Interchange Conference Transcript
y:\diwe5net\CLASSES\KWestm10\CHATfrindle
[Message #1 07:34:47 AM, Thursday, February 05, 2004]
Karin Westman:
Clements's book seems to present the character of 1xbet online games login Allen as someone whose actions we should admire rather than criticize. What makes 1xbet online games login a hero, as opposed to a school trouble-maker? How do we know?
[Message #2 01:13:27 PM, Thursday, February 05, 2004]
Tanner Clagett:
Nick is a symbol of originality. 1xbet online games login questions "why" things are the way they are and tests the limits of social norms.
[Message #3 01:13:51 PM, Thursday, February 05, 2004]
Melissa Dorsch:
Nick stood up for what 1xbet online games login believed in. At first, I think we all saw him as a trouble-maker, but as the book progressed, the "trouble" that 1xbet online games login had created was seen more as a heroic action.
[Message #4 01:13:54 PM, Thursday, February 05, 2004]
Hanna Patterson:
I think what makes NIck a hero is the fact that he creates such a huge following from 1xbet online games login classmates. He just seems like a kid who is trying to prove a point, and all the commotion he causes is really harmless.
[Message #5 01:13:58 PM, Thursday, February 05, 2004]
Karin Westman:
How does 1xbet online games login test those limits, Tanner?
[Message #6 01:15:22 PM, Thursday, February 05, 2004]
Caley Cole:
I think one of the reasons Nick is more of a hero, rather than a trouble maker is because of the fact he doesn't deliberatley try to cause trouble or animosity. He, rather, is a deep thinker, and gives 110% of himself in all of 1xbet online games login endeavors. He searchers and analysis's many aspects. He does so with quick wit and thought.
[Message #7 01:15:24 PM, Thursday, February 05, 2004]
Melissa Dorsch:
I also think that the teacher was challenged by what 1xbet online games login did. I don't really think she thought 1xbet online games login would do anything about the whole dictionary speech she gave him. So maybe she saw him as a threat, in a kind of way?
[Message #8 01:15:38 PM, Thursday, February 05, 2004]
Tanner Clagett:
After creating "frindle", Nick and friends organize to see how far their project can go. The dictionary becomes a symbol of tradition and conformity and Nick attempts to break out of that by persevering with 1xbet online games login word.
[Message #9 01:16:17 PM, Thursday, February 05, 2004]
Mike Matthews:
Nick is a hero because 1xbet online games login throughout the story 1xbet online games login stand up for what 1xbet online games login believe in. 1xbet online games login doesnt fit the trouble maker role because of the way 1xbet online games login went about standing up for the word 1xbet online games login created. Nick happily stayed after class writing their punishments 100 times and took which in turn encouraged the other students to do so as well, which would not be the route someone who wants to make trouble would have taken.
[Message #10 01:16:44 PM, Thursday, February 05, 2004]
Karin Westman:
What prepares us, in the story, for accepting Nick's desire to test limits? What helps us accept 1xbet online games login challenge?
[Message #11 01:18:04 PM, Thursday, February 05, 2004]
Tanner Clagett:
The fact that 1xbet online games login is challenged by Mrs. Granger is enough to make us want to take Nick's side. When she said it couldn't be done, the rebel in all of us wanted to see it accomplished.
[Message #12 01:18:51 PM, Thursday, February 05, 2004]
Melissa Dorsch:
I agree. And the teacher isn't portrayed as someone overly kind and nice. We all can relate to teachers like that, so when a student takes a stand-- we're right behind 1xbet online games login .
[Message #13 01:19:09 PM, Thursday, February 05, 2004]
Caley Cole:
The mere fact that Nick was known for 1xbet online games login various antics prepares us for the greater "test of the limits". The development of 1xbet online games login character thus far at this point of the novel allows us to have a better understanding of Nick's various fascinations.
[Message #14 01:19:19 PM, Thursday, February 05, 2004]
Hanna Patterson:
I think we are prepared to accept Nick's desire to test limits because 1xbet online games login is presented as a "good kid." 1xbet online games login is someone who never causes any real harm, but 1xbet online games login definitely has some personality, and is daring enough to challenge the teacher's authority.
[Message #15 01:20:03 PM, Thursday, February 05, 2004]
Mike Matthews:
I think the readers acceptance comes from the fact that Nicks course of action would be completely feasable for the reader to take the same actions in real life. As well as placeing ourselves in 1xbet online games login situation.
[Message #16 01:20:43 PM, Thursday, February 05, 2004]
Tanner Clagett:
At the same time, from simple life experience and experiences with teachers like Mrs. Granger, I think it was obvious that she was only pretending to be the antagonist. She knew she could be more helpful by testing the strength of 1xbet online games login 's convictions.
