Midterm Assignment:Midterm Assignment:Literature Extension ProjectLiterature Extension Project

Jane SheeleyJane SheeleyEDLA-615EDLA-615

Prof. Susan SilvermanProf. Susan SilvermanOctober 31, 2006October 31, 2006

CD Creation ProjectCD Creation Project

• You will create a CD. Research popular You will create a CD. Research popular music and choose at least 10 songs that music and choose at least 10 songs that relate to the central themes of the book. relate to the central themes of the book. An explanation must accompany each An explanation must accompany each song title that you choose. Include the song title that you choose. Include the front and back cover art for your front and back cover art for your creation, along with any inside liner creation, along with any inside liner notes or pictures. notes or pictures.

Please do not forget to credit the artists!Please do not forget to credit the artists!

Good Night Mr. Tom

CD compiled by Jane Sheeley

( Front cover)

(Inside Liner Cover)

(Image under CD)

1. Luka – Suzanne Vega2. Please Read Me – Bee Gees3. Here’s Where the Story Ends –

The Sundays4. Paint the Sky with Stars – Enya5. My War – Black Flag6. Waiting for the Worms – Pink

Floyd7. Warchild – The Cranberries8. Mother – Pink Floyd9. Another Brick in the Wall (part

I) – Pink Floyd10. Endless Vacation – The Ramones11. Peace Train – Cat Stevens12. London Calling – The Clash13. Are you Ready for the Country –

Neil Young14. Take Me Home, Country Roads

– John Denver15. Thank God, I’m a Country Boy –

John Denver16. Dover Beach – The Bangles17. Traces of Sadness – Vanilla

Ninja18. Sadeness – Enigma19. Sadness is to End – Guided by

Voices

1. Happy Outside – Omnisoul

2. Happy Jack – The Who

3. Shiny, Happy People – REM

4. The Chronicles of Life and Death – Good Charlotte

5. I Will Follow You into the Dark – Death Cab for Cutie

6. Dance of Death – Iron Maiden

7. Don't Go – Doro

8. Please Don’t Die – Robbie Williams

9. Alone Again – Dokken

10. Get Together – Indigo Girls

11. Mother – Babes in Toyland

12. Cycle of Abuse – Biohazard

13. What’s Become of the Baby – Grateful Dead

14. Zombie – The Cranberries

15. Let it Grow – Eric Clapton

16. Don’t Give Up – Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush

17. Wind Beneath my Wings – Bette Midler (Back cover)

AbuseAbuse

• Luka – Luka – the story of an abused child, as told the story of an abused child, as told from his voice. The child in question has from his voice. The child in question has become complacent and accepting of his become complacent and accepting of his situation and forgiving of his abuser, much like situation and forgiving of his abuser, much like Willie used to feel towards his mother when he Willie used to feel towards his mother when he was still living with her.was still living with her.

““The night before, he had been lying in his first and only bed, The night before, he had been lying in his first and only bed, in his first and only room…. For an instant he wished he in his first and only room…. For an instant he wished he had never gone to Little Weirwold. Then he would have had never gone to Little Weirwold. Then he would have thought his mum was kind and loving. He wouldn’t have thought his mum was kind and loving. He wouldn’t have known any different. A wave of despair swept through known any different. A wave of despair swept through him and he cursed his new awareness. He hadn’t been him and he cursed his new awareness. He hadn’t been used to this pain for a long time. He had softened.” (p. used to this pain for a long time. He had softened.” (p.

197/8)197/8)

Books and ReadingBooks and Reading

Willie loved books and was so enthralled to Willie loved books and was so enthralled to receive his first one. “Is it fer me to keep?,” he receive his first one. “Is it fer me to keep?,” he states as he hugs the one given to him on his states as he hugs the one given to him on his birthday (p. 108). birthday (p. 108).

• Please Read MePlease Read Me – Willie feels all books – Willie feels all books call this out to him, and he himself has never call this out to him, and he himself has never had anyone try to “read” him.had anyone try to “read” him.

