Hola, reader! I've recently started a new book called The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer. So far in the book, the main character Matt, is imprisoned in the Big House and is treated miserably by Rosa and everyone else in the house.
Well, for a couple chapters while Matt was in the locked room, I was wondering where Celia was (his guardian). She instantly just disappeared for about two chapters. When she finally figures out that he has been held in the Big House she rushes to him and is relieved. She also says that she was told that Matt was with El Patron and had no idea that he was here.
But what is confusing to me is that El Patron has been known to have a bad reputation and is a hostile person. This quote proves my statement:"I'll tell you this: El Patron has his good side and his bad side. Very dark indeed is his majesty when he wants to be." They also comment on his rage and how it is frightening. How can Celia be content with leaving her "child" with an aggressive and dangerous man? How is she fine with potentially hurting Matt's saftey? When Celia said this in the book these were the questions that I asked myself.
Well, thanks for reading. Adios reader! :)
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Depicting a Conversation in Mockingjay
Hey followers! Today, instead of presenting a prediction or asking a question about my choice book, I'd like to depict a very sly conversation between President Snow and Katniss. This chapter made me think so much that I had to read it more than once. I found key sentences to prove my reasoning (that he is lying). I hope you agree with me. This connection almost made me have a debate with myself!
Before, even reading this chapter you get Katniss' perspective on Snow. That he is a ruthless, untrustworthy, and sneaky person. Whenever he pops up in the book you make a bitter face since he is mostly the cause of all Katniss' problems. That first puts you in a postion to not fall for any word that comes out of his repulsing mouth.
But there are lines that he said that made me think twice about. For example, here's a quote from the chapter: "And there is no reason for me to destroy a pen full of Capitol children." Well, he would do it anyway during the Hunger Games gladly. The fact that there Capitol children might trick you. But in the previous chapter, Capitol children were bombed by parachutes. Rebel medics and assistants (including Prim) came into help them but then where bombed as well. If the had they would've had the chance to save them, wouldn't they favor the rebels more now? That there own group won't even help them in desperate times? And then you have to think again. Has the Capitol ever been simpathetic or helpful in this book. The answer is no. Another reason to not trust President Snow. Also, I wanted to show you this quote. "I'm sure he wasn't gunning for your sister, but these things happen." He was about to create a big chance that Prim would die in the Hunger Games. Thanks to Katniss, she volunteered to be victor in the Games instead.
There would almost be no conflict in this book if it weren't for Snow. That why this conversation makes me confused. Its hard to believe someone like this and how there are two sides to his statements. Thanks for reading!
Before, even reading this chapter you get Katniss' perspective on Snow. That he is a ruthless, untrustworthy, and sneaky person. Whenever he pops up in the book you make a bitter face since he is mostly the cause of all Katniss' problems. That first puts you in a postion to not fall for any word that comes out of his repulsing mouth.
But there are lines that he said that made me think twice about. For example, here's a quote from the chapter: "And there is no reason for me to destroy a pen full of Capitol children." Well, he would do it anyway during the Hunger Games gladly. The fact that there Capitol children might trick you. But in the previous chapter, Capitol children were bombed by parachutes. Rebel medics and assistants (including Prim) came into help them but then where bombed as well. If the had they would've had the chance to save them, wouldn't they favor the rebels more now? That there own group won't even help them in desperate times? And then you have to think again. Has the Capitol ever been simpathetic or helpful in this book. The answer is no. Another reason to not trust President Snow. Also, I wanted to show you this quote. "I'm sure he wasn't gunning for your sister, but these things happen." He was about to create a big chance that Prim would die in the Hunger Games. Thanks to Katniss, she volunteered to be victor in the Games instead.
There would almost be no conflict in this book if it weren't for Snow. That why this conversation makes me confused. Its hard to believe someone like this and how there are two sides to his statements. Thanks for reading!
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Hunger Games Trailer :D
Hey followers! I went on YouTube the other day and saw this video that said "The Hunger Games Trailer". It was awesome to see the book I'm reading become a movie. Now, I can compare my visualizations, predictions, questions from the book to the movie. Maybe even give my opinion if I see it. Hmm, this is starting to sound like a very interesting connection! So here's the trailer link. Its epic.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-5ANq4sAL0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-5ANq4sAL0
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| Peeta during the Games |
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| Katniss walking towards the area with Peacekeepers |
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| Katniss and Gale (movie) |
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Pessimistic Attitude in Catching Fire
Hey there, followers! I'm sorry if your reading this post and your sick of me rambling on about The Hunger Games series. Unfortunately, you'll have to sit through another response about the second book, Catching Fire. By the way, I've finished the second book and I'm in the beginning of the third book. I guess that means a new book will be rolling in shortly! This connection
is about the attitude Katniss portrays in the book.
