Zel
Donna Jo Napoli
Melissa Reynolds Book GPR
Summary
Vocabulary
Edelweiss: a small alpine perennial composite herb of central and southeast Europe that has a dense woolly white pubescence.
Bougainvillea: A tropical plant that usually has red or purple flowers.
Main Characters
Zel
Konrad
Count that falls for the lovely Zel after a chance encounter in the market one day.
Mother
Critical Thinking
Discussion Questions
2. What is your opinion of the extent to which Mother goes to in order to keep Zel with her?
3. How do you feel about the idea of Count Konrad, or anyone for that matter, being betrothed, and therefore having an arranged marriage. Would anything like this be able to work today in our society or others?
4. What do you think of Konrad's actions and beliefs that outwardly disobey his parents?
5. Why do you think that Zel is unable to stop asking Mother questions during her hour-long visits to the tower, despite knowing that the questions and comments anger and hurt Mother?
6. Do you think that Zel is so infatuated with the goose because it represents exactly what she aspires to have, but also her biggest fear? Meaning, do you think that Zel is envious of the goose's freedom, yet is fearful that with the freedom might come loneliness?
7. How do you feel about the ending of the book? Do you believe that Mother had to die in order for Zel and Konrad to end up together?
My opinion you may ask..?
Works Cited
Bougainvillea. (n.d.). Retrieved November 18, 2014, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bougainvillea
Edelweiss. (n.d.). Retrieved November 18, 2014, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/edelweiss
Napoli, D. (1996). Zel. New York: Dutton Children's Books.