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 * DIRECTIONS: Each student in the group is responsible for inventing one discussion question. This discussion question must be posted on the Monday of each week, ensuring time for discussion of each question. Each member of the group, including the person who invented the question, MUST respond to the discussion AT LEAST twice EACH week. Your participation in these online discussions, along with the amount of effort and reflection put into your responses, will account for a portion of your Literature Circle final grade. Each time you post a discussion question or a response,you MUST skip a space from what was written above, and you MUST begin your writing with your last name and first initial so I can mark your participation. It would also be helpful if you choose a specific colour and stick to that colour each week to identify yourself with also.

Week 4 Discussion Question:** Hiewk- Why did Valentin take Frank and try to incinerate him? Can anyone find a logical motive for this action? Also did anyone notice Valentin looking at symbols during the entire book? He does during his intro, but seems to stop after that.

**YouS** - Valentin tried to incinerate Frank because Frank was the person who Valentin took monery from, and was threatened by Valentin. Vanlentin eventually resulted in prison without killing Frank. I didn't notice that Valentin looking at symbols. What do you mean by that? Can you explain what it was during his intro?

HiewK- Of course Stella. When we are introduced to Valentin. The book talks about how he believes in lucky omens. Like sets of three and prophetic dreams. It says specifically that He has dreams about his mother which he regards as an omen of good luck, and ambition. It also says that he tries to be open to symbols in the world around him looking for sets. When going places he will count stairs and parked cars to try and find groups of 3. While an odd trait it lends a little more realism to his ‘mafia-like’ character.  ChaseK- I would say that Valentin really doesn't have any reason to do that to Frank. The only thing that I could see him doing that would be to make sure he doesn't have to pay Frank back the money and to clean up any 'messes' that Frank may present. Such as a witness to his threatning behavior like the incident when Valentin threatend him to give him the hotdog stand. Does anyone else have any other theories?

Hiewk- I have to agree with you Karli that the only ‘logical’ reason is to reduce the amount of witnesses; however we cannot call any character in this book logical and I think he attempted murder may spring more from spite or dislike than any intelligent motive. Why he chose to knock Frank out i cannot be sure, it seems to support your idea, but at the same time if he wanted Frank dead why not throw him back into the fire? I think there may be a few loose ends in this book.

**YouS** - Yes, the only logical reason would be to clean up the witnesses. And as Kalian said, I don't understand why Valentine did not throw Frank back into the fire if he wanted Frank to die. I was also searching on internet and found the interview the author had, and she said that she went to alligator farm in Louisiana. She said about the alligators that "They’re very powerful-looking beasts, but they’re very, very still. They look like an inanimate object. They’re incredibly ugly and incredibly beautiful, at the same time. Any violence they do is instinctive; it’s not evil. But they are predators." I think she wanted to show the relationship between predators preys in the life such as Valentin and Frank.


 * Week 3 Discussion Question:** **YouS** - Do you think Valentin will try to find Colleen to get the money back that she stole from Frank?

Chasek- Valentin is a very determined character and is very set on getting what he wants. I think that he will attempt to get the money one way or another. I don't know if he will go as far as tracking Colleen down but he will definatetly pressure Frank for it. Frank is already under a great deal of strain because of Colleen's issues with taking the money and now he owes money to one of the most dangerous characters in the book. Valentin is already known for his violent behavior and I believe that Frank will become his next victim of his abuse.  HiewK I don’t know that Valentin will be searching for Colleen specifically. He is after the money, but Frank can get more money; however, I don’t trust that Valentin will leave Frank alone even when he does get the $1000 for him. Valentin is too unstable to predict with any accuracy, then again so are all the characters. Any bets on when we get to say goodbye to Madeleine?

**YouS** - I am not sure if he will track Colleen down bacause Valentin is very unstable and unpredictable as Kalian said. But I think it is likely happen because Frank is not a rich and even though Frank can get some more money by selling hot dogs, it will take a time to get that money and I do not think that Valentin will wait for it. He may try to find Collen rather than wait for Frank to get some more moeny. Of course, he will press on Frank to get the money first before he track Colleen down if it happens. By the way, what do you mean by 'say goodbye to Madeleine'? You mean when she will die?

ChaseK- I agree with Kalian because Valentin is a irrational character and he always has the potential of doing something that no one would expect. He wouldn't go to all the trouble of finding colleen because Frank will provide him the money. Valentin probably will hurt Frank after he gives him the money because he doesn't want to pay Frank back as he agreed to. To your question, he is asking if you have any guesses if Madeline will die in the book. I think that becasue of her heart condition and the recent issues she has been having that she will die before the end of the book.

Hiewk- Valentin is certainly the most unpredictable character in the book. As of yet he has no real motivations, and yes I am referring to the likelihood that Madeleine will die before the book ends. I am unsure as to when, but it seems inevitable that her heart is going to give out. I have to agree with Karli that it is unlikely that Valentin will go after Colleen, he has never met her to our knowledge, and Frank is not likely to give her up to Valentin.

**YouS** - I agree with you all that Valentin is the most irrational and unpredictable character in the book. Now, it seems that Valentin won't go after Colleen because Frank gets the money from Kevin to give Valentin. I have no idea whether Valentin will hurt Frank after Frank gives him the money because he does not want to pay back but I still think that Valentin will not pay Frank by some way. Also, I think Madeleine will die in the book later due to her heart problems.


 * Week 2 Discussion Question: Chasek How do you think Valentino will affect the plot? Do you think that he is a trustworthy character and why do you think he is so important in this story? **
 * YouS** - Be honest, I don't quite understand who Valentino is and what the characteristic is. Because the story goes back and forth so much, it's really confusing me. All I know about him is that he was in the prison, and as we discussed in the class, he is very smart. Right now, I am not sure why the author put his story in her book. I'm guessing that he must be very important character in the story but I'm not sure. Please post your comments so I can understand better.

