Scratch Beginnings Literary Elements

Autobiography

Charleston, SC

First person narrator with a limited perspective.

Optimistic, analytical, casual

The protagonist is Adam Shepard, who tries to escape poverty, which could be considered his antagonist.

The major conflict takes place within the people. There is a constant battle between determination and laziness, between spending money wisely and giving in to consumerism, and between learning from mistakes and staying the same.

In the end, Shepard starts a fight with BG, which is caused by their incompatible attitudes. While Shepard is determined to succeed, BG lacks a proper work ethic and respect for people and their property. Even though Shepard is severely injured during the fight, they both reconcile and become close friends, as BG is working toward improving his attitude.

Arriving at the train station in Charleston, Shepard is greeted by a horrific stench, which foreshadows his future life in filth at the homeless shelter.

Describing the ongoing quarrels and arguments at the shelter, Shepard says, "And everybody always had at least his two cents to put in. Usually more." This is an understatement because the arguments usually became heated, as the people had no other way to let off some steam. Shepard emphasizes that even quiet men took the opportunity to have their opinions heard, which led to a noisy frenzy.

Derrick is portrayed as a strong man when Shepard talks about his "He-Man Mode," which is a reference to the protagonist of a comic book and TV series characterized by his superhuman strength.

When Sarge shows Shepard around the shelter, he starts with the Transitional Dormitory, which is described as a pleasant place to stay; spacious, clean, and equipped with amenities such as a TV and computers: "The floor was not dusty, the magazines on the coffee table were not flung all over the place, and it didn’t smell anything like what I had anticipated." However, when Shepard is led to the room for the general population, he creates a sense of disgust by appealing to a range of senses: "Reaching the immediate conclusion that daily showers were not enforced, my first instinct was to pull my shirt over my nose in order to extinguish the reeking stale body odor, but I didn’t want to give off the impression that I was a softy before I even truly began my journey. Nonetheless, I was nauseated." Moreover, the noise level is high because of the overpopulation of the room: "Oh, God, the snoring. There’s nothing harmonious about the chorus of a room full of men snoring in unison."

Even though Crisis Ministries offers extensive rehabilitation services to the homeless and addicts, they are not beneficial for a large group of people because they lack the necessary determination to succeed.

Derrick and Adam share the same kind of attitude. Both are hardworking and take pride in their accomplishments. Eventually, Derrick is able to afford a house of his own after studying the foundations of real estate for a few months. Adam, therefore, considers him a role model and is sure to succeed by working hard as well.

The homeless shelter represents the wealth of resources that are available to people in need in general. Apart from food and shelter, the workers there provide counseling and legal help as well.

When Shepard arrives at the train station, "all that welcomed [him] was the humid evening air of Charleston, South Carolina, the rancid smell of urine leaking from the stalls of the train station’s restrooms." The personification of the smells illustrates the antagonistic environment that he is about to enter.