If you are trekking Peekay's coming of age journey, please provide your text-to-self, text-to-text and/or text-to-world paragraphs under 'comment.' Respond to your peers' paragraphs as well. Peace! Happy reading.
Example of text-to-text connection: Peekay, from The Power of One, and Pavel, from The Boy with the Striped Pajamas, share a common connection in that they both understand the vital importance of camouflage. We don't ever learn Peekay's real name. Once he goes to his first boarding school, his name is stripped from him by the Judge and his fellow tormentors. "Pisskopp" follows him through his school year, thus stripping him of his sense of humanity. He keeps the initials and converts this to Peekay thanks to a chance meeting with an adult who helps restore his sense of individuality. Having an alter ego or pseudonynm of his choosing, helps protect him. He never reveals his true identity. Everyone accepts his chosen name and he attaches his dream of becoming welterweight champion of the world to this new identity.
Pavel, the Jewish inmate from the "farm" who works around Bruno's residence, also acutely understands the necessity of camouflage. He reveals his true self to Bruno in a tender moment when tending Bruno's wounded knee. Pavel shares that he used to be a doctor before... Bruno hasn't been fully indoctrinated by his parents and country yet. His innocence as to the true extent of how dangerous it is for Pavel to reveal his name/identity makes the scene even more poignant. Pavel is a human, with a history and a family and a life, yet these pieces of self have been stolen from him by Hitler and his Nazi regime. Because of this human sharing/relationship, it strikes Bruno especially hard to hear Pavel beaten in the hallway after he spills the wine on the young Nazi soldier.
Monday, April 25, 2011
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
If you are reading Maya Angelou's autobiography, please submit your text-to-text, text-to-self, text-to-world paragraphs under 'comment.' Please respond to your peers' connections as well.
The Diary of a Young Girl
If you are reading Anne Frank's diary, please submit your text-to-text, text-to-self and/or text-to-world connections here! Please respond to your peers' comments as well. Peace!
Unbroken
If you are reading Unbroken, submit your text-to-text, text-to-self,text-to-world connections here! Please respond to the submissions of your peers as well! Thanks!
Text-to-text example:
Schmeul from The Boy with the Striped Pajamas and Louis Zamperini both experience dehumanization during captivity.
Louis is captured by the Japanese after his plane crashes into the Pacific and is housed in a P.O.W. camp in Japan. His daily portions of food are meager. He is periodically abused both physically and mentally. He is forced into hard labor. Despite the Geneva Conventions, he is not allowed to write to his family or receive packages.
Schmeul is in a concentration camp under Nazi controlled Europe. The soldiers shave his hair which serves to strip him of his humanity. His name is replaced by a number tattooed on his arm. His clothing is stripped away and replaced by striped prison garb (which Bruno classifies as pajamas.) He is physically beaten, called a "rat" who steals food. He is kept behind barbed wire like an animal. All this treatment combined reinforces the idea that he is less than human, a belief perpetuated by Hitler and his Nazi regime. Bruno sees the audacity of this.
Text-to-text example:
Schmeul from The Boy with the Striped Pajamas and Louis Zamperini both experience dehumanization during captivity.
Louis is captured by the Japanese after his plane crashes into the Pacific and is housed in a P.O.W. camp in Japan. His daily portions of food are meager. He is periodically abused both physically and mentally. He is forced into hard labor. Despite the Geneva Conventions, he is not allowed to write to his family or receive packages.
Schmeul is in a concentration camp under Nazi controlled Europe. The soldiers shave his hair which serves to strip him of his humanity. His name is replaced by a number tattooed on his arm. His clothing is stripped away and replaced by striped prison garb (which Bruno classifies as pajamas.) He is physically beaten, called a "rat" who steals food. He is kept behind barbed wire like an animal. All this treatment combined reinforces the idea that he is less than human, a belief perpetuated by Hitler and his Nazi regime. Bruno sees the audacity of this.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Dehumanization in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
When is Maya made to feel less than human?
How about others in the autobiography?
How about others in the autobiography?
Examples of Dehumanization in The Diary of a Young Girl
What examples of dehumanization do you see BEYOND the Franks need to go into hiding?
