Let’s Blog!
Before you write your response, please type in your first name and the first initial of your last name in the space provided. Next, type in your email. Remember, all responses must be written in formal English – Internet speak is not allowed. Your answers should be thoughtful, analytical, thorough, and proofread. Each blog is worth twenty points. Blog # 1 must be posted by April 28th. +
if any body reads this do they know what we have for homework in history???
beisdes the project becouse we already finished that!!!! hehehe
anywho im bored so somebody post somthing o and make sure you add what we have for
history
The Master Puppeteer
How did Jiro find out who Soburo was?
Jiro thought for many weeks that his employer {Yoshida} was Soburo all along. HE was wrong, very wrong. When he was getting to the peak of his curious adventure on trying to find out if Yoshida was Soburo he was talking to the master puppeteer {Okadia} when he realized that the master puppeteer was Soburo. A smart outfit for a smart man. Okadia or Soburo was a blind man at the age of fifty and would not look capable of using a lethal sword. Soburo was a cunning man and his ability to blend in and be conspicuous was what kept him alive. Soburo was never found throughout the book. He never will be found.
Book: The Master Puppeteer
Q: Write a response to page 99, paragraph 1:
‘“Yoshida was in a vile mood. His most profitable production in several years had been shut down by the police, and he had nothing ready with to replace it. He slapped a notice on the entranceway board declaring the theater indefinitely closed and roamed the courtyard and the dressing rooms screaming at everyone he saw. If a person was idle, he cursed heaven that he had been sent upon by an infestation of lice who did nothing but fatten their foul bodies under his hair. If a person was busily engaged, he kicked the broom or sewing from his hands and cursed heaven that he had been inflicted with a hill of ants who went scurrying about making a great appearance of business but who obviously lacked any intelligence or goal.”’
A:
Yoshida, the master puppeteer, is furious because his most famous play is being shut down. Saburo, the thief for the poor and homeless, has said that he will come to this performance of The Thief of Tokaido. The police come and at the end of the performance Saburo says into the speakers to not turn him in. The police come to Yoshida after Saburo says to not turn on him and say that he must never perform this play again. Yoshida is enraged at this because it was his best play in several years. Yoshida takes his anger out by calling people who were not working lice who only fatten their bodies under his hair. If a person was working he called them ants who went scurrying about trying to make themselves feel important but who lacked intelligence. Yoshida was excruciatingly angry because his best play had been shut down by the police.
Response to page 102, paragraph 8
“Kinshi reached up and took a key from the top the door frame and unlocked the iron-gate door, sliding it open wide enough for the boys to slip in and closing it after them. There were others in the courtyard, but everyone was careful not to watch the boys’ surreptitious entrance. Jiro was beginning to understand. All of the Hanaza was a play-not just what they did on stage, but off it as well. Each person had a part-that was why when someone like himself didn’t know the lines, he could disturb the whole drama. He had done that when he had insisted on getting the script for the new play. That was Kinshi’s role, and he had usurped it. He must be more careful. He must be more careful. The last person in the world he wanted to offend was Kinshi(102-103).”
This passage has a few meaning throughout the whole of the paragraph. One of these meanings is everyone in the theater had a role even off the stage and that that role was not there the atmosphere of the theater was thrown off. For example, when Jiro got the script instead of Kinshi, no one was expecting it because it was Kinshi’s job. Also, no one was supposed to know who stole the scripts, but everyone acted like they did not because it was part of their roles. When a role was taken it was offending to the actors for a play, but also out of the stage. This is why Kinshi insisted on himself getting the script because he knew that if Jiro were caught he would be punished, but not himself because it was his job. Another example, all the people in the courtyard were very careful not to watch the boys get the dolls because they were not supposed to know about it. In conclusion, this passage is mainly about how the people of the Hanaza had an acting part on and of the theater stage.
The Trumpeter of Krakow
Q: Why was Elzbietka afraid of what Johann Tring and her uncle were doing in the loft?
A: Elzbieka had many reasons to be afraid of what her uncle and Tring were doing in their loft. One of these reasons was a break in the sleeping habits of her uncle. He had always used to sleep in the same room with his niece, but had begun to sleep in the loft after Johann Tring had arrived. Also, she had heard unusual noises coming from the loft. Her uncle’s voice sounded like he was in a trance, and he often made weird remarks that scared his niece. One night, she had woken up and heard her uncle say “‘no, that will kill.’” She was frightened enough to have Joseph go up to the loft and have a look at what was happening. Another reason that the alchemist’s niece would fear what he was doing is because of Johann Tring. When the group found him, he was in the middle of a fight, which apparantly would not have stopped until somebody was dead. Simple past prejudice might have compelled Elzbietka to interfere with what was happening in the loft.
The Midwife’s Apprentice
Question: How did Beetle and Will’s relationship change?
Answer: Will has red hair and is very rude to Beetle at first. Will and a few of his friends, who were drunk, left the celebration, that the harvest was over, looking for trouble to cause and they found Beetle. When Will and his friend were fighting, Beetle took advantage of the distraction and ran towards the river. The boys were faster, but they were drunk, and Beetle reached the river before they did. There she looked for safety. She could not hide in the open field and then the only choice was to go through the river, but she could not swim, no one could. Beetle then decided to climb into the branches. Finally the boys reached the tree where Beetle was hiding. Then out of no where Will lost his footing and fell into the river. Will was having trouble getting out, after the boys left Will to his death, Beetle crept out onto an overhanging branch. Beetle used a branch to save Will from his death and finally both Will and Beetle were safely on the surface. Therefore, Will and Beetle’s relationship changed when Will fell into the river and Beetle was there to save him.
What is the theme in Catherine Called Birdy?
The theme in Catherine Called Birdy is that don’t grow up to quickly and enjoy your youth while you can. This is how Catherine feels throughout the book. She feels everybody is growing up way to fast and they are not able to enjoy their life. That is one of the reasons why Catherine doesn’t want to get married. Her dream is to be a crusader and have fun. Even though crusading is not ladylike and instead she stuck at home hemming and sewing all day. When Aelis, her best friend, gets married Catherine gets a bit upset because she doesn’t want to lose her best friend. She thinks that if Aelis is married than they wouldn’t be able to gossip and talk like they normally to when they are together. That is why Catherine tries to escape her work as much as she can and instead she likes to fool around with Perkin and his goats or taking a walk in the meadow. Catherine just wants to have fun before she has to get married. That is why the novel’s theme is have fun when you are young and don’t grow up to quickly.
Even though staying young and enjoying your youth is the main theme, another theme in the novel is to fight for your right. Catherine does this because she does not want to get married or have a say in who she is going to marry. That is why Catherine argues with her father about her marriage. “Fought with the beast, my father, over this joke of a marriage”(147). She refers to her father as a beast because he is making her marry and she argues with him because she feels she should have a say in her marriage.
In conclusion, in Catherine Called Birdy there were many themes, but the main theme was that one should try to enjoy their youth and to not grow up to quickly. However, another message in the book was to fight for your rights as Catherine did for a say in her marriage.
A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver
Question: Why Did Eleanor divorce Louis and get remarried to Henry?
Eleanor had many reasons for divorcing King Louis. First Eleanor felt that Louis was to religious, he was always wearing robes and dressed like a “monk more than a king.” Eleanor hated him being so pious that she thought he cared more for the church than for Eleanor. Second, Eleanor didn’t love Louis anymore and the abbot told Louis that he shouldn’t love Eleanor any more and should have love for the church rather then for Eleanor. Third, Eleanor thought Louis was a weak ruler and she wanted him to do things her way, like during the Crusade where she thought that Louis should have done what her uncle Raymond was going to do. Fourth, was that Eleanor craved power and wanted to rule. But Eleanor was prohibited to do that because she was a women. Eleanor also felt that Henry was powerful and wealthy and much more of a king than Louis would ever be. Eleanor was happy that she married Henry because they both sought out for adventure and were brave and more powerful then her and Louis would ever be.
The Trumpeter of Krakow
Blog # 3
What was in the pumpkin and why was it significant?
Inside the pumpkin was a rare cyrstal called the Ukrainian Cyrstal. It was rare because it was big and shiny that had a major value. There were few that ever was mined because of the rarity. However, Pan Andrew was able to have it. He was going to use it to make a living. He wanted to provide a home and food for his family.It was significant because it was rare and everybody wanted it. The crystal was hidden in a pumpkin because it was very valuable and people would do anything to have it.
Passage: Kinshi reached up and took a key from the top of the door frame and unlocked the iron-grating door, sliding it open wide enough for the boys to slip in and close it after them. There were others in the courtyard, but everyone was careful not to watch the boys’ surreptitious entrance. Jiro was beginning to understand. All of the Hanaza was a play-not just what they did upon stage, but off it as well. Each person had a part-that was why when someone like himself didn’t know the lines, he could disturb the whole drama. He had done that when he had insisted on getting the script for the new play. That was Kinshi’s role, and he had usurped it. He must be more careful. the last person in the world that he wanted to offend was Kinshi.
Response: This passage has a very important meaning. It means that everyone has a part in the theater. Everyone contributes to the jobs and responsibilities of the theater. This is shown through the workers in the courtyard. They were working in the courtyard when Kinshi and Jiro were going to the storehouse to “borrow” a puppet for Kinshi to practice his part of the play with. Jiro began to realize that not only did it matter what one did on stage, it also mattered what they did off stage. Everyone has the opportunity and the responsibility to help out with the chores around the theater. This passage has a very important meaning.
The Master Puppeteer
Q: Who do you think Saburo is?
The master thief Saburo is one of the characters in the book The Master Puppeteer that is very important close to the ending. In the beginning of the book when Jiro finds a hat in Yoshida’s house that some priests had used to steal rice from a rice broker. After seeing this hat which was disguised as a plant holder Jiro thought that Yoshida was Saburo. A while after when it was New Years Yoshida was said to be sick and was not coming to the New Years feast. this news left everyone with joy on their faces because Yoshida was the most feared person in the Hanaza. Later when Jiro was walking back to the Hanaza from his mother’s house he was confronted with a ronin who thought that Jiro was about to steal from an old man who was left dead in the middle of the street. So the ronin thought that Jiro was a thief and was just about to kill him Yoshida comes behind the ronin and knocks him out to save Jiro’s life. After that Jiro ws always watching yoshida to see if he was suspicious when around Jiro but was not. So when Jiro really thought about it Yoshida seemed like Saburo with all the evidence that he had found.
The Trumpeter of Krakow
Question: What is the theme of The Trumpeter of Krakow?
Answer: The theme of the book The Trumpeter of Krakow was very clear to me. The theme is that greed should not be more significant than other things in life. For example, in the story, the Charnetski family has possession of a very powerful stone. A neighbor of theirs discovered that they had the stone, and he and another neighbor became very greedy in his effort the gain possession of the stone. In the process, the neighbor, the alchemist became brainwashed in his attempt to take the stone. As a result, the alchemist could not recognize himself as a person, could not make his own decisions, and is not connected to his family. So, I thought that the theme was that one should enjoy what one already has, and to not let greed get in the way of the more important things in life.
Catherine Called Birdy
Write a response to paragraph 5 on page 204:
Paragraph: “My lady mother and the beast my father think it no better and no worse that I marry Stephen instead of Shaggy Beard, but for me it is like coming in from the darkness into light, like coming in from a cold gray mist and seeing the fire make a warm and golden glow in the center of the hall, like the yolk of a boiled egg or the deeper gold in the belly of a rose.”
A: This paragraph shows that Catherine finally gets something that she wants, which is to not marry Shaggy Beard and to marry Stephen. Catherine is being forced to marry very young and has faced many men who she really wished she would not have to marry. She finally gets something that she deeply desired; to marry Shaggy Beard’s son, Stephen. This paragraph is showing how she feels much relief that she does not have to marry Shaggy Beard. This is shown by how it says that she feels that it is like going from darkness to light. She feels that marrying Shaggy beard would be horrible and therefore, this is the darkness that she was talking about. Not having to marry Shaggy Beard and getting to marry Stephen is the light that she talks about. Catherine also felt good about for once, not having to obey her father’s rules and to marry someone she didn’t love. The reason that she didn’t have to marry Shaggy Beard was that he had died and she was now supposed to marry his son Stephen. So, Catherine was very happy about not having to obey her father’s rules, but mostly about not having to marry Shaggy Beard and getting to marry Stephen.
Adam of the Road.
Q. What do you think the theme of Adam of the Road is and why? Support your reasoning with evidence from the story.
A. There is difintely more than one theme in Adam of the Road but the one that stood out to me the most was: If one waits long enough, and tries hard enough they can get what they have been longing for. In the book this is shown by when Adam tries to find Roger the Minstrel, and when Adam searches for his dog, Nick. Adam had long since lost his father and his dog Nick and had been wandering through towns that were both familiar and unfamiliar searching for his beloved companions. Adam and Roger were walking down a road looking for a wirey man with a samll red spaniek that anwsered to the name of Nick. To understand how Adam lost Roger one must understand how Adam lost Nick. Nick had been stolen from Adam by a minstrel by the name of Jankin. Adam had seen Jankin and started chasing off after him and when he rounded the corner Adam had dissapearded from Roger’s view. What Adam did not think about was if Roger had seen the direction he had gone which he had not. So Adam had lost his dog and his father. Adam was alone on the road by himself for many monthes following trails of Jankin and Roger. Adam had kept trying to find Roger and eventually he found him and was reunited with his father. Adam ha also lost Nick when he followed Jankin through all the towns, markets, and country roads. Although Adam kept trudging along and finally found his dog with one of his best friends who had found him after he chewed through his collar one night and left Jankin. Therefore the main theme in Adam of the Road is that if one waits long enough and tries hard enough they can get what they have been longing for.
Passage
Jiro “Will you do me the HONOR of allowing me to enter the Hanaza?”
Okada {not exact words from the passage but its meaning} “Yes you may enter as a apprentice.”
This passage represents the importance of honor in Japanese society.
When Jiro ran away from home to go to the Hanaza he had one thing in mind, to get honor for his family and food for them as well.Jiro left his home in the beginning because he began to understand that his mother disliked him and thought he was a waist of money and time. When Jiro left he had the hope thats he could make money for his family and maybe he could earn his mothers respect back. The true meaning of honor to any Japanese people in Jiros life time was that you were to die for honor and give up everything including family.
Adam Of the Road
Q:What is the theme of the book?
I think the theme of the book is Companionship.Companionship is shown in the book by Adam and his dog nick, who had to stay with an old lady that lived across the river. Nick had to stay there because dogs weren’t allowed to be at the church where Adam lived. Adam loved Nick, so he would visit him almost every day. But one fateful day, nick was stolen. Adam had then set out on a journey to retrieve his dear friend Nick. This is an example of companionship in the story, ”Adom Of The Road.”
Blog# 4
Question: Did Robin ever find his dad and if so what did or what do you think he would say to his father?
Answer: Robin did go on a long journey with the help of Brother Luke to find his father. He ended up not finding his dad and that was a big disappointment. Coming as far down the road as Robin did and not accomplishing your goal really stinks. If Robin did ever meet his father later down the road, I believe that the boy would have a very long discussion with his dad about how much he went through. Robin might say “I have been battling with my sickness at the same time I was worrying about when I would see you”. Robin’s father is currently in the war. On the other hand, Brother Luke is a very key person in trying to help Robin and his father reunite. Brother Luke also was the person that got Robin into the church when Robin’s sickness first started.
- Tyler T.
Blog# 3
Question: What is meant by the quote ” It is better to have crooked legs than a crooked spirit”(pg.76)?
Answer: The word spirit is defined as ” The soul, considered as departing from the body of a person at death”. This qoute is meant to say that if your legs are disabled that it is better than your soul being crooked. Humans that have crooked souls are mean and have hatred in their lives. Most of those people that are like this never change. I believe that people with crooked souls do not go to heaven when they pass away if they do not change. I think that I would rather have crooked legs than a crooked soul according to what I believe. I would hope that this would not happen to anyone but it does. Having crooked legs is most likely painful but it is better than having more pain knowing that your soul is crooked until you change it.
-Tyler T.
Blog# 2
Question: How does the title of the book show and fit into the theme?
Answer: The door in the wall fits into the theme by the bopok always talking about how there is the door in the wall. For instance, in chapter three it talks about how there is a door in the wall. It is like when those words are spoken it means that something terrible has happened or something has gone wrong. At the begging of the story when Robin’s sickness was first discovered the words the door in the wall were used. That is what led me to suspect that when the door in the wall is used that it means something bad is happening or something went wrong. Robin’s sickness was very bad. While Robin was sick he was at his hut with his mom that they lived in until his mom left then he was all alone. After his mom left Brother Luke came along and took him to a church. The church was very noisey and was not a comfortable spot for such a sick little boy.
-Tyler T.
A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver
Question: What does the 1st paragraph on page 40 important to the story?