• Here’s Where the Story EndsHere’s Where the Story Ends – Like – Like the author, Willie, too, has been repeatedly the author, Willie, too, has been repeatedly looked down upon by everyone he has known looked down upon by everyone he has known before meeting Tom.before meeting Tom.

PaintingPainting

• Paint the Sky With Stars – Paint the Sky With Stars – Willie finds Willie finds he has incredible talent as an artist. The he has incredible talent as an artist. The paints he receives helps him to channel his paints he receives helps him to channel his emotions into his drawing. He is also seeing a emotions into his drawing. He is also seeing a peaceful, open, and star-filled country sky for peaceful, open, and star-filled country sky for the first time when he comes to Little the first time when he comes to Little Weirwold. Also, before she died, Tom’s wife Weirwold. Also, before she died, Tom’s wife had made the comment, “If I painted the sky, I had made the comment, “If I painted the sky, I could go through life paintin’ nothin’ else, for could go through life paintin’ nothin’ else, for it’s always changin’. It never stays still.” (p. it’s always changin’. It never stays still.” (p. 52)52)

WarWar

• My WarMy War – The war is more Willie’s than the – The war is more Willie’s than the occupants of Little Weirwold, as they have barely been occupants of Little Weirwold, as they have barely been affected by it. When Willie wonders about the blackouts affected by it. When Willie wonders about the blackouts on the windows, Mr. Tom replies “It’s so planes don’t on the windows, Mr. Tom replies “It’s so planes don’t see where to bomb. Waste of time if you asks me. see where to bomb. Waste of time if you asks me. Reckon it’ll all be over by Christmas, and anyways Reckon it’ll all be over by Christmas, and anyways who’d want to bomb Little Weirwold?” (p. 21)who’d want to bomb Little Weirwold?” (p. 21)

• Waiting for the WormsWaiting for the Worms – A soldier’s song – A soldier’s song about World War II from the wonderfully twisted mind of about World War II from the wonderfully twisted mind of Roger Waters.Roger Waters.

• WarchildWarchild - As one of the evacuees, Willie truly is a - As one of the evacuees, Willie truly is a warchild.warchild.

MotherMother

• Mother – Mother – Although the voice of this song is only Although the voice of this song is only mentally abused by his mother, it is still an abuse that mentally abused by his mother, it is still an abuse that he will take with him into his future relationships.he will take with him into his future relationships.

• Another Brick in the Wall (part I)Another Brick in the Wall (part I) – – Willie, too, has no father to speak of and was left with Willie, too, has no father to speak of and was left with an abusive, controlling Mother.an abusive, controlling Mother.

• Endless VacationEndless Vacation – Willie’s mother eventually – Willie’s mother eventually commits suicide.commits suicide.

PeacePeace

• Peace Train – Peace Train – Willie finally finds the peace Willie finally finds the peace that he has so desperately wanted when he that he has so desperately wanted when he comes to Little Weirwold. After leaving and comes to Little Weirwold. After leaving and then returning again, he knows that he can then returning again, he knows that he can truly be at peace there.truly be at peace there.

LondonLondon

• London CallingLondon Calling – – Willie was a resident of Willie was a resident of London before being evacuated to Little London before being evacuated to Little Weirwold due to the impending war. The song Weirwold due to the impending war. The song begins, begins,

“ “London calling to the faraway townsLondon calling to the faraway townsNow that war is declared-Now that war is declared-

and battle come down.”and battle come down.”

This is a fitting song for Willie’s situation.This is a fitting song for Willie’s situation.

CountryCountry

• Are You Ready for the CountryAre You Ready for the Country – – Willie is uprooted from the life he knew and Willie is uprooted from the life he knew and evacuated from the city to the countryevacuated from the city to the country

• Take me Home Country RoadsTake me Home Country Roads – – The road into Little Weirwold is the country road The road into Little Weirwold is the country road that leads him to what will become his homethat leads him to what will become his home

• Thank God, I’m a Country BoyThank God, I’m a Country Boy – – Willie grows to love the country and be grateful Willie grows to love the country and be grateful that it is now his home.that it is now his home.

