Black Swan Green Blog post #16 Heroism

So what makes a hero?

A hero is someone who is alway's around to help those in need. They are people who help others and they can be anyone. I like Mumen rider even if he sucks (A reference) at fighting, but he does help others, like helping old ladies cross a street or to help a cat off of a tree. Even if he's terrible at fighting the monsters away and the evil enemies, he is always there for people and he does it off good will. He has accepted that he is trash but still continues on his task as a Hero. Heroes are typically Courageous or Brave, they are also typically kind and they have very good tolerance. Now, in the Novel "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell we learn about Jason taylor and his 13 year old experiences in his little village.  He does many reckless things and he does many things that can be accountable of being called a hero. So, is Jason Taylor a hero? Yes! He shows many traits of the typical heroes and he is a good boy at heart.

This is mumen Rider BTW

(He's not much to look at but he is a pretty good willed person)

He can be considered a hero for his considerate actions in "Spooks" when he went back to check on Dean Moran when the members told him not to.  Jason has an internal conflict before doing so and says to himself,"A fact sunk a hook into me. If I'd fallen through Mr. Blake's greenhouse and not Moran, Moran wouldn't be abandoning me to that psycho.". Jason is shown to be thinking about His friend Dean and he want's to go back even if it means not being a part of spooks anymore (He got kicked out). He eventually goes to check on Dean and it can be considered heroism and Jason can be a hero to Dean Moran since he decided to go back for him where a normal person (Like me) would have ditched him (Again, me).

Jason Also returning Ross Wilcox's wallet was very considerate since Ross is one of the biggest D-bag in all of Black Swan Green. Jason find the twat's wallet in Black Swan green's annual Goose Fair and he had 600 pounds in it (Pounds or something i dunno). This is a lot of dough and Jason decided to keep it. After a while in the Goose Fair, he decides to return it to Ross due to hearing about his father's ferocity. The man was said to have beaten his wife black and blue all over for losing stamps, and not a giant pack of 'em, Just five of them. This man is willing to do something like that to his wife, then imagine what will happen to Ross, and that what was going on inside of Jason's head. He decides to go to the forest and his subconscious tells him that "he isn't here", but he found and Ross got back his wallet. He was one of the most ungrateful piece of trash i've ever seen (read) and even threatened him if he stole any of the money. He then went on on saying something along the lines of, "So you want me to kiss your ass or something?" Jason only says poor kid. Jason is tolerant and very nice towards Ross for giving him back his wallet since most people would have kept it and been happy to see him get beaten up by his father while they're at it. Jason can be considered Ross's hero since he basically saved him from being sent to the next world by his father. No one else would have done what Jason had did. He is a true Hero (Or Just kind :P)

Lastly! In the chapter "Disco" Jason break's Neal Brose's (A Bully) calculator as a way to get back at him and to show him that he isn't afraid of him. Hell, he even grassed on him to the Headmaster and got him expelled (Or something like that). He has became the hero of the other kids that Neal Brose picked on since he had the Courage to stand up against him and get him into a deep deep deep hole. Jason can be considered these kids heroes since he built up courage to something that not your run-of-the-mill kid would do. He is shown respect since then since he kinda felt powerful. He saved the lepers from having to  pay him anymore money for his "Popularity Lessons" and he has been removed. Jason is a hero in all these parts, and Just because he isn't very consistent, it doesn't mean he isn't a hero. At the very least, Jason is a hero at Heart.

