Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Fahrenheit 451 Post 3: The Sieve and the Sand
The meaning behind the title of this chapter is this: As a child, Montag put sand in a sieve and tried to retrieve a dime. He failed, and cried. The sieve represents the human mind, and the sand represents information and truth.
After reading a bunch of the books with Mildred, Montag realizes that he has no idea what he's reading. He sets a goal to find someone who can explain the meaning behind these books. Earlier, before the time set of the book, Montag met a guy named Faber in the park. Montag saw that Faber was reading, and Faber freaked out. But Montag assured Faber that he was fine. They talked, and Faber gave Montag his contact info. Montag calls Faber to question him, but Faber cuts off the conversation because he thinks that Montag is trying to trick him. Montag then realizes that he has a copy of the Bible at home. He thinks it may be the last copy in existence! Montag takes it to Faber and the two discuss why Montag is unhappy. Montag says that it might be the books, or lack thereof. Faber explains that it's not the books. It's the words, and their meaning. Faber gives three things that are missing:
Quality of Information: "[Books are important] because they have quality. And what does the word quality mean? To me it means texture. This book has pores. ... The more pores, the more truthfully recorded details of life per square inch you can get on a sheet of paper, the more 'literary' you are."
Leisure to Digest It: "Thank God [that books aren't real]. You can shut them, say, 'Hold on a moment.' You play God to it. But who has ever torn himself from the claw that encloses you when you drop a seed in a TV parlor? It grows you any shape it wishes! It is an environment as real as the world. It becomes and is the truth. Books can be beaten down with reason. But with all my knowledge and skepticism, I have never been able to argue with a one-hundred-piece symphony orchestra, full color, three dimensions, and being in and part of those incredible parlors."
The Right to Carry Out Actions Based On What We Learn From the Interaction of the First Two
After some threats and discussion, Faber finally tells Montag how he can reprint the Bible. Faber has a friend with a printing press (score!). Montag says that he needs help facing Beatty that night, so Faber gives Montag a radio for his ear. It's like an ear plug that acts as a small walkie talkie. Montag knows that Beatty knows that Montag has at least one book. Montag decides to take the risk of giving Beatty a replacement book. Faber will be with Montag the whole time.
Montag goes home and finds his wife and two of her friends in the TV parlor. Montag and the two women engage in a kerfuffle. Montag pulls out a book (gasp!) even though Faber told him not to. Mildred says that firemen are allowed to bring home one book per year to show his/her family how ridiculous books are. This is a lie, of course, but the two women fall for it. Montag begins to read the poetry to the two women, and one of them bursts out crying. The two women leave; Montag is worried.
When Montag arrives at the House he hands the book over to Beatty. Beatty tosses it before even looking at the title. He explains that everyone on the road of life swerves off every now and then, and Beatty seems forgiving. The alarm goes off, and to Montag's surprise, they take the truck to his house!
END OF CHAPTER 2
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Fahrenheit 451 Post 2: The Hearth and the Salamander
Guy Montag lives in the future. In his world, books are avoided like the plague. Censorship is at an all time high. Television rules, and books are obsolete. Any form of creative thinking is illegal. It's considered strange to go a walk. Firemen cease to exist, because all houses are fireproof. Instead of putting out fires, firemen start them in order to burn books. Fire hoses are filled with kerosene. All books must be burned. Montag is brainwashed into this form of thinking simply because of the world that surrounds him. He mentions in the first sentence of the novel that it's a "pleasure to burn." Near the beginning of the novel, Montag meets a young teenage girl named Clarisse. From today's standards, Clarisse would be considered normal, but in the future where this story takes place, she's crazy. She even admits to it. Clarisse does strange (and illegal) things, like taking walks, enjoying fresh air, and thinking creatively. She asks Montag if he's happy. Montag laughs, then returns home and realizes that he's not happy at all.
Montag's wife, Mildred, is a stereotypical member of society. She watches TV all day long, and listens to the voices in her head (said voices are actually seashells that are lodged in her ear at all times.). Mildred attempts suicide, but government workers remove her blood, and replace it with new blood. Mildred forgets everything.
Back at the Firehouse, Montag encounters The Hound. The Hound is a mechanical dog, and it is very mysterious. When Montag approaches The Hound, it reacts violently. Montag talks to Captain Beatty about it, asking why it would react like that. Montag mentions that this is the third time it's happened to him. Montag asks if The Hound was programmed to act like that towards him. Beatty says that no one would do that to him.
That same day, the alarm goes off. Time to go burn books. An old woman hid books in her attic. She's incredibly passionate. When Montag tries to persuade her to leave, she lights a match herself and goes up in flames along with her books. Right before this happened, Montag snuck a book under his jacket without even thinking about it.
Once Montag gets home, he hides the book under his pillow. He asks Mildred where Clarisse has been; he hasn't seen her in four days. Mildred calmly replies that the family moved away, and that she thinks that Clarisse was hit by a car and killed. Later, Montag reveals the book to his wife. In fact, it's been a whole year, and Montag reveals about 20 books that he's hidden. Mildred freaks out and tries to burn them, but Montag convinces her that they should read them.
END OF CHAPTER 1
Monday, November 12, 2012
Fahrenheit 451 Post 1: About the Author
Ray Bradbury (1920-2012)
According to The New York Times, Ray Bradbury was a “master of science fiction”. The New York Times writer, Gerald Jonas, couldn’t be more wrong.
"I don't write science fiction. Science fiction is a depiction of the real. Fantasy is a depiction of the unreal."
– Ray Bradbury
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| Ray Bradbury |
Literary technicalities aside, Bradbury was a phenomenal writer who changed the world. He lived to be 91 years old and died peacefully this past summer on June 5th.
Ninety-one years ago, Swedish immigrant Ester Moberg Bradbury brought Ray into the world. He would later go on to win the Pulitzer prize in 2004. Many famous people seem to know what they're going to do with their life from a very young age. Mozart began playing music in public at age 6. Shirley Temple starred in her first movie at age 3. Ray Bradbury decided he wanted to be an author at age 12 (somewhat old when put in perspective). However, Johnny Depp didn’t begin acting until his early 20’s.
Ray Bradbury didn’t just write books. He wrote short stories, and he wrote for theatre, cinema, and television.
His most famous book, Fahrenheit 451, was published in 1953. It was later made into a movie in 1966.
Monday, November 5, 2012
To Kill a Mockingbird Post 9 (Final): Chapters 27-31
Chapter 27
In this short chapter we see that Mr. Ewell is a legit creeper. He follows Mrs. Robinson around everywhere... creepily. Mr. Deas tells him that he better stop, and he does. Aunt Alexandra is rationally worried because Mr. Creeper Ewell looks as if he is holding a grudge against everyone involved with the Ewell vs. Robinson case. SPOILER ALERT: Mr. Ewell dies at the end, so there's nothing to worry about.
Did you know that ham could save your life (Answer at beginning of chapter 29 summary)?
I played a wise man once in a Christmas pageant and hated it. Maycomb is a different sort of town. They host Halloween pageants. Scout is a ham. No, really, she plays a ham in the pageant. Jem has to walk his sister to the school for her performance because the rest of Scout's family was too tired to come see it (Supportive, right?).
Chapter 28
Remember Cecil Jacobs from earlier in the book? Me neither. Anyway, he pops up out of nowhere and scares Jem and Scout on their way to the school. It's pitch black outside, so it was a simple task for Jacobs. Once it's time for Scout's big show, she falls asleep. The director of the pageant went on for a half an hour about Maycomb. I would have fallen asleep, too. Scout's super late on her entrance when the word "PORK!" is yelled out as her cue. This small kerfuffle causes laughter from the audience, and embarrassment from Scout.
On their way home, the most exciting thing in the book takes place. I'll explain it from both kids perspectives.
The Reader's (Scout's) perspective:
Jem and I are walking home. We hear footsteps behind us. Is it Cecil? No, Cecil would have scared us by now. It must be someone else. The footsteps get faster; Jem and I begin running. My stupid ham costume causes me to trip and fall. I'm being attacked! Now Jem's being attacked! *Crunch*! What was that? Meh, I'll figure it out in three more chapters. Ahh!! I have no idea what's going on! I can't see hardly anything! This is a real drag. First I mess up the Halloween pageant and now this! Jem! I need a flashlight. I can't see a thing. I'm having the greatest feeling of pietrisycamollaviadelrechiotemexity!
Jem's perspective:
Scout and I are walking home. We hear footsteps behind us. Is it Cecil? No, Cecil would have scared us by now. It must be someone else. The footsteps get faster; Scout and I begin running. Scout's being attacked! Now I'm being attacked! *Crunch*! My arm! My arm! Ahh!! I have no idea what's going on! I can't see hardly anything! This is a real drag. I can't see a thing. I'm having the greatest feeling of pietrisycamollaviadelrechiotemexity!
Is there a doctor in the house? In Scout's case, yes. There was a doctor in her house. Doctor Reynolds to be more specific. He's taking care of Jem, who is unconscious. Scout must be scarred for life. Mr. Ewell is lying outside dead with a knife in his ribcage.
Chapter 29
We find out that Mr. Ewell tried to stab Scout, but her ham costume prevented it. Told you ham could save your life! Scout noticed earlier that someone carried Jem home after the attack. She realizes in this chapter that it was Boo! And he's in her living room! Scout stays calm and says, "Hey, Boo."
Chapter 30
Boo and Scout go and sit on the porch. They overhear Atticus and Heck Tate discussing in an angry fashion (also known as arguing). Atticus is convinced that his son killed Mr. Ewell. Mr. Ewell says the death was an accident and that Bob fell on his own knife. Mr. knows the truth: Boo killed Bob. He quotes Jesus's words from Matthew 8:22: "...Let the dead bury their own dead." Mr Tate wants to cover up the truth so Boo isn't bothered by the law.
Chapter 31 - The Final Chapter!
To Kill a Mockingbird doesn't have the type of conclusion I was expecting. In fact, Lee leaves a lot up to the imagination. A sequel would be appropriate for this story, but alas, it will never be written. Scout walks her new friend (although she probably feels like she's been his friend for a long time) home. She never sees Mr. Arthur Radley again. Scout briefly imagines what it's like to be Boo Radley. Jem never meets Boo as he was unconscious during Boo's entire visit. Thinking back to chapter one, I now know how Jem broke his arm.
