Thursday, May 29, 2014
Blog Post #3 due on Tuesday, 6/3 by 8 am
The original title of The Westing Game was Eight Imperfect Pairs of Heirs. The author changed it so that reviewers wouldn't latch on to the word "imperfect." Think of each group of partners in the novel. How is each pair imperfect? How does everyone benefit from the relationship with their partner. Choose one or two pairs and discuss their relationship in terms of the questions above. Remember to comment on a classmate's post. Use your rubric so you know exactly what is expected.
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In The Westing Game, sixteen heirs are paired up to eight groups of two. Some of the heirs are differ from their pairs. One pair that is not perfect is Jake Wexler, and Madame Hoo. One example of this is on page 100, "Madame Hoo, a quicker learner than the dressmaker,had learned more words: partner, money, house, tree, road, pots, pans, okay, football, good, rain, spareribs. Her teacher, Jake Wexler, visited her in the kitchen before he sat down to his daily lunch in the Chinese restaurant"(Raskin). Madame Hoo is from China, and doesn't know any English, so it is hard to communicate. Though they are imperfect, later in the novel, they have a better understanding of each other, and Jake teaches her English. Even when all the pairs first meet not many pairs are perfect. They all benefit from each other by the end because some are greedy, and mad, but they share, and are happier by their partner's company by the end of the novel. For example, Angela and Sydelle are a good group, because Sydelle wants attention, but Angela feels she has too much attention so they understand one another the most.
ReplyDeleteAshley, I agree with you when you said Angela and Sydelle are imperfect. After Angela planted the bomb in a gift, wouldn't you think now she would not get much attention because she has a scar across her face?
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DeleteAshley, I agree with you when you said that Jake and Madame Hoo have a better understanding of each other toward the end of the novel. Madame Hoo literally has a better understanding of Jake because she can mostly understand what he is saying in English.
DeleteI agree with you because with Jake and Madame they can not communicate properly. And with Angela and Sydelle, Angela does not want attention and Sydelle does.
DeleteAshley, I agree with you when you said that Angela and Sydellle understand each other most. They both know each others personalities and they are not afraid to help each other throughout life, even when they are not partners any more.
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ReplyDeleteIn the novel, there are sixteen heirs paired into eight groups of two. Each pair gains and loses from each other, meaning they learn from their partner, yet they also differ from each other and they change themselves. Everyone benefits from their partner by bonding; they spend time together and, they may not realize this, but while bonding, they morph themselves into better people or they start to accept some odd or saddening factors of their life. One pair that clearly shows this is Turtle Wexler (a child neglected by her mother, Grace) and Flora Baumbach (a dressmaker whose daughter passed away). This particular pair lost loved ones. Turtle’s mother didn’t pass away, by “lost” I mean she lost love and attention. Flora’s daughter, Rosalie, passed away. Turtle reminds Flora of Rosalie, while Flora acts with such a motherly nature toward Turtle. As Turtle and Flora bond, Turtle develops a nickname for Flora: Baba. Turtle find Baba’s love more comforting than her own mother’s. Raskin writes, “A sob tore through Turtle’s soul as she ran to Baba’s comforting arms. ‘Baba, Baba, I don’t want to play anymore,’” (page 152). In this scene, one of Turtle’s closest friends playing the Westing Game, Sandy McSouthers, has died, and Turtle runs to Baba for support, instead of crying to Grace. Turtle feels like she finally has a mother, even if they are not related by blood. Baba now has a daughter-like character in her life. The game has given them a gift: a strong relationship. If it weren’t for the Westing Game, both Turtle and Flora Baumbach would still be feeling such loss and be even more imperfect than they already are, but everyone has flaws.
ReplyDeleteErin,
DeleteI agree with you because Turtle and Flora(Baba)both have flaws. Turtle kicks people, and Flora too nice. They help each other, and comfort one another like a family should.
Erin, I strongly agree with you because Baba and Turtle need each other and they work better together.
