English Arts Festival

Discussion Board: The Pigman

Current Forum: The Pigman Date: 10-Oct-2002 17:30:06 Author: Curry, Elizabeth <ff_ecurry@seovec.org> Subject: Literature circle position  If it's o.k. with everyone else, I would like to be the connector for this book. I'm just going to cover the whole book instead of a small portion of the book. I'm not completely sure what to do, but i'll give it a try. I'll try to have it posted by tomorrow.

Current Forum: The Pigman Date: 13-Oct-2002 20:01:52 Author: Guffey, Melissa <tl_mguffey@seovec.org> Subject: Re: Literature circle position  Elizabeth, That is fine with me. This is the first time I have done this, and I'm confused on exactly what I am to do. It took a couple days to be able to even get back on the site. Sorry for any delays it may have caused.

Current Forum: The Pigman Date: 10-Oct-2002 18:04:53 Author: Curry, Elizabeth <ff_ecurry@seovec.org> Subject: Connector  This book reminds me of.... 1. being in high school and living for the moment instead of focusing on the consequences of my actions. 2. my friend and I making really stupid prank phone calls when we were very young. 3. having somewhat dangerous behaviors just to feel a sense of control in my life. This was evident after my mother's death. I think that John and Lorraine also felt a sense of being out of control in their own families. I think it explains some of their behaviors. 4. having a good friend and then realizing one day that I liked him as more than a friend.

Current Forum: The Pigman Date: 11-Oct-2002 13:50:08 Author: Kolopajlo, Karissa <fh_kkolopajl@seovec.org> Subject: Discussion Director  I will be the discussion director, I hope that is alright with everyone else. 1. What motive is there for John and Lorraine to continue to see the Pigman?

Current Forum: The Pigman Date: 13-Oct-2002 20:05:45 Author: Guffey, Melissa <tl_mguffey@seovec.org> Subject: Re: Connector  I agree with all your points, especially #1. I, too, think that even in high school, it is hard to see past today, let alone the consequences of your actions on the future. It, too, reminded me of how unaffected you are by life when you are in high school. You really do feel as nothing will ever hurt you or become an obstacle in the path of your life. I, too, believe John and Lorraine had no idea where what they thought was a simple prank phone call would lead them. I know they had no idea that they would befriend this person, and find in him something that did not have with the other adults in their lives.

Current Forum: The Pigman Date: 11-Oct-2002 13:54:18 Author: Kolopajlo, Karissa <fh_kkolopajl@seovec.org> Subject: Discussion Director  Lorraine's mother questions Lorraines visits with Mr. Pignati and continually puts down men throughout the story. Why do you think that she is so negative towards men? Could we conclude anything in regards to that?

Current Forum: The Pigman Date: 13-Oct-2002 20:08:14 Author: Guffey, Melissa <tl_mguffey@seovec.org> Subject: Re: Discussion Director  I believe her mother is so negative for two reasons. The first is more obvious. I believe it is because of her father, and how she feels shorthanded on his part in their lives. He obviously did not help the situation until their separation, and then his death. At the same time, too, I think that this is the way she thinks she can protect Lorraine from the evils that hurt her.

Current Forum: The Pigman Date: 11-Oct-2002 13:55:36 Author: Kolopajlo, Karissa <fh_kkolopajl@seovec.org> Subject: Discussion Director  What is your opinion about the relationship between Lorraine, John and Mr. Pigman?

Current Forum: The Pigman Date: 13-Oct-2002 20:11:58 Author: Guffey, Melissa <tl_mguffey@seovec.org> Subject: Re: Discussion Director  My first impression of this relationship was that it was built on lies. John and Lorraine lied about the phone call that was made and Pigman lied about his wife. However, as they became closer, and could trust one another, they all came clean with one another. I believe that the relationship grew into even more than just a friendship in the end. I think Pigman did fill a void in both Lorraine and John's life. Neither had families that cared about or for them, and Pigman was willing to give and do whatever it took for them to stay around. I also believe the two kids helped Pigman to live the end of his life to its fullest, without dwelling on the death of his wife.

Current Forum: The Pigman Date: 11-Oct-2002 13:59:17 Author: Kolopajlo, Karissa <fh_kkolopajl@seovec.org> Subject: Discussion Director  What is the significance of the baboon Bobo in the story?

Current Forum: The Pigman Date: 13-Oct-2002 20:12:48 Author: Guffey, Melissa <tl_mguffey@seovec.org> Subject: Re: Discussion Director  I really am not sure on this one.

Current Forum: The Pigman Date: 11-Oct-2002 14:02:11 Author: Kolopajlo, Karissa <fh_kkolopajl@seovec.org> Subject: Discussion Director  How do you think that John and Lorraines life has changed since they first met Mr. Pignati and since his death?

Current Forum: The Pigman Date: 13-Oct-2002 20:36:03 Author: Curry, Elizabeth <ff_ecurry@seovec.org> Subject: Re: Discussion Director  I think their lives have changed greatly since their encounter with Mr. Pignati. For once, they met someone who needed them as much as they needed him. Both Lorraine and John stepped outside their own lives for a short time and saw how significant their influence was on another person. They also realized that their actions have consequences that hurt others worse than themselves at times. I think the experience with Mr. Pignati taught to consider the feelings of others and to realize their own value in life.

Current Forum: The Pigman Date: 13-Oct-2002 20:31:06 Author: Guffey, Melissa <tl_mguffey@seovec.org> Subject: Summarizer  I believe I did not have to respond to the questions the way that I did. Therefore, I would like to be the summarizer at this point: At this point, the story is about three very different people; two adolescents and a senior citizen. All are missing a certain companionship in their lives, and are acting in different ways to fill these voids. First there is John, a very loud and obnoxious person, who uses his wit to get other's negative attention, as long as it is their attention. Lorraine is a somewhat backward, shy person who is does as she is told, and acts somewhat as John's guardian angel. Finally is Mr. Pignati, who is caught in a world that no longing exists, and is mourning the death of his life. All of them come together through deceit; the adolescents giving Mr. Pignati a prank call and Mr. Pignati acting as if his wife is still alive. However, after some time of being together, they tell each other the truth and slowly grow found of one another. Mr. Pignati gives the kids the attention they do not get at home from their parents, and the kids remind Mr. Pignati what it is like to be young again.