1. In 'Ready To Be Done' Cullen begins wrapping up the aftereffects of the killings. What events (e.g., the sealing of the parents depositions, Michael Moore's conclusions, Mr. D's divorce) were predictable and which came as a surprise to you?
2. How did reading Columbine affect you? Has it changed the way you treat others or the way you would react if a fellow student made the sort of threats that Eric and Dylan made?
3. In the 10 years since Columbine there have been more than 80 school shootings. What lessons have been learned? Do you think this type of violence will ever be stopped?
4. Analyze Cullen's writing style in 'Quiet.' Was this a good place in the book to place the chronology of events from the killer's perspective?
5. In 'At The Broken Places' Patrick Ireland says "The shootings were an event that occurred. But it did not define me as a person. It did not set the tone for the rest of my life." How do the vignettes about the school, the memorial and the survivors confirm or dispute this statement?
6. What appeal to pathos stuck with you the most in this book? Explain your answer.
7. Which person in the book had the most impact on you personally? Explain your answer.
8. Columbine is a book that many people have said was "a good book, but a hard one to read." Would you agree or disagree? Explain.
9. How has this book effected the way you feel about gun control in the United States.
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2. How did reading Columbine affect you? Has it changed the way you treat others or the way you would react if a fellow student made the sort of threats that Eric and Dylan made?
ReplyDeleteIn the beginning, I can honestly say that it didn't affect me, but as I kept reading, it affected me a lot. The way the families suffered and imagining the pain the students felt hit me hard. Yes, in a way it has changed the way I would treat someone if they made those threats. I would tell a teacher or someone, but I wouldn't pretend it was just a game, because as you can see, Eric and Dylan weren't joking at all.
3. In the 10 years since Columbine there have been more than 80 school shootings. What lessons have been learned? Do you think this type of violence will ever be stopped?
ReplyDeleteReading Columbine has taught me that you can't trust your surroundings. It taught me that shootings could happen anytime, anywhere. I don't think it will get to a point where it won't happen anymore, but I think that sometime in the future, the number of school shootings will decrease slightly.
3. In the 10 years since Columbine there have been more than 80 school shootings. What lessons have been learned? Do you think this type of violence will ever be stopped?
ReplyDeleteAfter reading Columbine I learned that the unthinkable can happen. Honestly, before I even knew about Columbine I would have never thought that a student(s) would walk into their school and start shooting. I think this type of violence will never be stopped because there will always be people out there killing one another. If people can kill each other in the streets, in homes, and in stores why wouldn't they kill in schools? Hopefully in the future school violence won't happen as often.
2. How did reading Columbine affect you? Has it changed the way you treat others or the way you would react if a fellow student made the sort of threats that Eric and Dylan made?
ReplyDeleteReading this book really affected me. It was hard to imagine something like this really happening. I would definately react differently than i would have if someone made threats like Eric and Dylan made. I would take the threats alot more seriously, because they might be serious. People didn't take Eric and Dylan's threats seriously and look what happend.
1. In 'Ready To Be Done' Cullen begins wrapping up the aftereffects of the killings. What events (e.g., the sealing of the parents depositions, Michael Moore's conclusions, Mr. D's divorce) were predictable and which came as a surprise to you?
ReplyDeleteThe long term reaction of Dave Sanders' wife was easily predictable. Her immediate reaction was so much more exaggerated than even that of many of the parents, and that was before she even knew that the one teacher to die had been her spouse - naturally her depression and self-seclusion was to be expected. What I didn't see coming, though, was Mr. D's reaction - PTSD was what the students went through. No one really expected the brave, father-like principal to be the one with personal aftermath issues.
2. How did reading Columbine affect you? Has it changed the way you treat others or the way you would react if a fellow student made the sort of threats that Eric and Dylan made?
ReplyDeletePreviously, I took most of the comments made by my piers as light-hearted jokes. "I'm gonna kill [him/her]" never really means a homicide is approaching. As the need to pay attention to some of these statements has grown mroe and more significant, I'm starting to realize: even when people are kidding, those statements are coming from somewhere. Reading Columbine has helped me remember to stop and listen to my friends; what seems like an everyday jest may actually have an underlying implication.
6. What appeal to pathos stuck with you the most in this book? Explain your answer.
ReplyDeleteAs I refer to in my transactional journal, the appeal to pathos produced by Patrick Ireland impacts me the most. His tragic situation reminds me of the last few months of my grandmother's life, which touches me deeply.
7. Which person in the book had the most impact on you personally? Explain your answer.
ReplyDeleteThe girl who was handicapped by her injuries from Columbine, and whose mother committed suicide due to chronic depression, impacted me the most. She is quite the inspiration - if I was handicapped and lost my mother too, I don't think I would have the drive left to work myself through college or buy a house or any of that. She did, and that fills me with drive.
8. Columbine is a book that many people have said was "a good book, but a hard one to read." Would you agree or disagree? Explain.
ReplyDeleteThe details, the extensive anecdotes, and the author's way of pulling the reader in and involving him or her in the controversial issues of the massacre (before and after) make the book a great read. The violence, the trauma, and the depressing effects make it hard to actually read through for me - hearing about how so many people's life plans were crushed forever, how so many families were ripped apart (via death or, in Mr. D's case, divorce), how so much grief was caused by the press and by the government (all of the legal suits, etc.), made it painful and depressing. It was a good read, but it sure wasn't easy.
Jordanna you said,
ReplyDeleteIn the beginning, I can honestly say that it didn't affect me, but as I kept reading, it affected me a lot. The way the families suffered and imagining the pain the students felt hit me hard. Yes, in a way it has changed the way I would treat someone if they made those threats. I would tell a teacher or someone, but I wouldn't pretend it was just a game, because as you can see, Eric and Dylan weren't joking at all.
I can relate to your comment that it "hit you hard," I shared the same sentiments. I agree that reading this book has really opened our eyes to the comments of fellow students - maybe it is best to take people a little more seriously.
Jordanna you said,
ReplyDeleteReading Columbine has taught me that you can't trust your surroundings. It taught me that shootings could happen anytime, anywhere. I don't think it will get to a point where it won't happen anymore, but I think that sometime in the future, the number of school shootings will decrease slightly.
I like the optimistic outlook, and I would like to believe it as well. I think that as high school students continue to find access to firearsm the number of school shootings will continue to increase, but I hope that in the future, the school system will find a way to make students' lives less stressful, therefore decreasing their chances to act out violently.
2. How did reading Columbine affect you? Has it changed the way you treat others or the way you would react if a fellow student made the sort of threats that Eric and Dylan made?
ReplyDeleteColumbine definately affected me. It made me realize just what bullying can do. Not only that, it also showed me how just a simple smile can make someone's day and prevent this type of tragedy from happening. If a fellow student made these type of threats I would take immediate action. I would never want this type of thing to happen to anyone.
2. How did reading Columbine affect you? Has it changed the way you treat others or the way you would react if a fellow student made the sort of threats that Eric and Dylan made?
ReplyDeleteAlready having prior knowledge of the massacre it did not affect me because i already knew what happened and felt bad for the victims. As the story later progressed it definitely impacted me. The way Cullen describes the characters and how the parents went through so much grief taught me things that I never knew. Good thing I never hear about people threatening the school or others because I would definitely react they way I was taught which is to tell someone. I know that when I was younger (4th grade i think) a boy in my class brought in his pocket knife and showed it to everyone and no one told. If I learned about Columbine and the things that could happen in school I would have definitely told someone. This book has taught me a lotttt and one important lesson I learned was to not ignore the hints and remarks people may make about committing a violent act.
3. In the 10 years since Columbine there have been more than 80 school shootings. What lessons have been learned? Do you think this type of violence will ever be stopped?
ReplyDeleteI honestly don't think that too many lessons have been learned except what to do once it has already started. Clearly it is not easy to prevent. I don't htink this type of violence will ever be stopped completely. We cant just end school shootings. It takes one to pull a trigger.
Jazzy you said,
ReplyDeleteAfter reading Columbine I learned that the unthinkable can happen. Honestly, before I even knew about Columbine I would have never thought that a student(s) would walk into their school and start shooting. I think this type of violence will never be stopped because there will always be people out there killing one another. If people can kill each other in the streets, in homes, and in stores why wouldn't they kill in schools? Hopefully in the future school violence won't happen as often.
Your acknowlegement of a school shooting's possibility is something I support. It certainly could/can happen, not just in the streets but also at schools - and hope for future decrease in violence is something I share as well.
8. Columbine is a book that many people have said was "a good book, but a hard one to read." Would you agree or disagree? Explain.
ReplyDeleteColumbine really is a good book. I think that it is very interesting and keeps the reader hooked throughout. However, it is hard to read. Its hard to read about this tragedy and listen to all the things that went on. It was especially hard reading the victims stories and seeing how this affected their families and classmates lives.
Eli you said,
ReplyDeleteReading this book really affected me. It was hard to imagine something like this really happening. I would definately react differently than i would have if someone made threats like Eric and Dylan made. I would take the threats alot more seriously, because they might be serious. People didn't take Eric and Dylan's threats seriously and look what happend.
I see your point - if we don't take every threat seriously, we might ignore the wrong one. I definitely concur, reading Columbine has brought on a stronger sense of awareness to the possibility of violence at school. Keeping an eye out would be wise - not being paranoid, just being conscious of others and their intentions.