Paragraph: Louis and Eleanor arrived a day early for the consecration of my church. Louis wore a plain woolen robe and hood Eleanor wore a gown of blue silk and a belt embriodered with gold and set with precious silk and stones. The sleeves of her gown were long and fell back from her arms to expose her sleder wrists, which she had sheated in pale green silk. Louis could easily have been mistaken for a monk. Eleanor, however, could be taken for nothing but a queen. In bearing manner, in dress she was all queen.
This paragraph in A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver is important to the story because it shows much of Eleanors personality. The paragraph shows how Eleanor was queen and how she knew she was a queen. She felt no other than one. Eleanor never wanted to dress anything but what she was and that Eleanor was very happy to be herself. It also shows how diffrent Louis and Eleanor were how Louis dressed much like a monk and was very religious when Eleanor dressed elegantly like a queen.
Blog Question #4
Book: The Master Puppeteer
Q: What is the theme/message of the novel?
A: The theme behind The Master Puppeteer is the importance of family as shown by Jiro going to the Hanaza to impress his parents and bring them a small quantity of money, by Jiro’s affection for his friends at the Hanaza (especially Kinshi), and by Isako’s defense for Jiro and Kinshi against Yoshida and Okada when they discussed them as though they were cabbages. Seeing that his parents were suffering, Jiro tried to show that he cared about them enough to travel to the Hanaza and work there to bring them money and a little happiness. When Jiro arrived at the Hanaza, he showed affection for Kinshi becuase he was out with the Night Rovers, a fact that worried Jiro because he felt that the Night Rovers could be dangerous and that Kinshi might not return. Finally, Isako, Jiro’s mother, defended Jiro and Kinshi when they were being discussed by Okada and Yoshida, like a family wou;d normally. She told Okada and Yoshida “I won’t allow you to discuss these boys as though they were cabbages”(178). These three exhibits demonstrate how family is inportant to this story.
The Master Puppeteer
Q: What is the theme of The Master Puppeteer?
A: In the Master Puppeteer, written by Katherine Paterson has two main themes throughout the story.These themes are friendship and loyalty. Friendship is an important theme coming out in the book because of his friendship with Kinshi and the other elder boys that he works with. Also, in the beginning of the book, it shows that Jiro has a friendship with his father. Also in the book, an ongoing theme is loyalty. Jiro shows a lot of loyalty to his father and the boys that he works with. For example, when Kinshi got the role that Jiro wanted in the play, Jiro helped him and supported him when Jiro thought of telling Kinshi that he was not good at it. Another example, even though Jiro ran away from home it was for what he believed was a good cause, because once he got a job in the theater he planned on giving his parents whatever little money he was payed. In conclusion, in The Master Puppeteer, there are two main themes, which are friendship and loyalty.
The Master Puppeteer
What is the meaning of the passage in which Jiro runs away from home to join the Hanaza?
The passage in which Jiro runs away from home showed the inportance of honor. Jiro’s father becomes sick, so he cannot make anymore puppets. This made Jiro feel the need to go work at the Hanaza. Jiro thought that he should work at the Hanaza so that he could maintain his family’s honor. To Jiro, working at the Hanaza theater would make up for his father being unable to make puppets for the popular theater.
Blog #4
The Master Puppeteer
Q: What do you think the theme is for The Master Puppeteer?
The theme in the Master Puppeteer to me is very easily seen. The theme in the book I think is that family matters. Though throughout the book Jiro isn’t with his family. He has another family in the book, this family is the friends that he makes at the Hanaza. But, Jiro’s real family is also a key role in the theme. In the beginning of the book Jiro’s mother is talking to her husband and tells him that Jiro eats to much food for them to be able to have. After hearing this Jiro decides to leave his family and become an apprentice at the Hanaza. So when Jiro left he left his real family to try to get enough money so he could help support his parents through the tough times that are going around. But in the process had gained a new family at the Hanaza with Kinshi, Teiji, and many others at the Hanaza. So no matter where you are there will always be family either related to you or just family that you have just met to be there when you need them.
Sorry about the last two. I posted them by mistake before I was able to edit. Here is the real blog. My bad!
Q: Why did Jiro’s father really leave for the country?
A: Jiro and his mother believe that his father is sick in the lungs. When he spits, his spit is getting redder by the day. To become healthier, Jiro’s father leaves for the country. The fresh air in the country would make his lungs healthier. When a fire breaks out throughout the city, Jiro goes to look for his mother and friend Yoshida Kinshi. When Jiro is passing a building he finds his father in a fire chief’s uniform. He takes his father inside a building and talks to his father. Jiro’s father tells him that the real reason he left for the country was to join the dashing Saburo. Their objective is to obtain rice to give to poor, starving people. Even thought his father left him, Jiro believes he did it for the better of the people of the city. In conclusion, the real reason that Jiro’s father left for the country was to join Saburo and his men.
passage: Will you do me the honor of allowing me to enter the Hananza?
This passage states Jiro respectfully asking okada if he may join the theater. Okada willingly accepted the fact that he wanted to join the theater. Okada told him that he could start out as an apprentice. Jiro mostly did this to resieve honor for his family. He wanted honor because his family had little, and it was a big part of life in that time. To have a lot of honor means you get respected quiet often. Ounce JIro got accepted into the Hananza he worked very hard to recieve lots of honor, and sometimes his hard work payed off. He said will you do me the honor because the hanaza was a great place to work and it was his masters choice and one should be very greatful when accepted.
Book: The Midwife’s Apprentice
Passage: Lightning lit up the room, empty but for Alyce under the stars and the woman, in tears, in pain, in labor, and none to help. Alyce trembled. I should, she said to herself, but I cannot. I tried before and failed. You must, said herself back to her. Known so stupid, and Magister Reese. You are nitwit, said Grommet Smith. Guts and common sense said Will Russet. You gave up, said he Midwife. “Help me,” cried the woman on the table. “Keep still, all of you, and let me try,” said Alyce, coming out from behind the ladder.
Answer: This is saying that Alyce is seeing the woman in pain about to give birth. Alyce wanted to do all she could to try to help this woman. This mother thought that it was a stomach worm but it was a baby boy that Alyce delivered. The man spoke to Alyce and said that she was a saint. Alyce did her best and did all she could to help this woman in pain. Alyce rubbed oils on the woman’s stomach and walked her aroud the room. The woman and the man kneeled down and prayed for her because they new she was more than just a beetle or a nobody in this world. Alyce was a great person and did all she could. Alyce will always help people when they are in need of something.
Q: “How can an old blind man be the dashing Saguaro” How do you think this is possible?
A: Based on earlier thoughts I believed that Yoshida, the master puppeteer, was the dashing Saburo. Okada is the mastermind behind all of it. I know because at night only Saburo, his men, and thieves are out on the streets. Yoshida would not be a thief, I believe that Yoshida is one of Saburo’s men. The easiest way to tell that Okada is Saburo, is when he tells Jiro. That is how Okada can be the dashing Saburo.
Did Robin ever meet his Father and if so what would he say to his Father?
Robin did not meet his father throught out the book. But if Robin did meet his father i would think he would ask him what happen during the fight he went though. Also, I would think Robin would tell his father what he went through while he was sick, and what he had to do to be able to walk again. Robin thought he had the Black Death but thank fully he did not, so his father was great full that he did not have the Black Death. His father was done through out the book so, all I really found out was that he was fighting. Robin’s mother did not really know that Robin was sick, Robin’s mother was taking care of the queen while this happened. Robin stuck through what happen and pulled it together to fight through his sickness. Robin did not meet his father.
The Master Puppeteer
How did Jiro’s life change when his mom said, “Hurry back.”
Jiro felt happier and better about himself because he knew his mother loved him. He also had better feelings about his mother. This is shown at the performance that Saburo ordered to begin at dusk. Jiro was afraid that there was going to be a riot. He told Kinshi, “The small woman in gray. It’s my mother. Please. Go down and tell her to leave. She wouldn’t listen to me (91).” In this quote, Jiro is also showing that he cares for his mom, because he does not want her to get hurt. Another example that shows Jiro’s feeling for his mother is when he thought, ‘If only my mother could see her clumsy son now (83),” after he performed very well at a rehearsal just before Okada’s new play.
Blog#4 The Midwife’s Apprentice
Q:Passage from The Midwife’s Apprentice. “’Lightning lit up the room, empty but for Alyce under the stairs and the woman, in tears, in pain, in labor, and none to help. Alyce trembled. I should, she said to herself, but I cannot. I tried before and failed. You must, said herself back to her. None so stupid, said Magister Reece. You are nitwit, said Grommet Smith. Guts and Common sense, said Will Russet. You gave u p, said the Midwife. “Help me,” cried the woman on the fable. “Keep still all of you, and let me try,” said Alyce, coming out from behind the ladder.”’
A: During this passage, many things are going on in Alyce’s mind. While sitting under the stairs, Alyce watches as the inn keeper, Jennet, is desperately trying to deliver a baby. But, with no actual experience on the subject, Jennet gives up and walks away. At this time, Alyce watches as the woman in labor is in terrible pain. Not knowing whether she should try and risk failing or not try at all, Alyce is absolutely confused. But, as she sits under the stairs and watches and hears the poor woman in pain, she gets up the courage to try to deliver the baby. In the end, Alyce successfully delivers the baby and figures out what her purpose in life is. Before this point in the book, Alyce thought of herself as a nincompoop dung beetle that was worth nothing to no one, but, later finds out her destiny in life is to become a midwife. This passage is an important part of The Midwife’s Apprentice because it shows when Alyce finally figures out what her life is for. As one can see, at first, Alyce has no courage to deliver the baby, but, in the end, finds out her purpose in life.
How was Jiro wrong on how Saburo was?
At first Jiro was led to believe that Saburo was Yoshida because of much convincing evidence. But soon we found out that Jiro was wrong on who Saburo is in terms of the master mind and the original Saburo. In the storehouse when Okada revealed himself as Saburo Jiro knew then that he had been wrong. Although in the theory that there is more than one Saburo, Jiro wasn’t completely wrong. Okada’s identity is later better proven and it is confirmed he is Saburo.
Blog 4 ~ The Midwife’s Apprentice
Passage: “’ Lightning lit up the room, empty but for Alyce under the stairs and the woman in tears, in pain, in labor, and none to help. Alyce trembled. I should, she said to herself, but I cannot. I tried before and failed. You must, said herself back to her. None so stupid, said Magister Reece. You are nitwit, said Grommet Smith. Guts and Common sense, said Will Russet. You gave u p, said the Midwife. “Help me,” cried the woman on the fable. “Keep still all of you, and let me try,” said Alyce, coming out from behind the ladder.”’
Answer: In this passage a lot of things are happening with Alyce and with the pregnant woman, Jennet. During the passage, Alyce is under the stairs while the woman is in labor, and in excruciating pain. There are millions of thoughts going through Alyce’s head. She wants to help Jennet, but she can’t because she thinks that she will fail just like she did once before. Alyce is very confused and stressed out by the situation. After thinking for some time, Alyce gets the courage to try to deliver the baby. She rubbed many types of oil, and even put ale into the pregnant woman. The woman for quite sometime pushed all her might to get the baby out. Alyce did everything that she had seen the midwife do, and was able to deliver a healthy little baby boy. Alyce learned many things after she was able to deliver the baby. She learned that she had enough courage to do almost anything. She even could be a midwife as a future job in a small village. Alyce had enough courage to get up and deliver a baby, when she had failed the previous time. Alyce and many others felt proud of her because she had come a long way since the beginning.
The Samurai’s Tale
Question: What did Lord Zakoji propose to Murakami Harutomo?
Lord Zakoji made a very significant proposal to Murakami Harutomo. When Murakami, also known as Taro, entered Zakoji’s room, they had a conversation. The topic involved Taro and Lord Zakoji’s daughter, Aki-hime, or just Aki. As they discussed, the subject slowly jumped to marriage. Zakoji said that his two sons-in-law have a great connection with their own families, so he thought that his youngest daughter, Aki, would marry a man who might be more easily taken into his family; maybe someone who has neither father nor mother, just like Taro. Even though Lord Zakoji never actually proposed to Taro that he would marry Aki, he definitely foreshadowed it. When Taro realized that Zakoji was talking about him, since Taro doesn’t have a family, he became very excited and extremely happy. Thus, the proposal that Lord Zakoji made was a significant part of the story.
The Trumpeter Of Krakow
What was in the pumpkin that Pan Andrew carried and why was it significant?
The Great Tarnov Crystal was in the pumpkin that Pan Andrew carried. It was significant because he was going to the market because the king’s castle is near it, and he was going to give the king the crystal. The reason he was going to give it to the king was so it would be safe and out of the hands of people who would use its magic against the kingdom. The crystal was said to either enhance or reflect the lookers thoughts. If it got into the wrong hands it could be used to do unspeakable things and make the beholder rich with both money and greed. It is also said that the crystal poisoned ones mind and made them go absolutely crazy. the beholder also has to keep it safe from others willing to kill for the crystal. In the end of the book an alchemist, in his insanity from the crystal and also his loathing of it, throws it to the depths of a river to be lost hopefully forever.
Trumpeter of Krakow
Blog #4
What is the theme of the story?
The theme of the story is to not let the wanting of wealth ruin your life. This is shown by Pan Kruetz who is hypnotized into thinking he wants wealth. When Pan Kruetz starts spending time with a young scholar he does not pay any attention to his niece. The young scholar hypnotizes the Alchemist, telling him that all the Alchemist wants is power and wealth. After, he starts spening a lot of time with the young scholar. His niece is worried and spends more time with Pan Andrew and his family. His niece feared that demons or the devil was taking over him. She says this because ever since her uncle had been hanging out with the scholar he was beside himself.
The Midwife’s Apprentice
Describe the passage?
I should, but I cannot. I tried before and failed. You must, said herself back to her.
This passage is when a women was about to have birth with a child and Beetle is supposed to help. She tried to help but she was scared that she would hurt the women. She was always scared to do anything new in her life. For the first time, she tried to help and remember what the midwife had told her. The lady eventually had birth and Beetle had felt that it was the first thing she had accomplished in her life. After this she felt she could do anything and she felt that being an apprentice or maybe a midwife would be the perfect job for her.
Question: Describe the passage…
I should she said to herself, but I cannot. I tried before and failed. You must, said herself back to her. None so stupid said Magister Reese. You are nitwit, said Grommet Smith. Guts and common sense, said Will Russet. You gave up, said the midwife. “Help me,” cried the woman on the table. “Keep still all of you and let me try,” said Alyce, coming out from behind the ladder.
This passage can have many meanings. The best and most obvious meaning is courage. In a previous situation, similar to the passage above, Alyce was faced with a decision. Either let the soon-to-be mother suffer, or deliver the child and hope the process is successful. Alyce gathered all the bravery from within her soul, and attempted to bring a baby into the world. She was not incredibly experienced, and unfortunately could not fulfill her goal. Over and over again she called herself a failure, and over and over again let herself down. Therefore, at that moment, (from the passage above) she had a choice to make. She did not want to let herself, along with the suffering woman, down. She did not want to betray, yet again, those around her. As the woman was crying for help, Alyce talked to herself and thought about what people had said to her. She ignored the fear of failure, and because of courage, came out from behind the ladder, and once more made an effort to help another and deliver a baby.
The Trumpeter of Krakow
How did Peter of the Button Face steal Pan Andrew’s treasure? What is the treasure?
Peter of the Button Face–who is also known as Bogdan Grozny in the Ukraine–stole Pan Andrew Charnetski’s treasure by telling Stas, the watchman of the building that the Charnetskis lived in, to lead Peter and his crew to the Charnetskis. Stas was eager to show Peter where the Charnetskis lived because Peter had offered him gold, and being a greedy peasant, Stas accepted his offer at once. Peter then left Stas’s building, informing him that Peter and his crew will be back later in the night. When they came back, Stas, Peter, and his comrades quickly silenced Wolf, Joseph’s dog, when he started barking at the newcomers. As Wolf tried to resist Peter’s crew’s attacks, his yelping awoke Joseph. Realizing that Joseph was awake, Peter ordered his men to silence the boy as well. Stas then led Peter to Pan Andrew’s house, where he tried to knock out Pan Andrew and his wife. After searching the bed in the room, Peter found a package that he knew to be the Great Tarnov Crystal that Pan Andrew had been trusted to keep from evil. Pan Andrew had been assigned to this task because his ancestor was told by a village leader to hide the crystal, known as the Great Tarnov Crystal, from people of greed.
Blog #5
Q: What is the theme of the book The Door in the Wall?
A: The theme of The Door in the Wall is never give up. This is shown throughout the book by showing how Robin found other things to do when his legs were disabled. For example, Robin could not use his legs he started to whittle with his hands. This whittling strengthened his arms. Then he learned how to swim with only his arms, which made his arms even stronger. This made more things possible for him to achieve. Robin even made his own crutches; he could do this because of his whittling skills. Near the end of the book, he used his arms and crutches to swim across a river to find help when the Scots had surrounded the castle he was in. Robin went from being completely helpless when his parent’s maids left him because of his stubborn behavior, to being able to walk by himself and save an entire castle.
