The I2s are going to read this novel during the year 2010-2011, we hope you will enjoy it. Please post your comments here.
20 de octubre de 2010
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Wilkie Collins
Quiénes somos
- EOIGoya_Inglés
- El Departamento de Inglés de a Escuela Oficial de Idiomas (EOI) "Goya" se suma con este proyecto de blog, con el blog de teatro y con su página de vídeos en YouTube a la explotación de las nuevas tecnologías como parte de la enseñanza de idiomas en la enseñanza pública en Madrid. Un cálido agradecimiento a CMF, sin cuya colaboración esto no sería posible.
Concurso 2007-08
183 comentarios:
Hello, everybody. Here is the place to write your comments. So this is something for you to think about:
How do you like the novel so far?
Hi class mates,
Thi is my first test, I hope tp send very well because I don´t kmow this blog.
See you
Cris
Intermediate 2-B
Hi everybody: The book looks interesting, but I've only read six pages, and I can't say yet.
I hope to read something else, and I'll tell you if it is really good and we enjoy it.
Luis.
Intermediate 2-B
I begin to understand more but my first impression was horrible. Juliet is a bit complicated writing.
Hi class. Congratulations for this idea.
I agree with CristinaII. At this moment, I don´t understand the relation between letters.
I suppose it´s very early.
Bye
I said: What a stange tittle! when I Knew it was the reading book this year.
I agree whit Cristina, too. Juliet´s letter are very difficult to undertand for me, but there are other writers easier, like Dawsey Adams.
See you
This is for my 3rds, don´t get discouraged when you begin, keep going, it´s fun and interesting and sometime you have to break through the difficulty, and learn!!
Hello classmater,
I agree with as but I remember that I had the same feeling of panic and confussion that I have now after I read the book "The boy..." last year and I like it became one of my favourite books.
See you, bay
Cristina
Intermediate 2º B
Hi everybody.
I think this book has a diferent structure. I don't know what to expect and how I could know Juliet's story through her letters.
Maybe it can be very interesting.
It´s true. The book is complicated. It has many new expressions. But,I think Juliet is an inteligent, diferent and willing woman, and she will show us a lot of feelings, friends and sense humour (if we be able to understand it...).
Well, I´m going to continue reading it.
See you.
Belén.
Hello everybody,
I agree whith Belen, I think Julliet is a special woman, independent and she is not a common woman for her time.
See you, bay
Cris
Hi everybody,
I had never read a book which was written with letters and I think it´s very curious and interesting that together create a story.
Sure I´ll like it.
Paloma, that together they create a story.
I have read all your comments and I agree with you about Juliet, she is a woman with character and personality. But don't you think that in a way she is insecure and frail too?
What about her question: what's wrong with me? I wonder if we are not all a bit so, we lose heart quickly, we are always wondering whether we are acting in the correct way. I don't think that men are so.
I have posted some other comment and it doesn't appear, I wonder why...
I dont think Juliet is a insecure person;,in my opinion she is a reflesive woman with a analytical mind who is always wondering about the sense of life and so on.
I think Juliet is a woman out of her time and for that reason she is asking herself "What's wrong with me?
If Juliet has an original personality, What about Dawsey? Can you imagine a Spanish farmer who asks to a famous writer about an author and his books? And he poses philosophycal problems too, as we read in the P.S. He is an exceptionnal character.
I’m agreed with Mª Jose. Dawsey is an educated man above all because he lives on an island where it seems not to be any bookshop.
I think that men do themselves that question when they can’t find the woman they want: What’s wrong with me?
Fatima, I see your point but I think a woman of her time is more Sophie than her, she is not conventional in my opinion.
Mª José, who asks a famous...
A very good point about Dawsey, no the possible Spanish farmer is non-existant to be sure!
Cristina, I agree, the verb is English is TO AGREE. Men wonder about what is wrong with them when...
Do you really think so????? I don't think they think so much about marriage or women unless it is to have sex with them.
Excuse me, Marta, but I think you havent understand what I have written I have said that Juliet is a woman OUT of her time.(I dont Know if it is something wrong with that expression)I agree with you at all she isnt a conventional woman
excuse me again, understood.Sorry
Fátima, sorry if I have misunderstood you.I suppose it is better to say that she does not belong to her time, or that she is ahead of her time. However I probably read it too quickly and I did it from the department where there were other teachers talking to me!
That doesnt matter. Thank you for the explanation about "not belong to her time".
When my 3rds write show your group letter like "pedro 3ºA" so that I can identify you, ok folks?
It seems to me very relevant and interesting that on the third letter we find a successful woman, who has publishe and sold attending a dinner party and worried about whether she´ll ever meet her man!!!! Do you think that this "unlucky-so far-search" for "her prince" (notice that she wants to find a man to MARRY is still high up on a modern woman´s agenda?
The tone of her letters is funny. I think we will enjoy reading this novel, don´t you? Her editor appears to have sense of humour too, don´t you think?
Marta “I agree” with you. I wanted to say that they do themselves that question only when they don’t find sex.
Esperanza 2C
Hello everybody, there are two aspects of the novel which have been a surprise to me.
Firstly, I didn't know that during the Second World War a tiny island on the British Chanel was invaded and occupied by the German Army.
On the other hand, I would never imagined that in the forties of the last Century, when most of the Spanish people were illiterate, there was a literary club in that tiny island.A literary club formed by farmers who discussed about literature and was in touch with the authors of the books they read, having epistolar contact.
Hello Esperanza, it's not surprising that Channel Islands were ocuupied by Germans Army, the extrange thing is, that these islands are British, because they are 50 kilometers from French coast and 150 kilometers from English coast. The British are very skilful to take possession of foreing territories.
About your coment on the farmer's culture, may be it's a bit exaggerated, but we must recognize that they take us adventage in culture.
Luis, they take advantage of us in culture.
Yes they do, it is a surprise but a certainty.
How about the letters that we have to comment today? I see no posts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You have all been away?
Hello!
I like Juliet. She has sense of humour. I think she is self-confident. When she write about the dinner party we can see that she isn´t a conventional person. Deep down she is proud to be different.
Probably (like she says) there is something wrong whit her, she was born before time.
But it isn´t a problem for an artist. They are always a little vain.
Good comment, Mercedes.I´m of the same opinion as you,Juliet seems to go ahead of her time.As for her views on men and marriage things have not changed much, everybody wants to find their match, life is not much fun if you don´t share it with your love.
Remember ...she writeS...
I agree with what you say about Juliet, how about her fiance? What do you think of that story??
I disagree whith Marta when she says that Juliet is only flattered with the flowers sent by Markamand. In my opinion,she would´nt like to be bought by anyone,so when she says she feels hunted it´s not a joke. The book tell us the truth.
Given that my 3rds have not put up an appearance yet I will not say anything..well, only perhaps on juliet. I like the writer and her sense of humour, but quite honestly though successful she is interested in her next dorr neighbour at a dinner party and in meeting the right man...have we changed at all, girls?
This novel it's different because there isn't anybody telling us a story. It's like if we had found letters (not adressed to us) and we read them, so we are in the middle of a long conversations between people we don't know. At the beginning it's quite strange because we don't know exactly what are the characters talking about, but maybe in the next future they'll be close to us.
I think Juliet is really independent and unusual for that moment and it seems that she goes against the current.
I´m surprised because of Juliet´s reaction when she find Rob´s things in her bookcase. Juliet is a modern and sense-humoured woman, who should know that men think of themselves and their belongings as the most important in the world. Didn´t they meet?. She should have left his atletic trophies in this place and they would have been destroyed during the wat and her books would be saved.
