Question
What is the central theme of the story "How I Became Stink Daley" and how does the author develop this theme throughout the text?
I counted the cows packed into each barn and kept a tally of how many died. At night, I bent over my notebook, making sketches and writing down everything I’d learned.
Then, just when I had all the information I needed, I got caught.
One afternoon I went to get a drink of water at the pump. Mr. Glander was standing behind me. As I leaned over, my notebook fell out of my pocket. Mr. Glander picked it up and began turning the pages. His face turned red with rage. “Why, you little scoundrel!” Without thinking, I snatched the notebook. I began running, slipping and squelching through mud and filth. I ran out of the yard, past the distillery, and down Hudson Street. I ran all the way to the address I had memorized: 19 City Hall Square.
The sign on the door read: FRANK LESLIE'S ILLUSTRATED NEWSPAPER.
“Are you all right, lad?” A man got up from a desk. He looked startled. No wonder: I was covered in mud and panting hard. I held out my notebook. “I need to give this to Frank Leslie.” The man took it. “What’s this all about?” “Swill milk,” I panted. “Swill milk is hurting babies.” He turned over one page, then another. He gave a low whistle.
“My name is Danny Daley. I work at the 16th Street Dairy. My boss caught me with this. I took it and ran. I read the paper all the time. I thought . . . I wanted . . .” “You thought Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper should take on these villains, is that it?” Had I been wrong in coming here? I thought of Bitsy. I raised my head and met his eyes.
“Yes sir! Someone needs to expose this scandal. Babies are getting sick. And the animals suffer too.” The man looked at me for a moment. Then he called to a teenage boy nearby. “Thomas, bring a glass of water for our young hero here.” “I’m not a hero at all! I was scared,” I whispered. “I’m just an ordinary boy.” If I had acted sooner, I might have saved Daffodil. And maybe Bitsy wouldn’t have gotten so sick.
“Most heroes are just ordinary people. And I’d bet most of them also feel scared at some point,” the man said. “Now, sit down. You look as if you’re about to topple over.” “I shouldn’t. I stink. And I’m covered in mud.” “Nonsense,” laughed the man. “Reporters are always up to their necks in mud. That’s the only way to get the story.” I wasn’t sure I believed him.
“Is Mr. Leslie here today?” “My boy, I’m Frank Leslie.” He took the glass from the boy and handed it to me. “And this is my crack illustrator, Thomas Nast, who’s not much older than you. He’s 17. Thomas, this boy wants to make a stink about swill milk. His name is Danny Daley. I think we should call him ‘Stink Daley.’ Does that suit you, lad?” Stink Daley. I grinned. “Yes sir.” Frank Leslie reached out to shake my hand. “Welcome, Stink.” So that’s how I got my name—and my start as an illustrator.
I learned three important things my first week as a part-time newsboy and apprentice artist at Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper.
The first was to keep my head up. The second was to raise my voice. And the third was always to ask hard questions, because that was the only way to get to the truth.
It turned out that the scandal was even bigger than I imagined. The 16th Street Dairy wasn’t the only one making swill milk. Mr. Leslie himself took on the investigation, visiting other dairies in New York City and Brooklyn, and discovered mistreated cows and contaminated milk. Thomas drew more pictures for the story.
A few weeks later, in May 1858, the front page of Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper carried a startling exposure of the swill-milk trade, calling particular attention to the conditions at the 16th Street Dairy.
I wish I could tell you our efforts led to the immediate downfall of distillery owners like Mr. Johnson and his friends, who tried to cover up the swill-milk scandal because profits were more important to them than people’s health.
I counted the cows packed into each barn and kept a tally of how many died. At night, I bent over my notebook, making sketches and writing down everything I’d learned.
Then, just when I had all the information I needed, I got caught.
One afternoon I went to get a drink of water at the pump. Mr. Glander was standing behind me. As I leaned over, my notebook fell out of my pocket. Mr. Glander picked it up and began turning the pages. His face turned red with rage. “Why, you little scoundrel!” Without thinking, I snatched the notebook. I began running, slipping and squelching through mud and filth. I ran out of the yard, past the distillery, and down Hudson Street. I ran all the way to the address I had memorized: 19 City Hall Square.
The sign on the door read: FRANK LESLIE'S ILLUSTRATED NEWSPAPER.
“Are you all right, lad?” A man got up from a desk. He looked startled. No wonder: I was covered in mud and panting hard. I held out my notebook. “I need to give this to Frank Leslie.” The man took it. “What’s this all about?” “Swill milk,” I panted. “Swill milk is hurting babies.” He turned over one page, then another. He gave a low whistle.
“My name is Danny Daley. I work at the 16th Street Dairy. My boss caught me with this. I took it and ran. I read the paper all the time. I thought . . . I wanted . . .” “You thought Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper should take on these villains, is that it?” Had I been wrong in coming here? I thought of Bitsy. I raised my head and met his eyes.
“Yes sir! Someone needs to expose this scandal. Babies are getting sick. And the animals suffer too.” The man looked at me for a moment. Then he called to a teenage boy nearby. “Thomas, bring a glass of water for our young hero here.” “I’m not a hero at all! I was scared,” I whispered. “I’m just an ordinary boy.” If I had acted sooner, I might have saved Daffodil. And maybe Bitsy wouldn’t have gotten so sick.
