Bulletin Board Fun

This is a picture of our two greyhounds, Tori (on the left) and Cooper. They are pretty awesome. We also have an awesome Pug named Mojo. My first dog's name was Chip...he was a mutt that we had from about my first birthday until I was 12. I had an Irish Setter named Lady, a Scottish terrier named Sootie, three black labs (Psycho, Augie, and Rue), a pit bull mix named Fred,  and a Chihuahua mix named Sassy. My father bred basenjis, an African breed of bush dog. Dogs have been a big part of my life. I would have to guess that dogs have been a big part of life for many of you.

Here's what I want: I want to fill a bulletin board with pictures of your dogs...so on the first day, bring in your pictures. I will provide labels for the pictures, and we will celebrate those tried and true friends of ours by placing their photos on a bulletin board dedicated to them and only them. As most people have stopped looking at the blog, if you see this, tell your friends. I think this will be a lot of fun.

Using Quotes

I recently received an email asking me if it was mandatory for you to use quotes in your papers. The simple answer is no, but remember that your paper should include specific support from the novel, and that could include direct quotes. If you do end up using quotes, make sure that you use MLA formatting. If you are unfamiliar with MLA, there is a link on the blog to the MLA site.

Paper Stuff

Papers should be written in MLA format. You do not need a title. If you don't know what that looks like, do a Google Image search for "MLA format essay".

The Paper

Source: http://2.bp.blogspot.com

I would like you to use this blog post to ask questions you may have about writing the paper. As the questions come, I will answer them here. This will allow me to answer your questions in a more efficient manner, as students tend to ask similar questions.

You should only be writing about one of the two novels in the paper. The test on the first day will be on both novels, but your paper should only be about one of them. 

If you have other questions, leave them in the form of a comment on this post. 

The Sawtelle Dogs

Source: http://sblaszczyk101782.angelfire.com

How did the dogs teach Edgar while watching him grow up?
What is a "diaspora"?
Essay leads many of the dogs...why does she lead them to Forte? Where is she stepping towards in the last line of the book?

Trudy

Source: http://www.grandlakesfire.com

What do you think is going through Trudy's mind as she watches the barn become engulfed in flames? Will she ever know the truth about what happened in there?

Claude

Source: http://s5.goodfon.com

Like any good villain, Claude isn't entirely evil. What does he do/think in this chapter that shows this?
Does Claude actually see the ghost, or is it a figment of his imagination caused by guilt?
Why can't he find his way out? He knows the barn like the back of his hand...so why the confusion?

Edgar

Source: http://2.bp.blogspot.com

After he feels the pain in his neck and the odd sensations, followed by seeing Claude by the closed door, why doesn't Edgar figure out what Claude had done?
We have another allusion to The Jungle Book when we find out that Nathoo is Mowgli's human name. Is there a larger connection between the two stories?
What is so significant about Edgar telling his father that he loved him?

Claude

Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org

How does Claude get the needle into Edgar without Edgar noticing?
Why doesn't Edgar use the pitchfork to attack Claude?

Edgar

Source: http://people.cs.clemson.edu

Edgar doesn't believe that Claude is there to help him...so why would Claude be there in a burning barn? Why hadn't Edgar figured that out?
Why are the other contents of the file cabinets so important?
What dream had told Edgar what to do?

Claude

Source: http://www.timschaible.com

Why does Claude see it as a disaster that Edgar is saving all the records from being destroyed? Later, Claude thinks it will be a help that they have the files...but why does he see it as a tragedy at this point?
Why has Claude kept the bottle's contents around? Why doesn't this make sense?
Why does Claude start helping Edgar with the files?

Edgar

Source: http://www.inforbix.com

Edgar sees Essay as "wolflike" for the first time. Why is this significant?
Why does Edgar stomp out the little straw fires if the entire barn is on fire?
Why doesn't the explanation about the phone not working make sense? Even if the lights in the barn were out, why wouldn't it make sense?
Why does Glen have Trudy's wrist in a vise grip? Why is Claude just standing there watching them wrestle?
Why is Edgar suddenly concerned with the milk house?

