Week 6 - Part VI - The Inner Sanctum (Chapters 1 - 7)

[Edward C. Patterson]

I know - this book is massive - but that's what an Epic is all about. The Jade Owl itself (book One) forst saw the light of day on a website called anotherchapter.com, and that says it all, right there. The material for Book Three probably could have been contained in 2 books, but . . .

I've split Part VI over two weeks (which means you can go ahead, if you want to, but I think the pacing has suited the readers here.

Part  VI - The Inner Sanctum

Chapter One - Brush Strokes

1 - This type chapter is called "a bridge" chapter.Why?

2 - Griffen's painting depicts Gui-lin; however, what can't Griffen paint from memory?

3 - What's your bet that Simone will NOT be returning to China?

Chapter Two - A Tale of Two Letters

1 - The 2 letters showing up at the same time might seem contrived (actually they are), but their content overlap. What character sees the connection between the two events?

2 - Men's statement "It is beginning," has an ominous tone. Why is Meng the most tortured of the characters in this scene?

BTW: Handling scenes like this with many characters with their own voice, thoughts, material, reactions happens NOT by careful planning, but just the opposite. The author gets into their zone - the characters come to life and the interaction is captured. This is an instance where the characters choreograph the scene. Other "corwd" scenes, however, need myintervention, as ou will see coming up, because my chracters will do things on their own up to a point before they need their "daddy's" intevention.

Chapter Three - Brotherly Love

1 - Boys will be boys. Did the sibling clash come as a surprise? Is it real enough to cause a permanent breach?

2 - What echo word (unspoke here, but already used as a Chapter Title) comes to mind with Rose's reaction to the confrontation?

3 - Rose is shutting down. Is this crisis large enough to stop the progress on the exhibition?

4 - What irony exists between the crisis and the solution? What is his name?

Chapter Four - Brewting Tea

1 - The clot-word has what meaning in this chapter?

2 - Nick is seen here as quite a coniver. He has what need to get Connie Wilson out of the way?

Chapter Five - Spinning Gold

(One of my most favorite chapters)

1 - The common theme that pervades the last three chapters is what?

2 - What are the old jugs mentioned in the beginning of the chapter?

3 - This is the first time we see ch'i manifested. What does it do to Nick and how do you think it's important?

4 - The father-son connotation is clearly eveident in this scene, however, what other relational connotation is here?

5 - What's in Silky's storage trunk?

Chapter Six - Benediction

1 - Continuing the family motiff, what scene in the Jade Owl is recalled by Audrey's p'i-pa playing?

2 - Did the naming scene kick you in the belly?

Chapter Seven - In the Room Triangular

1 - Why do I chose a triangular room?

2 - Tadzio's touch is a form of possession, but operates differently? How so? What possibilities does this give the author?

3 - Very arcane question for those readers to really know me: Why Cedar Rapids?

BTW: The Marriott has triangular rooms. I stayed in one and it wasn't comfortable at all. I always prefer the Drake's old fashion suites.

. . . onward to the twist of twists.

Ed P

[dnagirl]

Part  VI - The Inner Sanctum

Chapter One - Brush Strokes

1 - This type chapter is called "a bridge" chapter.Why?  Hm.  It connects the previous chapter (Sydney in the cave) with the next chapter by setting up the letter premise?

2 - Griffen's painting depicts Gui-lin; however, what can't Griffen paint from memory?  I don’t know.

3 - What's your bet that Simone will NOT be returning to China?  It sure sounds like he’ll have no part of it, but I guess we’ll see.

Chapter Two - A Tale of Two Letters

1 - The 2 letters showing up at the same time might seem contrived (actually they are), but their content overlap. What character sees the connection between the two events?  Meng.

2 - Men's statement "It is beginning," has an ominous tone. Why is Meng the most tortured of the characters in this scene?  He was Nick’s protector and now feels like he has failed as protector.

[Edward C. Patterson]

A bridge cpater introduces new elements mixing thiem with old elements, but more importanty, it moves the action along a time line pacing it up abit, but not throwing the reader off the stagecoach. In this case, the exhibit is coming together through Rose's eyes - Griffen painting and Nick recovered, and news from Italty and from China. It's relatively short for the material it covers - thus a "bridge."

Griffen never went through the ch'i banners to 12th Century China, so he has no real first hand knowledge of Chicken Cage Hill.

Simone is pretty adament about another adventure. I think the author needs to find the only thing that will move him/her off a dime.

