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This novel-in-verse, explores themes of grief, revenge, and community. Will is fifteen when his brother, Shawn, is shot and killed. Pressured by the rules of his neighborhood that demand revenge, Will steals his brother's gun to murder his brother's killer. In an elevator on his way to get revenge, Will is forced to confront ghosts from his past on each floor. These ghosts help Will consider whether revenge is the answer.

Guiding question: Will avenging his brother's death bring Will closure, or does it simply continue the destructive cycle of violence that runs his neighborhood?

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Read 18.1k reviews from the world's largest community for readers. A cannon. A strap. A piece. A biscuit. A burner. A heater. A chopper. A gat. A hammer A ...

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The graphic novel version of Long Way Down provides powerful images that can be read with the novel-in-verse. The visuals in this novel allow for the emotions that Will experiences to be on full display. Visual learners, multilingual language learners, and students with disabilities have better access to the rich language of the novel when using the graphic version as a companion. You will also be able to compare the two versions of the text, deciding the strengths and weaknesses of both and how they work together to convey mood, tension, and understanding.

Guiding Question: How does the graphic novel version of Long Way Down help to deepen your understanding of the novel?

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Long Way Down book. Read 180 reviews from the world's largest community for readers. Caitlyn Dlouhy at Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books has acquired North A...

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"The Rose That Grew From Concrete" by Tupac Shakur

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"The Rose That Grew From Concrete" by Tupac Shakur

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In his poem, "The Rose That Grew From Concrete," Tupac Shakur uses figurative language to describe the image of a rose growing from concrete. The rose serves as a symbol of resilience and overcoming adversity, and Shakur uses his own life experiences as inspiration to explore how the environment in which we grow up can shape who we become. We can either succumb to the struggles or rise above them, much like the story of Will and his brother Shawn in Long Way Down.

Guiding Question: How does the image of the rose growing from concrete connect to Will's story and the experience of growing up in a difficult environment?

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The Rose That Grew From Concrete by Tupac Shakur

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Comments & analysis: Did you hear about the rose that grew / from a crack in the concrete? / Proving nature's l

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“Jason Reynolds, author of Long Way Down” by Kennedy Center Education Digital Learning

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“Jason Reynolds, author of Long Way Down” by Kennedy Center Education Digital Learning

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This interview with Jason Reynolds covers the content of Long Way Down, his writing process, and how the book connects to multiple generations and current events. The video allows us to meet Jason Reynolds and further connect the book to the real world. Reynolds speaks to the trauma of various generations, the way boys are conditioned to act a certain way, and the consequences of that unchecked masculinity. He also speaks of his writing process and how writing is hard but that hard things are rewarding and important.

Guiding Questions: How is the story in Long Way Down connected to what is currently happening in the United States? Why does Reynolds feel it is important to write about this? Do you agree?

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Kennedy Center Education Digital Learning

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This TedEd video discusses what makes poetry different from other forms of art. The video defines poetry as an art form that enhances the musical nature of words, condenses language, and often evokes intense emotions. The video also explores famous poems and the history of poetry. The narrator draws a comparison between music and poetry, highlighting an essential connection for young adults.

Guiding Questions: Why is poetry such a powerful form of expression? What sets poetry apart from other forms of art?

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"Caged Bird" by Maya Angelou explores the contrast between two birds: one free and one caged. The caged bird sings with a longing for freedom after being locked away. The experience of the caged bird represents Black Americans' experience with racism and their desire to be freed from the shackles of oppression. In Long Way Down, Will is trapped by his community's obsession with "The Rules" and feels obligated to seek revenge for his brother.

Guiding Question: Using textual evidence, answer the following question: How is Will similar to the caged bird in Angelou's poem?

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Maya Angelou, "Caged Bird" from Shaker, Why Don't You Sing? Copyright © 1983 by Maya Angelou. Used by permission of Random House, an imprint and division of Penguin Random House LLC. All rights reserved.

