4. The theme that is developed by the author in the book Stones is that true love is real and the two true lovers will always be together. I believe that this is the author’s theme in the book because in the beginning of the book Garnet’s class is having a debate about if true love exists, Garnet then states, “Since he (Romeo) had never so much as spoken to her, his so-called love for her must have been based on physical appearance alone. Obviously the same goes for her (Juliet).” (Bell 23). This statement shows us that Garnet doesn’t believe in true love. Then when Raphaella stands up to oppose his statement, Garnet sees her and he feels something inside him. “I felt something shift inside me, a kind of low-level seismic tremor.” (Bell 25). Garnet then does all he can to get Raphaella to go on a date with him. Garnet and Raphaella then start going out and they eventually become entangled in the central conflict. Garnet later on in the book becomes curious about Raphaella and wants to know more about her, so he goes and confronts her. This breaks his promise to Raphaella about how he would wait for her to explain things. Raphaella then finds out that Garnet had broken their promise and so she breaks up with him. This also breaks her promise to Garnet about how they would always be together. Raphaella then realizes this, and she goes to visit Garnet. She then says, “I was mad at you, hurt. But I broke my promise, too. Remember that day in the park? I said you wouldn’t lose me.” (Bell 243). This statement shows us that true lovers will always stay together even when the going gets tough. Garnet and Raphaella stay together for the rest of the book which clarifies my statement that the author’s theme is that true love is real and the two true lovers will always stay together.
In this story there are 2 themes. The first is racism and the second is love. The theme of racism is shown when Garnet is learning all about the group of black people that lived there. He learns that a bunch of white men stoned a black woman to death. This kind of thing realy happend back then and is present in this story. The theme of love is shown when Garnet sees Raphaella and he instantly fell in love. They get closer and closer ans the book goes on. An other example of love in the story is Between Hannah and her husband Jubal. The author uses these characters to show the theme of true love and love at first sight. He also uses the stoning of a black woman to develop the theme of racism.
The theme that is developed by the author in the novel is that prejudices and persecution in the past are still being repeated in the present. The author combined two similar stories to get the message across. Through Hannah’s story the author illustrated how racism, discrimination and prejudice happened 150 years ago and he then used Annie’s (Garnets mother) story to show that these things still happen today. Annie went on a business trip to Indonesia. While she was there a group of men thought that it was wrong for her to be wearing clothes that revealed her skin. Also as a woman she was not to order any of her male colleagues around. Because she did not comply to what was thought to be Indonesian culture, a group of men beat her, dressed her in all black clothing and dropped her off on the side of the street where someone found her. In Hannah’s story a mob of men stoned her to death because of the colour of her skin and what she believed in. She was persecuted for just being a black nurse trying to help other people. Both of these women were treated unfairly because of what they stood for and what they believed in. The stories are related even though they happened 150 years apart. The author applied these two stories to develop his message.
I agree with most of the themes chosen by those students, for example, the theme of love and prejudice both show very strong themes in the novel; however I believe that racism is not one of the prevalent themes and also that the theme of perseverance should be an overall theme in the novel. This is because racism wasn’t part of the novel, but I think that James means to say that the mob against Hannah was prejudice and ignorant of the fact that they based what they saw on what she was. They assumed that because she was a ‘healer’ and came from Haiti that she was a witch, hence the nickname Haiti Witch. Also, I think the theme of perseverance should be another theme since Garnet and Raphella never gave up on facilitating Hannah’s spirit into the after life. This is why I think love, prejudice and perseverance are the overall themes in the novel.
4. I agree with Kristen about how racism is not one of the main themes. I believe that it isn't because you learn that in the book they stoned Hannah to death for apparently being a witch even though she was just a healer. The book really never does say that they stoned her because she was black, but one could assume that since the book did state that she was black, that was the reason for her getting stoned. I do kind of think that her being black might have been a bit of the reason for them stoning her, because many years ago our community was very segregated.
