Question

Pay close attention to the poems: “I run into Dad’s room,” “Behind Closed Doors,” “Text Messages from Mom, Part One,” and “At Noon, in the Gym, with Dad.”

How does each of these poems convey important information about the boys’ dad’s health problems?
What connections do you see between modern social injustices and the events in The Crossover?
NOTE: A full paragraph response is required. A full paragraph is a minimum of 5 to 7 sentences with correct conventions (capitalization, spelling, punctuation) and grammar. You should answer both questions in the same paragraph. You do not need to write a paragraph response for each one.

(4 points) 2 senteces

Answer 1

Each of these poems conveys important information about the boys' dad's health problems through the emotions and actions of the characters. For example, in "I run into Dad's room," the urgency and fear in the narrator's voice imply that something serious is happening with their dad. In "Text Messages from Mom, Part One," the worried tone of the text messages from the mom suggests that the dad's health is deteriorating. In "At Noon, in the Gym, with Dad," the physical struggle and collapse of the dad during the game illustrate the seriousness of his health issues.

There are connections between modern social injustices and the events in The Crossover, as the book addresses themes such as discrimination, prejudice, and inequality. For example, the pressure put on the boys by their father to succeed in basketball can be seen as a reflection of societal expectations and pressures placed on marginalized communities to excel in certain areas to overcome obstacles. Additionally, the struggles the boys face in dealing with their father's health issues can represent the disparities in access to healthcare and the impact of systemic inequalities on individuals and families.