"I then told them that they had to look upon themselves in a different light, that they had to be convinced of their basic worth, and that they could learn just as fast as anybody else."

The school's library supplied little hope for catching the interest of young readers. The local library was seen as useless so donations quit coming to the island. It was looked upon that all these people needed was a little education and some books. However, Conroy knew that the children deserved more than what they had been offered. "I then told them that they had to look upon themselves in a different light, that they had to be convinced of their basic worth, and that they could learn just as fast as anybody else." Conroy began encouraging the children to do more and be more. He focused on that the children could learn rather than that they were just "dumb." Conroy using "Bay Cloven" engaged the children into a world that they had not been and focused around the world of learning. Pep rallies formed from listening to the news from the existing world led the children into a journey of obtaining the basic knowledge that was once non-existent. Instilling in the young minds that they needed to take hold of the their worth meant unwinding what had not been wasted on them to start with which was time. Conroy was not quick to be startled by the pronunciation of some of the words spoken. As compared to some teachers who would gasp and assume the child meant what was spoken. Through this chapter, Conroy continuously searches for ways to build upon the lack of knowledge the students bestow. Conroy was trying to prove to others that these children were worth the time to teach and convince the children they were the valuable tool.