The theme that develops in the novel “Stones” deals the unjust societal persecution and prejudices that exist in the community. An appropriate theme would be “justice for all” or “peace and harmony prevails”, because the conflict in the novel was resolved after the characters received the proper justice they deserved. This theme is developed by the author through the conflict and atmosphere of the novel. The main character was haunted by the spirits from the past: an innocent African – Canadian victim and white offenders, in dramatic nightly reenactments of the racial persecution that occurred in history. “There are spirits here,” she whispered, her eyes wide… “Something bad happened around here somewhere. Something evil… (Bell 107)” The atmosphere at that point in the book was very intense and unforeseen, indicating that those acts of mistreatment are not allowed or common in society today, because the societal traditions had evolved, and changed for the better. Their struggle for fairness was achieved after they had given proper treatment to both spirit parties – They were able to scare away the offenders with what they were inflicting on others – power and authority, while freeing the victim from the abuse she continued to receive, giving her what she truly wanted from the beginning. This was able to stop the haunting, and instate a new atmosphere of peace and harmony. “On the pile of rocks that had once been Hannah’s chimney sat a grey squirrel, busily nibbling on a pine cone that he held between his little hands, so unconcerned as if he owned the place. Sparrows squabbled in the trees and darted across the clearing, chasing one another. Bees hummed and butterflies fluttered in the warm air. (Bell 277)” The main characters’ successful pursuit to end the discrimination in the community, exhibited mortality and beliefs of justice within them, proving that the theme “peace and harmony prevails” is evident in the novel.
The significance of this quote is that it explains the author’s theme for the novel which is that people shouldn’t be discriminated against because of race, culture or beliefs. “Jubal was rejected because Hannah practiced what she obliquely called the ‘old religion’”. (Bell 178) The author William Bells address the fact that in the past and present people are mistreated because of what they believe and throughout the novel Garnet and Raphaella are trying to make what happened to Hannah and her husband because of their religion right. “They’re together again.” (Bell261) Garnet and Raphaella burry Hannah next to Jubal so they can rest together peacefully. The overall theme was that you should only treat people the way you would expect them to treat you.
The first theme that is developed throughout the book is discrimination and prejudice. The author develops the message by telling the story of an incident in the past and comparing it to an incident in the present. The incident in the past was the stoning death of Hannah Duvalier because she had a different skin colour and she was thought to be a witch because she practiced the “old religion.” Hannah was stoned to death after her husband Jubal died because she was thought to be a witch even though she healed and helped many other women in the community give birth and help take care of their kids. In Hannah’s case she was murdered by people who misunderstood her situations and beliefs and she was punished. The incident that happened in the present was the abuse of Annie Havelock, Garnet’s mom. She was attacked in Indonesia because she wasn’t wearing clothes that were appropriate and respectful to their culture and she was giving male colleagues orders but in Indonesia it is thought that men should be giving women orders. Annie was taken, dressed in black, abused and thrown on the side of the road. “‘No. But she fells violated. ‘Unclean’ was the word she used. As if they had raped her dignity. Don’t ask her about it,’ he repeated. ‘She needs to heal in her own way.’” (Bell 212) These incidents portrayed the theme of discrimination and prejudice and it shows that these issues are still occurring today. Both Hannah and Annie were treated unfairly based on immature beliefs and understandings even though they are 150 years apart. Both these woman dealt with the same situation many years later which shows that nothing has changed.
4. The theme also known as the topic is a device authors’ use to make sure that their key points and messages of the novel is getting across to its readers. As for Sara’s opinion of the story, I fully agree with her view however, I believe that there is more to the theme then just the prejudices and persecution between the black and whites. The additional message I feel is being portrayed, is that love at first sight created between people, such as Romeo and Juliet does happen. This is proven in the plot by a character named Garnet, who is introduced as a person with low self a steam about his interaction with girls, because of former scenarios. These scenarios have also caused Garnet to believe that love at first sight does not exist and that girls are difficult. However after Garnet took part in a debate about Romeo and Juliet, and created statements such as, “Since true love is, as I said before physical and spiritual, Romeo and Juliet could not have been experiencing true love” (Bell 23), was greatly impacted by the following rebuttal. This argument brought against Garnet, was by a character name Raphaella who was a new girl at school, which many did not know. Nevertheless, this character stood her ground and strongly brought her point forward, which clearly explained that, “Romeo and Juliet knew each other in a split second of revelation. When they had chance to talk they were able to confirm what they already knew” (Bell27). In result of Raphaella’s first conversation with Garnet, and her greatly influencing rebuttal, proved Garnet wrong because before she even finished speaking, he states “I have fallen in love with her.”(Bell28). Therefore, this section even though fairly near the beginning , sends the author’s perceptive of love.
