- Read the prompt carefully noticing all requirements for the entry.
- Plan your response in your journal first. Blog-only answers may not receive credit.
- Read existing posts before creating your own to avoid posting the same idea. If someone has already taken your idea, don't simply post it again. Instead, respond to the previous post, adding information, giving new examples, or expanding upon the idea.
Write a blog entry for the novel on the school website. You may choose any topic that you are interested in, or respond to someone else’s blog. While blogs may seem informal, they require that you edit and revise before you PUBLISH. In your Journal, write a blog and revise it. Then, post the blog on the website.
For assignment number 2 it says to write hafe a page on the authors stated purpose. What is the stated purpose is it the sentence in qutations in the assignment?
ReplyDeleteYes. For this assignment, write how the epigraph in the prologue works to accomplish what Picoult said she was trying to do with the epigraphs, namely "―looking for allusions to fire, flashes, and stars – all imagery that might connect a family that is figuratively burning itself out."
ReplyDeleteI have finished the summer reading assignment for honors English one to the book My Sisters Keeper. What I would like to talk about is how I feel about the end of the book. I didn’t expect for the book to end in that specific way. In my mind I was thinking that even after the case was over that Anna would still give Kate the kidney. The total change of events blew my mind. I was shocked that it happened like that. It was all so fast. I guess Picoult knew that most people would think something other than that. She wanted to give the readers a change.
ReplyDeleteThis book "My Sister's Keeper" not only tells a story, but it speaks to the heart. From the beginning you would expect Anna to be the one to live but life has an unforgettable twist. Life can take curveballs, not just baseballs. Life can end at any second of your timeline.
ReplyDeleteIs it okay to go back and edit,and reread our journal entries after finishing the book,as long as we keep our original thoughts in our entry? I didn't know if we were supposed to revise (unless the assignment told us to). I reread ,and edited the first couple of my journal entries,and then I forgot to ,I realized that I needed to start doing so,but wanted to double check its okay......
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteJesse is a character with many layers. He's been over shadowed by his sisters all of his life,though he doesn't like it he accepts it. He craves feeling in control of something. He thinks that if hes in control of something then he has some value. I used to think that he did drugs,lit fires ,and drank alcohol for attention,but now I realize that he does this because he is frustrated that he can't save Kate. He thinks that because he can't save Kate he is worthless. Like Sarah he wants to run away into someone else's life. Only, Sarah wants a life with a healthy Kate,and Jesse wants a life were he feels needed.
ReplyDeletemy blog can be found on http://itsbetterornot.blogspot.com/ :)
ReplyDelete-thanks
In response to the question about editing, it's fine to go back and revise and edit your blog entry. We do require that you have a copy of your blog entry in your journal, as well, so if you revise and edit the journal first, you shouldn't need to make too many changes. However, if see that you need to make a change, you should make it.
ReplyDeleteIn response to "unknown's" post about Jesse on August 1st:
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't say that Jesse was overshadowed by his sisters exactly, but rather whatever issues he had were completely incomparable to those concerning his sibling, and over time he became invisible to his parents, his sisters, and the world. He's come to accept that on the outside. He doesn't care for himself nearly as much as he does for Kate, and he believes that he's more valuable dead than alive. I agree that i don't think he drinks and does drugs and commits arson for attention, but I think it's because these actions force the world to acknowledge the fact that he's still in existence. He does it for the physical reaction confirming that he can do things because he still exists, not to piss off his family. I do agree that he wants to save Kate more than anything, though. I'd also say that i agrre with that last sentence but I think that Sara, Jesse and their whole family wants a life with a healthy Kate, and Jesse wants to help their family attain that dream.
Campbell Alexander is Anna’s lawyer in the beginning of the book he seems arrogant and harsh, he gradually emerges as an important character. He has a service dog names judge that later in the book we find out is a seizure dog. In many ways, he is like Anna. They both don’t want to be who their parents want them to be. Campbell struggles between his urge to push people away, and his willingness to reach out to people. By the end of the story he has formed strong bonds with all the characters in the book.
