Top Ten

Top Ten Things in My Book 

During the course of my book, ten things stood out to me that changed the events in the book either for the good or the bad. Whether it is characters or a quote, these ten things are important to the outcome and understanding of the book. They are in no particular order. 

 

1. Character - Dr. Self. In this book, Dr. Self played a very important part in the book. During the beginning of the book, the reader got the impression that she was a good person. But, as the book went on, the reader realized that she was only using her show to manipulate her guests and get them to say what she wanted them to say. She also was the reason that Scarpetta was so determined and focused on her work. She motivated Scarpetta to be the character she is and solve the cases. 

2. Author - The author (Patricia Cornwell) was an important part of the book, but unfortunately, not in a good way. Personally I did not like her writing style. It was very hard to follow and was very confusing. There was way too many small details that were stretched out over a long period of time. I also looked online for other opinions on the book. They were all negative and had pretty much the same opinions as me. They author, in my opinion, was an important part of the book because she made it less interesting. 

3. Plot - The plot of the story was also an important part of the book. To me, I love reading about mysteries. They seem to catch my attention when I am reading them. Since this book has multiple murders are happening at the same time. For some, this may seem hard to follow but for me it makes it even more interesting. The murders that occur shape the plot of the story and push the reader to keep reading. The fact that with every murder there is a murderer, is something that I hold on to. This means that there will be a plot and a story line that will unfold soon. 

4. Setting - The setting of the book takes place in many different places. It goes from Italy to the U.S. many times. This can be beneficial to the book and can also take away from the interest of the reader. As a reader, I would personally prefer that it stays in one place for a majority of the time. Sometimes you will be reading and not realize that it has just jumped to the setting in Italy. It can also be a positive thing because the setting can add to your understanding to the story line. 

5. Language - The use of the language in the book is very distracting. To me, the words that she uses are unnecessary and only confuse the reader more. Although some of the language that she uses help enhance the visuals for the reader, most of the unnecessarily long words are a distraction to me. I would always have to stop and go back to understand the words. By the time I fully understood the meaning of that word, I lost focus on what was happening in the story.  

6. Character - Drew, the famous tennis player, makes the story that much more interesting. If the murdered person had been just a normal citizen, with no importance to anyone, the book would be extremely boring. The fact that she is famous and is very famous in the public eye, makes this murder so much more important. Drew, pulls the readers attention, even though she doesn't ever speak in the book. 

7. Quote - "'I've seen victims whose eyes were gouged out. But I've never seen or heard of a killer filling eye sockets with sand and then sealing they eye lids shut with - in this instance - and adhesive that according to your report is a cyanoacrylate.'" (21) The quote is very important because this is the killers signature. He is called the Sandman because of this. He fills all of hi s victims eye's with sand. When they found Drew, and later, the little boy, they both had sand filled eyes. This may give the killer away but this is how he is known.

8. Vocab Word - Cyanoacrylate, which was used in the quote above, describes a quick sealing adhesive. This word is important because this is one of the ways that the killer was found. They found this material in his apartment and it instantly gave him away. Along with the sand that they found, this was also a sure give away. His signature was his downfall and this vocabulary word is why he was revealed to millions.

9. Title - The title of the book, The Book of the Dead plays a big role in the events in the book. Tis book is a book that Scarpetta records all of the "patients" that pass through her morgue. She hand writes anyone that has been put on her table, so anyone else's handwriting would be a sure give away that something is wrong. The whole foreshadowing event is when she says that she doesn't want to be in her own book. Although quick and short, this means that she doesn't want to be killed and sent through her own morgue. The title can be misleading but gives readers a tiny hint as to what is going to happen. 

10. Character - Scarpetta is the main character in the book. She is a very determined individual that shows her stubbornness many times. When the murder of Drew the tennis player arises, everyone is convinced that the time of her death was hours earlier than Scarpetta thinks. But, she shows the extent of her knowledge and proves them wrong when she says that the fear and the fact that the killer was making her drink and eat caused the food and blood alcohol level to remain. She makes the book interesting and makes the reader "root" for her. She is considered the "good guy" in the story and is very crucial to the story. 

