06.07.07
Rash by Pete Hautman
The year is 2076. Verbal abuse, obesity and dangerous activities in the United States are against the law. Helmets and health food are in and sports are outlawed. Bo Marsten, 16, loses self control and hits another classmate. Sentenced to work at a pizza factory, Bo finds himself a candidate for the warden’s favorite past time, football.
Trish AHS said,
June 14, 2007 at 11:46 am
This book reminded me so much of The Giver by Lois Lowry. It was a great science fiction novel. I remember riding my bike to school, no helmet required. I can visualize some of the rules in this story becoming reality.
Bridgett VHS said,
November 5, 2007 at 1:49 pm
1. (page 9) “That was before the Child Safety Act of 2033. Now every high school runner has to wear a full set of protective gear-”. Americans are safer than ever due to government regulations. What do you believe about government involvement in personal safety?
I believe that the government took it a little to far. In order for life to be fun you have to take some risks. The part that really got me was when they had to put on a helmet just to walk. If you are a runner the worst thing that could happen is to fall and break a bone so i understand if they ahve to wear gear for that But they have to wear gear for chafing.
3. (page 229-230) “I knew there was a chance I’d end up back in the penal system, but compared to my old man I was in great shape.” So much of Bo’s troubles he blamed on his Marsten genes. In the end what lessons do you think Bo has learned and what do you believe is his future?
The lessons that Bo have learned is that even though he has Marsten genes he can control his unlike his father and brother. When he says his in great shape I believe he is refering to his mental abilities not physial.
Ruben vhs said,
November 8, 2007 at 1:51 pm
1. (page 9) “That was before the Child Safety Act of 2033. Now every high school runner has to wear a full set of protective gear-”. Americans are safer than ever due to government regulations. What do you believe about government involvement in personal safety?
I believe that the government should be involved in our personal safety, but not to the point where I have to wear a helmet just to be able to walk outside. They should sent people to jail, but not for saying a bad word. They should sent people that are a danger to our society like murderers and drug users. However, I do think that if our government turns like the one in the book making us wear extra stuff for “protection”, I’m sure that the citizens are going to rebel.
2. How does playing illegal football begin to change the way Bo thinks about his society and government?
Bo’s thoughts about society changed when he played illegal football by making him think that the government is over reacting about public safety, but he still believed in some safety laws. However, in real life people would totally ignore those laws.
3. (page 229-230) “I knew there was a chance I’d end up back in the penal system, but compared to my old man I was in great shape.” So much of Bo’s troubles he blamed on his Marsten genes. In the end what lessons do you think Bo has learned and what do you believe is his future?
At the end, I think Bo learned that his actions are not his family’s fault. That just because he had the same bad luck as his brother and father, that doesn’t mean that he was destined to end up in jail. Also, I think that if Bo kept his goal of becoming a football player in his mind all the time. I would say he was able to achieve his goal and become famous.
matt vhs said,
November 19, 2007 at 1:33 pm
1. (page 9) “That was before the Child Safety Act of 2033. Now every high school runner has to wear a full set of protective gear-”. Americans are safer than ever due to government regulations. What do you believe about government involvement in personal safety? i think they are being way to protective about that because wearing full safety gear for running is absurd. Plus the track is rubber and with all that gear its harder to run.
2. How does playing illegal football begin to change the way Bo thinks about his society and government?He likes playing football and he thinks they shouldnt make it illegal because it’s fun to play
3. (page 229-230) “I knew there was a chance I’d end up back in the penal system, but compared to my old man I was in great shape.” So much of Bo’s troubles he blamed on his Marsten genes. In the end what lessons do you think Bo has learned and what do you believe is his future?
Elizabeth VHS said,
November 27, 2007 at 3:51 pm
First off, I give this book a 5 out of 10 because of the fact that I had to push myself to read it. To the person who recommended this book because it had lots of laughs…my opinion is NOT the same as yours…in my mind this book is only slightly more entertaining than listening to a speech about Lincoln’s gettysburg address and how great it was…
(page 9) “That was before the Child Safety Act of 2033. Now every high school runner has to wear a full set of protective gear-”. Americans are safer than ever due to government regulations. What do you believe about government involvement in personal safety?
Personally, I think the government should butt out. At the foundation of America, it was stated that, as people of America, we have the right to life, liberty, and the persuit of happiness…and happiness is having your own free will. Does anyone have a counterpoint to that statement?
Anonymous said,
November 28, 2007 at 1:36 pm
(page 9) “That was before the Child Safety Act of 2033. Now every high school runner has to wear a full set of protective gear-”. Americans are safer than ever due to government regulations. What do you believe about government involvement in personal safety?
I think the government should not have gone so far with safety. Alot of things in the world can get you hurt does not mean you have to make it all safe. Personal safety is fine as long as they dont go as far as it did in the book. One of the things that really got me was the fact that people went to jail for the littlest things like calling someone names or not wearing protective gear.
Melissa 2 VHS said,
November 28, 2007 at 1:39 pm
I believe the government went way to far with the saftey. Yes, it is good to have safety but not to the piont were the government went. They went to the extreme with the saftey, especially chen they send people to jail for calling each other names or not wearing protective gear.
Ashley AHS said,
December 31, 2007 at 6:45 pm
When i first started to read ‘Rash’, I was annoyed by how the govermnet changed. I actually fear for the future, i never want amaerica to go from the county of freedom to the country abssessed with safty. Seriously if name calling becomes a third-degree missdimener, I think we have a serious problem.
The story was good though. It was well thought of. I would have liked it more if there was more to it. I would have liked to know if Bo made it to play football, and what happened to all the other kids from the 3-8-7.(i think thats right, correct me if i am wrong)
Nicole said,
January 18, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Authough this book took me a while to become intrested in it i was not disapointed. The idea that saying a curse word tohitting some one could land you in jail for years was weird reading about. One thing that i would like to have beeen diffrent about this book is what ever did happen to Bo did he go back to prison or was he able to stay in the civilized world. This book was a very good read i would recomend this for any rainy day read where you can let your imagination soar!!! Who knows maybe this book will come true NOW THAT WOULDENT THAT BE SOMETHING!!!!!!!!
