Post the title and author of your novel.
Sometimes you come across sentences or paragraphs in books that make you stop and think. Perhaps you really like the way the author says something, or the language of the book speaks to you for some reason, or it makes you think about something in your life, or it makes you think about what's going on in the world.
Post some sentences/a short paragraph from the novel that speak to you in some way for some reason. Explain why those words intrigue you.
52 comments:
I'm reading Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe. One paragraph that made me stop an think was:
"'Ma'am,' she said, suddenly, 'have you ever lost a child?'
The question was unexpected, and it was thrust on a new wound; for it was only a month since a darling child of the family had been laid in the grave."
This made me think because it was placed in an interesting part of the book, so it really made you feel sympathetic to both characters in the scenario. It also helped to open the chance for Eliza to explain why she ran away to the kind old lady and her husband (a pro-slavery senator, but his true feelings lie against it) who just took her in from the freezing weather. This made me think because the Senator went against his political standpoints to help her get closer to her goal, Canada.
I am currently reading The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. One quote that gives me a new perspective is "There is nothing like looking, if you want to find something." This quote makes me realize that if you want something in life, it's not going to just appear to you. You'll actually have to work towards your goals to achieve them.
I am reading Fallen Leaves by Adeline Yen Mah. The sentence/short paragraph that speaks to me is, "The day after Christmas Byron was transferred to work in Oceanside. My lawyer served him with divorce papers before he left for Hong Kong again sometime in 1971. H offered not to contest the suit if I signed over my half-share of the Fountain Valley house and if I desisted from making demands for alimony or child support. I acquiesced immediately and moved into another house. After the divorce, Byron neither wrote nor saw his son again" (Mah 176). These words intrigue me because they made me think of society and how divorces occur and how the painful process of child custody is, and how kids can become affected by that. I know of some people whose parents are divorced and the way they act and feel towards life is really sad. By how the author portrays this through a real experience, since this book is her biography, made me wonder whether we can help those affected by the sorrows and hurt of divorces, both the parents and the children. I've always hated hearing about divorces or split ups, and this paragraph made my eyes open even wider to this topic.
KaylaN6: I totally agree with your realization. What a beautiful quote to support it.
Woops, KaylaN5. Sorry.
I am reading Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J. K. Rowling. One passage that really stands out to me is something that Harry said while talking to Dumbledore in an old broom shed outside the Burrow. Dumbledore wanted to talk to Harry before he went inside and was fussed over by Mrs. Weasly, Harry's "adopted" mother, also his best friend Ron's mom. "I realized I can't shut myself away or- or crack up. Sirius wouldn't have wanted thtat, would he? And anyway, life's too short... Look at Madam Bones, look at Emmeline Vance...It could be me nect couldn't it. But if it is," he said fircely, now looking straight into Dumbledore's blue eyes gleaming in the wandlight, "I'll make sure I take as many Death Eaters with me as I can, and Voldemort too if I can manage it." (Rowling 77) Harry is bravely saying, that even after the death of his godfather, the one person that meant to most to him in the world, he can't lock himself away from the world. He has to be strong, and with all the recent deaths, Harry has accepted that he could easily be next, but he will take as many evil followers of the Dark Lord with him as he can and the Dark Lord himself too if he can. This is very courageous, because Harry is accepting that even though his life might end, he can make the world better for others.
ABerryman5:I had never heard of that book before, but after reading a few of your blog posts, it sounds really interesting. Awesome paragraph. IT really is meaningful, and really kind of bitter-sweet for those who actually have gone through the pain of divore and the battles of child custody.
Kayla N5:
I saw the movie version of part one of The Hobbit, and it was pretty good. I am not to into fantasy kind of stuff, but it seems pretty good. What is your opinion of The Hobbit?
I am currently reading The Beggar King and the Secret of Happiness by Joel ben Izzy. One paragraph that made me stop and think was: "True?" he snapped. "What do you mean by 'true'? You want to know if it happened, word for word, exactly as I told it? Makes no difference. You may as well ask me if it's a good story, because a good story is true, whether it happened or not. And a bad story-even if it happened-is a lie."
The answer was special when the teacher told the main character about the meaning of the true.
