"He was following man's sad tradition of running to God when all else fails. He had done it before, turned his face to the heavens, only to return to new trouble when the current trouble passed.
But this time, when the sun rose, Henry Covington slid the shotgun under his bed and lay down next to his wife and child.
It was Easter Sunday."
excerpt from "have a little faith: a true story" by Mitch Albom
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Anne's thoughts - The Scarlett Letter
I'm so glad I finally got around to reading this book. I really enjoyed it. I had a hard time imagining myself as a high schooler reading this, and understanding all of the symbolism in the book. Plus, I think that I would have been too naive to truly appreciate all that Hester went through. I would have probably said something like "Serves her right for messing around before while she was married to someone else." (Yes, I was a bit of a prude back then.) As an adult, I loved Hester. She was strong - and I love stories with strong women characters. She made a mistake and she took her punishment without flinching. She made her life a memorable one by wearing the "A" every day and serving all of those people that were shunning her. When she first stood on the scaffold, I wanted to cry for her. She was so exposed and could do nothing to stop it - and the reverend looked on, suffering silently, without saying anything to take away any of that pain. Did everyone else realize at this point that the reverend was the father?
Pearl was an odd little child. Some of the descriptions about her confused me. I could tell that the author was trying to make a point with her. She was so odd because she came into the world as a result of a "sin." Hester was a wonderful mother and never crushed Pearl's spirit but tried to teach her to not make the same mistakes her mother did. The scene at the brooke where Pearl would not come to her mother without the "A" was a favorite of mine. The "A" didn't mean anything bad to Pearl. It was the symbol of her mother and when that symbol was gone, it was like Pearl was looking at a stranger who sounded like her mother. It reminded me of my boys when I make a little change to the routine or change the furniture around. They get confused, irritable, and just unsure of what to do.
Another symbol in the book was Chillingsworth. He was certainly evil. I don't know why Hester ever married him - although he wasn't as evil when they got married. I wish we knew a little more about the marriage. Was it arranged? Hester clearly stated that she didn't love him, so why did she marry him? I really felt angry with him for making Hester conceal his true identity. He was plotting against her from the very beginning. His relationship with the reverend irritated me. He knew why the reverend was suffering and yet he kept giving him who knows what kind of medicine to keep him in pain. I wonder if the reverend would have died when he did if the doctor hadn't given him so much medicine.
The ending had good closure for me. I'm so glad that the reverend stood and took credit for his share of the "A" but was sad to see him die before he had a chance to be happy with Hester and Pearl. Hester again impressed me by her resolve to continue wearing the "A" through her entire life. I was happy to see that Chillingsworth gave Pearl some inheritance and even happier to believe that she chose not to accept it and live a happy life somewhere else. All in all, I plan on reading this book again - looking for more symbolism - and hope to make it through "The Custom House" without falling asleep. That was the hardest part of the book for me to read. It had too much other background information that I couldn't see was useful to the story. I see the reason now and want to read it again in hopes that I can make it through with a little more clarity.
Pearl was an odd little child. Some of the descriptions about her confused me. I could tell that the author was trying to make a point with her. She was so odd because she came into the world as a result of a "sin." Hester was a wonderful mother and never crushed Pearl's spirit but tried to teach her to not make the same mistakes her mother did. The scene at the brooke where Pearl would not come to her mother without the "A" was a favorite of mine. The "A" didn't mean anything bad to Pearl. It was the symbol of her mother and when that symbol was gone, it was like Pearl was looking at a stranger who sounded like her mother. It reminded me of my boys when I make a little change to the routine or change the furniture around. They get confused, irritable, and just unsure of what to do.
Another symbol in the book was Chillingsworth. He was certainly evil. I don't know why Hester ever married him - although he wasn't as evil when they got married. I wish we knew a little more about the marriage. Was it arranged? Hester clearly stated that she didn't love him, so why did she marry him? I really felt angry with him for making Hester conceal his true identity. He was plotting against her from the very beginning. His relationship with the reverend irritated me. He knew why the reverend was suffering and yet he kept giving him who knows what kind of medicine to keep him in pain. I wonder if the reverend would have died when he did if the doctor hadn't given him so much medicine.
The ending had good closure for me. I'm so glad that the reverend stood and took credit for his share of the "A" but was sad to see him die before he had a chance to be happy with Hester and Pearl. Hester again impressed me by her resolve to continue wearing the "A" through her entire life. I was happy to see that Chillingsworth gave Pearl some inheritance and even happier to believe that she chose not to accept it and live a happy life somewhere else. All in all, I plan on reading this book again - looking for more symbolism - and hope to make it through "The Custom House" without falling asleep. That was the hardest part of the book for me to read. It had too much other background information that I couldn't see was useful to the story. I see the reason now and want to read it again in hopes that I can make it through with a little more clarity.
