Bel+Canto

//Bel Canto// Please respond to **one** of the following questions. Afterwards, write your name and grade. Thanks, Mr. Moore.


 * 1) What goes beyond ethnicity and beliefs in //Bel Canto// that establishes a human connection that unites the Terrorists and the Hostages? What does it mean to be human and how can Humanity transcend superficial differences beyond the write off of “Stockholm Syndrome” and get to the heart of what it means to be a person?
 * 2) Why is //Bel Canto// believably unrealistic? Why is this both a familiar and unfamiliar story that applies to most people? This story is largely about unity. How does this unity rise to the surface from a story that is largely about dissention? What does the novel’s theme suggest about our perception of both our own and other people’s identities?

2. Bel Canto is a believably unrealistic novel because the bond forged between the hostages and the terrorists, although extremely unlikely, shows that everyone has emotions and want to be accepted. The terrorists initially intend to take the president, but instead once they realize that he is not at the dinner party, they take everyone hostage. This is a last resort of the terrorists because they had been planning to kidnap the president, and since he wasn’t there they had to come up with some sort of new plan. They had never wanted to harm any of the captives, this is proved throughout the book because they don’t kill them all. This story is familiar to many people because it shows a true bond of friendship and family that is forged. Everyone wants to feel accepted and loved. This story is also unfamiliar to many people because of its unrealistic qualities. Unity is one of the major themes throughout the novel. This is because in the beginning the hostages are terrified of the terrorists and what is going to happen to them. As everyone gets to know each other and become more unified the fear lessens and it makes it so the hostages and the terrorists are able to become friends. Throughout the novel, the true personalities of the hostages and terrorists begin to shine through. In the beginning, the people are scared of their captors and think the worst of them, as the book progresses they get to know one another and they are no longer scared. They find out where the terrorists are from and their backstories and they realize that the terrorists are not much different from themselves. They are all people who have the same feelings and emotions. This shows that sometimes our perception of others and of ourselves can be skewed. Nina Maddux, Junior

2.The book Bel Canto is believably unrealistic because in the book, the terrorists that haven taken these hostages are not only very lenient with them, but a lot of them are only children or young teenagers. The terrorists and the hostages also no longer have fear and start forming relationships with each other, one example being Watanabe and Carmen. This is both a familiar and unfamiliar story that applies to most people because often in our lives we make unfair assumptions and judgements about people before we really get to know them, but it is never as extreme of a situation for us. The unity that eventually is made between the hostages and the terrorists rises to the surface after the terrorists make it clear that they have no intention of killing them, and even though they started out extremely hostile, after they learn more about each other they bond and unite. This novel shows us that we should make judgements about people before we truly know them because peoples identities are not always what they seem. Kole Burke- Freshman

2.) It is believable that terrorist could and do kidnap groups of people. Would not think terrorist and hostages get along but when forced to live together, because the terrorists also become hostages being kept in the house. you hear of hostage situations but don't hear of them developing caring relationships between hostage and terrorist. They unite as they use and depend on each other to survive and keep their sanity. The unity shows in how they do things together; without conflict like listening to music, preparing meals, and have a "normal" day. The hostages find out they are not so different from the terrorists in day to day activities. they like a lot of the same things and realize they can like each other. Bonds develop and how much they mean to each other is written in the last scene. __**Will Paroli - Junior**__

1. Ann Patchett's novel //Bel Canto,// is a story about a party in a South American country, in which very important people are attending. That party is invaded by terrorists and all of the attendees are taken hostage. As the story progresses there begins to be a mutual relationship that forms between the hostages and the terrorists. This goes beyond the borders of ethnicity and beliefs because the terrorists and hostages speak two different languages, and the only way they can verbally communicate is through actions, and one translator. Because there is only one translator, each group begins to understand the other group on a deeper level than verbal communication. Each group go beyond stereotypes and what they think they already know about the other group, and begin to understand each other on a more human level. Although the terrorists and hostages are in completely different situations and may be complete opposites to one another, they form a near friendship with each other through their time in the home of the vice president. As the hostages begin to go deeper into the lives of the terrorists and vice versa, the two groups start to become friends. What goes far beyond just Stockholm Syndrome, and the individuals simply understanding each other, is the love of Gen Watanabe (the translator) and Carmen (a female terrorist). I feel love is what it takes to fully know another person because it is the deepest form of closeness and understanding. Brett Cranny, Freshman

2. //Bel Canto,// by Ann Patchett, is seen as a believably unrealist novel, because a series of attachments and friendships are formed between the terrorists and hostages. It's such a peculiar situation considering the only reason the terrorists had arrived was to hold the president hostage. With the absence of the president, the terrorists mission lacks purpose and they let loose. It's clear they feel pity for these people and that's why they let the nobody's go. The terrorists believe the demands they make will still be met if they hold the important people currently held hostage. It's so curious, because they start to form these relationships and bonds the longer they stay together. Watanabe and Carmen's relationship as he teaches her spanish and falls for her is the start of all the quirky relationships made while these people are held hostage. Another example is vice president Iglesias. He serves as a motherly figure to everyone, not just the hostages; he cleans the house, takes charge, and makes everyone comfortable. As the story continues the relationships grow deeper and more messed up. Never would hostages and terrorists get along this well, let alone fall for each other. Logan Coleman, Freshman

2. //Bel Canto//, by Ann Patchett, is a believably unrealistic book because the terrorists and hostages form bonds with each other. Gen and Carmen begin to fall in love as he teaches her to read and write Spanish. Mr.Iglesias wants to adopt Ishmael, who is a young terrorist, and Mr.Hosokawa and the General become chess mates. This story is familiar and unfamiliar because the whole reason to take over the dinner party was to capture the president but when they found out that the president never attended the party, they let their guard down some. Soon, they became friends with the hostages and let them listen to Roxanne Cross practice with Kato. They also let them run around outside and cook in the kitchen. This is where the book has its' unrealistic turn. The rise of unity happened when they allowed Roxanne Cross to practice her singing. All of the hostages and terrorists were brought together by listening to her voice. The novel's theme suggests that enemies can be brought together by simple things, like running around in the yard or listening to someone sing. Ana Olbrych, Freshman

2. //Bel Canto//, by Ann Patchett, is believably unrealistic because in a normal hostage situation the hostages are afraid of the terrorists and in the beginning of the book they are but once the terrorists let the women and the ill go and begin to let the hostages walk around the house or play music, the hostages’ fear quickly goes away. That shows how the book is unrealistic. It’s both a familiar and unfamiliar story because when the hostages and the terrorists start to become somewhat friendly with each other and then they make relationships with each other the story gets unfamiliar. I think the rise of unity came after the hostages were allowed to walk around the house and socialize with other hostages and some terrorists because they began to get to know each other and became friends rather than enemies. The theme in the book suggests that even if two people who are the worst of enemies they can find a common ground and possibly become friends. Emma Donaldson, 9th grade

2. Bel Canto by Ann Patchett is a believably unrealistic book because of the hostage and terrorists relationships that take place, after the terrorists fail to achieve their goal of capturing the president who isn't present at the party because he is watching his soap opera. Usually the hostages and terrorists become violent enemies, but in this story the guests start to tolerate and create relationships with the terrorist children and generals, and they live in peace throughout the book. This story is both familiar and unfamiliar because most people know what a typical hostage/kidnap situation is like, yet it's unfamiliar because the way these people live together is happily and peacefully, the generals don't exactly know what to do with all the hostages, and they don't know what their main goal is. Unity rises to the surface because since they have lived under one roof for so long, they start to think alike, enjoy the same simple pleasures like opera and television, they start to find similar qualities in eachother. The theme of this book shows us that we can forget our differences (race, religion, etc.) and become so close to somebody completely different from ourselves that we can all develop a loving caring relationship, like the theme shows us in this book. Mary Margaret Lawton, Freshman

2. Bel Canto, by Ann Patchett, is believably unrealistic because the relationships between the terrorists and the hostages is implausible because in most situations the terrorists and the hostages don't converse with eachother. The terrorists come to the birthday party of Hosokawa in search of President Masuda, when they realize that he is at home watching a soap opera they keep everyone hostage. This story is both familiar and unfamiliar because in most hostage situations people take the person that is very important to a country/person in order to get something they want. It is unfamiliar because the hostages and terrorists in this situation aren't violent, but nice to one another. This unity rises to the surface because the more time they spend together, the more they start to become closer. They find similarities in eachother like opera. They also found uses in eachother, like when Watanbe (Hosokawa's translator) taught Carmen how to read and write, but eventually fell in love. The theme of this book displays to us that no matter how different a person might seem to you, there is always more to them on the inside. If you spend time with a person, you start to understand them better. Helen McCullough, Freshman

