Part Three - Transit || Unwind 🚀

"I was never going to amount to much anyway, but now, statistically speaking, there's a better chance that some part of me will go on to greatness somewhere in the world. I'd rather be partly great than entirely useless." -Samson Ward

Questions...

In the course of the book, Connor and Risa get separated from Lev, who travels for a time with another character. Why do you think Shusterman chose to split the narrative into two distinct threads? What do you think this achieves? How does this affect the evolution of the characters? 

a. I think he did this to give us more of an idea of what could happen if you ran away, you could get help of you could be on your own. He is also introducing a new character (CyFi) who helps Lev a lot. I think this archives the characters feelings for one another and how they adjust to their area.

The novel touches on same-sex relationships. Has the attitude toward same-sex couples changed (for better or worse) in this futuristic society? Explain your response.  

a. I think in our world now we are more supportive of same-sex couples. I think it's just normal for the world now and honestly, there is nothing wrong with it at all. The world is more acceptable for the better but you will still have those people who hate it.

This begins our journey into understanding a little more about Cy-Fi. Through his character, what do you learn about the effects of unwinding on both the donor and receiver? 
a. I think the effects are that the persons body part still has muscle memory and does what the other person use to do with it. So like it keeps its skills and habits.

What is the real reason Cy-Fi need to get to Joplin, Mo?

a. Lev thought it was to find someone but it is because this ghost thing is taking over some of him and the ghost wants to go there, so Lev thinks it's because that's where the late person use to live.

What is the significance of Connor holding in his anger around Roland?

a. Because he knows Risa is right and that Roland wants Connor to take the bait so they can get into a fight. If they get into a fight Roland could have a trick up his sleeve and kill Connor or something.

Connor's anger and lack of impulse control is often a problem for him, until he learns to control and channel his emotions. Do you ever feel like your impulses are stronger than your will? What strategies do you use to control your feelings? Do they work? 

a. Sometimes, especially if you are trying to hold in a laugh and your best friend makes it worse. Except I find that I can control myself quite well. When I need to control my feelings I usually turn to music or I just need time alone, and yes they work all the time. 

Storked - Workshop Discussion || Unwind 🧶

Storking is a legal process, but does that make it the right thing to do?

a. In my eyes, no because you could be killing a newborn baby! You could at least give it to an adoption centre in order for it to get the right care and have a future. 

Is it the mother's responsibility to care for the child? 

a. Honestly yes, because they brought it into the world and as I said if they can't give it the right care don't just leave it on a doorstep! You can give babies up except in my eyes you need to do it the right way.

Can Connor offer the baby a better future than it would have if left there?

a. That's a 50/50 question, if he left the baby there it had a chance of dying except since he took it he has a whole new responsibility to look after, I feel if he was a bit older than yes and the baby would never get unwound if it's with Connor whose running away from getting unwound.

What risks does picking up the baby put on Connor, Risa and Lev?

a. The baby could give them away while at the school hiding, it could even start crying when they need to hide and it gives them an extra thing to carry and feed.

What impact does Connors past have on his decision? 

a. It makes him take the baby with him since he doesn't want it to die like other babies he has seen. So basically Connor is more than likely saving a life. His memory shows us that he doesn't want to leave the baby there as well since a baby he has been storked with before died, so it's like he's trying to redeem his memory by doing a good thing and helping the storked baby. Connor also took the baby because a kid at the house the storked baby was at said "we have been storked again." So Connor decided to take the baby with him.

Part Two - Storked || Unwind 📖

"You can't change laws without changing human nature" - Nurse Greta 

"You can't change human nature without first changing the law" - Nurse Young

Questions...

What is the story based on a nursery rhyme that circulates among the young?

a. Humpty Dumpty because in the nursery rhyme it states "All the king's horses and all the king's men, couldn't put Humpty together again." It is this nursery rhyme because in the book it talks about a boy called Humphrey Dunfee. These boys parents were said to be psychotic. Humphrey's story is an urban legend that tells... When Humphrey was a teen, his parents unwound him. Except after the fact, Humphrey's parents experienced a crushing remote and went on a killing spree, murdering every person who received a body part from their son. The reasoning is because they realised they killed their son and tried to put him back together but of course he was already gone.


Risa overhears two nurses during debating law and human nature. Which argument do you think is stronger? Why do you think about this? Write a paragraph explaining your thoughts on the law and human nature...
"You can't change the laws without first changing human nature." Spoke Nurse Greta. Risa had overheard an argument between two nurses arguing about human nature and the laws. Honestly, I think the debate about not being able to change the laws without changing human nature is a stronger argument to present. My thinking is that when you are younger you always go by the rules (law) because that's what you have been taught and know what to do. Except if you go by human nature if you run away after knowing the laws it is a lot harder because you haven't been taught how to live that way, and you could feel like you are committing a crime (guilty feeling.) I think Nurse Greta is one hundred per cent right, you honestly can't change the laws without changing human nature in order for it to be legal and younger kids growing up with it.


