Never Fall down-Describe a Character

Never Fall Down begins with Arn dancing to rock ‘n’ roll and selling ice cream, and ends with him addressing large audiences in America on the horrors he faced in Cambodia. The book itself is quite short but Arn’s journey is a long and hard one. He experiences the terrors of genocide firsthand in the labour camp, where he is forced to work after being separated from his aunt and siblings, and is later handed a gun and forced to become a soldier. While others around him are murdered by the Khmer Rouge or succumb to illness, starvation or exhaustion, Arn manages to survive by following his aunt’s advice of blowing where the wind blows, as well as his own philosophy to never fall down. He does anything in his power to survive, from learning revolutionary songs that are in high-demand by the soldiers and becoming ‘famous’ to doing things that will haunt him in later life.

   The only reason i wrote the summary of the book is because I have finished the book and was fascinated on how the book was. i waned to describe the main character(Arn Chorn-Pond) because as we see the book is a non-fiction meaning that everything we read is true. As representative of Amnesty international and founder of Children of War(pg.212), he has traveled and shared the stage with many around the world. It seems Arm wants to make change. Arn has been speaking out about the genocide in Cambodia ever since the day i n 1984.

Never Fall Down-Authors purpose

         In the 1970's, Arn is just your average boy in Cambodia. He sells ice cream with his brother to get some extra money and loves rock and roll. But then the soldiers come, and his life is forever changed. He is separated from his family and forced to work in a blazing hot rice paddy, witnessing things a twelve-year-old boy should never see. One day, when a soldier asks if he is able to play a musical instrument, Arn says he can, although he cannot. He knows how these men value their sacred revolutionary songs and hopes that playing the men their songs just might save his life. He is correct, but his bit of freedom comes with a horrible price. This is as far I got in the reading.

          The books graphic nature is beyond a young student compatibility. From the explicit shooting at the toy village (pg.132) where no one was left alive. But also when the Vietnamese was slicing the villagers non-stop(pg.140), but even the harmless such as a mother and her baby. But one more when Arn hears the sound of crushing skulls three times a day(pg.66). I think the reason Patricia used such explicit scenes to show how the Vietnamese war really went on and not candy coat it. 

          

NASCAR-Describe a character

Many don't know who Richard Petty is. When this name comes up he is known as the King of NASCAR. Petty ruled stock car racing for more than 30 years. His father was also a champion driver. He was born in 1937 in North Carolina. He first as crew chief on his father's car before he was old enough to drive. He has won 200 races in his career but came to the end of one road in 1992, and soon retired. Many say that the popularity of NASCAR has a lot to do with Petty himself. The fans loved him.

NASCAR-Make an connection

As I finished off  reading  the book gave more information on NASCAR driving. I've learned that drivers practice there skills very young with little cars called quarter midgets. They have the basics; wheels, engine, fuel tank, and a seat. One of the drivers, Darrell Waltrip, said that ambition is what need to win. He said "every driver needs to have for in their belly." My dad always said to improve on the court I gonna have to want it myself. Not for others,but myself. That if I want to get better I have to go get it.