Design Concept:
From Jo Van Arkel's passage, What Falls From the Sky, the phrase, "Like falling out of the sky mid-flight", inspired me to design an area that creates an unexpected and sudden change, so that people are forced to rush, in order to show people an appreciation for normalcy.
Questions for Jo Van Arkel:
1. In the passage the mayor had to address the incident of the birds falling out of the sky, how would you describe the reaction from the town?
Response: This part of the story was a fact from a real scenario in Beebe, Arkansas. People in real life were in more of a panic compared to the people in the passage. This was because of the removal workers who wore over protective gear while picking up the dead blackbirds. In the passage there was more concern about whats in the air, then why did the birds die.
2. In the passsage you use suddle foreshadowing, for example Mazie and Jane were watching a horror movie then blackbirds fall from the sky, did you have a meaning behind the ironic foreshadowing used in the passage?
Response: The writing style that I used was meant to jump, a technique to grab the readers attention from the beginning. The transitions that lead to what you believe to be foreshadowing were more caused by the writing style then a purpose.
3. In the passage, Jane's first impression of the blackbirds was they are "mean". How would you describe Jane's feelings after the blackbirds fell from the sky?
Response: Jane's feelings throughout the passage change, so when the birds fell from the sky Jane felt a need to help. Jane was able to turn her feelings into actions when she made a burial site for the bird that had fallen into Mrs. Varble's bush.
4. Is the blackbirds a symbol? What would you say the blackbirds symbolize?
Response: Yes, I would say that the blackbird is a symbol of being anonymous. They are known by the town, but the citizens in the town don't give a second of attention to them.
5. Jane was said to have been taught by watching the birds that something that is present could be gone. Would you say this helped jane get over the death of the blackbirds, and carry out the burial of the bird left behind?
Response: Throughout Jane's life she has had to deal with a lot of tough times, and throught those past experiences I beleive she has learned how to cope with bad times. So I beleive that Jane has learned this lesson, but it came from much more than watching the birds. Because Jane has learned this lesson she was able to bring the dead bird to a peaceful resting place.