LOG # 14. Why do you think the author wrote this story? Where did he or she get the idea or the characters? What message do you think that the author is trying to share?
I believe the message the author was trying to convey was one of courage and the rite of passage from boyhood into manhood. Henry's story begins with a desire to be a man -- being brave and sure in his decisions and actions -- and yet, grappling with feelings of insecurity and his fears.
Ultimately, the story is one of discovering one's true self through strength of conviction and courage.
Log #13 - Unusual...not at all
LOG # 13. It is not unusual to wish that our lives were more like the lives of characters in stories. How would you change your own real life to be more like the world of your story?
I have to agree it is not unusual to wish our lives could be more like the lives of characters we read about or even see in movies and on T.V. That being said, I cannot in all honesty say I have a wish for my life to be more like any of the characters in this story. After all, even though it is a story about courage, it is also a story about being a soldier in war. At this point, I do not have any desire to enlist in the military.
Other than finding and having courage in my life in different aspects, I do not relate to the lives of the characters as wanting my own life to be more like theirs.
I have to agree it is not unusual to wish our lives could be more like the lives of characters we read about or even see in movies and on T.V. That being said, I cannot in all honesty say I have a wish for my life to be more like any of the characters in this story. After all, even though it is a story about courage, it is also a story about being a soldier in war. At this point, I do not have any desire to enlist in the military.
Other than finding and having courage in my life in different aspects, I do not relate to the lives of the characters as wanting my own life to be more like theirs.
Log #12 - Puzzled and Confused
LOG # 12. Are you puzzled or confused about anything in the story? What is it that confuses you, and why do you find it confusing?
Nothing puzzles me about the story itself, as much as interpreting what is happening in the story (again, another complaint about the writing style). Sometimes it is difficult to keep up with who is who because other than Henry, the characters are not written by name. At times that makes it a little confusing because you have either be very focused on who is saying what, or you're relegated to going back and re-reading the last few sentences.
Overall, I get the gist of the story without too much confusion.
Nothing puzzles me about the story itself, as much as interpreting what is happening in the story (again, another complaint about the writing style). Sometimes it is difficult to keep up with who is who because other than Henry, the characters are not written by name. At times that makes it a little confusing because you have either be very focused on who is saying what, or you're relegated to going back and re-reading the last few sentences.
Overall, I get the gist of the story without too much confusion.
Log #11
LOG # 11. When you wish to learn when you read again tomorrow; what do you hope will happen in the story or to the characters? Why do you wish for that to happen?
I hope the character of "the loud soldier" will garner some courage and doesn't succumb to death the way he described it as being his "first and last battle." It would be exciting to read about Henry's encounters in battle rather than his narrative thoughts about what might happen or what happens to others.
Reading the action sequences are much more entertaining than reading about the probability of some action or reading about the descriptions of Henry's thoughts and ponderings about what is to come.
I hope the character of "the loud soldier" will garner some courage and doesn't succumb to death the way he described it as being his "first and last battle." It would be exciting to read about Henry's encounters in battle rather than his narrative thoughts about what might happen or what happens to others.
Reading the action sequences are much more entertaining than reading about the probability of some action or reading about the descriptions of Henry's thoughts and ponderings about what is to come.
Log #10 - Surprises
LOG # 10. As you read today, what surprised you? Explain how this will affect the story or how it changed your thinking about the story.
What was surprising was the actual description of the men being involved in a battle. It seemed as if the story would go on forever in anticipation of a battle. I was pleasantly surprised to finally get into the beginning of some action. I was also surprised to find that someone else's fear, other than Henry's, got the best of them.
Reading about the action was so descriptive that you could almost imagine yourself being there watching it happen -- as if hearing a play-by-play given to you by an announcer; although, the feeling hasn't changed for me as far as the wordiness of the writer. It hasn't changed my thinking about the story as much as it has made it become a bit more interesting.
What was surprising was the actual description of the men being involved in a battle. It seemed as if the story would go on forever in anticipation of a battle. I was pleasantly surprised to finally get into the beginning of some action. I was also surprised to find that someone else's fear, other than Henry's, got the best of them.
