by Loren Baily
A teenage boy got out of the car and slammed the door shut. Reid didn’t know him, but he wore what Reid recognized as their school’s letterman jacket for football.
“Hey, Alyssa,” the guy called to her with a smirk.
Alyssa didn’t even turn to him as she waved a hand and said back, “Austin.”
They kept walking toward her house, but Reid could tell when Austin noticed his eyes by the way he froze where he stood.
“Is that a droid?” he shouted. “What the—”
“Keep your voice down!” Alyssa snapped. Reid noticed her glancing around, as if she was worried about neighbors hearing there was an android with her. She hadn’t seemed concerned about that before, but now he wondered if she was.
Austin stalked across the grass of their two yards. He didn’t even acknowledge Reid as he glared at Alyssa. “You’re bringing one of them to your house? So, what, you’re into droids now?”
Reid tensed as Austin said the offensive name for androids—for the second time now—but Alyssa stepped in before he could say anything. “Oh, shut up,” she said. “We’re working on a class project together.”
Austin apparently didn’t have anything to say to that, so he turned his attention back to Reid, sizing him up. Reid returned the glare.
Austin crossed his arms then. “Your stepdad is gonna love this,” he said. He looked at Alyssa again, his eyes darting up and down.
“I’ll be out in the back if you need anything.”
She snorted. “I think we’ll be fine. Let’s go, Reid.” Then she grabbed his wrist and tugged him to follow her inside.
As they passed through the front door, Reid glanced behind him to see Austin stomping off. “Nice neighbor,” he said.
Alyssa rolled her eyes at him. “We grew up together,” she said. “He’s just . . . protective of me.”
“He likes you.”
“Yeah, well, he’s an idiot.” They stopped in the front hall, and Alyssa looked up at him. “I’m sorry he called you that.”
Reid shrugged. “It’s not the first time I’ve heard it. Won’t be the last, either.”
“That doesn’t mean it’s okay.”
“Star-Crossed” by Loren Bailey Text copyright © 2019 by Lerner Publishing Group, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Darby Creek, a division of Lerner Publishing Group, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this text excerpt may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without the prior written permission of Lerner Publishing Group, Inc.
Question
Use the passage to answer the question.
Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet has inspired countless stories and adaptations over the centuries, including many in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Romeo and Juliet is set hundreds of years ago. It follows two young people, Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet, who come from feuding families in Verona, Italy. They meet and fall in love. Juliet’s family hopes she will marry a wealthy man named Paris, who she does not love. Romeo and Juliet are determined to be together despite the disapproval from and conflict between their friends and families. The story ends tragically when the young lovers die in pursuit of their life together.
Which statement correctly explains a theme that is present in Star-Crossed but not Shakespeare’s classic version of the story, Romeo and Juliet?
(1 point)
Responses
Star-Crossed handles the theme of unrequited love. When Alyssa tells Austin she is not interested, it breaks with how Juliet handled her relationship with Paris.
Star-Crossed handles the theme of unrequited love. When Alyssa tells Austin she is not interested, it breaks with how Juliet handled her relationship with Paris.
Star-Crossed is concerned with family bonds in a way Romeo and Juliet is not. The characters in Romeo and Juliet must navigate family relationships and expectations as they fall in love.
Star-Crossed is concerned with family bonds in a way Romeo and Juliet is not. The characters in Romeo and Juliet must navigate family relationships and expectations as they fall in love.
Star-Crossed deals with discrimination and prejudice. When Austin confronts Reid and Alyssa, we see the challenges Reid and Alyssa will face in their relationship.
Star-Crossed deals with discrimination and prejudice. When Austin confronts Reid and Alyssa, we see the challenges Reid and Alyssa will face in their relationship.
Star-Crossed introduces the theme of how technology influences culture. Instead of someone from a feuding family, Alyssa’s love interest in Star-Crossed is an android.
1 answer
The correct statement that explains a theme present in "Star-Crossed" but not in Shakespeare’s classic version of the story, "Romeo and Juliet," is:
Star-Crossed deals with discrimination and prejudice. When Austin confronts Reid and Alyssa, we see the challenges Reid and Alyssa will face in their relationship.
This theme highlights the social prejudices faced by androids in the story, which is a contemporary issue that differs from the familial conflicts in "Romeo and Juliet."