Dehumanization in The Power of One
What examples of dehumanization do you observe?
Who is the victim?
Perpetrator?
Why?
Who is the victim?
Perpetrator?
Why?
Dehumanization in Unbroken
What examples of dehumanization do you see in Unbroken?
Who is the victim? Perpetrator?
Who is the victim? Perpetrator?
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Priest
The priest acts as a crude symbol of the misuse of religion. When he first hears of the pearl, his first thought leaps to superficial things, such as fixing his church, rather than what good it can do or the lives it could help save. He teaches the natives need to stay in their place and should not desire more, while he does those things himself. Teaching for...
Canoe...
Benjamin C.
When Kino finds that his canoe has been destroyed, he reacts with horrr that such a heinous crime could exist. He declares that this crime is worse than murder, for the canoe is helpless and cannot reltaliate. This shows he has a sense of vengeance and balance, where everything must be 'paid back.' He reveals that he values fairness, the sense that if the world cannot beperfect, it ought to be fair. Murder is horrible, but relatives can bring justice to the perpetrator. Therefore, when he sees the canoe destoryed, it is lower than murder in his eyes. People pass away, but canoes endure; however, his canoe had been destroyed, and it will never healt. Great is the power of the pearl if it can drive people to commit crimes previously too horrible to consider possible.
When Kino finds that his canoe has been destroyed, he reacts with horrr that such a heinous crime could exist. He declares that this crime is worse than murder, for the canoe is helpless and cannot reltaliate. This shows he has a sense of vengeance and balance, where everything must be 'paid back.' He reveals that he values fairness, the sense that if the world cannot beperfect, it ought to be fair. Murder is horrible, but relatives can bring justice to the perpetrator. Therefore, when he sees the canoe destoryed, it is lower than murder in his eyes. People pass away, but canoes endure; however, his canoe had been destroyed, and it will never healt. Great is the power of the pearl if it can drive people to commit crimes previously too horrible to consider possible.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
If this story is a parable...
perhaps everyone takes his own meaning from it and reads his own life into it." What meaning do YOU take from The Pearl?
Suzanne emails...
The Pearl shows how doing one thing can change your whole life. Some people like Kino happily welcome new change. Other people despise change. In the beginning of the novella, Juana welcomes the change but she soon begins to doubt her original thoughts about the pearl.
The novella also shows how being rich is not always the easiest life. People always want somethng from you when you're rich. It's hard to know what a person's true motive is when they talk to you. These things can make your life a wreck. You can become paranoid. Wealth can change your life in many ways. SThe book shows true life lessons that take some people years to learn.
Suzanne emails...
The Pearl shows how doing one thing can change your whole life. Some people like Kino happily welcome new change. Other people despise change. In the beginning of the novella, Juana welcomes the change but she soon begins to doubt her original thoughts about the pearl.
The novella also shows how being rich is not always the easiest life. People always want somethng from you when you're rich. It's hard to know what a person's true motive is when they talk to you. These things can make your life a wreck. You can become paranoid. Wealth can change your life in many ways. SThe book shows true life lessons that take some people years to learn.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Social Injustice at the hands of the agents
The pearl buyers have a system set up. They all help each other pay the lowest price possible for a pearl. One man is selected beforehand to offer the highest price for the pearl. Kino recognizes he is being tricked when he goest to sell the pearl to the agents. Some of the people think that Kino is crazy not to accept the offer, but Kino knows he is being cheated. The pearl buyers don't want anyone to figure out their scheme, so they refuse to offer a higher price even when Kino walks away from their offers. (Suzanne)
Songs in The Pearl
Victor shares,
In many parts of the book, Kino hears songs. These songs express his mood or sense of his milieu. For example, in the first chapter, Kino hears the "Song of the Family," which is the "grinding stone where Juana worked the corn for the morning cakes. " With this song, Kino expresses his feelings of comfort and joy at his family and surroundings. As the story continues, Kino hears the "Song of Evil" when a scorpion crawls near the hanging box where Coyotito lies. T his tune describes Kino's sense of urgency and alarm as he fears for his baby. He is frightened of what might happen when the scorpion attacks Coyotito. Throughout the book, such songs add a deeper layer of emotion to Kino and his wife's journey.
