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EC Reading Notes: Peter Pan, Part H (Ch. 15-16)

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These chapters contain the ending of the battle with Hook, and lead into the return of the Darlings to their home in London. This battle with the pirates will also be involved in my narrative, but much as previous events, their explanation will be completely different. In Chapter 15, Peter begins making his way toward the pirate ship in order to save the kids and battle Hook. He sees the crocodile on the way, and imitates his ticking noise. Though accidental, this trick gives him the upper hand when he arrives at the pirate ship. Despite this being a "children's story," Peter murders several pirates upon arriving at the ship. He hides out in the main cabin, while Hook sends different people in to investigate the mysterious intruder. He then sends the kids in, and Peter frees them before slyly taking Wendy's spot in the shackles. Hook prepares to send Wendy overboard in order to absolve the bad luck that girls bring, when he suddenly discovers that Peter has rep

EC Reading Notes: Peter Pan, Part G (Ch. 13-14)

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Chapters 13 and 14 provide a lot of information that I plan to use in a big final plot event. I am still brainstorming how I am going to wrap up the narrative. I like the idea of a big plot buildup, with perhaps a bit of an unexplained or disappointing ending. But then, the very final storybook story would include the true ending, with a break in the story that returns to the interview between Hook and the investigator. I'm hoping I can work this out in a way that is exciting and sensible. Chapter 13 involves a tricky maneuver of the pirates to lure the children out of the hideout; they play the Indian drum, which signifies that the Indians have won the battle. As the children begin to filter out of the lair, the pirates capture them one by one. Wendy and the boys are all kidnapped and taken to Hook's ship. Peter is still asleep, and Hook poisons his medicine in the hopes of finally ending Peter. However, Tinker Bell, in an act of love, takes the poison instead. She is

Week 12 Storytelling: Beowulf

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John was sitting on the edge of the playground, about to open his lunchbox. This was his favorite part of the day. His best friend, Alex, wasn't at school today, and they usually ate lunch together. Since he was gone, John was probably going to eat by himself. This might have bothered some kids, but not John. He actually enjoyed some alone time every once in a while, to think by himself. He had just gotten back from filling up his water bottle, and was about to sit down to open up his lunchbox...Then it happened. He saw the blood on the ground before he could register what had happened. His vision was blurry, the side of his head hurt. Through eyes that had started to involuntarily fill with tears, he could make out a figure. Sam. John slowly stood, trying his best to maintain his balance. Sam laughed at him, and picked up his lunchbox. He took out an apple and took a bite of it, looking directly at John. "Whatcha gonna do, nerd?" This had been going on for

Reading Notes: Beowulf, Part B

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The Battle with Grendel This narrative is intense and bloody. I loved the fight scene! Beowulf, a mighty warrior, is battling against a terrible monster, Grendel. The fight is described as being nearly even, with the two parties struggling back and forth in silence. Both are exhausted, but neither can give up. Finally, Beowulf has an opportunity to gain the upper hand. He swiftly takes Grendel's arm and twists it behind his back. In a moment of pure strength, he actually rips the arm off of Grendel. Before he can do anything else, Grendel escapes into the night, and people flood onto the scene to see what Beowulf has done. There are certainly components of this story that I could incorporate in my own storytelling. This is one of the first significant fight scenes that I have read all semester. I enjoy the intensity of two powers locked in battle. In my own story, I would like to include a fight scene but perhaps in a different context. Though this story is fraught with great

Week 11 Storytelling: The Jealous Father

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The boy woke up, confused as to where he was. It was dark outside, and he had difficulty seeing anything. All of a sudden, his memory returned. A flash of fire. Yelling people. Being thrown on the back of a horse. He had been kidnapped. For years, there had been a war between his tribe and the neighboring tribe. His dad, though they didn't get along very well, was the chief of their tribe. This put him, as his son, in a position of importance. Perhaps that could explain the kidnapping. He had been laid down inside a tent, presumably after they had knocked him out. The tent wasn't very large, and shadows of people outside were thrown up on the walls. It sounded like they were eating around a fire. Slowly, carefully, he peeked his head out of the tent. They were looking the other way, and he knew this was his chance. As fast as he could move, the boy took off into the woods. Seconds later, he heard shouting and knew that they were coming after him. The chase wa

Reading Notes: Native American Hero Tales, Part B

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The Jealous Father This story presents a complex plot, all of which occurs because of what the title describes - a jealous father. A man has two wives, one of which bears a son. One day, the father becomes jealous of his son. Because of this jealousy, he tries to abandon his son on an island. However, the mom and dad end up conjuring different things in order to either save or harm the son, in accordance with their wishes. The mom sends a walrus to save the son from the island and bring him back home, whereas the dad sends a thunderstorm to kill this walrus and prevent him from rescuing the boy. The storm succeeds in killing the walrus, but not before the boy has made it back to shore. Once he arrives at the shore, he still has to complete a difficult journey to make it back home. The Jealous Father (continued) On his journey back home, the first obstacle encountered by the boy is that of two old hags. They possess blades on their arms, but instead of stabbing him, they end

Week 10 Storytelling: Coyote Secures Fire

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The wolf lingered around the edge of the forest. His name was Cato. He could see the smoke rising above the camp, hear the laughter of the humans. It was this same group of humans that had attacked members of his family. Cato had to avenge his brother. The plan was simple. He, alongside the other animals of the forest, had determined what set the humans apart from all other animals. They were organized, yes. They took good care of their young, yes. They even hunted with weapons. But there was one thing that the humans possessed that the animals did not have - the red flower. Cato was originally confused by the red flower. The humans used it for warmth, for light, even for safety. But he had grown to hate it. He know that he must possess the red flower too if he were ever going to get revenge for his brother. He slowly circled the fringes of the camp, being careful to stay hidden among the trees. It was late, and all he had to do was wait for his opening. Suddenly, on