User:Apurohit

Summary

At every turn Jeremy is taunted by images of Those Shoes, they’re everywhere and it seems everyone has them except Jeremy. When his shoes come apart and he must make do with an older pair provided by the school guidance counsellor, Jeremy desires those black high tops with white strips more than ever. When he finally finds a pair that he can afford there is only one problem, the shoes are a few sizes too small. Jeremy decides to buy them anyway, even though wearing the shoes causes him great pain. One day he notices his friend Antonio’s shoes coming apart the way his did, he also notices that Antonio’s feet are smaller than his. It is then that Jeremy feels those too small shoes could be put to better use on his friend’s feet.

Guidelines for Philosophical Discussion

“Those Shoes” ask the question, to what extent are we willing to conform and look like the people around us. In the story Jeremy is surrounded by advertisements and people all wearing those fashionable black high-tops with white strips; however, at the same time Jeremy feels the push to prioritize between his needs and wants. This is especially emphasized when Jeremy realizes that his grandmother will not be able to afford the shoes. After searching shop after shop, Jeremy finds a pair in his price range; the only problem is that these shoes don’t fit him very well. Since his grandma refuses to buy the shoes the question that arises is whether Jeremy is willing to tolerate the discomfort and spend his own money for them anyway. When he later sees his friend’s tattered footwear, Jeremy realizes that the shoes that cause him much pain and discomfort could serve a much better purpose for Antonio. After giving the shoes to Antonio, Jeremy realizes that he never really needed those high-tops like Antonio, he only ever wanted them.

Questions for Philosophical Discussion

“There’s no room for ‘want’ around here-just ‘need’”

What is a ‘want’? A ‘need’? Have you ever wanted to buy something but were told you didn’t need it? Do you still want to get it? Why?

“I was always the fastest before those shoes came along.”

Was Brandon T. really faster than Jeremy? Why did he say he was? Have you ever wished for something that someone else had and you didn’t? How did you feel? Why?

“When I come back to the classroom, Allen Jacoby takes one look at my Mr. Alfrey shoes and laughs, and so do Terrence, Brandon T., and everyone else”

Have you ever accepted something you didn’t want? Why?

“I buy them anyway with my own money, and I squeeze them one and limp to the bus stop.”

Have you ever given up your comfort to be like someone else? Why? Why did Jeremy but the shoes? Was it right for Jeremy to buy the shoes? Why or Why not? Why does Jeremy keep wishing the shoes will stretch, even though they won’t?

“I think, I’m not going to do it”

What does Jeremy not want to do? Why doesn’t he want to?

Is this the right decision Jeremy should make?

“My hands are sweaty-I can feel him wishing those shoes were his.”

What does Jeremy mean by this? Have you ever felt someone wanted something you had? How did you feel?