In this short chapter we see that Mr. Ewell is a legit creeper. He follows Mrs. Robinson around everywhere... creepily. Mr. Deas tells him that he better stop, and he does. Aunt Alexandra is rationally worried because Mr. Creeper Ewell looks as if he is holding a grudge against everyone involved with the Ewell vs. Robinson case. SPOILER ALERT: Mr. Ewell dies at the end, so there's nothing to worry about.
Did you know that ham could save your life (Answer at beginning of chapter 29 summary)?
I played a wise man once in a Christmas pageant and hated it. Maycomb is a different sort of town. They host Halloween pageants. Scout is a ham. No, really, she plays a ham in the pageant. Jem has to walk his sister to the school for her performance because the rest of Scout's family was too tired to come see it (Supportive, right?).
Chapter 28
Remember Cecil Jacobs from earlier in the book? Me neither. Anyway, he pops up out of nowhere and scares Jem and Scout on their way to the school. It's pitch black outside, so it was a simple task for Jacobs. Once it's time for Scout's big show, she falls asleep. The director of the pageant went on for a half an hour about Maycomb. I would have fallen asleep, too. Scout's super late on her entrance when the word "PORK!" is yelled out as her cue. This small kerfuffle causes laughter from the audience, and embarrassment from Scout.
On their way home, the most exciting thing in the book takes place. I'll explain it from both kids perspectives.
The Reader's (Scout's) perspective:
Jem and I are walking home. We hear footsteps behind us. Is it Cecil? No, Cecil would have scared us by now. It must be someone else. The footsteps get faster; Jem and I begin running. My stupid ham costume causes me to trip and fall. I'm being attacked! Now Jem's being attacked! *Crunch*! What was that? Meh, I'll figure it out in three more chapters. Ahh!! I have no idea what's going on! I can't see hardly anything! This is a real drag. First I mess up the Halloween pageant and now this! Jem! I need a flashlight. I can't see a thing. I'm having the greatest feeling of pietrisycamollaviadelrechiotemexity!
Jem's perspective:
Scout and I are walking home. We hear footsteps behind us. Is it Cecil? No, Cecil would have scared us by now. It must be someone else. The footsteps get faster; Scout and I begin running. Scout's being attacked! Now I'm being attacked! *Crunch*! My arm! My arm! Ahh!! I have no idea what's going on! I can't see hardly anything! This is a real drag. I can't see a thing. I'm having the greatest feeling of pietrisycamollaviadelrechiotemexity!
Is there a doctor in the house? In Scout's case, yes. There was a doctor in her house. Doctor Reynolds to be more specific. He's taking care of Jem, who is unconscious. Scout must be scarred for life. Mr. Ewell is lying outside dead with a knife in his ribcage.
Chapter 29
We find out that Mr. Ewell tried to stab Scout, but her ham costume prevented it. Told you ham could save your life! Scout noticed earlier that someone carried Jem home after the attack. She realizes in this chapter that it was Boo! And he's in her living room! Scout stays calm and says, "Hey, Boo."
Chapter 30
Boo and Scout go and sit on the porch. They overhear Atticus and Heck Tate discussing in an angry fashion (also known as arguing). Atticus is convinced that his son killed Mr. Ewell. Mr. Ewell says the death was an accident and that Bob fell on his own knife. Mr. knows the truth: Boo killed Bob. He quotes Jesus's words from Matthew 8:22: "...Let the dead bury their own dead." Mr Tate wants to cover up the truth so Boo isn't bothered by the law.
Chapter 31 - The Final Chapter!
To Kill a Mockingbird doesn't have the type of conclusion I was expecting. In fact, Lee leaves a lot up to the imagination. A sequel would be appropriate for this story, but alas, it will never be written. Scout walks her new friend (although she probably feels like she's been his friend for a long time) home. She never sees Mr. Arthur Radley again. Scout briefly imagines what it's like to be Boo Radley. Jem never meets Boo as he was unconscious during Boo's entire visit. Thinking back to chapter one, I now know how Jem broke his arm.
“When they finally saw him, why he hadn’t done any of those things . . . Atticus, he was real nice. . . .”
“Most people are, Scout, when you finally see them.”
Monday, October 29, 2012
To Kill a Mockingbird Post 8: Chapters 22-26
Chapter 22
The next segment in the book focuses on Jem. He is painfully realizing the injustice in the world. Jem's perspective of the town of Maycomb is now completely revamped. What Jem thought as reasonable, sensible, people are now (in his mind) racist, despicable monsters. As far as I'm concerned, the world isn't fair. But we just need to trust that God will serve justice. He said He would, and that's good enough for me. I have had many unjust things happen to me so far in live, even though I'm only fifteen years old. Sometimes, justice was served to those who wronged me. In cases where justice wasn't served, I know that God will serve it eventually, whenever He sees fit. To come back to the story and away from my rabbit trail, I'll tell you about the Finch's story and what happened to them after the trial.
Obviously, the blacks in Maycomb are happy with Atticus because he stood up for Tom, even though Atticus knew he was going to lose. This key point in the story reveals the most about Atticus's character. He stands up for what he believes in, even when nearly everyone around him disagrees with his beliefs. This story reminds me of Noah's story in the book of Genesis. Noah still build that ark even when everyone laughed at him. The black community in Maycomb blesses the Finches by bringing them a plethora of food.
Near the end of the chapter, Scout and Jem learn that Mr. Ewell confronted Atticus, spat on him, and said "I'll get you my pretty! And your little dog, too!"*
*That last part was a lie. But Mr. Ewell did swear that he'd get revenge. Besides, Atticus doesn't have a dog.
Chapter 23
Atticus is convinced that Mr. Ewell won't cause anymore harm. Scout asks her father what is going to happen to Mr. Robinson. Atticus regretfully tells her that rape is a capital offense, and that Tom will be executed.
Jem and his father have a long discussion about the morality of the death penalty. Jem mentions that he doesn't think someone should be killed for committing a crime that didn't kill anyone. I agree with Jem. Personally, I don't think anyone should be killed, no matter what crime they committed. But what about Hitler? Or the man who killed 12 movie goers in Aurora? Or Jessica Ridgeway's kidnapper? Of course, such criminals should be punished severely (put in jail for life with no humane treatment), but never killed. Killing even the worst of criminals doesn't make us any more ethical than them.
Atticus tells Jem that only one man in the jury was on Tom's side: A member of the Cunningham family. Scout instantly says that they should invite Walter over for dinner. Explicitly, Aunt Alexandra tells Scout that a Finch is not to associate with trash. Obviously, Scout is upset at her aunt's impertinent comment. Jem takes Scout aside before she becomes feral. The two talk about Alexandra's despicable attitude toward their friends, class warfare, and more. Jem proudly shows Scout his one chest hair. Scout lies and tells her brother that she can see it and that it looks very nice. This titbit of the story shows us how Jem (although only 12) is slowly becoming a man.
Chapter 24
The beginning of this chapter is very boring. Scout visits the Missionary Society (A group of crazy ladies who are apparently trying to "uplift people" but are trying to do so in such a way that does anything but.). Scout is pulled aside from tea, and is informed that Tom Robinson was shot 17 times after a failed attempt to escape. After hearing of Robinson's death, Scout returns to tea furtively sporting a poker face.
Chapter 25
Surprisingly, the main event I would like to highlight in this chapter is when Scout tried to squash a bug. She sees a roly-poly, and right before trying to kill it, Jem intervenes. He claims that the defenseless insect did nothing to harm Scout, and that she shouldn't kill an innocent creature. Any other day, Jem probably wouldn't have cared one bit what Scout did to the bug. My guess is that he was sensitive about Tom's wrongful death. This incidence ties right into the book's strange title: To Kill A Mockingbird. Earlier in the book, Atticus mentions that it's a sin to kill a mockingbird because mockingbirds don't do anything to harm anyone. All they do is sing. Kind of like a roly-poly. Not that roly-polies sing, but it would be cool if they did. What I meant is that roly-polies don't do anything to harm anyone. You understood what I meant? Oh...
Chapter 26
Time for school! Also, time to start walking by the Radley Place again. The kids aren't scared about the Place anymore. But Scout still wants to get a glimpse of Boo. Scout's third grade teacher begins teaching about World War II, which began recently. She talks about the injustice of Hitler's reign. Scout questions Jem about how her teacher can be so two-faced (Thinking it's a good idea to convict Robinson because he's black, and thinking that Hitler is bad.). Jem just gets mad, and Scout goes to her dad to ease her grief.
The next segment in the book focuses on Jem. He is painfully realizing the injustice in the world. Jem's perspective of the town of Maycomb is now completely revamped. What Jem thought as reasonable, sensible, people are now (in his mind) racist, despicable monsters. As far as I'm concerned, the world isn't fair. But we just need to trust that God will serve justice. He said He would, and that's good enough for me. I have had many unjust things happen to me so far in live, even though I'm only fifteen years old. Sometimes, justice was served to those who wronged me. In cases where justice wasn't served, I know that God will serve it eventually, whenever He sees fit. To come back to the story and away from my rabbit trail, I'll tell you about the Finch's story and what happened to them after the trial.
Obviously, the blacks in Maycomb are happy with Atticus because he stood up for Tom, even though Atticus knew he was going to lose. This key point in the story reveals the most about Atticus's character. He stands up for what he believes in, even when nearly everyone around him disagrees with his beliefs. This story reminds me of Noah's story in the book of Genesis. Noah still build that ark even when everyone laughed at him. The black community in Maycomb blesses the Finches by bringing them a plethora of food.
Near the end of the chapter, Scout and Jem learn that Mr. Ewell confronted Atticus, spat on him, and said "I'll get you my pretty! And your little dog, too!"*
*That last part was a lie. But Mr. Ewell did swear that he'd get revenge. Besides, Atticus doesn't have a dog.
Chapter 23
Atticus is convinced that Mr. Ewell won't cause anymore harm. Scout asks her father what is going to happen to Mr. Robinson. Atticus regretfully tells her that rape is a capital offense, and that Tom will be executed.
Jem and his father have a long discussion about the morality of the death penalty. Jem mentions that he doesn't think someone should be killed for committing a crime that didn't kill anyone. I agree with Jem. Personally, I don't think anyone should be killed, no matter what crime they committed. But what about Hitler? Or the man who killed 12 movie goers in Aurora? Or Jessica Ridgeway's kidnapper? Of course, such criminals should be punished severely (put in jail for life with no humane treatment), but never killed. Killing even the worst of criminals doesn't make us any more ethical than them.
