A recurring motif throughout the novel is that the outer appearance dictates the inner being of a character. For Mick, who has aged approximately a year from the start of the novel, how has both her growth spurt and her sudden change taste in clothes possibly changed her inner self?
Biff observes that Singer's silence as others speak to him makes him seem superior. What is it about Singer and his silence that makes him superior? Would such a quality in other characters in the book also make them superior?
Mick likes to take long walks at night because she enjoys the solitude and reflection however she wanted to host a party because she felt isolated from her friends. Dr. Copeland also feels estranged from his family yet is continually seeking a place of quiet meditation. How do you explain this paradoxical search for isolation and companionship?
In what manner does the narrator detail Alice's death, and what significance might this event have to the overall story? Would Biff have reacted similarly to another character's death?
Why is it that Biff's feminine side--sewing, maternal aspirations, organizing newspapers, etc-- appears only after Alice's death, and why is this significant?
At the end of chapter 4, Jake Blount sees a quote written on the wall, and wants to meet the writer of the quote. Why does he want to meet the person, and what does he hope to gain from the meeting?
The symphony that captures Mick's mind so entirely is by Beethoven, who went deaf, but continued to produce music. What is the significance of using his work? Is this perhaps foreshadowing?
Dr. Copeland finds Mr. Singer as the first white man that he is intrigued by and does not automatically reject. He spoke with him about many things, "of chemistry and the enigma of the universe [...] the simplicity of death. And also he spoke with him of race" Why does he talk to Singer about such matters in the first place if Singer is not one to respond to or discuss with him the points of the matter. In addition it is interesting that initially it is stated that Dr. Copeland talked 'to' Mr. singer, yet by the end of the paragraph it said he spoke 'with' him. What does this difference signify?
How does the party lead Mick to her act as if she was a wild child (p116)? Does her behavior at the party resemble her innate feelings or does she act like the person she wants to become?
After Mick realized that "music was her" and she was able to "see the shapes of the sounds very clear," she imagines Mister Singer as God because "God is silent" (118 - 120). What is the significance of religion and faith in this book? Mr. Singer is deemed superior by the main characters of the novel. How is spiritual isolation of each character related their bigger purpose, truth or vision and how do they seek this spirituality in Mr. Singer.
Biff thinks of Singer's mind. Dr. Copeland shows around Singer to patients. Blount speaks to Singer about a previous attempt to riot. Why does it seem that as the chapters progress, the characters develop an increasing attraction towards Singer?
A recurring motif throughout the novel is that the outer appearance dictates the inner being of a character. For Mick, who has aged approximately a year from the start of the novel, how has both her growth spurt and her sudden change taste in clothes possibly changed her inner self?
ReplyDeleteBiff observes that Singer's silence as others speak to him makes him seem superior. What is it about Singer and his silence that makes him superior? Would such a quality in other characters in the book also make them superior?
ReplyDelete-Fanny Du
Mick likes to take long walks at night because she enjoys the solitude and reflection however she wanted to host a party because she felt isolated from her friends. Dr. Copeland also feels estranged from his family yet is continually seeking a place of quiet meditation. How do you explain this paradoxical search for isolation and companionship?
ReplyDeleteIn what manner does the narrator detail Alice's death, and what significance might this event have to the overall story? Would Biff have reacted similarly to another character's death?
ReplyDeleteWhy is it that Biff's feminine side--sewing, maternal aspirations, organizing newspapers, etc-- appears only after Alice's death, and why is this significant?
ReplyDeleteWhat enabled Mick to finally understand her father?
ReplyDeleteAt the end of chapter 4, Jake Blount sees a quote written on the wall, and wants to meet the writer of the quote. Why does he want to meet the person, and what does he hope to gain from the meeting?
ReplyDeleteThe symphony that captures Mick's mind so entirely is by Beethoven, who went deaf, but continued to produce music. What is the significance of using his work? Is this perhaps foreshadowing?
ReplyDeleteDr. Copeland finds Mr. Singer as the first white man that he is intrigued by and does not automatically reject. He spoke with him about many things, "of chemistry and the enigma of the universe [...] the simplicity of death. And also he spoke with him of race" Why does he talk to Singer about such matters in the first place if Singer is not one to respond to or discuss with him the points of the matter. In addition it is interesting that initially it is stated that Dr. Copeland talked 'to' Mr. singer, yet by the end of the paragraph it said he spoke 'with' him. What does this difference signify?
ReplyDeleteHow does the party lead Mick to her act as if she was a wild child (p116)? Does her behavior at the party resemble her innate feelings or does she act like the person she wants to become?
ReplyDelete--Tristan
After Mick realized that "music was her" and she was able to "see the shapes of the sounds very clear," she imagines Mister Singer as God because "God is silent" (118 - 120). What is the significance of religion and faith in this book? Mr. Singer is deemed superior by the main characters of the novel. How is spiritual isolation of each character related their bigger purpose, truth or vision and how do they seek this spirituality in Mr. Singer.
ReplyDeleteBiff thinks of Singer's mind. Dr. Copeland shows around Singer to patients. Blount speaks to Singer about a previous attempt to riot. Why does it seem that as the chapters progress, the characters develop an increasing attraction towards Singer?
ReplyDelete