Chapters Thirteen and Fourteen
I found the ravine scene to be a little awkward, but I guess it shows how Lou is more confident. The narrator seems like him and Lou are growing apart after Lou goes to see the seamstress. I'm a big believer in how dreams can foreshadow the future in real life, so when a book shows that kind of foreshadowing I always note it down. This whole chapter is foreshadowing a negative future for chapters to come... like the raven.. that has bad karma written all over it. Once againe Luo saves the ol' narrator with his courage. This time though, I think he really saved his life instead of just his violin. The narrator gets strangely rage-filled and vengeful and it doesn't much seem like his character to get that way. I hope this is going to be a shift in his character.
Chapters Fifteen and Sixteen
I like the imagery of Lou and the seamstress at the pond. It reminds me of Summer and took me away from this bad weather for a second. I like how the narration kind of changes to an omnipotent narration. Honestly, he more I read about this ol' Miller guy the more I like about him. It's cool that he's not holding it against Lou for cheating those songs out of him. I like how Luo thinks he has cultured the seamstress by teaching her how to swim properly. I wonder if Luo, with his key ring clutched tightly in his hand, ever thinks about what he would do if he got to leave this place but couldn't take the seamstress. I'm glad they lost that damn key in the pond, and I hope it brings some change... like I don't know, maybe when Lou gets sent to see his sickly mother?
Chapters Seventeen and Eighteen
This scene with the snake is hard to give up. I think it is both about how the kids acting very carefree but that life is not carefree. It may be another omen of bad luck, as well. I'm glad that our narrator gets to have some feeling of responsibility and leadership now that Luo is away for a while. Our kind narrator seems to be a good friend in not hooking up with the seamstress, because I kind of got the impression that they were seeming a little flirtatious. But honestly he's got enough shit to worry about with these assholes beating him up. It's sooo strange how much this secret of having books has become this boys life.
Chapters Nineteen and Twenty
So our sweet little seamstress is pregnant? Wow that sucks. Where is Lou when you need him right? But of course, our kind narrator steps up, though there is not much service at the hospital. I think it's funny how everyone needs to know someone to get ahead in this book... like how he hopes the gynecologist knows his father. Finally after talking with a preacher about abortion (haha) our narrator finally gets to talk to the doc. Aww he gave up his book for her. Now that is love, man. Those books are worth bank I guess. Man.. books as currency? I haven't seen books cost so much since... well... since my last trip to the SWIC bookstore.
Chapters Twenty-One and Twenty-Two
I find it funny and sad that the seamstress had changed to be more of a 'city girl'. I think the narrator knew from the start that it all would change her for the worse. I think our narrator loved her for her while Luo was all about making her 'civilized' and that act took away the very thing that made her most beautiful. Unfortunately her beauty went to her head, and she leaves the two boys. That's what they get for trying to change her though. I think it's sad that they burned the books. Honestly, they should have just sold them, but hey, what do I know. I think they just needed to get away from them because of the seamstress. It's sad to think of giving up on all those characters and places they had grown so attached to. It's funny and ironic that they should burn the books because of attachment, because that is a reason why their government had burned them. To detach the rich from their luxuries and arts.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress [Part One & Two]
Chapters one and two
In these chapters we see the early years of the boys' reeducation. I found it interesting that Mao wanted to send his young intellectuals to learn from poorer laborers. Like the book says though, maybe he wanted to create a new generation of thought, or maybe he was just an asshole who hates anyone intellectual. I would go with the latter of the two. I like how the two boys.. Luo.. and the narrator have such a good friendship. I like the quote, "We gre up together, we shared all sorts of experiences, often tough ones."(9) In a book I am reading for another class there is a quote, "When children grow up together in poverty, a bond is formed that is stronger than most anything. It's this same bond that causes so much pain." That quotes is from page eight of Sherman Alexie's The Lone Ranger And Tonto Fist Fight In Heaven. I also enjoyed the clock trick... Wish that worked where I work. (or at school for that matter)
Chapter three and four
In these two chapters we finally meet the seamstress. They call her princess, but I think it's because of her looks and good wealth. I don't think they call her that because of her behavior though. I think Luo and the seamstress are going to hook up. I don't remember the exact quote, but Lou says something about how she isn't civilized, or something. I think he just didn't want anyone else to know he likes her. I hate how the boys have to work in the coal mine. It almost makes lugging the shit around on their backs look like a good job. I'm not sure what all malaria consists of, but I wouldn't want to catch it.
Chapters five and six
That malaria keeps getting worse on poor ol' Lou. I wonder why they used a bow and arrow to protect him from evil spirits. That doesn't even make sense to me, but, hey, what do I know. Did Lou and the seamstress kiss? Four eyes is so stereotypical of a glasses wearing kid. haha I mean, honestly. I was damn interested in what that boy had in his suitcase until I found out they were books! haha... gosh... I thought he had something cool, ya know? But I guess banned books are a lot cooler than regular books, so... ...but anyways, of course ol' four eyes is frightened right out of his glasses about them knowing that he has banned books... and really I can't blame the bloke because those red guards would do some mean shit as punishment, I'm sure. What kills me is that them boys actually work for a book. Now aint that funny! I bet you wish you could get us to love books like that, huh Mr. Lovin? haha
Chapters seven and eight
If you ask me, that book by Balzac is a "Pandora's box". I'm afraid that once they learn and love all the things in that book, they will no longer be able to cope with their work-days. Though, I'm sure reading the book does take them away from their slave-like lives. I like how your boy Luo comes through with those words from the book to get some lovin time from the seamstress. I knew he copied those words down for a reason! haha I think a big part of Lou's attraction to the seamstress is his ability to show her new worlds due to all he has learned in the big city and all that the books have to offer. Of course, when they take that book back, Ol' Four Eyes is right and ready with a new task for them to do to get their hands on another book. It cracks me up that they are like book-addicts. So they boys set out to get Ol' Miller to give them songs up.