Section 7: Post B

Post B

During this section a suspect is found. They pin the murder on him based on the fact that he knew Drew, the famous tennis player. The problem with them accusing him, was that Scarpetta knew him personally. She knows that the real killer is still out there and could kill again. They go as far as sending him to jail. When the truth is revealed by Scarpetta, things begin to collapse in on themselves. Drew's mother was actually in on it whether she knew it or not. Drew's mom was trying to find out some personal information about her own daughter and was emailing the killer the whole time acting as Drew. When the Killer, known as the Sandman, found Drew and kidnapped her, the mother panicked. There were many theories at the end of the book, including this one. They also theorized that she knew that killer and didn't want to tell her friends about him, thinking that they would steal this good looking guy from them. Another theory is that she ended a previous relationship with a coach of hers. The theory goes that just before the tournament that she was suppose to play in, she fired and broke up with her coach, who she had been "dating." The coach took it personally and took matters into his own hands. The thing that I don't like about the book is that they never actually solved any of the cases. There were theories but nothing ever gave the reader any satisfaction. If i had a choice, I would not read any more of her books. 

Section 7: Post A

2 Vocabulary Words

1) Exclusionary (309) - the process or state of being excluded 

2) Reminiscent (369) - tending to remind one of something

1 Significant Quote 

"He just got out of jail," Scarpetta calls out. "And if you send him back, I'll burn your house down."

This quote is at the very end of the book. It is one of the last lines of the book and leads the reader on. This lets the reader think that there will be another book to the series. When Scarpetta finds out he is out of jail, she immediately gets angry with Benton. The killer is known but the whereabouts are not. This is why the ending of this book calls for another book. The person that they are talking about that gets out of jail was accused for the murder when he has nothing to do with it. Scarpetta knew all along that he had nothing to do with it, but they needed a suspect and blamed him.  

Section 6: Post B

Post B

In this section some "back stabbing" occurs. Scarpetta finds out that Dr. Self is manipulating every aspect of this case. Dr. Self is determined to take revenge on Scarpette because earlier she testified against her and Dr. Self lost. It has become very obvious that Dr. Self has something to do with the murders that are have taken place. She has her own television show so she is able to mess with her guest's heads while keeping her own dark secrets locked away where no one can get to them. She has people come on her show and tell stories that are sad so that she looks like a "healer" when she helps them with their problems. Dr. Self is so determined to get back at Scarpetta she is even willing to kill her. A man that goes by the Sandman has been emailing Dr. Self. Scarpetta's very intelligent niece has hacked into Dr. Self's computer and has been able to read her emails for some time now. The emails are very interesting and reveal very vital informations. They show that Dr. Self has known about and was involved in the murder of Drew, the famous tennis player. The Sandman has been sending her pictures of the murders and she has been responding. The Sandman has received this name because of the sand that he fills the victims eyes with after he kills them. The name alone on the email address gave him away instantly.  

Section 6: Post A

Post A

 

3 Examples of Figurative Language

1. Simile - "Drew's eyes were removed, like holes in the ground..." (pg. 254)

2. Metaphor - "She has a heart of stone..." (pg. 264)

3. Onomatopoeia - "Crash, went the book against the desk." (pg. 270)

2 Vocabulary Words

1. Neuroses - a functional disorder in which feelings of anxiety, obsessional thoughts, complusive acts, and physical complaints without evidence of disease, in various degrees and patterns, dominate the personality.

2. Contrived - obviously planned or forced; artificial; strained.  

Section 5: Post B

During this section many small but important events happen. Some ground-breaking news surrounding the murdered tennis player emerges. They start to unravel the facts that have to deal with the events that led up to her murder. The investigators believe that she was unconcious the whole time, while Scarpetta believes that she was awake the whole time. The evidence again goes back to the fact that she still had a blood alcohol level which suggests that she was drinking just before her death. While this argument continues, something very dramatic occurs. Marino tries to commit suicide. He does this by attempting to overdose on oxycodone. Scarpetta catches him before the damage is done, but the affects of his decision are very evident. He is questioned and denies that his intent was to kill himself. His story says that he only took two more than normal and that he had pain in his knee is why he took it. Scarpetts doesn't buy it and sends him to the EMT. Because of this incident, he is taken of the case. Unfortunately for the others on the case, he holds very important knowledge that could possibly lead to solving the case. Since he is off the case, the team is dramatically set back and needs to somehow recover from this. It is going to be hard since they are short handed, but hopefully, another break-through will come soon. 