6. What appeal to pathos stuck with you the most in this book? Explain your answer.
ReplyDeleteThe appeal to pathos that stuck with me the most was the parents that were in terror before they knew about their children and all the details. You could feel the mothers' pain while reading the book.
Chanan you said,
ReplyDeleteI honestly don't think that too many lessons have been learned except what to do once it has already started. Clearly it is not easy to prevent. I don't htink this type of violence will ever be stopped completely. We cant just end school shootings. It takes one to pull a trigger.
You have a strong point, it does only take one. School shootings will likely always be a danger that each one of us must be aware of, and our only defense is paying attention and keeping our faith.
7. Which person in the book had the most impact on you personally? Explain your answer.
ReplyDeleteI think Dylan had the most impact on me because he wasn't a psychopath like Eric. He was kind of like a side kick and was pulled into this. It's just interesting to me to see that he was even a part of the shooting.
8. Columbine is a book that many people have said was "a good book, but a hard one to read." Would you agree or disagree? Explain.
ReplyDeleteI would agree with this statement. The story is very interesting, but at times, difficult to get into because the details and emotion that is put into it.
7. Which person in the book had the most impact on you personally? Explain your answer.
ReplyDeleteDave Sanders wife impacted me the most. I could never imagine how hurt and sad she was when she found out that her soulamte had died. I commend her for rising from her depression and having the strength to move on with her life.
Jordanna, you said...
ReplyDeleteIn the beginning, I can honestly say that it didn't affect me, but as I kept reading, it affected me a lot. The way the families suffered and imagining the pain the students felt hit me hard. Yes, in a way it has changed the way I would treat someone if they made those threats. I would tell a teacher or someone, but I wouldn't pretend it was just a game, because as you can see, Eric and Dylan weren't joking at all.
The book didn't really affect me until later on as well. I guess it was once i got to know the characters better that I could feel the book hitting me.
3. In the 10 years since Columbine there have been more than 80 school shootings. What lessons have been learned? Do you think this type of violence will ever be stopped?
ReplyDeleteI think that one lesson that was learned was that kids aren't always kidding when they make threats like Eric and Dylan did. If a classmate makes a threat like that,it should be taken seriously, not ignored. I dont think this type of violence will ever completely stop. There are always going to be people out there, like Eric, who would do things like kill their classmates or try to blow up their school. The only things that schools can do is try to prevent anyhthing like this from happening.
sammie k, you said...
ReplyDeleteThe girl who was handicapped by her injuries from Columbine, and whose mother committed suicide due to chronic depression, impacted me the most. She is quite the inspiration - if I was handicapped and lost my mother too, I don't think I would have the drive left to work myself through college or buy a house or any of that. She did, and that fills me with drive.
I was touched by this too. It amazes me how she could still go on after all she had been through. She was definately an inspiriation to me and probably to many others who were involved in the tragedy.
Elizabeth, you said...
ReplyDeleteColumbine really is a good book. I think that it is very interesting and keeps the reader hooked throughout. However, it is hard to read. Its hard to read about this tragedy and listen to all the things that went on. It was especially hard reading the victims stories and seeing how this affected their families and classmates lives.
It was also hard for me to read of the victims and their stories. I was hooked, but at some points I wanted the tragedy stories to end.
6. What appeal to pathos stuck with you the most in this book? Explain your answer.
ReplyDeleteThe appeal to pathos that stuck with me the most was part when the parents who hadnt found their children thought that another bus was coming. That must have been so hard for those parents to think that their child could be on the next bus, and then find out that there was no other bus.
sammie k, you said...
ReplyDeletePreviously, I took most of the comments made by my piers as light-hearted jokes. "I'm gonna kill [him/her]" never really means a homicide is approaching. As the need to pay attention to some of these statements has grown mroe and more significant, I'm starting to realize: even when people are kidding, those statements are coming from somewhere. Reading Columbine has helped me remember to stop and listen to my friends; what seems like an everyday jest may actually have an underlying implication.
I've noticed the same thing! Those statements kind of stick out in conversations. We take them lightly but you're right, they do come from somewhere.
Jordanna, you said...
ReplyDeleteReading Columbine has taught me that you can't trust your surroundings. It taught me that shootings could happen anytime, anywhere. I don't think it will get to a point where it won't happen anymore, but I think that sometime in the future, the number of school shootings will decrease slightly.
I completely agree with you. We never know for sure when something like this is going to happen, threat or not. The shootings could decrase, but it doesn't mean they will. We still have to always look out for signs and be cautious.
Chanan you said...
ReplyDeleteI think Dylan had the most impact on me because he wasn't a psychopath like Eric. He was kind of like a side kick and was pulled into this. It's just interesting to me to see that he was even a part of the shooting.
Dylan had a big impact on me too. It was sad that he went along with Eric and did something like this because he wasn't like Eric. He was just hanging out with the wrong person and as a result of that, his life ended too soon, and so did the lives of many others.
Jordanna you said...
ReplyDeleteIn the beginning, I can honestly say that it didn't affect me, but as I kept reading, it affected me a lot. The way the families suffered and imagining the pain the students felt hit me hard. Yes, in a way it has changed the way I would treat someone if they made those threats. I would tell a teacher or someone, but I wouldn't pretend it was just a game, because as you can see, Eric and Dylan weren't joking at all.
I also think that this book has changed the way I would treat someone if they made threats like that. After reading this, I definately would not just ignore it. People should take threats like that more seriously because you never know if that person is joking or not.
Jazmine you said...
ReplyDeleteAfter reading Columbine I learned that the unthinkable can happen. Honestly, before I even knew about Columbine I would have never thought that a student(s) would walk into their school and start shooting. I think this type of violence will never be stopped because there will always be people out there killing one another. If people can kill each other in the streets, in homes, and in stores why wouldn't they kill in schools? Hopefully in the future school violence won't happen as often.
It also never occured to me that someone could walk into a school and shoot their classmates and teachers. It sounds so awful that its hard to believe. I also don't think that this violence can be completly stopped. There are just people out there that would do those sort of things.
Sam you said...
ReplyDeleteThe details, the extensive anecdotes, and the author's way of pulling the reader in and involving him or her in the controversial issues of the massacre (before and after) make the book a great read. The violence, the trauma, and the depressing effects make it hard to actually read through for me - hearing about how so many people's life plans were crushed forever, how so many families were ripped apart (via death or, in Mr. D's case, divorce), how so much grief was caused by the press and by the government (all of the legal suits, etc.), made it painful and depressing. It was a good read, but it sure wasn't easy.
I definately agree with you. Cullen did a good job pulling the reader in and making it a good book. It was depressing to read though, it was hard to hear about all the hurt and pain that these people went through.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteChanan you said...
ReplyDeleteI honestly don't think that too many lessons have been learned except what to do once it has already started. Clearly it is not easy to prevent. I don't htink this type of violence will ever be stopped completely. We cant just end school shootings. It takes one to pull a trigger.
I definately agree with you that preventing something like this is not easy to do. It is hard to stop something that only takes a single person to do. School shootings won't just end, but schools should definately do their best to try to stop things like this from happening.
2. How did reading Columbine affect you? Has it changed the way you treat others or the way you would react if a fellow student made the sort of threats that Eric and Dylan made?
ReplyDeleteI feel like how I treat others hasn’t changed significantly, but definitely a little bit. I’ve noticed myself being a little bit nicer without realizing it. The biggest change I’ve noticed is that I think about the kids around me and wonder what it would be like for them to go on homicidal suicide rampages. It’s kind of a scary thought, but really the book was eye opening. The people that we peg “most likely” for a school shooting really aren’t very likely to “snap”. So while I look at people and stereotype them as the school shooter “type”, I know what to really look for, and not let stereotypes get in the way.
3. In the 10 years since Columbine there have been more than 80 school shootings. What lessons have been learned? Do you think this type of violence will ever be stopped?
ReplyDeleteThe book gave us an example of what lessons police had learned from the Columbine shootings. They learned not to make a perimeter in the event of a shooting, and instead to rush in and make stopping the shooter the first priority. The example the book gave was the Virginia Tech Massacre, and Cullen stated that the new police procedures saved countless lives during the tragedy. I think that gun violence may eventually be stopped, but it’ll take a long time. People are always going to feel slighted, and there’s just no way we can rid ourselves of the emotions that lead to these events. However, as we learn more and more about what contributes to these shootings as well as how to recognizes the signs of a school shooter, I feel like eventually we’ll prevent most school shootings.
5. In 'At The Broken Places' Patrick Ireland says "The shootings were an event that occurred. But it did not define me as a person. It did not set the tone for the rest of my life." How do the vignettes about the school, the memorial and the survivors confirm or dispute this statement?
ReplyDeleteI feel like this was true for Patrick. He was very strong and really clawed his way up out of his disability and took control over his life. It wasn’t so true of say, Brian Rohrbough. When I read of just how extreme Brian got, at first I got angry. After a while though, I just felt sorry for him. I realized that Columbine and losing his son had completely destroyed him. He couldn’t get past his hate and anger, and instead let it consume him. We see this in his note on the memorial. Rather than expressing hope for the future, he could only express hatred for the past.
7. Which person in the book had the most impact on you personally? Explain your answer.
ReplyDeletePatrick. Definitely Patrick. No one has inspired me as much as him. I was sure that he was a goner when I read about how he went through the window. He had a bullet go through his brain! There was no way he’d be anything but a vegetable, even if he lived. He most definitely proved me wrong, just as he passed the expectations of everyone else too. I can’t believe that he managed to recover, let alone become valedictorian of his class on top of it! I feel like everything I’ve ever gone through is petty compared to what he has overcome. Patrick really gives me hope that people can find a way to overcome the challenges that face society right now. If Patrick could overcome a bullet to the head I’m sure the rest of us could tackle a little thing like discrimination.
