Chapters 3 & 4 today. We are going to be introduced to a new character - Piper. When I read I often have a hard time keeping the characters straight. I do not think I will have a hard time remembering Piper. She seems like a tough bird. What's with that name? Do you think the Author had a specific reason for calling her 'Piper'.
(In the right column I have added a 'Characters' list. I have tried to list them in order of importance. Where should I put Piper?)
The book shifts gears a bit in Chapter 4. Moose clearly has very complicated feelings for his sister. How would you describe that relationship?
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Are you keeping up?
Posted by Mr. Z at 6:43 AM
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4 Comments:
I think that moose’s relationship with his sister is complicated. There are multiple pieces of evidence.
The biggest piece is in chapter 4. Moose is very friendly to his sister, but Nat ignores him. In moose’s word, “I hate having a rock for a sister.” Also, he can be a bit mean to his sister. She can get angry if someone makes a mistake. Moose made so many mistakes on purpose to get Nat of the boat. Like saying laugh nose beet instead on leaf nosed bat.
If Nat isn’t feeling too good, but not screaming, Moose can try and calm her down. But maybe this is because of One very impor5tant piece of evidence:
“Nat thinks in her own world.”
Ben, I think it is interesting that you think Moose was being mean when he purposefully made mistakes that Nat would correct. I thought he was being sweet, knowing that finding mistakes was something Nat liked and found comfort in.
When first introduced to ‘Piper’ (“What’s wrong with your sister?” – nice warm greeting!) Her pretty outside but mean inside reminded of the story of the Pied Piper. He used the beautiful music of his flute to lead the children of the village away – never to be seen again. I looked for a definition (of pied piper) and found: leader who entices people to follow (especially to their doom) **. Piper seems like a bad egg to me. Will she lead Moose to his doom? I have not read ahead, but think she will have an important part in the story and I will put her high on the character list. I am not sure if she should go before or after Natalie.
As for the relationship between Moose and Natalie – I see is as having two sides. There is the private side in which Moose loves, cares for, and worries about his sister. Then there is the public side in which she embarrasses him. I think that conflict is one he is always struggling with and feels bad about.
** source
Here's what I'm thinking about Piper. I think that she is someone to be wary of. She does not have a nice greeting for Natalie when she meets her and she immediately seems to threaten the Flanagans by calling Nat "crazy" (p. 19) and lowering her voice to say how the warden, her father, "...isn't going to like this" when referring to Natalie. This really scares Moose, who just wants to get his sister out of there. Piper also tells Moose how she is "expected" to tell her father things and that it is her job to find out. I think she is what the convicts call a snitch and I'm wondering if she is like that all the time. Does Piper use her power for good, for evil?
Ben- How you think having a person like Piper around will make Moose act toward his sister? It is a complicated relationship that they have. Will involving other people on Alcatraz make it even more complicated?
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