You´re right Iván,epistolary novels are different,but you´ll eventually find out that they can get you as hooked as other narrative styles.
Regarding our story, we haven´t got very far, that´s why the characters are not well defined yet,but we are beginning to understand what sort of person Juliet is and her relationship with Sophie and Sydney.Most of you agree that Juliet seems to be different to other women at that time, more independent and less conventional, but as we commented in class her interest in finding a suitable partner is the same as other women´s, we´ll see if she is lucky and makes the right choice.
Remember....the novel IS different..
I have started enjoying Juliet, the thing I like is the most how she react when she realices her boyfriend have packed her books. It shows the despise that he has to her works. he expected she would give up her job when they got married.It was usually at this time. Well done Juliet!!
Amelia, she feels hurt..., the book tellS us...,
I am glad you see it differently, but I do see that she is flatterred more than worried. I would certainly be flatterred if a man sent me flowers wherever I went, how would you feel. Even if one wants to be independent one likes interesting a man, I don't think we have changed so much.
Also we have to remember that Juliet asks Sophie: What is wrong with me? She feels there is something wrong with her because she just hasn't found the right man.
Please I1B SAY YOU BELONG TO MY GROUP WHEN YOU POST YOUR COMMENTS. I THINK YOU SHOULD ALL SAY YOUR GROUP IN FACT IT MAKES IT EASIER FOR EVERYBODY DON'T YOU THINK?
THANK YOU
Hello everybody,
last weekend I spent almost all day reading the book. At first, I red every page two times but I realised that, although I don't know the meaning of ALL words (in my novel there are a lot of words surrounded by a pencil), I can understand the global meaning and what it is about. So far, I am very interested, as some of you, in Guernsey inhabitants and, specially, in how their literary society made them to meet in the difficult times of German occupation and create a long lasting friendship.
Julliet attitude about men needs another post.
Bye,
m.
At the moment juliet´s life is interesting. She is a woman who has very good friends, an American rich man who is interested in her, an epistolary contact who has a lot of things to tell her about literature and the life at the Guernsey Island, a despicable press reporter who is going to speak about her and her books(it will push the book on the best-seller list), and a ex-boyfriend that she filted because he didn´t respect her books and therfore her person.
Belén-I2B
Belén, a very good comment, only: a boyfriend whom she...,
You have put it very well and clearly, things are looking up for her, the sun is shining, let's see if there are no clouds around.
What I find fantastic about the novel is the sense of humour. Aren't you smiling the whole time when you are reading?
I also like the descriptions, one gets the picture of what things were like after the war through the letters. Some of them show difficult situations but told from the perspective of what has passed and has to be forgotten. In a way it is like going to the psychiatrist, that is what the letters mean to the islanders. Do you agree??
Now, we know what happened with Rob. Nothing special. In my opinion, Being in love with somebody isn´t enough to get married. Maybe they didn´t have a lot of things in common, but it wasn´t the problem.
Above all, living together demand respect. Rob didn´t seem to understand this word
Hi everybody
In my opinion, Juliet has a strong personality.
I agree with her, when a journalist wants to hurt your image.
The tabloid press is here.
Also, I think that the American Publisher will be an important person during the novel.
Sidney has to look after Juliet because she will convert in a famous writer.
Juliet has just talked to Sidney about Rob Dartry and it seems to be a really sad situation but I couldn't help smiling while I was reading about Rob's trophys. Definitely Juliet has an special sense of humor. Maybe the problem with Rob was that they didn't know each other and I think this man isn't suitable to her. I don't think Juliet likes men with useless prizes and meaningless projects of life.
And about Sidney, we saw in class that they are not supposed to be a good match because they've been friends for a longtime but, don't you think he loves Juliet in a special way? I mean, for the last Sidney's letter we've read, I do believe he could be in love with her. Anyway, we'll find out in the next future :)
Mercedes,you´re right,having many things in common is not the most important thing in a relationship.I know of some couples who have totally different likes but they´re very happy together, you can share your life with another person perfectly well as long as you respect each other. Remember....demandS...
Pedro,I agree with you,Juliet seems to be a strong woman and the way she reacted when the journalist attacked her proves it, I don´t think Sidney needs to protect her.
Iván,I also smiled with the display of trophies, I didn´t know there were so many gadgets to do sport.
As for Sidney, do you really think he´s in love with Juliet? I don´t know what to think.After the incident with the journalist he felt protective towards her,as a lover would feel, but also as an elder brother.However, he doesn´t seem to be jealous of Markham
Reynolds, while a lover would.
Remember...suitable FOR....
I’d love that Mary Ann Shaffer had written Izzy Bickerstaff Goes to War. I have read so many times that title that I miss the novel. I like Juliet’s sense of humor but Amelia Maugery thinks that she has too much when she is afraid of what Juliet might write about the Guersney Literary Society.
Are the most expensive flowers valuable enough to buy Juliet´s talent? Can she be more delighted as usual with the American man’s gifts and compliments because of after war situation (famine, poverty, destruction,…). I hope not but, I´ll continue reading to find the answers to these questions.
Mª José Intermediate 2B
Dawsey start to explain the reason about the potato peel pie society, and It´s very good because everyreader of this book want to know this.
P.S. The Prado Museum is now an exhibition of Renoir, which includes a box Guernsay, when the famous painter was there.
Pablo B NI-2F
Pablo, thanks for the information about Renoir, I didn´t know he had been to Guernsey and surely this exhibition is an opportunity nobody should miss.
The letter we are going to read today is indeed very interesting and funny.Not only do we find out about the origin of the literary society but we also learn something about Elizabeth´s character.Don´t you think she´s a brave woman, I would have been scared stiff if I had had to face the German soldiers.
Remember... every reader wantS..
This is my first post. I've read all of yours and I agree with you. I think Juliet is a difficult woman for the love, because she is very confident and very independent.
I don't see to Juliet "needing" a man to share her life, although this thought is in her mind because she is living in the 40s and they are being complicated years.
She has her books, her tours, her friends, the Literary Society, the success, the parties... and all of things fulfill her.
But I'm looking forward to know if she'll find someone whom she can love and he loves her, or she'll find a friend to share her interests and perhaps sometimes something else.
Hello everybody! This is my first post, too. Congratulations, it´s really a very good channel for sharing ideas and thoughts about the reading of the book.
I agree with you, Juliet is independent, she had a bad love relationship in the past and now a man is knocking on her door, they have a date in the claridge´s to dinner…what will it happen?
On the other hand, she is making a beautiful friendship with Dawsey, they have in common not only reading books but a special and fine sense of humour....
Cristina, I'd love Mary.. to have written...
Really? I'm more interested in seeing what is going to happen in this novel than in that one, no honestly I see your point.
No wonder Amelia is worried, journalists are terrible and at that time people were not so used to the yellow press as we are today when everything is public.
MªJosé, yes I think flowers are powerful as a means to conquer a woman and even more at an after war period. Don't you think that they must be yearning for that?
It is true that there is little sadness in the novel. One sees the funny side of live after the war and not the horror. The flowers are part of that I-want-to-forget attitude and it must be fantastic to have a man after you who is so charming.
What about their first conversation? I think it is fantastic when he says about the boy. He seems truly interested and not mercenary, as Sidney thought.
Vicente, are you mine? I2B? please say your group, I agree that there are now two relationships for Juliet. One is a love one the other a sort of friendship, but they are developing quite a close one don't you think?
