Situation:
In chapter 5, John talks about how each member of his family did their best to support the war. Dad goes off to UCLA to work, mom gets a job, and John's going to enlist. John mentions how his sister Diane became the most important thing to several of the neighborhood boys who were getting ready to go off to war. Over the course of weeks, she goes out on several dates with them. John says, "How could she say no when they asked her to a movie, to a dance, to walk along the city streets with them? She could not say no" (29). He mentions how after only a few dates, "Diane would come home distracted, worried" and that he "could sometimes hear her weeping softly in her room" (30).
Prompt:
Explain: Why did Diane go out with these boys? Why did she not turn them down? What was she hoping to do? Why do you think she ended up crying in her room after a few dates with each boy? What was going on?
Diane had incredible pressure on her to somehow meet the needs of several boys in the neighborhood. They, like John, were getting ready to go off to war and were desperate to feel loved. She felt so burdened by their desperation and emotional needs. After a few dates, Diane became consumed with them and was filled with worry. She wept in her bedroom because she was so weighed down by trying to meet all of their expectations. All of these guys, like John, wanted love, affection, sympathy and her promise to be devoted to them. It was way too much for one person to deal with.
ReplyDeletei think that the reason that diane went out with these boys was becouse she felt bad for them. They were all scared of what was going to happen to them during the war and scared that they might die. Diane saw that fear and thought, what harm would it do to her if she went out with them. But it did hurt her becouse she couldn't take all that sadness anymore and they fact that those boys would be obssed with her untill they left for war.
ReplyDeleteDiane went out with these boys because she couldn't say no to them. The reason she couldn't say no is because she wanted each boy to have something to remember her by before they went to war. She was hoping to give the boys hope for fighting in the war. She ended up crying in her room after a few dates with these boys because all these boys wanted love and affection but that made her sad that she couldn't fulfill that for them.
ReplyDeleteThe reason Diane went out with the boys is because it was too hard for her to say no. She knows that the boys are getting ready to go off to war and she wants to give them something to remember. Some of the boys may die and it is hard for Diane because she knows that they could be taken soon. This is the reason why she crys at night and she is confused because she does not want to hurt them because they are also going through a rough time.
ReplyDeleteI think she went out with the boys because she felt bad thinking about what they were going to go through during the war. She knew that most of them wouldn't make it back and she wanted to give them a "good bye gift". She was sad and crying because she knows that she will probably never see them again. She could not handle all of the dates.
ReplyDeleteDiane went out with all those boys because the amount of pressure on her. when they left for the war she knew that there was a chance they wouldn't come back. she wanted them to feel loved and look forward to something when they left. she would cry because it was so much to handle. She wanted to make the last few months of there life before the war pleasant and if she turned them down it would just make them feel rejected and worse. she felt since the guys went to war and the parents worked that this is what she had to do to help.
ReplyDeleteDiane went out with the boys because she figured that they were going to die soon, so it didn't matter. She thought that since she wasn't having a real relationship with the guys she could provide some sort of comfort towards them. However, the boys must have demanded a lot from Diane to make her cry. She must have felt overwhelmed with the pressure of having to comfort each and every boy that asked her. She didn't have to be nice to them all, but she was such a nice person that she could not resist. The boys on the other hand only cared about themselves and did not think about how Diane felt. I think she should have continued being nice, but told the boys that she is not like a dictionary (you use it only when you need it). She should have some limits for herself and the boys.
ReplyDeleteDiane went out with the boys because those were the people that were going off to war to fight for there coutry. She couldnt say no becuase some of them may go off to war and they may not return so this could be there only chance to have a relationship. The reason that she may have been crying is because she has been on so many dates with many different guys. Everytime that she mets a new guy the instantly fall in love with her and they all want to be with her. but when they all come back from the war, if the survive, then they would want to come home and return to Diane to be able to finish what they started before they left to go off to war. but the problem is that she cant have over 10 different boyfriends. so while all the guys are going out with Diane and having a good time with her, they dont know how hard it is for her and how worried she can get.
