Cedric’s chemistry teacher at Ballou, Mr. Taylor is one of the people who recognizes Cedric’s intellect and potential from the beginning, and offered his spare time and energy to help the boy advance beyond the boundaries of their underserved high school. He is a constant source of support, guidance, and inspiration for Cedric during high school, and uses their mutual faith in God to help keep the boy on track. However, when Mr. Taylor visits Cedric while he’s at Brown, the teacher gives his student a Bible study magazine, hoping to maintain that connection of faith in God; Cedric has no use for this gift, and leaves it on a stoop, recognizing that he is swiftly moving away from his old life and his connection to the church, though he still believes in God.
Mr. Clarence Taylor Quotes in A Hope in the Unseen
The A Hope in the Unseen quotes below are all either spoken by Mr. Clarence Taylor or refer to Mr. Clarence Taylor. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Chapter 1
Quotes
I worked hard. Why should I be ashamed? Ashamed to claim credit for something I earned? I hate myself for not going.
Related Characters:
Cedric Jennings (speaker), Mr. Clarence Taylor
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 3
Quotes
“Hebrews 11:1. ‘The substance of faith is a hope in the unseen.’”
Related Characters:
Mr. Clarence Taylor (speaker), Cedric Jennings
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
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Mr. Clarence Taylor Character Timeline in A Hope in the Unseen
The timeline below shows where the character Mr. Clarence Taylor appears in A Hope in the Unseen. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 1: Something to Push Against
As Cedric studies his vocabulary words, his chemistry teacher, Mr. Taylor , comes in and informs him that he is disappointed in the boy for not...
(full context)
Mr. Taylor has been helping Cedric with his application—in fact, he has been deeply invested in Cedric’s...
(full context)
Chapter 3: Rise and Shine
Mr. Taylor believes in Cedric and supports his ambitions, and recognizes that the young man has a...
(full context)
Chapter 11: Back Home
...need to build their own support networks. When it is over, Cedric goes to find Mr. Taylor , his beloved chemistry teacher, but when he sees the blood stain from a recent...
(full context)
Chapter 13: A Place Up Ahead
Back in his dorm room, Cedric receives a call from Clarence Taylor , his old chemistry teacher, who happens to be in Providence as he is traveling...
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Cedric then reminds Mr. Taylor of one of his quotations, about “a hope in the unseen,” and tells him that...
(full context)