Ethan EJSHS said,
January 24, 2008 at 6:21 pm
I found this book very interesting and enoyable to read. I agree with ashley AHS about the laws and how icongruous they would be to today’s society.
To respond to nicole’s statment:
“One thing that i would like to have beeen diffrent about this book is what ever did happen to Bo did he go back to prison or was he able to stay in the civilized world.”
In the last pages of the book it does suggest that he will go to South America to join their Football league, but like ashley commented it does not give any information on if he made it or on what happens to other convicts of the 3-8-7.
Through the course of the book, i believe Bo is able to grow in more than one way, and find out more about himsellf, much like his AI Bork.
Not only did he break his family’s trend of going back to the penal system, he also learned to be on a team in a factory ( pg. 104 ) and on the feild. (said many times later in book.)
Sissy SHS said,
February 8, 2008 at 10:02 pm
In this book it was quite amusing about how in the “future” Mcdonalds (and other big companies..I can’t remember right now!!!) began to run everything. It made me a big scared and amused at the power these companies could have.
But anyhow, in my opinion this really wasn’t a “great book”
it was a short read and sort of worthless….no offence. (a short middle school read sort of book)
But it did get me thinking about one part of the book where it said the U.S. was more concerned with the American life span than pretty much anyhing else.
And I began to wonder….would America really do that? Concern our society and flex it to the point where everything was made to make you live longer.
Would it be worth it? Like the one woman who was a hundred and something years old. They pretty much had her in a coma a woke her up every birthday. That’s not much of a life. Would we go as far as outlawing fun sports and making life where mostly everyone went to jail for small things?
I don’t know if I’m making a big deal out of this, but it sort of bothering me.
Devin EJSHS said,
February 19, 2008 at 11:17 pm
I rather liked the novel, it made me really think all kinds of what if questions, and how it would be like if I was in that kind of situation in today’s world. I know personally from being an athlete, i would not be able to stand having such a protective government, i would have to leave. Its good that the government cares about its people but to such an extent is absurd.
michelshsdoerr4 said,
February 20, 2008 at 12:55 pm
3. (Pg 229-230)” I knew there was a chance I’d end up back in the penal system, but compared to my old man, I was in great shape.” So much of Bo’s troubles he blamed on his Marsten genes. In the end what lessons do you think Bo has learned and what do you belive is his future?
Throughout the book Bo has learned many things to help him along through his life. While he was in prison he made some narrow escapes from being killed. I believe that Bo is different from the rest of his family, in which he has Marsten genes but has control over his actions. The main lesson that Bo has learned is that if he has no control over his actions he will be sent to prison. I believe that in the end his future will consist of escaping to South America to be able to play football. He’s been able to get past the law many times, who says he can’t do it again?
nateshsdoerr4 said,
February 20, 2008 at 7:30 pm
(page 9) “That was before the Child Safety Act of 2033. Now every high school runner has to wear a full set of protective gear-”. Americans are safer than ever due to government regulations. What do you believe about government involvement in personal safety?
I believe that the government is slowly but surely going too far in personal safety. Thats just it, PERSONAL safety, i know that they should be worried, but to only a certain extent. In this story that government has violated certain rights, like the right to free speech and pursuit of happiness, by outlawing football, they have destroyed fun, and in other words happiness. Also, What’s with the whole no pizza thing? People are allowed to eat what they want now, and it should stay that way in the future.
I think that this book serves as a warning. A warning that says quite clearly that the government is getting too closely involved with our personal affairs, it is not their duty to protect every living person, just the really important matters.
JennaP SHS Doerr1 said,
February 21, 2008 at 7:08 pm
1. Although personal safety is a concern for the government, I believe that the government of the USSA took it to an unecessary level. As many of previous comments also stated, the government took their concerns too far. Forcing students to take medicine just to supress their anger is not just unecessary, but crazy. Bo was one of the few of his time that actually got to experience life out of the USSA, and he returned a changed person with new insight on his government. Being able to not work in a garden without a net over your face, or running without all of the popular equipment is interfering with peoples’ daily lives and that shows that the government stepped over the line.
2. When Bo first plays football, he feels like he’s being forced to just because he has a little bit of skill. Even after he began to enjoy playing, Bo still knew why the USSA made it illegal. After unlimited broken collar bones, bruises, and concussions, he realized how dangerous the sport was compared to the things that his government allowed. When he returned home, he wasn’t even sure that he could go to school because of his new physique and ability to harm, along with refusing to take his medicine. He even considered, though briefly, returning to a work camp for little pay with his father. Bo also seriously considers going to South America to play football. This shows that his faith in his government was lost.
3. Bo, aside from learning about football and levels of society, also learned that being protected isn’t always the best. I also think he realized that the passion inside him, not the Marsten genes, caused him to act what was sometimes wildly. After being exposed to football, I also think that Bo realized certain emotions were just human, not crazy or cruel as the government had portrayed them as. I think that Bo will try to pursue a football career in South America rather than staying in the USSA or going to a work camp with his father.
justinshsdoerr5 said,
February 24, 2008 at 4:03 pm
At the beginning of the book Bo constantly got in trouble and blamed it on his genes. As time went on, he learned to control himself and stay out of trouble. He realized that it was not his family that caused him to act as he did, it was him, and he could make the choice to stay out of the penal system. Especially, when Bo meets his father who decided to voluntarily go back to prison for five years, and take Bo with him, he was disgusted with his father’s decision and said that he would take his chances with the real world. I believe that Bo will follow his dream, go to South America, and become a successful athlete.
karlshsdoerr6 said,
February 25, 2008 at 9:39 pm
1)(Page 9) That was before the child safety act or 2033. Now every high school runner has to wear a full set of protective gear-” Americans are safer than ever due to government regulations. What do you believe about government in personal safety?
