Global Learning Institute

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Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Chapters 15 to 17 + comment

Surprisingly, David finds Sophie in the Fringes land. She takes him to her cave and cleans his wounds. at the same time, Petra and Rosalind struggle inside spider-man's cave. David is scared and reaches Rosalind telepathically. He decides to save the two, but Sophie stops him. She takes one of the knives and kills the guardsman. She frees Petra and Rosalind, and brings them to her cave. The war between Waknuk and Fringes starts. Throughout the battle, both side have casualties. Eventually, Waknuk people brake through Fringes' defense and attack their territory. Out of nowhere, a monstrous flying object appears. Everyone is frightened, and decides to step back. The Sealand people emerge from the ship, taking Petra, Rosalind, David, and Micheal with them. Micheal refuses because his girlfriend is back in Waknuk. He requests that they should seek his girlfriend. One of the Sealanders refuses, and explains that there won't be enough fuel to return back home. Micheal decides to stay, rescue his girlfriend, and promises to come to the Sealand. The other three, go on-board and experience a journey of their lifetime. As the fly proceeds they are able to visualize people and an amazing land in front of them. Happiness and joy emerges through their minds; David and his companions will finally live among the people who respect and possess their powers. THE END

The last chapters are quite surprising. In my summary I did not mention an important fact. After a long period of time Sophie is finally found. She was not dead after all. Unfortunately, David's father, spider-man and Sophie die during the war. David's father was killed by the spider-men, he finally managed to repay his debt. He was expelled from Waknuk and thrown to the Fringes. Sophie is killed by an arrow, under unlucky circumstances. This last chapter is like a tragedy, with a happy ending. People die, while others engage into joy. The Sealanders save the children from being tortured or perhaps killed by the Waknuk villagers. For the first time I could visualize David's vengeance towards his father. He did not kill him, but it was interesting to see his other side, the dark one, which every individual has.

The entire story, made me think about the future. In the year of 2008, we can see that different powers have atomic bombs, that could be used at any time. What did Hiroshima bombings teach us? I personally believe, that a lesson is simple. Atomic bombs are capable of killing or I should say murdering millions of innocent humans. The "Tribulation" is very probable in the upcoming years. It does not mean it is inevitable. I think that people should read this book not for their pleasure, but for a deeper understanding of how world would look like in the future? Do we really want to live like that. Making everything pure, being unable to travel, not having an opinion or ability to express own thoughts. It is easy to pull the trigger, anyone can do do it. No one is able to go back in time, or fix things he we had done. it is time to make adjustments, before it will be too late...

Chapters 12 to 14

This time I shall not write so much about the summary.

David, Rosalind and Petra are on the run. The people of Waknuk discovered their secret telepathic powers. Few people have been put under an investigation; tortured and enslaved to explain their powers. Micheal works undercover, and helps David and Rosalind to choose the right path, so they can avoid the search groups. Throughout their run, Petra encounters an incredible vision from a person living in the "Sealand". They manage to communicate effectively and share their thoughts. The "Sealand" person promises to send a search party after them. At the end of the run, Fringes capture David, Rosalind and Petra, which is a good sign since they will be able to stay away from the country and people that wont to capture them. Chapter 14 ends when David encounters a Fringe who has visited Waknuk before. He sets his eye on Rosalind because he wanted to have pure babies since a long time. David is taken away from the girls....

It is an interesting chapter overall. There is a lot of action; David and Rosalind running away, people attacking them with arrows and Fringes capturing them. It feels as though as the children have a lot of luck too. They are on the run, and the fact that Fringes captured them helps them to avoid the people of Waknuk. "A chain of luck" this is the term I would use this chapter. David description of Rosalind is a very romantic. The tenderness, affection, understanding and care are all present. In the moment of desperation, we try to think of positive memories that will cheer us up. I can see David maturing stepping toward adulthood. It is unique to express such strong feelings at such a young age. Once captured David hold a conversation with one of the Fringes. David learns that tribulation was a sign of God, a sort of punishment to remind people of his powers. In different chapters, David talks with individuals about tribulation. I think that at his point David is mixed-up. Each person has their own theory and beliefs, which collide and confuse David. He seems not sure of what to believe, and who is right at this point. That's why during his last chat he decided to move away from the topic because he is tired of this pointless discussions.
Through this chapter, we learn of David's emotional side and his path towards adulthood. Petra is a key player , since she is the one who transmits all the visions. She resembles a god, a mighty person, protected by her guards; in this case David and Rosalind. Children finally experience and visualize the Fringe's land. They can see the birth defects that each person has, but the tall tales about these people were surely exaggerated. Fight for survival continues. What will happen with Rosalind? Will she be exploited? The problems did not stop, they have just began. I hope that the rescue team will arrive in time, and take the children to the place where their telepathic powers are welcome and accepted...

