Trevor Noah Born a Crime: Chapters 6 & 7

 Chapter 6 

"At my gran's house I always got seconds, which none of the other kids got. My grandmother would give me the pot and say, "Finish it."(Noah 78).

This part confused me because in the beginning chapters, they make it seem like they are very poor and do not have enough money for proper food. But now Trevor is eating extras? I did not think that they lived in a house where there could be extras. I wonder if this is because of the mom's new job and they can finally afford more. 

"Because you wouldn't shut up about the toffee apple. Now get in the car. Let's go" (Noah 81).

This scene was hard to read. I could not imagine this happening to me as a kid, and I think if it did happen, my reaction would have been much worse than Trevors. I would have had a full panic temper tantrum. This is just another altercation that Trevor has with his mother that makes me cringe. What mother would want to make her son feel this way? However, they quickly get over the situation once they leave the grocery store and walk out to the car. Patricia just has no time for Trevors whining. 

"The flames moved quickly. Soon the roof was on fire, and from there the blaze spread to the main house, and the whole thing burned and burned and burned" (Noah 89). 

There have already been so many events Trevor lived through during his childhood, but this one has been the worst so far. In this chapter, we learn how naughty he became and all of the pranks he would pull. While him starting a white family's house on fire was an accident, it was still his fault. He got very lucky that he was not punished or attacked by the family because of the result of him playing with matches. Just when I thought things could not get any worse, they do. 

Chapter 7 

"She didn't believe the nonsense about cats" (Noah 95).

This sentence stood out to me because I would have guessed that Patricia would have believed that cats were witches because of all the other nonsense she believes in. It's humerous that when her own son crapped in their house, she believed it was a demon. But then she will go buy two black cats, which everyone believes are witches. I feel that this is the same for all people who believe crazy things. The things they believe in are crazy, but then they are fine with other things that are controversial. 

"No, that's my dog, Spotty" (Noah 98). 

The little boy calling Fufi his dog reminded me of the scene in the grocery store when his mom told the check-out lady that he was not her son. At a young age that Trevor was at, these are hard things to hear when you know deep down they are not true. I would be so sad if someone else was trying to convince me that my cat was theirs. Honestly, I think I would get violent and angry very quick. Thankfully, Patricia was able to step in and help deal with the situation. This being an example of one of the times she does a good time being a mother. 

1. In this classic bit from 2015, what essential points does Trevor Noah make about how smartphones have changed us as human beings? Do you agree? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2r3qk7ifgI4

Yes, I agree with Trevor that phones will make us "devolve". He hints at our postures, and how our necks and hands are after holding a phone and texting all day. He jokes about us devolving and turning back into apes, and props to him this was hilarious. Humans also struggle with conversation now, whether that's trying to hold a conversation while they are on their phone, or talking to someone online. There is limited connection and people do not put in the same amount of effort that they would if the conversation was in person. 

1. In chapter six Noah relates how he connected with his mother was like “the relationship between a cop and criminal in the movies—the relentless detective and the devious mastermind she’s determined to catch” (80). What were some notable events in this chapter that illustrate this?

One day Trevor and his mother were shopping at at the register she pretended like she was not his mom. This freaked him out, making him cry. Once they left the store, she explained she just needed him to shut up. She was sick of him complaining. Another prime example would be how she would hit him, and then act like they were best friends. 

1. “You do not own the thing you love” (Noah 100), the author relates in chapter seven. What did he learn about Fufi and Panther? Is there a lesson you have also learned in life from the pets you have owned? What was it?

Panther was beautiful and smart, while Fufi was stupid and dumb. Panther was assigned to be Patricias dog, while Fufi was Trevors. Awhile after owning the dogs, they learn that Fufi is deaf and is able to jump over their fence. Some lessons I have learned from owning cats are they will wake you up when you are sleeping, they do not give a crap. When they want attention, they will beg and beg, but when they want to be left alone you must not touch them. Overall, cats are very smart and will hear the sound of the sandwich meat bag opening. They are more intelligent than we know.