Atticus tells Jem that only one man in the jury was on Tom's side: A member of the Cunningham family. Scout instantly says that they should invite Walter over for dinner. Explicitly, Aunt Alexandra tells Scout that a Finch is not to associate with trash. Obviously, Scout is upset at her aunt's impertinent comment. Jem takes Scout aside before she becomes feral. The two talk about Alexandra's despicable attitude toward their friends, class warfare, and more. Jem proudly shows Scout his one chest hair. Scout lies and tells her brother that she can see it and that it looks very nice. This titbit of the story shows us how Jem (although only 12) is slowly becoming a man.
Chapter 24
The beginning of this chapter is very boring. Scout visits the Missionary Society (A group of crazy ladies who are apparently trying to "uplift people" but are trying to do so in such a way that does anything but.). Scout is pulled aside from tea, and is informed that Tom Robinson was shot 17 times after a failed attempt to escape. After hearing of Robinson's death, Scout returns to tea furtively sporting a poker face.
Chapter 25
Surprisingly, the main event I would like to highlight in this chapter is when Scout tried to squash a bug. She sees a roly-poly, and right before trying to kill it, Jem intervenes. He claims that the defenseless insect did nothing to harm Scout, and that she shouldn't kill an innocent creature. Any other day, Jem probably wouldn't have cared one bit what Scout did to the bug. My guess is that he was sensitive about Tom's wrongful death. This incidence ties right into the book's strange title: To Kill A Mockingbird. Earlier in the book, Atticus mentions that it's a sin to kill a mockingbird because mockingbirds don't do anything to harm anyone. All they do is sing. Kind of like a roly-poly. Not that roly-polies sing, but it would be cool if they did. What I meant is that roly-polies don't do anything to harm anyone. You understood what I meant? Oh...
Chapter 26
Time for school! Also, time to start walking by the Radley Place again. The kids aren't scared about the Place anymore. But Scout still wants to get a glimpse of Boo. Scout's third grade teacher begins teaching about World War II, which began recently. She talks about the injustice of Hitler's reign. Scout questions Jem about how her teacher can be so two-faced (Thinking it's a good idea to convict Robinson because he's black, and thinking that Hitler is bad.). Jem just gets mad, and Scout goes to her dad to ease her grief.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
To Kill a Mockingbird Post 7: Chapters 17-21
Chapter 17
Throughout the next five chapters, we only see the trial from Scout's point of view, just like the rest of the book. Luckily, Scout is in the courtroom for most of the time.
Throughout the next five chapters, we only see the trial from Scout's point of view, just like the rest of the book. Luckily, Scout is in the courtroom for most of the time.
We start with Mr. Gilmer (the prosecutor) asking questions to Mr. Heck Tate. He says that Mayella Ewell's father encouraged him to come to his house. Once Gilmer got there, he says that Mr. Ewell said that Tom Robinson raped his daughter. Gilmer talks about the bruises he saw on Miss Ewell. The only thing Atticus asks in rebuttal is: "Why the Heck (no pun intended) didn't you call the cops?" They claimed that it would have cost too much, and it would have been useless. The jury also learns for the first time that Mr. Robinson only has one functioning hand: his left one. Miss Mayella had bruises on the left side of her face. If they were facing each other when the kerfuffle happened, wouldn't her bruises be on the right side, if Tom really was the one to hurt her? Hmm...
Chapter 18
Next up is Miss Mayella's side of the story. She says that she saw Tom Robinson near her house and invited him onto her property to do a favor. Tom Robinson is a nice man, so he tried his best to help her out. She then claims that Tom raped her. According to Mayella, to describe what Mr. Robinson did as browbeating would be an understatement. Atticus asks the girl why she didn't scream louder, and why none of her family came to help. Atticus also asks her to just admit that it was her father who beat her. The plot thickens!
Chapter 19
Finally, it's Tom's turn to tell his side. He explains that he didn't do anything brash. He also says that he frequently passes the Ewell's house and did favors for Miss Mayella. He says that on the day Miss Mayella accused him of raping her, that she invited him into her home to fix a door. There was nothing wrong with the door. Tom says that she then asked him to pick up something from a high shelf and scared him half top death when she wrapped her arms around his waist. With a dogged attitude, Tom says that she begged him to kiss her, and might as well have invited him into bed. Tom says that he fought back, but didn't want to hurt her. He eventually got out of there when Mr. Ewell witnessed the events and called his own daughter a w****. After seemingly everyone disagrees with Tom's story, Dill starts crying, and Scout takes him out of the courtroom. The two run into Dolphus Raymond, the man with half-black children.
Chapter 20
Raymond gives Dill some of his booze to comfort him. Scout warns him not to drink too much. Dill quickly learns that the liquid in the bottle in the paper bag is just Coke! Raymond explains that he pretends to be a drunk so he's not judged for preferring blacks over whites. When the kids get back into the courtroom, the hear Atticus giving a schpeel about the truth about Tom Robinson. Personally, I'm on Atticus's side. He says that Miss Mayella was lonely, and she tried to have sex with anyone she could to fulfill herself. Atticus says that her father beat her because Tom was black. Atticus begs the court to simply believe the fact that just because a person is black, doesn't mean that they're automatically a criminal. And the party don't start 'till Calpurnia walks in. She walked in.
Chapter 21
Calpurnia explains that it's nothing to do with the case. The judge allows it. Cal tells Atticus that the kids are in the courtroom. After some discussion with his kids, Atticus and Jem compromise. The kids get to go home for supper, eat slowly, then come back to finish watching the case. After supper, the kids return to the courtroom. Jem is eager for his dad to win. Dill just falls asleep. Tom Robinson is convicted guilty!
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
To Kill a Mockingbird Post 6: Chapters 15-16
Chapter 15
The events in this chapter are anything but placid. Scout notices that her dad left the house for no apparent reason. She explains that no one "just went for a walk" in Maycomb. She knew something was up. She grabbed Jem and Dill and began to investigate. They found Atticus sitting in front of the jail reading the paper. Four cars drive up to the jail, and Scout approaches Atticus. Reluctantly, Jem and Dill follow. Scout is naive. She has no idea what's going on. She recognizes one of the men from the four cars to be Walter Cunningham's father. Scout casually asks him to say hi to his son. The men depart, leaving nothing but footprints. Scout managed to save the day!
Chapter 16
Trial time! One look at Maycomb, and you may think they were hosting the Stark Expo. It seems that the only person in all of Maycomb who didn't attempt to attend the trial was Miss Maudie. She comments that's it's comparable to watching a Roman Carnival. Scout and Jem sneak in after everyone else so Atticus doesn't notice them. They are forced to sit in the "colored" section. Tom Robinson must be feeling quite futile right now! The Judge's name is Taylor, and he's famous for being involved in connivances.
The events in this chapter are anything but placid. Scout notices that her dad left the house for no apparent reason. She explains that no one "just went for a walk" in Maycomb. She knew something was up. She grabbed Jem and Dill and began to investigate. They found Atticus sitting in front of the jail reading the paper. Four cars drive up to the jail, and Scout approaches Atticus. Reluctantly, Jem and Dill follow. Scout is naive. She has no idea what's going on. She recognizes one of the men from the four cars to be Walter Cunningham's father. Scout casually asks him to say hi to his son. The men depart, leaving nothing but footprints. Scout managed to save the day!
Chapter 16
Trial time! One look at Maycomb, and you may think they were hosting the Stark Expo. It seems that the only person in all of Maycomb who didn't attempt to attend the trial was Miss Maudie. She comments that's it's comparable to watching a Roman Carnival. Scout and Jem sneak in after everyone else so Atticus doesn't notice them. They are forced to sit in the "colored" section. Tom Robinson must be feeling quite futile right now! The Judge's name is Taylor, and he's famous for being involved in connivances.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
To Kill a Mockingbird Post 5: Chapters 12-14
Chapter 12
Scout isn't getting along very well with Jem. Obviously, she looks forward to Dill coming for the summer. But, Dill writes saying that he has a new dad, and won't becoming to Maycomb for the summer. Calpurnia takes Jem and Scout to church with her. Calpurnia's church is a "black church", and all the people there welcome the kids, except for a woman named Lula. When the kids get home, they see their Aunt sitting on the porch.
Chapter 13
Aunt Alexandra is austere. She knows what's right, and that's the end of it. She moves in to give the kids a female figure to look up to. The people of Maycomb welcomed the newcomer; Scout did not. Scout and Jem are very disappointed at their Aunt's arrival, probably because they don't want to be told what to do. Scout, especially, is very curt towards her Aunt.
Chapter 14
When Scout first heard that Tom Robinson was accused of rape, she didn't know what "rape" meant. She didn't remember to ask Atticus until chapter 14. Atticus explains it as "carnal knowledge of a female by force and without consent." Scout is so myopic that she doesn't see it as too big an issue. Scout isn't too fond of her Aunt, and Jem tells her to stop antagonizing her. Scout has a fit, and goes after Jem. Finally, Atticus breaks it up. When Scout goes to bed, she thinks there's a snake under her bed. She later finds out that it was Dill! Dill ran away from his parents because they were neglecting him. The kids tell Miss Rachel (Dill's Aunt) of his location.
Scout isn't getting along very well with Jem. Obviously, she looks forward to Dill coming for the summer. But, Dill writes saying that he has a new dad, and won't becoming to Maycomb for the summer. Calpurnia takes Jem and Scout to church with her. Calpurnia's church is a "black church", and all the people there welcome the kids, except for a woman named Lula. When the kids get home, they see their Aunt sitting on the porch.
Chapter 13
Aunt Alexandra is austere. She knows what's right, and that's the end of it. She moves in to give the kids a female figure to look up to. The people of Maycomb welcomed the newcomer; Scout did not. Scout and Jem are very disappointed at their Aunt's arrival, probably because they don't want to be told what to do. Scout, especially, is very curt towards her Aunt.
