I must say, I am somewhat disappointed with the ending of the book. I feel like questions were not answered, instead they were just ignored. I was wondering what would happen to everyone back in Waknuk when David, Rosalind, and Petra left; I wondered how they would react to them being gone. Instead everyone who was in the Fringes at the time that the Sealanders came was killed off.
It was disappointing to read that Rachel could not come along with David, Rosalind, and Petra. But I think Michael made the right choice in staying back with Rachel, if he had chose to leave then Rachel would be the only one left in Waknuk who could create thought shapes. She would be so lonely then. Another thing that was disappointing to read was that Sophie died. She seemed like such a major character at the beginning of the novel and then for a long time we didn't hear anything about her. She is finally re-entered into the story just to be killed a couple chapters later; that was disappointing. I was hoping that she would somehow be saved. I was actually hoping that many deviations would be saved. It seemed like they had such a hard, unfair life and I thought it would be fair if they were saved in the end.
I found it strange how technologically advanced the Sealanders are. I understand that their society was strides ahead of Waknuk. But they have helicopters and special spray to kill everyone and the people of Waknuk still use horses to get around. Why is there such a difference between their two societies?
One last thing about Petra and her ability to create thought shapes. I realize that she has a great ability and it was far beyond the ability of the people from Waknuk, but at the end of the novel when they arrive in Sealand her excitement seems to affect everyone there. I still do not understand why her ability is so powerful. It seems greater than the ability of anyone in Sealand and they have all had training to develop this ability.
Overall it was a pretty good book, but I must say that the ending was a little disappointing.
Monday, 28 May 2012
Sunday, 27 May 2012
Chapter 14-15
I found it very interesting in these two chapters the different opinions you hear about the Old People. The people from the Fringes believe that the Old People thought themselves to be the best. And now everyone is trying to be like the Old People and have a perfect society. Whereas the people from Zealand think that they are the New People and the Old People were only a little better than savages. The Old People could not communicate well because they could only communicate through words and not thought shapes; however, now almost all the New People can use thought shapes to communicate. I just find it interesting that depending on where these people come from their opinions are so different.
I was very happy to see that Sophie was brought back into the story. I was thinking that she might be when David, Petra, and Rosalind were heading towards the Fringes. Also I had assumed early that "spider man" was somehow related to David's father, and now we found out that he was his older brother. I find it interesting that "spider man" is now somewhat in charge of the Fringes when he was supposed to inherit Waknuk.
The people of Zealand are now less then 16 hours away from David, Rosalind, and Petra. Are they going to take them back to Zealand to live there? Will Michael come with them? What about Rachel? And what happened to the rest of the people who could speak telepathically? I also wonder what will happen to Sophie. Will David leave her in the Fringes or will he take her with him? She has been so kind to him, I hope that he returns the favour.
I was very happy to see that Sophie was brought back into the story. I was thinking that she might be when David, Petra, and Rosalind were heading towards the Fringes. Also I had assumed early that "spider man" was somehow related to David's father, and now we found out that he was his older brother. I find it interesting that "spider man" is now somewhat in charge of the Fringes when he was supposed to inherit Waknuk.
The people of Zealand are now less then 16 hours away from David, Rosalind, and Petra. Are they going to take them back to Zealand to live there? Will Michael come with them? What about Rachel? And what happened to the rest of the people who could speak telepathically? I also wonder what will happen to Sophie. Will David leave her in the Fringes or will he take her with him? She has been so kind to him, I hope that he returns the favour.
Friday, 25 May 2012
Chapter 12-13
Once again there are many major changes throughout these chapters. These two chapters focus on David, Rosalind, Petra, and the others. Even though the group knew change was coming I don't think that they were expecting it to happen this fast. In the middle of the night David, Petra, and Rosalind all must flee their homes because the inspector is coming for them. Sally and Katherine had already been taken from their homes.
During the time that David, Petra, and Rosalind are fleeing they still keep in close communication with the others. However, communication with Sally and Katherine is difficult. Later it is wondered if Katherine is still living; the number of those who can create thought shapes is weakening. When they are able to communicate with Sally she says that they are doing horrible things to them, she speaks of Katherine and talks about her feet, her poor poor feet. What did they do to her feet? What kind of torture did they put these girls through? What measures are these people willing to go to to create a society where everyone is the same? I don't even think what they are doing is worth it. The people in this society must learn to embrace change, they only have one view of 'normal' and it is causing them great pain. Do they not realize that if they are hurting one person they are also hurting the people that that person is connected to? When David finds out that Rosalind's mother helped her flee he was surprised. It made him wonder how many mothers would do that for their children, if his mother would do that for him or Petra. This thought, in my opinion, shows that not just one person is affected by these decisions to get rid of 'mutants', multiple people are affected. It shows that David is beginning to realize more and more that what people think of normal is not necessarily right.