This made me think because this paragraph eventually lead the main character to tell the tales, which are true or good stories. It helped the storyteller to try to make the revised stories more creative and imaginative.
JDevoe6: I agree about your thought about the unexpected question.
J DeVoe6: That's a good quote, it really makes you realize that somethings can really affect people more than you think. And to answer your question, I enjoy fantasy, but I don't have the chance to read a whole lot of it.
Ok, I just realized that didn't answer the question at all... The Hobbit is so far a really good book and if you enjoyed the movie, you would like the book. It starts out slow and it's a little hard to read knowing what happens, but it definitely gets better.
I am reading Prodigy by Marie Lu.
"He basically begged me for our help." Day's expression quivers. "That's it? That's why you decided to throw the Patriots' entire plan out the window?" He replies bitterly. "So the Elector can bribe me in exchange for my support? Sounds like a ... joke if you ask me" (Lu 246). This speaks to me because it shows that, even though you should trust the ones you love, you should always make your own decision too. Because your friends/ loved ones decision might not always work for you.
MLangston5-
I love Harry Potter, I've read it so many times! Great quote too!
I am reading The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis and a sentence that really popped out when i was reading was " The quickest way you can help him is by going to meet Aslan", said Mr. Beaver.
Every-one Susan, peter, Lucy, and Edmund seems to meets believes that Aslan is a god of some sorts but he is just a lion. Now i get how Aslan is suppose to represent god but how is a lion suppose to. why choose a lion when you could of picked a eagle or a fish or a dove something closer to god in a spiritual way. But a lion is confusing me some how i just don't get it. after i read that chapter again i sat my book down and thought about it but i don't get it.
Im reading Eragon by Christopher Paolini. One paragraph that made me stop and think was this:
"Garrow lay peacefully in his bead. He was dressed in clean clothes, his hair had been combed back, and his face was calm. He might have been sleeping if it had not been for the silver amulet clasped around his neck and a sprig of dried hemlock on his chest, the last gifts from the living to the dead."
This paragraph made me stop and think because of the fact that before this, Garrow had been recovering pretty well from major injuries, but died in the middle of the night. In the beginning of the paragraph, I thought that Garrow was still alive, just sleeping, but as I read on, I discovered that he was dead! The way the author wrote this passage really caught my interest, and made me stop and think.
JDeVoe6: I remember Mrs. Cheshire talking about that book! Is it any good? Is it hard to understand, since it was written so long ago?
I am reading The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde.
"I choose my friends for there good looks, my acquaintances for their good characters, and my enemies for their good intellects. A man cannot be too careful in the choice of his enemies. I have not got one who is a fool. The are all men of some intellectual power, and consequently they all appreciate me." This is said by Lord Henry, a man of great influence on the main character. This passage stands out to me because it shows how people behave around others. In Lord Henry's case, his enemies are all smart just like Lord Henry. Lord Henry probably despises the fact that they're an opponent against his cleverness and them vice versa. Most of the time, it has to do with jealousy of someone else equal talent or better talent.
KaylaN5- I love that book! I like the quote you chose, it's an important lesson
I'm reading Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins. One quote that speaks to me is “I wish I could freeze this moment, right here, right now and live in it forever.” This quote describes those times when you just can't get any happier and you never want to leave that moment.
JDeVoe6- Wow, how surprising that someone would ask that after he recently lost his child.
In my book, Unwind, by Neal Shusterman, one part in the book that speaks to me are two quotes that sum up what the book and its arguments are; “You can’t change laws without first changing human nature,” is said by one nurse, while another said; “You can’t change human nature without first changing the law.” In the book, children who are born are safe until they turn 13. Then, from there until they turn 18, they can, by a series of laws, be unwound. The books perspective is of three “AWOL Unwinds,” the term used for runaways. The two quotes speak to me because only one of them can be right, and both have disturbing possibilities, like, if the main characters want to stop the unwinding, they will have to change either the human nature, or the laws, and people will have to agree with what is being changed.
~~ MWilliams5, that’s a good book! Also, I can see how that passage would make you stop and think.
I am reading The Beggar King and the Secret of Happiness by Joel Ben Izzy.