Reading about the action was so descriptive that you could almost imagine yourself being there watching it happen -- as if hearing a play-by-play given to you by an announcer; although, the feeling hasn't changed for me as far as the wordiness of the writer. It hasn't changed my thinking about the story as much as it has made it become a bit more interesting.
Log #9
LOG # 9. If you could ask any character a question, what would you ask? If you could ask the author a question, what might that be? Explain why you chose these questions.
I would ask the main character, Henry, what his reason or reasons were for joining the army. I didn't get a true sense of that in the beginning of the book.
I would ask the author what possessed him to tell this story; was it in any way autobiographical? Did the story come from tales he was told by a family member or friend? These are curious questions because of the complex and detailed way in which the story is written. I admit that even though I would ask these questions and would be genuinely curious about the answers, I am not the biggest fan of trying to interpret the old English slang and speech.
Other than the main character, Henry, and the author - I would not have any questions of anyone else.
I would ask the main character, Henry, what his reason or reasons were for joining the army. I didn't get a true sense of that in the beginning of the book.
I would ask the author what possessed him to tell this story; was it in any way autobiographical? Did the story come from tales he was told by a family member or friend? These are curious questions because of the complex and detailed way in which the story is written. I admit that even though I would ask these questions and would be genuinely curious about the answers, I am not the biggest fan of trying to interpret the old English slang and speech.
Other than the main character, Henry, and the author - I would not have any questions of anyone else.
Log #8 - Conflicts or Problems
LOG # 8. Now that you are this far into the story, what do you look forward to learning next? What conflicts or problems do you think the characters will face? What qualities of your character (honest, loyal, cruel, dishonest, angry, vengeful) will affect how the character handles the problems and conflicts he or she encounters?
I would most look forward to the men actually going into battle and learning whether or not their courage will truly be tested. This is what I believe is the true meaning of the book and where the story seems to be heading. The conflicts and problems that will be faced will most likely be whether or not to face the battle or to run from it.
At this point it seems the young man, Henry, displays a lack confidence in himself in the way he doubts his will to be courageous and stand up and fight in battle. This may affect the other men in his brigade if he is unable to help defend against the enemy (if that finally happens). Henry seems to be loyal and honest, but he also seems to be short-tempered and nervous. Hopefully his courage will win out in the end.
I would most look forward to the men actually going into battle and learning whether or not their courage will truly be tested. This is what I believe is the true meaning of the book and where the story seems to be heading. The conflicts and problems that will be faced will most likely be whether or not to face the battle or to run from it.
At this point it seems the young man, Henry, displays a lack confidence in himself in the way he doubts his will to be courageous and stand up and fight in battle. This may affect the other men in his brigade if he is unable to help defend against the enemy (if that finally happens). Henry seems to be loyal and honest, but he also seems to be short-tempered and nervous. Hopefully his courage will win out in the end.
Log #7 - Words or Phrases Impressions
LOG # 7. Sometimes when we read, certain words or phrases or images stand out. Maybe they are words or phrases that make an impression because of their sound, or maybe the meaning or image they make strikes us? Sometimes we find words or expressions we just do not understand. Share those that you have come across and describe why you listed them.
One of the words that made an immediate impact was the word "allus". I came to find out through research (my mother) that the word was meant as what we know as "always". It sounded strange as I read it, and at first I thought it was perhaps a nickname the mother was using. It wasn't capitalized, and in the context in which it was used, as a nickname it didn't make sense to me at all.
"Sore feet and damned short rations," is a phrase that made an impression. It sounds like something old veterans might tell their grandchildren when asked about some of their experiences in the Army. I could actually envision the soldiers having "sore feet" because of all the walking and carrying and moving around they did. "Short rations" - in other words, they were hungry and had none of the comforts of home.
One of the words that made an immediate impact was the word "allus". I came to find out through research (my mother) that the word was meant as what we know as "always". It sounded strange as I read it, and at first I thought it was perhaps a nickname the mother was using. It wasn't capitalized, and in the context in which it was used, as a nickname it didn't make sense to me at all.
"Sore feet and damned short rations," is a phrase that made an impression. It sounds like something old veterans might tell their grandchildren when asked about some of their experiences in the Army. I could actually envision the soldiers having "sore feet" because of all the walking and carrying and moving around they did. "Short rations" - in other words, they were hungry and had none of the comforts of home.
