Just Lather, That's All

[Ms. Wilbanks]

You did a good job talking about the story today.  Choose one of the following topics to extend the conversation.

Why is the story titled "Just Lather, That's All"?

Is it possible to be both a hero and a coward at the same time?

Is it possible that the general, knowing that the barber would not kill him, used the opportunity of the shave to point out that he (the general) had more power than the narrator?

[Matthew J.]

I think that the story is titled "Just Lather, That's All" because lather is the foam by detergent especially soap. As a result, in the text it says he doesn't want to be a murder he just wants to be barber and that is what barbers do they loath. In other words he doesn't want to be a murder he just wants to lath that's all.

[40054083]

The story is called "Just Lather, That's All" because the "Just Lather" part is saying that the narrator is lathering the soap on Torres's face. The "That's All" is saying that since the narrator wanted to kill Torres but didn't all he is doing is lathering on the soap.

On Friday, September 21, 2012 9:27:07 AM UTC-6, Ms. Wilbanks wrote:

[Matthew J.]

Yes, it is possible to be a hero and a coward because in "Just Lather,That's All"
if the barber were to kill Torres during the haircut, he would be known as a coward to the military and a hero to the rebellions.He would be a coward because of the way he killed Torres and a hero because of the fact the he killed Torres.

On Friday, September 21, 2012 9:27:07 AM UTC-6, Ms. Wilbanks wrote:

[Heather S.]

How is he considered a coward to the military if he kills Torres? But I agree that if the barber killed Torres he could be a hero because he killed the executioner and a coward because then the the rebellions would eat harsher treatmen

[Matthew J.]

No I don't think the general tried to show that he had more power because the general didn't go into the barbershop knowing anything. He didn't know if the barber was going to kill him or not. According to the seminar today Talisha said that he wanted to die in that shop well I agree because nobodies going to walk in a place knowing that they might be killed. This would happen if someone actually wanted to be killed.

On Friday, September 21, 2012 9:27:07 AM UTC-6, Ms. Wilbanks wrote:

[50026762]

 I decided to do the first question and the story was titled " Just Lather, Thats All" because in the story the barber claims " I don't want to be a murderer, no sir. You came to me for a shave. And I perform my work honorably..... I don't want blood on my hands. Just lather, thats all." meaning he likes the fact that he is a barber and he wants to stay one.

[50026762]

I don't think that you can be a hero and a coward because on one side you will be considered a hero but on the other side they can't really call you a coward because the fact that you had the gull to kill a member that was very important to their side by yourself on a regular day.

8:27:07 AM UTC-7, Ms. Wilbanks wrote:

[50026762]

I kind of think that he used that shave as a chance to show how much of power he had because he knew that their was a small chance that the barber would have the audasity to kill Captain Torres all because of how high he is in authority so if he did kill Torres, he would not have had the chance to flee anywhere.

[Coree Morgan]

Why is the story titled "Just Lather, That's All"?

The story was called Just Lather, That's All because in the text, it clearly states the name of the story in on of Tellez's thoughts, " But I don't want to be a murderer, no sir. You came to me for a shave? And I perform my work honorably.... I don't want blood on my hands. Just lather that's all. To explain further, Tellez is saying that he doesn't want to be a murderer only a barber because everyone has there own place in life and he is not a murderer.

[Brittany]

Yes it is possible to be a coward and a hero at the same time. The barber is a hero to the Captains group and he is a coward to the rebels group for not killing him.

[Brittany]

the story is titled "Just Lather, That's All" because the narrator said, "But I don't want to be a murderer, no sir. You came to me for a shave. And I perform my work honorably... I don't want blood on my hands. Just lather, that's all." The lather was the soap he used to shave his face and that was all he wanted on his hands not blood. 

[Brittany]

I agree with you because the barber wanted to stay an honorable barber, not a murder. He wants to still do his job and have a good life

[Sydney Comet]

I think it is possible to be both a coward and a hero at the same time because to some people someone could be a hero, and to other people that someone could be a coward. I believe that either choice the narrator made one group would see him as a hero and the other group as a coward.

On Friday, September 21, 2012 9:27:07 AM UTC-6, Ms. Wilbanks wrote:

[Sydney Comet]

I think the story is titled "Just Lather, That's All" because the narrator was trying to show that he is not a murder, he is just a barber. In the text the narrator stated that he didn't want blood on his hand, stating that he didn't want to kill anyone.

[Markayla Canty]

I actually agree with Matthew when he says that the story is called , " Just lather, that's all" because lather is the bubbles that come from soap. The barber doesn't want to be a murderer, he wants to just lather, and be a good barber.

