abstract profiles of main characters Byron and Mark

That Was Then, This Is Now

by S. E. Hinton

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That Was Then, This Is Now

In That Was Then, This Is Now, Bryon's evolving relationship with Cathy highlights his journey towards maturity. Initially, he is drawn to her straightforward, down-to-earth nature, which contrasts...

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That Was Then, This Is Now

In That Was Then, This Is Now, Bryon Douglas and Mark Jennings are central characters whose diverging paths highlight themes of change and morality. Bryon is dynamic, evolving from a carefree youth...

3 educator answers

That Was Then, This Is Now

Byron in "That Was Then, This Is Now" is portrayed as a complex character with traits like rebelliousness, loyalty, and a sense of protectiveness towards his friends. His self-perception changes...

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That Was Then, This Is Now

M&M in That Was Then, This Is Now is a gentle, intelligent, and idealistic character who values peace and love. His self-revelations include his disillusionment with the world after experiencing...

3 educator answers

That Was Then, This Is Now

In That Was Then, This Is Now, the exposition introduces Mark and Bryon, highlighting their foster brother relationship and background. They enjoy hustling pool at Charlie's bar. The rising action...

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That Was Then, This Is Now

Angela Shepard in "That Was Then, This Is Now" is portrayed as a troubled and vindictive character. She is Bryon's ex-girlfriend and plays a significant role in highlighting the themes of change and...

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That Was Then, This Is Now

The conclusion begins with Bryon turning Mark into the police after discovering his drug dealing, leading to Mark's arrest. The falling action follows Mark's sentencing to a reformatory and Bryon's...

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That Was Then, This Is Now

Connie condemned Mike due to deep-seated racial tensions and distrust. Despite Mike's help against harassment, Connie, as a black woman, felt compelled to maintain her community status, which...

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That Was Then, This Is Now

Bryon and Mark share a foster mother, Mrs. Douglas, and initially enjoy the same activities, such as hustling pool players. They both care for Mrs. Douglas and seek ways to support her during her...

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That Was Then, This Is Now

Exact page numbers in That Was Then, This is Now vary by edition, but similes and metaphors are frequently used, particularly in the first chapter. Bryon often compares Mark to a lion, using both...

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That Was Then, This Is Now

Mark considers Mike to be "stupid" for not hating those who beat him up, a sentiment shared by Mike's father. Despite initially agreeing with Bryon's sympathy towards Mike's situation, Mark firmly...

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That Was Then, This Is Now

Randy in "That Was Then, This Is Now" is a hippie who gives Bryon and Mark a ride to the hospital to visit Bryon's mother. He is a character who also appeared in S.E. Hinton's The Outsiders as a...

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That Was Then, This Is Now

Mark steals the principal's car because he needs transportation to meet his probation officer weekly, as he is on probation for car theft. With no buses available and insufficient time to walk, Mark,...

1 educator answer

That Was Then, This Is Now

"In S. E. Hinton's novel That Was Then, This Is Now, the female leads, Angela and Cathy, both have black hair, good looks, and romantic ties to Bryon, but that is where their similarities end. In...

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That Was Then, This Is Now

The main problem in That Was Then, This Is Now is the growing rift between Bryon and Mark as they mature differently, with Bryon seeking responsibility while Mark resists change. This conflict is...

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That Was Then, This Is Now

In "That Was Then, This Is Now," Mark tells how his parents died in a violent dispute. During a drunken argument about Mark’s paternity, his father questions his mother's fidelity due to Mark's eye...

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That Was Then, This Is Now

Conflicts in That Was Then, This Is Now include the intergenerational clash between M&M and his father, which leads M&M to run away and suffer from LSD use. Another significant conflict is...

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That Was Then, This Is Now

Mark Jennings is described by Bryon as a "golden lion" due to his golden hair and eyes, which suggest both his physical appearance and his personality traits. Initially, Mark's charm and positive...

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That Was Then, This Is Now

Symbolism in Susan E. Hinton's That Was Then, This Is Now includes characters like Mike Chambers, who sees himself as a "white knight" rescuing Connie, and "M&M," whose candy addiction symbolizes...

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That Was Then, This Is Now

Mark and Bryon hustle two rough-looking Texans at Charlie's bar in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in an attempt to earn money playing pool. This decision leads to a violent confrontation when the Texans become...

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That Was Then, This Is Now

In "That Was Then, This Is Now," Mark is the static character because he remains unchanged throughout the story. Despite experiencing significant events, such as M&M's problems and his own time...

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That Was Then, This Is Now

In "That Was Then, This Is Now," similes are used to enhance character descriptions, particularly Mark's. He is frequently compared to a lion, highlighting his dangerous yet charismatic nature. For...

1 educator answer

That Was Then, This Is Now

After Charlie's death, Bryon copes with profound guilt and becomes more responsible. He seeks solace in his relationship with Cathy, who understands his feelings, unlike Mark. Bryon distances himself...

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That Was Then, This Is Now

The black woman tells her friends to kill Mike because, despite him helping her earlier in a drugstore, she seeks to reverse the power dynamics she experienced. After feeling powerless among whites,...

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That Was Then, This Is Now

Bryon worked at a local supermarket to help pay for his mother's hospital bills. To retain his job, he had to abandon his "bad boy" persona, clean up his appearance, and change his attitude....