Log #6 - Identify
LOG # 6. Sometimes we are pulled toward one or two characters in the story. We identify with them or feel sympathy for them. With which characters do you identify in the book, and why do you believe you identify with them?
It is easy to identify with the main character of Henry because he is a young man who is both brave and nervous about going into his first battle. I identify with those feelings when I compare that to how I felt prior to playing my first freshman football game. While football cannot nearly be compared to the dangers of the battlefield, it is very easy to imagine feeling the same way if I was preparing for the real fight for life and death on the battlefield.
I'm sure anyone who hasn't played football would wonder how I could compare the reality of death in war to the possibility of being hurt in football (not maimed). I believe the feelings of anxiousness and nervousness; being brave and feeling fear all at the same time are comparable.
It is easy to identify with the main character of Henry because he is a young man who is both brave and nervous about going into his first battle. I identify with those feelings when I compare that to how I felt prior to playing my first freshman football game. While football cannot nearly be compared to the dangers of the battlefield, it is very easy to imagine feeling the same way if I was preparing for the real fight for life and death on the battlefield.
I'm sure anyone who hasn't played football would wonder how I could compare the reality of death in war to the possibility of being hurt in football (not maimed). I believe the feelings of anxiousness and nervousness; being brave and feeling fear all at the same time are comparable.
Log #5
LOG # 5. If you were to put this story into your own life, in the area where you live, around the people and friends that you know, how would the story have to change? How would the people change? Would the setting have to change? Why would these changes have to take place?
The story would have to change, first and foremost, to a more current time period. One way that could be done would be to center the story around me and my friends and family preparing for our departure to Iraq or Afghanistan. The people wouldn't have to change in terms of what the characters are going through. Even though it is very wordy and spoken differently than the way older men and younger men would speak to each other currently, the sentiment would still be the same.
The brotherhood and camaraderie between the fellow soldiers would still be felt the same way. The changes would merely have to take place in the way in which those feelings were expressed.
The story would have to change, first and foremost, to a more current time period. One way that could be done would be to center the story around me and my friends and family preparing for our departure to Iraq or Afghanistan. The people wouldn't have to change in terms of what the characters are going through. Even though it is very wordy and spoken differently than the way older men and younger men would speak to each other currently, the sentiment would still be the same.
The brotherhood and camaraderie between the fellow soldiers would still be felt the same way. The changes would merely have to take place in the way in which those feelings were expressed.
Log #4
LOG # 4. If you could change the life or lives of a story character, to make their lives more like the lives of the characters in the book or story you are reading, whose lives would you change? How would you change their lives? Why did you pick these people or that person?
I'm not sure I understand this question. I would definitely not change the life or lives of anyone I know to make their lives more like the characters in the book I'm reading.
Sorry, I can't answer this question in more detail, but I don't really understand it.
I'm not sure I understand this question. I would definitely not change the life or lives of anyone I know to make their lives more like the characters in the book I'm reading.
Sorry, I can't answer this question in more detail, but I don't really understand it.
LOG # 3. If you could change the setting in this story to another setting, what setting would you choose? Would you change just the time period? Or would you change the place, the season, the actual environment-one of poverty, riches, or middle class America? Why would you make those changes?
I might not change the "setting" in the story because it is a story about war and the soldier’s preparation for it mentally and physically. However, perhaps a change in time period would make it easier to relate to what the main character, Henry, is going through. It is difficult to relate to the character even though he is a young man not much older than me. Part of the difficulty of relating is in the way they spoke during the late 1800s, and therefore in the way it is written by the author.
Other than that, I don’t believe there are any other changes I would make to the story in terms of season, environment, poverty, or riches. With this book, I can’t see how those changes would work with the story itself.
I might not change the "setting" in the story because it is a story about war and the soldier’s preparation for it mentally and physically. However, perhaps a change in time period would make it easier to relate to what the main character, Henry, is going through. It is difficult to relate to the character even though he is a young man not much older than me. Part of the difficulty of relating is in the way they spoke during the late 1800s, and therefore in the way it is written by the author.
Other than that, I don’t believe there are any other changes I would make to the story in terms of season, environment, poverty, or riches. With this book, I can’t see how those changes would work with the story itself.
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