Student Question
Does anyone die in The Freedom Writers Diary?
Quick answer:
While none of Ms. Gruwell's students die in The Freedom Writers Diary, many of them have witnessed violence and death. One recalls seeing a friend shot and killed while they were shopping for candy at a liquor store. Another describes how her father killed her grandmother.
None of the students in Ms. Gruwell's class die, but some of them witness death in their community and write about it.
Death and violence is a recurring theme in the diary entries. One writer says, "Life is easily given up to protect and respect the homies and the barrio we claim" (part 1, diary 7). Even when they don't experience or witness death firsthand, it is something that is frequently on their minds and informs how they interact with each other and their community.
In part 1, diary 6, one of the writers describes the violent death of a friend. They describe how they saw their friend gunned down in a liquor store and how his mother and sister rushed in and watched him die. The writer of this entry describes their feelings at seeing the life of a promising and good person cut short in an instant. This entry highlights the theme of senseless violence that these teenagers experience on a regular basis. They write about how the community responds in various ways. Some feel helpless, while others want vengeance.
Some students also recall past experiences of witnessing violence and express how that has shaped them. In part 5, diary 55, one of the writers describes how her father burned her grandmother to death. She describes the feelings of both solitude and self-reliance that this traumatic event has imbued in her.
Get Ahead with eNotes
Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.
Already a member? Log in here.