Hiewk- Valentin is certainly a strange character. He seems to have little empathy or compassion, but has a strong superstitious streak. This strange set of personality traits makes him extremely unpredictable and hard to follow. It also doesn’t help that we are skipping back and forth through time. This tends to lend a surreal air to everything we read, which can complicate how we view Valentin.

Chasek- Well, right now Valentin appears to be a shadey character. Through many examples he appears as a dangerous person. For example, he has threatened Frank for his hotdog stand and appears to be abusive towards others in the story, he comes across to be someone that is very much a take action kind of guy. It is still difficult to see how he will affect the plot of the story because of the constant switching back and forth in the story and a lack of information. Although the further into the story we read the more information we will gain and may be abIe to piece together. Personally, I think that the author is making Valentin into a important character because it adds a sense of mystery and suspence to the story that intrigues the reader.

Hiewk- I agree that Valentin is going to play an important part in the story, the level of foreshadowing and attention centered on him puts him in a central focus; however, I can’t quite figure out his motivations. Beyond the desire for money to send to his son why does Valentin so many illegal and downright odd things. (See first introduction to Isobel for examples) From what we’ve seen in the story to date I think Valentin is an antagonist motivator. He will get the story rolling and change how everyone can react to things.

Chasek- I agree with you. Valentin is going to play a significant role in the story but I can't figure out exactly how the author is going to use him as a major character because we are missing the information so far in the book. From what we can piece together is that he has a son that he is strongly attached to even though he is involved in his son's life from the side lines. This might influence what happens later in the book but we can't find out until later in the story. That is the most honest characteristic of Valentin because his other characteristics are very antagonistic and vile. His role in the story is what makes the story so exciting because he causes most of the conflicts in the story.

**YouS** - I agree with Karli. I also think that the author builds up mystery and suspense to the story to make the readers get involved. As you guys said, we probably able to figure out his characteristics more later on and discuss more after we get some information on him. So far I thought he is strange and mysterious man but his strong affection towards his son showed me his emotional side which was quite surprised. I still don't get how he will act as important character and affect the plot because not much of his information is revealed in the story right now.


 * Week 1 Discussion** **Question : Hiewk In what ways do you think David's death has affected Colleen and Beverley's relationship, if at all. Do you think they can be reconciled with one another? 

Chasek I think that Colleen and her mother have always had a strained relationship, but when David died it destroyed the one thing that kept the family together. When he died Colleen lost the one parent that she was able to have a normal relationship with, while her mother became more distant towards those she loved by concealing all feelings. Colleen and Beverly may be able to have some kind of mother and daughter relationship but first they must find somthing that they can both relate to and attempt to get to know each other again. What's your opinion?   **
 * Hiewk I personally think that David's absence has caused some of the damage that is apparent in Colleen and Beverly's relationship; however, as is shown by Colleen's childhood flashbacks her mom and her did not get along when David was around either, but this seems better than the alienation they are now experiencing. I think that they could both learn to understand each other or at least tolerate their differences if they could find some common ground, any other opinions? (sorry about the random sizing, not sure why it's happening.)  **<span style="font-size: 13pt; color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Sylfaen', 'serif'; mso-themecolor: text1;">

<span style="color: #a11adb; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;">Chasek Death always has an affect on our lives. Personally I've never lost one of my parents but this year both my grandfathers passed away. I could see the turmoils that both my parents went through. The emotions were intense and often caused the the rest of us to feel a sense of awakardess that your actions might upset them more. In the book, David's death had to have some kind of affect on the family because death always affects people. Even in my family people became withdrawn and changed in their personality, in a struggling family relationship the death of a loved one could cause a great devide between the people. Colleen and her mother are an example of this. They didn't have a great relationship to start with but when David died Beverly became even more withdrawn. In all conflicts there are ways to improve it. My family became stronger by talking and getting to know each others feelings in more depth. Colleen and her mother may be able to have a better relationship if they spent time getting to know each of their thoughts and feelings.

**YouS** - I definitely agree with Karli. I also had been through just same thing as you had. My grandmother passed away when I was young. I still remember that my mother cried so much and I also felt sad on my grandmother's death. I felt my family's relationship became stronger after her death and we depend on each other more. We took care of other family members when they are in grief or in trouble. There was no apparent affection between the relationship of Colleen and her mother, but I strongly believe that they started depend upon each other more. In Korea, we often say that man is a pillar of one's house which means that man(father) is the supporter of a family - economically, emotionally, etc. Of course I'm not making sexual discrimination but what I want to say is that David's death must helped them to realize love towards each other and to understand more.

Hiewk I can’t say that I have any experiences which are even close to the loss of a family member. I have been blessed so far in that both my mother and father’s parents are still alive. My only ability to relate or understand the book comes from how the author portrays the characters. I now believe that Beverly is really attached to Colleen. Not only in a motherly way, but as the last vestige of her life with David. I also think that some of the distance between them lies in the fact that Beverley can’t be with Colleen without remembering a time when they were together with David.

<span style="font-size: 80%; color: #00beff; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">**YouS** - I also think <span style="font-size: 110%; color: #00beff; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">that Collen and Beverly is attached now. Even though I still think that they should be closer (I not sure it's because there are still some distance between Colleen and Beverly or simply I didn't understand some parts) but I believe that they will be much closer later. Especially, Collen does not have any brothers or sisters, so she probably relies on her mother much more than she did before.