Hi again,
I am big on quotations and finding pieces of text that speak to you as you read. Your task between now and Thursday is:
Find at least 3 quotes from the text that either tell about Matt, his outlook, that of society, or ones that evoke some sort of emotion in you. Record the quote or summarize each, include a page number, then explain the significance of each.
For instance, if it made you laugh, tell me why you laughed. If if made you sad, then explain the sadness.
This is due on THURSDAY!
The passages I picked are:
ReplyDelete1) "You're bright as a button, lad, " Said Tam Lin. "The man we saw on the ground probably lagged behind the other workers and didn't here the foreman tell him to stop. He might have worked all night, getting thirstier and thirstier-"
"Stop!" shrilled Matt (pg. 82)
I chose this passage because i think it shows the horrors of the whole eejit thing. How horrible would it be to work until you dies, without being able to do anything about it? This selection made me sad, and horrified too, but it also shows that Matt is NOT exactly like El Patron and that he has a conscience.
2) "Okay," said Matt, proud that Tam Lin considered him responsible enough to keep a secret. (pg. 79)
I think this quote shows that underneath everything, Matt is still just a little boy who wants to impress his hero, Tam Lin.
3) "You'll die without chemotherapy," his son begged.
"God want me to come."
This passage really me sad because it must be horrible not to be able to help someone you love. I do admire El Viejo though, because he does not want to sacrifice someone else's life for his own (i.e. get a clone).
The passages I picked are:
ReplyDelete1.What Matt hated about the creature was everyone's assumption that he and Furball were the same. It didn't matter that Matt had excellent grades and good manners. They were both animals and thus unimportant.(P. 85)
This exemplifies Matt's feelings about his status as a clone. He thinks he's unimportant and merely an animal of some sort.
2.He was in a rage to learn. He would excel, and then everyone would love him and forget he was a clone.(P.91)
The somewhat childish thought process in this statement possibly foreshadows Matt's isolation from other people even though they are the same.
It also may show that even though Matt is a clone people will eventually love him.
3.He went out but not before Matt saw a flash of real anger on his face. Tom had wanted something and hadn't got it. Matt was sure Tom had dumped Furball in the toilet, although he'd never shown dislike for the dog before. (p.96)
I chose this passage since it shows how disturbed Tom is. Tom was planning to drown a little girl's dog just to get back at her. That is a sign of something malicious. It gave me a feeling of disdain and disgust.
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ReplyDelete1. "Ay! she murmured as she dropped the bits into a cup. "You're brave not to cry."(Farmer 22) This quote shows how Rosa and others feel toward Matt before finding out he is a clone, and how their feelings change because of it. It shows that Rosa is not really a bad person, she has just been taught her whole life to hate clones, so the habit is deeply ingrained- like how some people are not so bad, but have racist or otherwise prejudiced opinions just because they grew up in a place where it was the norm and they were taught to think that way.
ReplyDelete2."She actually bared her teeth like a wild animal, and Matt watched with interest to see if she would manage to sink them into the man's neck."(Farmer 56)
This quote is interesting because it is ironic. Rosa had treated Matt as the foulest of animals, but now she is behaving like a wild beast.
3. "This is my clone. He is the most important person in my life. If you thought it was any of you sorry, misbegotten swine, think again."(Farner 62)
This quote made me laugh. Despite everything, I love El Patron's character. A cynical man who rose from poverty and clearly is able to appreciate how much he has, he is understandably disdainful of his spoiled, greedy progeny. It also shows how much Matt matters to him. He calls him "mi vida" (my life) which is more apt than the characters realize because his life actually depends on him.
1. "If the big kids went away, Maria would be all alone. It was going to be dark soon, and Celia wouldn't return for hours. Maria would be left alone with nothing but the empty poppy fields and the... The chupacabras" (pg.17)
ReplyDelete^ I found this quote rather touching, that Matt would think for Maria like that. He didn't want her to be attacked by the chupacrabras. haha.
2. "Matt stared with amazement at the blood dripping from his feet and hands. His knees sprouted rivulets of red." (pg.19)
^This quote shows that Matt has NEVER seen blood before, and ultimately shows how protected and safe-kepted he is in his little house. Society also doesn't want him to get hurt.
3. "Matt cried steadily. His grief went on and on. When it lessened, he remembered Celia and started crying again. He looked up with tear-blurred eyes at the little yellow light, and it seemed to waver like a flame."
