TBT Jenni Kantor period 3 Discussion Director
The whole key to this story has been intertwined with a certain person’s (AKA Barbara Kingsolver) liking of vegetables. This may not necessarily be true, but based off of this story, someone has a great liking for the vegetables to inspire her to write this book.
I must say though, that was a good end to a good book, at least in a veggie sort of way. As you know, this is our last blog of the book, The Bean Trees. The final chapter has finally answered the question of the bean tree title. I have several questions for you based on the final chapters.
Based on the reference of legumes in the Horticultural Encyclopedia, how does the bean tree represent family?
Do you support Taylor’s opinion on the wisteria vine? If you do not, explain. If you do, explain anyway.
My final question is how do you think the event of adopting Turtle has changed Taylor? How do you think this event will effect Turtle in the future?
That is all that I have for you!
-Jenni Kantor
Category: Per 3 TBT DD 5 comments »
March 8th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
The Bean tree represents unity. It brought Taylor and Turtle together when they saw it. Taylor called Turtle a genious and Turtle was very excited. I’m not sure I completely understand this question because I do not see a direct connection to family from this book. The idea of the Bean Tree facinates Turtle and this makes both of them happy. The wisteria part I can see the family referece.
Also, your second question. I agree with Taylor that the wisteria vine is a family. It cannot survive on its own. It needs a support system which is the little bugs underneath that no one sees. She makes the connection with the people in her life, and Turtle and her are the bean trees. I think it is very special that she can do something like that with her child, they can share that type of bond.
Finally, I think that the adoption of Turtle made Taylor very happy. She finally felt that she and Turtle were family; the papers said so. I think that she felt more secure and that Turtle was hers, no one could take her away now. I think that she developed a lot of trust with what Esperanza and Estavan did, and she saw the family that she had. I think that family is a common theme in this story. They did something that maybe no one else in the world would have done for Taylor, and se recognized that.
My question to everyone else is how did Barbara Kingsolver come up with the idea to write a story like this? Are there any connections to another book, or something that could be found in everyday life that may give her motivation to write this book?
-Dan
March 8th, 2009 at 6:23 pm
The adopting of Turtle will make Turtle feel more comfortable knowing she is safe with a mom that is legally hers.
March 8th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
In the Horticultural Encyclopedia, the legume is anything that supports the plant. According the encyclopedia, the plant itself cannot survive by itself. It needs things to support it. This is similar to a family because people within a family cannot operate on their own. They need support from one another in order to survive.
For your second question, I do support Taylor’s opinion. The story is very strong evidence that Taylor’s thoughts are correct. If Taylor didn’t have the support of everyone she met, she could not have survived. Taylor is the plant itself, and everyone else (Mattie, Esperzanza, Estevan, Edna, Virgie, etc.) are the legumes, supporting her and helping her to survive.
The adoption of Turtle has changed Taylor’s life completely. She has family, and she is now much more responsible. Having Turtle around has made Taylor’s life happier and much more fufilling. Taylor is probably much more relaxed now that she knows that Turtle is legally hers. Turtle’s life will probably be much better than it would have been if she had stayed with the Indian woman.
-Brandon
P.S. Has anyone seen Kianat’s posts? She didn’t post an initial post and she hasn’t responded as of 7: 45 pm on Sunday. I know she’s in N.Y.C. but she asked us all to post on Friday.
March 8th, 2009 at 7:14 pm
First off, no I have not seen any of Kianat’s posts. I was wondering about that as well.
The answers to my questions were very close. To answer the first question, Dan hit the nail on the head! Unity. That is the base off all family.
To the second question, both of you said that you supported Taylor’s opinion. Also your responses (reasons why) were closely knit (I read between the lines!). Meanies. I agree with you as well on that question. In fact you both stole my reasons of agreement!
To answer the final questions, yes Dan the adoption will make Taylor very happy. It will also change Taylor’s life completely, Brandon. Your responses are correct, but I will add that this adoption will make Taylor more responsible and less reckless. Turtle is going to be unique, just like her mother and everyone else who surrounds her while she is growing up.
And to answer Dan’s question:
I think Kingsolver was inspired by everyday life and possibly too many soap operas. She is really good at creating the feeling that you are in the book.
-Jenni Kantor
March 9th, 2009 at 1:40 am
The bean tree represents family by showing the roots that a family holds and how they’re all attached together. It shows that one leads onto the other and they come to depend on each other for guidance and support. They help each other grow and become involved in life (the growing of the beans. I think that it is a very direct connection and all the more reason to choose it as the title of the book.
I do support Taylor’s views of the wisteria vine and I agree with everyone in saying that Taylor is the plant itself that needs everyone to help it grow, it’s root make it all the more powerful and help it gain its confidence in surviving in the world. Just how the world is cruel and unjust in ways that Taylor would never have imagined it to be but she still tries to survive, the same goes for the plant, it has to survive harsh storms and the bare freezing ground, but there comes a time when it will bloom.
Turtle makes Taylor very happy, she’s the main root leading to Taylor and Taylor needs her to survive now. They have become so emotionally close that they feel the need to have each other supporting them throughout life. Taylor will indeed become more responsible but at the same time she will teach her daughter to have fun and enjoy life. This will affect Taylor’s future because it will make a major improvement in the amount of happiness she is getting and get her to look past the faults of the world.
-Kianat Zamir