9. How has this book effected the way you feel about gun control in the United States.
ReplyDeleteThis book makes me lean towards the side of greater gun regulation. I really can see both sides of the argument, and I’m not sure what the best way to solve our gun problem in America is, but Columbine has convinced me that we need to do something. We live in a country where psychopathic minors can get guns to shoot up their high school. There’s a very clear issue here. Maybe we shouldn’t restrict the rights of legal gun owners, but we could at least work harder to control illegal guns and illegal gun sales. I wonder how much tragedy could be avoided if we could just keep everybody following the law where guns are involved.
Elizabeth said...
ReplyDelete"I think that one lesson that was learned was that kids aren't always kidding when they make threats like Eric and Dylan did. If a classmate makes a threat like that,it should be taken seriously, not ignored. I dont think this type of violence will ever completely stop. There are always going to be people out there, like Eric, who would do things like kill their classmates or try to blow up their school. The only things that schools can do is try to prevent anyhthing like this from happening."
I disagree with this a little bit. The idea is good, but I don't think schools should be paranoid to the point of ostracizing poor kids who are already outcasts and are just joking around. Cullen says that the best way of identifying a school shooter is to look for specificity of the threats. If they are specific and detailed they were better planned out and more likely to actually be carried out.
Chanan said...
ReplyDelete"Columbine definately affected me. It made me realize just what bullying can do. Not only that, it also showed me how just a simple smile can make someone's day and prevent this type of tragedy from happening. If a fellow student made these type of threats I would take immediate action. I would never want this type of thing to happen to anyone."
I agree that it's important to smile and make someone's day better, but it seemed like Dylan and Eric were beyond just a simple smile. I don't think they could've been helped by a peer. They needed some serious psychotheripy and intervention from their parents, and that still might not solve the problem. I agree with taking things seriously though. If a friend came to me and talked about shooting people I'd probably go to someone. Maybe my mom (such a momma's boy, I know).
1. In 'Ready to Be Done' Cullen begins wrapping up the aftereffects of the killings. What events (e.g., the sealing of the parents’ depositions, Michael Moore's conclusions, Mr. D's divorce) were predictable and which came as a surprise to you?
ReplyDeleteThe cover-up and the eventual release of the documents about the killers didn’t come as any surprise at all. I laughed when I read about the page numbering and the huge gaps that made the cover-up obvious. One thing that came as a huge surprise was that there are still confidential transcripts that are being held until 2027.
2. How did reading Columbine affect you? Has it changed the way you treat others or the way you would react if a fellow student made the sort of threats that Eric and Dylan made?
ReplyDeleteColumbine is a very disturbing book that has completely changed my understanding of the murders at Columbine and school shootings in general. I was unaware that Eric was a psychopath, and I actually believed the “Christian martyr” myth until I read this book. To me, it seems that a school shooting, while shocking and horrifying beyond imagination, should never be a complete surprise to those close to the killers, since there are so many warning signs. The problem is that some of the warning signs, such as alienation and lethargy, are relatively common among teenagers and can be found in many boys who would never be school shooters.
6. What appeal to pathos stuck with you the most in this book? Explain your answer.
ReplyDeleteThe appeals to pathos involving Patrick Ireland affected me the most. Patrick was an innocent victim who did not deserve to be shot in the head (even though Eric probably thought he did). He took a shot to the brain and almost died, but he still came back from being unable to pronounce his name to graduating high school as valedictorian. He had never been a genius, but he still managed straight A’s. Patrick’s determination and eventual success, aside from making me feel guilty if I don’t work hard enough, show that, as long as there is life, there is also hope.
Jason, you said
ReplyDelete"The book gave us an example of what lessons police had learned from the Columbine shootings. They learned not to make a perimeter in the event of a shooting, and instead to rush in and make stopping the shooter the first priority. The example the book gave was the Virginia Tech Massacre, and Cullen stated that the new police procedures saved countless lives during the tragedy. I think that gun violence may eventually be stopped, but it’ll take a long time. People are always going to feel slighted, and there’s just no way we can rid ourselves of the emotions that lead to these events. However, as we learn more and more about what contributes to these shootings as well as how to recognizes the signs of a school shooter, I feel like eventually we’ll prevent most school shootings."
I admire your optimism about being able to stop school shootings. Also, I agree that there will always be hurt feelings about school shootings; when anybody is murdered, the victim's family and friends will always feel angry toward the murderers as long as they are alive, especially if the victim was a child. I found it horrible that the only emotions Eric could feel were the ones that drove him to kill. Maybe psychologists can learn from Columbine and diagnose the violent kind of psychopathy before the potential killer commits a crime.
Elizabeth, you said
ReplyDelete"The appeal to pathos that stuck with me the most was part when the parents who hadnt found their children thought that another bus was coming. That must have been so hard for those parents to think that their child could be on the next bus, and then find out that there was no other bus."
This stuck with me so much that I wrote a journal entry on it. I agree that it was hard for the parents to find out that there was no other bus, and I believe that the officials should have told the parents of the dead and injured the truth as soon as the shooting was over. The reason I remembered Patrick's story more was simply because it came up so many times in the book.
7. Which person in the book had the most impact on you personally? Explain your answer.
ReplyDeleteEric affected me most of all for several reasons. First of all, it seems foreign to me that anyone could have such an extreme superiority complex, especially a teenager. He honestly felt that his victims were so inferior that they deserved to die. I like science, but I don’t like Eric’s insistence that we should let “natural selection” kill off humans that aren’t as smart. What disturbed me the most about Eric was his desire to harm the ninth graders at Columbine. Dylan made fun of freshmen as well, but just about everything he did was to please Eric. Even more disturbing to me than the “last bus” scene was his “late-autumn entry” (294) in his journal about all of the horrendous things he wanted to do to a freshman: “tear them apart…, strangle them, squish their head, rip off their jaw, break their arms in half….” Even though Eric was a psychopath, he should have realized that he was once a freshman and had to survive ninth grade in order to become a senior, so he shouldn’t have had these angry desires to kill and mutilate “some weak little freshman” or write in his journal, “Ninth graders are required to burn and die” (260).
I think I might write a journal entry on this.
Elizabeth, you said
ReplyDelete"Reading this book really affected me. It was hard to imagine something like this really happening. I would definately react differently than i would have if someone made threats like Eric and Dylan made. I would take the threats alot more seriously, because they might be serious. People didn't take Eric and Dylan's threats seriously and look what happend."
About taking the threats more seriously "because they might be serious," this is exactly what schools do today that they didn't do before the Columbine shootings. If another pair of shooters similar to Eric and Dylan started saying the same kinds of things at just about any high school in the US today, there would be a very good chance thaat they would be caught, and that's good news. The fundamental problem is that you don't know who's joking and who's serious, so you can't kick a kid out just because they're writing disturbing essays about war. You know for sure something's wrong when the potential mass murderers begin making threats against students and teachers in the school. Eric and Dylan made many of these threats, so somebody should have done a thorough search and confiscated the weapons. In today's world, such a threat should be an alert to the school and the student's parents to search for weapons such as napalm in the boy's possession and, if such weapons are found, then the school may be able to suspend the student, essentially canceling the attack because the would-be murderer wouldn't be at school on the planned day to do the deed.
4. Analyze Cullen's writing style in 'Quiet.' Was this a good place in the book to place the chronology of events from the killer's perspective?
ReplyDeleteBy writing from the killers’ perspective, Dave Cullen helps the reader to understand what might have been going through their minds during the attack. It seems startling that Eric and Dylan stopped shooting seventeen minutes into the attack. This was a good place to describe the events from the killers’ perspective because it draws on previous discussion of psychopathy to explain the “quiet period” anomaly. The strangest thing about this chapter was the explanation that the murderers got bored and stopped firing. However, as a psychopath, Eric would not have felt the strong emotions of exhilaration that he thought he would feel by shooting at people. Dylan seems to have lost interest because he was just following along. I find it paradoxical that Eric and Dylan would attempt “suicide by cop” and then try to hide from police fire, but, judging by the fact that Eric was a control freak, he may have wanted to control the exact moment of his death.
9. How has this book effected the way you feel about gun control in the United States.
ReplyDeleteWhile reading the book I felt that back then the gun control wasn't as strong as it is today. Still many people find ways to get guns, but i think its harder to do so now then it was in the 1990's.
2. How did reading Columbine affect you? Has it changed the way you treat others or the way you would react if a fellow student made the sort of threats that Eric and Dylan made?
ReplyDeleteReading Columbine had not made me want to change the way I treat others, because due to the killer's psycopathic nature (or at least eric's) the killings would have probably occured if people had been nice to him or they had treated him poorly. It was not other's treatment which affected him, but rather his own twisted search for pleasure which drove him towards the killings. As far as taking threats more seriously, I would always take threats seriously if they didn't seem like a joke. In our age it is impossible to ignore threats of violence because of the copycat killers which are likely to follow columbine.
6. What appeal to pathos stuck with you the most in this book? Explain your answer.
ReplyDeleteIn this book the appeal to pathos that stuck out the most to me was Eric. I still wonder why he did the things he did. The fact that he didn't feel sympathy for any of the people was shocking to me. It surprised me how much he wanted everyone dead, including the freshman. He wanted them gone from this earth, and that was shocking to me.
