“If someone loves you for what you can do then it’s flattering, but why do they love you? If someone loves you for who you are then they have to know you, which means you have to know them.” -Roxanne Coss

Explain what Roxanne means by this statement and how it relates to chapter 7. Explain the different feelings that the different men have for Roxanne. Which ones do you think are the most meaningful?

Hey so I was just checking in to see if the blog had been posted yet but it hasn't and this is the only time I could get on the internet because mine isn't working right now. Can I turn my blog in tomorrow and not have it considered late? I thought you told me it would be posted by the end of school...?

Discuss the role of communication in chapter 5. Which characters communicate effectively, and what do they gain from this successful communication? Give examples of how it affects different relationships.

The weather changes during the following days outside of the mansion. What do you think this weather shift symbolizes?

How are the characters creating more enjoyable living conditions for themselves? Be specific in the activities they partake in.

What is discovered about a couple of the terrorists? Does this change your view on the danger of this terrorist organization?

blog entry 2

As the story goes on, those terrorists just did not seem like they were going to kill someone. So people get more and more comfortable with the situation that they are in. They got food, they could lay down on the ground, they can go to the bathroom and suddenly it is just not like a hostage's life except the ground laying part. And those 3 generals, they basically just want their brother back, so they did not really think about killing people and they let the women, priest, sick people and servants out. Definitely they were just showing that they would not kill anybody. There were just certain things that a real group of terrorists would not do. They didn't kill the vice president and gave him ice, they let Christopf in when he was trying to be in. They could have shot him when he was trying to get in and that's what a real group of terrorists would do. People knew that those men having guns were not going to shoot them so they got comfortable and grabbed cushions to lay their head on, then they were even more sure about being safe because none of those armed boys were trying to stop this process.
Roxane's reaction to Christopf's death was pretty strong but I don't think that it's odd. It's kind of strange that Roxane's thought for Christopf had changed that much. I was expecting that there might be some kind of reaction from Roxane but it was just way stronger than I had expected. I don't think it is odd because I thought that this would happen but just not that quickly. Roxane simply was not aware of the strength of Christopf's love and I could tell that she really liked him. It's in the book when she was looking back when they were on the flight. She was not trying to refuse Christopf's love when he expressed to her, she was just trying to stop him from talking. Basically she had some kinds of feelings to Christopf, she just did not know that and when he died, the full thought of losing just explodes and she knew that she loved him very much.

As the second day progresses, the hostages grow more comfortable. Why do you think this is?Provide examples that display the hostages becoming more comfortable with their situation.

Do you think Roxanne Coss's reaction to Christopf's illness and eventual death is odd? Why or why not?

Characters

By giving away the story in the first chapter we are forced to focus on how the characters react to their situation. It enables us to see the characters in a more in-depth, less passive way. The characters are no longer there simply for the advancement of thhe plot, because we know how it ends.

Vice President Ruben Iglesias- Iglesias is a small man who sees himself as underappreciated. He is hosting the party that the terrorists take hostage and therefore his whole family and home are in danger.
Mr. Hosokawa- Hosokawa is a Japanese business man. He seems cold and unattached, his only passion being opera. Hosokawa feels responsible for endangering all of the hostages, because his birthday was the reason they came together.
Gen Watanabe- Gen is Hosokawa's translator, and friend in a disguised way. Hosokawa is definitely the boss and Gen definitely the worker, but they seem to care for each other more than most boss-worker relations. Gen even moves closer to Hosokawa when they are all lying on the floor, as a message to the terrorists that they are a package deal. Gen himself, even though he has long hair that to Hosokawa suggests a "lack of seriousness," is a very efficient worker. Hosokawa says that Gen does the things that no one else has yet realized need to be done.
Roxane Coss- Coss is the opera singer that brought Hosokawa to the host country, though she herself was reluctant to do the performance. Her voice is striking and even the terrorists treat her like something sacred. They hold her hand instead of her upper arm and give her extra time in the bathroom, they even take turns touching her beautiful hair. So far we don't know much about her personally, other than the fact that she's sure her voice has secured her survival.
The Terrorists- The terrorists are made up of generals and soldiers, the generals are older veterans whose war scars are obvious (missing arms and fingers) and the soldiers are young boys. The boys seem very innocent, especially in their treatment of Roxane Coss. General Benjamin has so far been the most memorable General, with a violent rash of shingles down his face.

By giving away the end of the story in the first chapter, what is the reader forced to focus upon?

Explain the characters introduced thus far. Make sure to include both their physical and emotional chracteristics.