_Thunderhead_ by Neal Shusterman
World-building Because Shusterman is the master at world building!
Now the venerable structure was a historical site. Tours were given seven days a week by docents with PhDs in the study of mortal humans. p19 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
Passion of performance was a thing of the mortal past, and true artistic style had gone the way of the dodo. Of course, the dodo was back-- the Thunderhead had seen to that. A thriving colony was now happily not flying on the island of Mauritius. p32 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
His parents were "serial parents." They loved the idea of having families, but loathed raising them. Greyson and his sisters were his father's fifth family, and his mother's third. They had tired of this new batch of offspring quickly, and when they began to shirk their parental responsibilities, the Thunderhead took up the slack. p66 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
"I'm going to learn how to drive, no matter how may times it kills me." p81 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
"We're scythes," Citra pointed out. "We are harm's way." p82 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
No one was there for Greyson. On the screen beside his bed was a goofy greeting card from his sisters, featuring a confused magician looking at the very dead body of his assistant, whom he had just sawed in half.
"Congratulations on your first demise," the card read. p90 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
They find validation in the world's suspicion. They take pleasure in the illusion of being on the outside, deeply content in their discontent. It would have been cruel for me to deny them that. p100 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
Because he knew Faraday was right. No matter how many bad scythes he removed from the equation, there would be more on the rise. New-order scythes would take on apprentices who lusted for death, like mortal-age murderers-- the kind who were put in incarceration places and spent the rest of their limited lives behind bars. Now those would be the types of monsters allowed to freely end life without consequence. This was not what the founders wanted-- but all the founding scythes had long since self-gleaned. And even if any of them were still alive, what power would they have to change things now? p130 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
The 4.7 percent of "closed-door activity," as I've come to call it, is predominantly occupied by some sort of sexual activity. I find it absurd that many human beings do not wish me to witness their closed-door activities, as my observations always help to improve any given situation. p157 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
That is why, at current quotas, one's chance of being gleaned is only 10 percent over the next thousand years. p167 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
"Did you know, Anastasia, that there are at least a hundred different tone cults, each with their own rules? They argue bitterly whether their divine tone is G-sharp or A-flat-- and can't even agree whether to call this imaginary deity of theirs 'the Great Vibration' or 'the Great Resonance.' Tonists cut out their tongues, Anastasia! They blind themselves!" p237 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
"If you say, 'May the Fork be with you,' I'll smash you with the other half of this hanger." p238 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
"We're asking for special dispensation from the High Blade to temporarily revive them for questioning," Scythe Armstrong informed him p280 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
He tried to convince himself that this storm was the Thunderhead crying icy tears for him. But who was he kidding? The Thunderhead had millions of more important things to do than lament his troubles. He was safe. He was protected. What more could he ask for? Everything. p294 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
"It's a place," he told her. "It has been lost to antiquity, but I do believe it existed, and that we can find it."
"Atlantis?" she suggested. "Camelot? Disneyland? Las Vegas?" p311 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
"The mortal age was a barbaric time. One could barely cross the street in the early twenty-first century without being kidnapped for experimentation." p415 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
"Well, then," said Supreme Blade Kahlo, raising her hand in a grand dramatic gesture, "let the wild rumpus start!" p454 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
Discussion
The way Scythe Anastasia chooses to glean is a very interesting discussion. And how the scythes react to it. p 29 has a place to center that discussion
This is a part where they talk about how livestock are raised in the post-mortal world. It would make for great discussion about humane treatment of animals.
"I have flown with them over the green expanses of temperate forests, and can testify to you that the lives they experience are deeply satisfying," the Thunderhead had told her. "But yes, it is sad to live and die without knowing the truth of ones existence. Only sad to us, however. Not to them." p 76 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
I think this part would be good for a discussion on reliance on technology/ the fear of bias in media/ the fear in letting go and letting someone else decide for you.... the benevolence and/ or threat of technology.
"I'm sorry you've been marked unsavory," she said just before she left. "But even if you're not allowed to talk to the Thunderhead, you can still access all its information. Websites, databases-- everything but its consciousness."
"What good is all that without a mind behind it to guide you?"
