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 Douglas and Mark Jennings are central characters whose diverging paths highlight themes of change and morality. Bryon is dynamic, evolving from a carefree youth...

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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,...

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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...

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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

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

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

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

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

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...

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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," 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

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...

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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

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

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...

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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

Mark possessed the talent for hot-wiring cars, which led to his involvement in car theft and probation. Despite his knack for escaping serious consequences, his actions escalated from stealing and...

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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....

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That Was Then, This Is Now

The actions in "That Was Then, This Is Now" are initiated by a violent incident in Chapter 3, where Mark is injured by a bottle meant for Ponyboy Curtis. This attack is orchestrated by Angela Shepard...

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That Was Then, This Is Now

In "That Was Then, This Is Now," Bryon is depicted as intelligent and takes school seriously, striving for good grades and being placed in advanced classes. In contrast, Mark is portrayed as...

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That Was Then, This Is Now

Bryon views Mark's ability to evade trouble as a gift because he is amused and impressed by Mark's charm and likability, which allow him to escape punishment for actions that would typically result...

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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,...

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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...

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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.

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That Was Then, This Is Now

By giving examples from the book, a student is able to explain to the teacher and other students what a "coming of age" novel is.

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That Was Then, This Is Now

Mark learns about his family background as a young child by overhearing a violent argument between his parents. Hiding under the porch, he hears his father accuse his mother of infidelity due to...

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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...

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