For our last discussion we talked about all the metaphors that each daughter mentions throughout this book. These nature types of metaphors relates to each of characters in the book. For instance, there is a tree which we thought represented the Congolese people and how there’s so many of them that there’s not enough resources for each individual. Relating to how trees can become so massive that they have to grow taller and taller if they want to receive the most sunlight because if they’re small then the larger trees would absorb most of it. We related the light to the independence of the Congo because just like light sometimes independence became very scarce. Another thought was that Adah could have been a tree because sometimes trees can become overlooked and not really noticed in the background. Just like Adah who at times is overlooked in a situation and because she’s so quiet and observant people may forget she’s even there. As for Orleanna we thought she could be a tree as well because she’s the whole that holds everything together like the family. Another object we looked at was the vines. We thought they might refer to the character Mobutu because like vines Mobutu was very constricting of the wealth of Africa and didn’t really help Africa out like he was suppose to. Instead he used the wealth for his own personal benefit and leached off like a parasite to Africa. Just like vines sort of absorb the sunlight, water, and nutrients of a tree. Another man that acted like vines was Nathan. Referring to the same notion of constricting, Nathan much rather constricted the lives of his family. He had a lot of control and was the main influence on their lives during their youth, when the children were just seedlings. Together we decided that Adah was just like a spider, squashed and trampled on when it was weak. She was overlooked and because of her disabilities she was trampled on and called names like crooked. Just like happened with the okapi and the spider in the second paragraph of page 538, as the result of a shriek the okapi ran away while the spider was killed. This story also relates to Adah’s philosophy of balance. How after one dies, in result another lives. In Adah’s perfect world she has balance and everything corrects itself. The main passage that Mrs. Watson wanted us to see was the line, “Every life is different because you passed this way and touched history,” (Kingsolver 538). As well like Lumumba who touched the history of Africa and was bound to make a difference, but since he was assassinated, like the spider his life was left in vain. His ideas sort of withered and the strength of Mobutu took over. A unique object that we discussed was a rotten tree stump which we believed represented Nathan because a rotten tree stump once a mighty strong tree contained a lot of strength and authority over the land, but has now become rotten and useless. We thought this paralleled perfectly to Nathan because he was a strong influence in his family’s life and now that the family has moved on; Nathan is of no importance and has no more control. Finally the last object we talked about was a snake. Like a snake weaving in and becoming camouflaged not knowing it’s there sort of represented the mysterious bond and a common thread that everyone had that weaved them all together.
Another theme in the discussion was religion and we tried to identify each and every religion that each daughter worshiped. First we looked at Rachel and we decided that from what we observed that Rachel didn’t really have a religion because the main thing she ever cared about was money, success and herself. Adah worshiped science and sort of starts out not really into Christianity sort of the anti-Christ but in the end she depends more on Christ to help her overcome obstacles that she faces. Orleanna had her own unique religion where she has her own personal garden where she can plant seeds of “sorrow” and is able to plant new life. What I mean by sorrow is that Orleanna is a little depressed about the whole Ruth May death situation and how she puts all the guilt on herself, but now she’s come to find that Ruth May has in a sense forgiven her Orleanna can now do whatever she pleases and find happiness in life once again. There is also a metaphor behind the garden because during the beginning of the story we find that Nathan is the gardener of the family which might have represented who has all the power and control. Although later on after the family moves away from Nathan Orleanna plants her own garden because she’s now in control of what she wants to do and has her own dominance of her life. Another metaphor of the garden theme is that it signifies a new beginning for people such as when the Price’s first moved to the Congo, Nathan immediately starts planting his demonstration garden.
There was also another metaphor that we looked upon, the lock, stock, and barrel. On page 531 it first mentions the lock stock and barrel which are all parts of a gun. Adah represented the stock because she’s more known as the observant type that waits on the side. Although it doesn’t relate to a gun, the work that people do by taking stock of inventory is often overlooked because it’s an important job that the store relies upon but sometimes people don’t notice them because they’re often times in the back of the store. Leah acts like the barrel because she wants to make a difference and create change in everything that she does such as political events and taking charge of the family. Rachel represents the lock because she often times holds onto her emotions and acts conservative in many moments of the book. Like a gun when you put all these parts together it is complete and is only used for death, but without each specific part the gun can’t function, so each girl needs one another to function properly.
Finally the last line in the story, “Walk forward into the light,” (Kingsolver 543). We wondered what Orleanna could have been talking about and we came to the conclusion that she has finally got rid of her guilt for Ruth Mays death and has forgiven herself. It is also a metaphor of Adah’s which is balance and how there is light during the birth and as well there is light during death where people say they are moving to the light. Light represents balance everything is completed.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
“Song of the Three Children” and “Eyes in the Trees” Historian
Mobutu gained power as Lieutenant General in November 1965
Later was given the title as President of Zaire, also known as the (Democratic Republic of the Congo) for 32 years 1965-1997.
In the year of 1966 four cabinet members were arrested and publicly executed for complicity in an attempted coup.
There was an unsuccessful revolt led by white mercenaries in 1967.
By 1970 Mobutu made sure that all threats against him were annihilated and made harmless and ineffective. His army had tortured all those who posed potential threats to him and would make sure their death was brutal. The main members that Mobutu would kill were members who had associated with Patrice Lumumba and made sure his vision was a lost cause.
In 1968, a former Minister of Education, Pierre Mulele was captured by Mobutu’s forces and brutally beaten and painfully tortured. Besides using murder as a method to increase power Mobutu also used money to sway other rivals in his favor.
“Order” as Mobutu would say was brought to Africa and 1970 marked the peak of Mobutu’s stronghold, power and authority.
Mobutu made strong relations with Western countries gaining support from powerful countries he
Voting was useless because Mobutu raised elections in his favor as he said that voting was obligated and demanded although only he was the main candidate.
Mobutu had died in September 7, 1997 from prostate cancer which he’d been struggling with ever since 1962.
Later was given the title as President of Zaire, also known as the (Democratic Republic of the Congo) for 32 years 1965-1997.
In the year of 1966 four cabinet members were arrested and publicly executed for complicity in an attempted coup.
There was an unsuccessful revolt led by white mercenaries in 1967.
By 1970 Mobutu made sure that all threats against him were annihilated and made harmless and ineffective. His army had tortured all those who posed potential threats to him and would make sure their death was brutal. The main members that Mobutu would kill were members who had associated with Patrice Lumumba and made sure his vision was a lost cause.
In 1968, a former Minister of Education, Pierre Mulele was captured by Mobutu’s forces and brutally beaten and painfully tortured. Besides using murder as a method to increase power Mobutu also used money to sway other rivals in his favor.
“Order” as Mobutu would say was brought to Africa and 1970 marked the peak of Mobutu’s stronghold, power and authority.
Mobutu made strong relations with Western countries gaining support from powerful countries he
Voting was useless because Mobutu raised elections in his favor as he said that voting was obligated and demanded although only he was the main candidate.
Mobutu had died in September 7, 1997 from prostate cancer which he’d been struggling with ever since 1962.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
"Exodus" Reflection
Throughout this book of Exodus we’ve discussed mostly how everything has changed in the Congo. Mainly how the three sisters have changed. Everything that each girl does ever since they left the village has gone about the values of justice, forgiveness and redemption. Still each sister hasn’t ever really left the Congo. They’re business still relates to the struggles of what the Congo had to endure. Rachel we found hadn’t really changed at all. She felt guilty that she wasn’t really able to take charge when her sisters needed guidance the most she’s now become independent and very successful due to her wealthy ex-husbands. Rachel was able to manage a hotel and enjoys it very much there. Adah we’ve noticed has undergone a lot of change. She is now able to walk properly and express her ideas and thoughts through speaking instead of showing them. Adah has managed to make it in to medical school. Now even though she’s managed to fix her old childhood disabilities she’s now sort of lost her unique talent of poetry. Also since Ruth May died Adah’s been in search to regain a larger portion of her mothers love for her. Her need to be loved sort of appears desperate because that’s the only thing she really desires at the moment. Leah has become very love struck and is emotionally attached to Anatole and his mission to help save the Congo. We could relate the way she feels about Anatole to another relationship within her family which was between Orleanna and Nathan. More how the wife follows the husbands goals and desires except there is one difference how Leah loved the same goal that Anatole was trying to pursue. As for Orleanna she didn’t have her whole heart into Nathan’s purpose of spreading Christianity to the Kikogans. She also feels very guilty for Ruth May’s death and thinks it’s mostly her fault. If only she didn’t convince the others to come with her to help Nelson then maybe she’d still be alive. Another person she feels guilty for is Father, Nathan. Leah’s been getting information from Brother Fowles about her father’s condition without his family and judging by reports he sounds terrible. Even though Leah heard all these things about her father she just acted as if nothing happened and went along with her life. By not doing anything Father was run out of the village and was burned on building and died. His death feels awful in Leah’s mind, but sort of relieving as well. The death of Father also represents what appears to look like the same way Jesus Christ had died for our sins, although for Nathan he died for his own sins.
As for the rest of the members of the village they lived in. Pascal, Leah’s well valued friend had been murdered by Mobutu’s army since Pascal was associated with Lumumba. Tata Kuvundu had been hunted down by the village that had lost all respect for him because he killed Ruth May with the Green Mamba snake. Nelson they’ve discovered had become a married man and was well off with his kids. Tata Ndu, the leader and head chief of the village was now dead because of a disease and the next heir to the thrown was not the first born son but instead the second born son Kenge because Gbente was disliked by the village.
Next in our discussion we talked about all the significant quotes starting on page 444, which talks about Adah’s emotional wreck and unbelievable desire to be the most loved my mother. Adah was so afraid that after Ruth May died that Mother would want Leah the most because Leah was perfect compared to Adah who wasn’t anything, but instead mother chooses Adah because she’s the next youngest daughter after Ruth May. Next there’s the quote from Orleanna, “If you are the eyes in the trees, watching us as we walk away from kilanga, how will you make your judgment? Lord knows after thirty years I still crave your forgiveness, but who are you?” (Kingsolver 385). The question that Orleanna’s trying to find the answer to, who are you? Probably might have to relate to the reader. Orleanna has unraveled this whole story to us about her life in the Congo and she knows she’s made some mistakes along the way, but all she desires now is for forgiveness from everyone, the reader, her daughters, her friends, anyone. A quote that had to deal with our Sophmore essential question was, “But we’ve all ended up giving up body and soul to Africa, one way or another. Even Adah who’s becoming an expert in tropical epidemiology and strange new viruses. Each of us got our heart buried in six feet of African dirt; we are all co-conspirators here. I mean, all of us, not just my family” (Kingsolver 474). This quote relates to the Singer Solution to Poverty when you’re given a situation with a problem and what you plan to do to solve that problem. The Prices were all exposed to the horrible problem in Africa were the village was suffering without the need of modern day technology that we have access to. The village was dieing from disease that they weren’t capable of receiving because of lack of money. The Prices saw all this and the question really is, how will they react to it?
Finally there was also a big event that was talked about which was the boxing fight between Mohammad Ali and George Foreman. We looked at this fight in a metaphorical way which was that Ali represented Patrice Lumumba because when he was in the Congo he was really getting into the people and the culture and tried to help the cause he was boxing for. Instead of George Foreman we really was there to get money and media attention which really represented the American side, selfish.
As for the rest of the members of the village they lived in. Pascal, Leah’s well valued friend had been murdered by Mobutu’s army since Pascal was associated with Lumumba. Tata Kuvundu had been hunted down by the village that had lost all respect for him because he killed Ruth May with the Green Mamba snake. Nelson they’ve discovered had become a married man and was well off with his kids. Tata Ndu, the leader and head chief of the village was now dead because of a disease and the next heir to the thrown was not the first born son but instead the second born son Kenge because Gbente was disliked by the village.
