Question

After you have translated the paragraph into this first point of view, you will write one paragraph describing the difference that the change in point of view made. Be sure to restate this prompt and answer in complete sentences.

you are Margot
“All Summer in a Day”
“Oh, but,” Margot whispered, her eyes helpless. “But this is the day, the scientists predict, they say, they know, the sun . . . “
“All a joke!” said the boy, and seized her roughly. “Hey, everyone, let’s put her in a closet before the teacher comes!”
“No,” said Margot, falling back.
They surged about her, caught her up and bore her, protesting, and then pleading, and then crying, back into a tunnel, a room, a closet, where they slammed and locked the door. They stood looking at the door and saw it tremble from her beating and throwing herself against it. They heard her muffled cries. Then, smiling, they turned and went out and back down the tunnel, just as the teacher arrived.

Answer 1

“Oh, but,” I whispered, my eyes helpless. “But this is the day, the scientists predict, they say, they know, the sun . . . “

“All a joke!” said the boy, as he seized me roughly. “Hey, everyone, let’s put her in a closet before the teacher comes!”

“No,” I cried, falling back.

They then surged about me, catching me up and sweeping me away. I protested fearfully, first pleading and then crying, but they continued their relentless attacks. They brought me back into a closet, where upon throwing me in they slammed and locked the door. Filled with terror, I began beating against the door; first, with only my fists, then desperately slamming against it with my whole body. I cried aloud, though through the door I'm sure they barely heard me. Suddenly, I heard them go silent. As I heard the quietly receding footsteps, I knew that no one would come for me.

The alteration of this story to the first person brings with it the more subjective and horrifying experience of Margot. From a third person view, we are watching the terror from an objective viewpoint. We can speculate the terror of Margot, but we do not know for sure. From within her point of view, everything feels more real, more significant. We as an audience can feel the weight of the situation and can relate more closely to the horror that Margot is being subjected to.