The Host (2nd Section)

As the souls in the story spend more time in their human hosts, they are gradually becoming influenced by the human emotions. Souls are experiencing feelings that are uncommon to them like love, anger, and even dislike (borderline hate). The seekers (the souls that find hosts for the rest of their kind to be inserted into) have even become a sort of militia on Earth; hunting and killing humans, the seekers have gone against their original benevolent behavior. It seems like the souls will eventually become just like the humans they eliminated, who were “unappreciative” of beautiful Earth. Even though these emotions go against the nature of the souls, they enjoy them more than simply being tranquil.

If the souls both like and perform human emotions/tendencies do they really have the right to annihilate the human race? Can they still say they are the better kinder species?

THe Host

The Host by Stephenie Meyer is a Sci-fi novel about aliens (or souls as they’re called in the book) taking over human bodies. As scary as and unjust as this sounds I found myself siding with the souls in the beginning chapters. Their reason for invading Earth and taking over was that they were making it peaceful. With humans in charged there was endless violence, wars, death and pollution. The souls are a peaceful race who once in control of earth never had to lock their doors or pay for anything. Everyone just naturally helped one another and were kind. In their minds they created a world of peace after all (or most) of the humans were taken over, and in some aspects I believed they did.

Do you think the soul’s justification for invading Earth is Valid?

What Happened to Lani Garver

What Happened to Lani Garver is a story that emphasizes the theme of non-conformity. By being yourself you can develop the strength to overcome obstacles. The main character Claire has just overcome cancer and with a new outlook on life, doesn’t have the same feelings about the things her and her friends use to do. She starts to hide characteristics and interests she’s developed (like playing the guitar) from her friends. She only shares them with Lani Garver and with his help by the end of the novel she’s not afraid to be herself or be a social outcast.

Why do you think Claire’s friends were so upset with her for being friends with Lani?

A Child Called It Themes

A Child Called It is a shockingly lamentable true story of the author David Pelzer’s life. Like any other nonfiction text, the novel had numerous themes, simply because it is an account of true life; life itself is an amalgamate of issues which author’s exploit to create stories. A Child Called It consists of six themes: Self-Determination-reliance, Conformity, The struggle to fit in, Holding secrets, Quest for freedom, and Ambition/Honor. As a young boy, David Pelzer was determined to survive and eventually escape from his unstable mother’s clutches. While enduring his mother’s torment, David constantly wanted to be like others- other children, other families, his other siblings (who weren’t given the type of “special treatment” by their mother as he was) - and hence struggled to fit in as best he could. The book also deals with the theme of Appearance vs. Reality: David and his family kept the abuse he received a secret (as best they could) from the rest of the world, thus creating two identities for the family. The average loving one that they showed others and then the true horrendous one they experienced every day with one another. His desire to be free of his mother is what allowed David to last until he was saved by the authorities.


How/Why do you think the themes in the book will inspire others?

Coinciding with the first question, do you think the fact that the story is true(nonfiction) will effect reader more than if it wasn't?