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The future of the wetlands excerpt from the novel Call me Madeleine by Kate S. Richards (2021)
Teenage girl Madeleine spends her holidays with her grandfather, who lives in New Zealand. One night, they both go to a meeting at which plans for building new houses in an area that is important for nature are presented.
Abbildung 1
1
First, there are the boring greetings, and then they open the debate.
2
“Good evening, everyone. My name is Walter and I represent the Aotearoa
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Wetland Trust. We strongly oppose the development of the land. By building houses on the
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wetland, you, Sir, will put the residents of the village and their houses in danger of flooding.”
5
A red-faced man jumps to his feet. He shouts out, “Don’t you dare speak on behalf of the residents
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of Seaside Views, young man! It is misleading and false.”
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I feel the heat of my temper rising. The energy in the room is charged and aggressive.
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“Let him continue,” says the councillor. I am avoiding eye contact with Grandpa, who is twisting
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his neck to stare at me. Perhaps he thinks I’m a traitor by sitting with the wetland trust guys.
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“Thank you, councillor,” says Walter. “Now I’m going to hand you over to Christopher Murray.”
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“Good evening, everyone. The wetlands are very important in our war against climate change,” he
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pauses, looking at me, “Wetlands help to make the air quality better.” He raises his voice and says,
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“We need them!”
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“Oh, what’s one wetland?” shouts the red-faced man.
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I jump to my feet and snatch the microphone. “That is exactly the problem with your generation!
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What’s one factory polluting the air? What’s one more petrol car on the road? Why should I make
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an effort if nobody else is doing it? It is that selfish mindset that has put us into this position in the
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first place.” Perhaps I’m getting too emotional. My heart is beating wildly. It feels like everyone is
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staring at me. I glance at Grandpa. He’s furious.
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The councillor asks me my name.
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“I am Madeleine MacTaggart-Smith, sir, from the Young Climate Change Activists.” I sit down,
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shaking.
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The room murmurs like a jury.
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“Thank you for speaking for the youth, Madeleine,” says Chris. “Your passion for the planet is
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admirable.” He turns to Red Face "Sir, the climate is in danger, and we must protect it. For all our
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sakes. And I haven’t even got started on the endangered birds in the wetland.”
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“Who gives a damn about some bird!” yells Grandpa, standing up. Oh boy! I know what’s coming.
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“You snowflake greenies care more about one or two birds than about people. You are ruining
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people’s lives! My friend Bernie here wants to retire in one of Mr Somerset’s houses. You’re trying
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to steal his dreams for the sake of a bird. Get real, man! And for the record, I am Mr MacTaggart,
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grandfather of this young lady who seems to have forgotten her place.”
32
Hot tears begin to stream down my cheeks. I’m shaking with anger, humiliation and, well, sadness.
33
I had thought Grandpa and I were close again, but all it took was a difference of opinion and our
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relationship is destroyed. It has been torn to pieces in public. And I still have two weeks to spend
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with him.
36
“Kia ora,” booms a voice behind me. “I am speaking on behalf of my iwi. My name is Hone. As
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the local people, we are the protectors of this river. For hundreds of years, we have been fishing for
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tuna and catching birds. Taking no more than we need. These wetlands are culturally important to us.”
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“And the water is only clean because the surrounding wetland filters out the dirt. We are against your
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development. We will peacefully protest if we have to. That’s all I wanted to say. Thank you.” He
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sits, and everybody starts talking to each other.
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The atmosphere is tense, but not as icy as the silent car trip back to MacTaggart Hill after the
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meeting.
From: Richards, Kate S. (2021): Call me Madeleine. Auckland: Green Room House. Slightly adapted.
- Read the tasks carefully.
- Make sure to write about all the aspects presented in each task.
1
Point out the arguments for and against building on the wetlands as presented at the meeting.
(8 Punkte)
2
Analyse Madeleine’s feelings during the meeting and the way they are presented.
Focus on
- the way her mood develops,
- the language that is used to express her feelings.
(12 Punkte)
3
You have a choice here. Choose one of the following tasks.
a)
After Grandpa’s statement, Madeleine thinks, “All it took was a difference of opinion and our relationship is destroyed.”
Comment on whether teenagers should always speak up when disagreeing with a family member.
Include the following aspects:
- one’s motivation to speak up or not speak up
- relevance of age and interest
- consequences for family life
(10 Punkte)
or
b)
Still furious after the meeting, Madeleine sits down at her computer and writes a blog post on her favourite environmental blog by the Young Climate Change Activists.
Write the blog post.
Include the following aspects:
Why we cannot listen any longer! How often have you heard people say it doesn’t matter what they do about the environment?
Why should I make an effort? Well, we all know why we should ...
- her reasons for writing the blog post after the meeting
- her wish for young people to act
- her plans
Why we cannot listen any longer! How often have you heard people say it doesn’t matter what they do about the environment?
Why should I make an effort? Well, we all know why we should ...
(10 Punkte)
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Note:
Our solutions are listed in bullet points. In the examination, full marks can only be achieved by writing a continuous text.
Our solutions are listed in bullet points. In the examination, full marks can only be achieved by writing a continuous text.
1.
Arguments against building on the wetlands
- Walter from the Aotearoa Wetland Trust argues against the development, claiming it will increase the risk of flooding for residents (l. 3–4).
- He also highlights the importance of wetlands in the fight against climate change and improving air quality (l. 11–12).
- Chris emphasizes that protecting the wetland is crucial for future generations and mentions the presence of endangered birds (l. 25–26).
