pages 9-20, question 1- Chris

John Knowles starts off with the present day Gene 15 years after he graduates because he can describe what has changed over the many years. This is a cool way to start off the story because he does say what has changed and what hasn't. John Knowles did this because he wanted to show the reader that Gene still remembers his experience in the school and that he visits it. This technique makes you think about why it is so important to him and why he visits the school 15 years after he graduates. Now the reader is curious to why it was such a great or bad experience to Gene.