Life of Pi: Week 7, Post B

FINAL BLOG POST!

I would like to post some comments about the book as a whole, and then maybe about blogging? Is that allowed? 

The book was a slight disappointment. Too much talk, too little action. Really not what I was hoping for. The beginning parts with the zoo were good, but once you got to the middle it was too philosophical and just plain bland--it's not that they weren't nicely written, they were just...boring? I think that's the word. And I don't like boring books. Even when the story moved away from that, the pace really never really picked up and overall I was let down. The set up definitely didn't pay off in the end. I don't know how to rate it exactly...I want to say 2.5/5. Not that it's a 50% bad, it's just....It's a tough call. There's too much bad to warrant a 3 star rating.

About blogging...let me just say I'm not a huge fan. While I like the concept, the execution is a little off...I think that the same prompts every week got old...It's nothing personal, just something that I feel could be perfected.

Life of Pi: Week 7, Post A

Cultural Differences

All right, well I've talked a lot about the way a woman behaves as a mother, but I haven't really talked about how she behaves a wife...which is interesting. First of all is the way she is chosen. And I mean, that's the weird part, isn't it? She's chosen, it's not a mutual decision, at least not for the most part. That's one main cultural difference. Second is the way she's treated...We don't really see her in the book--but maybe that's the point? Pi's father plays a key role in his development, like on page 50 with the tigers, but we never see Pi's mother, other then brief glimpses when she says very motherly things, like "be careful." I know in my family, my dad plays an equal if not slightly lesser role in my life, but they both treat each other equally--something we can't safely say Pi's parents do or don't. If Pi's father won't introduce her, we won't get to see her--and that's a bad thing.

Life of Pi: Week 6, Post B

What I'd like to talk about in post B isn't actually part of the story per se, but it is part of the text...It's the italicized portions in-between chapters. 

When reading them, I instantly got confused. They're about a man, described as "an excelled cook" (22) and "a small, slim man...Dark hair, dark eyes. Can't be older than forty" (7). I really had no idea who this was describing--Was it Pi in the future? It can't be, he talks to Pi. Was it Pi's father? No, wrong description. Maybe it was a character we would meet later on in the book...Why would we get a description of him now, and why was his text weird???

Well,  I went to the best possible source (Wikipedia) and it says:

"In the novel, Pi is met by another fictional character, the supposed author of Life of Pi...Although somewhat unclear, it is the fictional author who writes the story in Pi's own words" (Wikipedia). Ohhhhhh! That makes......no sense. Not kidding. It's a lame literature device to try and provide another level to the story. 

Not only is it confusing, it's pointless and I don't like it. That's all there is. 

Life of Pi: Week 6, Post A

The cultural difference featured in this section is the idea of a better life.

In The United States, people like to ponder the belief of the American Dream. What is the American Dream?  I think the American Dream is a better life--One where everyone can get along, no matter the race, gender, or age of the person in question. This elusive dream, however, is not easily found. I think people in America have to want it, really want for it to be achievable.  Simply moving here isn't enough. I think the bigger hurdle though is the people here--they have good lives and are reluctant to change.

In India, there is much strife, it's much worse than it is here. It says "The answer is the same the world over: people move in the hope of a better life" (77). I don't even think most Americans considering moving, especially not out of the country. Maybe to get away from crime or poverty, a family will move across the town. Maybe to get access to a better job, a family will move 50 miles south. Maybe a career of a parent will even take a family across state lines. 

But hardly ever do families move from America, and especially not to achieve better lives. There's something to ponder.

Life of Pi: Week 5, Post B

I'd like to talk about what I felt on the argument between the Christian, Muslim, and Hindu leaders. First, I thought the argument was flat out funny. Some of the insults were just like...I don't even know. They were so uncalled for it wasn't even funny, but most of them were actually pretty good. Beyond that, though, I thought that the argument was completely and totally pointless, and honestly quite immature. (It's not that the writing was uncalled for, on the contrary, I thought it was very well written. It's just that the argument itself was very childish and selfish.) 

However, I don't think Pi Piscine can be blamed at ALL for trying to experiment with new religions. He's a young boy and honestly admits it himself when he says he doesn't know what to believe. Just because he's trying different things doesn't mean he's practicing all three, and even if he is, it should be celebrated that someone is so open, not looked upon as a crime. I think the reactions toward Pi's many religions was quite rude and completely wrong to do. No fingers should be pointed at Piscine, rather, he should be looked upon as a hero and one who can carry multiple religions.

Life of Pi: Week 5, Post A

One main cultural difference I have found throughout the book was the relationship between Pi Piscine and his parents. Pi's father is a tough man, who demands the best and wants to show the dangers of life, and his zoo, to his family. Like in America, he doesn't always share the same ideas as his wife. Unlike here, he has much more say in the family. Also, I feel like, and maybe it's wrong for me to say so, but I feel as if Pi respects his father much more than we respect our parents here. Pi never questions what his father does, and also goes with his plans. Even when his father asks him to watch a lion slaughter and eat a goat, Pi does it without question. Today, one of us might say something along the lines of "Dad! No way!" but Pi does it without any doubts. His blind following is something we don't often see in today's world. 