I figure Mark is going to be hundsome and Dawsey interesting and attractive. What does everybody think?
I have come to the letter of 17th February, and I’ve read the letters from Lady Bella and the Reverend Simon to Mrs. Maugery, where we can see a little the character of Juliet.
I was impressed by the fact, that her reference to send to Mrs. Maugery, are requested by Juliet from two people, one who loves her and other one that doesn’t love her.
She shows a great sincerity in Juliet.
I also think that the death of her parents in her childhood could affect her character, and made her a sensible woman.
I find interesting the character that has appeared today in class: Elizabeth, the woman who started the literary society. I think she is going to be an important part of the story, because she is disappeared but everybody in Guernsey remember her and what she did for the members. Do you think so?
Luis, Juliet's character...,that shows a great.., could affect..and make...,
You are right, no wonder it surprised you. The English are like that. And what about the comment that the lady did? It is obvious that she dislikes Juliet but she is fair enough to say that she will keep her word.
Well, I really enjoyed to know the story about how the literary club appeared and how the persons found out the books they´d never expected, and even more: "We read books, talked books, argued over books, and became dearer and dearer to one another". That´s great!
Marta, I agree with you that Elizabeth is going to be an interesting character. She certainly showed guts before the Germans and actedd like a heroine. i think that lots of people of whom we don´t think much, on a slight acquaintance become strong and outstanding under difficult situations. What do you think?
Liana, I have liked the quote you picked out very much:
"We read books, talked books, argued over books, and became dearer and dearer to one another".
Did you ever think that this, our blog, could eventually achieve the same with our students?
Sometimes important things in our lives have a very common, unexpected beginning...
I agree with you Carmen and Liana, I have gone to the book to read again that comment ("...and became dearer and dearer to one another") and I find it's relly a very good reflection, and, yes I think people sometimes show the worse or better of them in difficult and unexpected situations... an example is the fact that people who maybe never had met, manage to build a friendship in war times and share not only their feelings after reading a book but also help one to another. I think that's great.
There are incredible sentences in this book. The last one I have read is “Reading good books ruins you for enjoying bad books”. Why to read bad books when there is so many good books? Marta, the letters from Guernsey’s people are written in a polite way? It’s not correct to write “good books ruins”, Is it?
Cristina,the subject is reading good books and that is IT, that's why the verb is in the 3rd person.
The letters are formal as fit for that time and those circumstances and the fact that the British are always formal.
Thanks for the quote it is fantastic and it is really nice to include it in the blog. I agree that there are very good sentences, it would be nice if you included the ones that have impressed you most.
On pages 39 y 40 Juliet appears like a determined and courageous woman , she has very clear ideas and she defended its to ultimate consequences.
I don’t understand the problem about the song : “the sparrow , the God’s character. etc
Dear Carmen,I think you are quite right about important things come unexpected. And I congratulate this wonderful idea of sharing the thinks in english reading club.
Hello. This is my first time writting in this blog thanks to my constant request from my teacher. In the begin this book was difficult for me because of the vocabulary, but now I am used to it and I like it more and more.
Hello everybody, first of all, sorry Cristina, because It´s my first time I'm writing here about the Gernsey's book, but I was feeling that I coundn´t indetify very well the mix of characters,but step by step I´ve begun to understand the way of the book, and I´m beginning to enjoy the reading.i think can be really funny, the book is written with a special sense of humour and with wit. Juliet is a wonderful type of person out of her time and I´m hankering to know more at the next chapters.
Now I realize why this book is interesting. I never had read a epistolar novel.
Normally books are written in first or third person, like that we have one version of the story. However this tale is constructed by many characters. Although all is a fiction, in this way it seem more credible.
Besides, we never write as we talk.
Always we must control our words.
I like watching how people write, showing or hiding what they think
Well, Markham Reynolds, jr., riding his white horse is on scene at last! With his perfect white teeth, an unpolluted suit...and, ALSO, he's rich (it's the perfect man). Would he be the charming prince in Juliet's life? Well I think she is not only a joker Cinderella (I remember her character in spliting up her marriage engagement with Rob). Do you think that the enchantment will last very long?
Hello Amaya, you see how much you improve by posting regularly. Don´t get discouraged, vocabulary is not everything, one can enjoy a book even if one doesn´t get the perfect picture. however we have the photocopies circulating with the vocabulary so that we have to look up less.
Marta, I think Markham is the perfect man, don´t you? Charmng, well-groomed, polite, thoughtful and...rich. mOreover he is a publisher, always interesting for writers, and on top of all that American??? Have you seen the USA Navy coming to the rescue? And the 5th Cavalry chasing indians? When Americans are around you know that they will solve the situation...at least it proved so in Europe in our two World Wars!!! So Markham...however I distrust perfection, so I hope we do not discover a skeleton in his cupboard!!! Tremendously funny how long she takes to dress and with what little result to her eyes??? Aren´t we, women like this? I wonder if men worry about this so much??
Welcome to the blog,Neli.I´m glad you´re enjoying the novel,you´ll see that once you get to know all the characters it will be easy to follow the story.Juliet´s sense of humour makes her letters really enjoyable and some of her comments are full of irony,especially the ones in which she mentions Markham Reynolds.
Remember..I think IT can be funny..
....IN the next chapters.
Mercedes, very good point about epistolary novels.It´s true that we don´t use the same expressions when we write, we are not so spontaneous and have more time to think about what we want to say, we can change our words or say the same in a different way and it´s easier to hide your feelings However,most of the characters in this novel use fresh language ,it looks as if they were talking face to face, which gives the novel a lively rythm.I´m looking forward to the next letter on Friday, at last we´ll see Markham Reynolds and see Juliet´s reaction.
Remember..I had NEVER read..
..we must ALWAYS control..
Hi!
I think the novel become more and more interesting. New characters appear, I hope them enjoy us, as Juliet or Markam have done.
See you later.
Marga. 3ºA
Markham Reynolds finally has presented, it seems the perfect lover. Distinguished, confident, handsome, may not be the perfect man but at least it seems. And on top of rich! Because I believe that money is important, of course. But why does it seem that Sidney doesn’t like to Mark loves Juliet?
Carmen, I really hope to find a deffect (or more than one) on Markham... it would be interesting to read how Juliet deals with it, don't you think? (perfection in so boring...). And yes, women think of the first-view impression, specially when you're going to meet such a man who sends you flowers at every place you are, but also then. However, men relax on looking attractive to us at the first week.
Amelia, defended them..,
Yes I agree the novel is getting more and more interesting as new characters appear. I particularly like Juliet and Mark's story, it is so funny!
I'm sorry about the sparrow song, I haven't got my book here so I can't herp. Could somebody help?
Ok. I will make my comment about the sparrow song. It´s normal that different people understand the same words in a different way, or even sometimes we don´t pay too much attention what are there in the song... And it happens quiet often. So, as I could understand,the 10 year old girl, Juliet, found out in the song the words , witch she saw be inappropriate to be sung of their meaning and she told the choir should not be singing it. The comment of a child made the grown ups to think of it too. It looks like the girl was right and the priest (Simon is a priest, isn´t he?) felt compelled to agree with Juliet.
I think that the incident with the sparrow song comes to say that Juliet is not a light-minded person but a person worried by the others, since she was a child. And she showed this attitude in refusing to sing the verse of the song, because she understood that God was more interested in taking care of a sparrow rather than in people needs.
I would like to believe that Sidney's in love with Juliet, that would make the story with Mark fairly more interesting :) I like the way Juliet and Susan are gossiping about Juliet and Mark's date, it's really funny.
