May 26, 2008
Post B
I just finished The Kite Runner and overall I thought it was really good. Usually in posts, I don't have very much to say but I've had quite a lot to say about this book. The reason I think I liked it so much was because it was so different from the books I usually read. I guess that's the whole point of this outside reading assignment though. Anyways I have a few more quotes to comment on. Amir said, "If someone were to ask me today whether the story of Hassan, Sohrab, and me ends with happiness, I wouldn't know what to say" (357). I was trying to figure it out for the rest of the book but I couldn't really come up with an answer either. Their life didn't seem that great towards the end. Amir would get excited about the littlest things. Once he said, "Then, four days ago, on a cool rainy day in March 2002, a small, wondrous thing happened" (363). This "wondrous" thing that happened was that Sohrab smiled. I think that is really great but I think it could have been better. I mean it didn't really seem like Amir and his wife were trying to make Sohrab's life better. It seemed like they had just given up and settled on only giving him food and shelter.
Post A
When Amir told the ending of a movie to a man in America, the man got really upset and decided not to buy it. Amir was confused and wrote, "In Afghanistan, the ending was all that mattered" (357). This shows that people in America enjoy the movies whether or not they have a happy ending. In Afghanistan though, people will only watch them if they have a good outcome. In my opinion, it doesn't really ruin the book or movie when people spoil things and I wouldn't decide to not read or watch it if I know the ending... The ending's not always the best part.
May 21, 2008
Post B
Baba and Amir's relationship has gotten a lot better since they moved to America. It seems like everytime something bad happens, they get closer and closer to each other. Back in Afghanistan, Baba would ignore Amir and only pay attention to him when he did something that drew attention to him. Now that things have changed, Baba is a lot kinder and actually shows his emotions to Amir. "The electronic bell over the door would ding-dong when I walked in, and Baba would look over his shoulder, wave, and smile, his eyes watering from fatigue" (130). Another example is when Baba was sick in bed and Amir came home to find Soraya reading Amir's stories to Baba. Baba said, "'I put her up to it. I hope you don't mind" (172). When Amir was younger, Baba wouldn't even talk about Amir's writing.
America has had a very big/good influence on Amir but the only reason I think he likes it so much is because he can get away from his past. I think Amir has changed a lot and his new self is better than the old one because he's less selfish. Once in a while though he brings up Hassan and how he can't bare to think about his past experiences. I think this is a bad idea because sooner or later he's going to have to face the facts and figure everything out. He can't just keep putting it off and hopefully someday Amir will be able to work out his problems.
America has had a very big/good influence on Amir but the only reason I think he likes it so much is because he can get away from his past. I think Amir has changed a lot and his new self is better than the old one because he's less selfish. Once in a while though he brings up Hassan and how he can't bare to think about his past experiences. I think this is a bad idea because sooner or later he's going to have to face the facts and figure everything out. He can't just keep putting it off and hopefully someday Amir will be able to work out his problems.
Post A
Amir and his father just moved to America. Amir fit in right away but Baba had trouble adjusting to the new culture. After Amir explained how Baba had gotten angry at the owner of a gas station he wrote, "I wanted to tell them that, in Kabul, we snapped a tree branch and used it as a credit card [...] At the end of the month, my father paid him for the number of notches on the stick. That was it. No questions. No ID" (128). This obviously shows how different each country/culture is. I think Baba overreacted and shouldn't have gotten so mad.
May 13, 2008
Post B
Amir is now eighteen years old and he hasn't changed a bit since Hassan left. When Baba stood up for a woman and risked his life doing so Amir thought, "It's done, then, I'm eighteen and alone. I have no one left in the world. Baba's dead and now I have to bury him. Where do I bury him? Where do I go after that?" (116). This quote shows that he's still really selfish. In it all he talks about is how he doesn't want to bury Baba. He didn't even mention the fact that he'd be sad about it. It also shows that he just wants to make sure he's (Amir) alright. As long as he's not alone, everything is fine. I think this is really frustrating and I still can't believe a person can get to be like this.
Post A
"'Agha sahib,' Karim said, 'these Roussi [Russians] are not like us. They understand nothing about respect, honor'"(115). This shows that cultures don't always get along. I think this is absolutely rediculous because you can't judge millions of people off of one or two that are of the same culture.
May 6, 2008
Post B
Amir has been really selfish lately. In the section I read for this weeks blog there were a ton of times when I couldn't stand him. While Hassan was being raped, Amir just hid behind a wall and waited until it was over. He even said, "I had one last chance to make a decision. One final opportunity to decide who I was going to be. . .In the end, I ran" (77). Then later on he said, "Nothing was free in this world. Maybe Hassan was the price to pay, the lamb I had to slay, to win Baba" (77). Basically he said that he'd rather have Hassan suffer while he (Amir) gets all the attention from his father instead of sticking up for Hassan like a good friend. This really frustrated me. Hassan's future was pretty much in Amir's hands and Amir didn't even care.
Then later on, Rahim Khan asked Amir if he needed to tell him anything. "He looked at me for a long time, like he was waiting, his black bottomless eyes hinting at an unspoken secret between us. For a moment, I almost did tell him. Almost told him everything, but then what would he think of me? He'd hate me, and rightfully" (99). How selfish can he get?
Then Amir did the unthinkable: he set up Hassan so it looked like he had stolen all of Amir's birthday money just because Amir didn't want to have to think about Hassan's rape ever again. Before he did it he said, "Baba would dismiss them, there would be some pain, but life would move on. I wanted that, to move on, to forget, to start with a clean slate. I wanted to be able to breathe again" (105).
I'm really hoping that Amir learns to get over himself in the next few chapters. So far I think The Kite Runner is a really good book. I just think it's kind of frustrating to have to read about a character that is that selfish. It seems like Amir will hurt anyone just to please himself.
Then later on, Rahim Khan asked Amir if he needed to tell him anything. "He looked at me for a long time, like he was waiting, his black bottomless eyes hinting at an unspoken secret between us. For a moment, I almost did tell him. Almost told him everything, but then what would he think of me? He'd hate me, and rightfully" (99). How selfish can he get?
