Children's books - THE WALL by Eve Bunting and Ronald Himler - PV - Storytime

PV Storytime

28 May 201805:49

Summary

TLDRIn 'The Wall' by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Ronald Himmler, a father and son visit a war memorial wall inscribed with names of the fallen. They search for the grandfather's name, finding it among others from the same year he died. The son, reflecting on the somber atmosphere, wishes his grandpa was alive to share everyday moments. The story concludes with the father honoring his father's memory, highlighting the wall's significance as a place of honor for all.

Takeaways

🏛️ The story revolves around a wall that commemorates those who were killed in a war long ago.
👴 The protagonist and his father visit the wall to find the name of the protagonist's grandfather.
🔍 The wall is described as black and shiny, reflecting the surroundings and the people visiting it.
😢 The visit is an emotional journey, with encounters of various individuals, including a man in a wheelchair and an elderly couple.
🎖️ The man in the wheelchair is a veteran, indicated by his medals and military attire.
🌹 Symbols of remembrance such as flowers, flags, and a teddy bear are left at the wall by visitors.
📜 The father and son search for the grandfather's name among the many listed on the wall.
✏️ They use a rubbing technique to transfer the grandfather's name onto a piece of paper as a keepsake.
👨‍👦 A man and a boy's interaction symbolizes the continuity of life and the desire to remember the past.
📸 The father places a photo of the protagonist at the wall, suggesting the blending of personal and collective memory.
🌿 The story concludes with a sense of pride and honor for the grandfather's sacrifice, despite the sadness of his loss.

Q & A

What is the main subject of the story 'The Wall'?
-The main subject of the story is a memorial wall that bears the names of those who were killed in a war, specifically the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.
Why did the father and son visit the wall in the story?
-The father and son visit the wall to find and honor the grandfather's name, who was killed in the war.
What does the wall symbolize according to the teacher in the story?
-The teacher in the story explains that while the names on the wall are of the dead, the wall itself is for all of us, symbolizing remembrance and honor for those who served.
What items have been left at the wall by visitors?
-Visitors have left flowers, flags, a teddy bear, and letters with stones to keep them from blowing away as tokens of remembrance and respect.
How does the boy react when he sees the man in a wheelchair?
-The boy notices the man in a wheelchair, who smiles at him, and the boy responds with a greeting, showing a moment of connection and respect.
What does the father do when he finds his father's name on the wall?
-When the father finds his father's name, he rubs it as if to feel the name and remembers his grandfather, showing a mix of emotions including pride and sadness.
Why does the boy mention that he would rather have his grandpa taking him to the river?
-The boy expresses a personal longing for his grandpa to be alive and present, sharing everyday experiences with him instead of just being a name on a wall.
What method does the father use to take a copy of the grandfather's name from the wall?
-The father uses a technique called 'rubbing' where he places a piece of paper over the engraved name and rubs a pencil over it, transferring the name onto the paper.
How does the boy feel about the wall and his grandpa's presence on it?
-The boy feels a mix of pride and sadness. He is proud that his grandpa's name is on the wall of honor, but he also expresses a wish for his grandpa to be alive and present with him.
What does the boy do with the picture of himself that his dad places under the stones?
-The boy retrieves the picture of himself that blows away and replaces it under the stones, ensuring his grandpa 'sees' his smile.

Outlines

00:00

📜 A Journey to Remember

The story begins with a young boy and his father visiting a war memorial wall, searching for the boy's grandfather's name. The wall is described as black and shiny, reflecting their images and the surrounding environment. They encounter a man in a wheelchair with medals, who greets the boy warmly. The boy also observes an elderly couple, both crying, and various items left by visitors as tributes to the fallen. The father and son eventually find the grandfather's name, and the father shares a moment of reflection, rubbing the name as if to connect with his past. They make a rubbing of the name to take home, and the boy asks to go to the river, a place of normalcy and life, contrasting with the solemnity of the memorial.

