AGENDA:
1. Age of Miracles Discussion
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Questions to consider after reading The Age of Miracles.
1. As readers, why do you think we’re drawn to stories about the end
of the world? What special pleasures do these kinds of narratives offer?
And how do you think this element works in The Age of Miracles?
2. Julia is an only child. How does this fact affect who she is and
how she sees the world? How would her experience of the slowing be
different if she had a sibling? How would her experience of middle
school be different?
3. How much do you think the slowing alters Julia’s experience of
adolescence? If the slowing had never happened, in what ways would her
childhood have been different? In what ways would it have been the same?
4. Julia’s parents’ marriage becomes increasingly strained over the
course of the book. Why do you think they stay together? Do you think
it’s the right choice? How much do you think Julia’s mother does or does
not know about Sylvia?
5. Julia’s father tells several crucial lies. Discuss these lies and
consider which ones, if any, are justified and which ones are not. Is
lying ever the right thing to do? If so, when?
6. How would the book change if it were narrated by Julia’s mother?
What if it were narrated by Julia’s father? Or her grandfather?
7. Why do you think Julia is so drawn to Seth? Why do you think he is drawn to her?
8. Did you identify more with the clock-timers or with the real-timers? Which would you be and why?
9. The slowing affects the whole planet, but the book is set in
southern California. How does the setting affect the book? How important
is it that the story takes place in California?
10. How do you feel about the way the book ends? What do you think lies ahead for Julia, for her parents and for the world?
11. The slowing throws the natural world into disarray. Plants and
animals die and there are changes in the weather. Did this book make you
think about the threats that face our own natural world? Do you think
the book has something to say about climate change?
12. If you woke up tomorrow to the news that the rotation of the
earth had significantly slowed, how do you think you would respond? What
is the first thing you would do?
2. Writing: work: Work on speculative fiction
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1.) I think that, yes, readers are generally drawn to stories about the end of the world, because speculative fiction such as this forces people to think about their world, their environment. These narratives allow people to think more deeply about their effect on the world, as a whole. This element in The Age of Miracles gets people hooked immediately, it gets people thinking about the effect the characters have on the world, the effect the world has on the characters.
ReplyDelete2.) The fact that Julia is a child changes the perspective a bit from, just another speculative fiction piece, to coming of age story within a speculative fiction piece. Her experience of the slowing would have been different if she had a sibling, because then, she would not only have her mother to cope with her, she would have a sibling, someone who is, more likely than not, close to her. Middle school would be different for her if she had a sibling, depending on whether or not her sibling were older than her. If her sibling was older than her, she would have had someone to look up to, going through middle school. If her sibling had been younger, she would probably feel like she needed to set an example for that sibling.
3.) I think that the slowing alters Julia’s experience of adolescence, because she isn’t an adolescent with a normal “growing up” environment. She, on top of experiencing everything a normal adolescent would face, was experiencing, in theory, the end of the world at the same time. If the slowing had never happened, her childhood would have been, more or less, pretty normal. It probably would have been the same when it came to the constants in her life; school, friendships, etc.
4.) I think that Julia’s parents stayed together throughout the course of the book, despite the rough patches they faced, because they knew that Julia needed them, and they needed each other. I think that it is the right choice, because they all needed each other in that time of utter chaos. I think that maybe Julia’s mother probably knew to an extent about Julia’s father and Sylvia, but she knew that they needed to stay together, so she didn’t let on that she knew about them.
5.) Sometimes, lying is the right thing to do, because sometimes, lies are used to protect someone’s feelings. Like when Julia’s father told Julia’s mother that the man she’d hit with her car had survived, although he didn’t; he lied to her because he knew that it would’ve killed her inside to know that she killed a man.
6.) The book would have changed drastically if it were narrated by Julia’s mother, because a large part of the book’s storyline is supported by Julia’s adolescent phases, and if that were to just disappear and be replaced with an adult’s problems, much of the meaning from the book would also disappear. This statement is the same for any other adults in the book; the bottom line is, the book wouldn’t have the same effect if it weren’t narrated by a child.
Karina Le, Bella Watts, and Tamaron McKnight
ReplyDelete1. We as humans are drawn to these stories because people want to see themselves in the kind of situation where there’s no hope but want they want to see themselves overcome it. This element works because she’s around our age so we can relate to her. She’s going through many of things we have, such as family problems, puberty, and the overall change from elementary to middle school. While the world around her is changing she’s using that as background noise for her own problems.