Beach VacationBeach Vacation

• Dover Beach – Dover Beach – The Dover Beach is said to The Dover Beach is said to be the “perfect place” that the singer would be the “perfect place” that the singer would like to run away to. When Tom takes Willie like to run away to. When Tom takes Willie and Zach to Salmouth (Salt on the Mouth), and Zach to Salmouth (Salt on the Mouth), Willie learns to swim, and enjoys falling into a Willie learns to swim, and enjoys falling into a blissful, peaceful sleep while listening to the blissful, peaceful sleep while listening to the wonderful “fine sound” (p. 263) of the waves.wonderful “fine sound” (p. 263) of the waves.

SadnessSadness• Traces of SadnessTraces of Sadness – – The chorus reminded me The chorus reminded me

very much of some of the sadness that poor Willie has very much of some of the sadness that poor Willie has had to endure in his short life before Tom.had to endure in his short life before Tom.

““Just traces of sadnessJust traces of sadness(All the tears remained uncried)(All the tears remained uncried)

Just echoes of madnessJust echoes of madness(All his fantasies had died)(All his fantasies had died)He buried his daydreamsHe buried his daydreams

(But the nightmares stayed alive)”(But the nightmares stayed alive)”

• SadenessSadeness – – This song discussesThis song discusses finding peace in finding peace in the company of children – something that Willie had the company of children – something that Willie had never been familiar with.never been familiar with.

Transitions to HappinessTransitions to Happiness

• Sadness is to End – Sadness is to End – This song speaks of This song speaks of sadness ending soon and happiness reigning supreme, sadness ending soon and happiness reigning supreme, much like Willie’s transition to a happy child.much like Willie’s transition to a happy child.

• Happy OutsideHappy Outside – – The voice of this song is The voice of this song is surprised to find that he wakes up happy one morning. surprised to find that he wakes up happy one morning. He goes on to say that all of the clouds and lightening He goes on to say that all of the clouds and lightening he endures are just obstacles on his path to happiness.he endures are just obstacles on his path to happiness.

• Happy JackHappy Jack – – Hurtful times cannot prevent Jack Hurtful times cannot prevent Jack from being happy, much like Willie.from being happy, much like Willie.

• Shiny Happy People – Shiny Happy People – Willie, finding friends Willie, finding friends for the first time ever, has become a part of the shiny, for the first time ever, has become a part of the shiny, happy people.happy people.

LifeLife

• The Chronicles of Life and Death – The Chronicles of Life and Death – Willie’s life before Tom had been a fine line Willie’s life before Tom had been a fine line between life and death. This song speaks between life and death. This song speaks about the way we come into this world about the way we come into this world covered in blood, and sometimes exit it the covered in blood, and sometimes exit it the same way, as Willie almost did at the hands of same way, as Willie almost did at the hands of his mother.his mother.

DeathDeath• I will Follow You into the Dark - I will Follow You into the Dark - Unfortunately, Unfortunately,

Willie faces so much loss. This song speaks of holding Willie faces so much loss. This song speaks of holding someone as they die so that they are not alone, much like someone as they die so that they are not alone, much like Willie did with Trudy.Willie did with Trudy.

• Dance of DeathDance of Death – This song tells a story of – This song tells a story of someone meeting Evil Death and barely escaping, someone meeting Evil Death and barely escaping, prompting me to think of how Willie and his sister were prompting me to think of how Willie and his sister were left to die by their mother.left to die by their mother.

• Don’t GoDon’t Go – This song made me think of Willie’s being – This song made me think of Willie’s being angry with Zach for “leaving,” visible when he states “I angry with Zach for “leaving,” visible when he states “I ent got anythin’ left inside me.” (p. 293)ent got anythin’ left inside me.” (p. 293)

• Please Don’t DiePlease Don’t Die – This song made me think of – This song made me think of the fear Willie probably feels sometimes over ever losing the fear Willie probably feels sometimes over ever losing Tom.Tom.