Blog #15 (Black Swan Green) "Knife Grinder" Thoughts and reaction + Summary

      The story starts off with Jason returning home to find a T.V set at his room. It was a gift from his father (how "Thoughtful"), which in my opinion seems to be another one of those bribing gifts he has been giving away to Jason. Later on the doorbell rings and a gypsy appears who says that they got a lot of valuables in their homes which would mean that he can get some money off them by doing some odd jobs. He asks if his parents are home and Jason replies with a no. Jason feels that he shouldn't be talking to stangers, but he shouldn't shut the door on him as it would show bad manners. He says that they are too complicated and they make no sense during specific situations. The man says that he sharpens knives and that he had done it for his mother a year ago, he also mentions that the driveway needs some work onto it. Regardless of this, Jason tells the man he has no money and his parents aren't around to buy anything. The gypsy decides to leave, but he requested that Jason would tell his parents about the conversation and the driveway. He promised the gypsy that he would tell his parents and the old man who will be later referred to as "Knife Grinder" left. Some time is passed and Jason brings up the knife grinder who visited when his mother was cutting food up for dinner (He remembered it through what his mother was doing)  . The father was outraged that a gypsy went to their home when it is most vulnerable to their kind and the mother started defending them by telling him that the same guy came a year earlier and he did a damn fine job on them. The two got into an argument and Jason doesn't really know what to do as it is very awkward when you are just spectating the scene. After this argument settles down and some time passes Samuel Swinyard (Gilbert Swinyard's dad) knocks on their door to ask them to sign a petition to make sure that Gypsies don't permanently settle on Black Swan Green. The father agrees and tells them about the gypsy that came at home when only Jason was around. Jason was brought by his father to attend a meeting about this situation at the Town hall to which in the middle of Samuel Swinyard's speech a fire alarm came on. People weren't that alarmed by it and some were annoyed (Like Samuel Swinyard) until People yelled fire in the back ground and the gypsies were blamed. The scene ends with Jason being held by his father tightly in the midst of this chaotic mess. This whole part seems to show that the gypsies aren't very liked by the people of Black Swan Green since they are viewed as dirty scumbags who do odd jobs for people to get by. It cuts to Dean Morgan's home and Jason describes it as "two tumbly cottages knocked together"  and then describes what's inside like Dean's room. Jason and Dean then proceeded to try to make a golf course with random junk rather than play on Deans Sinclair ZX Spectrum 16k since his sister sat on the tape recorder and it couldn't load and games. They made it work, however they couldn't find a single ball to use so Dean suggested that they both took a looksy down the well. Dean explains the back story of the well and his father plays a prank on them by pretending to be the little girl and scaring them, Jason said that he "shat" himself. The two continue on with Dean's father and they just talk about unnecessary stuff except for when Dean's father mentions that he didn't go to the meeting nor sign the petition since he doesn't have a problem with it and in fact he has gypsy blood in him. I found this to be slightly important since it could bring up mixed feeling towards Jason since he is being told ( unintentionally ) that gypsies are nothing more that bums who do odd jobs to make a living for themselves,where as he knows someone who is related to those "trash" and is told that there is nothing wrong with them.

        Jason is then walking towards Mr. Rhydd's shop in the long way to decrease his chances of finding Ross Wilcox and up ahead is Ross Wilcox and others who are in some kind of war with other kids. Jason tries his best to avoid them without being seen or else they will all target him and he doesn't want to deal with it. Jason says that once he could have just joined the side with the most popular kids, but now he can't as he lost his popularity and joining isn't an option anymore. This goes to show that Jason losing his popularity has effected him outside of school since he cannot even join anyone with the fight or else their eyes will be on him and then he will be the prime target (Maybe kick him till he's blue all over). When hiding, squelch has spotted him, but he didn't say anything  so he then runs out of his hiding spots and jumps into some bushes. He knew that his only way out was to go deeper in. This is kind of saddening seeing a once popular kid having to run away Fromm a fight between people with the far of being spotted and jumped. He should have joined them and he should have enjoyed being a part of them. Jason says that picked on kids act invisible to decrease their chances of being noticed and picked on ( like that gypsy kid Jason mention earlier) and e same thing applies to kids whose parents argue a lot. He call son himself the triple invisible boy. This'll probably means that he feels invisible in three places, one is school where he gets picked on and he can't really do much except be bullied. The second one is home where it is more or less the same as school except his parents constantly arguing had lead to Jason acting invisible to try and not worsen his situations.  And lastly he might consider himself s invisible for not doing anything so by doing nothing he is like a rock who does nothing and can't do anything. Jason then describes the woods and says that he wants to be a forester to work with trees. He also says something funny, he says that there is a  Druid feeling in the woods makes him want to crap so his digs up a hole to shit. while crapping on the hole a big dog takes his stuff and takes off with it, he chases after it blindly. This is important cause the dog taking off leads him towards somewhere that develops the plot later on. WHile chasing after it, he stumbles across the little area that the gypsies live. He get's caught and walks one step backwards, he tumbled down a hill (Or so i believe) and Jason gets to know them. He meets Alan Wall who was the gypsy kid from when he was a kid and his uncle who is familiar with him. It was the Knife Grinder and the gypsies plus Jason spend some time together.He also gets his Adidas Bag back from the Gypsies since on of them had it.. He learns that the Gypsies don't want to move near Black Swan Green either and that it is just because the people have to since they couldn't meet some quota.  The gypsies say that it isn't generosity at all and it is just they are forced to do so. Jason feels that the people of Black Swan Green don't like them since they are scared and they try to repel what they don't understand. JAson feels that if the people of Black Swan Green got to Know the Gypsies for what they are, things would be a lot better between them. I think so too, but then again the People of BSG (Black Swan Green) would try to find other things about them to hate so they don't have to confront them.