I believe that the government has gone overboard while trying to insure personal safety. My question too this is why? Why would the government wish to help the already massive population reach even higher levels? The only answer I can think of for this is to keep the penal system supplied with workers. This is where the government probably makes the money it needs to enforce these absurd laws. To answer the question I disagree with what the government because it’s going against the Declaration of Independence by denying the U.S.S.A.’s people of the pursuit of happiness. This is what America stands for and once they deny you that then America’s whole war for independence would have been pointless.
kailishsdoerr1 said,
February 26, 2008 at 10:07 am
1) Q:(page 9) “That was before the Child Safety Act of 2033. Now every high school runner has to wear a full set of protective gear-”. Americans are safer than ever due to government regulations. What do you believe about government involvement in personal safety?
A:After reading the book, anyone from our time of 2008 can agree that security was taken too far. Some of the safety measures taken for Bo’s situation are unimaginable to us. Although we think this now, the safety precautions we are taking today would have never happened in the past. Today our government is taking strict control of nutrition facts , sports and crime. In Bo’s time it is an exhaggerated version of the controls we’re taking now.
2) Q: How does playing illegal football begin to change the way Bo thinks about his society and government?
A:When Bo plays football he starts to relize that football is not as scandalous as he thought. He starts to question the serious restrictions of the government and comes to the conclusion that football is fun and should be llegalized. Bo starts to think more about the opportunity for life were there are less restrictions.
3) Q;(page 229-230) “I knew there was a chance I’d end up back in the penal system, but compared to my old man I was in great shape.” So much of Bo’s troubles he blamed on his Marsten genes. In the end what lessons do you think Bo has learned and what do you believe is his future?
A:Bo learns from his experiences that he is the holder of his own destiny. His genes or which family he comes from dosn’t . I believe Bo will never calm down , he’ll always be questioning the way things are and the worlds state of life. I think Bo will also travel to South America to play football. When Bo was away he concluded that everything cannot be controlled. Humans will always have emotions that need to be let out.
While reading this book I could definetly see the connection to Brave New World. Both works disscuss the questioning of society , government and beliefs.
nicoleshsdoerr1 said,
February 26, 2008 at 10:08 am
1. (page 9) “That was before the Child Safety Act of 2033. Now every high school runner has to wear a full set of protective gear-”. Americans are safer than ever due to government regulations. What do you believe about government involvement in personal safety?
The government has taken personal safety way too far. They overreact to the littlest of things. For example, if you say an inapropriate name to someone, you are given a strike. Three strikes and you are out. Bo thinks that his grandpa is crazy because of what he tells Bo about his lifetime and what he was able to do. I don’t think this book is very realistic because I don’t think the government would ever take it this far. I see a relation to the Uglies because the authors both write about what they will think will happen in the future. This book would be exciting for elementary children, but not for highschoolers.
I didn’t like the ending because it didn’t have any point to it. It made me wonder if there is any point or moral to the story. The ending should make you want to think that was a good book, but this ending was not one of them. The government thinks they are keeping everyone safe when really, they don’t get to enjoy all the exciting things. If this happened in the near future, then I think I would go crazy.
In conclusion, I would give this book a 4 out of 10. It didn’t keep my interest, and I think that the author could’ve done better.
Jennaoshsdoerr1 said,
February 26, 2008 at 10:14 am
“That was before the Child Safety Act of 2033. Now every highschool runner has to wear a full set of protective gear.” Americans are safer than ever due to government regulations. What do you believe about government involvement in personal safety?
Government involvement in personal safety should only be taken to a certain limit. If people are at a great risk of death or serious injury to themselves or others around them, safety precautions should be enforced. Dangerous activities shouldn’t be banned, participants should just be well protected. But, the government shouldn’t have the authority to intrude into peoples’ lives so much that they are forced to wear a helmet while walking down the street. Individuals should be held responsible for the majority of their personal safety. If they make unsafe choices and harm themselves, there are consequences that will follow, and if they harm someone else there are punishments that will follow. I feel that this book was written with the purpose of mocking our society, and the great measures we take inorder to stay safe. It was intended as a warning, that if we stay on the the track we are on now, we mayend up lke that in the future.
SkiffmisterSHSdoerr4 said,
February 26, 2008 at 12:43 pm
3. (page 229-230) “I knew there was a chance I’d end up back in the penal system, but compared to my old man I was in great shape.” So much of Bo’s troubles he blamed on his Marsten genes. In the end what lessons do you think Bo has learned and what do you believe is his future?
I think he learned that he had control over his actions unlike his Marsten. In the future i think he will traven to South America, so he can football ball for the rest of his life.
Nat SHS Doerr4 said,
February 26, 2008 at 12:55 pm
The governtment should be involved in safty, but only to a certian point. I can understand manditory helmets, but banning pizza and football is a bit over the top. I’d have to agree with Jennao, if people are dangering themselves and the surrounding people precautions should be enforced, but its like when someone breaks the speed limit, a cop isn’t always there to enforce it. A more personal connection was when i was on vacation, and my little brother was riding around on his bike without buckeling his helmet, and he took one hand off to buclel it and as soon as he was done he hit a pot hole and flew head first into a ditch, luckily he is still alive.
declanSHSdoerr4 said,
February 26, 2008 at 1:03 pm
How does playing illegal football begin to change the way Bo thinks about his society and government?
Bo is and intelligent young man for his day in age. When he begins to play illegal football his eyes are opened to what his government has done to society. From his grandad’s stories he can tell it was probably better live without all the rules and regulations. He used to believe the rules were fine but illegal football has completely changed his views.
This book reminds me of the movie rollerball in the completely opposite way. In Rollerball violence in sports is completely acceptable. In Rash and violence and most sports have been banned. If people from both stories were to meet there would be much fighting over whos views are right.
