Bruiser- Character Development

Author's Note: Bruiser by Neal Shusterman was an incredible novel about overcoming major struggle. This is a analysis of the main character, Brewster, and how he develops throughout the story. 

Sometimes I find myself waking up with bruises, but their origin is unknown to me. The main character in the novel Bruiser by Neal Shusterman, Brewster, wakes up with these kind of bruises all the time, almost daily. Occasionally, it may be more than a bruise, perhaps a fracture in his arm. Why? Well, Brewster can steal without the desire. Although, he doesn't steal groceries or pointless toys, he steals wounds from those he loves. Brewster was born with this disadvantage and he will live with it forever. The catalyst, Bronte in this story helps him through his struggles that he goes through and helps him turn into a more loving person, rather than filled with forced and unwanted resentment. This book helps explain his overcoming of the power and how to control it in order to make friends, undo a relationship with an abusive and alcoholic relative, and truly waking up from the coma bringing a promising future.

 

From Brewster's many transformations throughout the novel, one aspect was befriending people. Starting the book, Brewster was known as the person "most likely to receive death penalty" due to him not wanting people to look to him as a friend. He wanted to shut out the world so there was no chance for him to produce additional wounds. Throughout the book, Bronte helps him realize friends are for the greater good, no matter the pain. Bronte promised to him that she, and others who know of his condition, would learn to want their pain so his suffer would be limited. Her friends become his friends and his heart grows as if it's the roots of grass in the springtime. For instance, Bronte was comprehending, "Brew was embraced by my friends and was finally able to feel a part of a circle larger than just his immediate family." Notice how the quote said: "finally", and said his only friends in the past were his "immediate family". If Brewster didn't have Bronte, he wouldn't have known to open up to friends, let alone meet the charming companions that Bronte has.
 

Now that Brewster is beginning to make new acquaintances, his eyes open up a little wider and he realizes that loving his uncle needs to be abandoned. Uncle Hoyt caused Brew excruciating pain without even laying a finger on him. In this story, Brewster's brother, Cody, was referred as a "rag doll" because that's who Uncle Hoyt would aim for; it is him who takes the real hits. "My uncle. Who left me battered. Yet never laid a hand on me..." With time, Bronte taught Brew how unacceptable his uncle's actions are and he learned this in just in time. Uncle Hoyt's drinking problem was outrageous one day when Brew returned from school. Without even entering the house he could feel the pressure on his chest building up; Brew sensed the sinfulness of Uncle Hoyt. Immediately when he saw him, he was aware of what was going on, he was having a stroke. Changing wasn't just an option now, it was a life or death situation at this point. Throughout this branch of the novel, Brew overcomes an immeasurable mountain, he finds strength to tell Uncle Hoyt how abhorrent he is. "Can I find it in my heart to NOT find it in my heart? I dig down, down, down, to make the numbness taking root in my body invade that place in me that still cares about you and purge it so that I can leave you," convincing himself it's not worth dying over Uncle Hoyt. 

 

Stronger than ever now by overpowering his uncle, farther along the lines of the book, Brew trips into a coma from saving Bronte before she drowned.  I'm convinced that this coma he's in is more of a symbolic reference. For instance, he isn't completely transformed yet. Despite the fact Brew woke up from his coma on the very last page of the book, there is no doubt that he has developed from the foreshadowing due to what Bronte's brother offers Brew through thought, "So open your eyes, Brew. Open your eyes, and talk to us. We'll keep our pain, but I promise we'll share our joy. Talk to us, Brew . . . because we're finally ready to take your call." This is letting us know, not only that his past has been tough, but his future will be bright with this family along side him. From this promise, Brew will gain an insight on the world filled with more pleasure than before. 

Bruiser's story line is weaved through another novel titled Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez. Within each novel, the main characters both have an intense guardian. The protagonist, Carmen, has a mother that is incredibly controlling and demanding because she wants to live through Carmen and have her be a violinist that the entire world knows. Feeling as Brew did toward his Uncle, Carmen wanted to breakout of her house and decide for herself what she is and isn't passionate for and doing this all while her mother is unaware. Eventually Carmen meets her catalyst, Jeremy, who leads her away from her mother and into his arms. Nearing the end of the book, Carmen is given the option to be content and do what suits her. Reflecting back towards Bruiser, Brew has the option in the conclusion as well to decide what his heart is really set for.
 

