The Book Without Words – Period 2 Discussion Area
PERIOD 2 Discussion Area – In this area you are to discuss all of the Discussion Questions posted.
- Discussion Question #1 is CLOSED.
- Discussion Question #2 is OPEN.
Consider what the discussion question is. Be sure to address the question.
STEP 1 – UNDERSTAND THE QUESTION.
STEP 2 – ADDRESS THE QUESTION (50%). (Question in the answer, your answer, details to support your answer)
- Give us your entire thought process.
- Give us details from the text to prove you know what you’re talking about. Otherwise, who knows what you’re basing your thoughts on?
- Your details do not have to be direct word-for-word quotes (mainly because you do not have the books at home).
- STILL, give us a clear idea of what thing(s)from the book you are basing your answer on. You can paraphrase, in other words.
- Please address the topic of your choice in as much detail as possible. The more detail you give us, the better we will understand your thought process, AND the better we will be able to argue/discuss with you.
- You see, if you give us your entire thought, we can see if there is anything wrong with it – any faulty logic going on there. We are in this discussion to sharpen our wits and gain the ability to think better than we ever have.
STEP 3 – Post a response to classmates (50%).
- Option #1 – If you agree with someone’s answer . . .
. . . Then explain what you agree with – be specific. And extend or expand on the thought you are agreeing with by backing your comment up with details from the text, from your own life, whatever is appropriate. You could agree with someone and support your agreement with other more, unused descriptive details from the book, other books, or your own life. Get it?- Option #2 – If you disagree with someone’s answer . . . . . . Then justify your disagreement by taking a stance backed up by your own details from the text.
Period 2
I’d have to agree with Amanda L. I agree when she stated, “Death is a part of life and i think that Sybil has learned to accept that. I believe that Sybil is afraid of life because she doesnt have a good life and is afraid that it will get worse.” I feel the same in way in the meaning of the quote, ““It is not my death I fear . . . but my life,” said by Sybil.
“It is not my death I fear . . . but my life,” says Sybil in Chapter 3 Section 9. By this, I think she is saying that at this point in time, being alive is scarier than being dead. I think she is scared because she has to keep living with the fact the Matser Thorston could kill her at any time. I can understand what she’s feeling. I would be scared too if some old and creepy guy kept threatning to kill me. Also, I noticed she is always being the boss of things. I think that because she doesn’t want her life to be in the hands of two boys.
Also, I would like to agree with Kaitlyn about her topic. Your conscience is a very intresting thing. It can either help you, or haunt you. In Sybil and Odo’s case, I believe it will haunt them sooner or later. I would think that burying the same man multiple times, betraying eachother as friends, and (odo especially) being selfish at times like these, would someday get the best of them.
Quote A “It is not my death I fear . . . but my life,”
In my opinion, I feel that this quote means you are living your life, so you must be concerned about what you are living with. As opposed to dying, once you’re dead… you’re dead, and that’s that. There is nothing to worry about if you’re dead.
I agree with Amanda about this quote. Sybil has come to terms with the inevitable or most likely probable and she has come to accept that. She accepts death if, if that is her fate…
Period 2
-I’m doing quote A “It is not my death I fear . . . but my life,” as Sybil says in Chapter 3 Section 9.
The quote Sybil states, “It is not my death I fear.. but my life,” can mean different things. To me, it means that Sybil is most certainly not afraid of dying. But she is afraid of the fact that she may not live her life well. Throughout the beginning of the story, Sybil seemed quite sastisfied with herself, but as the story moves along, she seems to become more and more disappointed. When she realizes that Master Thorston is going to take her life, that’s when things go down hill for her. She talks about how she can’t do anything about it because he was the one who picked her up off the streets, improved her life, and had provided her with shelter, food, and clothing. By this quote, Sybil feels that she shouldn’t have her life taken away so quickly when she hasn’t even fully lived it. She thinks she should have more to life to live, and more experiences to experience.
“It is not my death I fear . . . but my life,” says Sybil in Chapter 3 Section 9.
When Sybil says this, it seems that she is not afraid to die. She is more concerned with what might happen to her while she is alive. She has had to endure some pretty unfortunate events, like finding out that Thorston only let her live with him because he was going to kill her later. Also, she has the job of covering for Thorston and taking care of Alfric and Damian while Bashcroft and his men gathered outside with a gallows prepared. That must have been very stressful. Plus, Thorston was never truly kind to her. Every time he “came back from the dead”, he did nothing but scold Sybil and express the fact that he didn’t trust her (like when he demanded for her to give him the stones because he didn’t trust her with them). Her life was filled with misery, so even though she wouldn’t be alive, she would probably be happier dead.
