PROMPT - How does Robert Cormier use conflict and characterization to reveal the themes of his novel The Rag and Bone Shop?
Dialectical Journal for Theme in Rag and Bone Shop
Analysis of Theme Journal
Procedure:
In the left hand column
 Record evidence that supports a thematic idea in a text you are studying.
 Note the context of the evidence from the text.
 Use quotation marks around quotes, and note the page numbers on which they appear.
In the right hand column
 Explain how the evidence connects to the theme.
Thematic idea: Various things can give people power, and once they have that power, they can use it for constructive or destructive purposes.
Commentary Evidence (quote or detail and context)
Quote: “Remembering what Bobo had done to
Rebecca and all his other mean stuff, Jason hit
Bobo with his clenched fist, astonishing himself as well as Bobo…Jason was swept with a thrilling sense of triumph and stood there grinning” (25).
Context: Jason punches the school bully in the cafeteria.
The conflict between Jason and Bobo shows how a person can use his power for justice.
Jason's anger, courage and strength enabled him to stand up to the school bully when nobody else would. He punishes someone who had been hurting people who were not able to defend themselves.
Quote: “Carl became conscious of the gun in his hand, felt suddenly the power of his position.
What it must feel like to be God” (6).
Context: Carl Seaton breaks into the Stone family’s home to steal guns and ends up shooting them while they are asleep.
Quote: “Trent knew that this was the moment of decision, to go on or to stop. Simple, really.
Dismiss the boy and send him back to his everyday, ordinary life not knowing the fate he had just missed. Or should he dig deeper? Call upon all of his own cunning and experience to find out if evil did lurk in the boy…”(133).
Context: Trent knows Jason is innocent, but because he wants to move up the professional ladder, he goes on with the interrogation.
The conflict between Carl Seaton and the
Stones shows how power can be deadly. Carl is in a position of power because he has a gun and because the family is asleep. The gun makes Carl feel like God, and he thinks that in that moment, he has the right to decide who lives and who dies, and he decides that the
Stones will die destroying an entire family.
Trent’s desire for power creates an internal conflict that causes him to behave unethically.
By continuing with the investigation, he acts against his best professional judgment, and he ends making a boy that didn't commit the crime confess. Jason is mentally damaged as a result.

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Commentary
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Evidence (quote or detail and context)
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