ReplyDeleteAfter finishing My Sister's Keeper, I was somewhat shocked at how it ended. As I thought more and more about it, I started to understand. I feel like she ended it this way to prove the point that life is truly not fair. You have virtually no control over what or when something will change. Picoult uses this book to prove that you should live your life while you still have the chance to live it. I feel like overall, this was a great story that brought moral questions to the reader's attention during and after reading the book
ReplyDeletePicoult uses symbolism throughout the book, with recurring topics like fire and stars. Even without attempting to understand the symbolism, these topics make the story more interesting, but once I started making connections between the topics and different ideas and themes in the book, I found a lot more to think about.
ReplyDeleteSome of the symbolism was very obvious, and placed where it made the most sense, while other symbolism was obscure, and I had to work to connect it to the story.
One example of symbolism in "My Sister's Keeper" is when Anna and Brian are talking about celestial navigation. Brian says it is pretty tough, but Anna thinks she could do it: "You head toward the place where all those different positions cross, and you hope for the best."
This passage has connections to all of the tough decisions being made, that you just have to find what could work with everyone, and "hope for the best."
I thought that the symbolism made the story a lot more interesting, and built up places that would seem too fast-paced and empty without the symbolism. I look for this in other books, because I enjoy the meaning and depth it gives to the story.
-Isaac Lutz
Taylor Ambrose was very special to Kate. He made her laugh, he accepted her for who she was, and could relate to her better than her entire family. The doctors, the nurses. Better than ANY one else could. Taylor was like an angel that had come into Kate's life, and helped her stay strong. He made her realize, that maybe this WASN'T the end, that maybe she COULD push through this if she tried hard enough. Taylor was the first guy Kate fell in love with, he taught her what it was like to meet that special someone. Taylor Ambrose was a very inspiring figure, his character teaches: 'Although you may know the consequences, that there isn't a solid guarantee, all you can do is hope. And to try. Because if you don't do your best, chances are you wont make it. So keep your head held high above the world and show them what you've got.'
ReplyDeleteThroughout the book, I was really surprised that Anna filed a lawsuit for Medical Emancipation against Kate. Even thought I was surprised, I understood where she was coming from because she was used by her family, especially her mom, Sara. If one of my sister's had leukemia and I had to do treatments for them, I might feel used in a way, but in another way, I would be glad that I helped them out. I am sure Anna felt like she wouldn't be in the Fitzgerald family if she wasn't a genetic match for Kate. I think Anna did make a good decision to seek Medical Emancipation because she can make her own decisions, and even Judge Desalvo said that.
ReplyDelete-Caroline Morton
When I finished My Sister's Keeper I was truly surprised because everybody said this book would be very boring and not be fun to read at all! I personally liked this book and enjoyed reading it. This book made me realize the value of life and how lucky we have it. This book had twist and turns everywhere that were unexpected like Anna dieing, Taylor Ambrose dieing, and Campells dogs real purpose. This book has made me appreciate life and be thankful for everyday I get to live and how lucky we are to be healthy and be on this Earth.
ReplyDeleteWRITTEN BY: TYLER HERBST
I just got done reading My sisters keeper and i loved it. When i saw the movie i loved it but,when i read the book i didn't expect the ending to end that way.I didn't think that kate would get anna's kidney.Anna went through all that trouble in court for her to die and kate still get her kidney.
ReplyDeleteI just finished the book and the end was so shocking.I couldn't believe it.I was so expectant that Kate would die or both because of the risk of the transplant.I never really expected just Anna to die, but what I thought was good about her dying was that Kate got her kidney and Kate lived for another 8 years. I know that that sounds selfish but I think Anna would have wanted it that way.
ReplyDelete-danyelle tilley
TOPIC-
ReplyDeleteExpression Throughout the Novel:
Expressing one’s emotions and opinions through symbols and metaphors
Expressing characters emotions and opinions through symbols and metaphors is used frequently throughout this novel. Many characters speak through these two different forms, some sharing about their emotions and others stating their opinions.
Towards the beginning of the narrative, Anna symbolically explains what happens when her sister, Kate, goes to the hospital for her regular treatment. “When she is tied to the bed, I am her eyes and ears.” In a small picture, this symbol expresses the way in which Anna entertains Kate while she is in the midst of a dialysis session. In a larger picture, this symbol is expressing how Anna is Kate’s tie to the stuff that happens outside of their families little world. Anna not only donates cells living inside her body to Kate, to keep her cancer at bay, but she also is the one that tells her about the adventures she has outside of their family’s dismal world where everything revolves around Kate’s fatal illness.
