Direct quote about protagonist w/ page number in parentheses.

"Tom Jefferson, also from New York.' Jason's friend said, jumping in. 'No, I'm not related to the bigwig on the nickel.' That got a laugh from everyone except Nesmith. 'I'm Jason's quarterback, but they put me at receiver." (46)

Context and explanation:

Prior to this quote, people at his table were hissing at him because he wasn't praying before dinner. He is at a new school, which is also a prep school. Tom is playing football here, and there is racial bias at the school. In the quote, he is introducing himself to his new table, and he only knows his best friend, Jason. Tom is speaking, and Nesmith is the hisser that didn't like Tom and Jason not praying.

Analysis of the quote:

In this quote, it can foreshadow future conflicts between Tom and other kids at the camp, because of his religious beliefs. We see this in the quote, and especially before, because the author creates tension between Nesmith and Tom. Tom is trying to lighten the mood by making a joke, and that shows how Tom is trying to resolve the situation. He makes the joke about his name, as he finds comparsion between Thomas Jefferson, and him, Tom Jefferson. Overall, even though there is some tension, it is just the start of the book and we can infer this might continue.

Tom Jefferson

"You don't think I haven't been in a million situations where I walk in the door and nobody looks like me- or where I make a person jump out of their white skin just walking down the street toward them at night? You don't think I haven't stepped into advanced math or history courses and gotten looks as if to say, What are you doing here? Hell, last year I had an advanced algebra teacher say 'Young man, I think you're in the wrong room." (68)

Context and explanation: Prior to this quote, Billy Bob, Jason, and Anthony were all talking about the possibility that their coach is a racist. Billy Bob assumes that their lives are sheltered, but Tom provides examples that their lives aren't sheltered, by showing that he experiences racism in New York. In the quote, he is showing examples, such as making white people scared even though he did nothing, and getting weird looks for being in advanced classes. Tom is speaking, and he is speaking to everyone in his dorm room, like Billy Bob, Anthony, and of course Jason.

Analysis of the quote:

An inference that could be made by this quote is that Tom will experience Racism at this camp, no matter how hard he tries to avoid it. He might experience it from his coaches, teammates, or even reporters. It shows in the quote by making it seem like if it can happen on the West Side in New York, it can definitely happen in Virginia, which is just more racist. It shows that he is smart, and doesn't mean any harm, by showing he is in advanced math classes. Also, there might be instances of bias because of his skin color from the coaches, by playing him at positions he isn't used to.

"There was one other thing: Billy Bob, as Jason's roommate, might be guilty by association. 'Don't really care,' Billy Bob had said when the boys were hanging out after dinner that Friday night, avoiding homework. 'As long as I get a chance to show them I'm pretty good, it's fine. I'm relyin' on Coach Johnson and Coach Inglesby' morality to eventually get me the startin' job,--- or worst case, number two." (57)

Context and explanation:

Billy Bob, Jason's roommate, is eating dinner with Anthony, Jason, and Tom. He is a good quarterback from Alabama, and he is fighting for a good spot on the depth chart at TGP. Before the quote, they are eating dinner and talking about the scrimmage tomorrow. In the quote, they are talking about how Billy Bob's association might affect his spot on the depth chart. Because Jason is causing trouble at the school, Billy Bob might suffer because of it.

Analysis of the quote:

This shows that Billy Bob relies on people's morality, and how he can prove himself to the coaches in order to get his starting spot. It shows that he is confident in his own beliefs, and he senses that he is a good player. We see this in the quote, as Billy says "As long as I get a chance to show them I'm pretty good, it's fine. He doesn't think that his association will impact the spot he has on the roster. This is good, as Jason and Tom want him to do good.

"Coach Ingelsby held up a hand to stop him. 'Roddin, this is your first day, so I'm going to cut you some slack. But you need to learn at TGP you don't contradict your coaches- especially on the practice field. When practice is over you can ask your position coach a question if you're confused about something. Now I'd suggest you get over to the QB group in a hurry, because you're about 5 seconds away from a long run and I doubt that's how you want to start your first practice."(34)

Context and explanation:

Before the quote, Jason was talking to Coach Reilly about his position status, but Coach Reilly dismissed it like it was nothing. He contradicted coach, and Ingelsby got mad and taught him a lesson. In the quote, Inglesby is teaching Jason some of the rules after it appears that Jason may have broken one. He tells him that he should never contradict his coaches, and he needs to ask them a question at the end of practice if he is confused.

Analysis of the quote:

This quote shows that Inglesby appears to be mean, along with Coach Reilly. It can highlight maybe an inference of future conflicts, between Tom, Jason, and the coaches they have. Even though it is first day, he still seems strict. This character hinders the protagonist, as he is mean to Jason and Tom. We see this in the quote, as he looks mean.