I completely agree with jennaP. She has covered all aspects of how illegal football changed how Bo thought about his government. I think her views are exactly right.
justinshsdoerr5 said,
February 26, 2008 at 2:02 pm
3. (Pg 229-230)” I knew there was a chance I’d end up back in the penal system, but compared to my old man, I was in great shape.” So much of Bo’s troubles he blamed on his Marsten genes. In the end what lessons do you think Bo has learned and what do you belive is his future?
At the beginning of the book Bo constantly got in trouble and blamed it on his genes. As time went on, he learned to control himself and stay out of trouble. He realized that it was not his family that caused him to act as he did, it was him, and he could make the choice to stay out of the penal system. Especially, when Bo meets his father who decided to voluntarily go back to prison for five years, and take Bo with him, he was disgusted with his father’s decision and said that he would take his chances with the real world. I believe that Bo will follow his dream, go to South America, and become a successful athlete.
timshsdoerr5 said,
February 26, 2008 at 2:04 pm
3. (page 229-230) “I knew there was a chance I’d end up back in the penal system, but compared to my old man I was in great shape.” So much of Bo’s troubles he blamed on his Marsten genes. In the end what lessons do you think Bo has learned and what do you believe is his future?
In the end Bo realized that he could become in control of his own actions. This book reminds me alot of a friend I once had, he never found himself until the afterfall. It took him time to realize what he truly wanted to do in life. Bo always got into to some trouble and was constantly blamed for everything. Bo changed his feelings toward the end of the book, and I think he knew he didn’t want to get into trouble anymore. He knew that if he did something wrong, he would just have to go off and pay punishment wasting his life away.
maxshsdoerr5 said,
February 26, 2008 at 2:20 pm
(pg. 9) “That was before the Child Safety Act of 2033. Now every highschool runner has to wear a full set of protective gear-” Americans are safer than ever due to government regulations. What do you believe about government involvement in personal safety?
Though I can understand that the government merely wants to keep the people safe, in Rash the government of the USSA took it too far, and even in a way became power happy. For example, out lawing french fries and football takes safety to a ludacris level. I for one think that as humans, we have the right to make our own choices, and mistakes in many situations. Forcing it upon people to take medications to surpress rage is not natural, therefore the government of the USSA is not only going to an insane level to maintain safety but is also attempting to fight human nature. I believe that safety is a wonderful thing, but when taken to a level such as that of the USSA can actually be more dangerous than many of the things it is trying to prevent.
Brendan SHS doerr5 said,
February 26, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Question
3. (Pg 229-230)” I knew there was a chance I’d end up back in the penal system, but compared to my old man, I was in great shape.” So much of Bo’s troubles he blamed on his Marsten genes. In the end what lessons do you think Bo has learned and what do you belive is his future?
Answer
It may seem that many of Bo’s actions, or rather, reactions, are due to how he was raised. In many ways Bo had learned to act how his parents have shown him, but not taught. It is very apparent that Bo has been affected by how his dad acts and the precence of his absence. Although during “jail”, he hadn’t been on levour for nearly six months and he has completly changed as a person. He realized that his revolting actions will never change, if not, worsen any situation not in his favor. He knows that he has no place in society and he has the appearance of the new thug of the town. Bo has learned to act rationally but not nessesarily normal. I think he will leave to a place where he may have what he considers a purpose in life, South America to play football, not a five-year work camp with his father or giving himself another chance in the USSA only to meet his inevitable fate in another camp.
Dante SHS Doerr5 said,
February 26, 2008 at 2:21 pm
In response to question one: The government should have a certain amount of input in our lives, but it should not be a very large amount. If the government was to create laws that make us wear helmets just to walk around school, for example, then the government would have gone way to far invloved in out personal lives. On top of this concept of freedom, we live in a free country where we are priveliged with many rights and freedoms. So in an essence we have come to expect freedom from the government and little involement on their part in our lives.
In response to question two: Not only does football increase Bo’s physical strength, it teaches Bo how to control his anger and emotion. He learns how to control his temper when in a social environment, and how to unleash it when in the proper setting. It also changes his perspective of “illegal” activites, and he almost has an attitude near the end of the story that is saying, “I don’t care what the govenment says. I am above them and their petty, useless laws. I have lost all respect in them.” This loss of respect is portrayed by his consideration of leaving for Sounth America to sursue football. The final and most important thing that going to jail and playing football did to Bo was, in my opinion, make him more mature. He understands his fathers decision, and lets him make it wothout interference. That shows bo is not a little kid anymore, but a young adult that can control himself and respect other people and their decisions.
In resopnse to question three: by the end of the story, Bo has learned how to control his emotions, and how to live in his own world. By this I mean that he doesn’t really care about what other people think about him. He understands his physical and mental strength, and harnesses it in a positive way through football. He also learns that the government has created a false portrayal of football. Finally, he learns that from playing the game himself, in a completley uncontrolled environment, that yes it is brutal, but it is a display of natural human emotion and innate skill, not brutality as the government refers to it. I would assume that he would leave the “USSA” and go to play football in South America, and would not waste his life in a workcamp, for he is too strong and smart.
djshsdoerr6 said,
February 26, 2008 at 3:09 pm
I felt the book rash was adventurous. Personally I liked it. It kept me on the edge of my seat most of the time. I liked the story line and the ending was great. Even though the plot was a little weird. I don’t know exactly the author came up with it. Personally I was thinking that throughout the whole story. I also liked the irony on how at the end Bo was actually chased by polar bears. Even though he imagined it was a grizzly bear.
I had to answer a question: how does playing illegal football to change the way Bo thinks about society and government? I thought that Bo’s opinion changed. At the beginning of the book he argued with his Gramps saying the rules made everything safer but after playing illegal football he thought the rules were excessive and unnecessary.
karlshsdoerr6 said,
February 26, 2008 at 3:12 pm
1.(page 9) That was before the child safety act of 2033. Now every highschool runner has to wear a full set of proctive gear-” Americans are safer then ever due to the government regulations. what do you believe in the governments involvement in personal safety.