ReplyDeleteI think that Diane went out with these boys because she felt sorry for them since most of them were enlisting in the war and she wanted them to have at least one good memory before they went off. Diane could not turn these boys down because they were already stressed out about the war and rejecting them would just make them even more stressed out by doing this; Diane was hoping to give them something to stay alive for. I think she would end up crying in her room after a few dates with each boy because they would consume her meaning that they wanted all her of her love, but she could not give it to them.
ReplyDeleteI think that Diane goes on all these dates with the boys because she thinks she is helping them out. I feel that she thinks she is helping them out because she will be getting their mind off enlisting in the war, death, and how the country is so shocked about the nuclear bombing. Diane did not turn down the neighborhood boys because she didnt want them to feel bad and then go back to thinking about the war. Diane ended up always crying in her room because of the pressure of meeting all of her potential boyfrieds' expectations.
ReplyDeleteI think Diane goes out with all these guys because every guy is looking for love and she is under the presure to give them what they want before they go off to war. I think she feels sorry for them because they might never get to love someone/ be with someone again. They could get killed in the war and never have the opportunity again.
ReplyDeleteDiane goes out with all the boys because she wants them to be happy and be distracted from the war befroe they have to go. She crys in her room about them because she understands what they are going through and feels bad for them and doesnt want them to leave. She is attached to them now after a few dates.
ReplyDeleteDiane went out with all these boys because like John they were getting ready to enlist and go off to war and they needed love and alot of attention especially from a girl. Diane did not turn them down because if she did they would feel even more desperate and sad. She was hoping to make them more comfortable about the situation the guys were in. She cired in her room because she knows that she is doing all she can do to fill the guys needs but she knows it is not enough and feels like all the guilt is on her, this was alot for Diane to deal with.
ReplyDeleteI think Diane goes out with all of these boys because she wants them to remember her when they all enlist in the war, like her brother John. She wants them to have a nice time, and something to look back on before they all go to war. If they go to war, there is a possibility that they might not return. By doing this, though, she feels guilty, and she gets attatched to the boys after being so close to them. All she wants to do is help, but she ends up hurting herself, and that is the reason John hears her crying at night. They might never get to love anybody, and if they all go to war, the people she loves might not return, so she won't either.
ReplyDeleteI think Diane went out on dates with all of these boys, to give them hope before they go to war. Diane felt stressed like it was her job to comfort the guys before war. They needed love and support from her. The guys all had the thought of "this will be my last date". Diane saw death and fear in their eyes. It affected her heart tremendously and finally all of this stress finally wore down on her. She didn't want to turn the boys down, because they would only have the war to think about.
ReplyDeleteJohn's sister Diane went out with these boys because they were about to go away to war and they may never come back again. She thought that something little she could do for them war go on a date with them. Diane didn't turn the boys down because she tought that it was the least she could do for them. In the book it says John could somethines hear her crying after a few dates. What I think happend was that she would get so close to the boys she would see and then only relize that they had to leave and that they may never come back.
ReplyDeleteDiane dates thes men because they are just about to enter the army. She turn them down because they were just about to enter the army and they could die in the war. She was hoping to make them feel good and not think too much as they were going to war. The boys were using her and she knew that these men could die in the war.
ReplyDeleteDianne goes out on dates with all these boys because she wants to make them happy befoore they go to war. She didn't want to turn them down because they were going into the war and she didn't want to make them sad. She wanted them to be able to think happy thoughts while at war. She would be crying in her room after a couple dates with them because she knew that they probably would not be coming back. She felt sad that such nice and great guys were going away to war. She also probably felt bad because she was dating them to comfort them, not because she liked them.
ReplyDeleteDiane goes out with all these boys because she sympathizes them. I cant even imagine the amount of pressure that comes with dating boys that may never come home. She knows that if she says no that it will effect their lives even more. she hopes to bring a little happiness to their lives. But each boy wanted love, affection, sympathy and her promise to be devoted to them. it was just too much pressure. I could not even begin to think about if i had to deal with that.
