27: Let's Talk - Compare and Contrast: Bridge and Schooled

So far this year we've read two stories that fall under the genre realistic fiction: Bridge to Terabithia and Schooled (although I would argue that one is WAY more realistic than the other - can you guess which?).

As the reader in you grows and becomes more able, one important skill to develop is the ability to compare and contrast characters, plots, settings, problems, etc. Being able to discern (that means 'figure out') similarities and differences helps you understand both stories better and helps you to more deeply appreciate them.

For example, let's compare and contrast Jess's farm to Garland Farm. First, the comparisons (similarities).

Jess's farm is small. Some might not even call it a farm. It is really nothing more than an old, run down farm house, a shed that housed Miss Bessie, a small vegetable garden, some fields and woods. It was home to a poor family who wished they had more money.

Garland Farm was also run down. And technically speaking it too was a poor family's home. But I think that is where the similarities end (if you can think of additional similarities, please add them in your comment!).

Now let's contrast (find differences).

Where as Jess's farm had always been a home to his family, Garland Farm had once been home to a commune. So many families had once lived at Garland Farm that, at its largest, it might have been considered a very small town. It was certainly an entire community.

Where as Jess's farm was run down because his family had trouble earning enough money to keep it up, Garland Farm was run down because Rain and Cap chose to have and spend as little money as possible. They believed money was the root of all evil. They wanted to keep their lives free from money to the greatest extent possible. Garland's run down condition was Rain and Cap's choice. That's a big difference! What do you think Jess's mom and dad would have said to Rain when they learned of that choice? Could they be more different?

Where as Jess's farm was one of the places he wanted to escape FROM, and therefore became one of the factors that led to the creation of Terabithia, Garland Farm is the place Cap wants to escape TO (for most of the story). C Average Middle School was so unlike Garland Cap felt disoriented. He saw Garland as the place that would save him, the place that would bring sanity back to his life.

Do you see how thinking and writing about the similarities and differences of just the farms in these two books can really help you gain a deeper understanding of the characters and stories. If you answered 'no', go back and reread this post. Seriously. Do it. You have plenty of time.

You can compare and contrast almost anything. Let's think of Bridge to Terabithia and Schooled again. With these to stories you could compare and contrast another setting like Lark Creek Elementary and C Average Middle School. You might compare and contrast characters, like Jess and Cap, Leslie and Rain, Zach and Janice Avery. Or, you could even compare and contrast parts of the plot, like the endings.



Discussion Points:
a. Think about both books.
b. Find one part of each to compare and contrast.
c. In your comment, list at least one comparison (similarity) and one contrast (difference).
d. Then, later, go to others' comments, read them, and reply with one additional comparison or contrast.
e. That means you're writing at least twice on this one Let's Talk post.

Let's write!