05:01

🌟 Honor and Reflection

In the second paragraph, the narrative shifts to the boy expressing his feelings about the memorial. While he is proud of his grandfather's name being on the wall, he also wishes his grandfather were alive to share everyday moments with him. The video concludes with the narrator thanking viewers for watching, encouraging them to like and share the video, and reminding them to subscribe for more content. The story ends on a reflective note, with the father placing a picture of the boy under stones at the memorial, symbolizing the enduring connection between the living and the honored dead.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡War Memorial

A war memorial is a structure or place dedicated to commemorate those who died in a war. In the video, the wall serves as a war memorial, inscribed with the names of individuals who perished in a conflict. It symbolizes remembrance and respect for the sacrifices made by these individuals. The wall is described as 'black and shiny as a mirror,' reflecting both the physical presence of the memorial and its emotional significance.

💡Remembrance

Remembrance refers to the act of remembering and honoring those who have died, particularly in the context of war. The video's narrative revolves around a father and son visiting the wall to find the grandfather's name, embodying the theme of remembrance. The act of touching the name and rubbing it onto paper signifies a personal connection to the past and an effort to keep the memory alive.

💡Legacy

Legacy denotes the lasting impact or inheritance left by someone. In the video, the grandfather's name on the wall represents his legacy, a tangible reminder of his life and the sacrifices made by his generation. The father's emotional response to finding the name reflects the personal significance of legacy and the desire to pass it on to the next generation.

💡Loss

Loss is the state of losing someone or something, often associated with grief. The video conveys a sense of loss through the characters' interactions with the wall and their reactions to the names listed. The man in the wheelchair and the elderly couple crying represent the profound personal loss experienced by many due to war.

💡Honor

Honor is the recognition given to someone for their achievements or qualities. The wall is a place of honor, as it lists the names of those who died in service, acknowledging their bravery and sacrifice. The father's pride in his father's name being on the wall illustrates the desire to honor and be proud of one's ancestors.

💡Generational Connection

Generational connection refers to the bond or relationship between different generations within a family. The video shows a generational connection as the father and son visit the wall together, searching for the grandfather's name. This shared experience highlights the importance of passing down family history and maintaining connections across generations.

💡Emotional Resonance

Emotional resonance is the ability of an event or object to evoke strong emotions. The wall has emotional resonance for the characters in the video, as it triggers feelings of sadness, pride, and reflection. The son's desire to have his grandfather alive, despite the wall being a place of honor, illustrates the complex emotions associated with such memorials.

💡Symbolism

Symbolism is the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities. The wall is symbolic of the collective loss and memory of a nation's war dead. It serves as a mirror to the past, reflecting not only the names but also the emotions and experiences of those who visit it, as seen in the various items left by visitors and the reactions of the characters.

💡Community

Community refers to a group of people sharing a common interest or purpose. The video shows a community of mourners and rememberers at the wall, including the school group laying flags. This scene illustrates how the wall serves as a communal space for collective remembrance and education about the past.

💡Sacrifice

Sacrifice is the act of giving up something valuable, often for the sake of something else. The video's theme of sacrifice is evident in the wall's purpose and the stories of the individuals named on it. The grandfather's death at a young age represents the ultimate personal sacrifice made for a greater cause, which is a central message of the video.

Highlights

Introduction to the story 'The Wall' by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Ronald Himmler.

The wall is a memorial inscribed with the names of those killed in a war long ago.

The narrator and their father have traveled a long way to visit the wall.

The wall's reflective surface mirrors the surroundings and the visitors.

Encounter with a man in a wheelchair, a war veteran, who greets the narrator.

Observation of a woman hugging a man, both elderly and crying, indicating a shared loss.

Description of items left at the wall as tributes: flowers, flags, a teddy bear, and letters.

The search for the narrator's grandfather's name among the many listed on the wall.

Emotional moment when the father and son find the grandfather's name on the wall.

The father's reaction to finding the name, rubbing it as if to remember the feeling.

The son is lifted to touch his grandfather's name on the wall.

Using paper and pencil to transfer the name onto paper as a keepsake.

A poignant moment as the father reflects on his father's youth at the time of his death.

The contrast between the schoolgirls' lively energy and the solemnity of the wall.

The teacher's explanation that the wall is for everyone, not just the dead soldiers.

The father's quiet pride in his father's name being on the wall.

The son's wish for his grandfather to be alive, taking him to the river and caring for him.

The father placing the son's school picture under a stone at the wall.

The narrator's closing thoughts on the wall as a place of honor and the desire for his grandfather's presence.

The video's conclusion with a call to action for likes, shares, and subscriptions.