That Was Then, This Is Now

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“Finding Poetry Within the Prose”

Using excerpts from the text, students will create blackout poems that require them to work within the limits of Bryon’s tonal and narrative choices, allowing them to see those choices in a fresh light.

Bryon names reading as a favorite hobby of his, and, judging by That Was Then, This Is Now, his character is also a skilled writer. In this activity, you will create blackout poems using excerpts from the novel and then reflect upon what you learned about Bryon’s linguistic and tonal choices while crafting your poem. Blackout poems are formed when parts of an existing text are covered up; the words that remain constitute the poem. Thus, the writer of a blackout poem is limited to the words already available in a selected source text.

Follow these steps to create your own blackout poem:

• First, select and copy one page of the novel to form the basis of your poem. You may want to select a page that has striking words or passages.
• Read through your selected excerpt carefully, taking note of any words or passages that stand out to you.
• Next, think about the structure and content of your poem; what feelings or ideas do you wish to convey? What structure should the poem follow? Will it convey a narrative, an emotion, or perhaps make an argument?
• Now plan your poem by identifying the words you wish to keep. Optionally, you may black out only part of a word. While a blackout poem need not follow perfect grammar, it should generally present a coherent thought.

Finally, black out all of the words you have not chosen to preserve. Your poem is now complete. After crafting your poem, reflect on what you have learned about the passage you selected. How would you describe its tone? Does this tone represent the emotions and atmosphere of surrounding events in the novel? How does the excerpt’s original content and message compare with that of your poem?

Rehearse an oral delivery of your poem and share the reading aloud as time allows.

Teaching Suggestion: It may be helpful to show a few examples of blackout poems to students, including both the original text and the resulting poem. Additionally, the class might work through the process of creating a poem together, using a single paragraph as an example. If there is extra time after students have created their poems, students might compare the process of creating blackout poems to Bryon’s narration process; for example, as narrator, he necessarily decides which story elements to include and which ones to exclude from his narrative. Students also might consider which gaps, if any, they can spot in Bryon’s narration, such as areas in which he is in denial.

Differentiation Suggestion: For advanced learners, consider increasing the rigor of this activity by assigning them to craft blackout poems with a particular objective in mind. For instance, they might create a blackout poem that relates to or expresses a particular character or theme, or create a poem that deliberately contradicts or otherwise comments on the original text in some way. Expanding the length of the source text to two pages would allow students to extend their ideas further.

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the below bulleted outlines. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. As a coming-of-age novel, That Was Then, This Is Now charts Bryon’s transition from childhood to maturity.

• What are the three most significant changes Bryon undergoes throughout the novel? (topic sentence)
• For each change you identified, use evidence to analyze and discuss the difference in Bryon’s character before and after making the change.
• In conclusion, briefly explain the impact these changes are likely to have on Bryon going forward, given the novel’s conclusion.

2. Bryon visits and revisits a handful of recurring settings throughout the novel. Select and analyze one of these settings as follows.

• What role does your selected setting play in the novel? (topic sentence)
• Analyzing scenes from the novel that take place in your setting of choice, consider and discuss that location’s significance to Bryon, to the plot, and to the novel’s major themes.
• In conclusion, briefly summarize how Hinton’s use of setting affects the reader’s experience.

3. Throughout the novel, Mark and Bryon’s friendship gradually falls apart.

• Considering the plot as a whole, what is the most important turning point in the loss of Mark and Bryon’s friendship? (topic sentence)
• Using examples from the text, show how this turning point you identified impacts the relationship between Mark and Bryon.
• In your conclusion, briefly discuss what your analysis suggests about the nature of friendship, as well as what it takes to preserve friendship.

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by text details, and a conclusion.

1. Consider Hinton’s depiction of “hippie” subculture and the associated drug culture. Which aspects of these cultures does she applaud and admire, and what critiques does she offer? Overall, is her representation fair and accurate? How might a member of one of these communities respond to her criticisms? What overall message is Hinton conveying through the theme of The Risk Factors for and Consequences of Substance Abuse?

2. Identify two or three of the most significant challenges Bryon faces as a youth on the verge of adulthood in the 1960s, using evidence from the novel to support your claims. Then, consider whether and how those specific challenges you identified are still applicable to youth today. What has changed, and what remains the same?

