Bronx Masquerade by Nikki Grimes: This paper is about the changes teenagers go through as they mature, and how peers influence the way you look and act on problems.

Jane, through much of the first half of the novel, is put into circumstances where she feels she must fight for herself. The plights she faces are seen with the incessant description of cold, dark, and frigid settings. She being a child and a girl no less is expected to be timid, respectful, and to simply take everything without malice, but she cannot. Symbolizing Jane as fire, the author is telling us that to be idle is simply against her nature. Even Mr. Rochenchester takes note of it stating what a “fire-spirit” she can be. We know, due to this, that Jane will be breaking or at least challenging a few societal conventions of her time period which she does in the case of her feelings about gender roles, love, and class. Like fire she is lively and not easily controlled (in her case not controlled by the familial and societal expectations of her).

“. . .if others don’t love me, I would rather die than live -- I cannot bare to be solitary and hated, Helen. Look here; to gain some real affection from. . .whom I truly love, I would willingly submit to have the bone of my arm broken. . .’” (Brontë 82). Explanation: Jane Eyre, for all of her life prior to Lowood Academy, was disliked by her superiors and hated by those who should be considered her comrades. Finding comfort and love in Helen Burns, her first childhood friend, she confides her youthful desire to be loved. At such a young age, Jane desired even the most dilute of love, no matter the cost. Her immaturity hinders her happiness, causing her to feel as if she has been severely deprived of such fondness. Her tantrum not only leaves her friend stunned, but she learns a most valuable lesson in faith and doing what is most right with God that lasts with her throughout her journeys of woe and worry along Mr. Rochester’s side.

In Nikki Grimes children's book, Make Way for Dyamonde Daniel, the author portrays the protagonist’s, Dyamonde Daniels, characteristics and perceptions. Grimes introduces a young girl named Dyamonde who recently moved from Brooklyn to Washington Heights. As the story progresses, it is pristine that Dyamonde is experiencing feelings of loneliness and disparity due to her lack of friends in her new setting. Dyamonde’s lonesome feelings set the conflict of the story. However, a turning point is soon introduced along with a new character, Reed. Like Dyamonde, Reed is also a new student who transferred from Detroit. Despite their similarities in terms of being new students, Dyamonde believed that Reed, also referred to as “Free,” was withdrawn and irritable. Because of her negative preconceived judgement of Reed, she secretly gives him the nickname “Rude Boy.” Although Dyamonde initially disliked Reed’s personality, she began to become exceptionally open minded as she learned more about him and his background.

As a feminist, Jane is able to protect herself when she is in a situation where she needs to be defended. For instance, when her brutish older cousin John hurls a hardcover book at her head, she pounces back by attacking him in defense. She also faces no difficulty in successfully defeating her cold-hearted aunt in a verbal fight, just at the tender age of ten. Jane is surely unafraid of the consequences that she has to face on actions that she believes as rightfully done. This amazing trait remains even as she proceeds into adulthood and meets the love of her life. She is able to deal with, and even stand up to Mr. Rochester’s unreasonable verbal attacks directed at her. She clearly shows her dauntless side of her personality, by speaking her own mind when Mr. Rochester demands for the money that he had given her. Jane refuses clear cut, and Mr. Rochester asks to then at least let him see the cash. Jane refuses again by retorting that he is “not to be trusted.” Jane has an honest and truthful soul who knows how to speak for herself, unlike many women during this period of time. Jane is never concerned about what other people would think of her if she tells them the exact truth about everything. She is able to inform her departure by cancelling off the wedding between herself and Mr. Rochester after what she had witnessed and experienced. Jane cries out “you are a married man-or as good as a married man, and wed to one inferior to you- to one with whom you have no sympathy- whom I do not believe you truly love; for I have seen and heard you sneer at her. I would scorn such a union: therefore I am better than you- let me go!” Jane is able to truthfully utter her thoughts, her true opinion without being afraid; even if it was to someone she dearly loved. When Mr. Rochester angrily cries out, “Jane, be still; don’t struggle so, like a wild frantic bird that is rending its own plumage in its

The Bronx often has a reputation of being a tough borough to live in. Indeed, a lot of people do have a rough lifestyle as much as they don’t want to. It is definitely an eye-opener for those who are privileged, for those who don’t know what it’s like to be evicted from your home because the pay check isn’t enough, for those who don’t know what it’s like to have your dreams put to sleep since they are “intangible”, for those whose childhood ends too early. While none of these things have happened to me personally,

In the society in which Jane lives, men are believed to be superior to women in any circumstance. Mr. Brocklehurst declares, "I have a little boy, younger than you, who knows six Psalms by heart" (28). During Jane’s early years, she is constantly surrounded by male figures such as John Reed and Mr. Brocklehurst,who always belittle her and assure she remains in a submissive position. When Jane answers to Mr. Brocklehurst that she does not like the book of Psalms, he compares her to his son. He makes it very apparent that his son is better than Jane due to his love of Psalms, and also expresses his belief that Jane obtains a wicked heart. The situation in which Jane experiences the immediate comparison to Mr. Brocklehurst’s son prompts her to realize that she will always remain less than any man, despite the situation. Later on in the novel Jane expresses, “Women are supposed to be very calm generally: but women feel just as men feel; they need exercise for their faculties, and a field for their efforts just as their brothers do..." (108). In this section of the text from the novel, Jane expresses her frustration on the fact that women are constantly pushed into situations where their predominant worries are based on simple things such as cooking, knitting and cleaning. She believes that women have a right to express their feelings just as much as men do.

