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Argument: John Steinbeck's Tortilla Flat is a nihilistic novel filled with loneliness and death. The paisanos have destruction following them one step at a time and believe in a God that only brings more destruction to their lives. Fire from a holy candle burned down one home, and the irresponsible personalities of each paisano ultimately ruined the second house along with the relationships that were contained inside it. Evidence: "The people of Tortilla Flat melted into the darkness. Danny's friends still stood looking at the smoking ruin. They looked at one another strangely, and then back to the burned house. And after a while they turned and walked slowly away, and no two walked together" "The paisanos start to put out the accidental fire but then, "struck with a celestial thought," let the house burn, looking at each other and smiling "the wise smiles of the deathless and hopeless ones." "Ah the prayers of the millions, how they must fight and destroy each other on their way to the throne of God." "In the sky, saints and martyrs looked on with set and unforgiving faces. The candle was blessed. It belonged to Saint Francis. Saint Francis will have a big candle in its place tonight." Thoughts: The author, Bethea made several solid points during her analysis. She had a high amount of direct quotes from the novel along with quotes from past criticisms. She organized her thoughts very efficiently and in an easy to understand format. I do not agree with her belief on all the men burning the second house down after their friend died as a way of ending the group friendship. I think the companionship between the men was very close knit however after Danny died they payed their respects to him by letting his home pass away with him. Danny allowed each paisano stay at his home for free, therefore once he died the house had the right to die as well, as respect to Danny from his fellow room mates.

Argument: Ellen Hopkins uses a free-verse form of poetry to portray a more passionate connection between the character and reader. Claim: Hopkins is able to describe every detail, clearly and precise without being as formal. Evidence: "masterfully used verse to re-create the yearnings and emotions of a teenage girl trapped in tragic circumstances" "The free-verse form seems to resonate with readers, and Hopkins continues to employ the devices in her young adult fiction." http://bna.galegroup.com.lib.chandleraz.gov/bna/about_the_book/GALE%7CM1300157206#writings

I want my readers to know I am not anti-religion. However, every religion can be home to extremeists. Truly, I didn't start out to write Burned about any religion, but about a girl who winds up in a Columbine-type situation. She happen to resemble a Mormon girl who I knew. I once visited her apartment. She and her boyfriend had stockpiled weapons and explosives against the coming "End of Times" forewarned by her church. The character of Pattyn von Stratten was likely born on that visit.