3. At the end of the novel, Bryon explains that he continues to ponder recent events in the hopes of discovering how he should have acted. What is the source or cause of his confusion, and why is it so hard for him to resolve it? What advice, if any, do you think Bryon would give to his younger self if he could? What advice would you give to Bryon, either at the beginning or the ending of the novel?

Multiple Choice and Long Answer Questions create ideal opportunities for whole-book review, unit exam, or summative assessments.

Multiple Choice

1. What literary device is exemplified by Charlie’s death occurring shortly after he is released from draft duty?

A) Imagery

B) Situational irony

C) Juxtaposition

D) Assonance

2. Which is the correct order of events?

A) Angela’s brothers beat Bryon up; Mark is injured; Mark cuts Angela’s hair.

B) Angela’s brothers beat Bryon up; Mark cuts Angela’s hair; Mark is injured.

C) Mark cuts Angela’s hair; Mark is injured; Angela’s brothers beat Bryon up.

D) Mark is injured; Mark cuts Angela’s hair; Angela’s brothers beat Bryon up.

3. Which of the following traits best describes Cathy’s attitude toward Mark during their ride with Bryon on the Ribbon?

A) Flirtatious and giddy

B) Curious and critical

C) Amused and delighted

D) Bored and disgusted

4. What can be inferred about Mr. Carlson from the way that he holds M&M “very close, very tight” as he carries him into the hospital? (Chapter 9)

A) He feels at least partially responsible for his son’s predicament.

B) He fears that he is not strong enough to carry M&M all the way.

C) He wants to get the ordeal over with so he can go home.

D) He isn’t sure whether M&M is still alive.

5. How does Mark respond to Bryon’s request that he not seek revenge on the Shepherds?

A) With gratitude, since he would rather not risk getting hurt

B) With amusement, since he considers Bryon’s request silly

C) With frustration, since he feels responsible for what happened to Bryon

D) With fear, since he thinks Bryon is tricking him

6. Which statement best represents Bryon’s feelings toward Angela at the novel’s conclusion?

A) He feels sorry for her.

B) He is in love with her.

C) He hates her.

D) He misses her.

7. Which statement most accurately paraphrases Mark’s reaction to Charlie’s death?

A) “Bryon and I are responsible, and we deserve to suffer.”

B) “Bryon and I are responsible, but we have to move on.”

C) “Charlie meant for this to happen.”

D) “Charlie knew what he was getting into.”

8. What is Bryon’s predominant mood or emotion at the novel’s conclusion?

A) Apathy

B) Enthusiasm

C) Patient calculation

D) Fear

9. What do Mike Chambers and Charlie have in common?

A) Both perpetuate the cycle of violence.

B) Both are injured while trying to help others.

C) Both encourage Bryon to drop out of school.

D) Both are “hippies.”

10. Which location is associated with temporary relief and escape from the ongoing cycle of violence?

A) The Ribbon

B) The dance hall

C) Terry’s house

D) The hospital

11. Bryon describes Mark in Chapter 1 as having a “grin like a friendly lion.” What literary device is exemplified in this description?

A) Allusion

B) Dramatic irony

C) Simile

D) Conceit

12. How would Mark most likely react if he (rather than Bryon) were the one to find M&M under the influence of drugs?

A) He would be more upset than Bryon was.

B) He would be less upset than Bryon was.

C) He would be about as upset as Bryon was.

D) We don’t know enough about Mark to judge his reaction.

13. Which of the following details is most closely associated with the novel’s theme of Risk Factors for and Consequences of Substance Abuse?

A) Mr. Carlson’s insensitive comments about M&M

B) Cathy’s jealousy of Angela

C) Bryon’s mother’s surgery

D) Mark and Bryon’s overdue bar tab

14. Which plot event is not an example of foreshadowing?

A) Bryon states that Angela would be beautiful even if she shaved her head.

B) Charlie warns Mark and Bryon that pool hustling will get them into trouble someday.

C) Bryon wonders what it would feel like to hate someone you love.

D) M&M reads Newsweek magazine.

15. Which trait does Mike Chambers most strongly symbolize?

A) Humor

B) Stoicism

C) Empathy

D) Confidence

Long Answer

Compose a response of 2-3 sentences, incorporating text details to support your response.

1. What factors influence M&M’s decision to leave home and experiment with drugs?

2. Why does Bryon’s relationship with Cathy ultimately fail?