I agree with eggshopper, but I also disagree with them. I feel that the theme of true love is evident in the story, but I also feel that there is a bigger theme. Even though throughout the entire story the protagonist is fighting for love, I think that the main theme is that everything will be okay in the end. Examples of this include when everything between Garnet and Raphaella are okay, Garnets mom returns home and how Hannah’s spirit is put to rest. The theme that true lovers will always stay together can be included and tied in with the theme that everything will be okay in the end.
Sara, I really liked your connection to how Garnet’s mom was also a victim of persecution, similar to Hannah. She was not the stereotypical woman in that society therefore was disrespected and beaten. It made Garnet and Raphaella realize how wrong this type of treatment was, and how it was similar to the treatment Hannah endured. “As my father covered his face with his hands I wondered, at another time or in another place, would the militia have stoned my mother to death (Bell 212)?” This realization made them more motivated to end the conflict with the spirits, because they didn’t want it to continue to happen to an innocent undeserving woman, and give her the justice and peace she deserved. :D
I do not agree with Kristen that the theme of racism is not a main theme in the novel. I think this because racial discrimination was shown in many ways throughout the book. “As my father covered his face with his hands I wondered, at another time or in another place, would the militia have stoned my mother to death? (Bell 212) This quote describes how Garnet’s mother was attacked when she was traveling in the middle east because of her career and the fact that she was white and wore outfits considered unsuitable for women in that country. It also touches on the fact that Hannah was stoned to death just because she practiced a different religion then that of the people who lived in her community. A majority of the book was focused on what happened to Hannah and why it had happened. I feel that racism was an important theme throughout the novel Stones.
The theme that is developed by the author is “Some of the greater things in life, as unseen. That’s why you close your eyes when you kiss, cry, or dream.” This can relate to the relationship between Garnet and Raphaella because they experience unexpected occurences. On the cover of Stones, William Bell has illustrated a picture mainly of an old house with many stones underneath. There are only two small figures, representing Raphaealla and Garnet. Even though they are a very small part of this image the author is still trying to send something out to us. We may not see their faces clearly, but most things in life are unseen. For example, on the cover, one may not be aware of the love afraid they have experienced, but is no excuse to make the assumption that the book is based mainly on the action plot. Some may even state that the title of the book is named Stones, so why would the story be based on love? The concealed meaning behind stones is strength, courage, love healing, and protection. The protagonist Garnet develops these traits throughout the novel. Proof of this is when he goes and tells Raphaella’s mother about how he feels towards her. He believed that he can heal Raphaella’s pain and vice versa. “Raphaella sprinted towards the path and I turned to follow. A stone struck my elbow knocking the box from the grip. I stopped to pick it up, punching my shoulder when another rock slammed into my back. I dashed into the trees more stones thumping to the ground behind me. It was awkward with a pack on my back and my hands full I knew was moving too slowly to stay ahead of them for long. I pushed on, stumbling my breath like fire on my chest where the land began to slope. The men caught up to me. The acrid stink of their sweat and the damp cold seeped from them enveloped me. Oh, god, I thought awaiting the crash of a rock on my skull. But they thundered past me, like a river slowing around a boulder. Panting and cursing, they me in the wake, closing on Raphaella. She ran on, hair flowing behind her.” (Bell 255) This occurred when the men were gain up on them with st9ones. Raphaella kept going on with her preserved attitude. She believed that she could make it when garnet. This distributes strength and courage, because courage means to do something that one knows they may not be able to accomplish, yet go further with it anyway. Many readers often forget the conveyed meaning by the author. The action plot is highly acknowledged, but the same does not apply for romance. “My heart practically leapt from my chest. I made myself remain calm. Maybe she was here for something that had nothing to do with her and me, I cautioned myself. Maybe she was working on another show and wanted to borrow more antiques or something. I stood there in my strained apron, wiping my hands on a ratty face towel, afraid to speak. (Bell 242) This is the point in the book when garnet and Raphaella had separated for a period of time. She has created such an impact on him, by making him a stronger character. For the reasons of courage, hidden messages, small visuals on the symbolism, the theme William Bell developed is “some of the greater things in life are unseen. That’s why you close your eyes when you kiss, cry, or dream…”
Taylor, as I agree with your point regarding with some parts focusing on Hannah's death. However, I believe that this does not prove that it is the most important. Throughout this novel, Garnet experiences different changes and occurences that he has never come across before. It distributes that he is a round character, for Raphaella helps to find the inner courage within Garnet. In the beginning of the novel, the author explained that Garnet was uninterested of love. Bell also elaborated on the fact that he was easily "bored". When he first laid eyes on Raphaella, everything from that moment changed. He possessed more strength and character traits one would never guess, from the description of the exposition. I understand that the fact that Hannah was being descriminated is an important event in the novel, however William Bell used to illustrated the fact that this whole experience changed Garnet's life around.
