Cora Did Nothing Wrong - Debate on “Dear Mr. Winston”

Basic Elements:

Characters: Cora, Parents, Mr. Winston

Setting: Home, Library

Plot: Cora brought a snake to the library and now is writing an apology letter.

Perspective: 1st person viewpoint

Genre: Realistic Fiction

"Dear Mr. Winston" by Ken Roberts (Illustrated by Nicole E. Wong) is a realistic fiction story told from the first-person perspective of a girl named Cora. Cora writes an apology letter to Mr. Winston, a librarian, because she accidentally brought a snake into the library. The snake escaped when Mr. Winston opened the box Cora had brought, causing him to be scared, fall, and end up in the hospital. Although Cora apologizes repeatedly, she blames Mr. Winston for the accident (dropping the box onto the floor and releasing the snake), making her apology sound less than fully sincere. Cora's parents make her write the apology, and as punishment, she is not allowed to watch her favorite TV show: Galactic Petrol. The snake is never found, and Cora expresses concern about it still being loose in the library. However, in my opinion, I think losing the snake is Cora’s fault.

Cora brought a snake into the library without permission. She brought a snake into the library, which at first was not following the school’s library and safety rules. Second, it was inappropriate, and third, it caused a disturbance.  The school rules for Cora’s school (and every school) should have no pets allowed in the school. This is because pets may get accidentally released and may cause harm or distract other people (The school isn’t wrong). For example, Mr. Winston is the victim of Cora’s snake. It is inappropriate as everyone was following the rules even if they had the tendency, but Cora just did without thinking about her actions and consequences. This action showed poor judgment for the rules of the library and the comfort of others. Cora didn’t follow the school rules and teachers.

Cora didn’t admit her responsibility fully and sincerely. Although she apologizes, her apology does not seem completely sincere; in the text “Truly, genuinely sorry” . This makes her getting into more frustration, anxiety, and trouble.  She tries to convince others about her actions by blaming others or other things related, such as stating her friend persuaded her the snake was harmless or that Mr. Winston's reaction was exaggerated. She also was blaming Mr. Winston for opening the box without permission and needing help in the letter (using an impolite voice). Furthermore, she tried to use information: Not any venomous snakes in this area instead of apologizing to an end. This shows a lack of genuine apology and accountability. Without apologizing truly and genuinely, Cora’s trouble wouldn’t end. 

Cora ignored help and advice, which led to more trouble in the end. We need to ask for help and guidance because others may have the power to solve it, or at least it may be better. Only using our own knowledge and thinking can lead to more trouble instead of solutions.  In the story, Cora did not ask for help when she brought the snake and even resisted assistance from other people. This caused her to pay two months of her allowance into apology flowers, the pause for her favorite TV show, and her right now writing the apology letter.  This shows she was not thoughtful about the problems her actions might cause and was careless. We should listen to advice from others so that we don’t go down deeper trenches when we have problems.

In conclusion, the story: Dear Mr. Winston by Ken Roberts is a realistic fiction about Cora, who accidentally brought her pet snake into the school library. This caused Mr. Winston to be in the ambulance to the hospital (In America, not good news). However, in my point of view, I think it IS Cora’s fault for numerous reasons. Firstly, she didn’t follow the school rules and brought a snake in the library, which harmed someone innocent. Secondly, she isn’t truly, genuinely sorry and is consistently blaming other people about this situation. Last but not least, she ignores others’ advice, which could slowly solve this situation.