^This quote really made me feel sad. Matt, although a clone, was only a child, and had no idea what was going on. He missed Celia.
1. "The man leaned forward and whispered into her ear. A look of horror crossed Rosa's face. She instantly scooped up Matt and ran. (Farmer 24)
ReplyDeleteThis quote made me feel sorry for Matt. Despite the fact that everyone was nice to him earlier, they all found out he was a clone and started to call him evil and gross. He wasn't sure why everyone had such a quick conclusion to who he was, and he felt the need to be loved.
2. "Here there was nothing, not even the wind over the poppy fields or the murmur of doves in their nests on the roof. The silence was terrifying." (Farmer 29)
This quote explains Matt's outlook and how he is very saddened from there being no noise outside. It reminded him of the nice days with Celia and he really wished he was still with her. It made me sad because he could not see Celia anymore.
3. "He was already hurt." Celia described the injuries caused by the broken glass. "Why didn't anyone tell me? demanded El Patron. His voice wasn't loud, but there was a quality to it that made Matt shiver even though he-for once-wasn't the one in trouble. (Farmer 55)
This made me feel somewhat happy for Matt because no one gave him blame or tried to say he was the reason for everything. This is also "heart-warming" in a way because El Patron is very caring and shows responsibility toward Matt even though he is his clone. For once he could relax and know that no one will show or be angry towards him.
1. "Okay" said Matt, proud that Tam Lin considered him responsible enough to keep a secret. (PAGE 79)
ReplyDeleteI picked this quote because I admire that even though Matt knows he is young still, he wants to prove himself pretty much capable of keeping a secret and that he is responsible and careful not to do anything to let Tam Lin down.
"Matt stared with amazement at the blood dripping from his feet and hands" (PAGE 19)
I picked this quote because I found it very revealing. If someone was there while Matt was amused and shocked by the blood, they would've suspected somethin. I just found it kind of weird that no one actually spent the time telling him about BLOOD which he contains a lot of and if he's not careful it will come out.
"Matt wanted to say he didn't have the key, but he was unable to get the words out."
I chose this quote because i felt before he was sent out to the public society, he shouldve learned the typical sayings. I mean all he basically knew was how to say "do you want to play??" He shouldve learnt a little more than that.
1. (pg. 78) "'The man is dead. Heat or lack of water killed him. The cleanup crews at the end of the day will find him.'"
ReplyDeleteI found this quote haunting. First off, the idea that these "eejits" are pretty much robots and will only do what they are told, is creepy. They have no control over their lives and will die if they don't hear a command to stop, like this man did. Also, it is awful that human beings are treated like trash.
2. (pg. 91) "He was in a rage to learn. He would excel, and then everyone would love him and forget he was a clone."
I think that this quote goes to show how Matt's outlook on life is so open and young. He wants to learn and be the best person he can, so that maybe the other members of the Alacran family will accept him. I find this quote to be bittersweet. The sweet part of the equation being how Matt is so willing to strive, and the bitter part being that probably no matter what he does, he'll still be treated differently.
3. (pg. 43) "' It's a sullen, evil temepered animal.'" (Rosa said to the doctor about Matt)
I feel bad about how Matt was treated. He must have been so confused and lonely. Plus, he didn't even know why he was locked up! I'm glad though that he found ways to entertain himself, even though those ways were staring at worms that filled up fruits.
1) "You idiot! You need a vet for this little beast!' The man roared. 'How dare you defile this house?' 'He was bleeding-' began Steven. 'Yes! All over the sheet! We'll have to burn it. Take the creature outside now." (pg 23)This quote makes me feel kinda sorry for Matt because he doesn't know why these people are treating him like this, he is completely clueless. He is only 6 years old. Its very sad.
ReplyDelete2)"He hid caches of food under the sawdust, not eat later, but to attract bugs. The window wasn't glassed, and so all sorts of small creatures could come through the bars." (pg 44) I find this fascinating how this boy can amuse himself by attracting animals to watch.
3)"Mijo!Mi hijo!" cried Celia from the window. "My child!My child!" I didn't know you were here. Oh god! THey told me you were with El Patron. I didn't know." I think it was inspiring how Celia came back for Matt. It shows her love for him and that she wants to be the role of his mother. If she was Rosa, she would never come back for him.