Next in our discussion we talked about all the significant quotes starting on page 444, which talks about Adah’s emotional wreck and unbelievable desire to be the most loved my mother. Adah was so afraid that after Ruth May died that Mother would want Leah the most because Leah was perfect compared to Adah who wasn’t anything, but instead mother chooses Adah because she’s the next youngest daughter after Ruth May. Next there’s the quote from Orleanna, “If you are the eyes in the trees, watching us as we walk away from kilanga, how will you make your judgment? Lord knows after thirty years I still crave your forgiveness, but who are you?” (Kingsolver 385). The question that Orleanna’s trying to find the answer to, who are you? Probably might have to relate to the reader. Orleanna has unraveled this whole story to us about her life in the Congo and she knows she’s made some mistakes along the way, but all she desires now is for forgiveness from everyone, the reader, her daughters, her friends, anyone. A quote that had to deal with our Sophmore essential question was, “But we’ve all ended up giving up body and soul to Africa, one way or another. Even Adah who’s becoming an expert in tropical epidemiology and strange new viruses. Each of us got our heart buried in six feet of African dirt; we are all co-conspirators here. I mean, all of us, not just my family” (Kingsolver 474). This quote relates to the Singer Solution to Poverty when you’re given a situation with a problem and what you plan to do to solve that problem. The Prices were all exposed to the horrible problem in Africa were the village was suffering without the need of modern day technology that we have access to. The village was dieing from disease that they weren’t capable of receiving because of lack of money. The Prices saw all this and the question really is, how will they react to it?
Finally there was also a big event that was talked about which was the boxing fight between Mohammad Ali and George Foreman. We looked at this fight in a metaphorical way which was that Ali represented Patrice Lumumba because when he was in the Congo he was really getting into the people and the culture and tried to help the cause he was boxing for. Instead of George Foreman we really was there to get money and media attention which really represented the American side, selfish.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Moderator “Exodus”
During the first chapter of this book, “Exodus” what specifically was she trying to explain to the reader?
Pg. 392 Mama Boanda had given the Prices’ an egg what could have been the significance of that?
Pg. 393 As the family realizes that they’ve lost basically Nathan and Ruth May do they have any sympathy for the loss of their father and husband Nathan?
Pg. 394 Why does Leah always contradict herself? She talks about leaving the Congo for good, but what guilt does she have that the Congo reminds her of that makes her stay?
Why do you think this particular book was named Exodus? The following words I found in the thesaurus were mass departure, migration, emigration, flight and evacuation. What does moving have to do with the Price’s?
Why does Leah on pages 399-400 all of a sudden have very deep poetry when before we’ve noticed that Leah wasn’t a very poetic person, but now she kind of acts like Adah?
How come all of a sudden Kingsolver decides to make such a shift in time? The chapter being told on page 402 begins with Rachel Price Axelroot? Along with a place and date beneath it. Why does Kingsolver change her format of the titling of her chapters?
What significance is there for the saying that repeats, “Tell all the truth but tell it slant?” (Kingsolver 407&412).
When mother talks about Ruth May’s death does she in-turn choose another daughter to favor above the rest? Adah mentions that she might be that daughter on page 413 1st paragraph. Any thoughts?
The meaning of Exodus becomes clearer when referring back to the passage on page 414 2nd paragraph when Adah says, “Carry us, marry us, ferry us, bury us: those are our four ways to exodus, for now” (Kingsolver 414).
Adah brings up some important points on page 442. She discuses the religion of her family. “It crosses my mind that I may need a religion … her own brand of goddess” (Kingsolver 442). The main phrase I want to point out is really the statement, “Leah has one: her religion is the suffering” (Kingsolver 442).
Throughout the whole chapter of when the three sisters reunite do you think there is an alliance forming between the Leah and Adah against Rachel or has there always been that type of team? How have the sisters changed mentally and physically since the last time they’ve met?
Adah makes a sly remark what is the significance of the phrase, “Jesus is poisonwood…Here’s to the Minister of Poisonwood. And here’s to his five wives! … I don’t even try to understand” (Kingsolver 490). What specifically does Adah mean here’s to his five wives?
Why does Adah have a need to be “crooked again” like she was before? (Page 493)
What do you think about the italicized quotes that mother makes on page 495? To live is to be marked … You aren’t, he wasn’t” (Kingsolver 495).
What do you think about the metaphor also on page 495? “I know she is right … All the old injuries have been renamed…” (Kingsolver 495).
Pg. 392 Mama Boanda had given the Prices’ an egg what could have been the significance of that?
Pg. 393 As the family realizes that they’ve lost basically Nathan and Ruth May do they have any sympathy for the loss of their father and husband Nathan?
Pg. 394 Why does Leah always contradict herself? She talks about leaving the Congo for good, but what guilt does she have that the Congo reminds her of that makes her stay?
Why do you think this particular book was named Exodus? The following words I found in the thesaurus were mass departure, migration, emigration, flight and evacuation. What does moving have to do with the Price’s?
Why does Leah on pages 399-400 all of a sudden have very deep poetry when before we’ve noticed that Leah wasn’t a very poetic person, but now she kind of acts like Adah?
How come all of a sudden Kingsolver decides to make such a shift in time? The chapter being told on page 402 begins with Rachel Price Axelroot? Along with a place and date beneath it. Why does Kingsolver change her format of the titling of her chapters?
What significance is there for the saying that repeats, “Tell all the truth but tell it slant?” (Kingsolver 407&412).
When mother talks about Ruth May’s death does she in-turn choose another daughter to favor above the rest? Adah mentions that she might be that daughter on page 413 1st paragraph. Any thoughts?
The meaning of Exodus becomes clearer when referring back to the passage on page 414 2nd paragraph when Adah says, “Carry us, marry us, ferry us, bury us: those are our four ways to exodus, for now” (Kingsolver 414).
Adah brings up some important points on page 442. She discuses the religion of her family. “It crosses my mind that I may need a religion … her own brand of goddess” (Kingsolver 442). The main phrase I want to point out is really the statement, “Leah has one: her religion is the suffering” (Kingsolver 442).
Throughout the whole chapter of when the three sisters reunite do you think there is an alliance forming between the Leah and Adah against Rachel or has there always been that type of team? How have the sisters changed mentally and physically since the last time they’ve met?
Adah makes a sly remark what is the significance of the phrase, “Jesus is poisonwood…Here’s to the Minister of Poisonwood. And here’s to his five wives! … I don’t even try to understand” (Kingsolver 490). What specifically does Adah mean here’s to his five wives?
Why does Adah have a need to be “crooked again” like she was before? (Page 493)
What do you think about the italicized quotes that mother makes on page 495? To live is to be marked … You aren’t, he wasn’t” (Kingsolver 495).
What do you think about the metaphor also on page 495? “I know she is right … All the old injuries have been renamed…” (Kingsolver 495).
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Remember Me
Throughout life we wonder how we will leave our mark on this school, in my home, in my family, in this world. We wonder that after we die and our bodies are long diseased how our names, pictures, images, and personality will be kept on living. In the movie Troy a warrior asked for advice, if he should proceed and fight for his country or stay back. He got the response that you always have the choice, if you stay and live at home, build a family, raise a son and limit yourself bound to your family that’s the only place you’ll be remembered. That if your son kept the family line moving on and on that eventually your name would be lost among the generations. That he’d be forgotten forever. While on the other hand if he were to fight and partake in the greatest battle well known to man that people will speak the name of the valiant soldier who lead and conquered his army past the impenetrable walls of Troy. That his name will forever be spoken by story tellers and his name will remain legend until the ends of the earth.
This movie made me wonder what way I could be remembered because I’d hate for my life to pass without there ever being significance, to be valued is remembrance. Sure it sounds like an impossible task, but it’s worked for some men and women who we learn about in school. Intelligent and significant idols in history that have helped build the foundation of the earth we’re free to walk on today. As much as we all die to be valued we still must take into account how we’re so fortunate in life to be blessed with a chance that not too many people have. There’s always one thing that you have which separates you from another person. There are always those who are less fortunate who didn’t have all there life to find a way to be remembered. There’s this one song of which reminds me of someone who couldn’t make use of a full life. The song title is called “Swept Under” it’s about a girl who had a lung condition and the doctors didn’t know if she would have long to live, but life wasn’t what scarred the girl. It was really the fear of not leaving anything behind in this world, the fear that no one would remember she existed was the main factor.
I know that all my life I shouldn’t be worried about living my life, but instead just live it. Not by each day but by each second. Making memories with your friends and the people you love and hold dear to you is the most important thing. Life should be valued and not wasted. A friend once told me that each day he does nothing but spread love rather than hate. He tells people he cares about them and reminds them how much they mean to him because he’s never sure when the last day is when there will be no tomorrow. Where the moment he says “I love you” is his last. He takes each day and every moment so preciously that he wants to leave this world with a good last thought in everyone’s mind that he really cared about them and held no harsh feelings toward them. I guess that’s really how I’d like to leave this world with the impression rather than just the name. I mean what’s the use of having someone know your name and your great accomplishments if they never had the chance to meet you in the flesh.
This movie made me wonder what way I could be remembered because I’d hate for my life to pass without there ever being significance, to be valued is remembrance. Sure it sounds like an impossible task, but it’s worked for some men and women who we learn about in school. Intelligent and significant idols in history that have helped build the foundation of the earth we’re free to walk on today. As much as we all die to be valued we still must take into account how we’re so fortunate in life to be blessed with a chance that not too many people have. There’s always one thing that you have which separates you from another person. There are always those who are less fortunate who didn’t have all there life to find a way to be remembered. There’s this one song of which reminds me of someone who couldn’t make use of a full life. The song title is called “Swept Under” it’s about a girl who had a lung condition and the doctors didn’t know if she would have long to live, but life wasn’t what scarred the girl. It was really the fear of not leaving anything behind in this world, the fear that no one would remember she existed was the main factor.
I know that all my life I shouldn’t be worried about living my life, but instead just live it. Not by each day but by each second. Making memories with your friends and the people you love and hold dear to you is the most important thing. Life should be valued and not wasted. A friend once told me that each day he does nothing but spread love rather than hate. He tells people he cares about them and reminds them how much they mean to him because he’s never sure when the last day is when there will be no tomorrow. Where the moment he says “I love you” is his last. He takes each day and every moment so preciously that he wants to leave this world with a good last thought in everyone’s mind that he really cared about them and held no harsh feelings toward them. I guess that’s really how I’d like to leave this world with the impression rather than just the name. I mean what’s the use of having someone know your name and your great accomplishments if they never had the chance to meet you in the flesh.
Superman
At one point in our lives I can guarantee that we all had our dreams of becoming a super hero. I had just finished watching an episode of the TV series, Smallville. In this particular episode it showed a brave soldier, Whitney who chose to work in the navy and risk his life on the line for his country in the heat of battle. This TV series, revolves not on this soldier, but instead on a character, Clark Kent who has the skills and abilities of Superman. Now this brave soldiers unit was ambushed and there were no survivors left. This soldier was a friend of Clark's. In this episode Clark battles a very dangerous enemy, Tina who has the ability to change her appearance and brute strength. In the end Clark puts up a magnificent fight and is victorious at the end of the battle. Contrasting to Whitney he notices that without his superpowers he would’ve been no match against Tina. Clark feels guilty because he sometimes wishes that other people could have his abilities of invulnerability. Whitney only had courage and was fearless as he put his life on the line to provide support and make a difference to better his country. It’s not that Clark doesn’t make a difference in the world because he still ensures the safety of Smallville, but he’s still thankful that he’s been given such a great responsibility and gift that sets him apart from everyone else. He reminds himself of how fortunate he is to be blessed with such a power because people not like him, people like Whitney aren’t bulletproof and don’t have talents that could save his life. Clark’s thankful and doesn’t take for granted what he’s been born with.
I take a step back from this movie and I analyze what’s happening. I get a lesson out of this episode that teaches me, you don’t have to have superpowers to be a hero. This relates to my personal question because in life we have so many opportunities so many things to be thankful for. You can think about it in two different ways that may to you share the same purpose, but to me they’re separate. Talents and abilities are what separate superheroes from humans or you could think of it in the opposite way. My opinion about this matter is that we’ve all been given skills and abilities, but the way you use them is what separates you from everyone else. Just like in the movie, Clark didn’t view himself any better or superior than Whitney. If anything Clark admired Whitney for his bravery and the thought that even though Whitney wasn’t bulletproof he still fought for what he believed was right regardless of the consequences. If I’m willing to be like Whitney or like Clark it’s up to me and my personal best to achieve any goal I set my mind to, because life could take a turn for the worst at anytime, so might as well live while we can.
