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A)

My favorite scene from the chapter was the scene where Julian and Nuria met up in the movie theater and discussed Daniel. All of the scenes between Julian and Nuria were absolutely wonderful, as they provided perspective not just on his past, but on why he was acting the way he was throughout the novel. The most interesting part of this novel to me has always been the parallel storytelling, so having the two parallel stories collide, hearing the same events from an alternate perspective, is a treat to read.

B)

My favorite quote from this final section was "Lives with no meaning go straight past you, like trains that don't stop at your station" (Zafon 430). This quote comes from Nuria's manuscript, where she laments a lack of purpose in her life without Julian or Miquel. Without Julian, Nuria's life felt pointless, but Julian's life also felt pointless without Penelope, providing a secondary meaning to this quote.

C)

Do you believe Fumero, Carax, or Daniel was most obsessed with reliving the past?

D)

One theme I've noticed in these chapters is the destructive effects of lost love. Both Carax and Fumero are deeply affected by the death of Penelope, transforming them into monstrous shadows of their former selves. Daniel is also affected by this destructive force, nearly leading to his own death in an attempt to restore his relationship with Bea. This novel definitely illustrates the beauty of love and the joy it provides, but it also highlights the harsh downsides that losing such a passion can have.

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1. One key scene that stood out to me the most is when Daniel's father takes him to the Cemetery of Forgotten Books. He chooses The Shadow of the Winds by Julián Carax. It introduces the main mystery that drives the story and symbolizes Daniel's entrance to the world of hidden magical literature. This also gives the idea how Daniel is closely connected with books to destiny.

2. One of my favorite quotes is "Once, on my father's instructions, I visited the Cemetery of Forgotten Books. This is a place where books that are forgotten by the world find refuge" Personally, I like this quote a lot because it shows the mystery of the setting of this story. It also compares books to living beings as it shows they need protection, care and love, setting the tone for Daniel's emotional connection to the novels.

3. How does the way Zafón describes the Cemetery of Forgotten Books show his message about how meaningful books can reflect the lives of people?

4. One theme I discovered is "The power of books and its memories and how stories can shape ones life and connect with other individuals." It shows Daniel's deep connect to the book he choose and how it draws him into the author's world. Stories are not just for people's entertainment, they carry special value that impacts lives in extraordinary ways. People are able to connect with people across time, and show pieces of themselves through the stories they read and are influenced by.

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a) In these chapter the most striking thing to me was when Daniel and Clara first meet and how quickly they both bond over books. This shows the deep connection to literature throughout the rest of the book and how meaningful it truly is. I also shows how a new relationship is formed through Daniel and Clara, as Daniel "falls in love."

b) “Every book, every volume you see here, has a soul. The soul of the person who wrote it and of those who read it and lived and dreamed with it.”
This quote shows how that books in this story hold a almost magical value. Also it shows how literature in show though time and how it cherished /depicted.

c) Why does Daniel become so obsessed with learning about Julian Carax and his books? For what reasons does he feel a deep connection to the books true meaning?

d) One theme that I discovered which was recurring was love and loss. It shows how throughout the book Daniel struggles with the loss of his mother. And also deals with the his ideas of love when he first sees Clara. This shows that people, even though they my be going through tough times. There is always still room in your heart for love. Even if your life is filled with loss, you can always have the room in your life for love.

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A) A scene that stuck out to me was when Daniel walked in on Clara having intercourse. The scene was intense as it suggested that the faceless man was on the premises, commenting on hearing noises in Clara's room. However, that tension is relieved when it is revealed that the person in the room with Clara is her music instructor Neri. This moment is important because Daniel stops wondering whether Clara feels for him and describes it as releasing a burden.

B) My favorite quote was "Childhood devotions make unfaithful and fickle lovers" (Zafon 28). This quote was describing how Daniel lost interest in the fabled pen that represented his writing career, instead getting distracted by toys. It can be further applied to Daniel's devotion to Clara, which distracts him from his dad and the promises he made to him.

C) Why did Fermin go crazy in the pension?

D) One theme I saw emerging is to distrust others. It is something mentioned by Clara, who says to not trust "the people you admire" (Zafon 17) which foreshadows how Daniel will come to admire her looks yet get crushed when he sees her with another man. Barcelo mentions that in the book business, one cannot trust anything. Fumero, an antagonist responsible for killing Clara's dad, is a gunman who switches sides based on circumstance. The setting takes place during a time of government police takeover, a lack of trust in others, and a desire to keep secrets.