7. Which person in the book had the most impact on you personally? Explain your answer.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I think the person that had the most impact on me was Cassie. She was an example to the Christian faith. Even though the martyr story wasn't true, I still think she was an inspiration. She wasn't supposed to die, but she did. The fact that she changed for the better shows the reader that one can really change if they set their minds to it.
8. Columbine is a book that many people have said was "a good book, but a hard one to read." Would you agree or disagree? Explain.
ReplyDeleteI would have to disagree. The in depth accounts of what happened and the detailed characters in the story makes Columbine a great book to read.
Jason, you said
ReplyDelete"This book makes me lean towards the side of greater gun regulation. I really can see both sides of the argument, and I’m not sure what the best way to solve our gun problem in America is, but Columbine has convinced me that we need to do something. We live in a country where psychopathic minors can get guns to shoot up their high school. There’s a very clear issue here. Maybe we shouldn’t restrict the rights of legal gun owners, but we could at least work harder to control illegal guns and illegal gun sales. I wonder how much tragedy could be avoided if we could just keep everybody following the law where guns are involved."
I can see where you're coming from on gun regulation as a preventative measure for these shootings, but there was already gun regulation that Eric had to and did circumvent. Ordinarily, Eric would have needed a background check to buy the gun, but he went to a gun show to avoid this check, which would have prevented him from getting a gun due to Eric's criminal record. It is next to impossible to "control illegal guns" since outlaws will probably come up with some other way to break the law. We can't expect more gun laws to keep criminals from buying guns because criminals are accustomed to breaking the law.
Stephen, you said..
ReplyDeleteThe appeals to pathos involving Patrick Ireland affected me the most. Patrick was an innocent victim who did not deserve to be shot in the head (even though Eric probably thought he did). He took a shot to the brain and almost died, but he still came back from being unable to pronounce his name to graduating high school as valedictorian. He had never been a genius, but he still managed straight A’s. Patrick’s determination and eventual success, aside from making me feel guilty if I don’t work hard enough, show that, as long as there is life, there is also hope.
I would have to agree with you. Patrick's ordeal was one of the stories that affected me. What he went through and where he is now doesn't make me pity him, but congratulate him on his success.
8. Columbine is a book that many people have said was "a good book, but a hard one to read." Would you agree or disagree? Explain.
ReplyDeleteI would have to agree with this statement. Columbine was a good book. It had a lot of evidence and was really reliable. The diction was perfect when it came to describing the deaths of the victims. On the other hand it was a hard book to read, not because of the wording, but because of the graphics that the words portrayed. The detailed description gave a vivid image in the reader's mind. Some of the evidence, like Eric's journal, was impacting.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteJames Kraus you said...
ReplyDeleteReading Columbine had not made me want to change the way I treat others, because due to the killer's psycopathic nature (or at least eric's) the killings would have probably occured if people had been nice to him or they had treated him poorly. It was not other's treatment which affected him, but rather his own twisted search for pleasure which drove him towards the killings. As far as taking threats more seriously, I would always take threats seriously if they didn't seem like a joke. In our age it is impossible to ignore threats of violence because of the copycat killers which are likely to follow columbine.
I agree with this statement. I also think that if Eric was treated nicely by others he probably wouldn't have as much hatred as he did. I too, also take threats like they are serious, even if they are a joke. Things like that are not something you play around with!
2. How did reading Columbine affect you? Has it changed the way you treat others or the way you would react if a fellow student made the sort of threats that Eric and Dylan made?
ReplyDeleteDylan and Eric certainly made school violence a reality. Teachers always tell students of how violence can happen at school and to warn them of fights and whatnot, but these things didn't seem so dangerous until after having read Columbine. While one cannot truly understand the horror of a school shooting until it happens on a personal scale, Dave Cullen made it pretty clear how awful such school violence is.
Jason R, you said...
ReplyDeleteI feel like this was true for Patrick. He was very strong and really clawed his way up out of his disability and took control over his life. It wasn’t so true of say, Brian Rohrbough. When I read of just how extreme Brian got, at first I got angry. After a while though, I just felt sorry for him. I realized that Columbine and losing his son had completely destroyed him. He couldn’t get past his hate and anger, and instead let it consume him. We see this in his note on the memorial. Rather than expressing hope for the future, he could only express hatred for the past.
I totally agree with you on that. Still with all the problems that Patrick went through he refused to give up. Im glad that you brought up Brian R.!He acted in a total opposite way. Who can blame him but there comes a point when you just have to let go.
Jazmine you said..
ReplyDeleteWhile reading the book I felt that back then the gun control wasn't as strong as it is today. Still many people find ways to get guns, but i think its harder to do so now then it was in the 1990's.
Yes, I agree with you on this. I think since the tragedy, guns are harder to get when you are a teenager. Before, someone coould get guns easily, but I think since the tragedy, you can't get them as easily
Jazmine, you said
ReplyDelete"While reading the book I felt that back then the gun control wasn't as strong as it is today. Still many people find ways to get guns, but i think its harder to do so now then it was in the 1990's."
It probably is harder to get guns illegally today than it was in the 1990's, since the "gun show" loophole has been closed. Also, anyone who gives as many warning signs as Eric did would probably be caught today before they managed to take any lives. However, the main concern is how to prevent bombing attacks. Eric's main intention was to set off lots of bombs and kill more than ten times as many people as he and Dylan did with the guns. Had the bombs gone off, nobody would be talking about gun rights in relation to the Columbine massacre, except for the families of the fleeing students killed by the guns. People would be talking about how to prevent high-school boys from being able to make bombs, because the bombs had the potential to kill so many more people.
Stephen you said..
ReplyDeleteColumbine is a very disturbing book that has completely changed my understanding of the murders at Columbine and school shootings in general. I was unaware that Eric was a psychopath, and I actually believed the “Christian martyr” myth until I read this book. To me, it seems that a school shooting, while shocking and horrifying beyond imagination, should never be a complete surprise to those close to the killers, since there are so many warning signs. The problem is that some of the warning signs, such as alienation and lethargy, are relatively common among teenagers and can be found in many boys who would never be school shooters.
I agree with you on this statement. I don't think a shooting will ever be a surprise. Someone always tells someone and it goes around.Some warning signs do show among teenagers, but if they make threats that's when people shouldn't take it as a joke.
Clay, you said...
ReplyDeleteDylan and Eric certainly made school violence a reality. Teachers always tell students of how violence can happen at school and to warn them of fights and whatnot, but these things didn't seem so dangerous until after having read Columbine. While one cannot truly understand the horror of a school shooting until it happens on a personal scale, Dave Cullen made it pretty clear how awful such school violence is.
I definitely have to agree with you! I like when you said "Eric and Dylan made school violence a reality". Eric and Dylan showed the world that violence can take place anywhere. I also agree with you when you said that its hard to understand what happened unless it happened to you. I think everyone can agree with that.
Elizabeth you said..
ReplyDeleteThe appeal to pathos that stuck with me the most was part when the parents who hadnt found their children thought that another bus was coming. That must have been so hard for those parents to think that their child could be on the next bus, and then find out that there was no other bus.
I agree with you on this. I think that part in the book was really emotional. Nobody knows why they said another bus was coming and I think it was terrible that they did that because they shouldn't have raised the hopes of the parents when they knew their children did make it.
Elizabeth you said...
ReplyDeleteColumbine really is a good book. I think that it is very interesting and keeps the reader hooked throughout. However, it is hard to read. Its hard to read about this tragedy and listen to all the things that went on. It was especially hard reading the victims stories and seeing how this affected their families and classmates lives.
I agree with you on this. I also think that it was a really good book, but hard to read because of the emotion that was put out through the book. Reading about the deaths and the families of the lost was sad and hard to read.
Jason R, you said...
ReplyDelete"This book makes me lean towards the side of greater gun regulation. I really can see both sides of the argument, and I’m not sure what the best way to solve our gun problem in America is, but Columbine has convinced me that we need to do something. We live in a country where psychopathic minors can get guns to shoot up their high school. There’s a very clear issue here. Maybe we shouldn’t restrict the rights of legal gun owners, but we could at least work harder to control illegal guns and illegal gun sales. I wonder how much tragedy could be avoided if we could just keep everybody following the law where guns are involved."
I agree with you. I think that back then they had gun regualtions, but not as strong. Today, I feel like small things have changed to make gun regulations stronger, but people still find a way to work around them.
3. In the 10 years since Columbine there have been more than 80 school shootings. What lessons have been learned? Do you think this type of violence will ever be stopped?
ReplyDeleteAs presented in Bowling for Columbine and in the essays we've read on gun laws, America simply cannot do away with guns; and, while guns still circulate through our country, children and students will still have them. With a gun comes power, and with power(in the hands of adolescence) comes tragedy. Some students still see violence as an answer to conflict. Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold certainly did no good for violent students; however, they've made it clear that students need to be on the look-out for conflict in their surroundings, and to warn the faculty if violence is to come.
3. In the 10 years since Columbine there have been more than 80 school shootings. What lessons have been learned? Do you think this type of violence will ever be stopped?
ReplyDeletePeople have learned the typical behaivior of psycopaths and accepeted that children may be diagnosable with the psycological condition. Occaisional outbursts are no longer treated with little regard and are instead taken seriously by authority figures. While it may never be possible to prevent an incident like columbine, it is possible to prevent some such incidents in the furture with new knowledge.
