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Showing posts with label The Goose Girl. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Goose Girl. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Characters
Who are your favorite secondary characters?
Finn, Talone, Gilsa, and Enna.
-Bookworm
Enna, Finn, Gilsa, Talone, Geric, and poor Falada
-Annegirl
Gilsa, Finn, Talone, Enna. I liked her aunt, too. Even though she was with Ani for a short time she had a big impact on her life and the person she became.
-Deenie Bug
Finn, Talone, Gilsa, and Enna.
-Bookworm
Enna, Finn, Gilsa, Talone, Geric, and poor Falada
-Annegirl
Gilsa, Finn, Talone, Enna. I liked her aunt, too. Even though she was with Ani for a short time she had a big impact on her life and the person she became.
-Deenie Bug
The definition of royalty
Once in the forest, Selia's treatment of Ani becomes obviously hostile, culminating when she proclaims, "Royalty is not a right, Captain. The willingness of the people to follow a ruler is what gives her power. Here in this place, by this people, I have been chosen". do you agree with Selia's assessment? Is this action similar to those taken by others throughout history who wished to gain power over their own destinies? By the end of the story, how does Ani fit Selia's definition of royalty?
Selia's power is gained by deceit and she was chosen by deceitful and selfish people like herself. As in history, deceit and power gain rule over the common people when they have enough supporters that feel the same way and want the power and rewards such an alliance has. In the end Ani was chosen by the good and honorable people to follow her. Ani also earned her Royalty status...not only by who she was but by how she earned it!
-Bookworm
I think that it is true that people choose who to follow. If you have a ruler, be it a King/Queen or President, I don't think people will follow them for long if they don't believe in them in some way. Although sometimes I think that the people speakers get more of a following then they deserve. Some people are far too willing to listen to what someone has to say of what they will do for them and not see the truth through their lies of what kind of person/ruler they really are. I'm sure that Selia had all those men fooled that they would get something out of following her that they wouldn't have gotten under Ani. Chances are, though, that once she was in power they would have been out of luck.
(Can you tell I've got the upcoming elections on the brain.... I think I was half talking about Selia and part talking about Obama.)
-Annegirl
After reading your comment I thought that the recent campaign and election was a perfect example of the Obama plan/tactic. People talkers can convince people if they promise enough things to people who want those things without having to work for them.
-Bookworm
Selia was a pretty person and had the gift of talking to people. I agree with Bookworm you can see comparisons in the recent election. They know how to talk. Obama has the gift of talking to people and convincing them, telling them what they want to hear. I recently saw a quote but I can't remember who it was though that when you tell the truth you don't have to remember what you said. Selia lies were constantly having to be covered up. Even if there had been a war which I am glad there wasn't, Selia lies would have eventually caught up with her. It was sad that people had already lost their lives and more would have been lost. People who lie eventually forget what they have said and get caught.
-Deenie Bug
Selia's power is gained by deceit and she was chosen by deceitful and selfish people like herself. As in history, deceit and power gain rule over the common people when they have enough supporters that feel the same way and want the power and rewards such an alliance has. In the end Ani was chosen by the good and honorable people to follow her. Ani also earned her Royalty status...not only by who she was but by how she earned it!
-Bookworm
I think that it is true that people choose who to follow. If you have a ruler, be it a King/Queen or President, I don't think people will follow them for long if they don't believe in them in some way. Although sometimes I think that the people speakers get more of a following then they deserve. Some people are far too willing to listen to what someone has to say of what they will do for them and not see the truth through their lies of what kind of person/ruler they really are. I'm sure that Selia had all those men fooled that they would get something out of following her that they wouldn't have gotten under Ani. Chances are, though, that once she was in power they would have been out of luck.
(Can you tell I've got the upcoming elections on the brain.... I think I was half talking about Selia and part talking about Obama.)
-Annegirl
After reading your comment I thought that the recent campaign and election was a perfect example of the Obama plan/tactic. People talkers can convince people if they promise enough things to people who want those things without having to work for them.
-Bookworm
Selia was a pretty person and had the gift of talking to people. I agree with Bookworm you can see comparisons in the recent election. They know how to talk. Obama has the gift of talking to people and convincing them, telling them what they want to hear. I recently saw a quote but I can't remember who it was though that when you tell the truth you don't have to remember what you said. Selia lies were constantly having to be covered up. Even if there had been a war which I am glad there wasn't, Selia lies would have eventually caught up with her. It was sad that people had already lost their lives and more would have been lost. People who lie eventually forget what they have said and get caught.
-Deenie Bug
Romance
Discuss the romance between Geric and Ani. How would Geric describe her? Why does their relationship bloom and then wilt? Were you surprised to learn of Geric's true identity or did you see it coming?
They become friends first and enjoy being together. Geric brings the lunch so they can meet and enjoy each other's company. They "fall in love" but Geric must leave for he is betrothed to the "Princess" whom he doesn't love. Because he has put forth the facade of being a guard Ani doesn't know why he has left and "betrayed" their friendship. It was then that I began to believe that there might be more then meets the eye.
