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Section/Pages: 1-100
Members Present: All Members Present 💪

Discussion Highlights:
- Everyone had their book and we had a very nice discussion regarding potential themes for this story. The Watchmen is very different then all the previous books we have read so we understood it better, and it was refreshing.

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Section/Pages: 201-300
Members Present: Gavin Gone 😒

Discussion Highlights:
- This is probably the most important part of the book
- We started to discuss several themes including accountability.
- We helped each other understand the role of checks and balances to help ensure our safety.

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Section/Pages: 101-200
Members Present: Not Valerio😩

Discussion Highlights:
- One of the best books we have read this year
- We discussed villain’s and Batman as that is something we all like.
- We spoke about a recent movement called the “villain arc” which encourages teen to unleash their inner villain in the gym.

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“Could all be lies. Could all be part of revenge scheme, planned during his decade behind bars. But if true, then what? […] Never mind. Answers soon. Nothing is insoluble.”

This quote suggests a sense of skepticism and caution towards a piece of information or news that has been received. The speaker acknowledges that the information could be false or part of a larger plan for revenge, which implies a level of distrust. However, the speaker also acknowledges that even if the information is true, it may not necessarily provide clear answers or solutions to a problem.

How can you tell if someone is lying or telling the truth?

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“Evil must be punished. Even in the face of Armageddon I shall not compromise” (Moore 24)

This quote was tricky to understand at first but when diving deeper into it I realized that their was a larger meaning in regards to the collapsing world in the Watchmen. This also explores the key theme of Heroism, which was one of the themes we discussed in our meeting. This explores the meaning of justice, and how one murder may not matter in a decaying world. However, one murder turns into many murders, therefore, justice must be payed to those who deserve it even in the most outrageous circumstances.

HOT: Is murder ever justifiable? Should our justice system be changed? Would a superhero (Batman, Superman) in today’s society be beneficial or detrimental.

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“I don't know what it was.  We could see he was crying, but it was just something in the toneless way he’d said it, standing there wearing a pair of false breasts with all that at crashing, triumphant music soaring all around him.  None of us could help it, laughing at him like that.“(Moore 37).

In this selection, the last sentence uses the rhetorical device of understatement to show a powerful emotional response from the characters. The characters are laughing, but it is evident to the reader that this laughter isn’t genuine. Rather, the laughter is clearly some sort of defensive response, and a way for the characters to help manage the overwhelming emotions that they are experiencing in the moment. Emotions are important to the development of the book as a whole because it helps reveal the complex, psychological descriptions of the characters and their reactions to the world around them.

How does the use of humor in Watchmen affect the reader's perception of the characters and their experiences throughout the book?
This question is important because Watchmen uses many complex characters and themes that explore the darker aspects of humanity, such as violence, power, and corruption.

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Name: Gavin Halligan
Email: 24188gh@chaminade-hs.org

Name: Valerio Bonanno
Email: 24034vb@chaminade-hs.org

Name: Michael Bonino
Email: 24035mb@chaminade-hs.org

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Read the Watchmen!

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Section/Pages: 301-400
Members Present: All members present 🤩

Discussion Highlights:
- Story ended in a way similar to our predictions
- We discussed more themes in relation to the reflection essay.
- We helped each other with areas of the story which we were confused about.

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Meeting 1 Date: May 3
Pages / Section: 1-100

Meeting 2 Date: May 11
Pages / Section: 101-200

Meeting 3 Date: May 19
Pages / Section: 201-300

Meeting 4 Date: May 31
Pages / Section: 301-400

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Show up to meetings! (VALERIO)

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“ In the soft focus imagery and romantic atmosphere, the advertisements conjure an idyllic picture of times past. It seems to me that the success of the campaign is directly linked to the state of global uncertainty that has endured for the past forty years or more. In an era of stress and anxiety, when the present seems unstable and the future unlikely, the natural response is to retreat and withdraw from reality, taking recourse either in fantasies of the future or in modified visions of a half-imagined past.” (Moore 345)

In this selection, symbolism is evident. The advertisements mentioned in the quote show symbolism by portraying an “idyllic picture of times past”. These advertisements are meant to be a reflection of society wanting a better and more secure world. The advertisements create almost this sense of escapism, providing an escape from the harsh realities of the present. This escapism takes the form of fantasies about the future or a modified version of the past. Symbolically, it represents the natural human response to seek comfort during times of stress and anxiety. The symbolism in this quote helps to develop the book as a whole by shedding light on the psychological and emotional state of the characters and the society that they live in.

