Novel Study - Unwind - Part 3, Transit

In the course of the book, Connor and Risa get separated from Lev, who travels for a time with another character. Why do you think Shusterman chose to split the narrative into two distinct threads? What do you think this achieves? How does this affect the evolution of the characters?
- I think Shusterman chose to split the characters because he wanted to show us that they needed to grow individually before joining up together again hopefully near the end. I also assume that something important happens which needs Lev to leave before coming back. 

- I think this achieves the characters growths as all the characters can grow differently than what they would be like if they were all together. When they were together they always fought and had the same views as they did before, when they parted they all started having different views and started learning new things. 

- I personally think that this affects the evolutions of the character because they are all able to grow in different places and learn things that can't be learnt somewhere else. For example, if Lev was with Risa and Connor he wouldn't have learnt about how to get food from stores when they were closing, instead, after leaving them both he learnt about this and also made a new friend.

On p125 & 129 the novel touches on same-sex relationships. Has the attitude toward same-sex couples changed (for better or worse) in this futuristic society? Explain your response.
- I think same-sex relationships have changed for the better in this society. I say this because in the story it explains that families that have same-sex parents are called "Yin families" which must mean that there are many more same-sex relationships to a point where there is even a slang word for it.

P130 begins our journey into understanding a little more about Cy-Fi. Through his character, what do you learn about the effects of unwinding on both the donor and receiver?
- Depending on the body part you get, you can get their muscle memories and memories that they had when they were still whole. This gets passed onto the receiver who must deal with the advantages and/or disadvantages of the donor. If you have been given a piece that you use a lot, you will most likely get the memories, thoughts or emotions of the donor. You essentially become a host for people who don't know they are "dead". 

What is the real reason Cy-Fi needs to get to Joplin, Mo? Pg 131
- The real reason Cy-Fi needs to get to Joplin is because of his unwound right temporal lobe. The lobe contains pieces and memories, as well as emotions of the donor of the lobe. Cy-Fi doesn't know his name but knows that he looks a bit like Lev, blue eyes and blonde hair. He figured out that the donor wanted to get to Joplin so Cy-Fi hopes that once they get to Joplin it will leave him alone as it doesn't really know its unwound and acts as a spirit.    

What is the significance of Connor holding in his anger around Roland? Pg 147
- The significance of Connor holding in his anger around Roland is that Roland wants a reaction from Connor, Connor not giving him one could mean that either he is changing, or Roland will leave them alone for now because he thinks Connor might not be a threat as he thought.

Connor's anger and lack of impulse control is often a problem for him, until he learns to control and channel his emotions. Do you ever feel like your impulses are stronger than your will? What strategies do you use to control your feelings? Do they work?

- Sometimes I do think my impulses are stronger than my will. It normally happens when I'm put in a tough situation where I want two different things, sometimes I regret my decision, sometimes I don't. Some Strategies I use to control myself is to think to myself is this is really what I want, it helps me think about my choices more seriously and actually put it into perspective. It does work most times, but when my impulse is too much to handle I often forget about thinking.