Friday, November 28, 2008
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
gone with the wind
hi ladies,
Its time for Gone With the Wind, by Margaret Mitchell.
Summary: Widely considered The Great American Novel, Gone With the Wind explores the depth of human passions with an intensity as bold as its setting in the red hills of Georgia. A superb piece of storytelling, it vividly depicts the drama of the Civil War and Reconstruction.
This Pulitzer Prize-winning story is the tale of Scarlett O'Hara, the spoiled, manipulative daughter of a wealthy plantation owner, who arrives at young womanhood just in time to see the Civil War forever change her way of life. A sweeping story of tangled passion and courage, in the pages of Gone With the Wind, Margaret Mitchell brings to life the unforgettable characters that have captured readers for more than seventy years.
Discussion Questions:
For those of you short on time, there are a lot of pages of description of Georgia and the Civil War- you can skim over these if you are rushed. But if you have time, I would encourage you to read the entire thing.
1. How does Gerald O'Hara fit in society on Northern Georgia as opposed to Savannah?
2. What is the difference in education between Ashley Wilkes and the Tarleton twins? How does this affect their position in the community?
3. Why doesn't Scarlett befriend other girls? As a young woman, whom does she show general affection and why?
4. Why is Ellen so special to Scarlett? Is there anyone else Scarlett admires to the same degree?
5. After overhearing her declaration of love to Ashley, Rhett Butler tells Scarlett "you, Miss, are no lady". Is this the very reason he's drawn to her? What is it about Scarlett that instantly attracts Rhett's eye? Conversely, Aunt Pitty believes Rhett could be a gentleman if only he respected women. Do you agree? Are there any women he does respect? Why them as opposed to others?
6. Why is there a jump in time from Charles's introduction to his death? Were you at all surprised at Scarlett's reaction to widowhood?
8. the many complicated issues of race in this novel. Mammy and Pork consider themselves a higher status than those who work in the field. Why do they believe this? Do they also consider themselves better than "po whites" like the Slatterys?
9. Why does Scarlett love Atlanta so much? How do her feelings differ toward Tara?
10. Most of her fellow Southerners will do anything for "The Cause," and yet Scarlett admits to herself it means "nothing at all to her". Is she being selfish or merely honest? Does her opinion change throughout the novel? And if she doesn't care about The Cause, why does she still hate "Yankees" so much?
11. Who is the better man- Rhett or Ashley?
12. Considering he knows of her love, why does Ashley ask Scarlett to look after his wife, Melanie, while he's at war? Is this fair to ask? Why does Scarlett agree to it?
Its time for Gone With the Wind, by Margaret Mitchell.
Summary: Widely considered The Great American Novel, Gone With the Wind explores the depth of human passions with an intensity as bold as its setting in the red hills of Georgia. A superb piece of storytelling, it vividly depicts the drama of the Civil War and Reconstruction.
This Pulitzer Prize-winning story is the tale of Scarlett O'Hara, the spoiled, manipulative daughter of a wealthy plantation owner, who arrives at young womanhood just in time to see the Civil War forever change her way of life. A sweeping story of tangled passion and courage, in the pages of Gone With the Wind, Margaret Mitchell brings to life the unforgettable characters that have captured readers for more than seventy years.
Discussion Questions:
For those of you short on time, there are a lot of pages of description of Georgia and the Civil War- you can skim over these if you are rushed. But if you have time, I would encourage you to read the entire thing.
1. How does Gerald O'Hara fit in society on Northern Georgia as opposed to Savannah?
2. What is the difference in education between Ashley Wilkes and the Tarleton twins? How does this affect their position in the community?
3. Why doesn't Scarlett befriend other girls? As a young woman, whom does she show general affection and why?
4. Why is Ellen so special to Scarlett? Is there anyone else Scarlett admires to the same degree?
5. After overhearing her declaration of love to Ashley, Rhett Butler tells Scarlett "you, Miss, are no lady". Is this the very reason he's drawn to her? What is it about Scarlett that instantly attracts Rhett's eye? Conversely, Aunt Pitty believes Rhett could be a gentleman if only he respected women. Do you agree? Are there any women he does respect? Why them as opposed to others?
6. Why is there a jump in time from Charles's introduction to his death? Were you at all surprised at Scarlett's reaction to widowhood?
8. the many complicated issues of race in this novel. Mammy and Pork consider themselves a higher status than those who work in the field. Why do they believe this? Do they also consider themselves better than "po whites" like the Slatterys?