"People think storytelling is about talking; it isn't. It's about silence and giving shape to that silence. Silence is our canvas. It is the clay from which we sculpt our world, the marble at which we chip away. And how do we chip away at it? With our words! We begin a story in silence, the purer the better. And when we stop to pause we can see, actually feel, the shape of the silence we have created. If you've come to silence, Joel, you're halfway there."
This paragraph speaks to me because it's true. This paragraph isn't talking about writing a book it is referring to life. It makes you realize that you don't have to be loud and obnoxious to get noticed or to have a successful life. I really like how the author wrote these lines. It is very touching and inspirational. Words tell it all.
JDeVoe6: I agree. I think those sentences make you feel sympathetic. I should read that book as well.
I kind of gave up on Mythology so I decided to move on to a different book. Now the book I am reading is Life of Pi by Yann Martel. The part that stuck out to me the most so far is "The reason death sticks so closely to life isn't biological necessity - it's envy. Life is so beautiful that death has fallen in love with it, a jealous, possessive love that grabs at what it can." (pg 6)
These sentences speak to me because it's just so deep that it really makes me think about what I just read. These sentences aren't just talking about a story, it's a lesson. It's teaching the reader that death shouldn't get in the way of life. It's just so perfectly worded that it blows my mind.
KatyP6: Your book also has a lesson about life like mine! How coincidental!
I am reading The Tiger Rising by Kate DiCamillo. One passage in this book, that made me stop and think was, "One of the kids threw something at her; Rob couldn't tell what. But it hit her whatever it was."Run!" he wanted to yell at her. "Hurry up and run!" This passage really spoke to me beacause it's just like middle school and high school today... People get bullied and you want to help them, but you know that they will do the same thing to you; so you don't to stay safe. It made you have sympathy for Sistine knowing that the kids were bullying her. These are just one of the passages that really spoke to me in The Tiger Rising by Kate DiCamillo.
KaylaN: I never saw the movie, but I have seen the Lord of the Rings movies. Is it good so far? Great blog
I'm reading What Would Emma Do? by Eileen Cook. A paragraph that I really like was when Emma is talking to God and basically just telling Him what has been going on with her and her mom.
"God, I get the importance of honoring one's father and mother(although if you want me to honor my dad, you should have him come by once in a while) but I don't think its asking too much for this to be a two-way street. As Aretha Franklin once said,' R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Find out what it means to me, R-E-S-P-E-C-T Take care TCB. Oh, sock it to me, sock it to me, sock it me, sock it to me'.....
Now I'm not so interested in the sock-it-to-me bit, but I wouldn't mind if once in a while my mom treated me like I wasn't a complete infant."
For me, I just found this paragraph funny, partly because I feel the same way about my mom, and because I found it ironic the fact that she was talking to God like that. Also, I'm a HUGE fan of the song R-E-S-P-E-C-T by Aretha Franklin, so it instantly made me want to sing along and keep on reading to find out why exactly she mentioned the song.
MollyL5: Eeeeep! I just love the Harry Potter series!! <3 I love that quote and its one of my favorite things that Harry says! Great job!
JasunC6: I know we only have to comment on one other person's blog, but I read yours and I thought it was so amazing that I had to comment on it! I really like that quote, and I agree with you when you say that it's really deep, and its one of those things that you read and it really just makes you think about everything: life, death, growing old, etc. Anyways, I just really liked that quote and I totally agree with you. :)
I’m reading The Fellowship of the Ring by J. R. R. Tolkien. The sentence/short paragraph that speaks to me is, “Many young Hobbits were included, and present by parental permission; for hobbits were easy-going with their children in a matter of sitting up late, especially when there was a chance of getting them a free meal” (pg 28). I found this sentence to be interesting because it just goes to show that the author used realistic scenarios within his fantasy. Parents have a tendency to give their children curfews and thing like that, but whenever a special event or big celebration (in this case the hobbit Bilbo’s 111 birthday) the kids are allowed to stay up late just like we do now. Not to mention they get a free meal. Who doesn’t love a free meal!?