Chapter 14
When Scout first heard that Tom Robinson was accused of rape, she didn't know what "rape" meant. She didn't remember to ask Atticus until chapter 14. Atticus explains it as "carnal knowledge of a female by force and without consent." Scout is so myopic that she doesn't see it as too big an issue. Scout isn't too fond of her Aunt, and Jem tells her to stop antagonizing her. Scout has a fit, and goes after Jem. Finally, Atticus breaks it up. When Scout goes to bed, she thinks there's a snake under her bed. She later finds out that it was Dill! Dill ran away from his parents because they were neglecting him. The kids tell Miss Rachel (Dill's Aunt) of his location.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
To Kill a Mockingbird Post 4: Chapters 8-11
Chapter 8
Where I live (Monument, CO), schools rarely close for snow. Rarely. Like, almost never. Maycomb, Alabama has a different story, however. After its first snowfall in years, Maycomb's schools close. Here in Colorado, we wouldn't even call what happened snowing. It was merely sleet; less than in inch of slushy "snow". So, Jem and Scout go at it. Jem makes a snowman out of dirt, to which Scout says that she's never seen a "n***** snowman". Jem than places some snow on the outside of the dirt mounds, and Scout understands. Their "snowman" looks so much like Mr. Avery (a distasteful neighbor) that Atticus demands they make it look different. So Jem "borrows" a hat from Miss Maudie. She finds out and calls him a "little devil".
To make a long story short, Miss Maudie's house burst into flames and sent the whole town into a kerfuffle. In the midst of all this, Boo Radley drops a blanket over Scout's shoulders! But she doesn't realize it until afterward. Jem tells Atticus everything about Boo and the knothole in the tree. Even after losing her house, Miss Maudie is cheerful the next day. She even says she was about to light up the old place herself before too long.
Chapter 9
Tom Robinson was a black man accused of taking advantage of a white woman. Atticus takes on the case. The kids at school say tease Scout by saying that her daddy "defends n*****s". Scout almost throws a punch. At Christmastime, Scout begins cursing in the hopes that Atticus will take her out of school, because that's where she learned the words to add to her colorful vocabulary. It didn't work, and she just got in trouble with Uncle Jack, who came into town.
The Finches traveled for the Holidays, and ended up at their Aunt and Uncle's house. Scout gets in a fight with Francis, Scout's second cousin. Francis told Scout that her dad is a "n***** lover". That's where things took turn for the worse. Uncle Jack only listens to Francis' side of the story, and spanks Scout.
Chapter 10
So why is this book called "To Kill a Mockingbird"? Here's a quote from chapter 10:
That's why.
A rabid dog appears out of nowhere in Maycomb. The sherif tells Aticus to shoot it. He does, and everyone is shocked. Atticus isn't one to have a good shot. This guy likes to sit by the fire and read. He just doesn't shoot things. Scout now has bragging rights, but Atticus tells her to keep quiet.
Chapter 11
On the way to the business district, there is a house with an angry, old, sick woman living in it. She insults Jem and Scout every time they pass by. Some of her insults are about their father. Jem eventually loses it and cuts down some of her shrubbery. As a punishment, Jem has to read to Mrs. Dubose for two hours a day for a month. Soon after Jem finished his punishment, Mrs. Dubose died. He learns from Atticus that Mrs. Dubose was addicted to morphine, and that the reading was the therapy. Atticus says he would have sent Jem over there anyway.
Where I live (Monument, CO), schools rarely close for snow. Rarely. Like, almost never. Maycomb, Alabama has a different story, however. After its first snowfall in years, Maycomb's schools close. Here in Colorado, we wouldn't even call what happened snowing. It was merely sleet; less than in inch of slushy "snow". So, Jem and Scout go at it. Jem makes a snowman out of dirt, to which Scout says that she's never seen a "n***** snowman". Jem than places some snow on the outside of the dirt mounds, and Scout understands. Their "snowman" looks so much like Mr. Avery (a distasteful neighbor) that Atticus demands they make it look different. So Jem "borrows" a hat from Miss Maudie. She finds out and calls him a "little devil".
To make a long story short, Miss Maudie's house burst into flames and sent the whole town into a kerfuffle. In the midst of all this, Boo Radley drops a blanket over Scout's shoulders! But she doesn't realize it until afterward. Jem tells Atticus everything about Boo and the knothole in the tree. Even after losing her house, Miss Maudie is cheerful the next day. She even says she was about to light up the old place herself before too long.
Chapter 9
Tom Robinson was a black man accused of taking advantage of a white woman. Atticus takes on the case. The kids at school say tease Scout by saying that her daddy "defends n*****s". Scout almost throws a punch. At Christmastime, Scout begins cursing in the hopes that Atticus will take her out of school, because that's where she learned the words to add to her colorful vocabulary. It didn't work, and she just got in trouble with Uncle Jack, who came into town.
The Finches traveled for the Holidays, and ended up at their Aunt and Uncle's house. Scout gets in a fight with Francis, Scout's second cousin. Francis told Scout that her dad is a "n***** lover". That's where things took turn for the worse. Uncle Jack only listens to Francis' side of the story, and spanks Scout.
Chapter 10
So why is this book called "To Kill a Mockingbird"? Here's a quote from chapter 10:
“Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy . . . but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.”
That's why.
A rabid dog appears out of nowhere in Maycomb. The sherif tells Aticus to shoot it. He does, and everyone is shocked. Atticus isn't one to have a good shot. This guy likes to sit by the fire and read. He just doesn't shoot things. Scout now has bragging rights, but Atticus tells her to keep quiet.
Chapter 11
On the way to the business district, there is a house with an angry, old, sick woman living in it. She insults Jem and Scout every time they pass by. Some of her insults are about their father. Jem eventually loses it and cuts down some of her shrubbery. As a punishment, Jem has to read to Mrs. Dubose for two hours a day for a month. Soon after Jem finished his punishment, Mrs. Dubose died. He learns from Atticus that Mrs. Dubose was addicted to morphine, and that the reading was the therapy. Atticus says he would have sent Jem over there anyway.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
To Kill a Mockingbird Post 3: Chapters 4-7
Chapter 4
Scout trudges through the rest of the awful school year. On the way home one day, she sees a piece of tin foil in a knothole in a tree in front of the Radley's house. She sees that it's two pieces of Wrigley's Doublemint gum and equivocates putting it in her mouth. She does so, and runs home and tells Jem about it. Jem freaks out and demands she spit it out. Scout obeys, reluctantly, telling us that the flavor has diluted anyway. When Jem and Scout revisit the tree on the last day of school, they find two Indian Head coins inside a wedding ring box. Following the code, "Finders keepers", the duo decide to claim the pennies as their own, but discuss trying to find their owner.
Summer. Finally! Dill returns, school work ends, and playtime begins. Naturally, Scout asks to be stuffed into a tire and rolled down the hill. Unfortunately she rolls right into the Radley's front yard! Luckily, she makes it out alive and unharmed, but the fear probably took off an hour or two of her life. Jem leads up the next game and suggests that the three of them pretend that they're the Radleys. What started off as a simple activity evolved into a complex, almost theatrical performance from the trio. Once Atticus catches them and asks if they're interpreting the Radleys, Jem lies and denies everything. Atticus the proceeded to get on with his business. Jem's logic was that "he didn't say we couldn't, so we can [play our game]."
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| Wrigley's Doublemint Gum (ad from the 70s) |
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| "School's out!" |
Chapter 5
Jem and Dill's relationship grew stronger every day. My brother and my cousin are both six years older that I am. When I was little, I sometimes felt like Scout did in this chapter. Left out. Scout then began to spend time with a neighbor: Miss Maudie Atkinson. Scout asked her about Boo Radley and the first thing she told her is that his real name is Arthur, and he is still alive. They have long conversations, and Scout is told that most of the rumors about the boy are false. But one of the top rules for reading any story is to never take a character's word for anything. Persistant as a ringing cell phone during church, Jem decides that he is going to give a note to Boo (or Arthur?) Radley. Dill came along with him. Atticus busted them after their failed attempt.
Chapter 6
Curiosity killed the cat, and it almost killed Jem because he snuck out that night with Scout and Dill. His goal this time was just to peer through the shutters and get a good look at Boo/Arthur. After seeing a silhouette of a man wearing a hat, Jem dashes away and hears the fire of a shotgun. His pants get caught on the fence and he wiggles out of them to escape. The kids run away and notice that a group of people from the neighborhood have gathered around the Radley Place. They go up to them so as to not seem strange. They are informed that Mr. Radley shot after a Negro in his yard. Forgetting he isn't wearing any pants, Jem is quickly reminded when his father asks him where they are. Dill says that they were playing Strip Poker.
Chapter 7
Back to school. These are Scout's three least favorite words. This year wasn't any more auspicious than the first grade. On the way home, Jim tells Scout that he found his pants at the Radley's house and that they were folded neatly as if they were expecting him. Scout her brother find another item in the tree in front of the Radley's house. A ball of twine. The two leave it there for a couple days, and then claim it as their own. The following days they find two soap figures that look like Jem and Scout, chewing gum, a spelling bee medal, and an old pocket watch. The next day, the knothole in the tree was filled with cement. When the kids ask Mr. Radley why, he tells them that the tree was dying. Jem notices that the tree was very much alive, and didn't look at all like it was dying.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
To Kill a Mockingbird Post 2: Chapters 1-3
Chapter 1
Jean Louise Finch. That's the full name of the protagonist of this story. She almost always goes by Scout, though. The story is told through a first-person narrative from Scout's perspective. She's all grown up now, but she tells us her story starting from when she was young. She begins the novel by explaining to us that her brother, Jem, broke his arm right before he turned thirteen. Scout and Jem don't seem to agree on the preceding events leading up to the accident. Their father, Atticus, says that they're both correct. This is where the story begins.
The family lives in Maycomb, Alabama. Maycomb is a small, quaint little town that was suffering from the detrimental effects of The Great Depression in 1933, when the story begins.
The family consists of four people: Atticus (father), Jem and Scout (children), and Calpurnia (the cook, a black woman). The mother died when Scout was two. Scout is now five; Jem is nine.
A boy named Dill moved into town in the summer of '33. Dill quickly became good friends with Jem and Scout. Scout tells us that there is a strange house in the neighborhood. I instantly thought of a haunted house. The inhabitants are rarely seen. It's very mysterious. A boy named Boo Radley lives inside, but no one has seen him for fifteen years! At prima facie, this seems pretty creepy, but I'm a rational thinker so I just think the kids are overreacting and making up stories to entertain themselves. Dill dared Jem to simply go up and touch the house. He took the dare, and nothing happened.