2. She has no one. She doesn’t have anyone to talk to or guide and connect with her. If she had a sibling there would be different events and different conflicts, and maybe even a resolution. If she weren’t an only child she wouldn’t have gone Gabby, she would have gone to her brother or sister. If she had an older sibling, she would have someone to guide her through her middle school experience. If they were younger she’d have someone to lean on.
3. Julia has to grow up quicker to work with the change around her. Everyone has a new impulse to grow up quicker and act more mature. Julia would’ve never found out about her father, gotten to know Seth, and she could’ve kept her friendship with Hanna. Her mother would still be thinking of the “what if’s” and her marriage would have eventually ended. Her grandfather would’ve lived longer, the man wouldn’t have died in the car crash, and so many more possibilities.
4. For the sake of Julia and the family. They must have been controlled by those “what if’s” caused by the slowing, and with the slowing their bond grew stronger. At the time it was a good idea to stay together for Julia’s sake, but as time goes on it’d probably be a better idea to split. As for what might’ve been the final straw, Julia’s mother probably knows everything about Sylvia. At the beginning of the book the way she acts towards Sylvia as well as the fact she later quizzed her husband on where he’s been gives you a clear sign she knew something was up.
5. The one lie that could be considered okay is him lying to his wife about the car crash victim. She was already so damaged, but with that lie she had a drastic turn around. She seemed less ill and happier. The lie that isn’t justified is the affair. With this affair and going to Sylvia’s house instead of work, he lost a lot of money as well as he put a lot more stress on his wife. For lying, if it’s for the sake of someone’s well-being then it could be justified (but Karina’s a stick in the mud and says no).
6. The book would have a drastic change. If the mother was the narrator it would become much more terrifying. You wouldn’t have known that she was paranoid, because you come from her perspective rather than someone else’s. That’s the effect of dramatic irony. If it were narrated by Julia’s father we would have learned a lot about the affair and he could’ve justified his actions. There’s also the fact that we would’ve known more about what was going on and what was happening to the general public. We saw how it affects the kids, but how does it affect the adults?
Nasmere Johnson
ReplyDeleteGamzon
Self Discovery
February 23, 2015
1. As Humans, we always think about apocalypses and how we’re all eventually going to die. Nobody knows for sure how the world is going to end, so writers like to take their imagination to that realm. Readers like to read this sort of writing because it gives a sense of excitement. In The Age of Miracles, readers are given this feeling because we are given a very opportune situation. The slowing of Earth’s rotation, which would eventually lend to the end of the world.
2. As an only child, you have a lot more time to think to yourself. You’ll probably be less gullible because you’re aware of the world and what really happens. Only children are more independent and mature and can handle situations better. In certain scenarios, one child’s thoughts can surpass the thoughts of hundreds combined. If she had a sibling, the experience would have been completely different. She wouldn’t have had to constantly depend on herself rather than somebody literally right by her side to go through “the slowing.” Middle school would be different because she might’ve been used to being with others by her side rather than near isolation.
3. I personally believe that the slowing altered Julia’s experience of adolescence quite a bit. Knowing that the world was possibly coming to an end, she mentally stabilized far faster than somebody not going through the same scenario. Perhaps if the slowing were not to happen, her childhood would have been rather bland. Being an only child, alienation would have shaped her entire social life. She would’ve kept to herself more. Far more independent than she already was.
4. It’s very apparent that Julia’s parents were strained throughout the course of the novel. What kept them together was Julia. Family’s lives revolve around children and the two didn’t want to ruin Julia’s. Also the fact that the world is possibly ending rather soon kept the two together. I believe it’s the right choice because a daughter without a mother and father isn’t a daughter. She’d be torn apart thinking that it was all her fault. Julia’s mother may have known about Sylvia but she kept it to herself. Other things were at matter and she maybe didn’t want to prioritize that.
5. Many see lying as one of the worse things a human being can do. Although it’s not right and everybody knows that, the majority of our population still manage to let little lies slip out of their mouth’s every day. The father’s affair and his to lies to Julia’s mother may have broken their family down. Although the idea of a “good lie” seems like an oxymoron, some lies are best told to protect others.
6. If The Age of Miracles was narrated by anybody else, the entire aspect of the novel would’ve changed. We wouldn’t have known about Julia’s middle school problems, or about the struggles of being an only child. Let alone the fact that it wouldn’t have been a coming of age story, as ironically, anybody else older than Julia most likely have already came to age. The story being told from Julia’s point of view was arguably the best to be told from. It holds several elements that shape the book and make it the valuable novel it is now.