Virtuosity has an extremely similar design to Bruiser in which both characters changed dramatically. Essentially, Brew changed by creating new friends, separating from his Uncle Hoyt, and lastly awaking from a symbolic-type coma all through Bronte. Once Brew's eyes are opened, it is that much easier for him to see the opportunities that his life is welcoming. If it wasn't for the catalyst, Bronte, Brew would have been dead and his life would be over. Although, with her, doors are opened and his future is glimmering with everlasting hope.

Worshiped Men Of America

Author's Note: This piece is based off of the Patriot's Pen prompt "If you had a opportunity to talk with the Founding Fathers, what would you say?". I wrote my essay in letter form to make it seem like I actually did get the opportunity to talk with them. In the essay, I identified the main points I wanted to get across to them while having conversation. Note that this draft is not under 400 words, I have another draft that suites the requirements of the Patriot's Pen rules. Hope you enjoy!

Dear Founding Fathers,

What an honor I have to talk to Founding Fathers like yourselves. Fellow men, you have created a declaration that gave our country a start to a long journey. The Declaration of Independence isn’t just another novel, it is one of those documents that is held in a glass case surrounded by millions of red beams and hidden cameras ridden up the walls. Important people to America should be the only ones looking at this document. As for me, well I’m just a teenage girl in a small town, I have no business even creating conversation with any of you! Therefore, this opportunity is gold, and I am not about to waste it. What I would like to get across to all of you today is how highly I think of what you, Founding Fathers, did. Creating this country didn’t just come naturally, it came from endless work and dedication to America, and it is recognizable still to this day.

Defining work is laborious within itself, even for the dictionary. Notice if you look up the word ‘work’ in the dictionary, there is a long list of options work can be defined as. What doesn’t appeal to my eyes when I read this is the definition of work that is what you, Founding Fathers, did for us. Known to me, and hopefully the world, the definition would be complete commitment and loyalty to ensure our country is best off for the next few centuries, and that is only just scratching the surface. Founding Fathers, you all started with practically nothing at all, and what you came up with is not a rough draft, it is the foundation of our country. Organization was a key factor in this document. For example, presidency, this is not a simple thing. There are so many things that can be discussed about over that topic, and you created the basis of it.

Not only did you men create the groundwork of our lives and lives to come, but the Founding Fathers, or yourselves, aren’t forgotten. Some of your pictures are touched daily by Americans while paying for groceries, others attend schools that live under your name, maybe even some of you have a city named after you! These are symbolic remembrances of what you have provided our country with. Currently, John Hancock is a synonym for signature, Washington is a place where the president lives, Madison is a Capital to my home state, and the cities Franklin and Jefferson are not too far from here. Furthermore, John Adams is now a movie, Hamilton is a school district, and lastly- not that I’ve tried it- Samuel Adams is a award-winning beer company. Even though through our minds we know your never-ending effort put forth, I believe you men are worth even more than what’s there.

After trying to grasp how you Founding Fathers are dropped into our country representatively, I would like to thank you for not only your time now but the past time you gave as well. Time is crucial, and you men sure used it well. As mentioned previously, this country came from recognizable efforts, and it was you, Founding Fathers, that made this happen. I’ve lived in this country my whole life; nothing compares to what you men have accomplished many, many years ago.

Sincerely,

Claire Ellington 

Bruiser- Cause/Effect

Author's Note: This is a short piece on the cause and effect in the book Bruiser. Starting with explaining what Brewster is able to do and finishing with how one person he met changed his life.

Brewster Rawlins was born with an abnormal condition, which was being able to steal away the physical pain and emotional suffer from loved ones. He loved his little brother Cody and his uncle Hoyt, even though his Uncle is abusive and an alcoholic. These two caused him enough wounds, therefore he didn't want another person to love. Although, that is what he got, Bronte, the name of the girl that Brewster fell for. As much pain as she may have caused him, it doesn't amount to the damage he would have received without her.

