[F2F Book Discussions] December 2012: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl. Moderator: Kwesi

[Aaron Vincent]

What version of the movie? The musical, Tim Burton's or both?

[Alexa]

I recognize some song lyrics from the 1975 version! (Though actually may Oompa Loompa songs din yung 2005)

[kwesi 章英狮]

BOTH! Haha.

[Alexa]

Kwesi 章英狮 wrote: "Fill those blank squares with corresponding answers from the given questions below."

What questions? Yung names ng nagsabi? :D

[Aaron Vincent]

Anlabo... Which character said which quote ba to? Some character answers fit, some do not.

[kwesi 章英狮]

@Bluekeeshia: Yap. Sorry, nakalimutan ko ilagay. Yung name na nagsabi dapat ang answer. Wait. Hehe.

[kwesi 章英狮]

@Vincent Venom: Number 14 and 15 won't fit. Sorry. Haha. Lagay niyo na lang ang sagot niyo.

[[deleted user]]

Kwesi 章英狮 wrote: "Hi kids! (insert Oompa Loompa song) This will be the discussion thread for the December F2F, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl, and I hope everyone has a copy already (and cooperate)...."

No...I don't have a copy :( Here's my email add, though: persismicah@hotmail.com THANK YOU! :D

[kwesi 章英狮]

@Persicochology:: Sent! Haha.

[Louize]

Hahaha, dapat pala i-send kay Kwesilalu 'yung answers...
Pasensya na busy na naman kasi, e.
Will send my answers na...

[Alexa]

Kwesi 章英狮 wrote: "Number 14 and 15 won't fit. Sorry. Haha. Lagay niyo na lang ang sagot niyo."

Mine fit :o okay mali pala =))

[[deleted user]]

Kwesi 章英狮 wrote: "@Persicochology:: Sent! Haha."

Thank you! :)

[Louize]

I am currently uploading the book's audio version on the Box. Those who are interested may leave me a message.

[Cary]

ang eng eng naman ni kwesilalu nakalimutan ang elevator code! kami pa ang pnahrapan haha.

[AennA]

Cary: Hahaha! oo nga. Anong klaseng manager no? Ireklamo yan dapat. :))

[Cary]

haha patalsikin sa pwesto agad!

[Tricia]

Hello! Ako na super late HAHAHA

Popaysicle Trichocolatia Chip Muffin - A girl who loves triple chocolate muffin in a popsicle (ha, ano daw?)

[kwesi 章英狮]

Charlie and How the Family Become to Starve (Chapters 1 to 10)

Questions:

1. What do you think of Charlie’s poverty? Do you think Dahl emphasize in his writing style to tell Charlie’s poverty out loud? Did readers feel sympathy to Charlie and his family? If no, why?
2. Describe the relationship of Grandpa Joe and Charlie, and Grandpa Joe’s story of Willy Wonka.
3. Do you think the parents of the children are the one to be corrected? Like Mrs. Augustus belief that her son’s appetite is caused by his desire for nutrition. Why?
4. Do you think Charlie’s selflessness makes him pitiable and at the same time admirable? Why?

The Miracle of the Great Gum Machine (Chapters 11 to 20)

Questions:

1. What do you think of the storekeeper? Do you think his treatment towards Charlie, being an enigma, is unrealistic or a bridge to build up the story?
2. Do you think the characters are predictable? Is it intended or not? Why?
3. Do you think Willy Wonka’s sarcasm is effective? Is it agreeable for young readers?
4. What is the best solution to correct Augustus Gloop’s attitude according to the Oompa Loompas? Is it agreeable? If no, why?

[kwesi 章英狮]

Summary of Grades:

Purple Ronnie Choccywocc (Veronica) - 52 points
Moniquacha Camochamocha (Monique) - 52 points
Moussechella Caramelo (Raechella) - 51 points
Persichocology of Micocoathalamus (Persis) - 47 points
Bittersweet Lapooth (Angus) - 36 points
Louize Dame Blanche (Louize) - 33 points
Hershe Smershe (Sheryl) - 30 points
Jelly Baennana Faenna Foe (Aenna) - 29 points

@Louize Dame: Hindi, okay lang na ipost mo sa thread basta nakahide lang siya ng spoiler alert. Hehe. At okay lang kahit malate ka ng send basta three days before ng discussion mo siya isend.

@Bluekeeshia: Haha. Ginulo lang ako ni Vincent Venom. May masamang balak talaga ito sa factory ko. Sigurado akong siya ang unang matatanggal sa listahan. BWAHAHAHA!

