1.Why is the story set in the present day as opposed to the future? I think she wrote it in present day to alert the reader that this can actually happen. That instead of it happening in the future, it might happen now. People should start paying attention to the world and global warming. 2.How do different individuals cope with the slowing? What are their reactions and their strategies for survival? Each character deals with the slowing in their own way. For instance, Julia's dad tries to act like nothing is wrong, and he continuously lies to Julia. Julia's mom goes into preparation mode. SHe starts gathering things that can help her if the world ends. Julia's friend, Hanna, deal with it another way. She and her family end up moving to Utah because their religion told them to but also because they are scared. 3.How would the narrative have been different if scientists could have confirmed that the slowing was temporary? The narrative would have a more hopeful tone instead of an unknowing one. People would continue on with their normal lives and just wait until the slowing ends.
Mitchell Duncan, Jacob Gilbert-Mahoney, Austin Hammond
1.)What are the multiple meanings of the title of the book? The very act of the earth slowing down can be viewed as a miracle as it is closer to impossible. The "miracle" casts Julia and the rest of humanity into a new age of history. The title can also be considered ironic, since the earth slowing down is a horrible event.
2.) How does the epigraph ( taken from James Richardson's poem "Another End of the World") set the tone of the book? The epigraph creates a somber tone, which goes along with the main premise of the novel. The last line can be interpreted as factious. The poem as a whole shows how insignificant the human race is in the end of it all. Every good and bad deed or effort doesn't matter if the world is ending,
3.) How does the author inform the reader about the initial setting of the narrative? Karen Thompson Walker utilizes anaphora, especially in the first chapter. She keeps repeating the word "We", which makes the reader feel involved. She also makes it very personal, which it effectively gets the reader more involved in the world of the novel.
1. Death and dying are portrayed throughout the novel in that not only is the Earth itself slowly dying, but also through the characters and the ways in which they must cope with this vast and inevitable change. Julia and the people around her are forced to adjust to their ever changing reality as daily routines and "facts" about life and science are negated. 2. A coming-of-age novel can be defined as a novel which portrays the sad truths of growing up and all of the confusion that follows. The Age of Miracles is a representation of a coming-of-age novel as Julia, the main character, is not only met with the profound changes of her own reality through "the slowing" of the Earth but also through her own self-discovery. 3. The title of the book hold many hints about the novel. The mention of "age" speaks on both the time in Julia's life as well as the element of time slowing within the novel. "Miracles" is almost an ironic word to use because of the tragedy in the story.
By Aleah Adams and Karlamarie Perez 1.)Discuss the challenges the main characters are already coping with before the slowing begins. Julia is dealing with being an only child and often feeling lonely in her house once her friend Hanna returns back to her home. Her parents as well have their fair share of problems, the father has a chaotic job that is very unpredictable, as well the mother drinks every day and you can infer that she’s an alcoholic.
2.)Why are so many readers (and increasingly writers) drawn to stories about the end of the world or of the potential apocalypse? I think many readers are intrigued by stories dealing with these concepts because so many superstitions and rumors have circulated around predicting the worlds end. Also movies and television shows capture these thoughts too, which exploit these topics even more.
3.)Why is the story set in the present day as opposed to the future? The story most likely is set in the present day to make it more relatable to the readers and audience. It makes it feel as though you’re going through the shift in the world as well by having it in a time period where you’re alive.
Science plays a major role in the story due to the premise. The novel is centered around what was to happen if the rotation of the Earth were to slow. It is apparent that the author took the time to imagine and think through the possible effects to make the situation in the story feel as real and natural as possible. Kids notice the little things and are more in tune with their surroundings. Julia says that she usually wakes up to the hums of lawn mowers, so she notices the simpler things and is more in tuned to her surroundings. The issues of belief, religion and superstition also play a big part in the message of the story. Julia mentions different people in her neighborhood and environment and their choices once the news was revealed, i.e. her friend Hanna and her family moving to Utah because of their Mormon beliefs. This is representative of how people are in actuality when tragedies do occur.
1.Why is the story set in the present day as opposed to the future?
