Hi There,

Can someone please give me feedback on two essays that I have written for the Hate U Give. I am in year 10 and I just need some assistance for writing a text response. Would be greatly appreciated if someone could do so from either of the documents.

• Discuss the importance of speaking up in the novel.
In the novel, “The Hate U Give” (THUG), the author, Angie Thomas portrays the theme of speaking up as rather vital and crucial for forever eradicating racial injustices within society. The Garden Heights community and protagonist Starr, simultaneously aid each other in uniting for activism. The detrimental repercussions of staying quiet are observable as the chain of slaughtering black individuals for unjustifiable issues continues to lengthen. Alongside, speaking up, Starr portrays tenacity and courage as she continuously strives to defy societal stereotypes.
Starr is often seen throughout the novel receiving help from her fellow community members that are primarily black. The declaration, ‘brave doesn’t mean that you’re not scared, it means that you go on even though you’re scared’ serves as a prime example for the fear that has been instilled by Thomas into Starr. The term ‘brave’ serves as a focal point of this sentence as it underlines the key usage of a metaphor as it compliments ‘scared’. The author aims to give the audience a clearer image of the courageous traits that are prevalent within Starr. Furthermore, throughout the novel it is noticeable that the riots is used as a way to force the need for social reform in the judicial system. The injustices are structured in such a way that it is intended to extract a sense of anger making it seem as if ‘white individuals’ view ‘black people’ as being inferior. The quote stated by Uncle Carlos, ‘what, you think if you live next door to them, they’ll treat you different?’ underscores the rhetorical question and the statement helps relate the theme back to the fact that regardless of where one is situated they’ll be marginalised whatsoever. Speaking up as important as it seems is often restricted as observed in the novel due to riots and biased individuals of the judicial system.
The author tries to convey the message of the importance of not staying quiet and this is showcased through the theme of unity in activism. Starr undermines the atrocious effects staying quiet has not only limited to herself but also to the Garden Heights community. This is vividly portrayed through, ‘what’s the point of having a voice, when you’re never going to use it’. Once again, this quote to also uses a rhetorical question and is aimed at people that have experienced racial injustice to break the chain of systemic racism that is felt by individuals in marginalized societies. The phrase ‘never going to use it’ refers to the overall topic of speaking up. It both encourages and serves as a call to action for individuals to defy societal prejudice. However, this is not the only instance where the theme of uniting in activism is seen. Starr’s declaration, ‘sometimes things will go wrong, but the key is to [keep doing] the right thing’ helps contemplate the overarching issue of being inclined and bias towards white individuals when on trial. The term ‘key’ exemplifies the fact that the only way to end both institutional and systemic racism is to ‘keep doing the right thing’. The phrase puts emphasis on the theme and might be seen as a reference to both the ‘Emancipation Proclamation’ and ‘I have a dream’.
Starr is showcased as one that holds many rebellious traits and one that will constantly ask for a reform in society no matter what. Throughout the novel she is depicted as disobeying and defying societal norms. The phrase, ‘it’s a system designed against us’ undermines the pride and courage shown by Starr in the face of hardship and adversity. The author tries to present a piece which not only highlights the complexities of the judicial system being bias but also illustrates regardless of whether an individual speaks up or not the result is the same. However, the plead to the audience is crystal clear as if a unified community asks for a change it’s more likely to occur than that of just an individual like Starr. In addition, the stereotypical nature of Williamsons Prep also makes Starr feel as if it is obligatory to control both herself from speaking up while also speaking up if there is a factor of biasness present. This is evident through ‘Hustle, pretend like the balls fried chicken’. The term ‘fried chicken’ is a synecdoche and is a reference to ‘black individuals’ that consume ‘chicken’. This has been used and has been structured in such a way that it positions the audience to feel a sense of anger and sorrow for individuals that go through this sort of institutional and system racism on a day-to-day basis.
Thus, the author, Angie Thomas aims to portray the importance of speaking up primarily through her protagonist, Starr. She creates a novel which not only depicts Starr’s innate strength but also encourages individuals to defy societal stereotypes and traditional norms. The call to action to act as a unified nation and accept everyone is crystal clear as Thomas uses multiple examples that serve as a poignant reminder to the injustices ingrained within societies.

