Prompt #1 - Due Aug. 1

Pick a character from the book who reminds you of someone you know well.
1. Briefly describe the character and accompanying characteristics that are important to understanding the connection you are making.
2. Cite a passage from the book that shows one of these traits.
3. Describe the person you know and give an example or story that explains the similarity.
4. Explain how this connection might help you relate to the story of Precious.

Rhonda Patrice Johnson is one of the girls that attend the “Each One Teach One” school. She was born in Kingston Jamaica. Her character is very outgoing and outspoken. She is often the one that leads the conversation amongst the alternative education students. She is also very kind and caring and this can be seen in the scene where she offers to get snacks from the store for her classmates. She offers to buy Precious food but Precious does not have any money. At that point Rhonda knows what Precious is thinking and says “I got you.”


“Rhonda say she goin’ to the store, anybody want somethin’? I want somethin’ but I ain’ got no money. Rita give her 50 cent say get chips, salt ‘n vinegar, no salt ’n vinegar get plain. Rhonda look me, say, I got you.” (Sapphire, 48)

I think the most powerful part of this passage is Precious’ reaction to the good deed. People acting friendly toward Precious is a rarity in her life, so of course she is going to be surprised. But this sole act, in my opinion, changed Precious’ overall character. From that point on she cared less about what other people thought of her.

“I look up in her eye. She smile. I feel like I’m gonna cry again. Everybody gonna think I’m a punk, crying, crying. I’m not used to this. But this what I always want, some friendly niceness. I say I pay you back. She say I know you will,” (Sapphire, 48)

My dad is similar to Rhonda in the sense that he thinks about others before he thinks about himself. There have been many times where my dad has offered food or offered to pay for others before he even thought about himself. But one specific example is when my dad took me on a week college road trip that lasted a whole week. During this week we stopped at Duke, University of Virginia, Boston College, University of Maryland, and Harvard. My dad had to drive from college to college and not once did he complain about anything. Every hour or so, he would ask if I was ok and if I needed anything and when I was sleeping he would not wake me up and make me pump the gas or get him something to eat. Just like Rhonda, my father thought about my wellbeing before his own.

I think this story relates me to Precious because similar to Precious, I gained a new respect for someone and began to really appreciate all the things they have done for me. I have always been thankful but I think the road trip was an eye opener to me, just like how the simple gesture of buying a bag of chips had an effect on the rest of a Precious’ life.