I agree with Nadya's and Sara's quotes because they describe the overall themes very clear. I also like Sara's connection between Hannah and Garnet's mom Annie and how both women were judged based on something ridiculous many years apart. I liked how Nadya showed another way to describe the themes like "justice for all." I disagree with the fact that true love is a theme. True love is a very important part of the story but it takes a back burner to the point of discrimination and prejudice. I also disagree with the fact that racism is a theme. I think that it is prominent as well but the bigger picture isn't just racism, its discrimination and prejudice as well. All the themes throughout the book Stones were developed very well by the author William Bell.
James I agree and disagree with your comment. When you said "The theme of racism is shown when Garnet is learning all about the group of black people that lived there. He learns that a bunch of white men stoned a black woman to death." Yes the statement is true, but the reason they stoned Hannah to death was not because she was black, but because she was known as a "witch". That is why the men in the book are chanting "Haiti witch", it is because they’re prejudice and assume she is using "magic" for evil. But she actually is healing and helps take care of sick people. Therefore the theme was not racism but stereotyping Hannah for being a "witch", because the men assumed that all witches are evil.
Jennifer , I strongly agree with your comment. I believe that the main theme would be the connection between love and Raphaella, rather than the action plot with Hannah. I think this because the exposition is mainly about Garnet's past relationship with other girls. And then they introduce Raphaella which he falls in love with, which is what changes his life. Therefore Raphaella is the reason that Garnet is who he is in the story. Raphaella gave Garnet the confidence to stand up for what he believes in by being the one he gets over his fears for, because he was in love with her. And by helping Garnet getting over his fears he was able to do what he did to help Hannah. Therefore the action plot with Hannah was dependant on the plot with Garnet and Raphaella which would make the love plot the main plot of the book.
I agree with most of the answers here, but I still belive that racism was present in this story. In the time when Hannah was stoned the comunity was still racist. Not everyone, but particularly the men that stoned Hannah. They might have acted differently if she was white. I do agree with most of the answers.
I believe the Theme of Stones has nothing to do with Racism. This brought me to disagree with almost all the responses here. Hannah was stoned because she was a women who was intelligent and found ways to cure illness. Throughout history witches have been stoned and burned at the stake for the very same reasons. The author did mention Hannah was black but never gave a hint about the reason of her murder other than that she was believe to be a witch for healing. One of the themes in this book is sexism. Hannah and Garnets mom would never have been harmed if it wasn't for the fact that they were women. Over six million women have been killed throughout history for being witches it is more common than racism. In addition, Canada has never been a very racist country so it is ever less likely that a black women would be stoned especially when Canada was considered a safe haven from slavery in North American. I strongly disagree that racism is a theme in this novel.
I do not agree with Kristeen because I feel the developing theme in the book was about racism. I believe the theme of love was important but not as important as racism. I also strongly agree with Georgia because you have to look beyond the love story and see the horrific acts of discrimination and prejudices that occurred and still occur today which makes the book more believable. The light hearted side of the book was the relationship between the characters and the more darker side of the book was the violent and evil acts that were done to Hannah.