Another character who often uses symbols and metaphors to express his emotions, is Jesse. Many times throughout the novel he talks about invisibility, how he feels that he is unseen by many, especially his family. “‘Dad?’ I repeated. My father looked right at me, but he didn’t answer. And his eyes were dazed and staring through me, like I was made out of smoke.
And that was the first time that I thought that maybe I was.” In this metaphoric quote, Jesse explains his initial thoughts of being unseen by his parents.
The last example I have, though there are many more living inside this novel, is towards the end of the book where Brian talks about the listening aspect of his relationship with Anna. He explains how he always felt that he had listened to Anna but still believed that he didn’t understand it all. Then, he goes on to talk about how Aboriginals used to look at the dark spots in the night sky to find things, instead of how the Greeks would look at the lights spots, the shinning stars. He metaphorically explains his discovery that with trying to understand Anna, he wasn’t going to find his answers in her stated intent where he had been searching, but he needed to be looking in the unspoken realm, like the Aboriginals, to truly understand his daughter.
Using these writing methods in novels not only makes the stories more interesting, but they also add depth to the meaning of what the characters are talking about. One is able to see more clearly into the mind of the character and where he or she is coming from to form those opinions of feel those emotions. It leaves room for interpretation but still sends the message to the reader, even if it takes more time to understand. It is also a great form of character development. The fifth paragraph of this blog entry is a good example. It is where Brian uses something he loves, astrology, to metaphorically explain his discovery. Another example, is in the second paragraph. The reader is able to understand a little bit more about the dynamic of Anna’s relationship with her sister.
Symbols and metaphors add more substance to the written lines, providing the reader with more captivating writing and a more in depth understanding of the characters emotions and opinions.
-Lillian Garlick
**Isaac Lutz already posted about symbolism but the topic I am trying to hit is a little more broad, more on the lines of expression versus specifically symbolism
I loved My Sister's Keeper, but I did not like the ending very much. I don't think it was very realistic. I mean, there is no way in real life Anna would die right after she was granted medical emancipation and then Kate gets her kidney. I was kind of disappointed with how Jodi Picoult made the entire book very realistic and how she chose a topic that is so prevalent in America, but then made the ending so unrealistic. I was also disappointed with how she spent the whole book building up Kate's death and how Anna felt guilty that she would get to grow up and Kate wouldn't, but then she completely changed directions in the end and Anna ended up dying young and Kate got better and grew up to be an adult.
ReplyDelete~Danielle Grande
Life and death is fated, there is nothing that you, or I can do about it. We live. We die; "the wheel in the sky keeps on turning"(Journey). I think that Picoult does a good job highlighting this point. What were the odds that Anna and Campbell would be at that intersection at the same time as the other car? Enormous, but they were and nobody can prevent events like that, it's just the way life is.
ReplyDeleteEli
I have just finished the book My Sister's Keeper, and I would like to to talk about Kate. When I found out that Kate had been trying to kill herself that made me a little angry. If I was Anna I would be mad because our whole family is doing everything we can to keep you alive and you are just tired of it. I mean how can you just throw everything that your sister has done for you down the drain? After reading this secton and this book, I have realised that no matter how baad something gets, you should never give up or stop fighting!
ReplyDeleteWRITTEN BY: STEPHEN JONES
I forgot to put my name on my blog entry... I'm the "unknown" who did the entry about Jesse.......
ReplyDelete-Eleanor Hume
Jodi Picoult shocked me. Or at least, the conclusion of her novel did. Anna's death in the car crash was the last thing I expected to happen, and "My Sister's Keeper" is one of the most depressing books I've ever read. This is a book with no happy ending, and someone had to die, whether it was Kate or Anna. But even though this story was so gloomy, it was also quite meaningful. We can't see into the future, so we don't know exactly when we'll die. Therefore, people should be more grateful for what they have and the time they've been given to live so far. Look at your own life: Have you lived it to the fullest? Imagine that, like Kate, you are expecting death any day now. Was your life a good one while it lasted? These are questions that we have to ask ourselves often so we can understand and see how much we really have. Let's not waste our lives away.
ReplyDeleteThis is a response to bballgirlcaroline's comment.
