Analysis Work of the Anatagonists Michael MacKenzie and Joe Sadowski

Analysis Work of the Anatagonists Michael MacKenzie and Joe Sadowski

Process:

1st--Analyzed Characteristics of Michael M.
2nd--Analyzed Characteristics of Joe Sadowski
3rd--Utilized Character Web to get to know Joe Sadowski better
4th--Utilized Venn Diagram in comparing and contrasting the characters of Michael MacKenzie and Joe Sadowski

5th--Synthesized the above information and wrote a compare and contrast paragraph using
notes, transitional words/phrases, and citing.

Comparing and Contrasting of the Antagonist, Michael Mackenzie and Friend, Joe Sadowski and the Affects on them of Charlie Ward's Death

When 17-year old Michael Mackenzie discovers he has accidentally killed a man, he acts dually with his friend in keeping this horrific secret.  Similarly, both Michael and Joe have been friends since 2nd grade.  It seems that Michael "hangs-out" with Joe because Joe is loyal and would do anything for Mike; and Joe "hangs-out" with Mike because he is in admiration.  Both, on that particular 4th of July, were at the same time and same place that the fatal shot was fired (Prologue).  And, both made a pack to keep that secret (Ch. 1, Pg. 14).  Besides the fact that they have been friends for years, their characters are quite different, and in the end, affect their behaviors.  For example, at first, Michael knows intuitively that he is guilty, yet, he keeps telling deceitful lies and then even puts the blame on Joe (Ch. 17, Pg 173).  On the other hand, Joe remains loyal and faithful to Michael even though he is told by Michael that the police now think he is a suspect of the crime (Ch 17, Pg. 173).  In the end, their friendship is strained and Joe "acts-out" and becomes violent (when he "bashes in" Amy Ruggiero's car windshield (Ch. 18, PG. 183).  Thus, the "playful" event of one day, one careless decision, greatly affected their lives by 1)  keeping a stealthy secret, 2)  having to live with the secret, and 3)  questioning their "true character."


Cite:

McDonald, Joyce.  Swallowing Stones.  New York: Delacorte, 1997.