Suzanne observes,
Kino hears different songs in his head throughout the novella. The one he hears most frequently is the song of evil. This song gives him a warning if someone evil is near trying to harm him. When Kino finds the pearl, he begins to hear the song of evil more often. The song acts like a warning system for Kino. He is very lucky to hear these songs. For example, he hears the song of evil when the people who are hurting Kino and Juana appear for the first time. The song of evil probably saves their lives.
In many parts of the book, Kino hears songs. These songs express his mood or sense of his milieu. For example, in the first chapter, Kino hears the "Song of the Family," which is the "grinding stone where Juana worked the corn for the morning cakes. " With this song, Kino expresses his feelings of comfort and joy at his family and surroundings. As the story continues, Kino hears the "Song of Evil" when a scorpion crawls near the hanging box where Coyotito lies. T his tune describes Kino's sense of urgency and alarm as he fears for his baby. He is frightened of what might happen when the scorpion attacks Coyotito. Throughout the book, such songs add a deeper layer of emotion to Kino and his wife's journey.
Suzanne observes,
Kino hears different songs in his head throughout the novella. The one he hears most frequently is the song of evil. This song gives him a warning if someone evil is near trying to harm him. When Kino finds the pearl, he begins to hear the song of evil more often. The song acts like a warning system for Kino. He is very lucky to hear these songs. For example, he hears the song of evil when the people who are hurting Kino and Juana appear for the first time. The song of evil probably saves their lives.
How Did Kino and/or His Village Members Experience Dehumanization?
SARA ASKARI said..
Kino and his fellow village members experienced dehumanization in a time of need. After Coyotito had been poisoned by the scorpion, Juana decided to go to the doctor. The only doctor in the town was White, and in that time, Whites discriminated against Native Americans. They asked the White doctor to help them, and he coldly repudiated them by telling them that he needed to tend to a much more important case, rather than dealing with a Native American baby. In this situation, they experienced much dehumanization.
Kino and his fellow village members experienced dehumanization in a time of need. After Coyotito had been poisoned by the scorpion, Juana decided to go to the doctor. The only doctor in the town was White, and in that time, Whites discriminated against Native Americans. They asked the White doctor to help them, and he coldly repudiated them by telling them that he needed to tend to a much more important case, rather than dealing with a Native American baby. In this situation, they experienced much dehumanization.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Man's place within creation
John Steinbeck vividly expresses the philosophy of people becoming human only when they become consciuos of "man's place within creation." When Kino looks upon the dying ant "with the detachment of God" it reflects our own smallness juxtaposed with the whole of creation.
Kino sees looking for pearls as appealing to the greater powers that govern all.
He believes the priest when the priest says people must stay in their own places. However, Kino does not become fully human until he becomes cognizant of the evil of the pearl. The evil is not brought on by the pearl itself, but by man's greed corrupting what should be whole and pure. He could have been content with a small fortune, but allured by what COULD be, he lusts for more.
In The Pearl, Kino repeatedly states he is a man, and will not be cheated. His place is to capitalize on his situation. Ironically, the priest's prediction held true: Kino, pitting his strength against the insuperable and insane for he knows he cannot win.
Man's place is to pit his might against the indestructible mountains and boundless seas, a reminder of our arrogance and insanity. man is keen to get what he desires and slow to consider the costs. The pearl could have been good and perfect, but the corruption of all turned induced the loss of all. The place of man is to walk against the stream of life, edging your way to higher ground; but leap, and the current will wash you away. Ultimately, Kino gained his humanity, throwing the perverted pearl into the sea and longing for the simplicity of his lost life, yet still tantalized by the soft, implacable, and wholly human whisper of the Song of What Could Be and regret of the Song of What Could Have Been. (Ben C.)
Kino sees looking for pearls as appealing to the greater powers that govern all.