24 comments:
4. The theme that is developed by the author in the book Stones is that true love is real and the two true lovers will always be together. I believe that this is the author’s theme in the book because in the beginning of the book Garnet’s class is having a debate about if true love exists, Garnet then states, “Since he (Romeo) had never so much as spoken to her, his so-called love for her must have been based on physical appearance alone. Obviously the same goes for her (Juliet).” (Bell 23). This statement shows us that Garnet doesn’t believe in true love. Then when Raphaella stands up to oppose his statement, Garnet sees her and he feels something inside him. “I felt something shift inside me, a kind of low-level seismic tremor.” (Bell 25). Garnet then does all he can to get Raphaella to go on a date with him. Garnet and Raphaella then start going out and they eventually become entangled in the central conflict. Garnet later on in the book becomes curious about Raphaella and wants to know more about her, so he goes and confronts her. This breaks his promise to Raphaella about how he would wait for her to explain things. Raphaella then finds out that Garnet had broken their promise and so she breaks up with him. This also breaks her promise to Garnet about how they would always be together. Raphaella then realizes this, and she goes to visit Garnet. She then says, “I was mad at you, hurt. But I broke my promise, too. Remember that day in the park? I said you wouldn’t lose me.” (Bell 243). This statement shows us that true lovers will always stay together even when the going gets tough. Garnet and Raphaella stay together for the rest of the book which clarifies my statement that the author’s theme is that true love is real and the two true lovers will always stay together.
In this story there are 2 themes. The first is racism and the second is love. The theme of racism is shown when Garnet is learning all about the group of black people that lived there. He learns that a bunch of white men stoned a black woman to death. This kind of thing realy happend back then and is present in this story. The theme of love is shown when Garnet sees Raphaella and he instantly fell in love. They get closer and closer ans the book goes on. An other example of love in the story is Between Hannah and her husband Jubal. The author uses these characters to show the theme of true love and love at first sight. He also uses the stoning of a black woman to develop the theme of racism.
The theme that is developed by the author in the novel is that prejudices and persecution in the past are still being repeated in the present. The author combined two similar stories to get the message across. Through Hannah’s story the author illustrated how racism, discrimination and prejudice happened 150 years ago and he then used Annie’s (Garnets mother) story to show that these things still happen today.
Annie went on a business trip to Indonesia. While she was there a group of men thought that it was wrong for her to be wearing clothes that revealed her skin. Also as a woman she was not to order any of her male colleagues around. Because she did not comply to what was thought to be Indonesian culture, a group of men beat her, dressed her in all black clothing and dropped her off on the side of the street where someone found her.
In Hannah’s story a mob of men stoned her to death because of the colour of her skin and what she believed in. She was persecuted for just being a black nurse trying to help other people.
Both of these women were treated unfairly because of what they stood for and what they believed in. The stories are related even though they happened 150 years apart. The author applied these two stories to develop his message.
I agree with most of the themes chosen by those students, for example, the theme of love and prejudice both show very strong themes in the novel; however I believe that racism is not one of the prevalent themes and also that the theme of perseverance should be an overall theme in the novel. This is because racism wasn’t part of the novel, but I think that James means to say that the mob against Hannah was prejudice and ignorant of the fact that they based what they saw on what she was. They assumed that because she was a ‘healer’ and came from Haiti that she was a witch, hence the nickname Haiti Witch. Also, I think the theme of perseverance should be another theme since Garnet and Raphella never gave up on facilitating Hannah’s spirit into the after life. This is why I think love, prejudice and perseverance are the overall themes in the novel.
4. I agree with Kristen about how racism is not one of the main themes. I believe that it isn't because you learn that in the book they stoned Hannah to death for apparently being a witch even though she was just a healer. The book really never does say that they stoned her because she was black, but one could assume that since the book did state that she was black, that was the reason for her getting stoned. I do kind of think that her being black might have been a bit of the reason for them stoning her, because many years ago our community was very segregated.
