Literature Assignment The Balek Scales
Ruby Huang
10A
April 26th, 2015
The Balek Scales
Literature Assignment
1.New year’s day is the beginning of a new year, which is the start of the twentieth century, but it can also symbolize the beginning of a new era. On that particular day, the Baleks got a title and became even more powerful. However, it is also the day when little Franz Brucher and the villagers discovered the injustice imposed by the Baleks that had lasted for five generations. It marked a new start, the start of rebellion and distrust against the Baleks and the old trusted system of justice. It is also ironic. Usually, New year’s day symbolizes a wonderful start and involves celebration. However, in this story, it was the start of discontent for the Baleks. During this particular day, many people are killed and the power of the Baleks continued to oppress the villagers, which is quite opposite of what we would’ve expected.
2.The protagonist, like the adults, had been cheated on and exploited by the Baleks for quite a long time. The children got almost nothing for collecting all those great quantities of mushrooms, hayflowers, and herbs. Even the scales of justice were only there for exploiting the children. In the same way, the adults were getting ridiculously low paid while they risked their lives and health, working relentlessly in the flax sheds for the Baleks. The Baleks placate the villagers by giving them tiny gifts such as lemon drops and real Brazilian coffee. However, these gifts were nothing compared to the injustice that had been imposed on them for five generations. When Franz Brucher discovered that they had all been cheated on, he crushed the lemon drops under his feet, calculated all the money they owe him, and mourned for the villagers. The adults also displayed anger when they heard of this injustice. Like Franz Brucher, they rebelled against the Baleks and tried to calculate all the money they should’ve gotten. The situation of the protagonist and the adults were quite
10A
April 26th, 2015
The Balek Scales
Literature Assignment
1.New year’s day is the beginning of a new year, which is the start of the twentieth century, but it can also symbolize the beginning of a new era. On that particular day, the Baleks got a title and became even more powerful. However, it is also the day when little Franz Brucher and the villagers discovered the injustice imposed by the Baleks that had lasted for five generations. It marked a new start, the start of rebellion and distrust against the Baleks and the old trusted system of justice. It is also ironic. Usually, New year’s day symbolizes a wonderful start and involves celebration. However, in this story, it was the start of discontent for the Baleks. During this particular day, many people are killed and the power of the Baleks continued to oppress the villagers, which is quite opposite of what we would’ve expected.
2.The protagonist, like the adults, had been cheated on and exploited by the Baleks for quite a long time. The children got almost nothing for collecting all those great quantities of mushrooms, hayflowers, and herbs. Even the scales of justice were only there for exploiting the children. In the same way, the adults were getting ridiculously low paid while they risked their lives and health, working relentlessly in the flax sheds for the Baleks. The Baleks placate the villagers by giving them tiny gifts such as lemon drops and real Brazilian coffee. However, these gifts were nothing compared to the injustice that had been imposed on them for five generations. When Franz Brucher discovered that they had all been cheated on, he crushed the lemon drops under his feet, calculated all the money they owe him, and mourned for the villagers. The adults also displayed anger when they heard of this injustice. Like Franz Brucher, they rebelled against the Baleks and tried to calculate all the money they should’ve gotten. The situation of the protagonist and the adults were quite