1. Character Captain – Being a prequel to the Da Vinci Code, Angels and Demons is very closely related in that it presents the attempt at exposing the alleged ills of the Catholic Church. There are a few inaccuracies, however, like graphical errors in the novel with regard to place names and dates. Nevertheless, the novel has succeeded in trying to convey the message from which it is grounded. I personally liked the fact that it has actually presented two sides of the same coin: the Church from the point of view of the clergy and from the point of view of its opponents and detractors, the most infamous of which is the secret group of Illuminati. I have actually heard of this secret society when I was young through my father who is a Bible scholar. And so when I have read of it in the novel, I felt it was readily within my grasp
I am Catholic not because of mere affiliation, I am Catholic because it is here that I found that certain sense of mystery. It is true that there are ills in the Catholic Church as history would testify but that is also the reason why it has become the most influential religion of today. It does not deny its faults, unlike any other religious denomination. There is one important thing I have learned about the doctrines of the Catholic Church, it is that the Church and the Pope himself, being the Vicar of Christ are infallible, meaning they can never be wrong. The people who make up the Church can be wrong at times but the Church never will. When the Pope sends out an encyclical, that is, a special document containing a new teaching and catechism regarding the Catholic faith, it cannot be questioned and all Catholics are bound to follow. This is the one thing that other religions do not know.
I am very much intrigued by the character of the Camerlengo. Honestly, I did not know about that position in the Church until I read the book. And I ponder upon the woundedness of his person. According to the book, the late Pope was his biological father, whom he killed in order to cover for the scandalous truth. As we know, priests and all clergymen must be chaste. How come a person as deeply wounded as the Camerlengo be inside the hallowed halls of the Vatican? Before a person even becomes a priest, he will have to undergo a rigorous and extensive personality development process which will involve a lot of psychological tests in order to dig up and process the healing of possible wounds or unhealthy experiences such as trauma, so that when he becomes a priest, he will be morally and psychologically sound. Well, anyway, there will always be things beyond our control. But still, there is that one belief I had learned through my seminary experience: God always blesses the people who have chosen to give their lives to him. He will not let anyone go astray.
2. Connector – I recall the year 2004. I was in the novitiate then of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament in San Jose, Del Monte in Bulacan. I was there for a year and a half before I got out in 2005 which was a personal decision. It was April 2, 2004 when the great Pope John Paul II passed away. It should be recalled that the late Pope’s ascent to the papacy was among the many surprises of the time. He was Polish and never did it happen that someone from that place ascended to the Papal throne. And then he chose to carry the name John Paul II, in honor of the late Pope John Paul I who died allegedly of food poisoning barely a month after his election. So it would seem the plot of Angels and Demons as well as the Da Vinci Code revolves around this particular period of the history of the Church. It would seem apparent further that author Dan Brown was one keen observer of the happenings in the Catholic Church, which makes me to agree that some people do not really know how to properly use their knowledge. Some do it for self-advantage. The year 2004 saw the election of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger as successor of the late Pope John Paul II. And I remember the times that the chimney attached to the Sistine Chapel from which the smoke which would signal the election or the non-election of a new Pope will be seen, became the most famous chimney in the world. The world was all-eyes to it. On few occasions it gave out a black smoke, signaling there was still no conclusive vote among the Cardinals for a new Pope. The new Pope must obtain majority of the votes of the College of Cardinals. This picture was clearly presented in the book as well as in the movie. This one truth about the election of the Pope makes me to believe that indeed, every Pope is chosen by God himself.
3. Discussion Director –Why is it that some people continue to question the credibility of the Catholic Church? How come there are people who are inside this Church yet have not found the good reason for being here? These are Catholics who do not deserve to be Catholic. If there is one discouraging factor perhaps, and I use the word for lack of a better term; about the Catholic Church, it is that it does not carefully see to it that its people will truly know and understand its doctrines. The method of teaching the faith to people is not that extensive, unlike many other religious denominations. That is why when other religions would question us, we are not that adept to answer. I would like to believe, however, that our religion does not exist only to answer their questions. The more humble we remain as a Church, the more God will bless us, and I believe.
4. Passage Speaker –No matter how much we try to avoid it, we cannot escape from the reality that people choose to read books that make them to appreciate life even more. Surely, it is stressful to believe the many fallacies presented by some books and authors who only want to make money. And so because of this premise, I would like to believe, again, that Dan Brown is still not that brave enough to deviate from this convention in writing. Of course, we know the ending of the book. The Camerlengo immolates himself and dies, and with him the stir that he and his fellow members of the Illuminati have created. And then the whole spectrum of things goes back to that peace which was rudely disrupted. A new Pope gets elected who will restore the image of the Church amidst the many controversies. This whole scenario will transpire in the atmosphere of prayer. All Catholics will be enjoined to spend even a minute of prayer for the Church believed to be instituted by Christ himself.
5. Artistic Adventurers:
II. Book Title:
1. Vocabulary
Guzzle – to eat or drink a lot of something, eagerly and quickly-usually showing
disapproval.
