Quote #1:
1. "The curtain squeals and Julian's face appears.
'I'm sorry,' I say. 'Can you tell me friends to go home now, that I'm fine?' He nods and smiles broadly.
'Sure. I'm sure they're ready. I'll tell them.' He turns to leave me but then remains. He stares at his clipboard for a long moment, then looks at me through the corner of his eye. 'You fight in that war, Valentino, the civil war?' I tell him no, that I was not a soldier. 'Oh. Well good, then," he says. 'I'm glad.'
And he leaves." a conversation between Julian, the doctor assisting Valentino with his wounds, and Valentino. It is narrated by Valentino on page 317.
2. I found this quote as a bit of an enigma. The hospital, on a whole, is ignoring Valentino's more than minor wounds, simply because he doesn't have health insurance.
3. (Personal Connection) During the Rock The Vote project one of the presentations I saw was about healthcare for the non-insured, and how they had to wait for very long amounts of time before they receive anything close to or signaling help. As I read this quote, this presentation popped into my head, and the quote started to make a little more sense.
4.Were you in Valentino's position, would you have complained about the long wait to the hospital, or just sat it out? OR, would you have walked out and left?
Showing posts with label Immigration Lit Circle Posts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Immigration Lit Circle Posts. Show all posts
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
Immigration Book Post #4
Quote #1:
1. "My stomach drops to my feet. If the war were to begin again, I don't know that I could live though it, even safely here in the United States. I doubt any of us could. We live only knowing that our families are safe. But this, a return to blood and madness---I am quite sure I would not be able to bear the burden." said by Valentino on page 289.
2. I find this quote is very insightful, because It shows Valentino's feelings about a situation that nobody could really have imagined accurately. It also tells the reader how he maintains, "cultural ties" to Africa. Not only does what happens in Africa affect Valentino, but it effects his will to live (including many of the other Lost Boys)
3. (Character Judgment) I never really thought that the war starting again would most likely drive Valentino to thoughts of suicide. It makes him seem all the more vulnerable to events now, since not only do things in America affect Valentino, but things in Africa do as well.
4. What would you do in his position? Do you think you would become suicidal?
Quote #2:
1. " 'Achak don't you know me?' (said by Moses) I knew the boy in front of me to be Moses, but the real Moses had been killed by the murahaleen. I had seen him the moments before his death. 'Achak, talk to me. Is it you? Am I crazy?' (said by Moses) I gave in and spoke to the vision.
'I won't talk to you. Go away.' (said by Achack) And with that, the vision of Moses stood up and walked away. This was something I had never seen a vision do before. 'Wait!' I said, raising myself and dropping my shirt. The vision of Moses kept walking. 'Wait! Moses? Is it you?' (said by Achak) As I ran closer to the vision of Moses, he seemed more and more a real Moses and not a vision of Moses, and my heart jumped around, as if looking for a way to exit my body. And finaly the vision of Moses turned to me and it was really Moses. I hugged him and patted him on the back and looked in his face. It was Moses. He was older, but was still shaped the same way, a muscular man in miniature. It was surely Moses." narrated by Achak (aka "Valentino") on page 270.
2. I thought it was very important to the storyline, because Achak thought Moses was dead. Now that Moses is alive, Achak has a friend from his home village Marial Bai, and this will help the both of them get through their refugee life. Achak may have lost his will to live had he not met Moses again. I also thought this was a very emotional part
3. (Personal Connection) I was watching a movie once, about a refugee in Uganda. He made it to a camp, and was understandably depressed. But then he met his brother, who he thought was dead. When they saw eachother, they greeted eachother similar to the way Achak and Moses did once Achak realized it wasn't another vision.
4. What would you do after Achak said "Go away." if you were Moses?
1. "My stomach drops to my feet. If the war were to begin again, I don't know that I could live though it, even safely here in the United States. I doubt any of us could. We live only knowing that our families are safe. But this, a return to blood and madness---I am quite sure I would not be able to bear the burden." said by Valentino on page 289.
2. I find this quote is very insightful, because It shows Valentino's feelings about a situation that nobody could really have imagined accurately. It also tells the reader how he maintains, "cultural ties" to Africa. Not only does what happens in Africa affect Valentino, but it effects his will to live (including many of the other Lost Boys)
3. (Character Judgment) I never really thought that the war starting again would most likely drive Valentino to thoughts of suicide. It makes him seem all the more vulnerable to events now, since not only do things in America affect Valentino, but things in Africa do as well.
4. What would you do in his position? Do you think you would become suicidal?
Quote #2:
1. " 'Achak don't you know me?' (said by Moses) I knew the boy in front of me to be Moses, but the real Moses had been killed by the murahaleen. I had seen him the moments before his death. 'Achak, talk to me. Is it you? Am I crazy?' (said by Moses) I gave in and spoke to the vision.
'I won't talk to you. Go away.' (said by Achack) And with that, the vision of Moses stood up and walked away. This was something I had never seen a vision do before. 'Wait!' I said, raising myself and dropping my shirt. The vision of Moses kept walking. 'Wait! Moses? Is it you?' (said by Achak) As I ran closer to the vision of Moses, he seemed more and more a real Moses and not a vision of Moses, and my heart jumped around, as if looking for a way to exit my body. And finaly the vision of Moses turned to me and it was really Moses. I hugged him and patted him on the back and looked in his face. It was Moses. He was older, but was still shaped the same way, a muscular man in miniature. It was surely Moses." narrated by Achak (aka "Valentino") on page 270.
