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On page 101 and 102, Michelle tells her readers that “so much of anyone’s identity is determined long before birth.”  Please explain this statement in relation to Patrick.  Do you agree with Michelle’s statement? Explain.

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Michelle considers her parents when making the decision to stay in the Delta, but she says that “learning how to disregard their opinions was essential to my life” (111).  What does she mean by this?

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Patrick is told by an inmate that he stabbed Marcus 13 times, but Michelle tells him she read the police reports, which explain Patrick stabbed him twice in the chest and once in the arm.  Patrick seems somewhat relieved by her version.

Aside from providing Patrick with the truth about his crime, what else does Michelle provide Patrick with while he’s in jail?

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What are some key themes we see in Chapter 4 related to US society, education, etc.? What references to historical events, literary figures, or other concepts does Michelle make that are new to you? Do a quick Google or AI search and paraphrase your findings in your own words.

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How do you see the events, ideas, or themes from Chapter 4 in…

your own life,

another text (book, article, video, movie, social media post, etc.), or

society or the world as a whole?

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What is a part or quote from Chapter 4 that was either relatable, compelling, interesting, or shocking? Retell this part by paraphrasing or summarizing (indicate page #).  After, please explain why this part stood out to you.  What is your take-away from your chosen part?

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On page 86, Michelle tells her readers that Patrick had won the fight with Marcus and then told the police everything that happened.  She writes, “He had protected himself too much and then he hadn’t protected himself at all” (86).

Protection seems to be a theme in the book, an idea that keeps coming up as we read.  Where else do we see this idea of protection in the book?  Who or what else protects or is protected?

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On page 86, Michelle states, "He had protected himself too much and then he hadn't protected himself at all." This theme of protection is used throughout the book. Patrick protects himself emotionally first by being non-vulnerable, but in the end his actions leave him vulnerable to severe consequences. Another example of protection is that of Michelle as a teacher—she tries to protect her students by giving them opportunities and education, although she cannot protect them from systematic hardship. Lastly, Patrick's mother, who is struggling as she is, tries to protect him on her own, although not necessarily successfully.

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Michelle’s statement that “so much of anyone’s identity is determined long before birth” (pp. 101–102) reflects in Patrick: Patrick’s identity is heavily influenced by his socioeconomic background, race, and the lack of opportunities available to him. His family’s poverty, and the underfunded school system, which limit his opportunities and shape his identity long before he has a chance to define it for himself. This statement is basically true, as systemic inequalities often predetermine the opportunities and challenges individuals face.

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I completely agree with Mishelle's statement "so much of anyone's identity is determined long before birth." Before we are all born, a foundational framework that significantly shapes our identities and lives is already in place. Likewise, for Patrick, factors such as his parents, race, birthplace, and environment that are determined at birth already shape his identity and strongly influence his life from the moment he is born. Within the constraints of established poverty, an unfair social system, and a restrictive educational environment, the outline of his life is already drawn, limiting even the opportunity and possibility of pursuing a different identity and life.

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In Chapter 4, Michelle writes: "Now I had left, moved on, survived, progressed." (Page 101) She is referring to her teaching experience in Delta and the changes after she left. This sentence caught my eye and resonated with me deeply. It reminded me of my own life. Every time I moved to a new place, I left something behind, moved on, and learnt to progress in a new environment. On the other hand, what I carried along with me would ultimately become a part of me.

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I am so sad when I read this part. Patrick tries to protect himself by fighting Marcus and confessing to the police, but this ultimately leaves him vulnerable to the justice system. This reflects how young people in difficult environments often struggle to find real protection. Kuo also plays a protective role as a teacher, believing education can shield Patrick and others from the harsh realities of poverty and violence. However, her efforts have limitations, as she cannot fully shield her students from systemic injustice. Additionally, Patrick’s mother tries to protect him in her own way, though her struggles with poverty and instability make it difficult to provide real security. The protection can not depend on someone, but also come from social force.