On Friday, September 21, 2012 9:27:07 AM UTC-6, Ms. Wilbanks wrote:

[Markayla Canty]

I think that it is possible to be a hero and a coward at the same time. If the barber would have killed Torres, he would have been a hero to all the other rebellions but if he would have not killed Torres he would have been known as a coward to the military, in which Torres worked.

On Friday, September 21, 2012 9:27:07 AM UTC-6, Ms. Wilbanks wrote:

[Markayla Canty]

To 50026762 , I disagree with your statement that you cannot be a hero and a coward at the same time because, even if he isn't a hero and a coward to one person. He can be a hero to one, then a hero to another. It depends on the person.

[Miriam Mata]

I think that it is possible to be a hero and a coward at the same time. Everything depends on which side you are one and how you look at the situation. The barber risked his life because he was a messenger on the rebels side so he risked being killed. However he was secretly a rebel so he could have been seen as a coward for hiding.

[Miriam Mata]

Did anybody else notice that some words in the text were spelled wrong. Like the word he was spelled be, had was spelled bad, and hand was spelled band. Do you guys think that he author did it on purpose? 

[Hanna Piilola]

The story is titled "Just Lather, That's All" because throughout the story, the narrator thought about murdering his client whom he was shaving, which happened to be Torres. He thought about it multiple times but in the end it came down to if he wanted to be a murderer or just a barber. He says. " I don't want to be a murderer, no sir. You came to me for a shave. And I preform my work honorably... I don't want blood on my hands. Just lather, that's all."  

On Friday, September 21, 2012 9:27:07 AM UTC-6, Ms. Wilbanks wrote:

[Hanna Piilola]

I agree with Sydney that it is possible to be both a coward and a hero at the same time because it's all about matter of opinion and points of view. Just like how each of us has a different definition of who a hero is, we have different opinions on who a coward is. If the narrator made the choice to murder Torres, he viewed as a hero to the rebels but a coward to the the opposing side for fleeing afterwards. 

[Hanna Piilola]

I don't agree with Matthew that Torres went into the barber shop wanting to die. He went there to see if he would. Sure, he might have known that the narrator might have tried to kill him but he knew that he wouldn't. In the last paragraph, he turns around and says, " They told me that you'd kill me. I came to find out. You can take my word for it." This shows that Torres didn't think that he would go along with murdering him because he knew from first-hand experience that it wasn't easy.

[Lexi Phillippi]

I think the story is titled "Just Lather, That's All" because when Torres came into the narrator's barber shop, he was just a "normal custumer." The narrator didn't want to be a murderer, he wanted to be an honerable barber, meaning he didn't want to have that guilt hanging over him so he thought of Torres as just another customer. He told himself, " just lather, that's all" to keep himself focused on shaving Torres instead of killing him.

 

[Lexi Phillippi]

I disagree with Matthew because Torres didn't go into the barber shop because he wanted to die, he went in knowing there was the chance of him being killed but most likely not. Torres knew how hard it was to kill someone, and just wanted to frighten the narrator. He wanted the narrator to rethink his view, Torres wanted him not to be a rebel, he wanted to show that being a rebel or helping a rebel has cosequences.

[Lexi Phillippi]

I agree with Hanna and Sydney because it depends on the side you choose to view if someone is a hero or a coward. The narrator would have been a hero to the government because he didn't kill their general but a coward to the rebels because he didn't kill Torres. So the narrator was both a hero and a coward.

[Yalitza Topete]

The stroy is titled "Just Lather, That's All" because tha narrator was a barber who was shaving his enemy,Torres, with lather. Lather is foam made by a detegent such as soap, in the text, the narrator said, "But i don't want to be a muderer, no sir" instead of killing him, he did his job with nothing, just lather left on his hands.

[Yalitza Topete]

I agree with lexi becuase to the rebels he would've been a hero if he had killed Torres, but he would've been considered a coward for not to the people who are against the rebels. Therefore, it is possible to be both a coward and a hero at once. 

[Yalitza Topete]

I believe it is possible that that the general would use the opprotunity of the shave to point that he had more power than the narrator becuse in the text, he mentioned how he wanted to punish all the rebels. Also as Torres was leaving the barber shop, he said, "They told me you'd kill me. Icame to find out. But killing isn't easy" this showed that he knew that the narrator was a rebel and he said earlier that he wanted to punish all rebels which, showed that he pionted that he had more power than the narrator did.    

