1. How do ones beliefs influence his or her decisions in society?
2. How does religion complicate relations?
3. Are sacrifices remembered later in life?
4. Is it noble to die for glory?
5. Is religion a force for peace or violence?
6. Is it a noble death if no one recognizes it?
7. Why is religion necessary?
8. Can human compassion overcome society’s differences?
9. Is religion a positive or negative force?
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Position Paper Topics - Period 5
1. How neutrality could have worked, who is representative of neutrality…
2. Relevance of God…
3. Religion vs. government…which should be more powerful…
4. The appearance of Chand’s power vs. the reality
5. Iqbal’s beliefs (any character)
6. Compare Nooran and Hassina as representations of women’s roles in India
7. Compare Jugga and Hukum Chand
8. Jugga’s progress as a character
2. Relevance of God…
3. Religion vs. government…which should be more powerful…
4. The appearance of Chand’s power vs. the reality
5. Iqbal’s beliefs (any character)
6. Compare Nooran and Hassina as representations of women’s roles in India
7. Compare Jugga and Hukum Chand
8. Jugga’s progress as a character
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Vocab (TFA3)
Parsonage
Prestige
Callow
Desecrated
Approbation
Desolate
Blasphemes
Breadth
Esoteric
Guttural
Prestige
Callow
Desecrated
Approbation
Desolate
Blasphemes
Breadth
Esoteric
Guttural
Monday, September 20, 2010
Thursday, September 9, 2010
TFA Pre-Read Journal
Done in class on 9/10:
PICK ONE OF THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS AND SUPPORT, OPPOSE, OR QUALIFY IT. SUPPORT YOUR ASSERTIONS WITH RELEVANT AND SPECIFIC REASONS AND EXAMPLES. USE THE QUESTIONS TO HELP GUIDE YOUR RESPONSE.
Being a man is difficult.
What is your definition of manliness? Explain.
What pressures do men feel more strongly than women? Why do they feel these pressures? How might they react to them?
Is being a woman difficult is well? How is it similar? Different?
Fear is destructive.
Do you agree with this statement? Explain.
Has fear ever kept you from doing something you wanted to do? Explain.
Have you ever overcome any fears in your life? What would have happened if you hadn't? Explain.
It is a son/daughter's duty to carry on family traditions.
Do you agree with this statement? Explain.
What traditions will you carry on from your family? Explain.
What family traditions will you leave behind? Explain.
Change is destructive.
Do you agree with this statement? Explain.
Can you think of a time when a major change destroyed something important in your life? Explain.
Can you think of a time when a major change improved your life? Explain.
Religion restricts behavior.
Do you agree with this statement? Explain.
Can you think of a time when religion kept you from doing something you wanted to do? Explain.
Can you think of a time when religion made your life better? Explain.
Social order demands conformity.
Do you agree with this statement? Explain.
Have you ever felt the need to go along with what others are doing? Explain.
Have you ever rebelled or felt like rebelling against what others demand of you? Explain.
PICK ONE OF THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS AND SUPPORT, OPPOSE, OR QUALIFY IT. SUPPORT YOUR ASSERTIONS WITH RELEVANT AND SPECIFIC REASONS AND EXAMPLES. USE THE QUESTIONS TO HELP GUIDE YOUR RESPONSE.
Being a man is difficult.
What is your definition of manliness? Explain.
What pressures do men feel more strongly than women? Why do they feel these pressures? How might they react to them?
Is being a woman difficult is well? How is it similar? Different?
Fear is destructive.
Do you agree with this statement? Explain.
Has fear ever kept you from doing something you wanted to do? Explain.
Have you ever overcome any fears in your life? What would have happened if you hadn't? Explain.
It is a son/daughter's duty to carry on family traditions.
Do you agree with this statement? Explain.
What traditions will you carry on from your family? Explain.
What family traditions will you leave behind? Explain.
Change is destructive.
