Journal Entry #1 Fade by Robert Cormier

5

• The family has a mystery photograph and they don't like to talk about it.
  
• According to the stories told, there is an empty spot on the photograph where the protagonist's uncle should be.
  
• His father is watching news about Hitler and the young boy only cares about finding out the mystery of the picture.
  
• The protagonist looks up to his uncle Adelard because he did things out of the ordinary in town and he wants to be just like that.
  
• The photograph isn't the only mystery, there are rumors of strange happenings in a pond near by.
• Paul went to the pond with Pete at eleven! They see cars approaching and they have niggers and Jews that they are going to kill. Sounds like Paul's and Pete's life are at risk. The killers were the Ku Klux Klan.
  

4

• Has anyone other than family members seen the photograph?
  
• I have the same question as the protagonist, where is Adelard?
  
• Is he the only curious one out of everyone in the family, besides Adelard?
  
• Will he tell his father he was at the scene of the killing?
  

3

• coiffed (3): arrange attractively
  
• trudged (5): to walk wearily
  
• papists (20): offensive was of calling Roman Catholics
  
• sacrilege (30): the violation of anything sacred
  

2

• "Others spoke of the mystery in hushed tones, with raised eyebrows as if even the mere mention of the picture would bring them terrible consequence" (4). Imagery.
  
• "But in my heart I was brave and courageous like the cowboys in the Saturday afternoon serials at the Plymouth Theater" (5). Simile.
• "Her face was a beacon shining in my mind, a glowing light that led me with sweet caresses into sleep, deep and dark, and because of her, utterly beautiful" (14). Imagery.
  

1

• Paul is very adventurous and enjoys looking into mysteries.