Section 5: Post A

2 Vocabulary Words

1) Deoxygenated - remove oxygen from (pg. 226)

2) Oxyhemoglobin - a bright red substance formed by the combination of hemoglobin with oxygen, present in oxygenated blood. 

1 Significant Quote

". . . She looks down at the source of the sound. Marino's bass boat is gone, and bright orange bumpers rock against the pilings in dull thuds. 

This quote explains the mysteriousness of some of the events that occur. Previously, a stocker has been looking out of her window. Now, she actually notices a sign of the stocker. He stole Marino's boat and vanished this time. During this section, the author jumped back and forth between the normal events of the book and this scene. This technique makes this scene much more dramatic. It stretches it out and makes the reader keep reading. This quotes may not seem significant, but it is the first time that she notices someone is watching her. Because she now knows this, the events in the book are going to dramatically change. 

Section 4: Post B

To summarize the events that occurred in this section in one word, I would say essential. The events that took place during this section really brought a lot of things together. Up to this point, I was very confused with who was who and what was going on. But, with the help of this section many things fell into place. When the writer described the conversation that two people were having and only gave one of the names and at the very end of the chapter it says who was actually talking the whole time, it makes you want to go back and read the section over. Now that I actually know who is who I have received a greater understanding for the book. Because this book was a part of a series and I had not read the previous books, I felt that I was a little behind. Some of the reoccurring characters were throwing me off course. During the section, Dr. Self, who is an important character, reveals her true self to the reader. She is a very wealthy woman, who unfortunately, does not have a good relationship with her mother. She drives an extremely nice Ferrari and has money to just throw away. The reader also finds out that she has a brain tumor and is visiting a very prestige hospital. She also may hold vital information to the case involving the murder of the star tennis player. This piece of information may hold the key to unlocking the entire case and catching the murderer before they strike again.

Section 4: Post A

2 Vocabulary Words

1. Hypothalamus (pg 137) - a central area on the underside of the brain, controlling involuntary functions such as body temperature and the release of hormones

2. Excommunicate (pg 143) - to exclude a baptized Christian from taking part in Communion because of doctrine or moral behavior that is adjudged to offend against God or the Christian community




Write a sentence in which you describe one emerging theme of the book.

One emerging theme in the book would be the theme of death or sadness. To describe this theme in one sentence I would describe the death that surrounds the main character and all the people that die during the first few sections of the book.

Section 3: Post B

During this section of the book, a very important event occurs. The author cuts into the story line and breaks off into this event happening in a beach house. Although we have no idea who this woman is or this mysterious man named Will is, all we know is that this event is very important. While this woman is watching a movie, the author describes a man, standing outside her window. He is watching her and has been for many months. He knows her routine every move she is going to make. He knows this for two reasons. One, he has been stalking her outside her own house for many months, and two, because she does the same thing over and over again every night. The one key passage throughout this series of events is when she forgets the alarm is set and sets it off. Of course the cops com because her alarm went off and she tells them that she has forgotten the code because of how drunk she is. Will, who is hiding in the bushes right next to the door, hears every word she says. She tells the cops she remembered the code and that it is buttermilk. Now, the man who has been stalking her has the code to get into her house. By this section I can now predict the future events in this book. The scenes in the book where the author cuts into the action with a mysterious set of events like this, have always been vital to the rest of the plot.

