Sunday, December 21, 2008

Chapter 6

5 Comments

1. Robert Townsend had joined Woodhull and Washington to help work together.
2. Townsend was not wasting any time, he was only focused on making plans.
3. Enemies had fled and Clinton and his army have to go capture them back to fight.
4. During the fight, Stony Point had fallen. 15 men died, 83 wounded, and 553 were captured to jail or been killed.
5. Woodhull carried messages from one general to another making sure they all understand the plan.

4 Questions

1. Where is Stony Point located?
2. Was Stony Point the first place to be attacked by enemies?
3. Why was Woodhull's family suddenly mentioned?
4. "..."335"_ decoded as "lady"..." does that mean there are 335 women?

3 Vocabulary

1. Dissuade - urge against
2. Subsidiary - serving to assist
3. Inclination - a disposition or bent

2 Literary Terms

- "This mysterious "335"_ decoded as "lady"...." - Irony - Women were mentioned
- "The British...were not stopping and searching..." - Foreshadow - The British will come up with some kind of a plan

1 Overview

This chapter is about what was happening and Americans and British were finally at war attacking each other.

Chapter 5

5 Comment

1. Woodhull's plan to place a man in New York had failed.
2. In Spring of 1779, Woodhull gathered more amounts of intellegence.
3. General Clinton moved to work on the east side at Long Island.
4. Washington was getting annoyed by all the failures.
5. Due to failure of plans, Washington became very picky with which spies to want.

4 Questions

1. What made Woodull's plan fail?
2. Why did they want to put a man in New York?
3. Was Washington afraid of Woodull betraying them?
4. Will Woodhull betray Washington?

3 Vocabulary

1. Innocuous - harmless
2. Conveyance - communication
3. Acquisition - gaining possesion

2 Literary Terms

- "...Woodhull's failure to put a man in New York..." - Irony
- "...fear of betrayal..." - Irony

1 Overview

Woodhull's plan had failed and Washington is getting annoyed so they are trying to start a new plan and they need to gather more spies.

Chapter 4

5 Comments

1. Winter is the most quiet season, and summer is most cilvilized.
2. Woodhull moved to Amos Underhill's house to do most of the spying.
3. Intellegence of privateer-building activity was going to be in some anxiety.
4. Americans bought 3,100 vessals from merchants to fight against the British.
5. Woodhull wrote to Washington a full 7 pages report about what was happening and will be returning.

4 Questions

1. Is 3,100 vessals really enough agaisnt the British?
2. How come so far in the book, there isn't any names of women mentioned?
3. Were all spies men back then?
4. Was there even any women living in the American colonies?

3 Vocabulary

1. Regiments - military ground troops
2. Reluctance - unwillingness
3. Countenance - calm facial expression

2 Literary Terms

- "....bought in 3,100 merchant vessals..." - Foreshadow - They ready to go agains the British.
- "...Roe bought it from Woodhull..." - Irony - He should be spying and not selling things.

1 Overview

The Americans were getting all the supplies they need to get ready.

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Chapter 3 Part 2 (30 Pages)

5 Comments

- European powers conducted their activity through "Black Chambers"
- Intelligence got many ways to receive notices such as getting a mail or sliding hot wire beneath hot wax.
- British ambassador in Vienna accuses that Australia have copies of what the British are doing
- Count Kauntiz describes the British as clumsy people
- Woodhull advised Washington with plans and visions and strategies to have Great Britain acknowledge America's independence

4 Questions

- Why do the Europeans call the place a "Black Chamber"?
- Why was Australia part of what was happening with America and Great Britain?
- Does what Count Kauntiz said about the British means he is Australian?
- Is Woodhull, Washington's "intelligence"?

3 Vocabulary

1. Itemized - list the individuals
2. Countenances - expression of the face
3. Espionage - practice of spying

2 Literary Terms

- "...Woodhull being reluctant to raise suspicious by being away from Long Island for so long..." - Paradox
- "...Woodhull's grand strategic vision..." - Foreshadow - Woodhull have good plans for Washington to help gain independence

1 Overview

It is about Woodhull giving suggestions to Washington and what are beginning to think about Woodhull.