[Nina]

The story is titled "Just Lather, That's All" because throughout the story the narrator is contemplating whether or not he should kill Captain Torres. He lists multiple reasons as to why he should kill Captain Torres, and reasons why he shouldn't kill him. He states in the text that he wasn't a killer, just a barber.The narrator didn't want the guilt and responsibility for killing Torres, I gathered this information from a line in the text when the narrator says "I don't want blood on my hands. Just lather, that's all"

[Imane Elouadi]

It is possible to be both a hero and coward at the same time. In the story the barber decided not to murder the general. Because of this decision, he will be looked upon as a coward in the rebels’ point of view." So it was going to be very difficult to explain that I had him right in my hands and let him go peacefully-alive and shaved." This shows that the revolutionaries expected the narrator to kill the general and not let him go peacefully alive. In the government's point of view, he's a hero. By not killing the general, the government will be able to murder more and more rebels, making their society "clean." This means that the barber is assisting the government, making him a hero. He can also be viewed as a hero from himself. In the text it states the struggles he had between the desire to kill the Torres and wanting to become a conscientious barber. "And how easy it would be to kill him. And he deserves it." “But, I don't want t be a murderer, no sir." So, by not killing the commander, he was saving himself for later punishments. 

 

Torres can also as be viewed as a hero and a coward. To the government he is viewed as a coward for not killing a rebel, but to the barber is viewed as a hero. The commander spared his life, making him a hero because he risked his life by going against the rules set by the government. Therefore, it is possible to be viewed as a hero and coward, it just depends on the which perspective the reader notices or agrees with most.  

[Imane Elouadi]

The story is titled "Just Lather, That's All." The narrator didn't want to become a murderer; instead his goal in life is to succeed in his occupation. “But I don't want to be a murderer, no sir. You came to me for a shave. And I perform my work honorably. I don't want blood on my hands. Just lather, that's all."  In the story, the narrator also realizes that in the world everyone has their own place. "You are an executioner and I am only a barber. Each person has is own place in the scheme of things." This means that some people will become murderers, while others will impact the society in a positive manner. Therefore, the barber believes his place belongs in a barber shop where he can impact people's lives.

[Imane Elouadi]

I believe that the general went into the barber shop wanting to see if the barber would kill him. Before the general left he said,"They told me that you'd kill me. I came to find out. But killing isn't easy. You can take my word for it."  This shows that the commander wanted to see if the narrator was a true rebel. Furthermore, the general was using the shave to point out that he had more power than the narrator.  In the story, he continued to evoke anger within the barber to see if the narrator would try to kill him. He did this by stating the many deaths of the rebels and of a future execution. When the barber didn't react, the commander concluded that he wasn't a true rebel because a real revolutionist would've strived to murder him

[Jordan Maestas]

The story is titled "Just Lather, That's All" because the narrator was discussing to himself if he should kill or shouldn't kill Torres. The narrator was dedicated to be just a barber as is it said here, "But I don't want to be a murderer, no sir. You came to me for a shave. And I preform my work honorably." This indicates that he just wants to lather and doesn't want to to become a murderer. The narrator wants to change and doesn't want to become a rebel, he wants no trouble.

[Jordan Maestas]

People can be a hero and a coward just as the narrator was. To the rebels he was a coward because he had the chance to kill Torres, the one killing other rebels. The narrator was a hero to because, if other people know, he did not kill Torres and, as in our group discussion, the government might of forced Torres to kill the rebels because at the end he said, "But killing isn't easy. You can take my word for it." This seems that he was forced into killing the rebels.

[Jordan Maestas]

Sydney people don't know that the narrator even thought of killing Torres and Torres might tell people of his thoughts that could make them see that the narrator was a hero. Torres might even think the narrator is a hero because the narrator did what was right by not killing Torres.

On Friday, September 21, 2012 8:16:45 PM UTC-6, Sydney Comet wrote:

I agree with you to some extent, but does not killing Torres really make him a hero to the other people? Wouldn't some of them still be mad at him for even thinking about killing him?

[Heather S.]

I agree with Sydney because the barber could have been a hero or a coward. Being a hero and coward to the rebellions being a hero because he killed the executioner but a coward because they would then get harsher treatment

[Selena Gochenour]

I think that a person can be a coward and a hero at the same time because they caould be a hero on the outside and a coward on the inside. Torres was a coward and a hero because he was a hero for saving the people from the rebels but he was a coward because anyone that oppsed him he felt was a rebel and killed them. He thought that they could be considered cowards because of that.

[Selena Gochenour]

I agree with Jordan because they showed that he could be a coward and a hero by the actions thay showed. He showed that he was a rebel as a coward because he didn't want to be considered a murderer but as a hero  he did not kill Torres and, as in our group discussion, the government might of forced Torres to kill the rebels. That is why I agree with Jordans statement.

[Selena Gochenour]

I  agree with Sydney about that title bcause they were showing that he wasnt a murderer he was just a barber cutting Torres's hair. I think that they were just trying to show that the narrator was a innocent man because of the statements he makes.