During the time that David, Petra, and Rosalind are fleeing they still keep in close communication with the others. However, communication with Sally and Katherine is difficult. Later it is wondered if Katherine is still living; the number of those who can create thought shapes is weakening. When they are able to communicate with Sally she says that they are doing horrible things to them, she speaks of Katherine and talks about her feet, her poor poor feet. What did they do to her feet? What kind of torture did they put these girls through? What measures are these people willing to go to to create a society where everyone is the same? I don't even think what they are doing is worth it. The people in this society must learn to embrace change, they only have one view of 'normal' and it is causing them great pain. Do they not realize that if they are hurting one person they are also hurting the people that that person is connected to? When David finds out that Rosalind's mother helped her flee he was surprised. It made him wonder how many mothers would do that for their children, if his mother would do that for him or Petra. This thought, in my opinion, shows that not just one person is affected by these decisions to get rid of 'mutants', multiple people are affected. It shows that David is beginning to realize more and more that what people think of normal is not necessarily right.
Sunday, 20 May 2012
Chapter 10-11
Chapters 10 and 11 focus a lot on David, Rosalind, Petra, and the others who can speak telepathically. This group of people go through many changes in these chapters. One of these changes is when Anne announces that she is going to marry Alan Ervin; this is a risk for everyone in the group because if she ever tells Alan about the group then they are all put at risk. More complications arise when Alan is found dead a couple months after marrying Anne. Anne believes that it was the group who killed Alan, even after she kills herself she leaves a note saying that it was the group, including Petra who killed Alan.
Another major change that occurs for the group is Petra. When Petra is in danger she sends out thought shapes so powerful that everyone in the group comes to her rescue. I still wonder why Petra has such a strong ability to send out thought shapes. David and the group have to learn how to help Petra control her thought shapes, not only for her safety but also for their own. Petra ability to speak telepathically is so strong that she can pick up thought shapes from others that David and Rosalind cannot. How can Petra pick up thought shapes so easily at such a young age? She is only beginning to understand the concept.
I think that trouble is going to strike very soon for this group, especially because Petra is now speaking more often. But also because more people are beginning to suspect something. Uncle Axel is still working to help David and to protect him, Petra, and Rosalind from harm. We find out near the end of chapter 11 that he killed Alan Ervin; this is my opinion shows how greatly he wants to protect them and how special/important he thinks they are. I wonder if anyone will ever find out that it was Uncle Axel who killed Alan...
Another major change that occurs for the group is Petra. When Petra is in danger she sends out thought shapes so powerful that everyone in the group comes to her rescue. I still wonder why Petra has such a strong ability to send out thought shapes. David and the group have to learn how to help Petra control her thought shapes, not only for her safety but also for their own. Petra ability to speak telepathically is so strong that she can pick up thought shapes from others that David and Rosalind cannot. How can Petra pick up thought shapes so easily at such a young age? She is only beginning to understand the concept.
I think that trouble is going to strike very soon for this group, especially because Petra is now speaking more often. But also because more people are beginning to suspect something. Uncle Axel is still working to help David and to protect him, Petra, and Rosalind from harm. We find out near the end of chapter 11 that he killed Alan Ervin; this is my opinion shows how greatly he wants to protect them and how special/important he thinks they are. I wonder if anyone will ever find out that it was Uncle Axel who killed Alan...
Thursday, 17 May 2012
Chapter 8-9
I find Uncle Axel's opinion very interesting. He wants David to know that the definition of normal can be different for everyone. I think he might be saying this because he does not want David to be scared about being able to speak telepathically. But I also think he says this because he believes that David and Rosalind truly have a gift; I think this because he is not trying David to get rid of his ability to speak telepathically. I also think that it is important that Uncle Axel makes the point of saying that they should stop trying to be like the Old People. Uncle Axel understands that they cannot changed what happened so they should stop trying.
We find out that Petra has the ability to speak telepathically as well. However Petra can command David and Rosalind. Her ability to speak telepathically is so powerful that it hurts David and Rosalind. Why is her ability so much stronger? Is this a good thing or a bad thing? I do think that her ability to control could lead to problems in the future because she may not know how to control it.
Things are changing in Waknuk. More deviations are happening year to year, more and more crops and livestock are being destroyed, and now there is another person who can speak telepathically. I think these changes are going to lead to something major that will happen soon, but I am not quite sure what this change will be.
We find out that Petra has the ability to speak telepathically as well. However Petra can command David and Rosalind. Her ability to speak telepathically is so powerful that it hurts David and Rosalind. Why is her ability so much stronger? Is this a good thing or a bad thing? I do think that her ability to control could lead to problems in the future because she may not know how to control it.