Chapter 2
Scout has been looking forward to her first day of school for a long time. That time has finally come. She quickly learns that it wasn't quite what she was expecting. Her teacher doesn't know how to deal with kids. She's only 21 years old. When she finds out that Scout's father has been teaching her how to read, she told Scout that that was bad, and to stop having her father educate her. After recess, the teacher announces that it is lunch time. When she learns that one of the boys doesn't have any lunch money, she is very confused. Scout says that the boy is a Cunningham, in an attempt to explain things to Miss Caroline Fisher. The kids live in a small town, and everyone knows that the Cunninghams are poor. Miss Fisher just moved to Maycomb, and didn't understand. She offers the boy a quarter saying that he can pay her back the next day, but Scout explains that he won't be able to pay her back. Miss Fisher became very agitated and stuck Scout's hand with a ruler.
Chapter 3
Jean Louise Finch. That's the full name of the protagonist of this story. She almost always goes by Scout, though. The story is told through a first-person narrative from Scout's perspective. She's all grown up now, but she tells us her story starting from when she was young. She begins the novel by explaining to us that her brother, Jem, broke his arm right before he turned thirteen. Scout and Jem don't seem to agree on the preceding events leading up to the accident. Their father, Atticus, says that they're both correct. This is where the story begins.
The family lives in Maycomb, Alabama. Maycomb is a small, quaint little town that was suffering from the detrimental effects of The Great Depression in 1933, when the story begins.
The family consists of four people: Atticus (father), Jem and Scout (children), and Calpurnia (the cook, a black woman). The mother died when Scout was two. Scout is now five; Jem is nine.
A boy named Dill moved into town in the summer of '33. Dill quickly became good friends with Jem and Scout. Scout tells us that there is a strange house in the neighborhood. I instantly thought of a haunted house. The inhabitants are rarely seen. It's very mysterious. A boy named Boo Radley lives inside, but no one has seen him for fifteen years! At prima facie, this seems pretty creepy, but I'm a rational thinker so I just think the kids are overreacting and making up stories to entertain themselves. Dill dared Jem to simply go up and touch the house. He took the dare, and nothing happened.
Chapter 2
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| "First day of school! Wake up! Come on. First day of school!" |
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| Her teacher didn't look quite like this, but you get the idea. |
Naturally, Scout was pretty mad at Walter Cunningham. Scout then proceeds to rub Walter's face in the dirt. Luckily, Jem was around to stop it. Jem invites Walter over for lunch. Scout is astonished when Walter soaks all his food with molasses. She exclaims a rude comment and is taken into the kitchen by Calpurnia and is punished. Scout finishes her food in the kitchen. The next day at school, a new kid comes into play. His name is Burris. Burris is a filthy bad boy who looks as if he doesn't know the meaning of the word "bathe." Burris only comes to one day of school a year to stay out of trouble with the law. The teacher screams when she sees a "cootie" (a small insect) crawl out of his hair. She demands he goes home and take a bath. He goes home alright, with a bang. His exclamations are so offensive that Miss Fisher begins to cry. Scout tells her father that she doesn't want to go to school anymore. Atticus disagrees. The duo compromises. Atticus will continue to read to Scout at home, and Scout will go to school and keep the home-education a secret.
Friday, September 7, 2012
To Kill a Mockingbird Post 1: About the Author
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| Harper Lee |
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| Present day |
"Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don't eat up people's gardens, don't nest in corncribs, they don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird."
To Kill a Mockingbird was Lee's first and last novel. Published in 1960, the book was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1961, and was made into an Oscar winning feature film in 1962. After writing her hugely successful book, Lee retried the life of an author to live a quiet life secluded from the press.
Read more here.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Treasure Island Post 12 (Final): Chapters 32-34
Chapter 32
In an attempt to keep spirits high, Silver and the gang take a break from the hunt, and Silver says that he thinks the treasure will be found soon. The pirates hear the song that is incessantly sung, and recognize it in a familiar voice:
Fifteen men on the dead man's chest
Yo ho ho! and a bottle of rum!
The pirates are convinced that the voice belongs to the late Captain Flint, and that they have aroused a ghost. The pirates are all terrified, except Silver (who, Vis-a-Vis, was way better off than everyone else), who insists they keep looking for the treasure. When they finally reach the place where the treasure is supposed to be, all they find is an empty hole. Quite a "fly in the ointment" moment, don't you think?
Chapter 33
Before disappointment and shock set in among the pirates, Silver cooks up (no pun intended) a plan. Deciding that he needs Jim after all, Silver hands his gun to Jim. After finding just a couple of coins in the hole, the pirates accuse Silver of knowing where the treasure really was the whole time. Then, in the nick of time, Livesey, Ben Gunn, and Grey appear behind the trees and shoot the pirates who were about to attack Silver. It turns out that Ben Gunn (the antecedent) found the treasure first, and moved it to a cave. They head to the cave, and have a very nice meal.
Chapter 34
In the last chapter of Treasure Island, we come to an excellent ending with a full conclusion (Thanks, Robert). On their way off the island, the gang finds three of the mutineers. They don't bring them along, but leave them with some supplies (Turns out the pirates had a little heart! Who knew?). The abandoned pirates shoot at the Hispaniola and fail at hurting anyone (though a bullet went right over Silver's head). The ship hits an iceberg and cracks in half, killing nearly everyone on board. Wait a second. That was The Titanic. Ignore what I just said. Stevenson tells us how the characters turn out in their lives post-book.
Smollett: Retired from life on the ocean.
Ben Gunn: Blew all his money in nineteen days and became a lodge keeper; lives alone with a cat (I lied about the cat).
Silver: Crept overboard and was never to be heard from again (I feel a sequel coming on...)
Jim: Has nightmares of Captain Flint saying "Pieces of eight! pieces of eight!"
In an attempt to keep spirits high, Silver and the gang take a break from the hunt, and Silver says that he thinks the treasure will be found soon. The pirates hear the song that is incessantly sung, and recognize it in a familiar voice:
Fifteen men on the dead man's chest
Yo ho ho! and a bottle of rum!
The pirates are convinced that the voice belongs to the late Captain Flint, and that they have aroused a ghost. The pirates are all terrified, except Silver (who, Vis-a-Vis, was way better off than everyone else), who insists they keep looking for the treasure. When they finally reach the place where the treasure is supposed to be, all they find is an empty hole. Quite a "fly in the ointment" moment, don't you think?
Chapter 33
Before disappointment and shock set in among the pirates, Silver cooks up (no pun intended) a plan. Deciding that he needs Jim after all, Silver hands his gun to Jim. After finding just a couple of coins in the hole, the pirates accuse Silver of knowing where the treasure really was the whole time. Then, in the nick of time, Livesey, Ben Gunn, and Grey appear behind the trees and shoot the pirates who were about to attack Silver. It turns out that Ben Gunn (the antecedent) found the treasure first, and moved it to a cave. They head to the cave, and have a very nice meal.
Chapter 34
In the last chapter of Treasure Island, we come to an excellent ending with a full conclusion (Thanks, Robert). On their way off the island, the gang finds three of the mutineers. They don't bring them along, but leave them with some supplies (Turns out the pirates had a little heart! Who knew?). The abandoned pirates shoot at the Hispaniola and fail at hurting anyone (though a bullet went right over Silver's head). The ship hits an iceberg and cracks in half, killing nearly everyone on board. Wait a second. That was The Titanic. Ignore what I just said. Stevenson tells us how the characters turn out in their lives post-book.
Smollett: Retired from life on the ocean.
Ben Gunn: Blew all his money in nineteen days and became a lodge keeper; lives alone with a cat (I lied about the cat).
Silver: Crept overboard and was never to be heard from again (I feel a sequel coming on...)
Jim: Has nightmares of Captain Flint saying "Pieces of eight! pieces of eight!"
Monday, April 23, 2012
Treasure Island Post 11: Chapters 29-31
Chapter 29
Silver is handed the "black spot" (torn out of the Bible), a judgement that tells him he is no longer in charge. The pirates gave him this in punishment for messing up the assignment. Silver says that they would have already had the treasure at this point if they had just listened to him. Silver reminds the pirates of everything he did for them. Silver gives Jim the "black spot" as a type of souvenir and Jim reads the Biblical quote from Revelation. This was very ambiguous, and could have meant anything. Jim sleeps while thinking about the man he killed that day, and about Silver's destiny.
Chapter 30
The next morning, Livesey begins to tend to the pirates. It's obvious that Livesey is surprised to see Jim. After a while of not speaking to Jim, Livesey asks to speak to him alone. Still in view of Silver, Silver invites himself to join in the conversation. Livesey comments how it's odd that Silver isn't concerned about losing his hostage. Livesey also calls Jim a coward because he deserted the captain at his breaking point, and Jim begins to cry. What seemed to be out of nowhere, Livesey suggests to ditch the pirates. Jim says that's not too bright, and also mentions that he knows where the ship is. Livesey returns Jim to Silver. He tells Silver not to be in too big of a hurry to find the booty.
Chapter 31
After thanking Silver for saving his life, Jim sits down for breakfast. Three times as much food as needed has been prepared, and Jim is appalled. Jim is convinced that Silver will abandon him when the time is right. The treasure hunt began after breakfast. The gang found a skeleton lying at the top of a hill that looked like it was pointing to the treasure like a compass. The skeleton's knife is missing, so they're probably not the first to see it. The pirates identify the corpse as a man named Allardyce. Allardyce worked for Flint. With little ambivalence, the pirates follow Allardyce's hint, and the hunt continues.
Silver is handed the "black spot" (torn out of the Bible), a judgement that tells him he is no longer in charge. The pirates gave him this in punishment for messing up the assignment. Silver says that they would have already had the treasure at this point if they had just listened to him. Silver reminds the pirates of everything he did for them. Silver gives Jim the "black spot" as a type of souvenir and Jim reads the Biblical quote from Revelation. This was very ambiguous, and could have meant anything. Jim sleeps while thinking about the man he killed that day, and about Silver's destiny.
Chapter 30
The next morning, Livesey begins to tend to the pirates. It's obvious that Livesey is surprised to see Jim. After a while of not speaking to Jim, Livesey asks to speak to him alone. Still in view of Silver, Silver invites himself to join in the conversation. Livesey comments how it's odd that Silver isn't concerned about losing his hostage. Livesey also calls Jim a coward because he deserted the captain at his breaking point, and Jim begins to cry. What seemed to be out of nowhere, Livesey suggests to ditch the pirates. Jim says that's not too bright, and also mentions that he knows where the ship is. Livesey returns Jim to Silver. He tells Silver not to be in too big of a hurry to find the booty.
