John+Hazel

Cultural Connector pgs. 1-50 Vocab pgs. 51-102
 * This book connects to any culture that depends on material items.
 * The love between father and son.
 * Something seen in everyday life, and important across all cultures.
 * The despair at dying. Oh God, he whispered. Oh God.
 * The boy painted fangs on his facemask.
 * The creativity and immunity of small children to despair.

Sedge (94) A wetland plant that resembles grass and has a triangular stem, leaves growing in three vertical rows, and inconspicuous spikes of flowers.

Stile (91) A step or rung designed to make it easier to climb over a fence or wall.

Viscera (90) The internal organs of the body, especially those of the abdomen such as the intestines.

Truncheon (90) A short heavy stick carried by a police officer.

Trellis (87) A lattice of wood, metal, or plastic used to support plants, usually fixed to a wall.

Viaduct (85) A bridge that consists of a series of short masonry or concrete arched spans supported on towers.

Real World Connections pgs. 101-153

On page 113 the man considers leaving the boy in an attempt to lead the enemy away. The sad truth is the boy really has no idea what to do with the gun and cannot imagine killing himself. More importantly the boy can't handle the thought of being left alone. This doesn't connect to me personally because I haven't ever been in such a dramatic situation, but the link between father and son is obvious here. The boy is so dependent on the father.

On page 128 the child shows us the importance of morals. He is so distraught at the thought of eating other humans because as a child he is pure and incorruptible. The boy represents what is left of the good in the world because he has yet to have his humanity taken away from this dreadful world. All children are innocent.

Quotes pgs. 153-230

"Maybe he understood for the first time that to the boy he was himself an alien. A being from a planet that no longer existed." (pg. 153)

"Even now some part of him wished they'd never found this refuge. Some part of him always wished it would be over." (pg. 154)

"Nobody wants to be here and nobody wants to leave." (pg. 169)

Discussion Questions pgs. 230-END

1. Do you think the man gave up too eagerly when the boy became sick? Did he simply want it to end?

2. Was it right to leave the man naked in the road? Was it too far?

3. Is the boy a prophet? What of?

4. What does the last paragraph hint at?