-Bookworm
I was pretty sure he was the prince right from the beginning. I was so glad that he was. I love the way they met and how they got to know each other as well as the fact that he did the little scheme at the end because he believed her without proof.
-Annegirl
Surprisingly, I did not see that coming with Geric as the prince! I was trying to figure out how she could convince them who she was without having to marry the little boy prince. So I was very happy with the way it turned out. I loved how they met too - and how he saw her as a lady even when she was just the goose g i r l . When he wrote her the letter, I thought maybe he was hearing the story from the Kildenree people about her being the servant, refusing to serve anymore and running away. I love surprises, so it was fun that I didn't figure out that he was the prince until she put her story forth to the king.
-Sanya the Duck
I finally was able to read "The Goose Girl". Loved it! I did have the feeling that he was the prince. I loved how they got to know each other with all the barriers down - neither one knowing what position they really held. Normally, royalty didn't get to meet until the wedding and that would be difficult under that circumstance to really get to know someone.
-Deenie Bug
They become friends first and enjoy being together. Geric brings the lunch so they can meet and enjoy each other's company. They "fall in love" but Geric must leave for he is betrothed to the "Princess" whom he doesn't love. Because he has put forth the facade of being a guard Ani doesn't know why he has left and "betrayed" their friendship. It was then that I began to believe that there might be more then meets the eye.
-Bookworm
I was pretty sure he was the prince right from the beginning. I was so glad that he was. I love the way they met and how they got to know each other as well as the fact that he did the little scheme at the end because he believed her without proof.
-Annegirl
Surprisingly, I did not see that coming with Geric as the prince! I was trying to figure out how she could convince them who she was without having to marry the little boy prince. So I was very happy with the way it turned out. I loved how they met too - and how he saw her as a lady even when she was just the goose g i r l . When he wrote her the letter, I thought maybe he was hearing the story from the Kildenree people about her being the servant, refusing to serve anymore and running away. I love surprises, so it was fun that I didn't figure out that he was the prince until she put her story forth to the king.
-Sanya the Duck
I finally was able to read "The Goose Girl". Loved it! I did have the feeling that he was the prince. I loved how they got to know each other with all the barriers down - neither one knowing what position they really held. Normally, royalty didn't get to meet until the wedding and that would be difficult under that circumstance to really get to know someone.
-Deenie Bug
Intentions
Characters' intentions can be revealed through their words, their actions, and the way they treat others. Were there hints of Selia, Ungolad, Talone, Geric, and Enna's intentions throughout the book?
Yes! Selia-mean and deceitful and cruel; Ungolad-cruel, violent, evil, and a murderer; Talone-faithful, true, kind, strong, and courageous; Geric- fun, handsome, and good although when he "couldn't be Ani's friend anymore" I was saddened but wondered if he might be the Prince. Also, at the lake house I was afraid he was going to leave Ani to the cruel intentions and actions of Selia and Ungolad. Thank goodness he and the King went behind the curtain! Enna- in all her actions she became the true friend Ani needed and wanted, she was very courageous, and was hopeful and encouraging.
-Bookworm
The first time I read it I became pretty sure that Ungolad and Selia were up to something when she started acting differently toward Ani on the journey and when they were all having private jokes and conversations.
-Annegirl
Yes, I wondered about Selia when they were still in Kildenree. She was supposedly Ani's best friend, but Ani saw Ungolad touching her arm once in Kildenree, and she had no idea who he was. Wouldn't your best friend tell you EVERYTHING about a guy she liked? Very secretive. You can see by the end of the book that she probably didn't even care for Ungolad - she was just using him as the "muscle" to get her way.
I always trusted Talone because of the way he cared for Ani when she tried to run away as a child.
Geric showed he was honorable by ending his visits with Ani because of his betrothal - even though he didn't choose or love his bride to be, he did the right thing.
-Sanya the Duck
Yes! Selia-mean and deceitful and cruel; Ungolad-cruel, violent, evil, and a murderer; Talone-faithful, true, kind, strong, and courageous; Geric- fun, handsome, and good although when he "couldn't be Ani's friend anymore" I was saddened but wondered if he might be the Prince. Also, at the lake house I was afraid he was going to leave Ani to the cruel intentions and actions of Selia and Ungolad. Thank goodness he and the King went behind the curtain! Enna- in all her actions she became the true friend Ani needed and wanted, she was very courageous, and was hopeful and encouraging.
-Bookworm
The first time I read it I became pretty sure that Ungolad and Selia were up to something when she started acting differently toward Ani on the journey and when they were all having private jokes and conversations.
-Annegirl
Yes, I wondered about Selia when they were still in Kildenree. She was supposedly Ani's best friend, but Ani saw Ungolad touching her arm once in Kildenree, and she had no idea who he was. Wouldn't your best friend tell you EVERYTHING about a guy she liked? Very secretive. You can see by the end of the book that she probably didn't even care for Ungolad - she was just using him as the "muscle" to get her way.
