Posts

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Symbolism/motif of mockingbird. Innocence and beauty.  Atticus and Miss Maudie tell Scout and Jem it is a sin to kill a mockingbird because these birds cause no harm to anyone or anything, they just sing, making the world a better place. To kill one would be an act of senseless cruelty. (94) Who can be seen as a mockingbird in the novel? Tom, Boo, Scout, Jem. Misunderstood. Destroyed by others. Can you relate to the symbolism of a mockingbird? Are you or have you ever been innocent and beautiful? Are there still parts of you that are innocent and beautiful?  Have you been misunderstood? Destroyed by others?  What can we do about that now that the events have likely passed?  Can we reclaim innocence and beauty?  See also p. 279 __________ Let's talk about Aunt Alexandra. Did you have thoughts or feelings about her conservative views, particularly regarding gender?  Or regarding "the family name"?  (85, 131, 135, 226)  How would you feel about a significant relative with su

Scythe by Neal Shusterman

Client relates most to Rowan.  What challenges does Rowan face which are similar to your own? How does Rowan deal with these challenges? Is this a healthy / productive / growth way of dealing with those challenges? How can you implement the same positive patterns? Improve upon them? Choose differently and more effectively?

A Stolen Life by Jaycee Dugard

Consider: Jaycee may have felt a bit of "loyalty" to her abductor/abuser at some point. What do you think moved her from those ideas and feelings to where she is today? Keep in mind that at another part of this continuum, she had even determined she would never write about this ordeal, "... no one would ever know what happened." (p. 49) Pay attention to her trajectory and what might have been internal and external motivations. Are these things you can relate to? Implement into your own life?  Could this change your circumstances in any way?