Chapter 31
After thanking Silver for saving his life, Jim sits down for breakfast. Three times as much food as needed has been prepared, and Jim is appalled. Jim is convinced that Silver will abandon him when the time is right. The treasure hunt began after breakfast. The gang found a skeleton lying at the top of a hill that looked like it was pointing to the treasure like a compass. The skeleton's knife is missing, so they're probably not the first to see it. The pirates identify the corpse as a man named Allardyce. Allardyce worked for Flint. With little ambivalence, the pirates follow Allardyce's hint, and the hunt continues.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Treasure Island Post 10: Chapters 26-28
Chapter 26
When Hands suggests throwing the body overboard, he says it's okay, because a body is just a body. Jim then told hands that the Spirit never dies, so Hands shouldn't throw him overboard. Hands claims that the brandy is too strong for his head, and asks for wine instead. Jim honors his request, in addition to sneaking below the floor and spying on Hands. Hands pulls out a knife, and hides it in his pocket. Later, when Jim feels relaxed, Hands attacks him. They get into a fight, and Jim eventually ends up climbing up the mast, and then getting a knife thrown at him, pinning him through his shirt to the mast. With little ambivalence, Jim shoots Hands, and he falls into the water.
Chapter 27
After watching Hands bob up to the surface of the water, and then sink to the bottom for good, Jim climbs down the mast. After examining his wound, Jim pushes the other dead man overboard. Jim decides to swim to shore after noticing he's the only person on the ship. After reaching shore, Jim looks for the stockade. Finding the excess firewood being burned ambiguous, Jim quietly sneaks in, finding everyone asleep. The parrot squeals, "Pieces of Eight!" and Jim tries to escape, but is held back.
Chapter 28
Silver tells Jim that he reminds himself of what he was like when he was his age. Silver also tells Jim that Dr. Livesey was grateful to be rid of Jim (a statement that Jim only sort of believes). Jim notices that Silver is having trouble keeping his men under control (only six pirates remain). Jim spills the beans by telling everyone how he had cut the rope on the Hispaniolia and killed Israel Hands. Jim also boldly tells Silver that he is not afraid of him. Silver tries testing his power over the other pirates, but they all gather up in the corner, leaving Jim and Silver in the other corner. Silver tells Jim that the other men are close to another conspiricy, and that he and Jim need to count on each other to save each other's lives. Silver tells Jim that he will play a hostage, and make it look like Siver is still in charge. Then Silver tells Jim that Livesey gave him the treasure map. Jim is shocked.
When Hands suggests throwing the body overboard, he says it's okay, because a body is just a body. Jim then told hands that the Spirit never dies, so Hands shouldn't throw him overboard. Hands claims that the brandy is too strong for his head, and asks for wine instead. Jim honors his request, in addition to sneaking below the floor and spying on Hands. Hands pulls out a knife, and hides it in his pocket. Later, when Jim feels relaxed, Hands attacks him. They get into a fight, and Jim eventually ends up climbing up the mast, and then getting a knife thrown at him, pinning him through his shirt to the mast. With little ambivalence, Jim shoots Hands, and he falls into the water.
Chapter 27
After watching Hands bob up to the surface of the water, and then sink to the bottom for good, Jim climbs down the mast. After examining his wound, Jim pushes the other dead man overboard. Jim decides to swim to shore after noticing he's the only person on the ship. After reaching shore, Jim looks for the stockade. Finding the excess firewood being burned ambiguous, Jim quietly sneaks in, finding everyone asleep. The parrot squeals, "Pieces of Eight!" and Jim tries to escape, but is held back.
Chapter 28
Silver tells Jim that he reminds himself of what he was like when he was his age. Silver also tells Jim that Dr. Livesey was grateful to be rid of Jim (a statement that Jim only sort of believes). Jim notices that Silver is having trouble keeping his men under control (only six pirates remain). Jim spills the beans by telling everyone how he had cut the rope on the Hispaniolia and killed Israel Hands. Jim also boldly tells Silver that he is not afraid of him. Silver tries testing his power over the other pirates, but they all gather up in the corner, leaving Jim and Silver in the other corner. Silver tells Jim that the other men are close to another conspiricy, and that he and Jim need to count on each other to save each other's lives. Silver tells Jim that he will play a hostage, and make it look like Siver is still in charge. Then Silver tells Jim that Livesey gave him the treasure map. Jim is shocked.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Treasure Island Post 9: Chapters 23-25
Chapter 23
The boat that Jim is on is quite unsteady. It's really hard to control, but Jim somehow manages to reach the ship he wants to cut loose. After getting there, Jim remembers that when you cut a ship loose, it snaps so much that you can hurt yourself, so Jim takes extra care when cutting the rope. He waits for the finishing cut when the tension is as light as possible as the ship wobbles around because of the wind. While waiting for the perfect moment, Jim listens to the unintelligible chatter and morbid songs coming out of the drunken mouths on the ship. Finally, Jim is able to cut the last part of the rope and set the Hispaniola loose. As a last minute decision, Jim grabs hold of the rope and peers into the upper window. The pirates are distracted, and don't notice the sudden movement. Hands and another man are wrestling. Jim is suddenly pushed into the coracle, and drifts away. Convinced he will die, Jim commits his soul to God, and falls asleep.
Chapter 24
Finally, Jim awakes and sees that he's by the southwest end of Treasure Island; he heads north. After much effort and tenacity, Jim gets to where he wanted to go. He sees the Hispaniola still just floating around, and assumes that the crew either left, or everyone is drunk. Realizing he can take over the ship, Jim manages to get aboard. Jim hears the coracle get ran into and crushed, so there's no way he can escape now.
Chapter 25
Jim finds no one on deck, until after a little while, he sees Israel Hands, and a dead man (Who Hands constantly mocks, and later asks to throw his body overboard). Jim says hi to Hands, who begs for brandy. Jim finds out that most of the alcohol is gone after heading downstairs. Jim brings a drink to Hands, and asks to be captain. Jim throws the pirates' flag overboard. Hands negotiates with Jim saying that if Jim gives him food, drink, and medical attention, he'll help Jim control the Hispaniola. Jim enjoys his new position, but is still cautious.
The boat that Jim is on is quite unsteady. It's really hard to control, but Jim somehow manages to reach the ship he wants to cut loose. After getting there, Jim remembers that when you cut a ship loose, it snaps so much that you can hurt yourself, so Jim takes extra care when cutting the rope. He waits for the finishing cut when the tension is as light as possible as the ship wobbles around because of the wind. While waiting for the perfect moment, Jim listens to the unintelligible chatter and morbid songs coming out of the drunken mouths on the ship. Finally, Jim is able to cut the last part of the rope and set the Hispaniola loose. As a last minute decision, Jim grabs hold of the rope and peers into the upper window. The pirates are distracted, and don't notice the sudden movement. Hands and another man are wrestling. Jim is suddenly pushed into the coracle, and drifts away. Convinced he will die, Jim commits his soul to God, and falls asleep.
Chapter 24
Finally, Jim awakes and sees that he's by the southwest end of Treasure Island; he heads north. After much effort and tenacity, Jim gets to where he wanted to go. He sees the Hispaniola still just floating around, and assumes that the crew either left, or everyone is drunk. Realizing he can take over the ship, Jim manages to get aboard. Jim hears the coracle get ran into and crushed, so there's no way he can escape now.
Chapter 25
Jim finds no one on deck, until after a little while, he sees Israel Hands, and a dead man (Who Hands constantly mocks, and later asks to throw his body overboard). Jim says hi to Hands, who begs for brandy. Jim finds out that most of the alcohol is gone after heading downstairs. Jim brings a drink to Hands, and asks to be captain. Jim throws the pirates' flag overboard. Hands negotiates with Jim saying that if Jim gives him food, drink, and medical attention, he'll help Jim control the Hispaniola. Jim enjoys his new position, but is still cautious.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Treasure Island Post 8: Chapters 19-22
At the beginning of Chapter 19, Jim Hawkins takes over narration.
Chapter 19
Jim approaches the stockade with Ben Gunn after seeing the British flag hanging over it. Jim isn't sure who it is, but Ben says that pirates wouldn't hang the Union Jack flag, so it's okay to go. The good guys at the stockade flee after a canon shot. After returning to shore, Jim sees the Jolly Roger hanging on the ship.
The men sound drunk. Jim tells Smollett his story, and Smollett assigns jobs to everyone, making Jim the sentry. Smollett questions the sanity of Ben Gunn, but shows the crazy man kindness nonetheless. Jim goes to bed, but wakes up hearing that Silver is proposing a truce.
Chapter 19
Jim approaches the stockade with Ben Gunn after seeing the British flag hanging over it. Jim isn't sure who it is, but Ben says that pirates wouldn't hang the Union Jack flag, so it's okay to go. The good guys at the stockade flee after a canon shot. After returning to shore, Jim sees the Jolly Roger hanging on the ship.
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| The Jolly Roger |
Chapter 20
Smollett suspects that Silver's truce is a trick. Silver calls himself "Captain Silver" and says that he want to compromise with Smollett. Smollett refuses to talk with him. Even so, Silver talks to Smollett. Silver is willing to exchange cease-fire for the treasure map. Angry, Smollett tells Silver that he's more powerful than Silver's team, and refuses. Silver begs; Smollett refuses again.
Chapter 21
Smollett orders the men to be prepared for the pirates to attack them. After waiting for an hour, they hear shots, and see pirates hopping over the stockade. Trelawny and Gray shoot, and wound many of them. A fight breaks out, and the good guys lose less men than the bad guys.
Chapter 22
The good guys hang out for a while at the stockade. Dr. Livesey takes the map and heads out into the open and Gray asks if he's gone crazy. Jim says that Livesey went to meet up with Ben. Jim is left inside to clean up the bloodshed from the miniature battle earlier, and wants to be a hero. Jim heads out to look for the boat that Ben had mentioned, and instead finds Silver and his crew; he later finds the boat. Jim decides to sail to the Hispaniola and let it loose. He heads to the water that night.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Treasure Island Post 7: Chapters 16-18
Thus far, Treasure Island has been recorded first person by our protagonist Jim Hawkins. Chapters 16-18 are narrated by Dr. Livesey.