On the other hand, I like the incident about choir's song when Juliet was a child. It shows that she already had a strong personality in her early years.
And now we know more things about society's members. It's odd the way the society has started, it was a trick to disctract the Germans but eventually it has become a real literary society, and I think it has incredibly changed their lives because they have had the chance to meet each other in a spiritual way, not only for their jobs or activities in the island.
I am agree with Amaya, at the beginning it is a little difficult to understand the vocabulary and the context but the more you read the easier and interesting it is. I would like to know how is Marham too, any defect have to had because he seems too perfect…
Iván, very good comment, but I´m afraid Juliet and Sidney will never fall in love with each other as they have been good friends for a long time and friendship and love together hardly ever work.
As for the sparrow incident, it highlights Juliet´s rebellious character once again, we have already seen in other letters when she ran away from her uncle, or when as a warden she risked her life to save the books, that she is a person who is always ready to take action.
I agree with you that the literary society will change their monotonous lives on the island and will provide them with a good opportunity to have fun in those hard times,now they´ll feel they belong to a group and will help each other.
Marga, Sydney doesn´t like Marham to love Juliet because he is scared that she may publish with him!!!! Dio you think that he could be in love with her, too??
Alicia, please your verbs: "any defect have to had" should be "any defect has to have", Markham is absolutely perfect, don´t you think?...however perfection does not exist, does it? when one is too perfect, in the end he is...boring, humans like to deal with a bit of imperfection now and then, why? it makes us all equal, leve lwith one anohter.
As to the incident with the song it shows that Juliet, when considring something to be wrong she will fight.
Now, when I know the Juliet´s childhood I notice how strong she is.
Growing-up without parents and living with such relative must not be easy. I understand the Juliet´s relationship with Sofie and Sidney. They are more than friends, like a family. For this reason I don´t believe that Sisney is in love with her
I´m of the same opinion as you, Mercedes, the three of them are very good friends and I only see fraternal love in Sidney.
Juliet really had a hard childhood, what with becoming an orphan and running away, but eventually she was happy in the boarding school where she met her good friends, a long lasting friendship, which is not so easy for many people.
Remember... Juliet´s childhood/ relationship...( withou THE)
Here again... Do you imagine Amelia and Elizabeth, asking for books, house to house, in silent voice: "ey, how many books do you have?", to start the society? I can imagine it and I find it very funny... and that advertisement from Will Thisbee: "I won't join the society unless we eat on meetings!" It would be the same as in basque's gastronomic societies, people also read books.
I’m begining to wonder: Juliet and Mark will go to somewhere? Perhaps Mark only wants to impress Juliet going out every night to parties, theaters, clubs… but I think he likes that kind of life and I see Juliet as a quiet woman, but not boring, that she likes to be surrounded by her books and interesting people.
I think that the role of Mark is not the most important in the novel. He appears here just to amuse the reader and to let the story be more coloful and more alive and to give us some kind of intrigue. As the history is going on with the help of letters witch are presented in a chronological order, it looks very natural that we get facts about personal life of many characters and sometimes it´s really very funny. Sure I can be mistaken about Mark, and it´ll become known after finishing the book.
Hello!
The war time in England was terrible. I feel so sad with the history of Eben's daughter... I hope the issue between Mark and Juliet bring us funnier moments.
I like very much the sense of integrity of almost all the characters.
Now Juliet is happy, but she feels a bit guilty, this is why she try to justify herself.
I think she doesn´t cause damage to anybody. However, when a lot people suffer around us isn´t easy to enjoy ourselves. Besides, Sidney´s comments about Mark make Juliet feel ashamed. It remind me my elder brothers and his opinions.
Luis Ángel Intermediate 2 B
Hello Nati: I read your comment about the sad story of Eben's daughter, and I can't find anywhere that Eben had a daughter. I've only found the death of his cousin's son, and his grandson Eli evacuated to England.
Anyway, anyone can tell me who is Kit?, in the letter of 19th February, Isola says Juliet, that when Germans arrested Elizabeth, "I could do not to slap every German I saw, for Kit's sake". I don't know who Kit is.
Thanks.
From Nati to Luis Ángel
9th december 2010
Dear Luis Ángel
I have just red your letter.
Eben has a daughter named "Jane", you will found it in 10th march's letter. Try don't cry when you read about her history...
About "Kit", I can tell you she is Elizabeth's daughter, you can find more about her in the next letters. It's also a hard history.
Looking forward hearing from you,
Nati.
Hello everybody
About pages 51-54:
Sidney has run away from the UK telling nothing because Juliet seems to be a little gossip but She knows very well him and what is he doing in australia.I think Sidney is jealous of Mark but actually He shouldn't because nobody is such a perfect person... He's hiding something.
Jorge I-2F
Mercedes,you´ve really hit the target,Sidney´s attitude is overprotective, typical of an elder brother, which sometimes is a nuisance. Juliet feels uneasy about Sidney´s reaction to her relationship with Mark, but that´s only natural given the affection Sidney and Juliet feel for each other.Besides, it´s true that if you´re a sensitive person, as Juliet is, when things go wrong and people are suffering you feel guilty if you´re living happy moments.
Remember.....it remindS me OF my elder brother...
Jorge, you´re not the only one who thinks Mark is hiding something, nobody believes in perfection,we´ll have to wait and see.What is evident is that Juliet enjoys being with him, whether it is because she loves him or because she is fascinated and impressed we don´t know yet.
Remember...she knows HIM very well and what HE is doing....
I agree with Eben´s opinions about reading. Good books teach us to confront life. It make us wonder about our feelings.
In a book we can find people with experiences similar to ours, in spite of differences of countries, periods, sexs or ages.
Seeing how they feel or perform help us understand our behavior.
When I identify with somebody through a book the fiction become reality
The book ``GUERNSEY LITERATURE AND POTATO,PEEL,PIE SOCIETY´´ HAS A DIFFICULT VOCABULARY BUT ALSO CONTAINS FUNNY PASSAGES .BESIDES IT´S VERY INTERESTING TO KNOW HOW THE SECOND WAR WORLD DEVEOPED
You are absolutely right Julio, the story brings about a perspective of the war,and how people lived through it, the difficulties they encountered, of course food must have been a priority, have any of you ever been hungry? it is definetly not nice, so of course he is clear when he says that he will not join the club unless there is food going round...
Mercedes,I´m of the same opinion, a good book helps us in many ways.Reading is not only entertainment,when we´re immersed in the story we get to know the characters and their problems, we get a deep insight of human behaviour and that helps us to understand ourselves and other people.It provides us with a escape mechanism which is valuable in hard times, I can imagine the suffering of all the people in Guernsey, the lack of food and freedom, surely the reading society helped to relieve them of the burden of the German occupation.
I agree with you Julio, there are very funny and witty situations in the book. I really enjoyed the story of the secret pig for their roast.
i've had a lot of problems to try write in this blogs.
hello everybody!!!
the lecture seems funny but the vocabulary is very difficult..
i hope understand sometimes this fantastic book...
i agree totally with julio
Nati, Luis Angel and José Luis, are you mine?
Can you write your year next to your name so that I know who mine are?
It is fantastic to chat to everyone but I would like to know if any of my students are here, ok?
Ok Marta.
I am in the Intermediate 2 B.
Nati.
JULIO 3-A I think that the characters of this book have to suffer very difficult moments, but it is true that up to a certain extent,they are out of this world.It vas during the German Ocupation when they are conscious of reality.Same letters are sad , but others have a flavourof a wonderful sense of humour.