I take a step back from this movie and I analyze what’s happening. I get a lesson out of this episode that teaches me, you don’t have to have superpowers to be a hero. This relates to my personal question because in life we have so many opportunities so many things to be thankful for. You can think about it in two different ways that may to you share the same purpose, but to me they’re separate. Talents and abilities are what separate superheroes from humans or you could think of it in the opposite way. My opinion about this matter is that we’ve all been given skills and abilities, but the way you use them is what separates you from everyone else. Just like in the movie, Clark didn’t view himself any better or superior than Whitney. If anything Clark admired Whitney for his bravery and the thought that even though Whitney wasn’t bulletproof he still fought for what he believed was right regardless of the consequences. If I’m willing to be like Whitney or like Clark it’s up to me and my personal best to achieve any goal I set my mind to, because life could take a turn for the worst at anytime, so might as well live while we can.
Sunday, April 1, 2007
“Bel and the Serpent” Reflection
There were many different events that occurred in this thrilling book of “Bel and the Serpent” that has changed the lives of the Price family forever. Since the Congo was going through a major drought and needed food desperately they hunted for as much animals as they could possibly find. The village was going through a horrible stage and couldn’t decide on many debates, so Nathan figures that he should introduce the American way of democracy. By voting he believes the whole village can all come to an understanding and choose an agreeable choice. The decisions they vote upon are opinions that deal with whether or not Leah should be allowed to hunt with the men or other decisions if the village should accept Jesus Christ as their savior. Leah having trained with her bow and arrow was ready to take on the challenge of hunting for her family and for the village and would be devastated if she was not permitted to hunt. This becomes a major turning point in Leah’s life because we notice changes in her personality the most among all the Price sisters. Leah used to be shy and timid before who hardly ever voiced her opinion, but now she makes her own decisions and is now becoming an older independent woman. As for the voting on Jesus Christ, Nathan finds that introducing democracy wasn’t the best idea because majority had voted against Jesus.
During the Orleanna chapter we notice that she doesn’t really focus her attention towards her life stories, but instead discusses politics and the background of what’s happening outside the Congo mainly focusing on Lumumba. The whole struggle that he had to undergo to try and escape those who wanted to assassinate him and destroy everything he’s worked for to benefit Africa. Also in the beginning of the book there was a whole section explaining the tale behind “Bel and the Serpent” which summarized how Bel was a false idol that was being worshiped and was given heavy loads of sacrifices. All the food that was being sacrificed was being consumed or taken somehow, so the character in the story Daniel puts ashes on the ground to attempt to uncover the people who are responsible for pilfering the sacrifices. It turns out it was actually the priests who were taking the sacrifices. This same event occurs exactly in the Poisonwood Bible. Tata Kuvudundu warns the village that if they proceed with this massive hunt then a deadly curse would be laid upon the village. Even though they heard his warning the village proceeds anyway with their hunt and end up with a wealthy load of game to eat. Lately there have been many reports of green mamba snakes that mysteriously appear within peoples households. The children are trying to catch the culprit(s) of whoever are mysteriously putting green mamba snakes into people’s houses. So it was Leah’s idea to put ashes on the ground and in the morning they discover that the footprint left in the ash was someone who had six toes which could only be one person in the Congo, Tata Kuvudundu. As the children were trying to apprehend the snake that was found in the chicken house they failed to protect Ruth May who ended up with a bite. The poison takes a hold of her life and she ends up dead.
Due to this major turning point in the whole Congo experience the author tries to express the emotions that each family member has of this horrifying event. Leah’s reaction was plain shock and just put in a state of awe because this was coming at her all too fast and she couldn’t really accept what was happening. All she ends up doing is reminiscing about memorable times they shared together. Rachel thought more about what Orleanna’s reaction might be when she wakes up to find out her youngest daughter had just died from a green mamba snake. Orleanna, we assumed had finally run out of guilt for knowing that Ruth May had died. All these years guilt has been building inside of Orleanna ranging from her daughters, Adah’s disabilities and Nathan’s aggression. She’s gotten to the point where she just can’t handle any more guilt, especially this new found guilt where she probably blames herself for Ruth May’s death. This could also be viewed as the last straw for Orleanna where Nathan has prolonged them to stay in the Congo for too long and now it’s time to head back to America where they were probably better off. As for Adah, her reaction is really in a metaphorical meaning also put in our discussion as “closing of the parenthesis” which meant that she experienced Ruth Mays birth and has witnessed her death, both beginning and ending in the same ways, by screaming. Finally, the reaction of Orleanna was very surprising. She wasn’t very shocked and angry or sad. She was very calm and speechless. All that Orleanna began to do was make a shroud for her and move all the furniture outside, so that the Kikongan people could just take what they wanted. As for the reaction of Nathan, all he did was say that it was a shame that Ruth May didn’t get baptized and that was probably why she died. The important Kikongan words in this book were probably Bantu and Muntu two similar yet very different words. Bantu, meaning the outside the external part of your body. Muntu, meaning the internal part which deals with the inside such as the soul and personality of a person. Muntu could also relate to the phrase “inside looking out.” Some examples of people would demonstrate Muntu are Adah and Ruth May. Adah being the silent sister is constantly noticing many things that happen and doesn’t have an opinion that’s being voiced. As for Ruth May, now that she’s dead she ends up being the observer from wherever she is now whether it’s in spirit or in another form of afterlife. She always talked about being a green mamba or a tree, if she ever died those objects were what she wanted to become.
During the Orleanna chapter we notice that she doesn’t really focus her attention towards her life stories, but instead discusses politics and the background of what’s happening outside the Congo mainly focusing on Lumumba. The whole struggle that he had to undergo to try and escape those who wanted to assassinate him and destroy everything he’s worked for to benefit Africa. Also in the beginning of the book there was a whole section explaining the tale behind “Bel and the Serpent” which summarized how Bel was a false idol that was being worshiped and was given heavy loads of sacrifices. All the food that was being sacrificed was being consumed or taken somehow, so the character in the story Daniel puts ashes on the ground to attempt to uncover the people who are responsible for pilfering the sacrifices. It turns out it was actually the priests who were taking the sacrifices. This same event occurs exactly in the Poisonwood Bible. Tata Kuvudundu warns the village that if they proceed with this massive hunt then a deadly curse would be laid upon the village. Even though they heard his warning the village proceeds anyway with their hunt and end up with a wealthy load of game to eat. Lately there have been many reports of green mamba snakes that mysteriously appear within peoples households. The children are trying to catch the culprit(s) of whoever are mysteriously putting green mamba snakes into people’s houses. So it was Leah’s idea to put ashes on the ground and in the morning they discover that the footprint left in the ash was someone who had six toes which could only be one person in the Congo, Tata Kuvudundu. As the children were trying to apprehend the snake that was found in the chicken house they failed to protect Ruth May who ended up with a bite. The poison takes a hold of her life and she ends up dead.
Due to this major turning point in the whole Congo experience the author tries to express the emotions that each family member has of this horrifying event. Leah’s reaction was plain shock and just put in a state of awe because this was coming at her all too fast and she couldn’t really accept what was happening. All she ends up doing is reminiscing about memorable times they shared together. Rachel thought more about what Orleanna’s reaction might be when she wakes up to find out her youngest daughter had just died from a green mamba snake. Orleanna, we assumed had finally run out of guilt for knowing that Ruth May had died. All these years guilt has been building inside of Orleanna ranging from her daughters, Adah’s disabilities and Nathan’s aggression. She’s gotten to the point where she just can’t handle any more guilt, especially this new found guilt where she probably blames herself for Ruth May’s death. This could also be viewed as the last straw for Orleanna where Nathan has prolonged them to stay in the Congo for too long and now it’s time to head back to America where they were probably better off. As for Adah, her reaction is really in a metaphorical meaning also put in our discussion as “closing of the parenthesis” which meant that she experienced Ruth Mays birth and has witnessed her death, both beginning and ending in the same ways, by screaming. Finally, the reaction of Orleanna was very surprising. She wasn’t very shocked and angry or sad. She was very calm and speechless. All that Orleanna began to do was make a shroud for her and move all the furniture outside, so that the Kikongan people could just take what they wanted. As for the reaction of Nathan, all he did was say that it was a shame that Ruth May didn’t get baptized and that was probably why she died. The important Kikongan words in this book were probably Bantu and Muntu two similar yet very different words. Bantu, meaning the outside the external part of your body. Muntu, meaning the internal part which deals with the inside such as the soul and personality of a person. Muntu could also relate to the phrase “inside looking out.” Some examples of people would demonstrate Muntu are Adah and Ruth May. Adah being the silent sister is constantly noticing many things that happen and doesn’t have an opinion that’s being voiced. As for Ruth May, now that she’s dead she ends up being the observer from wherever she is now whether it’s in spirit or in another form of afterlife. She always talked about being a green mamba or a tree, if she ever died those objects were what she wanted to become.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Mosquito Coast & Poisonwood Bible Similarities
The Mosquito Coast & Poisonwood Bible share many similarities and differences. If you’ve read and watched them you’d mistake that one has copied the plots and characters of the other. Starting with the characters each of the two both has a single family with a father, mother, and four children. Coincidentally, two of the children are twins. Not only is the set up in how the family is structured similar but their personalities as well. First of all the fathers of the households both are mainly the dominant characters in a way that have a vision while the whole family is forced to follow him and pursue their dreams. In Mosquito Coast Allie has a vision to escape from North America and move to a place where his family and him can have a fresh start without all the technology that’s supposedly “destroying” people. Nathan sets out for the Congo where he can teach the Kikongans about religion and the benefits of accepting Jesus Christ as their savior. Both fathers drag along their families to a foreign place of which they are unfamiliar with but will soon learn to adapt.
The fathers have strong wills and both with their minds set on their goals. They both show perseverance even when they are rejected they keep on trying to overcome any obstacles. Allie on one hand is a great inventor and has created an ice machine “fat boy” which creates ice from fire. When he shows this invention to a farmer who hired him for his genius his invention is quickly rejected and is so Allie decides to take his genius elsewhere. After that he takes his business to a secrete location in the jungle and becomes major of a small village. He finds that the village is a wreck and makes the best of what he’s given to improve the living conditions there and eventually they build a wonderful modern civilization. Another instance where we can see how Allie perseveres is when the three bandits are trapped in the “fat boy” and blow up the whole city that Allie has created with the help of the villagers and his family. He accepts his losses and quickly moves on to adapt at another location, the beach. As for Nathan Price he perseveres by continuously advancing his religion upon a civilization that has refused to accept Jesus Christ. He tries again and again finding new ways to try and cope with events that are happening and uses it as a lesson to teach during his sermons in church.
Both of the family chemistries are alike in the way that before they moved to their new destinations their families were both happy and content with each other, but as soon as each of the fathers will to reach their goals became too excessive the families began to break apart. They are both very disrespectful towards their wives to a point it becomes abusive. During the beginning of the movie, Charlie “the oldest son/child” is a strong believer in his father and is always at his side whenever Allie is doing something important. His characteristics remind me of Leah, although she isn’t the oldest sibling she still is always there to help and learn as much as she can from her father about the Bible. Later in the story and the movie both of these characters sort of drift away and their liking for their fathers begin to fade as hate begins to build. Since each fathers obsession with their goals enhance it’s becoming a major problem for the family and they want out of this experience. Other characters that aren’t apart of the families also play an important role in the movie and in the story. In Mosquito Coast a character which was close to the family was a person named Hatti. Hattie helped with construction and often donated supplies to the children when the father wouldn’t accept them. Another thing we notice in the movie is that Allie didn’t really accept Mr. Hatti when he started bringing his family gifts. Allie was so determined to just live off the land and make everything work out for the best by himself without the help of someone who lived off of a modern life, since Hatti lived in town. The family friend of the Prices’ was Anatole. The children didn’t really mind Anatole at all; especially Leah who really accepted him and acts as a student still learning many things about the Congo that Anatole has to offer since he has a very experienced background. Even though Leah takes a liking for Anatole, her father, Nathan feels the exact opposite because Anatole doesn’t really favor the idea behind Nathan’s purpose in the Congo. The basic similarity is that both the fathers don’t really enjoy the fact that these outsiders of the family, Hatti and Anatole are associating with their family and giving them unwanted advice and help. Even though the rest of the family doesn’t mind the assistance the fathers are very stubborn and un-accepting.