This section opens with a mother abandoning her newborn infant on the doorstep of a house in a good neighbourhood. As she leaves, she thinks "How wonderful it is that she can get a second chance. How wonderful it is that she can dismiss her responsibility so easily." In your opinion, by allowing new mothers to give up their children so readily, does it take away from the value of a child?
Honestly no not at all, except when the child gets told their mother gave them up they may feel unwanted and quite sad. Except I do think that it takes away the value of a mother especially by leaving an infant on a doorstep and after being with that child for 9 months they could have done it a much better way.


What is the role of a mother? Do you think the title of a mother is something that should be earned or a natural right of the woman who gave birth? 
To me, every woman has a right to be a mother. Except the role of a mother is someone who is honest, loving and is always there for you. Honestly, there are some nasty people out in the world so I think if they treat their children badly then they lose their title to be a mother.


What skills or attributes do Connor and Risa have that work well together?
Connor and Risa make a pretty awesome team. One of the most things they have in common is leadership since we see either Connor being the leader or even Risa steps up when Connor isn't making the smartest choices. Another thing that works well with them is that they are super good at improvising together along with Risa likes to think through her decisions where Connor just likes to go for it. Risa helps Connor think about some of his dumb choices which is great but sometimes the dumb choices are the best.


Connor and Lev have very different experiences with storking. How has this helped shape each of their attitudes toward the society they live in? 
Connors experiences with storking is that he has seen babies die on people's doorsteps due to them being unwanted and getting sick. Where Lev's siblings were all storked (he has three siblings.) In Lev's beliefs, having a baby on the doorstep is a blessing and a sign to start having kids. It has shaped their attitudes into Connor thinking it is a terrible thing and Lev to think it is a good sign.


Connor is concerned the baby won't be loved, and ultimately will die, so he takes it. What does this show us about him as a person?
This shows us Connor does care. That he does have emotions under his tough shell. To me it show's the readers that Connor doesn't want anything bad to happen to the baby and he especially doesn't want it to die. So it shows he has a kind heart.


What makes Lev realise he doesn't want to be unwound?
When Pastor Dan told Lev he was free now. Lev realised his whole life was a lie and that he had no choice but to run for his life.


Each of the other characters on the run has a tragic background story. Why were Hayden, Roland and Mai set to be unwound? Which is the most tragic? Explain your response...
Hayden was set to be unwound because his wealthy parents couldn't come to a custody agreement after getting a divorce so they decided to unwound him so no parent gets him. Roland was set to be unwound due to beating up his stepfather for beating up his mother, and his mother choosing the stepfather side over his. Then Mai is sent to be unwound since her parents always wanted a son. They go their wish after having four girls, and since Mai was the fourth they decided to unwind her before she found her way to Sonia. I honestly think the most tragic is between Hayden or Roland, like all their stories are horrible but I think it is between the boys since it is really unfair especailly for Roland.


What tattoo does Roland have?
He has a shark tattoo on his arm.

NZ Foods Timeline... ⌛

Part One - Triplicate || Unwind 📖

Part One Questions Of Unwind...

How much brainwashing do you think has happened for teenagers to make this sort of claim as they’re being led to their "death"?  

a. I think a lot of brainwashing has had to been put in if they start thinking like that. They claim in the story that they won't be the same anymore so they make it sound like they are dead (due to them not being their normal self.)

Why, do you think, has Shusterman chosen to have three characters tell their story?  

a. To introduce us to different types of situations of how kids can get told. It shows us many people's lives and a bit about the characters.

Lev is a tithe. This means that he is the 10% that his family will give back to the church as an offering. What are your thoughts on this?  

a. I mean it's his religion, and honestly, it's up to them. Except he is excited to go and it's really sad.

Rita is a state home kid - she was unwanted at birth, and now the state have decided she is no longer useful. Do you think that the state should ever be able to determine if one life is more useful than another? 

a. No I think it is completely unfair. Rita seems like a bright happy girl and she deserves to be given more of a chance.

Connor's parents have chosen to unwind him due to his difficult behaviour. They have then booked a ticket to the Bahamas. In your opinion, how do parents view their children? Why do you think this?

a. To me, I believe they view their children like animals. I can't believe they are letting their son go for his behaviour (where you can easily sit down and talk about it.) The fact they are going to the Bahamas shows they don't care.

Pastor Dan presents as being conflicted. What reasons might he have to encourage Lev in his journey as a tithe? Why does he encourage him to run?  

a. I think he did a good thing to tell Lev to run. I don't really know about the second question but I think he knows a lot of what happens when they get 'harvested' so that's why he told Lev to run.

Dystopian Literature 🧐 || Unwind

Dystopian Literature 

According to the Science-Fiction Dictionary, Brave New Words, dystopian literature is "an imagined society or state of affairs in which conditions are extremely bad, especially in which these conditions result from the continuation of some current trend to an extreme."

Name three synonyms for dystopia...

a. apocalypse 

b. antiutopia 

c. imagined 

What is the antonym for dystopia? 

antiutopia 

Dystopian Origins and Characteristics 

Dystopia is a relatively new genre but has deeply rooted origins dating back to Thomas More's 1516 text Utopia. Dystopia fiction often comes about when major events happen in the world (WWII, the rise of communism, major advances in technology). 