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A)

In these chapters, a scene that stuck out to me was Daniel's conversation with Dona Aurora, which gives us most of the information we know about Julian Carax. This scene stuck out to me because of how relentless Daniel is to get information about Carax. Much of what he previously learned about Carax was from accident or light prodding, but in this scene, Daniel takes agency in his quest for knowledge, actively interrogating Dona Aurora and exploring the house beyond what Aurora wanted. This characterizes Daniel as both curious and persistent.

B)

My favorite quote was " 'You remind me a bit of Julian' she said suddenly. 'The way you look, and your gestures. He used to do what you are doing now'" (Zafon 164). This line is interesting to me because it characterizes Carax, who has largely remained an enigma, and explains why Daniel was drawn to The Shadow of the Wind. Although Carax is a large part of the novel, much of his motives remain unknown, but by comparing him to Daniel, a character we are intimately familiar with, we are able to catch a glimpse of what he is truly like. It also explains why Daniel was drawn to the novel, as if the author was largely similar to him, it makes sense why both Daniel and Clara found such a deep connection to the books.

C)

Does Daniel genuinely love the women he chases, like Bea and Clara, or is he just desperate for connection?

D)

One theme that the novel is beginning to develop is that no narrator is truly reliable. The information Daniel learns from Dona Aurora is not necessarily a lie, but there is information that she does not know, so it cannot be taken at face value. The same can be said for Nuria, who does likely present partially true information to Daniel, but it is impossible to discern her true motives after learning that she was the one in charge of the PO box. Much of the information Fermin says is also hard to take at face value, even after the confirmation that Fumero is real. This is not to say that everyone is always deliberately lying, but moreso that internal biases and gaps of knowledge can lead to it being impossible to tell a story that is 100% truthful.

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A) A key scene I found interesting to me is when Daniel meets Nuria Monfort and begins to find out more about Julián Carax's past. This scene is a very big moment of mystery since it shows how Carax's life is similar to Daniel's which is a little strange. It is very compelling because it shows how obsession with love and truth can really make a person who they are.

B) One quote I really liked is "Sometimes we think people are like books, but they're not. We can't know all the time stories inside someone." I like this quote because it shows how mystery is within everyone even if we believe we understand someone. It shows how Daniel keeps finding out hidden secrets in everyone who is linked with Carax. This shows that people have very unique and complex lives and very secretive just like how he treats his books.

C) Do you think Daniel is really trying to learn about Carax or is he trying to find someone of himself in the book?

D) A theme I discovered in these chapters is "the links between passion, obsession and loss." Since Daniel comprehends more about Carax's failed love life, it is clear that love can be a inspiring but also discouraging.This theme also starts to show Daniel's personal feelings for Bea, and it shows how the past can be a repetition through secrets and passion.

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A) I feel a key scene in the book is when Daniel sneaks out to try and find out as much about Julian Carax's past as he can. This sparks a major moment in the story when he also starts to find out more about his own life too. Showing just how far the rabbit hole and how determine Daniel is on following it.

B) My favorite quote is, “Presents are made for the pleasure of who gives them, not the merits of who receives them.” (pg. 172) This gives a deep connection to human nature and how a true heart only gives for good and expects nothing. This also shows how Fermin's teaching for Daniel is like a present that is given out of the goodness of his heart, not expecting anything back.

C) Why did Daniel ever get so hooked onto Julian Carax's story even though it was simple? Did he see something in himself that he thinks he sees in Carax?

D) The theme that emerges in the novel is obsession. Daniel has been lead down a path, almost like a goose chase, to see what information there is on Carax. It brings him to professors, friends, friends of friends, and shady new people. But Daniels building obsession starts to lead him down new paths such as paths leading back to his life's past. Such obsession has unlocked Daniel a new understand to his life, with himself and his surrondings.

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A)

A scene that stuck out to me was Daniel's encounter with Inspector Fumero. The opening of the scene seems purposefully intense in order to trick the audience into expecting Coubert the book burner. The character conceals himself in clothing, subtlety threatens Daniel under the pretense of wanting things to go "the easy way", and is weirdly knowledgeable about the characters in the story, all of which are very much like Coubert. Daniel chooses not to share his encounter with Fumero in order to keep Fermin and Federico's peace of mind, rather than warn them of a potential threat, showing Daniel is somewhat mature in understanding the wider consequences of his choices.