I always trusted Talone because of the way he cared for Ani when she tried to run away as a child.
Geric showed he was honorable by ending his visits with Ani because of his betrothal - even though he didn't choose or love his bride to be, he did the right thing.
-Sanya the Duck
the Setting
The author, Shannon Hale, based The Goose Girl on a Grimms Brothers' fairy tale.
"I felt it was important to make the setting as close to the original tale 's setting as I could, "she has said. "I wanted it to feel like a place we know, a place that is here somewhere, but in the past, just as tales are about us but long ago. To do that, I based Bayern loosely on the Germany of old, the birthplace of the Brothers Grimm. This is not a true historical setting, but resources such as the writing of the Romanian historian Tacitus helped me build a foundation for what I hoped would be a believable and familiar world."
What details of the setting are your favorites? Why? Does it seem familiar or true to you? Why or why not? Do you think it is important for an author of fantasy to pay close attention to a setting's detail?
I really liked the setting. I think it is fun when books have a map at the beginning like Goose Girl did so that you get a feel for the land.
My favorite thing about the setting is probably how well she described the differences between the royal and non royal homes/areas. It was very interesting.
-Annegirl
I loved the setting as well. It made me wish I lived somewhere with lots and lots of open land, and not with 100 homes per street! My favorite scene to picture is the pasture where they take the geese, with a stream nearby and the woods surrounding them. And I can totally picture the arch (where they hung poor Falada's head... that was so sad, I kept waiting to see what the catch was and how he was going to come back!)
-Sanya the Duck
"I felt it was important to make the setting as close to the original tale 's setting as I could, "she has said. "I wanted it to feel like a place we know, a place that is here somewhere, but in the past, just as tales are about us but long ago. To do that, I based Bayern loosely on the Germany of old, the birthplace of the Brothers Grimm. This is not a true historical setting, but resources such as the writing of the Romanian historian Tacitus helped me build a foundation for what I hoped would be a believable and familiar world."
What details of the setting are your favorites? Why? Does it seem familiar or true to you? Why or why not? Do you think it is important for an author of fantasy to pay close attention to a setting's detail?
I really liked the setting. I think it is fun when books have a map at the beginning like Goose Girl did so that you get a feel for the land.
My favorite thing about the setting is probably how well she described the differences between the royal and non royal homes/areas. It was very interesting.
-Annegirl
I loved the setting as well. It made me wish I lived somewhere with lots and lots of open land, and not with 100 homes per street! My favorite scene to picture is the pasture where they take the geese, with a stream nearby and the woods surrounding them. And I can totally picture the arch (where they hung poor Falada's head... that was so sad, I kept waiting to see what the catch was and how he was going to come back!)
-Sanya the Duck
Other books
Do you plan on reading the follow up books to The Goose Girl? (Enna Burning and River Secrets) Do you plan on reading or have you read any other Shannon Hale books?
I haven't read any other Shannon Hale books but I think sometime I would like to read Enna Burning. I would like to learn more about her. I don't know what River Secrets is about. You have told me, annegirl, but I forgot!!
-Bookworm
River Secrets is the third one. I told you it was about Finn but I didn't mean that. I meant Razo. The second book focuses on Enna but all the characters are still involved. In River Secrets it is the same. Everyone is there but Razo plays the main role. I thought they were both really good but I liked the goose Girl the best.
My favorite other Shannon Hale books are The Book of A Thousand Days and Princess Academy.
-Annegirl
Yes, I would love to read the follow up books. I have read Austenland which is wonderful! Totally loved that book which she dedicates humorously to Colin Firth. I hope they make that into a movie. I recently found a list with her books and I saved it so I could read more. One of my friends actually recommended Goose Girl to me last year but I didn't have a chance to read it so I am glad it was on our list.
-Deenie Bug
I will definitely read her other books. Did she write Austenland as well? I read about that book somewhere, but I couldn't remember who wrote it.
-Sanya the Duck
I haven't read any other Shannon Hale books but I think sometime I would like to read Enna Burning. I would like to learn more about her. I don't know what River Secrets is about. You have told me, annegirl, but I forgot!!
-Bookworm
River Secrets is the third one. I told you it was about Finn but I didn't mean that. I meant Razo. The second book focuses on Enna but all the characters are still involved. In River Secrets it is the same. Everyone is there but Razo plays the main role. I thought they were both really good but I liked the goose Girl the best.
My favorite other Shannon Hale books are The Book of A Thousand Days and Princess Academy.
-Annegirl
Yes, I would love to read the follow up books. I have read Austenland which is wonderful! Totally loved that book which she dedicates humorously to Colin Firth. I hope they make that into a movie. I recently found a list with her books and I saved it so I could read more. One of my friends actually recommended Goose Girl to me last year but I didn't have a chance to read it so I am glad it was on our list.
