Read the following story, and then answer the question that follows.
Gwendolyn Brooks (1917-2000) was an American poet, author, and teacher. In this short story, a family contemplates losing their house.
Home
by Gwendolyn Brooks
[1] What had been wanted was this always, this always to last, the talking softly on this porch, with the snake plant in the jardinière (1) in the southwest corner, and the obstinate (2) slip from Aunt Eppie's magnificent Michigan fern at the left side of the friendly door. Mama, Maud Martha, and Helen rocked slowly in their rocking chairs, and looked at the late afternoon light on the lawn and at the emphatic(3) iron of the fence and at the poplar tree(4). These things might soon be theirs no longer. Those shafts and pools of light, the tree, the graceful iron, might soon be viewed passively by different eves.
Papa was to have gone that noon, during his lunch hour, to the office of the Home Owners' Loan. If he had not succeeded in getting another extension, they would be leaving this house in which they had lived for more than fourteen years. There was little hope. The Home Owners' Loan was hard. They sat, making their plans.
"We'll be moving into a nice flat somewhere," said Mama. "Somewhere on South Park, or Michigan, or in Washington Park Court." Those flats, as the girls and Mama knew well, were burdens on wages twice the size of Papa's. This was not mentioned now.
"They're much prettier than this old house," said Helen. "I have friends I'd just as soon not bring here. And I have other friends that wouldn't come down this far for anything, unless they were in a taxi."
[5] Yesterday, Maud Martha would have attacked her. Tomorrow she might. Today she said nothing. She merely gazed at a little hopping robin in the tree, her tree, and tried to keep the fronts of her eyes dry.
"Well, I do know," said Mama, turning her hands over and over, "that I've been getting tireder and tireder of doing that firing. From October to April, there's firing to be done."
"But lately we've been helping, Harry and I," said Maud Martha. "And sometimes in March and April and in October, and even in November, we could build a little fire in the fireplace. Sometimes the weather was just right for that."
She knew, from the way they looked at her, that this had been a mistake. They did not want to cry.
But she felt that the little line of white, sometimes ridged with smoked purple, and all that cream-shot saffron(5) would never drift across any western sky except that in back of this house. The rain would drum with as sweet a dullness nowhere but here. The birds on South Park were mechanical birds, no better than the poor caught canaries in those "rich" women's sun parlors.
[10] "It's just going to kill Papa!" burst out Maud Martha. "He loves this house! He lives for this house!"
He lives for us," said Helen. "It's us he loves. He wouldn't want the house, except for us."
"And he'll have us," added Mama, "wherever."
"You know," Helen sighed, "if you want to know the truth, this is a relief. If this hadn't come up, we would have gone on, just dragged on, hanging out here forever."
"It might," allowed Mama, "be an act of God. God may just have reached down and picked up the reins."
[15] "Yes," Maud Martha cracked in, "that's what you always say - that God knows best."
Her mother looked at her quickly, decided the statement was not suspect, looked away.
Helen saw Papa coming. "There's Papa," said Helen.
They could not tell a thing from the way Papa was walking. It was that same dear little staccato(6) walk, one shoulder down, then the other, then repeat, and repeat. They watched his progress. He passed the Kennedys', he passed the vacant(7) lot, he passed Mrs. Blakemore's. They wanted to hurl themselves over the fence, into the street, and shake the truth out of his collar. He opened his gate - the gate and still his stride and face told them nothing.
"Hello," he said.
[20] Mama got up and followed him through the front door. The girls knew better than to go in too.
Presently Mama's head emerged. Her eyes were lamps turned on.
"It's all right," she exclaimed. "He got it. It's all over. Everything is all right."
The door slammed shut. Mama's footsteps hurried away.
"I think," said Helen, rocking rapidly, "I think I'll give a party. I haven't given a party since I was 11. I'd like some of my friends to just casually see that we're homeowners."