Do you agree with this statement? Explain.
Can you think of a time when a major change destroyed something important in your life? Explain.
Can you think of a time when a major change improved your life? Explain.
Religion restricts behavior.
Do you agree with this statement? Explain.
Can you think of a time when religion kept you from doing something you wanted to do? Explain.
Can you think of a time when religion made your life better? Explain.
Social order demands conformity.
Do you agree with this statement? Explain.
Have you ever felt the need to go along with what others are doing? Explain.
Have you ever rebelled or felt like rebelling against what others demand of you? Explain.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Passage Reflections
Choose any two of the following passages and create a two-three paragraph journal response on each. Talk about what this passage reveals about Kien's character, the format of the novel or the goal and power of writing.
1. "But relentlessly, his pen disobeys him. Each page revived one story of death after another and gradually the stories swirled back deep into the primitive jungles of war, quietly restoking his horrible furnace of war memories." (57)
2. "He feels that as a son he had not sufficiently loved or respected his father. He had not understood his father's life and remembered almost nothing about his family tragedy. He still doesn't know why his parents separated and knows even less about his mother." (57)
3. "I just want you to understand me when I say that a human being's duty on eart is to live, not to kill." Then he said, "Taste all manner of life. Try everything. Be curious and inquire about yourself. Don't turn your back on life."
3. For Kien the most attractive, persistent echo of the past is the whisper of ordinary life, not the thunder of war, even though the sounds of ordinary life were washed away totally during the long storm of war." (63)
1. "But relentlessly, his pen disobeys him. Each page revived one story of death after another and gradually the stories swirled back deep into the primitive jungles of war, quietly restoking his horrible furnace of war memories." (57)
2. "He feels that as a son he had not sufficiently loved or respected his father. He had not understood his father's life and remembered almost nothing about his family tragedy. He still doesn't know why his parents separated and knows even less about his mother." (57)
3. "I just want you to understand me when I say that a human being's duty on eart is to live, not to kill." Then he said, "Taste all manner of life. Try everything. Be curious and inquire about yourself. Don't turn your back on life."
3. For Kien the most attractive, persistent echo of the past is the whisper of ordinary life, not the thunder of war, even though the sounds of ordinary life were washed away totally during the long storm of war." (63)
Thursday, April 8, 2010
One Page Essays for 4/08/2010
One Page Essay Ideas...
1.) "At the bottom of his heart he believes he exists on this earth to perform some unnamed heavenly duty. A task that is sacred and noble, but secret...From the time of that realization he felt that day by day his soul was gradually maturing, preparing for its task of fulfilling the sacred, heavenly duty of which the novel would become the earthly manifestation." (Ninh, 50-51).
What do you think is the duty Kien is talking about, and why is it so heavenly? What do you think this passage tells the reader about Kien? Explain the significance of this passage in the novel.
2.) "I want you to guard against all those who demand that you die just to prove something. It is not that I advise you to respect your life more than anything else, but not to die uselessly for the needs of others...you still have many years ahead of you. Many years of joy and happiness to experience. Who else but you can experience your life?" (Ninh 58-59)
What do you think is the significance of Kien's stepfather's words? What can you make out, and do you think it is good advice? Do you think Kien followed his advice? Show evidence to support your answer as to why or why not.
3.) "But when he arrived neighbors told him his stepfather had died many years earlier. Even the house had gone. It had been destroyed long ago. No one remembered the circumstances of his death, or even how the house had been destroyed." (Ninh 60)
"No one spoke of Can again. No one bothered to find out why he died, whether he was killed or had just exhausted himself in the jungle, or whether he'd committed suicide. No one accused him, either. The name, age, and image of someone who'd been every bit as brave under fire as his comrades, who had set a fine example, suddenly disappeared without trace. Except within the mind of Kien."