Finally Jane feels as though she is a part of a family. She is now welcomed into the family with open arms and she is accepted for who she is. Once and for all, she is not only appreciated for what she does, she is loved for no other reason than for being herself. She finally has what she has strived for and has always wanted.

The next chapter of Jane’s life starts at Lowood School, her main foundation. She meets some very important people such as Miss Temple and Helen Burns who have a great impact on her success. Jane becomes better educated: book smart and world smart. She takes courses in French, drawing, history, literature, and much more. Jane is very eager and excited to learn. She discusses her academic achievements, “I toiled hard, and my success was proportionate to my efforts; my memory, not naturally tenacious, improved with practice; exercise sharpened my wits; in a few weeks I was promoted to a high class; in less than two months I was allowed to commence French and drawing” (Charlotte Brontë 107). Eventually, Jane graduates at the top of her class. This achievement raises Jane’s self esteem because in the eyes of her peers, she has finally done something right and id being properly honored for it. Helen’s impact in Jane’s live allows for Jane to become a better person overall. Helen helps Jane become a better person overall, by teaching worldly and Godly matter, and

My so called life, takes every aspect of a teen that is considered rebellious, and drags it out. In real life, most teens can relate to aspects of Angela’s turmoiled life, but, no one will deal with all she finds in her life. This approach is one taken frequently when representing teenagers; the fact that they’re growing up becomes their defining quality.

In Sixteen and Through the Tunnel the authors talk about two people who have similar coming of age events that take place in their lives. The comparison of these two stories can help us better understand the themes and events in these stories.

At the start of the book, Jess spends his summer mornings training to be the fastest kid in the fifth grade. He believes that by doing this will give him the opportunity to become socially accepted by his peers at his school, Lark Creek Elementary. As summer goes by, Jess becomes aware of a family moving into a near by house. A young girl from the new family, Leslie Burke, introduces herself to Jess and tries to become his friends. At the start of their relationship, Jew is not very fond of Leslie because she beats ho effortlessly in a running race at school. He is envious of her abilities, but later realizes that she is someone he’d like to be friends with as he learns more about her personality. Both Jess and Leslie begin to realize that they are more similar than they initially thought. They each face bullying from peers and adversities at home. Jess is mocked for is artistic abilities and Leslie is made fun of for her physical appearance. One day

Furthermore, Jane says “I care for myself. The more solitary, the more friendless, the more unsustained I am, the more I will respect myself” (Chapter 27, Bronte.) This statement greatly represents the growth that Jane has undergone. She no longer dreads the solitude that once haunted her because she respects herself enough to realize that she did not deserve to experience such great dismay. Through independence and self-recognition, Jane has discovered the importance of loving oneself. Without the reliance on the thoughts of others, the once extremely troubled girl found bliss through a lack of outside control. In regards to her relationship with Mr. Rochester, Jane understands that she must leave him behind to maintain her own well-being. She does not allow the wealth or proclaimed love from Rochester to skew her decisions and she does not linger to dominate the life of her lover. Instead, she moves forward to continue her endless pursuit of happiness and independence.

In this passage from the novel, Jane begins to understand what will become of her if she gives into the consuming passion that she often feels:

Another sign of Jane’s independence was when she became eighteen, decided to leave Lowood and start a new beginning on her own to explore the world and fulfill the emptiness that she feels. In leaving Lowood Jane is enabled to experience more opportunities; love and romance, moving to Thornfield, making new close friends, also proving those that did not believe that she would ever come to much that she could accomplish great things in life. “I remembered that the real world was wide, and that a varied field of hopes and fears, of sensations and excitements, awaited those who had courage to go forth into its expanse.” (pg. 77) This shows how Jane Eyre recognizes that there is a bigger world out there. She understands that there are more opportunities out there waiting for her, and that all she has to do is reach out and grab them.

Jane Eyre is a story of a quest to be loved. Jane searches, not just for romantic love, but also for a sense of being valued and belonging. However, this search is constantly hindered by her need for independence. She starts of as an unloved orphan who is desperate to find love and a purpose. For example, Jane says to Helen, “to gain some real affection from you, or Miss Temple, or any other whom I truly love, I would willingly submit to have the bone of my arm broken, or to let a bull toss me, or to stand behind a kicking horse, and let it dash its hoof at my chest”. However, over the course of the novel, Jane learns to gain love without harming herself in the process. Although she is despised by her aunt, Mrs. Reed, she finds parental figures throughout the book. Miss Temple and Bessie care for Jane and give her love and guidance. However, Jane does not feel as though she has found