 

[Sarah Bates =D]

I think that the title is called "Just Lather, That's all", because that is what the narrator does to Torres the whole story. After he contemplated "A hero, or a murderer." he decides just to "play his part" as a barber instead of becoming a murderer. He wants to "just lather" instead of killing him with his blade.

[Sarah Bates =D]

I agree with Imane that Torres used this to point out that he had more power because of what has been said through out the passage "evoking" the barber to want to kill him even more. "Come to the school again at six o'clock.' The same thing as the other day,' I asked horrified. 'It could be better.' he replied."  is an example when Torres was making barber to want to kill even more.

[Sarah Bates =D]

I agree with Sydney. To one group he was a hero because he was a bigger person for not killing Torres and wouldn't be any better than the Captain if he did. He is a coward to other rebels because he couldn't kill the Captain.

On Friday, September 21, 2012 8:12:41 PM UTC-6, Sydney Comet wrote:

I think it is possible to be both a coward and a hero at the same time because to some people someone could be a hero, and to other people that someone could be a coward. I believe that either choice the narrator made one group would see him as a hero and the other group as a coward.

[Emily H.]

I think someone can be a hero as well as a coward at the same time. It all depends on the point of view your looking from. If you were on Torres side you wouldv'e thought the  narrator was a coward because he was going to tell the other side Torres plans or even kill Torres and run off and hide. The other side wouldv'e been grateful and thought of him as a hero because it helped them out in trying to stop them. If he wouldv'e killed him.. So it is possible to be a hero and a coward.

[Emily H.]

I agree with Hanna even though he wanted to kill Torres and run away it was just a shave and nothing more. His mind was telling him to kill him, but his job as a barber was more honorable to him. So the title "Just Lather, Thats All," really described the story as just that because that is all the narrator gave us and nothing after the shave.

 

[Emily H.]

I agree with Imane that the general was using the shave to the point out that he had more power then the narrator. Even though the narrator thinks he has the power he doesn't know the general is actually controlling that power  by "evoking" him. He kept explaining to the narrator of all of the deaths and how he was going to kill all of the rebels.

[Bailey Spriggs]

The story is titled "Just Lather, That's All' because in the text the narrator says that Torres came to him for a shave and that he wants to perform his work honorably. 

[Bailey Spriggs]

I agree with Emily because the narrator could be seen as a hero or coward, it just depends on what side you are looking from. If the narrator killed Torres, he would be seen as a hero to the rebels side, but he would be seen as a coward from Torres side.

[Bailey Spriggs]

I agree with Hanna because Torres didn't go because he wanted to die. In the text it says that he came to find out if he would die, it says nothing about him wanting to die. 

On Saturday, September 22, 2012 1:34:50 PM UTC-6, Hanna Piilola wrote:

I don't agree with Matthew that Torres went into the barber shop wanting to die. He went there to see if he would. Sure, he might have known that the narrator might have tried to kill him but he knew that he wouldn't. In the last paragraph, he turns around and says, " They told me that you'd kill me. I came to find out. You can take my word for it." This shows that Torres didn't think that he would go along with murdering him because he knew from first-hand experience that it wasn't easy.
On Saturday, September 22, 2012 12:15:09 PM UTC-6, Hanna Piilola wrote:

I agree with Sydney that it is possible to be both a coward and a hero at the same time because it's all about matter of opinion and points of view. Just like how each of us has a different definition of who a hero is, we have different opinions on who a coward is. If the narrator made the choice to murder Torres, he viewed as a hero to the rebels but a coward to the the opposing side for fleeing afterwards. 

On Friday, September 21, 2012 8:12:41 PM UTC-6, Sydney Comet wrote:

I think it is possible to be both a coward and a hero at the same time because to some people someone could be a hero, and to other people that someone could be a coward. I believe that either choice the narrator made one group would see him as a hero and the other group as a coward.

[Meghan McFerren]

I think that the story is titled "Just Lather, That's All" because lather is what the barber uses to shave Captain Torres, and he decides that all he is going to do is give him a shave and not be a murderer. 

[Lauren Spero]

I believe that it is possible for the general to be a hero and a coward at the same time because if he could have the opinions of both sides of the argument.  He could be a coward because he didn't kill the barber and the people on his side were mad, but he could also be a hero if the opposing side realizes that he didn't kill the barber.

[Lauren Spero]

I agree with this statement because Torres did just come in for a shave and nothing else.

[Lauren Spero]

I agree with Brittany because it depends on which side you are on.

On Friday, September 21, 2012 7:12:24 PM UTC-6, Brittany wrote:

Yes it is possible to be a coward and a hero at the same time. The barber is a hero to the Captains group and he is a coward to the rebels group for not killing him.

[Lauren Spero]

I agree with Jordan because again it just depends on what side you chose to be on.