He believes the priest when the priest says people must stay in their own places. However, Kino does not become fully human until he becomes cognizant of the evil of the pearl. The evil is not brought on by the pearl itself, but by man's greed corrupting what should be whole and pure. He could have been content with a small fortune, but allured by what COULD be, he lusts for more.
In The Pearl, Kino repeatedly states he is a man, and will not be cheated. His place is to capitalize on his situation. Ironically, the priest's prediction held true: Kino, pitting his strength against the insuperable and insane for he knows he cannot win.
Man's place is to pit his might against the indestructible mountains and boundless seas, a reminder of our arrogance and insanity. man is keen to get what he desires and slow to consider the costs. The pearl could have been good and perfect, but the corruption of all turned induced the loss of all. The place of man is to walk against the stream of life, edging your way to higher ground; but leap, and the current will wash you away. Ultimately, Kino gained his humanity, throwing the perverted pearl into the sea and longing for the simplicity of his lost life, yet still tantalized by the soft, implacable, and wholly human whisper of the Song of What Could Be and regret of the Song of What Could Have Been. (Ben C.)
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Kino's life before and after the discovery of the pearl
Before the two of them found the pearl, they had a simple life in their tiny house. They had a young baby that swung serenly in a box by the door and many loyal friends who supported them. While not officially wed in the church, but they were, as far as anyone was concerned, together. Juana accepts everything about Kino: his mannerisms and gestures had become a second language for the two of them. Meal times pass in silence, only sparingly broken. They are comfortable in their life until their son, Coyotito, becomes ill after a scorpion sting.
After they find the pearl, their lives are turned upside down. While their friends still support them, Kino finds out that people may be corrupt, an idea that would have been unimaginable not too long before. Would a doctor really POISON a baby just to get some money? Would he refuse the same baby medical treatment because the only thing he could get in return, besides satisfaction, would be a handful of ugly pearls? And would the pearl buyers really give him a price ten times less than the pearl's worth or try to steal it from him?
When Kino must kill to keep his family safe, he reaches a point where he cannot turn back and hide in the mold of his old life even if he destroys the large pearl. One thing, though, did NOT change; his wife followed him obediently. (Sarah)
After they find the pearl, their lives are turned upside down. While their friends still support them, Kino finds out that people may be corrupt, an idea that would have been unimaginable not too long before. Would a doctor really POISON a baby just to get some money? Would he refuse the same baby medical treatment because the only thing he could get in return, besides satisfaction, would be a handful of ugly pearls? And would the pearl buyers really give him a price ten times less than the pearl's worth or try to steal it from him?
When Kino must kill to keep his family safe, he reaches a point where he cannot turn back and hide in the mold of his old life even if he destroys the large pearl. One thing, though, did NOT change; his wife followed him obediently. (Sarah)
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
What is your most important material possession?
And what does it represent to you?
One of my family's philosophies since childhood is, "If you don't have a picture, it might not have happened." We document almost everything...outings, adventures, birthdays, celebrations, losses, and mishaps. I joke with my friends when I'm out with my family on an adventure that I'd be more likely to leave a child behind than my camera. (And I only have two children so they are pretty easy to keep track of!) My most valued material item is my camera. It represents my tangible ability to celebrate life, reflect on significant moments, capture growth and tell our story. I have a blog that serves as an online photo album so my family can watch my children grow up, even though we are distanced geographically. I also follow the blogs of my friends and family so I can know what's going on their lives with the click of a button. (M.J.)
One of my family's philosophies since childhood is, "If you don't have a picture, it might not have happened." We document almost everything...outings, adventures, birthdays, celebrations, losses, and mishaps. I joke with my friends when I'm out with my family on an adventure that I'd be more likely to leave a child behind than my camera. (And I only have two children so they are pretty easy to keep track of!) My most valued material item is my camera. It represents my tangible ability to celebrate life, reflect on significant moments, capture growth and tell our story. I have a blog that serves as an online photo album so my family can watch my children grow up, even though we are distanced geographically. I also follow the blogs of my friends and family so I can know what's going on their lives with the click of a button. (M.J.)
How would our society differ if we had no written language?
