The document outlines three examples of adversity and perseverance from different novels - Jonas enduring painful memories in "The Giver", Darrell dealing with a bully in "The Bully", and Alfa struggling with poverty and caring for family in "Walking to the Bus". Each character persevered through their adversity by leaving their community, building strength and confidence, and figuring out who was causing financial problems. The document also includes brief citations and a bibliography.

1. 7 Grade ELA Unit 1
th
Performance Task
By: Brian Williams
10/21/12

2. Adversity #1
 Jonas’ adversity were the
painful memories that he
had to endure that the Giver
transferred to him.
 “Overwhelmed by pain, he
lay there in the fearsome
stench for hours, listened to
the men and animals die,
and learned what warfare
meant.”
(Lowry, Lois pg. 120)

3. Perseverance #1
 Jonas persevered through
his adversity by leaving his
community behind with
Gabriel.
 “Suddenly he was aware
with certainty and joy that
below, ahead, they were
waiting for him; and that
they were waiting, too, for
the baby.”
(Lowry, Lois pgs. 178-179)

4. Adversity #2
 Darrell’s adversity was
dealing with a strong, mean,
bully that attacked and
insulted Darrell constantly.
“Darrel gave them $3.25, all
he had. His hands were
trembling when he turned
over the money. “Three
bucks? That all you got?”
Tyray demanded.
(Langan, Paul Pg.25)

5. Perseverance #2
 Darrell persevered by training to
become the strongest he could and
building his self-confidence.
 “He wanted to be so strong that no one
would ever laugh when he was
around. He wanted to be bigger, taller,
and stronger than Tyray. (Langan,
Paul loc. 813 of 1589 kindle)
 “Darrell Mercer, you’re the man!”
Harold yelled excitedly. “Everybody’s
saying that!” “Darrell was grateful for
them. They were his friends, his new
friends. Because of them, he would
never again be alone at Bluford.”
(Langan, Paul loc. 1568 of 1589 kindle)

6. Adversity #3
 Alfa’s adversity was being
poor and struggling to take
care of his sister &
demented great-
grandmother, while dealing
with rent problems & an
accusation of stealing
money.
 “What we had was a bad
case of rent-money blues at
the end of every month.”
(Robinet, Harriette pg. 2)

7. Perseverance #3
 Alfa persevered through his
problems by figuring out and
running off who stole their rent
money monthly, who pawned a
stolen silver money clip and Mama
Merryfield will finally get social
security.
“They’re the ones who take our
rent money,” whispered Zinnia.
(Robinet, Harriette pg. 117)
“I believe Mrs. Williams stole her
husband’s money.”
(Robinet, Harriette pg. 136)
Officer Newton: “I applied for it by
phone. She’s been due it for
years. All she needs to do is sign
the form when it comes.”
(Robinet, Harriette pg. 137)

8. reflections
 How Jonas persevered: staying strong and
leaving the community when the memories
became too much to handle.
 How Darrell persevered: training to get stronger
and building self-confidence.
 How Alfa persevered: finding out who was taking
their rent money every month, who actually stole
the money clip and getting more money added
to the household when Mama Merryfield begin
receiving social security.

9. Bibliography
 Google.com
 Lowry, Lois (1993). “The Giver". Boston:
Houghton Mifflin.
 Langan, Paul(2002). “The Bully”. West
Berlin, NJ: Townsend Press.
 Robinet, Harriette (2000).“Walking To The
Bus-Rider Blues”. New York, Ny: Simon &
Schuster.