On Saturday, September 22, 2012 8:42:19 PM UTC-6, Jordan Maestas wrote:

[Meghan McFerren]

I disagree with Lauren because Torres came to see if the barber would kill him, even though I don't understand why Torres would risk his life.

[Maegan Akell]

     In response to the question,"Is it possible that the general, knowing that the barber would not kill him, used the opportunity of the shave to point out that he (the general) had more power than the narrator?" I would have to say that no Torres did not use the shave to point out he had more power. This is because as Talisha was saying, maybe the general came in to die, and that is why he was so calm and was closing his eyes. If  Torres really did go in to point out he had more power, I don't think that he would have hung up him gun and cap. Also, generally when people are trying to "show somebody up" they are loud and making their self known to the person. The general did not do such, he just calmly came in, set his stuff down, and prepared to get shaved. At the very end when he states they told me that you would kill me, he does it in a matter that is not rude or "I knew the whole time" more just showing respect that he in fact did not kill him. But at the same time, did he want to die and was he saying it in a sad tone of voice becuase he did not get killed? I don't know, that's my question. But in the end, I don't think he was trying to show that he had more power. But I don't know the full intentions behind him going in for a shave, but surly it was not to try and intimidate him. So if y'all could help me out with that, that would be helpful.

[Deron (Hulk) Solomon]

The story is titled just Lather that's all because he believes that all he should do is his job and that he should not kill the man Torres.

On Friday, September 21, 2012 9:27:07 AM UTC-6, Ms. Wilbanks wrote:

You did a good job talking about the story today.  Choose one of the following topics to extend the conversation.

Why is the story titled "Just Lather, That's All"?

Is it possible to be both a hero and a coward at the same time?

[Olivia]

I think the title of this story is "Just Lather, That's All" because the only substance on the barber allowed to be upon the captain's skin was the soap lather; he did not let the captain's skin see a drop of blood even though he had contemplated killing the captain. The barber lathered the captains skin, took it of and sent him on his way rather than killing the captain.

[Deron (Hulk) Solomon]

Brittany, I disagree because he would not be a coward because as a rebel he is obviously fighting against a government that hands out to stiff of punishments. So if he were to kill this man then he is going against there very same thing that he is fighting for.

[Deron (Hulk) Solomon]

Meagan I agree with your basic point of that he was not try to show his power. But what I disagree with is the fact of you talking about him wanting to die. As only the reader we have to look at what is in the text to base off of what we are talking about. In what you are saying you are using no textual evidence that Torres wanted to die.

[Deron (Hulk) Solomon]

Emily in the story it doesn't say that he wanted to kill Torres and run away. Actually he says the exact opposite.

On Sunday, September 23, 2012 9:34:34 AM UTC-6, Emily H. wrote:

I agree with Hanna even though he wanted to kill Torres and run away it was just a shave and nothing more. His mind was telling him to kill him, but his job as a barber was more honorable to him. So the title "Just Lather, That's All," really described the story as just that because that is all the narrator gave us and nothing after the shave.

 

[Olivia]

I agree with Brittany because the people following Torres' cause might think it a noble action to not kill a man in a barber's chair, defenseless, and unprotected when he had the chance. However, this action could be seen as cowardice by the revolutionaries because the barber couldn't bring himself to execute an action that would give the revolutionaries an upper hand in the disagreement between the government and the revolutionaries.

[Olivia]

I agree with Imane, the text shows what substance the barber would prefer to be on his hands if something must be on is hands; just lather. The barber does not want blood on his hands, just lather, that's all. showing the title would be to show how the barber feels about his job, he wold prefer to be a barber, and shave the men rather than have blood on his hands for murder.

On Saturday, September 22, 2012 6:58:04 PM UTC-6, Imane Elouadi wrote:

The story is titled "Just Lather, That's All." The narrator didn't want to become a murderer; instead his goal in life is to succeed in his occupation. “But I don't want to be a murderer, no sir. You came to me for a shave. And I perform my work honorably. I don't want blood on my hands. Just lather, that's all."  In the story, the narrator also realizes that in the world everyone has their own place. "You are an executioner and I am only a barber. Each person has is own place in the scheme of things." This means that some people will become murderers, while others will impact the society in a positive manner. Therefore, the barber believes his place belongs in a barber shop where he can impact people's lives.

On Friday, September 21, 2012 9:27:07 AM UTC-6, Ms. Wilbanks wrote:

You did a good job talking about the story today.  Choose one of the following topics to extend the conversation.

Why is the story titled "Just Lather, That's All"?

Is it possible to be both a hero and a coward at the same time?