Their fathers become too obsessed and caught up in their work to achieve their goals it furthers them from their family and the family can’t withstand any more of each fathers presence. There’s a point in both the movie and the story where the family even says they’re willing to leave there fathers behind and move on with their lives whether or not it’s even with their fathers. Religion is a common theme. In Mosquito Coast, Allie is faced with his enemy the missionary. As soon as they arrive in the jungle Allie has a little Bible verse argument with the priest, which showed us how knowledgeable Allie was with the scriptures in the Bible. A similar event happened in Poisonwood Bible, where Nathan and Brother Fowles have a scripture verse slam as they both critique each others knowledge of the Bible scriptures.
The metaphors in both the movie and the story are quite similar as well. There are double meanings such as the meaning of Bangala which means poisonwood and bad if you misuse it. The poisonwood tree was a big theme in the Poisonwood Bible and the big theme in the Mosquito Coast was the “fat boy.” Allie thought that his invention was brilliant and would change the world, and it would of hadn’t it had been destroyed. This sort of relates to the meaning of bangala. Where it can become a bad thing when used incorrectly and the reason that was used incorrectly was because Allie tried to kill those intruders who threatened his family.
Animals and insects are another overlooked similarity in the movie. For one the ants played a role in the Price’s life as they swarmed and consumed everything that the village had. As for the family in Mosquito Coast, Allie lied about having an ant problem so he could try and convince the intruders to leave, so he destroyed all the furniture and even took down some homes. Other than the ants there were the pets that they had as well like they both had parrots. Even though Methuselah played a bigger role in the Poisonwood Bible, the fact that the other family would have a parrot is very coincidental.
The fathers have strong wills and both with their minds set on their goals. They both show perseverance even when they are rejected they keep on trying to overcome any obstacles. Allie on one hand is a great inventor and has created an ice machine “fat boy” which creates ice from fire. When he shows this invention to a farmer who hired him for his genius his invention is quickly rejected and is so Allie decides to take his genius elsewhere. After that he takes his business to a secrete location in the jungle and becomes major of a small village. He finds that the village is a wreck and makes the best of what he’s given to improve the living conditions there and eventually they build a wonderful modern civilization. Another instance where we can see how Allie perseveres is when the three bandits are trapped in the “fat boy” and blow up the whole city that Allie has created with the help of the villagers and his family. He accepts his losses and quickly moves on to adapt at another location, the beach. As for Nathan Price he perseveres by continuously advancing his religion upon a civilization that has refused to accept Jesus Christ. He tries again and again finding new ways to try and cope with events that are happening and uses it as a lesson to teach during his sermons in church.
Both of the family chemistries are alike in the way that before they moved to their new destinations their families were both happy and content with each other, but as soon as each of the fathers will to reach their goals became too excessive the families began to break apart. They are both very disrespectful towards their wives to a point it becomes abusive. During the beginning of the movie, Charlie “the oldest son/child” is a strong believer in his father and is always at his side whenever Allie is doing something important. His characteristics remind me of Leah, although she isn’t the oldest sibling she still is always there to help and learn as much as she can from her father about the Bible. Later in the story and the movie both of these characters sort of drift away and their liking for their fathers begin to fade as hate begins to build. Since each fathers obsession with their goals enhance it’s becoming a major problem for the family and they want out of this experience. Other characters that aren’t apart of the families also play an important role in the movie and in the story. In Mosquito Coast a character which was close to the family was a person named Hatti. Hattie helped with construction and often donated supplies to the children when the father wouldn’t accept them. Another thing we notice in the movie is that Allie didn’t really accept Mr. Hatti when he started bringing his family gifts. Allie was so determined to just live off the land and make everything work out for the best by himself without the help of someone who lived off of a modern life, since Hatti lived in town. The family friend of the Prices’ was Anatole. The children didn’t really mind Anatole at all; especially Leah who really accepted him and acts as a student still learning many things about the Congo that Anatole has to offer since he has a very experienced background. Even though Leah takes a liking for Anatole, her father, Nathan feels the exact opposite because Anatole doesn’t really favor the idea behind Nathan’s purpose in the Congo. The basic similarity is that both the fathers don’t really enjoy the fact that these outsiders of the family, Hatti and Anatole are associating with their family and giving them unwanted advice and help. Even though the rest of the family doesn’t mind the assistance the fathers are very stubborn and un-accepting.
Their fathers become too obsessed and caught up in their work to achieve their goals it furthers them from their family and the family can’t withstand any more of each fathers presence. There’s a point in both the movie and the story where the family even says they’re willing to leave there fathers behind and move on with their lives whether or not it’s even with their fathers. Religion is a common theme. In Mosquito Coast, Allie is faced with his enemy the missionary. As soon as they arrive in the jungle Allie has a little Bible verse argument with the priest, which showed us how knowledgeable Allie was with the scriptures in the Bible. A similar event happened in Poisonwood Bible, where Nathan and Brother Fowles have a scripture verse slam as they both critique each others knowledge of the Bible scriptures.
The metaphors in both the movie and the story are quite similar as well. There are double meanings such as the meaning of Bangala which means poisonwood and bad if you misuse it. The poisonwood tree was a big theme in the Poisonwood Bible and the big theme in the Mosquito Coast was the “fat boy.” Allie thought that his invention was brilliant and would change the world, and it would of hadn’t it had been destroyed. This sort of relates to the meaning of bangala. Where it can become a bad thing when used incorrectly and the reason that was used incorrectly was because Allie tried to kill those intruders who threatened his family.
Animals and insects are another overlooked similarity in the movie. For one the ants played a role in the Price’s life as they swarmed and consumed everything that the village had. As for the family in Mosquito Coast, Allie lied about having an ant problem so he could try and convince the intruders to leave, so he destroyed all the furniture and even took down some homes. Other than the ants there were the pets that they had as well like they both had parrots. Even though Methuselah played a bigger role in the Poisonwood Bible, the fact that the other family would have a parrot is very coincidental.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Psychological Critic "Bel and the Serpent"
Psychological Critic
Leah Price
One of the characters that had matured the most in “Bel and the Serpent” has been Leah. Before, in previous chapters she was a very conservative, timid, and sheltered girl who attempted to follow in the footsteps in her father, Nathan Price. Although now she finds, “It was hard to believe I’d ever wanted to be near to him myself. If I had a prayer left in me, it was that this red-faced man shaking with rage would never lay a hand on me again” (333). Tensions are rising in the Congo and Leah will not withstand any more abuse that she endures from her father and she refuses to follow in the footsteps of her father’s stubbornness. The characters are aging throughout this Congo experience and are becoming knowledgeable to everything that’s occurring around them. Leah begins to judge for herself and finally decides to support her own opinions. For instance, the main idea of this book was the hunt to feed the village, Leah’s skill with her bow and arrow played a main role. Many of the kikongan men didn’t accept the fact that Leah was going to help hunt with them. It wasn’t really apart of their culture, but that didn’t stop her from hunting anyway. In fact, she even killed an impala. Her decision making has altered a lot since before. In this one scene in the book she debates with herself what the right thing to do compared to the wrong revengeful side. Her feud with Gbenye was a prime example when Gbenye threw a bloody piece of the antelope toward Leah. In her mind she knew that the best thing to do would be to, “pick it up in both hands and give it to Mama Mwanza…but the sin of pride took hold of me with a fierce grip. I picked up the whole bleeding leg and threw it at Gbenye, hitting him square across the back as he gloated to his friends” (353). The most memorable instance where we can tell that Leah has changed dramatically is when she argues with father about morals. After father plainly insults Leah in front of her, Leah replies in a smart and sassy tone of voice by saying, “Is that your point of view, Father? How interesting that you think so” (356). Like Rachel we can see that Leah is becoming more like her sister in the way that they’re both beginning to rebel against their fathers wishes. Except when Leah rebels she does it in a sassy “talking back” sort of way where as Rachel sort of just wines and begs to leave the Congo. The factors that motivate Leah to act the way she’s behaving recently is due to because of her father and the kikongan culture how they’re not so accepting of women rights/freedoms.
Rachel Price
The first thing that comes to mind about Rachel is that she always is still trying to find a way to escape from the grasp the Congo possesses over her. She refers to Mr. Axelroot quite often still wondering if he’ll come back anytime soon for her and give her some American gifts. Other than that she begins to worry a lot about what’s happening in the Congo. Certain events that have caused only hate, is tearing the Price family apart. A big part of this book is about how Leah is really rebelling against Father. While Rachel notices this she begins to talk a lot about how she worries for the safety of Leah as well as the aftereffects it might have on the rest of the family if father decides to finally snap and go crazy. This shows that she’s different from before because previously she didn’t really care about what happened with the family she really cared about only herself and how she would cope with her situation. As vain as she was before she’s turning into a more thoughtful and older sibling looking out for her younger sisters. A big moment that she stresses in this book was how after the village hunted for all the animals, Rachel became a vegetarian. This opens up a whole new side to Rachel aiding to our opinion on how she’s become less vain and actually cares about animals now. Unlike her sisters who tortures and hunts for them. She even thought that becoming a vegetarian would mean that she might lose all her hair and she was willing to accept that loss if it meant that she wouldn’t have to see animals being killed. The final event of “Bel and the Serpent” was when Nelson was pleading for someone to help keep him safe from danger that might lurk when he’s in the chicken house sleeping. Leah on one hand couldn’t stand hearing Nelson beg for safety like that so she went outside to help him regardless of Fathers orders. She stated that, “This is wrong…I’m going to help him. Who has the guts to come with me?” (358). Normally, being the oldest Rachel would have the right intentions to lead her sisters to do the right thing, but instead Rachel was really the last to come with the Price sisters to help save Nelson. If everyone hadn’t left Rachel all alone she might not have come with them anyway. This is how Rachel differs from her sisters, she tries to help when she’s needed, but when push comes to shove Rachel isn’t usually the one to take the lead and control of the situation. Unlike Leah who is now taking charge of every opportunity she gets her hands on. Rachel is motivated by many people and events. First of all her whole life changing decision to become a vegetarian was motivated because of the desperate acts of the village. As for the person who motivates her the most to be a little more timid in helping others is Leah because Leah is taking control of the situation now instead of Rachel because she couldn’t do a great job in the first place.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Too much is enough
Track practices are beginning to seem very brutal now a days. During intervals we have our intense practices on Mondays and Wednesday. When I say intense I mean these types of practices really test your determination and train you both mentally and physically. You're running at a constant rate with hardly any rest. Testing both your patience and your ability to sustain your pace. Our coach was once our age and knows all the tricks we try to prevent us from getting better. The tricks and the trades of track aren't that simple now that he's our new coach. He knows we try to save our energy for the last few repetitions. He pushes us harder and harder each step we take, so we can hear his breathing and fear his footsteps. He pressures us by saying if I beat you to the finish we're going to run another one. He doesn't want us holding any bit of energy left for later because you can't be doing that during an 800 meter race. He believes how we practice during intervals is how we're going to look during our meet. He wants us to train in the same mindset every time we begin our intervals treat it as if it were an actual race. Our coach, at the height of our misery, enjoys repeating the phrase, "Dealing with adversity." We're not quite certain what that quote means, but we've inferred that it meant you have to deal with what you're given. That you can't expect to know what life's going to put you up against. Whatever challenged you're faced with you have to take it on headstrong. Life will always take you by surprise whether you want it to or not. It's got a bag full of them and you'll never know when you'll be faced with one, so you can't always be prepared for it, but instead learn to cope with your situation when the time comes. Every interval all I can expect is that I'm going to feel like I'm in the pits of hell. I start with the common symptoms, shortness of breathe, dryness of the mouth, and then it gets even greater to a point I begin to feel nauseated. All that's going through my mind is when was this workout going to be over. My brain was pulsing and all I that was left to motivate me was to push myself a little harder in practice so I could be ready for my meet and qualify for states. The pain I go through each of those two days of the week I can't stand to bare. It's making me a better runner of course, but I always question is the pain ever worth it? Our whole team has faced that time in their workout where quitting seems like the best option, but we refuse to do it. Just like being tempted to throw up when you feel like you've pushed yourself to the limit, but you force yourself to hold it in for just a couple more repetitions. There's no way to judge if we're going our very hardest and there's no way to see if we've pushed ourselves to the point of no return. All I know is that when I'm running I go as fast as my legs will take me. Dedication to the sport plays a big role in reaching your personal best. Our coach even mentions to us after practice about how we should eat right if we want to see maximum performance during our intervals and meets. Every visit I take to the snack bar is a test of my obedience to my coach. When I see my friends eating donuts and drinking soda it tempts me. My obsession to perfect myself and achieve my personal best lacking at the moment.