Alexander Christie, Kyra Majewski & Dan’nae Palmer
ReplyDelete1. We are drawn to these types of stories because we all know that one day the world will end so we want to know the possibilities of what could happen if it does end. They offer insight as to what could happen if the world ends and because of these possibilities we are compelled to read more and find out what happens when these events do occur. These work in Age of Miracles because of the craziness of the thought of the end coming soon and all of the struggles that come with it. These things draw us into the story and make us want to find out what happens next.
2. Julia, being only a child, sees the world in an innocent way. She may not be able to comprehend the severity of some of the problems they face as the world comes to its end. If Julia had a sibling, she wouldn’t feel so alone in the slowing and she would have someone to relate her parental problems with. Her experiences would most likely be harder because if she had an older sibling, it would be someone she has to live up to, and with a younger sibling, she would have to help it along through school.
3. They alter her experiences a lot because of the loss of her best friend Hanna who moved away, the conflicts of her parents due to her mother getting the ‘sickness’, and Seth dying due to sun poisoning. If the slowing never happened, Julia would be less vulnerable to the problems that come with growing up, and she also wouldn’t have lost many of her friends. Though Julia’s parents quickly grew apart due to the ‘sickness’, they may have still grown apart even if the slowing didn’t happen. Their personalities were completely different.
4. Julia’s parents stay together because they have a child together that is going through struggles already without a divorce to deal with. I think it is the right choice because if they had split up, Julia would feel even more alone than she already feels. She would feel like she is losing a parent. Julia’s mother may not know who her husband is having an affair with, but she knows that he isn’t just staying late at work every night.
5. Julia’s father tells various lies such as a woman not dying in childbirth, the man who her mother hit with her car living, and that he is having an affair with Sylvia. I think that the lies are somewhat justified because he would be hurting people’s feelings if he told the truth. Even so, if he wasn’t making the choices to have an affair, he wouldn’t have to lie in the first place. I think that lying is okay when you are protecting someone’s feelings but when they get to a bigger scale, protecting someone’s feelings doesn’t matter. You should tell the truth.
6. If the book was narrated by Julia’s mother, the story would have been different because it would no longer be a bildungsroman. It wouldn’t have shown Julia’s growth as a person as events occurred that changed her. It would’ve been told from an adult’s point of view and the troubles would be seen from an adult perspective. If it was her mother it would be faster paced and frantic because she was so worried about the slowing. If it was her father then we would get inside information about his affair. If it was her grandfather then we would be seeing it more as a death story of him coming to the end of his life.
Yanira Rosario
ReplyDeleteLiana Caez
1. Well personally, I’m not attracted to end of the world stories. A pleasure could basically be that you have to be grateful for what you have because it can easily be gone.
2. If Julia had a sibling, she wouldn’t be as lonely. Julia kind of keeps to herself and keeps all her feelings bottled up. If it was really the end of the world, I don’t think you would waste any time with your loved ones, so I don’t think the age/gender of a sibling would matter. So, maybe things could have been easier to handle for her if she had a sibling.
3. If the slowing never happened, her piano classes would have never been canceled. Maybe her father would have never had an affair with Sylvia. She would have never lost her best friend, because she wouldn’t have moved. Perhaps Seth wouldn’t have ever talked to her and he wouldn’t have develop feeling back. A lot of things changed drastically during the slowing, and if that never happened, everything would have stayed the same, and Julia would have had the childhood of an ordinary child. Her grandfather would have never died either.
4. I think Julia’s parents stayed together because they didn’t know if anything is going to get worse in the future. The main thing is that they want to make the best of what they have. They probably just want to make Julia feel like everything will be alright even though she already knows it isn’t. I think Julia’s mother actually knew a lot about Sylvia. I mean, her house was across the street so it couldn’t have been that hard not to know that anything was going on between Sylvia and Julia’s father.
5. One lie that he said was that the man that his wife ran over was alive. Throughout the story she is growing more and sicker. So although this was a big lie, I think this one was justified, because she was already worried about the man. When she found out that the man was “well and living” it seemed like all her troubled were cured. The only thing was, I think he could’ve at least told Julia the truth. She already knew he was lying because of the conversation on the phone, but either way her dad lied to her about something serious.
6. If it was narrated by her parents of grandfather, the whole story would have changed. Maybe it would have been more mature or had more adult situations.
Frank Cruz, Sara Rule, and Carina Giannini
ReplyDelete1. As readers, why do you think we’re drawn to stories about the end of the world? What special pleasures do these kinds of narratives offer? And how do you think this element works in The Age of Miracles?