[Olivia]

Heather, I think the army and government would see the murder of the captain as an act of cowardice because Torres would have been murdered in cold blood while Torres sat helpless, with no protection in a barbers chair. This would show cowardice because it could show that he was not brave enough to fight Torres properly, but had to wait until Torres was completely at the barber's mercy vulnerable with no protection.

On Friday, September 21, 2012 4:49:35 PM UTC-6, Heather S. wrote:

How is he considered a coward to the military if he kills Torres? But I agree that if the barber killed Torres he could be a hero because he killed the executioner and a coward because then the the rebellions would eat harsher treatmen

On Friday, September 21, 2012 4:45:12 PM UTC-6, Matthew J. wrote:

Yes, it is possible to be a hero and a coward because in "Just Lather,That's All"
if the barber were to kill Torres during the haircut, he would be known as a coward to the military and a hero to the rebellions.He would be a coward because of the way he killed Torres and a hero because of the fact the he killed Torres.

[Olivia]

Jordan, although other people would have no knowledge of the narrator's thoughts, outsiders would still know that the narrator had the chance to kill Torres and chose not to.

On Saturday, September 22, 2012 8:46:29 PM UTC-6, Jordan Maestas wrote:

Sydney people don't know that the narrator even thought of killing Torres and Torres might tell people of his thoughts that could make them see that the narrator was a hero. Torres might even think the narrator is a hero because the narrator did what was right by not killing Torres.

On Friday, September 21, 2012 8:16:45 PM UTC-6, Sydney Comet wrote:

I agree with you to some extent, but does not killing Torres really make him a hero to the other people? Wouldn't some of them still be mad at him for even thinking about killing him?

[Ms. Wilbanks]

What if the narrator went in knowing that the barber wasn't going to kill him...more like a control thing.  If you read the last line as "Killing isn't easy.  Trust me, I know" that could be like "yes, it was difficult for me too" OR it could be like "And I can do it and you can't".  Either of those ways of reading it are justifiable, but I think one is more so than the other

[Ms. Wilbanks]

Nah...It was a bad copy from the internet.  Notice how it's only B's where H's should be? 

On Saturday, September 22, 2012 11:28:54 AM UTC-6, Miriam Mata wrote:

Did anybody else notice that some words in the text were spelled wrong. Like the word he was spelled be, had was spelled bad, and hand was spelled band. Do you guys think that he author did it on purpose? 

[40056775]

The story is called "Just Lather, That's All"?  because the barber doesn't want to be a murderer he just wants to lather faces and be a barber.

[Jenna Larson]

I think it is possible to be a hero and a coward at the same time. The barber was a hero for standing up for what he believed in. The barber didn't kill Torres because he thought is was wrong. The barber is a coward for not killing Torres because Torres was killing his people. 

[Jenna Larson]

I disagree that the barber was a hero to the captain's side. If Torres was murdered the military would send someone else to kill rebels. Not every person on the captain's side depended on Torres.

[Jenna Larson]

On Sunday, September 23, 2012 3:30:48 PM UTC-6, Jenna Larson wrote:

I disagree with Lauren that the barber was a hero to the captain's side. If Torres was murdered the military would send someone else to kill rebels. Not every person on the captain's side depended on Torres.

[Jenna Larson]

The story is called Just Lather, That's All, because the barber didn't want blood on his hands he just wanted lather on his hands. The barber decided that he just wanted to be a barber.

[Nina]

I agree with the idea that it depends on what side you're on when deciding whether the characters are cowardly or heroic. One group of people may believe what the narrator contemplated doing was heroic, while some may find it cowardly. It all depends on the individual's personal beliefs.

[Viktor Gemelev]

I think it is possible to be both a hero and a coward at the same time because there are two sides to one story, and everyone has their own different opinions. Like the narrator of "Just Lather, That's all" had said in the story, if he killed Torres while giving him a shave he would be seen very differently by two different groups of people. The narrator would be viewed as a hero by the rebels because the narrator would have killed their main enemy, Captain Torres. When viewed by the people of the town, government, or military, however, he would be seen as a coward because he would have killed him while giving him a shave instead of trying to kill him by Torres aware and ready for him. This proves that you can be both a coward and a hero, as it all depends on people's opinions.

[Viktor Gemelev]

I disagree with Jenna that the narrator is a coward because didn't kill Torres because it takes a whole lot of courage to kill somebody, and just because the narrator didn't kill the other side's leader doesn't make him a coward. If he did then it would make him a hero but in a bad way because it's not good to kill a person. Even if Torres was killing his people it doesn't mean that violence back and revenge is the answer.

[Chloe Wright!!!]

I agree with Nina on why the story is called "Just Lather, Thats All." The narrator says that he does not want to be a murderer, just a barber who does his job. He said that he doesn't want to kill him and get blood on his hands, just lather.