I am reading Education Of Little Tree by Forrest Carter. The phrase that made me stop and think was,
"Granma said when you come on something that is good, first thing to do is share it with whoever you can find; that way, the good spreads out to where no telling it will go.”
This made me think about life in that I realized that if good comes to a person, then by sharing it you can give some good and maybe bring it into another person’s life that normally wouldn't have it. These words really intrigued me because I thought about how if something good happened to me, then next time, I would share it with another person, to maybe bring some good into their day.
MLangston5: Wow. That to me is a very powerful passage. Great job.
I am currently reading The Woman Warrior: Memoirs of a Girlhood Among Ghosts by Maxine Hong Kingston. One passage that stuck out to me in particular was actually the opening paragraph of the book:
"'You must not tell anyone,' my mother said, 'what I am about to tell you. In China your father had a sister who killed herself. She jumped into the family well. We say that your father has all brothers because it is as if she had never been born.'", (Kingston 1). This paragraph intrigued me because it grabbed my attention with an interesting, although sad story to start off the memoir. It also made me think about Chinese culture, and how honor is very important to them- to the extent that the girl's family would hide the fact that this sister ever existed for fear that it would bring shame upon them.
HLee,
That's a very interesting quote! It really made me think about what the author was trying to convey through the dialogue. The philosophical aspect of it reminds of the book The Alchemist.
KAslanidi5: I totally agree that people can act differently and be totally different people when around certain others. It makes me think that, like you said, the way you act or want people to think you act, could be out of jealousy.
I have just finished Flutter by Amanda Hocking. My favorite quote from the book comes near the end, “It’ll be okay, I lied, looking Milo in the eyes”. This quote really means something to me because I absolutly hate when someone can see your really upset and they just say its okay. Generally when someone says its going to be ok then they are probably lying. I know whenever im upset I hate hearing its going to be okay. Sometimes a hug is better then saykng anything.
MalloryD6L:
I am about to read that book!! Your quote really makes you think and wonder!!!
I am currently reading A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett. A thought provoking quote from this novel is, ‘“If Sarah had been a boy and lived a few centuries ago,” her father used to say, “she would have gone about the country with her sword drawn, rescuing and defending every one in distress. She always wants to fight when she sees people in trouble.”’ (pg. 27) This excerpt provides information on Sarah Crewe’s attitude on life. When I read this I asked myself many questions. What would I have been like a few centuries ago? How would I have handled a situation similar to Sarah’s? And how would I describe myself in that light?
I am currently reading A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett. A thought provoking quote from this novel is, ‘“If Sarah had been a boy and lived a few centuries ago,” her father used to say, “she would have gone about the country with her sword drawn, rescuing and defending every one in distress. She always wants to fight when she sees people in trouble.”’ (pg. 27) This excerpt provides information on Sarah Crewe’s attitude on life. When I read this I asked myself many questions. What would I have been like a few centuries ago? How would I have handled a situation similar to Sarah’s? And how would I describe myself in that light?
J DeVoe6: I remeber talking about Incle Tom;s Cabin in class. Its cool that your reading it:)
This week I am reading The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain.
One paragraph that I really like the way the author says something is, "Goodness gracious, is dat you, Huck? You ain't drowned! It's too good for true. Lemme look at you, chil'. De same ol' Huck, thanks to goodness!" This was said by Jim, the escaped slave who is traveling along the river with Huck on their way to Cairo.
Huck was following their raft that got swept away by the current on the canoe when he was stuck in an inpenetrable fog. There was no way to get back to the island that Jim was on and Jim had believed that Huck had drowned in the river.I really like this paragraph because it shows that Huck and Jim both really care for each other. Jim seemed genuinely conncerned about Huck and it shows the bond of friendship that the two of them share in this book.
JDeVoe6: It's really neat how both of the books that we're reading are about slavery
I am now currently reading Feed by M.T. Anderson.
One conversation from the book states:
My mom came over and said to me, “You’re a wonderful boy. I know I’m your mom, but I can say that you’re a wonderful boy. Isn’t he, Steve?”
My dad was conked out at the table going over the news on the feed, but he pulled himself up, and she was like, “Isn’t he a wonderful boy?,” and my dad was like, “Sure,yeah,yeah,” and my mom was like, “You’re as handsome as a duck in butter.”