The theme that develops in the novel “Stones” deals the unjust societal persecution and prejudices that exist in the community. An appropriate theme would be “justice for all” or “peace and harmony prevails”, because the conflict in the novel was resolved after the characters received the proper justice they deserved. This theme is developed by the author through the conflict and atmosphere of the novel. The main character was haunted by the spirits from the past: an innocent African – Canadian victim and white offenders, in dramatic nightly reenactments of the racial persecution that occurred in history. “There are spirits here,” she whispered, her eyes wide… “Something bad happened around here somewhere. Something evil… (Bell 107)” The atmosphere at that point in the book was very intense and unforeseen, indicating that those acts of mistreatment are not allowed or common in society today, because the societal traditions had evolved, and changed for the better. Their struggle for fairness was achieved after they had given proper treatment to both spirit parties – They were able to scare away the offenders with what they were inflicting on others – power and authority, while freeing the victim from the abuse she continued to receive, giving her what she truly wanted from the beginning. This was able to stop the haunting, and instate a new atmosphere of peace and harmony. “On the pile of rocks that had once been Hannah’s chimney sat a grey squirrel, busily nibbling on a pine cone that he held between his little hands, so unconcerned as if he owned the place. Sparrows squabbled in the trees and darted across the clearing, chasing one another. Bees hummed and butterflies fluttered in the warm air. (Bell 277)” The main characters’ successful pursuit to end the discrimination in the community, exhibited mortality and beliefs of justice within them, proving that the theme “peace and harmony prevails” is evident in the novel.
The significance of this quote is that it explains the author’s theme for the novel which is that people shouldn’t be discriminated against because of race, culture or beliefs. “Jubal was rejected because Hannah practiced what she obliquely called the ‘old religion’”. (Bell 178) The author William Bells address the fact that in the past and present people are mistreated because of what they believe and throughout the novel Garnet and Raphaella are trying to make what happened to Hannah and her husband because of their religion right. “They’re together again.” (Bell261) Garnet and Raphaella burry Hannah next to Jubal so they can rest together peacefully. The overall theme was that you should only treat people the way you would expect them to treat you.
The first theme that is developed throughout the book is discrimination and prejudice. The author develops the message by telling the story of an incident in the past and comparing it to an incident in the present. The incident in the past was the stoning death of Hannah Duvalier because she had a different skin colour and she was thought to be a witch because she practiced the “old religion.” Hannah was stoned to death after her husband Jubal died because she was thought to be a witch even though she healed and helped many other women in the community give birth and help take care of their kids. In Hannah’s case she was murdered by people who misunderstood her situations and beliefs and she was punished. The incident that happened in the present was the abuse of Annie Havelock, Garnet’s mom. She was attacked in Indonesia because she wasn’t wearing clothes that were appropriate and respectful to their culture and she was giving male colleagues orders but in Indonesia it is thought that men should be giving women orders. Annie was taken, dressed in black, abused and thrown on the side of the road. “‘No. But she fells violated. ‘Unclean’ was the word she used. As if they had raped her dignity. Don’t ask her about it,’ he repeated. ‘She needs to heal in her own way.’” (Bell 212) These incidents portrayed the theme of discrimination and prejudice and it shows that these issues are still occurring today. Both Hannah and Annie were treated unfairly based on immature beliefs and understandings even though they are 150 years apart. Both these woman dealt with the same situation many years later which shows that nothing has changed.
4. The theme also known as the topic is a device authors’ use to make sure that their key points and messages of the novel is getting across to its readers. As for Sara’s opinion of the story, I fully agree with her view however, I believe that there is more to the theme then just the prejudices and persecution between the black and whites. The additional message I feel is being portrayed, is that love at first sight created between people, such as Romeo and Juliet does happen. This is proven in the plot by a character named Garnet, who is introduced as a person with low self a steam about his interaction with girls, because of former scenarios. These scenarios have also caused Garnet to believe that love at first sight does not exist and that girls are difficult. However after Garnet took part in a debate about Romeo and Juliet, and created statements such as, “Since true love is, as I said before physical and spiritual, Romeo and Juliet could not have been experiencing true love” (Bell 23), was greatly impacted by the following rebuttal. This argument brought against Garnet, was by a character name Raphaella who was a new girl at school, which many did not know. Nevertheless, this character stood her ground and strongly brought her point forward, which clearly explained that, “Romeo and Juliet knew each other in a split second of revelation. When they had chance to talk they were able to confirm what they already knew” (Bell27). In result of Raphaella’s first conversation with Garnet, and her greatly influencing rebuttal, proved Garnet wrong because before she even finished speaking, he states “I have fallen in love with her.”(Bell28). Therefore, this section even though fairly near the beginning , sends the author’s perceptive of love.