I believe that it’s the governments responsibility too insure the personal safety of it’s citizens. I this case I believe that the government has gone too far too insure safety. Bo’s grandfather said that no American has won a olympic medal since these laws have passed. As Nate said “they should only be worried to a certian extent.” Another thought I had was Why would the government help such a massive population reach even higher levels? THe only answer I could come up with is to fuel the penal syestem, which is probly where the government get most of it’s money to enforce these absurd laws. I believe that by enforcing these laws the government has denied it’s people the unalienable right of the pursuite of happiness. By doing this we have just made the Revolutinary War a pointless waste of lives.
Garrettshsdoerr7 said,
February 26, 2008 at 3:58 pm
3. (page 229-230) “I knew there was a chance I’d end up back in the penal system, but compared to my old man I was in great shape.” So much of Bo’s troubles he blamed on his Marsten genes. In the end what lessons do you think Bo has learned and what do you believe is his future?
I believe that this book is an 8 out of 10 because its was an easy read and had ton of laughs. I believe that at the end of the book Bo realizes that he doesn’t have to be in jail,or take levulor to stay calm and that he has control of his future. Also i think his future will most likely be the penal system i think if he stays controlled he could make it in society.
This book reminds of how outrageous the law can be he was sent to the 3-8-7 for almost hitting Karlhos Mink in the jaw and I was involved in the system for falling out of a tree.
Jarodshsdoerr7 said,
February 26, 2008 at 4:12 pm
3. (page 229-230) “I knew there was a chance I’d end up back in the penal system, but compared to my old man I was in great shape.” So much of Bo’s troubles he blamed on his Marsten genes. In the end what lessons do you think Bo has learned and what do you believe is his future?
Overall this book was witty and entertaining, a real page turner. I just couldnt stop reading. I give it four and a half stars out of five. My absolute favorite thing about this book is most definately Bork.
I believe that Bo learned a lot about his Marsten family genes throughout the book.I think that one of the most important things Bo learns is that thos elittle strands of DNA do not dictate his actions. He learned that he controls what he does, how he does it, and to what extent. If the way Bo acted throughout the book is any indication to where hes going to end up in the future. Hes going back to prison, whether in the USSA or in South America. Unless Bo can grow and mature to control himself and keep his actions in check he will be in and out or just in the penal system for the rest of his life. I think that besides maturing and growing out of his anger, another way Bo can take control of himself is to just follow directions and take his prescribed Levulor because he alone cannot beat an entire government.
I can relate to this story in a few ways. One way is that I can occasionally lose my temper and go haywire just like he did to Karlhos. Another way that I can relate is that my father was put in jail for awhile because he got a little rowdy and started threatening some guy with a pool stick. And I have a need for common sense just like the time he forgot his knee pad liners and got in trouble. Just a little bit ridiculous if you ask me.
I agree with what Elizabeth from VHS said but I wouldnt word it the same… I think that the government really shouldnt be butting into our everyday personal affairs. I also agree that America was founded under the principles of being free and leading your own interesting life of which YOU choose. and no Elizabeth i cannot disagree with you.
adamshsdoerr7 said,
February 26, 2008 at 4:13 pm
After reading Rash i had many comments about how government is involved in our personal safety and what type of society people will live in if we keep improving safety. My opinion is that the USSA government became too controlling in peoples safety and became more of a dictatorship than a republic because their telling people how to live their lives. When i read about the gear Bo had to wear while running track I thought most of the gear was very uneccesary. Bo could have run faster if he didn’t have all that extra weight on him. Throughout most of the book Bo also blamed his problems on his genes rather than taking responsibility for his own actions. It’s much easier to blame your problems on somebody else but he won’t lose any of his weight that way or get out of the penal system. I think once Bo realizes he has to make the right decisions and blame things on himself he will be free again.
JessicaEJSHS said,
February 27, 2008 at 4:29 pm
3) Q;(page 229-230) “I knew there was a chance I’d end up back in the penal system, but compared to my old man I was in great shape.” So much of Bo’s troubles he blamed on his Marsten genes. In the end what lessons do you think Bo has learned and what do you believe is his future?
I think Bo learned a lot about himself and the society through his experiences in the penal system, like how he could control his anger if he really wanted to and that his suspicions about the many rules and regulations were correct. I also believe when he first met his father after leaving the jail he realized they were nothing alike and his genes didn’t really tie him down to a certain lifestyle. As for his future, I would say he did beat the school, and family, record for the 100-meter, especially since we know he could outrun a polar bear and he was well on his way to beating it even loaded down with all his safety gear and heavy shoes. I would also say he made it to south america and became a runner, whether in track or another football team, and escaped all the crazy rules he had grown up with, I am probably being optimistic but that is what I would like to think would have happened. Even if he did get sent back to jail as he feared with his “Marsten genes” it probably would have been a better life for him, all things considered, than the one he was living when the book ended, also assuming it was similarly structured to the pizza factory he was assigned to originally. Overall I thought the book was pretty interesting to read and just to imagine what living in a society like that would be like and how far a governmental system would really go for absolute power and control over its people.
AliSHSdoerr1 said,
February 27, 2008 at 9:38 pm
1. (page 9) “That was before the Child Safety Act of 2033. Now every high school runner has to wear a full set of protective gear-”. Americans are safer than ever due to government regulations. What do you believe about government involvement in personal safety?
I feel that personally safety should definitely be everyone’s own decision. Government should not take control of personal options and views such as safety. The USA was founded on freedom, such as choosing your own religion, and I think safety is just another issue people view differently. Most people agreed that in this book they took safety to an extreme and had too much control over the citizens of the USSA. I also think that the amount of government involvement with safety and in people’s lives was over exaggerated and even a bit psychotic.
2. How does playing illegal football begin to change the way Bo thinks about his society and government?
Bo Begins to feel that he is overprotected and becomes defiant to his old views on the government. Things he felt were to help him realizes may have actually held him back and had a negative affect on his life, such as having all the protective gear bad having no sports like football. Over all Bo almost looks down on his society and government and feels out of place.