B)

My favorite quote was "Of all the disappointments amassed during his lifetime, none hurt Antoni Fortuny more than the sun whom the devil had sent to mock him" (Zafon 119). The use of devils appears throughout the book. The book burner takes on the name of the devil, Dona Aurora refers to Daniel as a devil for his devious tempting of her curiosity, and here, the super religious Antoni considers his son, Julian Carax, sent by the devil as a mockery. This demonstrates the distance between the father and son, as Antoni constantly disapproves of his son's artistic skills that only add to what he already disliked about his illegitimate son.

C)

How has Daniel's interactions with women changed from Clara to Beatriz? Do you think Daniel is more or less knowledgeable about women than Fermin?

D)

One theme that I see is the idea of oppression causing the apprehension of fear, even when no threat is present. Lain Coubert represents oppression of free thought as he burns books, the source of knowledge that allows people freedom of thought and imagination. As a symbol of oppression, he is constantly in the back of Daniel's mind, and ours too as many of the tense moments are tense because we feel that he could be anywhere, in Clara's house, in the bookshop, in Antoni's apartment. Additionally, there is Inspector Fumero, whose threats force Daniel to think about him and serve as a lingering threat without having to be present.

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A)

My favorite scene from these chapters was near the end, where Julian's relationship with Penelope is finally exposed, and he must flee to Paris by himself. This scene recontextualizes many previous events, adding an even greater degree of tragedy to Julian's life. Knowing Julian truly loved Penelope makes the letter Penelope never sent even more tragic, as we now know it was not Julian abandoning Penelope, but fate forcing Penelope to abandon him.

B)

A quote that stood out to me in these chapters was "Years later, every time he stuck his revolver into the mouth of a prisoner and pulled the trigger, Chief Inspector Francisco Javier Fumero would remember the day he saw his mother's head burst open like a ripe watermelon near an outdoor bar in Las Planas and didn't feel anything" (Zafon 215). This one sentence took me by complete surprise, changing so many dynamics I previously believed I fully understood. Knowing that Fumero knew Carax, and that Carax's kindness is indirectly responsible for the monster Fumero would become is heartbreakingly tragic, and only further complicates the strange relationship between Fumero and Fermín.

C)

Since we know Carax's life is a mirror to Daniel's, do you believe Carax's relationship with Penelope more closely parallels Daniel's relationship with Bea or Clara?

D)

This section further develops the theme that no narrator is absolutely reliable. Every time we hear a new perspective on Carax's life, new details are added that both contradict and expound upon ideas from previous stories. Perhaps it is not that no narrator is fully reliable, but that one perspective cannot tell the full story, thus leading to narratives being complicated by subconscious biases and lapses in knowledge. Currently, Jacinta is the closest we have to an accurate account, but even her testimony cannot be considered 100% accurate, as it's clear she is biased towards Penelope, eliminating almost any nuance in her character and painting her as almost saintly.

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A) A key scene in chapters 24-33 is when Daniel discovers more about Nuria Monfort and starts finding out the truth about Carax's tragic past. I believe this scene is important because it shows how Daniel is super curious and has made him obsessed. He pushes himself to sacrifice his safety in order to get answers. The connection between Daniel's life and Carax's are starting to blend and blur, which shows that Daniel's investigation is to find out more about himself through Carax rather than trying to only discover Carax's life. This is a huge turning point in the novel, making the connection between both of them more intense.

B) "Every book, every volume you see here, has a soul. The soul of the person who wrote it and of those who read it." This quote stands out to me because it really highlights the novel's belief in the power of stories and there potential to guide human's to a certain life. It reminds the reader that books are more then just writing, it has emotions and personal experiences that deepens the voice in the time. It also symbolizes Daniel's comprehension to the book that he much be remembered and not forgotten.

C) Do you think Daniel's obsession with Carax is shown from curiousity or his needs to get away with his own life?

D) A major theme i found is the constant understanding and bond between memories and identity. Zafón emphasizes how even though something significant happened in the past, it continues to reflect on lives of other individuals in the present. The characters in the book are guided by memories and secrets that avoid being forgotten. The novel shows how memory is a active and has dangerous energy that defines a person's life in the moment.