We’re drawn to stories about the end of the world because as humans we are naturally interested in “what ifs” and the unknown. The special pleasures they offer is an alternate reality to go to, which has a possibility to happen. This entertains us because it seems like a peek into the near future, it peaks our curiosity. This element works in the Age of Miracles because it’s a realistic situation, and deals with situations that we are curious about in the future.
2. Julia is an only child. How does this fact affect who she is and how she sees the world? How would her experience of the slowing be different if she had a sibling? How would her experience of middle school be different?
It affects who she is and how she sees the world, because growing up as an only child she only needs to worry about herself. So, when drastic situations happen she only has to worry about herself, and not everyone else in the world. It would be different because she would see things from multiple perspectives, and she would feel more of a sense of responsibility. Middle school would be different because she would be a completely different person.
3. How much do you think the slowing alters Julia’s experience of adolescence? If the slowing had never happened, in what ways would her childhood have been different? In what ways would it have been the same?
The slowing forces Julia to grow up faster than she should have had to. Her childhood would have been different because she would have had a regular childhood and grown up at her own pace. She would of continued going to school, and soccer practice, and still found a boyfriend.
4. Julia’s parents’ marriage becomes increasingly strained over the course of the book. Why do you think they stay together? Do you think it’s the right choice? How much do you think Julia’s mother does or does not know about Sylvia?
They stay together because when a crisis comes about, it is human nature to band together and solve it as a team. Yes, because it is better to stay together, and working through problems together is better than alone. Julia mother doesn’t know much about her, she suspects something is going on but doesn’t have any evidence.
5. Julia’s father tells several crucial lies. Discuss these lies and consider which ones, if any, are justified and which ones are not. Is lying ever the right thing to do? If so, when?
In some situations lying is the right thing to do, as long as it is to protect someone’s feeling. Like when Julia’s father told Julia’s mother that the man she’d hit with her car had survived, although he didn’t; he lied to her because he knew that it would hurt her deeply and horrify her knowing that she killed a man.
6. How would the book change if it were narrated by Julia’s mother? What if it were narrated by Julia’s father? Or her grandfather?
It would be changed drastically because an adult sees the world differently than a teenager, mostly because of puberty. If her father narrated it we would get more information about his affair. If it was the grandpa we would get more information about his death and the lead up to it.
Frank Cruz, Sara Rule, and Carina Giannini
ReplyDelete1. As readers, why do you think we’re drawn to stories about the end of the world? What special pleasures do these kinds of narratives offer? And how do you think this element works in The Age of Miracles?
We’re drawn to stories about the end of the world because as humans we are naturally interested in “what ifs” and the unknown. The special pleasures they offer is an alternate reality to go to, which has a possibility to happen. This entertains us because it seems like a peek into the near future, it peaks our curiosity. This element works in the Age of Miracles because it’s a realistic situation, and deals with situations that we are curious about in the future.
2. Julia is an only child. How does this fact affect who she is and how she sees the world? How would her experience of the slowing be different if she had a sibling? How would her experience of middle school be different?
It affects who she is and how she sees the world, because growing up as an only child she only needs to worry about herself. So, when drastic situations happen she only has to worry about herself, and not everyone else in the world. It would be different because she would see things from multiple perspectives, and she would feel more of a sense of responsibility. Middle school would be different because she would be a completely different person.
3. How much do you think the slowing alters Julia’s experience of adolescence? If the slowing had never happened, in what ways would her childhood have been different? In what ways would it have been the same?
The slowing forces Julia to grow up faster than she should have had to. Her childhood would have been different because she would have had a regular childhood and grown up at her own pace. She would of continued going to school, and soccer practice, and still found a boyfriend.
4. Julia’s parents’ marriage becomes increasingly strained over the course of the book. Why do you think they stay together? Do you think it’s the right choice? How much do you think Julia’s mother does or does not know about Sylvia?
They stay together because when a crisis comes about, it is human nature to band together and solve it as a team. Yes, because it is better to stay together, and working through problems together is better than alone. Julia mother doesn’t know much about her, she suspects something is going on but doesn’t have any evidence.
5. Julia’s father tells several crucial lies. Discuss these lies and consider which ones, if any, are justified and which ones are not. Is lying ever the right thing to do? If so, when?
In some situations lying is the right thing to do, as long as it is to protect someone’s feeling. Like when Julia’s father told Julia’s mother that the man she’d hit with her car had survived, although he didn’t; he lied to her because he knew that it would hurt her deeply and horrify her knowing that she killed a man.
