Thursday, August 12, 2010
Group B Golden Lines
Golden Lines "Golden lines" are powerful quotes that automatically provide interesting discussion material. Many students find it much easier to select something the author said than to come up with their own reactions. Therefore, Golden Lines are an easy and effective strategy for gathering information to discuss.Post your Golden Lines for for the Cryptid Files to invite discussion.Please respond to each others' golden lines entry.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I found one of the most interesting lines to be on page 41 when the old lady (Maggie) said to Vanessa, "We'll ask Lee when she comes back. She's out on the loch at the moment. She always takes the boat out for an hour or two when she arrives home, especially if she's been away for awhile."
ReplyDeleteIt is at this point where the whole tone of the book changes, along with the tone of Vanessa's character. We already got a taste in the beginning of the book as to how Vanessa feels about Lee (who is at this point only implied to be her father's new girlfriend). Vanessa was just starting to relax and enjoy her time with her father and brother. She was just basking in the fact that her intense fascination with Nessie was being entertained as she shared her knowledge of the history of the locks. She was feeling comfortable with the cottage and who she knew as the "old lady" when her world was shattered when she found out Lee was still in fact a part of their family vacation. She felt tricked by her father as he hadn't mentioned Lee coming again since the fight. And more than that, the old lady said "when she gets home". Not only is Lee there but she is in her family's house.
As betrayed as the character is at this moment, there is also a sense of foreshadowing that Lee and Vanessa may actually connect. Lee took the boat out on the Loch and has grown up next to it. This is something that has been important to Vanessa for many years as strong connection to her mother. The reader can predict that although Vanessa has kept her distance from Lee, there is a chance that they may have something in common and eventually even get along.
This line really sets the book off in my opinion. It is the end of the beginning and the beginning of the heart of the book.
In response to Golden Lines:
ReplyDeleteI agree that this quote symbolizes a turning point in the story. I remember reading and predicting that somehow Alan's silence did not mean the end of Lee's presence on this trip. I imagined that this was very difficult for Vanessa...her excitement about studying Nessie shattered by the presence of a woman she was not ready to embrace. But like Ashley, I was pleased to see the implication that this may be the beginning of a connection based on a mutual respect and interest in something that is true to both of their hearts.
How the author so eloquently explained Vanessa's revelation of why her brothers had been "OK," and she hadn't been able to move on, was also brilliant. "It seemed to reverberate and gather intensity in her head as she knew that it was true." She had realized that she was angry because she was envious and probably felt more alone because the boys had each other to lean on.
Another quote that really seemed to capture the feelings Vanessa felt the day her mother was laid to rest was on page 83, at the burial site. "She remembered standing over the deep grave and throwing the soil on the coffin, she could hear the scattering of the earth in her head...as they left the graveyard...the feeling that they were all deserting her." For anyone who has ever lost a loved one...those words seemed to completely embody the feelings of hopelessness and pain associated with such a traumatic event.
One of my favorite parts of the book was the prologue. I know some people find that kind of opening 'gimicky' and maybe even a cop out - getting your audience involved with cheap thrills - but I personally go for that type of attention grabber. Having the story open with an exciting event, and then flash back to tell the story engages me. There were also some chilling descriptions in that portion. My favorite was the way it closed:
ReplyDelete"As she sank she twisted and turned, a slow and deadly dance. Long strands of her black hair were matted across her pretty face. Well before she reached the bottom, her mouth was wide open and her eyes shut tight."
The lines gave me chills! I thought it contained a certain peotic quality that made it both eery and beautiful at the same time, and lent a certain 'gothic mystery' feel to it. I especially loved the juxtaposition of the open mouth and shut eyes. In the classroom, I would use this to start of some predictions, and a 'what will happen' writing exercise with the class. Talk about how the situation and the language used to describe it is engaging, and what may or may not make it a good beginning for readers (because as much as I like it, there are those who I'm sure dislike it as well). It can also be used as a mentor text for this type of attention grabbing beginning.
As for the previous posts...I agree with the choices wholeheartedly! These were two of my favorite parts of the book: the points at which you have hope she will begin to feel a bond with Lee, and stop feeling so angry and alone inside her own family. It was tough in the beginning, because while I could understand her anger and feelings of betrayal, I wanted her to enjoy life, and let her family enjoy theirs too.
One of my favorite parts was when Vanessa and her father were arguing about her mother's death. She was really upset with her father after she learned they were staying with Lee and her aunt. She states,"You are mean and dishonest and you should be ashamed of yourself.....How could you have forgotten mum so quickly? ......Quickly,oh no Vanessa I couldn't forget your mother she was my best friend in the whole world......It's been the longest and loneliest time of my life." This point in the story was so heartwarming between the father and daughter. It brings you to a point of how would I feel if I had to face this in my own life? Would I act like Vanessa because she doesn't know how to deal with the lose, which is very obvious throughout the story. It also makes you think of death and loss that happened in your own life and to think how did I deal with the loss.
ReplyDeleteAnother line that interested me was when Vanessa was falling into the water. The imagery of how she was falling into the lake made the reader imagine a different world.
With the other responses I agree with them. This was one of my favorite parts of the story. I agree with the choices! The points at which you have hope, she will begin to feel a bond with Lee but instead anger and loneliness.It was tough in the beginning, because while I could understand why she is angry, she needs to remember she has her entire life to enjoy. This could be very difficult for someone who has a tight bond with one of their parents.
I need to restate my final thoughts from yesterday. I agree with the other responses. Those were one of my favorite parts of the story. I agree with all the choices, too. The book portrays hope, excitement, and love between the family. You think this will happen when Vanessa and Lee begin to bond with each other but Vanessa shows signs of anger and loneliness. You want her to grab onto her family and Lee so she can begin to enjoy life once again but it doesn't happen until the end when she feels Nessie might be safe. Feeling alive again is a difficult process when you lose someone very close to you and it is along process for some people. Sometimes it never really happens for some.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite parts/quotes was on pg 159 when Lee is talking about how she was found on the same bank as Vanessa. And she was talking about putting her mom's locket near the bones because Lee was so mad at her mom for dying, yet felt guilty for leaving her locket behind. And it was easier to believe it was all a dream as the memories faded. This part really made me think about when people loose a loved one through death, divorce, moving etc. how angry people get. While I haven't lost a parent, my parents divorced when I was younger and I was so angry at my mom. But as time went on, and the memories of the divorce faded, I felt bad about how angry I was at my mom and the way I treated her. Similar to Lee feeling bad about being angry with her mom for dying.
ReplyDeleteI also was struck by the line, “We’ll ask Lee when she comes back…” However, before that the line when they were out on the loch searching for Vanessa and Lee had that vision of where to find Vanessa spoke out to me as well. It was at that moment that I started thinking that Lee had experienced something similar to what Vanessa had. This was definitely a powerful part of the book and a turning point as far as the storyline goes.
ReplyDelete