@Carywallyginnes: WOW! Naspot mo ang kahinaan ko. Ang memory ko. Haha. Grabe ka naman, ikaw din ang isa sa mga unang matatanggal sa listahan ng mga bata. Magsama kayo ni Perinyalona at ni Jelly Baennana.

@Jelly Baennana: Ako matatanggal? Haha. Hindi pwede. Ako ang manager, ako rin ang owner!

@Popaysicle: Updated!

[Phoebe]

Charlie and How the Family Become to Starve (Chapters 1 to 10)

1) Yes, Dahl showed Charlie's poverty as he simply stated the small wooden house that wasn't nearly large enough for them to live into, sleeping on mattresses on the floor, can't afford to buy new things, & by the foods that they eat regularly. Dahl made it simple but readers can feel symphathy, a symphathy that even a child could understand.

2) Charlie's relationship with Grandpa Joe is warm, and they're in close terms.
Grandpa Joe seems to idolize Willy Wonka. He amused Charlie with his stories & how Willy Wonka is the greatest chocolate maker in the whole world, etc.

3) Parents are supposed to be the guide & models for their children. So if they are those people who are close minded, bad influence, or downright immoral & unreasonably stupid, they should be corrected first because most often than not, they can influence & pass those characteristics to their children.

4) Of course! haha what more will make it heartfelt & make you say awww than a kind hearted boy? well, at least for me haha. But pitiable & admirable doesn't go hand in hand, he will only be admirable if he show traits that you consider & appreciate.


The Miracle of the Great Gum Machine (Chapters 11 to 20)

1) I guess your question is already an enigma or a bridge to build up my answer HAHA kidding. But yes, I agree because the scenario with the storekeeper builds up the suspense which leads to the you know (view spoiler)[winning the ticket (hide spoiler)]

2) I think they're predictable & intended because the book is mostly for kids. It'll be easy for the young readers to distinguish what will happen if they're good or bad.

3) I only read it this year so I can't prove if the sarcasm is effective for young readers. But if I read it when I was young, I don't know if I can distinguish it HAHA might be a stupid kid. But seriously, I think Willy Wonka's sarcasm is effective, that's what makes me entertained while reading this book.

4) Oompa Loompas sang that he should be turned into something that will give great pleasure--a doll, or a ball, or marbles or a rocking horse (& if he goes through the fudge machine, the cogs will grind & pound, & hundred knives will slice).
No. Why? It's completely barbaric! *Hermione's voice*
He's just a child who's greedy, he could change in a different way, by different punishment or reward.

[Louize]

Charlie and How the Family Become to Starve (Chapters 1 to 10)

Questions:

1. What do you think of Charlie’s poverty? They are in a very pitiable state.

Do you think Dahl emphasize in his writing style to tell Charlie’s poverty out loud? Yes, I think Dahl expounded on Charlie’s poverty to emphasize the most important theme of the story: “Good things come to good people.”

Did readers feel sympathy to Charlie and his family? If no, why? Yes, very. Well, because it was a very poor family trying to take care of each other, stay together, despite of the odds. It’s very humbling how this family took care of their elderly.

2. Describe the relationship of Grandpa Joe and Charlie, and Grandpa Joe’s story of Willy Wonka. It’s very unusual that grandfather and grandson are best of friends, yet it works with this story. Being wise and young-at-heart, Grandapa Joe is a perfect role model for Charlie. The way Granpa Joe related Wonka’s story, you can discern great awe in it.

3. Do you think the parents of the children are the one to be corrected? Like Mrs. Augustus belief that her son’s appetite is caused by his desire for nutrition. Why? As the old sage goes, “You reap what you've sown.” If those parents planted good seeds onto their children they wouldn't turn out to be bad apples.

4. Do you think Charlie’s selflessness makes him pitiable and at the same time admirable? Why? Charlie obviously suffered greatly from being poor, but never complains about it. His aims on not being a burden was, of course, admirable.


The Miracle of the Great Gum Machine (Chapters 11 to 20)

Questions:

1. What do you think of the storekeeper? Do you think his treatment towards Charlie, being an enigma, is unrealistic or a bridge to build up the story?
Surrounded by greedy adults in the store, the storekeeper stands out among them. An enigma? A puzzling character? Maybe. But it proves one thing -that not all are bad.

2. Do you think the characters are predictable? Is it intended or not? Why? Yes. I have to surmise that they are predictable, and that Dahl intended it to be that way. I can’t rightly assume that the character’s precise actions were predictable, but you can assume that they will do something relevant to their attributes.

3. Do you think Willy Wonka’s sarcasm is effective? Is it agreeable for young readers?
For an adult, yes, the sarcasm may work; but for a child this may come as something shocking, because children were being punished for being children. Or extremely funny as something very unlikely to happen, but hilarious just the same.