3. (page 229-230) “I knew there was a chance I’d end up back in the penal system, but compared to my old man I was in great shape.” So much of Bo’s troubles he blamed on his Marsten genes. In the end what lessons do you think Bo has learned and what do you believe is his future?
I think he has learned that he can control himself and not end up like his brother and father, but more importantly he has learned that it’s not just his genetics but all humans are built to feel the emotions and act the way the government forbids and punishes them for. I presume he has realized that his natural actions are actually normal and that they will probably land him in jail, or if he doesn’t act on them drive him insane. His best bet would probably be to go to South America to pursue a career in football, and live a life where he doesn’t have such drastic restraints.
justinshsdoerr4 said,
February 28, 2008 at 12:18 pm
1. With all of the protection how can people make better times? I believe that it’s a little too protective, I mean the tracks are rubber how do people hurt themselves on that?
2. Bo thinks that football was fun and that it shouldn’t be banned in the USSA. I honestly think he is right and I still believe that they government are too protective.
3. He learned that some of his problems were from his “Marsten” genes but some of them he could control himself without the help of drugs.
All in all I believe that the government shouldn’t have the power to intrude so much into someone’s life, I Mean think about it you should be able to risk something if you want to risk it.
Kaitlinshsdoerr4 said,
March 9, 2008 at 8:52 pm
1.I believe that it is ridicules that the government will send you to jail for running or playing outside without a helmet and they should drop the safety act of 2033.
2.When he started playing football he thought that it should be banned because of its roughness, but before that he thought it was stupid to send a person to jail for not wearing a helmet on a running track
3.I believe that he learned that you affect the way you act. I think that he will end up being a track star at his school for beating the record.
rossshsdoerr7 said,
March 16, 2008 at 4:03 pm
Bo learned that his genes do not decide his fate and that he does not have to be like his father. His father could not handle living in society, outside prison. His brother, Sam, went back to prison the day after he was released. Bo did not want this to happen to him and he realized that he needed to do something with his life that did not include the penal system.
Bo created an opportunity for himself by creating Bork. Bork got him out of prison, helped him get his diploma and set him up with some money. Bo learned from prison camp and football that rules don’t control everything and don’t make life safe. He realized that his grandfather’s ideas weren’t so crazy. He decided to control his anger and put Maddy and Karlohs Mink behind him. He took his diploma, his money and his running ability to Argentina where they could help to make a new life for him.
Lisa EJSHS said,
March 19, 2008 at 7:57 pm
1. (page 9) “That was before the Child Safety Act of 2033. Now every high school runner has to wear a full set of protective gear-”. Americans are safer than ever due to government regulations. What do you believe about government involvement in personal safety?
I think that government involvement in personal safety has both its positive and negative aspects. The government is only trying to save us from ourselves and keep us as healthy and happy as possible. Nevertheless, Americans should be smart enough to keep themselves safe and out of harm’s way. The Child Safety Act of 2033 in Rash was a little extreme because the runners were made to wear full body suits of protective gear. Bo was at a disadvantage while wearing this gear because, as mentioned in the novel, he was slower and hotter than he would be without it on him.
Like what AliSHSdoerr1 said, I believe that, “he has learned that he can control himself and not end up like his brother and father.” Since both his dad and brother have both gone against the government, Bo was genetically inclined to go in the same direction. However, he was able to leave the pizza factory he was in and become his own person, regardless of the impact his family has on him. He felt more satisfied when he realized that for himself.
Daniel EJSHS said,
March 19, 2008 at 8:49 pm
2. How does playing illegal football begin to change the way Bo thinks about his society and government?
Bo was brought up as a sheltered kid, as all of the kids were at the time. He belived that if you do not wear padding, helmets, or protection of any kind, that you should not do any running (let alone rough-housing). When he gets sent to 3-8-7, it seems that protection is non-existant. When football came into his life, it seemed outrageous and extremely dangerous. Over time, after many injuries and hours of playing it, he becomes used to it and finds it fun. He plays an illegal sport, and he finds it amusing. Bo also gets stronger physically, and it pays off later. Despite the occasional injury or wound (which happened frequently), he could not find anything wrong about it. In the end he decides to leave the USSA to a more free, football (and running) filled country. He now dislikes the government that the USSA has.
As stated by rossshsdoerr7, Bo learned that rules do not control everything. They may even make life more dangerous at times. Such as when 3-8-7 was playing the other factory’s team, there was a rule against the “Flying Wedge” (Pg. 171-172). But that did not stop it ther first time. Over time, he did realise his grandpa MAY be slightly sane. 3-8-7 also let him leave Karlohs and Maddy behind him in his past as well. However, I do not think he actually went to Argentina, yet. He only stated that he was “thinking” about going (Pg 248-249).
Alexander EJSHS said,
March 23, 2008 at 12:07 am
1. (page 9) “That was before the Child Safety Act of 2033. Now every high school runner has to wear a full set of protective gear-”. Americans are safer than ever due to government regulations. What do you believe about government involvement in personal safety?
The government should have control of personal safety. Of course, it can restrict certain recreational values, such as playing football, but for a better cause. For example, in the text, Bo states that before the “Child Safety Act,” there have been high school accidents every year. “They died from things like heatstroke, skull fractures, heart attacks, and broken necks. Today, high school athletes are as safe on the athletic field as they are sitting in the classroom.” By allowing government access to personal safety, society can become a safer way of life.
In response to Lisa EJSHS, she states “The Child Safety Act of 2033 in Rash was a little extreme because the runners were made to wear full body suits of protective gear. Bo was at a disadvantage while wearing this gear because, as mentioned in the novel, he was slower and hotter than he would be without it on him.” Actually, Bo was not at a disadvantage. It was true that Bo was slower and hotter with the protective gear on him, but the other competitors had also used the equipment. If someone is at a disadvantage, then he or she must not be in an equivalent position compared to his or her competition. Since Bo was in an equivalent position, he was not at a disadvantage.