6. How would the book change if it were narrated by Julia’s mother? What if it were narrated by Julia’s father? Or her grandfather?
It would be changed drastically because an adult sees the world differently than a teenager, mostly because of puberty. If her father narrated it we would get more information about his affair. If it was the grandpa we would get more information about his death and the lead up to it.
1) As a reader I find it interesting to read stories about the end of the world, because with all the news we hear about global warming, and terrorist attacks. We all wonder about how the world will end when by natural causes or our own doing. These types of narratives offer a fresh perspective of life that you wouldn’t usually see in a regular narrative. Like how characters change due to the stress of the ending of the earth whether it’s slow or quick. In The Age of Miracles what really had me hooked was how slow but brutal the progression of slowing and the slow but vicious effect the slowing had on her family. A lot of other stories may have this but I think it’s so much more personal and captivating because the end of the earth is such a universal theme.
ReplyDelete2) The slowing transformed her family she saw a sides of her close friends, her father, and Sylvia that she probably never would have seen if it weren’t for the slowing. Julia is exposed to what a dangerous place the world could be she had to watch her mother be sick, she had to grow-up a lot. With her Mom being sick and her Dad at “work” all the time Julia was lonely a lot of the time, during those times she spent looking through her telescope. If Julia had siblings she probably never would have known her father was cheating she wouldn’t be so lonely. Her school became a dark place where she witnessed the slowing the most. If the slowing never happened school would be better and less frightening.
3) When the slowing happened it’s like Julia growing up was being rushed. Everyone is doing spontaneous things because they don’t think they’ll survive long. If the slowing never happened Julia would’ve stayed a child longer. She never would have had to see the truth about her family and the world. I think that her father cheating may have come to light and her parents may have split up regardless of the slowing.
4) I think that Julia’s mother and father are two different people and the slowing intensified problems that were there to begin with. I think that Julia’s mother knows more than the book implies. Though her father likes to treat her like she knows nothing she, I’m not saying she knows details. She knows that Sylvia isn’t only a piano teacher and she knows her husband isn’t always at work when he says he is.
5) Julia’s father lies about him being at work and the man her mom crashed into survived. I don’t think any of these lies are helped instead of hurting. One lie I think was completely wrong and was him lying about how the man she hit with her car survived. Julia’s mother was really upset about what happened and she wanted to know what happened. She had the right to know about that she honestly had the right to know about everything. Lying isn’t okay because they create more problems and even though you think it’s you getting your hands dirty you end up pulling people you love into the lie, that’s what happened to her father.
6) I don’t think the book would change drastically if it were from the perspective of her mother because she was lied to just like Julia she had to watch the people she loved change like Julia. I think it would be incredibly interesting and dark from the perspective of her father. It would be interesting to hear the thought process before he cheated on his wife and lied to his daughter.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteEllie Sklair and Jocelyn Alice Brillian
ReplyDelete1.) People read stories when the world ends to get an idea of what could happen. Readers of these types of book could fantasize of what would happen if the world would end or there was some crazy change in the world. When they read these speculative fiction they could imagine and almost live, what would happen with the character and experience certain scenarios.
2.) She would have someone sharing the same experience as her, with the same family, in the same house. If she had a sibling the slowing probably wouldn't have seemed so bad because it wouldn't have been just her and her parents.
3.) Her childhood would have been way different. Her mother would have never gotten sick, her best friend wouldn't have moved away and everyone seemed to be moving on. Everyone had to adjust there entire life when the slowing happened. There entire schedule altered completely. Ex: They had to go to school in complete darkness.
4.) Julia's parents marriage became strained because of the abrupt change to their lives. Julia's mom becomes very sick with the syndrome and her father is non-stop working at the hospital so her mom has to kind of raise Julia by herself. I think Julia's parents stay together because of Julia and they know that they'll get through it. They understand that they need each others help. I think her mom realizes that she is a burden to her father and has her suspicions.
5.) Julia's father lies about his affair with Sylvia and he continues to lie and that lie is not justified. His other lies were justified because he was trying to protect Julia.
6.) Well first of all Julia is at the age where she is getting interested in boys. She also likes him. They are both attracted to each other because of their family situations. They both needed some good friends at support at the time and that is what they were for each other.
7.) I think Julia is drawn to Seth because he seems different than the other kids in her age. Like, the things he is going through in his life makes him seem more mature, in a way. The same goes for Seth being drawn to Julia; he feels that she is different than everyone else. Her circumstances may be different, but, for the most part, they were on the same page, when it came to the slowing.