The Midwife’s Apprentice
How are the last two paragraphs in the book significant?
The last two paragraphs in the story are significant because they are when Alyce finally learns that she has to have confidence to keep her job. The midwife wanted Alyce to keep trying at everything so that she could succeed. Alyce didn’t have the self-confidence needed to midwife, so the first time Alyce tried to come back, she was turned away. The midwife wanted a confident apprentice. Alyce wasn’t confident. Alyce realized that the midwife had already told Alyce what she wanted, so on her second try to come back, she told the midwife that she would do everything she had said she wanted. Then the midwife finally let her come back to apprenticing. The last two paragraphs of the story are significant because Alyce finally realizes that she has to have self-confidence.
The Midwife’s Apprentice
Blog #4
Respond to the passage found on p. 88-89
The passage is important to the story in that it provides the ground for the development of Alyce’s character. Initially, Alyce had nothing; she had no home, no friends, and knew no family, and was generally homeless. After being found in a dung pile by the village midwife, she has to work for her food, but overall, she is grateful for her food and shelter. As she worked with the midwife as her apprentice, Alyce learned the ways of being a midwife, and even delivered a few babies herself. As Alyce learned the skills of being a midwife, Jane seemingly began to grow jealous of Alyce’s easy learning, and began to act even more cruel and impatient with her. After Alyce fails to deliver a baby, she thinks that she’s too stupid to be a midwife and that she should just stop trying. Feeling to low to live with failure, she runs away from the village to work at an inn. Although she has food and shelter, she is overall unhappy with her supposed new life. One day when Alyce was working, however, the midwife drops by for a drink, which is when Alyce realizes why the midwife had been cruel; Jane wanted to train someone who could take whatever was thrown at her. As a result, Alyce went to the midwife’s door and declared that she wouldn’t give up under any circumstances, showing change from Alyce’s original reluctance.
Blog 4
What is the theme of the The Master Puppeteer?
I believe that the theme of The Master Puppeteer is friendship. There are many examples of this. One of them is Jiro’s friendship with Yoshida Kinshi. Yoshida Kinshi is one of the first people that Jiro meets at the Hanaza. The Hanaza is a theater in which Jiro wants to enroll as a puppeteer. Jiro’s family is very poor there and is great famine throughout the country. The Hanaza, however, makes enough money to buy food for all of its workers. Jiro wants to join the Hanaza so that his parents could have money to buy themselves food, and he would get food for working at the Hanaza. When Jiro gets to the front of the Hanaza, there is a young boy (Yoshida Kinshi) who says that he can’t go in because there is a performance going on. Jiro tells the boy that he wants to enroll in the theater and the boy tells him to go around back and yell, so someone will soon open the doors. He can then speak to Okada. Yoshida Kinshi wishes him “good luck”. Once Jiro enrolls in the theater he learns that that boy was Yoshida Kinshi, and they soon become friends. Yoshida Kinshi does many kind things for Jiro. For example, one night after a great performance, Yoshida Kinshi sneaks into his father’s room and takes a jug of the Emperor’s finest wine, so they can celebrate. In addition, Yoshida Kinshi goes out one night in search of Jiro’s mother to see if she is still alive. Jiro also becomes friends with many other people that work at the theater, such as Itcho (senior of the eight foot operators), Enzo (senior among the left-hand operators), and Yoshida’s father ( the Master puppeteer) . All in all, Jiro makes friends with many people at the Hanaza.
The Master Puppeteer
Q: How did Jiro find his mom and Kinshi, and what happened after?
A: Jiro tries to find his mom and Kinshi by using many methods. One of the methods is he goes to the police and asks them multiple times where his mother is. Eventually, the police send out people to look for his mother and Kinshi. Later in the story, the police find Jiro’s mother, but do not find Kinshi. SO Jiro has to look for Kinshi himself. He looks in the storehouse on the second floor to see if he is there. after many long hard days of look for Kinshi, he finds him in the closet at the Hanza. Since Kinshi was gone so long, Jiro gets called to master Yoshidas room and gets promoted to Kinshi’s position. Now that he is in a higher spot, he can now make money for his family. With all the money, Jiro can afford better food for his family. That’s how I thought Jiro found his mom and Kinshi.
The Samurais Tale
Theme
The theme of The Samurais Tale is Hard Work and Perseverance. This is shown by Murakami slowly gaining rank and power. He began as a cooks assistant and then moved to the stables. After a while, Murakami became a messenger for a different lord at another castle. After a long period of time, Murakami became part of an invading army and he became a samurai, his lifelong dream. In this army, he slowly moved up in rank before and while they took over Iwamura castle. When another invading army took over the castle, he became one of the few people to survive, which allowed him to marry the girl of his dreams. This long process of hard work and determination greatly shows the theme of The Samurais Tale.
The Midwife’s Apprentice
Q: Describe the passage:
“I should she said to herself, but I cannot. I tried before and failed. You must, said herself back to her. None so stupid said Magister Reese. You are nitwit, said Grommet Smith. Guts and common sense, said Will Russet. You gave up, said the midwife.Help me,cried the woman on the table. Keep still all of you and let me try,said Alyce, coming out from behind the ladder.” (108)
A: In this passage a woman is about to have a baby and know one is there to deliver the baby besides Alyce. But Alyce is too scared to be more of a failure. But, when she see’s how much pain the woman is in she finds enough courage to stand up and take some action and she successfully gave birth to a baby.
This passage is a very significant part of the book. It is also the turning point of the book. It is the turning point because before Alyce tried to give birth she failed and everything in her life had stared to go downhill. But when she saw the woman in pain she tried and successfully gave birth to a baby. From there she started to have confidence in herself.
That’s the signifigance and meaning of this passage.
What is the theme of The Midwife’s Apprentice?
The theme of the book is to believe in yourself because of many reasons. At the beginning of the story Alyce does not believe in herself because she is homeless and there is nothing for her to do that will change that; so she does not have any hope whatsoever. When the Midwife finds Alyce, Alyce gains a little hope and a little courage. Later in the book Alyce gradually builds more and more courage in order to help give a birth. I think throughout the book Alyce learns to believe in herself more.
How did Jiro respond to finding out that his father wasn’t ill?
When Jiro found out that his father wasn’t ill, he was disappointed, confused, and most importantly, angry. For one, he was disappointed because he was ready to come home and find his father sick. Of course, Jiro did not want his father to be ill, but he knew it was inevitable to see him sick when he came home. However, his father, Hanji, was just pretending to be unwell so that he could go as Saburo’s follower and help steal from the rich to give to the poor. Jiro was also confused because when he had seen his mother before, she had told him that Hanji was sick. From information passed on to him from Kinshi, Jiro’s friend, Jiro found out that his mother had taken Hanji out to the country to get him fresh air and maybe more food. Most importantly, Jiro was angry to find Hanji well. Putting both his own and his mother’s life in anguish, Hanji had not trusted either of them and was disloyal. Jiro could never have imagined his dad well enough at that time to be stealing, burning down buildings, and attacking rich merchants. Being a follower of Saburo, his dad could have easily killed Jiro for knowing who Saburo was, but instead, he did just the opposite. Hanji had helped Jiro to escape back to the Hanaza, but he had also put Jiro into a trap. On the other hand, Jiro still had to love Hanji because he had literally saved him from what was coming from a band of fuming night rovers and Saburo followers. As one can see, Jiro felt a mixture of emotions when he found out that his father, Hanji, was not ill.
The Midwife’s Apprentice
Pick a significant passage from and respond to it pages (87-88)
“Because I failed,” whispered Alyce in the shadows. “Because she gave up ,” continued the midwife. (Page 88 Paragraph 2)
This passage was a very important part in the book The Midwife’s Apprentice. The passage says to the readers and to Alyce that the midwife did not want her because she failed but because she gave up on herself. As Alyce later realizes the truth the midwife said, she returns back to the midwife asking her to let herself in. Alyce herself asked to let herself in and continue her training as an apprentice. To show that she is even better than before she tells her all the potions, herbs and recipes that she has learned, but forgets to mention that she would risk failure to become the midwife’s apprentice. So when Alyce finally realizes her mistake, she says it the midwife and the midwife lets her in. When Alyce said that she has failed, she meant that before when a pregnant woman was giving birth, she failed to help her and left the town disappointed of herself. When she continues her life as a worker in an inn. She learns how to read and write by a man who lived named Magister Reece. She also learns many more things about life because the man was making an encyclopedia that contained much information. The passage the story contains also lets the readers know the true reason the midwife left her on her own. This is why the passage from the story was an important part of the story.
The Samurai’s Tale
What was the theme of The Samurai’s Tale?
The main theme of The Samurai’s Tale was that you must believe in yourself to reach your goal. This was shown in Taro/Murakami’s dream to become a samurai. In the novel, a young Taro often thinks about his dream, although he works in the stables. As he grows older, he trains hard and eventually becomes a samurai. In the beginning of the novel, he often feels sad because he is a servant and most likely will not be able to become a samurai. As shown in the novel, his faith in himself leads him to his dream.
This theme is also shown in Taro/Murakami and Aki-hime’s relationship. Although Aki-hime is a noblewoman, Murakami falls in love with her, and she finds herself attracted to him. ALthough they cannot be together at first, her father eventually tells Murakami that after the war, he will give his permission for Aki-hime to marry Murakami. In the end, Aki-hime’s family dies in battle, and she eventually finds Murakami with the help of his servant and marries him. These examples both show how believing in yourself is the main theme of The Samurai’s Tale.
Please ignore the 1st copy, it’s the bad one.
1. Question: Describe the passage…
I should she said to herself, but I cannot. I tried before and failed. You must, said herself back to her. None so stupid said Magister Reese. You are nitwit, said Grommet Smith. Guts and common sense, said Will Russet. You gave up, said the midwife. “Help me,” cried the woman on the table. “Keep still all of you and let me try,” said Alyce, coming out from behind the ladder.
This passage had many meanings, but the most important being to not give up on yourself. A situation like the one above happened previously during Alyce’s adolescence, but the results were not so good. She failed to deliver the baby and was left with a heart, mind, and body full of nothingness. She felt failure for the first time and this affected her greatly. She ran away from the first place she could ever call home so she could get away from the terrible past. Months passed without any problems until what happened in the passage. She became haunted with what happened before, but was strong enough inside to get it together and give it a shot. She over came her fears and she didn’t give up on herself. In result, she regained her self confidence, became a hero, and delivered a beautiful, healthy baby.
The Trumpeter of Krakow
Response to passage pg. 139 paragraphs five and six
During this time in the book, Joseph was in a church tower with a dangerous man behind him who was forcing him to continue with his trumpeting, (which was his job,) so that the people of the town wouldn’t think that anything was out of the ordinary. Their was a heist in effect, and the man who was threatening Joseph, Peter, wanted everything to seem normal. Joseph had told one of the residents of the town that he would play the full trumpet song out the window when he was in trouble, instead of ending on the usual broken note. He had a choice before him. He decided to signal to the girl he had told that he was in danger. However, if Peter understood what he was signaling to her, he would kill Joseph without hesitation. Thankfully, Joseph plays the song all the way through, and Peter doesn’t notice. This was a major turning point in the story because the girl understood the signal and eventually ended up informing the authorities about the antagonists actions. Joseph shows in this case that he is willing to take risks in order to complete a greater goal. This shows some of the major character traits in Joseph that play into most of the story. Because Joseph was able to take that risk, Peter was apprehended by law enforcement and sent to prison. If he hadn’t have done what he did, Peter would have gotten away with stealing the treasure.
Blog #4:
Why is this passage significant to the story?
“Jane Sharp! It is I, Alyce, your apprentice, I have com back. And if you do not let me in, I will try again and again. I can do what you tell me and take what you give me, and I know how to try and risk and fail and try again and not give up. I will not go away”(116-117).
Alyce had once been the midwife’s apprentice. But she left knowing that she wasn’t being heard and the midwife did not want her if she wasn’t what she needed. So, Alyce went and worked at an Inn for awhile trying to build up to her full potential and be what the midwife had wanted. This passage is significant because it shows that Alyce had grown to her potential and knew she could do what the midwife told her to. A passage before had said that the midwife had not allowed Alyce to be her apprentice. But as Alyce walked away she thought she failed but then realized that she could do it and she wouldn’t give up what she wanted to do. This passage also fits the theme of the story which is to never give up and you can reach your goal if you try. This passage is significant in showing that Alyce persevered and really wanted to be the midwife’s apprentice. Alyce never gave up throughout the whole story and wanted to prove to the midwife that she could do the job.
Blog #5:
What do you think of Alyce’s relationship with Edward?
Alyce and Edward have a brother to sister relationship. Alyce as an “older sister” wants the best for Edward. She always is trying to push him in the right direction. When Alyce was gone from him she had to visit to see how he was doing which proves that she truly cared for Edward. When she saw Edward outside of the midwife’s home she wanted to make sure he was safe and healthy. Alyce brought him food and kept him ward. Alyce also sent him to a place to work.Throughout the story after they met Alyce proved that sheloved Edward as a big sister and wanted him to do what was best for him. Edward looked up to Alyce for guidance and help. Alyce always was there for Edward keeping watch over his life, making sure he was heading the right way.
Question: What is a message/theme of The Master Puppeteer?
One of the themes in this story was friendship, which is shown by Jiro’s relationship with Yoshida Kinshi. During the story, Jiro ran away from home and went to work at the Hanaza, where he formed a great relationship with Yoshida Kinshi. The reason that this is a great example of this theme is because of how binding the relationship is. In The Master Puppeteer, Jiro actually risked his life in the streets, where he could be consumed by flame, night rovers, or ronin just to try to find Kinshi. Jiro honestly didn’t know weather Kinshi was alive or not, but he searched all over the city until he finally found him at the police compound (The city was having a rebellion and the police were randomly arresting people). From Kinshi’s point of view, Jiro was a new member at the Hanaza, but Kinshi immediately took to him. Kinshi stood up for him, stole for him, and always taught and encouraged him. When Jiro was in need, Kinshi even stole from his father to aid Jiro (Something he wouldn’t do for virtually any other reason). Jiro and Kinshi are a great example of this theme because of their extreme friendship.
P.S. Hi
Passage from page 81: Eleanor now looked more closely at Henry. Like father like son? She remembered hearing that when Abbot Bernard had looked at Henry when he was only an infant, the Abbot had said, “From the Devil he came and to the Devil he will go.” If Abbot Bernard had that to say about Henry, Eleanor could not but believe that here was a man she could love. Henry bowed out of the room, and shortly thereafter Eleanor asked to be excused.
Question: Why is this passage important to the story?
Reply: The passage is important to the story because it marks the beginning of the relationship between Eleanor and Henry. It also makes that fact that Eleanor does not care for Louis apparent. Eleanor was not satisfied with the way that Louis was treating her, so she decided that she would find another person who was better suited to her needs. She went through with her decision and ended up divorcing Louis and marrying Henry. Henry turned out to be much better for Eleanor. “And to an ambitious, restless man like my son, she was an asset, the asset that Eleanor had always known she could be, given half a chance.”(87) Henry treated her as she wanted to be treated; she wished to be a benefit to her lord, a helpful advisor to go to when he needed her. Eleanor’s feelings about Henry turned out to be correct. The story says that Eleanor and Henry were “suited to each other and to their times as no other couple in history.”(87)
The Trumpeter of Krakow
How did Peter of the Button Face- Bogdan the Terrible- steal Pan Andrew’s treasure? What was the treasure?
Peter of the Button face, first of all, was named that for the button shaped scar on his face. He was known in the Ukraine as Terrible, and referred to himself as Bogdan. His name, Terrible, had been spread throughout the Cossacks, who were a fierce group of people much like the Tartar, because he was a thoughtless person who only sought to gain personal wealth. In his effort to gain wealth by seeking a treasure owned by the Charnetski, or Kovalski, family, known as the Great Tarnov Crystal, he ran into trouble in the process of stealing it. He stole it by bribing the Charnetski building caretaker’s son with gold. The caretaker’s son, Stas, was a poor, greedy peasant man and was easily bribed into wrong doing. Stas led Peter to the Charnetski’s room on the second floor early in the night, for him to later return with a group of twelve around two in the morning. When he and his band arrived at the building Stas let them in and led them back up the stairs. Wolf, Joseph’s dog, started barking when Peter’s gang entered the home and alerted Joseph, who immediately woke and started yelling for him. He was quickly silenced and gagged. Joseph’s mother was also there and she was thrown of the bed where she slept and then bound and gagged. The group that had come up to the room with Peter searched the room for the treasure, when they made their way to tearing apart the bed, the package containing the treasure was found. Peter was overjoyed and they were ready to leave, however, Pan Kruetz had heard most of the trouble and came down looking like a devil in his flaming cloak. He scared the Cossacks and then tried to rescue the treasure unknown to him. This was a disturbance in Peter’s plan; he and Kruetz then wrestled around on the ground a short distance away from the treasure. The guard had been alerted by the chaos and had arrived, during this the stairs had collapsed leaving Peter without a way out. So Peter escaped by hopping from roof to roof then disappeared, apparently with the treasure.