Section 3: Post A

2 Vocabulary

1. Echocardiogram (138) - an instrument employing reflected ultrasonic waves to examine the structures and functioning of the heart.
2. Neurophysiologist (149) - the branch of physiology that studies how the nervous system functions


1 Significant Quote

“Through a space between the window and the shade he has watched her on and off for months, watched her pace and cry and pull out her hair.” (128 -129)

To someone who is reading this quote without having read the book so far, this quote might seem a little dull and of no importance. But really, this quote means much more. A technique that this writer uses is very interesting. She likes to give the reader a little preview about what is to come and give it in a different perspective. This quote for example, is describing the stalker that has been watching this woman for months now. He knows a very unusual amount of information about her and is a very shady character. This technique has been used throughout the book and all of them have turned our to be events that change the course of the book.

Debate Blog

Teacher and student about late assignment.
· Occur usually in a classroom
· Purpose: To receive credit for an assignment
· Does not help to arrive at a better decision usually
· Unstructured
· Makes you complete assignments on time


Court Case
Occur in a court room
Purpose: To convict someone or to receive a payment
Usually helps to arrive at a better decision
Structured
Effects decision making process because there is a judge

With Parents
· Occurs usually on the phone or in your house
· Purpose: To receive something, go somewhere, or get out of something
· Does not usually help you reach a better decision
· Unstructured
· Decisions are made less in favor of you when the debate continues

With Friends
· Occurs many places: school, home, ect. . .
· Purpose: To convince them of something or to get your way
· Can go either way with the decision
· Unstructured
· Decisions are up to you or your friend

Section 2: Post B

The second section of the book is focused on the mysterious man that enters the plot. While the employees at the morgue are experiencing a normal day, a very suspicious looking man walks into the room. He appears to have recently experienced a brutal attack by the looks of the vast amounts of scars on his arms, hands, and legs. Although he based the background check, he still gives me as the reader a very uneasy feeling. The thing that made that uneasy feeling turn into reality was when he described in detail where Scarpetta lives. According to his story, he used to work for the family that lived there. Also, this man was the one who discovered the murdered boy in the water. Even though he says that he has nothing to do with it, he is a very shady looking man. Another reason why this man could be potentially bad is that he has been to jail for possession. The story that he tells says that he was going to smoke marijuana and some random person came up from behind him and slashed him with a knife over and over. When he tells this story to the investigators they don’t quite buy it. One reason is that they never found the marijuana and the second is that he has way too many scars to have been attacked without defending. In my opinion, I think that this man has a lot more to do with the story than he appears to.

Section 1: Post B

Throughout the first section, many important details were brought to the reader’s attention. The first section of the book was setting the plot and establishing the setting. A mysterious murder has struck the world. A very famous and publicized tennis player was suddenly murdered. Along with the many other cases that are pilling up on Scarpetta’s desk, this one seems to be the most important. The killer seems to have a very well known sense of what he is doing. The contents in her stomach seem to be only partially digested which lead the detectives to believe that she was recently killed. Also, her blood alcohol level was still very high. The killer planned both of these situations out. The stress that he imposed on her caused the food in her stomach to not digest. Also, he forced her to drink with him which kept her alcohol level consistent. “‘So he forced her to drink alcohol, perhaps all afternoon, all night, and into the early morning, and she was so frightened her food didn’t digest? That’s what you’re offering us as a possible explanation?’” (pg. 14). This quote explains everything that was planned out. The killer is very smart and definitely knows what he/she is doing. Another key part to the section was the marriage that Scarpetta experienced. Although she had been seeing the guy for some time, they recently got married. This may influence her decision making and although she is a professional, it may fog her mind.

Section 2: Post A

2 Vocabulary Words

1. Subsequent (114) - later in time or order than something else
2. Carousing (103) - to drink and become noisy, especially in a group

1 Significant Quote

“She looks at the pink scars on the back of his hands. ‘I know your house…’ he adds. ‘I know your garden real good cause I dug the pond and poured the cement, and took care of the angel statue looking over it, kept her nice and clean.’” (110)

This quote is very important in this section of the book for many reasons. A very mysterious man walks into the morgue and reveals some very interesting facts. He talks about how deeply he knows Scarpetta. This is very odd to the reader for many reasons. The first reason is that he was the one who found the murdered young boy. This man was fishing and suspiciously found the young boy that has been in the news deep in the marsh. Also, Scarpetta has experienced many situations like this that have unfortunately ended up bad for her. She has been stalked and victimized before this and all the prior situations ended up violently. With these experiences in mind, she is very aware of the actions that he makes and the appearance that he presents. The scares all over his body give me as the reader a feeling of uneasiness about this man. He seems to know a little too much about her and has a very suspicious reason to be there. Also, later on in the section, he asks if he could volunteer there. Although he seems nice, I think that this can only end badly.

