Jonathan 1/5/11
The First Day
The short story The First Day, Edward P. Jones tells the reader about the events that lead to a change in a mother’s life trying to give her daughter a better future. You see, the mother did not know how to read or write and even with this problem she didn’t give up on finding her daughter a school that would lead her to a better future. The story takes place in New Jersey Avenue where the mother explores their way for a school where her daughter can attend. It turns out to be harder than they thought. Even if they did find a school the mother would not be able to read or write to fill out the forms that would register her daughter in the school records as a student.
In conclusion the lesson learned in this short story is that you should always ask for help when you really need it even if it is something you’ll be embarrassed of. In this short story the mother learns that you should always look for ways to find help, to learn how to read and write (partially), and never give up on a goal that you desire to succeed. I think that this story is very inspirational because it teaches the reader to ignore embarrassment in a problem and do whatever you can to do what you want to achieve.
The First Day
The short story The First Day, Edward P. Jones tells the reader about the events that lead to a change in a mother’s life trying to give her daughter a better future. You see, the mother did not know how to read or write and even with this problem she didn’t give up on finding her daughter a school that would lead her to a better future. The story takes place in New Jersey Avenue where the mother explores their way for a school where her daughter can attend. It turns out to be harder than they thought. Even if they did find a school the mother would not be able to read or write to fill out the forms that would register her daughter in the school records as a student.
On their adventure and search for schools, the first school they found was located between New Jersey Avenue and Third Street and was named Seaton Elementary School. This elementary school did not accept the daughter because of the location the mother and her daughter lived in and which the school considered too far. Soon enough, they find a school for her on New Jersey Avenue, but this is where the dilemma comes. The mother receives a form that she has to fill out with the daughter’s information. This is where the mother’s inability to read and write comes in effect because to get her daughter into school she must read the form and write down her daughter’s personal information. For example, the mother must write down the little girl’s full name, date of birth, age, gender, medical problems, etc. Basically, for the mother to submit her daughter to a school (on a” ride” to a better future) she must find the way to fill this form out. In the end the women who helped the mother ended up being the daughter’s future teacher.
“I see,” my mother says, looking around the room. Then:” Would you help me with this form? That is, if you don’t mind.” The woman asks what she means.” This form. Would you mind helpin’ me fill it out?” The woman still seems not to understand.” I can’t read it. I don’t know how to read or write, and I’m askin’ you to help me”. My mother looks at me, and then looks away. I knew almost all of her looks, but this one is brand new to me. “Would you help me, then?”.The woman says “Why sure,” and suddenly she appears happier, so much more satisfied with everything. This is the conversation where the mother is speaking up to the teacher and courageously telling the teacher about her inability to read and write. This quote was the turning point in this story and in the mother’s life because she felt that she was really being cared for and being helped in a way that she will learn something she wasn’t able to learn. “She’s to be my teacher, she tells my mother. My mother stares”. This quote is the part of the short story where the women introduces herself as the future teacher of the little girl and surprises the both the daughter and the mother.These quotes are both prime factors in a change in the mother’s life.
In conclusion the lesson learned in this short story is that you should always ask for help when you really need it even if it is something you’ll be embarrassed of. In this short story the mother learns that you should always look for ways to find help, to learn how to read and write (partially), and never give up on a goal that you desire to succeed. I think that this story is very inspirational because it teaches the reader to ignore embarrassment in a problem and do whatever you can to do what you want to achieve.