Winner
Everyday in the locker room I pass this paper posted on the board that talked about winning. It said that a winner was not the one with the most points, but the one who'd done more than that. He's a winner because he did all the little things which lead his team to success. A winner who fought for every inch they could take and every opportunity they seized it. This winner didn't fear anyone and looked each of his opponents in the eye to tell them that he was ready to compete and that he wasn't intimidated at all by their appearance. It mentioned that to be a winner it takes heart, dedication and the will to try again and again even if you don't succeed the first time. To persist and pursue their goal no matter what obstacle was in their way. A winner isn't cocky about their accomplishments, instead is humble and modest. After the competition is over and the game has seized they go over to their competitor and shake their hand firmly to let them know it was a good game regardless of their differences it was out of sportsmanship. Although just because their friendly with one another after the game is over doesn't mean they don't duke it out during their competition. They show their opponents no mercy and come with every bit of energy they have to offer. In every way possible they fight and die for a victory and give their best efforts to show the world what they're capable of.
This paper summed up my every effort to define what I'm trying to discover, which was my personal best. I desired to understand how to accomplish my very best. With all these factors that describe and illustrate this "winner" then maybe if I follow the same attributes.
This paper summed up my every effort to define what I'm trying to discover, which was my personal best. I desired to understand how to accomplish my very best. With all these factors that describe and illustrate this "winner" then maybe if I follow the same attributes.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Literacture Circle Reflection #2 Judges
The first topic that arose during our discussion about the book, Judges was that we noticed Leah doubts her father’s intentions to teach her God’s word. Leah was worried about her family and see’s that Nathan, “wasn’t able to protect Mother and Ruth May from getting sick. If it’s all up to him to decide our fate, shouldn’t protection be part of the bargain?” (243). From that we’ve assumed she was trying to become more independent and has opened her eyes to all the other possibilities of interpretations of God’s word like Anatole’s. Anatole has become a big part of Leah’s life since she’s moved to the Congo. Their relationship has furthered to the point where she now views him as a fatherly figure such that she would go to the length of even saying, “Anatole’s name anchored me to the earth, the water, the skin that held me in like a jar of water. I was a ghost in a jar. ‘I love you, Anatole,’” (311). Our group talked about why she might have said this. We inferred that it was because she didn’t really receive much family love from her father and longed for it her whole life. Since she’s found in a way a new “father,” Anatole she feels that she can accept his kindness and actions as a father’s compassion.
We also questioned why the village preferred Brother Fowles instead of Nathan Price as a preacher. What was the difference between the two and why was one more accepted than the other? We realized everything that Brother Fowles had to offer, which was clothing, medicine, food, and much more supplies. While on the other hand Nathan wasn’t able to support the village with all those things he tried to supply them with the Lord’s word instead. Of course that was his whole intention of coming to the Congo to spread his religion, but obviously Nathan couldn’t accept the fact the village wasn’t really open to the Lord unless they couldn’t find serenity with their idol gods. Brother Fowles realized this and found a way to adapt and add God along with the Bible into the kikongans beliefs. Something Nathan refused to do because he remained strictly on his beliefs and was too stubborn and refused to alter his methods of preaching.
Other than just the people in the story we also discussed the events that occurred such as the reference to ants and believe this served a biblical purpose. Such as the time when Adah and Leah were outside and they killed a bug and fed it to the lion ants, which was like the story in the bible where they killed Christians by putting them in the lions den to die. Another reference was when the swarm of ants all came to search to find water since there was a major drought. Like the story of the locus which served to mosses as a sign from God if the pharaoh didn’t let God’s people free from his slavery. There may also be a hidden metaphor relating both stories from the Bible and what has actually has occurred in the Price’s life.
We also questioned why the village preferred Brother Fowles instead of Nathan Price as a preacher. What was the difference between the two and why was one more accepted than the other? We realized everything that Brother Fowles had to offer, which was clothing, medicine, food, and much more supplies. While on the other hand Nathan wasn’t able to support the village with all those things he tried to supply them with the Lord’s word instead. Of course that was his whole intention of coming to the Congo to spread his religion, but obviously Nathan couldn’t accept the fact the village wasn’t really open to the Lord unless they couldn’t find serenity with their idol gods. Brother Fowles realized this and found a way to adapt and add God along with the Bible into the kikongans beliefs. Something Nathan refused to do because he remained strictly on his beliefs and was too stubborn and refused to alter his methods of preaching.
Other than just the people in the story we also discussed the events that occurred such as the reference to ants and believe this served a biblical purpose. Such as the time when Adah and Leah were outside and they killed a bug and fed it to the lion ants, which was like the story in the bible where they killed Christians by putting them in the lions den to die. Another reference was when the swarm of ants all came to search to find water since there was a major drought. Like the story of the locus which served to mosses as a sign from God if the pharaoh didn’t let God’s people free from his slavery. There may also be a hidden metaphor relating both stories from the Bible and what has actually has occurred in the Price’s life.
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
History of the Congo
Mrs Watson assigned us the task of researching the events that occurred specifically from the time periods of 1955 - 1966 and then later discuss the more recent years of 2000 - 2007, so we can see the differences and how much Africa has grown since then.
There are many events that occur of which deals with the Congo. President Eisenhower ensured to the United States that everything was running smoothly as planned in Africa. When actually it was the total opposite. During this earlier time period both the US and Africa were debating whether or not to make the Africa turn into a communist Nation. Although the US would rather have Africa not become communist due to sarcastic remarks made by US officials such as, "No responsibility for Africa. Let them go communist if they feel like it" (Kingsolver 96). When in reality the US desires Africa to stay away from Communism because US is still acting as a "parasite" if you will. In a sense that they are feeding off of the goods and natural resources that the US finds very valuable since the resources there are of much abundance. During majority of the most of the years in 1900's Belgium had a major influence in Africa. They basically controlled all of that nation and was ruled by the Belgium army. An important idol to Africa was Tata Lumummba. This political man had much insight and knowledge about Africa's need and problems. This is why Africa supported him to gain a higher position to represent Africa and fight to gain benefits. An example of Tata Lumumba's spirit was determined to move forward on the road of nonviolence and peace. The soviet saw Tata Lumumba uprising to overtake the Belgium Army and accomplish an independence for the Congo and decided they would take this chance to overcome both forces and dominate the Congo for their own. In the
end Khrushchev didn't have that big of an impact to the Congo. His quest for domination was interrupted and instead Lumumba elected Prime Minister in May and created the Republic of Congo as they receive their independence from Africa in June 30,1960. As the Republic of Congo sets up their government they decided to make
things neutral so that everyone in the parliament will get along with each other.
During the recent years of the Republic of Congo's history there has been a great war between the African Nations. During the year 2001, the troops were lead by Laurent Kabila with one purpose, to achieve peace between the Nations and have an inter-Congolese dialogue. At the pace Kabila was going he was assassinated and after his death his purpose was avenged by his son. The war had ended during the month of April in 2004 and many people had suffered with a tragic number of 3.8 million people death count. As soon as this calm state began the African leaders had decided to reform their government by adding four vice presidents in July 17, 2003.
Work Cited
Pike, John. "Congo Civil War." GlobalSecurity.Org. 2006. 7 Mar. 2007
There are many events that occur of which deals with the Congo. President Eisenhower ensured to the United States that everything was running smoothly as planned in Africa. When actually it was the total opposite. During this earlier time period both the US and Africa were debating whether or not to make the Africa turn into a communist Nation. Although the US would rather have Africa not become communist due to sarcastic remarks made by US officials such as, "No responsibility for Africa. Let them go communist if they feel like it" (Kingsolver 96). When in reality the US desires Africa to stay away from Communism because US is still acting as a "parasite" if you will. In a sense that they are feeding off of the goods and natural resources that the US finds very valuable since the resources there are of much abundance. During majority of the most of the years in 1900's Belgium had a major influence in Africa. They basically controlled all of that nation and was ruled by the Belgium army. An important idol to Africa was Tata Lumummba. This political man had much insight and knowledge about Africa's need and problems. This is why Africa supported him to gain a higher position to represent Africa and fight to gain benefits. An example of Tata Lumumba's spirit was determined to move forward on the road of nonviolence and peace. The soviet saw Tata Lumumba uprising to overtake the Belgium Army and accomplish an independence for the Congo and decided they would take this chance to overcome both forces and dominate the Congo for their own. In the
end Khrushchev didn't have that big of an impact to the Congo. His quest for domination was interrupted and instead Lumumba elected Prime Minister in May and created the Republic of Congo as they receive their independence from Africa in June 30,1960. As the Republic of Congo sets up their government they decided to make
things neutral so that everyone in the parliament will get along with each other.
During the recent years of the Republic of Congo's history there has been a great war between the African Nations. During the year 2001, the troops were lead by Laurent Kabila with one purpose, to achieve peace between the Nations and have an inter-Congolese dialogue. At the pace Kabila was going he was assassinated and after his death his purpose was avenged by his son. The war had ended during the month of April in 2004 and many people had suffered with a tragic number of 3.8 million people death count. As soon as this calm state began the African leaders had decided to reform their government by adding four vice presidents in July 17, 2003.
Work Cited
Pike, John. "Congo Civil War." GlobalSecurity.Org. 2006. 7 Mar. 2007
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
New Critic PW 186-311
1) “Oh, a wife may revile such a man with every silent curse she knows. But she can’t throw stones. A stone would fly straight through him and strike the child made in his image, clipping out an eye or a tongue or an outstretched hand. It’s no use. There are no weapons for this fight. There are countless laws of man and of nature, and none of these is on your side. Your arms go weak in their sockets, your heart comes up empty. You understand that the thing you love more than this world grew from a devil’s seed. It was you who let him plant it” (191).
This passage describes the relationship between Orleanna Price and Nathan Price. As we can envision from the story, Orleanna doesn’t have an equal share of input in certain situations as Nathan, the man of the household which dominates. This thought relates to the metaphor of the wife throwing a stone at her husband in the passage. It says that even if she throws a stone it won’t hit him directly as planned it would instead hit a “child made in his image.” I’ll leave “child” for open interpretation for whoever fits you your own opinion. It could be the daughters or a native of the Congo. Since Nathan is a worker for God, Orleanna is possessed with a certain type of fear when arguing with Nathan. If she does chose to voice her opinion on a matter Nathan just replies with a strong verse or scripture from the bible supporting his belief. Assuming that Orleanna has a strong faith in Jesus Christ she chooses not to rebel against his teachings/sermons. From the line, “Oh, a wife may revile such a man with every silent curse she knows,” we can see that there’s really no way she can fight back and speak her voice and she holds all this unreleased anger her feelings inside herself curse at Nathan behind his back, fearing what he might do if he heard her. For instance, relating back to the first book, Genisis, where Methuselah kept on repeating a curse word that the Price family was forbidden to speak of at all. It was revealed that Orleanna had cursed when she couldn’t make Rachel’s cake properly. By viewing the line, “There are countless laws of man and of nature, and none of these is on your side,” which is implying that Orleanna feels that she’s fighting a one sided battle that she’s the only one verses the world. This lump-sided fight seems unbalanced regarding the fact no one will hear what she has to say because doesn’t have a strong enough voice. She’s up against Nathan, God’s scriptures, the Kikongans, money, a new surrounding and her children and sometimes she feels outweighed in the sense she can’t handle all these responsibilities all at one time. She’s getting herself to the point on giving up and just quitting and similar to what she does in the second book she lies in bed depressed and “sick” with Ruth May. The final sentences to this passage, “You understand that the thing you love more than this world grew from a devil’s seed. It was you who let him plant it,” makes me thing of Nathan as the devil. Sort of relating to the story we read before the Poisonwood Bible, The Gift. How this one man is obsessed with giving money to a point he puts his family after his addiction to donate. This is a similar scenario, Nathan only wants to spread the word of God and baptize people to convert them to the Christian faith. He never spends time with his family and hardly ever treats them with respect either. Sometimes Nathan even acts very racist which is very strange because he’s a priest. Based on the last few sentences the things that Orleanna loves most in this world are her daughters which grew from the devil’s (Nathan’s) seed. I’m only referring to Nathan as the devil because at this point in the story all that Nathan has done to the village to his family aren’t morally correct. Not in the sense that Christianity is a bad thing to spread, but when some people rather not accept Jesus as their savior then it shouldn’t be pressured unto them. Just because Nathan isn’t having much success as he planed to help convert people it doesn’t give him the authority to treat his family the way he does.
