What have you found most interesting about your novel so far in terms of its characters and plot? by Anne Burridge https://padlet.com/anne_burridge/jgvedy7l27u6xz2e Made with ♥ en-us 2020-04-13 10:59:21 UTC 2020-04-27 18:31:46 UTC hello@padlet.com “Character is not cut in marble - it is not something solid and unalterable. It is something living and changing” George Eliot anne_burridge https://padlet.com/anne_burridge/jgvedy7l27u6xz2e/wish/504449021 As you think about your characters, what connections can you make with other characters you have encountered in other works? 
Ms. Burridge

]]> 2020-04-13 12:44:13 UTC https://padlet.com/anne_burridge/jgvedy7l27u6xz2e/wish/504449021 Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld https://padlet.com/anne_burridge/jgvedy7l27u6xz2e/wish/507365292 What have you found most interesting about your novel so far in terms of its characters and plot?

I find it really interesting that Lee is so unnoticeable. Though that is slightly changing, it is quite sad that she didn’t make much effort into making friends during her first semester. She seems to want friends, she talks about it and how lonely she is, but she didn’t change to be more outgoing, so she could try to make friends, but it seems her self conscious is holding her back. Instead of going to the dance, she was alone, choosing to memorize yearbooks instead (it is a little creepy how she know almost everyone’s first and last name). Another example is when Lee went to get her ears pierced; she remarked how she should be doing this with friends, though she got them pierced alone (well not alone Cross was in the store, but they did not come in together). Lee wants to become this new person and act differently. When Conchita, another classmate, approaches Lee it takes her a while to become acquaintances, Lee was apprehensive, and eventually becomes friends with Conchita, but the friendship goes downhill from there. I found that really surprising, the first person who Lee was kind of friends with Lee then ditched her. Conchita did ask first to be her roommate for next year, and she ended up saying yes to Martha, a girl Conchita introduced her to. I was shocked that Lee was so harsh and didn’t try harder to salvage the relationship because they seemed like close pals (enough that Lee told Conchita her crush, Cross). Though she does reflect on how Conchita helped her in a way, “She reminded me that I knew how to make friends” (Sittenfeld 112). Lee is starting to change, and she is starting to make friends right now, it looks like Martha, maybe her friend.

As you think about your characters, what connections can you make with other characters you have encountered in other works?

Aspeth Montgomery kind of reminds me of a Regina George (Mean Girls) that they are blonde, they also come from wealth. Aspeth has confidence and some meanness, and by how Lee describes her believing that Aspeth would not agree with sharing a room with Dede, a student that practically worships Aspeth. In addition, Aspeth is the head of her clique, just like Regina (at the beginning before Cady kind of replaced her and then the whole arrangement kind of collapsed). While Dede also reminds me of (in the beginning) Cady a little bit, wanting to fit in with the popular clique.

This entry was done by Helen Ventikos.

]]> 2020-04-14 21:51:27 UTC https://padlet.com/anne_burridge/jgvedy7l27u6xz2e/wish/507365292 Anthem by Ayn Rand alexahill https://padlet.com/anne_burridge/jgvedy7l27u6xz2e/wish/508451154 What have you found most interesting about your novel so far in terms of its characters and plot?

Anthem is a dystopian novel, and the main character's name is Equality 7-2521. The thing I find most interesting is that they live in a very strict not technologically advanced society. In their society it is a sin to be alone, think your own thoughts, smile when unnecessary, and write things down. All men are supposed to be the same, and Equality 7-2521 is not. They are curious and much taller than everyone else. In terms of plot I think the most interesting thing that has happened so far is Equality 7-2521 meeting Liberty 5-3000 or "The Golden One" as they call her in their thoughts. It is a sin for men to value some men over others, thus, it is a sin to have friends and lovers. Equality 7-2521 can't help but have feelings for her, and neither can The Golden One for him. They have even spoken which is incredibly dangerous. I think this is the most interesting thing that has happened in the plot so far because earlier in the story, Equality thought of the forbidden word. He remembered a man being burned because he spoke/knew it, and I think that word is love. I think the reason that the society they live in is so strict is because they don't want violence. Just as Love and favoritism can cause violence, so too can thinking your own thoughts or being smarter than everyone else.