ReplyDeleteI think the reason Diane did not say no is because she didn't want them to go to war. She probabley feels like she will loose him because there's a 50/50 chance they may not come home. War is a very dangerous place, and why would she want people that she liked and cared about to go in a dangerous place? If i were here i would say yes to all of the dates too because i would want to talk to them about there thoughts and feelings towards going into the war, and maybe get them to stay home and not fight. And if i were to say no to one of them i would not be able to forget it or anything. What if they died in war? I would wish i went on that date with him so i have memories to remember and i would know that he spent a fun night with me and was happy when he passed. Plus, who wouldn't want to go on dates with all these fighting war boys??? LOL
ReplyDeleteDiane is going on these many dates because she wants them to feel good when they go to war. The men want to have someone to come home to when they come home from war, or if they come back. After she came back from the dates she would most likely be crying because she would most likely never see theses boys again.She would hope that they would come back alive and these boys want love before they go off to war, just like John before he goes to war.
ReplyDeleteDiane doesnt turn these boys down because she sympathizes them. Most of these boys wont even be coming home. They will most likly die in battle. All they want is a little happiness in their lives. Diane tries to fullfill the rest of their lives in Pittsburgh. Although its hard for her because each boy wanted love, affection, sympathy and her promise to be devoted to them. I cant even begin to imagine the amount of pressure put on her. I dont think io would be able to handle it.
ReplyDeleteI think Diane dates all these men to try and take their minds off about going to war adn a little bit. She couldn['t turn them down because she felt she was obligated to date them adn that was her part in the war. She crys after only a few date sbecause she feels she didn't help them enough and she knows she may lose the man in the war. That they may never come home.
ReplyDeletediane wanted to give the boys someone to think about while they go off to war. its hard for her because she becomes attached to them. i think she is stressed out because she has so many boys that are waiting for her at home.
ReplyDeleteDiane goes out with these boys because she knows they enlisted and she wants them to share what they think about going to war. Sometimes she ends up crying because she sees the fear in the boys eyes and how they are scared of dieing and how she can't handle seeing them like that.
ReplyDeleteExplain: Why did Diane go out with these boys? Why did she not turn them down? What was she hoping to do? Why do you think she ended up crying in her room after a few dates with each boy? What was going on?
ReplyDeleteDiane went out with a numerous amount of boys who had enlisted in war because she knew of their treacherous fate and wanted to comfort and please them beforehand. She had a naturally sensitive personality complex, so she felt a need to give them the stability and reassurance of a relationship. However, the demand for commitment, affectition, and most likely, sex from each boy began to tear her apart. So much pressure from so many boys was too difficult for her to handle.
I think the reason Diane did this was because she felt sympathetic for them and wanted to give what she can offer and what they needed most at the time, love and affection. That's why she didn't say no to them on the dates. Diane was easily distracted and always sad for them because maybe on the date she developed some feelings for the boys she was going out with and she knew they were going to die so she felt sorry for them.
ReplyDeleteI think that Diane goes on all these dates with the boys because she thinks she is helping them out. I feel that she thinks she is helping them out because she will be getting their mind off enlisting in the war, death, and to give them hope ans a reason to come back.. Diane did not turn down the neighborhood boys because she didnt want them to feel bad and then go back to thinking about the war. She crys all the time because she is trying as hard as she can to help all of these boys out with their needs and some things she might not want to do.
ReplyDeleteDiane went out with those boys because they were soon to eneter the war and might not return. She didn't turn them down because when she looked in their eyes she saw death and how scared they were. She was hoping to make it all better for them and be able to help them. She ended up crying because they were all wearing her down and she couldn't take it anymore, she saw how young they were and knew they weren't coming back and was scared for them. They kept on wanting to date her and sleep with her and use her until they were gone.
ReplyDeleteDiane went out with so many boys because they are all going off to war. She could not turn them down because she wanted these boys to have fun before they had to go off to the war. She was hoping to let these boys have something to look foward too and to get ther minds off of deploying. She ended up crying at night because she said she could see the death and fear in there eyes.