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Week 3 (Chapter 24-33)

A) My favorite scene from these chapters was when Daniel visits a person named Nuria Monfort which helps Daniel learn more about his past. This helps show how the mystery Daniel has been chasing shows parallels between his and Carax's life.

B)"Books are mirrors, you only see in them what you already have inside you." This quote resonates deeply because it shows the books main idea the reading reflects your inner self

C) Is Daniel going to go down the same path as Carax did, or will he break away in time?

D)I think the theme of obsessions is still very prevalent in these chapters since it is really shown in the book that when obsessions are driven too far it may turn into tragedy or something bad. This is shown in Carax and Fumero's lives.

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Week 4 (Chapters 34-Nuria Monfort Chapter 4)

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Week 4 (Chapters 34-Nuria Monfort Chapter 4)

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A)

My favorite scene from these chapters was Daniel's encounter with Lain Coubert in the Aldaya Mansion's basement. This characterized Coubert beyond just being a vague evil presence haunting the narrative. The suspense during this scene is also amazing, as much of the details are left to the unknown, like why Coubert was there and whether he followed them out of the mansion. This scene, in combination with Fortuny not identifying the body, leads me to believe that Coubert is Carax, who killed Jorge in the duel and believes himself to be as evil as the devil for all the sin he's done, leading to him destroying his life's work out of guilt.

B)

A quote that stood out to me was "In seven day's time, I would be dead" not necessarily because of it's contents, but because of what it represents. Strangely, this sentence is disjointed from the rest of the paragraph, left standalone and written in a different font than the rest of the novel, implying it may be written by a different character. The whole novel has been narrated in the first person-limited, which makes this interjection strange, since Daniel would not know it at the time. Because of this, this quote is intriguing, as it breaks convention with the rest of the novel and leaves many questions unanswered

C)

Is Carax more influenced by Aldaya, Sophia, or Fortuny?

D)

One theme I am noticing is the effects of strict parenting on a child. Julian, Clara, Bea, and Penelope all have strict or abusive father figures, and yet they all grow up to be rebellious. This is in contrast to Daniel, whose father is rather lenient, and yet Daniel is the only one who does not directly disobey his father's wishes, and in fact, grows up to be very similar to him in many ways. Perhaps the author is implying that strict parenting will lead to rebellion, not conformity.

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A)

The scene I noticed was Daniel's conversation with Fermin in the bar. It was important because it revealed Daniel's motivation in uncovering the mysteries of Julian Carax. Additionally, the motivation is about keeping the memory of his mother alive, like how he wants to protect The Shadow of the Wind and the knowledge of Julian Carax's life.

B)

A quote that stood out to me was "'I'm afraid of looking at a photograph of my mother and discovering that she's a stranger" (Zafon 221). The quote is significant because it explains the importance of keeping memories alive because without ample context, the memory itself is meaningless images.

C)

Is there real paranormal activity in the book, or can it all be explained by rational human activity/Legends perpetuated by hysteria?

D) One theme I noticed emerging is the loss of innocence. Miquel's childhood was destroyed by the death of his mother and the discovery of her body. Fumero was sexually abused by his mother, losing his innocence and driving him towards a life of sadism. Daniel's childhood is further tested through the telling of these stories, but also the sight of the prisoners in Montjuic Castle.

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A)

The scene I want to talk about is Daniel's call with Clara. It's important because Clara is demonstrating an openness to their friendship again, and Daniel lies his way through to sound unaffected. The marriage of Clara represents the end of Daniel's childhood fantasy goal, and thus his final transition to adulthood.

B)

"It didn't occur to him that Julian secretly despised him, that his affection was a sham, only a pretext to be close to Penelope... They did resemble each other in that." (Zafon 386). This quote has a double meaning, both demonstrating that Julian hated Don Ricardo secretly, but also that Don Ricardo never really liked Julian, rather he was buttering him up to be heir to the business.

C)

What's the difference between Daniel and Julian's lives? How do you predict those differences will change Daniel's life?

D) A theme I've noticed is the abuse of power by the wealthy. Don Ricardo is revealed to have used his money in disgusting ways. His money made him able to walk away from his affair, then reclaim his child as an heir. His power had already previously given the power to punish both Jacinta and then drive Fortuny out of business as punishment for Penelope and Julian's affair. He then finally uses his influence to silence the death of his daughter by his own fault.