As you think about your characters, what connections can you make with other characters you have encountered in other works?

Anthem reminds me a lot of the giver. The society is very strict, and their jobs are chosen for them by a group of old people. Equality 7-2521 reminds me of Jonas because they feel that something is not right. They want more than what society will let them have. They were also destined to know more than everyone else. Jonas was destined to become the Receiver of Memory, and Equality is destined to know the forbidden word. The man being burned chose him or knew that he would soon free their society and enlighten all of the others.
-Lexi Hill]]> 2020-04-15 13:19:53 UTC https://padlet.com/anne_burridge/jgvedy7l27u6xz2e/wish/508451154 The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho https://padlet.com/anne_burridge/jgvedy7l27u6xz2e/wish/508564811 What have you found most interesting about your novel so far in terms of its characters and plot?

What I have found most interesting about The Alchemist is how the main character is on a journey around the world as a shepherd, even though he is educated.  The fact he is educated seems to make his journey more enjoyable on his own, but he also has his sheep.  The sheep represent himself.  He sees them as part of himself.  If he were to lose one, it would be like losing a part of himself. They keep him company, and he believes they can understand him. The novel travels back and forth in time, when he is recalling past moments.  The way the author introduces other characters is suspenseful.  Especially with the merchant's daughter that the boy is clearly interested in.  This quality makes you want to keep reading, so you can also continue on his journey.  I can relate his character to Theseus, because in The Alchemist his father is the one sending him off to explore, by giving him three gold Spanish coins, whereas in the myth of Theseus, his father starts his journey by leaving the shoes and sword under the rock.  The boy in my story is on an external journey, he wants to travel the world and live his own way.  

-Gabby Garrison
]]> 2020-04-15 14:09:14 UTC https://padlet.com/anne_burridge/jgvedy7l27u6xz2e/wish/508564811 The House on Mango Street by Sandra Ciseros https://padlet.com/anne_burridge/jgvedy7l27u6xz2e/wish/508567232 What have you found most interesting about your novel so far in terms of its characters and plot?

For me I think that the most interesting thing is the main character Esperanza. From how much I have read Esperanza seems to have a very strong opinion and knows what she wants. She wants to be more "normal" like she hates her name, and wants more than a one bedroom house. Currently I get the impression that Esperanza does not know who she wants to be yet even though she knows the things she wants. I think this is interesting because I think many people can relate to her. She does not have a grand life and she compares herself to many people. In the real world that people struggle with. Not that this book has anything to do with social media, but a connection from this book is that as a society we tend to compare our selfs to everyone else and want what they have just like Esperanza.

winley turner]]> 2020-04-15 14:10:14 UTC https://padlet.com/anne_burridge/jgvedy7l27u6xz2e/wish/508567232 Watership Down by Richard Adams sagewolf https://padlet.com/anne_burridge/jgvedy7l27u6xz2e/wish/508571141 What have you found most interesting about your novel so far in terms of its characters and plot?
I found that characters from the new warren that the group finds most interesting. The new rabbits are, so secretive and dishonest to the Hazel and his group since they want to use them as the meal for the hunter who keeps the warren. The warren accepts that they will most likely have short lives of peace and content, and this is the most interesting thing about them. These rabbits from their birth accept death while all the other rabbits work tirelessly to avoid it. These rabbits fear leaving a place of short lived happiness since they have no idea if they will every find happiness again. This fear of uncertainty interests me since it is so common in people too.


Sage Wolf ]]> 2020-04-15 14:11:48 UTC https://padlet.com/anne_burridge/jgvedy7l27u6xz2e/wish/508571141 Anthem by Ayn Rand alexahill https://padlet.com/anne_burridge/jgvedy7l27u6xz2e/wish/508573306 What is the journey that your character is on?

Equality 7-2521 is on the journey to discovering what his feelings mean. He is experiencing love, a feeling that no one else in his society has felt before. This emotion is so new to him that he doesn't even know what to call it.