I think that Juliet has received a lot of ideas for her article about the Society. Even the "advice" from Adelaide Addison can be good to know the behaviors of the people.
Belén I-2B
Hello everybody Have you noticed how interesting and difficult is the last piece about WILDE ? It seems to me that it contains many unusual words, at least for me.Does anybody know the name of the book from which it was taken out? HAPPY CHRISMAS AND BEST WISHES FOR EVERYBODY JULIO 3-A
I certainly think that even if you find some of the vocabulary difficult the pleasure of reading such a nice little novel will be by far uppermost.
I think that some of the letters are written with sadness but a sadness accepted, they are not asking for revenge. For instance when Eben ells about his daughter and her baby...he is serene about it, he speaks of her in such a detached way!!!And he is a man with feelings, given he is grateful for the little details that the farmers write about his gradson.
What I like is the sense of community that they all have, we see in that all of them take care of Kit.. They are simple, nice people..well except for Adelaide, she is quite bitchy, and resetful agaisnt poor Elizabeth, honestly some women are horrible.
Julio, the Wilde piece is from an article in the Times, written by Rupert Evertt, but htere are many intersting biographies of Oscar Wilde, he was certainly a very interesting man
We can see in this letter how hunger makes brain work hard. Eben talks about his recent life calmly. In my opinion, he is an optimist person who hopes situation get better. If his grandson didn´t have left Guernsey, Eli could has died. He is glad because children are safe. I think that children help us to overcome sorrow. Looking after them is our main occupation.
I completely agree with you,Mercedes,children are the essence of life, they liven the house up, they can fill your life and cheer you up when you´re in low spirits,of course at the age of Kit they´re a dote, even at the age of Eli, the problem starts when they reach adolescence.
Watch the conditional....if his grandson HADN´T LEFT Guernsey he could HAVE died...
There is a character in the novel that I see so unreal, it is Miss Adelaide Addison, she appears too bad and mean. I have read the first two letters she writes to Juliet and I think that the author wants she looks like a very mean, but I think he exaggerated the evil. It is an artificial and forced rol.
Carmen, I really think that women can be wolves for other women. Is it a coincidence that the discordant character in this story is a woman? Adelaide Adison adds interest to the story, because she gives an external point of view to the literary club and their meetings.
JULIO 3-A THE LETTER FROM DAWSEY TO JULIET It is curious how Dawsey Adams tells Juliet about the scarcity during the ocupation.Being clean was hard work.Families were only allowed one soap tablet per person a month and a tiny bit of soap powder for dishes and clothes.She also tells about how funny it was to try making soap from a pig carcass and later wrapped it up elegantly and given to the ladies at a meeting .I hope that at least it made some lather
Marta, what enemy is worse than your best friend when disputing the same man??? Women are HORRIBLE, there is a kind of harshness about some women, some kind of incapacity of empathy that it is indeed surprising. We have Mrs. Danvers in Rebecca, and certainly Lady Macbeth as examples of such women, Madame Defarge in a Tale of two cities is another one. I wonder if men can be so hard.
Julio, it also struck me that to keep clean was so difficult, it is funny how we do not think what the lack of what we have woulk mean in our lives...
I would like to wish my thirds, (A), and the rest of the third years a belated happy Xmas and a very happy New Year!!! With lots of English and lots of comments...
It's a pity that we don't have a chronicle of Christmas during the war in the novel, so we can read about their gifts: maybe books for everyone, or a little bit more of soap, and their special roast pig.
Carmen, I remember also Isabelle de Merteuil in Dangerous Liaisons... really, there are very good bad women characters in novels and films. Men are ruder and bruter.
Merry Christmas and a very happy New Year to everyone!
I don't believe that Juliet is going to married Mark Reynolds. He looks too despotic to her, and she is no that kind of woman that admites this behavior.
Nati- Intermediate 2 B
Sara A. I 2F
Hello:
I read a few pages of the book, because I think that many letters are so boring, but when I read Juliet's letters I hope that this is the courage of a woman who wanted to save the culture of british people of Guernsey Island.
Finally, the Juliet's courage is very important in many situation of people live.
Happy New Year!!!
I think an interesting idea appears in the last letters: that the books have a life of their own and produce effects on the readers. For example in his letter Mr Thisbee describes himself as an atheist ironmonger,however he explains how reading "Past and Present" by Thomas Carlyle he has changed his thinking about the soul and he has understood about it relathionship with the "ego"from the Psychoanalysts, and also he has understood how its affects the people's lives.
I think an interesting idea appears in the last letters: that the books have a life of their own and produce effects on the readers. For example in his letter Mr Thisbee describes himself as an atheist ironmonger,however he explains how reading "Past and Present" by Thomas Carlyle he has changed his thinking about the soul and he has understood about it relathionship with the "ego"from the Psychoanalysts, and also he has understood how its affects the people's lives.
Hello and Happy New Year!
I am going to talk about the letter from Juliet to Sophie. I don´t want to seem biased but who haven´t suffered a vile patient like Sidney. Maybe this Christmas. Why are they normally men? I agree with Juliet´s advice, the far the better. What about the love question? You can ask a friend it at ankward age, but later it is not suitable. Juliet replys wittily.
Happy New Year to you too,Mercedes, and to the rest of the students.
I agree with you that most vile patients are men, why? I guess it is because men are usually weaker and feel insecure when they are not a hundred per cent, but the truth is that they find it difficult to cope with illness.
As for the question about being in love, I think it depends on how close you are to this person,but I also think that Sophie is too straightforward.
Remember...replIEs...
Happy New Year to you too, Sara.
I´m glad that you´ve finally started reading the novel, I´m sure that you´ll enjoy it.The letters are not boring once you get to know the characters and their feelings and problems. Juliet is indeed a courageous woman and her letters are very interesting as you learn many things about the war and post-war period in london and Guernsey.
Remember...Juliet´s courage.. not the Juliet´s courage.
.....people´s lives
3rds , I´m going with Roberto, an O. S. to see Colin Firth´s film in Renoir Retiro, Narvaéz St., at 20.20, tomorow, Tuesday, just in case anybody is interested in going with us, you are very welcome.
Luis Ángel 2ºB
Happy new year everyone. I continued reading the novel and I'm finding sad letters as Amelia Maugery write to Juliet, about the atrocities that the Germans did with the Organization Toldt workers, treating them worse than slaves; And others less sad, like the letter that Susan writes to Sidney, asking him to come back soon, because he may lose the girl. Do you think that Susan is trying that they become engaged?
Every time I like Dawsey more. It’s very tender his letter to Juliet where he tells her the relationship between some Guernsey’s people with the Germans. Besides I like his naturality while he explains how his friendship with the doctor Christian Hellman began.
JLIO -3-A I like the letter from Juliet to Isola dated 20th April 1946 and how well she describes her remembrances of the old Thames,the sad demolition of her house,the pile of her books and above all her mother´s portrait on the wall half gouged out and sooty all this caused by a dreadful bomb.The war is undoubtedly one of the worst things which may happen in one`s own life
The John´s story seems incredible, but at war time all is possible. We can see how he became Lord, thanks to Elizabeth. According to she he has enough talent to be an aristocrat. John has presence and, as a good valet, he knows how to look down his nose.
I can imagine how he feels when he decide stay in Guernsey. He won´t is between Lord Tobias´ belongings any more.
As well as his fondness for drink he has another addictions. Reading the same book all the time is a funny decision, if you don´t plan to write a thesis.