Then Amir did the unthinkable: he set up Hassan so it looked like he had stolen all of Amir's birthday money just because Amir didn't want to have to think about Hassan's rape ever again. Before he did it he said, "Baba would dismiss them, there would be some pain, but life would move on. I wanted that, to move on, to forget, to start with a clean slate. I wanted to be able to breathe again" (105).
I'm really hoping that Amir learns to get over himself in the next few chapters. So far I think The Kite Runner is a really good book. I just think it's kind of frustrating to have to read about a character that is that selfish. It seems like Amir will hurt anyone just to please himself.
Post A
Rahim Khan was telling Amir about a girl he almost married when he said,"'Probably for the best, though. She would have suffered. My family would have never accepted her as an equal. You don't order someone to polish your shoes one day and call them 'sister' the next'"(99). The girl he loved was a Hazara and unfortunately, Rahim Khan's family never saw past it. He said that the same day he told his parents about the engagement was the last day he saw her. Once again, I think this is really unfair and I feel really bad for Rahim Khan.
April 29, 2008
Post B
For this post I'm just going to comment on a few random quotes. The first quote says, "I was going to win, and I was going to run that last kite. Then I'd bring it home and show it to Baba. Show him once and for all that his son was worthy. Then maybe my life as a ghost in this house would finally be over" (56). Once again, I'd just like to say that Baba isn't really good at being a father because he never gives Amir any attention. Instead, he just ignores Amir. This obviously doesn't have a good affect on Amir and I'm actually really surprised that Amir hasn't done anything bad to get his attention. Amir just tries to impress him and in this case, he thought he'd impress him by winning the kite flying competition.
Recently, Amir has been getting really jealous of the servant's son, Hassan, because Baba pays more attention to Hassan than Amir. He was also jealous of him because Hassan was always honest and did everything right. Amir said, "He was so goddamn pure, you always felt like a phony around him" (58). I don't exactly like this quote because it reminds me of how Amir always tricks Hassan into doing things that aren't right and all the while Hassan is the nicest anyone could be to Amir. He even says that he'd do anything for Amir. Then Amir lied and said he'd do the same.
Also, Hassan always knows exactly what to say and how to act around Amir. "Hassan couldn't read a first grade textbook but he'd read me plenty. That was a little unsettling, but also sort of comfortable to have someone who always knew what you needed" (61-62). This is another quote that disturbs me. Why can't Amir just be the same kind of friend to Hassan? I mean is it really that hard to be nice to someone?
Later on, Baba finally showed an emotion towards Amir. "Then I saw Baba on our roof. He was standing on the edge, pumping both of his fists. Hollering and clapping. And that right there was the single greatest moment of my twelve years of life, seeing Baba on the roof, proud of me at last" (66). I think it's really sad though how Amir has to do something like that just to get his father to pay attention to him.
Then a little foreshadowing: "Then he smiled his Hassan smile and disappeared around the corner. The next time I saw him smile unabashedly like that was twenty-six years later, in a faded Polaroid photography" (67). It kind of scared me when he said this. Apparently he was flying the last kite (Amir's kite) and a bunch of other kite runners went after him. So far that's all I know. I can't wait to find out what happened to him after that. Hopefully it won't be as cruel as I'm expecting it to be.
Recently, Amir has been getting really jealous of the servant's son, Hassan, because Baba pays more attention to Hassan than Amir. He was also jealous of him because Hassan was always honest and did everything right. Amir said, "He was so goddamn pure, you always felt like a phony around him" (58). I don't exactly like this quote because it reminds me of how Amir always tricks Hassan into doing things that aren't right and all the while Hassan is the nicest anyone could be to Amir. He even says that he'd do anything for Amir. Then Amir lied and said he'd do the same.
Also, Hassan always knows exactly what to say and how to act around Amir. "Hassan couldn't read a first grade textbook but he'd read me plenty. That was a little unsettling, but also sort of comfortable to have someone who always knew what you needed" (61-62). This is another quote that disturbs me. Why can't Amir just be the same kind of friend to Hassan? I mean is it really that hard to be nice to someone?
Later on, Baba finally showed an emotion towards Amir. "Then I saw Baba on our roof. He was standing on the edge, pumping both of his fists. Hollering and clapping. And that right there was the single greatest moment of my twelve years of life, seeing Baba on the roof, proud of me at last" (66). I think it's really sad though how Amir has to do something like that just to get his father to pay attention to him.
Then a little foreshadowing: "Then he smiled his Hassan smile and disappeared around the corner. The next time I saw him smile unabashedly like that was twenty-six years later, in a faded Polaroid photography" (67). It kind of scared me when he said this. Apparently he was flying the last kite (Amir's kite) and a bunch of other kite runners went after him. So far that's all I know. I can't wait to find out what happened to him after that. Hopefully it won't be as cruel as I'm expecting it to be.
Post A
"I sighed. 'Those Iranians...' For a lot of Hazaras, Iran represented a sanctuary of sorts--I guess because, like Hazaras, most Iranians were Shi'a Muslims. But I remembered something my teacher had said that summer about Iranians, that they were grinning smooth talkers who patted you on the back with one hand and picked your pocket with the other" (57). This quote shows that cultures have different views on other cultures and that they're not always good or true views. It also shows how one persons actions can affect their culture and how people view it. I think this it's really unfair that people see one person doing something and just asume that everyone that looks like that person is the same way. Just because they look alike doesn't mean they act alike.
April 22, 2008
Post B
To add on to my post b from last week, I found another quote that shows the distance between Amir and his father. "Baba and I lived in the same house, but in different spheres of existence. Kites were the one paper-thin slice of intersection between those spheres" (49). Other than that, Amir never mentionned his father in the section I read this week.