Throughout the novel, Kien had to experience the deaths of many of his friends as they died under fire, and now he has to deal with his stepfather's death. The amount of the dead piling up in the novel is very daunting, and yet, no one seems to care about them, despite the fact that the Vietnamese are very conscious about respecting their ancestors, the dead, burning incense for their alters, etc. Why do you think nobody shows any respect, or cares, for the dead anymore? Why do you think that they do not honor the dead as they used to? What do you think life or death means to Kien at this point in the novel? Explain your view, and the significance of what you are saying.
RA
1.) "At the bottom of his heart he believes he exists on this earth to perform some unnamed heavenly duty. A task that is sacred and noble, but secret...From the time of that realization he felt that day by day his soul was gradually maturing, preparing for its task of fulfilling the sacred, heavenly duty of which the novel would become the earthly manifestation." (Ninh, 50-51).
What do you think is the duty Kien is talking about, and why is it so heavenly? What do you think this passage tells the reader about Kien? Explain the significance of this passage in the novel.
2.) "I want you to guard against all those who demand that you die just to prove something. It is not that I advise you to respect your life more than anything else, but not to die uselessly for the needs of others...you still have many years ahead of you. Many years of joy and happiness to experience. Who else but you can experience your life?" (Ninh 58-59)
What do you think is the significance of Kien's stepfather's words? What can you make out, and do you think it is good advice? Do you think Kien followed his advice? Show evidence to support your answer as to why or why not.
3.) "But when he arrived neighbors told him his stepfather had died many years earlier. Even the house had gone. It had been destroyed long ago. No one remembered the circumstances of his death, or even how the house had been destroyed." (Ninh 60)
"No one spoke of Can again. No one bothered to find out why he died, whether he was killed or had just exhausted himself in the jungle, or whether he'd committed suicide. No one accused him, either. The name, age, and image of someone who'd been every bit as brave under fire as his comrades, who had set a fine example, suddenly disappeared without trace. Except within the mind of Kien."
Throughout the novel, Kien had to experience the deaths of many of his friends as they died under fire, and now he has to deal with his stepfather's death. The amount of the dead piling up in the novel is very daunting, and yet, no one seems to care about them, despite the fact that the Vietnamese are very conscious about respecting their ancestors, the dead, burning incense for their alters, etc. Why do you think nobody shows any respect, or cares, for the dead anymore? Why do you think that they do not honor the dead as they used to? What do you think life or death means to Kien at this point in the novel? Explain your view, and the significance of what you are saying.
RA
One Page Essays 4/08/10
Does a father have to be blood related in order to be a father figure for a child. Does it really matter if the man is biologically related to the child in order to serve as a father figure for him?
Even though a Veteran of a war has seen and experienced things that many people would never even be able to imagine, is there any excuse for living a degenerate life full of insanity and instability?
M.O.
VOCAB (SOW1)
Indoctrination
Omnipresent
Somnambulantly
Attributes
Rife
Wanton
Petulantly
Audacity
Monotony
Elated
Omnipresent
Somnambulantly
Attributes
Rife
Wanton
Petulantly
Audacity
Monotony
Elated
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Position Paper Topics
Why do things mean more to you when you earn it yourself? Think of what Shukhov says
Why do you think Shukhov does not want to make carpets? Is it pride? Something else?
-Lana M.
One Page Papers
Do you think that in this position, you would resist more? Resist less? Does shukhov resist power and fight back against the man? How?
How do our society’s social norms compare the ways of the Russians in the Gulags? We obviously think their ways are weird and gross, (fish bones), do you think that as an outsider in our country, you would think certain things we did are gross or abnormal?
-Miles O.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
One Page Essays for 2/26/10
-Do you think Irene would have ever broken out of her shell if it hadn't been for francisco? why or why not?
-Do you think Irene and Francisco will ever return? Why or why not?
- Do you think Beatriz Beltran will ever change? why or why not? What will it take for her to change?
-What do you think about the differences in society? What are the differences??
-LM
-Do you think Irene and Francisco will ever return? Why or why not?