Mercedes, incredible though it seems impersonation has always existed, remember that truth is stranger than fiction.
I find John Booker a most charming fellow and with a great sense of humour, especially his comments about Lady Tobias.I can imagine him on the gangway trying to make up his mind, whether to get on board and follow his master to be a servant for the rest of his life or stay with the wine, he didn´t doubt it.
And what about his love for Seneca.., it´s so encouraging to see how a book can help you overcome hard moments in life.
Remember...according to HER
...he decideS TO stay
...he won´t BE
Now we can notice again the great sense of humour in the novel. It's really funny the way John Booker describes his story, specially when he talks about Lord Tobias, who is supposed to be a rich and polite man but in the list of the things he wants to keep, his wife is at the bottom! That's amusing when you're reading it but it makes me think about the role of many women at that age, when they were nobody themselves without a man.
And it's also odd when John explains that he had to decide between going away with Lord Tobias or staying in the house. It's incredible how an addiction can influence somebody. John imagines himself with many bottles of wine surrounding him, but I think that he actually wants to get rid of is life as a valet.
And definitely, Seneca's has changed his life and in fact he doesn't want to read another book. I think that sometimes, when you read a really interesting book that you have liked a lot, it seems that the new books you read aren't good enough.
Unfortunately, now, many men are still thinking that his wifes are between his possessions.
I admit that it´s very sad to think of the situation of women at that time, as Iván says or even nowadays as Mercedes says, but when I said that I found John´s comments about Lady Tobias funny I was considering it from a different perspective,I sensed the irony in John´s words.
As for the power of an addiction, it´s true that they can make you act in odd ways and make unexpected decisions , but I still think John made the right one, he had a better life in Guernsey with wine, Seneca and the literary society.
Don´t miss the following exhibitions, they are splendid and they are about to finish.
Impressionist gardens
Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza and Fundación Caja Madrid.It will be on until 13th February.
On display are works by French Impressionists, Post-Impressionist painters and European and North American naturalist paintings.
Passion for Renoir
Museo del Prado.It will be on until 6th February.There is a landscape of GUERNSEY.
Julio3-A LETTER FROM JULIET TO SIDNEY DATED 22ND MAY 1946. In her letter she tells Sidney how she could write about GERNESEY.Although the voyage was really difficult she wanted to see the island before she died.The people who were waiting for her meant a lot to her.She could see their faces and knew them for their letters.Once they went into the country she describes magnificently the rolling fields,the moist salt smell of the sea and the ghostly shapes which were cement bunkers.I found very interesting to know how the islanders grounded bird-seed for flours when the food shortage was so hard.The letter contains some words unknown to me although I liked them
Several films about the british Royalty have been shot as background or theme.Ithink that the last surpasses the previous ones,without disregarding the actors or actresses who acted in other films,as for instance:HELEN MIRREN inTHE QUEEN.Geoffrey Rus as a therapist in ¨THE KING´S SPEECH´´ and COLIN FIRTH as George sexto are really superb.I think that the critics and members of the cinematic competitions have always to face a very difficult dilemma
Last Friday I went to the Prado Museum with my sister. We saw the Renoir exhibition which included mor portraits than landscapes. To my surprise , one of them was a landscape of Guernsey. This painting depicts a bay and in the background the cliffs with oak trees. The title is "Pea Stacks" or Huet Moulin. Renoir did several paintings of Gernsey because she spent some time in that island close to Normandy.
Last Friday I went to the Prado Museum with my sister. We saw the Renoir exhibition which included mor portraits than landscapes. To my surprise , one of them was a landscape of Guernsey. This painting depicts a bay and in the background the cliffs with oak trees. The title is "Pea Stacks" or Huet Moulin. Renoir did several paintings of Gernsey because she spent some time in that island close to Normandy.
24 de enero de 2011 17:28
Letter from juliet to Sidney, dated 6th June 1946.Juliet was really happy knowing that Sidney was in London.she hated planes and wanted him to come and see them as soon as he could.She had many OCCUPATION stories thanks to Isola.Her love to kit grew more and more every day as the child spent some morning with her .The games they play are very funny,they are entirely unknown for me.She remembers her parents´ideas about bringing up children.The story about Amelias son is lovely.His friend Elizabeth managed to build a bout in only three days.As it began to sink, she swam out to Ian and both of them fortunately came to shore .For me this is a good letter.
Ihave been listening THE BBC Radio thanks to the computer.Listening the news about sports,music and so on .Is really a pleasure for instance:About music you can hear the type you like most.Classical music is really very interesting as you can also know a lot about the composers:Their lives,where they were born and studied and before all in what they were inspired to compose their symphonies,sonatas etc.Iremember to have listened an overture by Felix Mendelssohn inspired when he visited THE FINGAL¨S CAVE from the Hebrides island.I had the chance of travelling and visit the cave and .An unforgettable experience and so I recommend everybody to visit this place.
Don´t you think it is relevant such a detailed description which Juliet has done of Dawsey?
I think the second part of the novel is going to be interesting. Eventually, Juliet is in Guernsey and her new friends and stories about her life there, I hope they will be funny.
In my opinion, Mark is used to getting everything he want. However, Juliet seems to be more concerned at her new project than at Mark. She has found a good story and a interesting way of telling it. Each one of them lives in their world.
Hi everybody!
In my opinion,Juliet is ahead of her time;she is an intelligent, progressive and independent worker woman who doesn´t need a powerful man around with romantics bunchs and luxurious brunchs.Of course, after war and after Rob Dartry, she needed a man that would make her feel "pretty" and routing her out of her apartment for cocktails and dancing but now,with the stories about Guernsey, she doesn´t neeed that, not anymore. Mark is too foreseeable for her who is looking forward something deeper that touches her heart... no triviality pastries´ in wartime.
JULIO 3-A JULIET WANTS TO READ ABOUT ELIZABETH BUT FIRST SHE WOULD TALK TO DAWSEY,EBEN AND ISOLA BECAUSE SHE FEEL THAT SHE BELONGS TO THEM MORE THAN THE OTHERS.DAWSEY PERSUADED REMY TO COME TO GUERNSEY.JULIET ASKED SIDNEY IF HE SUPPOSED THAT ELIZABEHT KEPT A DIARY.JULIET SAID ¨NO DIARY''BUT SHE FOUND SOME INTERESTING DRAWINGS.AMELIA THOUGHT ELIZABETH WAS MAD TO HAVE CHOOSEN A GERMAN AS LOVER.
What different letters we have read this time! Clara Saussey seems crazy. How a person can be so far of reality. Her explanations are very funny. However, Amelia´s letter is the saddest we have read in this book. In my opinion, now similar things are happening anywhere in the world, and the worst is that we get used to watching it in the TV news
I agree with Mercedes; Clara Saussey is an arrogant, resentful and disdainful person and intolerant of the menbers of the society.(she says something like, she has never read a book written by a dead writer...or when she speaks about her recipe as sheer poetry... or that she is not going to forgive to the members of society... or speaks about "my audience"...To sun up, she has the qualities of AN ARTIST.
The letter from Amelia is incredibly sad and I agree with Mercedes; nowaday, in general, the war goes on and on; it´s a pity.The worst for the human begin is the human being itself.
...And, honestly, I fed up with reading another book about the war and especially about the Nazism; don´t have learnt anything about our recently history so I´d prefer books about animals speaking,ja,ja,ja.
Hello!
I was thinking about impersonating some classmate, but it hasn´t been necessary.