I agree with Amanda. Sybil fears not death, but what will happen to her when she is alive. If Thorston dies, the Bashcroft will take over (or just take) her life. I believe Amanda was right when she said that Sybil has learned to accept death and that she is more afraid of what will happen before that.
I agree with Amanda because, she makes a good point and explains what she means.I also believe that sybil is afraid of whats to come and she dosn’t know what will become of her.
Quote B “the more one sins the heavier one gets,” says Damian figuratively in Chapter 3 Section 11.
I belive this quote means that the more bad things you do the more weight on your shoulders. In other words the more your conscience gets to you. Damian mentioned this about Thorston when they were burying him. This quote reminds me of a time when my friends lied or did something bad and their conscience got to them.
“It is not my death I fear . . . but my life,” says Sybil in Chapter 3 Section 9.
Quotes have different meanings to different people because no one thinks exactly alike and everyone has their own opinion. When Sybil says this statement, she is saying that she is not afraid of death. What she is afraid of however, is what might happen to her while she is alive. Plus, if her master thronston dies, she won’t be able to obtain the basic necessities she needs. For example, she will no longer have a home, food, water, clothing, and etc. In addition to this, Sybil is constantly being put under stress. An example of this would be the warning that she recieved from Brother Wilfrid. Wilfrid had told her that if Thorston comes back to life, then she will lose hers.
-I agree with Kara when she said “Many people today deal with the same situation that Sybil deals with.” This is because many people have problems and choices that make life more difficult and hard to handle.
I am discussing about Quote B: “the more one sins the heavier one gets,” says Damian figuratively.
In my opinion of this quote, is that Damian saying that the more someone does the more guilt inside them builds up and up if they don’t stop. For instance in the book, of the sins they are committing, such as Sybil lying to Damien and Alfric once they just arrived. She lied of how she was Master Thorston’s trusted servant who have been serving him for years now that she has learned his magic. Also how the reeve craves for gold, and is willing to kill just to get it. This quote does connect to real life, such as how a simple civilian has a conscience they feel a surge of guilt through them when they do a crime, that is either big or small, and the more it affects people around them, the more it falls on their shoulders.
I agree with Kara S. The reason is that her opinion on the quote A makes total sense, how Sybil fears simple events that is more trouble some then death itself. Also that pressure is coming from all around her, by the reeve, Thorston, and Brother Wifred, so its simply reasonable that she feels like that. Especially since she has no one else to run to for help.
I agree with Kara S. on how sybils life if she were to die would not be nearly as dredfull. Also that if she allows Thorston to get a chance to get to the stones then her life will be pretty much over with.
Question A: “Its not my death I fear…But my life” says Sybil in chapter 3 section 9.
I believe that what Sybil meant when she said that “Its not my death I fear…But my life” is that as by the way she was discribed to be in the book. Sybil is not all that old. She is discribed to be around the age of 13 years old. Meaning that she hasnt really lived a full life, basically just begining hers. Though within the few years in which Sybil has lived, it was hard for her. Such as she was an orphan girl who lived with her Master Thorston as a servent girl. Also she sleeps on a straw pallet and wears a tattered gown. Sybil never really had anything and if she dies now, she never will.
“It is not my death I fear . . . but my life,” says Sybil in Chapter 3 Section 9.
Quotes mean different things to different people, because people have different oppinons. This quote Sybil says,to me, is basically that she does not fear death, but she fears what will happen when she is living. She is not afraid of dying. She’s afraid of what might happen if she lives, due to her master, Thorston, coming from dead to alive. Ambrose Bashcroft also puts a bit of stress on her life, because he comes to the house a lot to retrieve Alfric and to speak to Master Thorston. When Thorston is in his dying state, It is hard to make excuses for him. Also, if Thorston really died she’d basically have nothing. No where to go and things would get really hard. So life would just be extremely harder than just to die and go to a better place.
I agree with Kara. She makes a good point about her opinion on how Sybil fears life more than the fact of dying. She explains her reasons thoroughly to the point where i know what she’s talking about. I believe that her reasons are true and explain the quote to it’s fullest.
