Daz for Zoe Summary Essay Example
Daz for Zoe Summary Essay Example

Daz for Zoe Summary Essay Example

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Daze 4 Zoe is a compelling novel written by Robert Swindles. The novel is about a young boy (Daze) and a young girl (Zoe) who were from different walks of life, but meet in a bar and fall in love. The story outlines the difficulties of the relationship when coming from different backgrounds and how society at that time didn't accept them being together. Segregation is the term used in the novel to describe the expected separation of different classes within society at that time. Daze and Zoe tried hard to be accepted by the community but eventually segregation over-powers their love and they were shot by undercover government agents.

Also you can read Dead Men’s Path – Summary

The theme of segregation is evident in the novel; however it is portrayed through three different el

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ements. These are the inner struggles of the characters, different environments and settings and the overall message of fighting against segregation. My essay is about the theme of Segregation. Segregation between social classes has been evident throughout history in several societies and is still relevant today. One of the main elements in Daze 4 Zoe shows the vivid connection of segregation when describing the inner struggles of the characters.

Each of the main characters struggled with a range of issues they had to al with during the story. The major conflict they struggled with was the expectation that overcoming segregation was not possible, and that it would always exist in society. For example, in the book Daze 4 Zoe, Daze was a young boy who is classified as a 'choppy (short for city gore). He was brought up in the

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ghettos of a city and considered a low life by some. But Daze fell in love with a 'subbed', where a 'subbed' is the nickname given to people who live in the suburbs. Zoe was the young 'subbed' whom Daze fell for.

These two characters were never meant to meet let alone fall in love with one another. It wasn't accepted in society and was frowned upon by almost everyone. Zoo's father had said to her Mimi will never be friends with this 'Daze' fellow, that's Just the way it is. Some things will never change. That's Just the way it is". These comments from Zoo's father, Just shows how bad segregation was at the time. It clearly demonstrates that many adults controlled and influenced their children's freedom and decided who they could and couldn't be friends with.

This quote also shows that parent's would even go so far as influencing their own children to further encourage segregation purely because of their own beliefs, and that their way was he only right way. Daze believed that it was unfair to discriminate someone due to the color of their skin and was going to try taking a stand for what he believed was right. Adz's mother told him, "Nothings fair in this world. You might as well get that straight right now. " This quote portrays conflict between characters, especially between parent and child.

This illustrates that, even for children at a young age, segregation was a part of their lives and according to their parent's, was something they couldn't do anything about. Sometimes parent's and adults did not notice that segregation impacted their children's beliefs

and views when they chose to enforce segregation upon them, because for that section of the society it was normal and they way they were brought up. Segregation dictated the children's ability to make their own decisions regarding who they were able to be friends with.

Another element used to portray segregation was the different environments and settings throughout novel. Settings throughout the text showed how these different environments and settings can affect certain races and classes. For example, Daze says; muff don't understand, you can't relate to my situation Zoe, you're rich and live n a nice house, I don't, I'm poor and live in a shack. Want know why? I'm a chippie, that's why. " This is a clear example of how the environment impacts characters based on their social class.

Daze became angry that he had been treated unfairly and has a different standard of living because he was classed as a chippie, and he was not a part of the elite class, the 'subsides'. This quote shows how the segregation of classes and the environment people were forced to live in was determined by their social ranking. Certain environments are affected because of segregation. The ghettos, here 'chippies' lived faced extreme environmental conditions such as run down homes and slavery, but because they were 'chippies', they were unable to bring about change as their voices were not heard. Subsides' believed that they were superior to all other classes, and the law at the time enforced this belief. 'Chippies' were not given the time of day, and they were considered insignificant in the eyes of the 'subsides' law. Another example of how

people's environments are impacted because of segregation is evident when Daze tells Zoe; "Zoe, there anti going to be any place that will take a 'chippie', I'm not good enough. So at the moment, I have nowhere to go. " This was a very emotional and touching quote, as it shows the intensity of segregation at that time.

It showed even though a person may be homeless, with no where to go, if he was a 'chippie', he will not be accepted by the 'subsides' community even in the need of help. 'Subsides' would have taken one look at him, one look at his appearance and turned a blind eye. This is purely because 'subsides' thought of 'chippies' as dirty and inferior and tried to keep as much distance from them as possible. The last element used to fully depict segregation in the novel Daze 4 Zoe, was the verbal purpose and message of conquering segregation.

This is shown through characters having passion and fighting against segregation between social classes. Daze told his mother "Mamma, I love this girl, no matter what class she is, I am going to be with her. I don't care if you or anyone else for that matter thinks it's a waste of time trying to beat this system of segregation, I'm going to do it. " This quote was said with pure sincerity and compassion to prove that conquering segregation is possible despite the challenges and struggles you may face. This passion was also seen when

Zoe turns to Daze after they are told they are no longer able to be together and says ; "l don't care what

they say Daze, I will be with you no matter what, let them try tell us were not made for each other and were not able to be together because you're a 'chippie' and I'm a 'subbed', nothing will ever separate us. " Commitment and passion is shown clearly in this quote by having a young girl stand up for what she believes in. The reason this quote stood out to me, was that I am the same age as Zoe, so I found it easy to understand what she was going through.

Also having a girl my own GE being so brave and certain of what she wanted was empowering for me as it showed that even young adults and children are able to stand up for what they believe in and put a stop to things such as segregation. Nobody is too young to stand up and fight for what they believe in. The theme of segregation in this novel was portrayed through characters, settings, ideas and messages. Reading this text gave me a better understanding of segregation from many different perspectives and has helped me to see both the struggles and the successes of conquering segregation between social classes.

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