Jay Patel

@Nature_Rhetoric The college student interviews we're a nice way to add an outside experience. They did seem a bit lengthy, maybe cutting the clips ti be more concise would have been better. #L3VEGroup4

@Nature_Rhetoric The video had a lot of still images that stayed on the screen for long periods of time. Maybe using video in the background would have helped capture attention. #L3VEGroup3

@Nature_Rhetoric The connection between the text and your experience with video in the background is nice, however the background music seemed a little too loud. #L3VEGroup2

@Nature_Rhetoric The experiences iverlayed on top of volunteering made the video much more interesting as itgave the audience and idea what you were talking about as you planted. There was however a lot of repetition. #L3VEGroup1

@Jwevans218 @Nature_Rhetoric It seems almost reminiscent of T's earlier fascination with the zoo animals. Perhaps he had not had the opportunity to see jaguars in the zoo and wished to see them in their natural habitat. Regardless, I feel that was just a way to set up the journey at the end of the novel.

@jodidowis They are currently planning a $100 million dollar expansion for 2020 to bring in more saltwater sharks even when they are having issues sustaining their marine life as it is. I guess the consumer appeal in sharks has that much value.

@Nature_Rhetoric Just as the radio, television, and video platforms revolutionized storytelling, I believe the next step maybe virtual reality. This piece offers great insight on how the art of story telling can adapt to this new medium. futureofstorytelling.org/video/saschka-…

@Nature_Rhetoric The issue with the argument that Zoo's promote the conservation of endangered species is that there isn't much evidence to show awareness actually equates to action in the general public. Similarly, captive breeding has little effect on re-population in the wild.

@Nature_Rhetoric In the final paragraphs, T shows his perspective shift when he is shown to believe that the animal doesn't "need to have plans" for the future and that the "feel of others" was enough. As a boy T meticulously planned for the future but now he lives in the moment.

@Nature_Rhetoric Hi, my name is Jay Patel. I'm a first year Industrial Engineering Student from Cumming, GA.

@SinaDumluNature @Nature_Rhetoric I think a large part of the subtle yet effective narrative is how it plays hand in hand with T's progression as a character. Her arguments about zoos, the environment, and nature are an appeal to society. T's development reflects what she hopes to see in society.

@Nature_Rhetoric I love how Millet is making her argument more dominant in the book lately. We can hear more of her voice, but she also manages to keep the narrative's flow so it doesn't feel disconnected.

T's once removed attitude towards strangers changes once he visits the zoo. Rather than keeping to himself and just being a bystander to his surrounding he actually develops concrete views and stands for them.

@Nature_Rhetoric I'd like to believe the animal was real at the end (due to all the bad luck T has previously had), however it does shine light on the fact that his mother had always shown compassion towards him and now he had truly realized it.

@Nature_Rhetoric The dialogue between T and his mother on page 191 where T states ," I give up,then. I'm a criminal", shows how T is willing to give up the argument to just talk to his mother. In another universe, I feel like T would be very frustrated right now.

@Nature_Rhetoric On pg. 194-195, T recounts his family only to find that other than his parents he has no family. He connects this to the American way of life, which I find very intriguing. To truly be able to keep a relationship, one cannot distance themselves from others.

@Nature_Rhetoric Beth's character added so much to the plot with little development. "She said that when you died what happened was you made room for the new. Young ones were born, occupying the space where your old self had been".(240) Beth's character continues to develop T's.

@sukjoonnaa @Nature_Rhetoric I feel that this has a compounding effect that adds to the story. Like most things in life T didn't appreciate his relationship with his mother until he didn't have it anymore (lessened extent). In the end, its what allows him to let go of his old ways, albeit at a cost.

@Nature_Rhetoric The unfortunate thing I noticed in this novel is how the more and more T. comes to the realization of the concepts of compassion and love, the more and more he begins to lose that from his mother.

@AustinM09765822 @bolger_ian7 @Nature_Rhetoric I think the problem is how society fantasizes zoos as some place where once can see lions and tigers and penguins all in one place. Animals live in their native habitats for a reason. If your local zoo just had local animals they wouldn't be very "exotic".

@Nature_Rhetoric I really enjoyed how the groups script draft incorporated their analysis of the text throughout the visit. The exhibits were analyzed not only through their experience but also through their text rather than separating the two.

@Nature_RhetoricIn The final chapters, T begins to remember and reminisce on the past. The character who once dreaded growing old and living in the past and instead always thinking forward, now finds value in looking towards past experiences.