Tom Jefferson-Main character

"He's awful," Tom said, disgusted. "Hey, Jefferson," someone said, coming up from behind and grabbing him roughly by the shoulder. "If you think you can do better, prove it in practice. If not, shut up and show some support for your teammates." It was Coach Reilly, the receivers coach. If I had the---" Tom started to answer, but Anthony reached his long arm around his roommates and clapped his hand over his mouth. " (108)

Before the quote, the quarterback, Ronnie Thompson, threw an interception that was very costly. TGP was about to score a touchdown, but it was ruined because of Thompson. Tom is mad because he believes he is better than Thompson, and Thompson doesn't deserve to start. After, he shuts up, even though he should be able to speak his mind about the subject. Tom, Anthony, and Coach Reilly are all involved.

This tells us that Tom is not afraid to speak his mind. Even though he is criticizing his own teammate, he may have had reason to do so. It was unfair to Tom, as he does not have chances in practice to show his strengths, and isn't even playing the correct position. He could go in the game right now and play better than Ronnie. One of the conflicts includes his relationship between his coaches and him.

Juan Del Potro- Another Character.

"I already told you: Don't worry about it," Juan said to Jason at Wednesday breakfast. "We'll sit in different seats next week, and I guarantee you no one will notice. No one around here ever does. They just announce stuff like that so they can tell parents about how open they are here and what a great place it is to meet people who are different from you." "I get it. Meet them, yes," Jason said. "Getting to know them is another story." Still, the decision had been made that they would stick together until someone broke them up. Juan said it wouldn't happen until the end of the season-- baseball season. (90)

Before this happened, Juan Del Potro told them that they could sit anywhere, as long as they don't get caught, which would be rare. Del Potro is a baseball player who plays at TGP, and is friends with Jason, Tom, Anthony, and Billy Bob. They talked a lot, and had many arguments (in a good way), about the best sport to play, as Del Potro and his friends played baseball and soccer. This is in the dining hall at TGP, and after Juan told them that they would stick together until someone broke them up, which wouldn't happen until summer.

This shows that at TGP, there is a lot of saying stuff up front, and never following through with it. It says in the quote that Jason infers that while they would "meet them," getting to know them would be a different story. This also shows that Juan Del Potro probably has been a regular at TGP, and is most likely an upperclassman having known this knowledge. By showing that they would stick together, it can signify the beginning of a strong friendship that may be soon to come. Overall, we can tell that Juan and his friends seem nice, and are very welcoming to the freshmen.

Main character- Tom Jefferson

"I reached a reporter named Tom Robinson at the Virginian-Pilot" Tom said. "He said everyone in the Virginia media knows that Bobo has never had an African American quarterback at TGP, but there's no way to write about it because there's no way to prove it's anything more than coincidence." That's exactly what David Teel said to me. He knew just where I was going before I told him the whole story." Tom had been standing under a small tree while talking on the phone. Now he sat down heavily on one of the benches. "How can It be that every reporter in the state knows about this but no one has written about it?"

Before this, Tom and Jason were interviewing Tom Robinson and David Teel over the phone, asking about Coach Johnson and his decision to move Tom to wide receiver and Jason to quarterback. Tom is black, and Jason is white. They are best friends, and they believe that most of the coaching staff is racist, and the coaches have biases. After the call, Robinson agreed to come to the game to talk to the 2 boys after this incident.

This shows that Tom is willing to do anything to find out. if he is right. He is very curious, and he is also young to play football at such a good school. Even though he is young, he will still follow his beliefs, and do anything, including contacting reporters to help him. This can highlight future conflicts, as his coaches will most likely not want Tom and Jason to be doing this. This shows that although Tom respects authority, he will go around it for what he believes in.

"Reading your press clippings again?" Tom asked now, grinning." "I needed a break from Holden," Jason said with a smile. "So..." "You're wallowing in your newfound glory," Tom said. "I get it." He did get it, although he had to admit he was a tiny bit jealous. At breakfast that morning even with the dining hall half empty, there had been a parade to the table of kids congratulating Jason and asking how he felt. A number of them had been girls. (153)

Before Jason's newfound glory, he saved the day for TGP. He blocked a kick with no time left, ensuring that TGP would win the game. Jason became a hero, and many people were enjoying it. That was his first play, and he also got injured on the play. After the quote, Billy Bob said that it was freshman syndrome, and that's why they felt invisible when it came to girls.

This shows that even though his best friend is succeeding, he still feels jealous that he gets no playing time, and his friend is getting more attention from everybody. It tells us that Tom still feels happy for him, but he has a tiny bit of jealousy. Jason had previously been invisible, and this really prospered his popularity at the school. Coach Johnson was also making it seem like it was his idea for Jason to block the kick, when it really wasn't. Overall, this quote is good at showing Tom's interior feelings and the difference between the characters.

Jason Roddin

(192)Jason wasn't so sure about the "eleven guys bearing down on you" part, but he figured anything that might get him on the field for something other than trying to block field goals or handing off during mop-up time was worth attempting. Then he thought of Tom, who had yet to see the field at all. "Whatever you say Coach," "I'll give it a shot." He jogged over to join everyone else just as they were all lining up to stretch. "What was that all about?" Tom asked. "They want to see if I can return punts," Jason said. "Coach Ingelsby remembered from the seven-on-seven camp that I could catch the ball pretty well." Tom grunted. "Did he remember who was throwing you the ball most of the time?" (192)

Prior to the quote, Coach Gutekunst had asked Jason if he wanted to return punts. Given his speed, he was a good contender, and would likely be effective returning punts. He was hesitant at first, but then he remembered Tom, who hadn't gotten any playing time. He felt the need that he wanted to take any playing time possible, so he agreed to try it out.