 Some Questions that I have:

• Where is Alan Wall's dad and what is he doing?
• Does Jason know how to find his way back since he did follow the dog blindly.
• Why doesn't Jason just ignore his "Promise" for the Gypsy early in the chapter?

Blog #14 (Black Swan Green) Writing Prompt

Questions that i will answer:

• Why does David Mitchell Choose to title the chapter "Maggot"
• How does Jason Deal with being ostracized by the boys in his school and the discover of his stammer? How does he deal with being an outcast within his school?
• How does the theme of "Bullying" and "fitting in" develop over the course of this chapter?

      This is fairly simple. I would say that David Mitchell choose to use "Maggot" as the title for the chapter to represent what jason was "worth" based on what his peers thought of him and also to possibly represent everyone who bullies Jason as maggots. The word maggot can symbolize something within the, like Ross Wilcox who is a major D-bag for bullying Jason and singling him who can be considered a "maggot" for his act of bullying defenseless Jason. It could also sum up the chapter since Jason is called a maggot from the beginning of the chapter, to the near end by everyone, even the normal kids. Jason has been tormented by Ross and cohort throughout the chapter by either teasing him or physically hurting the poor sap, SO the term "Maggot" is what is being sunken into jason mind when they all keep calling him that. It can also be used to represent Jason since he has literally became a maggot since he is the lowest of the lowest. He has been deemed worthless by his fellow peers for going to the movies with his Mum while also not listening to the spooks when they told his to go back for Dean. Jason is viewed as the crap under peoples shoes for the actions that he has done and he can't do a single thing about it since he doesn't have strength or the right state of mind to think properly. He kinda just wants to end all of this, and there is only two ways for that... David Mitchell may have a completely different reason for picking maggot as the title for the chapter, but i feel that these are three reasons on why he would pick maggot.

      Jason has a way of coping with being ostracized (Excluded) by the boys in school and the discovery of his stammering problem. Jason had decided to just give up and live his life. HE doesn't try to fight this as he is basically rendered hopeless when he is being teased and targeted by Ross Wilcox. Jason had decided that if he doesn't do what the assailant wants, then it won't be pleasing for them and they will eventually give up. And example is when Jason didn't fight back when he got a grundy from King turd and his "Henchmen". Jason does want to be included or at least be in the middle class again as lepers are trash and he feels that he is better. Jason can cope with this stress and anger through that note he found on Kempsy's desk as it is true and he really shouldn't let those turds decide what he is. All they can do is bully him and if he can figure a way out of that, then he is golden. He just needs to think a bit. Jason isn't very fond of when he is being teased for being a stammerer since he literally has nothing to lose. His secret is out and is being teased for it, he is living the worst case scenario at the moment and he should just let life take it's course since there is nothing he could lose socially. I have a hunch that Jason will do something that will clear his name later on. (Gotta be optimistic)


