Sucker
By: Carson McCullers
About the Author- Carson McCullers
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Lula Carson Smith was born on February 19, 1917, in Columbus, Georgia. McCullers started piano lessons beginning at the age of ten and moved to New York City in 1934 to reportedly study at the famed Juilliard School of Music. An earlier bout of rheumatic fever, however, left McCullers pondering her career choice. She had become interested in writing during her recovery. In New York, she abandoned music to pursue this new passion. While working a variety of jobs, McCullers took creative writing classes at Columbia University and New York University. Her first story was Wunderkind, published in December 1936. Carson showed her feelings and emotions through her stories, for example, Reflections through a Golden Eye, which was published in 1941. McCullers suffered throughout her life from several illnesses and from alcoholism. She died in Nyack, New York on September 29, 1967, after a brain hemorrhage, and was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Prereading Reflections
Have you ever wanted the attention of someone who didn't even notice you?
Yes, I have wanted the attention of someone who didn't even notice me. Everytime I feel like someone didn't notice me, especially someone I know, it made me feel weird inside. It felt like no one likes me.
How did that make you feel?
I felt unwanted, like they left me aside. They did not notice me. I felt like a book that was never looked at. Its like the only time they would notice me was when I was gone.
How did you respond?
I responded by at least trying to get their attention by getting close to them. I also tried to get their attention by doing something kind for them like opening the door or letting them go first.
Have you ever gotten so mad at someone that you said something you didn't really mean?
No, I never really got mad. I was just quiet, more quiet than usual. I would also talk to someone who is very close to me and someone I could trust. Someone who knows what I'm going through, a friend.
How did you feel after you calmed down?
I felt normal. I just went through my day, without noticing them. I mean if they don't notice me, I shouldn't notice them too. Maybe the only way they notice me is if I don't notice them.
What did you do about the situation?
I just acted like it did not matter to me if the person noticed me or not, and sometimes it kept reminding myself that someone doesn't notice me or like me. I didn't tell anyone, if i did, I only told my closest friends, the friends that have my back and I know I can trust.
Yes, I have wanted the attention of someone who didn't even notice me. Everytime I feel like someone didn't notice me, especially someone I know, it made me feel weird inside. It felt like no one likes me.
How did that make you feel?
I felt unwanted, like they left me aside. They did not notice me. I felt like a book that was never looked at. Its like the only time they would notice me was when I was gone.
How did you respond?
I responded by at least trying to get their attention by getting close to them. I also tried to get their attention by doing something kind for them like opening the door or letting them go first.
Have you ever gotten so mad at someone that you said something you didn't really mean?
No, I never really got mad. I was just quiet, more quiet than usual. I would also talk to someone who is very close to me and someone I could trust. Someone who knows what I'm going through, a friend.
How did you feel after you calmed down?
I felt normal. I just went through my day, without noticing them. I mean if they don't notice me, I shouldn't notice them too. Maybe the only way they notice me is if I don't notice them.
What did you do about the situation?
I just acted like it did not matter to me if the person noticed me or not, and sometimes it kept reminding myself that someone doesn't notice me or like me. I didn't tell anyone, if i did, I only told my closest friends, the friends that have my back and I know I can trust.
Sucker- Vocabulary
Despise- Hate. "If a person admires you a lot you despise him and don't care-and it is the person who doesn't notice you are apt to admire." (p.12)
Humiliated- Make Fun. "Maybelle Watts, the senior at school, acted like she was the Queen of Sheba and even humiliated me." (p.12)
Sarcastic- Mocking. "When she said no I remarked something sarcastic." (p.19)
Humiliated- Make Fun. "Maybelle Watts, the senior at school, acted like she was the Queen of Sheba and even humiliated me." (p.12)
Sarcastic- Mocking. "When she said no I remarked something sarcastic." (p.19)
Contrasting Ideas:
Note contrasting ideas of when Pete is PROUD vs. when Pete REGRETS his actions
Proud"You're a swell kid, Sucker," I said." (p.15)
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Regrets"Our room isn't mine at all anymore. He's gotten up this gang of kidsthey have a club." (p.21)
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