Trudy

Source: http://prssr.com

Do a bit of research: What is quicklime, and what will it do if it gets in your eyes? How should that be treated?
What do you think Claude is saying to Glen?

Edgar

Source: http://www.aaa.org.hk

Why does Edgar tell Essay "last time" when he puts her in the run with Finch and Pout?
Edgar helps Glen by banging on the barn  door. We, the readers, know Glen isn't evil, and Edgar knows that, too...so why doesn't he help Glen more?

Glen Papineau

Source: http://media.npr.org

How might the use of the porch light become confusing considering that it is part of the plan for both Edgar and for Claude?

Edgar

Source: http://media.npr.org

What things should Edgar say to Trudy upon their reunion? What could he say? Why doesn't he?
What things should Edgar say to Glen if he has the chance?
Claude is smart to use Essay to find Edgar. It is pretty clear why he puts the money and the key in the collar, but why do you think he included the picture?

Trudy

Source: http://www.steelcityamericanbulldogs.com

Why does Trudy think Edgar is crazy? If she thinks this, is she going to follow his instructions?
What does Edgar have up his sleeve?
If your son doesn't trust your boyfriend (who just happens to be your dead husband's brother), shouldn't you at least hear him out on why he doesn't trust him? Wouldn't you ask?

Edgar

Source: http://thumbs1.ebaystatic.com

Again, why is Edgar waiting so long before revealing himself to his mother?
Why do you think Claude moved the bottle? Why do you think he didn't hide it so well when he re-hid it?

Glen Papineau

Source: http://liberation.3945.free.fr

Why is it important that we know the "Ox" story?
How do you feel towards Glen when you hear his scenario about questioning Edgar? What do you think Claude is thinking after he hears this?
Why do you think that Claude is nearly insisting that Glen go ahead with his plan to question Edgar? How might that benefit Claude?
Why does Glen get real ether instead of Prestone, as Claude had told him to do? How might this be important?
Why does Glen give up so easily on his idea of questioning Edgar?

Edgar

Source: http://www.blackfive.net

Why is Edgar just now looking for the bottle?
Why doesn't Edgar just go to the house to see his mother and look for the bottle later?

Trudy

Source: http://www.groundtruthtrekking.org

Why is Claude pacing the yard and carving soap figures?
Why do you think Trudy had withheld the information concerning her plan to sign to Edgar from behind the silo when it was safe? And why do you think she told Edgar to leave if it was unnecessary?
Claude murmurs a few lines from a poem while drinking brandy...the name of the poem is "Kubla Khan," by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. What is significant about this? How does it tie into Edgar?
Is Trudy's explanation about how she and Claude came together understandable? Believable?

Part 5: Poison -- Edgar

Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org

Is there anything odd about Claude and Trudy not being home when Edgar arrived? 

Why doesn't Edgar stay there instead of sleeping in the woods? 

Why does Edgar leave the picture of Claude and Forte by the note?
"That was how it was sometimes. You put yourself in front of the thing and waited for whatever was going to happen and that was all. It scared you and it didn't matter...Sometimes you looked the thing in the eye and it turned away. Sometimes it didn't." What parts of the story might this be referring to? 

Edgar knows that Claude found the note because his mother didn't come out calling for him, but that also means Claude didn't even tell her about the note. Why wouldn't he tell her? 

Almondine

Source:  http://www.doucy.net

You are time, you breathe time." What does Almondine mean by this?
Do you think the author has done justice to Almondine's thoughts? In other words, does he write dog thoughts well?
What do you think happens at the end of this chapter? What clues are you given that lead you to this?

