A little about Jodi

Jodi Lynn Picoult was born on May 19, 1966, in Nesconset on Long Island in New York. Picoult studied writing at Princeton University, where she earned her bachelor's degree. She also earned a master's degree in education from Harvard University. The theme of her novels usually associates ethical issues, which are judged from various viewpoints to create an understandment of multiple sides of the situation. She was awarded the New England Bookseller Award for fiction in 2003. Picoult currently has some 14 million copies of her books in print worldwide.

Characters

• Peter Houghton: The offender who shot and killed people and injured nineteen at his school, Sterling High.
  
• Josie Cormier: Peter's ex-best friend and Matt's current girlfriend.
• Alex Cormier: Josie's mother and Patrick's love interest. She is a judge at the Superior court in Grafton County.
• Patrick Ducharme: Detective on the Sterling Police Force and Alex's love interest (a recurring character in Picoult's novels.)
  
• Lacy Houghton: Peter's mother. A midwife. Used to be Alex Cormier's good friend.
• Lewis Houghton: Peter's Father. A happiness critic and college lecturer.
• Matt Royston: Josie's boyfriend. A jock. A bully.
• Jordan McAfee: Peter's defense attorney (a recurring character in Picoult's novels.)
• Selena McAfee: Jordan's wife who assists with her husband's case
• Drew: One of the popular kids who was only wounded in the shooting.
• Brady: Another popular kid who dated Courtney.
• Derek: Peter's only friend after Josie leaves him for the popular crowd.
• Mr. McCabe: A closeted gay teacher who ends up dying during the shooting.
• Joey: Peter's dead brother.
• Logan: Josie's biological father.

Victims

In order of death,

• Maddie Shaw: Josie's friend and a popular student.
• Courtney Ignatio: Josie's friend and a popular student.
• Whit Obermeyer: Alex's old boss.
  
• Topher McPhee: The school's pot dealer.
• Grace Murtaugh: Daughter of the town's minister.
• Kaitlyn Harvey: A freshman with special needs.
• Edward McCabe: The only teacher killed and Peter's former math teacher. He is gay.
• Noah James: Senior and a jock.
• Matt Royston: A popular jock, Josie's hot boyfriend. Most boys want to be him.

For the Reader

The purpose of this blog is to provide background information for the novel "Nineteen Minutes", and to intrigue the audience into reading this book. A few words about the author, Jodi Picoult, and her career milestones will be available for the reader to view. On this blog I will include posts for chapters in chronological order, as well as an analysis for each chapter. A post for important quotes will also be incorporated to help the reader understand it's significance to the novel and to life in general. A separate post for literary devices will also be presented and the effect they have on the novel. My personal opinions of the novel will be accessible, as well as my ideas of the novel's themes. Posts will be updated daily after each chapter is read.

Chapter 11 Analysis
The beginning of this chapter is important to pay attention to because it shows the audience that the trial will be judged fairly. The process Diana and Patrick use to pick ten mutual people shows the honesty and fairness of the court system.
At this point in the novel, we get to see a deeper look into Patrick and Alex's relationship. They have grown closer now, and have truly fallen in love. Their relationship is no longer a secret from Josie.
This is Lewis's first visit to see his son since the day of the shooting. At first Lewis is nervous, but the audience soon understands how good of a relationship him and his son had. No matter what the circumstances are, family will always be top priority in the Houghton family.
Drew finally confesses his torment towards Peter. We learn the students shot on that day weren't the only victims. Peter had been bullied for years and now, because of Drew's confession, the severity of Peter's consequences may be altered.
Now that Josie is part of the trial, Alex and Patrick are nervous for the outcomes. Patrick reviews the details of the case, and looks closely at the nature of the guns. The audience now knows that something relating to the guns is key, but we are left in suspense as Patrick only mentions them briefly.
This is the beginning of the trial where Jordan preps for the day. He begins the trial eagerly which shows how ambitious and loyal he is to his client. This determination has been repeated throughout the entire novel which shows how hard of a worker Peter's lawyer is.
The Bullied Victims of America are present the day of Peter's trial which helps gain the audiences hope that a positive outcome will occur. This group helps inspire Jordan to continue with his work even when everyone else is against him.
The trial begins with Diana's presentation. After strong accusations, Diana ends the speech with the same paragraph at the very beginning of the novel. The only difference between the two quotes of what can happen in nineteen minutes is the final words. At the beginning of the first chapter, the description of what can happen in nineteen minutes is in Peter's point of view. The difference of opinions is what alters the last sentence. Peter believes in nineteen minutes you can get revenge, whereas Diana thinks the world can come to a pause. This comparison of opinions is an example of a hyperbole, which best enhances each characters disposition.
With the aid of a forensic physiciatrist to help defend Peter's case, the judge fails to believe the severity of Peter's illness.
Mr. Spears, the students gym teacher is later called to the stand to report any torment towards Peter he witnessed. Jordan makes an excellent point of how teachers are not expected to prevent bullying or administer any consequences. This is one of the most important points made during the case and in reality. The example Picoult provides helps the audience understand that bullying is a real issue today and in some cases no actions are taken into consideration to prevent this issue. This is a significant point made and helps society question bullying circumstances.
Josie later admits to her mother, "I wasn't brave enough to defend myself, I didn't want to be treated like them"(387). Picoult exemplifies the theme of the novel with this quote because majority of students have related to this lack of self confidence. Standing up for someone else first begins with self confidence to stand up for yourself first. Perhaps some of the audience can relate to Josie's character as we have all been through tough times in high school where bullying was a factor. If the audience can understand a possible outcome of bullying, maybe it will inspire us to stop the issue.