1. In 'Ready To Be Done' Cullen begins wrapping up the aftereffects of the killings. What events (e.g., the sealing of the parents depositions, Michael Moore's conclusions, Mr. D's divorce) were predictable and which came as a surprise to you?
ReplyDeleteI personally forsaw that Dave Sanders' wife was going to be anti-social, but it surprised me how set off she was. She ended up staying within her house for around two years. She did try dating at the end, but in reality, no one could compare to the "National Hero" she once loved. Mr. D's reaction was a bit surprising, because, of all people, he seemed to have the most dramatic personal issues after the accident.
Stephen, you said...
ReplyDeleteBy writing from the killers’ perspective, Dave Cullen helps the reader to understand what might have been going through their minds during the attack. It seems startling that Eric and Dylan stopped shooting seventeen minutes into the attack. This was a good place to describe the events from the killers’ perspective because it draws on previous discussion of psychopathy to explain the “quiet period” anomaly. The strangest thing about this chapter was the explanation that the murderers got bored and stopped firing. However, as a psychopath, Eric would not have felt the strong emotions of exhilaration that he thought he would feel by shooting at people. Dylan seems to have lost interest because he was just following along. I find it paradoxical that Eric and Dylan would attempt “suicide by cop” and then try to hide from police fire, but, judging by the fact that Eric was a control freak, he may have wanted to control the exact moment of his death.
I would have to agree. Writing about the perspective of the killers at the end of the book draws the reader in and gives a deeper understanding of their thought process. One thing that junped put at me also was the fact that psychopaths get bored easily. I guess that a good thing because it stopped Eric (and Dylan) from killing even more people.
8. Columbine is a book that many people have said was "a good book, but a hard one to read." Would you agree or disagree? Explain.
ReplyDeleteColumbine is a book that had to be written. The events and aftermath of the Columbine shooting needed to be explained, rather than exploited for economic growth(such as the media did). The book is, with no doubt, difficult to read: not grammatically, but emotionally. The events Dave Cullen describes in his book are disturbing, but needed to have been interperated and translated correctly for the public to truly understand what happened at Columbine High School.
2. How did reading Columbine affect you? Has it changed the way you treat others or the way you would react if a fellow student made the sort of threats that Eric and Dylan made?
ReplyDeleteI, as well as the whole rest of the class, can say that I will definitely look upon situations similar to that of the massacre, much differently now, having read the book. If I were to overhear a conversation pertaining to or threatening that certain antagonistic events will take place, I will step in and either tak personal action, or report it straight to the authorities, such as the school's administration, or even the police.
3. In the 10 years since Columbine there have been more than 80 school shootings. What lessons have been learned? Do you think this type of violence will ever be stopped?
ReplyDeleteI am aware of the fact that shootings, such as the one taken on Columbine, will never be stopped, for there are people with mental issues who cannot control their actions, therefor making irrational decisions. Although there has been 80 shootings over the past 10 years, Schools and law officials have become more aware of how to react to the altercations, thus preventing more of a devastating situation than originally planned.
9. How has this book effected the way you feel about gun control in the United States.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, i could not have cared less about gun control before reading Columbine, as well as watching Michael Moore's documentary. The essays in class I did not take lightly either, since each one described the personal effects of guns on its writer. The NRA's actions after the shooting were also impacting, seeing their insensitivity towards the Littleton community. While the shooting at Columbine has proven guns to be quite dangerous in the hands of students, there is not really much the government can do about it. Just as with illegal drugs, Americans(students in particular) will always have access to prohibited items. Labeling something as "illegal" only makes it more desirable.
7. Which person in the book had the most impact on you personally? Explain your answer.
ReplyDeleteI was most effected by Patrick. Mainly because of the fact that he waoriginally paralyzed from the waist, yet he managed to overcome the obstacle that were set before him. I cannot believe that he, let alone anyone, can overcome a bullet and other random fragments lodged in your brain to walk. He eventually became the valedictorian of his class, which makes him even that more admiral. He is an inspiration to us all, making me want to go out there and accomplish everything we ever wanted.
9. How has this book effected the way you feel about gun control in the United States.
ReplyDeleteI wish that we, as Americans, could find a way to successfully remove the second amendment, the right to own arms. This would solve most of the problems with school shootings, and shooting in general. The only problem is that criminals will not turn in their guns, thus causing a problem because the innocent people will be unarmed, giving the criminals the unfair advantage, causing miore of a problem than originally given. Either way, I have negative emotions toward guns, for people do not "need" fire arms, we tend to misuse them.
Jordanna said... In the beginning, I can honestly say that it didn't affect me, but as I kept reading, it affected me a lot. The way the families suffered and imagining the pain the students felt hit me hard. Yes, in a way it has changed the way I would treat someone if they made those threats. I would tell a teacher or someone, but I wouldn't pretend it was just a game, because as you can see, Eric and Dylan weren't joking at all.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you, I could not see anyone, even people wiht mental disorders, ever comitting such actions, but as we all see, it happened. I, too, now see that it is not a joke, and that if I suspected someone of plotting similar crimes, I would definitely tell the teachers, and in some cases, the auhorities.
Jason R. you said...
ReplyDeleteThis book makes me lean towards the side of greater gun regulation. I really can see both sides of the argument, and I’m not sure what the best way to solve our gun problem in America is, but Columbine has convinced me that we need to do something. We live in a country where psychopathic minors can get guns to shoot up their high school. There’s a very clear issue here. Maybe we shouldn’t restrict the rights of legal gun owners, but we could at least work harder to control illegal guns and illegal gun sales. I wonder how much tragedy could be avoided if we could just keep everybody following the law where guns are involved.
I was definitely effected by Patrick's story. To me, he represents power and the will to overcome obstacles. Brian, on the other hand, experienced the opposite reaction. He acted very negative manner. Although, we cannot blame him, for he does have reason behind it, I cannot say I would definitely act much differently than he did.
2. How did reading Columbine affect you? Has it changed the way you treat others or the way you would react if a fellow student made the sort of threats that Eric and Dylan made?
ReplyDeleteReading Columbine really touched me. It showed other sides other than what the media played. It has changed how i treat others a bit. I'm more cautious and i question some of my friends a bit more now who make little threats like Eric and Dylan did. All seem to be just blowing off steam but it worries me even greater now from hearing people say things like they did
3. In the 10 years since Columbine there have been more than 80 school shootings. What lessons have been learned? Do you think this type of violence will ever be stopped?
ReplyDeleteI think some lessons learned have been how the police should handle these situations, for schools and parents to pay more attention to how their kids act, and has also gotten a lot of people to be worried more. I don't think so unless we deal with some problems that are overlooked and considered unimportant
5. In 'At The Broken Places' Patrick Ireland says "The shootings were an event that occurred. But it did not define me as a person. It did not set the tone for the rest of my life." How do the vignettes about the school, the memorial and the survivors confirm or dispute this statement?
ReplyDeleteThe memorial confirms this statement because though it was a very horrific event, they were able to build something to have it in their hearts forever but they have the ability to move on. The survivors confirm this in how most of them have moved on and tried to get on with their lives. Each of the survivors and families connected moved on with their lives eventually but always kept what happened close to them
6. What appeal to pathos stuck with you the most in this book? Explain your answer.
ReplyDeleteThe appeal that stuck with me the most was the story and struggle of Patrick Ireland. It did because his life had turned out a success and it's such a great story of hope and determination. All of the injured were, like Anne Marie who overcame her mother's suicide and moved on with her life. But Patrick's seemed the best to me in how he had no hope of ever walking again and had to give up his passion of architecture but in the end he was able to walk (even water ski) and found something he liked better and also a loving wife
9. How has this book effected the way you feel about gun control in the United States.
ReplyDeleteit makes me feel like there's not enough control over guns in this country and that it shouldn't have been that easy for these boys to get the arsenal they needed for their attack. it made me think about how careless this nation has been about one of our deadliest weapons. there's too many guns floating around freely and we need to put a stop to that. Columbine could've been stopped if it hadn't been made so easy for them.
Jazmine said...
ReplyDelete3. In the 10 years since Columbine there have been more than 80 school shootings. What lessons have been learned? Do you think this type of violence will ever be stopped?
After reading Columbine I learned that the unthinkable can happen. Honestly, before I even knew about Columbine I would have never thought that a student(s) would walk into their school and start shooting. I think this type of violence will never be stopped because there will always be people out there killing one another. If people can kill each other in the streets, in homes, and in stores why wouldn't they kill in schools? Hopefully in the future school violence won't happen as often.
i agree with you and i also relate to how you said you never even thought something like this could happen in a school. i think you make an excellent point about how people can kill anywhere and that schools aren't any exception
sammie k said...
ReplyDelete6. What appeal to pathos stuck with you the most in this book? Explain your answer.
As I refer to in my transactional journal, the appeal to pathos produced by Patrick Ireland impacts me the most. His tragic situation reminds me of the last few months of my grandmother's life, which touches me deeply
i agree with you and also i think it's very touching that you shared this. it's beautiful to see how you personally connected his story with someone you knew.
ELizabeth said...
ReplyDelete8. Columbine is a book that many people have said was "a good book, but a hard one to read." Would you agree or disagree? Explain.
