In the novel Kissing the Rain by Kevin Brooks, an inductive leap too far is made by the main protagonist the creates problems later in the story.
Michael "Moo" Nelson witnesses a crime on a highway in which a man is stabbed. The police investigate the situation and question Moo. He tells the truth and and is scheduled to be a witness in court for the prosecutor. Everything seems fine until he meets Keith Vine. Mr. Vine is accused of the stabbing and orders Moo to change is story and lie in court so he he won't be sent to jail. If Moo tells the truth, Vine promises to hurt him. Detective Callan, who represents the law enforcement tells Moo that he must tell the truth or he will take his father to jail.
As you can see, Moo is in a difficult situation. He must decide if him being hurt or his father being locked away is more important. Moo uses inductive reasoning to make a decision. He figures that Vine will hurt him and that Callan is not likely to actually lock up his father. In the end, Moo decides to "go with the flow" and speak his mind. This angers both parties, which is not good.
This is an inductive leap too far because he does not weigh all of his options and doesn't examine more facts about the situation. Would Callan be allowed to imprison his father? How could Vine hurt him if Vine was in jail? Moo doesn't realize these possibilities and jumps to a conclusion too early. This decision results in two angry men. Moo's friend, Brady, is beaten up by a stranger and sent to the hospital. Moo also lives in fear for the time being.
Monday, June 11, 2012
Monday, April 30, 2012
Blog #8 - Wordle Explained
The concrete poem using wordleI made for my last blog post was about the novel "Feed" by M.T. Anderson.
1. What is the purpose of your poem? What mood, message or point are you trying to make?
I tried to tell my readers about the key elements of the novel. The largest word is feed, which is the title of the poem, thus being the most important. The next largest words are unit and malfunction. These two words are what the story is all about. The characters are "units" and not entirely humans. Malfunctioning is a conflict for the characters throughout the poem. Other words are characters and parts of the setting. In conclusion, the purpose of my concrete poem is to display the key elements of the novel.
2. What did you do to create this purpose? Discuss your word choice and your decision on the size of particular words in comparison to other words.
I created this purpose by including as many words that reveal key elements as possible. The larger words are more important elements of the story. For example, the word Violet, who is one of the main characters of the story, is larger than the word moon, which is only part of the setting during a few chapters of the story.
3. Did you like using Wordle? Come up with other possible uses of Wordle inside and outside of English class.
Wordle is a fun site to use. Outside of English, it could be used to make images for Facebook, blogs, or other websites. It could also be used for finding the key points of presentations or discussions.
1. What is the purpose of your poem? What mood, message or point are you trying to make?
I tried to tell my readers about the key elements of the novel. The largest word is feed, which is the title of the poem, thus being the most important. The next largest words are unit and malfunction. These two words are what the story is all about. The characters are "units" and not entirely humans. Malfunctioning is a conflict for the characters throughout the poem. Other words are characters and parts of the setting. In conclusion, the purpose of my concrete poem is to display the key elements of the novel.
2. What did you do to create this purpose? Discuss your word choice and your decision on the size of particular words in comparison to other words.
I created this purpose by including as many words that reveal key elements as possible. The larger words are more important elements of the story. For example, the word Violet, who is one of the main characters of the story, is larger than the word moon, which is only part of the setting during a few chapters of the story.
3. Did you like using Wordle? Come up with other possible uses of Wordle inside and outside of English class.
Wordle is a fun site to use. Outside of English, it could be used to make images for Facebook, blogs, or other websites. It could also be used for finding the key points of presentations or discussions.
Friday, April 27, 2012
Friday, April 13, 2012
Blog #7 - Significant Characteristic
Setting
I am currently reading "Martyn Pig" by Kevin Brooks. The most commonly used setting is Martyn's house, and the story takes place during the week before Christmas. I believe that the location of the story is in England, because currency is in pounds. Martyn's house is a dirty, lonely and dark place. Even when Martyn's father was still alive, Martyn was always lonely.
"I didn't smell of anything - no cigarette smoke, no stale beer, no whisky, no sweaty clothes..." (Brooks 141)
Even though Martyn is saying that he doesn't smell anything, this quote proves that the house smells like cigarette smoke and the other things because Martyn is surprised that it doesn't smell like that. Martyn is surprised because the house is usually very dirty, smelly, and unwelcoming. This is significant because it makes Martyn feel lonely and sad, that he lives in this environment.
