BotM 2016 - [October] The Halloween Tree, by Ray Bradbury - Part 3 (Spoilers up to Ch. 16)

[J]

Part 3 Questions

Section of book: Chapters 8 through 16

Notes:
- Each member is asked to end with a question for the next member.
- If the person above you forgets to pose a question then just pick a different one from above (make sure you indicate which one you're answering!)
- If some other question from above moves you then feel free to answer as many as you want. It is a discussion after all! ;)

Part 3: Chapters 8 through 16:

1. At this point, we see that the chosen costumes of each of the boys play a key part in the narrative/adventure. Referencing back to your answer #4 from Part 1, where would your costume have led you?

2. Have you learned anything new? What is your opinion of the educational aspect of the book?

3. What do you think of Bradbury's decision to bring religion into it?

4. We have seen a varied means of travel through time and space, of those described which do you think would be thrilling/fun and which do you think would be frightening?

[Rachel]

1. At this point, we see that the chosen costumes of each of the boys play a key part in the narrative/adventure. Referencing back to your answer #4 from Part 1, where would your costume have led you?
My costume was a witch/vampire hybrid. Basically, a black robe that was open to interpretation unless I had on a hat or drew vampire teeth on. I guess I would have been sent either to Salem or maybe back to Vlad the Impaler for a vampire? Neither of these really have to do with Halloween celebrations though...

2. Have you learned anything new? What is your opinion of the educational aspect of the book?
I've learned quite a bit about different cultures and how they honour/commemorate their dead. The Egyptian part was not so new to me because I'd taken classes about Ancient Egypt/Greece/Rome, and mummification was a huge part of the class, but otherwise most of it was new to me so far. I really like that there is an educational component to the book because I think it adds a bit more depth to a story that otherwise probably wouldn't appeal to me too much. Bradbury could have just made up his own mythology for each stop on the adventure, so I think it was nice that he chose to use real traditions.

3. What do you think of Bradbury's decision to bring religion into it?
I'm listening to the audiobook, so I have a tendency to tune out at times. Unfortunately, I think I tuned out some of the religious content, so I'm not 100% sure how far it went. However, given that he is talking about Halloween and similar celebrations in various cultures, I think it's only fair to address religion at the same time.

4. We have seen a varied means of travel through time and space, of those described which do you think would be thrilling/fun and which do you think would be frightening?
Probably riding on the broomstick would be the most fun. I think it would be a little scary to travel by kite tale since I'd be a lot more likely to be looking down the whole way...heights really aren't my thing, but at least on a broom I could look straight ahead.

New question: Which of the places the boys have visited interested you the most and why?

[Silvia]

1. At this point, we see that the chosen costumes of each of the boys play a key part in the narrative/adventure. Referencing back to your answer #4 from Part 1, where would your costume have led you? It was a ghost, so anywhere would be possible, as everywhere in the story somehow relate to death.

2. Have you learned anything new? What is your opinion of the educational aspect of the book?I already knew some of the traditions or histories, however never ocurred to me that in some ways, they were linked. But, yes, I have learned new things ... at some moment, it made me think of an old Disney documentary about the beginning of music. I like the fact that I am learning, but I prefer other kind of stories.

3. What do you think of Bradbury's decision to bring religion into it? I guess it was unavoidable, because many things in history were actually caused or changed due religion or by religious leaders.

4. We have seen a varied means of travel through time and space, of those described which do you think would be thrilling/fun and which do you think would be frightening? Riding on the broom! Like Harry :D

Which of the places the boys have visited interested you the most and why? France! I think that to see Notre Dame being built in a few minutes should be awesome.

My question: Why do you think they have not been able to reach Pipkin?

[Maple]

1. At this point, we see that the chosen costumes of each of the boys play a key part in the narrative/adventure. Referencing back to your answer #4 from Part 1, where would your costume have led you?

Mine was a vampire ... Back to the good ol' days of Vlad. So much death in that story. There is no happy ending for anyone.


2. Have you learned anything new? What is your opinion of the educational aspect of the book?

I love the educational component of this book. It was unexpected and delightfully embraced.


3. What do you think of Bradbury's decision to bring religion into it?

When talking about history across the world, you can't really avoid religion. Unfortunately it has played a large role in many things. While it wasn't something I was excited about, in its own way, it was important for understanding historical events.


4. We have seen a varied means of travel through time and space, of those described which do you think would be thrilling/fun and which do you think would be frightening?