I agree with Amanda. I also believe Sybil is scared of what is to come. She does not know what is going to happen to her in the near future. She could end up dead because of the lack of necessities if Thorston dies, or a miracle could happen and she might be able to live a happy life.
Quote A “It is not my death I fear . . . but my life,” says Sybil in Chapter 3 Section 9. I believe Sybil has this attitude towards life for several reasons. She knows that if Thorston dies, she will have no one to take care of her. Shelter, food, water, money and other necessities will be difficult for her to find with no adult around to help support her. In addition, Brother Wilfried told her that the only purpose Thorston had for her was to kill her. She also has the constant worry of Master Bashcroft coming back to check up on Alfric and finding the body of Thorston. Brother Wilfried adds more stress in her life by informing her about the stones and how dangerous they are. I think she feels like life at this point is more dreadful than if she died.
Many people today deal with the same situation that Sybil deals with. Like Sybil, things happen in their life, such as death, divorce, and crime that can make life seem like it is not worth living.
“It is not my death I fear . . . but my life.” I think Sybil is saying that she is scared of what is yet to come. She has said many times that she is scared that her life could get worse and that she is scared of that. Life is something unexpected and something that can change in an instant. I think she is scared that if Thorston dies Master Bashcroft will take over her life and make her his slave, like Alfric. Death is a part of life and i think that Sybil has learned to accept that. I believe that Sybil is afraid of life because she doesnt have a good life and is afraid that it will get worse.
Discussion Question #1 is closed.
Discussion Question #1 is closed.
Discussion Question #1 is closed.
—————————————
Please continue in this discussion area with the topics for
The Book Without Words: Discussion Question #2.
THINK OF YOURSELF AS A CONNECTION MAKER. WRITE ABOUT A QUOTE YOU CONNECT WITH IN SOME WAY. THIS IS NOT AS MUCH OF A TEST PREPARATION QUESTION AS DQ#1. WRITE WHAT COMES. DISCUSS WHAT COMES TO MIND.
You have three Quotes to consider:
A and/or B and/or C.
You can discuss one, two or all three of the quotes.
* Quote A “It is not my death I fear . . . but my life,” says Sybil in Chapter 3 Section 9.
* Quote B “the more one sins the heavier one gets,” says Damian figuratively in Chapter 3 Section 11.
* Quote C : Alfric said that his father used to enjoy telling his children, “The shorter the sermon, the longer the truth,” in Chapter 3 section 11.
You only have to deal with one of the quotes, but you are more than welcome to deal with more. If you have enough to say, by all means say it all.
Question A
Avi delivers a crisp, clear look at the world around Sybil, Odo, Alfric, and the others by describing the different settings in the book.One example of avi’s well thought out descriptions would be Sybil’s domain. In the book it states that Sybils room had cold and dirty stone walls. No windows. A straw pallet. A few rusty iron pots and crcked wooden spoons. Some chipped clay pots that contained food: dry, salted fish; cabbage; turnip bits; and barley grains. this description helped me to visualize how Sybil lived. Not only did Avi describe settings revolving around Sybil, but he described fullworth, Northumbria itself. Stating it was dank and disgusting. Clearly, avi depicted a setting that was crisp, clear, and very descriptive.
I agree with Danielle because I do think that Sybil was belittled by Odo and treated disrespectfully.
First, i disagree with Jordan. i think that Sybil knows she has a bad life because she talks about how if Thorston dies she has no where to go and nothing to do.
Second, I think Avi shows exactly how everyone looks and how they act. Sybil for exaple is a very poor girl with no real home and no real friends and she expresses that very well. She gives us, the readers, the impression that she has a horrible life and that she is trying to do everything she can to make it better. she talks about how if Thorston dies that she has no where to go because he is all she had in her life. He also shows how poor she is by where she lives and how she dresses. i can picture Sybil with a rag on and some little raggidy slippers, her hair all messed up, and a dirty face. and he describes the room she stays in as a really dirty room with nothing of hers except for her bed. In the book it says her room is filled with roots and posions and books for Master Thorston’s alchamy.
Attempting to redo mine,going to add a bit more detail on some things.
Nicholas A.
Period 2
Question C.