-Lexi Hill]]> 2020-04-15 14:12:40 UTC https://padlet.com/anne_burridge/jgvedy7l27u6xz2e/wish/508573306 Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld https://padlet.com/anne_burridge/jgvedy7l27u6xz2e/wish/508576184 The journey that Lee is going through is coming of age throughout her high school experience. Lee stated that she wanted to go to Ault partly to get a mature boyfriend. Lee could be going on a journey to make new connections and friendships at Ault, but she is having a hard time during her first year. She doesn't make many friends, and she is lonely (and reminding herself of that often). She remarks on activities she should be doing with friends but does them alone, she is unsure about herself and her actions, she is unconfident, and that is weighing down on her goals.


This entry was done by Helen Ventikos.]]> 2020-04-15 14:13:45 UTC https://padlet.com/anne_burridge/jgvedy7l27u6xz2e/wish/508576184 The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky https://padlet.com/anne_burridge/jgvedy7l27u6xz2e/wish/508930097 Charlie has a very dark and traumatizing past. His Aunt Helen died when he was seven and his friend Micheal committed suicide when they were in middle school. This past that he has affects his ability to be social and make friends in high school. The only person he really connects with is his English teacher, Mr Anderson or Bill. Sam, a senior, and her step brother Patrick, try to make him a part of their friend group. For the first time in years, Charlie feels confidence in himself and in his life.

- Margaret]]> 2020-04-15 16:35:01 UTC https://padlet.com/anne_burridge/jgvedy7l27u6xz2e/wish/508930097 The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky https://padlet.com/anne_burridge/jgvedy7l27u6xz2e/wish/508948879 This story is a coming of age story about how a young, non-social boy named Charlie was made a part of a friend group, and slowly started gaining  confidence in himself for the first time in his life. 

 I think the most interesting thing about this novel is how Charlie's past was traumatic, and this causes him to be unsocial and have difficulty making friends, but he is still an innocent boy. He has a crush on his friend Sam, who is much older than him, but when he had a dream about the two of them, he felt guilty, and immediately told her at school the next day and apologized profusely.

- Caelyn 


]]> 2020-04-15 16:42:52 UTC https://padlet.com/anne_burridge/jgvedy7l27u6xz2e/wish/508948879 We Were Liars by E. Lockhart elisabethwicht https://padlet.com/anne_burridge/jgvedy7l27u6xz2e/wish/508957015 The main characters in this novel are Cadence, Miren, Gat, and Johnny. All of them are cousins who come from an old money family except for Gat who visits with the family. Each summer they go to an island just off of the coast of massachusetts. The most interesting thing so far is how the protagonist Cadence Sinclair constantly reassures the audience that they are a perfect family. She tells us about how no one is a criminal, addict, or failure, and how no one is either needy or wrong. They keep their family affairs to themselves and that "Perhaps that is all you need to know," (Lockhart 1). The most important themes so far are privilege and truth, privilege presents its self in the private island and the expectations that everyone must be successful- in fact cadences dad left because he couldn't handle the pressures of being a sinclair.  The four children who have been inseparable since the age of 8 are called the liars because of the lies they tell and the mischief they have always caused but at the beginning of the book lie seems to have a new meaning that maybe is linked to the mysterious accident Cadence suffered that made her have to stay home the summer when she was 16. Over that summer she wrote to the Liars and they never wrote her back, her Grandfather re-modeled the house the family is fighting over, and she wonders why she doesn't have nearly as many possessions as she had before her accident.
Ever since that summer Cadence is trying to figure out what happened to her the night of the accident and what happened to Mirren, Johnny and Gat. 
The story jumps from flashback to present and back to flashback which is very interesting and reveals things at the perfect time. The only problem is, no one in her family will tell her the truth. I am left wondering why she cant remember, why is she confused at the fact that her granddad remodeled his house, and why none of the Liars are writing her back.