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Chapters 9 to 11

Chapter 9 begins with a story about Petra, David's little sister. She is quite a peculiar child, similar to her brother. As David, works in the fields; something streaks his mind profoundly. He experiences a vision, he is capable of seeing his sister, and decides to run to save her. Luckily, Petra is saved, but David seems to be in trouble. The local farmers can not comprehend the fact that David could hear his sister from a long distance. Rosalind, one of his psychic friends, steps in and saves David. David tries to make a contact with his sister, to warn her of the grave danger she is in. Unfortunately, it is impossible since Petra is a way too young.
The village experiences crop failure. The tribulation wipes out cattle, crops, and children. The birth rate is the lowest in 40 years. Jacob, an old farmer, talks about his past experience and how laws have changed. The fact that mutants are not executed, simply send to fringes, whom attack their villages later on is incomprehensible too him. In the past, they used to be killed and doomed forever. At the end of his conversation, he predicts that the worst tribulation is about to come, and god will punish all the wicked.
Chapter 10 is quite mysterious. It starts off when Anne falls in love with Alan, the son of one of the smith's. Anne decides to marry Alan, and they move in into a newly furnished house. David and his friends are very scared, since Anna is a gifted child, and her cover can be blown by this marriage. David talks with uncle Axel, who encourages David to talk with Anne to ensure that she will be careful with her powers. One night, Alan is killed by an arrow. It is a big tragedy for Anne, who closes herself in the house and refuses to talk with her relatives. The day after the murder, Rachel decides to visit Anne. She deliberately tries to open the door, but no one seems to answer. She visits Anne's neighbours, and manages to enter her house. Through her shock, she finds Anne hanging from a beam. Local authorities call Anne's accident a suicide, and Alan's murder a mystery. Few days pass, and new stories emerge concerning the tragic events. The most popular story is that Anne had a difficult time wit Alan after their marriage, so she killed him and then committed a suicide.
In chapter 10, Petra is more troublesome. She runs away to the woods with her pony and disappears. David and other receive her telepathic signals, and run for rescue. Luckily, she is saved, but her pony is killed by one of the wood's creatures. Jerome Skinner, one of the farmers spots the kids, and runs after them. He questions them, and does not seem to believe their tall story. David and Rosalind decide to teach Petra on how to control her powers. It is a difficult task, but the succeed in some way. David meets uncle Axel, and has a thorough discussion with him. Axel reveals that he has killed Alan, and he is willing to pay any price to save the kids.

Petra becomes the main protagonist of these three chapters. She is in the centre of attention. She causes lots of trouble, and puts David and his friends in danger. The death of Anne and Alan foreshadows that more people will die in the upcoming chapters. Uncle Axel proved his loyalty once again. As we discover, that Anne revealed the identity of others and herself, uncle Axel had to kill her. How long will children's' luck last for? They are so closed of being discovered. How far are they willing to go? David and his friends might start to kill others in order to survive. I predict that Petra will be held responsible for the murders. By the interrogation, she will uncover her identity. I am a bit surprised that Sophie and her family was not mentioned in chapters 9 to 11. I guess, she should be dead by now, or is she? Rat race have started, but who is going to win it?...