Defining features of dystopia include: 

Full Government control 

Citizens relinquishing all rights 

Seemingly perfect societies with a dark side to them 

The rise of technology, and how it overtakes humanity 

Citizens have a fear of the outside world 

Citizens worship one leader 

Citizens live in a dehumanised state 

Types of Dystopian Controls 

Corporate control: One or more large corporations control society through products, advertising, and/or the media. 

Bureaucratic control: Society is controlled by a mindless bureaucracy through a tangle of red tape, relentless regulations, and incompetent government officials. 

Technological control: Society is controlled by technology—through computers, robots, and/or scientific means. 

Philosophical/religious control: Society is controlled by philosophical or religious ideology often enforced through a dictatorship or theocratic government. 

Which dystopian novels have you read? 

a. Honestly none.

How many others can you name? 

a. The Hunger Games

If you have read or viewed some dystopia, what are some of the key elements you have noticed? 

a. That it is a horrible world, and the government is the key problem.

FAMOUS DYSTOPIAN TEXTS 

1984 - George Orwell - often seen as the definitive text - 'Big Brother is watching you 

Brave New World - Aldous Huxley - once again an earlier example of dystopian literature 

A Clockwork Orange- Anthony Burgess - Stanley Kubrick's film adaptation was banned in the U.K for twenty-five years until 1999 due to its "ultra-violence' and copycat crimes. Burgess claims he regrets ever having published the book. 

Examing The Cover...

How do you think this story will be written?

a. My understanding would be a certain person or a group getting targeted due to the red.

Why do you think the story is entitled as it is?

a. Maybe it wants to undo something in the past or unwind the truth. 

Where do you think the story will take place?

a. I have a feeling it will take place in a village or a small town.

What time period do you think the story is set in?

a. In the cover, it says "before the hunger games there was.." so I think it was way before the hunger games, but if the hunger games were "in the future" could this story be telling us something?

Exploring The Blurb 

Unwind blurb 

The process by which a child is both terminated and kept alive is called 'unwinding'. Unwinding is now common, and accepted practice in society. 

In the not-too-distant future, teens Connor, Risa, and Lev are on the run for their lives. Following the Second Civil War, between pro-choice and pro-life forces, the United States now allows parents to unwind their unwanted and difficult kids between the ages of thirteen and eighteen: Their bodies are surgically taken apart and all the organs and tissue are used in other people. According to the law, the kids aren't considered dead, they're "living in a divided state." But Connor, Risa, and Lev, and thousands of other teens slated for "unwinding", don't see it that way. They choose instead to "kick AWOL," or run away. Unwind follows these three across the country as they travel together, split up, and meet again when their destinies cross in a Harvest Camp where they are slated to be unwound. 

Blurb Questions...

What do you already know about pro-life and pro-choice groups? What do these terms mean? Is it an issue you have thought about? 

a. Pro-choice is when you support "abortion rights" and pro-life is for all the Karens who don't agree with it. 

What do you know about organ donation? 

a. That people do it to help others out, except some people can get forced to do it which is a terrible thing.

Teenagers to be unwound are sent to Harvest Camps. Can you make a connection between the language used to describe this place, and other places people have been sent historically? 

a. I can connect this to a farm where they have cows, sheep and chickens. I would say this because animals get used for meat and other stuff. I would also connect this to Hitler's concentration camps.

What religious connotation does the word 'harvest' evoke? 

a. I think it means to collect because they 'harvest' crops.

The term "living in a divided state" here is really a euphemism for what? Can you think of other, common euphemisms? Why do people use euphemisms? 

a. Passed away ↔ died

What is the definition of legal? 

a. Permitted by the law, so you can do it without being in the wrong.

What about ethical? 

a. Acts that are thought to be 'right.'

Do you believe that because something is legal, it is also ethical, or morally right?

a. No, not always. I say this because there is different laws in every country (some that are illegal in others.) Most places in America have gun laws and guns are 'illegal' wherein some other countries it is legal to own a gun.

Can things that are ethically sound ever be illegal? Provide examples. 

a. Yes because to me eating dogs is a crime I say this because in some places it is legal but it sounds illegal to me.

Can you think of examples in history to support your ideas? Provide examples. 

a. Hitler. Since he use to experiment on innocent people and he got to get away with it, so I say Hitler. 

"I was never going to amount to much anyway, but now, statistically speaking, there's a better chance that some part of me will go on to greatness somewhere in the world. I'd rather be partly great than entirely useless." -Samson Ward 

Jam Drops 🍓

What is the link to our unit (culture) in regards to the British Settlers? 

a. To me the link is seeing what they ate back in their days, they might not have the most modern stuff but it's like what they use to eat and where it came from.

What ingredient that you used today did the settlers not have and why might that be?

a. Jam, because not every country had jam back in those days.

Jam Drops Recipe...
https://www.chelsea.co.nz/browse-recipes/jam-drops/