Dialectical Journal: ​Crispin

dialectical​ (die-uh-LEKT-i-cul), n.: the art or practice of arriving at the truth through logical arguments.
journal​ (JUHR-nul), n.: a personal record of events, experiences, and reflections kept on a regular basis; a diary.

1. This is what you must do in your journal: ​keep a dialogue with yourself. In your journal, have a conversation​ with the text and
with yourself. You will be using textual evidence from the novel to interact with ​and respond to questions posed by your Core
teacher. The frequency at which you will be using the Dialectical Journal will depend on where we are in the novel and what is
occurring. Each time you are assigned a Dialectical Journal Entry you must complete it as quickly as possible so as not to get behind.
If the class has moved on in the reading, it will be difficult to go back and answer the questions, especially when your teacher will be
assigning new questions.

How do I respond to each text entry?​ You can respond to the text in a variety of ways. The most important thing to remember is that your
observations should be specific and detailed. You can write as much as you want for each entry, but ​you must write 3-5 sentences minimum.

As part of your response, you can analyze the style of the text—reflect on elements like symbols, imagery, metaphors, point of view. Some
basic responses are to:

• Raise questions about the beliefs and values implied in the text
• Give your personal reactions to the passage
• Discuss the words, ideas, or actions of the author or character(s)
• Tell what it reminds you of from your own experiences, or write about what it makes you think or feel
• Agree or disagree with a character or the author
To make higher-level responses try the following:
• Analyze the text for use of literary devices (tone, structure, style, imagery)
• Make connections between different characters or events in the text
• Make connections to a different text (or film, song, etc…)
• Discuss the words, ideas, or actions of the author or character(s)
• Consider an event or description from the perspective of a differ

● Note: If evidence of copying (or sharing your entries with a friend) is found, then each party involved will receive a 0 on the
entire assignment.
Chapter(s) Prompt and Response

1-2 “In the midst of life comes death.” How often did our village priest preach those words. Yet, I have also heard that “in the midst death 
comes life.” If this be a riddle, so was my life. 
How do you interpret the riddle at the beginning of Chapter One? Respond with 5 sentences or more 
 
I interpret this riddle almost like a opposite affect in the world. When it says, In the midst of life comes death, I think that it means that 
when someone is born, someone else dies. So it’s like if no one is lost. Of course, if you lose a person you really loved, than yeah but 
than someone that will be loved comes to the world. If the parents actually love the newborn. With the other saying of,” In the midst 
death come life,” it is saying that when someone dies, someone else is born. 

3-4 How does the treatment of Asta and her son reveal what life must have been like for a peasant in the Middle Ages? Respond by 
choosing one piece of textual evidence that supports your answer and follow with commentary. 
 
Asta and her son were treated more worse than what all the other peasants were already treated because Asta’s son didn’t have a father 
and his mom didn’t have a husband . In the book, it said Other than the priest, my mother had no friends. She was often taunted by the 
villagers.” The father was a really important figure in the family in medieval times. For one, whatever your dad was a peasant, you would 
only be that. Not like here that there's so many opportunities for jobs. Also If you had no husband and you had a son, they would think 
your just going out with random people, almost like a prostitute or like that. 

5-7 Describe one choice that the main character made in these chapters and summarize the consequence of that choice. Answer by 
choosing one piece of textual evidence that supports your answer and follow with commentary. 
 
Asta’s son or the main character is now being searched and wants to go to the church because Father Quinel is the only person he can 
trust. The consequence of that is almost getting caught. In two times, Asta’s son is almost caught. In the text, it said,”The searchers did 
come close. Once, twice, I could have touched their garments as they passed.” The village is looking for Asta’s son for something he 
didn't do: steal from the money chest from the steward’s home. 

7-8 Father Quinel has just informed Crispin of his name, and that his mother could read and write. From Crispin's perspective, write a 
paragraph describing how he must feel finally knowing his true name, and what he might be thinking regarding his mother's ability to 
read and write. Remember that you are writing as if you are Crispin 
 
I don’t know what to say. I am surprised why my mother never told me… I had a name? Crispin, I was mostly just called son or just called 
Asta’s son by the villagers. But Crispin. Plus, Father Quinel said that my mother could read and write. This day is getting fuller and fuller 
of surprises by the minute. 

9-11 At the boundary cross on the southern end of Stromford, Crispin found Father Quinel’s body. 
Why would someone murder a priest, and out of the characters you’ve met so far who do you think was the murderer? Why? 
 
I think the person that killed Father Quinel was John AyCliffe. I believe that Cerdic was the shadow that Crispin saw when he left the 
church. Cerdic told AyCliffe about the betrayal of the Father and killed him. 
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57-End