- Do you think Beatriz Beltran will ever change? why or why not? What will it take for her to change?
-What do you think about the differences in society? What are the differences??
-LM
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
One Page Essays For 2/24/10
One Page Essay Prompts...
1.) How do you think the book relates to the title? Include examples, and explain how shadows and love play a major role in the novel. (Shadows may refer to the past, some hidden shady secrets, or the remains of a certain element. For example, after seeing the bodies in the Los Riscos mine, Irene's "innocence" became a shadow of what she used to be).
2.) "Since Beatriz read only agreeable news, she had no idea of what was happening to the country. She did not know that the remains in Los Riscos mine had...been identified as those of the local farmers who had been arrested by Lieutenant Ramirez shortly after the military coup..." (Allende 260)
"Beatriz was oblivious to the public outcry that, in spite of censorship, swept the nation and traveled around the globe, once again making front page news of the desaparecidos under Latin-American dictatorships." (Allende 260)
"Only the most apathetic could ignore the signs and remain impervious to the truth. Beatriz Alcantara was one of those." (Allende 232)
Do you think that it is the government's fault that the wealthy are so oblivious? Or do you think that the wealthy choose to live in a state of blissful ignorance, supposedly clueless to their surroundings, and the tragedy that has burdened the poor, in favor of living only for themselves?
3.) "The timid murmur that for so many years had been hidden behind doors and closed shutters now, for the first time, came out in the street to be shouted aloud, and that lament, augmented by the countless new cases that had come to light, touched everyone. Only the most apathetic could ignore the signs and remain impervious to the truth. Beatriz Alcantara was one of those." (Allende 232)
"Sooner or later, the chickens will come home to roost." (Allende 261)
Do you agree with this quote? Do you think that Rosa was referring to karma, or the fact that the truth will eventually come out, (regarding the injustices the military heaps on the people of Chile)? Give an example of when the "chickens come home to roost", and explain your view. (For example, the discovery of the bodies in the Los Riscos mine)
4.) "Meanwhile Beatriz Alcantara swore that the machinegun fire that had come so close to ending her daughter's life was meant for someone else. She spent days telephoning her friends to tell them her version of events. She did not want anyone to have the wrong impression about her daughter." (Allende 259)
Do you think that Beatriz's obsession with her high society image is an excuse for her ignorance regarding her surroundings and significant events in the novel? (For example, the desparacidos, the unwarranted arrests of people who were never seen again, the chaos that the military inflicted upon the poor, and anyone who defied the military, and so on and so forth).
5.) " 'They're accusing that poor lieutenant of the murders, Rosa, but no one stops to remember that he helped liberate us from Communism,' Beatriz had commented that morning in the kitchen." (Allende 261)
"Terror, far from securing order, as he had been taught in officers' training, had sown a hatred whose harvest would inevitably be greater violence." (Allende 275)
" 'And what shall we do about public opinion, the diplomats, and the press, General, sir?'/ 'What we always do, Colonel. You don't change your strategy mid-battle. Take a lesson from the Roman emperors.' " (Allende 231)
What is your opinion on the military? Do you think they are justified in doing whatever they need to do for the greater security? Do you think that the higher officers (for example, the General) are interested in keeping peace/security, despite the fact that they destroy everything in their path?
6.) "It was a world of deprivation and penury in which the only consolation solidarity. Here no one dies of hunger, Jose said, in explanation of the communal stewpots, because before that last desperate step is taken, someone holds out a helping hand. Neighbors formed groups and contributed whatever each could scavenge for the soup shared by all." (Allende 217)
~Rama A~
1.) How do you think the book relates to the title? Include examples, and explain how shadows and love play a major role in the novel. (Shadows may refer to the past, some hidden shady secrets, or the remains of a certain element. For example, after seeing the bodies in the Los Riscos mine, Irene's "innocence" became a shadow of what she used to be).