2). Ann Patchett's, B//el Canto// is a novel that shows all the highs and lows of human nature. It is unbelieveably realistic because the relationships formed between the terrorist and the hostages is complex at first but quite understandable.The terrorist near the beggining are very powerful and intimidating, however they soften up because they are only children. Their naivety shows through in ways that are unimagineable because the terrorist believe that they will come out on top and alive. This story applies to most people because this story relates to forbidden love. Any because of this love and understanding, this unity rises and shows because in the end they all come together and make a community. Wassim Dhaouahira, Junior

2) Bel Canto is believably unrealistic because when humans are put into close living quarters for a length of time, class, race, and life circumstances begin to fade. After living so closely together, an imagined radical teenaged terrorist becomes a beautiful young woman worthy of teaching to read and write, and ultimately falling in love with. Opposing terrorist General and capitalist hostage become friendly chess opponents.This story is familiar because daily we make assumptions and judgments based on our initial impressions of those we come into contact with. It is unfamiliar because circumstances have not been as drastic for most people. This unity rises to the surface because as humans we realize we have more in common with our fellow man than differences. The novel's theme suggest that because our perception of ourselves is based on how others perceive us a young terrorist can become an opera singer, and an diva opera singer can become his singing coach, and the member of a loving "family." Catherine Sherer, Freshman

2) Bel Canto by Anne Patchett is believably unrealistic because having people of different ethnicity, race, age, gender, and that speak different languages in close quarters for a long period of time changes a humans mind and opinions of those different and even the same as themselves. From what starts as a hostage situation soon became an experience and a place nobody wanted to leave. Terrorist bond, play chess and soccer, garden, and even fall in love with the hostages. This story is unfamiliar to most people when first read but it has a taste of familiarity. That is because we all sometime in our lives distance ourselves with those around us that are different and because it is human nature. This book shows us that it doesn't have to be like that and all it takes is a change of mindset for even terrorist and hostages to become close. This story is mainly about unity; which rises to top by showing us that no matter what we sound like, or look like, we are all human and that is something to be proud of and not forget and be easily persuaded by those around us and the steriotypes the world is consumed of. This novel's theme suggests that our identity is as important to us as others identities are to themselves and we should reflect that and not be judgmental of others. However it is human for our perception of our identity to seem more important to us than others do. Sophie-Earle McCraw, Freshman

(Response to Question #1) //Bel Canto,// is an enticing novel that shows the reader different views of people in a similar situation. Anne Patchett wrote how people can be viewed as complete opposites of each other can also have many similar characteristics. Every person in the situation has their own unique personalities and capabilities. Although the hostages may be in danger because of the terrorist. They come to notice that the people keeping them in captivity are actually a lot like themselves. After spending so many months with a small number of people; humans are bound to notice a connection between the two groups. There are some barriers between them including race, religion, or gender they overcome these problems. Unity is a major theme in this story because all of these people can come together and overcome their problems if all of them are united. Each person in the embassy has things from their past that they love; such as music, games, or other talents. Therefore the people come to build relationships with each other. Some of their connections are from mutual things from the past; but some connections can be because of each ones differences. Some of the terrorist are only young teenagers. The hostages in someways even acted as parents to those young terrorist. The fear of death caused people who do not even speak the same language come together and build relationships that will help all of them get through their own challenges. Bel Canto is a novel that shows an example of the "Stockholm Syndrome" by how the hostages feel friendly with their captors. The tragic ending of //Bel Canto// was foreshadowed from the beginning and could not be stopped. Shriver Soliday, Freshmen

1) Anne Patchett's novel //Bel Canto// gives the reader a shockingly unique view of humanity untouched by other works of fiction. Within the story people who cannot even communicate using words find a way to love each other, and terrorists and captives see common ground. Both the terrorists and the hostages are somewhat trapped in the house, because though the terrorists could in theory come and go as they pleased, they remain inside to keep watch over the hostages. The hostages are secluded and bound by what is at first fear that later turns to acceptance of their situation. Because of these conditions the characters are forced to find their own way of getting by without leaving the house. They realize that though not only do they come from different places, but they have different ways of getting through the days they spend, whether they are being held captive or wielding the guns. And despite these differences they are united by one thing- their hope. Hope to get out, hope to stay alive, hope to get what they came for, and, in Carmen's case, hope to stay in the house forever. And that is what being human is. Though we all hope for different things, we are hoping for the thing that seems best for us, for our individual lives. The characters are in such close proximity that though they are separated by barriers of race, language, gender, and power, those things fade away, leaving only the glistening hope that comes from each one of them. Being human means to hope. Kate Bryan, Junior

1)Bel Canto is a beautifully written novel by Ann Patchett which tells a story about the twisting lives of a group of people in South America being taken hostage by a terrorist group. People all over the world came to the birthday party of Mr. Hosokawa at the Vice President's house. Ann Patchett incorporates the feelings and goals of each individual in her novel. Bel Canto is written in third person, allowing the reader to see the actions and feel the emotions of multiple characters. This novel truly shows what it means to be human because the terrorists and hostages are able to unite and even become friendly with each other even though there's the huge barrier of ethnicity, beliefs, and fear between them. The characters are able to overcome these obstacles because of one thing, love. The hostages were able to overcome their sense of fear for the terrorists once they saw the terrorists were not intending on hurting any of them, and love bondages were formed between numerous characters. Bel Canto examples the meaning of love in many different ways, Carmen loved Gen, Mr. Hosokawa loved Roxanne, General Benjamin loved chess, Simon loved his wife, Ruben loved cleaning, Cesar loved chess, and many more. In Ruben's home there is love everywhere, whether it's for a person or thing, connecting each individual's live. Being human means to love. Bel Canto's tragic ending did not fade the love of the hostages for one another and the connection they experienced. Leah Crawford, Junior

(answer to #1) All humans, naturally, understand deeply, maybe not even consciously, of what it means to be a person. We have evolved into beings that strive to love and be loved, though possibly there have been events or experiences, or even conditions of the past, which may have made it difficult for us to express or first and foremost accept this “one love” we all share. But when 40 people and 20 terrorists are forced to live together, in one house, for a four month period, this love is hard to hold back because submerged into the deepest contours of the self, is an intense desire to surrender to the love we feel. It is hard to hate another person for too long because in the end we are just hating ourselves. In the story of //Bel Canto,// the love between all of the people living in this created community of sorts, has little to nothing to do with the fact the terrorists rarely hurt or are even evil to the hostages. When the terrorists allow the hostages outside, there is no great wave of renewed affection from the hostages to the terrorists, they simply are grateful to be let outside; I think most of them thank god or are thankful to the world. Lillian Saul- sophomore

(1) Ethnicity played are large role throughout the beginning chapters of //Bel Canto// as the hostages didn't "see" who their captors truly were. Many of their early beliefs led them to think that they were all going to be killed by their captors, and this left the hostages "blind" to who these terrorists truly were. However, once the hostages realized they weren't necessarily going to be killed, they allowed themselves to "see" their captors. The hostages started noticing certain things about their captors such as how most of them were just kids. This ultimately allowed a connection to come together between hostages and terrorists as they got to know eachother, and that barrier was broken. Over the four month period that the hostages and terrorist were forced to live together, each side allowed themselves to see the other as human; as a part of themselves. This simple realization allowed both terrorists and hostages to transcend that barrier and allowed bonds to grow. Once the hostages realized that many of the terrorists were just kids, they started imagining that they were their kids. This feeling could be seen between Ruben Iglesias and Ishamel as Ruben wanted to adopt Ishamel after the ordeal was over. I believe most of my peers would agree with me that every human, including ourselves, just wants to be treated as person. They want people to see them as who they really are. The kids that were forced to become terrorists just wanted affection and above all to be treated as kids. They enjoyed watching television and playing soccer just like normal kids do. On the other hand, the hostages, they wanted to feel normal again. Each of the hostages found a "hobby" or a job that could be done around the house to keep them preoccupied and to help them feel normal. Ruben Iglesias started cleaning to keep himself busy; Kato played the piano; Roxane began to sing again (everyday) and she even started teaching Cesar to sing. Everyone just wants people to see them as who they really are and to be given attention and affection and, most of all, to be treated as normal. Nolan Coulter - Senior