Monday, October 5, 2009
The Scarlett Letter questions
I'm posting some questions to discuss The Scarlett Letter. I think I might be the only adult on the planet who went to high school and college and still hadn't read this book. I'm not quite finished due to some crazy days in my household but am looking forward to hearing your opinions about the book. Obviously, there are tons of questions for this book. I had a hard time choosing questions because I didn't want our discussion to remind anyone of a high school essay. These questions are just to get you started. You don't have to answer them if you feel like discussing other parts of the book.
1. What is the significance of the 3 scaffold scenes in the book?
2. What punishments would the Puritan women have given Hester Prynne if it were left to them?
3. Did Hester ever love her husband?
4. Why is Chillingsworth a symbol of evil?
5. How would you have acted if you were a woman in the crowd on the day Hester leaves the prison with the Scarlett Letter?
1. What is the significance of the 3 scaffold scenes in the book?
2. What punishments would the Puritan women have given Hester Prynne if it were left to them?
3. Did Hester ever love her husband?
4. Why is Chillingsworth a symbol of evil?
5. How would you have acted if you were a woman in the crowd on the day Hester leaves the prison with the Scarlett Letter?
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Anne's Answers
Fun idea Jennie! Thanks for sharing!
1. Are there any books you read over and over again?
Yes, definitely! My favorites are An Old Fashioned Girl by Louisa May Alcott, Gone with the Wind, Pride and Prejudice, Miracle in the Andes, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, Nefertiti, The Hiding Place. I could keep going. I am a re-reader!
2. Name 3 or 4 fictional characters you would like to be and tell us why.
Scarlett O'Hara: who wouldn't want to be the belle of the ball and have an 18 inch waist. She's reckless and headstrong and oh man, I love her!
Elizabeth Bennett: totally agreeing with Jennie! I'd love to be Elizabeth! Love to be loved by Mr. Darcy!
Nefertiti (she's not technically fictional, but she's fictional in a sense in the book Nefertiti by Michelle Moran): Oh, wow! I'd love to be an ancient Egyptian queen/Pharaoh and rule a country, have plenty of servants, dress like a goddess, have someone do my makeup/hair. (I'd be her as long as I could have all the luxury without being hated by nearly everyone.)
1. Are there any books you read over and over again?
Yes, definitely! My favorites are An Old Fashioned Girl by Louisa May Alcott, Gone with the Wind, Pride and Prejudice, Miracle in the Andes, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, Nefertiti, The Hiding Place. I could keep going. I am a re-reader!
2. Name 3 or 4 fictional characters you would like to be and tell us why.
Scarlett O'Hara: who wouldn't want to be the belle of the ball and have an 18 inch waist. She's reckless and headstrong and oh man, I love her!
Elizabeth Bennett: totally agreeing with Jennie! I'd love to be Elizabeth! Love to be loved by Mr. Darcy!
Nefertiti (she's not technically fictional, but she's fictional in a sense in the book Nefertiti by Michelle Moran): Oh, wow! I'd love to be an ancient Egyptian queen/Pharaoh and rule a country, have plenty of servants, dress like a goddess, have someone do my makeup/hair. (I'd be her as long as I could have all the luxury without being hated by nearly everyone.)
3. Name a book that has had you thinking about (and even talking about it) for a long long time afterward.
Here recently, The Poisonwood Bible - can't imagine the hardships people faced and am wondering how I would have handled a year or longer in the deepest, darkest parts of the Congo in the 1960's.
Always thinking about Three Cups of Tea - what can I do to make a difference in this world?
4. Name one "classic" book that you are afraid to admit you don't like. We're all friends here - be honest.
Great Expectations by Charles Dickins - my only expectation with that book was that eventually it would finish. Too much complaining, confusion, and old English to drudge through. I finished it though.
5. Have you ever wanted to write your own book? You don't have to be specific if you don't want, but you can.
Actually, I've written 3 children's books. My sister in law is illustrating them and I am saving the money to get them published! Here's hoping that someday I can say I am officially an author. I've always wanted to be one since I read Little House on the Prairie and to think that I am close to actually fulfilling this dream is pretty darn cool.