1 educator answer

That Was Then, This Is Now

Mark is jealous of Cathy because she takes up Bryon's time and attention, which used to be dedicated to Mark. Bryon's relationship with Cathy changes him for the better, leading him to mature and...

1 educator answer

That Was Then, This Is Now

In Chapter 5, Cathy is asked on a date by Ponyboy Curtis. She informs Bryon about the call, which makes him upset. Despite Ponyboy's invitation, Cathy is more interested in Bryon and declines...

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That Was Then, This Is Now

Cathy contributes to Bryon and Mark's separation by influencing Bryon's emotional growth, enabling him to see beyond his past life with Mark. Her presence encourages Bryon to adopt a more thoughtful...

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That Was Then, This Is Now

When Mark says he "found a shirt out in the street," he humorously implies he stole it, reflecting his disregard for right and wrong. Bryon, needing a shirt for a school dance, finds it in his size...

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That Was Then, This Is Now

Mr. Carlson is shocked to see the impact drugs have had on his son, M & M, realizing it was not just a phase. Cathy is equally shocked by the effects of LSD on M & M, with the doctor warning...

1 educator answer

That Was Then, This Is Now

In "That Was Then, This Is Now," several metaphorical symbols reflect Bryon's personality and growth. Charlie's car symbolizes responsibility and maturity, as it represents a grown-up object and a...

1 educator answer

That Was Then, This Is Now

The climax occurs in Chapter 10 when Bryon discovers his friend Mark's drug stash and realizes Mark's involvement in M&M's LSD overdose. Despite their close friendship, Bryon decides to call the...

1 educator answer

That Was Then, This Is Now

Bryon and Mark search for M&M at a hippie commune located in an old, once-classy part of town. Mark suspects M&M is at Red's house, where many hippies live and experiment with drugs. They...

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That Was Then, This Is Now

Bryon had negative experiences with police officers when he was younger, and this shaped his opinion of them.

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That Was Then, This Is Now

Bryon respects Charlie for his toughness and loyalty, while Charlie shows confidence in Bryon by trusting him with the pool hall and lending him money. This mutual respect highlights their strong...

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That Was Then, This Is Now

Mark and Cathy's relationship is strained due to their conflicting personalities and values. Mark's impulsive and violent nature clashes with Cathy's thoughtful and sensitive demeanor. Their...

1 educator answer

That Was Then, This Is Now

Bryon realizes that everyone wants to be Mark's friend because Mark remains unaffected by the traumatic events in his life, making him unique and appealing. He compares Mark to a "golden dangerous...

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That Was Then, This Is Now

Bryon's mother asks him to visit the boy in the hospital room next to hers. Bryon initially refuses, but Mark visits the boy, named Mike Chambers, who shares his story with Bryon. Mike was beaten by...

1 educator answer

That Was Then, This Is Now

M&M's father constantly criticizes him because M&M does not meet his expectations and is perceived as "different." Mr. Carlson struggles to accept his son's nonconformity, such as his long...

1 educator answer

That Was Then, This Is Now

When Bryon asks if Mark is a "throwback," he is questioning whether Mark's lack of moral understanding and disregard for laws makes him a reversion to an earlier, more primitive type, similar to a...

2 educator answers

That Was Then, This Is Now

In Chapter 2, Bryon's mother is in the hospital. Bryon and Mark visit her, noting the neighborhood's support through food deliveries. She asks Bryon to visit a boy next door who has no visitors, but...

1 educator answer

That Was Then, This Is Now

The novel is written from Bryon Douglas's first-person point of view. This perspective allows readers to intimately understand Bryon's thoughts and emotions as he recounts events from his teenage...

1 educator answer

That Was Then, This Is Now

In "That Was Then, This Is Now," Charlie's car is used by Bryon to take Cathy to a school dance, but it gets hot-wired by Ponyboy to reach the hospital after a fight. When Bryon returns the car,...

1 educator answer

That Was Then, This Is Now

When the Shepard boys target M&M, Mark and Bryon intervene to protect him. Initially, M&M is followed by three guys, including Curly Shepard, who cut off his peace medallion and knee him....

2 educator answers

That Was Then, This Is Now

M&M is described as a "true flower child" because he embodies the 1960s hippie ideals. He wears a peace symbol, has long hair, and dons an army fatigue jacket. M&M is peace-loving and...

1 educator answer

That Was Then, This Is Now

Mark's reaction to discovering his true parentage is disturbingly detached and unemotional. After his parents die in a violent confrontation, he pragmatically considers living with Bryon instead,...

1 educator answer

That Was Then, This Is Now

Mark lives with Byron and his mom because his own parents died in a violent incident. Mark's parents killed each other in a drunken fight, revealing Mark's illegitimacy. Mark's reaction to their...

1 educator answer

That Was Then, This Is Now

M&M ran away because he was tired of his father's constant criticism about his long hair and poor grades, particularly in gym. Despite his mother's attempts to keep the peace, M&M felt...

1 educator answer

That Was Then, This Is Now

The boys are prevented from assaulting the black man by M&M's intervention. After saving M&M from an attack, Mark suggests jumping a black man, but M&M protests, highlighting the...

2 educator answers

That Was Then, This Is Now

Mark's promise to contribute to the family finances foreshadows that Mark will eventually deal drugs, which will negatively impact Bryon's life.

1 educator answer