DeleteIn the novel, their are sixteen people in eight groups of two. Each pair is imperfect because they differ from each other, but while learning from one another. Each pair benefits from one another because by spending time together and having conversations, they experience a change, a change that not only affects their lives, but effects their point of view. A pair who shows this is Turtle Wexler and Flora Baumbach. Turtle Wexler is a child who is ignored by her mother. Flora Baumbach is the mother of her daughter, Rosalie. Her daughter past away and had special needs. After some time passed, Turtle created a name for her, "second mother," Baba. Turtle finds Baba as more loving, caring, comforting, and nice than her own mother, Grace. According to the text, Raskin writes, "She ran to Baba's comforting arms. 'Baba, Baba, I don't won't to play anymore,'" (page 152). After Turtle's friend, Sandy died, Turtle ran to Baba instead of her own mother., meaning that she finds Baba more as a mother than a partner. Baba will always help Turtle and will always be right on her side. In one scene of the novel, Grace was a little drunk, and she did not even recognize her own daughter. Baba and Turtle now have a strong bonding relationship thanks to game. Turtle and Baba are now like a family and have a strong love kind of feel for each other.
ReplyDeleteKelly, I agree with you fully because Turtle and Flora's relationship did get stronger. They also became a family while participating in this game.
DeleteI agree with you because of Flora much more than Grace Wexler.
DeleteKelly, I do agree with you. Turtle does like Baba better than Grace. Also you are right about how Turtle thinks Baba as a mother more than as a partner.
DeleteKelly, I strongly agree with you because Flora is more caring than Grace Wexler. She also comforts Turtle, unlike Grace.
DeleteIn the novel the Westing Game there is eight pairs of sixteen people. Some pairs are perfect and some are not. One imperfect pair is Jake Wexler and Madame Hoo. They are imperfect because Madame Hoo does not speak any english and it is hard for Jake to talk to her. “ Madame Hoo a quicker learner than the dressmaker, had learned more words: partner, money, house, tree, road, pots, pans, okay, football, good, rain, spare ribs.” (Raskin 100) In this quote you see that Madame Hoo learned some words but not enough to communicate with her partner properly.
ReplyDeleteYour right Andrew, I agree with you because she is from China she doesn't know English but she is a quick learner.
DeleteI agree Andrew W. they can not talk to each other and when it was time to give there answer for the killer Madame Hoo did not know English very well and said BOOM.
DeleteIn the novel, there are sixteen heirs and out of those sixteen heirs there are eight groups of two. Each pair of heirs are imperfect in one way or the other, but on the same token they can relate to each other and discuss their problems. Each pair benefits from one another by discussing big ideas, showing empathy to their partner in a moment of grief, and knowing went to be there and knowing when to stay away. One pair that demonstrates these skills are the pair including Turtle Wexler and Flora Baumbach. Turtle, a thirteen year old girl, goes through a lot of changes throughout this novel; from covering up for her sister and confessing she is the bomber to thinking of Flora more than a partner. Flora, a dress-maker in this novel, goes through lots of harsh changes from her daughter dying to having a partner that is like a daughter to her(Turtle). While participating in this game, Turtle starts to develop a strong relationship with Flora and starts to think of her as her mother that she calls Baba. Baba is thought of as a mother to Turtle because she is loving, caring, understanding, and trustworthy and more watchful of Turtle than Turtle's actual mother is to her. According to the text, Raskin writes, "She ran to Baba's comforting arms. 'Baba, Baba, I don't want to play anymore,"'(page 152). After Sandy the doorman died, which was Turtle's friend, she ran to Baba instead of Grace. This means that instead of her running to her actual mother, she ran to Baba because she knew she would understand what Turtle was going through. Flora and Turlte are now like mother and daughter because the game brought them closer together. They are now like a family and respect each other's love and care.
ReplyDeleteHarley, I agree with you when you said They are like family and respect each other's love and care. I agree with this because like you said Mrs. Baumbach is like a mother to Turtle now and they love each other.
DeleteHarley I strongly agree with you because turtle and flora are the pair that has changed the most because their nice and caring for flora so that has changed the most.
DeleteIn the novel there are 16 heirs divided in to 8 pairs. Each pair are imperfect because they are different about each other. During the novel they learn about each other more. One of the imperfect pair is Angela Wexler and Sydelle Pulaski. They are an imperfect pair because Angela is noticed and Sydelle is not noticed. " What good luck the hobbling Sydelle Pulaski thought. Now she would really be noticed with such a pretty young thing for a partner" Sydelle said (page 35) Now Angela doesn't want to be that pretty anymore. They both feel how someone is noticed and not to be noticed.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Chris Z. It’s ironic how Westing paired them together. Sydelle wants to be noticed and Angela does not because she thinks they just like her because of Denton and her looks.