2. I thought it was very important to the storyline, because Achak thought Moses was dead. Now that Moses is alive, Achak has a friend from his home village Marial Bai, and this will help the both of them get through their refugee life. Achak may have lost his will to live had he not met Moses again. I also thought this was a very emotional part
3. (Personal Connection) I was watching a movie once, about a refugee in Uganda. He made it to a camp, and was understandably depressed. But then he met his brother, who he thought was dead. When they saw eachother, they greeted eachother similar to the way Achak and Moses did once Achak realized it wasn't another vision.
4. What would you do after Achak said "Go away." if you were Moses?
Friday, March 20, 2009
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?
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?
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?
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Immigration Book Post #1
Quote #1:
1." 'Yo freak, where you from?' I turned and told him I was from Sudan. 'You know,' the teenager said, tilting his head and sizing me up, 'you're one of those Africans who sold us out.' He went on in this vein for some time, and it became clear he thought I was responsible for the enslaving of his ancestors. Accordingly, he and his friend followed me for a block, talking to my back, again suggesting I go back to Africa" This was said on the end of 18 until the end of the first paragraph on page 19, by a random African American teenage boy and his friend who were telling Valentino this and following him on his way home.
2. The important thing about this quote is that Valentino (the protagonist) can't even turn to people of his own race, that they also will say to leave America. It's sad because it shows just how much hardship Valentino along with many many other African refugees and/or immigrants went through. It also shows something about Valentino's personality in particular. There are many different ways people could react to this. Somebody in Valentino's position could choose to call the cops, yell at the boys, punch them, etc. etc. What Valentino did though, was ignore them to the best of his abilities, and carry on with what he was doing, and this shows he can be peaceful and ignore people like those boys.
3. (Personal Connection) Something along those lines has happened to me before, where a person was being unnecessarily annoying. Just like Valentino, I continued what I was doing and ignored them. Unlike Valentino's experience though, they didn't follow me anywhere (which is a good thing).
4. What do you think Valentino should have done, and why?
Quote #2:
1. " Under the cover of night they are now brazen---they take two trips each to bring all of the apartment's valuables to the car. And now they are standing above me. 'Well, Africa, I hope this has been educational,' Tonya says. 'Thanks for your hospitality, brother,' Powder adds. They are ebullient with the possibility of their clean and imminent getaway." This was said by Tonya and Powder, two partners in crime robbing Valentino. It can be located at the end of page 22.
2. This is when the robbers Tonya and Powder are about to escape, and it's really quite horrible because all of his valuables (most of which were donated by generous people) will be stolen. As if that's not enough, these despicable thieves are being smug about it. It also signifies that this detestable event is almost over, and while Valentino will have to recover from it, at least he is alive and almost out of this situation.
3. (Personal Connection) I once saw a news report where a trio of burglers did something along these lines to a man living alone in his apartment. They tied him up and gagged him, then stole a lot of his things, and that shows that the kind of things like this in this book, can happen in real life (unfortunately).
4. If Tonya and Powder were caught and sent to court, what would you do if you were the deciding judge, to make sure there is justice?
1." 'Yo freak, where you from?' I turned and told him I was from Sudan. 'You know,' the teenager said, tilting his head and sizing me up, 'you're one of those Africans who sold us out.' He went on in this vein for some time, and it became clear he thought I was responsible for the enslaving of his ancestors. Accordingly, he and his friend followed me for a block, talking to my back, again suggesting I go back to Africa" This was said on the end of 18 until the end of the first paragraph on page 19, by a random African American teenage boy and his friend who were telling Valentino this and following him on his way home.
2. The important thing about this quote is that Valentino (the protagonist) can't even turn to people of his own race, that they also will say to leave America. It's sad because it shows just how much hardship Valentino along with many many other African refugees and/or immigrants went through. It also shows something about Valentino's personality in particular. There are many different ways people could react to this. Somebody in Valentino's position could choose to call the cops, yell at the boys, punch them, etc. etc. What Valentino did though, was ignore them to the best of his abilities, and carry on with what he was doing, and this shows he can be peaceful and ignore people like those boys.
3. (Personal Connection) Something along those lines has happened to me before, where a person was being unnecessarily annoying. Just like Valentino, I continued what I was doing and ignored them. Unlike Valentino's experience though, they didn't follow me anywhere (which is a good thing).
4. What do you think Valentino should have done, and why?
Quote #2:
1. " Under the cover of night they are now brazen---they take two trips each to bring all of the apartment's valuables to the car. And now they are standing above me. 'Well, Africa, I hope this has been educational,' Tonya says. 'Thanks for your hospitality, brother,' Powder adds. They are ebullient with the possibility of their clean and imminent getaway." This was said by Tonya and Powder, two partners in crime robbing Valentino. It can be located at the end of page 22.
2. This is when the robbers Tonya and Powder are about to escape, and it's really quite horrible because all of his valuables (most of which were donated by generous people) will be stolen. As if that's not enough, these despicable thieves are being smug about it. It also signifies that this detestable event is almost over, and while Valentino will have to recover from it, at least he is alive and almost out of this situation.
3. (Personal Connection) I once saw a news report where a trio of burglers did something along these lines to a man living alone in his apartment. They tied him up and gagged him, then stole a lot of his things, and that shows that the kind of things like this in this book, can happen in real life (unfortunately).
4. If Tonya and Powder were caught and sent to court, what would you do if you were the deciding judge, to make sure there is justice?
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