Source: The Complete Collected Poems of Maya Angelou (Random House Inc., 1994)

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Caged Bird by Maya Angelou | Poetry Foundation

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William Blake's poem "A Poison Tree" explores how holding onto grudges and anger is detrimental to all parties involved. The subject of the poem holds onto a desire for revenge against a person who has slighted them, causing his anger and wrath to grow into a poison tree. In Long Way Down, Will's anger and resentment grow inside him, forcing him to decide if he wants to act on his revenge.

Guiding Question: What argument is Blake making about holding grudges, and how does this argument apply to Will's experience with revenge in Long Way Down?

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A Poison Tree by William Blake | Poetry Foundation

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Excerpt of "Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst" By Kendrick Lamar 

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Excerpt of "Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst" By Kendrick Lamar 

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In this excerpt from "Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst," Kendrick Lamar describes the vicious cycle of violence in communities of color. The narrator explores their desire to seek revenge and violence against the person who killed their brother while also acknowledging how foolish it is to die over gang affiliations. This song connects to Will's struggle with revenge and how violence-related trauma can affect families and communities.

Guiding Questions: Using the language in the song as evidence, what is Lamar's attitude towards violence and revenge? Does he believe it is justified? How does it compare to Will's attitude towards revenge?

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Excerpt from "Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst" by Kendrick Lamar 

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"Why we seek revenge — and what to do instead" by Allie Volpe 

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"Why we seek revenge — and what to do instead" by Allie Volpe 

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This article by Allie Volpe explores why humans have the urge to seek revenge and the true reality when we succeed. Volpe argues that while revenge feels good at the moment, it can lead to more anger and pain. She explains there are better options, like forgiveness. This article connects to Will's desire to get revenge on his brother's murderer and the true consequences if he succeeds.

Guiding Questions: After reading the article and reading about Will's experience, do you believe revenge is ever justified? Why or why not?

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Why we seek revenge — and what to do instead

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Getting even can feel thrilling, but it’s worth weighing the cost.

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"The power of forgiveness" by Harvard Health Publishing-

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"The power of forgiveness" by Harvard Health Publishing-

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Harvard Health Publishing explains in their article "The power of forgiveness" that there are emotional and physical benefits to forgiveness. For example, choosing forgiveness can improve mental health and reduce stress. In Long Way Down, Will must choose between forgiveness and revenge, either continuing the cycle of violence or potentially finding peace.

Guiding Question: If you could speak to Will about forgiveness, what would you say? Use examples and evidence from the article.

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Almost everyone has experienced being wronged by someone. It could be a former co-worker, friend, or family member. But hanging on to those negative feelings can do great harm to your health.

"Forgiving a person who has wronged you is never easy, but dwelling on those events and reliving them over and over can fill your mind with negative thoughts and suppressed anger," says Dr. Tyler VanderWeele, co-director of the Initiative on Health, Religion, and Spirituality at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. "Yet, when you learn to forgive, you are no longer trapped by the past actions of others and can finally feel free."

Learning to let go

There are two sides to forgiveness: decisional and emotional. Decisional forgiveness involves a conscious choice to replace ill will with good will. "You no longer wish bad things to happen to that individual," says Dr. VanderWeele. "This is often quicker and easier to accomplish."

For emotional forgiveness, you move away from those negative feelings and no longer dwell on the wrongdoing. "Emotional forgiveness is much harder and takes longer, as it's common for those feelings to return on a regular basis," says Dr. VanderWeele. "This often happens when you think about the offender, or something triggers the memory, or you still suffer from the adverse consequences of the action."

Practicing forgiveness can have powerful health benefits. Observational studies, and even some randomized trials, suggest that forgiveness is associated with lower levels of depression, anxiety, and hostility; reduced substance abuse; higher self-esteem; and greater life satisfaction. Yet, forgiving people is not always easy.