ReplyDeletediane went on all these dates with these boys because they are all enlisting in the war and she wants them to feel love for the possibly the last time. She wont turn them down because they have now more in life to worry about then being rejected and she wants them to feel good before fighting. Diane spends many evenings crying about the boys because she can see the fear in the boys eyes about they are frightened that, that will be the last time they are on a date and might lose their lives.
ReplyDeleteDiane dated all those boys because she wanted them to feel good when the went off to war. She wanted to let them know that they would be missed, and to fight strongly. To not give up, because while they're off at war, people are waiting for them to return home. She would cry after because she knew the possibily of them getting killed, and she was scared of the war.
ReplyDeletei THINK SHE FEELS SHE NEEDS TO GO ON THESE DATES BECAUSE SHE FEELS LIKE SHE NEEDS TO GIVE ALL THE LOVE SHE HAS TO THE SOLDIERS THAT ARE ABOUT TO GO TO THE WAR AND POSSIBLY DIE. SHE DOESNT WANT TO HAVE THE YOUNG MEN LEAVE ON A BAD NOTE SHE JUST WANTS TO HAVE ALL OF THEM LEAVE HAPPY BECUASE YOU NEVER KNOW IF THEY WILL COME BACK OR NOT.
ReplyDeleteDiane goes out with these boys because she feels sorry for them. She wants them to feel good before they go off to war. That was her goal. However after a few dates she would end up crying. I think she was scared of what she just did. She made love with the guys and after it happened she waould think of what just happened and regret it so much that it made her sick.
ReplyDeletediane dated all those boys becuase she wanted them to look fowarded to something when they got back from the war. she didnt turn them down becuase she knew they were going to war soon. i think she was crying in her room after the dates because she saw the fear and sadness in the young mens' eyes and they thought they were going to die.
ReplyDeletei think diane went out with all these boys is because she felt bad for them. she knows they are going off to war soon and wants to give them what they want soo they can have hope and something to remember her by she is sad and crys after a couple dates with each boy becuse they go off to war and she knows she will most likley never see them again.
ReplyDeleteI think Diane is going on these dates because she feels like this is one thing she can do to help with the war. She has the gift of giving them comfort so she will do that. I think she started crying after a few dates because she sees the fear in their eyes and sadness which is hard for her to see.
ReplyDeleteI think the reason Diane did this was because she felt sympathetic for them and wanted to give what she can offer and what they needed most at the time, love and affection. That's why she didn't say no to them on the dates. Diane was easily distracted and always sad for them because maybe on the date she developed some feelings for the boys she was going out with and she knew they were going to die so she felt sorry for them.
ReplyDeleteI think Diane dated these boys because she felt bad for them. In her eyes they were heroes for going to war and she knew that they might not come back alive so she wanted them to have a good experience to remember before they left. She could not say no because she knew what they were putting at stake to fight for her country so she knew she could at least help a little before they left. Also i think she was crying at night because she is sad that they are leaving. or it might be because she doesn’t like some of them but she feels bad saying no so she goes on dates with them but it is just stressful and not fun for her. I feel bad for Diane.
ReplyDeletediane went on dates with all of those girls because he wanted them to have something to look foreward to when they came home. Ginny didnot turn them down because she knew that they were all under stress because they were going to be going to war soon. Ginny would cry after the war because after she went on dates with them and ater that they would be getting sent to war and she didnt know if they were going to be coming back which made her cry and make herslef sick.
ReplyDeleteDiane gos out with these boys because she knows that wen they go to war they might not return. she cant say no because she is to kind-hearted to refuse someone who may die in a short time. she was hopping to ease their tension of waiting to go to either Eruope or Africa or the Pacific.
ReplyDeleteShe ends up crying in her room probably because she knows they might not come back and that she said yes to all of them when they proposed and if they do come back alive she has to explain to them what she did.