I agree with eggshopper, but I also disagree with them. I feel that the theme of true love is evident in the story, but I also feel that there is a bigger theme. Even though throughout the entire story the protagonist is fighting for love, I think that the main theme is that everything will be okay in the end. Examples of this include when everything between Garnet and Raphaella are okay, Garnets mom returns home and how Hannah’s spirit is put to rest. The theme that true lovers will always stay together can be included and tied in with the theme that everything will be okay in the end.
Sara, I really liked your connection to how Garnet’s mom was also a victim of persecution, similar to Hannah. She was not the stereotypical woman in that society therefore was disrespected and beaten. It made Garnet and Raphaella realize how wrong this type of treatment was, and how it was similar to the treatment Hannah endured. “As my father covered his face with his hands I wondered, at another time or in another place, would the militia have stoned my mother to death (Bell 212)?” This realization made them more motivated to end the conflict with the spirits, because they didn’t want it to continue to happen to an innocent undeserving woman, and give her the justice and peace she deserved. :D
I do not agree with Kristen that the theme of racism is not a main theme in the novel. I think this because racial discrimination was shown in many ways throughout the book. “As my father covered his face with his hands I wondered, at another time or in another place, would the militia have stoned my mother to death? (Bell 212) This quote describes how Garnet’s mother was attacked when she was traveling in the middle east because of her career and the fact that she was white and wore outfits considered unsuitable for women in that country. It also touches on the fact that Hannah was stoned to death just because she practiced a different religion then that of the people who lived in her community. A majority of the book was focused on what happened to Hannah and why it had happened. I feel that racism was an important theme throughout the novel Stones.
The theme that is developed by the author is “Some of the greater things in life, as unseen. That’s why you close your eyes when you kiss, cry, or dream.” This can relate to the relationship between Garnet and Raphaella because they experience unexpected occurences. On the cover of Stones, William Bell has illustrated a picture mainly of an old house with many stones underneath. There are only two small figures, representing Raphaealla and Garnet. Even though they are a very small part of this image the author is still trying to send something out to us. We may not see their faces clearly, but most things in life are unseen. For example, on the cover, one may not be aware of the love afraid they have experienced, but is no excuse to make the assumption that the book is based mainly on the action plot. Some may even state that the title of the book is named Stones, so why would the story be based on love? The concealed meaning behind stones is strength, courage, love healing, and protection. The protagonist Garnet develops these traits throughout the novel. Proof of this is when he goes and tells Raphaella’s mother about how he feels towards her. He believed that he can heal Raphaella’s pain and vice versa. “Raphaella sprinted towards the path and I turned to follow. A stone struck my elbow knocking the box from the grip. I stopped to pick it up, punching my shoulder when another rock slammed into my back. I dashed into the trees more stones thumping to the ground behind me. It was awkward with a pack on my back and my hands full I knew was moving too slowly to stay ahead of them for long. I pushed on, stumbling my breath like fire on my chest where the land began to slope. The men caught up to me. The acrid stink of their sweat and the damp cold seeped from them enveloped me. Oh, god, I thought awaiting the crash of a rock on my skull. But they thundered past me, like a river slowing around a boulder. Panting and cursing, they me in the wake, closing on Raphaella. She ran on, hair flowing behind her.” (Bell 255) This occurred when the men were gain up on them with st9ones. Raphaella kept going on with her preserved attitude. She believed that she could make it when garnet. This distributes strength and courage, because courage means to do something that one knows they may not be able to accomplish, yet go further with it anyway. Many readers often forget the conveyed meaning by the author. The action plot is highly acknowledged, but the same does not apply for romance. “My heart practically leapt from my chest. I made myself remain calm. Maybe she was here for something that had nothing to do with her and me, I cautioned myself. Maybe she was working on another show and wanted to borrow more antiques or something. I stood there in my strained apron, wiping my hands on a ratty face towel, afraid to speak. (Bell 242) This is the point in the book when garnet and Raphaella had separated for a period of time. She has created such an impact on him, by making him a stronger character. For the reasons of courage, hidden messages, small visuals on the symbolism, the theme William Bell developed is “some of the greater things in life are unseen. That’s why you close your eyes when you kiss, cry, or dream…”
Taylor, as I agree with your point regarding with some parts focusing on Hannah's death. However, I believe that this does not prove that it is the most important. Throughout this novel, Garnet experiences different changes and occurences that he has never come across before. It distributes that he is a round character, for Raphaella helps to find the inner courage within Garnet. In the beginning of the novel, the author explained that Garnet was uninterested of love. Bell also elaborated on the fact that he was easily "bored". When he first laid eyes on Raphaella, everything from that moment changed. He possessed more strength and character traits one would never guess, from the description of the exposition. I understand that the fact that Hannah was being descriminated is an important event in the novel, however William Bell used to illustrated the fact that this whole experience changed Garnet's life around.