The treasure was called the Great Tarnov Crystal and had been passed down to each generation for them to protect it from evil. The crystal would shine very brightly with the smallest amount of light being cast upon it. It had been said to contain much evil power, thus causing the Charnetski family descendents to try and keep it from getting into the hands of evil.
The Trumpeter of Krakow
Chapter XI * THE ATTACK ON THE CHURCH
“Peter nodded. The Heynal was not new to him, and he knew that the boy was playing as usual – that is, he knew up to a certain point. Joseph hesitated at the place where the music ordinarily breaks off – this time he added three notes of his own, which definitely finished the Heynal. It took courage to play those notes, for he knew not but that at any moment he might feel the Cossack’s dagger in his throat. At length, he let the trumpet fall and looked about.
The blood surged into his head with a rush. The Cossack was nodding approval! He did not know, then!” (139).
This passage is important to the story for many reasons. The first and biggest way it impacts the story is what happens after it. It leads into a series of events that bring the story to a close. As the section says, Joseph added a couple extra notes to finish the tune. He does this because early he tells Elzbietka that if he is ever in trouble that he would play on as a signal to her specifically that he was in trouble. After Elzbietka hears this, she goes to tell Jan Kanty and this act helps lead to the finish the story. Another reason that it is a significant scene is that it shows great attributes from the characters. First, it shows how brave and smart Joseph is. It also shows how smart and cunning Peter is because he did not only sneak into the tower, but had Joseph play The Heynal to make every thing seem okay. This is how the passage was so noteworthy to the story.
The Trumpeter of Krakow
Q: Why did Peter of the Button Face steal Pan Andrew’s treasure? What is the treasure?
A: one of Peter of the Button face’s parents is a Tartar; the other is a Cossack both are greatly feared throughout Ukraine and in Krakow. Peter is well known as an infamous killer. He stole Pan Andrew’s treasure by going in the dead of night to the house in which Pan Andrew’s family lived. Peter persuaded Stas, the door watchman, into helping him in his evil plan. The watchman was greedy so Peter told him that he would get money if he helped him. Peter also had a group of friends he has to help him. He goes into Pan Andrew’s house and carefully makes his way up the stairs with only a few interruptions. Once he gets into Pan Andrew’s bedroom, he orders his men to tear the place apart until they find the treasure. They tore up the bed then found it wrapped in cloth. The treasure Peter of the Button Face was The Great Tarnov Crystal. Pan Andrew has been protecting for a long time but Peter was determined to get his hands on it, and he did.
Why is Paragraph three on page 148 important to The Master Puppeteer?
“”Ah”" it said. “”There you are. I’ve been looking everywhere for you.” There was something in the voice that seemed familiar to Jiro, but especially with the added cloak of darkness around the puppeteer.”(148)
The paragraph is important in many ways. It is most important because it shows how Jiro finds out who Saburo is. Jiro had been in the storehouse to fins the sword of Saburo when he was cornered. Saburo was cloaked in a puppeteer’s cloak and he had a puppet with an icredibely sharp knife. Jiro recognized the voice to be Okadas and he knew that Okada (Saburo) was Saburo and he didn’t want his identity to be shown. Jiro was amazingly afraid of Saburo silencing him forever. So in a desperate attempt to save himself he starts to pileup boxes in the mans way so he couldn’t escape. While in the storehouse Okada explains to Jiro that he is the true master puppeteer and that he had the entire east wing in his command as well as many on the outside in his command. Jiro with all of this new knowledge is greatly amazed at what he learned and feels like he has valuable information. As one can see, this passage in the story is greatly important.
How did Jiro respond to finding out that his father wasn’t really ill?
When Jiro realized that his father wasn’t really ill and was, in reality, faking his sickness, he was at first shocked. He couldn’t believe that his kind, honest father would lie to his son and wife about something so huge. Then, the boy was angry. How dare this man, leaving his family to worry? Jiro’s anger was understandable and justified. Finally, when Jiro found out why Hanji had lied, he was forgiving. His father was working for the notorious Saburo!
I most likely would have reacted in the same way as Jiro, although I would be less forgiving and would have held a grudge. I believe Jiro’s reactions were completely excusable.
The Samuauri’s Tale
Theme
When Murikami, a young son of a samurai, is taken by Lord Akiyama, he makes many important relationships with other people. One of these is with his master Togan. He gains many more when he goes to war with Lord Akiyama. The theme of Eric Christian Haugaard’s The Samurai’s Tale is friendship.
After he is assigned to the kitchen with his master, Togan, he is taught many important lessons as well as gaining a friend. Unfortunately, Togan died in a fight with an old samurai. He is then assigned to the stable, as Akiyama promised, but doesn’t make any friends there.
He then goes to war with his lord, Akiyama’s son where he meets many new friends. One of these is a friend who acts like an older brother to Murikami. His name Yoshitoki and he was a young samurai as well. He also gains another friend but he is more like a father than a brother and he is Wada. Wada is head of the baggage train where Murikami works. Another friend is Yoichi. He was a brother and a servant to Murikami. His crush, Aki-Hime, is ultimately the one he gets married to and becomes a friend with Yoichi as a servant. His virtual father who he hopes will adopt him is Akiyama. He supports Murikami in everything he does and is always looking out for him.
Friend ship was a main influence in The Samurai’s Tale. It helps Murikami and keeps his spirit up. It also keeps his life from falling apart. This is also true in real life. Friendship is always important in everyday life. This is why friendship is such a common theme.
Blog #4
Question: Passage-”‘Keep still all of you and let me try.’ said Alyce, coming out from behind the ladder.” Explain how this effected Alyce and how did she feel?
Response: This passage effected Alyce because she had the opportunity to show that she wasn’t clumsy and that she was worth something more than a dung beetle. She felt that she was clumsy because of the lady that was giving birth before and she was not able to help her. This time though, the lady needed much help and this was her time to show that she could do something without the Midwife. She felt that she that could do anything after the birth of the child because she was able to assist the lady in labor without spells, brews, or chants by using soothing words and rubbing her belly and head just like with the cow mother giving birth to the twin calves. After this passage, Alyce changed the way that she felt about herself greatly.
The Midwife’s Apprentice
“Keep still all of you and let me try,” said Alyce. (108) “As the thunderstorm passed, on a scarred wooden table Alyce delivered a baby boy.” (109)
Explain how this affected Alyce and how she felt.
Throughout the Midwife’s Apprentice, Alyce struggles to find her place in the world. After failing to help give birth to a baby, she runs away to an inn for she feels like she is worthless and can’t learn, do, or be anything. Later after she arrives at the inn, a noble woman who was very pregnant arrives and desperately needs help. When no one is able to help the woman, Alyce finds she is the only hope for her, and steps up to help. Soon after, Alyce delivers a healthy baby boy, and is asked by the nobles for her to aid other women from their home. Alyce felt like she had overcome a fear of failing, was more than nothing, and she was wanted bay the people. Also, that she had the ability to learn the skills of the midwife once more. From these feelings, Alyce decided to go back to the village and ask again to be the midwife’s apprentice. In conclusion, after delivering a baby at the inn, Alyce felt like she was more than nothing, she was wanted, and wasn’t worthless.
Blog #4
A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver
“Eleanor now looked more closely at Henry. Like father like son? She remembered hearing that when Abbot Bernard had looked at Henry when he was only an infant, the Abbot had said, ‘From the Devil he came and to the Devil he will go.’ If Abbot Bernard had that to say about Henry, Eleanor could not but believe that here was a man she could love.”(81).
This passage was very important to the story of Eleanor. This is when Eleanor decides to divorce Louis and mary Henry. This creates a great impact in Eleanor’s, Louis’s, and Henry’s lives; Louis becomes completely heartbroken until he is persuaded to move on. Meanwhile Henry and Eleanor are having great sucess witht ruling, children, and compatability. Although the main change in plot is marraige, Eleanor also has a huge advance in maturity and experience. She was ignorant, irresponsible, and selfish before, and after her decision she becomes almost a new person. The significance of the quick divorce and marraige between tthe three is how it completely changes almost everything in the book. For example just before one of the main characters, Abbot Suger, dies, then Eleanor becomes wise and responsible and makes the decision to mary Henry, after she becomes queen of England and also stays the dutchess of Aquitaine. She has plenty of children and rules almost equally to her husband. The passage from A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver is very important.
The Midwife’s Apprentice
What do you think of Alyce’s relationship with Edward?
I think Alyce’s relationship with Edward is a brother/sister relationship. I think this because Alyce is like the older sister because she is always trying to help Edward by finding him a place to earn food and sleep and coming to see if he is okay after a few weeks. Edward is the little brother because he depends on Alyce. The cook at the masion Edward worked at even said that they looked alike. Alyce gave Edward his name. He wanted the king’s name,so she asked around to see what the king’s name was, and it was Edward. Alyce gave him a home after rescuing him from cold and the village boys, just like an older sister would. Edward lso unknowingly helped Alyce, just like a little brother would. When she helped him finish his chores, they went to shear the sheep, where Alyce was clean at last. She saw she was a little bit pretty, and that gave her the confidance she needed. Alyce’s relationship with Edward is like a brother/sister relationship.
The Trumpeter of Krakow
Blog #5
Find a passage and explain it
My passage is, “Deep silence fell upon the onlookers.” “There was in the man’s act something solemn, something unearthly supernatural- his emotion was so great, and the crystal was such a buteous thing.” In this part Pan Kruetz had thrown the giant crystal into the water. He did this because he was driving himself mad. Pan Kruetz said, ” With such jewels as this that cause strife between man and man, and war between nation and nation.” ” Here- now, I make an end!” With that Pan Kruetz threw the crystal in the water. Before that, the Alchemist explained that the student Tring had told him that with the crystal and magic they could turn brass into gold and become the richest men in all of Krakow. Pan Kruetz had stolen the crystal from the king and rushed out the door. There in front of the river he explained that he was the one who stole the crystal from Pan Andrew. Thus concluding my passage.
The Master Puppeteer
What is the theme of the book?
The theme of this book is, “Friends and family are the most important things in your life”. This is the theme of my suspection becuase Jiro did not take his work as seriously as he took Kinshi and his mother. A few examples are that first Jiro left his work and chores to find okadai and tell him that kinshi had made a deal with him, if Jiro gets in contact with kinshi in two days with Soburo Kinshi will stop sneaking out at night and stay inside. ezample two is that When Kinshi was out Jiro did all Kinshis chores so that Kinshi would not be in trouble and not be missed or noticed gone as easily. Example three is Jiro himself sneaks out and brings with him a pot of soup and food, when he gets to his mothers house no one is there but then she comes in with torn clothes and almost naked, Jiro decides to hand her the food before leaving proving that he would even steal for his family from his work. Example four is when Jiro got back to the hanaza from his mothers house he started looking for Kinshi becuase he could not find him any where and was getting scared that the night rovers had taken him and were’nt coming back, also Kinshi finds soburo and starts running around even more frantic to find Kinshi to make sure his deal became true.
The Master Puppeteer
What is the significance of the setting in The Master Puppeteer?
The setting has much significance in The Master Puppeteer. The setting of the book is a town in Medieval Japan. There are many poor, hungry people, who roam the streets searching for food in that town. The setting of a town with many hungry people sets the plot up quite nicely. The time period of the book also is important because at that time, the samurai were very lazy and were not as fierce as they were a few hundred years before the time period the book was set in. Because of this, the samurai could not protect the city from being set fire and destroyed by all of the poor inhabitants. Additionally, the setting allows Jiro, his mother, and Kinshi to escape from the town with little notice by the other inhabitants. The setting is very important to the story The Master Puppeteer.
How did Jiro respond to finding out that his father wasn’t really ill?
At first, upon finding out that his father worked for the elusive Saburo, Jiro was shocked. How could his father be working for a notorious bandit and neglected to mention it to his family? Jiro then became angry, not understanding how his loving, honest father could have abandoned his wife and child while he worked for a thief. Jiro also became very apprehensive upon hearing of his father’s job occupation. He knew that his father, Hanji, would feel it was his duty to help Saburo at all costs, which may involve giving up Jiro to Saburo. He understood that Hanji would be happy to sacrifice his son for his master’s sake, a prospect that scared Jiro. Once Jiro saw his father, he was overcome by great sadness, after his anger and outrage had died down. He realizes that his father did care for Jiro and his mother all along, and is touched when his father is unwilling to let Jiro back into the turmoil-ridden streets Jiro’s emotions upon realizing the truth about his father are mixed, but in the end he truly understands his father’s love for his family.
Catherine called Birdy
Blog #5
Did Catherine get what she ever desired?
The answer to this question is both yes and no. Yes because she didn’t have to marry Shaggy Beard. She was so happy and excited she didn’t have to marry that pig. However, she still had to be married. She was glad that she was going to marry Stephen because he was young and clean; unlike Shaggy Beard. What she wasn’t so happy about was that she never got to go traveling and crusading with her Uncle George. At the end, it turned out that George did not marry Aelis; she was quite happy that she didn’t lose her best friend and uncle. Catherine was also unhappy because she still had to act ladylike. To make it worse, when she gets married in one month in October, she will have to be a “lady” for the rest of her whole entire life. She won’t be able to go dancing at festivals, see a hanging, and many other things. Catherine will be rich and happy a little because she wanted to be rich from the beginning of the novel. Catherine might also like Stephen if she meets him. There are endless possibilities if Catherine ever got what she wanted.
What was the theme of the novel?
The theme of the novel, The Master Puppeteer, was, as shown by many of the characters, loyalty. Both Jiro and Kinshi were incredibly loyal to each other, willing to sacrifice huge amounts to keep each other safe. To ensure Kinshi got a chance to perform in one of the productions at the Hanaza, Jiro gives up his own spot, enduring a severe beating afterward. Kinshi, when Jiro was new at the Hanaza, stole scripts for him to help him learn the classics and not mess up during the performances. When heavy rioting was going on in the streets, Kinshi also did a great service for Jiro. Even though Jiro had not asked, Kinshi set out to find Jiro’s mother and kept her safe, making sure that she wasn’t stabbed or trampled. The followers of Saburo were also extremely loyal to him, giving up everything to help him. Jiro’s father, Hanji, sacrificed almost all he had to aid the bandit. Hanji left his family with no money or food and lied to them about being ill so that he could join Saburo and help in his efforts. Yoshida, master of the Hanaza too is very loyal to Saburo. Though he knew his identity and could turn the bandit in any time, Yoshida helps him, at great personal risk to himself and his family. The characters of The Master Puppeteer all show their great loyalty through the course ofhte novel, greatly influencing the story.
What is the message for The Master Puppeteer?
The message for The Master Puppeteer is that everything is not what it seems. One example of that is Jiro’s mother. At first, Jiro thinks that his mom does not like him because he lived while all his siblings died valiantly. But he later realizes that his mom really does love him. Another example is Jiro’s father. At first he seems like a very nice guy and it was sad when they said he was sick. But later Jiro finds out that his father lied to his mom to join the night rovers and Saburo. Lastly, the person that doesn’t seem like they he is is Saburo. After a little while Jiro thinks Saburo, the thief that help the poor, is Yoshida, the owner of the Hanaza. But Jiro later learns that Saburo is really Okada, the reciter who now calls himself The Master Puppeteer. That is proof that the message for The Master Puppeteer is that everything is not what it seems.
P.S. My computer was not working.
What did Jiro learn in the pages 149-151, during the conversation in between Jiro and Subaru?
There are many things that Jiro learned in this conversation. This conversation occurred in “the puppet shed”. The puppet shed was where Yoshido kept all the puppets. This conversation occurred while Jiro was looking for a sword he had found. This sword was one of the many clues to proving and capturing the true Subaru. After Jiro talked to Okada, he was going to go with him to Yoshido, Jiro went back to the shed to get the sword. When Jiro got there the sword was goon. Then someone came down the stars. After a moment Jiro realized it was Subaru. Once he started talking through Jiro realized that Suburo was nto Yoshido but okada. These pages were probably the mosy important. This is why when and were the conversation happened.
What was the author’s message in The Master Puppeteer?
The message in The Master Puppeteer is a very important message. It is shown on many occasions. The message is the importance of friendship. It is shown when Jiro’s Friends do things that would get them in trouble if Yoshido found out. One of these times was when Jiro’s friend went and found his mom and gave her food. Another time was when another one of Jiro’s friends gave him food and water and food to give to his parents. One other time is when Jiro’s friend stole a puppet for Jiro to practice with. These are a few favors Jiro’s Friends did for him. The Master Puppeteer has a great message that everyone should know. (The importance of friendship)
Does Catherine get what she ever desires?