ReplyDelete8.) I think I’d identify myself as a clock timer, primarily because it is unnatural to sleep for a week at a time. Toward the end of the book, the days and nights had grown longer than is considered natural for a person to live without a 24 hour clock.
9.) The setting affects the book, because the environment in this specific setting is affected a certain way by the slowing, and I believe that Karen Thompson Walker wanted to put emphasis on the specific effects. Like when whales were beaching themselves, when it started to snow, despite the fact that it was Southern California.
10.) I feel that the book ended with a subtle “bang.” The author felt that it was necessary to bring you into the present life of Julia, who was an adult, telling the story of how the slowing happened. I feel that, at some point in time, the world is just going to stop moving, and all of the humans are, eventually, going to die out.
11.) This book did make me think about the threats to our natural world currently. It makes me think about how we’re destroying our planet. I don’t know if this book says anything about climate change. I think that it is focusing, mostly, on how people don’t respect the planet, they don’t care about the way that they’re damaging it, and climate change has something to do with that.
12.) I think I’d respond to the slowing the same way Julia’s father did; he was extremely practical about it. I don’t think I’d freak out, I don’t think I’d be someone effected by gravity sickness, but maybe I’m thinking like this because I’ve already read a book dedicated to this subject…
Karina Le & Bella Watts
ReplyDelete7. Julia is drawn to Seth was most possibly because he was different from the other kids; a loner. She liked him because he knew he was alone and enjoyed it; she respected that. The reason why Seth was drawn to Julia might’ve been for the same reasons. Because they were both alone, both isolated from the rest and were indifferent to everyone’s opinions. Their thoughts linked and their viewings of the world were the same. That’s why they were so drawn together.
8. We identified more so with the clock-timers due to how simple and more logical the idea was compared to real-timers. Proof shows how in the end of the book, the nights grow to weeks and days, even longer. It’s more sustainable and more practical to be a clock-timer.
9. The setting affects the book by more showings of how the slowing affected the earth. The trees, for one, were dying and crashing down under their weight. There were also the ties and the whales, slowing dying on those sand beaches. There was also the birds drooping and crashing into houses and windows. It shows all the different parts that were affected, environment wise. It also showed how different people took it, either abandoning the solutions providing to them, or others who completely gone with the flow and followed what was given from them.
10. The way the story ends gives it an open-air feeling. There was no closure or solution to the problem of the slowing, everyone just continued on with their lives. The closure was nonexistent as the We were Here gave off a feel of immortality, but there is no such thing. Had Julia given off more information, more detail, towards the end maybe, just maybe, the reader’s could’ve felt more relieved; in a sense. For Julia, she would’ve lived on her life, without Seth, with worries, just going along as if a fish in a bowl. Her life, from what she described, was empty.
11. It made you really think how we should and should’ve taken care of our world. It wasn’t necessarily climate change, but more so pollution. The book made you think about how many take things for granted and throw things away with recklessness. Many don’t understand just a small thing could have so much impact, but they’ll start thinking about it or worrying about it as they read into the reasons for the world’s slowing.
12. In honest, I wouldn’t really particularly care for that. I would just go with the flow and follow along with how the way the world would take it. In fact, the first thing I would do is eat something or take a nap. It’s just whatever. (Karina)
This comes off as a personal question, but I would go to my friends and tell them I love them. I would treat every day as my last. To live without regret and each day with care. I wouldn’t freak out, necessarily. There are more things that could happen that would increase this panic though. “I read The Age of Miracles, so I know what to do!” (Bella)
Kyra, Dan’nae & Alexander
ReplyDelete7. Julia and Seth are drawn together because they need each other. Both of them have had someone very important to them vanish from their lives so both have a void in their hearts. For Julia, her best friend, Hanna, has left for Utah in an attempt to escape the slowing and her parents have begun to fall out of sync. With all of this going on, she needs someone to rely on, and Seth is the only one she can. Seth, on the other hand, had a mother who had been battling cancer for years and after that time, she finally passed. With both of them suffering these losses from their families, they choose to rely on each other, drawing them together.
8. We would say the clock-timers because we like organization. Also, we could not stay up for over 24 hours straight. Lastly, bring in the sun was like taking doses of poison, staying out longer than half an hour could result in a terrible sickness. This is why we would operate on clock time.