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This chapter shows themes of inequality, access to education, and the tough realities of the justice system. Michelle mentions historical civil rights struggles and famous writers to highlight how society often fails poor communities. She also refers to works like Tolstoy’s The Death of Ivan Ilyich to show how people question their life purpose in difficult times.

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I can see the protection in Patrick and Michelle’s relationship, as Michelle keeps trying to protect Patrick from feeling weak, unsafe, and discouraged. Michelle continually lets him know how to protect himself through reading and writing. She protects Patrick by helping him regain his confidence in himself and his future.

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Michelle’s statement means that a person’s life and identity are shaped by things that happen before they are even born, like their family, culture, and society. For Patrick, this is true because he was born into a poor family in a tough environment. He didn’t choose his family’s struggles, his education system, or the challenges he faced growing up. These things influenced who he became and the choices he made.

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Michelle Kuo uses education as a way to tunnel Patrick from despair to hope. Kuo thinks reading and learning serves as a kind of protective glass wall through which Patrick can gaze in safety at the distance beyond hardship: poverty and prison. But, Patrick's story also highlights how such protection has seemingly removed the progeny from acumen. Patrick still faces systemic barriers to escaping his situation, despite Kuo's guidance. This reminds me of The Death of Ivan Ilyich, in which Ivan looks for protection through societal status and a career-only to find out at the end that all this fails him. Both of these works encompass the cycle whereby real protection is not merely the domain of the individual's agency but involves meditating needed transformation in the core health of the societies to ushers more opportunities and security.

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In Reading with Patrick, the theme of protection appears in different ways. Patrick tries to protect himself by fighting back, but in the end, being honest with the police makes him vulnerable. Michelle also tries to protect her students by giving them an education, hoping it will help them have a better future. However, she realizes that education alone can’t always shield them from struggles like poverty and injustice. Patrick’s mother wants to protect him too, but life’s hardships make it difficult. This shows that protection isn’t always simple, it can be physical, emotional, or something that doesn’t work as expected.

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Michelle talks about how "so much of anyone's identity is determined long before birth," meaning that a person’s life and identity are shaped by factors beyond their control, like where they are born, their family’s situation, and their environment. For Patrick, growing up in poverty with limited access to education in the Delta greatly affected his opportunities and life choices. These circumstances played a big part in his struggles later in life.

I agree with this idea to some extent. While people can still shape their own identities, things like family background and where someone grows up can have a big impact on their life, opportunities, and future. That said, support and determination can help people overcome tough situations.

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"I wrote this because writing is how I understand things. I wrote this to get closer to knowing you, and myself, too" (page 96). Patrick and Michelle try to understand their emotions through writing. This stood out because I also do the same thing with a journal. When I don't understand myself and have a lot of thoughts, writing them down and organizing them is helpful for me. It gives a sense of relief once this different emotion I feel, whether I'm sad or angry, helps me calm down and think properly. This shows that writing helps with emotional intelligence and allows individuals to express themselves.

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Michelle offers Patrick more than the truth about his crimes, she gives him dignity and a sense of intellectual engagement in prison. Through their reading sessions, she helped him reflect on his actions, think critically, and see himself beyond the label of a prisoner. She treated him like a student, not just a criminal, and gave him hope and a path to personal growth. Her presence reminds him that even in prison, he is still capable of learning, changing, and finding meaning in life.

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Protection is a recurring theme in the book. On page 86, Michelle writes, “He had protected himself too much and then he hadn’t protected himself at all.” This highlights how self-protection can sometimes lead to unintended consequences. Another instance of protection is emotional—Patrick and other characters try to guard themselves by avoiding deep connections, but this often results in isolation rather than safety. Additionally, friends or family members attempt to protect each other, but their actions are not always helpful and sometimes create new problems. Society and the law are also meant to offer protection, yet they can impose limitations and make individuals feel powerless. The book challenges the idea of protection, showing that while it is necessary, it can also be restrictive or even harmful. This raises the question: does true protection come from shielding oneself, or from facing challenges openly?