In Catherine Called Birdy, Catherine never would get what she wants. She wasn’t even greedy or selfish. For example, Catherine’s dream was to gor crusading and having adventures. However, she never was able to be a crusader or experince new places. Second, Catherine wanted a say in who she would marry, but that didn’t happen either. Her father was going to force her to marry old Shaggy Beard, despite what Catherine felt about the situation. One may think in the end Catherine was happy because Shaggy Beard had died before she was able to marry him, but then she was going to be forced to marry his son, Stephen. Who was a better suitor than Shaggy Beard, but still Catherine was really not able to fall in love and marry whoever she wanted to. Also Catherine did not ever want to hem or sew, like she was expected to, but she was still forced into it everyday. Last, Catherine didn’t want to grow up to quickly and get married right away. Instead she wanted to have fun and just be a kid. However, Catherine was unable to do that because of the expectations she had to follow as a woman. Everyday she had to help hem or sew, take care of ill people, and other ladylike jobs.
In conclution, Catherine never got what she desired, but that was how it was for a girl in the Middle Ages, who grow up poor. However, she was still happy in the end of the book.
The Midwife’s Apprentice
What is the theme of the book, The Midwife’s Apprentice?
The theme of The Midwife’s Apprentice is to always have confidence in yourself no matter what people say and to never give up. There are many ways throughout the book in which this theme is displayed. One way is when everybody int the village treats Alyce like scum and calls her by a name she has always hated, Beetle, she lets the negativity get to her so she always doubts herself. Another way in which she needs to have confidence in herself is when she tries to deliver a baby from a woman in the village. This woman asked her to deliver the baby specifically, but Alyce could not succeed in trying to deliver it, and after the village’s midwife is successful in delivering the baby, Alyce just runs away. A way in which she needs to not give up is since everyone in the village doubts her in thinking she could possibly be a midwife, she stops trying to believe she could continue with her dream too. She should learn that everyone makes mistakes and that she needs to believe in herself and not care what other people think. In addition to not caring what other people think, she should be at least happy that the baby was born, she could learn from her mistakes, and she should know that that is how she can get better. As one can see, there are many ways in which the theme, never giving up and always having confidence in yourself, is demonstrated many times throughout The Midwife’s Apprentice.
In The Midwife’s Apprentice, what is the author’s message?
Karen Cushman’s book The Midwife’s Apprentice, the message is to never give up. Alyce helps the Midwife and while she does that she makes many mistakes. One time the Midwife was gone so Alyce helped the women give birth. Later on someone demanded that Alyce helped her and not the Midwife. She failed and so she ran away. She ran away to an inn and a couple months after that the Midwife came to the inn and started talking to Magister Reese. Alyce, who was hiding, overheard them talking. “A boy from the village tells me my apprentice is here at the inn . . . she was not what I needed . . . I needed an apprentice who can do what I tell her, take what I give her, who can try and risk and fail and try again and not give up.” (87-88). A while later a noble woman was in labor and she had no one to help her. With much hesitation, Alyce decided to help her and succeeded. Many people wanted her but Alyce decided to go back to the Midwife. When she went back to the Midwife she was not welcomed. She was about to leave when she realized what the Midwife wanted. She knocked on the door and said, “It is I, Alyce your apprentice. I have come back. And if you do not let me in, I will try again and again . . . I will not go away.” (116-117). Then the door opened and she went in. This shows that sometimes if one wants to succeed they have to do what they are told and also to never give up. The Midwife’s Apprentice’s theme/message is to never give up.
The Midwife’s Apprentice
**Theme**
I believe that the theme of The Midwife’s Apprenitce was not to give up. This was shown through Alyce, Edward and the cat. Alyce once failed to deliver Emma Blunt’s baby. She then left the town in search of a new job and place to live. She ended up living a few hours under a rock then found the inn. There she worked for almost a year and finally earned her confidence. While she was at the inn, Alyce helped deliver a traveler’s baby. After that, Alyce returned back at the midwife’s cottage in search of the job that she was meant to do. At first the midwife wouldn’t take Alyce back; she didn’t want a quiter for an apprentice. Alyce felt deceived and lost but then earned her confidence to stand up to the midwife. She marched back up to the midwife’s cottage and told her that no matter what she will never give up as her apprentice. If Alyce didn’t go back to the midwife’s cottage and not give up she wouldn’t have perserved her dream as a midwife’s apprentice.
Edward and the cat in the novel also showed the theme. They both had to survive brutal times without any food and warmth. They both persevered through the hard times until they met Alyce. Alyce showed them to food and a place to live. They showed the theme, not to give up, because when they were in hard times they didn’t give up; they persevered.
Adam of the Road
Passage:Now for the first time Adam began to be really worried. Where was Roger, and how was he to find him again among so many folk, all intent on thierown affaifs? The road, Roger had said, was home to a minsrel, but, thought Adam, which road?
Answer: Roger and Adam were on a journey and Roger was gone and Adam freaked-out because now he is alone because he also lost his dog a similar way. He is scared that he will not find Roger in the crowd of the whole town. Roger once said that the road was a minsrel’s home because minsrels can preform to a lot of people on the road.
But Adam is worried what road to go on because at the town he is at there is three roads to go on.
A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver
What do you think the theme of this book is?
I think the theme of this book is women’s rights. One may think this is the theme of the book because; the story is all about Eleanor’s life and how she ruled and her rights to rule. She was married twice the first was to Louis. When she was married to him she ruled more than he did. Louis sort of followed along and didn’t really care what Eleanor did as long as it made her happy. Except, Louis started to change and he didn’t let Eleanor rule as much, and he made her fallow his commands and rules. It was very uncommon to see a woman participating in government, it was usually the man who would do the arguing and debating and the woman sat back and watched their husbands, except for Eleanor. She was the queen and she loved to rule with her husband.
When Eleanor divorced Louis, she married a young king named King Henry. King Henry was a strong leader and let Eleanor do what she wanted but he had to approve it first. King Henry let Eleanor rule along beside Henry instead of behind him. They ruled along side together, unlike regular people who were not kings or queens, these regular people were aloud to participate in government and voting, but the women were not allowed. Eleanor started a court called “The Courtly Love”. This was a system in which women were appreciated and respected by their husbands. This system did not help women having more rights but it did allow women more respect which led to other beginnings of women’s rights.
The Master Puppeteer
What is the theme of The Master Puppeteer?
The theme of The Master Puppeteer is perseverance as shown by how Jiro never gives up on his path in becoming a puppeteer. At the Hanaza, Jiro is faced with many pressures and hard responsibilities such as having to wake up at the crack of dawn and difficult-to-do chores. These duties not only affect Jiro, but every other apprentice at the Hanaza as well. Jiro is commonly left empty-handed when a new play is about to be preformed and usually has no clue what to do since Yoshida (ironically) only provides those who have memorized the play with the play’s script. So to solve this matter, one of the apprentices has to sneak around the Hanaza to steal a scroll for the apprentices to commit to memory. Also, Jiro finds out that his father is ill and had to leave home, which worried Jiro greatly. Another example of how Jiro shows perseverance is by how he pushes through all his hardships so that he can help his poor parents survive healthily. Jiro always thinks about his parents before himself and only wants the best for them, but with numerous “night rovers” and many mysterious acts made by Saburo, the challenges to protect his family become even harder. Some examples are when some night rovers are trying to knock down the Hanaza door because they were starving and knew the Hanaza had plentiful food, and Jiro is handed a mallet and told to attack if anyone broke through. He then noticed that his mother was one of the rioters in the uprising and was very worried for her, but thankfully, nobody was hurt during that night. In conclusion, perseverance is a fitting theme for The Master Puppeteer because Jiro must persevere through the many hardships in his life to fulfill important goals, such as support his parents.
Book: The Midwife’s Apprentice
Q: What is the theme of The Midwife’s Apprentice?
A: In the novel, The Midwife’s Apprentice, Karen Cushman gives many descriptive details of the inspiring theme. The theme is the importance of self confidence, this is shown when Alyce learns how to read at the inn, and also when she helps a woman give birth.
Alyce learned how to read in the inn. A man named Magister Reese taught her how to read. Alyce didn’t have to learn how to read and she wasn’t forced. Alyce had the desire to read. This shows she had confidence in herself to learn and to practice over and over again without giving up. Alyce learned how to read and loved when she new how to spell her name.
Alyce also shows self confidence when she helps a lady give birth. Alyce helped a woman named Joan give birth to her child. Joan was the bailiff’s wife. Joan was in a lot of pain when she was going through labor. Alyce had to bathe her in oils to settle her down. She also had her walk around the room so that it wasn’t as painful when she was sitting down. After Joan had given birth, Alyce realized that she had done a wonderful and self-less deed. She also recognized that she was more than just a beetle or a nobody in this world. In conclusion, Alyce found out she had done a great deed to many people.
The Trumpeter of Krakow
Blog # 5
What it the theme of the novel?
The theme of this novel is to always stick to one’s duty no matter how hard the task. This is shown by all of the past or present trumpeters at the Church of Our Lady Mary. They show that they always stick to their jobs no matter what arises many times throughout their career as trumpeter. An example in the book could have been how the Heynal had acquired a broken note. The trumpeters at the Church of Our Lady Mary were supposed to sound the Heynal each hour of the day and switch with another for night shift. The Broken Note happens when one of the many trumpeters stays in the tower to maintain his duty while Tartar are attacking, when the Tartar get to him they kill him in the middle of the Heynal leaving the hymn with a broken note. Another example of this is Pan Andrew, and his ancestors, protecting the Great Tarnov Crystal. Pan Andrew and his family had been faced with protecting a treasure that many evil beings wanted. The people within his family had to try to keep it safe at all costs because it was said to contain great, evil powers. This duty had been passed down from generations, and would keep being passed down until the Crystal was disposed of. Thus, the theme of the novel is to always follow one’s duty no matter how hard the task.
Blog #5
Book: The Master Puppeeteer
Question: Did you like the ending to the story? Why or why not?
Answer: I liked the ending to the Master Pupeteer because Isako finally showed some compassion and care for Jiro when she defended him and Kinshi during Okada and Yoshida’s debate over the boys. This seemed to fit with the theme of the book, which seems to be the importance of family in an individual’s life. Secondly, Yoshida finally got rather small tastes of his own medicine: harshness. Isako was yelling at the two men for discussing the two boys as though they were trade goods and called them “heartless men.” Thirdly, Jiro accomplished the task that had sent him to the Hanaza in the first place, which wa to please his parents and bring them a little happiness in their rather monotonus lives. These are my thoughts on the enging of the book.
Describe Robin’s reunion with his parents.
When Robin had found his father and mother they were in the town of Lindsay after an attack by the scottish. The enviroment had been very still and quiet without anyone to be heard. Robin and his parents were estatic when they had found eachother. Robin’s fathers was a little dissapointed that robin’s legs were not very useful then but, he knew that he would slowly recover. His mother on the other hand, was joyed that he was alright after all thay had happened through his periless journeys. All in all, they were glad that robin was alright.
The Master Puppeteer
Q-Why is the setting of the story significant?
R-The setting of The Master Puppeteer is important becuse many events in the story would not have happened. The setting is in Japan. The people are very poor and there is hardly any work at all; there are riots of the peole that are poor that need food. If this had not been the setting, Jiro probably would not have gone away to the theater and would not have met his friends he had made there. second, there would not have been so many people dying, riots, or Saburo. Jiro’s father would not have gone to work for Saburoand would be still making puppets for Yoshida. Kinishi would never have gotten his hand cut off while looking for Jiro’s mother during the riots. Finally, there would not have been such an exciting story. In conclusion, the setting of The Master Puppeteer is very important to the book.
What was the main theme of The Samurai’s Tale?
The main theme of the book was the importance of friendship in war and peace because of many examples of thes in the book. The first example in the book is when Lord Akiyama has mercy on Taro for his family had just been killed. Another example is when Taro and Togan were confronted by the old soldier and Togan is killed. This hurts Taro badly but soon meets a samurai named Yoshitoki and becomes his friend. This friendship is important because when Yoshi and Taro were not fighting they would travel and give each-other company. Lord Akiyama’s friendship is important to Taro because he makes Taro a samurai and is his in-between for Taro and Aki-Himi Losr Zakoji’s daughter.Aki-Himi and Taro becaome great friends near the end of the war and eventually get married. All of these examples show the importance of friendship in the Samurai’s Tale.
Question: Who was Jan Kanty, and how did he help the Charneskis?
Response:
Jan Kanty was a scholar at the university in Krakow. In the beginning of the book, when Peter of the Button face accuses the Charneskis of Black Magic, Jan Kanty comes to the rescue and defends them. There had been a rather large crowd around them at the time, but after Jan Kanty arrives, the crowd dissolves. Jan Kanty then takes them back to his house. There they assess their situation and he finds a job for Pan Andrew Charneski. Later on in the story, when Pan Andrew is one of the trumpeters of Krakow, Jan Kanty calls the night guard of the city to their rescue when Elzbietka tells him that something is amiss. Her assumption is correct, and because of Jan Kanty Joseph and his father are saved. In these two instances the scholar Jan Kanty helps the Charneskis.
The Master Puppeteer
What was the theme?
The theme of The Master Puppeteer, by Katherine Paterson, is very important to regular life. The theme was, friendship friends are important to have because they can help with everything. A major friendship in the book is betweeen Kinshi and Jiro. The theme is shown, when Jiro is new at the theater and Kinshi helps him through everything. Since Kinshi helped Jiro, Jiro helps Kinshi, with what he can, like offering to steal a copy of Okada’s new play for the boys and Kinshi. Another good example of friendships, is Okada and Yoshida. Since Okada is blind and Saburo, Yoshida is his eyes. Yoshida helps Okada be Saburo by being apart of his gang and having him work for him. Katherine shows how friendships and friends help eachother by he r many friendships in ehr book, The Master Puppeteer.
The Midwife’s Apprentice
Blog #5- Theme
I thought that the theme of The Midwifes Apprentice was never to think negatively about one’s self. This is shown by Alyce when she has to gather up her self-confidence to go back to the midwife. Alyce has to go to the midwife and tell her that she is not a worthless child and that she can deliver a baby without magic or potions. People all around Alyce were telling her that she was dirty and useless but she learned to accept her self just as she was. Alyce learns this because she delivered a baby without being a midwife. After this incident Alyce then goes back to her village and is respected the way she should have been in the first place by the people in her village, including the midwife. This theme is also shown by another character, Eduard. Eduard shows this because he was a poor and very small boy who thought that he couldn’t do anything because of his size. Alyce helps him think positively about him self by showing him somewhere where he could work just as much as the other boys. After Eduard finds where Alyce had shown him, he has a huge self-confidence boost because he was given a job there that he was happy with. All in all, Eduard and Alyce showed the theme not to think negatively about one’s self in The Midwifes Apprentice.
The Samurai’s Tale
What was the relationship between Lord Akiyama and Murakami?
In the beginning of The Samurai’s Tale,Taro/Murakami is taken in by Lord Akiyama, to be part of his household. He also promises that Taro/Murakami can be his stableboy someday, and goes out of his way to be kin to him.From then on, Lord Akiyama and Murakami have a father-son relationship. This is shown in many ways, including that Murakami confides to his best friend, Yoshitoki, that he wishes that Lord Akiyama would adopt him. This event never happens because Lord Akiyama tells Murakami that he would like to adopt him(Murakami), but that he would have a better chance at sucess by living with Lord Zakoji. Lord Zakoji is another lord who wishes to have Murakami marry his daughter, Aki-hime. Another role that Lord Akiyama plays in Murakami’s life is as a protector. Lord Akiyama often takes special care of Murakami, even bestowing upon him his childhood name, Taro. These examples show how the relationships between Murakami/Taro and Lord Akiyama.
The Midwife’s Apprentice
What was the theme of the story?
In the Midwife’s Apprentice, the author’s message is to have confidence as shown by Alyce helping Joan, aiding a woman at the inn, and standing up to Jane, the midwife. First, Alyce had the confidence to help Joan, a woman in the village, give birth to her child. “Alyce took another deep breath and returned to Joan’s side”(59). Although Alyce was only the midwife’s apprentice and she had no knowledge of what to do, she had chosen to help Joan in her time of need. Next, when Alyce was staying at the inn, a pregnant woman had arrived but no one was able to help her. ” In tears, in pain, in labor, and none to help. I should help but I tried before and I failed. ” Keep still all of you, and let me try,” said Alyce, coming from behind the ladder” (108). After watching the woman suffer in labor, Alyce knew she could ease the suffering and help her have her child. So she found the confidence and came from behind the ladder to help the noblewoman. Last, during her stay at the inn, Alyce overheard the midwife talking about how her apprentice has given up and ran away. ” That is all and I am here.” But Jane would not have her. ” I know how to try and risk and fail and try again and not give up” (115). From hearing the midwife talk of Alyce’s flaws as an apprentice, she had the confidence to go back to the village to become the apprentice Jane had wanted. The author’s message in the Midwife’s Apprentice is confidence as shown by Alyce aiding Joan, helping a noble woman give birth at the inn, and becoming Jane’s ideal midwife.