DeleteChris z I kindly disagree with you because Sydelle didn't get paired wit angela to get noticed sydelle. She is the mistake so maybe Sybil was always noticed like Angela
DeleteWhen thinking about each group of partners in the novel I believe they are imperfect because they have different personalities and flaws like all people. I chose to blog about the partnership between Turtle Wexler and Flora Baumbach because they didn’t have anything in common at the beginning of the story. Turtle is mischievous, feisty, and kicks people when they touch her braid. Because of this she is known as a brat in the story. According to the text the words “BRAIDED KICKING TORTOISE ‘SI A BRAT” [pg.53] were used to describe Turtle. Flora Baumbach is just a nice and quiet old lady who can’t help but smile at everyone. Baumbach benefited from their relationship because they became closer when Mrs. Baumbach started braiding Turtle’s hair. According to the text it states “My, what thick hair you have. I tried to braid my daughter’s hair once…” [pg.63] I think Mr. Westing paired Turtle and Mrs. Baumbach together because they were each missing something important in their lives, love. Turtle’s mother neglects her and Mrs. Baumbach’s daughter died. However, by the end of the story they were like family.
ReplyDeleteAutumn I agree with you because in the novel they actually didn't have anything in common. Back in the book earlier it says that they didn't get along and they didn't really like each other.Autumn like you said they became a family towards the end because they had nicknames for each other and Turtle actually let Flora touch her hair and braid it. Therefore I agree with you.
DeleteIn Ellen Raskin’s novel all the pairs are truly imperfect in their own ways. Dr. Wexler and Madame Hoo can barely speak to each other in the start of the novel and Crow and Otis Amber argue about everything. Although all these pairs are not perfect, one pair is the farthest from it. That pair is Turtle Wexler and Flora Baumbach. In the beginning of the novel, Turtle doesn’t have much of a relationship with Ms. Baumbach, Turtle tells Ms. Baumbach what to do and she does it. As the novel progresses Turtle turns to Ms. Baumbach as her mother figure. According to the text, “It was Flora Baumbach who braided Turtle’s hair now…” This benefitted both Turtle and Ms. Baumbach because Turtle’s mother did not treat Turtle like a daughter and Flora Baumbach’s daughter had died. Both of the girls had a hole in their life and they were able to fill the gap for each other. Soon Turtle starts to call Ms. Baumbach “Baba”. Baba starts to feel like she has a daughter again and Turtle starts to feel like she has a mother again. This pair will never be perfect but they are closer to it than other pairs, by the end of the novel.
ReplyDeleteIn the novel, The Westing Game, there are sixteen protagonists divided into eight pairs. Each pair is imperfect because their personalities are not the same. However, throughout the novel, the protagonists and their pair's personalties change greatly. For example, Denton Deere and Chris Theodorakis's partner relationship starts out weak. In the text Denton states " He is a busy man. He was a doctor, not a nursemaid"( 33 ). Denton thinks he is paired with Chris to take care of his special needs, not for the opportunity to win the game. Throughout the game, their partnership begins to develop a friendship. In the novel, Denton starts to care for Chris. In the text, Denton says that he will take Chris to the doctor to help him find medicine for his special needs. Chris likes this idea and says, " His partner said to talk it over, the two of them, together. They were really partners now " ( 111 ). During the end of the novel, Chris and Denton are not only partners, they are friends. They care for each other, their friendship is now strong.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Daniella because when they got paired up he didn't want to pair up with a person who has special needs. Also I think that Denton thought that he wasn't smart enough to do anything. And probably Denton thought he was too smart for him.
DeleteI agree with you Daniella because Denton does start to care for him much more
DeleteI think that Sydelle and Angela are imperfect but in the same way perfect.
ReplyDeleteI think this because of how beautiful Angela is and how she always get's noticed, but Sydelle never get's noticed and with Angela she could get noticed.
I agree with because Sydelle wants attention and Angela does not
Deletebut Sydelle can try to take away the attention from Angela then Sydelle would be and Angela does not want so she will and then they will be perfect partners. But for now there imperfect partners
In the novel ,The Westing Game, there are 16 heirs who get paired up. I do not think any of the pairs are imperfect because they get along so well. For example, Doug Hoo and Theo Theoadorakis get along so well because they are best friends. in the text is says ,"they slapped hands and Doug Jogged to table seven" (pg 35). This shows that Doug Hoo and Theo Theoadorakis are happy that they are paired up together.Therefore no pair have an imperfect relationship.