Chapter 16
Stevenson takes us back in time a bit to where the crew reaches the island for the first time, and tells the same story from the Doctor's perspective. When they find out that Jim is in the hands of the conspirators, Dr. Livesey and Smollett worry for Jim's safety. They decide that the Doctor go with Hunter (Trelawney's servant) to the island. After hitting land, they find an old stockade of Flint's. When they return to the ship, the Doctor tells the crew what they found. They all then head for shore after loading two boatloads of necessities. Smollett gives Gray (one of the conspirators) one last chance to join them. He accepts.
Chapter 17
Smollett, Trelawney, Livesey, Redruth, and Gray are all on a tiny boat. Three of them would be too many for this boat, much less five. Not to mention all the other stuff they brought with them. Stevenson says that they're afraid to breath. A battle breaks out between the good guys and the bad. No one dies except a pirate that they shot, and the five wade to shore, but they had to leave half of all their stuff behind.
Chapter 18
They make their way to the stockade and take a moment to reload their guns. While rejoicing after approaching the corpse of the pirate they shot earlier, Redruth is shot. It's clear that there's no way he can survive, and the men carry help him lie down so he can die with dignity. Later that evening, the group of four are shot at continuously with cannon balls, but the ones shooting are aiming for the British flag that is hanging, so the group doesn't worry. Right when Livesey wonders about Jim, Jim appears.
Chapter 16
Stevenson takes us back in time a bit to where the crew reaches the island for the first time, and tells the same story from the Doctor's perspective. When they find out that Jim is in the hands of the conspirators, Dr. Livesey and Smollett worry for Jim's safety. They decide that the Doctor go with Hunter (Trelawney's servant) to the island. After hitting land, they find an old stockade of Flint's. When they return to the ship, the Doctor tells the crew what they found. They all then head for shore after loading two boatloads of necessities. Smollett gives Gray (one of the conspirators) one last chance to join them. He accepts.
Chapter 17
Smollett, Trelawney, Livesey, Redruth, and Gray are all on a tiny boat. Three of them would be too many for this boat, much less five. Not to mention all the other stuff they brought with them. Stevenson says that they're afraid to breath. A battle breaks out between the good guys and the bad. No one dies except a pirate that they shot, and the five wade to shore, but they had to leave half of all their stuff behind.
Chapter 18
They make their way to the stockade and take a moment to reload their guns. While rejoicing after approaching the corpse of the pirate they shot earlier, Redruth is shot. It's clear that there's no way he can survive, and the men carry help him lie down so he can die with dignity. Later that evening, the group of four are shot at continuously with cannon balls, but the ones shooting are aiming for the British flag that is hanging, so the group doesn't worry. Right when Livesey wonders about Jim, Jim appears.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Treasure Island Post 6 (Chapters 13-15)
Chapter 13
The crew is not happy. The weather is bad, and everyone is bummed out. Dr. Livesey heeds warning that they might catch diseases. The anchor is dropped. Smollett keeps his mouth shut on what he knows about the conspiracy. He talks to Trelawney and they decide to let the crew free to the island. The good guys then take control of the ship. Smollett grabs the good guys and takes them aside. Being the pertinent man he is, he gives them weapons. Confident that he will find the treasure soon, Silver leads the way to the shore. Jim runs away from the group.
Chapter 14
Jim walks around the island admiring the scenery, when suddenly, he hears Silver talking to Tom (one of the good guys). Silver inform Tom that his life depends on if he joins the conspirators or not. Tom declines; Silver walks away. Silver throws his crutch at Tom's back. Tom's back breaks. Tom falls to the ground. Silver walks over to Tom. Silver stabs Tom with his knife. Tom dies. Jim runs like heck, and says "so long!" to the Hispaniola and its crew.
Chapter 15
Jim sees a figure in the distance. Is it a wild animal? Is it a cannibal? Jim finally gets close enough to see that it's a human. Jim then remembers that he has a gun. So he approaches the man. Jim meets him, and luckily, he's not a cannibal. His name is Ben Gunn. Ben's been on the island for three years, and mentions more than once that he hasn't encountered any Christians in those three years. As the two have a conversation, Jim finds out that Ben knows how Flint was, and knows the crew. He also learns that the person who buried the treasure was Flint himself, and he murdered the six people who helped him bury it. Ben says that he will help them find the treasure in return for a safe ride home. Ben takes Jim to his headquarters, and they see a Union Jack flag waving in the distance.
The crew is not happy. The weather is bad, and everyone is bummed out. Dr. Livesey heeds warning that they might catch diseases. The anchor is dropped. Smollett keeps his mouth shut on what he knows about the conspiracy. He talks to Trelawney and they decide to let the crew free to the island. The good guys then take control of the ship. Smollett grabs the good guys and takes them aside. Being the pertinent man he is, he gives them weapons. Confident that he will find the treasure soon, Silver leads the way to the shore. Jim runs away from the group.
Chapter 14
Jim walks around the island admiring the scenery, when suddenly, he hears Silver talking to Tom (one of the good guys). Silver inform Tom that his life depends on if he joins the conspirators or not. Tom declines; Silver walks away. Silver throws his crutch at Tom's back. Tom's back breaks. Tom falls to the ground. Silver walks over to Tom. Silver stabs Tom with his knife. Tom dies. Jim runs like heck, and says "so long!" to the Hispaniola and its crew.
Chapter 15
Jim sees a figure in the distance. Is it a wild animal? Is it a cannibal? Jim finally gets close enough to see that it's a human. Jim then remembers that he has a gun. So he approaches the man. Jim meets him, and luckily, he's not a cannibal. His name is Ben Gunn. Ben's been on the island for three years, and mentions more than once that he hasn't encountered any Christians in those three years. As the two have a conversation, Jim finds out that Ben knows how Flint was, and knows the crew. He also learns that the person who buried the treasure was Flint himself, and he murdered the six people who helped him bury it. Ben says that he will help them find the treasure in return for a safe ride home. Ben takes Jim to his headquarters, and they see a Union Jack flag waving in the distance.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Treasure Island Post 5: Chapters 10-12
Chapter 10
Finally, the ship took off! And we find out that Mr. Arrow is drunk as a skunk. Not really, because skunks aren't generally intoxicated, but nonetheless, Mr. Arrow is wobbling around the ship, completely useless. He disappeared on day, and the crew assumed that he fell overboard. There was no mercy for his death, no one really liked him. On rare occasions when he was sober, he would say that he had never been drinking. On one more note, no one knew where he got his alcohol. A man named Job Anderson replaces him. Everything goes pretty normal. Jim meets a two-hundred year old parrot that can talk. The parrot's name is Cap'n Crunch. Just kidding. Its name is Cap'n Flint. Like any thirteen year old boy, Jim got hungry, and went over to the apple barrel. He hopped inside and hid, and listened in to an important conversation.
Chapter 11
Conspiracy! That's what Jim finds out is going on. He overhears Silver talking to several other crew. Except those "crew" are actually former crew members of Flint himself! Posing as just normal crew, they plan to take the treasure for themselves. Silver says that some other crew members have joined the conspiracy, but a few refused. The men drink from a secret stash of rum. I guess that's where Mr. Arrow got his liquor. Someone yells "Land Ho!"
Chapter 12
Smollett discusses where he should drop the anchor, and looks at a map for help. Jim notices that it's the exact same map he saw earlier, but this one is missing the "X" that marks the spot. Silver knows the island like the back of his hand, and tells Jim all about excitedly. Jim later heads down and tells Trelawney and Smollett about Silver's intentions. When I was reading the book, I thought that no one would believe Jim, because he's only thirteen. But they did believe him, and Trelawney says that he was a fool to hire these crooked people, and to trust Silver.
Finally, the ship took off! And we find out that Mr. Arrow is drunk as a skunk. Not really, because skunks aren't generally intoxicated, but nonetheless, Mr. Arrow is wobbling around the ship, completely useless. He disappeared on day, and the crew assumed that he fell overboard. There was no mercy for his death, no one really liked him. On rare occasions when he was sober, he would say that he had never been drinking. On one more note, no one knew where he got his alcohol. A man named Job Anderson replaces him. Everything goes pretty normal. Jim meets a two-hundred year old parrot that can talk. The parrot's name is Cap'n Crunch. Just kidding. Its name is Cap'n Flint. Like any thirteen year old boy, Jim got hungry, and went over to the apple barrel. He hopped inside and hid, and listened in to an important conversation.
Chapter 11
Conspiracy! That's what Jim finds out is going on. He overhears Silver talking to several other crew. Except those "crew" are actually former crew members of Flint himself! Posing as just normal crew, they plan to take the treasure for themselves. Silver says that some other crew members have joined the conspiracy, but a few refused. The men drink from a secret stash of rum. I guess that's where Mr. Arrow got his liquor. Someone yells "Land Ho!"
Chapter 12
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Treasure Island Post 4: Chapters 7-9
Chapter 7
Jim feels stymied by the preparation for the trip to Treasure Island, as it has been delayed. His spirits are lifted once he finds out that Trelawny sent a letter to Dr. Livesey. The letter describes the type of ship they'll be using, and other details, like the crew. Speaking of which, Trewlany had trouble finding a crew until he came across Long John Silver.
Silver says that he misses the sea, and that he wants to be the ship's cook (hence the popular restaurant being named after this fictitious character). The gang departs the next morning to meet Trelawney. He tells them that they will set sail the next day.
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
The gang boards the ship. They meet Mr. Arrow, a crew member. Trelawney gets along well with him. Trelawny's relationship with the captain, however, is a whole new story. The captain's name is Smollett (attractive, right?). Smollett is a pessimist. He talks bad about the crew, and openly tells everyone about his bad feelings about the journey. In addition, Smollett says that there's been too much talk about the treasure, but Trelawny swears he's told no one. When Smollett leaves, Dr. Livesey says he has put his trust it Silver and Smollett.
Jim feels stymied by the preparation for the trip to Treasure Island, as it has been delayed. His spirits are lifted once he finds out that Trelawny sent a letter to Dr. Livesey. The letter describes the type of ship they'll be using, and other details, like the crew. Speaking of which, Trewlany had trouble finding a crew until he came across Long John Silver.