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//Bel Canto//, by Ann Patchett, is a thriller fiction novel about the birthday party of a wealthy, Japanese business owner that is overrun by terrorists. The party is hosted by the country’s vice president. The terrorists plan to kidnap the president of the host country, but he does not attend. Instead, terrorists hold most of the party-goers hostage for an extended time. While in captivity, the terrorists and hostages begin to appreciate the differences across cultures. Although they don't speak the same language, they have to learn to rely on each other to communicate. They form a connection through understanding and compassion, traits displayed only by humans. The “Stockholm Syndrome,” a phenomenon that occurs when hostages express empathy toward their captors, is related to human understanding and compassion. Beyond understanding, the hostages and terrorists are truly united by music. Roxanne Coss, the only woman kept in captivity, is an opera singer. Although the group in the mansion speaks several different languages, they are universally calmed by Roxanne’s singing. Her gift of music gets to the heart of what it means to be a person and joins hostages and terrorists as friends and even lovers.=====

Harrison Frickman – 9th grade
Answer to question #1: Bel Canto is a thrilling book by Anne Patchett that gives the reader different points of view to take into consideration since it is written in third person. During this novel people of different ethnicities that speak different languages find a way to love each other, the captors and hostages even find things in common. The hostages and captors are united because they have things in common such as not being able to leave the house, and they also all hope to get out of the house alive. And after spending lots of time with each other they set aside their differences in race, religion, and gender. Then a unusual event takes places when the theory of “Stockholm Syndrome” is overturned as the hostages feel bad for their captors. This is because over the months the hostages are in captivity they come to an understanding that it is human to make mistakes and also to forgive other humans. Therefore they recognize the captors just made a mistake and that they should forgive them. Dawes Caldwell- Freshman

2. In Ann Patchett's, Bel Canto, a large group of terrorists invade Mr. Hosokawa's birthday party in the search for the president. When the terrorists quickly find out that the president wasn't at the party, they decide to take all of the guests attending the party for hostage. This story is believably unrealistist because of the relationships that were created between the terrorists and the hostages. You would think that if people were being held hostage by terrorists, that the hostages would not think twice about creating any type of relationship with them. But as soon as the terrorists and the hostages spent a lot of time together they started to realize that they are not as different as they thought they were. In fact, both the terrorists and hostages realize that they have many similarities. At first, when the terrorists held the people hostage they were extremely hostile but in the end, when the hostages realized that the terrorist were not going to kill them, they had no need to worry anymore. The novels theme of unity show the reader that it is possible to overcome diversity, and that when completely different people are put together, surprisingly, the greatest relationships can be created. Logan Livingston, Junior

Answer to Question #2:
//Bel Canto// by Ann Patchett is believably unrealistic because it shows that no matter how different people are (for example the terrorists and the hostages) they can somehow find a common ground and get along in the end without killing each other. This story can be familiar and unfamiliar to most people have enemies and by establishing a connection or a common interest the worst of enemies can turn into the best of friends. The terrorists and the hostages are together for a 4 month period, for about 1-2 months the captives are scared and cannot bear the fact they are being held hostage by enemies of the state. After the hostages get over the fact they might die they start feeling sorry or having empathy for there captors. The unity in this book outshines the dissention because the captives should be scared and that is also a part of what makes this book unrealistic. It also shows that unity can lead to greater things such as relationships (for example Coss and Watanabe marrying in the end.) The theme of this book (individuality or strive for civilization) shows that even though someone may be your worst enemy or best friend that sometimes, our personalities can lead to our best friend becoming our worst enemy or are worst enemy become our best friend. Russell Tyler - Freshman

Answer to Question #2

Bel Canto by Ann Patchett is unrealistically believable. On one hand it is realistic because it shows a part of a person that the reader can connect to because they have that feeling deep down as well. It shows how deep inside every human is the skills to adapt to any situation, for example being taken hostage by terrorists. They adapt because their life depends on it. One of the ways humans adapt is by connecting, Humans posses the power to connect with all other humans, no matter the circumstances. That is not a skill that most people know they posses, the only way they can activate that skill is during times of stress and hardship. What makes the novel unbelievable is the fact that the terrorist are connecting with the hostages. It is unbelievable because theses two groups of people, the hostages and the terrorists, could not be more different groups of people. The hostages are rich while the terrorists are poor. The hostages are educated while the terrorist are not. Besides those difference there is one more major predicament that these groups of people manage to over come, the language barrier. The hostages for the most part cannot even communicate with each other let alone the terrorists because this was an international party with people from all over the world. The most unbelievable part of this story is the exstent of the relationships and connects that are made. Two romances blossom; one between two people who do not even speak the same language and another between a terrorist and a hostage. A connection is made between a hostage and a terrorist that is so strong that the hostage planned on adopting the terrorist as a member of his family. The idea of people becoming friends when in stressful circumstances is believable but when it is combined with connections made between should be enemy of this severity, it suddenly makes it unrealistic or even unrealistically believable. Ryan Brown- Freshman

2. Bel Canto is believably unrealistic because it presents the characters as real people with real emotion, despite their varying reasons and intentions for their differing actions. While the setting is so incredibly original and unique, Ms. Patchett brings the characters alive from the page. She weaves their stories so flawlessly that it leaves the reader with no choice but to empathize and believe in what will come. There is a character with a personality trait or desire for any reader to relate to, and the depth of his/her tale fully draws the reader in. Despite the varying personalities and beliefs of the Terrorists and Hostages confined in the Vice President’s house, they all essentially want the best possible outcome for themselves. While they are forced together in a seemingly hostile situation, unity arises as both contrasting groups slowly befriend each other. From Mr. Hosokawa and Roxanne Coss’ unlikely relationship to Gen and Carmen’s entirely forbidden one, it is nearly impossible to ignore this growing unity. The Hostages unite in their desire to be free, while the Terrorists unite under their desire for change. And yet, the Hostages and Terrorists unite under such slim commonalities as a shared living space and the existence of their essential desires. The novel’s theme proves untrue the suggestion that people perceive humans as incorrigible, selfish beings. If Hostages can unite with their Terrorists, then cannot two polar opposites who possess but a mere thread of shared interest unite as well? Iris Jeffries, Senior

2. Bel Canto takes various twists and turns throughout the story. Beginning with Mr. Hosokawa's birthday party in a foreign country thousands of miles away from his hometown, his party is invaded by native terrorists and the story tells of the events that take place within the household. Finally it concludes with the death of many favored characters of the book...(including Mr. Hosokawa). All people want to be successful in life. We want the best for ourselves. Intitally the terrorsits think that by holding everybody hostage they will better their lives only to find out later it costs them their lives. The long four months in the house cause the terrorsits to lose sight of what their original mission was...to capture the president. They only want to find out when they can return home and move on with their normal lives. This forgetfullness, which plays a constant role throughout the book, causes the terrorists and hostages to bond. The hostages and terrorists alike begin to think that the vice presidents house IS home. We have our own goals and needs, but when certain events occur, such as being kept captive in a house for four and a half months, we forget those goals and all focus on the important things, such as love, unity, and friendships. Bel Canto does an excellent job of displaying these important goals.