Chapters nine and ten
So the boys got Ol' Miller to sing them songs up! I knew that all they had to do was befriend the old bastard. haha But it's cool that they had a good time with the old man. It's like finding a diamond in the ruff in this story. Everything is. . . ya know? Well of course the songs aren't good enough for Ol' Four Eyes and he is upset with the lyrics because "they're not appropriate", so, of course Four Eyes being the dick he is changes the old lyrics just to adhere to the communes' likes. The boys don't even get a book out of all of it either. I would have broke that boy's glasses if he would have done some shit like that to me. haha just playing... but honestly... it's not right.
Chapters eleven and twelve
The head-dude is killing me with his fascination with the clock. Talk about god-syndrome. Of course everyone's least favorite character gets to leave for the City while our humble narrator is told by Ol' Four Eye's Ma that there is no way they can keep the suit case. I like the seamstress more and more as the story goes on. Being the only real female in the story, I like that she actually has more balls than both the boys combined. She decides that they should steal the suitcase! I think she likes the escapisms of the stories as well. Of course.. they come up with a lame plan to steal the books equip with a suspenseful "under the bed" scene. Kind of cleche none the less. It sucks they had to go through all this just to read, where in our country most people have knowledge at their fingertips, yet do not make use of it. I think the seamstress is going to keep surprising us as the story unfolds. I also would like to know the narrators name by the end of this whole thing!
In these chapters we see the early years of the boys' reeducation. I found it interesting that Mao wanted to send his young intellectuals to learn from poorer laborers. Like the book says though, maybe he wanted to create a new generation of thought, or maybe he was just an asshole who hates anyone intellectual. I would go with the latter of the two. I like how the two boys.. Luo.. and the narrator have such a good friendship. I like the quote, "We gre up together, we shared all sorts of experiences, often tough ones."(9) In a book I am reading for another class there is a quote, "When children grow up together in poverty, a bond is formed that is stronger than most anything. It's this same bond that causes so much pain." That quotes is from page eight of Sherman Alexie's The Lone Ranger And Tonto Fist Fight In Heaven. I also enjoyed the clock trick... Wish that worked where I work. (or at school for that matter)
Chapter three and four
In these two chapters we finally meet the seamstress. They call her princess, but I think it's because of her looks and good wealth. I don't think they call her that because of her behavior though. I think Luo and the seamstress are going to hook up. I don't remember the exact quote, but Lou says something about how she isn't civilized, or something. I think he just didn't want anyone else to know he likes her. I hate how the boys have to work in the coal mine. It almost makes lugging the shit around on their backs look like a good job. I'm not sure what all malaria consists of, but I wouldn't want to catch it.
Chapters five and six
That malaria keeps getting worse on poor ol' Lou. I wonder why they used a bow and arrow to protect him from evil spirits. That doesn't even make sense to me, but, hey, what do I know. Did Lou and the seamstress kiss? Four eyes is so stereotypical of a glasses wearing kid. haha I mean, honestly. I was damn interested in what that boy had in his suitcase until I found out they were books! haha... gosh... I thought he had something cool, ya know? But I guess banned books are a lot cooler than regular books, so... ...but anyways, of course ol' four eyes is frightened right out of his glasses about them knowing that he has banned books... and really I can't blame the bloke because those red guards would do some mean shit as punishment, I'm sure. What kills me is that them boys actually work for a book. Now aint that funny! I bet you wish you could get us to love books like that, huh Mr. Lovin? haha
Chapters seven and eight
If you ask me, that book by Balzac is a "Pandora's box". I'm afraid that once they learn and love all the things in that book, they will no longer be able to cope with their work-days. Though, I'm sure reading the book does take them away from their slave-like lives. I like how your boy Luo comes through with those words from the book to get some lovin time from the seamstress. I knew he copied those words down for a reason! haha I think a big part of Lou's attraction to the seamstress is his ability to show her new worlds due to all he has learned in the big city and all that the books have to offer. Of course, when they take that book back, Ol' Four Eyes is right and ready with a new task for them to do to get their hands on another book. It cracks me up that they are like book-addicts. So they boys set out to get Ol' Miller to give them songs up.
Chapters nine and ten
So the boys got Ol' Miller to sing them songs up! I knew that all they had to do was befriend the old bastard. haha But it's cool that they had a good time with the old man. It's like finding a diamond in the ruff in this story. Everything is. . . ya know? Well of course the songs aren't good enough for Ol' Four Eyes and he is upset with the lyrics because "they're not appropriate", so, of course Four Eyes being the dick he is changes the old lyrics just to adhere to the communes' likes. The boys don't even get a book out of all of it either. I would have broke that boy's glasses if he would have done some shit like that to me. haha just playing... but honestly... it's not right.
Chapters eleven and twelve
The head-dude is killing me with his fascination with the clock. Talk about god-syndrome. Of course everyone's least favorite character gets to leave for the City while our humble narrator is told by Ol' Four Eye's Ma that there is no way they can keep the suit case. I like the seamstress more and more as the story goes on. Being the only real female in the story, I like that she actually has more balls than both the boys combined. She decides that they should steal the suitcase! I think she likes the escapisms of the stories as well. Of course.. they come up with a lame plan to steal the books equip with a suspenseful "under the bed" scene. Kind of cleche none the less. It sucks they had to go through all this just to read, where in our country most people have knowledge at their fingertips, yet do not make use of it. I think the seamstress is going to keep surprising us as the story unfolds. I also would like to know the narrators name by the end of this whole thing!
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Arabic Stories [3]
Clocks Like Horses
The only part of the story that really drew interest to me was the story the man tells about his days as a horse trader, though the ending of his story is quite sad. I think the man finds comfort in the clocks because of the structure of time. It never changes, or is disrupted. The only way it can be disrupted is if a clock breaks, and naturally, he can fix them. I wonder what people in class will draw from the repetition of the first paragraph.