9. The fact that the story takes place in California may contribute to the story because of all of the natural disasters that occur there. All of the Californians are more used to these disasters than those who aren’t sitting on a very active fault line. Since the slowing affects the whole world, it isn’t that important that the story take place in California because it happened everywhere.
10. The ending was very anti climatic because nothing really exciting happened that would make a satisfying ending for the story. I think that the world will continue to slow until life on earth no longer survives. I think that Julia would continue to try to make the best of the time she has left with her family while she still can.
11. This book did make me consider the things that threaten our environment. Global warming is a huge problem today because there are holes in the ozone layer. The book definitely has something to say about climate change because of the hot light nights with the radiation and the dark days that are freezing. It makes us aware of things that could really happen someday.
12. If I saw this, I could respond spastically due to the fact that we read this book so I know what would happen. I would fear losing my family and friends, and even dying myself. The first thing I would do is gather my family and try to gather somewhere safe for as long as we can, and spend the time we had left with each other as best we could…maybe rob a bank.
Nasmere Johnson
ReplyDeleteGamzon
Writing for Self Discovery
February 25, 2015
7. Julia is so drawn to Seth because of the reality that the world is near ending. People are drawn together during catastrophe, so I feel as if they are naturally drawn together. Same vice versa. They also might see something that the other cannot see. So they are drawn together, for that reason.
8. I identified more with the real-timers. The clock-timers were trying to stay with the original human schedule. They weren’t very used to the random day changes. The real-timers couldn’t adjust to the schedule the rest of society was used to. The real-timers wanted to go along with how the sun and moon was feeling and the very unordinary schedules that they bought. I’d have to go with the real-timers for that reason.
9. Year round, southern California is a warm and enjoyable place. Their environment is very vivid with plants and wild life all around. For the majority of the day, the sun is shining bright in everybody’s faces. I feel as picking this location was the perfect thing to do. Its notable changes when the slowing occurs. For example, say you live in Anchorage, Alaska. Cold, not so bright, and no to very little vegetation. Changes there would most likely be very minimal. You can notice almost everything in southern California.
10. When the book ended, it made me think, “So, what happens next?” It’s not a bad question though. It was the kind of question that can keep you up for hours thinking of endless possibilities. I liked it because it showed how close Seth and Julia actually were. Honestly, I believe that the human race will soon die out. It’s very likely to happen. The conditions that they are now in, it’s only bound to happen.
11. Although we are currently seeing many natural changes in our environment, they are not as severe as the ones that take place during the novel. I feel as if Walker is hinting that we should take better care of our world, because if we don’t, it’ll only get worse and may eventually resort to the things that took place during the book.
12. In the novel, everybody panicked and tried to evacuate. There was nowhere to go, so I see that as very pointless. If it truly were to happen, I’d try to maintain my regular life. It may be difficult to do, along with the awkward sun and moonlight phases and the time of day not actually matching with the time, but people would eventually have to adjust. We also have to cope with the fact that conditions are getting worse day after day. Eventually to the point that we’d die
Sara Rule, Frank Cruz, and Carina Giannini
ReplyDelete7. Why do you think Julia is so drawn to Seth? Why do you think he is drawn to her?
Julia is so drawn to Seth because they have both suffered losses and he is so drawn to her because they are facing the possibility of the end of the world and during a time like that he begins to crave comfort and affection from others.
8. Did you identify more with the clock-timers or with the real-timers? Which would you be and why?
We would be clock-timers because if you started living by the real time it would constantly be changing so everyone would have a different idea of what time it was. It would be chaotic if you went against a universal time such as clock time.
9. The slowing affects the whole planet, but the book is set in southern California. How does the setting affect the book? How important is it that the story takes place in California?
The setting affects the book because since the characters are Californians they are more used to natural disasters. The setting isn’t that important because the slowing wasn’t only happening in California, it was happening everywhere.
10. How do you feel about the way the book ends? What do you think lies ahead for Julia, for her parents and for the world?
The ending is extremely anti-climactic and we’re not big fans of it. We think Julia and her parents will continue to live on and hopefully adapt to the changing climate along with the rest of the human race.
11. The slowing throws the natural world into disarray. Plants and animals die and there are changes in the weather. Did this book make you think about the threats that face our own natural world? Do you think the book has something to say about climate change?
It brings different ideas about what will become of the Earth to surface and it makes us wonder about how things might change in the future. Yes, the book has something to say about climate change.
12. If you woke up tomorrow to the news that the rotation of the earth had significantly slowed, how do you think you would respond? What is the first thing you would do?
Our response would be to pay close attention to news about the slowing, but we wouldn’t let it affect the things we needed to do.