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“Frankly, isn’t it time we reassessed Rorschach, as a patriot and American?”
This quote suggests that there may be a need to review and reconsider the perception of Rorschach as a patriot and an embodiment of American ideals. Rorschach's actions and beliefs in the story often challenge traditional ideas of heroism and patriotism. While he fights crime and seeks justice, he does so outside the boundaries of the law and is willing to resort to extreme measures to achieve his goals.

HOT question

Is it time to challenge our perception of Rorschach and consider him as a true patriot and embodiment of American values?

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“Professor Einstein says that time differs from place to place. Can you imagine? If time is not true, what purpose have watchmakers, hein?“

This quote from "Watchmen" invites readers to consider the concept of time dilation and its impact on the significance of human inventions like watches. It encourages reflection on the nature of time, our understanding of it, and the existential questions raised by its relativity.

Is Einstein’s theory that time is relative really the same thing as “time being untrue”? What does this mean for us time loving human beings?

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Be respectful of club members!

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Immersing myself avidly in dusty and long untouched reference books I came across forgotten passages that would make me almost breathless, dreary looking tomes that would reveal themselves to be treasure houses of iridescent wonder. I rediscovered many long los gems amongst the cobwebs, antique and functional stretches of descriptive prose which nonetheless conveyed the violent and terrible essence of their subject matter effortlessly.” (Moore 244)

In this selection, Moore uses imagery in order to vividly describe the "dusty and long untouched" books. Those adjective, in particular, creates a sense of neglect, to show that the information within them has been overlooked by others. The phrase "antique and functional stretches of descriptive prose" also shows that the books are important . The imagery in this quote suggests that the writing style may be ancient or outdated, but it still effectively conveys the subject, which is described as "violent and terrible." This imagery also establishes a mood of anticipation, as the reader is able to tell the narrator's excitement in uncovering this book. Furthermore, the imagery of "treasure houses of iridescent wonder" is very vivid, painting a picture of the value of the rediscovered passages. The use of the word "iridescent" suggests that the pages hold different meanings and significance. This description conveys the idea that the forgotten passages contain profound insights and revelations that have the potential to captivate and enthrall the reader.

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"We were supposed to make the world a better place. What happened?" - Rorschach (Chapter 6, page 27)

The iconic passage from Alan Moore's "Watchmen" uses dialogue as a means to both provoke thought and communicate Rorschach's disillusionment. Rorschach is revealed by Moore to be a passionate character determined to bring about significant change in society through this important dialogue. Short sentences with a declarative tone provide an atmosphere that encourages reflection in the reader. This quotation demonstrates Moore's abilities in using dialogue, language, and sentence structure effectively to show themes of broken ideals while inspiring readers to make positive efforts aimed towards improvement. We were expected to improve the state of the globe.

Why is Rorschach's question, crucial for understanding the themes in "Watchmen"?

This question allows the reader to delve into Rorschach's journey and examine their journey and its relevance to the themes in the story.

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"I did the right thing, didn't I? It all worked out in the end." - Dr. Manhattan (Chapter 4, page 28)

Moore skillfully employs the rhetorical device of oxymoron to emphasize the issue of moral confusion and the complexity of human acts in this passage. Moore establishes a contradiction between Dr. Manhattan's viewpoint on his actions and the reader's comprehension of the results by using irony. Even if Dr. Manhattan thinks he did the right thing and got the desired result, the story's events point to a darker reality. This irony undermines the idea of clear good and evil and expands the investigation of moral confusion. It encourages readers to reflect on the unforeseen rippling effects of their choices and to consider the genuine consequences of their acts.