"You still have your own mind," she pointed out. "That's got to be worth something." p114 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
p115- Basic Income Guarantee
p118 rights of criminals
p123 dealing with the system
discussion of counter-culture
They conformed so closely to their culture of non-conformity that there was a uniformity to them, defeating the whole purpose. p169 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
The concept that someone might enjoy getting beaten up-- and that the Thunderhead, realizing this, would find a way to pair the beaters with the beatees in a closed, and somewhat wholesome environment-- left Greyson stunned. p174 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
"The simple pleasure of being good at what you do is very different from finding joy in the taking of life." p 191 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
Of course, the Scythedom saw fit to glean the most offensive of the objectors, as well as those who objected to the gleaning of objectors. After that, objections were few and far between. p201 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
Nowadays, to glean someone because of one's opinion-- or even because of one's behavior-- would be deemed a serious breach of the second scythe commandment, because it would certainly show bias. p202 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
Rowan prided himself on his restraint. Even when he gleaned, he manage [sic] to fold his anger away, gleaning the most despicable of scythes without malice, just as the second commandment required. p223 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
I have come to realize that there are only two perfect acts. They are the two most important acts known to me, but I forbid myself to perform them, and leave them in the hands of humankind.
They are the creation of life... and life's taking. p288 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
Foreshadowing
Greyson Tolliver did not believe he was special. There was no evidence that he was anything beyond ordinary. He figured that the Thunderhead was just being its usual comforting self.
The Thunderhead, however, always meant what it said. p67 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
All this to drive home with simple fact that human government-- whether it be dictatorship, monarchy, or government of the people, by the people, for the people-- had to perish from the Earth. p422 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
Fairy Tales/ Fables/ Rhymes
If you do any kind of unit on the origins or development of stories, this is a great intro quote.
"All stories can be traced to a time and place-- even the simplest, most innocent of children's tales have unexpected beginnings." p 132 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
At that Faraday smiled, "How wise of the founders to hide a kernel of truth within something to absurd. Who among the rational would search for it there?" p133 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
Throwing Shade
An arrogant head of state gives permission to all nature of hate as long as it feeds his ambition. And the unfortunate truth is, people devour it. Society gorges itself, and rots. Permission is the bloated corpse of freedom. p176 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
Description
Citra recognized the boy she knew as Greyson Tolliver the instant she saw him. His hair, his clothes, and those baby horns at his temples might have fooled someone else, but his slim build and body language gave him away. And his eyes. An odd cross between a deer in headlights and a wolverine about to attack. The kid lived in a constant state of fight or flight. p275 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
Wisdom
"Do you?" Citra asked her. "Do you ever mourn what was lost?"
"On some days, yes, on others, no," Scythe Curie said. "Today I am determined to rejoice in what we've gained, rather that what was lost. Both in the world, and personally." p318 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
But Greyson Tolliver does not know. He does not see... because his eyes are shut too tightly to know anything beyond his own anguish. p395 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
Just a line I love
"That's exactly what the scythedom is: high school with murder." p344 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
Now the venerable structure was a historical site. Tours were given seven days a week by docents with PhDs in the study of mortal humans. p19 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
Passion of performance was a thing of the mortal past, and true artistic style had gone the way of the dodo. Of course, the dodo was back-- the Thunderhead had seen to that. A thriving colony was now happily not flying on the island of Mauritius. p32 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
His parents were "serial parents." They loved the idea of having families, but loathed raising them. Greyson and his sisters were his father's fifth family, and his mother's third. They had tired of this new batch of offspring quickly, and when they began to shirk their parental responsibilities, the Thunderhead took up the slack. p66 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
"I'm going to learn how to drive, no matter how may times it kills me." p81 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
"We're scythes," Citra pointed out. "We are harm's way." p82 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
No one was there for Greyson. On the screen beside his bed was a goofy greeting card from his sisters, featuring a confused magician looking at the very dead body of his assistant, whom he had just sawed in half.
"Congratulations on your first demise," the card read. p90 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
They find validation in the world's suspicion. They take pleasure in the illusion of being on the outside, deeply content in their discontent. It would have been cruel for me to deny them that. p100 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
Because he knew Faraday was right. No matter how many bad scythes he removed from the equation, there would be more on the rise. New-order scythes would take on apprentices who lusted for death, like mortal-age murderers-- the kind who were put in incarceration places and spent the rest of their limited lives behind bars. Now those would be the types of monsters allowed to freely end life without consequence. This was not what the founders wanted-- but all the founding scythes had long since self-gleaned. And even if any of them were still alive, what power would they have to change things now? p130 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
The 4.7 percent of "closed-door activity," as I've come to call it, is predominantly occupied by some sort of sexual activity. I find it absurd that many human beings do not wish me to witness their closed-door activities, as my observations always help to improve any given situation. p157 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
That is why, at current quotas, one's chance of being gleaned is only 10 percent over the next thousand years. p167 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
"Did you know, Anastasia, that there are at least a hundred different tone cults, each with their own rules? They argue bitterly whether their divine tone is G-sharp or A-flat-- and can't even agree whether to call this imaginary deity of theirs 'the Great Vibration' or 'the Great Resonance.' Tonists cut out their tongues, Anastasia! They blind themselves!" p237 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
"If you say, 'May the Fork be with you,' I'll smash you with the other half of this hanger." p238 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
"We're asking for special dispensation from the High Blade to temporarily revive them for questioning," Scythe Armstrong informed him p280 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
He tried to convince himself that this storm was the Thunderhead crying icy tears for him. But who was he kidding? The Thunderhead had millions of more important things to do than lament his troubles. He was safe. He was protected. What more could he ask for? Everything. p294 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
"It's a place," he told her. "It has been lost to antiquity, but I do believe it existed, and that we can find it."
