Literature Circle Meeting 8

Although there were many long stalls in our last meeting because we couldn't find much to talk about, I still had a chance to contribute a little. First, I answered Andrew's question about why Katie starts toi care less when Francie and Neeley fitght. I explained that it is because Kaite has grown older and wearier; she has more to worry about than her kids fighting. Also, I answered another question of Andrew's about why Francie takes in every apsect of the moment when she finds out about the war starting. I told him that Francei doesn't only want to remember the day, but instead relive it. As a group we talked about the meaning of the tree, but not as much as previous times. Becasue our last reading was so long and had so many things happen in it we couldn't pick one thing to tackle and therefore had many stalls.

Literature Circles Meeting 7

Today in the literature circle we discussed chapters 37-44. I feel I contributed well as a group member. I contributed good topics of discussion, cleared up confusing spots for my fellow classmates, and helped keep the group on topic/moving forward.

My first contribution was in the form of the answer to a question. Alyssa was confused about how Katie "cashes in" her children's insurance. I explained that she no longer wants to have insurance for her kids and their insurance is worth something. Katie needs the money so much that she is willing to give up her children's insurance.

Next I contributed a comparison. Andrew asked about why Katie would tip the waiter at the ice cream shop so much money if she didn't have to tip him more than a nickel. I related it to when Katie lets Francie pour out her coffee to explain that it makes them feel good to be able to waste/give away something.

I didn't just help other though, I had a few questions of my own, too. First, I asked what Katie means when she tells Francie and Neeley that she's going to be their mother and their father. Ariel suggested that maybe Katie will try to treat them the way Johnny did in addition to the way she always has. Maybe Katie will try to show the compassion for Katie that Johnny always has and still love Neeley unconditionally.

Next, I asked about Katie turning down Mr. McGarrity's help. He offers to pay Neeley and Francie in advance to help out the Nolans since they are so tight for cash, but Katie turns him down. I didn't understand this because it wouldn't really be charity considering Francie and Neeley will work for it. Andrew explained that it still feels like charity to Katie and she simply won't have it.

When I shared my passage, Alyssa agreed with the meaning I said it conveyed. My passage tells about how deep Johnny really is and how he notices the little things and really appreciates them. It also tells about how, even though Francie and Johnny have always been their own little "team" in the family, Johnny still kept little things from Francie; I found that surprising.

Once we were finished discussing my questions and passage, I continued to help the other members with their questions. Andrew asked about why Mr. McGarrity tries to talk to Francie and Neeley. I explained how Mr. McGarrity enjoyed hearing stories from Johnny about his kids and his wife and that Mr. McGarrity wanted to have that again with Johnny's kids.

Andrew also asked about Floss Gaddis and why she asked her mom the question about childbirth. Floss asks her mom if having children is worth the pain because she hears Katie's screams of pain while she is giving birth to Laurie.

Literature Circles Meeting 6

On Thursday, we discussed chapters thirty through thirty-seven. I contributed successfully as a group member both in my contribution of discussion topics and my explanation for confusing areas of the text.

Ariel mentions the part of the book where Francie shares her journal with the reader. She was confused about when Francie refers to Johnny is "sick" and i clarified for her that "sick" really meant drunk.

Alyssa wondered why Katie does not take the money Officer McShane offers her, and I explained Katie's total detestation towards charity. Katie would sooner die than take money from someone as charity.

Andrew was confused about why Johnny would "clean" Francie's leg if it wasn't really dirty and the acid burns Francie. I explained that Francie was so concerned about her leg and Johnny just wanted to make her feel better so he either didn't think about the consequences, or he didn't even know about them.

When i asked my first question, It brought about discussion from Alyssa and Ariel. I asked why Francie and Neeley start over at the beginning of the Bible and Shakespeare's book when they have read all the way through them. Alyssa and Ariel commented on how Francie seems to be getting sick of stuff that is repetitive and/or childish.

My second question was about Katie's strange reaction to Johnny's death. I wondered why she would tell her children not to cry when Johnny dies. After some discussion from the group, we came to the conclusion that it is because Katie is strict and stern and she doesn't want to deal with the chaos of strong emotions.

Lastly, I asked about Katie's dream of owning land, and why she gives up on it and decides not to nail the tin-can bank back into her closet. As group, we decided that it is because Katie realizes just how much land costs from buying Johnny's grave-spot and she sees that it will be too difficult for her to earn the money.

When i shared my passage (Page 293 Paragraph 2), we discussed as a group our different feeling towards Katie. I wanted to feel bad for Katie because of the death of her spouse, but even when he dies Katie still seems so stern and rigid, until she shows real human emotion when she cries.

After everyone shared his or her questions and passage, we moved on to discuss key point of the novel. One point that we stuck with for quite a while was how the tree relates to the story. I said that the tree growing through the cement shows a great struggle and that relates to the people who try to get out of Brooklyn and create better lives for themselves.