[Nina]

I agree, with the idea, that Torres, may have left the shop leaving the idea "I can kill, and you can't" insinuating that he was more powerful than the narrator.

[Chloe Wright!!!]

I agree with Viktor that a person can be a coward or a hero at the same time. There are always different opinions out there and while somebody may think that what he did was heroic, some may think that it was very cowardly. It is just a matter of what you have heard and whose side you are on.

[Viktor Gemelev]

Lauren, I wouldn't think that Torres not killing the narrator or the other way around would make him a coward because if you think about it it doesn't make you a coward if you don't kill a person or if you don't respond to violence with violence.

[Reuben E.]

I think the story is titled just lather that's all to show that the barber was not someone who liked to kill, I'm guessing the barber was someone one who would help but would never try to kill. He would be more of an inside job guy more like a spy to just gather information.

I do not believe it is possible to be a hero and a coward at the same time to me that's like having a double standard saying one thing but doing the other. If he was a hero he would've taken a stand and kill captain Torres and since he didn't to me is he a coward.

Yes I do believe it is possible the general did that whole thing just to prove that he has higher power then the barber or narrator, is the barber really realize this it would have tempted him to kill the general even more I think it might have even pushed him to go against him on custom and kill the general.  

   

[Chloe Wright!!!]

I do think that the general used that opprotunity to show that he had more power than the narrator, because by coming in, giving the narrator a full chance to kill him, and then leaving unharmed, he is kind of saying that you couldn't kill me if you wanted to. He can tell the community about how the rebels are cowards because one had the opprotunity to kill him, but they chose not to. He wants to show that he has more power than the rebels.

[Faven Woldetatyos]

I agree with Chloe and Viktor, that it you can be a coward and a hero. If the barber killed Torres, he would be honored by the rebels as a hero. If the barber let Torres go, the rebels and Torres's army would think he was a coward because he had Torres by the neck and didn't kill him. 

[Jennifer]

I don't think someone can be a coward & a hero at the same time.A hero is someone who will be willing to risk their life to save someone else's,they don't have to think about it,and they won't back out on it.A person who would back out on something,or have to think about it before doing it would be coward.Therefore it's not possible to be a hero and a coward at the same time. 

[Faven Woldetatyos]

I agree with Jenna because the barber decided he was going to continue his job (shaving hair and using lather) and that he was going to let Torres continue his job as an executioner. Also, the barber does not want to cause anymore bloodshed than there already was between Torres's army and the rebels the barber supported. In the story, he says," No one deserves to have someone else make the sacrifice of becoming a murderer. What do you gain by it? Nothing! others come along and still others, and the first ones kill the second ones and they the next ones and it goes on like this until everything is a sea of blood." In this way, the barber was implying that he was not going to murder Torres and cause more deaths as well.

[Faven Woldetatyos]

I agree with Bailey and Hanna. All Torres said in the end was that people had told him the barber would kill him, he came to find out, and that he knew killing wasn't easy. I think that Torres may have come to point out that he had more power than the barber, because he kept bringing up the deaths of the rebels like it was an everyday, normal thing knowing full well the barber was a rebel.

On Sunday, September 23, 2012 11:24:09 AM UTC-6, Bailey Spriggs wrote:

I agree with Hanna because Torres didn't go because he wanted to die. In the text it says that he came to find out if he would die, it says nothing about him wanting to die. 

On Saturday, September 22, 2012 1:34:50 PM UTC-6, Hanna Piilola wrote:

I don't agree with Matthew that Torres went into the barber shop wanting to die. He went there to see if he would. Sure, he might have known that the narrator might have tried to kill him but he knew that he wouldn't. In the last paragraph, he turns around and says, " They told me that you'd kill me. I came to find out. You can take my word for it." This shows that Torres didn't think that he would go along with murdering him because he knew from first-hand experience that it wasn't easy.
On Saturday, September 22, 2012 12:15:09 PM UTC-6, Hanna Piilola wrote:

I agree with Sydney that it is possible to be both a coward and a hero at the same time because it's all about matter of opinion and points of view. Just like how each of us has a different definition of who a hero is, we have different opinions on who a coward is. If the narrator made the choice to murder Torres, he viewed as a hero to the rebels but a coward to the the opposing side for fleeing afterwards. 
On Friday, September 21, 2012 8:12:41 PM UTC-6, Sydney Comet wrote:

I think it is possible to be both a coward and a hero at the same time because to some people someone could be a hero, and to other people that someone could be a coward. I believe that either choice the narrator made one group would see him as a hero and the other group as a coward.

[Sydney Comet]

No, I don't think it is possible that the General tried to show he had more power because he told the narrator that he didn't know if the narrator would kill him or not. He said that the reason he came into the barber shop was to see if he would.