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Chapters 6 to 8

Chapters 6 to 8

In chapters’ six to eight, there is quite a lot happening. First, David meets with the inspector and is interrogated for his involvement with Sophie. David seems to understand the situation, but feels very sad that Sophie will be punished for having an extra toe. The inspector is a very important person; his authority exceeds anyone living in Waknuk. Uncle Axel becomes a very important friend that David can trust. He tells this amazing story of the world outside Labrador. He retells his voyages to the south. He describes dark cities, mutated animals and plants, Fringes’ lands and other exciting places to see. He discourages David to go on such a trip because it is far more dangerous than what he thought it would be. An important characteristic about Axel is his willingness to understand the world around him and to keep David’s secret. He makes a promise to keep David’s dreams a secret and assures him that everything will be fine unless David will not expose himself publically. Axel questions whenever what we truly believe must be necessarily true. Bible does mention any deviations; it simply people’s mentality which guides our lives. In my opinion this was the funniest scene so far. As I can see David having so many troubles comprehending what his uncle is saying. On the other hand, David is a child; it will take him many years before he will view world differently. Uncle Axel is an amazing person. He is such a smart person, someone different from this boring society. I think that as the story progresses he will be David’s help, a person that will protect David from others.
The most striking scene appears when David’s mother gives birth to a new child. At the same time aunt Harriet’s visits the family. She also gave a birth to a child; however, her child has a defect. It is much smaller than all the other kids. Harriet asks David’s mom to switch kids so she can get a certificate because she won’t be able to stand a third loss in such short period of time. David’s father is repelled by such a request. He calls Harriet a devil and her daughter a “MUTANT!”. I found one quote particularly interesting. It is on page 75, Chapter 8, first paragraph, 8th line. “I am not ashamed- I am only beaten… I shall pray God to send charity into this hideous world, and sympathy for the weak, and love for the unhappy and unfortunate.” “I shall ask Him if it is indeed His will that a child should suffer and its soul be damned for a little blemish of the body…” Quote page 73, second paragraph, 10thline. I can see a desperate mother, so desperate that she is acting impulsively, yet using her mother instincts to protect her child. She refers to God, and questions his will. She wishes to understand whenever her child needs to suffer pain, for something she did not do. There is no surprise that at the end Harriet commits a suicide. Let’s by real, losing three kids in a row, is simply too much to bear. Suicide looks as the easiest option at the time. I can truly understand why this woman ended her life. Who would not?
David starts to be frightened about his secret ability. He starts to pray to God to wash his “sin” away so he can be pure. His fright was partly brought by Sophie being captured and by Aunt Harriet’s suicide. He starts to see how dangerous it can be for being different. He asks Axel for advise, to give his some tips that will prevent anyone from seeing or noticing his strange dreams. On the other hand, he meets with eight other gifted children. They exchange thoughts and comfort each other to keep things as positive as they can.
Personally, I feel that David is frightened. The culmination of all the events makes him worried and scared of being executed or sterilized. It is hard for him to focus, since his mind is filled with tones of information; some coming from recent events, others from his uncle Axel. I believe that David’s identity will be discovered soon. I hope that this father will keep him alive. Every tyrant has a warm part of his personality. The big questions to be answered are: What will happen with Sophie? Will someone unmask David? Will Uncle Axel save David?

The Chrysalids, written by John Wydham

I decided to start a little discussion about the book called "The Chrysalids". I am beginning with cahpters 1 to 5. Feel free to add any suggestions, thoughts, or ideas about this book. Please feel free to answer my questions. I would greatly appreciate if you could please stick to the topic. Do not write about other books or something out of space.

Thanks for the cooperation :)


What can bring an apocalypse? What is awaiting us in the future? The Chrysalids novel, defines a certain possibility that is fictional, yet probable. The first five chapters introduce the characters and different settings. The main setting of the story happens in Labrador, Canada. As one of the only hospitable places on Earth, it becomes home for the people who survived the great tragedy. A small society, concentrated on farming and religious beliefs begin their new way of living.
David Storm is the main character and narrator in the story. His family is strictly religious and believes in purity of humans. “Blasphemies” or simply mutated people are considered to be outcasts of the society. David’s father is the head of the village, as well as its main preacher and idealist. He makes sure that the town of Waknuk continues to value God and religion. “Old People” are considered to be historical. Through their mistakes the world was torn apart, and to prevent such a tragedy it is a necessary to follow God’s teachings. Such thinking creates a boundary, which by any means cannot be crossed. David made a mistake when he thought of having an additional hand to complete his tasks. His father could not comprehend such behaviour and thus punished his son. I do not appreciate such narrow-mindedness. I believe that everyone has the right to express his or her thoughts and that religion should not be the driving force in life. David may seem normal, but he has hidden powers in his brain. He has so called telepathic ability. He has many vivid dreams of the “Old People”, and can see the past. It enables him to think differently and question the world around him. The fact that David keeps Sophie’s secret away from everybody else proves that he is different than all the villagers. I think that as a child David views friendship far more important than religion. Sophie has an extra toe, but David does not care at all. David may be brave, but as a child his chances of winning the battle against the inhabitants of Waknuk are low. What will happen to Sophie and her family? At the end of act 5, they are captured. I am keen to see how far will David go to rescue his mate.
In the world we live today, nuclear threads are very common. Countries such as: Iran, the United States, Canada, etc are in possession of nuclear power. I am not surprised that the author indirectly talked about the destruction of the world by nuclear explosions. Though it might be a fictional thinking, there is a big possibility that nuclear wars will take place in the future. Since World War 1, the advancement of technology has gone beyond our imagination. People do not fight with swords and shields; they use heavy machinery and sophisticated equipment. Wars are more destructive than ever. The government leaders are hungry with power. Superpowers like China, the United States of America and Russia collide with each other to control the world’s markets. World War 3 is approaching in slow steps.
As I analyze my first chapters, I start to understand why people of Waknuk were so religious. They are cautious about things and do not desire to ruin their lives. Setting certain rules and standards helps them to respect humans, animals and nature. Looking into future is so important. We have to plan our lives ahead to avoid the unpleasant that could surprise us.

Friday, December 7, 2007

Welcome

Welcome to the Global Learning Institute shared blog. This is a space for students to share their work and their thoughts with others. We welcome comments from anyone with constructive ideas to share them with us.