1. "It's a sullen evil tmepered animal," she said. (Page 43)
ReplyDeleteI chose this quote because it really evokes sad emotion in me. Matt knows that she is talking about him and to think that people would say such things in front of them. THis really shows how badly people think of clones. They think of them so badly that they call the clones animals.
2. Matt smiled, well pleased that he shared something in common with El Patron.
I chose this quote because it shows that not everyone hates him. El Patron likes him and he is not hated by every single person in the country called Opium. He now knows that he is not a waste of space, but a valuable asset.
3. "Dont't fix that one," said Lisa, haistily catching his arm, "It's a Matteo Alacran. They're always left intact.
I chose this passage because at the beginning of the book you know that he is special, and different. He is not a stupid, filthy clone like everyone says he is, but a Matteo Alacran. He know knows, no one can treat him like trash, no one can hurt him. He is too important.
"Well that's alright," she said, snuggling closer to him. Matt's mind churned over the punishment Maria would endure because she had brought him food. He didn't know what the times tables were, but they were probably something awful.(page 34) I chose this quote and passage because it shows how sweet and innocent Matt is. He finally gets to care for someone other than Celia, and he is so thankful that Maria wants to be his friend.
ReplyDeleteRosa flew at the doctor and raked his face with her nails before he was able to grasp her wrists. She kicked and screamed, driving Willum back with the force of her rage. She actually bared her teeth like a wild animal, and Matt watched with interest to see whether she would manage to sink them into the man's neck. Everything seemed unreal to him- the sudden appearance of Celia, the old man, the furious battle between his two enemies. It was like watching TV. (page 56)I chose this passage because it shows how Matt's life suddenly changes on just one impulse decision. He is exposed to new things and is fascinated with all his new knowledge and surroundings.
Matt suddenly snapped. "I'm not a good boy!" he screamed. "I'm a bad clone! And I hate counting and I hate you!" (page 73)I chose this quote because it shows how quick people are to snap and how sensitive they can be. It also proves that even if you don't say much, you aren't stupid.
1) “Eduardo slept badly at night. He cried out in his sleep, and Anna asked what was the matter. He couldn’t tell her. He couldn’t say that if this last embryo died, he would be stripped of his job. He would be sent to the Farms. And she, Anna, and their children and his father would be cast out to walk the hot dusty roads.” (Farmer 4)
ReplyDeleteI chose this quote because it shows how important Matt is. People would be punished if he died. It also shows how everyone, even more important scientists is at the mercy of El Patron. No one is really safe, because there is always the risk of being turned into an eejit for even small things that aren’t good reasons.
2) “She picked him up and hugged him all the way to his bed. No matter how tired she was – and sometimes she almost fell over with exhaustion – she never neglected this ritual.” (Farmer 13)
I thought this passage was very sweet. Celia spends all day working her butt off for the Alacráns cooking for them, and she isn’t even treated very well. But she loves Matt so much that she tucks him in every night, and sometimes even cooks him dinner. She’s probably falling asleep on her feet, but he’s alone all day long in the house and she wants to make him feel special.
3) “Matt was frankly relieved to see them go. They were an unwelcome intrusion in the orderly world he had created. He could forget them now and get back to the contemplation of his kingdom. The surface of the sawdust was combed smooth, the treasures hidden beneath marks that only he, the king, understood. A bee wandered in, found nothing, and left. A spider mended its web high up near the ceiling. Matt took out the dove feather and lost himself in its silky perfection.” (Farmer 49)
I thought this quote was sad. He has been stuck in the room for so long, with only the doctor and Rosa, who are mean and cruel and hate him, for company. They don’t even talk to him. So he creates his own “kingdom” to entertain himself, since he’s only a 6 year old. So when two people he loves that he hasn’t seen in forever come, he thinks of it as a disruption and wants them to go away.
Matt hates marias dog furball. He is always compared to him he is a dog Matt is a human furball is just a stupid animal and he makes matt feel as if he is only an animal also.
ReplyDeleteI chose this quote because I feel bad for marrnhe is always being compared to a dog.Matt is much better than a dog he isna human. He is a very smart human he should be treated with respect and not as if he were just some dumb animal.
Tom is a filthy little pustule he always finds a way to be mean to someone when he is trying to appear goodhearted on the outside he will bring his mother water but not in a clean glass and he will hold the door for his grandpa just to let go early enough to hit his grandpas heel.