Dreams Seen by a Blind Boy
This is another one of those religious stories that make you wonder if truly accepting everything a religion has to say is beneficial. The young boy is the only one living up to what the teaching tell him to do, yet when he dives too deep he is punished. I think these same things apply to the bible. As I'm sure you know, the bible actually says that all women who pray should always have their heads covered. But if you say something like that in American culture you would be out casted because most people don't believe in that 'rule'. But then who is to say anything else should be lived up to. If you ignore one 'rule' then you are already breaking religious code.
The Trial of the Small Black Woman
My only question is why are allllllllll the Arabic stories about stealing. Or people losing something and blaming someone else for their own loss. Yet another story where someone is innocent yet they are held to be guilty. I find it awkward that the man would go to her funeral knowing full well that he would only feel more guilty. Was it to hold up social appearance? This story makes me wonder how many people are locked up wrongfully. Sometimes I think they just lock people up to ease citizens.
Small Sun
This story hits home with my because it is one man's personal controversy over money. He wants to be able to provide for those he loves, but without the right funds it becomes hard. Harder yet that he had the chance at riches but ruined that chance. This story is one of the easier ones to relate to because everyone has money problems... and if you have a lot of money, then money can lead to more problems. Another note in this story is patience. If he would have slowed down and not have gotten so upset with the drunk man, then he would have lived, and maybe found the black sheep.
The only part of the story that really drew interest to me was the story the man tells about his days as a horse trader, though the ending of his story is quite sad. I think the man finds comfort in the clocks because of the structure of time. It never changes, or is disrupted. The only way it can be disrupted is if a clock breaks, and naturally, he can fix them. I wonder what people in class will draw from the repetition of the first paragraph.
Dreams Seen by a Blind Boy
This is another one of those religious stories that make you wonder if truly accepting everything a religion has to say is beneficial. The young boy is the only one living up to what the teaching tell him to do, yet when he dives too deep he is punished. I think these same things apply to the bible. As I'm sure you know, the bible actually says that all women who pray should always have their heads covered. But if you say something like that in American culture you would be out casted because most people don't believe in that 'rule'. But then who is to say anything else should be lived up to. If you ignore one 'rule' then you are already breaking religious code.
The Trial of the Small Black Woman
My only question is why are allllllllll the Arabic stories about stealing. Or people losing something and blaming someone else for their own loss. Yet another story where someone is innocent yet they are held to be guilty. I find it awkward that the man would go to her funeral knowing full well that he would only feel more guilty. Was it to hold up social appearance? This story makes me wonder how many people are locked up wrongfully. Sometimes I think they just lock people up to ease citizens.
Small Sun
This story hits home with my because it is one man's personal controversy over money. He wants to be able to provide for those he loves, but without the right funds it becomes hard. Harder yet that he had the chance at riches but ruined that chance. This story is one of the easier ones to relate to because everyone has money problems... and if you have a lot of money, then money can lead to more problems. Another note in this story is patience. If he would have slowed down and not have gotten so upset with the drunk man, then he would have lived, and maybe found the black sheep.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Arabic Short Stories [2]
Flower Crazy
The part that stood out to me the most in this story is how she would go to the city or the richer part of town. Her being poor, maybe it made her feel like she was rich, even if it only was for a second. I could relate to this because as a kid my family was very poor and we lived in a trailer park right across from a beautiful neighborhood called "Highland Hills" and I would ride my bike there just to feel like I lived there, even though eventually I had to go back to my poor life at home. This story had a lot of strange characters and I found it hard to know who people were referring to. And what's with the vomiting? I like how the poet is such a womanizer. Made for an interesting read.
The Drumming Sands
The one quote that really hits in this story is “It promises you everything, it promises you water and when you look for the water all you find in front of you is a mirage- mirages and mirages, a sea of mirages. They dance in front of you and stick their tongue out at you in mockery, leading you on without purpose.” Life is often like this. You expect so much because you are told to expect it. Even as Americans we are told that the American dream is right there for us to grab and all we have to do is just be a functional member of society and it will all come to us. Our government uses these same "mirages" to trick us into thinking everything is fine, but in all actuality the water in our deserts are too few and far between.
Cairo is a Small City
I think Salma and her mom set ol' boy up. I assume they both knew he was convicted for murder and led him to their beautiful town just so he could die. Like sirens on the rocky shores sweetly singing you to shipwreck. Most beautiful things, I have found, often lead you to uglier things. Kind of like getting your head cut off for a murder perhaps you didn't do. Which leads to the question: Was he guilty of this crime, or innocent? It sucks that all he was thinking about was wooing that Salma girl, or maybe he could have been about his wits.
The Persian Carpet
This story I didn't really enjoy reading. Kind of slow, and not very interesting in my opinion. We had a story kind of like this before where someone lied and said a servant stole something but they didn't. Can't remember the title of that one, but I'll check after I post this. I think the Mother should have just told the truth then the little girl wouldn't have been hurt, and the servant's name wouldn't have been tarnished. It's clear that the mother in this story is a very selfish person who only thinks of her new boyfriend and not her old family. I give this story a thumb down.
The part that stood out to me the most in this story is how she would go to the city or the richer part of town. Her being poor, maybe it made her feel like she was rich, even if it only was for a second. I could relate to this because as a kid my family was very poor and we lived in a trailer park right across from a beautiful neighborhood called "Highland Hills" and I would ride my bike there just to feel like I lived there, even though eventually I had to go back to my poor life at home. This story had a lot of strange characters and I found it hard to know who people were referring to. And what's with the vomiting? I like how the poet is such a womanizer. Made for an interesting read.
The Drumming Sands
The one quote that really hits in this story is “It promises you everything, it promises you water and when you look for the water all you find in front of you is a mirage- mirages and mirages, a sea of mirages. They dance in front of you and stick their tongue out at you in mockery, leading you on without purpose.” Life is often like this. You expect so much because you are told to expect it. Even as Americans we are told that the American dream is right there for us to grab and all we have to do is just be a functional member of society and it will all come to us. Our government uses these same "mirages" to trick us into thinking everything is fine, but in all actuality the water in our deserts are too few and far between.