Meng has lost the feathers. They've been stolen.

Ed P

[dnagirl]

Chapter Three - Brotherly Love

1 - Boys will be boys. Did the sibling clash come as a surprise? Is it real enough to cause a permanent breach?  I wasn’t really surprised by it.  Both boys are fiery in their own way, especially Ezio.  I think they’ll be able to make up and the breach will not be permanent.

2 - What echo word (unspoke here, but already used as a Chapter Title) comes to mind with Rose's reaction to the confrontation?  Conspiracy?

3 - Rose is shutting down. Is this crisis large enough to stop the progress on the exhibition?  I don’t think so.  I think Rose will try to stop or slow things down, but it seems like Nick has something up his sleeve.

4 - What irony exists between the crisis and the solution? What is his name?  If Ezio/Tadzio cross Connie or don’t give her what she wants, she will go to Raffaelo and tell him that Ezio helped sell his land out from under him.

Chapter Four - Brewting Tea

1 - The clot-word has what meaning in this chapter?  It signifies a pact between Nick and the brothers.  It’s a blessing also.

2 - Nick is seen here as quite a coniver. He has what need to get Connie Wilson out of the way?  He needs Connie out of the way so he can get to Pelesar.

Chapter Five - Spinning Gold

(One of my most favorite chapters)

1 - The common theme that pervades the last three chapters is what?  Betrayal.

2 - What are the old jugs mentioned in the beginning of the chapter?  Graves?

3 - This is the first time we see ch'i manifested. What does it do to Nick and how do you think it's important?  It drains him, drains him of energy and life.  Someone can be killed by either not being able to stop the ch’I from flowing out of them when they are using it or maybe by someone taking it?

4 - The father-son connotation is clearly eveident in this scene, however, what other relational connotation is here?  Nick as hero, Silky as the betrayer.  Judas?

5 - What's in Silky's storage trunk?  The red stone?

[Edward C. Patterson]

Still, right on - here's some more.

Conspiracy is the word. Clot has been changing in meaning and continues throughout as an echo word.

The irony is NICK - he's playing all sides of the court - as manipulative as Sung Yi-di. This might be a Battle family trait.

The tea garden scene, btw the setting was originally in The Jade Owl and cut at editor's request. (I never discard any scene forever).

The jugs are Etruscan burial urns.

Betrayal is correct and Judas is also correct, but its just a hint becuase Nick is not Christ and Silky is far from Judas.

Nope on what's in the chest - but you'llknow soon enough.

Ed P

[dnagirl]

Chapter Six - Benediction

1 - Continuing the family motiff, what scene in the Jade Owl is recalled by Audrey's p'i-pa playing?  When she played in the rain in China?  I don’t remember much more of the scene, to tell the truth.

2 - Did the naming scene kick you in the belly?  Yes, it was touching.  Pretty darn cool.

Chapter Seven - In the Room Triangular

1 - Why do I chose a triangular room?  The number three?

2 - Tadzio's touch is a form of possession, but operates differently? How so? What possibilities does this give the author?  Not too familiar with the concept of possession, but doesn’t the person give up full control full time?  This touch seems that the original person still has some control and the possessor can come and go at will?  This gives the possibility that Nick can always be in two places at once?  I struggled a bit with this chapter.

3 - Very arcane question for those readers to really know me: Why Cedar Rapids?  No clue.

[Edward C. Patterson]

You got it, DNAGirl. The number three - triads. Audrey in the rain, and I'm glad the naming scene gotcha.

The touch is a cool tool, because as long as I have Nick, we get sight of Tadzio and . . . the reverse (see the next book).

The Cedar Rapids thing is real arcane. I am an avid Ejiah Wood fan (run a website reviewing his 40 films) and patterned Nick after him physically. Cedar Rapids is Elijah's home town.

Ed P

[dnagirl]

I will plead the 5th on Elijah Wood.   

Oh and I just found out what was in Silky's trunk.  GRRRRR.

[Edward C. Patterson]

Gotcha.

Ed P

[Ann in Arlington]

Part  VI - The Inner Sanctum

Chapter One - Brush Strokes

1 - This type chapter is called "a bridge" chapter.Why?

It bridges one set of scenes to the next

2 - Griffen's painting depicts Gui-lin; however, what can't Griffen paint from memory?

  He saw it in modern times, not ancient times the way Rose et al saw the paintings

3 - What's your bet that Simone will NOT be returning to China?