Bring on the broomstick. Let's do this traditionally like the witches were rumored to do, back in the day. The kite string would make me the most nervous. I have this weird fear of falling, and I would probably be anxious the entire time. Could I just have a Tardis?


5. Why do you think they have not been able to reach Pipkin?

Sarcastically: Because that would be too easy and we wouldn't have a story.
Seriously: It's like the boys have to work through a history book before they can get to their friend again. Once they understand the true meaning of Halloween, then they can have Pipkin back.


My Question: Do you think they will ever be able to save Pipkin or will he be lost to them for all time?

[SamZ]

1. At this point, we see that the chosen costumes of each of the boys play a key part in the narrative/adventure. Referencing back to your answer #4 from Part 1, where would your costume have led you?
I was Wonder Woman, so I'd be saving the day in an Amazonian jungle.

2. Have you learned anything new? What is your opinion of the educational aspect of the book?
I really like the way the boys are learning about the various historical celebrations of the dead. I didn't know about the Greek practice of putting pitch on their doors to "stick" the ghosts out of their houses!

3. What do you think of Bradbury's decision to bring religion into it?
Since religion seems to be a catalyst for change throughout history, and since holidays like Christmas, Halloween, and even Valentine's Day are usually based in various aspects of many different religions, I think it's kind of unavoidable to bring religion into the story. I do like how the facts are merely presented, rather than any one religion being presented as good/bad or right/wrong.

4. We have seen a varied means of travel through time and space, of those described which do you think would be thrilling/fun and which do you think would be frightening?
I agree with everyone else, I would love to fly on a broom like Harry but would hate to be a kite tale, hanging onto the ankles of the boy above me and having one dragging on my own ankles in turn!

5. Do you think they will ever be able to save Pipkin or will he be lost to them for all time?
I, personally, think Pipkin set this up with Mr. Moundshroud as a thrill for his mates, so I'm sure they'll get him back by the end!

My Question: If Bradbury were alive and to write another book like this about the history of a different holiday, which one would you like to read about and why?

[Molly]

Part 3: Chapters 8 through 16:

1. At this point, we see that the chosen costumes of each of the boys play a key part in the narrative/adventure. Referencing back to your answer #4 from Part 1, where would your costume have led you?

Well if I was dressed as Mrs. Potato Head I'd be transported to a Playskool factory. If I was Huey, I would hopefully be sent to Disney World lol

2. Have you learned anything new? What is your opinion of the educational aspect of the book?

I liked learning about the different gods. I thought it was so interesting how Bradbury talked about the death of the sun. He referred to the sun god, Osiris, being killed by his brother Darkness each night. I loved how Bradbury described it.

3. What do you think of Bradbury's decision to bring religion into it?

I thought it was very interesting that he made religion a significant part of the story. It is really the only way to describe the fight between the Romans and the Druids.

4. We have seen a varied means of travel through time and space, of those described which do you think would be thrilling/fun and which do you think would be frightening?

I would love to ride a broomstick! I would feel like I'm on Hocus Pocus! The kite ride did seem very dangerous.

5. If Bradbury were alive and to write another book like this about the history of a different holiday, which one would you like to read about and why?

Christmas would be very interesting because different cultures celebrate the holiday differently. It would be fun to travel around the world for my favorite holiday with Bradbury's interesting storytelling techniques.

My question: The boy dressed up as the mummy starts to unravel his costume after learning about mummies. The boy dressed up as the witch shivers in his rags after learning about witches. Do you think Moundshroud is just trying to teach them about their characters so they respect these ancient beings instead of remaining ignorant in order to have a costume for Halloween?

[Anastasia]

According to etimolgy "grease monkey" was first used in 1928 and may have refered to children in Great Britian who greased the large wheel drums of machines during the Industrial Revolution. That would mean I would be visiting Great Britian during the Industrial Revolution or around 1928.

I love that Bradbury uses his literary works to educate in a fun way. Since I am a history buff I have watched different documentaries on Halloween and other cultural rituals we have in North America.

Bradbury covered the origins of Halloween which are religious.

I agree with Molly that his interpretation of Christmas would be interesting. Would it be similar to Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas?

Moundshroud is definitely teaching them about respect for the peolpes they dressed as. It is also teaching them why those people were feared.

In this politically correct day in age do you think that we should still allow children to dress up in ethnical costumes that are not their own? Is it disrespectful?

[Brandy]

1. At this point, we see that the chosen costumes of each of the boys play a key part in the narrative/adventure. Referencing back to your answer #4 from Part 1, where would your costume have led you?