Columbine really is a good book. I think that it is very interesting and keeps the reader hooked throughout. However, it is hard to read. Its hard to read about this tragedy and listen to all the things that went on. It was especially hard reading the victims stories and seeing how this affected their families and classmates lives.
i feel the same way. i felt so connected to the victims and the others affected when i learned about their lives. but for me the book was so hard to read that i had to stop reading for awhile because i was close to tears
Clay said...
ReplyDelete2. How did reading Columbine affect you? Has it changed the way you treat others or the way you would react if a fellow student made the sort of threats that Eric and Dylan made?
Dylan and Eric certainly made school violence a reality. Teachers always tell students of how violence can happen at school and to warn them of fights and whatnot, but these things didn't seem so dangerous until after having read Columbine. While one cannot truly understand the horror of a school shooting until it happens on a personal scale, Dave Cullen made it pretty clear how awful such school violence is.
i agree and i think it's one of the best parts of the story, just how well Cullen writes the story to make you see just how terrible the event was. i also agree that school violence has become more scary after reading Columbine and that we'll really never be able to understand since something like this has never happened to us (and hopefully never will)
James Kraus said...
ReplyDelete3. In the 10 years since Columbine there have been more than 80 school shootings. What lessons have been learned? Do you think this type of violence will ever be stopped?
People have learned the typical behaivior of psycopaths and accepeted that children may be diagnosable with the psycological condition. Occaisional outbursts are no longer treated with little regard and are instead taken seriously by authority figures. While it may never be possible to prevent an incident like columbine, it is possible to prevent some such incidents in the furture with new knowledge.
i never even considered that but i totally agree with you. that definitely has been something learned and it's actually a very good lesson. i hope that this lesson has already prevented events like Columbine.
1. In 'Ready To Be Done' Cullen begins wrapping up the aftereffects of the killings. What events (e.g., the sealing of the parents depositions, Michael Moore's conclusions, Mr. D's divorce) were predictable and which came as a surprise to you?
ReplyDelete- i think what was most surprising was how much the media was all over this and almost suffocating the victims to get a story.
2. How did reading Columbine affect you? Has it changed the way you treat others or the way you would react if a fellow student made the sort of threats that Eric and Dylan made?
ReplyDelete-it has had a profound effect, it opened my eyes to this event which before i though were just some loners who decided to kill people in their school but it is so much more deeper than that. it definitely makes me think twice if i were to hear something like the threats they were giving.
3. In the 10 years since Columbine there have been more than 80 school shootings. What lessons have been learned? Do you think this type of violence will ever be stopped?
ReplyDelete- it shows no matter what it will be impossible to stop these kinds of occurrences due to the pushing of the envelop of what can be shown on tv and how much gore can be put into video games. Media has gotten much more explicit since 1999.
4. Analyze Cullen's writing style in 'Quiet.' Was this a good place in the book to place the chronology of events from the killer's perspective?
ReplyDelete- it was good to show the killers perspective. the entire book was talking about them in past tense and it was nice to get a break from that.
5. In 'At The Broken Places' Patrick Ireland says "The shootings were an event that occurred. But it did not define me as a person. It did not set the tone for the rest of my life." How do the vignettes about the school, the memorial and the survivors confirm or dispute this statement?
ReplyDelete- it was true because even after the shooting he was still trying to act the same way, he wanted to still be the valedictorian of his class even though his brain was still healing. They take it the opposite way of patrick.
Khayl said...
ReplyDeleteThe appeal that stuck with me the most was the story and struggle of Patrick Ireland. It did because his life had turned out a success and it's such a great story of hope and determination. All of the injured were, like Anne Marie who overcame her mother's suicide and moved on with her life. But Patrick's seemed the best to me in how he had no hope of ever walking again and had to give up his passion of architecture but in the end he was able to walk (even water ski) and found something he liked better and also a loving wife
- i totally agree about patrick ireland sticking out about his struggle. he definitly had it the hardest out of all the survivors, his determination was astounding.
Clay said...
ReplyDeleteHonestly, i could not have cared less about gun control before reading Columbine, as well as watching Michael Moore's documentary. The essays in class I did not take lightly either, since each one described the personal effects of guns on its writer. The NRA's actions after the shooting were also impacting, seeing their insensitivity towards the Littleton community. While the shooting at Columbine has proven guns to be quite dangerous in the hands of students, there is not really much the government can do about it. Just as with illegal drugs, Americans(students in particular) will always have access to prohibited items. Labeling something as "illegal" only makes it more desirable.
- i agree this book really opened my eyes to the gun situation in america. i like what you said about how labeling something illegal makes it desirable which is very true.
Jordanna said...
ReplyDeleteI would have to agree with this statement. Columbine was a good book. It had a lot of evidence and was really reliable. The diction was perfect when it came to describing the deaths of the victims. On the other hand it was a hard book to read, not because of the wording, but because of the graphics that the words portrayed. The detailed description gave a vivid image in the reader's mind. Some of the evidence, like Eric's journal, was impacting.
- i also agree about how the book was hard to read because of how graphic but i feel it had to be just to fully expose every aspect of this attack
ELizabeth said...
ReplyDeleteI think that one lesson that was learned was that kids aren't always kidding when they make threats like Eric and Dylan did. If a classmate makes a threat like that,it should be taken seriously, not ignored. I dont think this type of violence will ever completely stop. There are always going to be people out there, like Eric, who would do things like kill their classmates or try to blow up their school. The only things that schools can do is try to prevent anyhthing like this from happening.
- i agree with you, if someone were to make threats like eric and dlyan did it should not be taken lightly.
2. How did reading Columbine affect you? Has it changed the way you treat others or the way you would react if a fellow student made the sort of threats that Eric and Dylan made?
ReplyDeleteThis book has affected me in several ways. The story of Patrick Ireland has inspired me to work harder to achieve my goals. Columbine has also taught me to be a bit more cautious about people and take no one for granted; anyone can be a psychopath or spurred by desire, kill people. As far as any bomb threats, terroristic threats, etc… I am taking each and every one of them seriously! In fact, after reading the book in class one day, I found myself walking through the hallways paranoid. The school systems have zero tolerance and so do I; every suspicion will be mentally taken into consideration.
Jazmine said...
ReplyDeleteWhile reading the book I felt that back then the gun control wasn't as strong as it is today. Still many people find ways to get guns, but i think its harder to do so now then it was in the 1990's.
- i agree with you, the gun laws hav definitly been made more serious but still people have their ways of getting guns.
6. What appeal to pathos stuck with you the most in this book? Explain your answer.
ReplyDeletePatrick Ireland’s story was the most notable appeal to pathos. At first, this story seemed to be another depressing anecdote. However, Patrick’s ability to overcome such grave obstacles to reach his goal provided an uplifting story. Personally, this motivated me; I have no reason to be unable to reach my goals. Patrick Ireland’s story lightens the mood of Columbine and definitely sticks out more than others.
7. Which person in the book had the most impact on you personally? Explain your answer.
ReplyDeleteThere is no doubt that Patrick Ireland had
the most noteworthy story in this book. He suffered fatal injuries yet was still determined to reach his goal. This story of prosperity almost seems surreal, like the plot of a fictional movie. However, his story was genuine and his perseverance was extraordinary. To know that someone can overcome such incredible mishaps and continue to pursue their goal empowers me to work harder.
8. Columbine is a book that many people have said was "a good book, but a hard one to read." Would you agree or disagree? Explain.
ReplyDeleteI agree. An especially difficult aspect of the book to grasp is the chronology. Cullen frequently jumps from stories about Eric and Dylan, to stories about the people of Littleton. In doing so, he sometimes may describe a post-Columbine event then describe another pre-Columbine one. The gruesome, extensive details and heartbreaking anecdotes may also be unbearable to some. Although they shape the story, these anecdotes may become quite overwhelming. Nevertheless, Columbine was a great book.
9. How has this book effected the way you feel about gun control in the United States?
ReplyDeleteReading Columbine, I noticed America should have an immediate call to action. The regulations on guns are fine. However, we should be more attentive to the illegal purchase of handguns. A student bringing a gun to school, whether he/she wields it or not, is absolutely unacceptable. Although Columbine proved how deadly guns can be, there is no reason to prohibit legal gun use. In fact, the gun is a double-edged sword; its consequences can be beneficial or unfavorable. The only deciding factor is who hands the gun is in. This is where strict laws on illegal gun use would be worthwhile.
Jordanna said...
ReplyDelete“In the beginning, I can honestly say that it didn't affect me, but as I kept reading, it affected me a lot. The way the families suffered and imagining the pain the students felt hit me hard. Yes, in a way it has changed the way I would treat someone if they made those threats. I would tell a teacher or someone, but I wouldn't pretend it was just a game, because as you can see, Eric and Dylan weren't joking at all.”
- Yes, Eric and Dylan have raised my suspicion of such threats. No one can be taken for granted. If I was aware of any similar threats, I would immediately notify someone. This book has changed my outlook on life. Anything can happen at any given time; look at the situation from students that were just preparing to take a test and then they end up with dead classmates. Knowing your life can be taken at anytime makes you appreciate it much more.
Stephen said...
ReplyDelete“The appeals to pathos involving Patrick Ireland affected me the most. Patrick was an innocent victim who did not deserve to be shot in the head (even though Eric probably thought he did). He took a shot to the brain and almost died, but he still came back from being unable to pronounce his name to graduating high school as valedictorian. He had never been a genius, but he still managed straight A’s. Patrick’s determination and eventual success, aside from making me feel guilty if I don’t work hard enough, show that, as long as there is life, there is also hope.”
