1. Where does Joseph feel that he will find the "real Tom Leyton"? (p.113) Why would he think this?
Joseph feels that he will find the "real Tom Leyton" hidden in the boxes situated in the Leyton's underground room .Joseph knows that the boxes in the room contain Tom's good memories, memories of his life before he joined the army and before he was sent to Vietnam to fight in the War. As Tom's sister, Caroline, explained to Joseph, her brother was totally different before he went to war. Joseph was sure that if Tom Leyton overcame his fears and his horrible past he could become the man he was in the scrapbooks, old diaries, photo albums, picture frames and newspaper clippings hidden in the boxes.
2. Tom Leyton is described as looking at a book "like a father at his child's coffin." Explain this use of simile. Do you think it is effective?
This simile is used to link Tom Leyton's feelings about books to that of a father who has just lost his child. Just as a father is looking at his dead child in a coffin so Tom is looking at the book with the same sadness, emotion and expression because the book symbolizes Tom's death, his loss of innocence, the loss of all his pleasures, hopes and dreams. Both their feelings are sad and depressing because they have both lost something which is important to them. In Tom Leyton's instance the book represents his life because he liked to read and play with words. He describes his love of books and reading as "breathing" After the war he completely lost himself as he became haunted by his fears and stopped reading or "breathing" as Tom Leyton had put it. I think the author is very clever and his use of this similie is very effective and appropriate because it emphasises the gravity of Tom's loss of innocence and the trauma he has suffered because of his experiences in Vietnam.
3. After Tom Leyton tells the story about searching for silkworms when he was a child he asks Joseph, "Do you believe in miracles?" How would you respond to this question?
In response to this question I would reply: yes, I believe in miracles. According to Tom Leyton, perhaps people have the wrong idea about miracles. Miracles do not have to be spectacular like those that turn water into wine or make the blind see. In fact, miracles happen in everyday life, although they are slow and tedious compared to the spectacular ones. Miracles could include the way a glacier carves out a valley; even though it might take years it is still a miracle.
Miracles are often the small stuff: a kind word, a supportive call or note, a hug, a gesture that leaves someone feeling a bit more hopeful about others. Whole days, every day, are full of miracles.
Miracles are not always miraculous except to those who receive them. A miracle can be a tender listening ear willing to hear the problems and share the weight of burdens too hard to bear alone. A miracle can be taking the time to read to a child who has no other person there to take the time to do so. A miracle can be cooking a meal for someone whose pantry is empty and then spending time with them just sharing a meal and good conversation.
2. Tom Leyton is described as looking at a book "like a father at his child's coffin." Explain this use of simile. Do you think it is effective?
This simile is used to link Tom Leyton's feelings about books to that of a father who has just lost his child. Just as a father is looking at his dead child in a coffin so Tom is looking at the book with the same sadness, emotion and expression because the book symbolizes Tom's death, his loss of innocence, the loss of all his pleasures, hopes and dreams. Both their feelings are sad and depressing because they have both lost something which is important to them. In Tom Leyton's instance the book represents his life because he liked to read and play with words. He describes his love of books and reading as "breathing" After the war he completely lost himself as he became haunted by his fears and stopped reading or "breathing" as Tom Leyton had put it. I think the author is very clever and his use of this similie is very effective and appropriate because it emphasises the gravity of Tom's loss of innocence and the trauma he has suffered because of his experiences in Vietnam.
3. After Tom Leyton tells the story about searching for silkworms when he was a child he asks Joseph, "Do you believe in miracles?" How would you respond to this question?
In response to this question I would reply: yes, I believe in miracles. According to Tom Leyton, perhaps people have the wrong idea about miracles. Miracles do not have to be spectacular like those that turn water into wine or make the blind see. In fact, miracles happen in everyday life, although they are slow and tedious compared to the spectacular ones. Miracles could include the way a glacier carves out a valley; even though it might take years it is still a miracle.
Miracles are often the small stuff: a kind word, a supportive call or note, a hug, a gesture that leaves someone feeling a bit more hopeful about others. Whole days, every day, are full of miracles.
Miracles are not always miraculous except to those who receive them. A miracle can be a tender listening ear willing to hear the problems and share the weight of burdens too hard to bear alone. A miracle can be taking the time to read to a child who has no other person there to take the time to do so. A miracle can be cooking a meal for someone whose pantry is empty and then spending time with them just sharing a meal and good conversation.
Miracles can have many faces. Young or old, sick or well, rich or poor, and the list goes on. You never know if during your daily routine, that perhaps you might be somebody's long awaited miracle or just the thing they may have been secretly praying for. When a person's heart is open to the needs they see around them every day, then every day can be a miracle day.
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