Avi delivered a clear out look at some of the problems people are facing in this book. Sybil, for instance, is always belittled by Odo, who says she is nothing more then a servent picked up on the street. Also, Mistress Weebly and Bashcrawft have some tention between each other since she was only being used. Once he got the information from her, he put her under house arrest. Not only does Mistress Weebly have issues with Bashcrawft, but Alfric does as well. Ever since Bashcrawft bought him for 2 pennies, he has been yelled at,hit,and “picked on”.When first bought,Bashcrawft was telling Alfric how much reading didn’t help his fathr since he died anyway.Plus, when Bashcrawft came back later for him, Alfric was affraid and pleaded with Sybil to let him stay.Lastly, Odo has some troubles with his addiction to gold. You can tell by the fact that he always makes the gold making secret sound like it’s the most important thing in the world.
I agree with Tori when she talks about how it is easy to picture what Fulworth, Northumbria looks like. We’ve all seen movies(or tv shows)that took place back in the past, and have maybe combined what the author described as Fulworth.The thing I liked the most though was how she used specific details from the book on how the city and Thorston’s house(inside and outside) looked.Her answer was very well written, but I think you should have elaberated abit on what was in some of the rooms. Like Sybils room has at most a straw bed.
I like how this is going!!
Keep it up.
This will close at 11:59:59 this evening.
I am redoing Question A
Avi delivers a crisp, clear look to describe the world around Sybil and Odo. He describes the town of Fulworth (stated in the text) during the winter with fog as thick as wool and dank as a dead mans hand, crept up from the River Scrogg. The Fog fills the mud-clogged streets and crooked lanes.There are many rats guarding the riverbanks and the shops are coated with crumbling walls. The town has a stench of rotten hay and offal, vinegary wine and rancid ale. Fulworth has the sound of pealing churchbells calling the weary faithful prayers.
I agree with Lizzet when she said how Fulworth is a grey and poor town. I think that it is a dull town with not a lot of events going on in it. Also that it is a mysterious town that sells a lot of strange things for alchemy.
I’m answering Question A: Avi delivers a crisp, clear look at the world around the characters of The Book Without Words by describing all of the settings that are mentioned with complete detail. It is explained in such a way that you have already developed a mental picture of the place that is being described. For example, in the very beginning of the book, Avi wrote, “…on a cold winter’s night, when a fog, thick as wool and dank as a dead man’s hand, crept up from the River Scrogg into the ancient town of Fulworth. The fog settled like an icy shroud over the town, filling the mud-clogged streets and crooked lanes…” Similar to me, I’m sure that whoever is reading this excerpt now is able to precisely envision that particular area of Fulworth, Northumbria.
I agree with Rebecca B. when she says that Avi describes the world around the characters as dark. Consequently, I disagree about how she says that it is “evil”. Yes, the town is a little “weird”, as you mention, but I do not recall any evidence that makes it evil. There have been incidences in which the characters have been greedy because they were clouded by the thought of receiving Thorston’s gold, but the actual setting has never come across to me as evil.
(100% Credit Answers)
The following students wrote strong answers that provided awesome support with specific details in both (1) their answers, and (2) their responses to other students: Danielle, Victoria, Kara, Kryssa, Sophia, Jeremy, and Melinda.
(75% Credit Answers)
The following students wrote good answers that provided fair support but lacked specific details in either their answers, or their responses to other students: Travis, Busie, Nassah, Nicholas.
(Less than 50% Credit Answers)
All others lacked specific text-based details. This fact makes it impossible for me to give you full credit for either portion of the assignment.
Period 2
Question C
How Avi delivers a crisp clear look at issues that characters wrestle with within themselves and between each other is that he expresses that characters attitude, also he explains the problems through the character. For example, when Odo and Siyble heard the knoking from the green eyed boy throught about Master Bashcroft and what he would to to them if he had found that Thorston was dead. He would take them and also everything that they own.
Also i agree with Kaitlyn D. that she said that teh character interact and Avi supports their reacion with details.
Let’s get really honest here.
If you do not get into the habit of giving me details from the text to support your opinion/answer/response/whatever, how do you really think you are going to do on that dreaded test? You will not do the best you could. I guarantee that.
Go back through, check everything you’ve posted.
If you have not given us details for your answer, know that you will not get that 50% of the points.
If you have not given us details for your response to someone else, know that you will not get that 50% of the points.
QUESTION A- Avi uses a clear, crisp look at the world around Sybil and Odo and others. There is Fulworth, Northumbria and it is now Northern England. I imagine this place as soggy, wet and dark like portryed in the first chapter where everything is foggy and damp. Also, in the book, there were old shops selling weird items like white spider legs and a donkey’s tail, there were also beggars and merchants in the street. This reminds me of a outdoor mini market in Miami or New York that is crowded with people constantly moving around.