Also, really random but this book sort of reminds me of Harry Potter. First of all, there's a boy called Hassan who lost his parents when he was really young. Now he lives with Amir and his father, Baba. Amir (Dudly) likes to trick him and never really stands up for him. Usually it's the other way around. At one point, Hassan scared off the bullies with his slingshot which could represent Harry's wand. And of course, their was a leader to the group of bullies that did all of the talking. His name was Assef (Malfoy). Assef said to Amir, "'Now I have a vision, and I'm going to share it with our new president. Do you know what it is?' I shook my head" Assef continued, ". . .We are the true Afghans, the pure Afghans, not this Flat-Nose here (Hassan). His people pollute our homeland, our watan. They dirty our blood'" (40). This also brings up the mud blood conflict in Harry Potter and shows that Assef is a lot like Malfoy.
So far The Kite Runner has been really interesting and I can't wait to keep reading.
Also, really random but this book sort of reminds me of Harry Potter. First of all, there's a boy called Hassan who lost his parents when he was really young. Now he lives with Amir and his father, Baba. Amir (Dudly) likes to trick him and never really stands up for him. Usually it's the other way around. At one point, Hassan scared off the bullies with his slingshot which could represent Harry's wand. And of course, their was a leader to the group of bullies that did all of the talking. His name was Assef (Malfoy). Assef said to Amir, "'Now I have a vision, and I'm going to share it with our new president. Do you know what it is?' I shook my head" Assef continued, ". . .We are the true Afghans, the pure Afghans, not this Flat-Nose here (Hassan). His people pollute our homeland, our watan. They dirty our blood'" (40). This also brings up the mud blood conflict in Harry Potter and shows that Assef is a lot like Malfoy.
So far The Kite Runner has been really interesting and I can't wait to keep reading.
Post A
"His blue eyes flicked to Hassan. 'Afghanistan is the land of Pashtuns. It always has been, always will be. We are the true Afghans, the pure Afghans, not this Flat-Nose here. His people pollute our homeland, our watan. They dirty our blood.' He made a sweeping, grandiose gesture with his hands. 'Afghanistan for Pashtuns, I say. That's my vision" (40). This quote shows that different cultures have different beliefs. I disagree with what the boy said in this quote and I thought it was good when the boy he was talking to scared him off with his slingshot.
World Issues Post
I decided to focus on the US-Russia Nuclear Conflict.
1)“World Welcomes Russia Weapons Vote” from BBC News.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/713807.stm
2)“Russian-American Relations” from the Embassy of the Russian Federation found on Google.
http://www.russianembassy.org/embassy/rus-usa.htm
3) “Losing Russia—The Costs of Renewed Confrontation” By Dimitri K. Simes accessed on SIRS.
http://sks.sirs.com/cgi-bin/hst-article-display?id=SMN0307H-0-3601&artno=0000270363&type=ART&shfilter=U&key=&title=Losing%20Russia&res=Y&ren=Y&gov=Y&lnk=N&ic=Y
1)“World Welcomes Russia Weapons Vote” from BBC News.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/713807.stm
2)“Russian-American Relations” from the Embassy of the Russian Federation found on Google.
http://www.russianembassy.org/embassy/rus-usa.htm
3) “Losing Russia—The Costs of Renewed Confrontation” By Dimitri K. Simes accessed on SIRS.
http://sks.sirs.com/cgi-bin/hst-article-display?id=SMN0307H-0-3601&artno=0000270363&type=ART&shfilter=U&key=&title=Losing%20Russia&res=Y&ren=Y&gov=Y&lnk=N&ic=Y
April 15, 2008
Post B
First of all, I found a couple passages that included foreshadowing. The first was when he was talking about his relationship with Hassan. Amir wrote, "Looking back on it now, I think the foundation for what happened back in the winter of 1975--and all that followed--was already laid in those first words" (11). The first words he was referring to in the quote was how Amir's first word was Baba while Hassan's first word was Amir. The second quote that showed foreshadowing was when he was talking about his father, Baba. Amir wrote, "Because the truth of it was, I always felt like Baba hated me a little. And why not? After all, I had killed his beloved wife, his beautiful princess, hadn't I? The least I could have done was to have the decency to have turned out a little more like him. But I hadn't turned out like him. Not at all" (19).
In the first few chapters, The Kite Runner shows that Amir's father isn't very good at raising a child. When Amir wrote his first short story, Baba didn't show any interest in it. Another time, Amir was walking past his father's study when he overheard him talking to Rahim Khan, his father's close friend. He heard his father talk about how he was concerned with Amir and how he always had his nose in a book and was never able to stand up for himself. Rahim Khan didn't think either of these things were bad but for some reason, Baba wouldn't agree.
In a way though, Amir is similar to his father. In third chapter Amir explained, "They told Baba that running a business wasn't in his blood and he should study law like his father. So Baba proved them all wrong by not only running his own business but becoming one of the richest merchants in Kabul" (15). This shows Baba is really determined to prove people wrong and doesn't like it when people tell him what to do. Amir did the same thing the morning after he overheard Baba and Rahim Khan. He said, "The next morning, as he was preparing my breakfast, Hassan asked if something was bothering me. I snapped at him, told him to mind his own business. Rahim Khan had been wrong about the mean streak thing" (23). Then when someone did prove Amir wrong he reacted by turning the whole thing around on his friend. He said, "A voice, cold and dark, suddenly whispered in my ear, What does he know, that illiterate Hazara? He'll never be anything but a cook. How dare he criticize you?" (34). This was a little surprising to me because I never thought Amir would start thinking about his friend in such a mean way. He talked a lot about how he and Hassar had grow up together and were always hanging out together and then all of a sudden he changes his mind about him. Hopefully he'll come to realize that life isn't all about proving people wrong.
In the first few chapters, The Kite Runner shows that Amir's father isn't very good at raising a child. When Amir wrote his first short story, Baba didn't show any interest in it. Another time, Amir was walking past his father's study when he overheard him talking to Rahim Khan, his father's close friend. He heard his father talk about how he was concerned with Amir and how he always had his nose in a book and was never able to stand up for himself. Rahim Khan didn't think either of these things were bad but for some reason, Baba wouldn't agree.