2) “’They understand that white people make very troublesome ghosts.’ I pictured myself a ghost: bones and teeth. Rachel a ghost with long white hair; Adah a silent, staring ghost. Ruth May a tree-climbing ghost, the squeeze of a small hand on your arm. My father was not a ghost; he was God with his back turned, hands clasped behind him and fierce eyes on the clouds. God had turned his back and was walking away,” (310).
To begin this passage by saying that “white people make very troublesome ghosts,” I find it very racial. What exactly from the evidence of the book does it show that white people make troublesome ghosts and in what way are they troublesome? A reoccurring event in the book is the significance of an owl and how it symbolizes a creature that reaps the souls of the dead from the villagers. It’s interesting to see how Leah, who is the speaker of this passage, views her sisters and her father. Rachel with long white hair would appear to me the observation a child of the Congo would say to describe her as, but you’d think that Leah, someone who would know her sister better would have something more constructive and descriptive to say. To describe Adah as a ghost I’d find it odd that Leah would say, “Adah a silent, staring ghost.” After all, Adah is her twin and you’d think the relationship they have in this book is more than just “Adah the silent, staring ghost.” From the impression we get of Adah we would say something more along the lines of a hidden/misunderstood genius. For her last sister Ruth May she thinks of her as a troublesome individual who enjoys climbing trees which is also a reoccurring metaphor in the book. Like the green mamba snake Ruth May also mentions many times in the book how, “If I die I will disappear and know where I’ll come back. I’ll be right up there in the tree, same color, same everything. I will look down on you. But you won’t see me” (273). Although, now we get the idea that Leah has a completely generalized image of her sisters. In a way, the way she talks in this passage contradicts the impression we get of her in this book. Earlier we learn that Leah is a very smart and intelligent girl since she acts very know-it-all to Rachel in the fight they had in the kitchen. We also know that she doesn’t mind teaching and being Anatole’s star pupil to help teach the children learn basic math. Leah, being the intelligent and desirable to please her father type of individual that we’ve come to know, I thought would never categorize her family in such a simple stereotypical manner. The last few sentences are quite interesting when she mentions her father and how he acts like God. Leah says, “…he was God with his back turned, hands clasped behind him and fierce eyes on the clouds. God had turned his back and was walking away.” It caught me off-guard the way Leah related God to turning his back and walking away. Nathan always taught his daughters God’s everywhere that he’ll always be there for them if they act responsible and appropriate. What would make God turn his back away from these religious preacher girls? Religion plays a big role in this book and everyone questions each others faith. Most of the kikongans and Anatole don’t believe in God because they have their own religions they prefer more than the Christian faith. This contrasts most of the Price daughters not, including Adah, but the rest have a pretty reliable trust in Jesus Christ. Based on the teachings they received from Nathan you’d think that God would always have the attention of Leah especially. What was really significant was the sentence, “My father was not a ghost; he was God with his back turned, hands clasped behind him and fierce eyes on the clouds.” What would make Leah say that he wasn’t a ghost? How did Leah get such a negative impression of God to make her say this statement? Does she think that God is ignoring her? Some evidences in the book come up when Leah discusses the topic of God to Anatole. She questions why he doesn’t believe in God? Anatole replied with the opinion that if God was truly who Nathan preaches him to be then God would be there during the Price’s most horrible times and prevent misfortune from happening. I’m assuming that’s what started her impression that God wasn’t everything she believed from her father. She’s questioning her fathers word compared to Anatole’s because Anatole seems to be a more accepting father figure to Leah than Nathan is. The final sentence says “God had turned his back and was walking away,” does that mean Leah is giving up her faith in God? I’m assuming for now that she doesn’t want to because she’s spent most of her life following in her father’s footsteps accepting Jesus Christ as her savior, but to say that he’s walking away from her must trigger some depressing emotions. Leah’s in a very confused state of mind because of all the events that are happening all at once. First Ruth May is terribly ill, Rachel is “engaged” to Axelroot, but Tata Ndu instead wanted to marry her and now the flesh eating ants who’ve surprisingly attacked the Kikongan village and all this after a mature talk to Anatole.
This passage describes the relationship between Orleanna Price and Nathan Price. As we can envision from the story, Orleanna doesn’t have an equal share of input in certain situations as Nathan, the man of the household which dominates. This thought relates to the metaphor of the wife throwing a stone at her husband in the passage. It says that even if she throws a stone it won’t hit him directly as planned it would instead hit a “child made in his image.” I’ll leave “child” for open interpretation for whoever fits you your own opinion. It could be the daughters or a native of the Congo. Since Nathan is a worker for God, Orleanna is possessed with a certain type of fear when arguing with Nathan. If she does chose to voice her opinion on a matter Nathan just replies with a strong verse or scripture from the bible supporting his belief. Assuming that Orleanna has a strong faith in Jesus Christ she chooses not to rebel against his teachings/sermons. From the line, “Oh, a wife may revile such a man with every silent curse she knows,” we can see that there’s really no way she can fight back and speak her voice and she holds all this unreleased anger her feelings inside herself curse at Nathan behind his back, fearing what he might do if he heard her. For instance, relating back to the first book, Genisis, where Methuselah kept on repeating a curse word that the Price family was forbidden to speak of at all. It was revealed that Orleanna had cursed when she couldn’t make Rachel’s cake properly. By viewing the line, “There are countless laws of man and of nature, and none of these is on your side,” which is implying that Orleanna feels that she’s fighting a one sided battle that she’s the only one verses the world. This lump-sided fight seems unbalanced regarding the fact no one will hear what she has to say because doesn’t have a strong enough voice. She’s up against Nathan, God’s scriptures, the Kikongans, money, a new surrounding and her children and sometimes she feels outweighed in the sense she can’t handle all these responsibilities all at one time. She’s getting herself to the point on giving up and just quitting and similar to what she does in the second book she lies in bed depressed and “sick” with Ruth May. The final sentences to this passage, “You understand that the thing you love more than this world grew from a devil’s seed. It was you who let him plant it,” makes me thing of Nathan as the devil. Sort of relating to the story we read before the Poisonwood Bible, The Gift. How this one man is obsessed with giving money to a point he puts his family after his addiction to donate. This is a similar scenario, Nathan only wants to spread the word of God and baptize people to convert them to the Christian faith. He never spends time with his family and hardly ever treats them with respect either. Sometimes Nathan even acts very racist which is very strange because he’s a priest. Based on the last few sentences the things that Orleanna loves most in this world are her daughters which grew from the devil’s (Nathan’s) seed. I’m only referring to Nathan as the devil because at this point in the story all that Nathan has done to the village to his family aren’t morally correct. Not in the sense that Christianity is a bad thing to spread, but when some people rather not accept Jesus as their savior then it shouldn’t be pressured unto them. Just because Nathan isn’t having much success as he planed to help convert people it doesn’t give him the authority to treat his family the way he does.
2) “’They understand that white people make very troublesome ghosts.’ I pictured myself a ghost: bones and teeth. Rachel a ghost with long white hair; Adah a silent, staring ghost. Ruth May a tree-climbing ghost, the squeeze of a small hand on your arm. My father was not a ghost; he was God with his back turned, hands clasped behind him and fierce eyes on the clouds. God had turned his back and was walking away,” (310).
To begin this passage by saying that “white people make very troublesome ghosts,” I find it very racial. What exactly from the evidence of the book does it show that white people make troublesome ghosts and in what way are they troublesome? A reoccurring event in the book is the significance of an owl and how it symbolizes a creature that reaps the souls of the dead from the villagers. It’s interesting to see how Leah, who is the speaker of this passage, views her sisters and her father. Rachel with long white hair would appear to me the observation a child of the Congo would say to describe her as, but you’d think that Leah, someone who would know her sister better would have something more constructive and descriptive to say. To describe Adah as a ghost I’d find it odd that Leah would say, “Adah a silent, staring ghost.” After all, Adah is her twin and you’d think the relationship they have in this book is more than just “Adah the silent, staring ghost.” From the impression we get of Adah we would say something more along the lines of a hidden/misunderstood genius. For her last sister Ruth May she thinks of her as a troublesome individual who enjoys climbing trees which is also a reoccurring metaphor in the book. Like the green mamba snake Ruth May also mentions many times in the book how, “If I die I will disappear and know where I’ll come back. I’ll be right up there in the tree, same color, same everything. I will look down on you. But you won’t see me” (273). Although, now we get the idea that Leah has a completely generalized image of her sisters. In a way, the way she talks in this passage contradicts the impression we get of her in this book. Earlier we learn that Leah is a very smart and intelligent girl since she acts very know-it-all to Rachel in the fight they had in the kitchen. We also know that she doesn’t mind teaching and being Anatole’s star pupil to help teach the children learn basic math. Leah, being the intelligent and desirable to please her father type of individual that we’ve come to know, I thought would never categorize her family in such a simple stereotypical manner. The last few sentences are quite interesting when she mentions her father and how he acts like God. Leah says, “…he was God with his back turned, hands clasped behind him and fierce eyes on the clouds. God had turned his back and was walking away.” It caught me off-guard the way Leah related God to turning his back and walking away. Nathan always taught his daughters God’s everywhere that he’ll always be there for them if they act responsible and appropriate. What would make God turn his back away from these religious preacher girls? Religion plays a big role in this book and everyone questions each others faith. Most of the kikongans and Anatole don’t believe in God because they have their own religions they prefer more than the Christian faith. This contrasts most of the Price daughters not, including Adah, but the rest have a pretty reliable trust in Jesus Christ. Based on the teachings they received from Nathan you’d think that God would always have the attention of Leah especially. What was really significant was the sentence, “My father was not a ghost; he was God with his back turned, hands clasped behind him and fierce eyes on the clouds.” What would make Leah say that he wasn’t a ghost? How did Leah get such a negative impression of God to make her say this statement? Does she think that God is ignoring her? Some evidences in the book come up when Leah discusses the topic of God to Anatole. She questions why he doesn’t believe in God? Anatole replied with the opinion that if God was truly who Nathan preaches him to be then God would be there during the Price’s most horrible times and prevent misfortune from happening. I’m assuming that’s what started her impression that God wasn’t everything she believed from her father. She’s questioning her fathers word compared to Anatole’s because Anatole seems to be a more accepting father figure to Leah than Nathan is. The final sentence says “God had turned his back and was walking away,” does that mean Leah is giving up her faith in God? I’m assuming for now that she doesn’t want to because she’s spent most of her life following in her father’s footsteps accepting Jesus Christ as her savior, but to say that he’s walking away from her must trigger some depressing emotions. Leah’s in a very confused state of mind because of all the events that are happening all at once. First Ruth May is terribly ill, Rachel is “engaged” to Axelroot, but Tata Ndu instead wanted to marry her and now the flesh eating ants who’ve surprisingly attacked the Kikongan village and all this after a mature talk to Anatole.