Without a written language, we'd be less connected. Word wouldn't spread as quickly or as accurately as it does now. Native stories and tales, though, would be just as strong, if not stronger than they are today. Back before they had written language, stories were told in songs and in dances, passed along through generation after generation. Ad if we didn't have a written language, we would do the same. Our legends would be told, they'd be more intricate, more creative and fun. More fun, perhaps, though less practical. (S.D.)
How does the pearl change its meaning?
At first the pearl is hope (15). The idea of a pearl is the urge Juana feels wash over her as she tries to assuage the suffering of her poisoned son. It's the need for him to be okay and a way to pay for his treatment. When found, it is joy and pride and unbelievable luck (19). When Coyotito seemed to be doing better, the swelling of the sting becoming less prominent, it was luck indeed. The pearl becomes freedom (24-26), granting them the freedom to dream as they pleased. Kino can buy a gun or other small trinkets. He could even get married in the church.
Their luck runs out. Juana decides that the pearl is horrible luck and only brings misfortune. (38) Her son becomes sickly and something tries to steal the pearl (human, beast or devil?) Blood streams down Kino's face. How could holding to the pearl bring any more good luck when it'd turned so awful so quickly?
Later, when the pearl buyers call the pearl worthless, a monstrosity, the pearl means vengeance. Kino would get his fair share of money for the pearl, large and oddly colored though it may be. But it also means fear and uncertainty. Supposing the pearl buyers have been corrupt, every diver has been cheated for much too long. Where must he go to fix this injustice? The capital, maybe? A place too frightening to comprehened.
Kino refused to be cheated because the pearl meant winning. The pearl became avarice for someone ransacked his house and set it aflame. His canoe and family are broken but Kino still clutches the pearl, "The pearl has become my soul. If I am to give it up, I shall lose my soul." (Steinbeck 67) But in the end, the pearl means only evil and death. (S.D.)
What message do you think Steinbeck is trying to convey with this symbolic transformation?
Their luck runs out. Juana decides that the pearl is horrible luck and only brings misfortune. (38) Her son becomes sickly and something tries to steal the pearl (human, beast or devil?) Blood streams down Kino's face. How could holding to the pearl bring any more good luck when it'd turned so awful so quickly?
Later, when the pearl buyers call the pearl worthless, a monstrosity, the pearl means vengeance. Kino would get his fair share of money for the pearl, large and oddly colored though it may be. But it also means fear and uncertainty. Supposing the pearl buyers have been corrupt, every diver has been cheated for much too long. Where must he go to fix this injustice? The capital, maybe? A place too frightening to comprehened.
Kino refused to be cheated because the pearl meant winning. The pearl became avarice for someone ransacked his house and set it aflame. His canoe and family are broken but Kino still clutches the pearl, "The pearl has become my soul. If I am to give it up, I shall lose my soul." (Steinbeck 67) But in the end, the pearl means only evil and death. (S.D.)
What message do you think Steinbeck is trying to convey with this symbolic transformation?
How are pearls created?
Pearls are made when sand gets into an oyster and the creature becomes irritated by the grit in its fleshy muscles. The oyster covers the sand with a hard layer until it's an orbe since a sphere is less painful. The oyster will continue to cover the sang (now a pearl) with the coating until the pearl shakes loose is stolen away by the ocean.
How is this process a trope for human development?
Humans are like this in the fact that trials in our life make us hard, can make us cold and unfeeling but if we struggle to free ourselves from the taint, we can become a beautiful, treasured thing. It may take grit, time and pain to get there but we can make something beautiful out of nothing. (S.D.)
How is this process a trope for human development?
Humans are like this in the fact that trials in our life make us hard, can make us cold and unfeeling but if we struggle to free ourselves from the taint, we can become a beautiful, treasured thing. It may take grit, time and pain to get there but we can make something beautiful out of nothing. (S.D.)
Thursday, January 13, 2011
They Had a Dream
What did you learn about the attainability of the American Dream for African Americans pre Civil Rights?
They Had a Dream: The Civil Rights Struggle
After reading pages 1-35 of the introduction: The History of the Black Struggle in America, what did you learn that was new/interesting/surprising/shocking or enlightening?
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