-Deenie Bug
I will definitely read her other books. Did she write Austenland as well? I read about that book somewhere, but I couldn't remember who wrote it.
-Sanya the Duck
Assumptions
Discuss how appearance and prejudice help and hinder Ani in her quest for justice and her title. For example, what does Gilsa know about Ani by her appearance alone? What does Geric assume? Do the assumptions based on appearances turn out to be correct or incorrect? Why do you think people make assumptions based on appearance alone?
Appearances can cause opinions whether correct or not. Gilsa believes that she is not from Bayern because of her soft hands, accent, and blond hair...that she is nobility. But here is Ani ragged and dirty. Geric assumes she is a goose girl because she hides her hair, changes her accent, and is working with geese and is very humble. Gilsa was correct and Geric was not. How a person's appearance is...dirty or clean, nice clothes or not, the way they speak, and how soft or rough they are make impressions on people.
-Bookworm
Also though, when Geric first saw her he mistook her for a lady. Meaning, back then, not necessarily someone of royalty I don't think , but not a goose girl or worker. I think he felt that because of the way she commanded him. He saw beyond her appearance for a moment.
Also, she did not know he was the prince because he wasn't dressed as one when they met.
I think that is hard not to make assumptions based on appearance. When you first see someone you don't know them yet so that is all you have to go on. The important thing, I think is to be open to changing your assumption as you get to know someone and to not let it hinder trying to get to know them if you assume bad things.
-Annegirl
This reminds me of a story about my grandpa, who was a patriarch. Once a guy came to get his house to receive his patriarchal blessing, and he showed up with long hair and a full beard. Not really the clean cut appearance we come to expect. Anyway, in talking to him before giving him his blessing, he found out that the guy getting the blessing was going to play the part of Christ in the upcoming Easter pageant. Makes you think twice before judging by appearance! (Even though we all do it.)
-Sanya the Duck
Appearances can cause opinions whether correct or not. Gilsa believes that she is not from Bayern because of her soft hands, accent, and blond hair...that she is nobility. But here is Ani ragged and dirty. Geric assumes she is a goose girl because she hides her hair, changes her accent, and is working with geese and is very humble. Gilsa was correct and Geric was not. How a person's appearance is...dirty or clean, nice clothes or not, the way they speak, and how soft or rough they are make impressions on people.
-Bookworm
Also though, when Geric first saw her he mistook her for a lady. Meaning, back then, not necessarily someone of royalty I don't think , but not a goose girl or worker. I think he felt that because of the way she commanded him. He saw beyond her appearance for a moment.
Also, she did not know he was the prince because he wasn't dressed as one when they met.
I think that is hard not to make assumptions based on appearance. When you first see someone you don't know them yet so that is all you have to go on. The important thing, I think is to be open to changing your assumption as you get to know someone and to not let it hinder trying to get to know them if you assume bad things.
-Annegirl
This reminds me of a story about my grandpa, who was a patriarch. Once a guy came to get his house to receive his patriarchal blessing, and he showed up with long hair and a full beard. Not really the clean cut appearance we come to expect. Anyway, in talking to him before giving him his blessing, he found out that the guy getting the blessing was going to play the part of Christ in the upcoming Easter pageant. Makes you think twice before judging by appearance! (Even though we all do it.)
-Sanya the Duck
Cast
All of the books we have read so far have been made into movies or tv shows with the exceptions of Breaking Dawn and The Goose Girl. If you were to produce a movie of The Goose Girl, whom would you cast in each role? Why would you pick these particular characters?
I don't know...I would have to think about that for awhile! I don't know actors as well as annegirl does.
-Bookworm
The only people I can think of are too old to play the parts! Maybe Gwyneth Paltrow for Ani - because she's blond and kind of quiet and I could see her being a little backward initially with people. And maybe Hugh Jackman (too old, I know!) for Geric - because he seems like he could be a prince that could pull off the every day kinda guy persona. And also cuz the guy is in incredible shape. For all the riding, fighting, and goose chasing he'd have to do. ;)
-Sanya the Duck
Those are good ones Sanya! I had a few people run through my head....
These are some of them...
Anna as Ani (she was in Charlie and the chocolate factory, bridge to terabithia, etc):
Hayden as Selia:
And Emma as Enna:
Weird how the one for Ani is Anna and Enna is Emma. Hmmmm.......
-Annegirl
I don't know...I would have to think about that for awhile! I don't know actors as well as annegirl does.
-Bookworm
The only people I can think of are too old to play the parts! Maybe Gwyneth Paltrow for Ani - because she's blond and kind of quiet and I could see her being a little backward initially with people. And maybe Hugh Jackman (too old, I know!) for Geric - because he seems like he could be a prince that could pull off the every day kinda guy persona. And also cuz the guy is in incredible shape. For all the riding, fighting, and goose chasing he'd have to do. ;)
-Sanya the Duck
Those are good ones Sanya! I had a few people run through my head....
