Chain Reaction In Nothing But The Truth By Philip Malloy

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Chain Reaction In the novel “Nothing But The Truth”, main character Philip Malloy does one action resulting in a chain reaction of events. Along with causing a chain reaction, his action affected many others as well. What he did is cause a disturbance in class, but he doesn’t believe this and changes the truth constantly. Because he changes the truth, everyone has their own take on the truth. This results in the chain reaction of events. Philip Malloy was humming along with the National Anthem in class instead of remaining silent, resulting in his teacher Ms. Narwin to scold him (page 35). He believes he did nothing wrong, and continues to do so (page 49). This is where he starts bending the truth. “Yeah, well, it’s sort of a... patriotic thing with me. But the whole thing is, she always has it in for me,” (page 51, said by Philip). He makes an excuse saying he was being patriotic and that Ms. Narwin dislikes him. Philip’s parents side with him and believe Ms. Narwin is disrespecting Philip (page 57). The newspaper finds out about this and Philip gives them false information to put a bad reputation on Ms. Narwin (pages 84-86). Ms. Narwin is affected negatively by this. She gets telegrams disrespecting her (page 130), the school she teaches at is getting telegrams saying she must …show more content…

For example, “We support your defense of America. Keep on singing. We all join in,” (page 153). Philip doesn’t believe nobody is taking his side though, saying “Nobody takes my side. They all think Narwin is great,” (page 166). Because of this he doesn’t go to school and stays home, resulting in his parents sending him to Washington Academy, a private school (page 171, and page 176). His chain reaction of events ends here when in class of his new and school, he is asked to sing the national anthem, and he replies “I don’t know the words,” (page