Taking into consideration the quiz questions for pages 49-71, what struck you as most significant in pages 71-97 and why?
Focus, for example, on a specific symbol, "form," or exchange and discuss its contribution to characterization, theme, tone, etc.
Focus, for example, on a specific symbol, "form," or exchange and discuss its contribution to characterization, theme, tone, etc.
The aggressiveness that Bee showed in her argument with Audrey was due to the illumination of the disgust the community has towards her family. Bee says that not being invited to the mother-daughter Thanksgiving event knocked the wind out of her this description shows how impactful Audrey's comments were.
ReplyDeleteOne of the most significant objects in the book "Where'd you go Bernadette" is the large no trespassing sign due to its creation from harsh and violent intentions, but later proving to be the reason the kindergarden class was saved. When the sign was created it was intended to create a more negative environment around Bernadette's house, another example or Bernadette's attitude toward other parents, but the fact that it later saves the lives of many children points to a theme about not judging a book by its cover.
ReplyDeleteThe email between Elgin Branch and Dr. Janelle Kurtz is important because it gives background on Bernadette's life and shows the decline in her mental health which adds vital information to why she disappears in "Where'd You Go Bernadette." Elgin says that Bernadette has had many miscarriages which adds more trauma to Bernadette's life and that he, Bernadette's wife of twenty five years, thinks that she is very sick; this leads to Bernadette spiraling into a pit of terrible mental health.
ReplyDeleteThe irony of the "Private property no trespassing Galer Street gnats will be arrested and hauled off to gnat jail" sign stood out the most because it ended up saving the kindergarteners lives. The sign is ironic because Bernadette commissioned it to keep Audrey Griffin off of her property, and it ended up being the only object able to stop the landslide created by Audrey Griffin removing blackberries from her properties.
ReplyDeleteWhile Bee and Bernadette are in the car together in "Where'd You Go Bernadette?", they are listening to Abbey Road, which symbolizes the bond between them. Because both Bee and Bernadette love Abbey Road and sing it together, it shows similarities between them and it creates a bond.
ReplyDeleteElgins's letter to Dr. Kurtz was a representation of Bernadette's growing instability. The letter revealed Bernadette's usage of random pills to tackle Anxiety, obsession over trivial topics, and a general with drawl from society. The letter foreshadows an event that will lead to Bernadette's disappearance.
ReplyDeleteAudrey's response to the irony of Bernadette's sign saving her house from certain destruction shows her single-perspective mindset. When Audrey gets in an argument with Bernadette and Bee following the mud slide, one of her primary complaints is about the sign. Blinded by her anger from the message of the sign, Audrey refuses to accept that the sign was her salvation, thus showing her inability to see a conflict from multiple sides.
ReplyDeleteElgin and Bernadette's new house in Seattle symbolizes Bernadette's state of mind after they moved from Los Angeles. Elgin describes the condition of the house side to side with Bernadette's mental issues and soon it becomes rather clear that Bernadette's life was chaotic for many years and her problems didn't get solved until Bee started going to kindergarten.
ReplyDeleteBernadette's home itself is an impactful symbol because it embodies Bernadette's mind and personality. The house itself is breaking down and the blackberry vines are growing randomly through the houses floor boards and yard, similar to the way Bernadette is mentally breaking and certain comments that used to leave her unaffected are now effecting her.
ReplyDeleteThe song "Here Comes the Sun" is first established as a symbol of light and warmth, and is quickly transformed into a symbol of darkness and downfall through the confrontation with Audrey. As the song plays throughout the confrontation, the happy moment of bonding Bernadette and Bee shared, of Bernadette singing the song and sharing her feelings to Bee, is ripped apart by the scarring comments exchanged between Bernadette, Audrey, and Bee.
ReplyDelete