These are some of them...
Milo as Geric:
Anna as Ani (she was in Charlie and the chocolate factory, bridge to terabithia, etc):Hayden as Selia:And Emma as Enna:Weird how the one for Ani is Anna and Enna is Emma. Hmmmm.......-Annegirl
Who should do the saving?
In traditional fairy tales, the main character is often rescued by another person. In this adaptation, Ani is able to save herself by learning to harness her own gifts and by overcoming inadequacies with people. Do you think one type of story is more valuable than the other? Which story would you rather read?
Both are valuable because in life sometimes we are rescued by the "knight in shining armour" and other times it is up to us to make a difference in our lives and others lives. Both types of stories are fun and beneficial.
-Bookworm
I like to read both types of stories, but I feel that books where you have to save yourself are more true to life. I guess there are times when another person can come to your rescue in a big way, and lots of times when others make a difference in your life. But it's important to know that you have the capability to bring about changes in your own life, more so than anyone else. We've all heard the saying that you can't change other people - they can only change themselves. So I think that's an important lesson to take to heart. Just as Ani didn't wait for someone to come along and pull her out of her crisis.
-Sanya the Duck
Both are valuable because in life sometimes we are rescued by the "knight in shining armour" and other times it is up to us to make a difference in our lives and others lives. Both types of stories are fun and beneficial.
-Bookworm
I like to read both types of stories, but I feel that books where you have to save yourself are more true to life. I guess there are times when another person can come to your rescue in a big way, and lots of times when others make a difference in your life. But it's important to know that you have the capability to bring about changes in your own life, more so than anyone else. We've all heard the saying that you can't change other people - they can only change themselves. So I think that's an important lesson to take to heart. Just as Ani didn't wait for someone to come along and pull her out of her crisis.
-Sanya the Duck
Approvals
What do you think Ani's mother, brothers, and sisters would say if they learned how she saved their kingdom from annihilation? Do you think they would have any regrets? What would her aunt say? Whose approval do you think would be the most important to her? Why?
I would think they would be totally amazed and very grateful that they were saved by someone they thought was weak. They should have regrets, particularly the Queen and brother who got the crown, because of what they did to Ani and the danger they put her in. Her Aunt would be appalled at the Queen! She would want the approval of Geric, Talone, her true friends, and the good people of her new "country".
-Bookworm
I agree with bookworm, I think her family back in Kildenree would be completely dumbfounded to hear what she had done. You would hope that the Queen would feel ashamed for misjudging her daughter so horribly, and she should also feel shame for not helping her daughter in any way to develop her character, essentially keeping her weak. Even after her mother was so horrible to her, I still think Ani would want her approval. She already had her aunt's approval. But I think her whole journey of growing up was to learn to approve of herself and be happy with who she was. She was becoming a person she would be happy to be.
-Sanya the Duck
I would think they would be totally amazed and very grateful that they were saved by someone they thought was weak. They should have regrets, particularly the Queen and brother who got the crown, because of what they did to Ani and the danger they put her in. Her Aunt would be appalled at the Queen! She would want the approval of Geric, Talone, her true friends, and the good people of her new "country".
-Bookworm
I agree with bookworm, I think her family back in Kildenree would be completely dumbfounded to hear what she had done. You would hope that the Queen would feel ashamed for misjudging her daughter so horribly, and she should also feel shame for not helping her daughter in any way to develop her character, essentially keeping her weak. Even after her mother was so horrible to her, I still think Ani would want her approval. She already had her aunt's approval. But I think her whole journey of growing up was to learn to approve of herself and be happy with who she was. She was becoming a person she would be happy to be.
-Sanya the Duck
Handkerchief
At first Ani believes the handkerchief her mother gives her is protecting her, but after the tragic events in the forest, she realizes "the idea was completely ridiculous, a bed-tale, a lie". Why is this an important moment for Ani? How does it serve her for the rest of the novel? What ideas or objects do you cling to in hard times? Why do you think the queen gave it to her?
She found that her protection and strength came from within not from some article she thought represented her mother's love and protection. She had to rely on herself and the goodness of others she came to trust. In hard times I cling to faith and love and hope. The Queen, I think, gave the handkerchief to Ani as a show of love for her daughter to the people watching so that they would think she was a loving mother and having a hard time sending her daughter away.
-Bookworm
Losing the handkerchief was a big turning point in the book, where she realized she has relied almost entirely on others and she couldn't do it anymore. For the first time, she was really living her own life, and not just doing or becoming what someone else wanted her to do. Because she had only herself to rely on during such a difficult time, she really started turning her weaknesses into strengths.
-Sanya the Duck
She found that her protection and strength came from within not from some article she thought represented her mother's love and protection. She had to rely on herself and the goodness of others she came to trust. In hard times I cling to faith and love and hope. The Queen, I think, gave the handkerchief to Ani as a show of love for her daughter to the people watching so that they would think she was a loving mother and having a hard time sending her daughter away.
