Todd Dies

Do you guys think what happened to Todd was inevitable? And why? If so, when do you think he reached the "point of no return," and if not, how do you think he could have avoided that fate? You could answer the same question with regard to Dussander too if you wanted to.

Todd is Insane

Why do you guys think that Todd started killing after he stopped his visits with Dussander? Do you think if Todd was still talking with Dussander, he wouldn't have killed those people? Or do you think that Todd's visits just sent him towards what he did, in other words, if he had continued to talk with Dussander, he would have killed those people anyway? The big question here is: Did Todd's visits with Dussander make Todd start killing people, or did they prevent him from doing it?

Dussander and Todd

How would you guys describe Todd and Dussander's relationship? I mean they always say that they hate each other, yet they meet every single day. They say that they are just working together so that they can stay out of trouble, but if that was really the case and they really despised each other as much as they claim, couldn't they just part ways and sort out their own problems for themselves? What do you think is really holding these two characters together?

Todd

So once again, I guess we'll start out with the main character. What do you guys think about Todd? Do you think he is more overly curious, or just insane? Also, does he share any traits with any of the other main characters we've read about so far, Andy (who they talked about in this story by the way, which was kinda cool), or Gordie? You could talk about Chris too if you wanted to add him in there.

Apt Pupil

I think we agreed on reading Apt Pupil next. If not, then let me know. Anyway, here are the readings:

#1: 1 - 8
#2: 9 - 11
#3: 12 - 20
#4: 21 - End

Setting/Season

Ok so obviously, this novella is titled "Fall from Innocence." Now that we've finished the whole story, I think it's a good time to discuss the importance of the setting in the book. How do you guys think the season in which the events takes place influences the way in which the story is interpreted or affects the events that take place in the book? While we're at it, what do you guys think the purpose was of the rain/hail at the end of the story (if you think it had a purpose)?

Friends

So in section 17, Chris talks with Gordie about friends and how they can "hold you back." Do you guys think that Chris is right about Gordie in comparison with the rest of the guys? Also, do you think his idea still holds true today? And in what way do you see it? This one is more about human nature in general than about the book specifically, but if you can draw parallels from the story then go ahead, especially for the first part.

Gordie

So I guess we'll start out kind of like we did with Shawshank. What do you guys think of Gordie so far? Just share any opinions you have of him, either as a character or the narrator, either will work.

The Body

Ok so here are the readings for The Body:

#1: 1-11
#2: 12-18
#3: 19-End

Andy's Escape

So I think the whole question and answer thing worked pretty well last time so here's another one:

At the end of the story, Red shares his ideas about Andy's escape. In there, he believes that one day Andy just happened to notice the weakness of the walls, and later, somehow suddenly discovered the sewer pipe. He basically thought that Andy's escape was based on a lot of dumb luck. Do you guys agree with Red's idea? In other words, do you think that the circumstances of Andy's escape were pure luck, or do you think he had actually thought out a plan beforehand, at least to a certain extent?

Movies?

We've read half of The Shawkshank Redemption, and as you all probably know there is a movie adaptation. But if we choose to continue reading the other stories in Different Seasons, there are another two movies to go along with it, one for Apt Pupil and another for The Body (that movie's called Stand by Me). I'm wondering how we're going to fit this in, if we're going to. Should we watch all of the movies in one night? One movie after we finish each story? That kind of stuff. And since nobody wants to post it I'll be that guy and post it.

Andy

So now that we have to start talking about stuff: What do you guys think about Andy so far? A lot of the guys in the prison thought he was stuck up. Do you guys think Andy believes he is better than the rest of the prisoners?

Readings

So for the readings I basically just split the book in half. The first one will go up to page 63, at least in Anthony and my books. (Don't worry it starts on page 15.) For everyone who doesn't have the same page numbers as Anthony and me, the last few sentences are : "He wasn't there long, Andy said. Either he quit or Briggs, the fellow in charge of the marina, fired him. But he wasn't a man you forgot. He was too striking for that." It's after they finish talking about El Blatch, so when you get to that part look out for it. The second one will obviously just finish the book.

Hello nerds

This is Anthony reporting in. How ya kids doing?