Whenever I think of the theme of this novel, it reminds me of the movie I Am Sam. The main character in this movie, Sam, has a condition as well. Though instead he faces a developmental disability with the intelligence of  a seven-year-old. During the film, Sam is raising a six-year-old who is taken away from him; this is kind of like Brewster's innocence that is stolen from him by Uncle Hoyt. Both characters, Brew and Sam, work intensely to receive what they're longing for whether it be Sam's little girl, or Brew's health and righteousness. 

Without Bronte, Brewster would have died. Uncle Hoyt had a stroke from all of the alcohol he drinks, and Brewster almost took away all of it. Then he remembered Bronte and how much he loved her, which he then discovered the strength that pulled him away from the stroke and dumped it all back over to his uncle, and left his uncle Hoyt dead as can be. Since he did have Bronte, he continued life's journey headed toward a satisfying end.

Dear John- Conflict/Resolution

Author's Note: This is my conflict/resolution piece I wrote on Dear John by Nicholas Sparks. What I wrote explains the struggles John was going through, or the conflict, and in the end shows how that conflict was resolved while showing how it relates to another piece Nicholas Sparks wrote called A Walk To Remember.

Dear John is a classic Nicholas Sparks story about a boy and a girl. From the boy, John's perspective, he had recently graduated from High School and was not planning on going to college, but enlisting in the army instead. On a summer's day, when John was out surfing, he collides with this girl, Savannah, and fell in love. Their summer love conflicts with his time in war that he has to contribute. While John was away, they continued to share their love through notes. Although they only grow farther apart the longer John is away. John is going through a person vs. society conflict which leads into a person vs. person conflict. For instance John, the person, is at war and is forced to serve his time, which would be society. Him being at war leaves Savannah lonely. Eventually, Savannah fell in love with another man. Indicating that John would be against the other man she has fallen in love with, person vs. person. 

From one novel to another, Nicholas Sparks wrote another beautifully crafted book that drips themes very similar to what Dear John has. He named this one, A Walk To Remember. Each of these two books start out with the person vs. society conflict. With A Walk To Remember, the main character, Landon Carter, was faced against the world because of his past. Landon did not have the best background and it was difficult to prove to the world, and especially his family, what a loyal person he really is at heart. Progressing farther into the book, he runs into a girl, Jamie Sullivan, that has been left in the background for many years. Although, once Landon gets to know Jamie better through a school play, he falls in love. Conflicting with his feelings, though, is Jamie's father who is a strict Reverend and disagrees with how Landon used to act. This situation would be the person vs. person, Landon vs. Jamie's father.

Although the two novels are similar in conflicts, their solutions are quite diverse. Resolving A Walk To Remember involved Landon changing his lifestyle in order to prove to not only Jamie's father, but his family members as well that he is a trustworthy and has loving at heart. He changed so dramatically that Jamie's rule-enforcing father came to believe in Landon. He put his trust in him so much that he  allowed Landon to marry Jamie when the story came to an end. Despite the fact that Jamie died in the end of the book, she continued to live in Landon's heart as if she never left.

From the similar situation of A Walk To Remember, return to the solution of Dear John. Mail day comes and John receives a letter from Savannah explaining how she is in love with another man. Though this is extremely difficult for John to soak in, after war he returns to his hometown and meets up with Savannah once more. John finds that Savannah's fiance is struggling with melanoma. While Savannah's fiance is on his death bed, John discovers the meaning of true love. He describes it as, "... love meant that you care for another’s happiness more than your own, no matter how painful the choices you face might be.”. Therefore he went off and paid, anonymously, to help find a cure for Savannah's fiance, and the cure healed all of his wounds. Even though John didn't end up with the girl, he did end up with a true and compassionate heart and that he will always know he made the respectable decision. 

A Christmas Story- Personal Narrative

Author's Note: I wrote this piece as my personal narrative and it is set in the scene of Christmas morning in 2004. At this time I was six years old and contained a lot of energy, as most six-year-old's do. This piece explains how my Christmas went and my absolute favorite gift I received that year.