-Bookworm
Losing the handkerchief was a big turning point in the book, where she realized she has relied almost entirely on others and she couldn't do it anymore. For the first time, she was really living her own life, and not just doing or becoming what someone else wanted her to do. Because she had only herself to rely on during such a difficult time, she really started turning her weaknesses into strengths.
-Sanya the Duck
The Fantasy
Do you like the fantasy elements of being able to control wind and talk to animals?
I loved it! I felt from the very beginning that I was reading a fairy tale and it made me feel like a kid again!
-Bookworm
I loved it as well. I really like fantastical books that make a fantasy world seem real. You can then go outside and listen to the wind or the animals and strain to try and hear them... good scope for the imagination.
-Annegirl
I loved it! I felt from the very beginning that I was reading a fairy tale and it made me feel like a kid again!
-Bookworm
I loved it as well. I really like fantastical books that make a fantasy world seem real. You can then go outside and listen to the wind or the animals and strain to try and hear them... good scope for the imagination.
-Annegirl
The Aunt
Ani's aunt is very different from Ani's mother. How do you think these differences play a role in Ani's development?
Because she was so in tune with nature and things around her she taught Ani to listen to other "voices" in the animals and wind, etc. That is how Ani was able to make such a friend with her horse Falada. I also feel the Aunt taught Ani to be true...not to put forth a false front. She also taught her to love. Ani felt really love by her Aunt and her father, the King.
-Bookworm
I agree. It would have probably been a lot harder for Ani to love the people of Bayern and to become who she was if she had never felt real love and affection and while she got that from her father - it couldn't have been very often.
I believe her aunt proved to her that someone loved her for her and without conditions. She also taught her about herself in a way. The lessons she learned from her aunt stuck with her when the ones from her mother fell away because they were lessons she needed and lessons that were taught from love.
-Annegirl
Because she was so in tune with nature and things around her she taught Ani to listen to other "voices" in the animals and wind, etc. That is how Ani was able to make such a friend with her horse Falada. I also feel the Aunt taught Ani to be true...not to put forth a false front. She also taught her to love. Ani felt really love by her Aunt and her father, the King.
-Bookworm
I agree. It would have probably been a lot harder for Ani to love the people of Bayern and to become who she was if she had never felt real love and affection and while she got that from her father - it couldn't have been very often.
I believe her aunt proved to her that someone loved her for her and without conditions. She also taught her about herself in a way. The lessons she learned from her aunt stuck with her when the ones from her mother fell away because they were lessons she needed and lessons that were taught from love.
-Annegirl
The queen
Discuss Ani's relationship with her mother. Do you think the queen truly loves Ani? Do you believe that her actions were a betrayal? A selfish act? A political move? To protect Ani? How would you feel if your mother denied you something you felt entitled to?
I don't know if she really loved Ani. That was hard to get a handle on. When she sent Ani away and gave her the handkerchief Ani had hopes of a mother's protection and love in that token but then lost hope when she found it was a false protection. I think her actions, if not a betrayal, felt like one. Perhaps she felt Ani needed to go away to "grow into a Princess" and trusted her escorts...which proved to be wrong. It was a selfish and political act to betroth her daughter to a Prince just to protect her country. She never felt like her mother loved her and the Queen's move to strip Ani of her place and give it to her brother would seem to verify that feeling. I would be very hurt!
-Bookworm
I think she probably loved her ( I hope) but I think she was probably a lot like Selia. They were both blessed with people talking. I think it would be hard for anyone like that to really love someone because people always do what they want them to and they can pretty much be a puppeteer to those around them. This probably doesn't make for a very close and personal relationship with someone as well as with her ideas of separation, elevation, and delegation she probably kept to herself and didn't mix much with her children, husband, etc.
I am sure that her feelings toward her sister affected her feelings toward Ani as well. It's kind of like in Harry Potter when his aunt hated and feared her sister and so those feelings kind of transfer to Harry because he has the same powers/destiny. She obviously feared and loathed her sisters ability to talk to animals and did not want Ani to have that in her life. I am sure she was not proud of her. With a mother like her I am sure that it is hard to love someone that you don't have pride in. I felt like the handkerchief was a sincere moment but , just like Ani, I wondered if it really was or if it was a show for the people of the motherly affection they would expect.
I would have been very insulted and hurt if my mother had gone against protocol to trade me for peace to a kingdom I knew nothing about and a prince I had never met. I think that would make you feel like you were not very important to her.
I am sure that her mother chose her to go because it solved the problem of not thinking Ani was up for the job and insured a treaty as well.
-Annegirl
I don't know if she really loved Ani. That was hard to get a handle on. When she sent Ani away and gave her the handkerchief Ani had hopes of a mother's protection and love in that token but then lost hope when she found it was a false protection. I think her actions, if not a betrayal, felt like one. Perhaps she felt Ani needed to go away to "grow into a Princess" and trusted her escorts...which proved to be wrong. It was a selfish and political act to betroth her daughter to a Prince just to protect her country. She never felt like her mother loved her and the Queen's move to strip Ani of her place and give it to her brother would seem to verify that feeling. I would be very hurt!