2.) "Since Beatriz read only agreeable news, she had no idea of what was happening to the country. She did not know that the remains in Los Riscos mine had...been identified as those of the local farmers who had been arrested by Lieutenant Ramirez shortly after the military coup..." (Allende 260)
"Beatriz was oblivious to the public outcry that, in spite of censorship, swept the nation and traveled around the globe, once again making front page news of the desaparecidos under Latin-American dictatorships." (Allende 260)
"Only the most apathetic could ignore the signs and remain impervious to the truth. Beatriz Alcantara was one of those." (Allende 232)
Do you think that it is the government's fault that the wealthy are so oblivious? Or do you think that the wealthy choose to live in a state of blissful ignorance, supposedly clueless to their surroundings, and the tragedy that has burdened the poor, in favor of living only for themselves?
3.) "The timid murmur that for so many years had been hidden behind doors and closed shutters now, for the first time, came out in the street to be shouted aloud, and that lament, augmented by the countless new cases that had come to light, touched everyone. Only the most apathetic could ignore the signs and remain impervious to the truth. Beatriz Alcantara was one of those." (Allende 232)
"Sooner or later, the chickens will come home to roost." (Allende 261)
Do you agree with this quote? Do you think that Rosa was referring to karma, or the fact that the truth will eventually come out, (regarding the injustices the military heaps on the people of Chile)? Give an example of when the "chickens come home to roost", and explain your view. (For example, the discovery of the bodies in the Los Riscos mine)
4.) "Meanwhile Beatriz Alcantara swore that the machinegun fire that had come so close to ending her daughter's life was meant for someone else. She spent days telephoning her friends to tell them her version of events. She did not want anyone to have the wrong impression about her daughter." (Allende 259)
Do you think that Beatriz's obsession with her high society image is an excuse for her ignorance regarding her surroundings and significant events in the novel? (For example, the desparacidos, the unwarranted arrests of people who were never seen again, the chaos that the military inflicted upon the poor, and anyone who defied the military, and so on and so forth).
5.) " 'They're accusing that poor lieutenant of the murders, Rosa, but no one stops to remember that he helped liberate us from Communism,' Beatriz had commented that morning in the kitchen." (Allende 261)
"Terror, far from securing order, as he had been taught in officers' training, had sown a hatred whose harvest would inevitably be greater violence." (Allende 275)
" 'And what shall we do about public opinion, the diplomats, and the press, General, sir?'/ 'What we always do, Colonel. You don't change your strategy mid-battle. Take a lesson from the Roman emperors.' " (Allende 231)
What is your opinion on the military? Do you think they are justified in doing whatever they need to do for the greater security? Do you think that the higher officers (for example, the General) are interested in keeping peace/security, despite the fact that they destroy everything in their path?
6.) "It was a world of deprivation and penury in which the only consolation solidarity. Here no one dies of hunger, Jose said, in explanation of the communal stewpots, because before that last desperate step is taken, someone holds out a helping hand. Neighbors formed groups and contributed whatever each could scavenge for the soup shared by all." (Allende 217)
~Rama A~
One Page Essays for 2/26/10
1. In certain cases as Gustavo Morante's, the author creates a feeling swaying the reader in one direction or the other. Describe one of these characters and how the author displays this character. Why do you think the author portrays the character(s) in the manner they are presented? Is there possibly another side to the character that isn't seen? Does this relate to anything in particular? What then?
Roman L
2. People are stuck in bubbles, such as Daisy in, The Great Gatsby, the rich are only concerned about making money, and the poor are in desperate need for money, Why do you think we isolate each other? Can we/you change this behavior, How?
3. In the case of refugees, what rights do they have in other countries? Do they have the right to return to their motherland? Would it ever be safe if they did? Will they ever feel safe, even if there is change? What obligations should neighboring nations have for protecting and harboring refugees?
4. Is social pressure a reason to follow social norms, or an excuse? Why does society value conformity over individuality?
