English Arts Festival

Discussion Board: The Pigman

Current Forum: The Pigman Date: 11-Oct-2002 14:44:04 Author: Hayden, Kellie <khayden@loganhocking.k12.oh.us> Subject: lit cirlce roles  I would like to be the connector.

Current Forum: The Pigman Date: 14-Oct-2002 08:04:15 Author: Pinkstock, Theresa <terrip@amanda.k12.oh.us> Subject: Re: lit cirlce roles  I'm sorry I am late. We were out of school last week for fair break!!!!!!!! I would like to be Discussion Director. I will begin posing my questions today. If anyone else has this job already, please let me know. Thanks!! Type to you soon. Theresa Pinkstock

Current Forum: The Pigman Date: 11-Oct-2002 14:48:50 Author: Hayden, Kellie <khayden@loganhocking.k12.oh.us> Subject: What does the story remind me of?  The story reminds me of when I was a teenager. The two main characters are given "freebies" by the Pigman. To have someone give you something without asking is kind of bizarre when you are a teenager. Most older adults are afraid of teenagers. It is also amazing that he wants to spend time with teenagers and have fun. You do not know how far to go with it. Do you take it or do you give it back. Do you ask for more or do you expect it again.

Current Forum: The Pigman Date: 11-Oct-2002 19:12:52 Author: Carter, Jane <jcarter@west.k12.oh.us> Subject: Re: What does the story remind me of?  The story reminds me of when I was a child. I was from a family of ten children and I never knew what a Grandfather was like. Both of my grandfathers were deceased. I connected to an elderly gentleman in our neighborhood. He and his wife always seemed to have time to talk to me and to listen and cry with me. I had a hard time during my adolescent years and it was important to connect to someone who understood and could help me understand what growing up was all about.

Current Forum: The Pigman Date: 16-Oct-2002 07:41:49 Author: Wilson, Sandra <SWi3548332@aol.com> Subject: Re: What does the story remind me of?  This story brings to mind the times when I was growing up that adults sent teenagers mimxed messages. Do as I say not as I do. For Example- Lorraine's mother tells her that she is not a pretty girl. John's father doesn't drink anymore, but John does. John's dad phonies up a car claim, and his mom tries to get extra green stamps and they wonder why John has a problem with honesty. Lorraine's mother steals, but does not consider it stealing. The message about love that Lorraine gets from mother and absent father. Lorraine's mother talks about how bad men are. With Mr. Pignati, they experience unconditinal love and acceptance for the first time. Also that sometimes when things happen they are just mistakes and we do not have to always assign blame. John and Lorraines parents seem very into assigning blame.

Current Forum: The Pigman Date: 11-Oct-2002 14:53:03 Author: Hayden, Kellie <khayden@loganhocking.k12.oh.us> Subject: How do you react when a person becomes ill and dies and is not a direct relative?  It is interesting that the two main characters take on the role of his children when he becomes ill. I thought about it, and I would probably done the same thing. He gave things to them and they did not have any money. All they could do was give of themselves. The Pigman needed them to do this and they did. The main characters make many mistakes in this novel, but I beleive that this choice is a good one.

Current Forum: The Pigman Date: 11-Oct-2002 19:18:59 Author: Carter, Jane <jcarter@west.k12.oh.us> Subject: Re: How do you react when a person becomes ill and dies and is not a direct relative?  People don't have to be a direct relative to be family. Family are people who fill the voids in our life and are always there when we need them. We all need to connected and if our blood relatives are not there physically for us, we connect to other people and they become our families. I have many friends in my life that have been like family to me. I have taken care of these people when they have been sick and dying. When you are emotionally and spiritually connected to people they don't have to be a direct relative for you to care and want to help them through an illness or help them in their dying.

Current Forum: The Pigman Date: 11-Oct-2002 19:22:52 Author: Carter, Jane <jcarter@west.k12.oh.us> Subject: Word Master  Why do you think Zindel chose the word Pigman for his title? Do you think this is symbolic of something?

Current Forum: The Pigman Date: 14-Oct-2002 10:18:28 Author: Pinkstock, Theresa <terrip@amanda.k12.oh.us> Subject: Discussion Director's Questions  1. Which character in the story do you relate to and why? 2. Does the setting of the story influence the plot development? Why or Why not? 3. Imagine you were the Pigman arriving home from the hospital to the same situation, how would you react? 4. At the end, the Pigman dies at the zoo with Lorraine and John. Lorraine has a hard time working through this loss. Can you relate to this situation? Why or Why not? 5. At the beginning of the story, Lorraine and John explain that they are writing to tell their story because they feel they murdered the Pigman. Do you agree? Why or Why not? Why do you think it was important for them to write about what happened?