-Bookworm
I think she probably loved her ( I hope) but I think she was probably a lot like Selia. They were both blessed with people talking. I think it would be hard for anyone like that to really love someone because people always do what they want them to and they can pretty much be a puppeteer to those around them. This probably doesn't make for a very close and personal relationship with someone as well as with her ideas of separation, elevation, and delegation she probably kept to herself and didn't mix much with her children, husband, etc.
I am sure that her feelings toward her sister affected her feelings toward Ani as well. It's kind of like in Harry Potter when his aunt hated and feared her sister and so those feelings kind of transfer to Harry because he has the same powers/destiny. She obviously feared and loathed her sisters ability to talk to animals and did not want Ani to have that in her life. I am sure she was not proud of her. With a mother like her I am sure that it is hard to love someone that you don't have pride in. I felt like the handkerchief was a sincere moment but , just like Ani, I wondered if it really was or if it was a show for the people of the motherly affection they would expect.
I would have been very insulted and hurt if my mother had gone against protocol to trade me for peace to a kingdom I knew nothing about and a prince I had never met. I think that would make you feel like you were not very important to her.
I am sure that her mother chose her to go because it solved the problem of not thinking Ani was up for the job and insured a treaty as well.
-Annegirl
Trials
Ani is stripped of her rightful crown by her mother, and forced into poverty and virtual slave labor by those who are hired to protect and care for her. While these life changes are traumatic and dramatic, in the end they prove to be good for Ani; she becomes a stronger, more insightful person and meets people she might not have otherwise. What does she learn about herself? What did she learn from those who befriended her? How might things have been different between Geric and Ani had she not gone through these trials?
Have you gone through trials in your life that you know have helped you in these ways?
She finds her "voice" and finds that she does have great strength and courage and can stand for right and face her enemies in order to do what is right. She found that she could finally really trust and be loved for who she is. She and Geric came to know and love each other before they knew what each was. This formed a true relationship instead of just being a forced one. Yes, I have gone through experiences that helped me to grow in understanding and strength, even when I was hurting very deeply inside.
-Bookworm
I believe that Ani thought she was weak because of the way she was treated by her mother and by Selia her entire life. Selia would get frustrated at her for not taking what she wanted (foreshadowing?) and her mother wouldn't allow her to be herself as well as , in the end, taking the crown from her which told her that she didn't trust her or believe her capable of ruling kildenree. Even on the journey she felt , at first, that her strength came from the handkerchief with her mothers blood on it rather than from herself. Becoming the Goose Girl, surviving in the forest, making friends because of who she was rather than her title, being good at things, learning her voices, and learning about what people were really like gave her the strength to overcome. I believe that if she had not gone through any of the things in between running away from Ungolad and his men and going before the King she would not have survived. Also she and Geric , I believe, would have fallen in love either way because they were right for each other but it would have taken more time and maybe neither one would have ever known for sure if the other loved them for themselves.
I think we have all been through terrible and trying times and have to remind ourselves during them that we are learning things. I have learned many lessons in my life because of mistakes I've made or things that have happened beyond my control. It is not a fun way to learn but I think sometimes we learn things the best when they are dramatic and we are forced to change and grow.
-Annegirl
Have you gone through trials in your life that you know have helped you in these ways?
She finds her "voice" and finds that she does have great strength and courage and can stand for right and face her enemies in order to do what is right. She found that she could finally really trust and be loved for who she is. She and Geric came to know and love each other before they knew what each was. This formed a true relationship instead of just being a forced one. Yes, I have gone through experiences that helped me to grow in understanding and strength, even when I was hurting very deeply inside.
-Bookworm
I believe that Ani thought she was weak because of the way she was treated by her mother and by Selia her entire life. Selia would get frustrated at her for not taking what she wanted (foreshadowing?) and her mother wouldn't allow her to be herself as well as , in the end, taking the crown from her which told her that she didn't trust her or believe her capable of ruling kildenree. Even on the journey she felt , at first, that her strength came from the handkerchief with her mothers blood on it rather than from herself. Becoming the Goose Girl, surviving in the forest, making friends because of who she was rather than her title, being good at things, learning her voices, and learning about what people were really like gave her the strength to overcome. I believe that if she had not gone through any of the things in between running away from Ungolad and his men and going before the King she would not have survived. Also she and Geric , I believe, would have fallen in love either way because they were right for each other but it would have taken more time and maybe neither one would have ever known for sure if the other loved them for themselves.
I think we have all been through terrible and trying times and have to remind ourselves during them that we are learning things. I have learned many lessons in my life because of mistakes I've made or things that have happened beyond my control. It is not a fun way to learn but I think sometimes we learn things the best when they are dramatic and we are forced to change and grow.