I think this quote shows how much tam Lin hates Tom because Tom is simply so mmean. Matt feels this way also towards Tom . Tom is the kind of kid who throws a spitball at you when the teacher is not paying attention.
Matt is very important to menand if you thought he was any sorry misbegotten swine think again.
I think this shows that el patron thinks that Matt isnbetter than anyone else and that Matt deserved a lot of respect. I really think that is true because throughout the story Matt has been treated very badly and he really does deserve a lot of respect.
1.) "Always chose your bodyguards from another country, Matt. They find it harder to make alliances and betray you." Pg 78
ReplyDeleteEl Patron seems to be giving Matt this advice, as if he were trying to change his own past by making sure his "second life" never made mistakes.
2.) "But when he looked into Tam Lin's eyes, he was surprised to see a glint of friendliness." Pg 78
This supports the idea that the eyes are windows to the soul. Matt sees people in a special way. He doesn't just take in the scars, ears, and Tam Lin's large size. He notices that Tam Lin is a kind person, right from the beginning.
3.) "Tell you what, laddie. We've got something to celebrate. Let's go on a picnic." Pg 90
Tam Lin isn't just a stone dead bodyguard like I thought at first. He actually seems to be a nice guy, a father-like figure in Matt's life.
1."'You're like a wild animal," complained Maria as she stood in the doorway of Matt's room. "You hide in here like a bear in a cave." Matt looked indifferently at the curtained windows. He liked the safe, comfortable darkness. "I am an animal," he replied. Once these words would have pained him, but he accepted his status now."(pg. 92)
ReplyDeleteI chose this quote because it shows the reality of Matt's situation. He knows he's a clone and is mostly going to be treated badly and like an animal for the rest of his life. He knows this, but he's learned to accept what he is. This quote makes me sad that he's pretty much accepted defeat just because he was born differently than other people.
2. "He fished up the dove feather and contemplated his silky colors. The feather usually made him feel safe...."
This quote upsets me and speaks to me. It's upsetting because all Matt has in his horrible, sawdust world is one little feather. It speaks to me because Matt can find comfort in this beautiful feather despite being so maltreated.
3."Bad girl!" shouted Rosa, flinging open the door......."We turned the house upside down looking for you," Rosa yelled. "All the time you were hiding out with the filthy clone. Boy, are you in trouble! You're going to be sent home at once." Maria sat up, blinking at the sudden light from the doorway."(pg.34)
I chose this quote because it shows how much clones are hated by society, but Maria is still Matt's friend. Matt's referred to as a "filthy clone" by Rosa, but Maria still loves him and accepts him. Maria is one of the only people who likes Matt even if he's a clone.
"Matt suddenly snapped. 'I'm not a good boy!' he screamed. 'I'm a bad clone! And I hate counting and I hate you!' He grabbed Teacher's carefully arranged apples and hurled them every which way. He threw the crayons on the floor, and when she tried to pick them up, he shoved her as hard as he could. Then he sat on the floor and burst into tears." (73)
ReplyDelete--I chose this quote because it's the first time Matt talks since his confinement. His anger wells up inside him and overflows until the point he wants to yell and finally does. What he actually said was sad but the fact that he said anything was good, so the sentence was both good and sad.
"The idea that if you were mean, you might stay mean forever had never occured to him." (70)
--I chose this passage because it is a turning point for Matt. He finally realizes that he is being rude and mean and decides to try and start being nicer. He started to rethink things.
"Tam Lin was at his side at once. 'That's enough lessons for one day. We're on a picnic and we haven't had any fun yet. Come on. I'll show you a beehive and a coyote den. Everything lives around water in the desert.'" (82)
--I chose this passage because Tam Lin is being very nice to Matt. The reader does not know much about Tam Lin at first, just that he is strong. At first he doesn't seem all that friendly to Matt, mainly because he doesn't really do anything. Here, he gets friendly and nice. He is letting Matt have fun exploring nature and showing Matt all he knows about it. He also shows Matt his secret spot with great scenery.
"'I have to go to school you eejit' said Maria.'The holidays are over.' Matt stared out the window, punishing her for abandoning him." (69/70)
ReplyDeleteI chose this quote because i foud it quite humerous of how stubborn Matt is being about being abandoned, since he's used to the attention at this point.
