Understanding Body Image and Bullying

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Questions and Answers

What incident triggered the narrator's outburst in the situation described?

Being separated by the teacher

Being called blind (correct)

Having big lips

Hearing a mean drawing story

Which emotion does the narrator primarily experience before losing control?

Sadness

Joy

Indifference

Frustration (correct)

What did the narrator do in response to being insulted?

Walked away

Screamed in anger

Retaliated physically (correct)

Ignored the insult

How did the narrator feel immediately after losing control and slapping the girl?

Blacks out Signup and view all the answers

What did Ms. G relate to the narrator after the fight?

A story about Sharuad being teased Signup and view all the answers

Which physical reaction did the narrator exhibit after becoming furious?

Shaking uncontrollably Signup and view all the answers

How did the narrator perceive the girl they slapped?

As a representation of past bullies Signup and view all the answers

What action did the science teacher take during the conflict?

Tried to calm both students Signup and view all the answers

What does the speaker miss the most about school?

Ms.G and her class Signup and view all the answers

How did Ms.G show her support when the speaker was hospitalized?

Brought a card signed by classmates Signup and view all the answers

What is the speaker’s concern regarding missed assignments?

There aren't too many to miss Signup and view all the answers

Why does the speaker hope to not be out of school for more than two weeks?

They enjoy attending school Signup and view all the answers

What negative comments did the speaker hear during childhood?

Four eyes and blind as a bat Signup and view all the answers

How did the speaker feel coming home from school?

Upset and often crying Signup and view all the answers

What does the speaker hope regarding their surgery?

It won't require extensive recovery time Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase 'I hate to be out of school longer than that' imply?

The speaker values their education highly Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of school does the speaker NOT mention missing?

Lunch breaks Signup and view all the answers

What does the speaker hope regarding the assignments they might miss?

That they won’t be overwhelming Signup and view all the answers

What emotional state is the narrator experiencing?

Chaos and anxiety Signup and view all the answers

What impact has the chaos had on the narrator's home life?

It has conquered the narrator's home life Signup and view all the answers

Why did the narrator come to Wilson?

To escape an uncontrolled environment Signup and view all the answers

How does the narrator perceive their mother's parenting?

Inconsistent and tiring Signup and view all the answers

What does the narrator question about their mother’s ability to teach responsibility?

Her own lack of responsibility Signup and view all the answers

What complex feelings does the narrator have towards their mother's behaviors?

Sympathy and confusion Signup and view all the answers

What does the narrator mean by saying their mother might be tired of playing the role of mother?

She is struggling with motherhood Signup and view all the answers

What causes the narrator to feel vulnerable in their environment?

The unpredictability of others' actions Signup and view all the answers

How does the narrator feel when situations become comfortable?

Anxious and unsettled Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors does the narrator suggest might affect their mother's behavior?

Substance abuse Signup and view all the answers

What motivated the speaker to enroll in Ms.G's class?

The speaker's mother's enthusiasm for reading. Signup and view all the answers

What impact did the combination of Ms.G's class, church experience, and parental encouragement have on the speaker?

It helped the speaker recognize the mess they were making of their life. Signup and view all the answers

How did the speaker describe their mental state before the changes occurred?

Unbelievably poor. Signup and view all the answers

What was the speaker's attitude toward drugs in their current life?

They have completely stopped thinking about drugs. Signup and view all the answers

What activities does the speaker prefer instead of using drugs?

Being with friends or working out. Signup and view all the answers

What academic improvement did the speaker achieve by their senior year?

From an F to the second-highest A in chemistry. Signup and view all the answers

What does the speaker believe they now have the capability to achieve?

Graduating college and joining a professional team. Signup and view all the answers

What does the speaker primarily focus on now?

Improving physical fitness and academic performance. Signup and view all the answers

What does the speaker's mother hope for them by enrolling in the reading class?

For them to experience excitement about learning. Signup and view all the answers

How does the speaker view their past mistakes?

They acknowledge them and strive to change. Signup and view all the answers

What activity did Ms. Gruwell's class engage in?

They played the 'Peanut Game'. Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic did the author use to describe the peanut?

It was small, round, and dirty. Signup and view all the answers

What realization did the author have about the 'Peanut Game'?

It reflected their struggles with weight. Signup and view all the answers

What kind of insults did the author endure in junior high?

Taunts related to their weight. Signup and view all the answers

How did the author feel about the peanut despite its appearance?

They stated it tasted fantastic. Signup and view all the answers

What did the author do during the 'Peanut Game'?

They described a peanut's characteristics. Signup and view all the answers

What did the author's classmates do during the lesson?

They worked individually to categorize the peanuts. Signup and view all the answers

What was the group's reaction to the author in junior high?

They teased and taunted the author. Signup and view all the answers

Which phrase best describes the nature of the taunts the author faced?

Obnoxious insults. Signup and view all the answers

What was the author's emotional response to playing the 'Peanut Game'?

They related it to their struggle with weight. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Peanut Game and Body Image

The protagonist compares the "Peanut Game" to her struggles with weight.
In the "Peanut Game", students described a peanut's appearance and taste.
The protagonist wrote that the peanut was "small, round, and dirty" but tasted fantastic despite its looks.
The game involved categorizing peanuts based on their exterior appearance.

Struggles with Bullying and Hospitalization

The protagonist endured taunts like "Fatso" and "You big Buffalo" in junior high.
She was hospitalized the previous year.
Ms. Gruwell, the protagonist's teacher, visited her in the hospital with a card signed by her classmates.

Weight and School

The protagonist is hoping to be out of school for less than two weeks because school is one of the few things she enjoys.

Lesson on Tolerance

The protagonist was called names like "Four eyes," "Blind as a bat," and "Coke bottle" as a child.
She found a student who called her "shut up, blind" and slapped her in response.
She felt a release of anger and blacked out after the fight.
Ms. Gruwell shared a story about another student who was teased for having big lips.

Separation Anxiety

The protagonist feels that chaos is affecting her home and school life.
She believes that her home environment was not conducive to her growth.
She states that her mother’s parenting consisted of offering money and car keys in exchange for being left alone.
The protagonist was confused about how her mother could demand responsibility while not taking responsibility herself.

Football Focus

The protagonist's mother enrolled her in Ms. Gruwell's English class hoping she would "catch" some of the teacher's excitement.
Ms. Gruwell's class, a church camp experience, and parental encouragement helped the protagonist to see that she was on the wrong path.
The protagonist has gone from a "mess" with a bad mindset and drug use to a dedicated student who is working hard in school and in the gym for a career in football.
She has improved her grades from an "F" to a high "A" in chemistry.

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Description

This quiz explores the themes of body image, bullying, and personal struggles faced by the protagonist in relation to the 'Peanut Game.' It delves into her experiences at school and in the hospital, highlighting the importance of tolerance and acceptance. Reflect on how these experiences shape perceptions of self-worth and societal standards.