Section 1: Post A

2 Vocab Words:

1. Lividity - with buish bruised color (pg. 9)
2. Paramour - a lover, especially one in a relationship with a married person (pg. 49)

Significant Quote:

“‘So he forced her to drink alcohol, perhaps all afternoon, all night, and into the early morning, and she was so frightened her food didn’t digest? That’s what you’re offering us as a possible explanation?’” (pg. 14)

This quote explains the entire background of the case that is unfolding. This was said by Captain Poma who is the lead detective in the case. During the case, many mysteries arise including this one. The body was found with undigested food in her stomach and a still very high blood alcohol level. Although this may be true, Kay Scarpetta, who is the main character, thinks the she died many house before that. Her reasoning is explained in the quote and it very believable. This quote is both important to the reader and to the plot of the story.

Book Approval

1. Book of the Dead by Patricia Cornwell
2. Published in 2007
3. This book is fiction.
4. This book is 405 pages.
5. The evidence that this book is challenging was the recommendation and description of the book by the person at Barnes and Nobel. Also, I flipped through the book and the use of language was very challenging for me.
6. I chose this book for two main reasons. The first being that I wanted a mystery book. I enjoy reading mysteries because I feel like the keep me into the book and wanting to read more. Also, this book was the first recommendation by the staff at Barnes and Nobel which to me means that it must be pretty good.

The Sea Inside: Post 3

There were many different scenes where the camera technique gave me as the viewer a greater understanding of the film. One very good example of this would be when the camera zoomed up on Ramon’s hand and Julia’s hand. The significance of this shot explains the condition that Ramon is in. During this scene, Ramon is telling Julia that for him, five feet is an impossible journey. While he is saying this, there is an extreme close-up on the two hands lying next to each other, not touching. Another example of film technique would be Ramon lying on the bed and everyone looking down on him. The people that are in power or are angry at the time are always standing up and the viewer is looking down on Ramon. This gives the perspective that Roman is weak and powerless. When Julia is there she is always at the same level that he is. She is usually sitting in a chair or on his bed side so that she doesn’t seem overpowering to Ramon. Although this may seem very subtle to some viewers, if you pay attention, it is very clear what the director is trying to get across.

The Sea Inside: Post 2

The Sea Inside and The Diving Bell and the Butterfly have both similarities and differences. One major difference is Ramon’s ability so speak. This allows much faster and easier communication than blinking out every letter. With faster communication, Ramon can easily give his family and friends quick information without any misunderstandings. If he had to blink out each word like Bauby had to, information could be easily misunderstood. The main similarity between the two was that both were quadriplegics who had fully functional minds. Although Bauby actually had a syndrome, he and Ramon were “trapped” inside their bodies. Neither of them could move their arms or legs. To me, the most depressing part of all this was that they both could communicate. Although this may seem like a good thing, I think that to be able to think like a normal person but be unable to communicate would be the worst thing. These are the main similarities and differences in the two stories.

The Sea Inside: Post 1

Throughout the course of this film, I had many different reactions. I think that Ramon’s request to should one that is honored. To me, I think that if you are in that condition and have been suffering for as long as he has, you request to die should not be that surprising. People in the movie think that he should not be allowed to request for death because it’s against the law. To me, I think that this law should be changed. It is unreasonable because the people who make these laws are not in that condition. I think that the quadriplegics should make this law. They are the ones who are having to suffer because someone in the opposite case is preventing them from caring out their will. Ramon’s eventual actions just show how strongly he wanted this to happen. Having suffered for around 28 years, it was a relief for him to pass away. The friends, who were a part of his suicide, show how passionate they are about Ramon’s request. If I were put in that situation, I would do the same thing by helping out a friend if they were in the same state as Ramon.