Roman L
Friday, January 29, 2010
VOCAB (OLAS2)
Tacit
Vacillation
Antipathy
Brocade
Provincial
Immutable
Diaphanous
Dissipate
Circumspect
Imperturbable
Vacillation
Antipathy
Brocade
Provincial
Immutable
Diaphanous
Dissipate
Circumspect
Imperturbable
Thursday, January 28, 2010
One Page Essays for 1.28.10
1.Which comes first- Nation or friends?
2. Is a reason for mental trauma in soldiers unpreparedness for killing and war?
-KL
2. Is a reason for mental trauma in soldiers unpreparedness for killing and war?
-KL
one page essay topics
"the corpral was right, and as the days and weeks went by it had been much easier to kill for the nation than to die for it" what do you think about the kill or be killed mentality??
"all men are brothers. But that isn't true : anyman who goes around spreading violence is no brother of mine, and the nation comes first, everything isnt worth shit; and if we dont kill them, they'll kill us" what is you point of view about this quote in relation to the views of the chilean people.
What do you think about Irenes relationship with both Francisco and Gustavo? Which man do you think best suits her why? what is her magical realism vs her reality?
-LM
"all men are brothers. But that isn't true : anyman who goes around spreading violence is no brother of mine, and the nation comes first, everything isnt worth shit; and if we dont kill them, they'll kill us" what is you point of view about this quote in relation to the views of the chilean people.
What do you think about Irenes relationship with both Francisco and Gustavo? Which man do you think best suits her why? what is her magical realism vs her reality?
-LM
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Position Paper Ideas...
One Page Essay Prompts...
1.) Is it possible for one to completely conform to society's expectations, both internally and externally? The pressure to be the perfect example, to be a role model, is intense in OLAS, and for others it is merely a survival tactic. (For example, Suicide event, and Mario being gay, etc...) Support your answer with evidence from the novel.
2.) In the annotated text, can the traditional "All men are brothers" attitude, with personality traits like pride, honor, and loyalty, be beaten down in the name of national security/justice? Do you think this is just?
3.) "It is the first duty of a soldier to protect the nation's security; that's why they'd seized power, to make the nation strong again, and, in passing, to do away with their internal enemies." (Allende 132)
"Kill or be killed, this is war, these things have to be done, pull up your pants and don't tremble, don't think, don't feel, and above all don't look at the man's face, because if you do, you're fucked good and proper." (Allende 133)
Do you think either of these two quotes are true? Is the "greater good" an adequate justification for the death or "disappearance" of so many? Are such actions truly necessary?
~Rama A.~
1.) Is it possible for one to completely conform to society's expectations, both internally and externally? The pressure to be the perfect example, to be a role model, is intense in OLAS, and for others it is merely a survival tactic. (For example, Suicide event, and Mario being gay, etc...) Support your answer with evidence from the novel.
2.) In the annotated text, can the traditional "All men are brothers" attitude, with personality traits like pride, honor, and loyalty, be beaten down in the name of national security/justice? Do you think this is just?
3.) "It is the first duty of a soldier to protect the nation's security; that's why they'd seized power, to make the nation strong again, and, in passing, to do away with their internal enemies." (Allende 132)
"Kill or be killed, this is war, these things have to be done, pull up your pants and don't tremble, don't think, don't feel, and above all don't look at the man's face, because if you do, you're fucked good and proper." (Allende 133)
Do you think either of these two quotes are true? Is the "greater good" an adequate justification for the death or "disappearance" of so many? Are such actions truly necessary?
~Rama A.~
Thursday, January 21, 2010
VOCAB (OLAS1)
Peremptory
Rheumatic
Prelate
Affable
Benedictions
Ascertain
Macabre
Cadavers
Indomitable
Subverted
Rheumatic
Prelate
Affable
Benedictions
Ascertain
Macabre
Cadavers
Indomitable
Subverted
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