Alexander EJSHS said,
March 23, 2008 at 10:11 pm
1. (page 9) “That was before the Child Safety Act of 2033. Now every high school runner has to wear a full set of protective gear-”. Americans are safer than ever due to government regulations. What do you believe about government involvement in personal safety?
The government should have control of personal safety. Of course, it can restrict certain recreational values, such as playing football, but for a better cause. For example, in the text, Bo states that before the “Child Safety Act,” there have been high school accidents every year. “They died from things like heatstroke, skull fractures, heart attacks, and broken necks. Today, high school athletes are as safe on the athletic field as they are sitting in the classroom.” By allowing government access to personal safety, society can become a safer way of life.
In response to Lisa EJSHS, she states “The Child Safety Act of 2033 in Rash was a little extreme because the runners were made to wear full body suits of protective gear. Bo was at a disadvantage while wearing this gear because, as mentioned in the novel, he was slower and hotter than he would be without it on him.” I believe that Bo was not at a disadvantage at all. It was true that Bo was slower and hotter with the protective gear on him, but the other competitors had also used the equipment. If someone is at a disadvantage, then he or she must not be in an equivalent position compared to his or her competition. Since Bo was in an equivalent position, he was not at a disadvantage.
John EJHS said,
March 24, 2008 at 9:06 pm
1. (page 9) “That was before the Child Safety Act of 2033. Now every high school runner has to wear a full set of protective gear-”. Americans are safer than ever due to government regulations. What do you believe about government involvement in personal safety?
I beleive that the governments involvement in safety is a nice thought but is an invasion of peoples personal choices.
The fact that high school runners have to wear protective gear is strange and seems unnecisarry. The gear actually hindered Bo. However the government is only thrying to help us and keeping us from injuring ourselves.
2. How does playing illegal football begin to change the way Bo thinks about his society and government?
When he was a child before he went to 387 he was taught to be afraid of participating in sports without pads. But after he went to 387 and started to play football without all the pads he eventualy got used to it and actualy enjoyed the risk of getting hurt. Eventualy he cant find anything to negative about playing without pads and eventually starts to loathe the ussa.
3. (page 229-230) “I knew there was a chance I’d end up back in the penal system, but compared to my old man I was in great shape.” So much of Bo’s troubles he blamed on his Marsten genes. In the end what lessons do you think Bo has learned and what do you believe is his future?
He learned that not all of his problems were at the fault of the dreaded Marsten genes. he found out that he actually had control of his fate and his actions. He finds out that his father’s and brother’s actions did not mirror his own fate and that he and everyone else will actualy rebel against what they are told naturaly as humans.
Matt EJSHS said,
April 1, 2008 at 6:41 pm
2. How does playing illegal football begin to change the way Bo thinks about his society and government?
Bo initially accepted the government’s attempts to shelter and protect the country at the beginning of the novel. The penal system seemed to function well, and kept the majority of citizens from doing work. He may not like what the system has done to his family, but he understands that it’s his fault because of his “Marsten genes.” Once he begins to play football, the enjoyment of the danger and freedom changes his mind. The 3-8-7 teaches Bo to be alert and that the football pads are not going to stop the injuries he’ll likely receive on the field. Bo grows to like the absence of his former pads that previously slowed him down, and he develops more confidence in himself. Bo begins to understand that there are things that cannot be learned from the classes in his school, but from the experiences on the field. Bo actually learns to quiet his anger better than the government approved Levulor he was forced to take. Football allows Bo to think about society itself and the flaws within it. Like the flying wedge in football, Bo notices that even though there are specific rules to uphold society, people will break them. He slowly realizes the penal system wasn’t designed to help the people become more sociable, but to provide a work force so the population doesn’t have to work. He no longer sees the government as perfect holders of society, and he eventually tries to get out of it by the end of the novel.
Arnaldo EJSHS said,
April 1, 2008 at 8:05 pm
1. (page 9) “That was before the Child Safety Act of 2033. Now every high school runner has to wear a full set of protective gear-”. Americans are safer than ever due to government regulations. What do you believe about government involvement in personal safety?
I think it is a great idea that the government gets involved in personal safety. It’s a good thing that the government even takes initiative. With government regulations, we have to wear protective gear such as helmets when we ride bikes. None of the less, we should wear helmets at all times when we are riding a bike because it is dangerous but with regulations by the government, we now aren’t given a choice and this is a good thing in the way that we are required to be safe. We can get penalized if we don’t, so this encourages us to be safe and wear helmets. We are required to wear protective gear such as helmets when riding a motorcycle and other two-wheeled motorized vehicles. All of these regulations are for our own good. Without regulations such as these, we are putting ourselves and maybe our lives at risk. These regulations are made by the government to keep us safe. It is nice to know too that the government is watching over everybody and making sure that everybody thinks about their personal safety. Without these regulations for personal safety, like wearing a seatbelt at all times when in a vehicle, many people could have been seriously hurt or maybe died. The fines for not wearing a seatbelt are just there so that we don’t think twice when we enter a car without thinking of our safety. The government just wants everybody to have a good sense of wellbeing and I am appreciative of that and I hope the government continues the hard work in trying to make this a safer world to live in.
zeter VHS said,
April 4, 2008 at 11:41 am
1. (page 9) “That was before the Child Safety Act of 2033. Now every high school runner has to wear a full set of protective gear-”. Americans are safer than ever due to government regulations. What do you believe about government involvement in personal safety?
The goverment should not take control of our safty, it’s really stupid. if we get injured then we get injured pay a few bucks and go on. ya it’s going to hurt and no one likes pain but it’s part of life so get over it.
AlexG.EJSHS said,
April 19, 2008 at 1:19 pm
1. (page 9) “That was before the Child Safety Act of 2033. Now every high school runner has to wear a full set of protective gear-”. Americans are safer than ever due to government regulations. What do you believe about government involvement in personal safety?
