Independent Reading Assignments Week 2

Key traits of John Tyree, Dear John:
- fustrated: we see this when he discusses his up-bringing with his girlfriend, blaming his father for the lack of a childhood- what the character thinks or says.
It's also displayed when John's father is meant to accompany him and his girlfriend to a social gathering, but due to his mental disability, he feels he's unable to do so-actions.
- loyal: we see this when John is away in theatre, his girlfriend thousands of miles away, yet still writes to her and thinks of no one else but her-actions.
- bravery: we see this when John is shot twice on his shoulder, yet once fully recovered is determined to serve in the very place he was injured once more to fight for his country-actions.
- sympathetic: we see this when John returns from service to his strayed girlfriend, yet once he's informed about the situation and given the reasons for which she married someone else, John is calm and agrees to visit his old, terminally ill friend-actions.
- pretentious: we see this when John's girlfriend says she isn't scared of him, no matter how he acts with others-what other characters say about this character.
This trait is also displayed as we see John caring for his girlfriend and treating her well, yet around strangers he'll act bolshy and initiate fights-actions, what this characters thinks or says.
- Gentlemanly: we see this when his soon-to-be girlfriend's bag is accidently pushed over the pier and he jumps in to save it, seeing that no one is volunteering to retrieve it quickly for her-actions.
- Humble/Introverted: we see this when he's thanked for retrieving the bag for the girl, John simply states it was nothing and walks away, then to be invited for dinner-actions, what the character says or thinks.
This trait is also displayed when congratulated or questioned about being in the Special Forces of the military, he answers the questions without sounding boastful about himself or the importance of his work-actions, what the character says or thinks.
- Repressed: we see this when John's father passes away, he keeps all his feelings bottled up inside of him until confronted with his ex-girlfriend, at which point all the feelings come pouring out about his father and their relationship-actions.
- Obstinant: we see this when John's placed before his commanders, refusing to return home after recovering from his gunshot wounds, adamant not to stop serving his country he vows to extend his tour once again- actions, what the character says or thinks.
- Remorseful: we see this when John's father passes away, he hates himself for treating him the way he did, blissfully or choosing to be unaware of his father's mental disability-actions.

John Tyree, our protagonist is a round character, but stays true to what he believes throughout the book. As a disturbed adolescent with a isolated childhood, John turns to what he deems to be the only option ; the military. During leave, he meets his dream girl, Savannah. Thinking of someone other than himself is a foreign concept to John, one he adapts to fairly quickly. Trust, so hard to build yet so easy to break; the one person he's confided in, leaves him whilst he's serving on an extended tour of duty. Slinking back into his repressed ways, John suffers a great loss, leaving him with a huge burden of guilt and regret.

Frankenstein Anticipation Guide

1. The key to all emotional healing can be found in nature.
Disagree.

2. Nature is filled with harsh cruelties.
Agree.

3. A person's priorities should place family before work.
Agree.
4. Enjoying life is more important that persuing fame, glory and knowledge.
Agree.
5. Those born with social and financial advantages have a responsibility for those who are not.
Agree.

6. Ignorance is bliss.
Agree.

7. The persuit of knowledge is a volatile quest.
Agree.

8. Someone's ego will cause a tragic fall.
Agree.

9. Children learn their behaviour by watching and mimicking adults.
Agree.

10. Most people are basically cruel.
Agree.
11. The "disunfranchised man" who finds himself unable to live with society for whatever reason, is someone for whom we should feel sympathy or reverance.
Agree.
12. Society makes a person whatever he becomes.
Agree.
13. Rejection and mistreatment can manifest themselves in a person becoming rage-filled.
Agree.

14. If a person or an animal is treated with cruelty, he will respond to others in the same way.
Agree.

15. Those people we deem "monsters" in today's society are merely misunderstood.
Agree.

16. The greatest burden a person can carry is living with the knowledge of his wrong doings andthat they were preventable.
Agree.

In Depth:

13. Rejection and mistreatment can manifest themselves into a person becoming rage-filled. Agree.
There's only so much a person can take of being pushed away time and time again before it begins to take its toll. Someone who as a young child is rejected time and time again, combined with other factors, will as an adult, cause the slightest thing to anger them. This isn't simply having a short temper, it's taking out the feelings you've bottled up for years towards things you were never shown or given as a child. For example, as a young boy, a mutual friend was sidelined and as the years went by the rage grew from simply being dismissed and it's heartbreaking to see someone who has so much potential being held back because of the anger they're now saddled with through no fault of their own.

3. A person's priorities should place family before work.
Agree.
The common arguement for placing work before family is that without money, the family would crumble. Providing for your family is necessary, however if you sideline them all too often there won't be a family left to provide for. It's a fine line. For example a person should not be so enravelled in their work life that they neglect their family's. Missing birthdays or important events is a common sacrifice made by workers, but if a person were to attend those events lee-way would be given for future work commitments. Thinking of your family and their needs should come to mind first before agreeing to various work commitments.