In this section of the book, Katniss is reaped to come back to the Games but this time around its Quarter Quell. This happens every 20 or 25 years and its basically another Hunger Game on top of the annual Hunger Games. The twist that President Snow adds to the 75th Quell is that the victors from previous years will fight to the death. This includes Katniss and Peeta.
In The Hunger Games (the first book), Katniss is determined to return to Prim no matter what. In Catching Fire, she is very pessimistic about returning to District 12. You understand my statement through this quote "This time I don't have the slightest hope of return."
I understand that this is a very frustrating and devastating time for her but she has to push that all aside to return back home. And this is not the first time Katniss has to mature and grow strong instantly. You read many instances like this when she has to provide for the whole family, for example. Doesn't she realize that if she gets killed in the Quell, her family will have to go back to there poor lifestyle scraping for food and water? They would have to also go back to there old house since the new one would be revoked. Prim would have to take over Katniss' duties in the family even though she has very little expirence in the Hob or hunting. Katniss has less of a chance of being the victor by being this pessimistic all the time then being determined like in the last book. She already has a slim chance with all these experienced murderers. But she has to remember that she made it through the last Games and put her priorities straight. Thanks for reading!
is about the attitude Katniss portrays in the book.
In this section of the book, Katniss is reaped to come back to the Games but this time around its Quarter Quell. This happens every 20 or 25 years and its basically another Hunger Game on top of the annual Hunger Games. The twist that President Snow adds to the 75th Quell is that the victors from previous years will fight to the death. This includes Katniss and Peeta.
In The Hunger Games (the first book), Katniss is determined to return to Prim no matter what. In Catching Fire, she is very pessimistic about returning to District 12. You understand my statement through this quote "This time I don't have the slightest hope of return."
I understand that this is a very frustrating and devastating time for her but she has to push that all aside to return back home. And this is not the first time Katniss has to mature and grow strong instantly. You read many instances like this when she has to provide for the whole family, for example. Doesn't she realize that if she gets killed in the Quell, her family will have to go back to there poor lifestyle scraping for food and water? They would have to also go back to there old house since the new one would be revoked. Prim would have to take over Katniss' duties in the family even though she has very little expirence in the Hob or hunting. Katniss has less of a chance of being the victor by being this pessimistic all the time then being determined like in the last book. She already has a slim chance with all these experienced murderers. But she has to remember that she made it through the last Games and put her priorities straight. Thanks for reading!
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Narrative Perspective in The Hunger Games
Hello there, reader! My connection this week is kind of different then other ones I've done. I was assigned a topic by my teacher which is to identify the perspective in The Hunger Games. We have been learning a lot about perspective (1st, 2nd, 3rd Person) and this is my identification on my choice book. By the way, I have just finished the Hunger Games if you haven't read from my "What I am Reading...." post.
I think that the Hunger Games is told in first person from Katniss' perspective.. Katniss always refers to herself using "I", mostly in the book. This is a quote that proves that the book is in first person: "I guess this is true, but I can't help feeling upset about it to the extent that I'm afraid I might cry and I remember everyone in the country is watching me so I just bury my face in Peeta's shirt.". Did you notice how she uses I, me, and I'm? These are all in the first person category.
Even though the book is told from Katniss' perspective, it can be kind of difficult to pin-point if the book is told from third person limited or first person. Here's an example of that: Although from what Cato said, Peeta's on his way out.". There are a few sentences like this but mostly the book is using I so I knew it was first person.
There is also a lot of description of body language. This is also a way that you can tell the feelings of a character and possibly the perspective of a text. You understand more about body language in this quote: "And this time, it's me who leans in. Our lips have just barely touched when the clunk outside makes me jump.". This makes you infer that they have feelings for each other.
Since the book is in first person, we only get Katniss' opinions about things they cover in the book. There is a part in the book (in the beginning) that she talks about her mother almost giving up on there family after Katniss' father died. That Katniss had to provide for Prim, Mother, and herself by having to sneak pass the gates to hunt and trade in the black market. She was angry because her mother said that she would find a job and bring revenue to the family but she ends up not leaving her bed because she's so devastated about the death. If we got Mother's perspective there might have been another reason for what she did.