Michael Byrd, Junior
2. Bel Canto takes various turns throughout the book and makes things that seem normal sick and twisted such as the way the terrorists seek their happiness, by doing whatever is necessary to complete their goals. The beginning of the book finds us at a birthday party for Hosokawa, the party which takes place in a country miles away from his hometown is invaded by terrorists who take the party hostage to improve the well being of their own people. The hostage situation brought the captives together (Gen and Carmen), the end of the hostage situation was the end of the happiness due to the safety "bubble" or happy world that had been created. The novel taught us that humanity can overpower any situation and bring people together like nothing else can. Brennan Aust, Junior

2. Bel Canto is a believably unrealistic story because in this book, everyone is human. Everyone wants to be happy, though they go about different ways to be so. While the terrorists at first work to be happy by doing anything they can, including taking an entire dinner party hostage, to better the lives of their people, the hostages work to be happy by simply learning to cope and work with their current conditions and surroundings. Eventually, all the characters are happy because they have grown together in a way that they never thought they would, which is displayed in the relationships between Mr. Hosokawa and Roxanne Coss as well as Gen and Carmen. The home that used to be a sort of jail turned into a utopia that everyone dreaded an end to, a place where the outside world didn't matter and the focus was just on living life despite the differences among them. The novel's theme suggests that we identify ourselves with what and who we are united with and in. By the end of the book, all of the characters identified themselves as residents of the Vice President's mansion, almost as a twisted familial structure. This novel teaches us that no matter what, being human can overpower almost anything and unite anyone. Carter Ellis, Junior

2. Ms Patchett's act of creating terrorists who behave more like mall cops with guns I believe is what makes the book "unbelievably realistic". The group of people representing the antagonists have kidnapped a party of people (using a plan which was originally was meant for the president) and held them in the mansion while waiting for "negotiations" to come through. The country which has birthed these terrorists is one that is desperate and weakly ruled, and the terrorists themselves //should// have more drive and desire to have their needs met. Their lack of motivation shocked me and further added to my disbelief of the novel. However, on the side of the hostages, most of the actions that took place were touching and surprisingly very real. The unity and humanity shown between these people is all channeled through the translator, Gen, who is their only connection to each other, and using him love is passed around using the title of the book, Bel Canto (literally meaning 'fine singing') as its glue. After completing the novel, I believe the author has entirely too much faith in humanity and beyond that, does not see that the people she has created--though beautiful in their own way--are simply ridiculous. The theme of individuality and how that has an effect on the whole of the situation shows the importance of the self but how that is greatly changed by what situation you are in. Ms Patchett has thrown her readers for a loop as they start to feel compassion for people they are trying to hate and I personally believed that forcing my suspension of belief so high greatly effected the way I interpreted and appreciated the novel. Corie Tiencken, Junior

2. Bel Canto is a beautifully crafted story, bringing together two different kinds of people with different goals, and placing them together. The hostages and the terrorists are together for so long, that eventually they begin to realize that maybe after all they are not too different from each other. Although Anne Patchett weaves the story together in a way that makes readers want to believe something like this could actually happen, we still have to come to terms with reality. The terrorists would not allow themselves to become like family with the hostages, and establish personal relationships with each person. They would instead remain focused on their main goal, and if they were unaware of what this was, they would find it. The book is believably unrealistic because terrorists are never portrayed as kind people. Yet in //Bel Canto//, we see them having intimate relationships with their captives. The connection established between the hostages and terrorists can seem familiar because as humans, we naturally have the desire to give another chance or to look at the best in people. This makes the hostages want to make the best of their situation, and get to know their guards as people. The story also seems so unfamiliar because readers are never presented with stories about terrorists and how they become friends, if not lovers, with their captives. However, the people in this book were brought together just from being together for so long. They figured out that one person could not figure everything out on his own, and that each person played a significant role in the "community". The novel's theme was touching and made for an excellent read, and let us believe that maybe we could all forget our differences and become like a family. However, can just being "human" realistically lead us to loving our sworn enemy? Mary Hollis McGreevy, Junior

2. To the untrained mind Patchett's Bel Canto appears to be a realisic situation where actual terrorists invade on a dinner party. On the contrary, to a well-trained mind as my own and my peers, this excellent novel is very well unrealisitc. For starters if you are holding people hostage, rule number one is to not let anyone in and or out of the hostage situation. If one was to keep a watchful eye they would have easily noticed that this is a smidge peculiar. Secondly, this story is unrealistic because of the lack of an appearance from some sort of police; the president of one of Japan's major electronics firm, Mr. Hosokawa, is held captive and no one is or seems to be alerted or even cares about saving him and getting him out of this possibly deadly situation. The fact that the terrorists holding the people hostage seem to bond and unite is a little....well they all are just a little too comfortable with the whole situation for the story to be believably realistic. This story is both familiar and unfamiliar that applies to most people because some may have found themselves in a similar situation- stuck doing a task with someone they really don't want to be bothered with. The hostages are forced to share a living space with the terrorists for quite a while when they just want to leave and get back to their lives and families and act like nothing ever happened, which some get to do. Everyone faces the fact that they will not escape for quite a while and put their differences aside to come together as one and unite with one another. Brock Richardson, Junior

2. Ann Patchett's Bel Canto is a marvelous tale in which the mood transitions from being hostile and frightening to safe and enjoyable. This drastic transition of the mood makes this novel believably unrealistic. This story of hostages and terrorists befriending each other from the psychological process of "Stockholm Syndrome" is familiar to most people because it is understandable how 2 different groups of people can be confined to a certain space of area and over time befriend each other and create relationships, but it is unfamiliar to us that TERRORISTS and their HOSTAGES could ever make acquaintance with each other. Due to the many different languages spoken by the characters, a sense of unity in this novel comes from the Japanese businessman, Katsumi Hosokawa's translator, Gen Watanabe. It can be argued that because of Gen, the relationships between the terrorists and hostages turned to being united rather than lacking harmony as presumed by the reader. In continuation of the idea of unity, it can also be taken as theme to the novel. The author is possibly trying to state through her characters that we humans are so closer to each other than we think. In the group of terrorists and hostages, there are people of all different ethnic and cultural backgrounds, but somehow the characters managed to all find common ground. Often times, most of our perceptions of other races and cultures is that we are completely different people but the theme of the unity of mankind in Bel Canto would suggest otherwise. Kedar Trivedi, Junior

2. Bel Canto can be seen as an unrealistic story due to the fact that the terrorists who capture a dinner party seem to have no real impulse to treat and keep their hostages like hostages. They are consisted of mostly a young group of people who still have their whole lives ahead of them with hopes and dreams like everyone else. They want to be accepted and loved, but this type of situation in which they were born into with their poor country and leaders has forced them to live in another direction. The hostages and terrorists develop a sense of unity based on the idea they are all human and share the same wants and desires that everyone strives for in life (love, acceptance, success etc.) Both the hostages and terrorists develop the happiness they wanted throughout the four and a half months by working with each other and the setting they were stuck in. The novel's theme suggests that even people of extreme opposites can grow and unify them together. People will always be connected by the idea of their shared similarity of humanity. Victoria Hills, Junior

Question 1 // Bel Canto // consists of characters that span nationalities, beliefs, professions and class, ultimately revealing their hidden depths through various personal encounters. It stresses that the terrorists, not just the captives, are human beings with personalities, hopes, dreams. The luminous voice of Roxane, flows through them all, as the personal connections between them grows giving way to a common bond of love. //Bel Canto// reveals that common humanity persists behind the oppositional roles that are shaped by social, cultural, and/or political endeavors. The term //bel canto// is loosely translated as //beautiful singing//, and it is Roxane’s soprano that bridges the gulf between the hostages and the terrorists. Roxane’s voice moves the terrorists and hostages, stripping them of false perceptions and prejudices, thus allowing them to view each other as human beings. Opera is a celebration of the human voice-a powerful seductress. Opera can awaken hidden depths within the human soul that other forms of art may not penetrate. Roxane is a commanding force because her singing is the characters only link to the outside world, and because of this connection, the power that she brandishes becomes greater than that of the terrorists.Each person in the house, regardless of their knowledge or understanding of opera, recognizes the magnificence of her singing and understands that despite their terrifying situation, they are witness to something magical that transcends time and place and wipes away their differences. To be human means to search for a purpose: whether it is of a social, cultural, or personal context. Like the terrorists, a significant amount of mankind lives in deplorable conditions. Hunger, poverty, violence, crime, and death are part of many people's everyday lives and can be a driving factor behind their search. To be human means we recognize that we are not perfect, but learn how to become malleable to our ever-changing circumstances. We come to recognize that we are not a finished product. We are always trying to evolve, striving to advance beyond our natural limits and grow. //Bel Canto// recognizes that ability to reach a superior form of life and existence and allows its characters to evolve through the power of music and voice. With “Stockholm Syndrome” people are fooled into thinking that they identify with their captors. But, in //Bel Canto//, they actually do identify with their captors. The captives have compassion for the terrorists, who are mainly children. By spending time together- playing chess, soccer and enjoying opera music together- they really do find their common humanity. By recognizing that they can communicate through their love of music, they rise above their language barrier. Romantic love and compassion gradually transcend and overwhelm the adversarial nature of the situation, reaffirming the humanity that is common to us all. The music provided by Roxane serves as a milieu of beauty and grace- a common language among people from different cultures. Her music brings hope and happiness, and ultimately inspires love. Brent Demarest-Sophomore