-Ellie Wicht]]> 2020-04-15 16:45:56 UTC https://padlet.com/anne_burridge/jgvedy7l27u6xz2e/wish/508957015 One of Us Is Lying by Karen McManus https://padlet.com/anne_burridge/jgvedy7l27u6xz2e/wish/509079317 This novel switches prospectives, and readers are able to see how different characters feel.  In the beginning, the characters are all introduced, and they all go through a traumatic situation where readers see how the characters act in this kind of situation.  Three of the four kids take action, and the other sits in fear and stress.
Sydney Mannon]]> 2020-04-15 17:40:25 UTC https://padlet.com/anne_burridge/jgvedy7l27u6xz2e/wish/509079317 Animal Farm by George Orwell https://padlet.com/anne_burridge/jgvedy7l27u6xz2e/wish/509124096 This novel shows the perspectives of animals that are put to work on a farm and not fed as much as they'd like, The main animal is Major, he is a boar who gives evil speeches about the humans in order to get the rest of the farm to overthrow the humans. Major, Napoleon, and Snowball are the three boars on the farm. Boxer, Mollie, and Clover are the three horses. Boxer is an older guy and very honorable for all the hard work he does for how little reward.

-Emily Wiseman]]> 2020-04-15 18:01:58 UTC https://padlet.com/anne_burridge/jgvedy7l27u6xz2e/wish/509124096 The Perks of Being a Wallflower cameronhazard https://padlet.com/anne_burridge/jgvedy7l27u6xz2e/wish/509159766 I have found everything about this story really interesting. I find Charlie's relationship with the upperclassmen to be interesting because they treat him like an equal, not a baby. His friends Sam and Patrick are very inclusive and trust him. It seems like a lot of people trust Charlie, like with Patrick's relationship with Brad. I also find it interesting how many secrets all the characters have. Charlie's sister, Patrick and Brad, and probably many other people that we have yet to figure out. 
I love the perspective of how he is writing letters to his friend. We still have yet to figure out who is writing to, but I feel like it's Micheal. 
Although, thats probably incorrect because he mentions Micheal in the beginning. Which would make it be kind of weird to write someone about themself. Maybe it's someone we have yet to meet in the story! I really can't wait to see how this story is going to continue! 
- Cameron Hazard]]> 2020-04-15 18:20:18 UTC https://padlet.com/anne_burridge/jgvedy7l27u6xz2e/wish/509159766 Emma by Jane Austen https://padlet.com/anne_burridge/jgvedy7l27u6xz2e/wish/509162367 Emma Woodhouse is a very interesting young woman in the early 19th century who loves match making her friends and family around her. 

I think it is very interesting because Emma shows her passion for it but sometimes doesn't realize that all of her actions aren't reasonable. Emma shows how caring she is for her friends and family around her but doesn't care at all when her "friend" Harriet likes someone else so Emma manipulates her into liking someone else because Emma didn't approve of the man Harriet fell in love with it. Otherwise the whole novel in general is really interesting and I can't wait to read more!

-Avery Hazard]]> 2020-04-15 18:21:43 UTC https://padlet.com/anne_burridge/jgvedy7l27u6xz2e/wish/509162367 Brave New World by Aldous Huxley johannaberry https://padlet.com/anne_burridge/jgvedy7l27u6xz2e/wish/509192885 The plot of the first chapter is entirely taken up with explaining the system which manifests itself from before birth to the end of life. The story's characters have far different values from the present day, and shudder from things such as a family for reasons we might find foolish, but for them are the honest truth. They also have societal norms which seem very odd (even abnormal) to us, but for them are accepted. 
Johanna Berry]]> 2020-04-15 18:34:04 UTC https://padlet.com/anne_burridge/jgvedy7l27u6xz2e/wish/509192885 Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld https://padlet.com/anne_burridge/jgvedy7l27u6xz2e/wish/509318324 Prep's chapters are broken up oddly. In fact I have not read a book like this before. Lee Fiora is on a personal journey of discovery though her time at Ault, a boarding school. I find  it funny how Lee's experience is similar to mine at Foxcroft. I feel I can relate to this character as she is learning the ropes of a new environment. Lee is facing tension with her roommates and debating wether or not to do the right thing when faced with steeling.