In a way though, Amir is similar to his father. In third chapter Amir explained, "They told Baba that running a business wasn't in his blood and he should study law like his father. So Baba proved them all wrong by not only running his own business but becoming one of the richest merchants in Kabul" (15). This shows Baba is really determined to prove people wrong and doesn't like it when people tell him what to do. Amir did the same thing the morning after he overheard Baba and Rahim Khan. He said, "The next morning, as he was preparing my breakfast, Hassan asked if something was bothering me. I snapped at him, told him to mind his own business. Rahim Khan had been wrong about the mean streak thing" (23). Then when someone did prove Amir wrong he reacted by turning the whole thing around on his friend. He said, "A voice, cold and dark, suddenly whispered in my ear, What does he know, that illiterate Hazara? He'll never be anything but a cook. How dare he criticize you?" (34). This was a little surprising to me because I never thought Amir would start thinking about his friend in such a mean way. He talked a lot about how he and Hassar had grow up together and were always hanging out together and then all of a sudden he changes his mind about him. Hopefully he'll come to realize that life isn't all about proving people wrong.
Post A
Cultural Differences-
This week I chose to focus on the difference of marriage in Afghanistan and the United States. In The Kite Runner, Amir was talking about his friend's father, Ali. He talked about how Ali had polio when his was younger and because of it, his leg was distorted. Then when he was older, he married a woman by the name of Sanaubar. Amir said, "She was also his first cousin and therefore a natural choice for a spouse" (8). This shows that it is common and legal to marry cousins in Afghanistan, unlike America. Personally, I think it's gross to marry someone related to you and kind of awkward but I guess people there are used to it so it's not considered unusual.
This week I chose to focus on the difference of marriage in Afghanistan and the United States. In The Kite Runner, Amir was talking about his friend's father, Ali. He talked about how Ali had polio when his was younger and because of it, his leg was distorted. Then when he was older, he married a woman by the name of Sanaubar. Amir said, "She was also his first cousin and therefore a natural choice for a spouse" (8). This shows that it is common and legal to marry cousins in Afghanistan, unlike America. Personally, I think it's gross to marry someone related to you and kind of awkward but I guess people there are used to it so it's not considered unusual.
April 9, 2008
The Kite Runner
I chose to read The Kite Runner this quarter just because I heard that it's amazing. I know a lot of people have read it for outside reading in the past and they all said that they loved it so I thought I'd just try it myself.
March 26, 2008
Post B
First of all, I found out specifically why Peter Ho Davies named the book the Welsh Girl. "She'll just have to remain the Welsh girl. Much as he wants her name, there's something about the boy's loyalty that moves him" (179). This was right after Karsten had met (more like saw) Esther. They didn't really talk but for some reason he was really attached to her. Then he made little toy planes and gave them to Jim (the little boy Karsten was talking about in the quote). "And he realizes, They're for her. Somehow, he's made them for her" (179). At first I didn't think the first time he saw her was that significant for him but then it said, "He dreams of her coming to the wire the next day, but he's still pleased to see the boy, even alone, hurries to meet him at the wire, smiling" (179). This part didn't end up too well though. Instead of thanking Karsten for the planes Jim said, "'Those planes... They were German planes right?'"(180) When Karsten said he didn't intentionally make them that way and he didnt care, Jim didn't believe him. Apparently all of the boys at school were making fun of Jim because of the "German" planes so he decided to destroy them. I thought it was kind of cruel especially since Karsten had spent so much time on making them. All he wanted was for Jim to be happy to see him but it turned out the other way.
Post A
Vocab
Bereft (179)-to deprive ruthlessly or by force.
Queue (158)-a file or line.
Figurative Language
1)"She pictures each step-over and turn as if it were printed on a sheet from Arthur Murray" (165).
2) "...the plane crosses the white line of cliffs at Dover, like a halo around Britain" (148).
3) "His uniform...like a pair of scissors at his neck" (149). These are all similes because they describe things using the word like.
Quote
"She'll just have to remain the Welsh girl. Much as he wants her name, there's something about the boy's loyalty that moves him" (179). This quote is obviously important because it gives the title for the book.
Theme
The theme is still about how lies can sometimes help people.
Bereft (179)-to deprive ruthlessly or by force.
Queue (158)-a file or line.
Figurative Language
1)"She pictures each step-over and turn as if it were printed on a sheet from Arthur Murray" (165).
2) "...the plane crosses the white line of cliffs at Dover, like a halo around Britain" (148).
3) "His uniform...like a pair of scissors at his neck" (149). These are all similes because they describe things using the word like.
Quote
"She'll just have to remain the Welsh girl. Much as he wants her name, there's something about the boy's loyalty that moves him" (179). This quote is obviously important because it gives the title for the book.
Theme
The theme is still about how lies can sometimes help people.
Post B
Karsten asked Schiller what he was writing about and when Schiller said he was writing about all of the bad things at the camp Karsten said, "You can't write that" (137). Then when Schiller asked why Karsten said, "Who's that to, you're wife? What's she going to think reading that? It's going to worry her, make her cry. Is that what you want?" (137). Then Karsten realized that Schiller probably wanted that to happen, that he probably wanted everyone to feel bad for him. Karsten pressed on about it anyways. He told him to fake the letter and then Schiller called him a propagandist. Karsten replied, "What else?... It's all we can do, isn't it? The only way left to protect them" (138). These three quotes show how much Karsten cares for others.
Karsten has also been really eager to receive letters. "And then at last he hears his name at mail call, shoves through the crowd, arm raised as if in the Heil Hitler. 'Here! Here!'" (150). Basically one big section of the book was about Karsten writing to his mother and getting letters back from her. So far it hasn't been the best part of the book but hopefully Peter Ho Davies will decide to move on with the story. I'm just glad he hasn't written anything about Rotherham in a while.
Karsten has also been really eager to receive letters. "And then at last he hears his name at mail call, shoves through the crowd, arm raised as if in the Heil Hitler. 'Here! Here!'" (150). Basically one big section of the book was about Karsten writing to his mother and getting letters back from her. So far it hasn't been the best part of the book but hopefully Peter Ho Davies will decide to move on with the story. I'm just glad he hasn't written anything about Rotherham in a while.