-Annegirl
Seperation, elevation, delegation
The queen tells Ani that "a crown princess, like a queen, can succeed only by staying apart." Do you agree with the queen's view? What do you think it would be like to live under those expectations? How do you think this affected Ani's ability to make true friends and keep them?
I think Royalty, whether that is a Princess or Queen, etc., can be more effective if they receive respect but are in touch with the people...so I disagree with the Queen. Ani found it hard to live that way because that was not how she was. She wanted friends she could trust and who would like and trust her. Ani was able to make good friends because she became "one of the people". When they found out who she really was they already loved her and respected her even more!
-Bookworm
Exactly. I am sure that in royalty situations you do have to have a little separation in order to be respected and obeyed but the Kingdom of Bayern will profit so much from having a queen that 'knows' them and their needs. If she hadn't been the Goose Girl and become friends with the 'common' people of Bayern she would never have learned these things. Also, when she was leaving her home she had that moment of sadness that she hadn't really gotten to know her brothers and sisters because she had even been separated from them. I find that so sad.
-Annegirl
I think Royalty, whether that is a Princess or Queen, etc., can be more effective if they receive respect but are in touch with the people...so I disagree with the Queen. Ani found it hard to live that way because that was not how she was. She wanted friends she could trust and who would like and trust her. Ani was able to make good friends because she became "one of the people". When they found out who she really was they already loved her and respected her even more!
-Bookworm
Exactly. I am sure that in royalty situations you do have to have a little separation in order to be respected and obeyed but the Kingdom of Bayern will profit so much from having a queen that 'knows' them and their needs. If she hadn't been the Goose Girl and become friends with the 'common' people of Bayern she would never have learned these things. Also, when she was leaving her home she had that moment of sadness that she hadn't really gotten to know her brothers and sisters because she had even been separated from them. I find that so sad.
-Annegirl
your favorite part
Which one of the literary elements was your favorite part of the book- the characters, setting, theme, plot, or magical elements?
I was caught up in the characters and in the plot. I could hardly wait till the end to find out what happened. It was so intense that I wasn't sure until the end how it would end!
-Bookworm
I was caught up in the characters and in the plot. I could hardly wait till the end to find out what happened. It was so intense that I wasn't sure until the end how it would end!
-Bookworm
The setting
The author, Shannon Hale, based The Goose Girl on a Grimms Brothers' fairy tale.
"I felt it was important to make the setting as close to the original tale 's setting as I could, "she has said. "I wanted it to feel like a place we know, a place that is here somewhere, but in the past, just as tales are about us but long ago. To do that, I based Bayern loosely on the Germany of old, the birthplace of the Brothers Grimm. This is not a true historical setting, but resources such as the writing of the Romanian historian Tacitus helped me build a foundation for what I hoped would be a believable and familiar world."
What details of the setting are your favorites? Why? Does it seem familiar or true to you? Why or why not? Do you think it is important for an author of fantasy to pay close attention to a setting's detail?
By the pond with the swans, in Bayern in the field with the geese, and the description of the wind. Yes, the author's descriptions color a picture in one's mind and then let our mind also paint a picture of what the author is trying to convey.
-Bookworm
"I felt it was important to make the setting as close to the original tale 's setting as I could, "she has said. "I wanted it to feel like a place we know, a place that is here somewhere, but in the past, just as tales are about us but long ago. To do that, I based Bayern loosely on the Germany of old, the birthplace of the Brothers Grimm. This is not a true historical setting, but resources such as the writing of the Romanian historian Tacitus helped me build a foundation for what I hoped would be a believable and familiar world."
What details of the setting are your favorites? Why? Does it seem familiar or true to you? Why or why not? Do you think it is important for an author of fantasy to pay close attention to a setting's detail?
By the pond with the swans, in Bayern in the field with the geese, and the description of the wind. Yes, the author's descriptions color a picture in one's mind and then let our mind also paint a picture of what the author is trying to convey.
-Bookworm
Hiding under a bushel
Although Ani has the gift of animal speaking (with birds and Falada), she is forced to hide it from others. How would her life have been different had this been a valued gift in her own kingdom? Have you ever known someone who has hidden his or her talents? Do you feel comfortable exhibiting yours at all times?
She would not have been looked at as weird. I f she had been encouraged to develop her talent and if her Aunt had been respected instead of ridiculed then Ani might not have felt like such an outcast. I think many are not comfortable with displaying what they feel are their talents. We may wonder if others really consider them talents and worry that we might get teased or embarrassed or wonder if others feel we are bragging.
-Bookworm
She would not have been looked at as weird. I f she had been encouraged to develop her talent and if her Aunt had been respected instead of ridiculed then Ani might not have felt like such an outcast. I think many are not comfortable with displaying what they feel are their talents. We may wonder if others really consider them talents and worry that we might get teased or embarrassed or wonder if others feel we are bragging.
-Bookworm
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