Yanira Rosario
ReplyDeleteLiana Caez
7. I think Julia was so attracted to Seth because he is so different than any of the other boys at her school. He keeps to himself and he doesn’t bother anyone. I think He is attracted to Julia because he sees that she’s going through issues and he can see that she doesn’t associate with the “rowdy” crowd and she now keeps to herself mostly now.
8. Well, for the beginning, my body would be so used to the clock time that I probably wouldn’t have thought about “real time”. But, as the days grew longer and longer, if I saw more sunlight, I probably wouldn’t want to go to school. For the most part, I would follow the clock for schedules and stuff but I think my body would grow more comfortable with the world outside.
9. I don’t really think the setting makes a difference because since it goes on through the whole world, everybody is experiencing a new change. Maybe different climates and stuff, but everyone is still facing a drastic change.
10. I kind of figured that it was going to end with a lot of time passing by, but I did not expect that she was going to lose all her connections with her old friends. Especially Seth. Even though they were separated because he moved, I thought they would email each other or send messages somehow. But they totally lost touch. I think the most that Julia can do in the future is still make the best of everything because with something as serious as the slowing, you can’t ever be sure when everything can just be…over.
11. I just basically thought that maybe people would start dying because of the change of climate and loss of food supply instead of something as serious as the slowing.
12. Well if I heard the world was slowing, most likely, the first thing I would think about was the book. And everything that I thought Julia should do, I would do it myself.
Sammy nazario, Isiah harts and Emily boorom
ReplyDelete1. As readers, why do you think we’re drawn to stories about the end of the world? What special pleasures do these kinds of narratives offer? And how do you think this element works in The Age of Miracles?
As reader we are drawn to stories about the end of the world because in reality it could at any time. We are fascinated to read about the different possible outcomes. This provides readers with a sense or an idea of what could happen if the world was to come to an end. An idea of how to prepare if something this the world ending was to happen.
2. Julia is an only child. How does this fact affect who she is and how she sees the world? How would her experience of the slowing be different if she had a sibling? How would her experience of middle school be different?
This fact affects Julia’s character because she is more independent and doesn’t depend on anyone else. Her experience with the slowing of the earth would be different if she had a sibling because then she would have someone to depend on to have her back but as an only child she has to depend on herself.
3. . How much do you think the slowing alters Julia’s experience of adolescence? If the slowing had never happened, in what ways would her childhood have been different? In what ways would it have been the same?
Julia’s childhood was lost when she found out about the slowing of the earth. Since the world will soon end Julia obviously doesn't have much time to live so she can’t really live as a child as she is supposed to be. If the world never ended Julia would have definitely been able to live her life lie she was supposed to.
4. Julia’s parents’ marriage becomes increasingly strained over the course of the book. Why do you think they stay together? Do you think it’s the right choice? How much do you think Julia’s mother does or does not know about Sylvia?
Julia’s parent’s stay together because they’re going to die anyway and in the meantime want to stay strong for Julia. I think it is the right choice because since Julia is an only child she needs her parents to be there for her. I think Julia’s mother knows more about Sylvia than we think but keeps it to herself.5. Julia’s father tells very large lies but the lie I believe was justified the most is when he told Julia that no one died at work. This lie is justified because Julia’s father lied to Julia only because he didn’t want Julia feeling upset from knowing someone died. Lying is the right thing to do. Only when you lie to protect someone you love.
6. The book would change but only by showing the reader how Julia’s mother feels and what she’s going through in this time of crisis. If the book was narrated by Julia’s father than we would see what Julia’s father does on a daily basis and what the reason for his lying is. If the book was narrated by Julia’s grandfather than we would see Julia’s perspective of how her grandfather feels and what her grandfather thinks of the news about the world slowing down.
7. I believe Julia is drawn to Seth because she judges guys based on their appearance, she sees Seth as a quiet, secluded, and good looking guy. Therefore Julia finds interests in him.
8. I identified more with the real-timers, because they know the original time and how it occurred. I would be a real-timer.
9. The setting effects the book because the times are different than the other states. It’s important because that’s where they live.
10. I feel like the book in the end because it wasn’t as interesting as I thought it would be. What I think lies ahead for Julia and her family is, they will continue on with their lives.
11. Yes, because the dangers we face in this world are things like innocent animals dying from eating garbage that we humans seem to not have enough decency to properly throw our trash away. Yes because the weather is different
12. I would be very scared and live life like there’s literally no tomorrow. I would spend the rest of my life with my family and close friends.