Post A
Vocab
ribald (139)-vulgar or indecent in speech, language, etc.; coarsely mocking, abusive, or irreverent; scurrilous.
antimacassar (140)-A protective covering for the backs of chairs and sofas.
Figurative Language
1)"...pushing the tarpaulin aside like a curtain" (135).
2) "...jagged peaks cutting across the sky like a piece of paper torn in two" (136).
3) "...the cascades of grey scree tumbling into lake like mirrors" (136). These are all examples of similes because they describe things using the word like.
Quote
When Karsten made planes for Jim the narrator said, "And he realizes, They're for her. Somehow, he's made them for her" (179).
Theme
The theme is still about how lies can sometimes protect people.
ribald (139)-vulgar or indecent in speech, language, etc.; coarsely mocking, abusive, or irreverent; scurrilous.
antimacassar (140)-A protective covering for the backs of chairs and sofas.
Figurative Language
1)"...pushing the tarpaulin aside like a curtain" (135).
2) "...jagged peaks cutting across the sky like a piece of paper torn in two" (136).
3) "...the cascades of grey scree tumbling into lake like mirrors" (136). These are all examples of similes because they describe things using the word like.
Quote
When Karsten made planes for Jim the narrator said, "And he realizes, They're for her. Somehow, he's made them for her" (179).
Theme
The theme is still about how lies can sometimes protect people.
March 12, 2008
Post B
Lately Jim has been acting really weird around Esther and Esther doesn't know what to do about it. Ever since Jim got hurt he's been hanging out with a group of boys that get Jim in trouble a lot. After Jim tries to show off by catching the cigarette, Esther slaps him. I think she was overreacting and shouldn't have done that. After she slapped him all she said was, "'Well, you deserved it,'" and then she tried to offer him her hand. Then later she was thinking about why she picked him in the first place and she realized that "she picked him because she could be sure she'd never love him"(133). Hopefully Esther and Jim will start getting along later on in the book.
While I was reading I thought it was interesting when it said, "She ought to hate them, she thinks, and supposes she does, but she can't quite muster the heat of anger. She doesn't know them, after all; whatever they've done, it doesn't feel like they've done it to her"(129). I think it's interesting because Colin was one of the men she was describing and she still doesn't know how she feels about what he did to her.
While I was reading I thought it was interesting when it said, "She ought to hate them, she thinks, and supposes she does, but she can't quite muster the heat of anger. She doesn't know them, after all; whatever they've done, it doesn't feel like they've done it to her"(129). I think it's interesting because Colin was one of the men she was describing and she still doesn't know how she feels about what he did to her.
Post A
Vocab
Clod (116)-A lump or chunk, especially of earth or clay.
Palaver (123)-a conference or discussion.
Figurative Language
1)"She kicks it away impatiently, watches it totter off haughtily, as if on high heels" (122).
2)"A Union Jack crackles from the blazing new flagpole rising above camp, like one of the pins in Jim's map" (126).
3)"A skinny albino who goes by the nickname Pinkie, he seems as breakable as china..." (126).
These quotes are all examples of similes because they describe things using the word like and as.
Quote
"Everything will be in the past then, able to be forgotten, provided no one else knows" (124). This quote is significant because it shows that Esther wants to move on with her life and now that Colin is leaving, she can actually do that.
Theme
Esther finds it easier to forget the past and move on with her life.
Clod (116)-A lump or chunk, especially of earth or clay.
Palaver (123)-a conference or discussion.
Figurative Language
1)"She kicks it away impatiently, watches it totter off haughtily, as if on high heels" (122).
2)"A Union Jack crackles from the blazing new flagpole rising above camp, like one of the pins in Jim's map" (126).
3)"A skinny albino who goes by the nickname Pinkie, he seems as breakable as china..." (126).
These quotes are all examples of similes because they describe things using the word like and as.
Quote
"Everything will be in the past then, able to be forgotten, provided no one else knows" (124). This quote is significant because it shows that Esther wants to move on with her life and now that Colin is leaving, she can actually do that.
Theme
Esther finds it easier to forget the past and move on with her life.
March 4, 2008
Post B
In Post A I mentioned how lying can sometimes be a good thing because lying helped Karsten many times. The first time he lied was when he wrote a letter to his mother. He didn't exactly lie but he didn't tell the truth either. All he said was that he was safe. The problem was that he was an officer and all of the soldiers were mad at him for surrendering. Some even wanted revenge which leads to the second time he lied, when he was talking to an angry soldier that was there because of his officer. The soldier was talking to Karsten about the officers when he said, "Should be shot, the lot of them... Wants to pass as a regular soldier, avoid interrogation. Coward twice over" (103). Then the third time he told a lie was when he told the British soldiers that he wasn't an officer. This saved him from being taken away.
I still feel really bad for Karsten. It says, "Karsten can't help thinking that he saved their lives at the cost of his own honor, and if he had it to do again, he isn't sure he'd bother" (106). I think it's weird how all of his men are ignoring him. Also, like the narrator said, Karsten did it at the cost of his own honor which meant quite a lot to him. The next quote is when Karsten is looking at all of the other men. It says, "He does want to join them, feels the pill, like gravity, yet he's not sure he belongs. Too ashamed? he wonders. Perhaps also too proud, in his own stiff-necked way. Not ready to be forgiven" (109). This quote really surprised me. I mean I can understand why Karsten's so mad at the other soldiers but if I were him, I'd still want an apology. Hopefully later on things will get better for Karsten and he'll finally get along with them.
Post A
Vocab
plummy (96)-good or desirable.
tingeing (101)-to impart a trace or slight degree of some color to; tint.
Figurative Language
1) "They were just specks really, distant, barely distinguishable figures, but he'd hunched over at the sight of them as if they were snipers, flinching from walking sticks and raised arms" (101). This is a simile because it describes how the men were hunching by using the word as.
