Stephen

In the Heat of the Night
== Plot - Enrico Mantoli is murdered and is found dead by policeman Sam Wood. Police chief Gillespie arrives on the scene and Sam heads back to the police station, only stopping to arrest a black man as a suspect. They bring him in and interrogate him, finding out that hes also a cop, a homocide specialist. They are told to use him by the police station in Pasadena and they do. They give the black man, whos name is Tibbs, a car and a place to stay while he investigates.Tibbs examines the body and discovers many things that will help him later on. He sends in his report to Gillespie and continues. Gilespie, however, gets a call from the mayor of the town, and is told to manipulate Tibbs so a white man gets the glory instead of a black man. Tibbs realizes this plan but goes ahead with the investigation anyways. Later, Gillespie arrest a man named Harvey Oberst for the crime, but Tibbs proves him innocent. Meanwhile, Sam goes to see and question Mantolli's daughter, Duena, and the people she was staying with. Tibbs goes with Sam on his nightly shift and notices he skipped part of his route. Thats because of Delores Purdy who lived in one of the houses on the street. Gillespie brings in another man for questioning, whos name was Gottschalk. Tibbs proves him innocent as well. Later, Tibbs meets with Reverend Whiteburn, who finds the murder weapon and gives it to Tibbs. Gillespie then arrests Sam Wood for the murder, but he and Virgil denies the charges. Then, Delores Purdy and her dad come and accuse Sam of seducing Delores. Meanwhile, Tibbs goes to Jess, the person who gave him the car. Tibbs chills out with Andy, Jess's son, and tells him of his first case. Later, Tibbs gets jumped by 2 men, but beats the crap out of them. The cops come and take the men away. Tibbs then goes and questions Mr. Purdy, telling them that they'll have to test Delores if shes pregnant if Sam keeps denying charges. He then goes away and sleeps. The next day he visits Sam, then goes to Gillespie. Duena and Mr. Endicott later join them, then Delores Purdy and her dad. Delores admits slightly over exaggerating the story then leaves. Tibbs then proves Sam innocent, and gillespie lets him go. The next day, Tibbs goes with Sam again on his nightly shift, when Gillespie joins them. Later, they stop at the bar. Tibbs goes and puts the bartender, Ralph, in a hammerlock and tells Sam to arrest him. Later on, Ralph confesses to the crime, and Gillespie asks how Tibbs figured it out. Tibbs explains the whole situation to Gillespie, Sam, the Endicotts, Duena, and Jennings. Gillespie drives Tibbs to the station, and for the first time ever, shakes Tibb's hands. Tibbs, in tears, thanks Gillespie, and heads toward the station. ==

What have you leaned from reading this book? Do you think this is an important book fo the students to read? Explain. Do you think reading this book could make a change in society?
I learned that although racism is evil, it can be stopped. I think this is an important book to read because it displays very clearly the racism that is happening, and that it shows that people can change. Reading this book could change society, but the people reading it have to take it to heart. They have to actually change inside themselves, not just read it then put it away, if you get what i mean.

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 and act affect the way you think or act?
This book honestly didnt change me much because i already knew about racism and how evil it is. It only confirmed what i already knew. I dont think the book will really affect my life going forward because this book is probably more directed to people who dont know about racism or people that are racist, and im not in either of those groups. The way Tibbs handled all the racism is impressive, and i envy him for being so relaxed and controlled in those situations. It affected me, and im going to do my best to show the same qualities that Tibbs had.

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)
-There is alot of shocking racist behavoiur, realistically showing us the evil of racism. -The author shows that stereoypes against black people arent true through Tibbs, him being the exact opposite of what all the stereotypes against black people say. -The author puts all the people you'd admire in the book with Tibbs, Tibbs being the most admirable. Then he puts all the racist, unintelligent people together, showing that the person you'd look up to the most in this book is Tibbs.