ReplyDeleteI think she wrote it in present day to alert the reader that this can actually happen. That instead of it happening in the future, it might happen now. People should start paying attention to the world and global warming.
2.How do different individuals cope with the slowing? What are their reactions and their strategies for survival?
Each character deals with the slowing in their own way. For instance, Julia's dad tries to act like nothing is wrong, and he continuously lies to Julia. Julia's mom goes into preparation mode. SHe starts gathering things that can help her if the world ends. Julia's friend, Hanna, deal with it another way. She and her family end up moving to Utah because their religion told them to but also because they are scared.
3.How would the narrative have been different if scientists could have confirmed that the slowing was temporary?
The narrative would have a more hopeful tone instead of an unknowing one. People would continue on with their normal lives and just wait until the slowing ends.
Mitchell Duncan, Jacob Gilbert-Mahoney, Austin Hammond
ReplyDelete1.)What are the multiple meanings of the title of the book?
The very act of the earth slowing down can be viewed as a miracle as it is closer to impossible. The "miracle" casts Julia and the rest of humanity into a new age of history. The title can also be considered ironic, since the earth slowing down is a horrible event.
2.) How does the epigraph ( taken from James Richardson's poem "Another End of the World") set the tone of the book?
The epigraph creates a somber tone, which goes along with the main premise of the novel. The last line can be interpreted as factious. The poem as a whole shows how insignificant the human race is in the end of it all. Every good and bad deed or effort doesn't matter if the world is ending,
3.) How does the author inform the reader about the initial setting of the narrative?
Karen Thompson Walker utilizes anaphora, especially in the first chapter. She keeps repeating the word "We", which makes the reader feel involved. She also makes it very personal, which it effectively gets the reader more involved in the world of the novel.
1. Death and dying are portrayed throughout the novel in that not only is the Earth itself slowly dying, but also through the characters and the ways in which they must cope with this vast and inevitable change. Julia and the people around her are forced to adjust to their ever changing reality as daily routines and "facts" about life and science are negated.
ReplyDelete2. A coming-of-age novel can be defined as a novel which portrays the sad truths of growing up and all of the confusion that follows. The Age of Miracles is a representation of a coming-of-age novel as Julia, the main character, is not only met with the profound changes of her own reality through "the slowing" of the Earth but also through her own self-discovery.
3. The title of the book hold many hints about the novel. The mention of "age" speaks on both the time in Julia's life as well as the element of time slowing within the novel. "Miracles" is almost an ironic word to use because of the tragedy in the story.
By Aleah Adams and Karlamarie Perez
ReplyDelete1.)Discuss the challenges the main characters are already coping with before the slowing begins.
Julia is dealing with being an only child and often feeling lonely in her house once her friend Hanna returns back to her home. Her parents as well have their fair share of problems, the father has a chaotic job that is very unpredictable, as well the mother drinks every day and you can infer that she’s an alcoholic.
2.)Why are so many readers (and increasingly writers) drawn to stories about the end of the world or of the potential apocalypse?
I think many readers are intrigued by stories dealing with these concepts because so many superstitions and rumors have circulated around predicting the worlds end. Also movies and television shows capture these thoughts too, which exploit these topics even more.
3.)Why is the story set in the present day as opposed to the future?
The story most likely is set in the present day to make it more relatable to the readers and audience. It makes it feel as though you’re going through the shift in the world as well by having it in a time period where you’re alive.
Jaymee & Allan
ReplyDeleteScience plays a major role in the story due to the premise. The novel is centered around what was to happen if the rotation of the Earth were to slow. It is apparent that the author took the time to imagine and think through the possible effects to make the situation in the story feel as real and natural as possible.
Kids notice the little things and are more in tune with their surroundings. Julia says that she usually wakes up to the hums of lawn mowers, so she notices the simpler things and is more in tuned to her surroundings.
The issues of belief, religion and superstition also play a big part in the message of the story. Julia mentions different people in her neighborhood and environment and their choices once the news was revealed, i.e. her friend Hanna and her family moving to Utah because of their Mormon beliefs. This is representative of how people are in actuality when tragedies do occur.