Deion Smith
9/21/2010
Accelerated/Magnet World Literature, 4th Period
Nonfiction Success Theme
Real Success:
A Review of Hoop Dreams by Ben Joravsky
How can you determine “real” success? Hoop Dreams by Ben Joravsky teaches readers that real success is measured by happiness. In the novel characters Arthur Agee and William Gates learn the real meaning of success. Throughout the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, these two Chicago kids go through high school and college and learn the meaning of success through common grounds: their adept in basketball. The two characters in this book have a similar story to the two people in the article “The Real Wes Moore.” (An article of two men with the same name and from the same name but with two separate lives with different fates.) The story of Hoop Dreams teaches more than just basketball though it teaches how to be happy and successful in life.
My definition of success is to be able to live life happily with no problems like moneywise, emotionally, etc. One of my goals in life is to be successful. To do this I try and make good grades, live a positive lifestyle, and I want to become a lawyer who makes lots of money. In order to become a lawyer I know I will have to study hard, go to college longer than a usual student, develop a rep. and many more things but I am determined that I can do it. This book teaches me that there will be obstacles in life that get in the way of your goal but you have to keep moving towards your goal. There was a part in the book where Arthur, one of the main characters, was kicked out of the basketball powerhouse private school called St. Joseph because e he didn’t have the funds to attend. This didn’t stop him from playing basketball though. He had to attend Marshall, a public school in the area of the rough neighborhood he lived in. He then became an all-star player there, opposed to just a varsity sub at St. Joe’s. Another part in the book tells of when William the other main character finds out that he has a baby on the way and is challenged with telling his strict coach. “William, the baby is comin’ whether you tell Pingatore or not” says William’s baby momma (Joravsky 87). The fate of William’s basketball career was all riding on this one decision, and this was a tough obstacle for him. He eventually told his coach and overcame that obstacle. These particular parts will stick with me later on in life to keep moving and look at the bright side of things.
Hoop Dreams is written differently than other books. Instead of having chapters like most novels, it is divided into high school terms, like freshman year, sophomore year, etc. It follows the two characters all the way through college. The terms are also divided between William’s story and Arthur’s. It is a very uniquely written book. The writing is very descriptive and you can almost picture every paragraph; this is another reason why I liked the book because I too love basketball, it is sort of a catharsis for me.. There are some weak points in the text where the author drifts off into the abasing life of Arthur’s father and his recidivism. Other than this the style of writing is great.
I learned a lot from this novel. It taught me to be resilient like Arthur and keep moving forward when challenges come. This is a valuable life lesson. I learned also about the troubles of the projects of Chicago. It taught me a lot about what family means and made me more thankful for my family.
Hoop Dreams is a wonderful and meaningful novel. I would definitely recommend it to peers. The author is a wonderful writer and the book teaches you about real success. In the end William and Arthur did not go to the NBA but they became motivational speakers that speak to less fortunate kids with basketball hopes, etc. They were both able to get a great education after high school and make lots of money at a guaranteed job instead of chancing being able to make it to the pros. That is real success, and most of all they are happy.
9/21/2010
Accelerated/Magnet World Literature, 4th Period
Nonfiction Success Theme
Real Success:
A Review of Hoop Dreams by Ben Joravsky
How can you determine “real” success? Hoop Dreams by Ben Joravsky teaches readers that real success is measured by happiness. In the novel characters Arthur Agee and William Gates learn the real meaning of success. Throughout the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, these two Chicago kids go through high school and college and learn the meaning of success through common grounds: their adept in basketball. The two characters in this book have a similar story to the two people in the article “The Real Wes Moore.” (An article of two men with the same name and from the same name but with two separate lives with different fates.) The story of Hoop Dreams teaches more than just basketball though it teaches how to be happy and successful in life.
My definition of success is to be able to live life happily with no problems like moneywise, emotionally, etc. One of my goals in life is to be successful. To do this I try and make good grades, live a positive lifestyle, and I want to become a lawyer who makes lots of money. In order to become a lawyer I know I will have to study hard, go to college longer than a usual student, develop a rep. and many more things but I am determined that I can do it. This book teaches me that there will be obstacles in life that get in the way of your goal but you have to keep moving towards your goal. There was a part in the book where Arthur, one of the main characters, was kicked out of the basketball powerhouse private school called St. Joseph because e he didn’t have the funds to attend. This didn’t stop him from playing basketball though. He had to attend Marshall, a public school in the area of the rough neighborhood he lived in. He then became an all-star player there, opposed to just a varsity sub at St. Joe’s. Another part in the book tells of when William the other main character finds out that he has a baby on the way and is challenged with telling his strict coach. “William, the baby is comin’ whether you tell Pingatore or not” says William’s baby momma (Joravsky 87). The fate of William’s basketball career was all riding on this one decision, and this was a tough obstacle for him. He eventually told his coach and overcame that obstacle. These particular parts will stick with me later on in life to keep moving and look at the bright side of things.
Hoop Dreams is written differently than other books. Instead of having chapters like most novels, it is divided into high school terms, like freshman year, sophomore year, etc. It follows the two characters all the way through college. The terms are also divided between William’s story and Arthur’s. It is a very uniquely written book. The writing is very descriptive and you can almost picture every paragraph; this is another reason why I liked the book because I too love basketball, it is sort of a catharsis for me.. There are some weak points in the text where the author drifts off into the abasing life of Arthur’s father and his recidivism. Other than this the style of writing is great.
I learned a lot from this novel. It taught me to be resilient like Arthur and keep moving forward when challenges come. This is a valuable life lesson. I learned also about the troubles of the projects of Chicago. It taught me a lot about what family means and made me more thankful for my family.
Hoop Dreams is a wonderful and meaningful novel. I would definitely recommend it to peers. The author is a wonderful writer and the book teaches you about real success. In the end William and Arthur did not go to the NBA but they became motivational speakers that speak to less fortunate kids with basketball hopes, etc. They were both able to get a great education after high school and make lots of money at a guaranteed job instead of chancing being able to make it to the pros. That is real success, and most of all they are happy.