I also think that the plot could be settled in other period. I would prefer a similar story set nowadays: How books and friendship can get together different peoples and help them in hard occasions.
Very good comments, Mercedes and Guillermo.I understand that you may be a little bored with the second world war but this time the story is narrated from a different perspective.I like to see the way people feel connected through their literary preferences,such is the case of Dawsey and Juliet,the diversity of reading matters that attract the different characters, from Seneca to Tomas Carlyle, the Bronte sisters....
The novel we read last year had nothing funny whatsoever,while this year novel offers us some really funny bits despite the harsh descriptions such as the one we read today about slavery during the occupation.What is really sad is to realize, as Mercedes points out, that similar situations are taking place today and we don´t seem to care.
In the next letters we´ll learn a bit about the history of Guernsey and it seems to be a good place to enjoy nature and to find relax.Juliet is becoming more and more interested in visiting the place and I find her enthusiasm contagious.
Of course,I like the book in this way. Thanks to the reading, or thanks to writers like Charles Lamb,people in apparience as different as Juliet, Isola, Dawsey or a Nazi can share their valuable experiences and becoming friends.
And is very interesting the attitude of Juliet; after war she is confuse with her life, disappointment in love; she is under pressure with her new book,the gossip press, Mark Reinolds... I think about her,that Guernsey is more than writing about one island in occupation time; it´s means to find her lost road,looking inside to find her own soul,the things that she loves and giving to her the sense of her live.
If she goes to Guernsey, that will be an unforgettable moment for Juliet and Guernsey Society.
Sorry?
What exactly do you mean?
Christian was German and he was a military doctor, but I´m not sure he was a nazi.
I don´t believe that Elisabeht, who was arrested for helping escaped prisioners, could fall in love with him.
Mercedes, it´s very easy to understand:
He was a nazi because he was a military member of the National Socialist German Navy; that´s all.
Of course he probably didn´t share the nazi ideology seeing his good behavior with Guernsey people and especially with Elizabeth.
kisses Mercedes
FROM MY VIEW POINT THE CROMWELL FILM IS REALLY A MASTERPIECE.BESIDES IT WAS SHOT ON BEAUTIFUL LOCATIONS.I WAS SO LUCKY AS TO VISIT SOME PLACES WHICHAPPEAR IN THE FILM.THE MORE I GO TO GB THE MORE I LIKE IT.I HAVE MANY ENGLISH BOOKS ON MY SHELVES WHICH ARE NOWADAYS DIFFICULT TO FIND.I ENJOY READING VERY MUCH.
JveULIO-3-A From my view point The CROMWELL film is really a masterpiece.Besides it was shot on beautiful locations.Iwas so lucky as to visit some places which appear in the film.The more I go to GB the more I like it.I have many English books on my shelves which are nowadays diifficult to find.I enjoy reading very much.
Guillermo,a very good analysis of Juliet´s feelings.Taking a deep insight into her mind I also see that she´s looking for something,she doesn´t seem to be pleased with her life, not even with Mark Reynolds.She feels attracted to Guernsey, or rather to its inhabitants and we can see she´s rapidly taking to them, except for Adelaide, of course.I agree with you that the moment she sets foot in Guernsey will be memorable.
As for Christian, I´m of the same opinion as Mercedes, he can´t be a Nazi being so sensitive,gentle and tender-hearted as we have seen he is in his behaviour with Dawsey and Elizabeth.What Guillermo says is true,when you country is engaged in a war you can´t escape it and despite not sharing the same ideas you have to support the military forces.
JULIO 3-A Letter from Juliet to Sidney Isola received a very strange present.It was an old book which contains hundred illustrations and also a subtitle.Isola almost became an adept at the strange book.Besides it is curious how Mss Sybil read the future on the head bumps and even Isola began to do so .On the other hand Pèter was amazed by seeing Rita Hayworth posing in her nightdress.
Pablo N-I 2F
Hello.
The last letters between Dawsey and Juliet we could see how they are conecting for the books, how they are sharing a though, sharing a writter (charles lamb) and how people could change their lifes when have something in common.
I thing Dawsey step by step is growing up in the mind of Juliet.
PS I am reading about charles lamb biography and perhaps is good to read for next year.
Sometimes I think about the so hard life that famous people have; people who are artists; painters, or writers like Charles Lamb, we enjoy with the magnificence of their works as long as they live miserable lives.
I read once "Suffering isn´t good, but having suffered is good" I have thought many times about it. In my opinion, sorrow doesn´t allow an artist do something interesting, but when somebody overcome a difficult situation is ready for do great things.
Maybe, Charles had his own world where he could shelter himself from the outside.
I think your opinion is really interesting but,I think that, perhaps,you forget that sometimes they live their lives as a permanent suffer,to which they feel attached as a way of artistic creation, they won´t overcome anything, because suffer is the precious fuel of their creativity.
Many artists who have suffered in their lives end up their days embittered and in a violent way; alcoholics, kill themselves, etc.
And there are tons of examples:Hemingway,Frida K,Janis Joplin, Virginia Woolf,Tchaikovski,Becquer,Van Gogh...
I disagree. How strange!
I think that sorrow belong to life. Getting used to living with it is a sign of highest overcoming.
In my opinion, Art is a way to understand life, so many art works are about suffering. I´m sorry, but I´m fed up with "accursed artist"
"Many people who have suffered in their lifes end up their days embittered and in a violent way..." Was every one of them an artist? Who knows? A lot great lost artists.
Pablo,I also think that Juliet and Dawsey are getting closer and closer through their common interest in Charles Lamb, we´ll have to wait and see how it all ends up but Dawsey seems to be a better match than Mark.
As for Lamb´s biography I find it interesting but I don´t know if many people like this kind of reading matter despite the fact that he was a great essayist.
Watch the spelling ...
conNecting..wriTer..liVes
Mercedes and Guillermo, very lively and interesting discussion about suffering!!!
At this moment in which I´m confined to the couch with tendinitis I´m all against the benefits of suffering or having suffered.
I agree with Mercedes that suffering makes you stronger and somehow superior but I never understood how sorrow and grief could inspire an artist despite the many examples Guillermo has pointed.I think those tormented souls would have excelled anyway, they had a gift and their work would have been outstanding regardless of the joy or the distress in their lives.
Mercedes remember
..somebody overcomeS
..ready TO do...
Guillermo remember..
"suffer" is used as a verb
"suffering" as a noun
JULIO-3-A letter from Juliet to Sidney dated 11th August 1946 Reading this letter I felt a great pity for the poor cat which was drowned by Josephine`s father when she was only nine years old.A mysterious man wrote eight long letters about the cat.The doubt arises when one wonder if these letters were written by Oscar Wilde.
I think the point of view of Mercedes is quite right but I´d like to add a new nuance; In my opinion sorrow belongs to ignorance and living in a perpetual suffering is a sign of living in the completely darkness of the ignorance.
Every human being not matter condition or circumstances or personal situation has the ability to make a choice freely; so if we can everytime being free how do yo call choosing the sorrow freely.
You can build your reality with the bricks of your mind.
And, Cristina, get better.
Guillermo,thanks for your good wishes.
It´s true what you say about being free to chose, but I´m not so sure that every human being has that possibility.
In the article about Oprah Winfrey I gave you in class we could see a good example of what you say, this woman despite all the suffering in her youth has chosen to get rid of her sorrows and she now has a great and fertile life...but is this the case of many other African or Asian young women and children?
Sorry, Cristina; I think this issue is very complex; I´m speaking about another type of possbility, another sort of poverty...