ReplyDeleteIn the novel the Westing Game there are sixteen heirs in 8 groups. I think that Angela and sydelle are imperfect because Angela is perfect and sydelle isn't. Sydelle isn't perfect because she tries to get and find attention.Angela has all the attention she needs because she is pretty.
ReplyDeleteIn the novel, The Westing Game,there are sixteen protagonists divided into eight pairs they each have their own unique partner. Each partner is imperfect in a way because some partners get a long, but others don't. A pair that is imperfect are Dr. Denton Deere and Chris Theodorakis. Chris and Denton are an imperfect pair because they weren't always very close.For example, they have gone through a lot of changes in their relationship like Denton Deere just wanted Chris for money, but towards the end of the novel he had changed and he wasn't just about money. Towards the end of the novel Denton and Chris grew a close relationship. For example,"no one will touch you unless we talk it over first,you and me, together, I promise"(Raskin 111). This shows that Chris and Denton had an imperfect relationship like everybody else in the novel.
ReplyDeleteBrooke, I agree with you about Denton Deere and Chris Theodorakis. Denton only wanted the money, but he changed his ways of being greedy and helped Chris with his malady.
DeleteIn the novel The Westing Game, there are sixteen protagonist divided into eight pairs. Each pair is imperfect because they are almost opposites. One example is the pair of Sydelle Pulaski and Angela Wexler. They are opposites because Sydelle has always wanted attention and Angela doesn't like attention. According to the text "'I'm fine."' She was not fine. Why did they ask about Denton all the time, as though she was nobody without him?" (Raskin 58) This shows Angela wants to talk about different things other than her engagement and wants less attention about it. "No one ever notices Sydelle Pulaski," She murdered, but now they will. Now they will." (page 16)This quote tells us Sydelle never gets attention. She wants to have attention but she doesn't get it. In conclusion, Sydelle and Angela are opposites or an imperfect pair.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Brian because they have different personalities. I agree with you and I don't agree with you about sying that they are almost opposites. Sydelle is now getting recognized and Angela is too, but they are both getting recognized for different reasons. If I were to pick one I would say that I agree more than I disagree. Your paragraph was really good and easy to understand. I wanted to point that out to you.
DeleteIn the novel ''The Westing Game'' 16 heirs are paired together. In the begining they had nothing in common. Take Mr. Hoo and Ms. Wexler. In the begining they would always fight.''FRUITED PURPLE WAVES FOR SEA ' For sea! The murderer lives in apartment 4c!' 'I live in 4c,' Mr Hoo barked...S-e-a means sea, like what a turtle swims in.'' (Raskin page 44). In the end of the book they get to know eachother better and like eachother better.'' A name like Hoo's on First''. (page 910). Grace is try ing to help Mr. Hoo find a better name. In the eng each pair benefits from eachother because every one has flaws.
ReplyDeleteI agree because if she knew she wouldn't say the murder lives in 4 c and he wouldn't say like a sea that turtles swim in
Deletesorry I ment page 91 not 910
ReplyDeleteIn the novel "The Westing Game" sixteen heirs get paired in eight groups of two. Each pair is imperfect in their own way. One pair that is imperfect is Angela and Sydelle. This pair is imperfect because they both have different personalities. Sydelle is begging and going crazy for people to reconize her and give her all the attention. Angela on the other hand doesn't like the attention, she wants all the eyes off her. Sydelle is dressing crazy and that's what people recognize her for. Angela is pretty and about to get married that's what people reconize her for. This makes them very different. According to Raskin " I'm fine." She was not fine. Why did they ask about Denton all the time, as if she was nobody without him." (pg.58) This quote is saying that according to other people Angela is a nobody besides her good looks and engagement. Because of her engagement she is getting all the attention, but she doesn't like it. Sydelle is the opposite because she wants all the attention and wants people to focus on her. This pair is not only a bad pair it can come in handy. Sydelle is a secretary so she takes good notes and keeps good care of her notes/clues. Angela is pretty and when people talk to her they might be looking at her with aw and accidentally let out a clue. In conclusion this pair is a good, yet bad decision.
ReplyDelete1. I think Angela and Sydelle are imperfect partners because Angela does not want much attention because everyone talks about her looks and how she is engaged to Denton Deere. Maybe she wants to be noticed for a different reason. Sydelle on the other hand wants to be noticed but she never was noticed and that Sydelle is the mistake because she never fit in. "Not Sydelle Pulaski the judge pointed out. said He wanted Sybil Pulaski to one the heirs." Sydelle wants attention not Angela. In Conclusion Angela and Sydelle are imperfect partners.