- Hone, representing the local iwi, states the cultural significance of the wetland and the river, explaining how they have sustainably used the land for generations (l. 36–38).
- He also argues that the wetlands help keep the water clean by filtering out dirt (l. 39–40).
- Those in favor, like Grandpa and his friend Bernie, argue that people’s dreams are at stake, and they wish to retire in the new houses (l. 29–30).
- They feel that caring for a few birds is less important than addressing the needs of the people (l. 28–29).
- Grandpa believes environmentalists are causing harm to people’s lives and priorities (l. 28).
- The wetlands naturally filter the water, keeping it clean, which would be lost if the area is developed (l. 39–40).
Main Body
2.
Madeleine’s emotions shift significantly throughout the meeting, moving from frustration to anger, and finally, to sadness and a sense of betrayal. The text captures her emotional journey, highlighting the intensity of her feelings and the way they are influenced by generational and ideological divides, particularly with her grandfather. Through specific language choices, the author portrays Madeleine’s internal conflict as she becomes deeply affected by the clash of values surrounding her.
Introduction
- Madeleine feels uneasy as the room’s “charged and aggressive” (l. 7) energy fuels her frustration.
- As her passion for climate activism clashes with the views of others, Madeleine’s frustration intensifies, leading her to make a bold stand.
"I jump to my feet and snatch the microphone. 'That is exactly the problem with your generation! ...Perhaps I’m getting too emotional. My heart is beating wildly." (l.15-18)
- Her frustration deepens into a feeling of betrayal when her grandfather speaks out against her.
- Madeleine’s feelings of isolation are further emphasized in the car ride back to MacTaggart Hill, where the silence reflects her emotional distance from her grandfather.
- The language used to describe Madeleine’s emotions is very direct, using phrases like “snatch the microphone” and “shaking with anger” (l. 15 & 32), showing her growing frustration and helplessness.
- Her internal dialogue reflects her confusion and hurt, especially when she mentions her relationship with Grandpa being "destroyed". (l. 33)
Main Body
Mood development
Mood development
- Confrontational language
Madeleine’s bold statement, “That is exactly the problem with your generation!” highlights her frustration (l. 15).
- Symbolic language of betrayal
- Contrasting tones
- Metaphoric language
Language used to express her feelings
Madeleine’s journey through frustration, anger, and sadness shows the difficult emotions of standing up for personal beliefs, especially when they clash with family. The author uses language and tone to capture Madeleine’s changing feelings and vulnerability, highlighting how personal and painful these conflicts can be. This moment deeply impacts Madeleine, shaping her views on both her activism and her relationship with her grandfather.
Conclusion
3a)
Deciding whether to speak up when disagreeing with a family member can be challenging, especially for teenagers. While expressing one’s opinion is important, it may also lead to tension in family relationships. Balancing personal beliefs with family harmony is a difficult choice that depends on individual motivations, age, interests, and the potential consequences for family dynamics.
Introduction
- Teenagers often feel strongly about their beliefs, and speaking up can help them express their identity and values.
- By standing up for their views, they may feel more confident and authentic, which is an important part of personal growth.
- Teenagers today are often more aware and passionate about social issues, like the environment or equality, and these interests can differ from older family members’ perspectives.
- Open discussions can help families understand each other’s values better, even if they don’t always agree.
- When done respectfully, sharing opposing views can lead to deeper family connections and respect for each other’s beliefs.
Main Body
Arguments for speaking up
Arguments for speaking up
- Sometimes, teenagers might choose not to speak up to avoid conflict or tension, especially if they know their family has strongly different opinions.
- Staying silent can feel like a safer choice to keep family harmony.
- Speaking up can strain relationships, as seen with Madeleine and her grandfather.
- Constant disagreements might lead to misunderstandings, making family gatherings uncomfortable and even creating long-term distance between family members.
- Balancing honesty with respect can help maintain closeness and avoid unnecessary conflict.
- For teenagers, lack of support could impact their self-confidence, making them feel misunderstood or undervalued, which may discourage future open discussions within the family.
Arguments against speaking up
While speaking up allows teenagers to express their values, it’s essential to consider when and how to do so. The decision depends on individual motivations, maturity, and family dynamics. Finding a balance between honesty and respect is key; by carefully choosing when to speak up, teenagers can express themselves while maintaining positive family relationships.
Conclusion
3b)
Why we cannot listen any longer!
Title
How often have you heard people say it doesn’t matter what they do about the environment? "Why should I make an effort?" they ask. But we all know why we should – we’re the ones who’ll deal with the consequences. After today’s meeting, where so many ignored what’s at stake, I’m more determined than ever that we can’t wait any longer. Sitting there, listening to people act like our future doesn’t matter, made me realize that we need to act now.
I’m not just writing this out of frustration – it’s a call to action. We, young people, need to stand up because no one else will do it for us. Too often, adults tell us to “wait” or “be realistic,” but waiting isn’t an option when it’s our generation that’ll face the damage. This isn’t just some issue we can ignore; it’s about the world we’re going to inherit
So, here’s my plan: I want to organize more events here in NRW where young people can directly tell decision-makers what we think. Peaceful protests, clean-up days, and even creating a youth climate council – things that show we’re serious. I’ll post updates here on the blog for anyone who wants to join because every small action builds into real change.
Main Body
To everyone reading this: join me. Don’t let anyone tell you that your voice doesn’t count. We might feel small, but if we keep speaking up, they’ll have to listen. This is our planet, our future, and we’re not giving up on it.
Conclusion