Brigid’s Comments (group member since Oct 25, 2016)

Brigid’s comments from the The Commendable Coterie group.

Mckaela wrote: "& it allows for *** god im sorry"

There is an edit button when you use your computer to post. I just used it 3 times! ;)

This thread is my favorite of all four! Many of you engaged in full discussion and were able to dig through to some real analysis. I loved watching you work through the ideas/claims (esp the white/max/brother posts).

Don't be afraid to disagree or to challenge another's idea. For example, you could say, "What makes you think that?" or "I'm not sure if I completely agree, but what about..." The post referring to Death possibly being the standover man was interesting, but too much agreement kept the thread from its potential. I wonder what other possibilities we could have found? Also, with the white color thread, it would have been nice to explore other color motifs found.

There are a few in this group, in my opinion, who did not finish reading (if they read at all). It is clear because posts only slightly reference the book and are, for the most part, repeating information previously stated. It's a shame because this conversation could have really went into some depth. The basic/repetitive post held the potential back.

If we hit our potential next time, this group could easily earn a 100. Everyone must read, post often, cite the text, challenge each other.

Julianna C wrote: "I think it's a really interesting comparison- They're different in almost every aspect. Liesel is a young girl, practices a "safe" religion, didn't leave her family by choice. Max is an adult male,..."

I think they have more in common than not. Both a torn away from their families and happen to find solace in words (books). Both are strong individuals who are determined to survive and , as you noted, both have suffered trauma that haunts them.

Brianna wrote: "In response to Luke, Death may be like a companion. However, I feel that Hans is the better example of a protector. He gains Liesel's trust from the beginning, and starts to teach her how to read a..."

How is Death a guardian... isn't he more of an observer?

Julianna C wrote: "Luke I think you meant to comment in response to my post!! I thought that first off by painting over the words of Mein Kampf was symbolic- that book was essentially the key to Max's safety. However..."

Similar to Liesel, Max is a "book thief." He stole the book's original intention and turned into something completely different.

Mckaela wrote: "In my opinion the story about the word shakers is to show just how powerful words can be by making it more literal. instead of just stating that someone's words had an impact, Max creates word shak..."

well done!

Julianna C wrote: "The first parallel I'd like to point out is the significance of the book Mein Kampf to Max and how his own story, The Standover Man, was written over those words. First, Max erased Mein Kampf's sto..."

wonderful post!!! The white/black color motif runs throughout the story.

Yes! Please discuss Max's book. I think that is one of the more powerful symbols in the book. (Possibly could be its own thread)

I don't think of Death as a victim or evil - he just is, as death is a fate we all must succumb to (sorry). He is fulfilling his role/purpose and is entity that brings us to our next realm (w/e that may be).

Zusak personifies Death as an emotional character that appears to be frustrated with humanity and it's propensity for killing. However, Leisel (sp?), is what saves us (in Death's eyes). She reminds him of all that we could be.

Yay! We are all on the 1st thread.

Let's list possible themes. No explanation needed. This will help in other discussions.

Erica wrote: "In response to Emma question, If I was death, I would not be able to live with myself knowing that my job is to carry away the souls of thousands of people a day all over the world. The part I find..."

What do these colors represent (not specific colors but this idea of colors)?

Also, Death does not appear to be the cause of death but rather an instrument of death.

AnnaClaire wrote: "In response to Juliannas comment, I think Death uses the short responses to connect with the reader. We, as humans have emotions and as we read Death evokes certain feelings by the way he explains ..."

Perhaps, the short simple sentences mirror the finality of death (not the narrator but the action).

Julianna C wrote: "Like Death controls our own reality, he controls the storyline as well. This is seen repeatedly at the end of every chapter, when he closes with 3-5 short sentences that build suspense regarding wh..."

Or is Death a book thief as well - telling us another's story.

By the way, I have no answers, just curiosity/questions.

Julianna C wrote: "Like Death controls our own reality, he controls the storyline as well. This is seen repeatedly at the end of every chapter, when he closes with 3-5 short sentences that build suspense regarding wh..."

But is death in control... often he seems to be the victim of circumstances we create. Thoughts???

Erica wrote: "I think one of the most important lines would be the last sentence of the book on page 550. "I am haunted by humans." Death said this after he had finally completed sharing the story of the "Book T..."

Wow, that was nice!

Let's try to dig deeper than just foils (Hans & Rosa seem the most obvious example of that) and look at the writing style. Look at the writing style when Death is narrating his own actions/plot vs. Liesel's . What do we see? Look at the diction, look at the syntax (sentence structure), look at the color imagery.

Now take what you notice and try to connect it thematically to the book's theme. By the way, what is the book's theme?

Also, in order to earn higher than an 85, all members must be active throughout. If we do not post until the last day then this is not a true discussion - is it? At this point (our 3rd goodreads discussion) we should know better than this. If this group does not work out, I will be splitting the group up.