Cairo is a Small City
I think Salma and her mom set ol' boy up. I assume they both knew he was convicted for murder and led him to their beautiful town just so he could die. Like sirens on the rocky shores sweetly singing you to shipwreck. Most beautiful things, I have found, often lead you to uglier things. Kind of like getting your head cut off for a murder perhaps you didn't do. Which leads to the question: Was he guilty of this crime, or innocent? It sucks that all he was thinking about was wooing that Salma girl, or maybe he could have been about his wits.
The Persian Carpet
This story I didn't really enjoy reading. Kind of slow, and not very interesting in my opinion. We had a story kind of like this before where someone lied and said a servant stole something but they didn't. Can't remember the title of that one, but I'll check after I post this. I think the Mother should have just told the truth then the little girl wouldn't have been hurt, and the servant's name wouldn't have been tarnished. It's clear that the mother in this story is a very selfish person who only thinks of her new boyfriend and not her old family. I give this story a thumb down.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Arabic Short Stories [#1]
The Gap in Kaltouma’s Fence
I think this story is mainly focused on the fact that you can't let what has happened to you make you feel old or useless. The widow starts to act old because she is a widow and she figures by being a widow she must be old. Everyone has moments like this in their life. Last summer I hurt my back real bad at work and I felt like an old man.. and the whole summer I would kind of dwell on that fact and it held me back. Sometimes just because you don't feel like a child does not mean that you're old.
My Brother
I used to babysit for a family that had a daughter with a mental health problem. I knew the younger brother and he never said it, but I could tell he often felt upset. I think it was because he hated the burden his sister put on the family. This story is much the same. I mean, he loved his sister, but he hated some of the things she would do. In this story the boy has the same feelings because he is torn for the love of his brother and all the hard work and sacrifice that comes with having a sibling with a mental disability. It doesn't make it easier that the boy's father passed on and left him and his mother to fend for themselves.
At a Woman’s House
Strange story. I didn't understand why the man just sat there in the dark looking after this baby. I assumed the child was sick because of the constant mention of the color of it's skin. The man keeps mentioning the neighbors and I think it's funny that ol' boy keeps getting kicked out and ends up smoking on the steps. I am hard pressed to find the meaning of this story. Can't wait to hear what people say in class so maybe I can make some sense out of this.
Advice From a Sensible Young Man
Another story of drug addiction. I used to be helplessly addicted to coke and lost a few friends to it, so I could identify with this story easily. I find it funny and sad how he kept coming back with another excuse to borrow money. It's sad at the end when he dies, but at the same time he may have been better off dead if he was willing to risk his family's future. I understand why the other man didn't care as much for him any more, but it's sad because the friend he once knew may have still be in there somewhere, ya know?
Glimpses from the Life of Maugoud Abdul Maugoud and Two Postscripts
This story was the best of them because it was easier to follow along. It almost had a movie quality about it that made it easier to understand. I find it funny that in stories someone will get knocked conscienceless and then people do nothing to help... and eventually the person dies. I like the drama of the boy hiding out and being scared people will find him out. The suicide thing kind of hit close to me because I have a friend who recently tried to commit suicide and luckily he failed. I know I would have been upset if he would have succeeded and I wouldn't have had anything to remember him by.
Another Evening at the Club
This story pissed me off. Of course no one wants to stand up for their own mistakes. It's sad that the servant probably never gets free. I was surprised that the husband follows along with it and decides to pawn the ring off so no one will find out. This story is a classic example of how money can change people. I had a friend who fell on some money and now she is just like the girl in this story... she will do anything to keep her happy little rich life.
The Cypriot Man
Not exactly sure what the hell is going on in this story. I can only assume that the Cypriot man is the incarnation of death or evil. I like how he is a rather smooth character and almost witty. I don't understand why the man's father dies and not him. This is yet another story I kind of just flew through, but I am very interested in what the other students will say about it. Sometimes I actually learn something from those kids. We'll see.
I think this story is mainly focused on the fact that you can't let what has happened to you make you feel old or useless. The widow starts to act old because she is a widow and she figures by being a widow she must be old. Everyone has moments like this in their life. Last summer I hurt my back real bad at work and I felt like an old man.. and the whole summer I would kind of dwell on that fact and it held me back. Sometimes just because you don't feel like a child does not mean that you're old.
My Brother
I used to babysit for a family that had a daughter with a mental health problem. I knew the younger brother and he never said it, but I could tell he often felt upset. I think it was because he hated the burden his sister put on the family. This story is much the same. I mean, he loved his sister, but he hated some of the things she would do. In this story the boy has the same feelings because he is torn for the love of his brother and all the hard work and sacrifice that comes with having a sibling with a mental disability. It doesn't make it easier that the boy's father passed on and left him and his mother to fend for themselves.
At a Woman’s House
Strange story. I didn't understand why the man just sat there in the dark looking after this baby. I assumed the child was sick because of the constant mention of the color of it's skin. The man keeps mentioning the neighbors and I think it's funny that ol' boy keeps getting kicked out and ends up smoking on the steps. I am hard pressed to find the meaning of this story. Can't wait to hear what people say in class so maybe I can make some sense out of this.
Advice From a Sensible Young Man
Another story of drug addiction. I used to be helplessly addicted to coke and lost a few friends to it, so I could identify with this story easily. I find it funny and sad how he kept coming back with another excuse to borrow money. It's sad at the end when he dies, but at the same time he may have been better off dead if he was willing to risk his family's future. I understand why the other man didn't care as much for him any more, but it's sad because the friend he once knew may have still be in there somewhere, ya know?
Glimpses from the Life of Maugoud Abdul Maugoud and Two Postscripts
This story was the best of them because it was easier to follow along. It almost had a movie quality about it that made it easier to understand. I find it funny that in stories someone will get knocked conscienceless and then people do nothing to help... and eventually the person dies. I like the drama of the boy hiding out and being scared people will find him out. The suicide thing kind of hit close to me because I have a friend who recently tried to commit suicide and luckily he failed. I know I would have been upset if he would have succeeded and I wouldn't have had anything to remember him by.