- Yes! Patrick Ireland’s story was truly inspirational. Knowing that someone can overcome such great feats, I also feel guilty if I don’t work hard to achieve my goals. His story supported the statement “the sky is the limit.” This was certainly Dave Cullen’s strongest appeal to pathos. This story stands out in the entire book.
Khayl said...
ReplyDelete“it makes me feel like there's not enough control over guns in this country and that it shouldn't have been that easy for these boys to get the arsenal they needed for their attack. it made me think about how careless this nation has been about one of our deadliest weapons. there's too many guns floating around freely and we need to put a stop to that. Columbine could've been stopped if it hadn't been made so easy for them.”
- I agree. The control over guns in America should be improved. Eric and Dylan’s ability to illegally purchase these guns was far too easy. If we could just focus on illegal gun use and removing guns from the streets, then we would see a decline in death rates. Guns are deadly weapons but they also are an excellent source of protection. It all depends on who is behind it.
Jason Wani said...
ReplyDelete“it shows no matter what it will be impossible to stop these kinds of occurrences due to the pushing of the envelop of what can be shown on tv and how much gore can be put into video games. Media has gotten much more explicit since 1999.”
- Exactly, school shootings cannot be completely stopped. Only safer precautions can be taken to prevent them in the future. However, I don’t see the connection between video games and school shootings. Nevertheless, school shootings are somewhat inevitable.
sammie k said...
ReplyDelete“The details, the extensive anecdotes, and the author's way of pulling the reader in and involving him or her in the controversial issues of the massacre (before and after) make the book a great read. The violence, the trauma, and the depressing effects make it hard to actually read through for me - hearing about how so many people's life plans were crushed forever, how so many families were ripped apart (via death or, in Mr. D's case, divorce), how so much grief was caused by the press and by the government (all of the legal suits, etc.), made it painful and depressing. It was a good read, but it sure wasn't easy.”
- Agreed. The heartbreaking anecdotes can become somewhat overwhelming at times. Even I, being the manly man that I am, almost come to tears at some points in this book. Therefore, I know that more emotional people will be touched much easier by these compelling stories. It is hard not to get emotional when Dave Cullen explains a student’s aspirations then describe how they laid motionless on the ground for an extended period of time. It’s almost as if Cullen portrays the situation in the saddest way possible, setting the reader up to become teary-eyed.
8. Columbine is a book that many people have said was "a good book, but a hard one to read." Would you agree or disagree? Explain.
ReplyDeleteColumbine was definitely a difficult book to read due to it's subject matter. The vivid imagery and startling revelations regarding the killer's personalities kept me in a constant boundary of shock and curiosity between which there was no room for rest. Cullen does a fantastic job in writing the book, just being able to keep the reader contained through placement of heavy loads and light "breaks" of his content. Columbine is certain to provoke an emotional response in any reader.
9. How has this book effected the way you feel about gun control in the United States.
ReplyDeleteWhile Columbine has certainly shown that guns can easily be used by the cruelest of people to commit vicious crimes, it certainly does not follow that gun control in the United States needs to be modified. Eric and Dylan, as a pair, were a cruel killing machine destined to take out as many people as possible with or without guns. Their main plan did not even include the guns, but rather large scale explosives. It would be impossible to keep guns out of Eric and Dylan's hands no matter how much effort was exerted on the government's part due to illegal trade of guns. Rather than focus on keeping the guns out of dangerous people's hands, I now believe it is wiser to make those hands less dangerous. Alternative options to gun control law modification could be gun responsibility education programs at a young age, programs to help alleviate teenage anger and also programs to identify possible psychopaths better in the gun purchasing process.
Stephen said...
ReplyDelete"The cover-up and the eventual release of the documents about the killers didn’t come as any surprise at all. I laughed when I read about the page numbering and the huge gaps that made the cover-up obvious. One thing that came as a huge surprise was that there are still confidential transcripts that are being held until 2027."
Actually, documents being sealed happens all the time when someone wants the truth to be known, but not until it's too late for them to feel ashamed or reap the consequences. For example, in her Diary, Anne Frank expressed some negative things about her father. Of course, her father was the only survivor of the Holocaust from her family, and so he was the one who published the diary. He wanted the diary to be published but he was so ashamed of what was written in it (not that there was anything particularly bad) that he had the original sealed for 50 years, and so the original would be published 50 years after the edited version. By that time, Otto Frank was long dead and didn't care what anyone thought about him. So it's not that surprising that the Harrises would seal the interview for until they were more stable.
6. What appeal to pathos stuck with you the most in this book? Explain your answer.
ReplyDeleteWhen Patrick Ireland did not want to be angry at his shooters at a time when his mother could barely focus on anything else was the most influential portion of this book. His determination to succeed in his recovery is absolutely inspirational and pulls at my heart strings just wondering how such a strong individual could exist. Maybe it was the brain damage, maybe he was traumatized, but I prefer to think that Patrick Ireland did not hate his shooters because his desire for success was so strong that it overcame all other factors.
Jordanna said...
ReplyDelete6. What appeal to pathos stuck with you the most in this book? Explain your answer.
In this book the appeal to pathos that stuck out the most to me was Eric. I still wonder why he did the things he did. The fact that he didn't feel sympathy for any of the people was shocking to me. It surprised me how much he wanted everyone dead, including the freshman. He wanted them gone from this earth, and that was shocking to me.
Eric's scorched earth policy is definitely a striking portion of his thoughts. It does make sense though. He believed himself to be superior to others and with his psychological condition, he felt the only way to display his prowess was to destroy everything else. It was taking superiority complex a bit too far and this definitely does add the the fear factor of Eric's personality.
Also, while I too sometimes feel a bit frustrated with the freshmen, wiping them off the earth is a bit extreme. After all, weren't we all freshmen once?
Khayl said...
ReplyDelete"The memorial confirms this statement because though it was a very horrific event, they were able to build something to have it in their hearts forever but they have the ability to move on. The survivors confirm this in how most of them have moved on and tried to get on with their lives. Each of the survivors and families connected moved on with their lives eventually but always kept what happened close to them"
I feel like the memorial scene showed how they had moved on but also how they hadn't. Brian Rohrbough was still consumed by the tragedy, but people also ignored his ranting. It was like even though one of their own had been completely destroyed by it, they had all recovered well enough to be able to look past the bad and just mourn in peace.
Lucus said...
ReplyDelete"Reading Columbine, I noticed America should have an immediate call to action. The regulations on guns are fine. However, we should be more attentive to the illegal purchase of handguns. A student bringing a gun to school, whether he/she wields it or not, is absolutely unacceptable. Although Columbine proved how deadly guns can be, there is no reason to prohibit legal gun use. In fact, the gun is a double-edged sword; its consequences can be beneficial or unfavorable. The only deciding factor is who hands the gun is in. This is where strict laws on illegal gun use would be worthwhile. "
I completely agree with you. Stories like "Why a Peaceful Woman Carries a Gun" make me understand why someone would carry a gun, so I wouldn't want to deny that right to someone who would wield it responsibly. What we really need to crack down on is illegal gun use. That's where the problem comes from. If we could crack down on illegal gun use and make current gun regulations stricter so that people would really have to be responsible for their firearms, I feel like we would have far fewer incidences of gun violence.
ELizabeth said...
ReplyDelete3. In the 10 years since Columbine there have been more than 80 school shootings. What lessons have been learned? Do you think this type of violence will ever be stopped?
I think that one lesson that was learned was that kids aren't always kidding when they make threats like Eric and Dylan did. If a classmate makes a threat like that,it should be taken seriously, not ignored. I dont think this type of violence will ever completely stop. There are always going to be people out there, like Eric, who would do things like kill their classmates or try to blow up their school. The only things that schools can do is try to prevent anyhthing like this from happening.
Realistically, violent crimes such as Columbine will never cease, but I do feel like they can be decreased in frequency and size. As of now, the media allocates generous amounts of times to all forms of violent crime. If the media were to take this focus and cut down or eliminate all non-essential crimes such as this, attacks such as Eric's would be less likely to occur because rather than scarring the world, he would simply have scarred his small town.
1. In 'Ready To Be Done' Cullen begins wrapping up the aftereffects of the killings. What events (e.g., the sealing of the parents depositions, Michael Moore's conclusions, Mr. D's divorce) were predictable and which came as a surprise to you?
ReplyDeleteI personally forsaw that Dave Sanders' wife was going to be anti-social, but it surprised me how set off she was. She ended up staying within her house for around two years. She did try dating at the end, but in reality, no one could compare to the "National Hero" she once loved. Mr. D's reaction was a bit surprising, because, of all people, he seemed to have the most dramatic personal issues after the accident.
Marriages can be highly stressed when one partner can't escape the grasp of a tragedy. I don't feel like Mr. D's reaction was surprising at all, and in fact very predictable. After such a life-changing event it can easily follow that he would feel the need to move on with his marriage as well.
Jason Rodencal said...
ReplyDelete9. How has this book effected the way you feel about gun control in the United States.
This book makes me lean towards the side of greater gun regulation. I really can see both sides of the argument, and I’m not sure what the best way to solve our gun problem in America is, but Columbine has convinced me that we need to do something. We live in a country where psychopathic minors can get guns to shoot up their high school. There’s a very clear issue here. Maybe we shouldn’t restrict the rights of legal gun owners, but we could at least work harder to control illegal guns and illegal gun sales. I wonder how much tragedy could be avoided if we could just keep everybody following the law where guns are involved.
