Reading Log notes: “A Choice of Reading Log notes: “A Choice of Weapons”Weapons”

Literary Terms:Literary Terms: MemoirMemoir

Type of autobiography that focuses on a specific time Type of autobiography that focuses on a specific time or historical event rather than on the writer’s life as a or historical event rather than on the writer’s life as a wholewhole

Writers have different purposes, or reasons for Writers have different purposes, or reasons for writing. One purpose of a memoir is to share an writing. One purpose of a memoir is to share an experience that has had an impact on the experience that has had an impact on the writer’s life. writer’s life. What is Park’s purpose for his What is Park’s purpose for his memoir?memoir?

Reading Log notes: “A Choice of Reading Log notes: “A Choice of Weapons”Weapons”

Discussion Questions:Discussion Questions:What is the mood of the writer, Gordon What is the mood of the writer, Gordon Parks, as he first begins his job?Parks, as he first begins his job?

ExcitedExcited

Why does Mr. Stryker, Parks’ boss, take Why does Mr. Stryker, Parks’ boss, take his cameras? What “specific things” does his cameras? What “specific things” does he want Parks to do?he want Parks to do?

Walk around the city / get to know itWalk around the city / get to know it

Reading Log notes: “A Choice of Reading Log notes: “A Choice of Weapons”Weapons”

Discussion Questions:Discussion Questions: What happened to Parks at the drugstore for What happened to Parks at the drugstore for

breakfast?breakfast?• Told to leave---”go around back if you want something”Told to leave---”go around back if you want something”

Other areas where Parks experienced Other areas where Parks experienced discrimination?discrimination? Hot dog stand, theater, department store, Hot dog stand, theater, department store,

What does the boss, Stryker, tell Parks to do What does the boss, Stryker, tell Parks to do next?next?

““Go home and put it on paper”Go home and put it on paper”

Reading Log notes: “A Choice of Reading Log notes: “A Choice of Weapons”Weapons”

Discussion Questions:Discussion Questions: What happens at the cafeteria when Parks What happens at the cafeteria when Parks

finally goes in to eat?finally goes in to eat? Why does Stryker tell Parks that the Why does Stryker tell Parks that the

cleaning women has done him a great cleaning women has done him a great service? What is that service?service? What is that service?

• Parks understands how he must “involve” himself Parks understands how he must “involve” himself with other people to really learn the depths of their with other people to really learn the depths of their suffering.suffering.