My sister's best friend's mother actually went to Ault and was two years older then the author. She said a lot of the events are based on things that actually happened 
-Ella-Rose Levy]]> 2020-04-15 19:45:08 UTC https://padlet.com/anne_burridge/jgvedy7l27u6xz2e/wish/509318324 Brave New World by Aldous Huxley-Mary Joyce https://padlet.com/anne_burridge/jgvedy7l27u6xz2e/wish/509319385 The first few chapters do not introduce a character in the first person, but instead some essentials aspects about the world of the story. All stages of life are controlled from before birth to death. Everyone is raised with a purpose for future life and all morals once held in previous years have been extinguished such as drugs, children involving in sexual activity, as well as reading books and exploring nature. This book so far is teaching about the dangers of technology and abusing medicine by creating a painless, but pointless dystopian future. ]]> 2020-04-15 19:45:47 UTC https://padlet.com/anne_burridge/jgvedy7l27u6xz2e/wish/509319385 Make sure you add your name to your post;-) anne_burridge https://padlet.com/anne_burridge/jgvedy7l27u6xz2e/wish/509322507 Ms. Burridge

]]> 2020-04-15 19:47:36 UTC https://padlet.com/anne_burridge/jgvedy7l27u6xz2e/wish/509322507 The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky https://padlet.com/anne_burridge/jgvedy7l27u6xz2e/wish/509427683 This story is a coming of age story. Charlie is a very quiet non social kid. He had a very traumatic past, when he was younger his aunt Helen passed away which had a very big impact on him because they were very close. But now that he is a freshman at a new school he has to navigate the challenges of highschool.
What I find most interesting is Charlie's friendship with sam and patrick. They are both much older than him and yet they still treat him the same and always include them. They also invite him to parties which forces him to socialize which is also something that he would not have done without them
-Isabelle Munoz]]> 2020-04-15 20:59:26 UTC https://padlet.com/anne_burridge/jgvedy7l27u6xz2e/wish/509427683 Animal Farm by George Orwell (Catherine Jin) zhiyujin https://padlet.com/anne_burridge/jgvedy7l27u6xz2e/wish/509593606 Napoleon is a pig who control the farm, and the name Napoleon is the name of a French dictator, Napoleon Bonaparte. The pig is like a dictator in the story because he uses nine dogs to threat animals in the farm. From my observation above, I think this book is not just about animals, but it reflects the corruption of human society.]]> 2020-04-15 23:45:00 UTC https://padlet.com/anne_burridge/jgvedy7l27u6xz2e/wish/509593606 Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein https://padlet.com/anne_burridge/jgvedy7l27u6xz2e/wish/509609526 I thought the most interesting thing by far is how the dog narrates the story, but has the mind of a human and is very wise. The dog seems to know more than the humans he is around, and tell the story from 1st perspective, but also in a way on the outside looking in at the life of his owner. He seems to be the wisest and most knowledgeable character in the story, even though he is a puppy. He develops a love of racing, just like his owner, which allows them to connect. He makes the owner, Denny, feel less alone on his racing career. 

-Angelina Lancey]]> 2020-04-16 00:04:02 UTC https://padlet.com/anne_burridge/jgvedy7l27u6xz2e/wish/509609526 Animal Farm by George Orwell https://padlet.com/anne_burridge/jgvedy7l27u6xz2e/wish/509684160 The most interesting thing about Animal Farm is the connections the book makes with Communism and Dictatorship. In chapter one, Mr. Jones is the dictator on the farm who drinks while the animals are hungry and neglected. Once the animals run Mr. Jones out of the farm they think that they have solved their problem, but at the end of chapter two when Napoleon takes the cows milk, it is established that the pigs are the new dictators.  Animal Farm was made during WWII and got its inspiration from Germany because they were run by a dictator and the Soviet Union who was a communist country at the time.
-Annamarie Andrews]]> 2020-04-16 01:23:30 UTC https://padlet.com/anne_burridge/jgvedy7l27u6xz2e/wish/509684160 Brave New World by Aldous Huxley https://padlet.com/anne_burridge/jgvedy7l27u6xz2e/wish/509758060 This story is about factory reproducing humans to be identical and built to perform their jobs. The only characters mentioned were Mr. Foster and the director at the lab/factory (I don't know what to call it. It's a messed up concept). There wasn't really any description given for these characters though. Instead it introduces the concept of completely controlling every aspect of life. From before people are born they are conditioned to be best at their given job. This system is also trying to more quickly mature humans essentially retrogressing human intelligence by making in one case 6 year old adults.
- Rebecca ]]> 2020-04-16 02:41:16 UTC https://padlet.com/anne_burridge/jgvedy7l27u6xz2e/wish/509758060 Animal farm by George Orwell jingyangai https://padlet.com/anne_burridge/jgvedy7l27u6xz2e/wish/509876808 There are many characters in this novel. I feel like the animal groups are the protagonist in the Animal farm. At the beginning, the whole farm was controlled by Mr. Jones,  but later the revolution happened. The animals compile the seven commandments, and it said all animals are equal. Then, the pigs just manipulate everything instead of letting the others, such as, horses, dogs, or donkey to be involved. The most interesting about my novel so far is that there is still a Hierarchy system among the animals. In my opinion, I feel the old Major raising the Animalism  actually implies Lenin who started communism.  The boxer does not have a high intelligence, but it is a loyal follower of the idea of animalism, actively responding to the call of the revolutionary leader. The boxer is symbolizing the majority of grassroots people who believe in "revolutionary theory". As the novel wrote, the boxer only works for the pigs, which are the "elite" in the hierarchy system.