      The theme of "Bullying" and "Fitting in" develops over the course of the chapter through the interactions of Jason and his fellow peers. Jason gets bullied by basically everyone in school for what has happened prior when he went to watch "Chariots of Fire" with his mum. JAson is becoming the punching bag for basically everyone except the lepers who are in the same boat as him. This kind of goes to show that someone who was high enough to join the spooks can become mere scum within days regardless of who they were due to more recent actions. The theme of bullying is strong in this chapter as the once cool guy protagonist finds himself in a situation where bullets are coming at him from every angle and he can't do anything to stop this. Jason's is being tormented by everyone as they call him a maggot and he is also getting physically hurt as Wilcox and his mates gave Jason a Grundy. This bullying will continue and Jason will only have three options to truly end all of this. One, all he has to do take out the "Turd king" as the bus driver suggested (I forgot his name...) so no one will mess with him again. Two, To commit suicide so that no one can get to him since he is dead. Lastly there is three, where Jason has to do something amazing where his will remove that bad thing from prior and people will get along with him again while also being high in the social hierarchy again. Knowing Jason, he would go with none of them and let life take its role and hope that this will all blow over. The theme of fitting in is shown as Jason is not the outcast of his school and will take probably a couple of months for this big ordeal to blow over. Jason is show to not get along anyone with anyone (Lepers excluded) and when he tries to talk to someone, they would ignore them (an example is when he tries to talk and says "Epic" which isn't a good word to use in his situation). Jason will have a hard time recovering from this and like always, he can take the easy way out which is Suicide (I am not condoning this)

Blog #13 (Black Swan Green) Souvenirs writing prompt

Prompt:Describe the relationship between Jason and his parents during his holiday with each parent. What does Jason learn about each parent? How do they connect and bond together?


This is fairly easy since we talked about it in class... I don't remember though. The relationship between Jason and his parents seem to be a lot closer when they are together individually. When Jason was with his father, He was treated very nicely and the father wanted to take him out for a movie. This didn't go as planned since Jason hung out with someone who worked for Jason's father and then wait on him all night. He makes up for this by taking Jason out to fly his kite out at Dawn the following day.  Jason's father is acting differently for some strange reason and the same would go for his mother as she smothers Jason to an extent. She gives Jason 10 pounds which was twice the amount he received from his father. She also is going to bring Jason to the movies. They both are being awfully nice to Jason at the moment. We can easily assume that they are divorcing and they are having this little competition of getting Jason's love to get his custody. This is backed up when Jason begins to ask his mother if they could go somewhere nice on vacation with his dad and she said lets wait and see. I mean that is a dead give away that they are going to split up. Jason doesn't seem to notice this though, so he is just trying to enjoy it while he can. He learns a couple things he didn't know about his mother and father. He was told a bit of his fathers childhood (You don't need to know) and his father taught him how to send a Kite telegram. He also learns that his father is a wimp (Or just me) since he didn't stand for his son when his boss says that the rock he had was a trilobite instead of a lytoceras fimbriatum upset Jason. The father show's that Jason isn't really his number one priority, even when the parents are on the verge of splitting up. Jason also learns that his mother can handle a brat or two. He had never seen her be so stern before as she usually kept quiet about things (Never a good thing, leads to people snapping). They connect and bond together since Jason is getting alone time with his parents separately and he is learning many new things about them that he hasn't known before. Examples being that Jason never knew his dad had some knowledge on fossils, or how his mother is able to be so stern. Aside from this kind of "Bond" and "Connection" the idea of them spending individually time together tells us something. It can easily foreshadow that the parents will split up and the mother or the father of Jason will have him. So this little "Vacation" can serve as a competition for the two parents to earn his love. This is because they will have to get his custody and the sooner The parents can get Jason to like them over the other would make it easy when they fight for Jason's custody. I don't know. I can't really think straight. Correct me if i missed anything in the comments, these are starting to become tedious to make.

Blog #11 (Black Swan Green) Solarium Thoughts and Reactions + Summary

Directions: For the "Solarium"blog, write al least one paragraph describing your reaction, thoughts and any questions you may have in regards to this chapter

