Tyler

In the Heat of the Night

**//__ Plot: __//**
A policeman named Sam Wood was eating at the diner, and is talking to the worker, Ralph (in the city of Wells, California). Then a man is murdered (Enrico Mantoli, he was going to be the composer of the music festival), and Sam Wood finds him on the highway. New Chief of police, Bill Gillespie tells Sam to go to the train station, to see if the murdered is around the area. Sam finds a African-American man, and Sam figures he is the murderer. So he takes him in, only to find that his name is Virgil Tibbs and that he’s a police officer from Pasadena, California. Bill wants him to leave, but Pasadena police department recommends that he stays and help with the murder. So, Tibbs stay and investigates the murder. Bill thinks he's found the murderer, but Tibbs proves him wrong. Sam takes Mr. Endicott to view the body. Bill Gillespie had a meeting with some men, they tell him that they don't like a African-American man working on the case, and to get rid of him. Bill tells them Tibbs is a good investigator and that he'll handle it. Tibbs asks Sam if he can drive the same exact route as he did on the night of the murder. Sam takes a different route, and Tibbs asks him why. Bill gets a letter on his desk from an anonymous person, telling him to get Tibbs out of town. Bill puts Sam into jail, because he has a strange idea that Sam killed Mantoli. Then Delores Purdy comes to the police station with her father (Mr. Purdy), and tells Bill Gillespie that she was raped by Sam Wood. Now Sam might be charged with murder, and rape, if proven guilty. Tibbs goes to the Endicott house, and asks Duena Mantoli, Mr. Mrs. Endicott questions. Then Duena wants to go to the city and visit Sam (Sam is in a jail cell at the police station). When Duena gets there she asks Sam if he truly killed her father, and he says no. Then she kisses him and leaves. Tibbs goes to Jess the mechanic to get some gas, and stays to talk to Jess's son, and eat some supper. When he leaves two mean try to jump him, but he stands his ground, and beats them up (he broke one guys arm). Then the cops come and both men are taken in. Bill talks to them, but they barely say anything. Then Tibbs goes to the Purdy house, and tells Delores that doctors will have to take tests to prove that Sam had intercourse with her. She didn't like the sound of that, and neither did her father. The next day, Duena wants to go downtown and shop, but instead she goes and talks to Frank Schubert (the mayor). Then Tibbs explains to Bill Gillespie, Duena Mantoli, Mr. Endicott, Sam Wood, Mr. Purdy, and Delores Purdy why Sam is innocent. Delores confesses that it was a lie. Then Tibbs told them that the murderer of Enrico Mantoli would be caught tonight. Tibbs, Sam, Bill go for a drive, and end up finding the killer. They go to to the diner to get something eat, then a worker Ralph gets really upset when Tibbs walks into the diner. Tibbs then tells them Ralph is the murderer. The next day, Bill, Sam, Tibbs go to the Endicott house. Tibbs then tells Mr. and Mrs. Endicott, Duena, and Eric Kaufman (good friend of Endicott’s, and Mantoli's) how he figured it all out. Then Bill takes Tibbs to the train station, and Tibbs goes home.

__//Setting://__ In the 1960's and in the city Wells, California. Wells, California is a fairly big city, it is a really hot place, and in the middle of no where.
== **//__ Characters: __//** Sam Wood is a nice, well respected man in the city of Wells. He is a very nice man, everybody likes him. He also has some racist background, but as soon as he starts to know Virgil more, he begins to not be racist. Bill Gillespie is a big man, from the southern states, he's a man that you don't want to get upset, short tempered, and he always wants to get his way. Duena Mantoli is a young girl who is very pretty, kind, she isn't the smartest person, and she usually gets everything she wants. ==

//__ Symbol: __// I don't think there is a symbol.
=** __The 3 Questions:__ **= =** 1. What have you learned from reading this book? Do you think this is an important book for students to read? Explain. Do you think reading this book could make a change in society? Explain. **= =** I have learned that during the 1960's, in the southern states was a very racist place to be in. Yes, I think it is very important because students get to understand how racist it was back then, and it tells you what some people may actually be like it this world. I don't think so because, if you want to change something in society, you have to speak up and take action (let your voice be heard). **= = 2. Do you think reading this book has changed you? Will it affect your life going forward? Does seeing how the characters in the text think & act affect the way you think or act? = = Yes I think "In the Heat of the Night" has changed me. Yes, it will affect my life (now I know what some people can be like, it is very strange). Yes, I'm making sure I'm not saying rude things when people are around, or at anytime (I'm not saying that I do on a normal basis, I never say really bad racist things). = = 3. We all agree that the evil of racism is the main theme of this book. How does the author convey this theme to the reader? (Three ways) = = In this book, there is a lot of very shocking racist behavior towards black people. Also, the character Virgil disproves all the stereotypes white characters say. The author makes racist characters very unattractive, unpleasant, and rude (you basically do not want to know them). When Ralph, and Sam were talking about how black fighters feel no pain. =