2. Bel Canto is believably unrealistic because in usual hostage situations the hostages and the terrorists do not find companions in one another. The lack of hostility and element of suprise shown from the terrorists shows their missing motiviation as well as their lack of planning. The hostages also dont give off the impression that they are necessarily afraid of the terrorists which shows their weakness. This story is both familiar and unfamiliar to people in the fact that the average educated person has heard of a 'hostage' situation, but not one as bizarre as the one portrayed in this novel. I say that this hostage situation can be viewed as 'bizarre' because the terrorists have dug themselves into a hole that they cannot get out of, that hole being the position they've set themselves in by having 30 plus hostages and nothing to do with them. The subtle but abrupt rise to unity seen in this novel is just another example of the understood idea that the story line and plot that Patchett was trying to achieve is believably unrealistic. I do respect that Patchett was trying to twist the hostage situation from the everyday scripted type to one that involves passion, unity, and understanding, but it seems as if she tried too hard to make it something that it simply is not. Chelsea McKelvey, Freshman

2. The novel Bel Canto shows how relationships can form between terrorists and hostages. This novel is believably unrealistic because terrorists in real life situations do not form bonds with their hostages. The terrorists in this novel had a plan of what to do if the President was there and were fully prepared to follow through. To their dismay, the President was not present at the party so they had to make do with the hostages they had. Because of their lack of preparedness, they had no idea of what to do if the President was not there. They had only assumed the President would have been there because, after all, it was his party. It is both familiar and unfamiliar to most people because most people know about typical hostage situations, but this was not ordinary hostage situation which makes it unfamiliar to those who know about hostage situations. The rise to unity came from all of the dissension the terrorists had with the government's demands and their own that they kept waiting on the government to give in to their highly unrealistic demands. They became so tired of waiting that they acquired a lack of discipline to the hostages. The hostages gained back all of their rights daily and even though the terrorists tried to maintain hostility it did no good. What the theme suggests about our perception of ourselves and others is that just because someone may act a certain way does not mean they are truly like that. The terrorists at first were very hostile but in the end they showed that they were really weak all along and they would have never killed a hostage. The hostages were afraid of the terrorists at first and tried to stay on the terrorists good side, but once they realized the terrorists had no intention of killing them, they practically ran the place. Molly Phillips, Freshman

2. //Bel Canto//, by Ann Patchett, is a novel that contains diverse ideas that reflect modern situations. The book is believably unrealistic because in a stereotypical hostage situation, terrorists don't form bonds with the captives. An example of this is how Mr. Watanabe and Carmen have an affair. //Bel Canto// is a familiar story to the majority of people that keep up with current events, and watch the news. People understand, and have heard of, situations where terrorists hold people captive to get what they want. The unfamiliar side of this novel is how emotional relationships are created; these relationships restrain the terrorists from keeping their lives. If Messner's threats and hints persuaded General Benjamin to surrender, the novel would have had an 'ordinary' action-based plot. Unity overpowered the hostile tone of //Bel Canto// because of time. The lengthy months that were spent together created a polar attraction between both groups. The true personalities of each individual were revealed after everyone loosened up. The theme of unity arising from the most unlikely of places forces ourselves to visualize the world we live in. We can open up ourselves to everyone and create a chain reaction. With nothing to hide, everyone can come together peacefully. If one person can take the time to learn about another person's real personality, relationships will be made, and lives will be changed. Robert Cochrane, Freshman

2. //Bel Canto// is an enthralling story that immediately captures the reader's attention and forces you to question the characters' actions and motives. The story is believably unrealistic as everyone is able to reach a level of understanding for one another once they accept each other as humans from all over the world. In the modern world, most people encounter a situation at some point in their lives in which they are forced to deal with an unpleasant circumstance that involves people who couldn't seem more different from themselves; however, usually these tend to occur in much less extreme situations than the terrorist overtake as experienced in the book. When the terrorists first enter the scene, the hostages are absolutely terrified, but their view slowly changes. Their opinion of the mob of terrorists shifts from the belief that they are solely destructive people without a care in the world to the fact that they are individuals living similar lives to themselves. All the hostages instantly assumed the terrorists to be all male, rough, and frightening because they couldn't imagine girls as terrorists. Their assumptions changed when Carmen and Beatriz were eventually revealed as girls, and many terrorists begin to bond with the rest of the people. Despite this most obvious connection between the terrorists and hostages, many other groups unite throughout the story as well in order to change this terrorist overtake into a place of endless cultural fusion. Gen, the main translator, initially represented the needed "glue" to help the people connect as he translates endless conversations among so many different people. However, near the end of the novel, the peoples' requests for his help lessen immensely as they learn to communicate in new ways, and others (such as Carmen and Mr. Hosokawa) strive to learn new languages. The numerous places these people represent scatter the globe, but despite their diversity, they are able to create an ideal living situation that is open to differences and successfully establishes peace for months. We learn that even in the most unexpected and difficult situations, we, as humans, can overcome our endless diversity and unify. Rachel Kupferman, Junior

2. In Ann Patchett's //Bel Canto//, a beautiful birthday celebration for Mr. Katsumi Hosokawa quickly turns into a nightmare when armed members of a local terrorist organization break-in hoping to find the President. Their initial goal was to take President Masuda and then leave the party, but when they discover that he was not in attendance they decide to hold every guest hostage. //Bel Canto// is believably unrealistic because of the rare bond of love found between the terrorists and the hostages. In what we would see as a "normal" hostage situation, the captors would not care to form a relationship with the captives and certainly not a romantic relationship like that of Gen and Carmen. This is both a familiar and unfamiliar story that applies to most people because at some point in our lives we will experience and discover the true meaning of love and hate, but we won't be held hostage to do so. This story is largely about unity, and the terrorists and hostages are united through their love for opera. Opera is the thread that weaves this novel together, and it allows the characters to transcend their differences and form a strange bond with one another. The theme in this novel suggests that in spite of our differences there is a unique quality and/or trait that unites us all. Briona King, Freshman

2. In the book //Bel Canto//, a group of terrorists invade an important birthday party in hope of capturing the president of the host country. This situation seems unrealistic because the chances of this actually happening are very small. Attending this party is Mr. Hosokawa, a businessman who happens to has his birthday party at a host country while a famous singer performs just for him. The relationships built in this story are uncommon, which also makes the story seem unrealistic. Some of the captives even become close friends with the captors. This story is applies most people because we have all experienced strong feelings like hate or love. Another way that this story applies to most people, but does not stand out as much is that everyone has a love for something, in this story it was Mr. Hosokawa’s love for opera. If Roxane Coss had not agreed to sing at the party, Mr. Hosokawa would not have attended. Therefore, the terrorists would never have invaded the party. People in everyday life make decisions like this that could have a major impact on events in their lives. Unity becomes an important part of this story. At the beginning, the captives and captors are split into many groups. The captives soon get to know each other better, even through the language barrier. Gradually, the terrorists become friends with the captors and even lovers. Over time, many difficulties or barriers break apart and the terrorists and captives become unified. Even though there is a lot of diversity in these people, they still connected with everyone else, and were brought together as a whole. This helps us understand that even though other people may be different in more than one way from ourselves, we can always overcome the diversity and merge with other groups. Parker Rink, Freshman

2.. The shortness of life that was experienced by both the hostages and the terrorists created a rare opportunity for all to experience a much more vivid, profound and exciting four months. Although we would all love to believe that hostages and their capturers are able to eventually see eye-to-eye, the cold truth behind it is that terrorists do not sign up for their job looking to make friends, thus creating a basically fictional start. The amount of familiarity that exists for most people is based mainly on the experiences of that individual. People that end up best friends with an enemy yet at the same time still hold grudges 20 years after high school can all relate to the story. Things like living life to the fullest and loving with all ones heart are all taught to the characters in the hostage situation. Passion in the face of death is the most obvious theme taken from the book. The exhilarating and terrifying situation leading to the forbidden, Romeo and Juliet love connections all sprout from the same cause: passion leaps from the proximity of suffering and death. Because of that ever encircling fate of the terrorists learned in the beginning of the book, the friendship and love experienced will forever seem short lived and tragic. The overall story shows that human beings, being programmed into our brain, desire compassion and will seek humanity where others have given up. The theme in accordance to identity reveals that ones perception can be either exciting and thrilled (like how it was inside the house) or dull and boring (like the tedious days endured by Hosokawa), yet both will affects that persons final judgement on life. -Elen Edelson, 11th...