And the 2nd one is this

• The novel offers insights concerning the debate over police brutality and racial profiling. To what extent do you agree?

In the novel, “The Hate U Give” (THUG), the author Angie Thomas presents her novel as one that provides insights into the debate over police brutality and racial profiling.

The author, illustrates the empathy garnering theme of police brutality as if it were to prime and lone reason for the death of individuals. The protagonist, Starr Carter, is seen as a clear victim of racial profiling and thus she is forced to keep dual identities. Despite the tone of a unified community against the judicial system being observed there is a clear advantage to those that are “normal beings”.
Thomas depicts the concerning theme of police brutality through Khalil Harris and delves into how his “superficial actions” leads to his ultimate demise. Starr’s declaration, ‘Khalil died over a fucking hairbrush’ serves as a poignant reminder to the injustices ingrained within society. The ‘hairbrush’ is used as a symbolic figure that is added with negative connotations. The authorial intent is for the audience to reflect on how communities consisting of black individuals are often marginalized and are stereotyped regardless of their background. The phrase consists of a hyperbole however is backed up with evidence as events did take place in that order. Further, the listing, ‘Sekani, Tamir…’ provokes the readers to feel as if the list of black individuals that have undergone police brutality will increase. Thus, the technique of listing helps add volume to the overall contention of Thomas. The talk given by Maverick, ‘Starr, Starr you do whatever they tell you to do’ vividly portrays the fear delved within a father for his child. The statement uses a hyperbole which fortifies the overall message that Thomas wishes to convey. Thus the novel provides insights on how police brutality is an increasing issue.
The issue of racial profiling is prevalent and a noticeable one in society. Individuals are often marginalized and are seen as different beings. This is evident through, ‘what will [the world] think about me’ as the protagonist expresses her deep concern of how people will see her once she returns to school. The phrase, ‘hustle, pretend like the ball’s fried chicken’ is a synecdoche as it refers to black individuals consuming fried chicken. This stereotype serves as a focal point for this scene as it is structured in such a way that aims to showcase the racial profiling that occurs in America. The theme of racial profiling is the primary cause of separated communities. Thomas explores this notion as the quote, ‘I don’t want to be seen as the angry black girl’ is used. The poignant quote encapsulates the theme of racial profiling as in embedded in a way such that compliments the critical tone equipped to criticise individuals that are racist towards black people. Thomas’s repetitive, intentional use of simple sentences acts to highlight the naïve and unsophisticated nature of black individuals and how they are lower in the hierarchy. This helps juxtapose Starr with her fellow mates at Williamson’s Prep.
Thomas explores the stereotypical nature of white individuals and how they purposely target black people. Starr’s observable trait of code-switching contemplates the need for a systemic change. Starr is seen as an individual that is rather scared of making mistakes around others as she states, ‘I choose every word carefully’. This statement asserts the need for social reform and highlights the complexities of how there is a perceived threat of Starr being seen as “different”. Furthermore, Thomas’s use of the entendre “dope” acts as a symbol that is often associated with slang utilized by black people and thus serves as a beacon of being inferior to others. The protagonist’s experience may also depict that of Angie Thomas personal experience. The repetition of the term ‘dope’ in the phrase, ‘it’s dope to be black until it’s hard to be black’ is a prime example of just how difficult life is for black individuals. The author aims for the audience to understand how being different doesn’t only come with being looked as different but rather being seen as an insignificant figure in society. Further the noun “dope” serves as a symbolic figure as it is a slang term primarily utilized by black people while simultaneously being a drug. Thus, this term is woven and implemented in the text in such a way that aims for the audience to see the underlying issue behind some of the racist stereotypes made in society.
Therefore, in Thomas’s novel, THUG, it is apparent that there is an overwhelming presence of police brutality and racial profiling. The author primarily explores this notion through the protagonist and her friend. The themes are delved within the novel and do indeed provide insights of the detrimental repercussions of when these themes are simultaneously observable in society. While black individuals are often marginalized and are stereotyped in THUG, there are noticeable instances and scenarios that lead to the hatred of black people.