“Most heroes are just ordinary people. And I’d bet most of them also feel scared at some point,” the man said. “Now, sit down. You look as if you’re about to topple over.” “I shouldn’t. I stink. And I’m covered in mud.” “Nonsense,” laughed the man. “Reporters are always up to their necks in mud. That’s the only way to get the story.” I wasn’t sure I believed him.
“Is Mr. Leslie here today?” “My boy, I’m Frank Leslie.” He took the glass from the boy and handed it to me. “And this is my crack illustrator, Thomas Nast, who’s not much older than you. He’s 17. Thomas, this boy wants to make a stink about swill milk. His name is Danny Daley. I think we should call him ‘Stink Daley.’ Does that suit you, lad?” Stink Daley. I grinned. “Yes sir.” Frank Leslie reached out to shake my hand. “Welcome, Stink.” So that’s how I got my name—and my start as an illustrator.
I learned three important things my first week as a part-time newsboy and apprentice artist at Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper.
The first was to keep my head up. The second was to raise my voice. And the third was always to ask hard questions, because that was the only way to get to the truth.
It turned out that the scandal was even bigger than I imagined. The 16th Street Dairy wasn’t the only one making swill milk. Mr. Leslie himself took on the investigation, visiting other dairies in New York City and Brooklyn, and discovered mistreated cows and contaminated milk. Thomas drew more pictures for the story.
A few weeks later, in May 1858, the front page of Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper carried a startling exposure of the swill-milk trade, calling particular attention to the conditions at the 16th Street Dairy.
I wish I could tell you our efforts led to the immediate downfall of distillery owners like Mr. Johnson and his friends, who tried to cover up the swill-milk scandal because profits were more important to them than people’s health.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The central theme of "How I Became Stink Daley" revolves around the importance of standing up for what is right, the power of individual action in the face of injustice, and the transformative journey of a young person discovering their voice and agency in a corrupt society. Through the protagonist, Danny Daley, the author explores how one ordinary boy's courage, curiosity, and desire to expose wrongdoing can lead to impactful changes, even when faced with fear and adversity.
The author develops this theme through several key elements:
1. **Personal Growth and Empowerment:** Danny's journey from a scared boy hiding behind a notebook to a courageous exposer of the swill milk scandal illustrates a coming-of-age story. His determination to seek the truth and act upon it marks a significant transition from passivity to activism, empowered by his newfound role as "Stink Daley."
2. **Courage in the Face of Fear:** Danny's initial fear when caught by Mr. Glander contrasts with his bravery as he decides to confront this issue head-on by seeking out Frank Leslie. This juxtaposition highlights that heroes often act out of fear but still choose to fight for justice. Danny learns that even ordinary people can make a difference.
3. **Awareness of Social Injustice:** The narrative sheds light on the deplorable conditions in the dairy industry, drawing attention to the mistreatment of animals and the health risks posed to infants. Danny's quest for truth not only reflects his personal growth but also serves as a catalyst for raising awareness about a larger societal issue, emphasizing the impact that one individual's voice can have on the community.
4. **Mentorship and Guidance:** The interactions between Danny and Frank Leslie, as well as with the illustrator Thomas Nast, underscore the importance of mentorship. They provide encouragement and validation to Danny, reinforcing the message that support from others can empower individuals to act courageously.
5. **The Role of Media:** The story ties in the theme of journalistic integrity and the power of the press to hold those in power accountable. Danny's work alongside Frank Leslie emphasizes how informing the public can lead to reform, showcasing the significance of journalism in advocating for social justice.
Throughout the text, these elements converge to establish a resonant theme about the power of one person’s commitment to seeking justice and truth, encouraging readers to recognize their own potential to affect change in their communities.
The author develops this theme through several key elements:
1. **Personal Growth and Empowerment:** Danny's journey from a scared boy hiding behind a notebook to a courageous exposer of the swill milk scandal illustrates a coming-of-age story. His determination to seek the truth and act upon it marks a significant transition from passivity to activism, empowered by his newfound role as "Stink Daley."
2. **Courage in the Face of Fear:** Danny's initial fear when caught by Mr. Glander contrasts with his bravery as he decides to confront this issue head-on by seeking out Frank Leslie. This juxtaposition highlights that heroes often act out of fear but still choose to fight for justice. Danny learns that even ordinary people can make a difference.
3. **Awareness of Social Injustice:** The narrative sheds light on the deplorable conditions in the dairy industry, drawing attention to the mistreatment of animals and the health risks posed to infants. Danny's quest for truth not only reflects his personal growth but also serves as a catalyst for raising awareness about a larger societal issue, emphasizing the impact that one individual's voice can have on the community.
4. **Mentorship and Guidance:** The interactions between Danny and Frank Leslie, as well as with the illustrator Thomas Nast, underscore the importance of mentorship. They provide encouragement and validation to Danny, reinforcing the message that support from others can empower individuals to act courageously.
5. **The Role of Media:** The story ties in the theme of journalistic integrity and the power of the press to hold those in power accountable. Danny's work alongside Frank Leslie emphasizes how informing the public can lead to reform, showcasing the significance of journalism in advocating for social justice.
Throughout the text, these elements converge to establish a resonant theme about the power of one person’s commitment to seeking justice and truth, encouraging readers to recognize their own potential to affect change in their communities.