Fading away from my dreams and back into reality, my eyes flutter open. A tingling sensation runs through my veins feeling just as needles do while I continue to become awake. Today is Christmas, the glorious day of joy, hope, and happiness. Out of motivation, I roll out of bed and stumble onto the floor. The frosted window across the room is calling my name. Peering through the window on my front lawn, I notice there's a blanket of pure and untouched snow. Towering over the gorgeous nature, I felt as if the air was sucked right out of me. With that in mind, I raced over to my brother Jack's bedroom. I pounded on his door like there was no tomorrow. When there was a faint response of who knows what, I blasted through the door while shouting at the top of my lungs, "It's Christmas!!". 

For whatever reason, my older sister, Katie, was still asleep after all of that ruckus I created. Which made me think, if that didn't get her to wake up, I guess I will have to be louder! Therefore I thought up a new waking-up-routine. Shaking her like a leaf on a fall tree and yelling 'Christmas time' repeatedly seemed to do the trick. Katie wasn't necessarily sending off the sunshine waves for the next few minutes. Though, we all sat at the top of the staircase, together, waiting until it was a safe time to wake mom and dad up with just as much energy as the previous times. Eagerness is eating me alive. For only down the steps and around the corner awaits the feeling of togetherness and exhilaration.

Around 6:30 A.M., Katie, Jack, and I cannot wait any longer; we all dart down the stairs heading towards mom and dad's room. Immediately as we reached our parent's bedroom door, like I did to my brother's door, we walked right through it. Like a stampede, we bolted to their bedside and started jumping for joy in our fuzzy pajamas. Mom and dad began rubbing their eyes like they were tired or something, but eventually stood up. Dad went off to fetch the video camera while the rest of us waited impatiently in the kitchen.

Dad returns with the camera and promptly flips the screen open. My face is recorded in the film first followed by our dog, Bjorn. My smile was broader than the horizon on an open field as I watch Dad back into the family room. From this I know that momentarily we will be comforting ourselves with giant boxes tied off with big red bows. 

"Come on in now!" my dad proclaims. The three of us jam through the door, all attempting to be first. Once we are all settled, mom tells Katie, Jack, and I to search for the plastic pickle. Whoever comes out of the Christmas tree with the pickle first gets to open the first present, so I'm determined to be the lucky one. I stuck my head into the prickly mess with no pickle in sight. What I heard, though, was my sister shouting, "I got it! I got it!" Leaving me last place yet another year.

After rounding up all of our gifts, Katie began by peeling away the wrapping of a blue snowflake present that was as tall as me! Katie revealed what was in the box; it's a humongous, stuffed animal, panda bear!! She is obsessed with that animal, so she delightedly let out an ear-piercing shriek. Next in line was Jack, then me, followed by mom and dad each opening a present. Jack received some Lego toy that I don't really care for, but apparently he does. Abruptly, everyone's attention was dished over to me signaling to pick my first present of the 2004 Christmas.

Scanning my pile, I spot one gift that is unlike the rest. This particular one has four flat sides of a box and the corner of two linking sides are curved where they meet; I found this interesting. Crouching down, I scooped up the gift. The uniquely shaped box made a popping noise when I touched the curved corner, must be plastic edging, I considered. Although, the other corners felt like cardboard. "This is the one!" I state, brushing my hand across the face of the present. I lifted my hand, then began tearing up the wrapping paper hunting for the glory inside.

Bestowed upon me is the most fantastic thing a 6 year old could ever receive. A breath-taking, white, furry little ball that moves by itself is anything I could ever imagine to lay my eyes on. Go-Go My Walking Pup is the name of this wondrous toy that rolls along on it's little paws barking and all. Hollering to the world, with my jaw dropped, "AHHHHH!!!!! THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I WANTED!! Thank you, thank you! Mom and dad... and the store, THANK YOU!" Irresistibly, I ripped open the sealed cardboard and plugged in the batteries. Ruff-ruff, is the first noise that came out of the electronic puppy.