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Too Close
During the winter season I partake in what I consider one of the toughest sports ever, track. Just like most sports you really have to train hard and learn perfect technique and strategy of running. This video relates to my essential question of "what is my personal best" because it teaches a key factor of your personal best. Some people may think that whoever is in first will win the race, but apparently after watching this video you never would have guessed the runner from Russia would have won. After watching this video I can tell that this Russian runner was very conservative during his race. He didn't want to lead the race because those runners tend to die out after the first 400 meters. The runner who won the race ran at his own pace and ran comfortably. My coach tells me everyday that it's good to run relaxed in a race. Earlier I said that track was one of the more difficult sports because the work we do in practice really questions how much "heart and desire to win" we have. Our coaches push my teammates and I, so hard to the point we feel like collapsing. Their vision is that by pushing us harder and harder to do better in practice and progress each day then we'll without a doubt be champions. I have faith in their methods of teaching due to their history as runners since one of my coaches currently holds some of the state records for Hawaii. Besides that they teach us that every single inch we cover in a race is important to our success. After every race I've had so far I've always felt that I could have given more to beat someone in a race. I could have ran just a little faster, I could have held my final kick a little longer. Just thoughts like that devastate me, but the one memory that I'll never get rid of was the time when I lost just by one second in a 4 by 400 relay. I was the last man aka anchor to run 400 meters. As soon as I grabbed hold of the baton I ran as fast as I could to beat this Roosevelt runner. It all came down to the last 100 meters and the runner with the most heart would win that last stretch. I ran as fast as my feet would let me and I pumped my arms as wide as my span would allow, but as we were neck to neck he began to break away with a lead. I tried as hard as I could to prevent him from winning, but apparently it wasn't good enough and he ended up winning the race. I felt like I let my team down and I immediately wanted another chance to prove myself. I know for a fact I could have beaten that runner, but when I ever I say the phrase "could have" I feel ashamed. "Could have, would have, should have," is all that people tell me every time I mention my sob story. In this year of 2007 I plan to never let this event reoccur again in my running career. All the tough practices I do, everything I think of during the race and outside the race all add up to just one event. Everything I've worked for up until that race lays on the line. This year more than ever I plan to train and reach my peak, my personal best as a runner, so I will be the one coming out with the lead and winning the race. If I just hold a positive state of mind throughout the race then without a doubt I'll be that best runner I always envisioned myself being.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Obligation
In english class we were talking about the Singer Solution to Poverty and up comes the term "obligation." The question that was asked to us was, do we have an obligation to do something to help those suffering from poverty? Now thinking about that question my essential question came to mind and it made me wonder do I have an obligation to preform at my personal best? Honestly, I think it's my choice to decide whether I would want to preform at my personal best level. Then again I'm constantly reminded how we've all been given talents and gifts and how we're so fortunate to be given such valued lives. Although, that's what people expect of us, but does that make it our own obligation? The definition of obligation is, "something by which a person is bound or obliged to do certain things, and which arises out of a sense of duty or results from custom, law, etc." ("Obligation." Dictionary.Com. 2007. Lexico Publishing Group. 28 Feb. 2007 .) If obligation is apart of the law then no I'm not obligated to do my personal best. By looking at the phrase "personal best" it could be overlooked since it's so generalized. When you say for example, my personal best to be a good citizen. Then would that mean I should be obligated to be a good citizen? By looking at the definition for now I'm basing this opinion by the law. To be the personal best you can be as long as it abides to the law is a safe choice and agrees with your obligation to be your personal best. Everything other than the law should be based on your own guilt. If you decide not to do your personal best then it's your own choice to live with that the rest of your life.
Literature Circle Reflection
Today in our literature circle we went straight into discussing deeper meanings and metaphors in the second book. We pretty much understood the meanings of the kikongan words, except for the term, kakakaka which meant to hurry up or a bathroom disorder. What we first talked about were the roles of the pygmies in the story. They are mentioned in the book although with a hidden purpose/significance. We imagined these pygmies to be somewhat of social outcasts or another midget tribe. Another topic we explored deeper into was the relationship with Methuselah and Adah. The question that was posed in the discussion was what was the role or importance of Methuselah. We noticed that Methuselah could be a metaphor as the Prices. Like the parrot the Prices are trapped in a way where they can’t fly at a 100% to escape the Congo. We decided and agreed that the story was a little more depressing especially since Kingsolver decided to end the second book with that final event of Methuselah’s death.
Another character we talked about was Ruth May because it’s a reoccurring event that she refers to snakes especially the Green Mumba (Deadliest Snake in the Congo). We talked about why she has this obsession and interest in such a threatening creature. It’s sort of terrifying to know she’s excited about this reptile because Ruth May is still such a young girl and it may be life threatening if she gets too involved with the Green Mumba.
Something that came up from the role of the New Critic was quite interesting. Reshley explained the group two quotes of which had significance. Reshley chose his quotes which related to the “hidden” struggle that the people of the Congo have to endure. First of all, the first quote helped envision the kikongans daily routine just to supply themselves with sanitary water. It was a hardship for them because they had to get water from a far away stream and then gather fire wood to boil the water in order to sanitize it. While on the other hand for the Price family it doesn’t really seem to explain what they have to go through in order to receive daily necessities. For the second quote, it talked about the games that the Price girls played compared to the games that Pascal’s tribe played. The names of the games could tell the difference, Mother May I and Hide & Seek compared to Find Food, Recognize Poisonwood & Build a House. The kikongon children it was just a game, but through the Price sister’s eyes they knew they were actually doing chores and difficult child labor.
As for the history of when this book takes place we learn that the Price’s are completely blinded to what’s going on in the world outside of the Congo. Since there are no radios or any source of communication to get the latest news the Price’s are unaware of the debates about the independence and salvation of the Congo. Politics visions for communism and debates on what’s best for the Congo compared to what’s good for the United States.
Another character we talked about was Ruth May because it’s a reoccurring event that she refers to snakes especially the Green Mumba (Deadliest Snake in the Congo). We talked about why she has this obsession and interest in such a threatening creature. It’s sort of terrifying to know she’s excited about this reptile because Ruth May is still such a young girl and it may be life threatening if she gets too involved with the Green Mumba.
Something that came up from the role of the New Critic was quite interesting. Reshley explained the group two quotes of which had significance. Reshley chose his quotes which related to the “hidden” struggle that the people of the Congo have to endure. First of all, the first quote helped envision the kikongans daily routine just to supply themselves with sanitary water. It was a hardship for them because they had to get water from a far away stream and then gather fire wood to boil the water in order to sanitize it. While on the other hand for the Price family it doesn’t really seem to explain what they have to go through in order to receive daily necessities. For the second quote, it talked about the games that the Price girls played compared to the games that Pascal’s tribe played. The names of the games could tell the difference, Mother May I and Hide & Seek compared to Find Food, Recognize Poisonwood & Build a House. The kikongon children it was just a game, but through the Price sister’s eyes they knew they were actually doing chores and difficult child labor.
As for the history of when this book takes place we learn that the Price’s are completely blinded to what’s going on in the world outside of the Congo. Since there are no radios or any source of communication to get the latest news the Price’s are unaware of the debates about the independence and salvation of the Congo. Politics visions for communism and debates on what’s best for the Congo compared to what’s good for the United States.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Literature Circle Lexicographer
Revelation page’s 86-186 (Lexicographer)
Kikongan Lexicon
A-ana: child
Akala: man
Bangala: the poisonwood tree
Beelezi: Belgians
Beto nki tutasala: What are we doing?
Bidila dipapfumu (137): cemetery for witch doctors
Dimba (117): listen
Dundu: Type of antelope
Frangipani: something that grows
Fufu: gluey paste from a stupendous tuber, used to make manioc
Fufu nsala: forest dwelling, red headed rat that runs from sunlight
Gree-gree (154): little bottle, kikongans believe their gods live in made out of sticks and shells
Jacaranda: something that grows
Kakakaka (145): Hurry up or disease that makes you go to the bathroom frequently
Katanga and Kasai (174): Mine locations
Lenzuka: people of the congregation
Mbote: hello and goodbye
Malala: oranges with red blood juice
Manene: path
Mangwansi: a bean
Manioc: derived from the word fufu, a food
Mankondo: bananas
Mawalala: rain far off in the distance
Mbote ve: no good
Mongo: mountain
Mvufu (156): Owl that is feared by Kikongans because it “eats” the souls of the dead people.
Nanasi: pineapple
Nanasi mputu: a papaya
Nganga (154): priest/ minister/ doctor/ poet
Ngonndo: red and black monkey
Nguba: peanut
Ngondi: kinds of weather
Nkazi ndolo: gentle weather
Nkento: woman
Nkoko: river
Nkundi: real friend
Nkyende: eel
Nuni ndolo: thunder
Nzolo (172): most dearly beloved, or thick yellow grub used for fish bait, or a tiny potato
Pagne: wraparound sheath used by women
Pili pili: red peppers used for spicing foods
Tata nzolo (172): father in heaven, they sang it in church
Zulu: sky
1) “No, sir, it was diamonds. I found that out and I can’t tell how. Even father doesn’t know we rode in a airplane with diamonds. Mr. Axelroot said if I told, why then God would make Mama get sick and die. So I can’t” (119). - Ruth May Price
This made me question the reliability of Mr. Axelroot because right now my impression of him is very sketchy. This man seems to be keeping a lot of untold secrets possibly dealing with the Congo’s important resources (diamonds). This passage also helps us become aware that Ruth May Price notices and points out many key details that are important that other characters don’t quite actually see.
2) “Up to me to make amens? I see no amens to make! The Belgians and American business brought civilization to the Congo! American aid will be the Congo’s salvation. You’ll see!” (121). – Nathan Price
In this chapter of the book we notice that Nathan’s enemies are beginning to confront Nathan and complain to him about their problems with his preaching. Nathan’s views are strongly supported by his opinions to stay in the Congo and make a difference there. Nathan’s determination to change the Congo for the better is sturdy and he doesn’t plan to leave now, after all of his success he’s had so far.
3) “And, Anatole, do you not now sit at my table, translating the words of Tata Ndu’s bible of false idolatry and his sermon aimed at me in particular” (130). – Nathan Price
Nathan is aware now of the threat that Anatole poses, but he refuses to back down because he knows that if he stays and perseveres in the Congo then he’ll bring satisfaction to God. He’s also questioning his trust in Anatole because Anatole translates everything that Nathan preaches in church, now Nathan suspects that if Anatole isn’t translating correctly then there will be a great problem for Nathan.
4) “Who were you showing off for here, with your tablecloth and your fancy plate?” He said the words in a sour way, as if they were well-known sins…”And your pitiful cooking, Orleanna? The way to a young Negro’s heart is through the stomach – is that what you were counting on?” (134). – Nathan Price
We get a better idea of Nathan’s personality because he treats his family members very low with no respect at all. Sometimes I forget that Nathan even is a priest because he doesn’t correctly value at all the work and effort that his family does, especially his wife, Orleanna. I’m pretty sure Nathan is just letting out all his anger he held toward Anatole because they were just fighting earlier and after Anatole left Nathan had to let off some steam. Does Nathan fail to realize everything his wife and daughters do to support Nathan’s mission here in the Congo? Personally it angers me that Nathan doesn’t show any appreciation to his family for supporting him.
5) “…my bird is called the paradise flycatcher. In the notebook I keep in my pillowcase, in which I draw pictures of all things I know, I put a smile on the face of the paradise flycatcher and printed underneath, in my backward code for secrecy: NEVAEH NI SEILF FO FOORP WEN .REHCTACYLF ESIDARAP” (137). – Adah Price
I didn’t quite understand what Adah was talking about when she mentioned the Paradise Flycatcher. Why did she have to be so secretive to put the phrase, “Paradise Flycatcher New Proof of Flies in Heaven,” in code? Could this possibly be another metaphor relating to the way she feels about life in the Congo? Maybe what Adah means when she says, “Paradise flycatcher new proof of flies in heaven,” is really her opinion about her fathers religious teachings. That God is metaphorically this flycatcher that saves us by sending us to this heaven for flies.
6) “Lord of the feathers, deliver me this day from the carnivores that could tear me breast from wishbone!” (138, 186). – Adah Price
When Adah says this poem she first announces it when she talks about Methuselah after he’d been thrown out of the Price household. Adah still holds Methuselah as one of the family members because she hopes the best for his safety. She follows him and comes to his aid when she finds that he can’t fend for himself in the wild because he’s still accustomed as a house pet. The second time that Adah says this poem is after she finds only the remainings of Methuselah. This poem acts as a prayer as well hoping for Methuselah’s best wishes in heaven.
7) “I do not think he would recognize these fruits wholly concealed in their own skins. After he learns to do that, it will be another whole step to make him see that fruit is not a thing he must rely on the hands of mankind for, but grows on trees. Treason grows but for kind man” (138). – Adah Price
I thought this passage had an alternative meaning. Initially I assumed that this was talking about Adah’s paradise flycatcher, but when looking at this passage a second time it seems that Adah’s talking about herself. This metaphor is talking about how people judge Adah by first impression and don’t understand who she really is on the inside. She relates herself to a fruit and that she mustn’t rely on people criticizing her, but instead grow further as an individual. What was odd to see was the last sentence, “Treason grows but for kind man.” When it mentions treason it contradicts itself saying a kind man would do something immoral.
