THE FINAL BLOG POST!

This is the Final Blog post!

The final blog post is a choice of activities:

1. Write a prediction as to what will happen to the character(s) in the next book of the trilogy.

2. Write a letter to the character . Include any questions that you may want to ask the character, provide specific evidence from the novel.

3. Write a letter to the author. Information that could be included.. Where did the author get their ideas? What inspired them to write the novel? Questions that you may have?

4. Finally, choose one of the 3 main characters and write how this character has changed during the course of the novel.

Yes, that day has come. We all knew it would come didn't we? It's the end of Literature Circles for The White Mountains. It's been a very interesting book and it brought me to think a lot about today, and what lies ahead in the future. I can't say assuringly that Tripods won't take over the world, because we both know that nobody knows what will happen later on, but we can make a difference in what the world will be later on depending on our choices. From the beginning, life in Wherton seemed so simplistic, and olden day style, not exactly like the future. It seemed really confusing, because I kept thinking, this is what the future is, because I was expecting the future to be full of new technology and a much much easier life than we do now. At that time, they didn't know about cars, hand grenades, and watches were very rare, not exactly what I pictured the world to be in the future! I think that the author did a great job though, it was interesting how three boys were trying to escape from naivety, and live a real life. So here is how I chose to finish my blog posts on the White Mountains.

I chose number four, choosing one out of the three main characters and typing about how the character has changed during the novel. I chose Will. Will has always been the most difficult and complex character, but I believe that he has changed a lot during this journey. He has changed in either good or bad ways, depending on the perspective of the reader. This shows great progress in thought and actions. We can tell that Will obviously isn't the same young boy, oblivious to the entire world around him, but he still is a free thinker. There are some traits that Will has that we can be pretty sure will never change. But we can never know completely and can only guess, because all of us go through changes, and we can never be sure what happens. It can be so different when you stop looking at things the same way. Just like he suddenly loved Eloise A LITTLE BIT more than he loved freedom. This is very strange because we always think of Will as a freedom lover and would put freedom in front of everything. The course of life always changes, and can be so unexpected and just so overwhelming. So I am going to try and analyze those changes in Will, unexpected or expected, big or small, I think you get what I mean now! So without further ado, I am going to bring you through Will's changes, make sure you don't get lost!

Will has changed because he is less naive in general, about so many things. He knows more about the Tripods and how they can do more than cap people, they can hunt, and can place Tracking Devices and so much more. The information on tracking devices was found from personal experience (Pages 166-171). He also found that the Tripods did more than control people and could love, or could be careless and play around with humans like toys. We saw this when the Tripods, were hitting the boat and Will learned that the Tripods In Wherton, he was enclosed in the tiny village, but through the journey he could experience, see and know more about the world around him other than knowing only about Wherton. He began to believe that humans were more capable, and could survive without the Tripods. He found this proof in Chapter 5, when they traveled through the Ancient City and found an abundant supply of man-made watches, cars as well as hand grenades for self defense. Throughout the journey, he relied a lot on the fact that he was striving for freedom and put that as his number one priority, until he met Eloise. He cared a lot about freedom, and left his whole life behind for a difficult and hard journey so that he could be free. Now that he is free, he has to work hard to supply himself with his everyday needs. He has to make more choices and these choices are much more valuable, and impact his life depending on his choice! He struggled very often, to make these choices, and his decisions were the roads that led to freedom. It was very difficult for him to make these choices especially after meeting Eloise, because falling head over heels in love, he allowed freedom to drop down to number two in priority and Eloise as his number one priority.

Throughout the trip, he gained in many things. He gained in bravado because he was ready to sacrifice himself when the Tripod came, so the others could escape. This shows a great amount of braveness because he was ready to do that so the others could have the freedom, that he wouldn't be able to have done that for people who weren't really his friends, it also shows that he has a huge heart. He has gained a purpose for life, he strives for freedom, and is dedicated to his work as a free boy/man. Last, but not least, he has gained knowledge, so much knowledge! It's like he is a different boy altogether, with this knowledge Will can do more than survive, he can thrive! He knows that the Tripods are weak in certain areas which can damage them if hit or penetrated. This can help them in life threatening situations when attacked by Tripods. 'The others came to me. We stared up, in awe at the Tripod. It stood there, tilted slightly, but upright. From where we stood it showed no signs of damage. But its tentacle drooped like a dead snake. Our tormentor would not torment us again (Page 180).' This quote was after Will had snaked and they stood in awe at what WILL had managed to do. He had killed the Tripod, and it was so overpowering and wonderful because they had managed to prove that the Tripods weren't completely unstoppable and that they still had a chance at defeating the Tripods, it only took time and a lot of perseverance. Speaking of perseverance, it's another thing that Will gained. We can see lots of perseverance in Will. Here is one example from the book. 'Because before I could move, it had me around the waist.------I looked up, and saw the hole in the side of the hemisphere. And remembered the iron egg still clutched in my right hand. How long was it since I had pulled the ring out? I had forgotten to count in the confusion. Several seconds-it could not be long before it exploded. The tentacle was swing me inwards now. The hole was forty feet away, thirty-five, thirty. I braced myself back, straining against the encircling band. Pain leapt in my arm again, but I ignored it. I hurled the egg with all my strength, and what accuracy I could muster. I thought at first that I had missed, but the egg hit the edge of the opening and ricocheted inside (Page 179).' This quote shows perseverance because even when all looked as if, he was going to be capped and his world with end, he tried his best to try and kill it, even when it was the darkest moment. Like I've said so many times, Will is a very interesting boy, he can surprise you, so unexpectedly and THAT'S what I like about him! 'The unchallenged impregnable masters of the earth—and my right hand had smashed one to death. I thought I knew how David had felt, when he saw Goliath topple in the dust of the valley of Elah.’ (Page 182). This quote comes directly from Will's thoughts. This is proof of the confidence he has gained, mostly because of the fact that he had killed a Tripod by himself, which gives him reason to celebrate because he defeated one, even though he was smaller. He used intelligence and aiming practice to shoot the grenade expertly through the hole. That about wraps up Will and what he has gained in, and changed in.

Thanks for reading!