Yesterday, each class period chose one character from
Nightjohn on which to focus their character analysis. Below is each period's class model of that analysis.
Period 1 class model:
In the book,
Nightjohn, by Gary Paulsen, the main character Sarny seems to be a curious twelve-year-old girl. For example, when Sarny goes to bed, she thinks about everything she learned that day (18). Additionally, Sarny shows her curiosity when she is listening to Mrs. Waller and Mrs. Waller’s sister talking about a new slave named Nightjohn (21). Finally, readers see Sarny’s love of learning when she asks Nightjohn what letters are (34). All in all, Gary Paulsen’s character Sarny demonstrates her eagerness to learn in many ways.
Period 2 class model:
In the book
Nightjohn by Gary Paulsen, slave owner Clel Waller seems to be arrogant and violent. For example, on page 14, main character Sarny, a slave girl, tells readers, “He wants that we should call him ‘master’…” Along with this, Sarny adds, “He ain’t no master of nobody except that he’s got dogs and a whip and a gun and so can cause hurt to be on some, bad hurt…” (14). Finally, readers witness Waller treating a new slave, Nightjohn, like an animal, tying a rope around his neck and beating him (26). Overall, Paulsen describes Waller as a cruel, cold-hearted man.
Period 3 class model:
In Gary Paulsen’s book
Nightjohn, the main character, Sarny seems to be a curious and naive little girl. First off, her naivety is shown when she sees Delie praying and does not understand why she is praying (24). Next, readers see her curiosity when Sarny sees “100 LBS” written on a bag and wants to know what it means (35). Lastly, on page 38, Sarny asks Nightjohn, “Where’s the bottom to it?” when seeing a letter A for the first time. In conclusion, Gary Paulsen, in his book
Nightjohn, shows how Sarny is curious and naive throughout the first three chapters.
Period 6 class model:
In the book
Nightjohn by Gary Paulsen, a slave girl named Sarny is curious and eager to learn. For example, Sarny demonstrates her curiosity when she spies on Mrs. Waller and Mrs. Waller’s sister talking about buying a new slave for one thousand dollars (21). Additionally, when Sarny sees the number “100 LBS” on a feed sack, she is driven to understand what it means (35). Finally, Sarny trades her tobacco to learn letters of the alphabet, which shows her ambition. In conclusion, Gary Paulsen shows that Sarny wants to explore this world and is determined to become literate.