ReplyDeleteIn fact, when looking back at the text on page 389, (after Sara had been discussing kidney donation) Anna states, "...of course I'm going to {donate a kidney}" Anna never wanted her sister to die; Kate had to argue long and hard to seek emancipation. One might even say Anna is NOT capable of making independent decisions, seeing as most every action she takes she was told to take by another.
Lots of my friends have told me that My Sister's Keeper would be a total drag. I read it. And now I know how wrong everyone has been. I was in tears for certain parts.people don't realize this but this book can really be relatable.I mean, there are alot of life lessonsin this book. Alot of inspiring words too. I have read alot of good books. Which sort of means that I know a good book when I see one. This book is an eventual classic and will impress readers for generations.
ReplyDeleteThe book, My Sister's Keeper was really a page turner for me and had me emotionally captivated in the book's main idea. It eduacated me alot about cancer and also being a donor. I love how Anna was so caring for Kate, especially when I found out that Anna was actually going to give Kate a kidney, I was very shocked. I have to agree with Corey about Taylor Ambrose, he symbolized alot in that little part of the book that he was in. He practically brought life to her, she had something to live for and also to look forward to. Love is always a blessing to have.
ReplyDeleteKate has a prolonged illness and Anna is the perfect match for all her needs. While Anna has been donating parts of her body to Kate for thirteen years, Kate comes to realize that she doesn't want to anymore tests or surgeries or transplants. Anna seeks Campbell Alexander to help her file a lawsuit against her parents for rights to make her own decisions about her body. The Fitzgerald family goes through many trials and in the end; Anna is medically emancipated from her parents. In response to what "Unknown" said on August 18, it truly isn't fair that after all Anna and Campbell went through to be freed from her parents medical decisions, Kate still gets Anna's kidney and Anna never got the chance to really make a medical choice on her own.
ReplyDelete-Kimberly Hutter
August, 18
I loved reading htis book. It was a story that always kept me on my toes and had me wondering what was going to happen next. One of the things that took me most by surprise was when Anna revealed to the courtroom why she was making the decision to file a lawsuit against her parents. She says that her sister asked her to- in a way- kill her. So like Anna had been doing her entire life, she tries to help her sister in the best was that she knew how. Kate did not want Anna to save her life, but to save her from the pain that she was experiencing.
ReplyDeleteMy sisters keeper was an interesting book, i loved it. It had many unexpected twists to it, especially the ending. What i really liked about the book is it being told from different persepctives, i like how the author did that. It was a huge shock to me when anna told the whole court room that kate wanted to die, and that it would be the best for everyone. I dont understand why anna tried to keep this a secret. Shouldn't she of known that eventually they were going to ask her whos idea it was for her to get a lawyer, or who gave her the idea? The book was way different then the movie. The movie was everything i thought was going to happen in the book but didn't. I enjoyed the book more.
ReplyDeleteso... i know I'm a little late. but through out the whole book i was somewhat disappointed in Sara. i understand that being the mother of a daughter who has leukemia is extremely heart breaking and stressful, and that Kate requires a whole lot more attention given her situation. but after all that she is still the mother of 3 children, and not just one, and i think Jesse and Anna somewhat get left in the dust. They where effected by the diagnosis too. Anna would probably not be here if it wasn't for the diagnosis, but Sara being so single minded is pretty bad in this case, but then again it is a book and without conflict like this there wouldn't be a story. thats just how the book made me feel. i loved Jodi Picoults work, she is a great writer and i loved the book as well.
ReplyDeleteposted by Kirsten McCulloch
I found the relationship between Campbell and his dog Judge more interesting then you would expect. As you get to know Campbell and Judge you can’t help but notice that Campbell is hiding something. Based on this I came up with the idea that Judge can represent secrets. Judge, like a secret, doesn’t like being approached by strangers. As Anna and Julia become closer with the pair throughout the book Judge becomes more friendly to them, I think this meant that they were going to find the truth in the recent future. He protects his keeper as long as his keeper protects him, which is true of anything kept hidden. At the end of the book, it makes sense when you learn about Campbell’s seizures. I don’t know if anyone else noticed this but I was intrigued that Picoult puts thought and meaning into even the smallest characters.
ReplyDeleteDerek Lamb