This conversation is intriguing to me because of how untraditional it is. Most books try to sound elegant in their conversations, and often up sounding very high class and poetic. But this conversation sounds normal, and uses crude figurative language as it compares a boy to a duck in butter.
KHouse5:
I felt the same way! Great blog!!
I am currently reading a book called Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin. There are a lot of places where I have to stop and think, but one recently was,
"Ah! cried Mrs. Bennet, shaking her head. Then she is better off than many girls. And what sort of young lady is she? Is she handsome?"
First one doe not usually call a girl handsome. The next thing is, I can't tell if Mrs. Bennet is scolding, questioning, or jealous. But there are many characters in this book that are hard to understand. The language does not help me either.
JDeVoe6: Is Uncle Tom's Cabbin have the old English in it?
I am reading The Clockwork Prince and the passage is " Tessa had to admit, there was something rather beautiful about it, they they circled each other, blades singing through the air, a blur of black and silver." This passage was very interesting to me because Tessa, the main character, don't really like the Shadowhunter lifestyle and now she's easing up to it and is thinking about training with them so she can be more like them.
MLnagston5: great job Molly!
I am reading Messenger by Lois Lowry. Something that made me stop to think was:
"'Were you scared of the Forest?' Matty asked him. So many people were, and with good reason. 'No. It's all an illusion.' Seer responded."
I like the way the author has Seer mention the Forest as a mere illusion, it makes you think about how the Forest would be an allusion.I thought maybe that fear itself was the illusion, or that the Forest was possibly an illusion. That line also made me think of why the author had Seer say that, maybe to intimidate Matty, or make him think about his decision to go to the forest.
AMeling5: I disagree, I think the two quotes in a sense are both correct. Or were you saying that in the book, only one of those quotes could be right?
I read The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan. A passage from the book: "Believe me, young Cyclops, " Hephaestus said, "you can't trust others.
All you can trust is the work of your own hands. " is a very suspicious philosophy and you could say, narrow minded. This particular quote made me think about the way authors write in the perspectives of other people, not just specifically this instance, but in general. Imagine the ways novelists have to portray (if they are successful writers) their characters in books, and the inner feelings and teachings of individual people in the book.
JDevoe: Oh your actually reading that book? It sounds very interesting and also informative for a book of its time.
KaylaN5: I saw the movie of that book. Also your quote is really simple, but I like it because it is also very true.
I am reading Lord of the Flies by William Golding and one of the passages that makes you stop and think is on page 8, where the fat boy is asking the fair boy "there must have been some kids still in it.". This speaks to me because as far as I have read, they have never brought it up again, or at least answered the question.
ABerryman5: that sounds like powerful book, and sounds like the author might have a personal experience with it.
Book: The Great Gatsby
Author: F. Scott Fitzgerald
He wanted nothing less of Daisy than that she should go to Tom and say: “I never loved you.” After she had obliterated three years with that sentence they could decide upon the more practical measures to be taken. One of them was that, after she was free, they were to go back to Louisville and be married from her house-just as if it were five years ago.
“And she doesn’t understand,” he said despairingly. “She is to be able to understand. We'd sit for hours-”
He broke off and began to walk up and down a desolate path of fruit rinds and discarded favors and crushed flowers.
“I wouldn't ask too much of her,” I ventured. “You can't repeat the past?”
“Can’t repeat the past?” he cried incredulously. “Why of course you can!”
He looked around wildly, as if the past were lurking here in the shadow of his house, just out of reach of his hand.
“I'm going to fix everything just the way it was before,” he said, nodding determinedly. “She'll see.”
(Fitzgerald 116-117)
This book was a portrayal of the decline of the American Dream; ironically it was known as “The Great American Novel”. The main character of this book is a man-made man called Jay Gatsby who tries to act as if he were “old money” not “new money” to impress a woman across the lake. In the beginning of the book I was quite fond of Gatsby, he seemed to be a really nice genuine guy. *spoiler* And when he reunites with Daisy (women across the lake) I felt happy for him, but when I read this passage I began to think differently. This makes it obvious that Gatsby is obsessed with the past and that this trait was what was going to make him fail in the future.