Return

Source: http://api.ning.com

Why is Edgar taking so long to go home? Why is he so intent on connecting with Forte?
Edgar believes strongly in chance, or fate...but what about Ida Paine? She can see the future, so is chance not actually chance but, instead, a set and planned future? Your thoughts...
What symbolism can be found in the relationship of Forte and Essay?

Wind

Source: http://farm1.staticflickr.com

Before they leave on their trip, Edgar goes out to the barn. He sits in the car and says, "Did you see that thing in me?...That rare thing?" What does he mean by this? Who is he addressing?
One thing you should always notice in literature is that storms are more than just storms. What does this particular storm symbolize?
"Yet he had seen unbelievable things before, came the answer. And he had run from them." What is this referring to, and who provided the answer?
"The stream at its base dropped into the lake as if a spell had been broken." What spell was broken? How was it broken?
What do Ida Paine's cryptic words mean now?
Why does Edgar decide that he will not give commands anymore?

Glen Papineau

Source: http://www.adweek.com

Why do you think that Claude suggested Glen meet him at the tavern?
What clues do you see that suggest Claude may be up to no good?
What ideas does Claude put into Glen's head? How does he suggest these things without seeming to suggest them?
If we, as readers, can sense that Claude is up to no good, why can't Glen (who is a sheriff!)?

Engine No. 6615

Source: http://bringatrailer.com

Cow magnet...that's a new one to me...
The ghost of the farmer says it's a curse to be good at something you don't care about. Why is this thought of his so important to the larger story?

What does Henry’s story about his Ford Fairlane tell you about him as a character? How does it correspond to his treatment of Edgar?

The car with all the stuff crammed in around it again looked “right” to Henry. What was right about it? How might that be symbolic of something else in the story?

Henry has planted sunflowers and hidden his Ford Fairlane in the shed in order to attract Belva’s attention. How do you think her announcement of moving and being engaged will affect him once it sets in?

What is the importance of the chapter's title?  

Ordinary

Source: http://www.photos-public-domain.com

"As they worked, they put the sky in place above, the trees in the ground. They invented color and air and scent and gravity. Laughter and sadness. They discovered truth and lies and mock-lies." What sense can you make of this quote?
Edgar thinks there has been an agreement made between him and Henry. What is the agreement?
What is significant about Edgar's encounter with the farmer's ghost?
What does Henry's story about Belva show us about him as a character?
What has Baboo decided about Henry? Why is this important?

Henry

Source: http://blogs.babble.com

Henry's name reflects his demeanor. Explain what I mean by that using examples to show what you have observed about him.
Henry seems a bit uptight, in general. How does that go against what he's doing here? What would he be doing if he were as uptight as he seems? Why doesn't he do the "expected" thing?
What about Henry's dinner preparations makes Edgar think it's an invitation? Why does Henry go about it in this way?
Why doesn't Edgar tell Henry the word he needs to find to finish the crossword puzzle? (By the way, I've done a bajillion crossword puzzles and I have never come across words as difficult as these...)

Outside Lute

Source: http://images.fineartamerica.com

Why is Edgar so careful to make it look like he didn't steal anything from the cottages and the house? Why does it matter?
Why doesn't Edgar think more about his options before he goes back to the house? Why does he risk getting caught without giving that any thought?
Situation: You hear something on your porch. You turn the light on and go to the door to investigate. There you see a boy with blood all over him and three large dogs. What do you do? What does this man do that is surprising in this situation? What doesn't he do that is surprising?

Pirates

Source: http://images3.flipkey.com

How has the training of the dogs changed from their previous training?
Edgar stole from cabins "remorselessly." Why doesn't he feel remorse?
Why is the holiday that the people are celebrating in this chapter so appropriate for Edgar's situation? Whose howl does he hear in the distance? How does that fit in with the holiday?
The narrator tells us that Edgar and the dogs agreed on things and gives us insight into the dogs' thoughts concerning the new training. We also get into Baboo's dreams. How is it possible for the narrator to know these things?
Do you think the little girl is going to become a problem for Edgar, or is he just being overly paranoid?
Edgar is homesick but mostly misses Almondine. At the risk of making you sad, have you ever had a dog that you watched get old? Maybe even die of old age or get put down? How did you feel about watching that aging process? That's how Edgar feels now -- compounded by the fact that he feels guilt for having left
Almondine behind...

