Growing Up
Russell Baker
Xiang Shen
St. Mary’s University
xshen1@mail.stmarytx.edu
Introduction
• “Growing Up” told a story about the author
Russell Baker’s childhood. And his mother
always scolded him and complained about his
lack of motivation. The story describes the
changing process of Russell’s character in his
childhood.
The Character of Russell
• when Russell was eight, his mother always
scolded him and complained about his lack of
gumption. At that time, his liked reading his
favorite novel, Dick Tracy Meets Stooge Viller,
before the radio. Russell's character is
completely different from his sister, Doris,
because his sister had enough gumption.
Russell’s Mother
• Russell's mother played a very important role
in his life. In that period, parents often wanted
their children to become president when they
grow up and work towards this goal. But
Russell's mother did not ask him this; perhaps
she has been disappointed on Russell’s
gumption.
Russell’s Hope
• Russell wanted to picking up trash, empty
bottles and cans. Russell hoped to be a
garbage man.
Selling Magazines
• Until one day, Russell's mother asked him to meet
some person from Curtis Publishing Company
and help him to get a job: selling magazines that
called the Saturday Evening Post.
• But things did not develop smoothly, Russell's
efficiency on selling magazines was much worse
than he expected. He just stood in Belleville
Avenue and of Union Avenue and sold magazines
and he was not good at marketing his own
products. Russell's uncle was his first customer.
Being A Writer
• Doris successfully sold a lot of newspapers,
Russell did not feel humiliated, but happy to buy
apples and share with his sister. Russell is likely to
know himself have no hope in the gumption and
he felt less suitable for this work.
• Russell's mother played a key role this time and
she read the excellent Russell's essay and gave
him a good advice: Being a writer. Writer can live
in a freewheeling life and writing freely and this is
the beginning of Russell writing career.
Vedio
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YAfHiVN
75Y
Questions
•
•
•
•
•
1.What did Buddy want to be at first?
2.What was the name of magazine he sold?
3. Who was his first customer?
4. Where he sold magazines?
5. What did he finally decided to be?