Character
"Alex said calmly, "why don't you let me call the police."" (Brooks 40)
This quote shows a bit about Alex's character. She likes to take control, as seen when she asks if she can call the police as opposed to Martyn. This also shows that she is very kind, as she asks calmly. This is important because it makes the ending of the story more strange, because Alex turns on Martyn and tells the police about what happened. She seems like a nice girl but she tricks him.
I am currently reading "Martyn Pig" by Kevin Brooks. The most commonly used setting is Martyn's house, and the story takes place during the week before Christmas. I believe that the location of the story is in England, because currency is in pounds. Martyn's house is a dirty, lonely and dark place. Even when Martyn's father was still alive, Martyn was always lonely.
"I didn't smell of anything - no cigarette smoke, no stale beer, no whisky, no sweaty clothes..." (Brooks 141)
Even though Martyn is saying that he doesn't smell anything, this quote proves that the house smells like cigarette smoke and the other things because Martyn is surprised that it doesn't smell like that. Martyn is surprised because the house is usually very dirty, smelly, and unwelcoming. This is significant because it makes Martyn feel lonely and sad, that he lives in this environment.
Character
"Alex said calmly, "why don't you let me call the police."" (Brooks 40)
This quote shows a bit about Alex's character. She likes to take control, as seen when she asks if she can call the police as opposed to Martyn. This also shows that she is very kind, as she asks calmly. This is important because it makes the ending of the story more strange, because Alex turns on Martyn and tells the police about what happened. She seems like a nice girl but she tricks him.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Blog #6 - Film Adaptation
If I were making a screen play for a film based on the novel "Kissing the Rain" by Kevin Brooks, some things would need to be cut because of time restrictions. First of all, there could only be one main climax in the story, which would be when Moo is in court and the prosecutor, Mr. Henry, asks him if he has spoken to Mr. Vine. This section is full of suspense and is an important part to the story. There are smaller climaxes throughout the novel that must be removed. The part where Moo first meets Vine is important, so that should stay. I would remove the mini-climax where Moo receives the news that Brady is in the hospital and Moo then rushes across the city to the hospital. This part is suspenseful and exciting, but the outcome of the story would not be impacted if this section were removed. Also, this section takes two chapters of the novel, so a good amount of the story would be removed, shortening the story into a good screen play. I could then remove any small details throughout the story. Anything that doesn't contribute to the main storyline would be cut. Then, if the movie was too short, I would add in enough details and filler to make the movie longer, but still entertaining.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Blog #5 - Suspense or Pathos
The book that I am currently reading, which is "Kissing the Rain" by Kevin Brooks.
"His head and shoulders move back, like he's trying to get me in focus, then he reaches out a hand -- and just for a second I think he's gonna whop me... but no... it's all right, he's just..." (Brooks 112)
This is a suspenseful part of the story when Moo is walking through the park and detective Callan walks out of nowhere and comes towards Moo. This builds up suspense because Moo doesn't know what Callan is going to do to him when he gets closer. The story is told from a first-person perspective of Moo, and he doesn't know what is going to happen, so the reader doesn't know what is going to happen. This creates suspense as the reader anticipates what will happen next.
The setting is in a park with no one around, which makes it more suspenseful because if Callan tries to attack Moo, there is no one around to help. The mood during this part of the story is frightening and scary, because Moo doesn't know what is going on and earlier in the story, there is foreshadowing done that makes you expect a confrontation like this one.
"His head and shoulders move back, like he's trying to get me in focus, then he reaches out a hand -- and just for a second I think he's gonna whop me... but no... it's all right, he's just..." (Brooks 112)
This is a suspenseful part of the story when Moo is walking through the park and detective Callan walks out of nowhere and comes towards Moo. This builds up suspense because Moo doesn't know what Callan is going to do to him when he gets closer. The story is told from a first-person perspective of Moo, and he doesn't know what is going to happen, so the reader doesn't know what is going to happen. This creates suspense as the reader anticipates what will happen next.
The setting is in a park with no one around, which makes it more suspenseful because if Callan tries to attack Moo, there is no one around to help. The mood during this part of the story is frightening and scary, because Moo doesn't know what is going on and earlier in the story, there is foreshadowing done that makes you expect a confrontation like this one.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Blog #4 - Point of View
The novel I am currently reading, which is "Kissing the Rain" by Kevin Brooks, is told from a first-person, limited omniscient point of view. It is told from the perspective of Michael "Moo" Nelson, the main protagonist of the story.