I think it would be an interesting twist to make the book third person omniscient instead of first person. I would really like to read Gale's perspective during the Games to see his thoughts while the relationship between Peeta and Katniss occurs. Is he upset or happy for her? Thanks for reading my post! :)
I think that the Hunger Games is told in first person from Katniss' perspective.. Katniss always refers to herself using "I", mostly in the book. This is a quote that proves that the book is in first person: "I guess this is true, but I can't help feeling upset about it to the extent that I'm afraid I might cry and I remember everyone in the country is watching me so I just bury my face in Peeta's shirt.". Did you notice how she uses I, me, and I'm? These are all in the first person category.
Even though the book is told from Katniss' perspective, it can be kind of difficult to pin-point if the book is told from third person limited or first person. Here's an example of that: Although from what Cato said, Peeta's on his way out.". There are a few sentences like this but mostly the book is using I so I knew it was first person.
There is also a lot of description of body language. This is also a way that you can tell the feelings of a character and possibly the perspective of a text. You understand more about body language in this quote: "And this time, it's me who leans in. Our lips have just barely touched when the clunk outside makes me jump.". This makes you infer that they have feelings for each other.
Since the book is in first person, we only get Katniss' opinions about things they cover in the book. There is a part in the book (in the beginning) that she talks about her mother almost giving up on there family after Katniss' father died. That Katniss had to provide for Prim, Mother, and herself by having to sneak pass the gates to hunt and trade in the black market. She was angry because her mother said that she would find a job and bring revenue to the family but she ends up not leaving her bed because she's so devastated about the death. If we got Mother's perspective there might have been another reason for what she did.
I think it would be an interesting twist to make the book third person omniscient instead of first person. I would really like to read Gale's perspective during the Games to see his thoughts while the relationship between Peeta and Katniss occurs. Is he upset or happy for her? Thanks for reading my post! :)
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Allies in The Hunger Games
So far in Hunger Games Katniss has made an alliance with Rue a girl from District 11. I believe that was a very good, strategic move on Katniss' part (also Rue's!) and Katniss needs things like this to help in the Games.
First off, Rue has been very trustworthy in the Games lately. In this quote you see the trust and bond between the two of them: "Rue has decided to trust me wholeheartedly." and "If she'd wanted me dead, all she had to do was disappear from that tree without pointing out the tracker jacker nest."
Secondly, she has a lot of general knowledge especially about agriculture. Did you know that District 11 was the district that specializes in agriculture? Well then, it makes sense. Katniss does mention how the Gamemakers purposely put poisonous berries in the field but Rue can identify them well. That is sort of a bonus for Katniss. Also, the Gamemakers manipulate the Hunger Games to make them more interesting. For instance, they made a huge forest fire around Katniss' camp to try to eliminate her. Since Rue is has a strong background in agriculture, it is easy for her to make natural, homemade remedies for any wounds as she did for Katniss' burn.
Lastly, Rue can be very surreptitious. When Rue and Katniss, met again in the woods she already knew all about the Careers whereabouts, supplies, and "members". That is good for the both of them to make a strategic plan.
I really like their team in the book. I admire Rue, I think she is an interesting character. In my previous blog post, I talked about the government in Panem. I also predicted that the Panemians might have demonstrations. I predict that both Rue and Katniss would participate because they say negative things about the government in there dialogue: "Rue's eyes widen. "Oh, no, we're not allowed to eat the crops. They arrest you or something? I ask. "They whip you and make everyone else watch, says Rue." Alright, thanks for reading my blog post!
First off, Rue has been very trustworthy in the Games lately. In this quote you see the trust and bond between the two of them: "Rue has decided to trust me wholeheartedly." and "If she'd wanted me dead, all she had to do was disappear from that tree without pointing out the tracker jacker nest."
Secondly, she has a lot of general knowledge especially about agriculture. Did you know that District 11 was the district that specializes in agriculture? Well then, it makes sense. Katniss does mention how the Gamemakers purposely put poisonous berries in the field but Rue can identify them well. That is sort of a bonus for Katniss. Also, the Gamemakers manipulate the Hunger Games to make them more interesting. For instance, they made a huge forest fire around Katniss' camp to try to eliminate her. Since Rue is has a strong background in agriculture, it is easy for her to make natural, homemade remedies for any wounds as she did for Katniss' burn.
Lastly, Rue can be very surreptitious. When Rue and Katniss, met again in the woods she already knew all about the Careers whereabouts, supplies, and "members". That is good for the both of them to make a strategic plan.
