For school, I had to write an essay on a book I had to read over the summer! Please leave comments and feedback!
Eleven Essay
“The Man in the White Shirt staggered through the choking gray cloud. He couldn’t see where he was going. He couldn’t see anything. He nearly crashed into a light pole that appeared a foot in front of him. He heard others around him, panting as they ran.” (Rogers 72). The story of “Eleven” by Tom Rogers is about a boy named Alex who turns 11 years old on the day of 9/11. This event happened over 15 years ago but is recognized each year in a solemn remembrance of all the lives that were taken on that day. Eleven may be about loss but is also about being reunited. It is about kindness as well, this is shown by the many hidden heroes that helped strangers they never even associated with. In the end, people all over the world came together as one.
In the book, “Eleven” by Tom Rogers, one of the characters, ‘The Man in the White Shirt’ shows kindness and compassion for others during a very scary and chaotic time. Sometimes being kind to someone can simply be lending a hand which can make someone’s whole day. The character, ‘The Man in the White Shirt’ offers a lending hand to others as he himself is trying to get to a safe place. To support this reasoning, here is a piece of evidence from the story.
“Can I help?”
The cop threw him a look. “You up for it?”
The Man in the White Shirt nodded and got to the other side. He and the police officer linked hands and made a cradle. The injured man put his arms around their shoulders and lowered himself into the basket they had made with their arms. Then they lifted him off his feet and carried him down the street, three people moving as one. (Rogers 88). This quote supports the theme of kindness. ‘The Man in the White Shirt’ went out of his way to offer a helping hand to a police officer while helping other injured people. This makes ‘The Man in the White Shirt’ a true hero!
The theme of kindness is shown by ‘The Man in the White Shirt’ throughout the story, he lends a hand to the many people who were injured, so many losing their lives that day. People were helping others they had never seen or talked to before. Yet, everyone was there to lean on each other. To support this, here is a piece of evidence from the book, “The Man in the White Shirt” helped the police officer lower another injured victim onto a plastic chair. They were inside a makeshift medical tent that had been set up just beyond the disaster zone.” (Rogers 98). The fact that The ‘Man in the White Shirt’ helped that police officer help people he never knew in his life is truly incredible. It shows the true kindness and selflessness that overpowers the destruction on the day of 9/11.
Another example of the theme of kindness is when Alex is there to comfort his new friend, Mac. Alex is waiting to be reunited with his father who is still missing and his friend Mac is fearful because his son has yet to return home and is also missing. Luckily, Alex is there to comfort Mac when he needs someone, “Alex watched in surprise as tears began to roll down the old man’s face. He’d never seen an adult cry. He didn’t know what to do, so he just reached his hand out and patted Mac gently on the shoulder. It must’ve been okay, because Mac put a hand over Alex’s. They sat there in silence for a very long time.” (Rogers 144). Alex showed so much compassion for such a young boy and Mac needed that so much in that moment; two strangers comforting each other.
In closing, kindness is the best way to be your own, everyday, hero. Helping a stranger can mean more to that person than you may ever know. In the book, Eleven, kindness and compassion for others is the underlying theme. Helping someone you don’t know; showing empathy and generosity; just giving a person a hug or smile who really needs it. Show regard for others feelings, treat others the way you would want to be treated; be your own hero every day.