AloneAlone

• Alone Again – Alone Again – Before being evacuated, Before being evacuated, Willie is often alone, since his mother is his Willie is often alone, since his mother is his only interaction. When Willie is forced to leave only interaction. When Willie is forced to leave Tom and return to his mother in London, Tom and return to his mother in London, again, he ends up alone. In the hospital, he is again, he ends up alone. In the hospital, he is alone, and when he loses Zach he feels that he alone, and when he loses Zach he feels that he is alone again.is alone again.

TogetherTogether

• Get Together – Get Together – With Tom and his friends, With Tom and his friends, Willie finally has a peaceful existence, and Willie finally has a peaceful existence, and finally realizes what it feels like to be loved. finally realizes what it feels like to be loved. This version by the Indigo Girls is just a very This version by the Indigo Girls is just a very nice one, and their harmonies mirror the nice one, and their harmonies mirror the harmony that Willie feels with these people.harmony that Willie feels with these people.

TrudyTrudy

• Mother – Mother – The last three lines of this song are:The last three lines of this song are: SisterSisterYou are meYou are meYou are me You are me

I felt that this was so significant since Trudy I felt that this was so significant since Trudy was condemned to such an awful, short life that was condemned to such an awful, short life that Willie was fortunate enough to escape when he Willie was fortunate enough to escape when he was evacuated.was evacuated.

• Cycle of AbuseCycle of Abuse – Sadly, Trudy was another – Sadly, Trudy was another of the victims left behind in the wake of Willie’s of the victims left behind in the wake of Willie’s mother and her horrible abuse.mother and her horrible abuse.

BabyBaby

• What’s Become of the Baby? – What’s Become of the Baby? – This This haunting melody reveals the line haunting melody reveals the line

““What’s become of the baby,What’s become of the baby,

this cold December morning?”this cold December morning?”

This was truly meaningful, as Trudy died and This was truly meaningful, as Trudy died and froze in the basement. There was an extreme froze in the basement. There was an extreme freeze during that March, and this line seemed freeze during that March, and this line seemed chillingly similar.chillingly similar.

HospitalHospital

• Zombie – Zombie – This song signifies the catatonia This song signifies the catatonia that Willie was kept in after he was recovered that Willie was kept in after he was recovered from his cell under the stairs at his mother’s from his cell under the stairs at his mother’s house. He was kept so terribly sedated, that house. He was kept so terribly sedated, that he was truly in a Zombie like state.he was truly in a Zombie like state.

GrowingGrowing

• Let it Grow – Let it Grow – This song speaks of letting This song speaks of letting ones love grow as a living thing. In the last ones love grow as a living thing. In the last line of the book, Willie says, line of the book, Willie says,

““Dad, I’m growing!”Dad, I’m growing!”

Like the song, through Tom’s love, patience Like the song, through Tom’s love, patience and acceptance, Willie has been able to grow.and acceptance, Willie has been able to grow.

SupportSupport

• Don’t Give Up – Don’t Give Up – Throughout the story, Throughout the story, through trial and tribulation, neither Willie nor through trial and tribulation, neither Willie nor Tom ever gave up on one another and on Tom ever gave up on one another and on having a happy life together as Father and having a happy life together as Father and Son.Son.

• Wind Beneath My WingsWind Beneath My Wings – Tom and – Tom and Willie are each others’ wind. They reciprocally Willie are each others’ wind. They reciprocally support each other and help each other to support each other and help each other to grow into loving, productive members of their grow into loving, productive members of their community.community.

Reflection/RubricReflection/Rubric

• View my reflection View my reflection herehere..• View my rubric View my rubric herehere..

• My score: 30/30.My score: 30/30.

CreditsCredits

• All images taken from All images taken from Google ImagesGoogle Images..

• All lyrics found by using the All lyrics found by using the

Lyrics Search EngineLyrics Search Engine..• Read all of the referenced songs’ Read all of the referenced songs’

lyrics lyrics herehere..