8) “We were preacher’s daughters to begin with, and now we were really onions in the petunia patch, amongst all those ninth-grade girls with flirty eyes and foundation makeup and bosoms poking out the fronts of their mohair sweater sets” (149). – Leah Price
From this passage we get the outlook of Leah and her opinions about life in Georgia. She talks about physical appearances where impressions meant everything. The way that the Price daughters were raised they didn’t really matter too much about the value of how you appeal to others. Leah compares herself to the way all the other classmates look and sometimes I’m assuming that Leah doesn’t always want to be known as the preacher’s daughter. She compares herself and her sisters as onions in a petunia patch which means that she sticks out (not necessarily in a good way) to the other girls in school. This is a whole other side to Leah because my initial impression of her is that she’s dedicated just like her father to religion.
9) “It used to astonish us that everyone here has so many children: six or eight or nine. But now, suddenly, it seems no one has enough” (170). – Adah Price
This passage helps give more of a background of the reality of the conditions that the Congo people deal with. We understand that many of the Congo children are fascinated with the Price sisters, but what we don’t know is that these children are suffering from diseases that the Price sisters are immune to due to special medicines they have access to. While on the other hand the Congo children are suffering each day and that’s what they value from the Price sisters, not only their appearance, but all the resources they posses as well.
10) “Only this and nothing more, the tell-tale heart, tale of the carnivore. None of what he was taught in the house of the master. Only feathers, without the ball of Hope inside. Feathers at last at last and no words at all” (186). – Adah Price
The final poem Adah tells us deeply concerns the Price sister’s beloved parrot, Methuselah. This tells us the relationship that Adah especially had with him. She valued everything that Methuselah had to offer as their house pet. She was use to having him always talking and saying things that would anger her father, but she wasn’t accustomed to the silence that has now arrived. I wonder why Kingsolver decided to capitalize the word “Hope?” Adah feared the day would come when a carnivore of the Congo finally took advantage of Methuselah and made him its prey. Methuselah played an important role to the Price’s; he was the one who revealed what went on in their household. He helped teach the Price’s about themselves and each of their family members as well.
Kikongan Lexicon
A-ana: child
Akala: man
Bangala: the poisonwood tree
Beelezi: Belgians
Beto nki tutasala: What are we doing?
Bidila dipapfumu (137): cemetery for witch doctors
Dimba (117): listen
Dundu: Type of antelope
Frangipani: something that grows
Fufu: gluey paste from a stupendous tuber, used to make manioc
Fufu nsala: forest dwelling, red headed rat that runs from sunlight
Gree-gree (154): little bottle, kikongans believe their gods live in made out of sticks and shells
Jacaranda: something that grows
Kakakaka (145): Hurry up or disease that makes you go to the bathroom frequently
Katanga and Kasai (174): Mine locations
Lenzuka: people of the congregation
Mbote: hello and goodbye
Malala: oranges with red blood juice
Manene: path
Mangwansi: a bean
Manioc: derived from the word fufu, a food
Mankondo: bananas
Mawalala: rain far off in the distance
Mbote ve: no good
Mongo: mountain
Mvufu (156): Owl that is feared by Kikongans because it “eats” the souls of the dead people.
Nanasi: pineapple
Nanasi mputu: a papaya
Nganga (154): priest/ minister/ doctor/ poet
Ngonndo: red and black monkey
Nguba: peanut
Ngondi: kinds of weather
Nkazi ndolo: gentle weather
Nkento: woman
Nkoko: river
Nkundi: real friend
Nkyende: eel
Nuni ndolo: thunder
Nzolo (172): most dearly beloved, or thick yellow grub used for fish bait, or a tiny potato
Pagne: wraparound sheath used by women
Pili pili: red peppers used for spicing foods
Tata nzolo (172): father in heaven, they sang it in church
Zulu: sky
1) “No, sir, it was diamonds. I found that out and I can’t tell how. Even father doesn’t know we rode in a airplane with diamonds. Mr. Axelroot said if I told, why then God would make Mama get sick and die. So I can’t” (119). - Ruth May Price
This made me question the reliability of Mr. Axelroot because right now my impression of him is very sketchy. This man seems to be keeping a lot of untold secrets possibly dealing with the Congo’s important resources (diamonds). This passage also helps us become aware that Ruth May Price notices and points out many key details that are important that other characters don’t quite actually see.
2) “Up to me to make amens? I see no amens to make! The Belgians and American business brought civilization to the Congo! American aid will be the Congo’s salvation. You’ll see!” (121). – Nathan Price
In this chapter of the book we notice that Nathan’s enemies are beginning to confront Nathan and complain to him about their problems with his preaching. Nathan’s views are strongly supported by his opinions to stay in the Congo and make a difference there. Nathan’s determination to change the Congo for the better is sturdy and he doesn’t plan to leave now, after all of his success he’s had so far.
3) “And, Anatole, do you not now sit at my table, translating the words of Tata Ndu’s bible of false idolatry and his sermon aimed at me in particular” (130). – Nathan Price
Nathan is aware now of the threat that Anatole poses, but he refuses to back down because he knows that if he stays and perseveres in the Congo then he’ll bring satisfaction to God. He’s also questioning his trust in Anatole because Anatole translates everything that Nathan preaches in church, now Nathan suspects that if Anatole isn’t translating correctly then there will be a great problem for Nathan.
4) “Who were you showing off for here, with your tablecloth and your fancy plate?” He said the words in a sour way, as if they were well-known sins…”And your pitiful cooking, Orleanna? The way to a young Negro’s heart is through the stomach – is that what you were counting on?” (134). – Nathan Price
We get a better idea of Nathan’s personality because he treats his family members very low with no respect at all. Sometimes I forget that Nathan even is a priest because he doesn’t correctly value at all the work and effort that his family does, especially his wife, Orleanna. I’m pretty sure Nathan is just letting out all his anger he held toward Anatole because they were just fighting earlier and after Anatole left Nathan had to let off some steam. Does Nathan fail to realize everything his wife and daughters do to support Nathan’s mission here in the Congo? Personally it angers me that Nathan doesn’t show any appreciation to his family for supporting him.
5) “…my bird is called the paradise flycatcher. In the notebook I keep in my pillowcase, in which I draw pictures of all things I know, I put a smile on the face of the paradise flycatcher and printed underneath, in my backward code for secrecy: NEVAEH NI SEILF FO FOORP WEN .REHCTACYLF ESIDARAP” (137). – Adah Price
I didn’t quite understand what Adah was talking about when she mentioned the Paradise Flycatcher. Why did she have to be so secretive to put the phrase, “Paradise Flycatcher New Proof of Flies in Heaven,” in code? Could this possibly be another metaphor relating to the way she feels about life in the Congo? Maybe what Adah means when she says, “Paradise flycatcher new proof of flies in heaven,” is really her opinion about her fathers religious teachings. That God is metaphorically this flycatcher that saves us by sending us to this heaven for flies.
6) “Lord of the feathers, deliver me this day from the carnivores that could tear me breast from wishbone!” (138, 186). – Adah Price
When Adah says this poem she first announces it when she talks about Methuselah after he’d been thrown out of the Price household. Adah still holds Methuselah as one of the family members because she hopes the best for his safety. She follows him and comes to his aid when she finds that he can’t fend for himself in the wild because he’s still accustomed as a house pet. The second time that Adah says this poem is after she finds only the remainings of Methuselah. This poem acts as a prayer as well hoping for Methuselah’s best wishes in heaven.
7) “I do not think he would recognize these fruits wholly concealed in their own skins. After he learns to do that, it will be another whole step to make him see that fruit is not a thing he must rely on the hands of mankind for, but grows on trees. Treason grows but for kind man” (138). – Adah Price
I thought this passage had an alternative meaning. Initially I assumed that this was talking about Adah’s paradise flycatcher, but when looking at this passage a second time it seems that Adah’s talking about herself. This metaphor is talking about how people judge Adah by first impression and don’t understand who she really is on the inside. She relates herself to a fruit and that she mustn’t rely on people criticizing her, but instead grow further as an individual. What was odd to see was the last sentence, “Treason grows but for kind man.” When it mentions treason it contradicts itself saying a kind man would do something immoral.
8) “We were preacher’s daughters to begin with, and now we were really onions in the petunia patch, amongst all those ninth-grade girls with flirty eyes and foundation makeup and bosoms poking out the fronts of their mohair sweater sets” (149). – Leah Price
From this passage we get the outlook of Leah and her opinions about life in Georgia. She talks about physical appearances where impressions meant everything. The way that the Price daughters were raised they didn’t really matter too much about the value of how you appeal to others. Leah compares herself to the way all the other classmates look and sometimes I’m assuming that Leah doesn’t always want to be known as the preacher’s daughter. She compares herself and her sisters as onions in a petunia patch which means that she sticks out (not necessarily in a good way) to the other girls in school. This is a whole other side to Leah because my initial impression of her is that she’s dedicated just like her father to religion.
9) “It used to astonish us that everyone here has so many children: six or eight or nine. But now, suddenly, it seems no one has enough” (170). – Adah Price
This passage helps give more of a background of the reality of the conditions that the Congo people deal with. We understand that many of the Congo children are fascinated with the Price sisters, but what we don’t know is that these children are suffering from diseases that the Price sisters are immune to due to special medicines they have access to. While on the other hand the Congo children are suffering each day and that’s what they value from the Price sisters, not only their appearance, but all the resources they posses as well.
10) “Only this and nothing more, the tell-tale heart, tale of the carnivore. None of what he was taught in the house of the master. Only feathers, without the ball of Hope inside. Feathers at last at last and no words at all” (186). – Adah Price
The final poem Adah tells us deeply concerns the Price sister’s beloved parrot, Methuselah. This tells us the relationship that Adah especially had with him. She valued everything that Methuselah had to offer as their house pet. She was use to having him always talking and saying things that would anger her father, but she wasn’t accustomed to the silence that has now arrived. I wonder why Kingsolver decided to capitalize the word “Hope?” Adah feared the day would come when a carnivore of the Congo finally took advantage of Methuselah and made him its prey. Methuselah played an important role to the Price’s; he was the one who revealed what went on in their household. He helped teach the Price’s about themselves and each of their family members as well.
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Deliver Me
This video I found off the same site as the song "The Gift." The person who writes and raps these songs is known as Lyricks. This video really meant something because it wasn't just your normal public service announcement to help donate to people in Africa. It was more, it showed how this rapper, Lyricks went to help make a difference in this world. Like we tried to address in the Singer Solution paper that giving money is one thing but donating time and effort to better someone's life could mean more on a emotional level. In the video you can see that not only does Lyricks rap for the kids in Africa he also helps them have a good time and entertains them. What I thought was also interesting was that throughout the video clip there was titles on certain pictures. These pictures were disturbing at times but had a great effect of my impression of this video. It starts off as. This was my village. This was my school. She was my sister. He was my best friend. She was my mother. We are real too. I don't want money I don't want pity. I want to live. The video ends with a black screen with the sentence. They are invisible when we choose not to see. This was a powerful message because it's true. Whether you think it or not we go through our lives thinking nothing could be better. That may sound selfish, but there's always going to be someone who's in a worse condition than you and we forget that at times. Lyricks helped me realize that message and I admit I feel really guilty at times. These images we see about poverty, it's all reality and nothing faked. This video is just trying to tell us that we can all help out in any way or fashion. If your intent to help others is good than you should feel proud of yourself, whether if it's donating materialistic possessions or donating your time and effort to make someone smile today you've helped someone.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Top of the World
Top of the World
You don't know it, but
Sometimes, I go to a hill that overlooks the landscape's mask of city lights
For a sip of momentary grace.
On this brink of everything I know, I can gain
An eyeful of the lost Atlantis in the human soul,
And a breath that fills my lungs with the air between two stars.
If right now, you
Were to capture this elation In the framework of your mind,
Or find transcendance through these words,
Then at most you would know
Nothing
Of the beauty your existence throws to me.
For mine is a love no experience,
No thought, no measure, no words
Could ever degrade into reality by virtue of degree."
This video clip from Boy Meets World was really entertaining because the poem was very meaningful to me. The character who wrote the poem, Sean Hunter, cared deeply for Angela except he couldn't tell her how he felt because he couldn't tell her through a casual conversation. I personally enjoy to write poems and this was what inspired me to write because it taught me you can have much more meaning when you write with style. Sometimes when you say something in an extraordinary matter than words can speak louder than actions. When I viewed this poem it was interesting to imagine what the author was trying to say such as the line, "An eyeful of the lost Atlantis in the human soul, And a breath that fills my lungs with the air between two stars." I'm just found dumbfounded analyzing these words. When you speak in metaphors it makes what you're saying much more interesting.
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