Looking for Alaska- Response to inquiry question 2

The Fault in our Stars by John Green inspired me to read some of his other books. Recently, I read "Looking for Alaska". It is about "Pudge" falling in love with Alaska and when they grow closer, Alaska dies in a car crash. Pudge and one of Alaska's friends, The Colonel, find out the reason for her death. Something that Alaska taught Pudge was to smoke and drink alcohol to deal with issues. This activity was also what all of his friends did.

One reason to prove this drinking problem was "The Prank". After a prank was conducted on the campus, Alaska brought out wine to calm everyone, whilst everyone was smoking mostly because the kids were worried that the principal, The Eagle, would find out an ban them from school. Soon after that, Alaska invited them to play a drinking game where they would tell one happy story and one sad story. Alaska told a very devastating story about her mom's death, this makes me think that Alaska was dealing with some emotional problems. Another small detail I noticed was when Alaska was long dead, Colonel was filled with so much grief, he couldn't deal and he just said, "Wanna get *shoot* faced?" Instead of talking about it, he wants to drink.

A reason to prove the smoking problem was when Alaska, The Colonel, and Pudge were smoking. He noticed Alaska wasn't "smoking to enjoy it" and Alaska replied, "You smoke to enjoy it. I smoke to die." That made me think that she was suicidal or still full of grief from her mother's death. Alaska only ever told the story about her mother's death until "The Prank". She hadn't even called the cops when her mother started spazzing out, I conclude that she wants to die because of her mother.

Overall, smoking and drinking were only the result of the characters dealing with their issues. The issues, I noticed, were just the character's feelings, which they didn't know how to control.

*** I didn't have a copy of the book with me, so I couldn't do page numbers.***

xJulia S

Response to Persepolis - Inquiry Question 2 - Julia Santos 811

How are the issues treated in the book?

In "Persepolis", I notice that Marjane Satrapi's family and the Iranian society treat their problems differently. Most Iranians treat their problems like plastic bags; they try to get rid of it right away, even if they aren't completely solving the problem. On the other hand, The Satrapis, would make sure their problems are resolved. This trait makes the Satrapis important and how Marjane lives her life.

I witnessed, that if one would break a law, the higher authority didn't care if the victim was guilty or not. For example: One page 51, a man is being whipped and burned with an iron for being apart of a group that didn't believe in Iranian laws. Also, I notice that the police would yell and disrespect victims if they weren't following rules.

What makes Marjane's family different is their way of treating their issues. For example: When Marjane's father disagreed with a law, he would go out and protest! Maybe a normal Iranian would just say, "Oh, fine". This taught Marjane to rebel. She would stand up in class and yell at the teacher if she disagreed with her opinion.

***** I didn't want to exactly make this an essay, so I didn't add essay like things. xJulia*****

Faithful Elephants Response

Imagine, everyday you saw a kid get bullied and he begged for help and used the last of his hope on you. You couldn't help him because you were too scared that you might become the bully's next victim and risk you life. This is similar to the short story, Faithful Elephants  by Yukio Tsuchiya. This story portrays a zoo where its animals must be put down because the government said bombs from the war could be dropped and let a dangerous animal loose. The elephants, Tonky and Wanly die in the end of hunger because poisoning them wouldn't work. The theme depicts that it is necessary to always help others in need.

One reason to support the theme is when a trainer broke down and helped the elephants. The elephants were nearly begging for food doing their trick. The trainer couldn't take feeling guilty about seeing the innocent elephants get punished. He took a risk by doing this, and when he was done giving them food, he was sobbing at the dangerous risk he took. The other trainers stood there, pretending that they hadn't seen the first trainer take such a risk. Those trainers were the scared bystanders afraid to take that jeopardy.

Another reason is that the elephants die because of their trainer fear to help. Before their death, the elephants performed their trick for food with every last bit of hope. No trainer could bring themselves to help the elephants anymore. The elephants were so innocent and hopeful, they didn't need to die; they weren't dangerous.

Overall, Faithful Elephants challenges the reader to think about how they treat others and if they care enough to help someone. If the trainers could stand up to avail or support the elephants with no fear, there would have been a "happy ending" for the elephants.

*****The conclusion sucks :((((( and also I wanted stronger words and I feel like I couldn't do that.*****

xJulia

Response to Persepolis

I notice the that the time period that Marjane lives in is rough and whats happening is affecting her greatly. She lives in Iran and there is a war during the 80's then. The war and government have a big effect on her. Marjane wants to go to demonstration , form her own opinions, and fight for whats right. She read all the time when she was 10 to learn about her country and government. I notice that she follows a lot of her dad's opinions.

CAN WE TALK ABOUT MARJANE AND HER REBELLIOUS LITTLE SELF. First of all, this little girl would stand up in class and point the teacher out when the teacher would tell the girls to wear the veil. I notice often Marjane would stand up and yell out her opinion if she thought the teacher was wrong. Also, on page 111, she hit the teacher when the teacher told a lot to not wear jewelry.

DIDNT MEAN TO PUBLISH THIS... I thought our first post was supposed to be about our young adult books.