We have reached the climax of the story, but the quest is not over yet! In Chapter 21, Danzi takes off with Wang Cao leaving Ping with the young Emperor Liu Che. Ping accompanies Liu Che up the mountain of Tai Shan where he offers a sacrifice to the Gods. Ping finally realises that her life is worth something, and she is not just a slave girl. Join in this week's discussion giving your thoughts and opinions on Ping and on the text we have covered this week. Why did Danzi leave Ping? Will Ping and Danzi meet again? How might the story resolve? Has the goal of reaching Ocean been lost? Share your thoughts below.
Respond to this week's reading. Think about Ping's thoughts, feeling, actions, appearance and dialogue during the events that have transpired. Ask questions, make predictions and contribute positively to the discussion.
Consider the bond between Danzi and Ping. Discuss how Ping and Danzi's relationship has changed throughout the course of the book. Have they grown closer? Has Ping's opinion of Danzi changed? What major events do you think contributed to this change?
Also give your thoughts on the chapters we have read this week. Now that we have reached the midpoint of the novel, join the discussion by responding to the following questions:
What do you find interesting about the novel so far? What is your opinion of Ping's behaviour, thoughts, feelings and actions? This week we have been looking at where to find answers to questions we have. We can find answers:
RIGHT THERE - the answer is right there in the text. THINK AND SEARCH - the answer is in the text but harder to find. AUTHOR AND ME - the answer is not in the text. It is inferred from the authors clues. ON MY OWN - the answer is not in the text. You need to use your own knowledge and opinions. 1. Read the pages above. Write a "right there" question and an "author and me" question. 2. Respond to a friend. Answer their questions! 1. Why do you think Ping wants to go back to Huangling even though her life isn't good there?
2. What do you think Danzi means when he says "all answers lie beyond the gate of experience"? In Chapter 3, the slave girl finds a "large purple stone with swirls of milky white" in the dragon's pit. She starts to feed the dragon meat and begins taking it for walks around the palace grounds while the men are out hunting. Later, she is commanded by Master Lan to go to the palace to fetch him some wine. But as she scours the palace, she encounters the Emperor and Empress having a banquet with a dirty looking man - a dragon hunter named Diao. Hiding behind a carved screen, she overhears the conversation, until she is eventually discovered...
She fell to her knees. "It wasn't my fault the dragon died," she pleaded. "I fed it and changed its straw. I know I helped turn it into pickle, but I had no choice. If id didn't, Master Lan would have beaten me." "Died?" queried the Grand Counsellor. "Pickle?" asked a minister. "Tian Fen, bring Master Lan to me," demanded a deep voice she hadn't yet heard. It was the Emperor's. The sound of the imperial voice struck fear into the girl. Somehow she found the strength to wriggle free from the guard's grasp. Somehow she managed to bolt to the door before they could grab her again. Somehow she found her way down the corridors without making a mistake. She didn't turn to see if anyone was pursuing her. She just ran. 1. What verbs help you infer that the girl is feeling scared for her life? 2. The next chapter is entitled "The Escape". Write a few questions you have about the next event in the book. Then add to the discussion by answering a friend's question giving your predictions about what might happen. Welcome to the discussion page for Dragonkeeper by Carole Wilkinson. A slave girl saves the life of an ageing dragon and escapes her brutal master. Pursued by a ruthless dragon hunter, the girl and the dragon begin an epic journey across China. They carry with them a mysterious stone that must be protected.
Dragonkeeper is the story of a girl who believes she is not worthy even of a name, but finds within herself the strength and courage to make this perilous journey - and do what must be done. |
MP1 BlogHi! ArchivesCategories |