“the drone of daily life makes it hard to live passionately ”

2. Bel Canto, by Ann Patchett, starts out with a group of terrorists invading a party for Katsumi Hosokawa in pursuit to take the president of South America hostage. The terrorists soon realize the president is not at the party, but the vice president, Ruben Iglesias is. This story is believably unrealistic because both the hostages and terrorists learn that they are not as different as they think. For example, some of the terrorists were kids, and they did not want to be terrorists in the first place. The terrorists start to bond with the hostages and the terrorists begin to realize they are alike in many ways. The vice president even thinks about adopting a boy named Ishmael, a terrorist kid. This is a familiar story that can apply to most people because no matter how different the hostages and terrorists are, they cannot tell the difference from one another near the end. It can be an unfamiliar story as well because most of the time completely different people do not get along, but in this story they do. This story can be best described with unity. When the invasion first took place, there were the terrorists and the hostages. But during the story they bond with one another and became one group. This theme of unity arises, and it makes us think of the world itself. It says everyone can be different, but if we stop time and pay attention to the little things in life, it will make everyone unified. The novel’s theme is telling us not to judge a book by its cover (or in this case, not to judge peoples identities by their looks, race, or any other physical feature). Daniel Vincent, Freshman

2. The book //Bel Canto,// by Ann Patchett, shows views on different types of relationships. This book is very unrealistic because in a situation like the one that occurred the terrorists would not form relationships with the hostages. People with different views and beliefs don't usually find ways to bond and come together on common ground. The two opposing forces would not normally come together and form relationships with each other. The event that caused this whole thing to happen was Mr. Hosokawa's birthday dinner party. The captors simply just wanted the president at the party but because he was not there they took everyone hostage. This story becomes believably unrealistic when they stay in the house for over a month and relationships and bonds started to form between the captives and captors or rivals. Unity comes to play in this book when over time everyone starts to grow in friendship. Secret relationships occur and that causes love, drama and difficulties across the hostages and terrorists. This doesn't exactly relate to real life because usually if people have an enemy one of the last things they want to do is grow closer to them. This can relate to life though because some people do want to become closer to the people who they have problems with. The diversity in all these people caused them to connect with each other and form relationships and friendships. Like real life, people who are alike and different can always come over there differences and come together. In //Bel Canto,// the peoples suffering and closeness to death also brings them together. The simple unity of this book shows human qualities that form civilization. Abbie Farrell, Freshman

2. In Bel Canto, a group of terrorists plan to kidnap the president at Mr. Hosokawa's birthday party. When they realize the president did not attend the party, they panic and take all of the guests hostage. This story is believably unrealistic because the hostages become close friends and even lovers with the terrorists, such as Gen and Carmen. Bel Canto is a familiar story since everyone experiences love for someone or something. While Mr. Hosokawa loves Roxanne Coss, General Benjamin and Cesar love chess. The focus of the story is largely about unity. Throughout the hostage situation, the captives form new bonds with one another and learn to communicate without the need for a translator. They grow to feel like a family, and many of the hostages and terrorists do not wish for it to end. The novel's theme shows us that people can overcome diversity and form relationships with different groups of people. Frannie McKenzie, Junior

2. //Bel Canto// is a story about a terrorist group that holds a group of people hostage after realizing the person they were after, the president, wasn’t in that group. //Bel Canto// is so unrealistic because during the time that the group of people were held hostage, a bond was formed between the hostages and the terrorists; this bond would never happen in real life. This friendship bond between terrorist and hostage for a few eventually grew into love, for example the love between Gen and Carmen. Another reason why //Bel Canto// is unrealistic is because the longer the terrorists hold the group hostage the less they stress the power they have over the hostages and the less the hostages are threatened with guns. //Bel Canto// is a familiar story because it is a love story, on relationship being Mr. Hosokawa and Roxanne Coss, but it is also an unfamiliar story because one of the relationships the story is about is between a terrorist and a hostage. Even from all the disagreement at the beginning of the story, //Bel Canto// still ends up about unity. When the terrorists first took the hostages captive the hostages were terrified of the terrorists and did everything they were told to do on the spot. As the story progressed the hostages and terrorist found out they had more in common than they thought. They had to work together to talk to each other, considering most of them spoke a different language. What the novel’s theme suggests that your view of someone can be affected by a situation you are in, like the hostage terrorist situation. Beth Hanckel, Sophomore

The novel Bel Canto can be viewed as unrealistic due to the fact that the terrorists who have captured the hostages have no starting plan on how to treat the hostages or what to do with them. The lack of knowledge in the young terrorists causes strange, unexpected bonds among the hostages and terrorists. (for example, Gen W. and Carmen’s love affairs.) This novel is both a familiar and unfamiliar story because during our lives we will someday see the true meanings of love and hate towards other humans. The main symbol of unity in this novel is music, opera specifically. Whenever the hostages and terrorists hear the opera music coming from Roxanne Coss, they forget their predicament, and focus on the uniting of the people. The music strangely brings the two groups together and forms multiple relationships among them. The main theme, unity, suggests that despite the different groups of human beings, when they are put together can form strong relationships despite their situation. Grace Robards, Freshman

2. //Bel Canto,// written by Ann Patchett, while unrealistic, is captivating through the relationships formed by the characters coming from two opposing countries. The book begins at a performance by opera singer, Roxanne Cross, in honor of Katsumi Hosokawa's birthday party. At the end of one of her songs, all the lights in the mansion go out and terrorists rush in demanding for the president, who is unfortunately not present. In hearing this, they take all the guests captive and after a few months relationships have formed between the terrorists and hostages, who have grown to love life together and are scared of what will happen after the captives are released. While this being a wonderful story and would be a nice reality, the love of being a captive and the formed relationships are unrealistic. You would expect the terrorists to be making the hostage's lives miserable, however they are all people who want the same things: happiness and love. The book's theme suggests unity between the two once very different groups of people, because they found a common ground and have enjoyed their time spent together. The hostages and terrorists, while being completely different groups of people, are connected by the shared lives they have experienced. Despite their differences, they came together and formed new bonds through friendship and love. Patchett has displayed a wonderful example of how it would be if everyone put aside their differences and learned to love each other and find unity through their differences. Hannah Clarke, Sophmore

2. Bel Canto by Ann Patchett is believably unrealistic because typically people of extreme opposite beliefs do not find common ground among each other; much less the ability to form relationships that are amicable. It wants the reader to believe that if there is a group of extremely different people put together they can find a way to get along and not kill each other (the terrorists and the hostages). This book is both a familiar and unfamiliar story that applies to most people because in life you have enemies and people that you aren’t friends with, but if you try to form a connection like the terrorists and hostages did then you could turn out as the closest of friends or even lovers. This happened in the book with Watanabe (the hostage) and Carmen (the terrorists). The two of them had a small love connection. In the story the terrorists and hostages are together for around 4 months. The hostages are all scared and afraid they will be killed for the first 2 months. After the first 2 months the terrorists and hostages form special bonds with each other. One thing that really creates unity is the voice of Roxanne Coss. Every time she sings it’s as if the mansion is a utopia, and there is absolutely nothing wrong in the world. Everyone in the house also strives for the same desires as one another such as love, passion, acceptance, a successful life and many other things. The two different groups of people find a way to have happiness and joy with each other, which really unifies them together. The novel’s theme of unity suggests that even the worst of enemies or the closest of friends can become the closest of friends or the worst of enemies. Madeleine Fennell, Freshman