Q. What is the theme of the book A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver?
A.The theme of the book A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver is power. Eleanor spends most of her life searching for more and more authority. Eleanor was the duchess of Aquitaine when and when she married prince Louis she was overjoyed to hear that they were the new Queen and King of France after Louis the Fat died. However she was less excited when she figured out Louis was not going to let her be in the center of affairs. When they were first married Louis wanted to impress young Eleanor so he took most of her advice and started many wars, but after realizing that he was killing innocent people he started to think for himself. Eleanor then married Henry, and after two years they became King and Queen of England. Eleanor enjoyed her position there much more. Henry listened to Eleanor’s advice because she was more experienced at ruling. When the Eleanor and Henry were staying at one location she began hearing that Henry had begun to favor a maiden there. She began directing her sons to revolt against Henry but he captured her after she was escaping to France and then imprisoned her at various quarters that they owned Eleanor was then left powerless and very unhappy but after spending a long period of time imprisoned her patience grew leaving her less hungry for control. Thus, the theme of the book is power and is shown throughout various parts in the book.
The Trumpeter of Krakow
Q: what is the theme of the book?
A: The theme of the book is good versus evil. It is demonstrated in many places in the book as Andrew Charnetski faces many opposing forces in his quest to give the king a family heirloom that he is supposed to protect. One of the examples of good versus evil in the book are all of the atempts that Peter of the Button Face made to get the treasure that Andrew Charnetski had. His constant threat against the lives of the entire Charnetski family and several others clearly defines a antagonist and gives an examle of the theme. Another example of the theme in this book is the interaction between the student Tring and alchemist that lived in the building with the Charnetskis. He had a power over the alchemist that scared the rest of the inhabitants of the apartment building. A clear distinction of an antagonist was made there as well, and the theme is once again shown.
What is the theme?
The theme of The Master Puppeteer is friendship and loyalty. Jiro and Kinshi are great friends; Jiro even risks himself for Kinshi. Being loyal is also a part of being friends, and Jiro is incredibly loyal to his friend. Jiro thinks that Kinshi’s father, Yoshida, is Saburo. He knows that turning in Yoshida would make Kinshi and outcast, maybe even executed. Jiro, tough it would bring him great personal gain, does not turn in Saburo but instead keeps this secret. Kinshi’s loyalty shows through his stealing the scripts for the plays Jiro and the other boys do not know. Another example of Kinshi’s loyalty is when he tries to find and then save Jiro’s mother. These two are great friends, as anyone can see. They met at the Hanaza, and there their friendship grew.
The Midwife’s Apprentice
Q: Describe one of the passages from the book.
A: “How old she was, was hard to say. She was small and pale with a frightened air of an ill used child but her scrawny underfed body did give off a hint of women. So perhaps she was twelve or thirteen no one knew for sure least of all the girl herself who knew no home, no mother, and no name but brat and never had.” This passage in the story is very significant. One of the reasons why this passage is significant is that it is telling the background of Alyce by saying that she didn’t have a home and she was poor with no family. Also, it tells how she is on he streets looking for a home and nobody feeds her or gives her a place to stay. It tells how she was a forsaken baby every since she could remember because she doesn’t now how old she is and she doesn’t even have a real name besides what people call her like “Brat” and “Beetle”. Also, the passage tells you that people treat her badly. She was also very well-developed. It also tells that she is very shy, unconfident, and does only what people tell her to do.
The Master Puppeteer
Q: What was the theme of the book?
A: The theme in “The Master Puppeteer” is the importance of both family, and friendship when growing up. Importance of family is shown in the beginning of the book because Jiro experienced life changing events while trying to help his parents in need. Jiro left home to help his mother, and then increased his bond with her towards the end of the story. When he left to the Hanaza, he got many great new friends. This was part of the theme and very important to Jiro’s success in life. His main friend in the story was Yoshida Kinshi, who helped him and showed him the ropes around the Hanaza. Without Yoshida Kinshi, Jiro might have never been quite as welcome at the Hanaza as he was. Once Jiro was introduced to everyone by Kinshi, he became friends with all of his roommates and continued to progress as a puppeteer. Without Jiro’s love and care for his family, he would have never gone to the Hanaza and met so many great people. The great people and friends he met also allowed hime to bring money to his family and be happy about how he was doing it. These reasons leave a powerful message and theme saying having a great family and friends is the key to a happy childhood.
Blog five
The Master Puppeteer (chapter 13 the master puppeteer)
Paragraph: “Poor little Jiro.” It was those words that made Jiro recognize the voice. “Why are you frightened? It is you who hold the needle to the serpent’s flesh” “Okada?” Jiro could hardly whisper the name. “Okada?” “You wanted to get word to Saburo, did you not?” “Yes, but…” The hooded figure bowed. “But how?” “How can an old blind man be the dashing Saburo?” (149)
Question: What did Jiro realize in this passage?
Answer: The one major thing that Jiro realized in this passage was that Okada, one of the puppeteers, was actually the dashing thief known as Saburo. Jiro had told Okada that he believed that the master puppeteer was Saburo. After the performance, Jiro went to the storage shed to get the sword that he had found earlier in the book, to give to Okada who would then confront the master puppeteer as being Saburo. However, when Jiro went to the storage shed to get the sword, the sword was not there. Saburo, who had earlier taken the sword, came out of hiding. It was then that Jiro knew that Saburo was actually Okada. All in all, Jiro finally discovered the true identity of Saburo.
Why is Paragraph three on page 148 important to The Master Puppeteer?
“”Ah”” it said. “”There you are. I’ve been looking everywhere for you.” There was something in the voice that seemed familiar to Jiro, but especially with the added cloak of darkness around the puppeteer.”(148)
I thought this was the turning point in The Master Puppeteer, when Jiro finds out who Saburo is and when he finds Kinshi and his Mother. I think the persom that finds Jiro in the storehouse is Okada because Jiro gets in a lot of trouble afterwords because no one is allowed on the second story of the storehouse. All the things that Okada keeps p there is what Saburo uses throughout the story to help the poor. In the passage Jiro recognizes the voice of the man in the cloak, which is Okada. After this passage in the story Jiro figures out where his Mother and Kishi are. So Jiro goes out and looks for them and before he knows it, he finds them.
Blog #5
The Midwife’s Apprentice
Find a passage.
The passage a chose is:”How old is she was hard to say. She was small and pale, with the frightened air of an illused child, but her scrawny, underfed body did give off a hint of women, so perhaps she was twelve or thirteen. No one knew for sure, least of all the girl herself, who knew no home no mother and no name but brat and never had.”(1-2). This passage is significant to The Midwife’s Apprentice because it shows that she is poor, lives on her own, and no one really knows who she is. Beetle goes through some really tough times because she is poor. For example she is always getting made fun of because she smells really bad. Beetle moves from one farm to another and will do anything to get food and a place to sleep. For example, she helped do some farming and in return she got some bread and was able to sleep in a dung heap. Villagers are always making fun of her because she is sometimes talking to herself because she does not really have anyone she could start a real conversation with. Therefore, this passage was significant to The Midwife’s Apprentice because is showed what kind of life Beetle lives.
Question: What do you think the theme of the story is?
Reply: I think the theme of A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver is the importance of religion. This is shown by the constant struggles that Eleanor, Louis, and Henry go through just because they are dedicated to the Roman Catholic Church. For example, when Louis is excommunicated from the church because he went against what Abbot Bernard wished, he worked very hard to show that he was loyal to the church and was ready to dedicate his life for God and the greater good. He was able to prove this and was eventually accepted back. Also, the whole story is centered on the main characters telling their stories from Heaven and explaining the trials that they went through to get there, while also talking about their histories. A final example of the importance of religion was Abbot Bernard. It was said that his voice went straight to God and rarely went unanswered. Eleanor mentions that when he died, he became an angel right away and had to spend no time in the purgatory. The theme of the story was religion as shown by the trials that the characters must endure for the sake of their religion.
The Samurai’s Tale
What was the relationship between Lord Akiyama and Taro?
There was an interesting relationship between Murakami (Taro) and his lord, Lord Akiyama. Akiyama was like a father to Taro guiding him like a son and telling him where he should go and what he should do. He didn’t interact with him like a father. Fathers play with their kids while Akiyama saw Taro like he was a consoler. This affected their relationship and made them more like work collogues than family. Although Akiyama was serous about their talks he wouldn’t be a hard as a board; he had a soft spot for Taro. This relationship gave taro great success and benefit from his lord. So when Lord Akiyama died Taro had a hard time covering it up especially when he saw the crucified body of his lord.
The Master Puppeteer
Question: Write a response to page 148 paragraph 2.
Jiro had backed his way almost to the window when the puppet stopped and fixed its gaze upon him.”Ah it said” “There you are I have been looking everywhere for you.” There was something familiar in the voice that Jiro recognized.” Do you know how dangerous curiosity could be?” Jiro had realized it was Okada. Okada was Saburo.
This passage was a very important part in the book. This passage is where everything Jiro had been trying to figure out had come to one part. Jiro had been trying to figure out the true identity of Saburo and here it finally was. The significance of this passage is that, Okada, the one person Jiro had told his plan for Kinshi to, was the great Saburo. Jiro was stunned because previously that day, Jiro had been explaining to Okada that he thinks he knew whom Saburo was, and during that whole time Saburo was right in front of him. This also came as a surprise to Jiro because no one would think that old blind man, Okada, could be the great thief, Saburo. This passage was a turning point in the story; it unraveled every secret Jiro had tried to figure out.
The Midwife’s Apprentice
Q: Describe one of the passages from the story and tell why it is significant.
A: “How old she was, was hard to say. She was small and pale, with the frightened air of an ill used child, but her scrawny, underfed body did give off a hint of woman, so perhaps she was twelve or thirteen. No one knew for sure, least of all the girl herself, who knew no home, no mother, and no name but Brat and never had.” pages 1 and 2. This passage is very significant to the story. One of the many reasons why it is significant is because it shows her background by saying that she was a poor little girl with no family and no home. Also, it tells that she was alone ever since she could remember because she didn’t know how old she was, she didn’t have a family, she didn’t have a name, and she didn’t have a home. Also, she didn’t know how old she was and she was already well-developed. Another reason why the passage is significant to the story is that it tells that she was treated badly by other people, nobody wanted to take her in, and nobody wanted to feed her (until Jane Sharp came around). Also, it tells that she was a very shy, scared, and not confident little girl. Another reason why it is significant is that it tells that she had no name besides “Brat” so, that is significant because later on in the story she finds a name that is suitable for her to use and that is Alyce.Also, she was the kind of girl who let people take advantage of her because she was pale and scrawny. Those are the reasons why this passage of the story is so significant.
Blog #5
Q: What did Alyce initially think of Jane the midwife? What was the midwife actually trying to do?
A: Alyce initially thought of Jane as a mean, selfish, short-tempered person, but knew that she could be nice and have some heart at times. This is shown when Jane took Alyce off of the streets and gave her a job working for her. Jane is selfish because she charges all of the women who are giving birth lots of money and when they don’t have the money, she doesn’t help them. Alyce knows that the midwife has an extremely short temper. For example, when a woman would take no other person but Alyce to help deliver her baby, Jane was furious at this and started throwing pots and pans at the young girl and screaming for her to get out. Although the midwife was tough on Alyce, there was something that she was trying to teach her.
The midwife was trying to teach Alyce to never give up. If something is hard on you, or if you are having a hard time, then tough it out and keep going. Even though she didn’t say it out loud, this was the message she was trying to get across to Alyce. The midwife was also trying to harden her for the rest of her life. For example, if the mother died during delivery, the midwife tried to teach Alyce that sometimes that’s what happens in life and to keep going. Although the midwife was hard, she was trying to teach her life lessons.
Why is the book called “The Master Puppeteer”?
The book is called “The Master Puppeteer” because of many reasons. One of the reasons and the most obvious one is that Yoshida is the master puppeteer at the Hananza and a large part of the book is about puppets. But there is a deeper meaning in the title also. As one can conclude the acts of Saburo is controlled by someone. This person is Okada. Okada is the master puppeteer and the Saburos are his puppets. The whole story is like a puppet show. I believe that the book is called “The Master Puppeteer” for these many reasons both the obvious ones and the ones with deeper meaning.
A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver
What is the theme for A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver?
I think the theme for A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver is power. Power played a role in the story because of kingdoms and rulers. When people married, it was only used for power and to gain lands, like as Louis’s and Eleanor’s marriage. Soon after Louis started acting like a monk, Eleanor left him because he did not seem as powerful as he was before. Soon after divorcing Louis, Eleanor married Henry. Eleanor loved Henry because he was powerful and determined. Thomas Becket, who was a helper of Henry and Eleanor, separated from Henry and Eleanor because he was more dedicated to church. Another reason why Becket separated from the two is because he thought that God had more power, and he though that God would have a place for him in heaven because he did not sin. The theme for this book is power.
Why is the book called The Master Puppeteer?
The book is called The Master Puppeteer for many reasons. First, it is called The Master Puppeteer because Jiro goes to the Hanaza and meets Yoshida, the master puppeteer. Many people would argue that Yoshida was the master puppeteer because Okada, a blind old man, was Saburo, a thief, and Okada was Yoshida’s master. Okada controled Yoshida in a weird way. Okada was the master puppeteer before he went blind, when he went blind Yoshida took the spot as the master puppeteer but Okada controled Yoshida by overpowering him with Saburo. Next, it is called The Master Puppeteer because it was confusing on who really was the master puppeteer Yoshida or Okada. Last, Yoshida was Okada’s eyes when Okada went out as Saburo but Okada was stronger than Yoshida so Okada controled Yoshida by his power. In conclusion, the book is called The Master Puppeteer for many reasons.
The Samurai’s Tale
What was the relationship between Lord Akiyama and Murakami?
There was a strong relationship between Lord Akiyama and Murakami. When Murakami first arrived at Lord Akiyama’s castle, he had dreams of Akiyama adopting him. Although this never happened, Akiyama was like a father to Murakami. Akiyama gave Murakami a new name, which showed that he cared enough about his name. The name given to him was also very similar to Akiyama’s. “By giving me a name so closely related to his own, he had shown that I stood high in his favor” (88). The parental guidance that Akiyama displays greatly affects Murakami’s life.
The Midwife’s Apprentice
Q: How did Alyce feel after giving birth to the cow? How did it affect her afterwards?
A: Giving Birth to the cow affected Alyce in a couple of ways. Alyce felt very excited and pleased that she had given birth to a cow. This affected Alyce afterward. It affected her by her being more interested in giving birth and her wanting to give birth. This also affects her because she got more confidence and has an objective. This part of the book is also the turning point. It is the turning point because Alyce now feels that she is useful and has the talent to give birth. This is how giving birth to the cow affected Alyce.
Question: What did Jiro learn in his conversation with Okada on pages 149-151?
Jiro had went to Yoshida’s warehouse to get the sword of Saburo to try to confront Yoshida (he thought that Yoshida was Saburo). In the passage, while Jiro was speaking to Okada, he wondered why the chanter was in the warehouse. After speaking to Jiro cryptically, Okada asked him, “You wanted to see Saburo, did you not?”(149). After he had said this, Jiro realized that the blind enchanter was actually Saburo. This was a huge twist in the story because throughout the book, Jiro had been led to believe that Yoshida was Saburo. Because of this, Jiro feared for his life, because Okada saw no reason to spare Jiro’s life. Jiro’s realization that Okada was Saburo was a very important incident in The Master Puppeteer.
The Midwife’s Apprentice
Blog #5
Describe how Alice felt when she delivered the twin calf’s, and how it had affected her later on?
In the story, Alice is walking home from the fair when she sees her new friend Will with a large cow in a ditch. Alice discovers that the cow is about to have babies and will not come out of the ditch. Will pleads Alice to help him sooth the cow and deliver her babies. She finally does, using the methods and tricks she had scene the midwife use on pregnant women. During this process Alice felt very scared but soon was sure she could help this pregnant cow. When the twin calves finally came out, Alice was affected in many ways. This scene is a turning point in the novel because Alice now learns that she can deliver babies. She is very confident in this new skill and takes it a long way.
The Midwife’s Apprentice
Q: Describe one of the passages from the story and tell why it is significant.
A: “How old she was, was hard to say. She was small and pale, with the frightened air of an ill used child, but her scrawny, underfed body did give off a hint of woman, so perhaps she was twelve or thirteen. No one knew for sure, least of all the girl herself, who knew no home, no mother, and no name but Brat and never had.” pages 1 and 2.