This shows that Jason is willing to take the initiative and try anything to get more chances to show himself. It also shows that he might not be confident in his work, but he can give full effort like displayed on the field goal block. He listens to the coaches for the most part, and follows instructions. Tom could possibly also show more jealously, as he grunts when Jason tells him something that is positive. Overall, this quote does a good job expanding the plot and showing more about Jason.

Billy Bob Anderson

Until he got to Coach Johnson. "When I called the fullback dive, did I tell you that you could audible?" The coach demanded. "Well, no, Coach, but--" "No buts, Anderson!" Coach Johnson was screaming now. "Except for this:you can sit your butt down the rest of the night. I have no idea who you played for in middle school, but when you are told specifically to run a play, you run that play! Understand?" "Yes, sir." "Good. And just to be sure you don't forget, you can report to Coach Cruikshank at five o'clock tomorrow morning to do a little running." He turned to Coach Cruikshank, who looked almost as stunned as Billy Bob. "Coach, I'm sorry you're going to have an early wake up," Coach Johnson said, "but maybe it will help you do a better job teaching your position players some discipline." Coach Cruikshank said nothing. Instead, he put an arm around Billy Bob's neck and guided him back to the bench while the TGP fans were cheering the extra point that made the score 28-14.

Prior to this quote, Billy Bob had disobeyed Coach Johnson's orders to run a run play, and instead ran a pass play for a touchdown, a back-breaker for the other team. Even though they got the touchdown, Coach was still mad because he disobeyed his order. Billy Bob winked to Jason and Tom before the play, right after Coach Johnson's orders to run the fullback dive. After this quote, Coach Cruikshank said it was a great call, and a great play, and they can leave it at that. He also had to say Coach Johnson had to make sure everyone knew who was in charge.

This shows that Billy Bob is not afraid to do what he thinks is right, another recurring theme in the book. It also tells us that he is a great football player, and certainly deserves to be starting. Also, he had the right to throw the pass, as he was trying to win the game and that definitely helped their cause. He is a rebellious character, and was punished for his actions. Overall, this quote gives us a good plot point on players defying coaches, for what they think is right for the team.

Tom Jefferson

Tom walked down the hallway to the bathroom. Naturally, he ran almost smack into Coach Ingelsby, making his weekly church-check rounds. "No worship for you today, Jefferson?" the coach said, his voice sounding unpleasant as ever. Tom was over being told how to live his life and was emboldened by the fact that he knew the door to go back home was pretty much wide open. "No offense, Coach," he answered. "But how or when I practice my religion, whatever it may be, is really my business alone." He and Coach Inglesby were now face-to-face in the hallway. "You've got quite a mouth on you, don't you, Jefferson? the coach said. "Too bad your parents didn't use that time you weren't in church to teach you manners." Tom was sorely tempted to haul off and hit Ingelsby. But he suspected that was exactly what the swarmy Coach wanted. (153-154)

Prior to this quote, Tom was walking alone in the hallway from breakfast, after other kids left for church, but not Jason or Tom. Coach Ingelsby, and some of the other coaches, have previously taken a disliking to Tom and his idealogies. The quote tells us that this has not waned, and they don't respect him as much as other players. Also, coach Ingelsby dissed his family, which was not coach-like of him. It's not the fact that Tom doesn't have manners, but it's the fact that the coaches don't like him.

He pointed a finger at Tom. "Jefferson, have you even seen the field yet for a single play?" "I've seen it quite a bit," Tom said. "From the sideline." Before any of the coaches could respond to Tom's wisecrack, Teel jumped back in. "Which raises a question: How in the world could you guys not get Billy Bob Anderson here in the game tonight when it was clear your offense was going nowhere with Ronnie Thompson at QB and Anderson had already bailed you out twice this season?" "How many games have you ever coached, Teel?" Ingelsby said. Now it was Teel's turn to look disgusted. "Oh please, Don, do better than that. I don't need to have coached to see who your best quarterback is." (243)

Before this quote took place, the kids and the reporters had been caught talking to each other, something that was not allowed, because of the curfew. They also did not get permission from the coaches. This was certainly out of line, and was not appreciated by the coaches. They met up at a cafe for dinner, and were talking to each other about the administrator of the school being involved with the KKK, and the idea that some of the other coaches might be racist.

This quote shows that David Teel will stand up for the kids when he needs to. Although he is just a reporter, he stood up for the four freshmen, and brought up the idea that the coaches were making some bad decisions in their football choices. David Teel is a strong man, and he says "Do better than that," because the coaches always point to their history, instead of their reasoning behind the decisions they make. Overall, this quote does a good job of showing how lesser characters, such as a reporter like Teel can help the main ones.