I agree with Anthony on Lizzet’s statement except the part on finding a green-eyed child. Fulworth still may have a lot of people, but green eyes are very uncommon. Even in a mall there would be very very few people with green eyes.
Jeremy R.
P.2
12/11/07
Question C: Avi does cleary deliver a crisp and clear look at the issues given in the book and that the charactors wrestle with . One issue is that Odo is constantly telling sybil that she is just a worthless fool . He treats Sybil like she has no good judgement and that she is an ignorant person. One other conflict is that even though Bashcroth is the Reeve he wants to get the secret and be selfish as to taking the secret of gold for himself .
I agree with Kara because Bashcorth and Weebly are similar t Odo and Sybil in a way that Weebly and Sybil get bullies and that is a conflict in itself
Nicholas A.
Period 2
Question C.
Avi delivered a clear out look at some of the problems people are facing in this book. Sybil, for instance, is always belittled by Odo, who says she is nothing mroe then a servent picked up on the street. Also, Mistress Weebly and Bashcrawft have some tention between each other since she was only being used. Not only does Mistress Weebly have issues with Bashcrawft, but Alfric does as well. Ever since Bashcrawft bought him for 2 pennies, he has been yelled at and hit.Plus, when Bashcrawft came back later for him, Alfric was affraid and pleaded with Sybil to let him stay.Lastly, Odo has some troubles with his addiction to gold. You can tell by the fact that he always makes the gold making secret sound like it’s the most important thing in the world.
I agree with Tori when she talks about how it is easy to picture what Fulworth, Northumbria looks like. We’ve all seen movies(or tv shows)that took place back in the past, and have maybe combined what the author described as Fulworth.
I agree with Megan when Avi expresses what the characters are thinking and saying you can interpret their point of view.
Answer to question C:
Avi delivers a crisp clear look at the issues the characters
wrestle with within themselves and between each other by showing what they think and feel. He shows how they interact with each other and uses lots of details to help you relate to how the character feels.
An example of an issue Sybil wrestles with between herself and others is how she always feels worthless. First off, she was a girl on the street and thorston took her in. Then Odo is constantly putting her down ( making her feel bad) & telling her shes stupid or an idiot.
Nassah M.
Question c: Avi delivers a crisp clear look at the issues that characters wrestle with within themselves and between each other. Sybil gets disrespected about she is nothing but a servant, that she is nothing more than a girl who was picked up on a street. It is Sybil who must save Master Thorston to save herself. Odo is a character who is all for himself and nothing else. Odo cares nothing about Sybil and Thorston. While Sybil remains loyal Odo doesn’t give a care in the world anymore that Thorston is dieng. Sybil needs his help to save Thorston’s and her life, but she struggle to try to accomplish any cooperation at all.
i agree with Kara s because Master Bashcroft and Mistress Weebly is another conflict as well. Master Bascroft is like Odo who used Mistress Weebly and didnt care what happened after as long as he got what he wanted
Period 2
Question c
Sybil always putting herself down along with odo the raven, and master Thorston odo is constantly under minding sybil’s intelligents.Master thorston hasnt spoken to sybil since he picked her up off the street.Another character having a battle within themselves would have to be Mistree Weebly she trusted Master Bashcroft with her information about Matser Thorston with the book without words and his gold making but in return with the new founded information Matser Bashcorft put Mistree Weebly on house arrest
Also: i would have to disagree with jordan sybil in the beginning of the book constantly saying how worthless she was and i don’t think she meant worthless in a good way so how would she have a great life
Anthony R.
Period 2
Moshe
12/10/07
Question: A
I choose Question:A because as stated in the sheet we got before we started reading the book, which stated that the book was taken place in the little town of Northumbria. Which Mr.Moshe’ later when over and clearly said that the Northumbria is currently located in northern Enland.(U.K). So, so far I agree with Lizzet on my question. Here’s the part where I disagree. In Lizzet’s answer she said ” I picture this place crowded as NYC. but with a mixture of the creatures in ” the chronicles of narnia” the movie.” Nothing wrong with that, its just I believe that Northumbria is a non crowed area, which is why they are having a hard time finding someone with green eyes to read this book without words.
Thank you, Mr Moshe’ for your time and cyberspace.
No problem. It’s what I do.
