Jessica’s Comments (group member since Oct 08, 2013)

Jessica’s comments from the Great Books group.

1. Explain some of the plans discussed to capture Bin Laden by Richard Clarke and why they weren't carried out on pages 45-51( Chapter 4). Do you think any of the reasons mentioned were valid?

2. Chapter 5 (pg 52) begins discussing the beginning of the planning that went into 9/11. Retell any information that surprised you about the elaborate planning that went into this attack and about the men involved.

3. Chapters 4 and 5 recall several conflicts between the U.S. and Al Queda. Many Americans felt shocked by the Al Queda attack. Given the history between the two, why do you suppose 9/11 was such a huge shock among the American people?

4. Pages 64-66 relays the events in the change of the Clinton administration to the Bush administration. Interpret how the change in leadership may have affected the U.S.A.'s inability to stop 9/11 from happening.

5. Discuss what factors you think were the biggest cause of 9/11 given the information so far.

1. Describe what was so surprising about the response time from NEADS and the FAA as described on pages 20-25.

2. List some of the conclusions the Commission came up with on page 29 which detailed the effectiveness of the response of different agencies after the attacks. What are some of your reactions to these conclusions?

3. Retell the events that made Bin Laden a powerful leader of Al Queda and explain some of your reactions to the events described.

4. Identify the U.S.A's response to the 1993 bombing at the World Trade Center on page 40. Why do you think very little changed?

5. Given the description of security problems in the FAA listed on page 41, how do you feel about the tight security now present in airports? Have you ever been held up and frustrated at the airport due to strict security in place?

1. Explain why you think Jim continues to endanger himself in Chapter 22 and set off on his own. What would you have done differently?

2. Make a guess as to what Hands and the man in the red cap, O'Brien, are arguing about in Chapter 23.

3. Compare and contrast Jim from the beginning of the novel to his actions in Chapter 24 as he prepares to board The Hispaniola, and in Chapter 26 during his confrontation with Hands.

4. Discuss whether or not you would have trusted Hands to teach you how to sail like Jim in Chapter 25. Why or why not?

5. What are some foreshadowing clues in Chapter 26 that something is wrong as Jim approaches the sleeping men?

1. Explain why you suppose Jim decides to join Silver's crew ashore.
2. Silver's true nature is revealed in Chapter 14. Describe how his nature is revealed and whether or not it surprises you. Mention details from the text.
3. Make a prediction as to how you think Jim will stay alive on the island with the mutinous men in Chapter 14.
4. Who does Jim meet in Chapter 15? What are your impressions of this man?
5. Why do you suppose Ben Gunn coaches Jim on what to say to the squire at the end of Chapter 15?
6. Do the chapter titles help you predict what will happen next? Do you read the chapters differently because of the titles? Why or why not?

Chapter 2
1. Explain how you know Black Dog is an enemy of Bill's even before their argument.

2. Describe why you think Dr. Livesey seems to be the only one in town who doesn't seem scared of Bill.

Chapter 3
3. What do you think the "black spot" means? Reread the phrase in context and make some guesses.

4. Predict what the blind beggar puts into Billy Bones's hand.


Chapter 4
5. Explain why no one in the village will help Jim and his mother. What sort of danger are they in?

6. Illustrate what Jim and his mother take from the sea chest. Why? What did you expect to be in there?

Chapter 5
7. Predict what "Flint's fist" may be. How do you know it is important?

8. Interpret why Jim doesn't give the packet to Mr. Dance.

9. Can you sympathize with Jim and his mother in this chapter? Has there been a time you have been as scared as them?

Chapter 6
10. When Jim hands Dr. Livesey the packet, he "looked it all over, as if his fingers were itching to open it; but instead of doing that, he put it in the pocket of his coat". Explain why the Dr. does this? How does he change after Mr. Dance leaves?

11. Describe what is in the packet and sealed paper. What do these reveal about Billy Bones's character? Predict how Jim will come into play for the remainder of the story.