Another Evening at the Club
This story pissed me off. Of course no one wants to stand up for their own mistakes. It's sad that the servant probably never gets free. I was surprised that the husband follows along with it and decides to pawn the ring off so no one will find out. This story is a classic example of how money can change people. I had a friend who fell on some money and now she is just like the girl in this story... she will do anything to keep her happy little rich life.
The Cypriot Man
Not exactly sure what the hell is going on in this story. I can only assume that the Cypriot man is the incarnation of death or evil. I like how he is a rather smooth character and almost witty. I don't understand why the man's father dies and not him. This is yet another story I kind of just flew through, but I am very interested in what the other students will say about it. Sometimes I actually learn something from those kids. We'll see.
Friday, February 8, 2008
African / Arabic Short Stories
Papa, Snake and I,
This story was of great interest. I like that the boy kills the snake, but he never gets props from his ma. Which he should have, ya know? Yet another story that tries to incorporate faith into it's message. Didn't hit very hard, honestly. I like how he was like "when Mama calls us we never know whether she's cross or not" hahaha Mama doesn't play around man. Still don't understand why this boy's gotta take these laxatives..... At first I assumed it was like Tape Worm or something, because I know that plagues a lot of people in Africa, but she says he had also lost his appetite. I also question why the boy says "but for some time I was thinking I didn't love you all"
The Betrayal
Doctor Kamal, a politician and leader of a political group known as the Oriental Front, notices a new group starting to form which may take from the ruling of his Oriental Front. He slyly hints about taking them out to Salim Rashid. He talks to the Youth League to help destroy the new group. It's sad because he trades in his own beliefs just to keep is organization strong. A few days later they are all there for the first meeting for the new group. The debates take on while members of the Oriental Front interject to disrupt the new clan. After a while of this banter they start to fight, but Dr. Kamal narrowly escapes after the police show because he doesn't want to be shown as a violent man, because he has preached against it for so long. Funny how someone who supports Gandhi can be so evil, and even a violence starter.
The Coffee-Cart Girl
This story was a weird one. I think it's strange that Ruben gets so jealous of Naidoo and Zodwa's relationship. Though he did buy he some stuff, and sure they hung out every day for a while there, but I still don't understand the whole pulling the knife out thing.. seems like his jealousy took him a bit far. I think it's funny how he thinks his chances are over to see her now just because of the ordinance and not because of his actions. I was also under the impression that Naidoo only gave her the ring to pay for his coffee and cake, but perhaps it was a bit of a flirting measure as well.
Snapshots of a Wedding
I find it interesting in this story that women make the money and their intelligence shows that. I like how the man has two woman pregnant and is trying to decide who he should marry now. He should have made those decisions before he knocked the two of em up, honestly. When Neo finally understands that she is such a mean person she finally shuts her mouth and acts more reserved. I like to think that would last a whole marriage, but perhaps that is just wishful thinking. Though I think she only started acting right because she thought she might lose her husband.
Arabic Short Stories:
This story was of great interest. I like that the boy kills the snake, but he never gets props from his ma. Which he should have, ya know? Yet another story that tries to incorporate faith into it's message. Didn't hit very hard, honestly. I like how he was like "when Mama calls us we never know whether she's cross or not" hahaha Mama doesn't play around man. Still don't understand why this boy's gotta take these laxatives..... At first I assumed it was like Tape Worm or something, because I know that plagues a lot of people in Africa, but she says he had also lost his appetite. I also question why the boy says "but for some time I was thinking I didn't love you all"
The Betrayal
Doctor Kamal, a politician and leader of a political group known as the Oriental Front, notices a new group starting to form which may take from the ruling of his Oriental Front. He slyly hints about taking them out to Salim Rashid. He talks to the Youth League to help destroy the new group. It's sad because he trades in his own beliefs just to keep is organization strong. A few days later they are all there for the first meeting for the new group. The debates take on while members of the Oriental Front interject to disrupt the new clan. After a while of this banter they start to fight, but Dr. Kamal narrowly escapes after the police show because he doesn't want to be shown as a violent man, because he has preached against it for so long. Funny how someone who supports Gandhi can be so evil, and even a violence starter.
The Coffee-Cart Girl
This story was a weird one. I think it's strange that Ruben gets so jealous of Naidoo and Zodwa's relationship. Though he did buy he some stuff, and sure they hung out every day for a while there, but I still don't understand the whole pulling the knife out thing.. seems like his jealousy took him a bit far. I think it's funny how he thinks his chances are over to see her now just because of the ordinance and not because of his actions. I was also under the impression that Naidoo only gave her the ring to pay for his coffee and cake, but perhaps it was a bit of a flirting measure as well.
Snapshots of a Wedding
I find it interesting in this story that women make the money and their intelligence shows that. I like how the man has two woman pregnant and is trying to decide who he should marry now. He should have made those decisions before he knocked the two of em up, honestly. When Neo finally understands that she is such a mean person she finally shuts her mouth and acts more reserved. I like to think that would last a whole marriage, but perhaps that is just wishful thinking. Though I think she only started acting right because she thought she might lose her husband.
Arabic Short Stories:
The Chair Carrier
I thought this story was about striving to achieve something better and not always blindly marching forward with what you've been told to do. This has kind of been the theme of my week so this story was one of my favorites. I find it interesting that the man couldn't read even the sign on the chair he's been carrying for so long. He should just sit and think it through for a bit and everything might unfold to him.
Friday, February 1, 2008
African Stories [Blog 3]
The Bridegroom
This story is about a man who is a soldier who lives alone. He is about to get married and can't wait to leave his solitude. I like the cook Piet because he was such a loyal guy to the soldier. I didn't understand that the soldier was black until they told us (it says something like, they were african like me"... I assumed he was white, I don't know why, though I guess being African doesn't make you black either.. I don't like how the story ended because I felt like there was more to the story that wasn't being told. I like how the author described the nights with the music by the campfire. I could really picture the surrounding's.