Sorry Guillermo, I didn´t understand your comment about "sorrow belongs ignorance". I couldn´t give my opinion. Perhaps, we need to speak in Spanish at other moment.
I´VE BEEN TOLD THE SUBSTITUTE WILL BE IN CLASS ON MONDAY, BUT YOU´D BETTER PHONE THE SCHOOL BEFORE.
Thank you very much.
Take care!
Changing topic; It seems that Juliet is delighted with the Isola´s personal questions, because she replies to her letter in full detail.
Juliet explains her relation with Sidney. I believe that we can dismiss him as candidate for husband. Mark doesn´t seem good either. At that moment she prefers suitors in books, although she knows that it isn´t the better solution. Travelling to Guernsey can help her to clarify mind.
JULIO-3-A FROM JULIET TO SIDNEY AUGUST 1946 This letter deals about the CANTERBURY TALES especially mentioning ´´THE PARSON´´.That parson is against life as he compares it with a cesspool,even stating that we are predestinated.In the meeting REMY said:¨I do not agree because if we are predestinated GOD is THE DEVIL as what kind of GOD would allow the CONCENTRATION CAMPS? .This is one of the letters which I like best
I have just read part of the first act of the play ``AN IDEAL HUSBAND´´.The description of SIR ROBERT CHILTER´S hause in Grosvenor Square is brilliant and even brigher is that of LADY CHILTER receiving the guests as they come up.The house is undoubtely one of the most fashionable of that epoch with beautiful tapestries and a great chandelier illuminating the entrance hall.
julio 3-a ´´AN IDEAL HUSBAND,, Mrs C heveley is undoubtely a very attractive woman, but very far from being candid.Lady Chiltern doesn¨t seem to like her.She remembers to have been at school together.The conversations between Sir Robert CHILTER and MRS CHEVELEY are sometimes terribly full of good sense of humour but there is certaintly truth on what they say, especially when MRS CHEVELEY remarks that questions are never indiscreet,answers sometimes are.
Julio, well done with your posts, i´m amazed, so good, such level of language keep it up. Yes Mrs. Cheveley doesn´t like Lady chiltern, neither does Lady chiltern like the other one, mrs. Cheveley seems to me to be the type of woman who gets wha she wants and as she says "she has the winning hand", she would go to any extent to get what she wanted...dangerous woman
JULIO 3-A ''AN IDEAL HUSBAND´´ AT THE BEGINNIG OF THE SECOND ACT OF THE PLAY YOU CAN SEE HOW WORRIED IS SIR ROBERT CHILTERN FOR HAVING HIDDEN THE SECRECT OF HIS CAREER.LORD GORING LISTENS TO HIM VERY CAREFULLY AND ALWAYS GIVES HIM A GOOD PIECE OF ADVICE.HIS STATEMENTS ARE ALWAYS BASED ON LIFE ´´LIFE IS NEVER FAIR``´´WHAT THE WORLD WORSHIPS IS WEALTH``.SIR ROBERT WANTED TO BE SUCCESSFUL WHEN HE WAS YOUNG AND HE OBTAINED SUCCESS THANKS TO BARON ARNHAIM WHEN HE TOLD HIM THAT POWER WAS THE ONLY THING WORTH HAVING
julio-3-a THE CONVERSATION BETWEEN LORD GORING AND SIR CHILTERN SHOWS HOW EXCITED THE LATTER IS AND HOW MAN OF THE WORLD THE FORMER APPEARS TO BE TELLING HIM THE INTRICACIES OF LIFE.SIR ROBERT CHILTERN IS DEEPTLY IN LOVE WITH HIS WIFE BUT IT FLOWS IN THE AIR THE FEAR FOR MRS CHEVELEY BY SIR ROBERT AND THE WIDE KNOWLEDGE OF HER BY LORD GORING.IF IT IS SAID THAT IN THEIR CENTURY,WEALTH WAS WORSHIPPED.NOWADAYS THAT IS EVEN MORE PRONOUNCED.THE WISDOM OF LORD GORING IS SHOWN WHEN HE SAYS ´´IT IS ALWAYS WORTHY ASKING A QUESTION,THOUGH IT IS NOT ALWAYS ANSWERING ONE´´.
Julio, very nice what you say. Money is always important, particularly for those who do not have a lot, but not forgetting that who have somehow need to retain!!! Oscar Wilde is wise indeed!!
JULIO 3 -A I WAS WATCHING ONE OF THE CHAPTERS OF ´´DOWNTOWN ABBEY´´ AND IT WAS VERY INTERESTING, NOT ONLY FOR IT´S SUBJECT BUT ALSO FOR THE EDUCATIVED WAY OF SPEAKING OF THE PEOPLE FROM THAT EPOCH.BESIDES DUE TO THE SUBTITLES YOU CAN SEE SOME SUBJUNTIVES AND OTHER GRAMMATICAL FORMS.¨DOWNTOWN ABBEY´¨ WAS SHOT IN THE ¨HIGHCLERE CASTLE¨ IN ENGLAND.I HAVE BEEN ALSOLISTENING TO SOME OF THE INTERVIEWS MADE TO THE MAIN CHARACTERS OF THE SERIAL.THEY SEEMED TO ME VERY INTERESTING.BECAUSE OF THE SUCCESS OF THE ,HIGHCLERE CASTLE ,OPEN SOME DAYS TO THE PUBLIC AS A MUSEUM,WILL BE PROBABLY ONE OF THE PLACES VISITED BY ME IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
JULIO 3-A I APOLOGIZE FOR THE MISTAKES ITS INSTEAD OF IT¨S EDUCATED INSTEAD OF EDUCATIVED.THESE GRAMMATICAL FAULS WERE DUE TO MY LACK OF EXPERIENCE
JULIO 3-A ABOUT AN IDEAL HUSBAND¨ UNDOUBTEDLY SIR ROBERT CHILTERN IS AFRAID OF MRS CHEVELEY BUT LORD GORING SHOWS A DEEP KNOWLEDGE OF HER AND KNOWS THAT SHE HAS A GREAT PRESENCE OF MIND.LADY CHILTERN NOTICES HOW TIRED HER HUSBAND LOOKS,REMARKING HOW STAINLESS HIS CAREER IS.LORD GORING SEEMS TO BE EXPLORING LADY CHILTERN`S MIND TELLING HER THAT EVERYBODY HAS ITS WEAKNESS INCLUDING HER OWN HUSBAND
Julio, I agree with you. Definitely, Sir Robert Chiltern is afraid of Mrs. Cheveley and of his own wife. I think Mrs. Cheveley knows how to deceive and gain men's favours, not only political interests, I think.
I also agree with your point of view about Lord Goring attitude; he's trying to warn Lady Chiltern... sometimes women we are too blind to see what is just in front of our eyes, or we don't want to see it.
I spent wonderful holidays burying myself in reading one of the OSCAR WILDE plays ´´LADY WINDERMERE´S FAN¨.In this play the society of that epoch is reflected without forgettingits habits,ways of dressing and speaking,social behaviour and all this within the high society circle.Is amazing to see how they managed to keep their living status.To do so they din´t have any doubt as to use all type of cunning tricks in order to remain on the top avoiding their past to be known.They sometimes pay in order to obtain what they wanted.For me this play is one of the best and so I recommend it.
It is always fearful to have your past, particularly if you have done something which is not correct, suddenly looming up before you!! I think this would happen to everyone. The solution is to accept it and say sorry if you can and if you cannot well live with your mistake and forgive yourself.
Any problems 3rd A?
Good luck tomorrow 3 A
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