I think that the author chose this point of view so that the reader has full access to all of Michael's feelings and emotions. This really helps the reader learn as much as possible about Michael and what he is thinking.
I wouldn't change the point of view for this novel, because the entire story is about Michael so it is good that we know everything about him. Also, things the Michael doesn't know, we don't know, which creates a mystery and builds suspense during the story.
I think that the author chose this point of view so that the reader has full access to all of Michael's feelings and emotions. This really helps the reader learn as much as possible about Michael and what he is thinking.
I wouldn't change the point of view for this novel, because the entire story is about Michael so it is good that we know everything about him. Also, things the Michael doesn't know, we don't know, which creates a mystery and builds suspense during the story.
Blog #3 - Character Traits
The novel I am currently reading is "Kissing the Rain" by Kevin Brooks. The main protagonist is Michael 'Moo' Nelson.
Fat
"Soft and splodgy, round-faced...yeh, I guess I always been one of them round-faced kids...which ain't surprising really -- I got a round-faced mum and a round-faced dad..." (Brooks 61)
This story is told from the first-person perspective of Michael Nelson. Sadly, he often talks about himself in a negative way, mostly saying that he is fat. He constantly is talking about how people make fun of him and he puts himself down. In my previous blog post, "Blog #1 - Opening Mood", I wrote about how Moo is always depressed and he clearly describes himself as fat.
Lonely
"MY PLACE. There it is, look -- 8 steps along, that bit there, where one of the railings has a knee-shaped kink, and the cross-rail's worn and shiny from 5 years' leaning..." (Brooks 4)
Moo is normally made fun of by his peers, plus he is somewhat new in town. The part of this quote where is says "5 years' leaning..." helps show this characteristic. It means that he leaned on that cross-rail for 5 years' now, showing that he goes there by himself.
Worrisome
"I dunno...I don't KNOW if it's all right or not... and I dunno if it makes any difference if I DON'T think it's all right..." (Brooks 79)
Moo becomes a very worrisome character throughout the story. Since he witnessed the accident at the bridge, he is always worried about the police or Mr. Vine showing up at his house. In the quote, he is worried and questioning if it is all right to let Dectective Callan in his home.
Aware
"I can't make em out just yet, they're maybe half a mile away, all I can see is 2 pairs of glaring headlights, one behind the other, 4 blazings eyes..." (Brooks 11)
Moo is very aware of his surroundings. In this quote, he is sitting up on a bridge and looking down at on coming traffic. He is so aware that he manages to notice the two pairs of headlights and the people's eyes in the car.
Fat
"Soft and splodgy, round-faced...yeh, I guess I always been one of them round-faced kids...which ain't surprising really -- I got a round-faced mum and a round-faced dad..." (Brooks 61)
This story is told from the first-person perspective of Michael Nelson. Sadly, he often talks about himself in a negative way, mostly saying that he is fat. He constantly is talking about how people make fun of him and he puts himself down. In my previous blog post, "Blog #1 - Opening Mood", I wrote about how Moo is always depressed and he clearly describes himself as fat.
Lonely
"MY PLACE. There it is, look -- 8 steps along, that bit there, where one of the railings has a knee-shaped kink, and the cross-rail's worn and shiny from 5 years' leaning..." (Brooks 4)
Moo is normally made fun of by his peers, plus he is somewhat new in town. The part of this quote where is says "5 years' leaning..." helps show this characteristic. It means that he leaned on that cross-rail for 5 years' now, showing that he goes there by himself.
Worrisome
"I dunno...I don't KNOW if it's all right or not... and I dunno if it makes any difference if I DON'T think it's all right..." (Brooks 79)
Moo becomes a very worrisome character throughout the story. Since he witnessed the accident at the bridge, he is always worried about the police or Mr. Vine showing up at his house. In the quote, he is worried and questioning if it is all right to let Dectective Callan in his home.
Aware
"I can't make em out just yet, they're maybe half a mile away, all I can see is 2 pairs of glaring headlights, one behind the other, 4 blazings eyes..." (Brooks 11)
Moo is very aware of his surroundings. In this quote, he is sitting up on a bridge and looking down at on coming traffic. He is so aware that he manages to notice the two pairs of headlights and the people's eyes in the car.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Blog #2 - Stock Characters
I recently watched the movie "Journey 2: The Mysterious Island" in theaters. The main character in the film is a boy whose name I forget (played by Josh Hutcherson). He wants to go on an adventure, along with his stepfather, to the Mysterious Island in an attempt to find his grandfather.