9. Why does Scarlett love Atlanta so much? How do her feelings differ toward Tara?
10. Most of her fellow Southerners will do anything for "The Cause," and yet Scarlett admits to herself it means "nothing at all to her". Is she being selfish or merely honest? Does her opinion change throughout the novel? And if she doesn't care about The Cause, why does she still hate "Yankees" so much?
11. Who is the better man- Rhett or Ashley?
12. Considering he knows of her love, why does Ashley ask Scarlett to look after his wife, Melanie, while he's at war? Is this fair to ask? Why does Scarlett agree to it?
Friday, November 21, 2008
The Big Day...Tomorrow!
So it looks like we will be holding our discussion group tomorrow at 4 pm Central, 3 pm Mountain time, and sorry Mirand I just can't figure out what time that would be for you.
So I am nervous to be hosting I am trying to figure out the whole skype thing today so I hope everything goes smoothly. If not, my apologies.
I couldn't find any discussion questions online so I just jotted some down as I read and I hope you will add any you might have to this list as well:
1.) What was your favorite and least favorite part of the book?
2.) What were your feelings on the mix of action and biographical flashbacks?
3.)How did you feel about the LDS culture woven into the book?
4.)This book is often criticized for it's "amateur" writing style, what is your response?
5.)How much do you think of the story had a factual basis?
6.) Do you think this book would have been better written by someone without obligation to not disclose sensitive information?
7.)What are your thoughts on the conflict between religious beliefs and job requirements?
8.) What were your overall thoughts on the book?
So I am nervous to be hosting I am trying to figure out the whole skype thing today so I hope everything goes smoothly. If not, my apologies.
I couldn't find any discussion questions online so I just jotted some down as I read and I hope you will add any you might have to this list as well:
1.) What was your favorite and least favorite part of the book?
2.) What were your feelings on the mix of action and biographical flashbacks?
3.)How did you feel about the LDS culture woven into the book?
4.)This book is often criticized for it's "amateur" writing style, what is your response?
5.)How much do you think of the story had a factual basis?
6.) Do you think this book would have been better written by someone without obligation to not disclose sensitive information?
7.)What are your thoughts on the conflict between religious beliefs and job requirements?
8.) What were your overall thoughts on the book?
Friday, November 14, 2008
Train to Potevka
First of all I must apologize for my "absence" (mentally and physically) last month. I had issues getting my book and then when I was all ready to read...BAM...I was called to be the Young Women's President in my ward. It has all been a whirlwind since then but things are starting to calm down.
I have my book this month and am half way through reading it. I hope you've started as well. I think the history of the former Soviet Union is pretty interesting but if it isn't your thing hang in there because the story is pretty action packed.
I thought we could hold our online conference on Saturday the 22nd. If this doesn't work for any of you let me know!
Well that's all for now. Happy Reading!
-Michelle
I have my book this month and am half way through reading it. I hope you've started as well. I think the history of the former Soviet Union is pretty interesting but if it isn't your thing hang in there because the story is pretty action packed.
I thought we could hold our online conference on Saturday the 22nd. If this doesn't work for any of you let me know!
Well that's all for now. Happy Reading!
-Michelle
Sunday, November 2, 2008
November's Book
Hey Ladies, Welcome to November!! I hope you all enjoyed reading Emma. Mel, Kari and I got to chat via skype last Saturday and it was so fun! Although, we missed you all. *hint, hint* I understand life is busy, trust me, I understand. But, as the saying goes... The more the merrier. So I hope to get to chat with more of you this month! As Thanksgiving is coming up, we'll just have to see how it goes though.
This months book is:
The Train to Potevka by Mike Ramsdell
Here's the synopsis I found on the author's site.
"Set in the backdrop of the chaotic, volatile events in Russia at the end of the Cold War, A Train To Potevka will take you on an incredible, winter's journey across Great Mother Russia along the 6,000-mile Trans-Siberian Railway. This fascinating story about an American intelligence agent from a small town in the Rockies is a tale of failed espionage, escape, and survival.
A Train To Potevka is a story of sacrifice, hope, and second chances. It is about love of family, home, and country. Most of all, it is a testimony to the basic goodness of man and the compassion and concern of a loving God.
This national best seller is a feel-good story for all seasons and for readers of all ages."
A Train To Potevka is a story of sacrifice, hope, and second chances. It is about love of family, home, and country. Most of all, it is a testimony to the basic goodness of man and the compassion and concern of a loving God.
This national best seller is a feel-good story for all seasons and for readers of all ages."
Our hostess is Michelle Nelson. So Michelle it's up to you to pick a day for conferencing online and to post any discussion questions you would like in a few weeks. Looking forward to it, this book sounds like a fun read.
Chat with you all soon, Mir
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