4. What is the best solution to correct Augustus Gloop’s attitude according to the Oompa Loompas? Is it agreeable? If no, why? To quote Wonka, “everything is bound to come out in the wash.” It seemingly suggests that every bad child needs to go through a torturous purification process for rehabilitation. My question is -does it really have to be painful? I'm a mother, I think I have a good sense on how to impose discipline other done punishments.

[Raechella]

Charlie and How the Family Become to Starve (Chapters 1 to 10)

1. Readers are vividly aware of one thing: our protagonist is poor. Young Charlie isn’t as fortunate as most of the kids his age—he cannot look forward to a different dish lying in the platter; he shivers during the coldest of nights; he lives in an ugly, dilapidated shack in the farthest corner of town; and he doesn’t have anything to brag about to his playmates—if he even has one. Ronald Dahl never lets us forget that. Why make him so poor? Why not let him have a nice backyard with toys strewn all over the place, a wagon, or an adorable dog? Probably because the relative poverty of Charlie makes the riches he reaped at the end of the story all the more sweet. His poverty makes us sympathize with him, especially when everybody seems so rich. That sympathy intensifies when we learn that he is a good kid, too. And do not forget that he hasn’t won any money, but a home and an endless supply of food for him and his family; which makes him the richest kid of all.

2. Charlie and Grandpa Joe are warmly attached to each other. Despite his pleasant relationship to all of his grandparents, Charlie is pretty inclined and more intimate towards Grandpa Joe. On the other hand, Grandpa Joe amuses little Charlie through his witty and exciting stories. The most enthralling story he has ever told yet is perchance about the greatest chocolatier in the world: Willy Wonka. He speaks highly of the chocolatier and tells his story in such a convincing manner and enthusiasm that Charlie couldn’t help but bowl over.

3. Like what a famous bible verse says, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22: 6) This verse speaks for parents. The kids’ behavior will reflect prior to how the parents raise them. Mrs. Gloop’s mentality for instance, is just plain wrong. Gratification, like all emotions, is a motivator of behavior and thus plays a large role in the social system of a person.

4. Charlie’s selflessness is pitiable, yes. He shuns the offer of a spare meal, endures the chilliness of bleak conditions, rests instead of playing to conserve his energy—what could you possibly feel but pity for this child? But for some reasons, Charlie’s selflessness is really admirable. Despite his young age, he’s already willing to sacrifice his own interests for the greater good, which is very unusual for kids nowadays.


The Miracle of the Great Gum Machine (Chapters 11 to 20)

1. As soon as Charlie found the golden ticket, the store was crammed with a lot of people. One offers Charlie fifty dollars and a bicycle, taking advantage of his poverty, while another offers a five hundred, which is still, nowhere near the actual worth of the ticket. The storekeeper alone strikes as a scrupulous and kind man in this scene. He comes to Charlie’s aid and saves him from the hordes of greedy adults. He also speaks for the reader that Charlie deserves that golden ticket which makes him an enigma in the story. In this scene, we can see how a single ticket can spur the frailty of human beings, and that amongst the meanest and self-interested, there is still goodness, where we can now interject the storekeeper. It is indeed a build up to the story.

2. The predictability factor of this was considerably great for me since I have watched the movie with my brother numerous of times. However, if I would pretend to have known the premise just now, I would still say that the characters are predictable. Poor and pure-hearted? Rich and spoiled? Terribly trite concepts as of now. However, I think it is intended because apparently each of the bad children represents one of the deadly sins. Augustus Gloop for gluttony, Veruca Salt for greed, Violet Beauregarde for pride, and Mike Teavee for sloth. It seems that Roald Dahl impinges upon his readers—to his juvenile audiences to be exact—the dangers of overindulgence.

3. Effective, yes! They’re quite funny and they add wackiness to the story. Kids however may find some sarcasm mean and shocking but I do think that these sarcasms aren’t scandalous and offensive enough to get parents revolting around the corner. Haha.

4. The Oompa Loompa’s song about the deserved punishment of Augustus Gloop is completely remorseless. No matter how vile the child has become, a less torturous punishment may be given to him, and with the right amount of disciplinary grounding.

[kwesi 章英狮]

Masaya ako at may sumagot pa pala sa mga tanong ko. Akala ko madidisyerto na ang thread. Anyway, gusto ko lang ihabol ang last activity. Mayang gabi ko na rin ipopost ang mga total scores niyo at yung last question.