[Megan Meyer]

The story is titled "Just Lather, That's all" because the barber lathers Torres' face and that's all he wants/needs to do.  He does not want to be a murderer or anything else.  Just a barber that lathers people's faces to shave them, that's all.

[Megan Meyer]

I agree with Matthew because, like he said, the barber would be known as a coward to the military because of the way he killed Torres and known as a hero to the rebels because of the fact that he killed Torres.

On Friday, September 21, 2012 4:45:12 PM UTC-6, Matthew J. wrote:

Yes, it is possible to be a hero and a coward because in "Just Lather,That's All"
if the barber were to kill Torres during the haircut, he would be known as a coward to the military and a hero to the rebellions.He would be a coward because of the way he killed Torres and a hero because of the fact the he killed Torres.

[Megan Meyer]

Actually, I did notice that and highlighted those words as I reread it many times.  I'm not sure if the author did that on purpose or not, but if he did, I wonder why.

[Megan Meyer]

For the third question, I think it might be possible, but I was thinking that Torres was tired of having to kill the rebels when he didn't want to.  I mean, maybe he did want to, but even if he did, do you think he felt good about it?  I wouldn't!  Anyway, I think Torres wanted the barber to kill him so that he wouldn't have to deal with killing the rebels any longer.

[Erikka]

The story is titled "Just Lather, That's All" because the narrator just wants to be known as a barber. He doesn't want to be known as anything else. The narrator didn't want to be known as a murderer because he wouldnt be known as a barber anymore. I think it is possible to be a coward and a hero at the same time. It depends on your point of view. The narrator could of been a hero to the general because he wasnt killed. But the narrator could of been a coward to the rebels because he didn't kill the general when he had the chance. I do not think the general was trying to show he had more power. I dont think by him showing up to get a shave and seeing if the narrator was going to actually kill him that was showing he had more power.

[Erikka]

I agree with Sydney because the rebels could of seen him as a coward because he didnt kill the general but the general and his people could of seen him as a hero. But if he would of killed the general then the roles of who thought he was a hero would of switched.

[Erikka]

I agree with Emily because he did want to be a good barber and that over powered his thought of killing Torres. If the narrator didn't have such pride in being a barber then he could of had different thought about killing Torres then what he did.

[Ekaterina Dombayeva (Katie)]

In the story "Just Lather.That's all" I believe it is possible to be a hero and a coward because it depends on the person who is viewing the person. For example the generals people would think him as a coward if he would kill the general because of how he would have killed him. The rebellions would have thought of him as a hero because he killed the general.

[Ekaterina Dombayeva (Katie)]

Even though the general wanted to die and risked his life knowing the barber could kill him.I don't believe that the general was trying to take the opportunity of getting a shave to show power because he left all of his armor and protection on a hook,he also closed his eyes if he was going to show power he would have had his eyes opened and not closed. 

[Ekaterina Dombayeva (Katie)]

Even though the story puts the general as a bad guy I don't believe that he truly is a bad person.In the story he killed the four rebels to show power, he worked for the government and its their power to tell the general what to do.The government in the story was very bad because they made the general kill those four rebels to show that they can do that to anyone they choose and are trying to prove that they are way more powerful than the citizens.

[Maya]

On Friday, September 21, 2012 9:27:07 AM UTC-6, Ms. Wilbanks wrote:

You did a good job talking about the story today.  Choose one of the following topics to extend the conversation.

Why is the story titled "Just Lather, That's All"?

Is it possible to be both a hero and a coward at the same time?

Is it possible that the general, knowing that the barber would not kill him, used the opportunity of the shave to point out that he (the general) had more power than the narrator?

I think it is possable for someone to be a hero and a coward at the same time because everyone defines the two words differently so to some he may be considered a hero and to some he may be considered a coward he can be described as both but personally i think hes neither because he decided not to kill him not because he was afraid to or a chicken and not because he thought it was the right thing to do but instead he decided not to kill him because of his occupation and professionalism. 

[Maya]

On Sunday, September 23, 2012 12:07:57 PM UTC-6, Meghan McFerren wrote:

I think that the story is titled "Just Lather, That's All" because lather is what the barber uses to shave Captain Torres, and he decides that all he is going to do is give him a shave and not be a murderer. 

On Friday, September 21, 2012 9:27:07 AM UTC-6, Ms. Wilbanks wrote:

You did a good job talking about the story today.  Choose one of the following topics to extend the conversation.

Why is the story titled "Just Lather, That's All"?

Is it possible to be both a hero and a coward at the same time?

I agree with Magen because the story was about how he could have killed him but instead he just did what the man was in titled to a shave after all he was just an ordinary costumer.