I see a problem in that the method in which the boys were able to gain access to the guns was perfectly legal. While I agree that something must be done, I don't think a crackdown on legal gun purchases is the largest danger. Even Cho, the shooter of the Virgina Tech Massacre, obtained his two handguns legally. Perhaps more thorough background checks and information on the mental state of gun purchase applicants would cut down on gun violence?
"1. In 'Ready to Be Done' Cullen begins wrapping up the aftereffects of the killings. What events (e.g., the sealing of the parents’ depositions, Michael Moore's conclusions, Mr. D's divorce) were predictable and which came as a surprise to you?
ReplyDeleteThe cover-up and the eventual release of the documents about the killers didn’t come as any surprise at all. I laughed when I read about the page numbering and the huge gaps that made the cover-up obvious. One thing that came as a huge surprise was that there are still confidential transcripts that are being held until 2027. "
People get sloppy when they are under pressure to cover their reputation with lies like the officials did here. It comes to no surprise to me that they would make such easily correctable mistakes. Possibly some people also wanted the cover up to get out so they left a trail of crumbs to the evidence in these errors. I'd like to think that whe torn between their jobs and the truth, the officials laid down a middle road which allowed us to follow them.
8. Columbine is a book that many people have said was "a good book, but a hard one to read." Would you agree or disagree? Explain.
ReplyDeleteThe accuracy and reality of both information and stories that Cullen presented in the novel is what gave readers this impression. Knowing that you were being presented the truth that most people did not know of yet and Cullen's style used in the novel made the reader want to continue on reading. I can see how the novel could be seen as "hard to read" based on how the characters' stories emotionally touched the readers. I agree with the conclusion that other readers have come to.
2. How did reading Columbine affect you? Has it changed the way you treat others or the way you would react if a fellow student made the sort of threats that Eric and Dylan made?
ReplyDeleteI definitely view my treatment of others differently because of the book. The impact the events had made me realize that the way you treat others is extremely important. Treating someone badly can lead to serious problems, as indicated by the book.
9. How has this book effected the way you feel about gun control in the United States?
ReplyDeleteThere is no doubt in my mind that after reading the victims/survivors' stories, I definitely am not too supportive of people being able to possess guns. Seeing how easy it was for Eric & Dylan to gain access to fire arms shows how it is too simple to work around the "gun control" that America claims to enforce. I feel as though it's (gun control) only said and enforced when it is noticed to be an issue when it should be enforced more strictly to prevent fire arms from being in the hands of the wrong people as often.
3. In the 10 years since Columbine there have been more than 80 school shootings. What lessons have been learned? Do you think this type of violence will ever be stopped?
ReplyDeleteThe fact that so many shootings still occur amazes me. Its sad to think about and needs to be prevented. Cyber-bullying is a major issue nowadays but so is the ease of access to guns for many students and young adults.
6. What appeal to pathos stuck with you the most in this book? Explain your answer.
ReplyDeleteThe biggest appeal to pathos to me was when Lisa Sanders had to hear of her husband's death. The fact that she was prepared and still didn't keep it together really hit me hard.
7. Which person in the book had the most impact on you personally? Explain your answer.
ReplyDeleteThe character that had the biggest impact on me was Dylan because he was such a tragic character. His association with Eric led him to this.
3. In the 10 years since Columbine there have been more than 80 school shootings. What lessons have been learned? Do you think this type of violence will ever be stopped?
ReplyDeleteI think that regardless of whether Columbine ever happened or not, there still would have been plenty of school shootings. For whatever reasons the shooters would have for attempting/succeeding with a school massacre, they could be similar reasons for the cause(s) of future school shootings. America especially was notified of this and the fact that students' behaviors should be payed more attention to after the occurence of Columbine. As long as high school is high school and stereotypes exist, I don't think that this kind of violence can be completely terminated, however, it can at least be controlled/minimized with some effort.
8. Columbine is a book that many people have said was "a good book, but a hard one to read." Would you agree or disagree? Explain.
ReplyDeleteThis book was interesting to me because it applies to many people's lives. The shooting at the high school was such a tragedy, but provided a lot of background info on topics not usually uncovered.It was hard to read just because it was so jam-packed with information.
Jasmine said...
ReplyDeleteThere is no doubt in my mind that after reading the victims/survivors' stories, I definitely am not too supportive of people being able to possess guns. Seeing how easy it was for Eric & Dylan to gain access to fire arms shows how it is too simple to work around the "gun control" that America claims to enforce. I feel as though it's (gun control) only said and enforced when it is noticed to be an issue when it should be enforced more strictly to prevent fire arms from being in the hands of the wrong people as often.
I agree with you completely. The fact that so many people can reach so many guns so easily is ridiculous. I can't imagine what it will be like if we continue like this.
I would have to agree with this statement. Columbine was a good book. It had a lot of evidence and was really reliable. The diction was perfect when it came to describing the deaths of the victims. On the other hand it was a hard book to read, not because of the wording, but because of the graphics that the words portrayed. The detailed description gave a vivid image in the reader's mind. Some of the evidence, like Eric's journal, was impacting.
ReplyDeleteI agree. The amount of information leading up to and after the events made it hard for me to read, but overall it was a good book. The in-depth accounts were hard to get through personally.
Sammie Kibbles stated...
ReplyDeleteAs I refer to in my transactional journal, the appeal to pathos produced by Patrick Ireland impacts me the most. His tragic situation reminds me of the last few months of my grandmother's life, which touches me deeply.
I can see where you are coming from when you say that. It's tough to lose a loved one and Patrick's case was very tragic. It was a sad excerpt to a sad book.
7. Which person in the book had the most impact on you personally? Explain your answer.
ReplyDeleteI think that Danny's story affected me most (aside from Patrick Ireland). The fact that he died from such a heartless gunshot and then was left lying on the sidewalk for almost two days was just wrong in my books. On top of all that, he already had his life all planned out ahead of him; he was the kind of person who would have without a doubt obtained success. When he died, his father also had such a hard time coping with the loss of one of the few things holding him "down to earth," which also touched me as well.
2. How did reading Columbine affect you? Has it changed the way you treat others or the way you would react if a fellow student made the sort of threats that Eric and Dylan made?
ReplyDeleteThis book definitely showed me that you can't always judge based on assumption. I am not one to take threats or jokes too seriously simply because, it's high school, it happens. However, reading Columbine makes me feel like I should pay more attention to the way/how often someone makes such threats just incase.
Jason Rodencal said...
ReplyDeleteThis book makes me lean towards the side of greater gun regulation. I really can see both sides of the argument, and I’m not sure what the best way to solve our gun problem in America is, but Columbine has convinced me that we need to do something. We live in a country where psychopathic minors can get guns to shoot up their high school. There’s a very clear issue here. Maybe we shouldn’t restrict the rights of legal gun owners, but we could at least work harder to control illegal guns and illegal gun sales. I wonder how much tragedy could be avoided if we could just keep everybody following the law where guns are involved.
I completely understand and agree with your point here. It would be impossible (and unreasonable) to completely rid of LEGAL gun possession since that would only leave guns in the hands of those who would obtain/utilize them illegally. If there were a way to have the law followed effectively, there more than likely would not be anymore school shootings or other shootings for that matter.
Stuart said...
ReplyDeleteI definitely view my treatment of others differently because of the book. The impact the events had made me realize that the way you treat others is extremely important. Treating someone badly can lead to serious problems, as indicated by the book.
I felt the same way when I read this question. I felt as though I also need to watch the way I treat or act around others around me. I would rather not be part of the cause of someone's desire to harm others.
Stephen said...
ReplyDeleteThe appeals to pathos involving Patrick Ireland affected me the most. Patrick was an innocent victim who did not deserve to be shot in the head (even though Eric probably thought he did). He took a shot to the brain and almost died, but he still came back from being unable to pronounce his name to graduating high school as valedictorian. He had never been a genius, but he still managed straight A’s. Patrick’s determination and eventual success, aside from making me feel guilty if I don’t work hard enough, show that, as long as there is life, there is also hope.
I found Patrick's story to be quite inspiring as well. He also made me feel that if he could go through what he did, overcome obstacles and become successful that I could be doing better as well. His story both affected me emotionally and mentally.
Jazmine said...
ReplyDeleteAfter reading Columbine I learned that the unthinkable can happen. Honestly, before I even knew about Columbine I would have never thought that a student(s) would walk into their school and start shooting. I think this type of violence will never be stopped because there will always be people out there killing one another. If people can kill each other in the streets, in homes, and in stores why wouldn't they kill in schools? Hopefully in the future school violence won't happen as often.
I agree with your comment up to the fact that this book changed what you thought was not possible to it actually happening. I remembered shootings such as the Virginia Tech massacre and could-have-been tragedies where a fire arm was found in the possession of a student. It's terrible that we have these concerns in a supposedly "safe" environment and hopefully some sort of control can be placed on gun violence.
Elizabeth said...
ReplyDeleteColumbine really is a good book. I think that it is very interesting and keeps the reader hooked throughout. However, it is hard to read. Its hard to read about this tragedy and listen to all the things that went on. It was especially hard reading the victims stories and seeing how this affected their families and classmates lives.
I agree with you completely. Cullen made the book into a non-siding story that drew readers into wanting to continue reading. The events and stories of their effects were moving which made it hard to read, yet since there was sorrow felt, you were almost compelled to want to know more and continue reading.