In our first conversation about The One and Only Ivan, we decided we are still learning about the characters and we have some ideas that there is a deep, potentially sad history with many of them, particularly with Ivan. We identified several hints that Ivan is not happy and that he is possibly suppressing his sad past. For example, Ivan is having a "hard time remembering" the past, yet Stella remembers everything. Ivan also commented that "you can get used to anything" if you do it long enough. Finally, he conveys that other people have drawn him with different emotions; Mack advertises him as an angry gorilla, but he said he doesn't relate to that. Julia draws him, and Ivan notes that her drawings make him look sad - an observation he doesn't dispute.
We also discussed briefly the other characters such as Bob. We wondered why he chooses to be there in the domains, while Ivan, Stella, and now Ruby have no choice. Why does Bob stay when he could be elsewhere? Some of the ideas we discussed are that he has a distrust of humans given his past; and the author has indicated this is likely the case through Bob's comments about humans. We also thought that he views this place with Ivan and Stella as home. He has lived there since he was dumped on the side of the high way.
I'm eager to keep reading! I had to stop myself at our agreed-upon page to honestly and thoroughly discuss ideas with our book club.
No comments:
Post a Comment