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Post by Abaratian on Mar 25, 2009 11:57:34 GMT -5
Begins: March 25
Chapter 8 - "A Moment With Melissa"
As of today, Wednesday, March 25th, the discussion of Chapter 8 of the first Abarat book starts!
You guys have some great points to make! We've been doing well with these discussions, and I hope the further we get in the books the more you all get active in here!
Next Chapter, "Events on the Jetty" begins on April 1st!
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Post by THE LADY OF MIDNIGHT on Mar 25, 2009 16:51:51 GMT -5
Gahhh I had written something and then my internet freaked out and I lost it...
Ok so we learn that Candy's name is just Candy.
That her middle name is Francesca.
That the portal between the Abarat and the Hereafter had been opened the night of Candy's birth. So atleast twice during her lifetime it has happened.
We don't know yet if it has anything to do with the Fantamoya and their journey but one might assume.
I just feel really bad for Melissa and having to deal with Bill aka the "Lump".
I think its really sad that she is stuck doing all the working and caring for him like he was a baby while he sits in his drunken stupor on the couch.
I don't understand people who stay in a relationship like that. It isn't helping anyone. Maybe she just knows if she doesn't care for him then no one will and he won't make it. I'm not sure what she is thinking.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2009 1:02:05 GMT -5
I agree, I really, really dislike Candy's dad. The reason she's staying with him is probably something like 20% sense of duty, 80% fear. The man beats her and the children, to get out of a relationship like that isn't as easy as it sounds. In a 'normal' relationship it's not a problem for one part to end it and walk away if it's not working, but in an abusive relationship like that? I think Melissa is far too broken to get out on her own. To me it feels as if she has distanced herself from everything just to get by. Personally I'm hoping for a little Abarat Intervention.  |
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Post by THE LADY OF MIDNIGHT on Mar 26, 2009 1:05:43 GMT -5
Wait does it say somewhere in the book that he beats her? I don't remember that
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2009 6:32:33 GMT -5
I was sure I read it somewhere, I think that it was one of Candy's musings, or maybe it was one of Melissa's. I'll look it up.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2009 6:49:24 GMT -5
I'll try to find a passage that expressively says that he beats her, but it is mentioned repeatedly in the books that he beats the children, and without fear of being beaten again herself I don't think that she would have allowed him to go that far with the kids. Added to that he calls her names and has absolutely no respect for her, I don't really see why she would have been spared his violent-drunk-behavior...
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rawk
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Post by rawk on Mar 26, 2009 11:48:43 GMT -5
In book 2 they really get into the relationship between Melissa and Bill. Melissa really does love him and they express that in the book thoroughly, but I think that the reason she stays with him is out of fear of what comes after breaking up with him. She's been with this man for so long, and he really was wonderful when they first met, so what is she supposed to do when he's gone? She'd be alone, AND have 3 kids to take care of.
That's what I think, :3
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Post by THE LADY OF MIDNIGHT on Mar 26, 2009 14:18:35 GMT -5
Rawk.. I don't see how she'd stay with him because "she'd be alone, AND have 3 kids to take care of" because he isn't doing anything for them anyways. He is just sitting there being drunk and apparently (believes what Munanna tells her ^-^) that he beats them as well. It must be just some psychological complex that comes with being beaten and abused... not sure though.
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Post by Abaratian on Mar 26, 2009 17:31:03 GMT -5
This is an age-old discussion of why battered women stay with their husbands. There's a myriad of reasons, ranging from fear, self-esteem issues, and lingering love. I think for Melissa it's a combination of a whole lot of things. I feel like the biggest one in her case might be because she still loves him. It's made obvious that they used to be extremely close, and deep down she probably has hopes that one day he'll put down the cup and turn back into his old stuff. I don't think it's just the alcohol that makes him that way, but Melissa probably blames it completely on the alcohol because she'd be in denial that her beloved has changed so tremendously and not from external causes like drinking.
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