Setting:
Soil symbolizes the setting in the novel “Witness” because like the soil is the base of a plant, the setting is the foundation of where and when the story takes place. The specific setting in the book is in “Vermont” and the time period is “1924” (Hesse 1). This provides the reader with a very general and basic idea but does not fully explain the setting. To enhance this, a social setting also exists and it is the main conflict, discrimination developed by the Ku Klux Klan entering Vermont. Discrimination is displayed when white girls were“...the ones who wouldn’t dance with a negro”, Leanora Sutter (Hesse 3). The “ku klux klan” first appeared in the novel when it was “ looking to rent the town hall for their meeting” (Hesse 18). …show more content…
Conflicts create suspense and an urge for the readers to read more until the solution is revealed and the character overcome hardships. Many characters face conflicts in “Witness” but one character, Merlin Van Tornhout creates conflicts and faces them as well. Internal conflict, character v.s. self, demonstrates how the character faces challenges internally through thoughts. Merlin “could climb pretty high with the klan handing them those keys [to the newspaper building] but...[he] wouldn’t do it” (Hesse 87). He had to decide internally whether to give those keys to the klan or not but he did not, making him an unlikely hero because he wanted to follow the good morals of society. External conflict, character v.s. society in this novel, explains how the character confronts challenges through external behavior. Merlin “couldn’t poison her [Leanora’s] well so…[he] ran and now…[he is] accused of doing something worse of trying to shoot Mr. Hirsh.”(Hesse 150) Merlin encountered the character v.s. Society conflict because most of the society believed that Merlin attempted to murder Mr. Hirsh which he did not do. Actions carried out by character(s) develops conflict and this affects other characters or the whole society through their …show more content…
Learning about unlikely heroism from the text can help us be a good citizen. Leonora Sutter saved “Esther and rolled her to safety” showing how we can be heroic too (Hesse 72). Merlin Van Tornhout chose not “poison her [Leanora’s] well” which teaches the reader to make right choices (Hesse 150). Esther Hirsh “dragged my [ Sara Chickering’s] best quilt into the kitchen and worked it up over Leonora's shoulders.” to keep Leanora from getting ill (Hesse 11). The reader can learn to be kind and help others every day, especially if they are in need. Unlikely heroes in “Witness” such as Leanora Sutter, Merlin Van Tornhout, and Esther Hirsh give the reader an inspiration to help others and to be a good person by having good values and behaviors. We all can learn from the characters in the novel and be motivated to do heroic acts, even simple ones, to create a positive change in the
Soil symbolizes the setting in the novel “Witness” because like the soil is the base of a plant, the setting is the foundation of where and when the story takes place. The specific setting in the book is in “Vermont” and the time period is “1924” (Hesse 1). This provides the reader with a very general and basic idea but does not fully explain the setting. To enhance this, a social setting also exists and it is the main conflict, discrimination developed by the Ku Klux Klan entering Vermont. Discrimination is displayed when white girls were“...the ones who wouldn’t dance with a negro”, Leanora Sutter (Hesse 3). The “ku klux klan” first appeared in the novel when it was “ looking to rent the town hall for their meeting” (Hesse 18). …show more content…
Conflicts create suspense and an urge for the readers to read more until the solution is revealed and the character overcome hardships. Many characters face conflicts in “Witness” but one character, Merlin Van Tornhout creates conflicts and faces them as well. Internal conflict, character v.s. self, demonstrates how the character faces challenges internally through thoughts. Merlin “could climb pretty high with the klan handing them those keys [to the newspaper building] but...[he] wouldn’t do it” (Hesse 87). He had to decide internally whether to give those keys to the klan or not but he did not, making him an unlikely hero because he wanted to follow the good morals of society. External conflict, character v.s. society in this novel, explains how the character confronts challenges through external behavior. Merlin “couldn’t poison her [Leanora’s] well so…[he] ran and now…[he is] accused of doing something worse of trying to shoot Mr. Hirsh.”(Hesse 150) Merlin encountered the character v.s. Society conflict because most of the society believed that Merlin attempted to murder Mr. Hirsh which he did not do. Actions carried out by character(s) develops conflict and this affects other characters or the whole society through their …show more content…
Learning about unlikely heroism from the text can help us be a good citizen. Leonora Sutter saved “Esther and rolled her to safety” showing how we can be heroic too (Hesse 72). Merlin Van Tornhout chose not “poison her [Leanora’s] well” which teaches the reader to make right choices (Hesse 150). Esther Hirsh “dragged my [ Sara Chickering’s] best quilt into the kitchen and worked it up over Leonora's shoulders.” to keep Leanora from getting ill (Hesse 11). The reader can learn to be kind and help others every day, especially if they are in need. Unlikely heroes in “Witness” such as Leanora Sutter, Merlin Van Tornhout, and Esther Hirsh give the reader an inspiration to help others and to be a good person by having good values and behaviors. We all can learn from the characters in the novel and be motivated to do heroic acts, even simple ones, to create a positive change in the