Mr_Shank

To get this discussion going I want to talk about Denn and how he is holding up, Cattie’s better insight of her life, and finally the big tournament.

We now see that Denn has to enter this “Big Deal” tournament so he can defeat Artie.  He wants to do this because of Cattie.  He loves Cattie and it seems that Artie does to.   If he can win the tournament then Artie might leave her alone and it could allow for Denn to possibly go out with Cattie again.  The only problem is money.  As we go through his struggle to get money we find out that he is thinking of his family.  Why do you think he is doing so?  I think it is because Denn is coming back to reality, as he sees that Poker is his job.  I now see that Poker can be a life/job for people because it is not really gambling.  Denn shows this as he describes people throwing away their money.  Really Denn is investing his money like a business would.  What do you think of this?  I think that he is right and now he sees thediffernce between a game and a job, which casues him to see how love can be compatible with his job.  What if Denn were to continue his poker life and start to have a better relationship with his family again?  I think that this is a possibility as it seems that both Cattie and he have been thinking of love and family.

Pete has given a more interesting insight on Cattie’s life.  She is extravagant with her lifestyle, buying high-endjewelery, and gourmet meals.  which has lead to her bad childhood, with her non supporting mother.  As a child she would avoid her mother because her mother was always finding new men that would provide her with gifts in money to live.  Cattie did not like this and we see that it has impacted Cattie as she is trying to make a better life.  If Cattie had a more supporting mom then she might have had a better life then the one she has now.  What do you think of the matter?  Also, I think that what Cattie has now is pretty amazing, since she was raised by a drunken mother.  Finally, we see that she has feelings for Denn.  She is always thinking of family, which is including Denn.  Do you think that this will have a major impact in the end?  Will she have a life that will be more suitable to a normal lifestyle outside of the casino?  I think that her and Denn will have a relationship and have a normal lifestyle, with her either leaving the game forever or they both will take over the casinos.

Lastly I would like to talk about the tournament.  It is taking place at the King’s Crossings and it is Artie’s tournament.  Denn has just received money from Cattie and is going to enter, as he had already been rejected by Jimbo.  Does Denn have any friends?  Was Jimbo using him?  Is Jimbo really the bad guy in the story?  I think that Jimbo is the bad guy because of the fact that he seemed afraid that Denn would defeat him.   So he did not give him any money and I think it is complicating the ending.  I wonder how it will end.  Do you guys have any ideas?  What if it is in the finals between Artie, Denn, Morty, Frisk, and Jimbo?  Then we will have Cattie dealing.  Who would she choose to win?  Would she play it fair?  I think that she would play it fair, and then Denn would win as he would play not to just win, but to prove that love can be compatible with the game.  I also think that after Denn wins the family relationship will begin, and then he will return to Cattie. .  Or he will stay and take over all the casinos.  What is some of your guy’s thoughts?  There are plenty of possibilities that could occur, but which one do you think has the better “odds.”

-Alex

P.S. Mr. Shank I thought the blogs were only due at 5 and I am still unsure about the time they are due.  Also there was no way for Leah to blog, because she does not have the book.  Rebecca has her book.

The first chapter of the novel spends time comparing and contrasting the two different worlds of England and France.  Both are struggling with problems and have very different aspects on what is important.  England is focused on spirituality while France is immersed in a harsh justice system.  The two countries are also facing many problems.  In your opinion, which country has the worse problems at the moment?  Explain, using details from the text.  In chapter 4, Mr. Lorry breaks the news to Lucie about her father.  Up to this point, Mr. Lorry has insisted that he is a cold hearted businessman.  Using his session with Lucie as proof, explain what you think about Mr. Lorry’s personality.  At the end of the first book, we learn why the title is Recalled to Life.  Does this title accurately reflect its contents?  In the beginning of the second book, it appears that Mr. Manette has not yet made his “recall to life”, as he can still not remember whole periods of time. Do you feel that Mr. Manette’s failing mental health will impact the outcome of the story?  Why or why not?  Here’s another question to ponder – how would the action in the story (up to this point) change if Mr. Manette was in full health?  

RECAP:

Answer the following questions

1. In your opinion, which country has the worse problems at the moment.  Support your answer using details from the text.
2. What do you think of Mr. Lorry’s personality?  Is he really the stone faced man he claims to be?  Use his first encounter with Lucie to support your position.
3. Does the title Recalled to Life accurately reflect the contents of the first book? Explain.  If you answered no, pick a more appropriate title.
4. Do you feel that Mr. Manette’s failing health will impact the story at all?  Why or why not?
5. How would the action in the story (up to this point) change if Mr. Manette was in full health?

Erin B.