"It's not that men can't forgive, but for some it's more of a struggle," says Dr. VanderWeele. It's not clear why, but perhaps these men have learned to suppress certain emotions. "It also can be difficult for men to admit to themselves that there was this great offense that still bothers them," says Dr. VanderWeele.

Practice small acts of forgiveness

One way to get more comfortable with forgiveness is to practice small acts in everyday life, says Dr. Tyler VanderWeele, co-director of the Initiative on Health, Religion, and Spirituality at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. For example, if someone is rude or cuts you off in traffic, use that moment to recognize the wrong, realize it wasn't directed at you personally, and forgive him or her on the spot. "This way you also can learn to immediately stop the negative reaction and the feelings that come with it," says Dr. VanderWeele.

Reaching for a solution

One of the best ways is to practice forgiveness is with the REACH method. REACH stands for Recall, Emphasize, Altruistic gift, Commit, and Hold. Here is a look at each step.

Recall. The first step is to recall the wrongdoing in an objective way. The goal is not to think of the person in a negative light nor to wallow in self-pity, but to come to a clear understanding of the wrong that was done. Visualize the person and situation and all the feelings that come with it. Don't push aside anything, especially if it makes you feel angry or upset.

Empathize. Next, try to understand the other person's point of view regarding why he or she hurt you, but without minimizing or downplaying the wrong that was done. Sometimes the wrongdoing was not personal, but due to something the other person was dealing with. "People who attack others are sometimes themselves in a state of fear, worry, and hurt," says Dr. VanderWeele. "They often don't think when they hurt others, and they just lash out."

Altruistic gift. This step is about addressing your own shortcomings. Recall a time when you treated someone harshly and were forgiven. How did it make you feel? Recognizing this helps you realize that forgiveness is an altruistic gift that you can give to others.

Commit. Commit yourself to forgive. For instance, write about your forgiveness in a journal or a letter that you don't send or tell a friend. "This helps with the decisional side of forgiveness," says Dr. VanderWeele.

Hold. Finally, hold on to your forgiveness. This step is tough because memories of the event will often recur. "Forgiveness is not erasure," says Dr. VanderWeele. "Rather, it's about changing your reaction to those memories."

When the bad feelings arise, remind yourself that you have forgiven and ultimately you want good for the offender. If needed, revisit your commitment by reading your journal entries or letters, or recalling the shared conversation with a friend.
Image: © gustavofrazao/Getty Images
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.

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The power of forgiveness - Harvard Health

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Almost everyone has experienced being wronged by a person or group. Dwelling on those events and reliving them over and over can fill a person's mind with negative thoughts. The REACH method can help a person practice forgiveness, thereby reduc...

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“Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs” - By Aubrey Bailey, PT, DPT, CHT

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“Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs” - By Aubrey Bailey, PT, DPT, CHT

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Aubrey Bailey's article describes the theory of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. This theory suggests that human behavior is driven by needs, such as the need for survival, belonging, growth, etc. Unmet needs can cause people to react negatively through actions and emotions. This article connects to your own knowledge of your needs and whether they are being met, as well as Will in Long Way Down. Some of Will's needs are not met in the novel, causing him to make rash and potentially violent decisions.

Guiding Question: According to Maslow, which of Will's needs are not being met? How does this impact his decisions?

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The hierarchy of needs is a theory developed by a famous psychologist, Abraham Maslow, and initially published in 1943. This theory is based on the belief that human behavior is motivated by 5 groups of needs that need to be met in order-physiological needs, safety, love and belonging, self-esteem, and self-actualization.

This article discusses the hierarchy of needs, including how a person progresses through the hierarchy, and criticisms of Maslow's theory.

The Hierarchy of Needs

Maslow's hierarchy of needs is often represented as a pyramid, with more basic needs on the bottom (physiological needs) and higher needs (self-actualization) on the top. Maslow believed that a person's basic needs must be met before higher needs can be addressed.

The first four levels of needs in the pyramid are sometimes called "deficiency needs." This means that a person is deprived of something and is motivated to get it. For example, if a person goes without food, they are motivated by hunger. Once that hunger is satisfied, the motivation for food decreases.

