1At the first yearbook meeting, I quietly sat in the back of the classroom and hardly said anything. Unlike the other yearbook-club members, I found it hard to come up with catchy slogans to put under the pictures. While some students were outgoing and had no difficulty signing up sponsors on a daily basis, I was afraid to ask my grandmother, who owned a business in our hometown. When I finally did work up the nerve to ask her for a donation, she offered me some advice.

Question

2She explained that she had been the photographer of her high-school yearbook. She pulled out the old crimson book and opened it up to a giant photograph that took up a whole page. A small group of kids crowded into the shot. I looked away from the photograph and up at my grandmother’s sentimental smile.

3After she showed me some of her finest shots, we went up to her attic and found her old box of high-school memories. Inside, we found a letterman jacket that Grandma let me wear while we shuffled through the mementos. Finally, we found what she was searching for. At the bottom of the box was my Grandma’s big black camera. She explained that the strap was actually for a guitar. She had attached it to the camera so she could stylishly carry it around school. Again, her gorgeous smile expanded across her face as she remembered aloud.

4I slipped the camera over my shoulders, and Grandma took me to purchase film. Then, she dropped me off at home, and I spent the rest of the weekend sauntering around my backyard taking photos of weird bugs and pretty flowers. By Monday morning, I felt like an experienced shutterbug ready to capture my classmates in my viewfinder.

5In homeroom, I shot my class making goofy faces at my camera. In first period, I asked Mrs. Greene to pose with the students writing their homework problems on the board. She was a little shy at first, but with a little bit of coaxing, I got her to laugh as the students worked behind her. At lunch, I got the cafeteria workers to take a break and pose for a photograph. After I shot that one, I ordered a tuna melt, and as the cafeteria worker gave it to me, she leaned down and said, “Thanks for including us in your yearbook pictures.”

6She made me feel so good that I kept shooting photographs all week. The next weekend, my mom and I developed the photos. Grandma’s camera sure was spectacular. I felt proud as I appreciated the clear genuine smiles beaming back at me. Grandma said that I was an amazing photographer, and I had to admit that I really captured the spirit of the people in my pictures. At the next yearbook meeting, I walked confidently into the classroom ready to share my photographs with the rest of the group.
Question

This literary text features a character whose perspective changes over time. Note this shift and the events that caused it.

Respond to the following using complete sentences:
1. Using evidence from the text, contrast the point of view (perspective) and beliefs the narrator had at the beginning of the story to those

Answer 1

At the beginning of the story, the narrator feels intimidated and insecure about their abilities and participation in the yearbook club. The text states, "I quietly sat in the back of the classroom and hardly said anything," indicating that they are shy and unsure of themselves. Additionally, the narrator struggles with coming up with catchy slogans and expresses fear in asking their grandmother for a donation, reflecting a lack of confidence in social interactions and their creative skills.

In contrast, by the end of the story, the narrator's perspective shifts to one of confidence and pride in their photography skills. After spending time with their grandmother and learning about her own experiences as a high school photographer, the narrator gains both inspiration and practical skills. They describe feeling like an "experienced shutterbug" and confidently take photos of classmates and faculty. The change is further emphasized when the narrator states, "I had to admit that I really captured the spirit of the people in my pictures," showcasing an acknowledgment of their talent and an appreciation of their work.

This transformation is primarily caused by the supportive influence of the grandmother and the hands-on experience the narrator gains from using her camera and taking photographs, ultimately leading to a growth in self-confidence.