I agree with danielle and Jordan.Sybil and Mistress Weebly are the two main chracters being tyreated with little to no respect.Also, Alfric is held against his will and is told by Master Bashcroft that no one cares about.He is threatend to be killed if he tells
QUESTION C – How does Avi deliver a crisp clear look at the issues that characters wrestle with within themselves and between each other? Use details and information from the text to support your answer.
Avi delivers a crisp clear look at the issues that chracters wrestle with themselves and between eachother.A perfect example would be Sybil.Sybil struggles with self esteem issues because of the way she recievs no respect.As stated on pages 22-23 Odo tells her that she is a “nothing”.Which also leads her to believe she looked bad,was worthless,ignorant,a homely girl,dependent and alone.she didnt let that completely take over her chracter because at times she did strive to overcome her weakness but still lets it affect her sometimes.
Sorry about the spelling errors.
These are the words correctly spelled.
*from
*such
*leading
*utencils
*alive
*possibly
Answer to question A:
Avi delivers a crisp clear look at the world around Sybil, Odo, Alfric, and the others because rom the first page to where ever we are in the book, he has continuously describbed the setting around the characters in suck descriptive details that you can really picture everything happening in the story. Such as when Avi described the part in the book where Alfric had stepped into Thorston’s home on Cluttebuck lane and gazed around with wide open eyes. I could deffinatly picture in my mind Obo leaping onto his perch on top of the skull, Sybil leadin Alric to an area where the food is being prepared, Thorston lying on the bed still and motionless, and all of his alchemy utancils everywhere. Avi can get you to actually see everything in the book.
I also agree with Rebecca R. because Avi clearly makes the shops and everything in Fulworth come alvie with the dark, evil, and ossibly dreary description of everything.
Question A
I believed that Avi does establish the sense of time, place, and culture of the book. I can picture every little detail that he included inside of my mind. What I mean by that is that I can actually picture Fulworth how it is explained in the book, which was stores on the streets and people selling various items that are not really used today, such as chimera ears, dry unicorn tears, ect. I also think that it would be noisy there with all those merchants persuading citizens to buy their goods their selling. Fulworth, Northumbria probably looks different right now from the scene of the story, since it was a long date ago in the story (1046) from present day. I can also picture the characters. Such as Thorston, being old, frail, and wrinkled guy who where’s long robes, and probably has a certain odor since he barely goes out of his house and the fact that he does alchemy things that includes potions that have odors.
I have to agree with Kara S. on the conflict situation. The part that got me to agree with her was the examples she gives to show that Avi did create conflict between characters, and to their selves. Such as the fact that Master Bashcroft betrayed Mistress Weebly for Thorston’s gold making secret. Also how Sybil needs to save Thorston for her own benefits.
Questions C: Avi delivers a crisp clear look at the issues that characters wrestle with within themselves and between each other, by letting them express what they are thinking and saying. Also, I sometimes interpret that they kind of talk with their point of view. So whenever they are speaking or thinking, I can understand what’s going on, because the author uses tons of details and a lot of thoughts in the process.
Also: I think i’m going to have to agree with Danielle R on this one. People just don’t go running around saying they’re worthless, if they love their life.
Question A
I believe Avi gives a crisp clear look at the world around the main characters by making it seem dark and evil. In the town of Fulworth, Northumbria here are plenty of old shops that sell all sorts of things, that now a days we would categorize as weird. There are a lot of ingredients to do alchemy and make potions with. Another place greatly described in the book is Thorstion’s home. In His home Avi describes it as cluttered with alchemy stuff, with what seems to be a fire place, and small cots as the beds.
I agree with Lizzet when she said how Fulworth is a grey and poor town. I think that it is a dull town with not a lot of events going on in it. Also that it is a mysterious town that sells a lot of strange things for alchemy.
question A…
I disagree with Travis about my answer. I’m clearly right. Although she does depend on thorston, she barely gets any reaspect, nor food from Odo or her master.
Travis C.
Period 2
Question A
I think Avi delivers a crisp clear look at the world around the main characters by the very nature of the book. We know that it is placed in an older time period because the town of Northumbria is now modern day northern england. We also know that the story takes place in a much older time because of the practices of alchemy. Alchemy was the ancient practice of turning material into gold. Alchemy was later changed to Chemistry in the 17th century (1600s).
That information automatically suggests that the setting of the book probably took place before 1600 A.D.
