OK, we are doing things a bit different with the blogs this week. I've asked students from my first and third period classes to come up with blog topics for the rest of us to respond to. It was tough to chose just three, but here is what I came up with.
Zach Vanaman in third period brought up some interesting questions regarding Pauline. While Annie, Lecon and Clara are discussing what do to about the pregnancy, Pauline and Ida are listening in the next room. Ida describes her emotions:
In my mind I imagined their eyes staring at our closed door, calling me to save them. I turned back the covers, shook off the hand Pauline grasped around my wrist (310).
This is a kind of touching moment between these two sisters. So Zach wants to know, do you think Ida is obligated to take Clara’s child? And why was Ida picked over Pauline? If you were Pauline, would you have let Ida go into that room alone, knowing what was happening? What do you think Pauline could have said or done differently to possibly change the outcome of Ida’s “burden?”
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
What About Christine?
This one comes from Dara:
OK, so we know now that Aunt Ida is not Christine’s biological mother. So, do you think this is the underlying cause of tension between Aunt Ida and Christine? Or are there other things in play, too? Aunt Ida even says that she has worn resentment for 40 years. Do you think this is healthy? I think I would have to get over my feelings and see Christine as my own child because I know too many step-parents who have to take over the parent role and have no problem with it. Feel free to speak from personal experience here—if you are comfortable, of course. I understand that seeing a girl that is the result of your father having an affair with your aunt is hard, but is it fair to take it out on Christine? Do you think things could have been better between Christine and Ray had the truth been laid out for Christine in the beginning?
OK, so we know now that Aunt Ida is not Christine’s biological mother. So, do you think this is the underlying cause of tension between Aunt Ida and Christine? Or are there other things in play, too? Aunt Ida even says that she has worn resentment for 40 years. Do you think this is healthy? I think I would have to get over my feelings and see Christine as my own child because I know too many step-parents who have to take over the parent role and have no problem with it. Feel free to speak from personal experience here—if you are comfortable, of course. I understand that seeing a girl that is the result of your father having an affair with your aunt is hard, but is it fair to take it out on Christine? Do you think things could have been better between Christine and Ray had the truth been laid out for Christine in the beginning?
Taking the Blame...
This post is a combo from Stephen Gale in third period and Conner Turk in first period. We’ll start with Stephen.
Many times in life you can take the blame. I have covered for my friends in situations before. Have you ever covered for a friend so that they were able to avoid getting in trouble? Obviously, Ida is covering up and taking responsibility for something pretty big for Clara in the book. Would you ever cover a problem or situation of this magnitude for a friend? What things would you consider before covering or taking the blame for a friend? Again, feel free to speak from personal experience if you are comfortable doing so.
OK, and now for Conner’s:
Aunt Ida indicates in the beginning of the her section that “my life is like a ring of mountains, close together and separated by deep chasms” (297). What do you think Aunt Ida means by this? And what do you think is the significance of this passage? Consider ways you could change this metaphor to fit your own life.
Many times in life you can take the blame. I have covered for my friends in situations before. Have you ever covered for a friend so that they were able to avoid getting in trouble? Obviously, Ida is covering up and taking responsibility for something pretty big for Clara in the book. Would you ever cover a problem or situation of this magnitude for a friend? What things would you consider before covering or taking the blame for a friend? Again, feel free to speak from personal experience if you are comfortable doing so.
OK, and now for Conner’s:
Aunt Ida indicates in the beginning of the her section that “my life is like a ring of mountains, close together and separated by deep chasms” (297). What do you think Aunt Ida means by this? And what do you think is the significance of this passage? Consider ways you could change this metaphor to fit your own life.
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