Chapter 3 Part 1 (30 pages 67- 97)

5 Comments:

- New York had many intelligence against the English.
- Lieutenant Caleb Brewster fearsome looks is a sense of humor to some people.
- All the reports that people do on the enemy are sent to Washington.
- Caleb Brewster is the one who keeps the watch on naval transports.
- Washington and his people were not only against the English, they were also fighting with the French.

4 Questions:

- Does this have to do with America fighting for the freedom from England?
- Why does everything take place on the east coast?
- What was burnt? (page 67)
- Who was New York importing and exporting with...England?

3 Vocabulary:

1. Provision - a clause in a illegal instrument
2. Languedoc - a former province in France
3. Endeavour - make an effort

2 Literary Terms:

- "...report on the enemy..." - Foreshadow - they know what is going on with the enemies so they are kind of ahead and know what to do to the enemies
- "...senior commander....hulking shape..." - Imagery

1 Overview:

It is about all the lieutenants of Washington reporting back information on the enemies (English and French).

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Washington Spies Ch. 2

5 Comments:

- There was a fire on the day before Sunday
- New York was set on smoke by a rebel
- Congress ordered to evacuate everyone in New York
- New York was left defenseless after the "fire"

4 Questions:

- Why was New York set on smoldery?
- Where was everyone evacuated to when they have to leave New York?
- Did the economy of America drop?
- Did this happen before Washington was the president because he was a general?

3 Vocabulary:

1. Ablaze - gleaming with bright lights, bold colors, etc.
2. Smoldering - to burn with little smoke and not flame
3. Commissaries - a store that sells food and supplies to personnel or workers in military post, mining camp, lumber camp

2 Literary Term:

1. "...thus saving £ 200,000 worth of army supplies..." - Foreshadowing - Showing that the army will become stronger.
2. "The unsuspecting Likely then told him the names of several friends" - Foreshadowing - Enemy might become stronger because they now have access to informations

1 Overview

This chapter is about what was happening in New York after the fire.

Washington Spies: The Story of America's First Spy Ring
Ch. 1



5 Comments:
- Asher Wright is a 83 year old guy
- Nathan Hale was the 6th child in his family
- Nathan Hale was of good and middling, and most respectable
- Nathan Hale's son John attended the newly founded Harvard College
- Nathan's mother died when he was 12 and the Strongs took his education in hand
4 Questions:
- What's a Yankee soldier?
- What does "Wright could add little more to his recollections - apart from one nugget." mean?
- Is Harvard College the samething as Harvard University?
- Was Elder John Strong a pilgrim? He landed in plymouth and immigrated from England
3 Vocabulary:
1. Laquacious - talking or tending to talk much or freely
2. Diminishing - to make smaller
3. Lucidity - easily understood
2 Literary Terms:
- "...He had a large mole on his neck...." - Imagery
- " in his boyhood, his playmates sometimes twitted him about it, telling him we would be hanged" - Flashback
1 Overview:
Chapter one is about Nathan Hale and his early childhood life.


Sunday, October 26, 2008

Chapter 5

5 Comments

1. Niang and Joseph wanted more children and the size of the family grew larger.
2. Adeline's grandmother died.
3. Gregory ignored James and Adeline because they were too young to be playmates.
4. Edgar was considered the bully sibling to Adeline.
5. James is Adelines 3rd brother that she loved most and considered a friend to her.

4 Questions

1. What was her relationship like with her other siblings?
2. How many children did Niang and Joseph have?
3. Did Adeline make any friends in school?
4. Do James look after Adeline a lot?

3 Vocabulary

1. Radical - origin
2. Plummeted - a burden
3. Sutras - A scriptural narrative, especially a text traditionally regarded as a discourse of the Buddha

2 Literary Terms

1. "When she died, she was just fifty five" - Imagery
2. " Six Buddhist monks came to keep watch, dressed in long robes." - Imagery

1 Overview

This chapter is about Adeline and he siblings and later on with an unexpected death of her grandma.


Chapter 4

5 Comments

1. Adeline's family was very wealthy, they had more money than anyone else.
2. Joseph later found a new wife who is half French and half Chinese.
3. Everyone in the family calls Joseph's new wife Niang.
4. Joseph was widowed after the death of his wife died giving birth to Adeline.
5. The family was not bothered by Joseph's new marriage but the marriage created a distance from the rest of the family.

