( 101-125) I think Kris’ first question was answered early in Chapter 12. What did we learn about Steven?
Hollis has been busily drawing since arriving. She pondered leaving the pictures hanging on the walls in the spring, but decided “I’d never leave the pictures”? Why did she consider leaving them, and why did she decide not to so strongly?
Early in the book Josie talks about Ocean People (her) versus Fresh Water people (like Hollis). In Chapter 12 she talks about watching the snow land on the ocean. Why do you think the author is bring this up again?
The 11th ‘picture’ is the first one that does not exist on paper. The memories of that day keeping coming into her mind but she has not drawn them. Why? Does she wish that they would go away? Is that working for her? In learning about this non-picture we finally find out what happened on the mountain, though we cannot clearly say what the outcome was – a cliff hanger. Based on what you know so far, do you think she is justified in being so hard on herself about this accident? What could change your mind?
Friday, September 26, 2008
A clearer picture....
Posted by Mr. Z at 11:07 AM
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Steven is definitely alive. On page 113, Hollis says “I wondered how Steven was now.” You probably wouldn’t wonder how someone was doing, if they were already dead. She also questions if Steven likes the snow or not.
The reason she decided to take the pictures with her was because she was worried about how the Regan’s would react. That got Hollis thinking about what she would do around the spring. She says she will have a plan by then, but I’m not so sure.
This wasn’t really about there being salt water and fresh water people. In fact, I think that making Josie mention the snow melting on the ocean twice was another instance of her forgetfulness.
It doesn’t seem like Hollis has forgotten about the car crash yet. In fact, she’s mentioned it in almost all of he pictures! Not drawing a picture of something she really wanted to forget may work for some people, but that hasn’t for Hollis. Maybe actually drawing it would help.
I think that the Salt Water / Fresh Water difference was the Authors way of showing that Holis and now Josie are not at ‘home’. Josie’s house might have been a good place for Hollis to be, but it was far removed from the Branches were Hollis felt part of a family. Similarly, the Branches may be a place that Josie can temporarily be safe, but she cannot stay there.
Hollis expresses herself through her art. By not drawing the events on the mountain she is keeping them bottled up inside and NOT dealing with them in a way that is good for her.
I am feeling that the accident was a traumatic event for her, but she might be taking on more responsibility for it then she needs to. Are the Regan’s as mad at her as she seems to think they are? Are the Regans as mad at her as she is at herself. I am tempted to believe they are not, though if Steven was seriously hurt then I might change that.
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