2) "Besides, when he'd gotten closer to the head of the line and could overhear the questions being asked, there were just the usual three--name, rank, and serial number--repeated over and over like a litany" (106). This is another simile because it describes how they were asking the questions by using the word as.
3) "The slumped prisoners leapt to their feet with a roar, watching the twin plumes of a cannon fire stitch across the sand, baying themselves hoarse, until the neat dotted lines had begun to leap towards them" (99). This is personification because the cannon is being described with human characteristics.
Quote
"Dear Mutti, he tries again. Dear Mutti. Dear Mutti. The, I am safe" (98). This quote is important because it shows how stressed out Karsten has been about surrendering. It took him a really long time to finally decided what to say and in the end, the message was only a few words long.
Theme
Sometimes lying to people can be a good thing. This applies to the story because Karsten had to lie to his mother so that she wouldn't have to worry about him. Also, lying saved his life when he was talking to the other soldier because the soldier was mad at all the officers that had surrendered. The third time Karsten lied was when he told the Tommies that he wasn't an officer.
plummy (96)-good or desirable.
tingeing (101)-to impart a trace or slight degree of some color to; tint.
Figurative Language
1) "They were just specks really, distant, barely distinguishable figures, but he'd hunched over at the sight of them as if they were snipers, flinching from walking sticks and raised arms" (101). This is a simile because it describes how the men were hunching by using the word as.
2) "Besides, when he'd gotten closer to the head of the line and could overhear the questions being asked, there were just the usual three--name, rank, and serial number--repeated over and over like a litany" (106). This is another simile because it describes how they were asking the questions by using the word as.
3) "The slumped prisoners leapt to their feet with a roar, watching the twin plumes of a cannon fire stitch across the sand, baying themselves hoarse, until the neat dotted lines had begun to leap towards them" (99). This is personification because the cannon is being described with human characteristics.
Quote
"Dear Mutti, he tries again. Dear Mutti. Dear Mutti. The, I am safe" (98). This quote is important because it shows how stressed out Karsten has been about surrendering. It took him a really long time to finally decided what to say and in the end, the message was only a few words long.
Theme
Sometimes lying to people can be a good thing. This applies to the story because Karsten had to lie to his mother so that she wouldn't have to worry about him. Also, lying saved his life when he was talking to the other soldier because the soldier was mad at all the officers that had surrendered. The third time Karsten lied was when he told the Tommies that he wasn't an officer.
February 26, 2008
Post B
So far, The Welsh Girl has been really depressing. In my last post I talked about how annoying Rutheram was because he was so cruel. Then the narrator started talking about a man named Karsten who's a German corporal. It was really sad to hear about what was going on in his life because he and his men surrendered to the Tommies and now they're paying for it. All of his men where blaming him when it said, "This is what it is to be the first; all the rest can blame them. And they, in turn, can blame him, who led them in surrender" (67). I feel really bad for him because if he hadn't surrendered, he would've been dead and now all the men are mad at him for wanting to live. It just doesn't make sense to me. I mean, yeah, it would be horrible to not have a meal whenever you want one but I think it's a lot better than dying, especially when there's the possibility of escaping or the war ending.
Another new main character is Esther who is a waitress in a bar. Because of the war, there have been a lot of Americans coming in recently. One of them is her boyfriend, Colin. Unfortunately, her life is depressing also. On one of her dates with Colin, he raped her and now she doesn't know what to do. She really wants to tell her father, Arthur, but at the same time she thinks that he won't understand why she's so upset about it. "The moral of Arthur's story, she supposes bleakly, is that there's no reason to fear the English, at least not when the Welsh can do worse, and she knows, as if a door has closed in her face, that she'll never be able to tell Arthur about Colin now" (94). Before Colin came along though, she was involved with another guy named Eric. She believed he was her first love but they ended their relationship because he needed to go back and live with his mother. "Two months and six letters later, she heard from an aunt of his that he and his mother had died together-- their shelter had received a direct hit..." (73). I thought it was even worse though when she ended that sentence with: "...and more than anything she had envied them."
Another new main character is Esther who is a waitress in a bar. Because of the war, there have been a lot of Americans coming in recently. One of them is her boyfriend, Colin. Unfortunately, her life is depressing also. On one of her dates with Colin, he raped her and now she doesn't know what to do. She really wants to tell her father, Arthur, but at the same time she thinks that he won't understand why she's so upset about it. "The moral of Arthur's story, she supposes bleakly, is that there's no reason to fear the English, at least not when the Welsh can do worse, and she knows, as if a door has closed in her face, that she'll never be able to tell Arthur about Colin now" (94). Before Colin came along though, she was involved with another guy named Eric. She believed he was her first love but they ended their relationship because he needed to go back and live with his mother. "Two months and six letters later, she heard from an aunt of his that he and his mother had died together-- their shelter had received a direct hit..." (73). I thought it was even worse though when she ended that sentence with: "...and more than anything she had envied them."
Post A
Vocab
Perfidious (92)-deceitful.
Melee (94)-a confused hand-to-hand fight or struggle among several people.
Figurative Language
1) "It looks as if it's standing on tiptoe, shrieking, and she thinks, If I can stand it, so can you" (82). This is an example of a simile because it describes something by using the word as.
2) "... her hands red as berries..." (82). This is another simile because it describes her hanbds with the word as.
3) "The cold corners of the damp tablecloth lick her ankles in the breeze..." (82-83). This is an example of personification because the tablecloth is described with a human characteristic.
Quote
"But then, the loaf still clutched in her hand, a slice half sawn, she has to sit, her legs rubbery, shaking. It must be the unaccustomed exercise of the bike ride, she thinks, suddenly breathless" (80). This quote is important because it shows how much Colin had affected her.
Theme
Don't blame yourself for something you can't help.
Perfidious (92)-deceitful.
Melee (94)-a confused hand-to-hand fight or struggle among several people.
Figurative Language
1) "It looks as if it's standing on tiptoe, shrieking, and she thinks, If I can stand it, so can you" (82). This is an example of a simile because it describes something by using the word as.
