Beautiful Darkness Discussion Questions

  1. The book begins with a quote from Plato: “We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.” What do you think this quote means? How does the quote relate to this story?
  2. At Macon’s funeral, Lena is given a small silver sparrow (p. 16). Is this gift symbolic? Why or why not?
  3. As Ethan wonders about Lena’s destiny, he comments, “There was a choice to be made, and Lena hadn’t made it. The songs never lied. At least, they hadn’t yet” (p. 23). Later, Ethan learns that he has his own destiny as well. Do you think Lena will ultimately have to Claim herself for Light or Dark? Do you believe fate will play a role in her choice?
  4. When Ethan gives Lena the mini Sharpie, he explains, “It wasn’t anything special, but I’d had it for a while now, and I was hoping it might help her find her way back to herself” (p. 39). What does Ethan mean in this statement? Can you think of an item that might represent your personality or identity in this way? Explain.
  5. Ethan and Lena are studying Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde at school. How do you think the themes of that story relate to this book?
  6. When Ethan first meets Liv, he’s surprised by her lighthearted personality: “She was easy to be around, like I’d known her forever” (p.127). Later, Liv is willing to make a great personal sacrifice to help Ethan, Link, Ridley, and Lena. Have you ever met someone like Liv? Describe him or her.
  7. Marian, referencing Galileo, states, “He knew, perhaps better than anyone, that we don’t get to choose what is true. We only get to choose what we do about it” (p. 270). Explain what Marian means. How does her statement apply to the situation Ethan is facing?
  8. Ethan, Lena, and Liv often reference lines from well-known plays, novels, and songs—from Shakespeare to Pink Floyd. Do you have a favorite quotation? Explain what it means to you.
  9. At the end of the book, Lena questions what it means to “fit in” (p. 482). Do you think Lena will ever find her place in the Supernatural and Mortal worlds? Have you ever felt torn between two different groups?
  10. What do you think the future holds for Link? For Ridley? How might they adjust to their new roles?

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Permalink Reply by Sydney Duchannes on July 27, 2011 at 5:09pm

2. The Sparrow in the Castor World is Symbolic it means Freedom I believe?!

3. Lena is always afraid of her destiny I believe she at the end of all this will decide her own fate, Again!

6. I've never meet anyone like that no one is like that any more. It's sort of sad!

7. You can't change whats true like you can't decide how things happen or what things are you can only react too them. So, Ethan has to deal with whats happening and React to it.

8. Remember the most Beautiful things in the world are the most useless. John Ruskin, The Stones of Venice, I. To me this means to not over look the useless but to actually think and see their Beauty!

9. I think she will only fit in inside Ethan's heart because he's the only one who even comes close to knowing the true Lena. I've been torn between Normal and Different My whole life. What is Normal?

10. All I know is It's not going to be easy for them!   

Permalink Reply by Sydney Duchannes on October 20, 2011 at 6:35pm
No one Responds to these Questions. Why. Show a little Caster Spirit!
Permalink Reply by Amanda on October 23, 2011 at 1:24am

2. In the castor World a sparrow represents freedom. Since Lena is a natural and can choose her destiny (whether or not she is a light or dark castor), I believe that the sparrow is a reminder that she had the freedom to choose her destiny this entire time, even though she didn't think so.

4. The gift represents Lena; the kind of person who is free to make her own choices. However, like a sharpie, whatever action she makes is permeneant. When a castor is claimed it is a permeneant thing. I think the sharpie is a reminder that her actions are permeanant, so she must choose wisely. In Ethan's case he wants her to come back to him, so I think he gives the sharpie in hope that she makes the right decision. 

As for an item that represents me, I am not really sure. Maybe a book because you can never judge a book by its cover, it depends on what is on the inside. I don't know

5. In the story, Dr. Jeckyle and Mr. Hyde, it is believed that the soul is made up of two separate distinctions: good and evil. The idea was that god and evil are two separate beings that never get along. In the story, Dr. Jeckylle tried to differentiate the two beings in his expirements; however, the expirements failed and that is why Dr. Jeckylle turns into Mr. Hyde. Dr. Jeckyle being on the good side and Mr. Hyde being on the evil one. In Lena's case, ever since Macon died she has been not acting herself. Her personality turns dark, like Mr. Hyde, but at times, mostly when Ethan is around, she acts like her old self, like Dr. Jeckyle.

 

6. I believe Liv is a strong character and a great friend to Link and Ethan. Unfortunately I have never met someone like that in the form of a friend. However, I believe my mom is most like Liv. She is always there for me regardless of the mistakes I made and I know she would help me, no questions asked. I am lucky to have a mom as great as she is because I know most people in this world don't, and I am truly greatful.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Permalink Reply by Amanda on October 23, 2011 at 1:28am
I responded to the questions!

Sydney Duchannes said:
No one Responds to these Questions. Why. Show a little Caster Spirit!
Permalink Reply by Sydney Duchannes on October 26, 2011 at 8:57pm
Which Amanda are you? There's like ten different Amanda's on here. Can you give me the link to your page or friend me?

Amanda said:
I responded to the questions!