Response:
In my opinion, the government has every right to be involved in basic personal safety, but nothing beyond that. Generally, I consider basic personal safety the types of things we can’t control or make choices towards, such as safe, poison-free food and water, as well as basic environmental and construction standards. Most other things, however, like wearing walking helmets and wearing protective gear to run on a rubber running track, should be a personal choice, and certainly not a law.
The only way to make progress and have fun is to take risks. The people in Rash are living in an artificially safe environment, where taking risks that could possibly lead to fun or progress have been outlawed. These risks should be the decisions of individuals, not the government.
However, unhealthy and sometimes unintentional risk taking that a person cannot avoid, such as buying poisoned food or water, or living in an unsafe building, should be government regulated. If the government didn’t regulate these types of things, there would be no way to avoid these potentially dangerous safety issues. Obviously these types of risks would be unintentional, and would have no positive benefit, therefore, people would likely want the government to control these types of safety issues.
So, I believe that the government should control safety concerns, such as unsafe air, food, and water, as well as safe construction materials and engineering, but personal safety, such as a choice to take one’s chances by not wearing a helmet when walking to get the mail, should be a choice of the individual, not a severely punishable law.
brittshsdoerr6 said,
April 28, 2008 at 10:08 am
2. How does playing illegal football begin to change the way Bo thinks about his society and government?
Playing illegal football makes Bo to start thinking about how the overment is so over protective and how they are causing not to reach his greatest capability at the sport he loves and makes him think about his future and what he wants to do for a carrer and were he wants to do it.
EricEJSHS said,
May 13, 2008 at 8:51 pm
3. (page 229-230) “I knew there was a chance I’d end up back in the penal system, but compared to my old man I was in great shape.” So much of Bo’s troubles he blamed on his Marsten genes. In the end what lessons do you think Bo has learned and what do you believe is his future?
In the end of this story, Bo learns that the troubles that happen to him are not because of his Marsten genes but are just part of life. It is how one handles the trouble that matters. He found out that he could control his actions if he really tried and to take responsibility for them. During his time in prison, he was helped by Rhino, his roommate, who showed him that he could control his temper when he tried. He was so busy blaming his past that he did not see that he could have self-control. When Bo says that he is in greater shape than his father and brother, he is saying that he actually learned from it and was better off than them. He became mentally stronger as well. Also from the beginning until towards the end, Bo confronted by Karlohs Mink who would get on his nerves and try to get him in trouble. Everytime Bo saw Karlohs he was easily angered, which led to a fight and trouble. Throughout the book, Bo had to learn not to let people bother him so much and control himself, which he did. He had to go all the way to prison to learn his lesson and I think that, in the future, Bo will be a better person and look on the world with a different perspective. He will have good control and be able to rise upon his anger. Unlike his father and brother, Bo will not make the same mistake and be able to have control over his own actions and not rage over the actions of others.
Sam EJSHS said,
May 13, 2008 at 9:00 pm
1. (Page 9) “That was before the Child Safety Act of 2033. Now every high school runner has to wear a full set of protective gear-”. Americans are safer than ever due to government regulations. What do you believe about government involvement in personal safety?
I myself believe that the government should be involved in our personal safety, but not to the point where I have to wear a helmet just to be able to walk outside. They should sent people to jail, but not for saying a bad word. They should sent people that are a danger to our society like murderers and drug users. However, I do think that if our government turns like the one in the book making us wear extra stuff for “protection”, I’m sure that the citizens are going to rebel.
Also, Personally, I think the government should butt out. At the foundation of America, it was stated that, as people of America, we have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness…and happiness is having your own free will. The government of the USSA took it to an unnecessary level. They took their concerns too far. Forcing students to take medicine just to suppress their anger is not just unnecessary, but crazy. Bo was one of the few of his time that actually got to experience life out of the USSA, and he returned a changed person with new insight on the government. Being able to not work in a garden without a net over your face, or running without all of the popular equipment is interfering with people’s daily lives and that shows that the government stepped over the line. For me, I rate the book an 8 out of 10 (A little confusing at times).
DavidT.ejshs said,
May 20, 2008 at 4:15 pm
David T.ejshs Question 1
The whole government that this book takes place in is just insane, as simple as that. Yes the government should be involved with are personal safety. Such as maintaining officers to protect us from murders and drug attics. Or our military which protects our country from foreign attack. But there is a fine line of how safe you can get. Let’s face it, without any risk of your safety you’re not really living. Then also the fact that they send people to jail over saying a bad word or being overweight is just wrong. How is anyone supposed to survive in a government like this, no wonder over 20 % of the population is in jail? I’m actually surprised the number isn’t increased.
The government shouldn’t go anywhere beyond our basic personal safety, or it’s just going to get out of hand like it did in Rash. Then without risk there’s really no way to have any fun. But the government should have say so over the growing issue of obesity. Such as sdelling less sugary products and more of a variety of health food , and requiring P.E in all of high school and other stuff like that. But I think that forcing those with weight problems into camps and jail isn’t right either. I’m not sure if a society like this could really function with all the unrealistic safety laws there are I’m sure the nation would have rebelled. Just like how Bo’s dad and brother did.
Alex EJSHS said,
May 20, 2008 at 10:35 pm
First off, I give this book a 7 out of 10 because of the fact that I didnt have to push myself to read it. To the person who recommended this book because it had lots of laughs…my opinion is the same as yours…in my mind this book is only slightly more entertaining.I myself believe that the government should be involved in our personal safety, but not to the point where I have to wear a helmet just to be able to walk outside. Being able to not work in a garden without a net over your face, or running without all of the popular equipment is interfering with people’s daily lives and that shows that the government stepped over the line.So, I believe that the government should control safety concerns, such as unsafe air, food, and water, as well as safe construction materials and engineering, but personal safety, such as a choice to take one’s chances by not wearing a helmet when walking to get the mail, should be a choice of the individual, not a severely punishable law.In the end of this story, Bo learns that the troubles that happen to him are not because of his Marsten genes but are just part of life. It is how one handles the trouble that matters. I enjoyed this good informative book.