Things are changing in Waknuk. More deviations are happening year to year, more and more crops and livestock are being destroyed, and now there is another person who can speak telepathically. I think these changes are going to lead to something major that will happen soon, but I am not quite sure what this change will be.
Wednesday, 16 May 2012
Chapter 5,6,7
So many different events happen throughout chapters 5, 6, and 7. In chapter 5 Sophie's deviation is discovered by a boy named Alan. David and Sophie are in the creek, when Alan appears,David is surprised and not quite sure what to do. Even though Alan does not see Sophie's toes he still saw the footprint on the rock that was left from the water. How could Alan have been sure about the deviation? I probably would have thought nothing of it.
David truly is a loyal friend to Sophie, he spends the night by himself in the Wender's house so that the Wenders can get away safely. That is a true friendship,and it must have been a hard decision for David because he probably knew that his father would be angry. He took a chance, he took the fall to keep Sophie safe. Even though David does try hard to keep Sophie safe, the Wenders are still stopped. David believes that it is his fault. He must have felt a lot of shame.David is told the truth; the Wenders were stopped by a regular patrol officer. I wonder what happens to the Wenders now that they were stopped; will Sophie be taken away from her parents?
David wants to run away when he finds out about the Wenders. He talks to Uncle Axel and asks what it is like outside of Waknuk. Uncle Axel describes all the lands and tells David the stories he has heard. I really like what he says at the end though. Uncle Axel says that how can they know if they truly are normal. Maybe they are all deviations. I think it is important that he said that because so often I think that in our minds we have our definition of normal, but really, what makes us normal? Why do we feel the need to all be the same? I do think that this book has made the differences between people more significant but it still gets the point across. I think we are all unique in our own way.
In chapter 7 David's sister, Petra, is born. I do find it strange that everyone in his family is not formally allowed to know about the birth of his sister until after the inspector comes. I mean I understand why they do this because of the society they live in but it still seems strange to me. David has to make it seem like nothing has changed, he can't even go and see his sister until the inspector comes. David's Aunt Harriet also has a baby, but it is clear when she is born that she has a deviation. Aunt Harriet sees an opportunity to save her baby when David's mother gives birth to Petra. She wants to switch babies just for the inspection. David's mother cannot think of doing anything like that. In the end of the chapter we find out that Harriet killed herself and no one mentions her baby at all. I can understand why Harriet did this, she wanted desperately to save to child. The rules of deviation probably did not seem so harsh until it was for your her child. Harriet still saw beauty in her child even though she may have had a deviation. I think that displays true love for your child. I believe that all of the people in Waknuk have been in a sense brain-washed. They do not understand that people can be different. They do not understand that differences are not necessarily a bad thing. I think that the people of Waknuk have a lot to learn.
David truly is a loyal friend to Sophie, he spends the night by himself in the Wender's house so that the Wenders can get away safely. That is a true friendship,and it must have been a hard decision for David because he probably knew that his father would be angry. He took a chance, he took the fall to keep Sophie safe. Even though David does try hard to keep Sophie safe, the Wenders are still stopped. David believes that it is his fault. He must have felt a lot of shame.David is told the truth; the Wenders were stopped by a regular patrol officer. I wonder what happens to the Wenders now that they were stopped; will Sophie be taken away from her parents?
David wants to run away when he finds out about the Wenders. He talks to Uncle Axel and asks what it is like outside of Waknuk. Uncle Axel describes all the lands and tells David the stories he has heard. I really like what he says at the end though. Uncle Axel says that how can they know if they truly are normal. Maybe they are all deviations. I think it is important that he said that because so often I think that in our minds we have our definition of normal, but really, what makes us normal? Why do we feel the need to all be the same? I do think that this book has made the differences between people more significant but it still gets the point across. I think we are all unique in our own way.
In chapter 7 David's sister, Petra, is born. I do find it strange that everyone in his family is not formally allowed to know about the birth of his sister until after the inspector comes. I mean I understand why they do this because of the society they live in but it still seems strange to me. David has to make it seem like nothing has changed, he can't even go and see his sister until the inspector comes. David's Aunt Harriet also has a baby, but it is clear when she is born that she has a deviation. Aunt Harriet sees an opportunity to save her baby when David's mother gives birth to Petra. She wants to switch babies just for the inspection. David's mother cannot think of doing anything like that. In the end of the chapter we find out that Harriet killed herself and no one mentions her baby at all. I can understand why Harriet did this, she wanted desperately to save to child. The rules of deviation probably did not seem so harsh until it was for your her child. Harriet still saw beauty in her child even though she may have had a deviation. I think that displays true love for your child. I believe that all of the people in Waknuk have been in a sense brain-washed. They do not understand that people can be different. They do not understand that differences are not necessarily a bad thing. I think that the people of Waknuk have a lot to learn.
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