Motorcycle Surprize Quiz - Chapter One - What was the "real" surprise at Chuy's Surprise Party?

Estimados Estudiantes,

When you began reading the first chapter of Motorcycle, did you anticipate a scene like the one in the picture above? Did something like this happen? Or was it something different? A "surpriZe"?

This is your goal: Write a 200-300 word response to your reading of the first chapter in Motorcycle on the Sea of Tranquility

Answer this question: What was the "real" surprise at Chuy's Surprise Party?

Jay's Tip: Use and display your critical thinking skills.

* This means share your viewpoint and opinion. What is really happening here?

* Below I've provided Jay's step-by-step guideline - You can follow my lead, or you can go in your own direction...

Here is what you do:

1. Begin with a topic sentence (underline it!)

For example:

* The only one not happy to be at the party was Chuy himself.

Or,

* Everyone was so happy that Chuy was returning from Vietnam safe and in one piece, but all it took was one look at him to know that something was missing.

2. Summarize the scene - Can you explain Who? What? Why?

* Who is Chuy.

* Where has he been?

* What has his family planned. What do they expect to see. To do?

* What has gone wrong?

For example,

The Sahagun family has planned a "Welcome Home" party for their favorite son, Chuy. He has gone to fight in the Vietnam War. The event is a big deal for everyone. It's clear everyone loves Chuy. They are all so happy to see him again. But, here is the surprise: Chuy doesn't look too happy to be back. Clearly something has happened to him, but no one knows what.

3. Example - Can you provide evidence from the text that shows a surprising element.

* Provide a detailed description

* Use a BRIEF quotation from the author or a character that shows some weirdness

When Chuy stepped through the door, the house was packed with people. They were so excited for his return. There was food and drink and a picture of La Virgen Guadalupe hung between the flags of the United States and Mexico. A white frosted cake was decorated with the words, "Welcome Home CHUY!" Everybody was so happy for Chuy's return. They were singing "Let the sun shine in." But, the only one who wasn't happy was Chuy. He had a "stern and disapproving" look on his face, like this was the last place he wanted to be.

4. Conclusion - What do you believe?

I believe no one there could possibly understand what Chuy had seen and done in the war. Most of all, Chuy himself. He wasn't the same guy anymore. Today we might mention PTSD in this discussion. Soldiers coming home from war zones often bring long-lasting trauma with them. Back then, however, I'm not sure how much we knew about PTSD. I'm sure Chuy's family - especially Yoli - is going to find out a lot more about it as the novel continues.

This is what my paragraph looks like when I COPY and PASTE everything together:

* Everyone was so happy that Chuy was returning from Vietnam safe and in one piece, but all it took was one look at him to know that something was missing. The Sahagun family had planned a "Welcome Home" party for their favorite son, Chuy. He had gone to fight in the Vietnam War. The event is a big deal for everyone. It's clear everyone loves Chuy. They are all so happy to see him again. But, here is the surprise: Chuy doesn't look too happy to be back. Clearly something has happened to him, but no one knows what. When Chuy stepped through the door, the house was packed with people. They were so excited for his return. There was food and drink and a picture of La Virgen Guadalupe hung between the flags of The United States and Mexico. A white frosted cake was decorated with the words, "Welcome Home CHUY!" Everybody was so happy for Chuy's return. They were singing "Let the sun shine in." But, the only one who wasn't happy was Chuy. He had a "stern and disapproving" look on his face, like this was the last place he wanted to be. I believe no one there could possibly understand what Chuy had seen and done in the war. Most of all, Chuy himself. He wasn't the same guy anymore. Today we might mention PTSD in this discussion. Soldiers coming home from war zones often bring long-lasting trauma with them. Back then, however, I'm not sure how much we knew about PTSD. I'm sure Chuy's family - especially Yoli - is going to find out a lot more about it as the novel continues.

This is going to be great. You will see.

Paz,