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| Long John Silver's ™ Quick-service Seafood Restaurant |
Chapter 8
I don’t put much faith in your discoveries . . . but I will say this, John Silver suits me.Trelawney gives Jim a note to give to Silver at the tavern in town, the Spy-glass. Silver isn't quite as scraggly as Jim thought he'd be. Suddenly, a man gets up and leaves the bar where Jim is meeting Silver. Jim sees the man who got up and left and identifies him as no other than Black Dog! He tells Silver. Jim has a bad view of Black Dog, and so does Silver. Jim and Silver stroll down the dock talking about sea life and the sort. Silver, Dr. Livesey, and Jim all become acquainted with each other.
Chapter 9
The gang boards the ship. They meet Mr. Arrow, a crew member. Trelawney gets along well with him. Trelawny's relationship with the captain, however, is a whole new story. The captain's name is Smollett (attractive, right?). Smollett is a pessimist. He talks bad about the crew, and openly tells everyone about his bad feelings about the journey. In addition, Smollett says that there's been too much talk about the treasure, but Trelawny swears he's told no one. When Smollett leaves, Dr. Livesey says he has put his trust it Silver and Smollett.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Treasure Island Post 3: Chapters 4-6
Chapter 4
At the end of the last chapter, I mentioned that Jim called out to his mom. In chapter 4, Jim told his mom about the pirate's plan to get Billy's sea chest. Because of this, Jim and his mom head off to a neighboring village to get some help. No one is willing to help. Armed (but not necessarily dangerous), Jim heads back to the inn with his mother. Jim looks around for Bill's key, and finds it hanging around the corpes' neck. They open the chest with the key, and find some gold. Hearing footsteps outside, Jim gets out of the house quickly with his mother, after grabbing some papers that were in the chest. While running, his mother faints, and Jim drags her along. Jim finds a hiding place under a bridge, still being able to hear what's going on in the inn.
Chapter 5
Jim finally looks out from his hiding place and witnesses a handful of men that are surprised that the inn door is open. Among them is the blind man that showed up earlier. The men are dissociated to find that there is only gold in the sea chest. Jim hears them tell each other hat if they can find what they're looking for, they'll be rich beyond their wildest dreams. A kerfuffle breakes out and Jim hears a gunshot. Leaving Pew (the blind man) on the road, the rest of the men flee. Meanwhile, Pew is ran over by men on horses that came to investigate. Pew dies. Jim returns to the inn eventually and finds that the whole place is trashed. He inks that the paper he stuck in his pocket at the last minute might be what the pirates were lusting after. He refuses to give it to the police officer. Jim says he'd rather show them to Dr. Livesey. So Jim and officer Dance go to Livesey's house.
Chapter 6
When the gang shows up at Livesey's house, that learn that he is dining at Mr. Trelawney's house. They head over there to speak to Livesey. Trelawney says that the paper belongs to pirate Flint. It turns out that the paper is not just a list of all the places Flint found money, but it's also a treasure map! The gang makes plans to find the treasure, and they bring Jim along. Everyone makes a promise to keep everything confidential.
At the end of the last chapter, I mentioned that Jim called out to his mom. In chapter 4, Jim told his mom about the pirate's plan to get Billy's sea chest. Because of this, Jim and his mom head off to a neighboring village to get some help. No one is willing to help. Armed (but not necessarily dangerous), Jim heads back to the inn with his mother. Jim looks around for Bill's key, and finds it hanging around the corpes' neck. They open the chest with the key, and find some gold. Hearing footsteps outside, Jim gets out of the house quickly with his mother, after grabbing some papers that were in the chest. While running, his mother faints, and Jim drags her along. Jim finds a hiding place under a bridge, still being able to hear what's going on in the inn.
Chapter 5
Jim finally looks out from his hiding place and witnesses a handful of men that are surprised that the inn door is open. Among them is the blind man that showed up earlier. The men are dissociated to find that there is only gold in the sea chest. Jim hears them tell each other hat if they can find what they're looking for, they'll be rich beyond their wildest dreams. A kerfuffle breakes out and Jim hears a gunshot. Leaving Pew (the blind man) on the road, the rest of the men flee. Meanwhile, Pew is ran over by men on horses that came to investigate. Pew dies. Jim returns to the inn eventually and finds that the whole place is trashed. He inks that the paper he stuck in his pocket at the last minute might be what the pirates were lusting after. He refuses to give it to the police officer. Jim says he'd rather show them to Dr. Livesey. So Jim and officer Dance go to Livesey's house.
Chapter 6
When the gang shows up at Livesey's house, that learn that he is dining at Mr. Trelawney's house. They head over there to speak to Livesey. Trelawney says that the paper belongs to pirate Flint. It turns out that the paper is not just a list of all the places Flint found money, but it's also a treasure map! The gang makes plans to find the treasure, and they bring Jim along. Everyone makes a promise to keep everything confidential.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Treasure Island Post 2: Chapters 1-3
Treasure Island Chapters 1-3
Treasure Island is an adventure book narrated by a timid, yet tenacious boy named Jim Hawkins. Living during the times of pirates, Jim is not conformable with the people he lives with. The whole pirate thing wasn't his cup of tea, or, rum in this case.
Fifteen men on the dead man’s chest—
Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum!
Drink and the devil had done for the rest—
Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum!
Jim's age is never specified, but he's probably around twelve to thirteen. Throughout the whole book, we see Jim mature. In the first few chapters however, he is still just a little boy.
Many people die in the first three chapters of Treasure Island. All the deaths were due to pirates being greedy, violent, or just plain temperamental.
In chapter two, a man with just eight fingers enters, and asks Jim if he's seen his mate, "Billy Bones." Jim knows who this guy is talking about, and lets him know that he'll be back soon. When Billy Bones gets back, he tries to kill Black Dog, which is what he calls the man. In the process of attempted murder, Bill has a stroke and is later cared for.
Jim goes to visit Bill, and Bill asks for some rum. Reluctantly, Jim gives him one glass, and it affects him like a teenager drinking a Redbull®. He is instantly rejuvenated and says he wants outsmart his peers. He tells Jim how they want his sea chest. That night, Jim's father dies. After returning from his dad's funeral, Jim meets a blind man who want to see Bill. When they [Bill and the blind man] meet, the blind man gives Bill a "black spot," which seems to be like a certification that you're a pirate. Bill reads it, says he only has six hours left, then keels over and dies. Jim reminds us that he's still just a boy, and calls for his mom.
Treasure Island is an adventure book narrated by a timid, yet tenacious boy named Jim Hawkins. Living during the times of pirates, Jim is not conformable with the people he lives with. The whole pirate thing wasn't his cup of tea, or, rum in this case.
Fifteen men on the dead man’s chest—
Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum!
Drink and the devil had done for the rest—
Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum!
Jim's age is never specified, but he's probably around twelve to thirteen. Throughout the whole book, we see Jim mature. In the first few chapters however, he is still just a little boy.
Many people die in the first three chapters of Treasure Island. All the deaths were due to pirates being greedy, violent, or just plain temperamental.
In chapter two, a man with just eight fingers enters, and asks Jim if he's seen his mate, "Billy Bones." Jim knows who this guy is talking about, and lets him know that he'll be back soon. When Billy Bones gets back, he tries to kill Black Dog, which is what he calls the man. In the process of attempted murder, Bill has a stroke and is later cared for.
Jim goes to visit Bill, and Bill asks for some rum. Reluctantly, Jim gives him one glass, and it affects him like a teenager drinking a Redbull®. He is instantly rejuvenated and says he wants outsmart his peers. He tells Jim how they want his sea chest. That night, Jim's father dies. After returning from his dad's funeral, Jim meets a blind man who want to see Bill. When they [Bill and the blind man] meet, the blind man gives Bill a "black spot," which seems to be like a certification that you're a pirate. Bill reads it, says he only has six hours left, then keels over and dies. Jim reminds us that he's still just a boy, and calls for his mom.
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| A bottle of rum |
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Treasure Island Post 1: About the Author
The first book of the semester that my English class is reading is "Treasure Island" by Robert Louis Stevenson. My first post is about the author.
Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894)
Robert Stevenson was born in the mid 1800s. To give you an idea of when he lived, I’ll list a few of his contemporaries. Charles Dickens was living at the same time as Stevenson. Louisa May Alcott and Jane Austin were also living at that time. Known as Robert Louis Stevenson, his full name was Robert Louis Balfour Stevenson. He was Scottish; born in Edinburgh. Every family in those days seemed to have a profession of their own. In Stevenson’s case, it was lighthouse design. Stevenson was not the healthiest off all children. He coughed a lot, and easily got fevers. The colder of a place that he lived, the worse it was. This gave his parents angst. Some think he had tuberculosis, but some are now saying he may have had bronchiectasis. After rejecting Christianity, he said he was curse to his parents. According to Stevenson, his father said “You have rendered my whole life a failure,” and his mother said “This is the heaviest affliction that has ever befallen me.” Stevenson says that his parents were probably the only two people in the world who cared about the Lord.
In his early twenties, he met his future wife: Fanny Sitwell. He married her seven years later. Stevenson was her second husband.
Stevenson wrote twelve novels (including Treasure Island and Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde), twenty short stories, and five poems before he died on December 3, 1894, when he was just 44 years old.
Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894)
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Robert Louis Balfour Stevenson
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Robert Stevenson was born in the mid 1800s. To give you an idea of when he lived, I’ll list a few of his contemporaries. Charles Dickens was living at the same time as Stevenson. Louisa May Alcott and Jane Austin were also living at that time. Known as Robert Louis Stevenson, his full name was Robert Louis Balfour Stevenson. He was Scottish; born in Edinburgh. Every family in those days seemed to have a profession of their own. In Stevenson’s case, it was lighthouse design. Stevenson was not the healthiest off all children. He coughed a lot, and easily got fevers. The colder of a place that he lived, the worse it was. This gave his parents angst. Some think he had tuberculosis, but some are now saying he may have had bronchiectasis. After rejecting Christianity, he said he was curse to his parents. According to Stevenson, his father said “You have rendered my whole life a failure,” and his mother said “This is the heaviest affliction that has ever befallen me.” Stevenson says that his parents were probably the only two people in the world who cared about the Lord.
In his early twenties, he met his future wife: Fanny Sitwell. He married her seven years later. Stevenson was her second husband.
Stevenson wrote twelve novels (including Treasure Island and Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde), twenty short stories, and five poems before he died on December 3, 1894, when he was just 44 years old.
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