Current Forum: The Pigman Date: 14-Oct-2002 23:15:01 Author: Carter, Jane <jcarter@west.k12.oh.us> Subject: Re: Discussion Director's Questions 1  I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE TO SAY THAT i RELATE TO LORRAINE. SHE WANTED SO BADLY TO BE ACCEPTED. SHE WAS DESCRIBED AS PLAIN AND JOHN ON THE OTHERHAND WAS VERY GOOD LOOKING. SHE WANTED TO REFORM HIM AND OFTEN WOULD GIVE HIM A LECTURE ABOUT HIS SMOKING AND DRINKING. sHE ALSO SEEMED TO GO ALONG WITH JOHN ON WHATEVER HE DECIDED TO DO, WHETHER SHE WANTED TO OR NOT. I FOUND MYSELF GOING BACK TO WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL. I WAS NOT THE MOST POPULAR STUDENT AND WOULD HAVE DONE MANY THINGS THAT I KNEW I SHOULDN'T DO JUST SO I COULD FIT IN. I SOMETIMES FELT TRAPPED LIKE LORRAINE DID AND WANTED TO GET OUT AND BE FREE.

Current Forum: The Pigman Date: 15-Oct-2002 11:04:15 Author: Pinkstock, Theresa <terrip@amanda.k12.oh.us> Subject: Re: Discussion Director's Questions 1  I agree! I think I relate best to Lorraine. However, I would have, probably, been to shy to talk to a handsome boy in high school. However, because I wasn't that popular, I probably would have been attacted to a boy like John. He was so willing to do things outside of the normal or everyday. I would have been too shy or too "good" to do those things.

Current Forum: The Pigman Date: 14-Oct-2002 23:17:45 Author: Carter, Jane <jcarter@west.k12.oh.us> Subject: Re: Discussion Director's Questions 1  I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE TO SAY THAT i RELATE TO LORRAINE. SHE WANTED SO BADLY TO BE ACCEPTED. SHE WAS DESCRIBED AS PLAIN AND JOHN ON THE OTHERHAND WAS VERY GOOD LOOKING. SHE WANTED TO REFORM HIM AND OFTEN WOULD GIVE HIM A LECTURE ABOUT HIS SMOKING AND DRINKING. sHE ALSO SEEMED TO GO ALONG WITH JOHN ON WHATEVER HE DECIDED TO DO, WHETHER SHE WANTED TO OR NOT. I FOUND MYSELF GOING BACK TO WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL. I WAS NOT THE MOST POPULAR STUDENT AND WOULD HAVE DONE MANY THINGS THAT I KNEW I SHOULDN'T DO JUST SO I COULD FIT IN. I SOMETIMES FELT TRAPPED LIKE LORRAINE DID AND WANTED TO GET OUT AND BE FREE. QUESTION 3 hAD I BEEN THE PIGMAN, I WOULD HAVE FELT BETRAYED. HE BEFRIENDED THESE TWO TEENAGERS AND THEY DISAPPOINTED HIM WITH THEIR LACK OF RESPECT AND RESPONSIBILITY TOWARD THE PIGMAN

Current Forum: The Pigman Date: 14-Oct-2002 23:21:28 Author: Carter, Jane <jcarter@west.k12.oh.us> Subject: Re: Discussion Director's Questions  i CAN RELATE TO THE LOSS OF SOMEONE AND NOT BEING ABLE TO SAY THOSE THINGS THAT NEED TO BE SAID. IT IS SOMETIMES BEST TO LEAVE SOME THINGS UNSAID, BUT THERE ARE TIMES WE NEED TO SAY WHAT WE FEEL. JOHN AND LORRAINE DID NOT GET TO TELL THE PIGMAN HOW THEY FELT ABOUT BETRAYING HIM.

Current Forum: The Pigman Date: 15-Oct-2002 11:09:33 Author: Pinkstock, Theresa <terrip@amanda.k12.oh.us> Subject: Re: Discussion Director's Questions  I think that a lot of us find that after we lose someone dear to us we wish we would have said more or done more for them. I lost my mother-in-law unexpectedly and felt my life was being torn up-side-down. I can see how the Pigman wanted to find friendship and closeness in someone. I think the kids realized a little too late that their actions would hurt him as they did.

Current Forum: The Pigman Date: 16-Oct-2002 07:36:39 Author: Wilson, Sandra <SWi3548332@aol.com> Subject: Re: Discussion Director's Questions  1. The character in the story, The Pigman,that I could relate to was Lorraine. She was trying to be a good daughter and a good friend and often felt torn between wanting to do the right thing and wanting to be John's friend. 2. I felt that becausethe setting of the story was inthe city it added to the feeling of emptiness and aloneness that teenagers can feel. 3. The Pigman's reaction upon arriving home was a realistic one. I too would feel betrayed if I came home to find someone taking advantage of my caring and hospitality. 4. I can relate to Lorraine's feelings when the Pigman dies at the zoo. Often when someone dies there is a feeling of regret, things I wish that you'd done and/or things I wish I had said. To me that is one of the messages of the book. Really live your life enjoy each moment, and live your life a day at a time. 5. I do not feel that John and Lorraine murdered the Pigman. This letter is important to them to help relieve their guilt at not having been better friends and a way of honoring the Pigman.