Jennie's Answers
1. Are there any books that you read over and over again? If so (and I'm sure there are), name them.
Anne of Green Gables series, Pride and Prejudice, Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife, Persuasion and Suck In Your Stomach and Put Some Color On
2. Name 3 or 4 fictional characters you'd like to be and why.
Elizabeth Bennet - you knew I was going to list this one - the why should be obvious, but here are my reasons - she's smart, funny, pretty enough, witty and she gets Mr. Darcy in the end.
Antonia from My Antonia - because in the end, she is happy and she's discovered her happiness lies with her family. At least, that's what I remember getting out of that book.
Sunya from Pastries: A Novel - because she has the life I want - well, the bakery anyway.
3. Name a book that has had you thinking (and even talking) about it for a long, long while afterward.
The Island, Triumph of Hope and A Breath of Fresh Air are three that still cross my mind.
4. Name one "classic" book that you are afraid to admit you don't like. We're all friends here - be honest.
Jane Eyre. Liked it okay, but Jane was just too good to be true for me. Nice story, but not one I'll read again. I know, I've just offended the English-speaking world. Hey, I love Jane Austen. Isn't that enough?
5. Have you ever wanted to write your own book? You don't have to be specific if you don't want, but you can.
Yes. I've actually thought about just writing it as a screenplay these days because that's how I see it in my head, like it's a movie. A cute little fluff take on Cyrano de Bergerac - with roles reversed, so it's the girl trying to get the guy. With food. It would be fun, I think. I don't know. I've thought about taking an online screenwriting class and really trying. But then I'm afraid to. Silly.
And a food memoir. I'd like to travel to the South and explore my culinary heritage. Write a fictional book on that. Or just a cookbook.
Anne of Green Gables series, Pride and Prejudice, Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife, Persuasion and Suck In Your Stomach and Put Some Color On
2. Name 3 or 4 fictional characters you'd like to be and why.
Elizabeth Bennet - you knew I was going to list this one - the why should be obvious, but here are my reasons - she's smart, funny, pretty enough, witty and she gets Mr. Darcy in the end.
Antonia from My Antonia - because in the end, she is happy and she's discovered her happiness lies with her family. At least, that's what I remember getting out of that book.
Sunya from Pastries: A Novel - because she has the life I want - well, the bakery anyway.
3. Name a book that has had you thinking (and even talking) about it for a long, long while afterward.
The Island, Triumph of Hope and A Breath of Fresh Air are three that still cross my mind.
4. Name one "classic" book that you are afraid to admit you don't like. We're all friends here - be honest.
Jane Eyre. Liked it okay, but Jane was just too good to be true for me. Nice story, but not one I'll read again. I know, I've just offended the English-speaking world. Hey, I love Jane Austen. Isn't that enough?
5. Have you ever wanted to write your own book? You don't have to be specific if you don't want, but you can.
Yes. I've actually thought about just writing it as a screenplay these days because that's how I see it in my head, like it's a movie. A cute little fluff take on Cyrano de Bergerac - with roles reversed, so it's the girl trying to get the guy. With food. It would be fun, I think. I don't know. I've thought about taking an online screenwriting class and really trying. But then I'm afraid to. Silly.
And a food memoir. I'd like to travel to the South and explore my culinary heritage. Write a fictional book on that. Or just a cookbook.
Book Group Tag
All right, fellow Bluestockings. I was thinking about the different personalities we all have and thought a little "book group tag" would be fun. So here are the questions I thought of:
1. Are there any books that you read over and over again? If so (and I'm sure there are), name them.
2. Name 3 or 4 fictional characters you'd like to be and why.
3. Name a book that has had you thinking (and even talking) about it for a long, long while afterward.
4. Name one "classic" book that you are afraid to admit you don't like. We're all friends here - be honest.
5. Have you ever wanted to write your own book? You don't have to be specific if you don't want, but you can.
There. Five questions. Now I'll do a seperate post with my answers and I challenge y'all to do yours as well. It could be very enlightening. I can't wait to see what you all have to say!
1. Are there any books that you read over and over again? If so (and I'm sure there are), name them.
2. Name 3 or 4 fictional characters you'd like to be and why.
3. Name a book that has had you thinking (and even talking) about it for a long, long while afterward.
4. Name one "classic" book that you are afraid to admit you don't like. We're all friends here - be honest.
5. Have you ever wanted to write your own book? You don't have to be specific if you don't want, but you can.
There. Five questions. Now I'll do a seperate post with my answers and I challenge y'all to do yours as well. It could be very enlightening. I can't wait to see what you all have to say!
Monday, September 14, 2009
September and October
Thanks, Anne for the reminder! I changed the reading schedule on the side there to reflect your choice for September and I put mine in for October - something light and fun after a serious classic!
Takers for November and December?
Takers for November and December?
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