Part IV: Chequamegon: Flight

Source: http://skateandannoy.com

Look closely at the setting in the first section of the chapter. What symbols/symbolism do you see in the setting? What images bring about the symbolism?
Edgar thinks about Almondine while he is making his way through the woods. Why do you think he didn't try to take her with him?Why is it better that he took dogs from his litter? How do the personalities of the three dogs differ? How might these differences help or hinder their travels?
After Glen passes in the cruiser, Edgar releases the dogs, but they stay put. Why? What does that tell you about the dogs?
Why do you think Edgar was dreaming of falling from above the workshop? Is this symbolic of anything?
Edgar seems very intelligent when it comes to survival while being on the lam. How do you think he came to know so much about survival?
Why doesn't Edgar take all of the hot dogs for himself and the dogs?

The Texan

Source: http://essm.tamu.edu

What significant step does the relationship between Edgar and Almondine take in this chapter? What is behind Edgar's behavior towards Almondine?
What is a branch contract? Why does this bother Edgar so much?
Why is it so important for Edgar to have his litter show their little game of tag while the Texan was there? What did he learn for sure from the dogs' performance?
Why do you think Trudy tells Edgar to leave? Why doesn't Edgar return when she calls?
Only three dogs leave with Edgar. What is significant about the ones who do make it to the other side of the creek?

Popcorn Corners

Source: http://timeline.acdivoca.org

First, look at the photo above and then think about the chapter's title...what do you notice?
Quite a freaky encounter with Ida Paine...What are the important points of our oracle here? What should Edgar take away from the encounter?
"The catastrophe, when it came, turned on a vanity of Edgar's so broad and innocent that he would look back on the events of that afternoon and find blame only in himself." What was the catastrophe? What was the vanity?

Trudy

Source: http://candidaabrahamson.files.wordpress.com

What do we learn about Edgar through the pocket watch story?
Trudy thinks that there is nothing serious going on with Edgar, that she'd know if there was, because she knows him better than anyone. Explain how this is foolish on her part and how she can be so wrong.
Why do you think the author chose to give us Trudy's point of view throughout this chapter? What does that point of view do for us when it comes to understanding the story we are reading?

Driving Lesson

Source: http://www.drive-safely.net

Edgar (and the reader) are supposed to dislike Claude...yet he remains likeable in most of his interactions with Edgar -- like giving him a driving lesson. Why do you think Claude is so nice to Edgar -- even when Trudy isn't around?
Why does Edgar leave Almondine behind?
Why does Edgar become so belligerent, keeping his foot on the gas the whole time?
Claude is patient for nearly the entire ride. How is Edgar like his father, as Claude states?

A Way to Know for Sure

Source: http://cl.jroo.me

"Summer storms drew him like a moth to a porch light..." Why?
Why does Edgar go to such great lengths to get rid of the white patch of grass?
What is significant about the photograph of Claude and Forte that Edgar finds in his father's yearbook?
Claude says that "a person could get anything he wanted if he was willing to go slow enough." What is important about this statement?
What is important about the exchange between Edgar and Claude after Gleam was chosen to sire a litter?
What does Edgar do in the bathroom that night? Why does he do that?
The story from The Jungle Book suggests what? What Biblical story might it be drawn from?
We're left hanging...how will Edgar find out for sure?

Hangman

Source: https://davidlyness.com

Edgar likens his search for what his father had signed  to the game of "Hangman". How might that play out to be symbolic?
Explain what Edgar sees as his father's purpose for having Edgar search for Hachiko.
What is the parallel between Charles Adwin's story and Edgar's own story?