1. __Bel Canto__ is a historical novel, which manages to bring together two disparate groups of people that seemingly possess no similarities. The question is: How was the author able to achieve this unlikely friendship? Simply put, the terrorists and hostages are united by the need to overcome fear. Both groups of people need comfort, hope, and friendship (basic human essentials) to survive against the knowledge of their ultimate doom. However, what makes the two groups so different is where they draw their fears. The hostages remain submissive for fear that they will be shot by the terrorists. Ironically, the terrorists are unwilling to make such a bold move for fear that the police will overrun them. Both sides are reluctant to make a move, knowing that their choices could affect their own life, which results in such a long period of stagnation. For example, Gen and Carmen’s intimate friendship provided comfort in the unstable environment. Mr. Hosokawa and General Benjamin also struck an unexpected companionship in their daily chess game, which resulted from a need to feel even the slightest sense of security. All people are afraid of something and when faced with that fear, the usual means of overcoming it is to rely on others. This is how friendships and bonds form between such different groups of people. -Pilar Bennett, Junior

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2. I believe //Bel Canto// is a believably unrealistic novel. The novel starts out in a way that would be expected, but once the hostages become more comfortable with the terrorists, the story takes a completely different turn. The scenario is familiar to most people because it’s a story that’s common in the news, but it has an unusual twist in how the terrorists discover a shared interest in music and become from friends with the hostages over time. In the beginning, the terrorists were very harsh with the hostages, but they soon let down their guard and began to care for the them. All of the hostages were very different as they were from different places and spoke different languages, but they all learn come together and unite despite their differences. Roxane Coss is an important character in the novel because she brings people together with her music. The theme of the novel suggests that even though people may be completely different from one another, they can become friends and even fall in love.=====

Reese Evans, Freshman
2. //Bel Canto// by Ann Patchett, is a story of unity; where completely different people were brought together. Hosokawa was an important Japanese businessman that had a birthday party in a poor South American country. The government wanted to impress him to get him to build a factory there, but he only wanted to come to hear the talented opera singer, Roxanne Cross. A group of terrorists takes over the party. //Bel Canto// is believably unrealistic because of the unreal bond between the terrorists and the hostages, two opposite groups. It is unusual and uncommon for people that are usually enemies, to become close friends and lovers. This story of fate and love is a familiar story, however, these relationships make it unfamiliar to most readers. The circumstances are uncommon in the real world. Originally the terrorists took over Hosokawa's party in hope of capturing the president of the South American country it was hosted in. They were unaware that he wasn't attending. The terrorists were untrained for this situation. There was a lack of order and brutality which showed their unpreparedness. Unity played a constant roll throughout the story, and shown through the bonds and trust between the diverse group of people. The different languages, cultures, and teachings separated all people in this house. Music is what brought them together. Relationships were developed between people who spoke different languages and even between the terrorists and the captives. The novel's theme, unity, suggests that even two completely different people, from opposite sides of the world, can be brought together through fate as friends, companions, and lovers.

Savanna Barrineau, Freshman

1) In the beginning of Bel Canto, the hostages and terrorists see each other as completely different groups with nothing in common. Each group is convinced that the other is the antithesis of what they believe in. However, by the end of the novel they have developed such an intimate relationship that they start not wanting to separate themselves from one another. This dramatic change can mainly attributed to Roxanne’s beautiful voice. Her soothing, almost “bird-like” tone immediately draws the two groups together, and opens them up to one another in ways they never before imagined. The fact that something so pure can do this shows how loving and benevolent humans can be. However, just as frequent is the violent and destructive side that humans possess. We see this in the end of the novel, when the government breaks into the house and kills all the hostages. Humans can be incredibly loving, but also terribly aggressive as well. These two characteristics form the fundamental base of our society, and are what really define a human. With this in mind, humanity can transcend the superficial differences between one another by doing what Roxanne so cleverly did, by finding something so good and pure that it is almost impossible to go against it. Once this has been found, humans will realize, like the characters in Bel Canto, that they really are not so different from each other.

James Sanderson, Senior

1. Because the hostages in Bel Canto began to sympathize and form a relationship with their captors, this story becomes more interesting to the reader. The hostages begin to realize that they were not the target of the hostage situation and the terrorists meant no harm to them. In most situations, one would expect terrorists to be brutal, possibly killing their hostages in order to accomplish their goal. Being human is about living life, making misstakes along the way, while trying to do the right thing and treat people with kindness. It is about learning not to judge others by their outer appearance but to look for the good that may be in their hearts. Bel Canto does a good job showing that although some people may seem one way on the outside, they may be different on the inside. As human beings, we have to learn to spend time with each other, ask questions, and learn to really listen to what they may be telling us without immediately forming opinions. We have to understand that we are all different but still strive to be accepting of those differences without automatically believing they are wrong.

Jake Hentz, Freshman

1. In Ann Patchett’s //Bel Canto,// the reader gets to experience unity that at first seems unlikely, although Ann does a wonderful job of making the story’s events fluid and believable. The novel provides a unique experience into human emotions and the human ability to understand not just one another, but the whole essence of what it means to be “human”. Although the Hostages in the story are near polar opposites of the Terrorists, they are still able to develop a relationship that is amicable (it is important to note that this relationship does not develop over night, rather the relationship develops throughout the whole hostage crisis). What I believe //Bel Canto// did an excellent job of was showing what it really means to be a person. The characters in the book, both Hostages and Terrorists, learn to understand each other because they have only one thing linking them together: the fact that they are all people. The relationship between the Hostages and the Terrorists becomes so friendly that a relationship develops between Gen, a hostage, and Carmen, a terrorist. I think that at the heart of //Bel Canto// is an underlying theme of unity of the human race as a whole and the ability in all of us to understand one another. Brett Dodenhoff, Junior

2. //Bel Canto// by Ann Patchett, is unrealistic because of mixed life of the terrorists that work their ways into the hearts of some of the hostages. As the story moves a long there is no way for the hostages to get out but when the terrorists slack off (which in real life would never happen) the hostages find a way to make this story unreal as it goes on. As Mr. Hosokawa becomes friends with a bold Genarl that here the story has to choose to been friends or not. The story is familiar and unfamiliar to some people because of the terrorist ways showing up in this Southern American country to kidnap the president and find out he is not there. After a couple days the terrorist loss hope and let people go, but the unfamiliar part is that they don't seem to hurt the or want to hurt them at all. The unity in the book is the way they let Roxane sing in the morning and have Gen translate the talking gave the terrorist and hostages a feeling that made them think if they go will they remember this song or talk. The unity brought them to see that there is time to listen and wait then to act. The theme suggest that even in the hardest time the people(hostages) can make a difference in life. Carter Honeycutt, Freshman

2. In Ann Patchett's //Bel Canto,// a terrorist group plans to raid and capture the president at a birthday of a Japenese electronics company. After the terrorists discover that the president is not present at the dinner party, the terrorists decide to hold everyone their hostage. The novel proves to be believably unrealistic because two extremely different groups of people (the hostages and terrorists) form a rather good relationship between one another. In a normal hostage situation, the hostages hate or despise their captivators, but in the novel the two groups form strong relationships and in some cases love. The story is familiar because it shows that we judge people everyday based on our first glance or by their initial actions and not by their true character. It is also unfamiliar because the situation presented is way more drastic than day to day life in America. At first the story seems to be separated by two groups, the terrorists and the hostages, but as months go by and the groups start to notice that they are not so different they form relationships and a sense of unity. The novel's theme suggests that we might look on other people as being different or abnormal because of their initial actions or appearances, but if we decide to take time and study their true character that they might not be so different than ourselves. Trey Pierce, Junior