A Room of My Dream

I want you to write a short essay (you can write a longer one if you are too stubborn to follow the instruction) of your favorite room. No minimum and maximum number of paragraphs and words. I don't want to force anyone to write in English; Taglish and Filipino is accepted. The theme should be food, candies or anything that is edible. (Common sense, we are dealing with a chocolate factory and my company don't like to waste for a cheap room) It should be beautiful because Willy Wonka don't like ugly stuff and nobody dare to challenge him.

Your work will be judged by my sister tomorrow night and final scores will be posted Saturday morning. Winner? Well, secret muna.

[Phoebe]

kelan deadline? :D

[kwesi 章英狮]

Bukas ng gabi. Haha.

[Monique]

Sasagot din ako! :D

Charlie and How the Family Become to Starve (Chapters 1 to 10)

Questions:

1. What do you think of Charlie’s poverty? Do you think Dahl emphasize in his writing style to tell Charlie’s poverty out loud? Did readers feel sympathy to Charlie and his family? If no, why?

Living in the Philippines makes me immune to seeing poverty. But that doesn't make me apathetic towards anyone suffering from it; rather, I can imagine how much Charlie and his family have to endure just to survive. Yes, I felt sympathy towards their family. No one wants to starve!

2. Describe the relationship of Grandpa Joe and Charlie, and Grandpa Joe’s story of Willy Wonka.

I think that, of all his grandparents, Grandpa Joe is the coolest, and to whom Charlie feels closest to. I thought Grandpa Joe's story about Willy Wonka was funny, to a certain extent.

3. Do you think the parents of the children are the one to be corrected? Like Mrs. Augustus belief that her son’s appetite is caused by his desire for nutrition. Why?

I think yes, the parents of the children are largely responsible for the behavior of their children. Because the duty to properly raise the kids belongs to the parents, and so whatever the children turn out to be is the result of the upbringing of their parents.

4. Do you think Charlie’s selflessness makes him pitiable and at the same time admirable? Why?

Selflessness is a virtue as much as it is also a fault, if it becomes too much. In that sense, Charlie is to be both pitied and admired.



The Miracle of the Great Gum Machine (Chapters 11 to 20)

Questions:

1. What do you think of the storekeeper? Do you think his treatment towards Charlie, being an enigma, is unrealistic or a bridge to build up the story?

The storekeeper was merely the instrument in order for Charlie to successfully find the Golden Ticket. I wouldn't call his treatment of Charlie was unrealistic, because I believe that people are innately good. So I guess that's what Dahl made the storekeeper up to be. In this aspect, he also used the storekeeper as, as you put it, a bridge to build up the story.

2. Do you think the characters are predictable? Is it intended or not? Why?

Yes, but what can you expect of a bratty girl, a gluttonous fat boy, a gum-chewing girl, and a gun-and-violence-loving boy and their parents? From their descriptions alone, it's so easy to predict their fates. The only unpredictable one, as it would turn out for me, was Willy Wonka himself.

3. Do you think Willy Wonka’s sarcasm is effective? Is it agreeable for young readers?

Willy Wonka's sarcasm was a hoot for adult readers, but for the young ones, I think it may have a negative effect.

4. What is the best solution to correct Augustus Gloop’s attitude according to the Oompa Loompas? Is it agreeable? If no, why?

That he ought to be physically punished in order to be rectified. I don't quite agree. Physical or corporal punishment should always be the very last resort, if at all.

---------------------------------

As for my essay, mamayang gabi na! Magtatrabaho muna ako! :P

[Alexa]

Omg, Kwesilalu, kelan yung deadline ng first two puzzles? Kahapon ba or today? Nakalimutan kong isend answers ko huhu sana di pa too late!

[Raechella]

Warning: This contains explicit imaginings and daydreaming of a sweet-toothed, delusional, psychopathic girl. LOL.


Oh, you ask about the room of my dream? Well, let me fill you in.


This room must be situated in the farthest recesses of the factory where only a few of the most dashing and classiest patrons are granted entree. The doors are made from huge chocolate bars dipped in the prettiest taint of strawberries. This room holds the deepest desires of a person and varies depending on that person’s taste. Therefore, one must contrive a definite picture of what he or she would like to see inside. Think of anything—all the chocolates, candies, and pastries in the world—and it will surely appear before you with a blink of an eye. In my case, I would like to be welcomed with cotton candy clouds with various shades of blue, pink, purple, green, and all the colors there are. The sun, shining in the brightest yellow I’ve ever seen should be made of lemon drop; I can barely resist licking it fervidly. This room will extend infinitely and beyond, and will thus provide me with never-ending yummy treats.