Smoke

Source: http://pnwhandbooks.org

Why is Edgar getting the hammer from the workshop? Why does Almondine seem to purposefully distract him?
Another dream...what can you interpret from this dream?
What do you think of the statement that this world is "'heaven, hell, and earth all at the same time'"? Edgar and Trudy both seem to agree this this assessment. What does this conversation show us about these characters?
"'Maybe I'm tired of the smell of perfume.'" What is Edgar saying/implying here?
Edgar realized he has a lot to learn as a trainer, but he is "as good a groom as a person could be." How does this assessment of how he is with the dogs translate into what type of person he is?
What is significant about the grass being "as white as bone" where the syringe had broken?

Part 3: What Hands Do -- Awakening

Source: http://us.123rf.com

Does Edgar believe what he saw was real when he wakes up?
Why does he throw the syringe into the silo?
Why is Edgar in the tree? What does he hope to see?
We shift to Claude's point of view...Why is he so shaken by Edgar's watching?
Why does Edgar smile back at Claude?

In the Rain

Source: http://fc08.deviantart.net

Edgar keeps looking back at the barn and touching things to the barn, getting a splinter and a cut on his finger. Why does he do this?
Is the image his father or is he just imagining things?
It is implied that Claude had a hand in his father's death. Do you think this could be true? What leads you to your answer?
This section is called "Three Griefs." What are the three griefs?
Claude has proposed to Trudy. How will that change things for Edgar if she accepts?

Courtship

Source: http://images.fineartamerica.com

Again Claude steps up and helps immediately after seeing Trudy. What does her mistake of calling him Gar do to affect him so much? How does that affect Edgar? Herself?
Why does Claude come when Edgar has already left for school and leave before Edgar arrives back home?
How is it possible that Edgar has had this bruise on his chest -- presumably for months -- yet he hasn't noticed it until Trudy makes him unbutton her shirt for her?
When Trudy talks about not wanting to try another pregnancy after her last miscarriage, what point is she trying to make?
How does the setting change in this chapter? What does the new setting symbolize?
What do you think is causing the dogs to bark in the middle of the night?
Edgar sees Claude's car at 1:30am. He must know he is sleeping with Trudy. Why doesn't he comment on this?

Epi's Stand

Source: http://www.dobermantalk.com

Claude immediately takes charge of the situation with Epi upon his arrival. Why hasn't he come out before this to help? Why did he feel that he needed to be asked to come?
We get a flashback to a darker day in Claude's history. After reading about his vet days and dog fighting connection, how believable is his earlier story about Gar's dog fighting past?
There is no doubt that Claude is exceedingly helpful in this chapter...gentle and caring with the injured dogs. Why is the flashback to the dog fight included in this chapter then?

The Fight

Source: http://nausetkennels.com

Why does Trudy appear to be angry when the doctor suggests that Edgar go to stay with Claude? Do you think she maintains that anger by the end of the chapter?
The book states that Edgar "stood memorizing her features under the yellow lamplight." Why do you think he does this?
What is troubling about Edgar's dreams?
Why does Edgar get so careless with his chores, so careless that it ends up causing a fight that injures 3 dogs and Edgar himself? He knows how important his job is, and he wants to help his mother, so where does he go wrong?

Almondine

Source: http://retrieverman.files.wordpress.com

Again the narrator gets inside Almondine's head. Why do you think the author included this chapter? What does it add to the story?

Lessons and Dreams

Source: http://farm6.staticflickr.com

What lesson does Finch teach Edgar and Trudy? Why is this an important lesson?
In your opinion, is Dr. Papineau concerned about the kennel business because he is a friend or because he has an investment in it? Support your answer.
The narrator states that the letters from Brooks were a "puzzler to be solved." What is it a puzzle of? What needs to be solved?
What is compelling about Brooks' arguments? Why do you think the arguments were ignored?