"'Wait' Matt said. Rosa paused. She looked distinctly unfriendly.'Can you tell Celia where I am?' The maid smiled maliciously.'Celia isn't aloud to see you. Doctor's orders.' She went out and closed the door.' (28/29)
I chose this quote because i think this is the first official occurence/appearence of how much Rosa truly despises Matt, or simply wants to make him miserable by her hand.
"'Let me see you mi vida. I can't believe what's happened!' But Matt could only stare. He wanted to go. He had dreamed of nothing else, but now that the moment had actually come, he couldn't move."
I chose this quote be cause it startled/ shocked me a bit. By this point in the book, Matt has been taken from his safe home, brought into an strange face, has realized everyone hates him, etc. But now, the moment to be free, to escape this vile life stuck inside a cell filled with hay, Matt is just too shocked by the events, he simply doesn't know what to do. (47)
"Okay", said Matt, proud that Tam Lin considered him responsible with a secret (pg 79)
ReplyDeleteThis shows that Matt is eager to please and that he likes to be recognized.
"He was in a rage to learn. He would excel and everyone would love him and forget he was a clone." (pg 91)
This shows that Matt has a very positve outlook and that he wants to be loved.
"Always chose your bodyguards from another country Matt. They find it hard to make alliances and betray you." (pg 78)
This is when El patron gives Matt advice. This could possibly mean he has some feelings for Matt and that he wants Matt to be successful.
I'm so sorry Mrs. Greene that I couldn't
ReplyDeletepost anything until now. My computer was
freaking on me and just wouldnt open the
blog. Okay well here are my three quotes.
1. "Mama," he said without thinking. "tell
me again about the kids in the Big House".
"Dont call me Mamy," snapped Celia
"Sorry" said Matt. The word had slipped
out. Celia hadd told him long ago that She
wasn't his real mother. (19)
I feel really sad because Matt would never
get to experience a real mother or a normal
childhood for that matter. He will always
be treated badly or ignored because of what
he is.
2. (Matt is forced to chose a body guard
and teacher, he must pick between Daft
Donald and Tam Lin.)
But when Matt looked onto Tam Lin's eyes,
he was suprised to see a glint of
friendliness.
Friendliness was so rare in Matt's life, he
instantly pointed to the man. (57)
This passage shows how scarce good
treatement and acceptance was in Matt's
life. I feel sad that he was so desperate
for just a shred of kindness.
3. (Tam Lin says this to Matt at an early
age, and then he doesnt understand, but he
soon comes to realize what a cruel heart El
Patron has.)
"I'll tell you this: El Patron has his good
side and his bad side. Very dark indeed is
his majesty when he wants to be. When he
was young he made a choice, like a tree
does when it decides to grow one way or the
other. He grew large and green until he
shadowed over the whole forest, but most of
his branches are twisted. (180)
I feel bad for Matt. He sees El Patron as
his savior, as someone who really cared
about him, but when he realizes the
terrible dark side of him he is devastated.
He doesnt know what to do. He feels he owes
everything to El Patron and that he loves
him. It's hard for him to see the horrible
side of the first Matteo Alacran.
"You idiot! You need a vet for this little beast!" the man roared. "How dare you defile with house?" (Farmer 23)
ReplyDelete-This shows how they think about Matt and how he relates to them. They consider him an animal that shouldn't be treated with any respect at all.
"I've been stupid. I should have known what he-it-was the minute I saw it. No servant would be allowed to keep a child or live away form the others. Benito told me about the situation, only I thought it was living somewhere else. IN a zoo, maybe. Wherever those things are kept." (Farmer 26)
-Again this shows that they honestly think of Matt as an animal that shouldn't have any association with humans.
"I forgot. You're too dumb to talk. You're a stupid clone who wets his pants and barfs all overt his feet. Maybe if I spoke your language, you'd understand."
-Everyone in the Big House sees Matt as a foreign object that is stupid and can't think rationally without giving him any chances to prove he is as normal as one of them.
oh, and the last quote was from page 45.
ReplyDelete"Matt smiled, well pleased that he shared something in common with El Patron."
ReplyDeleteI chose this because it shows not every one really hates El patron and he is glad to be his clone.
"Matt is very important to menand if you thought he was any sorry misbegotten swine think again."
I think this quote shows every one is the same and no one is any better.
""'Let me see you mi vida. I can't believe what's happened!' But Matt could only stare. He wanted to go. He had dreamed of nothing else, but now that the moment had actually come, he couldn't move."
This quote says Matt is a simple child and he does not have a thought to escape.