This passage is significant to the book because the reason Alyce became the midwife’s apprentice, is because she knew no home, no mother, and no name. When the midwife found her in the dung heap Alyce did not have anything. So the midwife took her home and gave her a motherly figure being herself and a home, but Alyce was lacking her name. Then one day the midwife fell and broke her ankle right before she was going to a carnival and told Alyce to go in her place. There Alyce found a name being Alyce. The whole story is about Alyce finding three things: her home, mother and name. Also she was looking for who she was as a person. In the end, she found these things and her self.
A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver.
______________________________________
Q~ What is the theme of the book?
A~ The themes of the book are political power and individuality.
this is the story of Eleanor of Aquitaine, around twelfth century AD. Eleanor is portrayed as intelligent, bold and spirited, with great gifts in politics. She was queen first of France, then of England (with different husbands), and went on Crusade to the Holy Land. She was mother of King Richard Lionheart (and the notorious John), and a patron of the arts. She helped invent the game of courtly love, and to institute the British legal system.
Why is the book called The Master Puppeteer?
There are two major reasons the book is called The Master Puppeteer. One is that Yoshida is a master puppeteer at the Hanaza, however this is not the main reason. To find out the main reason, one must think about the book. It is that Okada is the Master puppeteer. He is Saubro, the master of all thieves, but he could not hav this power if it wasn’t for his followers. His followers are like his puppets (hence the title of the book). Some people may think that is the name of the book because it is about a puppet palace, but they are wrong. The real master puppeteer is Okada, and the people ad the Hanaza are his puppets.
The Master Puppeteer
What is the theme for The Master Puppeteer?
The theme for The Master puppeteer was perserverence as shown by Jiro in many incidents throught out the book. Family always came first to Jiro. He gave up his social life to become an apprentice at the Hanza just to pay back his family which he felt he owed a lifetime of work. Jiro had to wake up at the crack of dawn and clean up the Hanza with the rest f the apprentices. Then practice the puppeteer skills infront of Okada every morning and were yelled at until they perfected the move, and or, task. Eventually they would have to perform a play infront of a huge audience without knowing what they were supposed to do. Jiro disliked many of his hard tasks in which he was given, but he wanted the health of his family more. That is why he never gave up and was able to feed his mother.
Question: Write a response to page 148 paragraph 2
Passage: Jiro had backed his way almost to the window when the puppet stopped and fixed its gaze upon him.”Ah it said” “There you are I have been looking everywhere for you.” There was something familiar in the voice that Jiro recognized.” Do you know how dangerous curiosity could be?” Jiro had realized it was Okada. Okada was Saburo.
Response: I feel that this passage is important to the story because this is the first time that Jiro actually realizes who Saburo is, Okada. This is important because earlier that same day Jiro had talked to Okada and told him about the secret plans of Kinshi and using Okada to try and help find who Saburo was, but without knowing he had been telling the secrets that have been vuilt up through the whole stroy to Saburo himself, how could it be that an old even blind man could be the most skilled theif in all of Japan? This is the turning point in the story because even though past evidence had led to Kinshi’s father being Saburo, after looking over the pieces more carefully he realizes that he had been mistaken the whole time.
Blog #5
Question: What was the author’s message?
Response: The author’s message is to always have confidence in yourself no matter what people think or say about you and to never give up in what you believe in. Alyce never gives up and also trees to do her best and that is shown by when she first is in the village and like always, she is called bad names and is treated dreadfully. She is called Dung Beetle because she slept on a dung pile for warmth when she first came to the village. All the boys throw rocks at her and she meets the cat who has that same problem as her. She finds the midwife though and she is aloud to sleep in the barn and is given food but only if she works for the midwife and does whatever she says. She is able to live in the barn and gets food and feeds the cat. She never gave up because she kept going through the same deal at every village or town she went to and this time she kept trying and she was able to have shelter and food.
She has confidence in herself because when her new friend Will needed help to have the cow give birth to the twin calves, she was there to help and she did great and he considered her lucky because it is great to have twin calves for a farmer. She also has confidence in herself when she helps the lady give birth to the baby when the midwife is away at another house. She uses calm words and soothing motions to help the lady instead of slapping her. Alyce is by then very confident with herself and her deeds.
The Midwife’s Apprentice
Blog #5
Q. What did Alyce initially think of Jane the midwife? What was the midwife actually trying to do?
A. Before the incident when Alyce left, Alyce thought Jane was a mean midwife that knew everything was really bossy. Alyce thought like this because she didn’t know what the midwife really wanted to do. What the midwife wanted to do was toughen Alyce up so that she could become like a though midwife who knew what to do in tough situations. Alyce also thought the midwife was bossy because she orders Alyce to about all the chores such as doing certain errands and cleaning up the house. This affects Alyce’s mind because it makes her think that if she fails that the midwife would not accept her as a apprentice. After Alyce finds out what the midwife was trying to do, she understands that she had to go through all those troubles to toughen up and have a stronger will that won’t break when they either give up or fail. Through those tough times she grows stronger. This is most likely for Alyce to think this way because she has had a bad experience with the midwife.
The Trumpeter of Krakow
What is the theme of the novel?
The theme of the novel is pretty easy to figure out, and that idea is good verses evil. This topic doesn’t necessarily mean that it is the good guy fighting against the bad guy, but it more about greed and loyalty, which conflict many times throughout the dragging, descriptive novel. After many long, wordy pages characters including Pan Kruetz and Bogdan the Terrible are consumed by greed. The alchemist, at the end of this drawn out tale, quickly brings the story to a close by trying to rid himself of the greed consuming him, by throwing The Great Tarnov Crystal into a river. His greed causes him to break down making him the best example of how greed is an evil force. First, after many pages, Kruetz ends up keeping the crystal for himself. Then, he ends up being consumed by the stone itself and ended up blowing up his loft, going mad in the process. To the contrary, after this, his loyalty prevails and he gives the crystal back to its rightful owner, then does the greatest deed of all and destroys the rock. Another example of loyalty prevailing is when, after many boring descriptions, Pan Andrew keeps his families oath and give the stone to the king of Poland so that the Tarnov Crystal stays out of greedy hands, like that of Peter of the Button Face or even Pan Andrew himself if he had kept it much longer. These are all great examples of the theme in this long, drawn-out story.
Q: Illustrate the signifigance of the passage
“It was there, in the attic of the sorehouse, that Jiro recognized the voice. ‘Okada…’ whispered Jiro as if to afraid to be heard.” p.148
A: I think that this passage explains the turning point of the story because it solves the mystery involved within it. This is obviously one of the main ideas because it is mention and emphasised many times throughout the story. After Jiro realizes who Saburo really is, he faces many decisions. He tries to decide weather to tell the authorities or to keep it a secret and pretend that nothing has happened. Jiro had a rather close relationship with Okada, and when he found out that Okada was Saburo, he was very suprised. This lead to revelaence of Jiro’s one wanted secret. Throughout Jiro’s time at the Hanaza, he had found many clues pointing in the direction that Yoshida might be Saburo. After Jiro tells this to Okada, he is basically telling Saburo that he isn;’t very good at hiding his tracks. This is a very important turning point in the story because it is one of the main ideas and describes what Jiro had been trying to figure out.
-Austin (is a sexybeast)
Blog 5
Book: The Midwife’s Apprentice
Question: What is the theme in The Midwife’s Apprentice?
Answer: In The Midwife’s Apprentice, there are many important themes in the novel by Karen Cushman. One important theme is one’s self- confidence. This is shown when; Alyce learns how to read and how she delivers a baby to a woman.
While working in the inn, Alyce learned many things, such as reading and writing. She was taught by a man named Magister Reese, who also taught the cat. Alyce wanted to know how to read; even learn how to write. For example she wanted to know when to put a tail on the “Q”, and when to cross a “T”. She was very passionate about learning how to read. Alyce definitely believed in herself, and she told herself that she could do it. Alyce was very thrilled when she learned how to write letters, and she was proud of herself when she wrote her name out.
Alyce gave birth to a woman named Jennet, which shows how Alyce shows self-confidence. Alyce first didn’t think she could do it because she had failed once before. She was scared, and nervous to perform another delivery. Alyce thought for a while, and proved to her and too many others that she could do it. Alyce delivered the baby, and the parents of the newborn were very proud of her. Alyce knew that she had done a great accomplishment. She felt extremely happy and confident. She knew she was no longer just a brat or a beetle but she was Alyce also not just a nobody. Thus, Alyce knew she could prove to herself that she could to many great achievements to her and to others.
My other blog was not supposed to be there(Its the one with only the passage) , my bad. This is my real one.
Passage-”A road’s a kind of holy thing,” said Roger the Minstrel to his son, Adam. “That’s why it’s a good work to keep a road in repair, like giving alms to the poor or tending the sick. It’s open to the sun and wind and rain. It brings all kinds of people and all parts of England together. And it’s home to a minstrel, even though he may happen to be sleeping in a castle.”
Explanation.-From this passage, one can infer that quite a lot of information about Roger’s wisedom, Adam’s understanding, and the book over all. When Roger says, “It brings all kinds of people and all the parts of England together.” Roger is refering to the road, and what he means by this is that one could meet anybody upon the road and that a road always connects every single part of a land or unites it. Also, when he says “It’s home to a minstrel, even though he may happen to be sleeping in a castle.” What Roger is trying to say to Adam is that a minstrel might be sleeping in a castle or a fortress or a fancy home, but no matter where they sleep, thay will always belong to the road, locking to go some where else to demonstrate their talents. When Roger tells Adam that “It’s good work keeping a road in repair, it’s like giving alms to the poor or tending to the sick.” What Roger explains is that, when one fixes or repairs a road, it’s similar to helping out the sick or donating to the poor……………………………………………………………………………. Just joking
log # 5
The Master Pupeteer
Question: What is the theme of the story?
The theme of this book is the caring of family. Jiro showed this by quiting the hananza. After he went to go find his father, he needed to find his father quickly so he could cure him of his sickness. In the begining of the book his parents did not appriciate him and thought that he was taking all of thier hard earned money and being selfish with it. So he descided to run away to the hanaza. But around the end of the book he shows his loyalty to his family. He did this by coming back and caring for his father when he was in need. Even when his mother and father did not like him. In conclusion Jiro showes that he cares about his family by coming back to them and helping his father.
The Midwife’s Apprentice
How did Beatle feel after she helped the cow out of the ditch?
Beatle had felt much better than before when she saw the cow and the boy Will in the ditch. While she was trying to help Will she was rubbing the cows belly and singing a song to it for more comfort. After working hard all day to get the cow out, she had felt good, she felt her skin prickling with delight. But she felt muck of trouble for being do long about apple gathering and then losing the baskits as well as the fruits. The excitement of the cow and everything else was forgotten and left behind and never seen again. For the first time Beatle had felt like she had accomplished something and been a help in the world.
The Midwife’s Apprentice.
What is the theme of the story?
In the Midwife’s Apprentice, the theme is to always have self confidence. This is shown by when Alyce helps deliver the baby when the midwife was nowhere to be found and by when Alyce learns how to read and write her own name.
During the story, Alyce starts to build her confidence when she delivers a baby all by herself. Alyce was supposed to let the mother die, but instead she helped her bring joy into her life. Alyce was thrilled to have delivered a baby without the midwife around her. Alyce was also excited that she got paid for delivering the baby instead of the midwife. This boosted her confidence even more, knowing that she was rewarded for doing something good.
Later in the story, Alyce learns how to read and write her own name. She learned how to read and write from a professor that was writing a encyclopedia. He stayed at the inn where Alyce worked. Alyce would look at his notes and study them until she knew what the word meant. Although Alyce did not go to school, she quickly learned how to read and write different words. This was another part in her life that boosted up her confidence.
The Midwife’s Apprentice
Blog #5
What did Alyce initially think of Jane the midwife? What was the midwife actually trying to do?
After Jane the midwife found Alyce in a dung pile, she figured that she could take Alyce in as an apprentice, seeing as she was clever enough to use the dung pile for warmth. However, since Jane found Alyce in a dung pile, she dubbed Alyce Beetle. In addition to her calling Alyce Beetle, Jane was generally cruel to Alyce, throwing pots and pans at her when Alyce didn’t immediately attend to a task and acting above Alyce, knowing that she was superior in the ways of the midwife. Overall, it seemed that Jane dismissed Alyce as a a dumb failure, causing, in addition to Alyce’s failed delivery, Alyce to run away. After a period of time, Alyce settled at an inn working as an inn girl, when Jane the midwife came for a drink. As Jane was conversing with someone at the inn, Alyce overheard the midwife’s reasons for why she was so cruel; she wanted an apprentice who could take anything that was throw at her. When it seemed that Jane was jealous of Alyce’s fast learning, she was more or less pushing Alyce to her limits. Although it initially seems that Jane is cruel and jealous, she is actually someone who cares about being a midwife, and cares about pushing her apprentices to their limits.
The Samurai’s Tale
What is the theme of The Samurai’s Tale?
In my opinion, the theme of The Samurai’s Tale is friendship. This is shown when Lord Akiyama kills Taro’s family but spares his life. In turn, for saving his life, Taro is very loyal to Lord Akiyama. Later, Taro is working in the kitchens and becomes friends with Togan, the head cook. One night outside a wrestling match, Taro tries to defend Togan when they are confronted by an old soldier and some of his friends. The old soldier and Togan get into an argument and the soldier stabs Togan. When Togan dies, Taro is sad and distraught. Another example of friendship is when Taro makes friends with Yoshi, who is his servant. Yoshi and Taro form a close bond of friendship and Taro is able to tell Yoshi many things that he would not tell anyone else. These examples of friendship in The Samurai’s Tale definitely made Taro’s life better.
Blog #5 The Midwife’s Apprentice
Q: What is the theme of The Midwife’s Apprentice?
In the book, The Midwife’s Apprentice, written by Karen Cushman, one of the themes is self confidence. Throughout the book, Karen Cushman illustrates the importance of self confidence in many ways through Alyce. First, self confidence is shown through Alyce when she learns how to read. While at the inn, Alyce meets a man, Magister Reece, who is the author of an encyclopedia. Listening to him while he teaches the “cat”, Alyce learns how to write first letters, then words, then sentences, learning to read at the same time. This part of the book shows the importance of self confidence because at first, Alyce was too shy to talk to Magister Reese or even look at him. Then she didn’t want to go over to him because she thought that she was too stupid to be in his presence since she could not even be a Midwife’s apprentice let alone learn how to read. But, getting some courage, Alyce shows self confidence when she goes over to Magister Reece and learns letters, words, sentences, and finally, to read.
Another example that shows self confidence from The Midwife’s Apprentice is when Alyce gives birth at the inn. Sitting behind the stairs quietly, Alyce silently watches as a man and his wife come in to the inn on a stormy night saying that his wife is ill. Janet, the innkeeper’s wife, rushes into the room and informs the man that the woman is pregnant and about to have a baby. But, having no knowledge or experience, Janet quickly fails and walks out of the room saying she can do no more. Now, at this moment, Alyce desperately wants to help the woman. But, remembering her past failures, she thinks that she cannot do it. After some hard thinking, Alyce remembers not only her failures but her successes too, and builds up enough self confidence to get out from behind the stairs and successfully deliver the woman’s baby. As one can see, in the Midwife’s Apprentice, the theme is self confidence shown by Alyce when she successfully delivers the baby and when she learns to read and write.
What did Jiro realize in this passage?
“Okada?…”You wanted to get word to Saburo, did you not?”"Yes but”"”But how?”"How canan old blind man be the dashing Saburo?”"Ah, little Jiro.You make the mistake they all do.Yoshida is famous throughout Osaka as the master puppeteer of the Hanaza, when it is I who manipulate Yoshida”"Yes, Saburo has many puppets.The whole east wing belongs to him as well as Yoshida and a chosen few on the outside who have sworn their life’s blood to his cause.But Saburo is only one.I alone am the master puppeteer”(149)
Jiro realized a copious amount of things in this passage. One thing he learned was that Yoshida wasn’t Saburo, the thief that helps the poor. Another thing he realized was that Okada, the weak, old, blind reciter is Saburo after all. He then learned that Okada posted the note on the door and turned off the lights so he can take the police weapons and tied them up. Third, Jiro realized that Okada sent the night rovers to the Hanaza. This turned into the night rovers attacking all the rich part of the cities, leading many people to their deaths either outside or in jail. Jiro’s city then got torn apart because of the night rovers that Okada/Saburo sent. That is what Jiro learns during this passage.
Question: What is the theme of this novel?