I would have to agree with Victoria’s disagreement about Jordan’s information. I think Sybil is actually dependent on Thorston and his hospitallity. Without Thorston, she has no reason for living.
Kara S.
I agree with Danielle R. Sybil is always being belittled by other people, and Odo does not make the situation any better by saying that she is a “nothing”. I also agree with what you said about Mistress Weebly being duped. She really feels bad because Bashcroft was only using her to get to Thorston.
Kara S.
Period 2
Question C- Conflict
The author gives a very clear look at the issues that the characters fight with within themselves. Sybil for instance deals with several conflicts in the story. First of all, Sybil is constantly told that she is worthless by others, especially Odo. Odo tells her that she was just a girl Thorston picked up off the street, and nothing more. Sybil also has the responsibility of finding a green-eyed child to help save Thorston’s life. If she does not save him, then her own life will be in jeopardy. She will have no one to take care of her and give her the necessities. Another conflict in the book is how Ambrose Bashcroft betrayed Mistress Weebly. Bashcroft used Mistress Weebly to get to Thorston and his gold making secret. Now, Weebly is on house arrest and Bascroft is going to try to get the secret. Of course, there is also the conflict between Brother Wilfried and Thorston. Borther Wilfried is going to do whatever he has to do to get the Book Without Words. All of these exapmles show that the author gives very clear examples of conflicts going on in the story.
I’m doing question A. Avi uses vivid descriptions so that the reader can visualize the setting. When Fulworth, Northumbria is descibed, it is so easy to picture. In the book, there were old shops selling mysterious and ancient items (like white spider legs and a donkey’s tail), as well as beggars, merchants, and consumers roaming the grey streets. Also, Thorston’s home is easy to picture. It was described as being extremely dirty and poor- looking. There were books, ingredients, and other things an alchemist might use piled everywhere.
I disagree with Jordan. Although she states that if it wasn’t for Thorston she would still be on the streets, she isn’t exactly any better off now. She later states that she is worthless and without Thorston has no life. Plus, Thorston only took her in because he needed her to run arrands and later on, he would take her life.
I would like to answer question “A”. The sitting in this story is Fulworth,Northumbria which is now nothern england. I picture this place crowded as NYC. but with a mixture of the creatures in ” the chronicles of narnia” the movie.It is magical.In the city there’s alot of stands selling weird stuff like a (donkey’s tail),and It’s whether is unpredictable sometimes is foggy like in the beginning of the book,and sometimes is isn’t.
As a discussion i would have to disagree with Jordan,and agree with Crystal. Sybil is always looking at the negative side of herself and thinking she’s a nobody and if Thorston dies she has no life. ((content edited )).
Jordan,
Which question are your answering: A, B, or C?
Avi makes some characters seem so real even though they are fictional. He uses awesome detail in the text of the book. I mean, who would really think that a person can be an alchemist? It’s like if the stuff in the book COULD be real then I’d believe everything in the story was true. He gives you clear details of the character in the different situations. If i was in another demension reading this story, I would believe that it was a true story.
I disagree with Jordan like Danielle does. Sybil does not think she has a good life!! She got PICKED UP on the streets by Thorston.
Danielle Ruby
Period 2
Question C-Conflict
First, I would like to disagree with Jordan. I don’t think Sybil thinks that she has a great life. At the beginning of the story, she keeps saying how she’s worthless and if she had a great life, she wouldn’t be calling herself worthless. next, I would like to answer question C.
Avi clearly shows the conflicts that each of the characters face either with themselves or other characters. An example would be Sybil. Sybil is always telling herself that she is a nobody and that she’s worthless. Along with belittling herself, Odo the raven also makes Sybil feel belittled. Odo is always putting her down and making her feel worse about herself. Master Thornston never cared much for Sybil either and always made her do any work or errands he may need done. Another character with similar dilemmas is Mistress Weebly. Mistress Weebly had given Master Bashcroft some information on Thornston. Master Bashcorft, however, did not want this information to get out to the public so he put Mistress Weebly under house arrest. Baskcroft told her not to tell anyone about the knowledge she had gained and stationed a guard at her door. Now Mistress Weebly feels as she stated, “duped” and feels she trusted Bashcroft too much.
I think that sybil thinks she has a gret life. A wonderful life where nothings wrong. Thorston picked her off the street. In reality she doesn’t have a good life at all. She Barely gets any food nor respec from odo, or her master, Thorston