ReplyDeleteIn the novel 16 [actually 14 2 people are not counted] the people are from strange to weird. they are invited to the mysterious Westing house they are paired and benefit by fixing their mistakes
ReplyDeleteThe partners are imperfect because they fail a lot like the third bomb when Sydelle fractured her ankle and Angela failed to stop her.
ReplyDeleteSydelle and angela are pefect pairs because Sydelle wants atention. Angela does not want atention.
ReplyDeleteIn the Westing Game I think that James Hoo, and Gracie Windklopple Wexler are a bad pair. I think they are a bad pair because Gracie is very stuffy and very pompous and manipulative just like her uncle. And Mr. Hoo is messy, and over weight. Grace Wexler enjoys rich and educated people, but James Hoo is not rich nor fancy. And also Grace Wexler is races and Mr. Hoo does not like that. Therefore Mrs. Wexler, and Mr. Hoo are not a good pair.
ReplyDeleteI agree with because they always fight with each other
DeleteIn the Westing Game I think that Grace Windsor Wexler and Mr. Hoo are the most imperfect pair. I believe this because Grace is a very racist and selfish person while Mr. Hoo is a gluttonous and selfish. This is a bad pair because they are both thinking about how they could win the game not about how they could the game as a team. The pair was able to resolve their differences when Grace stopped being as racist and Mr. Hoo when he started to give our his paper innersoles to people in need. In conclussion, Mr. Hoo and Grace Windsor Wexler are not a good pair.
ReplyDeleteI think Mr. Hoo and grace are an imperfect couple because they do not listen to each other are love and care about each other. Sam westing said he maid the perfect couple but this couple was not the perfect couple. They were ignorant, selfish, and rood.to me Sam westing maid his second mistake.
ReplyDeleteIn the novel, there are sixteen heirs paired up into eight groups of two. The pairs are so different and imperfect but some how some bond really well. One imperfect pair was Turtle and Flora (Baba). They both have different personalities, Turtle is mean because she kicks people in the shin if the heirs touch her pony tail. Flora Baba is so nice and she always cares. What is so significant about this pair is that Flora is like her mother and what makes her mostly like Turtle's mother is that if she touched her pony tail she wouldn't react. what else that makes Flora her mother is that if Turtle is upset she would go to Baba.Turtle feels more safe and secure than her own mother. According to the text it says,"A sob tore through Turtle's soul as she ran to Baba's comforting arms".(152)This shows that she could've ran into her mothers arms but she went to Baba's arms instead. In conclusion, they are oppisites but it feels like they are a perfect pair.
ReplyDeleteIn the novel, The Westing Game, sixteen heirs are in eight groups of two. All of the heirs have different personalities which makes them imperfect. An example of an imperfect pair was Jake Wexler and Madame Hoo. Those two heirs are an imperfect pair because Madame Hoo usually speaks Chinese,not english. Since Jake doesn't understand Chinese, it is very difficult for them to communicate. Throughout the novel, Jake Wexler has taught Madame Hoo some words in English. “ Madame Hoo a quicker learner than the dressmaker, had learned more words: partner, money, house, tree, road, pots, pans, okay, football, good, rain, spare ribs.” (pg.100.) Therefore, Jake Wexler and Madame Hoo are an example of an imperfect pair.
ReplyDeleteI agree Joshua nobody understand Ms.Hoo and later on Jake does teach her ,but it's still hard to understand her
DeleteI think Chris and Denton Deere are an imperfect pair. I think this because at first Denton was being mean by making fun of his needs and Chris wanted to be paired with his brother. later on in the novel they both get along and start liking each other. In the novel, Denton wants to help Chris with his needs. It says ,"No operation. The doctor thinks a new medicine may help, but he has to examine you, make some test." (page 111). Denton wants to help Chris. Chris and Denton are an imperfect pair at first.
ReplyDeleteIn the novel there are sixteen heirs paired up into eight groups of two.Chris and Denton are an imperfect pair because they are so different from each other. Denton is dumb and mean and Chris wanted to be with his brother. Then when we get further in the novel they start to get along much more. Denton starts to be nice and wants to help Chris the quote is," No operation. The doctor thinks a new medicine may help, but he has to examine you, make some test." (page 111).
ReplyDelete