4 Questions

1. Why did Joseph marry
Jeanne Virginie Propsperi and not someone else?
2. Even though the family was not bothered by the marriage, how did they really feel about the marriage?
3. Why were the children not able to keep their Chinese name?
4. Is Niang going to be taking over the entire family...make things under her rules?

3 Vocabulary

1. Surrogate - substitute
2. Exquisite - a special beauty or charm
3. Consulate - the position

2 Literary Terms

1. " I think Niang was happy at first" - Irony
2. " Ye Ye voiced his objection" - Irony

1 Overview

This chapter is about what was happening after Joseph married Jeanne.



Chapter 3

5 Comments

1. Aunt Baba was considered a wealthy young girl in the late 1920s of Shanghai.
2. Shanghai became more modern with huge department buildings, fashion, and Hollywood movies.
3. Restaurant waiters adopted the style of wealthy whites by wearing a tuxedo.
4. Jun - Pei was born with a paralyzed right arm.
5. Aunt Baba's best friend Miss Ren married a guy name Joseph.

4 Questions

1. Why were the other girls in Shanghai not considered rich?
2. Did all waiters in Shanghai wore tuxedos?
3. Is it still intimidating to people if people in Shanghai wear tuxedos now?
4. Why did Adeline's mom died after giving birth to her?

3 Vocabulary

1. Forceps -
an instrument, as pincers or tongs, for seizing and holding objects, as in surgical operations.
2. Obstetrician -
a physician who specializes in obstetrics
3. Penicillin -
any of several antibiotics of low toxicity

2 Literary Terms

1. "A dark cloud hung over the entire family" - Metaphor (page 23)
2. "Her condition worsened" - Foreshadow (page 23 showed that something bad will happen to the mom soon)

1 Overview

This chapter is about what is happening during the late 1920s in Shanghai, Joseph meeting Aunt Baba's best friend, and what was happening when Adeline's mom was giving birth to her.


Monday, October 13, 2008

Chapter 2

5 Comment
1. In 1918, all dynasties of China had ended because the last Qing emperor had been deposed.
2. World War I happened not long after the end of the Qing dynasty, there were already soldier in Tianjin, China where Adeline lived.
3. British and Japanese money were pouring into China when the first world war ended.
4. School was kind of important because they all wanted to improve their English, but family aslo matters and thats why Father didn't go to a university.
5. Father had so much faith in his son's company he invested his entire life saving on his company and he had 200,000 taels of silver which is around 1million U.S dollars.
4 Questions
1. Is owning a company a very important thing to the family that Father had to invest all his life savings to the company?
2. Why is there a French Concession..was France taking over China at the time?
3. Did Joseph have any money of his own...he had money from Father and Grand Aunt?
4. Does Joseph care about anything else other than having money for his company?
3 Vocabulary
1. dreary - causing sadness or gloom
2. adjoining - being in contact at some point of line
3. infiltrated - to move into
2 Literary Terms
1. "...the young business tycoon." - metaphor
2. "...hot dry summers and bitterly cold winters." - imagery
1 Overview
This chapter is about what was happening to the Yen family after World War I had ended and it was mostly about Joseph Yen and his company.

Chapter 1

5 Comments
1. This memoir took place when girls in China had to get their feet bounded.
2. Shanghai was China's centre for trade and industry.
3. Back at Adeline's time, they had arranged marriages such as her Grand Aunt's younger sister was arranged to marry a guy but he died of tuberculosis.
4. Her Grand Aunt founded her own bank and it is a Women's Bank.
5. Grand Aunt was like the most successful person out of everyone in the family.
4 Questions
1. Why do girls have to bound their feet?
2. Why do they have arrange marriages?
3. Was it hard to become successful if you were a girl or a woman back then?
4. Did Adeline come from a wealthy family? Her Aunts and Uncles are able to wear expensive clothing and they also set up their own business.
3 Vocabulary
1. magistrate - a civil officer with the administration of the law

2. brothels - a house of prostitution
3. concubines - a woman who cohabits with a man without being legally married to him
2 Literary Terms
1. " A devout Buddhist, he was tall and slender..." - imagery
2. " She was the first child in the Yen family to be given a foreign education." - foreshadow
1 Overview
In this chapter it is about Adeline introducing all the different member of the Yen family to the readers.