2. In her novel //Bel Canto//, Ann Patchett creates a story that is filled with fantasy, but yet as a reader, everything seems practical and believable. The plot revolves around a terrorist group that invaded a dinner party filled with government officials and important businessmen, with hopes of capturing the president. Unfortunately, the president did not attend the party -- he was preoccupied with his favorite TV show at home (which is all rather pathetic). One of the main protagonists, Roxane Coss, a soprano who had attended the party in hopes of pleasing Mr. Hosokawa, for whom the birthday party was thrown, is in essense the only thing that keeps the hostages sane during their period of house arrest. With one fatality, the terrorists, led by three "Generals", created an isolated world in which the characters' relationships developed and blossomed into romance and friendship. It's considered "unbelievably realistic" because of the way Patchett is able to sew the two opposite themes together. Patchett uses the absurdly fantastic setting of the Vice President's house, adorned with gold crown molding and victorian furniture, to create an extravagent setting. Meanwhile, Patchett is able to contrast that with the dinginess of the terrorists, whose boots are barely held together with tape. The fact that the terrorists have entered through the air vents, and that they did this silently and with no sign of intrusion, is rather unbelievable. However, the bonds that these hostages make during the episode is what brings us back to Earth. The humanity in the novel is ultimately what makes it great. The familiarity of friendship, love, and closeness to others is what keeps you reading. In contrast, the unfamiliarity of being held hostage and the feelings of captivity are a mystery to the common population -- which adds to the intrigue of the novel. Unity becomes a significant theme in //Bel Canto// through the common goals of the hostages and of the terrorists (and their goals together). The hostages ultimately want their freedom, and the terrorists ultimately want the attention of the president and the freedom of their comrades, but as a whole, they are very similar. The common thread, which is humanity, drives a close, unusual bond between captor and captive, suggesting that our first opinions of one another aren't always correct. The book implies that with time, not only can one's view of life change, but also the views of other human beings, discovering that no matter the circumstances, in the end, we're all similar. Hannah Geils, Junior

2. The novel //Bel Canto// by Ann Patchett is believably unrealistic because it tells of a hostage situation in which the hostages and terrorists get along very well and even form relationships. Example of relationships formed are Gen and Carmen, but also the Vice President and Ishmael. In this relationship the Vice President starts to think of Ishmael like a son. This novel is both familiar and unfamiliar. What makes it familiar is the fact that it is about putting your differences aside in order to make friends and relationships. It is unfamiliar because it is about a hostage situation, and most hostage stories don't have love and friendship involved. Unity plays a big part in this story. The first thing that unifies the hostages and the terrorists is the voice of Roxanne Coss. the other main thing that unites the people is Gen and his knowledge of languages. This is because most people can't speak the same languages which means the only way they can communicate is through Gen. the novel's theme of unity is just trying to show that people with different backgrounds and views can still get along together. Emily Ball, Freshman

1. In //Bel Canto//, the terrorists and the hostages make an unusual connection. Many of the hostages speak different languages not to mention the language of the terrorists. However, with the help of translators they were able to communicate with each other. Over time, they even got to share and teach parts of their language. Majority of the terrorists spoke spanish; therefore, the hostages were pushed to learn another language. Even though they experienced difficulties making the connection, they bonded in song. Roxane Coss, a lyric soprano, never stopped singing. Originally, she was hired to lead the entertainment for the dinner party. That job changed when the dinner party was taken over by the terrorists. She still wanted to sing and practice her music, so she did. Her music made the hostages calm. Surprisingly, cooking united the terrorists and the hostages. The terrorists cut the food while the hostages cooked the food. Even with a language barrier, they created a delicious meal for everyone. To be human is to respect others. At times, it may be hard but in the long run, you receive as much respect as you give. Fortunately, the terrorists and the hostages developed a respect for each other. The hostages respected the terrorists because they were in authority and the terrorists respected the hostages because they cared for them and did not hurt them. Madison McNeill, sophomore

2. Bel Canto by Ann Patchett is a very believably unrealistic story. The plot itself is completely unrealistic. The idea that a group of terrorist and hostages could go above and beyond Stockholm syndrome and be considered a lovable, happy family is unlikely. However, the idea that the majority of these hostages were lonely people who have found a place where they fit in and are accepted is not only believable, but the definition of human nature. It is in our nature as humans to want to be accepted into a group or family of sorts. This need for belonging is a basis of familiarity for most readers. However, the larger issue of being held hostage for months on end and ending up happier than ever gives the story an unfamiliar quality for readers. Unity is a major theme in this novel. this group of hostages and terrorist have became a unified, makeshift family. The book is about different people with little in common, but they manage to unify and become each others friends, lovers, and parental figures. The dissension stems from different religions, ethnic backgrounds, and languages that are present among the hostages and terrorists. The novel suggests that we categorize and identify ourselves based on the qualities of language, ethnicity, and other barriers that differentiate us from one another. The theme of unity suggests that even people with different qualities can come together in one way or another. McLean Coen, Junior 2.Bel Canto is believably unrealistic because of the Author's, Ann Patchet's, detailed and vivacious writing style. It is as though Ms. Patchet stepped into the lives of one of her characters and experienced first hand their life while in confinement. Her unique ability to write with such empathy towards her characters leaves the reader feeling that the lively actions are realistic. If the story were more realistic, it would be more about altercations and dissections; however, one of the main themes in the novel is unity. In Bel Canto, as a result of the close proximity, passionate relationships arise forcing the characters to befriend one another. The characters bond is strengthened as a result of them not knowing when their last day together will be, and as a result they must treat everyday as their last. The hostages and the terrorist grow to be as strong as a family and the main contradiction in the novel is that though the hostages are being detain and stripped from their free will, they enjoy their situation, and the people they are around. The novel's theme shows us that a diverse group of people, all with different motives can form relationships and enjoy life together. Halle Brown, Senior

2. Bel Canto is a novel about unity where people of different countries, beliefs and races come together in one place. Hosokawa was a huge business man from Japan who celebrated his birthday at a party thrown for him in a poor South American country. The country threw the party for him in hopes to persuade him to build a factory in their country. Hosokawa was not interested in opening up a factory there, but he came to the party anyways because his favorite opera singer was going to be there. During the party, the lights suddenly shut off and when they come back on a group of terrorists file in. They take all of the guests hostage, but surprisingly they are not treated badly and the women, children and sick are released. Bel Canto is believably unrealistic, because the relationship between the hostages and the terrorists is not likely to happen in real life. This story is familiar to most people, because it seems like something that would/has happened present day. It's unfamiliar because the story takes a unexpected turn when the two very different groups begin to bond and get along over time. Unity rises when the two groups have been together for so long that they begin to like the same things, enjoy similar things and think alike. The novel's theme suggests that our perception of both our own and other people's identities can sometimes be wrong. People can change and sometimes you can find things that you have in common with someone completely different than you. It shows you that you can put aside differences and you may be pleasantly surprised. Tanner Renken-9th Grade

2. Bel Canto can be viewed as unrealistic for a multitude of reasons. Typically, a terrorist group with the agenda of kidnapping a major political figure, such as the president of a country, have their plans mapped out, choreographed, and synchronized down to the last second. The book reads as if the common strategics were not accounted for during the planning of this escapade. The simplicity of their unforced errors made them appear unbelievable. The fact that the entourage did not have enough resources even to know the President would not be in attendance is unrealistically mindboggling. Whether you reside in the ghetto or a third world country it doesn’t appear plausible to make such amicable affiliations with your captives to the extreme expressed in this novel. Most capturers wouldn’t be in the position of indulging in games of chess and breaking bread at dinner with their hostages. Throughout the book it is obvious that Carmen, however beautiful she may be, manages to appear invisible as she carries on through her day to day grind. As possible as this may be for her as a captor, it doesn’t appear to be an option for Hosowaka. Her attempts and surprising success of teaching Hosowaka to be light as air are chamelonesque.

In the book Hosowaka is portrayed as a heavy set man, which contrasts sharply with the description of how he could scamper upstairs as quiet as a mouse to have a sleepover with the Diva. As outlandish and farfetched as many of the events throughout the book may seem, there are some familiarities. The hostages, whom are all adults express nurturing parental instincts, when they become familiar with the younger terrorists. Although the plot initially segregates the group into two opposite factions, the gap closes between the hostages and the terrorists providing all with a sense of community.

The unfamiliarity of this novel are countless because you have two groups going through a culture and lifestyle shock. The international guests are all very unfamiliar with the diverse languages and cultures that are presented in the vice president’s house. Very few of the characters are bilingual; therefore the majority, including the terrorists, rely on Gen Wanatabe who is polylingual. While many terrorists in the midst of a takeover are short-tempered and hard hearted, these terrorists demonstrate unfamiliar and surprising personalities. They show little greed and much tolerance and compassion for those who are held in the house. The theme of this book is, in my opinion, relates to the saying “don’t judge a book by its cover”. This theme can be applied on someone else, and even yourself. The book also promotes the concept of “breaking down ones’ walls” and discovering whom the person really is underneath the label that has been assigned to them in life. Grayce Bailey - 11th Grade