Footnotes:
1. French for "planter"
2. Obstinate (adjective) stubbornly refusing to change
3. Emphatic (adjective) attracting special attention
4. A type of quick-growing tree
5. An orange to orange-yellow
6. Short, quick, and separate
7. Vacant (adjective) not filled, used, or lived in
Question:
Imagine how the story would be different if it were told from the point of view of the character, Papa. Using the information from the passage, rewrite the ending of the story starting from when Papa walks home (Paragraph 17). Make sure that you provide dialogue from the characters (Papa, Mama, Maud Martha, or Helen), and use sensory details and language to capture the action of the story. Stay true to the author's voice and style. You should have a minimum of 300 words. Be mindful of conventions, so that they do not interfere with meaning.
Rubric- CLICK HERE to see how this will be scored.
Writer's Checklist- CLICK HERE for the Writer's Checklist to make sure you have included everything you need to in your written response.
(16 points)
If you're developing this response, begin by highlighting Papa's internal thoughts and emotions as he walks home. Consider including his worries about the impending meeting with the Home Owners' Loan, his love for his family, and his deep attachment to the house. Think about how these thoughts could reflect on his facial expressions, body language, and the way he interacts with his surroundings.
When Papa arrives home, focus on his entrance and the reactions of Mama, Maud Martha, and Helen. Perhaps he notices the tense atmosphere immediately, or he picks up on his family's subdued mood. Mama's quick departure inside the house could spark a sense of anxiety in Papa. Maybe his daughters' silent stares and the absence of their usual chatter make him nervous.
As he steps inside the house, contemplate on how Papa's anticipation builds. His heart may beat faster, his palms could sweat, and he might struggle to contain his emotions. Mama's eventual reassurance might come as a wave of relief, washing over him. Reflect on how this moment changes Papa's demeanor and behavior. Perhaps he breaks into a wide smile, hugs his family tightly, or lets out a sigh of relief.
In crafting the dialogue between the characters, consider the warmth and sincerity of their words. Mama's comforting reassurance could be heartfelt and soothing, while Helen's suggestion of a party might be filled with light-hearted joy. Maud Martha's response could showcase her vulnerability and relief at the news.
Throughout the ending, strive to maintain Gwendolyn Brooks' contemplative tone and attention to detail. Consider incorporating sensory details to enhance the reader's experience, such as the sound of Mama's hurried footsteps or the visual of Papa's shoulders relaxing as he realizes everything is okay. Remember to stay true to the original story's themes of family, resilience, and the idea of home.
By effectively capturing Papa's perspective and emotions, you can provide a fresh and engaging take on the conclusion of the story "Home" by Gwendolyn Brooks. This rewritten ending will offer readers a deeper insight into the characters' experiences and the impact of the events on their lives.
Could you put all that in dialogue
As Papa walked home, his mind raced with worry. He clenched his fists, his heart pounding in his chest. When he reached the gate, his shoulders tensed. He could sense something was off.
Mama: "Hello, dear. How did it go?"
Papa: "I... I'm not sure yet."
Mama's eyes widened with concern as she led him inside. Maud Martha and Helen watched, wide-eyed and silent.
Mama: "What happened at the loan office?"
Papa: "I... I don't know if I got the extension."
Maud Martha: "Oh, Papa, we don't want to leave our home."
Papa's face softened, his eyes glistening.
Papa: "I know, my darling. I know."
Helen: "We'll be okay, Papa. We have each other."
Papa's chest tightened, an overwhelming wave of love for his family washing over him. Mama appeared in the doorway, her face glowing.
Mama: "He got it. It's all over. Everything is all right."
Papa's eyes filled with tears of relief, and he pulled his family close, their embrace a silent celebration of their home. The tension melted away, replaced by a sense of gratitude and unity.
Helen: "I think I'll give a party. I haven't given one since I was 11. I'd like some of my friends to just casually see that we're homeowners."
Papa chuckled, his heart full.
Papa: "That sounds wonderful, Helen. Let's celebrate our togetherness and resilience."
As they basked in the warmth of their love and the comfort of their home, the essence of family and belonging filled their hearts, intertwining their lives in a bond stronger than any house could ever provide.