Sydney Duchannes said:
No one Responds to these Questions. Why. Show a little Caster Spirit!
Permalink Reply by Amanda on October 28, 2011 at 2:10am
My name is Amanda Robertson and I am 17 years old. I am the one that lives in California. And to get to my page just copy this link: http://beautifulcreaturesnovels.com/profile/Amanda389

Sydney Duchannes said:
Which Amanda are you? There's like ten different Amanda's on here. Can you give me the link to your page or friend me?

Amanda said:
I responded to the questions!

Sydney Duchannes said:
No one Responds to these Questions. Why. Show a little Caster Spirit!
Permalink Reply by Sydney Duchannes on November 22, 2011 at 4:53pm

When will you guys post the Beautiful Chaos discussion questions!!!!!!!!!!????????????????!?!?!?!?!!

Permalink Reply by Sydney Duchannes on November 22, 2011 at 4:57pm

I really love this series and this website but You guy's(Gatlin County Library) aren't updating the site anymore. You need to assign monitors for the site, the people who get on a lot.

Permalink Reply by Alex Duchannes on February 18, 2012 at 5:49pm

8. It is not the end. It is not even the beging of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the begining. Winston Churchill

Permalink Reply by Xee Xiong on June 13, 2012 at 4:28pm
  1. I think the most obvious answer deals with the Dark Casters, who are trying to, basically, destroy the Light Casters (at least by giving Lena an ultimatum).
  2. When "freedom" was mentioned, I thought it meant that Macon was not quite dead yet...and I was right ! :DD
  3. Since Ethan has practically befriended the Wheel of Fate (Lilum), no.  It did say Lena got to choose...
  4. Back when she was herself pertains to Lena when she used to always scribble in the notebook and on her walls (and ceiling) with a sharpie; and yes, my blankie.
  5. I have, sadly, not read that yet..
  6. No.
  7. When its not your choice, but someone else`s, you have to help them get where you want them to go.
  8. None.
  9. I don`t think so.  She kinda stands out, being Natural and all.  Plus, being a teenage girl, I am always in the middle of a problem.
  10. Link: A very depressed Linkubus (with a lot of love problems).  I actually think he`ll end up attacking someone and drinking their blood out of anger or some kind of other powerful emotion.
  • Ridley: I think she`ll never accept being a Mortal...ever.
Permalink Reply by Nicole on November 26, 2012 at 9:23pm

1. I think the most obvious answer deals with the Dark Casters, who are trying to, basically, destroy the Light Casters (at least by giving Lena an ultimatum).

2. In the castor World a sparrow represents freedom. Since Lena is a natural and can choose her destiny (whether or not she is a light or dark castor, I believe that the sparrow is a reminder that she had the freedom to choose her destiny this entire time, even though she didn't think so.

3. Lena has always had a choice.. I do think she is afraid to make her decisions, or her fate chosen for her, but in the end she will make her own choice! Between light or dark! She'll make her own choice! Again!

4.To have the sharpie with her at all times. to be able to write where ever, whenever she can, or wants. This is part of her personility because its what she does, she writes on her hand, wall, anywhere. Its just Lena.

 5. In the story, Dr. Jeckyle and Mr. Hyde, it is believed that the soul is made up of two separate distinctions: good and evil. The idea was that god and evil are two separate beings that never get along. In the story, Dr. Jeckylle tried to differentiate the two beings in his expirements; however, the expirements failed and that is why Dr. Jeckylle turns into Mr. Hyde. Dr. Jeckyle being on the good side and Mr. Hyde being on the evil one. In Lena's case, ever since Macon died she has been not acting herself. Her personality turns dark, like Mr. Hyde, but at times, mostly when Ethan is around, she acts like her old self, like Dr. Jeckyle

6. No i havent ever met anyone like Liv.. I have met someone kind of like her. I wish i would meet someone like her.

7. You cant change the truth, but you can change what you are going to do about it. Ethan needs to  make his descision of what do to about the truth he faced, and was facing.

8.There are too many quotes i love. But there are these two.. "To Love is to Destroy and to be loved is to be the one destroyed" -Cassandra Clare -City of Bones.I don't believe that love will destroy you, but it can make you stronger if its broken. I just like the quote, it has meaning behind the words. The other one is. "You cannot choose your fate. Your fate is chosen for you. You become light or dark. It is black or white. There is no gray, and what is done cannot be undone." This one also has meaning behind. No one can change their fate, but there may be a way to change yourself.

9. I think Lena will always fit it Ethans heart. I think that's all that really matters, To have the one you love most closest to you. He is the only one who actually came close knowing Lena. The true Lena, not someone fake. I don't know if there is Normal.. I just know i have been between Normal and Different always. But was Normal to some people?

10. Im not exactly sure how it will be for them. But i do know its not going to be easy. More like realy complicated.

Permalink Reply by Jade Duchannes-Wate on December 17, 2012 at 11:47am
OMG okayy so I am reading Beautiful Darkness and I,m almost done.But I don't want it to end yet.But then again I'm excited to read Beautiful Choas.SO yeah thats realy it.I am in class and really bored.Someone help!

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