Mr_Shank

Here are the last set of questions:

1. Puck is considered by many to be the most important character in the play. Do you agree with this? Why or why not?

2. Do you think that Demetrius is really in love with Helena? Explain.

3. What are some of the themes in A Midsummer Night’s Dream?

4. Which did you like better: A Midsummer Night’s Dream or Romeo and Juliet?

-That’s all folks!!!

Brandon

Act 3, as everyone knows, is a huge mess. Titania falls in love with Bottom, Lysander and Demetrius both love Helena, and know one loves Hermia, all thanks to Oberon and Puck. I have some questions, and as of 10:39 am I am still not out of the hospital, but hopefully later today. I don’t know if I’ll be back to school on Monday. I still have a lot of pain.

1. Like all Shakespeare works, Midsummer has been referenced in many other works. Can you think of any movies, books, etc. where the big mix-up seen in Act 3 is present? Explain the similarities and differences between the scenarios.

2. What do you make of Puck? Is Puck a good or an evil character? Explain.

3. Oberon and Titania have an argument over Titania’s Indian boy. However, Oberon does not perform a malevolent act. His plans are funny. How do you think the plot would be different if Oberon had done something like kill a character?

-Brandon

Okay guys, I don’t know when I’ll be back yet, but here’s my post on Act 1.

1. Compare and contrast the play that the theatre group is going to present with the plot of Romeo and Juliet.

2. What are the similarities and differences between Lysander’s plan and Friar Laurence’s plan? Which do you think is more foolproof?

3. Lysander and Demetrius both love Hermia, but the way that they show it is different from the other. Compare and contrast.

-Brandon

Okay, this is our final post for Dracula. Shank has this idea that we’re doing another book, but I doubt it. Anyway, here are my final set of questions:

1. There comes a time in the story when Van Helsing is not able to hypnotize Mina. Obviously, it’s because she is becoming more of a vampire. What I want to know is your theories on the details. In other words, do you think that there is a certain part of being a vampire that prevents it? An example would be maybe because they are not really alive. What are your theories?

2. Why do you think that Dracula killed Renfield instead of turning him into a vampire? Explain.

3. What are your opinions on the ending?

4. If you could change the ending, how would you change it?

Now, we all need to start working on the RESEARCH PAPER!!!

-Brandon

Okay, this post should be covering chapters 15-21 (you should read chapter 21!!!). This is a pretty interesting part of the book. Below, as usual, are some questions

1. In chapter 18, Van Helsing and every major character in the book meet and they are told of the legend of the Nosferatu (un-dead). What do you make of this scene? Could you tell it was coming? Explain.

Here’s a hint: what is the purpose of this scene?

2. It is revealed that Dracula has been feeding on Mina. How does he get it? Dracula can’t get into a house without being invited. Lucy was bitten outside when she was sleepwalking. What are your opinions on this?

3. In your opinion, who do you think fits the character of damsel in distress better: Lucy or Mina? Explain your thinking.

4. You might need to look up this question: How does the scene where Mina drinks Dracula’s blood mock Christianity? I know this is probably a difficult question, but it seemed to just come to me when I read this scene.

And a Happy Easter to you!!! (sorry if you don’t celebrate Easter)

The next 7 chapters as you know chronicle the strange illness of Lucy and her death. Below I have some questions relating to these chapters. These questions are as deep as some of the other ones because this section of the novel is pretty straight forward.

1. Van Helsing seems to know exactly how to help Lucy. However, he does confide with Seward anything about the illness or its treatments. Why do you think this is?

2. Dracula has not been seen since his time with Jonathan Harker. How does this create the atmosphere of the novel?

3. A lot of information has been given about Renfield, the patient at the asylum. What can you conclude about him?

-Brandon

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

What are you thoughts on Taylor moving in with LouAnn? We all expected them to overlap each other in the story, but did you expect them to be this close? The tires. Do you think the author intentionally used the accident with Dewt at the beginning of the story to foreshadow her new job? Taylor’s first word. Bean. What do you think of this? Direct connection to the title? Also, what are your feelings on how close LouAnn and Taylor are becoming. Turtle is really three and she is not growing because of her abuse. What affect with this have on Taylor; it seems like she does not want to believe it? Finally, April. What are your thoughts on that?

-Dan

In the first four chapters of The Bean Trees, the author presents two stories in two different view points. The story of Taylor Greer is told in first person. The story of LouAnn is told in third person. I have several questions below:

Why does the author do this? How does this create the novel? How are the stories similar literally and symbolically?

How does the character of Angel fit into Taylor Greer’s story? This is not directly stated, but there is a connection. This connection also ties Taylor and LouAnn together.

How are LouAnn and Taylor similar? How are they different?