Scaffolding

Scaffolding //Definition:// Parts of a text that are emphasized more in order to construct an interpretation to gain a better understanding of the text. It is they way that readers piece information together to delve into the deeper meanings of the text.
 * Paul Marx, Jim McCrory, and Brett Shinkle**

Book Examples: The first example of scaffolding in the book includes the entirety of the fourth chapter that deals with Alvin and his stump. This chapter is an example of this technique because it shows a lot about how Philip comes and supports Alvin now that he has lost his leg, even though in the beginning he had some confusing feelings about him. That lays a foundation for the very ending of the book. Specific examples of how Philip supports Alvin are on pages 135 and 145 where he helps out Alvin and Alvin even says,"I couldn't live without you." These examples lay the foundation for the very end of the book where Philip is again supporting someone but this time it is Seldon. So the examples of Philip helping Alvin start to build the argument that Philip does support people throughout the book. Then as you go further throughout the book it becomes more obvious as Philip supports others like Aunt Evelyn. This example shows how when someone like aunt Evelyn is in need he can help. He supports her when she is in trouble. With these examples you can then build that argument that Philip does support various people throughout the book. The chapter the stump makes you interpret that Philip will support people throughout the book.

The second book example is throughout the whole book where Roth makes us believe that the plot is always against the Jews by emphasizing how they are all alone and how people love the president. This is an example of scaffolding because all through the book Roth lays the foundation and makes you interpret that the plot is always against the Jewish people. This helps Roth to make you believe how the book will end by playing to his advantage. Some specific examples of this are on pages 65 and 70 where he makes you feel that there is a plot against the Jewish people in America. He does this by making everyone seem like they are agaisnt the Jews. He is constantly making references to the Jews and is showing examples of how they are mistreated. LIke the Hotel scene and when Philip's father is called a "Loudmouth Jew." These type of comments and refernces throughout the book start to build up and show that Roth really wants us to believe there is this Plot not against America, but against the Jewish people. Also it provides a framework for your foreshadowing and your hypothesis on how the book will come to a conclusion so it plays to Roth's advantage.

Outside Example:

We see scaffolding in everyday in campaign politics. One specific example of scaffolding in campaign politics is when Hilary Clinton was on the Letterman Show. She only tells about the positive side of her and her views that are shared by many others or that are conceived to be bad or wrong. Hilary does this to provide a framework on what people will believe about her and she only says good things because she wants people to understand that she would be a good president or "someone you can have a beer with"(video part 1). Throughout both videos she only emphasizes the things that she believes are important for the public to know about and she avoids her weakness or justs laughs them off. In other words she builds a structure around her that shows her as someone who believes in both a good perception and one who has good political views, which is how she wants the public to perceive her. In addition to this example, a person that is watching the show and critiquing Hilary's polices can use the scaffolding technique. The person will look at what Hilary has said in this show and build a belief of the capabilities of Mrs. Clinton as a President. They will look at every piece of information that she provides and build an argument of how Mrs. Clinton will be overall. For example a possible scaffold could be that Hilary talks about how she will increase public financing, give more people health insurance, and bind the nation together, therefore, she will make a good president.

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