Explain Why Eli Believes That Mom Is A Strong Woman And That Gentleness

1. Eli believes that Mom is a strong woman and that “gentleness” should not be confused with “weakness.” Is he right? What are Mom’s strengths and weaknesses?

A) Eli is right. In page 49 it states that even though his mother is gentle when she plays the cello, you can see her strength as if it shines through her music. On page 49 it also states that the mother is quiet and sensitive. Those can both be considered a strength and a weakness. On page 50 it says that her looks are a strength of hers.

2. On page 95, Lexie calls Mom “lucky” because she doesn’t have the same worries that most mothers do. To what extent is this true? Is this a fair statement?

A) Lexie is true to an extend. Her mother doesn't have to worry about a cheating husband, her children using drugs and alcohol. Although she has to worry if her kids have enough food to last them this whole 15 years,

and if they're happy. It is a fair statement not a strong statement, but Lexie didn't stop to think about the supplements, they need to cared for too.

3. On page 117, Eli asks, “What are we surviving for?” Put yourself in his place. Would you want to survive a nuclear disaster? Why or why not?

A) Yes and no. No because I don't have my brother, best friend, and right hand man with me. Although if I were Eli I would open my eyes and realize there's something to live for.

4. Eli is a dynamic character. Discuss how he changes from the start to the end of the book. Is Dad a dynamic character as well? Why or why not?

A)In the beginning of the novel, Eli is a standoffish person. On page 12 Eli says that he doesn't like to be touched. On page 18, Eli states that he was the follower and his twin brother Eddy was the leader. If you see the climax of the novel you see Eli starts to become a leader, starts searching for answers. On the other hand his father is not he doesn't really change a point of view. You just see him get weirder and weirder.

5. What challenges might you and your family encounter upon reentering “the real world” if you had an experience like the Yanakakis family’s?

A) Well first of all my father is a billionaire and everyone thought we were dead but it was this insane plan made up by my father. So I can conclude there would probably be a lot of press. Also the supplements having to understand the world. Even trying to find friends after that long period of time. But the biggest thing would be trying to cope with what happened and the whole ordeal.

6. S.A. Bodeen purposefully withholds some important details at the start of the story and then slowly reveals some of these details as the story progresses. What are some of these important details? How does it affect the plot?

A) Well I think the detail that we didn't know about would be the mother's pregnancy. On top of that founding out that this is her fourth pregnancy in the Compound. To also find out these pregnancies are to help the food supply, which we didn't really know was suffering. Nevertheless all of these secrets which are exposed leads to this dramatic plot. Another detail that we really didn't know was there past in Seattle. Due to Elis flashbacks and memories it helped him start to see the light. To see how this whole thing was just so awry.

7. On page 169, Dad argues that the Supplements have grown up better than the other children because they were sheltered from so many bad things in the world. Do you agree? Why or why not?

A) I don't agree.

On page 147 - 151 you see that Eddy will get them out. However if they get out how are they going to fit in with the world. Haven't seen a car, tree, soil in their lives that's absurd. Basic things that kids their age should know they don't. In my opinion kids should know about the bad things in the world to build them into the strong men and women they should be.

8. In this novel, nuclear war and unlimited resources both threaten the Yanakakis family. Compare and contrast these threats. Which do you think is more frightening?

A) Well nuclear war is very frightening knowing the impact that it has on the economy preparing for it and trying to be very conscious of it, but running out of unlimited resources is horrible. You don't have the basic resources to function such as water, wind, solar energy. If it came down to it the worst one would be nuclear war. Bombs and missiles just plowing onto a country is scary.

9. Several nations currently house nuclear weapons. What could be the consequences of harboring such weapons? Should countries be allowed to possess nuclear

weapons?

A) The consequence of having something this dangerous is endless what if someone set it off, if they threatened the wrong country with their missiles and the other country blasted first. I can understand countrys want protection but they have to understand these consequences. To wrap it up yes they should have them, but they must be careful or they will jeopardize the future of their country

10. Perhaps the most disturbing element of the novel is the Supplements. Would you put your own life ahead of another’s?
A.No I couldn't kill someone so that I could eat especially if we share the same blood. It's not right. But I also really might want to eat so I don't really know.