Diane dated all the guys because she wanted them to have something to look foward to when they came home from the war. She also wanted them to be happy before they went to fight in the war. She didnt say no to any of them because she wanted them to feel like they had something to look foward to when they came home instead of giving up. I think she ended up coming home and crying in her room because she saw all the fear and sadness the boys had in there eyes. She also was worried for them when they actually had to go and fight. She was scared.
ReplyDeleteI think the reason Ginny went out with all these guys was to make them feel better. She wouldn't say no to the dates she was offered on because she wants them to remember her when they go off to war and give them something to think about. I think the reasons she would always cry was because she would know that these guys she would go out on dates with her but she also knows they have a chance in dieing in this war and not be able to see her again, like John. She will miss John, her brother, and all the men she went on dates with but still remember them.
ReplyDeleteDiane*
ReplyDeleteDiane dated all of those boys because she knew they were going to war. She feels sorry for them, there going to war and they might die and she has pity for them. She didn’t have the heart to turn them down, and she was trying to give them someone to come back to and to give them hope and strength to make it through the war. She would cry because she knows that most of these boys won’t come back from the war. It also has to be very stressful to be going out with so many guys and trying to give them what they wanted. She couldn’t possibly break there hearts and say no.
ReplyDeleteI believe that diane is accepting each date for every boy that asks her out to give them hope and something to look forward to in the future so they will always have high hopes. Also I think diane crys in her room everytnight is that it is to much for her to handle and that they all have the high change of not returning
ReplyDeleteDiane dated these guys because they are about to go off to war and they need someone to be there for them until they board the greyhound bus. She was hoping that they would feel like they had something to look forward to when they got back. I think that she ended up crying in her room because they all wanted a commited relationship and she was dating a bunch of guys.
ReplyDeleteThe boys in the story fear that they are going to die in war, and Diane knows that. She wants to give them whatever love she can offer them, because the knows they may not come back. On the dates, she becomes attached to them, and ends up crying in her room because she knows that they probably wont come back. All she is trying to do is make them feel good before they are all shipped off into a training camp and off to war.
ReplyDeletei thimk that diane went out with these boys was to comfort them. all the boys were going off to war so she would date them to make them fell more confident. she knew how they felt because john was going to war too
ReplyDeleteShe dated all the boys because they were all goign to war like John and they wanted to someone. Going o war isnt easy so they needed someone to help then through it. She comforted them and made them fell that it was goning to be alright.
ReplyDeleteDiane dated all of these boys because she wanted to make them feel love before they went to war. If she turned them down she would be making the people that are going to war for her freedom upset and angry. She felt this would be disrespectful. She was hoping to fulfill the boys' leaving wishes, she felt this was the best she could do for her country. Diane cryed probably because she was overwhemeled by the boys that she did not want to date, but she knew that she couldn't.
ReplyDeletei think she went out with these boys because she felt bad for them and thought she was doing some good in the world she didn't turn them down because they were so persistant and cryed because she felt bad for them and what they were going to have to go through in the war and shes pregnat
ReplyDeleteDiane wanted to give the guys something to fight for and something to get back home to. But in time she found out that she actually care about the guys so she began to cry because she was scared for them
ReplyDeletedianne went out with all these boys because she knows soon theyll be going off to war. she wants them to have a good time before they leave just in case they dont come back.
ReplyDeletedianne went out with all these boys because she knows soon they will be going off to war.she wants them to have a good time before they leave just in case they dont come back. she also feels bad and she feels like its the least she can do baceause all these men are going to go fight and she is gonna be at home doing nothing but waiting for them to return.
ReplyDeleteDiane went out with these boys I think because she felt bad that they were going off to war and she didn’t want to disappoint them. She knew there was a chance they wouldn’t come back so she decided to make there last days good. She hoped to make there last days good. She also felt bad because she was pity dating them and didn’t actually like them.
ReplyDeleteDiane would go out with these boys because she does not wan to dissapoint.The reason above is also why she did not turn them down.She was hhopeing to not dissapoint and send the boys off to war happy, and know that someone loves them. SHe endend up crying in her room either because she was pregnate or it was to much.
ReplyDelete