AVellis6: I read Pride and Prejudice, are you enjoying it?
Book: The Great Gatsby
Author: F. Scott Fitzgerald
He wanted nothing less of Daisy than that she should go to Tom and say: “I never loved you.” After she had obliterated three years with that sentence they could decide upon the more practical measures to be taken. One of them was that, after she was free, they were to go back to Louisville and be married from her house-just as if it were five years ago.
“And she doesn’t understand,” he said despairingly. “She is to be able to understand. We'd sit for hours-”
He broke off and began to walk up and down a desolate path of fruit rinds and discarded favors and crushed flowers.
“I wouldn't ask too much of her,” I ventured. “You can't repeat the past?”
“Can’t repeat the past?” he cried incredulously. “Why of course you can!”
He looked around wildly, as if the past were lurking here in the shadow of his house, just out of reach of his hand.
“I'm going to fix everything just the way it was before,” he said, nodding determinedly. “She'll see.”
(Fitzgerald 116-117)
This book was a portrayal of the decline of the American Dream; ironically it was known as “The Great American Novel”. The main character of this book is a man-made man called Jay Gatsby who tries to act as if he were “old money” not “new money” to impress a woman across the lake. In the beginning of the book I was quite fond of Gatsby, he seemed to be a really nice genuine guy. *spoiler* And when he reunites with Daisy (women across the lake) I felt happy for him, but when I read this passage I began to think differently. This makes it obvious that Gatsby is obsessed with the past and that this trait was what was going to make him fail in the future.
AVellis6: I read Pride and Prejudice, are you enjoying it?
I am reading the Wizard of Oz by Frank Baum. On passage that stuck out to me was "It was very dark and the house swayed back and forth. Dorothy held Toto in her arms and listened to the wind. She was frightened . Aunt Em and Uncle Henry were safe in the cellar." this passage stuck out to me because it shows how that uncle Henry and aunt Em don't seem to care that much about Dorothy because they locked her out of the cellar! Dorothy is afraid and alone and it is seemingly that her aunt and uncle don't care.
MLangston5: I love that series!! Harry Potter is awesome!
The book i am reading is A Part of the Sky by Robert Newton Peck. One paragraph that made me stop and think was: "there i stood, working up a fever, shifting my weight from one borrowed shoe to the other, with Aunt Carrie tugging my tie, and mama behind, whacking away at my hair. when they said this in the book i had to stop and think because back then there were not many barber shops and most people just had to cut their own hair at home. As time went on, more and more barber shops opened up and became popular allowing people to increasingly became more social.
HLee6, that's a great book and good job picking out a realization and backing it up.
I am reading Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J. K. Rowling.
"Bloodthirsty and brutal, the giants brought themselves to the point of extinction by warring amongst themselves during the last century. The handful that remained joined the ranks of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, and were responsible for some of the worst mass Muggle killings of his reign of terror."
This paragraph speaks to me because it really makes me think about what's going on. It paints a picture in my head about the giants taking over.
KatyP6: That seems like a really inspirational book. I agree with everything you say.
In my book Th e Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, a quote that stood out to me was,“There is nothing like looking, if you want to find something. You certainly usually find something, if you look, but it is not always quite the something you were after.” This quote made me think that it is true how whenever you look for something, you end up finding something although it might not be what you were looking for. An example is that one time, i was looking for a tie that i needed, and then i found my whistle i won in a claw machine. So although i did not find what i was looking for, i found something at least. (P.S. I eventually found the tie)
KaylaN5: I just saw you had the same quote but I had the full quote. So i think i win. . .
I see you taylor and kayla
I am reading Cryptid Hunters by Roland Smith. "by the time Marty and Grace reached the Skyhouse clearing they could barely walk The activities of the past 24 hours and lack of food and sleep had just about done them in." This shows that even though they had been through an intense ordeal, they perservered and pulled through. They never gave up hape that they could find the Molkelemebemebe and they never lost hope that they would find their parents. This unwavering hope helped them through times good and bad.
TCummings6: I love that book! It is such a classic!
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