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Tolerance In Deborah Ellis's 'Bifocal'

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The story, Bifocal, written by Deborah Ellis and Eric Walters is a story of two high school boys who contribute two different perspectives to the story. The novel shows the life of a high school student and the racist comments and bullying they might experience. People can have a vast influence on others in life, positively and negatively, and can promote tolerance, acceptance and inclusiveness. Jay, the protagonist, was affected both positively and negatively by a variety of people throughout the book; Kevin’s ignorance, Zana’s determination and Haroon’s forgiving nature all set examples for what Jay should model himself to be in the future. Kevin promoted tolerance in Jay indirectly by being ignorant. Kevin, who was the quarterback and …show more content…

Zana, who was initially not very religious and wore ordinary clothes, wanted to wear the abaya to look more Muslim and refused to stop wearing it when her mom demanded her to take it off. Zana rebuffed her mother's compromise of wearing a hijab because it wouldn't allow her to wear the full abaya like she wanted. She didnt care what others thought; she only cared about her own opinion and what she thought was right. She wouldn’t give up on what she initially set out to do, embrace her Muslim culture and look more Muslim “What has begun as a Zana notion, something she might have dropped by the next day, has turned into something much bigger. Nothing brings out her stubbornness like my mother’s opposition.” (Ellis & Walters 126). It shows that Zana can sometimes drop things; however, she will also hold onto something and never give up on what she believes. Even though her and her brother were ridiculed do to her wearing it by others at her school, she kept wearing it and ignored them because she thought she was doing the right thing. “It’s Halloween. I have an excuse. What’s yours-a bad hair day? It’s better than having a bad brain year! She snapped. She was quick” (Walters & Ellis 190). This shows how she will defend herself in any situation and back up her reasoning, showing her determination. Zana sets a marvelous example of a trait that Jay should adapt into his future self,

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