The Betrayal
This is a story about politics, peace, and violence. I like how the man is really enraged but only stays peaceful so he doesn't have to put his foot in his mouth. I like how when it came even to discussing the matter between themselves they couldn't even be peaceful. I think this sort of thing often happens in followings of great people. People preach but don't walk the walk. That's also politics for you. Politicians act one way in front of their people and a whole other way behind their desk and red buttons.
Protista
Maria, his wife, left him because she sick of being exiled. Naturally the man is lonely. The circle on the wall reminds him of Maria and how much time he's wasted. Without Maria he has no will to live, really. I don't know what he means by "manfish" at the end though... I get a since of loneliness while he is the tree and I think he feels "rooted" negatively. Like he is stuck there forever, and there is no way out. I thought of the movie Cast-Away when I read this. This story was mad-confusing for me, but I enjoyed it anyways. Much more interesting than the other two, in my opinion.
This story is about a man who is a soldier who lives alone. He is about to get married and can't wait to leave his solitude. I like the cook Piet because he was such a loyal guy to the soldier. I didn't understand that the soldier was black until they told us (it says something like, they were african like me"... I assumed he was white, I don't know why, though I guess being African doesn't make you black either.. I don't like how the story ended because I felt like there was more to the story that wasn't being told. I like how the author described the nights with the music by the campfire. I could really picture the surrounding's.
The Betrayal
This is a story about politics, peace, and violence. I like how the man is really enraged but only stays peaceful so he doesn't have to put his foot in his mouth. I like how when it came even to discussing the matter between themselves they couldn't even be peaceful. I think this sort of thing often happens in followings of great people. People preach but don't walk the walk. That's also politics for you. Politicians act one way in front of their people and a whole other way behind their desk and red buttons.
Protista
Maria, his wife, left him because she sick of being exiled. Naturally the man is lonely. The circle on the wall reminds him of Maria and how much time he's wasted. Without Maria he has no will to live, really. I don't know what he means by "manfish" at the end though... I get a since of loneliness while he is the tree and I think he feels "rooted" negatively. Like he is stuck there forever, and there is no way out. I thought of the movie Cast-Away when I read this. This story was mad-confusing for me, but I enjoyed it anyways. Much more interesting than the other two, in my opinion.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
African Short Stories [Blog 2]
The Green Leaves
I like the east African stories so much more. I find it interesting that they just covered the man in leaves without searching him, or making sure he was dead. Didn't seem logical to me. Then as soon as Nyagar felt that he was warm I knew he was going to kill him and run. Once again a story where greed tears a man down. Also the women in the story were very submissive until at the end where one of Nyagars wifes sings and takes off her shirt (I think is what happened). It gave me an uneasy weird feeling when she says "there is no woman who will lend me a Husband for the night".
The Spider's Web
I find this story sad because Ngotho used to dream of smoking out bees, but now he dreams of dieing. He used to work for a white family, and fought for the cause of smoking out the white people, but now his masters are black and still treat him like dirt. He mentions how he used to wish for a time where the black man could have pride in his own land when he worked for the white people, but now his hope seems diminished. I like how at the end, after he has stabbed his master he goes in his servant room and locks the door.
Minutes Of Glory
I find it sad how Beatrice just wants to be like Nyaguthii to the point that she will steal. I also disliked the part where she talks about the Ambi cream and how it had taken girls darker than herself and made them into "white stars". Where does this self-hatred come from? The character I liked the least was the Christian bar owner, because he, like characters in our last set of stories were, don't seem to really be a person of faith, or spirit. It's degrading. It's interesting how woman in this story seem to have power but at the same time are denied any real power. They can turn men down, but have to work for men anyways.
An Incident in the Ghobashi Household
This story was slightly hard to follow for me. From my interpretation the woman's daughter is pregnant but they don't know who they father is, so at the end they send her to a big city where she can find help and money to raise her child. Ghobashi I guess was her husband, who left her (like in the story of the man who left to cut grass) I don't understand what she means by "isn't it better, when he returns, for your father to find himself with a legitimate son than an illegitimate grandson" Does this mean that when the baby is born the grandmother will act like it came from her womb? I'm confused by this one.
A Handful of Dates
I think this is a story of a boy who is torn at the fact that his grandfather has become so successful while the neighboring man Masood has slowly lost everything he was born with. Dates are actually a fruit from Palm trees, which I have never heard of. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Date_Palm#Fruit I think another reason the boy feels shame is because Masood is a more caring, nature oriented man, like the boy is, while is grandfather is more of a business man who is less caring and seems to be money-oriented.
A Conversation from the Third Floor
This story was, as I interpreted it, a story of a man locked up talking to his wife, Aziza. I like the part where he is talking about the packs of cigarettes and how he only got three out of the five, because I imagine him kind of laughing it off because he is so happy to see his wife and child. I wonder how he got in jail as a read this story. I also wonder what the real moral was of this story... I really didn't see a point in how it ended either. Also, why was she looking at the guard so much? was she not allowed to be there? I also wanted to know what was going on inside the jail because he kept going out of her sight and them popping back up.
I like the east African stories so much more. I find it interesting that they just covered the man in leaves without searching him, or making sure he was dead. Didn't seem logical to me. Then as soon as Nyagar felt that he was warm I knew he was going to kill him and run. Once again a story where greed tears a man down. Also the women in the story were very submissive until at the end where one of Nyagars wifes sings and takes off her shirt (I think is what happened). It gave me an uneasy weird feeling when she says "there is no woman who will lend me a Husband for the night".
The Spider's Web
I find this story sad because Ngotho used to dream of smoking out bees, but now he dreams of dieing. He used to work for a white family, and fought for the cause of smoking out the white people, but now his masters are black and still treat him like dirt. He mentions how he used to wish for a time where the black man could have pride in his own land when he worked for the white people, but now his hope seems diminished. I like how at the end, after he has stabbed his master he goes in his servant room and locks the door.