-Claire Ai]]> 2020-04-16 04:52:25 UTC https://padlet.com/anne_burridge/jgvedy7l27u6xz2e/wish/509876808 The Perks of Being a Wallflower https://padlet.com/anne_burridge/jgvedy7l27u6xz2e/wish/512006331 This story begins with introducing the main character Charlie, who I personally am getting really attached to throughout the story. He is an introverted kid who had some hardships in his past. I like how as he puts it he does not want to get to personal or specific with the reader even though he is journaling about his adolescence and self discovery. The concept of writing down your life, especially growing up is really relatable to me. It's really interesting to see how Charlie forms relationships with Sam and Patrick, and how difficult friendship is after losing his friend Michael so young. I think that Charlie formed his relationship with Sam and Patrick so comfortably despite being an introverted person is that he views them as his older siblings, and he is creating the relationship he wished he had with them, disregarding the crush he had to Sam of course. I really enjoy this book so far and I'm excited to get to know Charlie better and discover who these letters are addressed to.
Love always,
Olivia ]]> 2020-04-17 03:08:45 UTC https://padlet.com/anne_burridge/jgvedy7l27u6xz2e/wish/512006331 Catlett: Prep by Curtis Siffenfield mollycatlett https://padlet.com/anne_burridge/jgvedy7l27u6xz2e/wish/533406039 The main character of Siffenfield's novel is Lee Flora, a shy girl from Idaho. Lee is one of the few people from her town to attend boarding school; however, the fantasies displayed in the catalogs did not prove to be true when she arrived at Ault. The fake girls and cruel assumptions and stereotypes leave Lee lonely. Between Lee's loneliness and despair, she meets an upperclassmen Gates Medkowski. Lee's meeting with Gates leads her on a journey of discovery about her sexuality. In the midst, she also meets Little Washington. A black sophomore from Pittsburgh, PA. Lee and Little build a relationship on being two of the few "real" people at Ault. Little is Lee's only friend at the beginning of the novel.
Lee is also on a journey of adjusting to a new setting. She begins the first day when she pulls into Ault to move in. Met with rich girls and a completely new way of life, Lee is ostracized and soft spoken. As she progresses throughout Ault she grows into herself and shows who she really is. ]]> 2020-04-27 13:14:36 UTC https://padlet.com/anne_burridge/jgvedy7l27u6xz2e/wish/533406039 Brave New world by Aldous Huxley https://padlet.com/anne_burridge/jgvedy7l27u6xz2e/wish/534007632 I find it very interesting that the novel was written in 1931.  The way that the biological elements are written surprise me because it was such a long time ago.  From the first page it introduces a dystopian genre. The hatchery is by far the most interesting concept so far in this novel.  I am trying to wrap my head around how the author was able to write about this in the 1930s.  The biological aspects of the hatchery make me want to keep on reading, as well as the caste system.  Dystopian is my favorite genre so I am excited to keep on reading this novel.  It's also interesting how almost all the characters thinks this is a normal way of living.
- Annabelle Aron]]> 2020-04-27 16:13:31 UTC https://padlet.com/anne_burridge/jgvedy7l27u6xz2e/wish/534007632