Can we fully measure the morality of our actions based solely on the outcome, or should we also consider the intentions?

This question is vital as it challenges the notion of right and wrong by highlighting the complexities of moral judgment.

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https://forms.gle/cCJbHs6scjgEERui7

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Access Google Forms with a personal Google account or Google Workspace account (for business use).

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We gaze continually at the world and it grows dull in our perceptions. Yet seen from another’s vantage point, as if new, it may still take our breath away” (IX.27.3)

The quote suggests that our familiarity with the world and our daily experiences can lead to a sense of boredom or apathy. We become so accustomed to our surroundings that we fail to appreciate their beauty or significance. However, the quote also highlights the transformative power of shifting perspectives. When we view the world through someone else's eyes or from a different vantage point, it can reignite our sense of wonder and awe, reminding us of the inherent marvels that exist all around us.

How can we break free from the boredom of our perceptions and rediscover the awe-inspiring beauty of the world through the eyes of others?

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"We were meant to make the world a better place." - Ozymandias (Chapter 12, page 28)

The symbolic language used by Moore in this passage, resonates beyond its literal meaning. The phrase "make the world a better place" refers to the characters' pursuit of peace, and social progress. It depicts their high hopes to solve the world's issues and bring about peace. Moore also added some irony along with symbolism to add to the mood of this passage. The phrase "meant to" refers to a predetermined purpose. The irony, however, is that Ozymandias' tactics to get there entail murdering innocent people and lying. This irony is a criticism on the fundamental inconsistencies of human nature itself, as well as Ozymandias flawed conscience.

What are some ways that we can “make the world a better place?”

This question is crucial to consider during this passage as many people may find murder as a way to make this world better, however, we know that is wrong.

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"The accumulated filth of all their sex and murder will foam up about their waists and all the whores and politicians will look up and shout 'Save us!'... and I'll whisper, 'No.'" - Rorschach (Chapter 12, page 26)

This remark from Rorschach illustrates his ongoing commitment to his ideals and his refusal to give in to pressure from a collapsing society. He helps exposes the moral decline and corruption that are prevalent in society and creates feelings of disappointment. Finding a balance between justice and maintaining what one believes are some of the things that this part made me consider. It also makes me think of other books like Lois Lowry's "The Giver" and Suzanne Collins' "The Hunger Games" that examine society's evil side in a dystopia. This section helps us to focus on the choices that we make and the compromises we may face in our own lives, prompting us to think about the effects of such choices.

Is Rorschach right for refusing to save those who have corrupted society?

This reminds me of the Principle of Double Effect in Humanism. Saving this people might actually bring more evil than good so not saving them may be the morally good course of action.

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1. Everyone did the reading (surprisingly)
2. The book isn’t confusing and is actually fun to read
3. We love the Villainous (Batman) vibe of the book.

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1. Everyone did the reading because of the long weekend.
2. We all have done most of the journal entries and we are all ahead of the work.
3. Agreed this was the best book we read this year!

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1. Everyone had time to do the reading, however, we needed to come together to understand certain parts of the story.
2. The book was a little confusing at first but we were able to see the themes and how this story was unfolding.
3. We started to make predictions on how the story was going to end.

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https://www.youtube.com/live/jfKfPfyJRdk?feature=share

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lofi hip hop radio - beats to relax/study to

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lofi hip hop radio 📚 - beats to relax/study to

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🎼 | Listen on Spotify, Apple music and more→ https://fanlink.to/lofigirl-music🌎 | Lofi Girl on all social media→ https://fanlink.to/lofigirl-social👕 | L...

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1 Brainstorm a LIST OF THEMES for the book thus far. Then, select one theme from the list and find at least three pieces of textual evidence to support it. 1

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1. Everyone did the reading but the workload for other classes is growing meaning the reading is difficult.
2. We had another good meeting, its always humorous talking with each other.
3. We could improve on focusing more on the quotes and journal entries.

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https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4uOTybEMFoaKrBXDrMvPXv5TkgA4-73p

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Animated graphic novel of the Watchmen (OFFICIAL).