I agree with Nadya's and Sara's quotes because they describe the overall themes very clear. I also like Sara's connection between Hannah and Garnet's mom Annie and how both women were judged based on something ridiculous many years apart. I liked how Nadya showed another way to describe the themes like "justice for all." I disagree with the fact that true love is a theme. True love is a very important part of the story but it takes a back burner to the point of discrimination and prejudice. I also disagree with the fact that racism is a theme. I think that it is prominent as well but the bigger picture isn't just racism, its discrimination and prejudice as well. All the themes throughout the book Stones were developed very well by the author William Bell.
James I agree and disagree with your comment. When you said "The theme of racism is shown when Garnet is learning all about the group of black people that lived there. He learns that a bunch of white men stoned a black woman to death." Yes the statement is true, but the reason they stoned Hannah to death was not because she was black, but because she was known as a "witch". That is why the men in the book are chanting "Haiti witch", it is because they’re prejudice and assume she is using "magic" for evil. But she actually is healing and helps take care of sick people. Therefore the theme was not racism but stereotyping Hannah for being a "witch", because the men assumed that all witches are evil.
Jennifer , I strongly agree with your comment. I believe that the main theme would be the connection between love and Raphaella, rather than the action plot with Hannah. I think this because the exposition is mainly about Garnet's past relationship with other girls. And then they introduce Raphaella which he falls in love with, which is what changes his life. Therefore Raphaella is the reason that Garnet is who he is in the story. Raphaella gave Garnet the confidence to stand up for what he believes in by being the one he gets over his fears for, because he was in love with her. And by helping Garnet getting over his fears he was able to do what he did to help Hannah. Therefore the action plot with Hannah was dependant on the plot with Garnet and Raphaella which would make the love plot the main plot of the book.
I agree with most of the answers here, but I still belive that racism was present in this story. In the time when Hannah was stoned the comunity was still racist. Not everyone, but particularly the men that stoned Hannah. They might have acted differently if she was white. I do agree with most of the answers.
I believe the Theme of Stones has nothing to do with Racism. This brought me to disagree with almost all the responses here. Hannah was stoned because she was a women who was intelligent and found ways to cure illness. Throughout history witches have been stoned and burned at the stake for the very same reasons. The author did mention Hannah was black but never gave a hint about the reason of her murder other than that she was believe to be a witch for healing. One of the themes in this book is sexism. Hannah and Garnets mom would never have been harmed if it wasn't for the fact that they were women. Over six million women have been killed throughout history for being witches it is more common than racism. In addition, Canada has never been a very racist country so it is ever less likely that a black women would be stoned especially when Canada was considered a safe haven from slavery in North American. I strongly disagree that racism is a theme in this novel.
I do not agree with Kristeen because I feel the developing theme in the book was about racism. I believe the theme of love was important but not as important as racism. I also strongly agree with Georgia because you have to look beyond the love story and see the horrific acts of discrimination and prejudices that occurred and still occur today which makes the book more believable. The light hearted side of the book was the relationship between the characters and the more darker side of the book was the violent and evil acts that were done to Hannah.
also Raphealla was bullied for having an interest in witchcraft therefore she was predujed
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