Prop – to support something by learning it against something or by putting something
else under.
Whistle – to make a high or musical sound by blowing air or out through your lips; to
make a high sound by blowing into a whistle.
Snitch – to tell someone in authority about something that another person has done
wrong.
Grind – to break something such as corn or coffee beans into small pieces or powder.
Halt – a stop or pause; call a halt, to stop an activity from continuing.
Felony - serious crime such as murder.
Sleazy – a sleazy place is dirty, cheap, or in bad condition; relating to sex or dishonest
behaviour.
amble – to walk slowly in a relaxed way.
Drift – to move slowly in water or in the air; to move change.
Messy – making someone or something dirty or untidy.
naïve – not having much experience of how complicated life is.
Persuasive – able to make other people believe something or do what you ask.
Puff – to breathe quickly and with difficulty after the effort of running, carrying
something heavy.
Relinquish – to let someone else have your position, power, or rights, especially
unwillingly.
Nebulous – an idea that is nebulous is not at all clear or exact; a shape that is n
nebulous is unclear and has no definite edges.
2. Discussion Director
1. Why does a woman do everything in the name of love?
2. What are you going to do when you’re in the middle of the highway with someone very arrogant with car having small amount of fuel and 10 pesos in your pocket and you are pregnant.
3. What sacrifice on kind of sacrifice can you do for your baby?
4. Can you conscience accept the fact that you’re going to abandon your child right after that you delivered her/him?
5. Are you going to fall in love with someone who uses you but the only one who cares for you?
3. Character Captain
Bettie Gray Bryson
· Strong
· Independent
· Beautiful
· Stubborn
· In-love
- Connector
These days many of the poor people are doing illegal to survive just like what Jay did. He robbed the store in order to have money. Just like nowadays, many would robbed and even kill to have what they want.
Today’s generation is very liberated. The issue of pre-marital is not a hot issue anymore. Many of the young do it for just nothing. Making the situation worst are the girls that get pregnant then immediately abort the child in their womb saying they are not ready for such responsibility. Like Betty, she once thought of aborting the baby but just luckily thought that it would not do well at all.
Then, there are parents who abandon their children, thinking that their child would have a good life if they do so. Just like what Betty had thought. Her child would have a better life with someone else, but realizing she could not do and live without her child she decided not to.
A girl usually and easily falls in love at times when she needs someone to lean on. When Betty needed someone there was Greg to help her which made her fall for him.
- Passage Speaker
She’d been so in love, so blind all those months ago.
( Betty felt so stupid for abandoning her grandmother)
Ever since I can remember, I’ve set goals myself. Lofty ones. Some I reach some I don’t. but mostly, I’ve been on a pretty straight line. One of my goals, you might say has been to sty single. I saw a lot of my friends in both high school and college get involved and then married and, well somehow it seemed as they were always scraping by.
( Greg was accepting the fact the he is in love with Betty)
You’re very valuable to the county, attorney. I have-to-want-to keep a close eye to you whatever you need I’ll see to it.
(Greg telling Betty her restrictions)
It was regrettable. An accident.
(how she think of her pregnancy)
III. Book Title: The Wizard’s Test
The first drop of rain fell, bouncing in the pale dust, big drops like pebbles that dissolved into splotches in the ground after an impossibly long time. It was magic, cool life giving rain falling harder and harder, lightning cracking the sky open, the trees and bushes bending under the onslaught. A fresh pungent small rose from the earth.
(Greg saying that there is always hope to Bettie)
1. Discussion Director?
Will the use of magic alter one’s destiny? What if, it really is your destiny?
Did Darren take the right decision when he agreed to be a spy?
If you were on Darren’s position, believing that life is altered through magic, would you still do the same things he had done? Would you still be a wizard?
Would you heal Vadeen, your friend, despite the knowledge that you would be ridiculed and hated by doing so?
Would you keep a promise in exchange of a life?
2. Passage speaker
*They were all staring at him, the surgeons, the wounded, and the wizards. Lore Master Senna just nodded, as if something he’d known all along had finally been confirmed. It was in Soren’s horrified gaze that Dayven read the irrevocability of what he had done. The chain of destiny seized him, stifling, inescapable.
(in this passage, Dayven’s life has forever been altered)
*“Maybe”, said Reddick. “People surprise you sometimes of course, sometimes they don’t. You saved Vadeen. Do you care more for Soren than for him?”
Dayven’s eyes were on the butterfly.
“I loved.. I love both of them.” Yes, that was what he’d found and life, and magic-his true path.
(in this passage, Dayven accepted his real destiny)
*“I want you to spy on the wizard’s for me,” said Lord Enar bluntly. “I want you to study with them. Wear they grey robes. Learn their intentions and report back to me. You can write to your cousin,” he nodded to Soren, “without arousing the suspicion and he can pass the information on. But aside from the people in this room no one must learn the truth lf this. No one. Or you’ll be useless as a spy.”