The character in this story that I have recognized as a stock character is the boy's mother. The stereotypical mother is caring, loving, protecting, and worrisome. In the movie, the mother refuses to let her son go on this crazy adventure that would put himself in harm's way. This shows her protection for her son, as well as her caring and loving. She is also worried about her son, thus not letting him go.
Since there is no information given on the mother beforehand, other than the fact that she is the protagonist's mother, we must completely assume stereotypical things about her.
Unfortunately, the mother does not play an important role in the movie, and I couldn't find any clips involving her. So, this is a trailer for the movie.
The character in this story that I have recognized as a stock character is the boy's mother. The stereotypical mother is caring, loving, protecting, and worrisome. In the movie, the mother refuses to let her son go on this crazy adventure that would put himself in harm's way. This shows her protection for her son, as well as her caring and loving. She is also worried about her son, thus not letting him go.
Since there is no information given on the mother beforehand, other than the fact that she is the protagonist's mother, we must completely assume stereotypical things about her.
Unfortunately, the mother does not play an important role in the movie, and I couldn't find any clips involving her. So, this is a trailer for the movie.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Blog #1 - Opening Mood
The book that I am currently reading is Kissing the Rain by Kevin Brooks.
The mood is clearly set in the beginning of the novel. Since this story is told from a first person perspective of Moo Nelson, the main character, you can't help but have the same mood as him.
Even from reading the synopsis, I could begin to tell that the mood would be depressing, which it is.
"...every Day's just another day... same as the Day before, same as the Day before, same as the Day before. Ain't nothing much happens, just the same old stuff, over and over again." (Pg.4)
This quote from the book helps create a mood that Moo is bored and somewhat depressed. He says that everyday is the same as the last, creating the feeling that nothing exciting is happening in his life and he feels sad.
"Listening...Watching...Watching the traffic. Every Day... I watch the traffic. That's what I do. I watch the traffic." (Pg.5)
This quotation, like the previous one, creates a depressed, bored, and unhappy mood. If Moo only watches the traffic all day, his life is clearly boring and that mood is displayed, and felt by the reader.
"You wanna know the TRUTH? I'll tell you the TRUTH --- I'm sick of it." (Pg.1)
This final quotation, creates the mood that Moo is frustrated, and fed up with something. This is first phrase of the novel, so it isn't very revealing, but it does show Moo's frustration and anger, which leads to a sad and depressed mood.
The gloomy weather, the rain, Moo's personality and the setting of the story all clearly indicate Moo's feelings and his mood. Since the story is in first person perspective, the reader can't help but feel Moo's sadness, creating a depressed mood for the reader.
Brooks, Kevin. Kissing the Rain. Somerset, United Kingdom: PUSH, 2004. Print.
The mood is clearly set in the beginning of the novel. Since this story is told from a first person perspective of Moo Nelson, the main character, you can't help but have the same mood as him.
Even from reading the synopsis, I could begin to tell that the mood would be depressing, which it is.
"...every Day's just another day... same as the Day before, same as the Day before, same as the Day before. Ain't nothing much happens, just the same old stuff, over and over again." (Pg.4)
This quote from the book helps create a mood that Moo is bored and somewhat depressed. He says that everyday is the same as the last, creating the feeling that nothing exciting is happening in his life and he feels sad.
"Listening...Watching...Watching the traffic. Every Day... I watch the traffic. That's what I do. I watch the traffic." (Pg.5)
This quotation, like the previous one, creates a depressed, bored, and unhappy mood. If Moo only watches the traffic all day, his life is clearly boring and that mood is displayed, and felt by the reader.
"You wanna know the TRUTH? I'll tell you the TRUTH --- I'm sick of it." (Pg.1)
This final quotation, creates the mood that Moo is frustrated, and fed up with something. This is first phrase of the novel, so it isn't very revealing, but it does show Moo's frustration and anger, which leads to a sad and depressed mood.
The gloomy weather, the rain, Moo's personality and the setting of the story all clearly indicate Moo's feelings and his mood. Since the story is in first person perspective, the reader can't help but feel Moo's sadness, creating a depressed mood for the reader.
Brooks, Kevin. Kissing the Rain. Somerset, United Kingdom: PUSH, 2004. Print.
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