Growing Up Russell Baker

1. Growing UpRussell Baker Xiang Shen St. Mary’s University xshen1@mail.stmarytx.edu

2. Introduction • “Growing Up” told a story about the author Russell Baker’s childhood. And his mother always scolded him and complained about his lack of motivation. The story describes the changing process of Russell’s character in his childhood.

3. The Character of Russell • when Russell was eight, his mother always scolded him and complained about his lack of gumption. At that time, his liked reading his favorite novel, Dick Tracy Meets Stooge Viller, before the radio. Russell's character is completely different from his sister, Doris, because his sister had enough gumption.

4. Russell’s Mother • Russell's mother played a very important role in his life. In that period, parents often wanted their children to become president when they grow up and work towards this goal. But Russell's mother did not ask him this; perhaps she has been disappointed on Russell’s gumption.

5. Russell’s Hope • Russell wanted to picking up trash, empty bottles and cans. Russell hoped to be a garbage man.

6. Selling Magazines • Until one day, Russell's mother asked him to meet some person from Curtis Publishing Company and help him to get a job: selling magazines that called the Saturday Evening Post. • But things did not develop smoothly, Russell's efficiency on selling magazines was much worse than he expected. He just stood in Belleville Avenue and of Union Avenue and sold magazines and he was not good at marketing his own products. Russell's uncle was his first customer.

7. Being A Writer • Doris successfully sold a lot of newspapers, Russell did not feel humiliated, but happy to buy apples and share with his sister. Russell is likely to know himself have no hope in the gumption and he felt less suitable for this work. • Russell's mother played a key role this time and she read the excellent Russell's essay and gave him a good advice: Being a writer. Writer can live in a freewheeling life and writing freely and this is the beginning of Russell writing career.

8. Vedio • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YAfHiVN75Y

9. Questions • 1.What did Buddy want to be at first? • 2.What was the name of magazine he sold? • 3. Who was his first customer? • 4. Where he sold magazines? • 5. What did he finally decided to be?