Before Revision:These are the responses that have been generated by an AI, this is not my writing and I can point out the good in the bad from these responses. I feel like Ai did a pretty good job at recognizing some of the potential themes of the book, The only one I was not in favor of is the one That talks about state testing, but overall I feel as though the AI was pretty successful at getting themes from the books using my comments, but it also showed me that I can and should be a little more dynamic and go further in depth with the comments I make in order for AI to have a better understanding of the things I write. I feel like the more information we feed it, the more consistent and more accurate it will be.
After Revision:The AI provided some good analysis of the text, noting strengths in rhetorical choices and credibility, such as drawing on personal stories to build connection and demonstrating a command of the issue. Areas that need improvement included ensuring there are no errors in the writing and demonstrating a better command of the issue.
Long Division is a novel by Kiese Laymon that follows the story of City, a high school student living in a small Mississippi town, and his relationships with his family, friends, and teachers. The novel is filled with rich characters, powerful dialogue, and thought-provoking themes. In this essay, I will explore three themes in Long Division that are highlighted by Gabriel B’s comments: themes of state testing, wordplay, and power dynamics.
Gabriel B’s comments about state testing in the United States are a great representation of the novel’s exploration of the power dynamics of education. He says, “he is mocking how we are very big on state testing here in the United States.” This statement speaks to how City’s educational system is focused solely on test scores and memorizing facts, rather than on teaching students real-world skills or preparing them for their futures. The novel presents a system of education that fails to address the needs of its students and is instead focused on maintaining a false illusion of success. This notion is further highlighted in the novel when City’s teacher, Mr. Boone, tells the class that “you can’t think your way out of poverty.”
Wordplay is another theme that is explored in the novel and highlighted by Gabriel B’s comments. He says, “I really like the wordplay and how it speaks on their differences.” Here, he is referring to the dialogue between City and his friend Citoyen, which is filled with witty banter and clever wordplay. Through their conversations, City and Citoyen explore the power dynamics between them, as well as the power dynamics of their community. The clever wordplay in their dialogue speaks to their intelligence and the strength of their bond, despite their differences.
Finally, Gabriel B’s comments about the word “niggardly” in the novel speak to the themes of power dynamics and cultural appropriation. He asks, “Is niggardly a stereotypical word?” This question speaks to how language can be used to oppress and how some words have been co-opted from their original meanings and used to perpetuate racism. The novel explores this idea in depth, examining how language can be used to control and oppress, as well as how language can be used to empower.
Ultimately, Long Division is a novel that explores the power dynamics at play in a small Mississippi town, and Gabriel B’s comments speak to these themes in a powerful and insightful way. Though the novel has explored many different themes and ideas, there is still a mystery at its core: what will happen to City and his friends in the end? As I continue to read the novel, I look forward to learning the answers to these questions and uncovering more of the powerful themes and ideas at play in the story.
