MNA
What does the spaceship look like?
an umbrella
What is a theme?
The main message or topic presented in a story
What is a symbol?
Things that represent an idea and appears many times in the story
What's our protagonist's name?
Hiroto Shimizu
Where is the spaceship going and why?
61 Virginis
because Earth was demolished by the asteroid Hammer
Why did Hiroto have to choose between saving himself or the ship?
Because he did not have enough fuel to do both.
What are the themes in Mono No Aware? (there are 2 major themes)
Collectivism and Transience of Life
Name at least 3 symbols in Mono No Aware
Any of these: Heroes, solar sail, specks of sand, star(s), GO
How are Mindy and Hiroto similar?
They are both orphans. Mindy lost her sister and Hiroto lost his parents.
please state the setting of the two timelines.
Present:
- in the near future, in space
Past:
- when Hiroto was 8, in Japan
Why did Hiroto, Dr. Hamilton and Mindy have to improvise in Chapter 3 after finding out about the hole?
Because they do not have enough time to plan everything carefully before the hole becomes larger.
Give one example that demonstrates the theme: Transience of Life
The poems recited by Dad,
What does the Solar Sail represent?
The bonds and relationships between people, social networks
Give one example from the text that shows Dad as a selfless person
He helped Mrs Maeda to carry her luggage
He told Hiroto to give up his window seats to the younger kids
He sacrificed himself to save Hiroto
How did the different countries react to the news of Hammer?
West: Chaos and War
Japan: Follow government's instruction in an orderly fashion
Why are the people on the ship 'star guests'?
Because they do not belong amongst the stars. They are temporary.
Give one example that demonstrates the theme: Collectivism
Everyone in Japan maintaining group peace
Why are star(s) considered a symbol in Mono No Aware? What do they represent?
Because humans are travelling to the stars to continue living/start a new life
Why does Dad appear in chapter 4?
1. Hiroto is experiencing hallucination from the lack of oxygen and fatigue
2. WWDD- What would Dad do
--> Hiroto has been following Dad's teaching his whole life
Please state the climax of the two timeline.
past:
Dad and Mom sacrificed their place of a hidden spaceship to Hiroto. They were forced to depart.
present:
Talking to Dad in his imagination. He chooses to sacrifice himself.
What does the poem about the cicadas mean?
The drooping flower
As yellow as the moon beam
So slender tonight
Accepting death, death can still be beautiful, appreciate life even though it is about to end,
What is the difference between Collectivism and Individualism?
Collectivism is about group peace and doing things to benefit the group. Individualism is about working to benefit yourself, the individual.
What does GO represent?
It represents life and the stones represents the people in life working together
how do the two father figures contrast one another?
Dad represents collectivism: he values the integrity of the whole community over his own life and encourages Hiroto to d the same.
Dr Hamilton represents individualism: he values Hiroto's safety and feelings over the safety o the spaceship.
What is the meaning of Mono no Aware?
Transience of life? Appreciating life? Most appropriate answer wins