Bad News. I was not surprised by the answer from the Marinoff School but the Flanagan’s certainly were. Earlier Moose’s dad had told him that he was not sure Moose’s mom could handle another disappointment. How does she handle this one?
Moose’s reaction is a surprise to me. He decides not to take the news without putting up fight for Natalie. He calls on his ‘inner Piper’ to formulate a plan. I did not know he had it in him! His plan seems a bit farfetched to me. Do you think it will work?
…and what is up with Piper? (I seem to be asking that question most days.) Did she really learn her lesson from the Shirt Caper? It sounds like she did. If you were Moose, would you trust her?
One more day of reading and we will be at the end. Do you remember the ‘big questions’ we asked as we were getting going? If not, can you find them?
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Another Caper?
Posted by Mr. Z at 7:55 AM
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Moose's mom has had it- she's lost all her resolve and energy. I think that Mr. Purdy's decision has taken the last of what she had to give on behalf of her family. She doesn't even have the strength to leave her bed. But Moose has discovered inner strength, enough to approach the warden with his plan. I'm wondering if Piper will have any influence with her father on behalf of Natalie. remember the remark she made to Moose about when she stayed with her grandmother as punishment? She told Moose that it really was punishment. Perhaps she is done scheming and really wants to help now.
One of Ben’s spelling words this week was “Intimidate”. Ben and I talked about how Moose’s plan was all about intimidation. We talked about how disappointed Moose must have been in the Warden. I think it would have been unreasonable of Moose to think that the Warden actually would have gotten Capone involved, but it was not unreasonable for him to think that the Warden would do something to help. Purdy did not seem like a very strong character to me. As soon as he heard that “The Warden from Alcatraz” was calling he would have been quickly looking for a way to work something out with the Flanagan’s.
Instead Moose was forced to place his trust in two people – Piper and Capone. Earlier in the book I would have not thought Piper could be counted on to actually slip the letter into the ‘screened’ pile. However I think she has changed. Plus I think she wants Moose to stay (though Ben Disagrees with me) and helping him get Natalie into the Marinoff school is the best way for her to do that.
Capone? Moose does not really have to Trust him – but he has a lot riding on Capone showing some compassion. A soft heart was not something that Al was known for.
With only two chapters left it seems likely that we will be left with quite a few unanswered questions. Something tells me that what Capone does with Moose’s note will NOT be one of them.
At first, I thought that Mosses plan would not work. Then I began to think a bit harder about it. I remembered one of this weeks vocabulary words: intimidate. Let’s say Al Capone walked up to you when you were having a slice of pizza. And he said, “That is a nice looking piece of pizza you have. I wish I could have one like it.” You would probably give it to him. I think moose is trying to get Al Capone to call Mr. Purdy, and get Natalie back in the school.
Ben, lets assume that Purdy somehow gets a message telling him how much it would appreciated if Natalie was allowed into the school.
Would Purdy be more intimidated if the message came from the Warden or from Capone (locked up in an escape-proof prison)?
Where would a 'locked up' Capone's power come from?
I would say he would be more intimidated by Capone. The warden may be able to come and hurt Mr. Purdy, but Capone cant.
So how would he intimidate you? He actually was the ruler of an entire gang. He could call up his subordinates, and tell them to beat Mr. Purdy up. So think about the situation.
Ben-
Good point about who would be more intimidating, Capone or the warden. When the warden talks to Moose he emphasizes how everyone in his prison is treated the same and that Capone was sent to Alcatraz because of the way he "ran" the other prisons. Capone probably still has that reputation everywhere but Alcatraz so it's likely that Purdy would respond to him even though he is locked up.
misterz-
Were you impressed with how Gennifer Choldenko pulled in her research when the warden talks about Capone's time in other prisons? Seems to be the same information that you found in preparing the blog. Great job!
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