Minutes Of Glory
I find it sad how Beatrice just wants to be like Nyaguthii to the point that she will steal. I also disliked the part where she talks about the Ambi cream and how it had taken girls darker than herself and made them into "white stars". Where does this self-hatred come from? The character I liked the least was the Christian bar owner, because he, like characters in our last set of stories were, don't seem to really be a person of faith, or spirit. It's degrading. It's interesting how woman in this story seem to have power but at the same time are denied any real power. They can turn men down, but have to work for men anyways.
An Incident in the Ghobashi Household
This story was slightly hard to follow for me. From my interpretation the woman's daughter is pregnant but they don't know who they father is, so at the end they send her to a big city where she can find help and money to raise her child. Ghobashi I guess was her husband, who left her (like in the story of the man who left to cut grass) I don't understand what she means by "isn't it better, when he returns, for your father to find himself with a legitimate son than an illegitimate grandson" Does this mean that when the baby is born the grandmother will act like it came from her womb? I'm confused by this one.
A Handful of Dates
I think this is a story of a boy who is torn at the fact that his grandfather has become so successful while the neighboring man Masood has slowly lost everything he was born with. Dates are actually a fruit from Palm trees, which I have never heard of. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Date_Palm#Fruit I think another reason the boy feels shame is because Masood is a more caring, nature oriented man, like the boy is, while is grandfather is more of a business man who is less caring and seems to be money-oriented.
A Conversation from the Third Floor
This story was, as I interpreted it, a story of a man locked up talking to his wife, Aziza. I like the part where he is talking about the packs of cigarettes and how he only got three out of the five, because I imagine him kind of laughing it off because he is so happy to see his wife and child. I wonder how he got in jail as a read this story. I also wonder what the real moral was of this story... I really didn't see a point in how it ended either. Also, why was she looking at the guard so much? was she not allowed to be there? I also wanted to know what was going on inside the jail because he kept going out of her sight and them popping back up.
Monday, January 21, 2008
African Short Stories [blog 1]
The False Prophet
This was the strange story of a thief using religion to do his bidding. The saying 'What is mine belongs to me, but there is nothing to stop us sharing what is yours' was passed down from his ancestors. Funny how he hated cats. I think he only hated them because they were just like him.. Funny he denounces god in the end, because had he just lived by what he claimed to know so well then he may have found happiness.
Certain Winds from the South
I didn't get much from this story. I understood that obviously bad times had fallen on the village, but I don't get why the first father in twenty years decided to go "cut grass". I assume that is some kind of field labor, and that he was going to send money home. I don't understand why the lady told the story about the new mother's father, because it didn't seem to be a story that would instill faith in her, or make her feel better for he baby's daddy leaving.
The Apprentice
I like this story because of Ogunmola is a direct descendant of royalty yet his quest is to be simply be a blacksmith. One of his masters wanted the hoes built cheap and durable, while the other wanted them durable but beautifully crafted thus making them more expensive. Ogunmola's crafting is somewhere in between. It's sad how he gets caught in a family dispute between his two masters, which stops him from living the life he wants to live.
The Will of Allah
I liked this story a lot. Sule was interesting to me because of his faith in Allah. But I wonder if faith is a good thing if you don't also live by the code of that faith as well. A lot of these stories have to do with faith... or almost all of them. The snake biting them both at the end was a perfect ending because if they just would have trusted each other they may not have dove their hands in as quickly, or at least Dogo could have told Sule after he got bit. In the book it says Sule "...feared nothing and no one except Allah", but does Allah not care if you live your life by any code of morality?
Civil Peace
This story is the only one as of yet that actually made me feel good though bad things were happening. I guess it was Jonathon's love for life even though things were going bad. He always seemed to make the best of it. I like at the end when he talks about how before the 'egg-rasher' money came along he was surviving just fine, after the stranger and his troops took it from them. I think the reason Jonathon was so strong was because he lost one of his kids in the war that happened before this story began. After losing his son every thing else seems relative.
The Gentlemen of the Jungle
What a story to finish off with. I think I am going to like East Africa better. There is something deeper I'm supposed to catch on to, but it can't quiet grasp it. I like how the animals act like men: who, in fair turn, do act like animals themselves. The line "Peace is costly, but it's worth the expense" is obviously showing some revolution in government. Maybe this story is all about how a government can fool their people for a time, but not forever.
This was the strange story of a thief using religion to do his bidding. The saying 'What is mine belongs to me, but there is nothing to stop us sharing what is yours' was passed down from his ancestors. Funny how he hated cats. I think he only hated them because they were just like him.. Funny he denounces god in the end, because had he just lived by what he claimed to know so well then he may have found happiness.
Certain Winds from the South
I didn't get much from this story. I understood that obviously bad times had fallen on the village, but I don't get why the first father in twenty years decided to go "cut grass". I assume that is some kind of field labor, and that he was going to send money home. I don't understand why the lady told the story about the new mother's father, because it didn't seem to be a story that would instill faith in her, or make her feel better for he baby's daddy leaving.
The Apprentice
I like this story because of Ogunmola is a direct descendant of royalty yet his quest is to be simply be a blacksmith. One of his masters wanted the hoes built cheap and durable, while the other wanted them durable but beautifully crafted thus making them more expensive. Ogunmola's crafting is somewhere in between. It's sad how he gets caught in a family dispute between his two masters, which stops him from living the life he wants to live.
The Will of Allah
I liked this story a lot. Sule was interesting to me because of his faith in Allah. But I wonder if faith is a good thing if you don't also live by the code of that faith as well. A lot of these stories have to do with faith... or almost all of them. The snake biting them both at the end was a perfect ending because if they just would have trusted each other they may not have dove their hands in as quickly, or at least Dogo could have told Sule after he got bit. In the book it says Sule "...feared nothing and no one except Allah", but does Allah not care if you live your life by any code of morality?
Civil Peace
This story is the only one as of yet that actually made me feel good though bad things were happening. I guess it was Jonathon's love for life even though things were going bad. He always seemed to make the best of it. I like at the end when he talks about how before the 'egg-rasher' money came along he was surviving just fine, after the stranger and his troops took it from them. I think the reason Jonathon was so strong was because he lost one of his kids in the war that happened before this story began. After losing his son every thing else seems relative.