I say probably not

Chapter Two - A Tale of Two Letters

1 - The 2 letters showing up at the same time might seem contrived (actually they are), but their content overlap. What character sees the connection between the two events?

Meng

2 - Men's statement "It is beginning," has an ominous tone. Why is Meng the most tortured of the characters in this scene?

he seems to have the best idea of what might be happening. . .and he knows the feathers are missing

BTW: Handling scenes like this with many characters with their own voice, thoughts, material, reactions happens NOT by careful planning, but just the opposite. The author gets into their zone - the characters come to life and the interaction is captured. This is an instance where the characters choreograph the scene. Other "crowd" scenes, however, need my intervention, as you will see coming up, because my chracters will do things on their own up to a point before they need their "daddy's" intevention.

Chapter Three - Brotherly Love

1 - Boys will be boys. Did the sibling clash come as a surprise? Is it real enough to cause a permanent breach?

a bit of a surprise. . . .but completely explained when your realize the reason

2 - What echo word (unspoke here, but already used as a Chapter Title) comes to mind with Rose's reaction to the confrontation?

  clot?

3 - Rose is shutting down. Is this crisis large enough to stop the progress on the exhibition?

no. . . .but she has to think things through. . .she's supposed to be the seer but she didn't see any of this. 

4 - What irony exists between the crisis and the solution? What is his name?

not sure what you're getting at here

Chapter Four - Brewting Tea

1 - The clot-word has what meaning in this chapter?

the boys and Nick clot together to form a plan to block connie and pelesar

2 - Nick is seen here as quite a coniver. He has what need to get Connie Wilson out of the way?

she's intent on disrupting things no matter what just out of vindictiveness. . . . .I guess he just wants to not have to worry about her as they head to China

Chapter Five - Spinning Gold

(One of my most favorite chapters)

1 - The common theme that pervades the last three chapters is what?

dunno

2 - What are the old jugs mentioned in the beginning of the chapter?

I couldn't figure that out

3 - This is the first time we see ch'i manifested. What does it do to Nick and how do you think it's important?

  It clearly takes a lot of energy. . . .but then he can recharge. . . he's trying to show Silky what's what. . ..

4 - The father-son connotation is clearly eveident in this scene, however, what other relational connotation is here?

there are shades of a messiah and the disciple who will potentially betray him. . .

5 - What's in Silky's storage trunk?

  relics of his childhood. . . .also maybe something from Han he does not want Nick to see. . . .

Chapter Six - Benediction

1 - Continuing the family motiff, what scene in the Jade Owl is recalled by Audrey's p'i-pa playing?

don't recall

2 - Did the naming scene kick you in the belly?

not particularly. . .but the choices are certainly appropriate.
[/quote]
Chapter Seven - In the Room Triangular

1 - Why do I chose a triangular room?
[/quote] there's a bout to be a sort of triangulation. . . . .

2 - Tadzio's touch is a form of possession, but operates differently? How so? What possibilities does this give the author?

It enables Nick to be two places at once.  and to communicate with others via Tadzio

3 - Very arcane question for those readers to really know me: Why Cedar Rapids?

  Why not? 

I read these chapters in one fell swoop and came to the questions after. . . .I think I probably did not read as closely for detail, but I feel like I enjoyed the story more, so that's probably how I will continue.  I was finding that it was too much like school work to read chapter by chapter with an eye to answering questions. . . .so, I'm sure I missed stuff, and am happy to be enlightened. . . .but I enjoyed things more. . . . .now, off to read earlier discussion.

[Edward C. Patterson]

Most answers were correct Ann, except --- Simone MUST go. But how and why? I'll not tell here.

Rose is the Seer, but she doesn't control her seeing. It come upon her when she least expects it. She'll get some control over it a bit later.

I'm glad you're enjoy it. Can you tell that I enjoyed writing it? I'm having a ball right now with Book Four, getting to play with the these characters again as we move into the next layer of mystery. I find that if an author doesn't enjoy the story more than the reader, the reader will just yawn and go away,

Ed P

[Ann in Arlington]

I am enjoying it . . . . .more since I decided not to treat it as an SAT exam.   I think I was losing sight of the forest for examining closely all the trees. . . . . . .

Simone must go, eh?  Hmmmm. . . . . . .

[Edward C. Patterson]

Sounds like a plan. I mean, I'm not handing out a diploma at the end of it, although . . .

Ed Patterson