Sunday 18 December 2011

Blog Post #10

I am currently reading "The Lost Hero", by Rick Riordan. It is a follow-up to the Percy Jackson series. The novel is told in 3 points of views, as each alternating chapter is one person to the next. The 3 main characters are Jason, Piper and Leo, but I believe the hero is Jason. I am going to focus on the call to adventure and meeting the mentor.

Call to Adventure
Jason, Piper and Leo were on a school trip to visit the Grand Canyon, where things went terribly wrong. Jason doesn't remember anyone or anything, or even how he got to where he was. Their supervisor for the trip, Coach Hedge, can sense he is a demi-god, and wants to return him to safety, to Camp Half-Blood, before any beasts try to kill him. A group of Venti (storm spirits), come and put the tourists in hell, from storm clouds, lightning and horrible rainfall to distract them. That is when monsters from Tartarus sneak in and attempt to kill Jason, but Coach Hedge is to quick. Before Jason knows it, he wakes up in a hospital bed in Camp Half-Blood, with Piper, Leo and a blond haired, grey-eyed girl looking upon him.

The girl is named Annabeth Chase, and is the herald in this story. She explains to Jason that he, and his friends, Piper and Leo, are demi-gods, which means that you have one God or Godess as a parent. This also means that you have incredible powers and those powers are needed to defeat the evil of this world. Annabeth tells the trio about her boyfriend who went missing (Percy Jackson), and that the oracle stated that a group of three demi-gods must embark on a journey to find Percy before the winter solstice. It would be a heavy load as they have not trained, and they don't know anything about the horrors of Hades powers. Jason, Piper and Leo decide to take this journey, as they thought it would prove their powers to their special parent, whoever they were, in hopes of being claimed by whichever God or Godess was their mother or father.

" "Percy went missing three days ago." Annabeth said with a stutter. "He's a hero to this camp, and nobody knows what happened to him. I was hoping you would help find him." She barely managed to get that line out before bursting into tears. "I'm a horrible girlfriend!" Annabeth said between breaths." page 47

Meeting The Mentor
Before the three can start the journey, they must train in the art of fighting, by the methof of their choice. They can also be trained in various other activities like fitness, chariot-racing, rock climbing, and any other camp activity available. This is when they meet Chiron, the mentor of the story. He tells them his stories of when Percy went to camp here, and how he was a hero to all, right up untill when he went missing. He told them about how the journey would not be easy, and to be careful for anything trying to get in their way. Chiron also told the trio that if they need any help at all, just to remember where they came from, and to think of him, and help should come right away, but only when greatly needed.

Chiron worked with each seperately, but I want to focus on Jason. When Jason went to swordfighting, he realized that he had a gift. Chiron went through the same training as he did with Percy, but with Jason this time. Chiron gave Jason a pen. When you clicked the top, it turned into a glistening silver sword.

"If you are in grave danger, just remember who you are and who you are fighting for." Chiron said. "See you in training tomorrow." page 189



"The Lost Hero" novel cover by Rick Riordan

the-lost-hero.jpn
robynfraser.wordpress.com
December 18th, 2011









Here is a video of Rick Riordan himself talking about the book, and giving you some background information. I realize my post above is a little hard to follow for readers who do not know the story of Percy Jackson, so this should fill you in.

The Heroes of Olympus, The Lost Hero
Disney Hyperion
www.youtube.com
September 13th, 2010

Monday 12 December 2011

Blog Post #9

I am currently reading, "Catching Fire", by Suzanne Collins. Katniss, the main character's ordinary world is very different than our world today. She lives in district 12, a district of both poverty and luxe. The district is surrounded by woods, and inside is your typical town. Houses, shops and Victor's Village, where the previous victors of the games live if are successful. Money is very scarce, so many families rely on the woods for hunting or the little money families get from their jobs. There is a town square, where the reapings take place, festivals etc. In the district, there is a thriving coal mine, where most of the young men work. The purpose of her ordinary world is pretty much to stay alive, and help her family stay alive. She hunts every morning (even though it's illegal) and trades with shopkeepers and the mayor for goods they need to live.


Q) What pressures exist for the character in her ordinary world?
A) The pressures are very simple. Hope you don't get picked for the reaping, find food, make money and stay alive.


Q) Who creates conflict or peace here?
A) President Snow creates conflict (even though he is from the capitol). He initiates the reapings, and pays surprise visits to the district to make sure no one is breaking the law. There is no particular person who creates peace, except maybe inner peace with yourself.


Q) Which elements create the most or least comfort?
A) There really is no comfortable elements for district 12 people, except if you have won the games. Victors village provides peace, comfort, riches and anything else. The least comfort would probably be the enviornment itself. You live in a shabby, old house, no money and no food. The thought of tomorrow is probably not a comforting thought, as your life is put on the line at any moment.


Q) Why is the character excited or reluctant to leave this world behind?
A) I believe Katniss is reluctant to leave the world behind. She doesn't want to leave her family and friends again, because she knows she is most likely to never return. Also, she knows what horrors the area brings, so she doesn't want to have to go through that again.


katniss-district-12-shoot-arrow1
hungergamessingapore.wordpress.com
Dec. 12th, 2011

This image is of Katniss hunting in the woods in district 12. There is nothing really available for the motion picture at the moment, but I thought this caught the essence of staying alive.

"In district 12, looking old is somewhat of an achievement since so many people die early. You see an elder person, you want to congradulate them on their longvity, ask the secret of survival. A plump person is envied because they aren't scraping by the the majority of us." Katniss Everdeen, Catching Fire, page 267

Thursday 1 December 2011

Blog Post #8

I am currently reading "Catching Fire", by Suzanne Collins. It is the second book in The Hunger Games trilogy.


Question : Why do you think Peeta continues to keep up the act that Katniss and himself are in love, even though he truly loves her?


 I think Peeta does this for a number of ways. The first is to hide his love for her. I think he doesn't want to tell Katniss he loves her, because he knows her and Gale have something, and doesn't want to complicate things. The second is he doesn't know how Katniss will react. She could bring up how wrong it is, something about Gale, or possibly surprise him that she loves him back. I think she will reply with how she doesn't have time to worry about her feelings, and that she doesn't know, as she told this to Gale when he told her he loved her. The third is for her safety. I added this because it seems logical. If Peeta told her he loved her, and Katniss denied it, President Snow could find out. This would not be good because he could have both of their families killed, and their district destroyed.



The visual element is the trailer for "The Hunger Games." I know it is the first novel in the series, and I focused on the 2nd book in the post, but this is the only movie so far, and it will help you get backgroung knowledge about the characters, story etc. I chose this because Peeta first expresses his love for Katniss in this novel, and this is the origins of the drama.


MLA
"The Hunger Games - Official Trailer [HD]" Viso Trailers http://www.youtube.com/  Post date : November 15th, 2011 There is no other information available.