I really like their team in the book. I admire Rue, I think she is an interesting character. In my previous blog post, I talked about the government in Panem. I also predicted that the Panemians might have demonstrations. I predict that both Rue and Katniss would participate because they say negative things about the government in there dialogue: "Rue's eyes widen. "Oh, no, we're not allowed to eat the crops. They arrest you or something? I ask. "They whip you and make everyone else watch, says Rue." Alright, thanks for reading my blog post!
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Government in The Hunger Games
Today, I would like to talk about a world connection I had while reading The Hunger Games. The government and the Capital are like governments today. There are countries in the Middle East and other places with a large population of low income families like the Everdeen's.
They dont have much freedom of say...opininon as you read in this quote: "If I'd stood even a ghost of a chance, it vanished when I sent that arrow flying at the Gamemakers. What will they do to me now? Arrest me? Execute me?" and also "What really scares me is what they might do to my mother and Prim, how my family might suffer now because of my impulsiveness." Not that I'm saying what Katniss is doing something right in this moment, no. What I am trying to state is that if she does something or rebel she would have major consequences from the Capital and Gamemakers. Thus, not very much freedom in Panem.
Rebellion is my next point. I believe the Capital holds the Hunger Games because they are trying to get the "do not rebel and don't go aganist us" point across to the younger society. This is like Egypt and Libya and how they went against their dictators and rioted. Unfortunally, in some countries the dictators or leaders did not tolerate this well. This is also shown in the quote. I think this is called dictatorship and it is similar to Panem's government.
Now, that I have compared Panem and the Middle East there is one simialrity with the Middle Eastern countries. Most of them had protests. Will Panem or District 12 have one now or later in the books? It seems that Katniss is not happy with there descions (I predict also Gale) and I bet others think the same way.
They dont have much freedom of say...opininon as you read in this quote: "If I'd stood even a ghost of a chance, it vanished when I sent that arrow flying at the Gamemakers. What will they do to me now? Arrest me? Execute me?" and also "What really scares me is what they might do to my mother and Prim, how my family might suffer now because of my impulsiveness." Not that I'm saying what Katniss is doing something right in this moment, no. What I am trying to state is that if she does something or rebel she would have major consequences from the Capital and Gamemakers. Thus, not very much freedom in Panem.
Rebellion is my next point. I believe the Capital holds the Hunger Games because they are trying to get the "do not rebel and don't go aganist us" point across to the younger society. This is like Egypt and Libya and how they went against their dictators and rioted. Unfortunally, in some countries the dictators or leaders did not tolerate this well. This is also shown in the quote. I think this is called dictatorship and it is similar to Panem's government.
Now, that I have compared Panem and the Middle East there is one simialrity with the Middle Eastern countries. Most of them had protests. Will Panem or District 12 have one now or later in the books? It seems that Katniss is not happy with there descions (I predict also Gale) and I bet others think the same way.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
Currently, I am reading The Diary of a Young as you might of read from the title and my previous blog post. Well, now I am close to being mid-way and I am puzzled about one thing. Anne keeps mentioning that she wants to mature faster or go through puberty sooner. For instance in this quote, you''l understand what I am trying to convay or state. "I forgot to mention the important news that I'm probably going to have my period soon. I can hardly wait. It such an momentous event."
Now in the book Anne also mentions that she is having many conflicts with her mother and she is not too keen about her as she says in this entry. "I'm the opposite of Mother so of course we clash. I don't mean to judge her; I dont have that right. I 'm simply looking at her as a mother. She's not a mother to me- I have to mother myself." My question is Anne talks about maturing and becoming older and is excited for it. Does she feel this way because she wants to stand up to her mother more? Does she feel that being older allows her to speak her mind?
So far I am enjoying this book. I'm interested to read the end. Maybe my question will be answered soon.
Now in the book Anne also mentions that she is having many conflicts with her mother and she is not too keen about her as she says in this entry. "I'm the opposite of Mother so of course we clash. I don't mean to judge her; I dont have that right. I 'm simply looking at her as a mother. She's not a mother to me- I have to mother myself." My question is Anne talks about maturing and becoming older and is excited for it. Does she feel this way because she wants to stand up to her mother more? Does she feel that being older allows her to speak her mind?
So far I am enjoying this book. I'm interested to read the end. Maybe my question will be answered soon.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
What I'm Reading.......
The Year of the Dog: Grace Lin----Finished
Catching Fire By: Suzzane Collins---- Finished
Mockingjay by: Suzzane Collins--- Finished
The House of the Scorpion by: Nancy Farmer--- Finished
The Son of Neptune by: Rick Riordan----- Finished
Before We Were Free by: Julia Alvarez------ Finished
The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis----- Finished
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