2) "... her hands red as berries..." (82). This is another simile because it describes her hanbds with the word as.
3) "The cold corners of the damp tablecloth lick her ankles in the breeze..." (82-83). This is an example of personification because the tablecloth is described with a human characteristic.
Quote
"But then, the loaf still clutched in her hand, a slice half sawn, she has to sit, her legs rubbery, shaking. It must be the unaccustomed exercise of the bike ride, she thinks, suddenly breathless" (80). This quote is important because it shows how much Colin had affected her.
Theme
Don't blame yourself for something you can't help.
February 20, 2008
Post B
Unfortunately, Rutheram still hasn't changed. He's actually getting worse. A few quotes that I found to show this are: " In truth, he'd always resented his grandparents, refusing to write thank-you letters his mother asked him to send in reply to their begrudging gifts, and he'd been secretly pleased when they'd fled to Paris" (17). The reason Rotheram hated his grandparents so much was because they were Jewish. Another quote is: "And yet the following week he'd gone ahead and Anglicized his name" (18). Rotheram did this because he didn't want to be connected to his father in any way and all because his father was Jewish. Then right after he had interrogated a man it said, "He was halfway to the stairs before he thought to turn back and aim a kick at the sleeping corporal" (22). He was all alone with the man he kicked. He didn't have anyone to impress and yet he did it anyway.
The good news though is that the whole book isn't just about Rotheram. There are actually three main characters: Rotheram, Esther, and Karsten. Esther is a waitress in bar and Karsten is a German corporal. When Karsten surrendered, the Tommies started trading things with them. "The Tommies want everything and anything... and when the prisoners shake their heads, the Tommies stop asking, stop bartering, start demanding at gunpoint" (62).
So far this book is really depressing but I'm hoping it'll get better.
The good news though is that the whole book isn't just about Rotheram. There are actually three main characters: Rotheram, Esther, and Karsten. Esther is a waitress in bar and Karsten is a German corporal. When Karsten surrendered, the Tommies started trading things with them. "The Tommies want everything and anything... and when the prisoners shake their heads, the Tommies stop asking, stop bartering, start demanding at gunpoint" (62).
So far this book is really depressing but I'm hoping it'll get better.
Post A
Vocab
Denazification (20)-to rid of Nazism or Nazi influences.
motley (26)-exhibiting great diversity of elements.
Figurative Language
1) "Gripping the receiver, Rotheran told him stiffly that he understood, and he did, although dully, as if his head were still ringing from the blow" (20).
2)"The tears rolling down his blackened cheeks looked like oil" (59).
3)"Finally the landing craft, a long line of them pressing through the surf, throwing themselves onto the beach like spent swimmers at the end of a race" (57).
These are all similes because they use the words like or as to describe something.
Quote
"It comes to Karsten slowly that their surrender wasn't the one moment already past, at the mouth of the bunker, but somehow will go on and on. He wonders what more they'll have to give up before it's over. Everything but their lives probably" (65). This quote is significant because it's forshadowing and also because it's one of the few quotes where it shows what one of the characters is thinking.
Theme
Objects don't matter as much as the memories.
Denazification (20)-to rid of Nazism or Nazi influences.
motley (26)-exhibiting great diversity of elements.
Figurative Language
1) "Gripping the receiver, Rotheran told him stiffly that he understood, and he did, although dully, as if his head were still ringing from the blow" (20).
2)"The tears rolling down his blackened cheeks looked like oil" (59).
3)"Finally the landing craft, a long line of them pressing through the surf, throwing themselves onto the beach like spent swimmers at the end of a race" (57).
These are all similes because they use the words like or as to describe something.
Quote
"It comes to Karsten slowly that their surrender wasn't the one moment already past, at the mouth of the bunker, but somehow will go on and on. He wonders what more they'll have to give up before it's over. Everything but their lives probably" (65). This quote is significant because it's forshadowing and also because it's one of the few quotes where it shows what one of the characters is thinking.
Theme
Objects don't matter as much as the memories.
February 12, 2008
Post B
So far The Welsh Girl has been kind of frustrating to read. Basically it's about a guy who interrogates people and tries to get them to admit that they're Jewish. The reason it's frustrating to read is because he actually loves his job. It said, "In truth Rotheram despised the prisoners, loved to see Hawkins break them" (5). Then on the next page it said, "the more suspects he questioned, the more British he felt" (6). How could anyone love that kind of job?
I also found it kind of strange because he's what they call a mischiling, a half Jew. His father and grandparents had been Jews but he never seemed to care. When he was a kid, he saw a Jew getting beat up on the street. He went home and told his mother about it. He told her that the whole time he was watching he wasn't even scared. The next week he snuck out of the house to see a movie on Hitler. He was trying to test himself and see if he liked it. When the movie was over he felt lonely but only because he wanted to join the Nazis. He wanted to "help."
On the back of the book it said that The Welsh Girl was about several different people so I'm really hoping the author will start talking someone else.
I also found it kind of strange because he's what they call a mischiling, a half Jew. His father and grandparents had been Jews but he never seemed to care. When he was a kid, he saw a Jew getting beat up on the street. He went home and told his mother about it. He told her that the whole time he was watching he wasn't even scared. The next week he snuck out of the house to see a movie on Hitler. He was trying to test himself and see if he liked it. When the movie was over he felt lonely but only because he wanted to join the Nazis. He wanted to "help."
On the back of the book it said that The Welsh Girl was about several different people so I'm really hoping the author will start talking someone else.
The Welsh Girl-- Post A
Vocab
coyly (13)-shy; modest.
moue (14)-A small grimace; a pout.
Figurative Language
1) "...And Hess sank against the seat cushions as if he were trying to smother himself in the chair" (15).
2) "Hess's dark, but shining--before Rotheram had to look away, his heart racing, as if the figure on the screen had met his gaze" (15).
3) "He touched the side of his head with his fingertips as if it were tender" (16). These three quotes are all examples of similes because they describe things witht the word as.
Quote
coyly (13)-shy; modest.
moue (14)-A small grimace; a pout.