Advancing through the morning, numerous other admirable gifts were given. Currently, my most beloved present still stands as the one that is able to maneuver without my assistance. At only 9:15 A.M., this Christmas day has been toppled over with love and closeness of my family members. Along with feelings of admiration from my toy, I'm also honored to have my parents know me so well as to get me the perfect present. Placing that perfect present in the car, our family hopped into the mini-van and headed off to Grandma and Grandpa's house to re-experience the love and closeness on a whole different level. Of which is with three or four other families rather than one. During the time I was visualizing our time at Grandma's, my eyelids grew heavy. After two or three weighted blinks, I dozed off to sleep once again.

A Walk To Remember

Author's Note: Here I am retelling how the novel A Walk To Remember went. It is very short and I try not to reveal how the book ends.

When a boy, who has lost his purpose, meets the daughter of the reverend, his life is turned around. As the young couple fall head over heels for each other, a devastating secret is discovered that puts their relationship to the test.

DWA Fall 2012- Love is Love

Author’s Note: On September 12^th it was my parents 20^th anniversary. From seeing them, and how happy they were on their anniversary, it inspired me to write about them. I would like to dedicate this piece to them as they celebrate 20 years of love together. I named this piece Love is Love because you can't hide from it, so why not embrace it?

Now I know the feeling. The feeling all young adults gossip over about a month after their big day. It’s as if the sensations I am experiencing now and in this moment are a massive potion that is about to explode. This mixture that I am creating with every moment of this experience contains overwhelming excitement, but deep down I feel nervousness, as every young lady does when they come to this day. I let that emotion pass and withdraw it from the concoction of passion I continue to make. We are both 23 years old now, I could not wait for this day ever since my loved one asked me, “Will you marry me?”

As I am living all of the loveliest  emotions known to mankind, my bridesmaids surround me. They keep telling me how they believe my fiancé is the perfect man for me. Of course, I agree, I love this man with all of my heart. My bridesmaids and I all felt the same way while putting together final touches, it is eagerness. Which obviously means there never once is a second without laughter filling the room. Just being with my most dependable, yet comical, friends  prior to heading towards the alter made me even more impatient. Although, I knew the moment would come soon, incredibly soon.

Before I know it my bridesmaids are already up there and here I stand beside my father with our arms linked. My heart is beating a mile a minute as I place one foot in front of the other. While we are slowly walking, the tune “Sonata Pathetique ” rings through my ears. It’s such a beautiful piece; I now realize how enormous my smile is. That’s when I see him, and I mean really see him. His smile mirrors mine. I notice the way his eyes glimmer from the sunlight streaming in through the stained glass windows. Those eyes always get me; they’re a deep charming blue. Now, I am standing alongside my to-be husband. We meet eyes as the priest begins the ceremony. For a moment, I look into my future. Gray, old, and wrinkly, my husband and I stand with our hands inseparable. Without a doubt, I know we will love forever and always.

Continuing through the service, my smile remains beaming. It’s almost time for us to place our rings on the fourth finger of the left hand, symbolizing our marriage. As I am soaking in every moment, I spot the ring bearer approaching us. We say our verses and I dos. The gorgeous ring is now around my finger, but I am not focused on that now. All that is running through my mind is waiting to hear the announcement, to hear him declare who we are now. Everyone in the church is fully aware of the words the priest is about to state, “I now proclaim you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.” Even though I want to fall into his arms and stay that way for hours, I am courteous and kiss him with respect. I am now a married woman. Somebody pinch me! My husband and I stand in awe thinking how movie-like this feels. How we found each other is a miracle, but that’s another story. For now, I’m living, breathing, and drinking in all of the love and happiness.

It’s been 20 years now. These years have passed but our love for each other is no less than it was when we were united. Remembering isn’t a problem for me, and I know it isn’t for my husband either. From time to time I evoke the feelings of that day vividly. From the excitement down to the affection I felt towards my husband. Not only recalling that, but how I saw every emotion on my husband’s face when I walked down the aisle. These remembrances will never go away, and I’m glad because that was the most joyous day I ever experienced in my whole life. Through sickness or health, rich or poor, we will continue to share our everlasting love.