"Atlantis?" she suggested. "Camelot? Disneyland? Las Vegas?" p311 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
"The mortal age was a barbaric time. One could barely cross the street in the early twenty-first century without being kidnapped for experimentation." p415 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
"Well, then," said Supreme Blade Kahlo, raising her hand in a grand dramatic gesture, "let the wild rumpus start!" p454 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
Discussion
The way Scythe Anastasia chooses to glean is a very interesting discussion. And how the scythes react to it. p 29 has a place to center that discussion
This is a part where they talk about how livestock are raised in the post-mortal world. It would make for great discussion about humane treatment of animals.
"I have flown with them over the green expanses of temperate forests, and can testify to you that the lives they experience are deeply satisfying," the Thunderhead had told her. "But yes, it is sad to live and die without knowing the truth of ones existence. Only sad to us, however. Not to them." p 76 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
I think this part would be good for a discussion on reliance on technology/ the fear of bias in media/ the fear in letting go and letting someone else decide for you.... the benevolence and/ or threat of technology.
"I'm sorry you've been marked unsavory," she said just before she left. "But even if you're not allowed to talk to the Thunderhead, you can still access all its information. Websites, databases-- everything but its consciousness."
"What good is all that without a mind behind it to guide you?"
"You still have your own mind," she pointed out. "That's got to be worth something." p114 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
p115- Basic Income Guarantee
p118 rights of criminals
p123 dealing with the system
discussion of counter-culture
They conformed so closely to their culture of non-conformity that there was a uniformity to them, defeating the whole purpose. p169 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
The concept that someone might enjoy getting beaten up-- and that the Thunderhead, realizing this, would find a way to pair the beaters with the beatees in a closed, and somewhat wholesome environment-- left Greyson stunned. p174 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
"The simple pleasure of being good at what you do is very different from finding joy in the taking of life." p 191 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
Of course, the Scythedom saw fit to glean the most offensive of the objectors, as well as those who objected to the gleaning of objectors. After that, objections were few and far between. p201 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
Nowadays, to glean someone because of one's opinion-- or even because of one's behavior-- would be deemed a serious breach of the second scythe commandment, because it would certainly show bias. p202 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
Rowan prided himself on his restraint. Even when he gleaned, he manage [sic] to fold his anger away, gleaning the most despicable of scythes without malice, just as the second commandment required. p223 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
I have come to realize that there are only two perfect acts. They are the two most important acts known to me, but I forbid myself to perform them, and leave them in the hands of humankind.
They are the creation of life... and life's taking. p288 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
Foreshadowing
Greyson Tolliver did not believe he was special. There was no evidence that he was anything beyond ordinary. He figured that the Thunderhead was just being its usual comforting self.
The Thunderhead, however, always meant what it said. p67 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
All this to drive home with simple fact that human government-- whether it be dictatorship, monarchy, or government of the people, by the people, for the people-- had to perish from the Earth. p422 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
Fairy Tales/ Fables/ Rhymes
If you do any kind of unit on the origins or development of stories, this is a great intro quote.
"All stories can be traced to a time and place-- even the simplest, most innocent of children's tales have unexpected beginnings." p 132 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
At that Faraday smiled, "How wise of the founders to hide a kernel of truth within something to absurd. Who among the rational would search for it there?" p133 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
Throwing Shade
An arrogant head of state gives permission to all nature of hate as long as it feeds his ambition. And the unfortunate truth is, people devour it. Society gorges itself, and rots. Permission is the bloated corpse of freedom. p176 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
Description
Citra recognized the boy she knew as Greyson Tolliver the instant she saw him. His hair, his clothes, and those baby horns at his temples might have fooled someone else, but his slim build and body language gave him away. And his eyes. An odd cross between a deer in headlights and a wolverine about to attack. The kid lived in a constant state of fight or flight. p275 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
Wisdom
"Do you?" Citra asked her. "Do you ever mourn what was lost?"
"On some days, yes, on others, no," Scythe Curie said. "Today I am determined to rejoice in what we've gained, rather that what was lost. Both in the world, and personally." p318 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
But Greyson Tolliver does not know. He does not see... because his eyes are shut too tightly to know anything beyond his own anguish. p395 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
Just a line I love
"That's exactly what the scythedom is: high school with murder." p344 Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman
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