Solarium

            So, the story revolves around Jason going to a Vicarage to discuss his "Work"(Poems). Jason wasn't directly invited, but Eliot Bolivar was. Jason was expecting to meet a vicar because the place he was at was known to be very serious and it is a place children shouldn't be. Jason meets an old man who opened the door for him and his role is apparently to that of a butler. The man leads Jason through the Vicarage to someone else called Madame Crommelynck. She tells him about the REAL vicars and asks him if he will drink a little. Unborn Twin (Sorta one of Jasons Personas) says a whole glass which kind of makes me chuckle. But you probably don't care about what i think. Jason declines and Madame Crommelynck proceeds to talk about his work. She reads "Rocks" first and says that this relates to a war and the situation with the parents. She tells Jason that he is too timid to cut his umbilical cords. This just simply means that Jason is too shy to express himself in real life, but in his poetry he is free to do however he pleases. She also finds Jason's work as garbage since he uses a lot of beautiful words in "Back Garden" which ruins a poem (What she thinks, i don't know jack $#!@ about poems). Madame Crommelynck goes in depth about what beauty is and where one could find it. She says that beauty is a distraction like cosmetics. She says that if he has a Magnolia tree, would he paint the flowers and decorate it with all sort of nonsense. She says that he might find her as crazy, but the Magnolia tree does not need a poet to exist as it already exists. She says that it goes the same with poems as it already exist,  it just needs words to create it and that is where poets come since they create the poems. So it could easily go with beauty as it is everywhere so it must be presented in some way. I feel that Beauty if whatever you know? It could be anything since beauty can take an infinite number of shapes. It can be in the form of looks, or voice, or taste( and more these are just the things i can think of). It also varies from one's perspective as someone probably won't find a girl as hot(Very unlikely) as i would see them... that was a bad example. Someone won't find the Zebra Finch as beautiful and majestic as me since i had experiences with one and found out many things about the little critter.  What i'm trying to say is that much like the poem that exist before it is made through words, beauty is everywhere(and yes, even in dark alleys or a slaughter house....just don't go there) because it is hiding in plain sight. You just got to take a deeper look into things to find it. (Not sure if this is in the discussion in class because i don't pay attention to those). Madame Crommelynck also talks that an amateur thinks that his work creates beauty where a "Master" feels that his work is only a throne where beauty will rest on. She goes on about this for about three more pages (not really necessary). She also mentioned that she was beautiful when she was younger and people fought each other just to claim her "beauty" and then tells him to leave and return the following week at the same time to proceed with this discussion.

         
             Jason then comes back and he says that the "butler" took longer than the last time. He is greeted to come in again and he takes a view of the insides again. He looks at all the room and it makes him think of all the rooms that he has been at the past and future (Maybe this kid is stoned). He then sees Madame Crommelynck sitting with her eyes closed listening to music. Jason finds this music to be very nice and thinks of it to be in a way out of this world. The two proceed and the two talk about Jason's pseudonym. Eva (Madame Crommelynck from now on .-.) says that he uses the name as a way to cover the shame of writing poems. She feels that the name Jason is better as it reminds her of a heroine who did good in European literature. Jason says that he uses a pseudonym because the doesn't want the guys of Black Swan Green to find out he writes poem since they will be out to get him and he drop in the social hierarchy (Eva figures this out).When Jason cracks and talks truthfully, Eva says that he is talking like a true poet. This most likely(Definitely) means that in Eva's eyes, a true poet writes about the truth and is open about what they write and represent in their writing. Eva tells Jason that if only he knows about his poems and if he hides it to his lover. Eva then gets Jason to crack about his loved one (Dawn Madden)  but before that happened Jason says he doesn't have a girlfriend and Eva responds with "You prefer boys?". This part made me laugh for a good minute...you probably don't care. When Jason tells Eva about Dawn, Eva asked if her boyfriend was either a poet or a "Barbarian" and Jason responds with  saying that ross is a prat, not a poet and if she was suggestion that he write a poem to Dawn Madden it would be no. They go on a bit about it and then a phone rings. I probably shouldn't care but what was the call about? I feel that it is somewhat responsible for what happens later on. Maybe i am just digging for gold but there is nothing but dirt. Eva tells Jason that poems can be anything, but they always speak the truth. She says that our eyes are clouded by everyday things, included television. She says that Poets throw away everything but the truth away. Jason tells Eva her phone is ringing and Eva couldn't care less since she was focused on talking to Jason. Jason says that his parents would have ran sonic fast if they thought the phone was ringing, so when Eva ignored the phone caller it made Jason a tad bit happy. Eva brings up a new topic, if a poem is free of falseness, is it truly beautiful. Jason tried to understand. I think (Know) that it would really depend on the readers perspective as (S)he might not appreciate it as another person would remember what i said about the hot girl? Yeah that's what i mean. Eva then talks about Hangman being Jason's best poem as it tells the readers the truth of something painful towards Jason, his stammering problem. Eva suggests that if he writes, he should put it under his name and if he is afraid of publishing, he shouldn't write at all. Eva says that poets write under some of the harshest conditions, so it wouldn't be all that bad if all he got was torment from his peers (Hairy Barbarians). Eva's father was mentioned and Ea says that she had many things to ask of her father as they did not hang out as much since she only saw him occasionally. Eva then talks a bit about the past... i won't talk about this since i couldn't really give much of a hoot. Eva then talks about how her parents perished and she says it was mercy for her mother's death  since she didn't have to witness the destruction of Zedelgem. Jason was asked if he understood his parents marriage and he was very honest. Jason feels like a burden since he isn't very fond of his speech impediment and that if it was gone, his parents's marriage would be sunnier. Eva then talks about Robert Frobisher who created the music from earlier and that she can't forgive this girl for partially causing Roberts death even if she wants to. Eva then proceeds to go on about Robert and then brings up Jason's "Teachers". She was disgusted by what he presented her and suggests Le Grand Meaulnes which was written in french. Jason informs her that he doesn't know much french and he was assigned the task of translating the first paragraph.