You know? I don't know the origin of the werewolf myth. So many traditional costumes I do know the origin of but this one? No idea. Google tells me though Europe in the late middle-ages. Awesome! Apparently werewolves spring up at about the same time and place as witchcraft. I guess the people not terrified of powerful women put things off on powerful dogs.

2. Have you learned anything new? What is your opinion of the educational aspect of the book?

I knew most of these traditions before the book so I'm not sure how much I learned. However, I really like how putting everything together like this shows you the progression of attitudes towards death and how some of our own rituals evolved.

3. What do you think of Bradbury's decision to bring religion into it?

You cannot study European history without delving into religion. Early Christianity borrowed so much from the traditions of the people it served. So much politics is shaped by the church. I don't think you can tell European death traditions without bringing in the church and quite frankly the borrowing of "pagan" traditions is one of the most interesting bits of the early church to me.

4. We have seen a varied means of travel through time and space, of those described which do you think would be thrilling/fun and which do you think would be frightening?

For me the thrill isn't in the getting there but rather the destination. I'm all in for time travel. I'll fly a kite. I'll ride a broomstick. I'll hop a tardis. Whatever. I'm in.

5. In this politically correct day in age do you think that we should still allow children to dress up in ethnical costumes that are not their own? Is it disrespectful?

I understand concerns about appropriating other cultures. And it is a fine line. Where are you showing appreciation and where are you appropriating? I really don't have an answer. But I think if you are allowing your child to dress in an ethnic costume (and I just am not sure I'd feel comfortable with that) that it has to go along with learning about the culture and people and not just a one day here wear this costume and adopt this accent and isn't that cute?

But ultimately if you don't allow your children to dress um in ethnic costumes where is that line drawn? Everything comes from some place. How far back do you dig to decide if you're appropriating another culture?

my question: If you could go with Moundshroud to any of the places that he went... or even a place that he didn't go? What would you pick? Why?

[Zaz]

1. At this point, we see that the chosen costumes of each of the boys play a key part in the narrative/adventure. Referencing back to your answer #4 from Part 1, where would your costume have led you?
I talked about The Crow, so a movie studio :D

2. Have you learned anything new? What is your opinion of the educational aspect of the book?
Not really as a whole but there were details I wasn't aware of. I've mixed feelings when education in books is pushed on your face, but I suppose it can be nice to have several backgrounds in the same book.

3. What do you think of Bradbury's decision to bring religion into it?
Religion is often present when death happens, so with Halloween and the various costumes, it seems logical to have it here and there. I found interesting that he payed attention to the fact religions replaced each other.

4. We have seen a varied means of travel through time and space, of those described which do you think would be thrilling/fun and which do you think would be frightening?
All of them seemed more or less frightening in my opinion, especially with flying involved. I've height sickness so there's no way I'll use a broom to fly (the kite part was really scary).

5. If you could go with Moundshroud to any of the places that he went... or even a place that he didn't go? What would you pick? Why?
I like the gargoyles but I already went to Notre-Dame, so I'd pick Egypt, I'm curious about Egyptian cultures and I like stories with pharaohs and pyramids (not much with mummies :p).

My question: which creature did you like the most so far?

[Veronica]

1. At this point, we see that the chosen costumes of each of the boys play a key part in the narrative/adventure. Referencing back to your answer #4 from Part 1, where would your costume have led you?
As a ballerina, maybe to dance with one of the famous ballet companies. As a cat, somewhere with a sunnyn spoot toitoi Drake a nap.
2. Have you learned anything new? What is your opinion of the educational aspect of the book?
I have learned a lot! I don't think I have ever read up on the history of Halloween so this has been a great way to learn about it. The educational aspect is great,as it is teaching children about the history of Halloween and how it evolved over the centuries.
3. What do you think of Bradbury's decision to bring religion into it?
It had to be added, as religion play a role in just about everything, including our beliefs about the dead and how to honor and remember them. I don't think you can teach about the history of Halloween without talking about religion's role in it.
4. We have seen a varied means of travel through time and space, of those described which do you think would be thrilling/fun and which do you think would be frightening?
I'm not scared of heights, but flying by broom or kite would be terrifying, as there is very little to keep you from falling.
5. Which creature did you like the most so far?
I like the mummies and the gargoyles. I would love to see the pyramids and also Notre Dame would be amazing to visit.

My question: what other places do you think Moundshroud will take the boys?