Figurative Language
1) "...And Hess sank against the seat cushions as if he were trying to smother himself in the chair" (15).
2) "Hess's dark, but shining--before Rotheram had to look away, his heart racing, as if the figure on the screen had met his gaze" (15).
3) "He touched the side of his head with his fingertips as if it were tender" (16). These three quotes are all examples of similes because they describe things witht the word as.
Quote
"They expect me to find him fit, Rotheram thought, because they believe I'm a Jew" (17).
At first Rotheram thought they wanted him because of his skill. Now he knows why they really put him on the job.
Theme
In The Welsh Girl, Rotheram has had a hard time trusting people. When someone called him a Jew, no one knew what to say. Ever since then he's had to read between the lines of what people are saying which is the theme of the book.
February 3, 2008
Penelope- Heaven Forbid by The Fray
I was never really interested in finding a song for Penelope but then I came across the song Heaven Forbid by The Fray and since it went along with the drama in her life, I decided to use it. To me, the lyrics to Heaven Forbid sound like something Telemachus would say when he's describing his mother. In the song it says,
"It's on your face, is it on your mind...
How much longer, how long can you wait
It's like you wanted to go and give yourself away
Heaven forbid you end up alone, and don't know why
Hold on tight, wait for tomorrow, you'll be alright"
Another part of the song that reminds me of Penelope because it explains what she's feeling. It says:
"Twenty years, it's breaking you down
now that you understand there's no one around
Take a breath, just take a seat
Your falling apart and tearing at the seams"
"It's on your face, is it on your mind...
How much longer, how long can you wait
It's like you wanted to go and give yourself away
Heaven forbid you end up alone, and don't know why
Hold on tight, wait for tomorrow, you'll be alright"
Another part of the song that reminds me of Penelope because it explains what she's feeling. It says:
"Twenty years, it's breaking you down
now that you understand there's no one around
Take a breath, just take a seat
Your falling apart and tearing at the seams"
January 8, 2008
Post B
Dear Will,
I am very sorry to hear about Claire and her relationship with Featherstone. It must have been really painful to hear about how they are married. I was shocked when she first said it but then once she explained why they were married, it seemed to make sense.
I don't really understand Featherstone though. Did he know all along that you were the same boy that had taken all of his money by gambling before or did he just realize it? Also, why is he bringing it up now? It doesn't make sense. If he had remembered you from the very beginning then why didn't he say anything then? I'm starting to wonder if something is going to happen to Claire... At first I thought she was pregnant because of that awkward conversation you had with Featherstone but then when Claire brought up the fact that she and Featherstone were married, I got really confused.
Also, the whole dueling thing seems pointless to me. You said that it was the way people dealt with things during that time but it seems like nothing even needed to be dealt with. At one point you said, "Men fought because one gave the other a look passing in the street. And they also fought because one failed to look at the other while passing in the street" (159). Why would you even bother fighting about a thing like that? You also said that the reason men did it was for their pride but it still just seems really dumb to me. Who knows, maybe it's just the time gap...
Anyways your book (or I should say your life) is getting really interesting. I can't wait to find out what happens between you and Claire. Also, I'm excited to find out who wins the duel!
- Anna
I am very sorry to hear about Claire and her relationship with Featherstone. It must have been really painful to hear about how they are married. I was shocked when she first said it but then once she explained why they were married, it seemed to make sense.
I don't really understand Featherstone though. Did he know all along that you were the same boy that had taken all of his money by gambling before or did he just realize it? Also, why is he bringing it up now? It doesn't make sense. If he had remembered you from the very beginning then why didn't he say anything then? I'm starting to wonder if something is going to happen to Claire... At first I thought she was pregnant because of that awkward conversation you had with Featherstone but then when Claire brought up the fact that she and Featherstone were married, I got really confused.
Also, the whole dueling thing seems pointless to me. You said that it was the way people dealt with things during that time but it seems like nothing even needed to be dealt with. At one point you said, "Men fought because one gave the other a look passing in the street. And they also fought because one failed to look at the other while passing in the street" (159). Why would you even bother fighting about a thing like that? You also said that the reason men did it was for their pride but it still just seems really dumb to me. Who knows, maybe it's just the time gap...
Anyways your book (or I should say your life) is getting really interesting. I can't wait to find out what happens between you and Claire. Also, I'm excited to find out who wins the duel!
- Anna
Post A
Vocab
lanolin (151)-a fatty substance, extracted from wool, used in ointments, cosmetics, waterproof coatings, etc.
muntins (151)-A strip of wood or metal separating and holding panes of glass in a window.
Figurative Language
1) "Drops of fat stook on the browning skin like beads of sweat" (145).
2)"...Featherstone set the book winged open across his groin like a dead bird" (145).
3) "Awful husks like shed snakeskins" (147).
These are all examples of similes because they use the word like to describe things.
Quote
When Will and Claire were talking about Featherstone and his relationship with Claire, Claire says that the relationships is complicated. Then Will says, "'To me, this is complicated.;" Claire says, "'What? ... I gestured with both hands toward her..." I think this will be an important quote in the future because after he said that Claire didn't seem very willing to talk to him. In other words, I think it will mess up their relationship.
Theme
Don't forget the past.
lanolin (151)-a fatty substance, extracted from wool, used in ointments, cosmetics, waterproof coatings, etc.
muntins (151)-A strip of wood or metal separating and holding panes of glass in a window.
Figurative Language
1) "Drops of fat stook on the browning skin like beads of sweat" (145).
2)"...Featherstone set the book winged open across his groin like a dead bird" (145).
3) "Awful husks like shed snakeskins" (147).
These are all examples of similes because they use the word like to describe things.
Quote
When Will and Claire were talking about Featherstone and his relationship with Claire, Claire says that the relationships is complicated. Then Will says, "'To me, this is complicated.;" Claire says, "'What? ... I gestured with both hands toward her..." I think this will be an important quote in the future because after he said that Claire didn't seem very willing to talk to him. In other words, I think it will mess up their relationship.
Theme
Don't forget the past.
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