A walk further into these, I would like to see a pool of gooey chocolate sprinkled with assorted colors of jimmies; flowing, falling into a fountain of the most scrumptious chocolate froth. By the edge of the pool, hordes of tasteful gummy bears are splashing lavishly and squeaking tremendously, beckoning me to join them. But due to my incessant excitement over these delights, I will gladly refuse and venture further into the sweet room of wonders.

I would love to cross the pool through candy-coated chocolate pebbles, jumping carefully onto them, and savoring the sweet smell of what lies ahead. Mountains of muffins topped with strawberry icing; jotting beneath these are Popsicles swirling in colors of red and white; ice cream cones like mushrooms sprouting everywhere; and you can pluck berries from every sugar-coated tree that you can see. Not very far from these I am eager to see volcanoes of scones (don’t worry they’re harmless) erupting with countless caramel puffs; towers of pancakes, blueberry pies, and buttermilk pies. If the tour tires me somehow, I can freely lodge in a cabin made of pretzel sticks with a deep well brimming with the most luscious whipped cream. The delicious tour doesn’t end here yet, because I will be nicely received by a bed made of jelly and a marshmallow for a pillow. And if by chance I get hungry, a banquet of more delicious treats await me— snickerdoodles, cookies, chocolate Bundt cake, doughnuts, tarts, soufflés, waffles, gum drops, cream puffs, brittles, Turkish delight! I can actually live here for the rest of my life!

[Angus]

Answers:

Charlie and How the Family Become to Starve (Chapters 1 to 10)

1. What do you think of Charlie’s poverty? Do you think Dahl emphasize in his writing style to tell Charlie’s poverty out loud? Did readers feel sympathy to Charlie and his family? If no, why?

I thought it was exaggerated, but I couldn't help feeling for the family. At some point, it was humorous (the four grandparents sharing the same bed). Probably people will sympathize because the family is a good one. Charlie, in my mind's eye, is a frail kid with good intentions, so yes, that's enough for people to feel bad for the family's poverty.

2. I think Grandpa Joe and Charlie are each other's favorite. It seems that Grandpa Joe is closer to Charlie than his father. It could be because that he's already senile or just a plain old man with a young heart.

3. It's still the children's behaviors that need correcting. I would insist that the parenting style and not the behavior should be the one to be modified. (And it could be argued that the parenting style is rooted from the parents' behaviors. Gaaah!)

4. It makes him admirable. I don't see it as pitiable, but I would say that he's not entirely selfless. Remember when he picked that dollar on the street? What was the first thing that he thought? Chocolate for himself. I'm not saying that this is a moral defect, it's just that the act strikes me as somewhat selfish (and I don't take similar acts against anyone).

The Miracle of the Great Gum Machine (Chapters 11 to 20)

1. I just thought he's one of the clutter characters. I didn't think of his part as particularly pivotal, but I have to admit that his ounce of kindness and concern for Charlie was heartwarming. He could have not told Charlie that he got the ticket and picked it up for himself instead.

2. They are stereotypes. I didn't fuss to much about it because I know that this is a children's story.

3. It is, and I think young readers will be able to pick up the humor behind it. It's not as vitriolic as a sarcasm should be, but it fits the understanding of the intended readers.

4. Turn him into a fudge? I don't quite agree on inflicting punishment on kids when they act bad. I think it's better to make them understand the consequences of their actions by talking to them and by showing them examples.

[kwesi 章英狮]

Salamat sa lahat at sa mga humabol! Ito na yung mga points niyo. Haha. Alam na kung sino ang nanalo.

Summary of Grades:

Moussechella Caramelo (Raechella) - 77 points
Moniquacha Camochamocha (Monique) - 68 points
Bittersweet Lapooth (Angus) - 66 points
Louize Dame Blanche (Louize) - 63 points
Purple Ronnie Choccywocc (Veronica) - 52 points
Phoebetella Meijinomnom y Nestlé (Phoebe) - 52 points
Vincent Venom (Aaron) - 51 points
Bluekeeshia Chreesetina von Schweetz (Blue) - 48 points
Persichocology of Micocoathalamus (Persis) - 47 points
Jelly Baennana Faenna Foe (Aenna) - 43 points
Hershe Smershe (Sheryl) - 30 points
Jelly Baennana Faenna Foe (Aenna) - 29 point

[Vim]

Hey guys! Enjoy the group discussion later. :) Sorry won't be able to come so, sa mga utang ko na maraming books, I'll give it away next year.

Kwesi, goodluck sa moderating later and advance Happy Holidays everyone! :)

Ang ganda ng bagong TFG Logo! :)

[K.D.]

Good luck, Kwesi. I am sure it will be successful.

[Tuklas Pahina (TP)]

over flowing ang Saya!...

[K.D.]

Kwesi, the great organizer!