Explain how the book title connects to the story. Support your response with examples from the book.
To me, half broke horses are horses that are not entirely wild, but are also no compliant with humans either. "the problem with half broke horses like these was that no one took the time to train them... not properly broken, they were always scared and hated humans... they were intelligent and pluck, and if you broke them right, they made good horses." (Jeannette Walls, page 49) I think that maybe the title could relate to humans as well. Not every person fits into a society but not everyone is engulfed by a society.
What are your thoughts or feelings on how Lily's father bought dogs instead of paying her tuition, but letting her brother stay in school?
"So you took my tuition money and bought dogs?... Did you take buster out of school? NO, he's a boy and needs that diploma if he's going to get anywhere." (Walls, page 43) I personally think that is really sexist, but I know things were like that back then. He traded his daughters education for dogs, I mean what father would do that? So it kind of made me a little angry because now a days an education is required in the united states for men and women. I didn't really like that choice he made. If he had to do it (he didn't), he could have told her a little nicer than he did.
you should have an idea as to what the main problem(s) of the book is/are. Make a prediction as to what you believe will happen. Will they (he/she) solve the problem, if so how? If not, why do you think this?
I personally think that there isn't a main conflict or problem. We are seeing many problems at once. Some of these problems may get resolved quickly and other may take a while. For instance, when little Jim became unconscious after the swing incident (walls, page 171). In one paragraph he went from being unconscious to being perfectly fine. Other problems may be fixed but continue to come back like Lilys unemployment. She kept loosing her job until she was able to get her degree and worked for it.
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What Passage in the book is most important to you thus far?
Two of the most memorable moments to me is when Lily passed the test to be a teacher, "I'd passed the test. I was being offered the job of an itinerant replacement teacher in northern Arizona." (Walls, page 54) and when she ventured off to Chicago. "When the train pulled into Chicago, I took down my little suitcase and walked through the station into the street... I'd never seen such a mass of people, all moving together like a herd... nor had my ears been assaulted by such a ferocious din." (Walls, page 69) To me these are points in this section where she truly finds what her dreams are and how her life has changed severely.
Think about your book thus far. Find a passage that intrigues you (cite this passage). Then finish this sentence in 3 different ways: Why is/are….
One passage that really stood out to me was when Lily got her flying lessons. "Toward the end, he let me take over... I was able to put the plane into a long, steady turn that brought us right into the sun." (Walls, page 162) I chose this passage because it brought me back to when her and patches were coming back to the ranch and she saw a plane for the first time, She found beauty in something she had never seen. For her to take flying lessons i believe she accomplished something big. She was able to do something she only dreamed of. I also think its a lesson to her kids, Don't be afraid to try something new.
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Why are women always seen as weak?
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Why is it up to the instructor to ask her husband if she can do it?
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Why was the plane a little sketchy to her?
If you could change one thing about this book, what would it be and why? Also, show what you would do differently?
If I were to change something about this book, I don't think I would. It's written the way it is for a reason, its all cohesive. If I had to give one criticism, it would be that characters are introduced out of no where. (walls, page 132) Big Jim was introduced in less than one paragraph, but he became someone very important to the story. I feel that it doesn't give the readers time to establish a connection with the character. A string connection between the reader and characters are important.
Video and photos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FBnA9lLMUk
Jeannette Walls talks about her personal thought on her grandmother Lily Casey Smith and her life experiences/ Conflicts that come up in her book Half Broke Horses.
Lily Casey Smith about to start her first flying lessons.
Big Jim with Rosemary going on a horse ride.
All pictures (including the one on the book cover)-
New Book Cover