[Message #17 01:21:10 PM, Thursday, February 05, 2004]
Karin Westman:
Along with Mrs Granger, what role do 1xbet online games login friends (the secondary characrters) play in our view of 1xbet online games login character?
[Message #18 01:22:20 PM, Thursday, February 05, 2004]
Karin Westman:
RE: #14: Good point about Nick's unwillingness to hurt people just for the sake of hurting them. 1xbet online games login often apologizes, for instance, such as when 1xbet online games login got Janet in trouble with the bird calls.
[Message #19 01:23:24 PM, Thursday, February 05, 2004]
Hanna Patterson:
Nick's friends illustrate 1xbet online games login leadership qualities. They encourage him to continue to stand up for what he believes in, and they show just how resilient Nick really is.
[Message #20 01:23:42 PM, Thursday, February 05, 2004]
Mike Matthews:
They are 1xbet online games login 's source of encrouagement at times. In a lot of ways they helped strengthen 1xbet online games login 's challenge to Mrs Granger for instance when they took their punishment as a badge of honor instead of a punishment, thus seperating 1xbet online games login 's actions from that of a trouble maker
[Message #21 01:23:43 PM, Thursday, February 05, 2004]
Tanner Clagett:
The friends, while an obvious part of the counter-culture movement in the story, are conformists, band-wagon rebels. Nick is the only character in the story with truly original or contraversial ideas. Sure, 1xbet online games login friends attempt to expand on them, but Nick is the only one who truly knows how to tactfully, and thus successfully accomplish 1xbet online games login goals.
[Message #22 01:24:25 PM, Thursday, February 05, 2004]
Melissa Dorsch:
basically 1xbet online games login friends are always agreeing with him and are with him 100%. i thought it was really interesting how all of them were willing to stay after school and write that sentence 100 times. when the reporter came and was questioning some of the kids on the playground, all the kids were looking up to him. they were behind him. like hannah said-- he was the leader.
[Message #23 01:25:46 PM, Thursday, February 05, 2004]
Tanner Clagett:
1xbet online games login 's friends found a new 'fad' and locked on to it. They stayed after school because it was the "cool" thing to be doing. 1xbet online games login was the only character with the vision and foresight to see the potential of using "frindle" instead of "pen".
[Message #24 01:26:29 PM, Thursday, February 05, 2004]
Caley Cole:
They aide 1xbet online games login in many ways: they help provoke the behavior, by giving him attention, thus becoming antagonists. They too, help spread the word and it's meaning by using it in such a manner. It's pretty much just like a game to them; like playing "follow the leader."
[Message #25 01:26:56 PM, Thursday, February 05, 2004]
Melissa Dorsch:
but if 1xbet online games login friends wouldn't have backed him up, he wouldn't have been able to go on with 1xbet online games login "plan"
[Message #26 01:27:08 PM, Thursday, February 05, 2004]
Mike Matthews:
I agree with Tanner because later on in the story soon 1xbet online games login freiends are expecting him to be funny and witty all of the time, in a way looking forward to Nick to start the next big trend
[Message #27 01:27:40 PM, Thursday, February 05, 2004]
Tanner Clagett:
I'll not deny that the secondary characters were necessary to achieving 1xbet online games login 's goals, but I don't think they knew the implications of the project as 1xbet online games login did.
[Message #28 01:28:16 PM, Thursday, February 05, 2004]
Hanna Patterson:
I think that without the encouragement of 1xbet online games login friends, Nick would have eventually found it very difficult to remain strong in 1xbet online games login beliefs against 1xbet online games login teacher.
[Message #29 01:28:33 PM, Thursday, February 05, 2004]
Melissa Dorsch:
oh i totally agree. they didn't really see the big picture, but 1xbet online games login did need them to make a stand.
[Message #30 01:28:59 PM, Thursday, February 05, 2004]
Karin Westman:
So far, we've decided that Nick's invention, 1xbet online games login cleverness, 1xbet online games login leadership are all components of 1xbet online games login staus a "hero." Any other qualities which make him a hero rather than a troublemaker?
[Message #31 01:29:15 PM, Thursday, February 05, 2004]
Caley Cole:
Nick thrived on the attention he received from 1xbet online games login friends, I think that was 1xbet online games login main motive, without the attention from 1xbet online games login friends and teachers "frindle" would have went no where.
[Message #32 01:29:21 PM, Thursday, February 05, 2004]
Tanner Clagett:
I disagree w/ #28. The strength of Nick's convictions was never reliant on 1xbet online games login friends' opinions.