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A) A key scene I discovered in this section is when Daniel reads Nuria Monfort's letter. It finally reveals the truth behind Carax and Penélope's bond and love they had for each other. Nuria writes in detail about the discovering of many mysterious from her father's role, Furmero's obsession and Carax new ghost figure transformation. This scene is very important because it shows how love, and envying can destroy one's like but also destroy the connections he had with people around him.

B) "There are worse prisons than words." This quote stands out to me because it highlights the emotional entrapment that reflect on many characters. Carax's puzzled past, Nuria by guilt and even the discovering of what Daniel needed to find. This symbolizes how memory and pain can limit individuals deep into their mindset.

C) Do you think Nuria was justified in hiding the truth for so long or do you think her secrecy was moe harmful?

D) A major theme I found is the destructive idea of secrecy. Every character in this book who has a downfall is because they are hiding what is important to be acknowledged. For instance, when Nuria tries to protect Julian from keeping secrets, it only spread more agony and pain which leader leads to horrifying deaths and dishonoring reputations. Another theme I found is the contrasting idea of love and tragedy. Daniel's relationship with Bea reflects Carax and Penélope's relationship which shows how history is a cycle when individuals do not take past mistakes into account throughout their life.

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A)

My favorite scene I feel the most pivotal scene was when Daniel finds dead Nuria's letter describing her confessions of Carax and Fumero. After finding out that Fumero has had a hatred his entire life for Carax brought by jealousy. This is what cause Carax to go into hiding thinking that he was "dead". We basically find out that Furmeo is behind everything and the killing of Nuria and anything in his way of tracking down Carax.

B)

"I have lived in the shadow of others all my life, Daniel. Now, at least, let me step into the light." This was Nuria's talking to Daniel about desire to be heard and finally be seen by others. In her case she wanted to tell the truth of what was happening with Furmeo.

C)

Do you think Carax intentionally destroyed his books to protect himself from his past, or was it for another reason?

D)

The theme that emerges is destruction and corruption. This is shown as Fumero gains so power in post-war spain after WW2. During this time time authority was enforced which showed the influx of cruelty with any justice. And the violence that follows when there is no accountability and law. Which allows Fumero to become a "detective" and go around killing people for is investigation of Carax.

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A) My favorite scene from the ending was when Daniel finally discovers the full truth and background of Carax's life and his fate. This scene is very crucial because it links together all the secrets that have motivated the narrative, expressing how obsession, revenge and the undiscovered love shaped people's life. Daniel not only learns Carax's story but also shows how his own choices and decisions mirror these cycles.

B) My favorite quote from this section is "Every book, every volume you see here, has a soul. The soul of the person who wrote it and of those who read it and lived and dreamed with it." (Zafón 445). This quote explains the power of the stories, significantly at the end because Daniel maintains Carax's life through the narrative and remembrance. This shows how much he impacted Daniel's life even through his death.

C) Do you think Daniel's affiliation with Carax's story suggest that the impact of the past will continue to shape people's lives indefinitely?

D) One theme that emerges in the ending is the different usage of memory, legacy and redemption. Carax's life highlights how secrets, love and vengeance can ruin people's lives but Daniel's mindset of comprehension and preserving his story express that memories can heal as well. This section emphasizes that while tragedy is inescapable, confronting the past allows people to find closure with an impactful meaning.

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a) The scene I wanted to highlight is when Daniel talked to Tomas and was beat up for getting Bea pregnant. Tomas demonstrated that despite his anger, he didn't give up Daniel's name as his father was trying to kill him. Additionally, this encounter mirrors their first interaction, in which Daniel insults Bea and gets beat up, showing consistency in Tomas' defensiveness of his sister.

b) "He hated those filthy books to which he had devoted his life and about which nobody cared. He hated every stolen second and every breath" (Zafon 419). This quote in Nuria Monfort's note describes Julian's motivation for becoming Lain Coubert. Julian was angry at himself for spending his time writing while his love was killed by her dad, and took that anger out on the books which he prioritized giving his attention.

c) What is the significance of the pen as a symbol?

d) The final theme I want to conclude on is the idea of legacy and the memory of people based on people that cultivate it. The stories of Julian Carax remain and his legacy persists after his metaphoric death and transformation into Lain Coubert through the preservation of his books by Nuria Monfort and then Barcelo by the end of the book. Fumero, on the other hand, is forgotten by the city who bent to his will because no one bothered to fight for his memory.