       Jason returns all excited and optimistic about what he and Eva will discuss. When someone else opens the door, Jason got a bit confused. It was the Vicar and his wife (The wife seems like a complete BI***). Jason gives his identity and the two recognized him. He realized that Madame Crommelynck and the "Butler" aren't there and was informed that they were called away (They were arrested) and the WIFE says that they are "gone" as they will never come back. He asked about the butler and he quickly realized that the butler was the husband of Madame Crommelynck. WHen Jason leaves he starts to internally break down. He says that the Crommelynck will be in German police cells (All you need to know it that it is the husbands fault) and that he was still terrible at poetry. He starts to doubt what he has been doing. He questions things. I feel bad for Jason. When this kind of things happened, I try to spring back up even I can't (Like when i stub my toe). It was a real shame too because the two were really developing some kind of bond. They were very similar since they had many things in common. That sucks i guess, but there is no changing it. I feel kind of optimistic, i predict (Spoiling) that Jason will be saddened but something will happen that will change Jason's view and make him spring back into action.

Blog #10 (Black Swan Green) Spooks: Thoughts and Reaction + summary

           First things first. This should have came before the prompt. So the Story starts off when Jason is tying sting to Mr. Blakes door to prank him. Jason is doing this with other folks (I forgot their names). I think it was Ross Wilcox, Gary Drake, Pluto Noak and someone else i can't remember. They manage to get it done and the prank starts. This is risky on the pranksters side as Mr. Drake is known to be the "Child Beater of Black Swan Green" and it was rumored that he killed his own son. They got a good laugh off things and Mr. Blake knows that something is wrong. When they found out the guy was going to find out they witch to something else. They pretend to be near and talk about selling Tom yew's car to not look like they were the ones pranking the old guy. Mr. Blake blames them and they run it around by insulting him (More or less).  They start jabbing at him when they mention his title as "Child Beater" and start saying that he keeps beating up his kids. Mr. Blake threatens to call the cops and some more Insults come his way. This is pretty much what happened (Maybe more I keep forgetting) and it is amusing for me since the guys are getting a good laugh off messing with a old man. It is totally fine to Jab at a most likely emotionally broken man (Wife died and son is missing) and get away with it.

          

            The following day, the words of Jason tying the knot got around pretty quickly. In school he felt like one of the cool kids since he got "Special Treatment" that he wouldn't have received if it was normal. Jason enjoys the wonders of gaining popularity (All he ever wanted) and when he opens his pencil case (Or book case) he finds an invitation for the spooks to join them. He has to go to the grave yard at eight that day. Jason is pretty much happy about this since for his, this is a once in a life time opportunity to move up in the social hierarchy which means that he will experience a great day everyday. I feel a bit happy towards Jason for this as he is finally getting to experience the cool guy life in school, but i feel a bit down by it too since it will  most likely not last that long for him.