(in this passage, Dayven was convinced to be what he don’t want to be, that is being a wizard. He was left with no choice.)
*Dayven’s eyes met the old sorcerer’s and gain knowledge passed between them. The power, the magic might has been called forth and directed by the sorcerer’s skill, nut it had come from Dayven. His stomach contracted as if he were standing on a cliff edge feeling the earth crumble from beneath his feet as if his destiny was changing, twisting out of his true path. He pulled his hand from the sorcerer’s grip and look at his finger.
The cut was gone.
(in this passage, Dayven found out that he was actually a wizard)
*Suddenly his mind was inside to cocoon. He felt the papery surface against his plam, but he felt the shimmering whisper of life with his mind.
Dayven’s eyes flew open. His heart hammered. He stared at the cocoon in horror.
(this passage tells how Dayven used magic for the first time)
3. Character Captain
Dayven
· He is first and foremost a young brave wizard. He may have not known what he really wanted on the first place but he was able to know the truth about his destiny. Despite being ridiculed of the path he chose still he stood out and embraced his true fate.
· He is a loving friend. He sacrificed many things just to protect his friends. This was shown when he healed Vadeen. He knew too well that his aim of being a guardian wouldn’t be his if he did so, but still he did.
· Dayven has a narrow point of view. He does not look beyond on what is in front of him. What he sees are those which are laid upon his eyes, not the things lying beyond what he sees.
· Dayven had been afraid. Afraid at first to accept what he is. He confined himself on the things which other people says. He was very afraid to follow his true path until he saw the other facet of life.
4. Vocabulary Enrichers
elixir- a sweetened alcoholic medicinal preparation. An imaginary liquid or soluble substance by means of which alchemists once hoped to change base metals into gold.
gloat- to look with cruel or triumphant satisfaction; think about something with exaltation or avarice.
wastrel- an abandoned child.
akin- of the same kin; related by blood
sousing (slang)- to make or get drunk
tankard- a large, one-handled drinking cup, usually made of pewter or silver.
sigil- a seal or a signature; a mark or a sign supposed to exercise occult power.
5. Connector
Destiny according to the Webster’s Comprehensive Dictionary is an inevitable necessity; divine decree; fate. Most of us people, especially Filipino’s, believe in superstitious things or what we call “pamahiin.” We believe in stones that are sacred which could protect us from harm. We believe in wishing stars. We believe that a black cat brings bad luck. We simply believe that we could also alter our destiny through these things.
Just like the Watcherlads, they believe that destiny could be change, which is through magic. Magic for them is a life changing thing. If you were healed through magic your destiny is now not according to the original plan. Your life’s been changed.
6. Artistic Adventurers
IV. The Devil’s Arithmetic: Jane Yole
1. CHARACTER CAPTAIN
Major Characters
Hannah Stern - She is the main character of the story who experiences a trip through time from present day New York to WWII era Poland. She hates having to “remember” as expected at the Seder, but soon learns that bearing witness and remembering are two of the most important responsibilities a human being can fulfill.
ADJECTIVE: Hip, Joyful, Coward, Spoiled,Rebellious.
Chaya Abramowitz - She is the young girl who Hannah becomes when she enters the past. Her heroic gesture to save Rivka sends her to the smokestack of the concentration camp.
Gitl Abramowitz - She is Chaya’s aunt and Shmuel’s sister and is a very competent. loving caregiver. She if often the one who quiets Chaya when she would open her mouth at the wrong time and she is also the one who
takes her in her arms when she is in the most despair.
Shmuel Abramowitz - Gitl’s brother and Chaya’s uncle, he is planning to marry Fayge on the day that the Nazis round them up and take them off to the camps. Inside the camp, he is a leader of……..
Additional major and minor characters are outlined in the complete study guide.
2. CONNECTOR
We can connect the story of The Devil’s Arithmetic between the battles of the young people especially in this generation about what is the importance of God’s sacrifices in the past for our future. Same as what happened in Hannah’s life, it’s as if God or Fate steps in and decides that she must be taught an important lesson about bearing witness and never forgetting the past so as it will never be able to happen again.
My New Dawn
Done, done, done is the dayPut
with my treasures, safely away
Gone, gone, gone is my past
Buried in deep earth, buried at last
Give me a new song, one with great joy
Give me a new heart, that none can destroy
Wake me with gladness, rock me with love
Shelter me always, beautiful dove
Spirit of new birth, spirit of power
Come, Holy Spirit, enter this hour
Never forsake me, never let go
I am your daughter,
Let your light show.
· Afikoman-(based on Greek) - meaning "that which comes after" or "dessert") is a half-piece of matzo which is broken in the early stages of the Passover Seder and set aside to be eaten as a dessert after the meal.
· Passover Seder-is a Jewish ritual feast that marks the beginning of the Jewish holiday of Passover.
· Malach ha-mavis- Angel of Death
· Angst- it is used in English to describe an intense feeling of apprehension, anxiety or inner turmoil.
· Gruesome- causing great horror; horribly repugnant; grisly: the site of agruesome murder.
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