There are several similarities and differences between Brent and Flaco. One similarity is that they both go on trips. Although their destinations are different, the reasons for their trips are similar: they are both trying to get away from their families. Flaco is trying to get away from his noisy and unpeaceful home, while Brent is trying to get away from his parents and to distance himself from the city that has brought him his new set of challenges. I think that this chapter is foreshadowing the importance of family to Brent. I believe that Brent will realize just how important it is to have a mother and father who love him. Not everyone is fortunate enough to have two parents who love them as much as Brent’s parents love him. Even though Brent feels good to be away from his parents now, as his trip goes on, I think he will grow lonely and he will long for his parents.
Journal entry 8, Chapter 4, Prompt 11 In the novel whirligig, Flaco has many thoughts, and becomes curious, about the life of shearwater bird. But one morning when he goes on a boat trip, he appalled to find out that the birds don’t live alone, like he thought, but rather in groups. This information about the shearwater bird suggests that others play a very important role in our lives. Although we might not get along with everyone we meet, or like everything about our friends, the people in our lives not only influence us, but they can help us when we need it. When Flaco found out that the birds live in groups, I think that he realized that most animals live in groups. I also think that he found out that the birds, and humans, don’t get along every second of every day, and that the environment that they live in isn’t always a quiet one. If Flaco didn’t find this out, and didn’t see the whirligig, I think he would have left his wife and child to try to start a new live for himself.
Journal entry 9, Chapter 5, prompt 13
Brent has been