Chapter 10 Analysis
Personally, I believe this is the event that triggered it all. Courtney sends out a mass forward to the school to humiliate Peter. Although plenty of other factors should be taken in account for Peter's actions, I believe when Peter realized his love letter for Josie was not so private anymore, it triggered Peter to turn the tables.
When Drew and Matt confront Josie about the email, she acts as if she doesn't care, but really the audience knows more than a few of the characters. This example of dramatic irony shows how fake Josie's character really can be, since the audience had read about her past.
Picoult alludes to the cravings of pregnancy when Josie desires pickles and chocolate. Majority of people know being pregnant has side effects including strong temptations. As the audience learns at the start of the novel that Josie and Matt have sex for the first time unprotected we can assume these cravings relate to a pregnancy, another conflict of the main character.
Courtney is deceitful into leading Peter to believe Josie actually admires his letter. Peter who is naive to the situation, actually gains enough courage to go talk to his crush, only to become crushed. The popular crowd, routinely bullies Peter to a maximum point. No more bullying will ever occur again at Sterling High.
Josie is relieved to wake up in the middle of the night to a miscarriage. Ironically, her mother was pregnant at a young age and even though she was constantly pressured to abort the pregnancy, Alex decided to be responsible and care for Josie alone. Alex could have aborted the baby, but instead she decided to care for her. Both options are analyzed in this novel, perhaps allowing the audience to see advantages and disadvantages of both.

Chapter 13 Analysis
This chapter is what leads up to the final decision the judge makes for Peter's future. With all the detailed evidence, the audience can start to piece together what would be fair consequences for the characters. Picoult involves the reader by leaving room for opinion and building suspense.
Patrick, a neutral character, provides much evidence for the audience to make a personal decision. When the outcome is different from what we expect, the story becomes more intriguing.
I decided to incorporate the letter from one of the victims in chapter 10 analysis, as it is the only viewpoint from a minor character who was also targeted the day of the shooting.
Angela Phlug's letter is so powerful and memorable, Peter can recite every word. This letter is one of the only accusations that is truly meaningful as it is personally from a victim. She notes that she would have liked to be Peter's friend. When Peter reads this the audience does not know what he is thinking, but we do know his reaction, so we can assume his emotions. This is the first time in the story Peter may actually regret his actions and feel sorry for an innocent victim. She continues the letter with what she is able and disabled of doing. Peter may finally resent what had happened and wished Angela had saved him earlier.
The end of the chapter is a very important piece to the puzzle. Lacy is called to the stand to defend her son. She has troubles speaking and is depressed by the audiences verbal abuse. The audience can understand now that Lacy feels responsible for her son's actions, but cannot go back in time. After Lacy's sympathetic speech, Josie is called off guard to the stand. She states her general information and informs the jury of the early morning routine on the day of the shooting. The audience is left in a cliffhanger when Jordan states, "what happened next"(437). We can assume that Josie's next actions will be interesting as she may confess something totally unexpected. The abrupt ending of the chapter will captivate the audience and prohibit them from setting the book down!

Chapter 9 Analysis
In chapter nine, the focal point is the evidence of the case. Diana Leven learns that Alex Cormier, the judge of the case is Josie Cormier's mother. The connection of these two main characters creates an ironic tone that results in more tension as another conflict arises. Judge Cormier is legal to work on this case, but Diana Leven has different intentions. She wishes Cormier would recuse from the case, perhaps so the final decision will not be altered by interfering emotions.
The makeshift crosses found at the side of the highway in Sterling symbolize the sympathy the citizens of the town have for the family of the victims. This sympathy is so deep it shows how majority of the town does not understand Peter's situation, as Sterling will always feel sorrier for the victims.
Peter Houghton's cross demonstrates how he also was a victim. His cross is constantly vandalized and taken down, also showing the citizens respect for Peter.
During this time, Lacy realizes that her husband has not been visiting Peter like he says he is. This shows Lewis' sympathy for the victims families as we later learn he goes to visit the students at the cemetery. The audience may predict that again, Lewis is neglecting his son. This may be one of the factors that triggered the shooting. It leaves room for the audience to create personal opinions and decide in reality what can cause such a dramatic scene.
When Peter receives the letter in jail from a student writing a paper on bullied victims, the audience can predict hope. Not until later in the chapter do we learn that the "student", was actually a reporter and used Peter. The hope that Peter could gain help was an illusion. Picoult twisted the plot of the story to keep the audience on edge.
At the end of the chapter, a new relationship is formed. Patrick and Alex start to talk and become closer. A romantic mood is created to create more depth and add to the overall genre of the novel.