          Jason goes to the graveyard and he meets some one else who was there. It was Dean Moran and it seems that he too got invited to join the spooks. They obviously won't join that easily since they will have to complete a test in order to get in. Jason is dumbfounded by Dean Moran being there as he just isn't "Spooks Material" which isn't very nice as Dean is pretty much Jason's best buddy. Dean found the Spooks members and then they began the who test thing. They have to get past six back gardens in under fifteen minutes or else they won't get in and they will never have a chance to do so ever again. I could care less since Jason honestly shouldn't hang around these tough as nail guys since he isn't spooks material like Dean. Jason is too emotional and it is shown twice later in his test. When Jason goes up he manages to get by alright without being seen, but when he finds out there is a pregnant lady near him, he tries to be quiet or else the baby will be premature. He doesn't want the baby to end up like Squelch tho got out of him mother too soon. This goes to show that if Jason was Spooks material, he would have zoomed by and completed but still be cautious to not be caught since that is one of the rules. WHen Jason completed the challenge with ten seconds to spare he is congratulated by the fellow spooks member. This doesn't last long as they hear Moran falling down from where Mr. Blake lives. The spooks make fun of him and Jason wants to check up on him. He says that if he feel instead of Dean, dean would have came back for Jason. Jason decides to tell the spooks if they should check on him which was basically saying, "Guys i'm not spooks material since i care about what happened to Dean where i should be like you guys and not give a pea.". On Jason's side this took a lot of guts since he would kill to be in the spooks, but his feeling of empathy overpowered his greed which made him ask. When they shrug it off Jason goes back to Dean to check on him. The spooks told him not to, but he continued on. I think he got kicked or he is on thin ice. Jason just isn't spooks material and he will never be since he cares too much about others and that is fine. I'm sure Jason has no regrets since Dean would have done the same for him if he fell down.

      This chapter was like Bridle Path. It was funny at parts, but there a couple of serious bits. I liked Spooks and it made me laugh. JAson finally receives his well earned recognition and fame, but it dies down when he goes back to check on Moran. I have nothing to say other than Good chapter and Dean should have been left behind. Since he would only lose one friend rather than losing a whole lot for going back to him.

Blog #9 (Black Swan Green) Spooks prompt

Prompt:Jason successfully completes the test to be admitted into the ultra-popular, ultra-secret society of the Spooks; but his friend Dean Moran doesn't have such luck. Why does go back to help Dean? Was it the right choice? How does this decision develop Jason's character?


So this is pretty simple, one thing about these prompts though. It is holding me back, can't really say much you know? I can't be myself and it limits my IMAGINATION which is kind of offending... not really. Jason goes back when the spook members insult the poor sap and a sudden fact jolted through his mind. The text states, "A fact sunk a hook into me. If I'd fallen through Mr. Blakes greenhouse and not Moran, Moran wouldn't be abandoning me to that psycho.He just wouldn't" and then Jason proceeds to say, " 'Ploot?' Pluto Noak and the spooks turned around 'Isn't any one going to...' Saying this was miles more difficult than running across people's back gardens. '... Make sure Moran's'- Hangman jammed 'not hurt'- 'I mean, what if he's bust a leg or...cut to bits on glass?'". This all took some incredible guts from Jason to say this to the spook members as they didn't care for Moran and he felt the need to help Moran. From what i can gather with my INFINITE KNOWLEDGE  is that Jason feels that he should go check on Dean Moran even if it means being soft in front of the spooks since Dean would do the same for Jason, which kind of shows that they are pretty good friends. I say this because Jason stopped thinking about his popularity, but rather his friend Moran.(I would have ditched my bud, can always get more from popularity.... I'm horrible). I can't really decide if it is a good or bad choice, but in terms of how it's going to look for Jason... I would say a bad choice (He did good by going to Moran) if he wanted to be popular. Jason blew his chance of spooks and popularity since the spooks members have a "Just don't care" attitude of things, meaning that Jason isn't Spooks material in terms of mentality. This decision develops JAson as a Kind character. He could have left Moran there with Mr. Blake (A.k.a child beater of Black Swan Green), but he decides to go see if he's alright. JAson is kind hearted, so even if he wants to be a spooks he just can't since he is too soft and emotional. This is also supported when he is trying to complete is challenge, but stops to think of other things and one including Squelch when he was mentioned (Also trying to be quiet when moving because there was a pregnant lady near him) where he should have focused on his task. Like i said, Jason is not SPOOKS MATERIAL. Thoughts,Reactions+Sumarry comming soon.