The Gentlemen of the Jungle
What a story to finish off with. I think I am going to like East Africa better. There is something deeper I'm supposed to catch on to, but it can't quiet grasp it. I like how the animals act like men: who, in fair turn, do act like animals themselves. The line "Peace is costly, but it's worth the expense" is obviously showing some revolution in government. Maybe this story is all about how a government can fool their people for a time, but not forever.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Response To Short Stories [class on Jan. 16]
The Birds of God
This story is a story of faith and sacrifice. Timba is a fisherman who has only been but a fisherman his whole life. He sees a bird flying high and asks for the bird to fall and the bird falls. He claims it to be holy, and though he and his family is starving he doesn't allow them to eat the bird. In the end a drought that had plagued the tribe is only lifted after the sad death of Timba, who had given himself to save the others from the wrath of god for killing the holy birds. I find it interesting that Timba thought the best way to honor the Holy birds was to keep them in a cage.
The Man
Is a story of a man, who under the cover of silence, kills a dictator who has brought horrible poverty over a nation. Though he is beaten and shot he does not tell his secret and is killed randomly as a threat to the village that they must give up "the man". Of course, the man dies with his secret and a new dictator takes the place of the first, but must live in fear that "the man" will kill him like he did his predecessor . I find it interesting that the tyrant in the story takes the freedom of a whole nation, though he does not have any freedom himself due to his fear of being killed.
Government By Magic Spell
An interesting story about a girl named Halima that is convinced that she has a jinni (like a genie) in a tribe where jinnis are considered holy. She becomes a star of her village and considered a healer, and eventually makes her way up to a government like position in her land. She claims her jinni demands a slaughter house on the shore and a centralized water system. By doing this she controls everyones life in the town because everyone needs water, and sharks had taken over the shores so no one could leave. This story is the darker side of The Birds of Gods because in that story the person of faith is condoned though Timba only wanted the best for his people, while in this story Halima seems to manipulate the people by claiming this twisted 'spirituality'.
A Night Out
This story is about a, drunken man named Mika and a sad loving woman called Mama Tumaini. Mama Tumaini's son is very sick, and perhaps that is the reason she needed the money Mika gave her, I assume, for the sex they had the night before, and for the guilt of discovering that Mama Tumaini's son had died overnight. Mika was only stuck in the dreary town because of a lack of gas for the transportation system. Mika leaves abruptly without telling Mama Tumaini about her son. This story I found to be really sad. I guess not so much for her child dieing, because he was deathly ill, but because of the pain Mama Tumaini must go through after this story ended.
Road Block
This story is about a man known only as "the storyteller' and a man named Bona. Bona is a cowboy like crooked cop-like fellow who works with a restful partner at a road block. The storyteller is smuggling whiskey and has to go through the road block. Though the storyteller's dad was a famous story teller who would exchange his stories for a good meal, the storyteller did not gets this quality in his genes. So he is unable to convince Bona that the whiskey is 'cough medicine' and in the end Bona takes one of the boxes of whiskey and lets the storyteller go through the roadblock. I like the danger aspect and suspense of this story, though the ending felt like it let me down. I enjoy the imagery of Bona with his missing two front teeth and cowboy boots!
This story is a story of faith and sacrifice. Timba is a fisherman who has only been but a fisherman his whole life. He sees a bird flying high and asks for the bird to fall and the bird falls. He claims it to be holy, and though he and his family is starving he doesn't allow them to eat the bird. In the end a drought that had plagued the tribe is only lifted after the sad death of Timba, who had given himself to save the others from the wrath of god for killing the holy birds. I find it interesting that Timba thought the best way to honor the Holy birds was to keep them in a cage.
The Man
Is a story of a man, who under the cover of silence, kills a dictator who has brought horrible poverty over a nation. Though he is beaten and shot he does not tell his secret and is killed randomly as a threat to the village that they must give up "the man". Of course, the man dies with his secret and a new dictator takes the place of the first, but must live in fear that "the man" will kill him like he did his predecessor . I find it interesting that the tyrant in the story takes the freedom of a whole nation, though he does not have any freedom himself due to his fear of being killed.
Government By Magic Spell
An interesting story about a girl named Halima that is convinced that she has a jinni (like a genie) in a tribe where jinnis are considered holy. She becomes a star of her village and considered a healer, and eventually makes her way up to a government like position in her land. She claims her jinni demands a slaughter house on the shore and a centralized water system. By doing this she controls everyones life in the town because everyone needs water, and sharks had taken over the shores so no one could leave. This story is the darker side of The Birds of Gods because in that story the person of faith is condoned though Timba only wanted the best for his people, while in this story Halima seems to manipulate the people by claiming this twisted 'spirituality'.
A Night Out
This story is about a, drunken man named Mika and a sad loving woman called Mama Tumaini. Mama Tumaini's son is very sick, and perhaps that is the reason she needed the money Mika gave her, I assume, for the sex they had the night before, and for the guilt of discovering that Mama Tumaini's son had died overnight. Mika was only stuck in the dreary town because of a lack of gas for the transportation system. Mika leaves abruptly without telling Mama Tumaini about her son. This story I found to be really sad. I guess not so much for her child dieing, because he was deathly ill, but because of the pain Mama Tumaini must go through after this story ended.
Road Block
This story is about a man known only as "the storyteller' and a man named Bona. Bona is a cowboy like crooked cop-like fellow who works with a restful partner at a road block. The storyteller is smuggling whiskey and has to go through the road block. Though the storyteller's dad was a famous story teller who would exchange his stories for a good meal, the storyteller did not gets this quality in his genes. So he is unable to convince Bona that the whiskey is 'cough medicine' and in the end Bona takes one of the boxes of whiskey and lets the storyteller go through the roadblock. I like the danger aspect and suspense of this story, though the ending felt like it let me down. I enjoy the imagery of Bona with his missing two front teeth and cowboy boots!
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