jennings will be moved place to place, Jennings finds companionship with Doggie and hides him in his bed and later Jennings is given Doggie to keep by Sister Claire.
Conflict- Jennings is faced with survival as he is mistreated and abused and abandoned by his mother.
Symbolism- Doggie (They Cage The Animals At Night), numbers given to the children at the orphanages (27 Home of the Angels)
Of Mice & Men
John Steinbeck
Setting: 1930’s, Salinas, CA
Characters:
George- small, strong, smart, Lennie’s friend/ caretaker
Lennie- big, strong, not smart
Curly- bully, Boss’ son, Boxer, mean, Lennie crushed his hand
Curly’s Wife- a tart, flirt, lonely, pretty, wants to be actress
Candy- old, lost one hand in a farm accident
Crooks- Black, hunched back, segregated
Slim- flawless, peacekeeper, overseer
Summary- George and Lennie are friends, but George cares for Lennie because he is mentally challenged. They are migrant workers, saving money to reach the American Dream.
Foreshadowing- Candy owns an old, smelly dog. He has to make to tough decision to kill his dog with Curly’s lugar pistol. At the end of the story, George has to make the tough decision to kill Lennie, because if he doesn’t he knows that Curly will. The bushes George told Lennie to go to if he ever gets in trouble.
Theme- The American Dream, companionship
George and Lennie are trying to save their money to own their own farm and live off the “fatta the land” and have rabbits.
Curly’s wife (no name, no identity) wants to be an actress.
Symbolism-
Candy- old & decrepit like his dog
Lennie- needs to be cared for like the puppies.
Fences
August Wilson
Setting: 50’s and 60’s, racial segregation
Characters:
Troy- works as a garbage man
Rose- Troy’s faithful wife, cares for Raynell as her own
Cory- Troy’s son with Rose
Lyons- Troy’s son from previous marriage
Gabriel- Troy’s brother; crazy- metal plate in head
Raynell- daughter from affair with Alberta
Summary
An African America family facing the segregation of society. Troy always wanted to be a professional baseball player, so he tries to persuade his son, Cory, from being a professional football player. He says that Blacks will not be allowed the same opportunities as Whites.
Conflict
Man vs. man- Troy vs. Cory, Troy vs. Rose
Man vs. society- Segregation: Troy wanted to drive the garbage truck, African Americans weren’t allowed to then. Cory wanted to be a professional athlete.
Personification- Rose is a loving, caring, “mother” who takes Raynell and cares for her despite her anger for Troy for cheating on her.
The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Setting: NYC; 1920’s
Characters:
Jay Gatsby
Nick Caraway- Nick’s friend
Tom Buchanan- Daisy’s husband, Daisy’s lover, has $
Daisy Buchanan- Tom’s Wife, Jay’s lover, Nick’s cousin
George Wilson- Myrtle’s husband, no $, shoots Jay Gats
Myrtle Wilson- George’s wife, Tom’s lover
Summary: Fabulously wealthy Jay Gatsby and his love for beautiful Daisy drives him to everything he does in order to get his one love back after years of being apart. He uses his money, parties, friend Nick and cousin of Daisy, in order to impress Daisy and make her leave her husband Tom for him. His obsession and determination lead to his death.
Characterization- Careless people, “cardinal virtue” (Nick himself is the only person he can trust, lies, cheating, betrayal, murder.
Conflict- Gatsby tries to win over Daisy but she is married to Tom. Tom is cheating on Daisy with Myrtle Wilson.
Symbolism- The Green light represents Gatsby’s love for Daisy as he stairs at the light which is across the bay at Daisy’s house.