Immigration Book Post #3

Quote #1:
1. "-I had no sponser, and the three month of rent provided by the U.S. government was about to expire. I suffered under constant headaches and often could barely move; the pain could be blinding. I wanted to begin a life,-" said by Valentino on page 171.

2.This quote ties in with the question, "What hardships do the characters endure as they make a new life?". In fact, this quote states or outlines all the main problems the protagonist Valentino faced. It shows that even in America, Valentino still had big problems, like not even being able to move from the pain he was under.

3. (Personal Connection) The first part says he was almost out of rent for his home, which would have made him homeless. A week ago, we did an exercise in humanities to learn about homeless people in the U.S., and we learned how hard it was to do things like go to school, or get a job, so I felt connected when he said that

4. What do you think would have happened to him if he didn't have a sponsor?

Quote #2:
1. " 'I'll be your sponsor. And your mentor,' he said. ' I'm going to get you working, and get you a car and an apartment. Then we'll see about getting you into college.' And I knew he would. Phil Mays was a successful man and would be successful with me. I shook his hand vigorously and smiled and walked him to the elevator. I returned to the LBF offices, and looked out the window. He was emerging from the building, now just below me. I watched as he got into his car, a fine car, sleek and black, exactly beneath where I stood against the glass. He sat down behind the wheel, put his hands in his lap, and he cried. I watched his shoulders shake, watched him bring his hands to his face." narrated by Valentino on page 173.

2. This quote shows how he was treated by an American citizen, who was born in the U.S. and is one of the many who chose to help him. In fact, it answers the question, "How do Americans treat the characters?" pretty good, and while this one generous American can't represent those who differ, it does give some clarity on the things American's have done for Valentino.

3. (Character Judgment) I think Phil is very generous for agreeing to help Valentino like that. I feel sorry that a man as kind as him was crying about it, he deserves to have a perfect life considering he's letting Valentino have a good one.

4. What do you think Valentino was thinking during the bolded part of the quote?

Immigration Book Post #2

Quote #1:
1. "Be grateful TV Boy. Have respect. Have you seen the beginning of a war? Picture your neighborhood, and now see the women screaming, the babies being tossed into wells. Watch your brother explode. I want you to be there with me." Said by the narrator, Valentino, the protagonist on page 73.

2. I think this quote answers, "What was the life/role of the characters in their home country?". The way Valentino describes it, so graphic and depressing to hear, shows that his life in his home country of Sudan was, well, graphic and depressing. Overall, this quote gives some insight of how awry and horrible Valentino's life was when he was in Sudan, and the terrible things he saw.

3. (Personal Connection) I have seen a movie talking about Camp Darfur in 7th grade. It was very descriptive, showing and talking about things similar to this, like women screaming and brothers being killed mercilessly.

4. What do you feel "TV boy" would think and/or do if he could see this scene(s) described by Valentino?

Quote 2:
1. "I eased my way back into the grain, and Micheal, I do not understand why I was so quiet. Why I made no discernible sound. Why that man did not hear me. It was God who decided that the movements of Achak Deng would not produce a sound at that moment." Narrated by Valentino on page 92

2. I think it's significant because it shows Achak believes that God protected him from death. He believes that there was a higher force working on his behalf, and that says something about the way he thinks. It's also one of the closest near-death experiences so far.

3. (Personal Connection) I once saw a movie where a similar things happened. It was about World War 2, when a Jewish boy was hiding from Nazi's in his attic, and he hid under a pile of blankets. I find the situation is very similar to what just happened in the quote.

4. Do you think Achak would have survived getting caught by the man, or been killed?