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~

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?

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

VOCAB (OLAS2)

Tacit
Vacillation
Antipathy
Brocade
Provincial
Immutable
Diaphanous
Dissipate
Circumspect
Imperturbable

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

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

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.~

VOCAB (OLAS1)

Peremptory
Rheumatic
Prelate
Affable
Benedictions
Ascertain
Macabre
Cadavers
Indomitable
Subverted