The highest level-self-actualization-is referred to as a "growth" need. As needs are met at this top-level, a person becomes even more motivated for personal growth.

Physiological Needs

Physiological needs are at the base of the pyramid of Maslow's hierarchy of needs. These basic needs have to be met for a person to survive. These include:

Safety Needs

Safety and security are the next level of human needs. Many aspects of life are included in this level:

Financial security

Job security

Physical and emotional health

Safety from physical danger

Law and order in society

Love and Belonging Needs

Maslow believed that all people have a need to love and be loved. He also believed that depression, anxiety, and loneliness were caused by unmet needs in this level of the hierarchy. The third level of needs, called love and belonging, includes:

Esteem Needs

The fourth level of the hierarchy is esteem needs. These needs include how a person views themselves ( self-esteem), and the way they are seen by others. Esteem needs include:

Self-Actualization Needs

Self-actualization needs are at the top of Maslow's hierarchy of needs pyramid. This level represents personal growth or reaching your full potential. These needs are specific to each person and can include things like being a great parent, an accomplished athlete, a professional artist, or an excellent student. This category is personal to your particular goals in life.

Expanded Hierarchy of Needs

Progressing Through the Hierarchy of Needs

Maslow initially stated that a person had to progress through the hierarchy of needs in order. However, later in his career, he stated that the hierarchy of needs could differ from person to person, based on individual circumstances. For example, a person might have a stronger need for recognition by others (level four need) than feeling loved by others (level three need).

Criticism of the Hierarchy of Needs

One of the biggest criticisms of Maslow's hierarchy of needs is related to self-actualization needs. Maslow initially based his idea of a "self-actualized" person on the qualities demonstrated by 18 mostly Caucasian, highly-educated men from Western backgrounds. His findings were not based on the general population.

In later years, Maslow included research on self-actualized women, but these individuals were also from a "higher class" and lacked ethnic diversity. Maslow has also been criticized for including sex as a basic need of all people.

Maslow's hierarchy of needs is a psychological theory based on the idea that human behavior is motivated by levels of needs. These needs must be met in order-basic needs, such as food, water, and shelter, must be met before a person can find love, self-esteem, or reach their full potential.

Maslow's theory has been criticized based on its rigidity and lack of diversity. For some people, higher-level needs might be more important than needs in the "basic" level of the hierarchy.

A Word From Verywell

Whether you agree with Maslow or not, the hierarchy of needs can provide insight into the needs that can influence human behavior. This information can also help you prioritize your personal goals to help you reach your full potential.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of Maslow's hierarchy of needs?

Maslow's hierarchy of needs states that human behavior is motivated by the desire to have needs met, from basic to more complex.

How does someone progress through the hierarchy of needs?

As a person's basic needs are met, they are able to progress to the next level of the hierarchy. For example, once a person has their physical and emotional needs met, they are able to work on personal goals and reaching their full potential.

What are the shortcomings of Maslow's hierarchy of needs?

Maslow's hierarchy of needs assumes that all people put the same amount of value on different needs. However, for some people, finding love (level three need) might be more important than financial security (level two need). In addition, the hierarchy of needs does not take cultural differences into consideration.

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Maslow's hierarchy of needs organizes human needs into five categories: physiological, safety, love and belonging, esteem, and self-actualization.

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“An interpretation of Maslow's hierarchy of needs ” by Hamish Croker

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“An interpretation of Maslow's hierarchy of needs ” by Hamish Croker

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This visual representation of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs illustrates how the basics for survival form the foundation of our needs. The higher needs are more emotional and internal. This clear design will help you visualize the needs in a more physical form rather than just in theory. The tool also helps you think about Will's needs in Long Way Down.

Guiding Question: Based on the visual, which needs are most important for Will? Are they being met?

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An interpretation of Maslow's hierarchy of needs- Hamish Croker 