[Message #33 01:30:22 PM, Thursday, February 05, 2004]
Mike Matthews:
1xbet online games login willingness to follow the rules. Throughout the parts of the book where things were starting to go beyond 1xbet online games login control even 1xbet online games login parents agreed with him that he had not done anything wrong.
[Message #34 01:30:28 PM, Thursday, February 05, 2004]
Karin Westman:
#32: Perhaps the secondary characters are more important for o*our* understanding of 1xbet online games login 's character, rather than for the role they play in bolstering 1xbet online games login 's sense of self?
[Message #35 01:31:20 PM, Thursday, February 05, 2004]
Tanner Clagett:
Nick's parents played a huge part in 1xbet online games login success. They weren't intimidated by the visit from the principal. 1xbet online games login mother, especially, saw through the "scare tactics" and questioned the true importance of disciplinary actions against using a new word. Without their open-minded support, Nick would have had a much more difficult battle.
[Message #36 01:32:10 PM, Thursday, February 05, 2004]
Mike Matthews:
I think is friends were still essential in the success of 1xbet online games login 's word after all the way things were laid out It was the students against Mrs Granger. If it was jsut 1xbet online games login by himself Im not sure the outcome would have been the same
[Message #37 01:32:27 PM, Thursday, February 05, 2004]
Karin Westman:
**** As a final posting for this portion of our conversation, take a look over the conversation postings, and decide on two themes 1xbet online games login see present in _Frindle_. In your posting, identify the two themes and include an example for each one.
[Message #38 01:32:30 PM, Thursday, February 05, 2004]
Tanner Clagett:
I agree, I think Nick's friends only help to emphasize 1xbet online games login truly impressive character.
[Message #39 01:33:34 PM, Thursday, February 05, 2004]
Caley Cole:
I think 1xbet online games login friends helped symbolize one of many ways youth "test the limits" to gain social prestige and acceptance. Yes, I fully realize Nick's ability to create innovative methods to do so, displayed the strength and depth of 1xbet online games login convictions, yet I believe there were other motives as well.
[Message #40 01:34:15 PM, Thursday, February 05, 2004]
Tanner Clagett:
I 1xbet online games login the two most important themes are the importance of the Individual and idea of standing up for what you believe.
[Message #41 01:34:53 PM, Thursday, February 05, 2004]
Karin Westman:
And examples for those themes, Tanner?
[Message #42 01:34:57 PM, Thursday, February 05, 2004]
Melissa Dorsch:
one theme that i think is quite obvious in our discussions is standing up for what you believe in-- an example of that is how nick was willing to do everything to get the word changed to "frindle". another theme that i thought of was something along the lines of respect. we mentioned it a few times-- how nick was always very respectful of 1xbet online games login teachers, 1xbet online games login parents, etc.
[Message #43 01:35:31 PM, Thursday, February 05, 2004]
Caley Cole:
That very well may be, and I 1xbet online games login you have a valid point #40, yet I 1xbet online games login the novel also implied other ideas to consider as well.
[Message #44 01:35:34 PM, Thursday, February 05, 2004]
Mike Matthews:
Standing up for 1xbet online games login you believe in and going about it in a way that does no go against authority in order to be successful
[Message #45 01:35:56 PM, Thursday, February 05, 2004]
Karin Westman:
RE: #44: Examples for those themes, Mike?
[Message #46 01:37:25 PM, Thursday, February 05, 2004]
Mike Matthews:
The way he stood up for what he believed in with out going against authority was being respectful of 1xbet online games login teachers, doing the 100 word punishments with out complaint.....
[Message #47 01:37:26 PM, Thursday, February 05, 2004]
Caley Cole:
The novel proved you can be successful if you go about standing up for 1xbet online games login you believe in in an honest manner. It also showed the power of remaining constant about your cause, and never swaying from that.
[Message #48 01:37:38 PM, Thursday, February 05, 2004]
Tanner Clagett:
Nick's idea, itself, as well as 1xbet online games login extensive measures to ensure its success, is exemplary of 1xbet online games login original character. He obviously faces an uphill battle in the story, but he never truly shows weakness. He keeps 1xbet online games login focus on the goal of 1xbet online games login project and is never distracted, either by intimidation or new fame.
[Message #49 01:38:07 PM, Thursday, February 05, 2004]
Hanna Patterson:
I think one dominant theme in the book is that kids need to be challenged in order for them to realize their full potential. The teacher was obvioiusly challenging Nick, and the result was very wide recognition of 1xbet online games login new word. I think another theme is to always stand up for what you believe in. Nick didn't back down even though he was punished time after time, and he earned respect from 1xbet online games login community.