Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry By Mildred D. Taylor

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Roll of Thunder,Hear My CryBy Mildred D. Taylor

• PowerPoint byArlene Acevedo-Davis

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The First Day of School

• The excitement Little Man feels toward his first
  day of school quickly disappears upon receiving
  his textbook. Realizing that the textbooks are
  ten years old, hand-me downs from the white
  school and specifies his race as nigra infuriates
  him. As Cassie attempts to explain Little Mans
  actions to Miss Crocker, it is made clear that
  the children are expected to remain in their
  place and not contradict higher authority.
  Unfortunately, Little Mans experience at school
  introduces him to racism and the reality that not
  all blacks will stand up to injustices they face.
• Cassie explains to Miss Crocker See, Miz
  Crocker, see what it says. They give us these
  ole books when they didnt want them no more. He
  cant read all them big words, but he can read
  them columns. See whats in the last row, Please
  look, Miz Crocker. S-see what they called us.
  (p.26)
• Miss Crocker responds to Cassie Thats what you
  are, Now go sit down. (p.26)

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The Road Block

• An obstacle faced by many of the black students
  en route to school was Mr. Grimes and his school
  bus. Cassie and the other children were often
  run off the dirt road by Mr. Grimes, while he and
  the white students laughed at them running for
  safety. Stacey and the children decided to take
  matters into their own hands and develop a plan
  to wash out the dirt road. This was their
  attempt to retaliate against the dangerous
  behavior they encountered on their way to school.
  Although their goal was to obstruct the dirt
  road, an unexpected large rainfall, magnified the
  size of the hole in the road. Had injuries
  occurred as a result of their actions, and foul
  play suspected, this could have brought harm to
  the black community and/or worse the Logan family
  itself.

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The Night Men

• The visit by the night men put everyone at the
  Logan home on edge. Since their appearance
  occurred shortly after the Logan children washed
  out the road, they thought the night men were
  coming for them. Overcome by guilt the children
  considered confessing their actions. The sight
  of the night men terrified the children into not
  saying a word about the roadblock. However, it
  intensified their fear and the possibility of
  harm coming to their family.
• Cassie thought to herself But soon, against my
  will, the vision of ghostly headlights soaked
  into my mind and an uncontrollable trembling
  racked my body. (p. 68)
• The adults on the other hand, saw the visit by
  the night men as their attempt to impose their
  power over the black community.
• Mr. Avery stated But yall knows how they is.
  Anytime they thinks we steppin outa our place,
  they feels like they gotta stop us. You know
  what some of em done to the Berrys. It dont
  take but a little of nothin to set them devilish
  night men off. (p. 62)

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Trip to Strawberry

• Cassies trip to Strawberry proved to be a life
  altering experience. Although she had
  encountered some racism in other aspects of her
  life, none were as blatant as what she suffered
  in Strawberry. Her youthful ignorance to the
  ingrained prejudice held by many whites led to
  many problems in this town. Her experience in
  the General Store and with Lillian Jean could
  have developed into a very dangerous situation
  not only for Cassie but also her companions.
  This scene provides a coming of age experience
  which enlightens Cassie to the complex social
  relationships between blacks and whites during
  this time period. Cassie is now aware of the
  views shared by many whites against blacks, and
  how she is expected to behave in public.
• Once home, Mary explained to her Baby, you had
  to grow up a little today. I wishwell, no
  matter what I wish. It happened and you have to
  accept the fact that in the world outside this
  house, things are not always as we would have
  them to be. (p. 126) Baby, we have no choice
  of what color were born or who our parents are
  or whether were rich or poor. What we do have
  is some choice over what we make of our lives
  once were here. And I pray to God youll make
  the best of yours. (p.129)

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Cassie vs. Lillian Jean

• After her incident with Lillian Jean in
  Strawberry, Cassie devised a very well
  thought-out plan for revenge. Pretending to be
  Lillian Jeans servant, Cassie gained access to
  all of Lillian Jeans secrets. Cassie befriended
  her and allowed Lillian Jean to trust her. Once
  Cassie had enough ammunition to blackmail Lillian
  Jean, she decided to do what she wanted to do
  since their altercation in Strawberry. Knowing
  that Lillian would not tell anyone about the
  fight in order to prevent her deepest secrets
  from being exposed to everyone, Cassie was
  content. I think it was wise for Cassie to teach
  Lillian her lesson this way because she was able
  to stand up for herself without creating a
  harmful situation for herself and her family.

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Talking with Dad

• David explains to Cassie You see that fig tree
  over yonder, Cassie? Them other trees all around
  that oak and walnut, theyre a lot bigger and
  they take up more room and give so much shade
  they almost overshadow that little ole fig. But
  that fig trees got roots that run deep, and it
  belongs in that yard as much as that oak and
  walnut. It keeps on blooming, bearing good fruit
  year after year, knowing all the time itll never
  get as big as them other trees. Just keeps on
  growing and doing what it gotta do. It dont
  give up. It give up, itll die. Theres a
  lesson to be learned from that little tree,
  Cassie girl, cause were like it. We keep doing
  what we gotta, and we dont give up. We cant.
  (p. 205-206)
• The comparison between the fig tree and the Logan
  family expresses their view about their right as
  people, and their place in society. The Logans
  have had a desire for a better life, and have
  made numerous attempts to achieve this.
• Cassie has always experienced love and support
  from her family. That is the core structure that
  defines her, keeps her grounded and allows for
  her advancement. As her father mentioned if she
  doesnt stand up for herself and respect herself,
  no one else will.

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The Night of the Fire

• Realizing that T.J. is in dire need of help,
  Stacy, Cassie, Christopher-John and Little man
  come to his rescue. Unfortunately, T.J.s
  friendship with R.W. and Melvin has turned
  deadly. R.W. and Melvin never saw themselves as
  equals to T.J. Instead, they viewed themselves
  as superiors who had the authority to do as they
  pleased with him. This idea of superiority is a
  reoccurring theme used to empower whites.
  Knowing that the lives of innocent people, the
  Avery family, are in jeopardy, David resorts to
  drastic measures. Starting a fire on his
  property amidst a thunder storm provides just the
  distraction to save T.J. for the time being.
  Attempting to put out the fire, both blacks and
  whites began to work together side by side.
• Although Cassie has experienced racism first
  hand, I think she still holds an optimistic view
  for the future. She is aware that there are good
  and bad people both black and white. I feel
  Cassie views the difference in treatment between
  the races and unfair, and she is frightened about
  losing T.J. and their land. However, she knows
  that she cant give up her desire for equality.
• What had happened to T.J. in the night I did not
  understand, but I knew it would not pass. And I
  cried for those things which had happened in the
  night and would not pass. I cried for T.J. For
  T.J. and the land. (p.276)

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Image Sources

• Flooded school bus
• pictureqld.slq.qld.gov.au/home/features/big-wet
• Car headlights
• www.the-instructor.com/update.html
• White Only Sign news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/america
  s/4482988.stm
• Fig tree
• http//www.stock-photography.co.za/stock-photogra
  phy-fig-tree.htm
• Wild Fire
• www.weather.com/safeside/fire/index.html
• Book cover
• http//www.meaning.ca/images/book_covers/roll_thu
  nder.jpg
• All other images were found at Microsoft Office
  Online Clipart http//office.microsoft.com/clipart