I think that the theme of the book is that one should expect the unexpected and be ready for anything. This was proved many times. In the beginning of the book it tells the story of a trumpeter that stuck to his job and tried his best to be ready for what was coming for him. The Tartars were attacking the city of Krakow. The trumpeter was playing the song he was taught to play during wars like this and was shot in the heart with an arrow. With his last breath he tried to finish his song and do his best. Another example of this theme is the time when the dog was going to pounce on this innocent girl. Joseph ( the main character ) did not see this coming but was ready for it anyway and he saved the girl. The last example that proves this theme is when Joseph finishes the broken note trumpeter song. Between him and this girl when he finishes the song like he is not supposed to that means that something bad has happened and he can not get to the bell. Joseph was counting on this girl to remember. The girl, somewhat surprised at first, was ready and new what to do. These three examples proved that the theme of this book is to be ready for anything.
The Master Puppeteer
Blog 5
What is the message of “The Master Puppeteer”?
The message of The Master Puppeteer is to never give up and to work for those who you care for. Jiro shows this by never stopping to help his family, even when they refuse to love him. He would work at the Hanaza and give all the made to his family. When he discovers that his father is sick, he works even harder to find his father and save him. He becomes a good puppeteer himself, and only finds that his father is not sick, but is involved with a ruthless bandit, Saburo. Disappointed, Jiro still preservers and helps his family.
Blog #5
The Trumpeter of Krakow
Question: Who was Jan Kanty, and how did he help the Charnetskis?
Response: Jan Kanty was a huge help to the Charnetskis. In the book, Jan Kanty was a scholar in Krakow. Many of the townspeople believed that he was a saint, for he was kind to anyone obeyed the city rules, and treated others with respect. But if someone was treating people unfairly, Jan Kanty would put an end to it. When the Charnetskis first arrived in Krakow, a man named Peter of the Button Face had followed them in an attempt to gain possession of a very valuable stone. Peter accused the family of witchcraft, and the people of Krakow began to revolt against them. Thankfully, Jan Kanty stopped the crowd from hurting the family, and found them a place to stay. Once the Charnetskis were safe in their new home, Jan Kanty helped Pan Andrew Charnetski find a job so that he could provide his family with food. In later events in the story, Joseph Charnetski and his father were attacked by Peter of the Button Face in a tower in Krakow. When Joseph sent a signal to his friend Elzbietka, Elzbietka informed Jan Kanty of the trouble, and he gathered the guards of Krakow to assist the family. Jan Kanty played a key role in the story The Trumpeter of Krakow.
*LAST BLOG*
The Midwife’s Apprentice
Q: Explain the passage below from pages 1-2, paragraph 2.
Passage: “How old she was was hard to say. She was small and pale, with the frightened air of an ill-used child, but her scrawny, underfed body did give off a hint of a woman, so perhaps she was twelve or thirteen. No one knew no home and no home and no mother and no name but Brat and never had. Someone, she assumed, must have borne her and cared for her lest she toddle into the pond and changed her diapers when they reeked, but as long as she could remember, Brat had lived on her own by what means she could-stealing an onion here or helping with the harvest there for a night on the stable floor…Snug cottages and warm bread and mothers who hugged their babies were beyond her imagining, but dearly would she have loved to eat a turnip without the mud of the field still on it or sleep in a barn fragrant with new hay and not the rank smell of pigs who fart when they eat too much.”
A: This passage describes how Beetle is poor and does anything to have the life she always dreamt of. She has always wanted a mother to love and talk to or even eat a meal with, but she does not have any of those to cherish. Beetle lives by herself on the streets. She is very skinny because she does not have much to eat and usually steals food from people but she can not steal for a living. Therefore, she goes to one farm to another in order to work for a descent meal or a good place to stay at night to sleep. When Beetle stopped working for the midwife and met Edward she felt like he was part a piece of the family she has always wanted because he reminded her of herself.
Describe the theme of The Trumpeter of Krakow.
In The Trumpeter of Krakow, the theme is that one should not be afraid to protect the people around them. This is shown in two places in the book. The first is when Joseph tries desperately to protect himself and his family from Stefan Ostrovski. This man tries to buy a pumpkin from Pan Andrew, Joseph’s father. Pan Andrew won’t sell the pumpkin, so Ostrovski pulls out a sword and tries to hurt Pan Andrew. When this was happening, Joseph cuts Stefan Ostrovski’s horse loose and it runs away without the man. The next part that shows the theme is when a dog tries to injure a little girl that Joseph thinks is beautiful. This happens when the girl is coming out of a church and a man is with her. A dog then comes up and Joseph saves her from the dog. Later on, the man that was with the little girl said that the way he protected them from the dog was out of bravery. The theme of this book is very important in the story.
The Samurai’s Tale
Question: What was the main theme in the book?
The main theme in the book was the importance of friendship. Friendship was significant because Taro got through his unfortunate life with it. When Taro’s family was murdered by his dad’s enemies, he was taken as a hostage or prisoner of some sort and he was raised under Lord Akiyama and those who followed him. The first person who befriends Taro was Togan. Togan was a somewhat plump chef for Lord Akiyama. He was a real friend and teacher for Taro. They mostly talked and discussed under a tree near the place Togan cooked. There were many others who became friends with Taro, such as Yoshitoki, Aki-hime, Yoichi, and Wada Kansuke. Yoshitoki was a young boy who eventually becomes a samurai. He and Taro traveled almost everywhere together, helped each other out, and gave each other company. Aki-hime was Lord Zakoji’s daughter, whom Taro loved. They sent letters to each other and eventually their love became so strong that Taro goes back into a dangerous castle called the Iwamura Castle and saves her and Yoichi. Yoichi was Taro’s servant and friend. Taro could tell Yoichi almost everything. He gave Yoichi letters to send to Aki-hime, which was very private. Wada Kansuke was a teacher to Taro. He ordered Taro around but always looked out for him, so there became a bond of friendship. Wada Kansuke gave Taro his first helmet and fine stationary for Taro’s letters. Thus, friendship was the main theme in the book and was significant to the story.
Did Robin ever walk again and if so when did he?
Robin had tired to walk again but his legs were not ready yet. He was impossible to work with. He went and tried to swim and work back the effect to walk again, but he was unable to.
The Door in the Wall
Q: Explain one of the passages of the story, and tell why it was significant.
A: One very important part of the book “The Door In the Wall” is the part near the end of the book, where the Scots surround a castle that Robin is in. In order to take over the castle, the Scots stand around the castle so no supplies can go in or out. This part is important because this shows how Robin can still be useful without the use of his legs. In this passage Robin dresses as a peasant so the Scots will not kill him, and swims across the ditch around the castle, using only his arms, with his crutches on his back. Doing this, he saved the English from losing the war, by alerting the authorities that the Scots were surrounding the castle, and then they defeated the Scots, and the war was over.
Describe what the following phrase means, “Then raising himself to such a height that for a moment he appeared to be a giant he swung about and hurled the crystal into the air with all his force.”
The quote above has one meaning. The phrase means that Joseph for once in his life felt that he could conquer anything around him. Joseph starts out in the beginning of the story thinking that he is worthless to his society. He told himself that the little girl that he saved would never have the time for him becuase he wasn’t noticeable. He really doesn’t think that he’s that unattractive, but not enough to get the young girl’s attention. When the book is getting towards the end, he tells himself that he can do anything that he wants to achieve. Joseph also knows that he has the power to protect himself and his family. But most importantly he feels as if he were a giant in the quote becuase he actually has confidence that he can be strong and there’s nothing that can stop him from being strong. The message at the end of the book shows a large transformation of attitude from the start of the story.
What do you think of Alyce’s relationship with Edward?
Although Alyce and Edward have only known eachother for a short amount of time, they seem to understand eachother and have a great relationship. Alyce really cares for Edward. She protects him from the bullies and brings him food. She wants to make sure he is happy. She also found him a place to work where he could be safe. Even when they are separated, Alyce never stops worrying about Edward. She cares for him so much that she had to visit him to see how he was doing. Edward looks up to Alyce as a role model and cares for her as well. He thinks of her like a sister. Both Edward and Alyce care for eachother and have a great relationship.
Blog #5
The Trumpeter of Krakow
Question: Who was Jan Kanty and how did he help the Charnetskis?
Response: Jan Kanty played an important role the story “The Trumpeter of Krakow”. Jan Kanty was a scholar at a university in Krakow. At the beginning of the story, when the Charnetski’s were being unfairly accused of Black Magic by Peter the Button Face, Jan Kanty fortunately defends them. Because Jan Kanty had such a good reputation, he was listened to and Peter the Button Face, along with the accusing crowd, disappears. Without Jan Kanty and his courageous actions, the Charnetskis might have been further accused or even hurt and injured. In addition, when Joseph Charnetski and his family are in trouble, Joseph sends for the help of his good friend, Elzbietka. ELzbietka, after receiving the message, goes to Jan Kanty and, with his assistance, is able to rescue the Charnetskis. Jan Kanty was very important to the story because he helped the Charnetskis in many ways.
The Trumpeter of Krakow
What is the theme of the novel?
In this novel, I believe that the theme of the novel is to never feed one’s greediness. This message is demonstrated in this book in numerous ways. The alchemist, Pan Kreutz, for example, lost much of his sanity and conscience when one of the university students, Johann Tring, persuaded Pan Kreutz to help him find the secret to transforming base metals into gold. Pan Kreutz obliged with this mission because the student, Tring, was able to hypnotize the alchemist with the Great Tarnov Crystal—an item desired by many. Tring also told him what power him and Pan Kreutz would gain when achieving every alchemist’s dream: to convert metals to gold. Driven by greed, the alchemist stole the Tarnov Crystal from Peter of the Button Face when he tried to steal it from Pan Andrew. He then showed it to Johann Tring, who stared at it with open envy.
This novel’s message that greed leads a person nowhere is also portrayed when Peter of the Button Face made many attempts to steal the crystal from the Charnetskis (or Kovalskis). Like the alchemist, Peter was driven by greed when he tried to steal the crystal from Pan Andrew. Also like the alchemist, his desire was for the Great Tarnov Crystal. He was even prepared to kill Pan Andrew just for this treasure. The exact reason on why Peter wanted this item so was not identified in the novel; however, there are many obvious reasons. Firstly, the crystal was like no other, for in its depths were many different colors, reflecting bright lights that varied in different lights. Also, the crystal seemed to reflect a person’s thoughts; but in the book, many mistook this for learning secrets of the world. These are the main examples that show the theme of this novel.
Blog #5
A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver
Theme:
The theme of A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver is, if you want something you have to get it yourself. This is shown by Eleanor’s many attempt to bring more excitment, luxurie, and success into her life. For example she always looks for adventures. This included a dramatic change she made in one day by deciding to marry Henry. Also by starting a crusade that was almost pointless. Next Eleanor would try and surround herself with exspensive luxuries, like a group of musicians to follow her around, carpeting and tapestries for her castle, make-up and beautiful dresses, and pricy decoration and things that weren’t neccessary. Finally when Eleanor became more mature and knowledgable, all of her restless efforts went into improving the kingdom around her. Eleanor began to change the court system, try to stop problems in her family by boldly turnig her sons against their father, and work hard to organize both England and Aquitaine. The theme of A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver, a book about a stubborn queen named Eleanor, is if you want something, you have to get it yourself.
The Master Puppeteer
What is one of the themes of The Master Puppeteer?
In the Master Puppeteer, one of the themes is not to judge a book by its cover. This is a phrase that means not to judge someone without really knowing them. In the beginning of the novel, Jiro was not sure that his mother, Isako, loved him. He felt that she always seemed mean to him. She bossed him around and yelled at him. Jiro thought his dad was the nice one because he really believed his dad when he told Jiro that he was sick and needed to go somewhere else. However, Isako did tell him to “Hurry back,” when he left home. She also came to see him on the day Saburo attended the play. This was dangerous because, many people were worried that there was going to be a riot at the theater. Isako came anyway because she wanted to see her son. She also protected Jiro when she yelled at Yoshida and Okada after she heard them saying that Jiro was useless.
Jiro’s father actually lied to him about being sick. His father would leave home to get food for himself only. He was selfish. This shows that Isako was the person that actually was concerned for Jiro, which was not what he believed at first. Jiro should not have judged his parents until he knew them better.
What is the theme of The Master Puppeteer?
The theme of The Master Puppeteer is trust and loyalty demonstrated by Jiro and Kinshi’s trust, but also the loyalty Jiro must show to Okada and Yoshida at the end of the book.
At the start, Kinshi and Jiro created a strong bond because Kinshi let Jiro into the Hanaza in the first place. Through the weeks, their trust in each other grows as Jiro relies on Kinshi to help him learn the plays. When the conflict of the night rovers comes into the book, and after Jiro finds out that his mother is one of them, Jiro depends on Kinshi to bring his mother food, water, and good new about her son. Additionally, Jiro must be loyal to Kinshi because Jiro finds out that Kinshi has been sneaking out of the Hanaza at night to join in Saburo’s stealing from the rich. Throughout the whole story, Jiro and Kinshi have to be loyal to one another and trust each other.
Another issue of trust and loyalty comes up near the end of the book with the identity of Okada. As Jiro is just getting used to theatre life, he starts to find clues of what looks like Saburo’s appearance in the Hanaza such as a hat he used a disguise, a crest of his followers, and even Saburo’s own sword. When Okada confronts him, knowing that Jiro has found out that he is Saburo, he confides in Jiro that he will be executed, along with Yoshida, because of the crimes he has committed. Even though Jiro knows that he could support his starving mother and ill father with the money he receives as an award for turning Okada in, he was loyal to him instead. Okada was a very kind elder at the Hanaza who had persuaded Yoshida to take him in as an apprentice. To add, Okada let him borrow the script of a new play so that he could memorize it. Okada as well had to trust Jiro that he would not tell the authorities about him which was a huge risk to take. After the identifying moment of finding the sword and discovering that Okada is Saburo, an exchange of trust and loyalty happens between Okada and Jiro.
As one can see, the trust and loyalty exchanged between Kinshi and Jiro, and Okada and Jiro throughout The Master Puppeteer played a crucial role in the plot, making it the theme of the book.
I submitted this before but it didn’t show up for some reason when I double checked today. So I’m submitting it again and hoping that I will get some credit for it.
Book: The Midwife’s Apprentice
Question: What do you think of Alyce’s relationship with Edward?
Response: Both Alyce and Edward’s relationship is one very similar between close friends, or family. They both have good reasons to love and trust each other. Edward is always ready to protect and help Alyce while she is ready to do the same for him. Alyce and Edward would go to the ends of the earth for each other. That shows how much Edward means to Alyce and Alyce means to Edward.
Alyce feels brotherly love towards Edward because she sees a little bit of herself in him. They were both poor with no one to care for; they both had little means of survival. Alyce felt like an older sister the day she sent Edward to the manor in search of an occupation; Alyce felt responsible. From that time on, Alyce always wondered and worried about him. She finally gathered the guts to visit him, and when she did it seemed as though she was seeing family again. She loved him. That is why her heart throbbed in pain each step she took away from little Edward. As one can see it is evident that Alyce loves Edward like a brother.
Edward loves Alyce like a sister. He always looks up to her for guidance. The day he was scrounging around, Alyce found him and told him to go to the manor. Edward was not accustomed to people looking out for him, so this was new. However, one look at her face and he knew she was good, that she was pure. Believing and trusting in Alyce, he did as he was told. Ever since then Alyce was always a role model for Edward. He even went claiming Alyce was his sister! In his heart, Edward always knew that Alyce did what was best for him; just as a sister would for a brother. If Alyce told Edward to cliff jump, he would do it in a heart beat; that is how much Edward loves Alyce.
Alyce and Edward both love each other like family. They would do almost anything for each other, as long as it is in their best interest. I predict that Alyce and Edward will be like family for a very long time.
Blog #5
Passage:
The plan to take Damdcus was a failure. The Pilgrims had to make their way to Jerusalem without victory. Louis refused to wear his crown in the city where our Lord had worn the Crown of Thorns. (An elegant gesture, I thought). Odo’s letters were full of Louis’ worries: about Eleanor, about his marriage, about the fate of Jerusalem.
I could nothing about saving Jerusalem, but I could to save the marriage. I wrote to the Pope and told him of the serious quarrel that had occured between Eleanor and Louis. Then I wrote to Louis and urged him to return home by way of Rome. I suggested that a visit to the Pope would give Eleanor and him a chance to renew their marriage vows. A chance to begin again.
Response:This passage is talking about a Crusade Eleanor and Louis just went on, and when the passage talks about the “Crown of Thorns,” it means the thorn halo that was pushed deeply into Jesus’ head on the fateful day He died. Some say it is unholy to wear a king or queen’s crown in the Holy Land, where Jesus wore his Crown of Thorns. Also, as one can see clearly, Eleanor and Louis had some marriage troubles recently, so the person talking suggests some help. He says to stop by the church and visit the pope and try to renew their marriage. Kind of like the Reniassance, like a “Rebirth.” Anyways, this renwing of vows helps keep their marriage on track and well for a little while longer.
What do you do for the buisness letter if its a website