Something we also do (or don't see) is the presence of Pi's mother. Everyone loves their mom, but I feel Pi's mother plays much smaller of a role in his life than my mother does in mine. For example, in the zoo, Pi's father makes all the rules, he makes the decisions, and he watches over everything. Pi's mother is not mentioned once! I found the differences between family relationships shocking.

Life of Pi: Week 4, Post B

Dear Pi,

So far, I've had some very interesting thoughts on your book. First off, I really like your simplistic, peaceful perspective on life. I think it's very cool to have such an open mind and be able to think things in a unique way. One of the coolest things I got from the book, however, was the fact that you live in a ZOO! That's so awesome. Seriously. I would love to live in a zoo, with all the animals around you. Sure, it could smell, but you'd get used to that. And it would be like living in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Antarctica all at the same time. All the cool animals...It's something I would imagine to be sensational. However...I do think when your father showed you the Tiger eating a goat, I was shocked. However, come to think of it...I feel it was a good idea, to be honest. Sometimes, you need to see something to belive it, and that was a very powerful example for a very powerful action, and sometimes that is needed to prove a point. While it may seem disturbing now, I think you'll find it'll pay off in the long run in your respect and knowledge of animals, and will help you treat them as equals rather than lesser things.

Keep an open mind,

Michael

Life of Pi: Week 4, Post A

Cultural Differences....Well, today I'm going to talk more about religious differences, because religion is a huge part of culture in the United States and an even bigger part in the rest of world. In the story, Pi gives a very down-to-earth view of religion, giving examples of beliefs with easy and yet striking simplicity. For example, he describes how Christianity is like if a lion killed two of you llamas, but to make up for it, you had to be fed to the lions. Pi goes on to say how, regardless of the question, the answer to anything relating to God is "love." Simple, yet brilliant. He also discusses religions we don't think about much, such as Islam. He describes how the prayer for Islams is so simple, and people can do it whereever they are. He says "Why, Islam is nothing but an easy sort of exercise, I thought. Hot weather yoga for the Bedouins. Asanas without sweat, heaven without strain" (60). This, in a few words, is Pi's thinking, as well as an insider's look at an outsider's religion. In the U.S., we either a) completely ignore it, or b) look on it badly. In some countries, people hate Islam. Overall, in other parts of the word, Islam is looked upon very differently, whether for better or worse.

Life of Pi: Week 3, Post B

I suppose I'll do first thoughts again, and expectations for the book. 

So far, I'm only a few chapters in, and I have a few very distinct thoughts. First, it is quite confusing. They never really tell us who Pi is, what he looks like, what he does, we just have to get that out of the stories. Also, the story jumps around. For example, in just the first chapter, Pi starts out talking about his college studies, and his project--Sloths. But not the 2-toed sloths, mind you, the 3-toed ones, though you have to tell that from the front paws, since they all have 3 in the back. All of a sudden, the story jumps, and they're talking about hospitals in Mexico and BAM! it jumps again and they're talking about eating with your hands in Canada. Then the next chapter is just a description. Then, the following chapter is about swimming. Quite confusing, especially for an opener. 

As for expectation, I think I'm setting the bar high. Although Ms. Burgess told me that she knew people who didn't like it, I have heard good things from others. And not that I don't trust Ms. Burgess, I'm just an optimistic person who hopes it will be an enjoyable read rather than a boring one. 

BOOK SWITCH! Life of Pi: Week 3, Post A

All right, so if you've heard me complain you know I hated the old book, so I switched, and thanks to Mrs. Burgess to lending it to me for the time being. 

Well, as for cultural differences. One thing I found interesting was when Pi goes to an Indian restaurant in Canada, and eats with his hands. The server says "Fresh off the boat, are you?" and Pi gets very offended. In India, where Pi grows up, they don't use silverware, which I've personally never thought about, but now that I do, that really is quite weird. Well, not necessarily weird, just different, I suppose. 

Another cultural...well, cultural similarity I found interesting was that of swimming. In the Olympics, you hear of Michael Phelps, and American leading the way. There are a few other foreigners, but no one considers India. In the book, Pi's father was a big swimmer, as is Pi, and he practices three times a week, not counting the millions of times he goes over it mentally in his head, thinking of everything.

Just two things you never really think about--eating utensils and swimming, that are practiced differently in other cultures.

At the Crossing Places: Week 2, Post B

Today's topic: Merlin

Today I decided to look up Merlin. He's a wizard in the Arthurian Legends, and is wildly popular. In the story, he gives a seeing stone. Here's some info on him from, where else, Wikipedia.  

He first shows up in Geoffery of Monmouth's story, but has been featured in hundreds of other stories and movies, from hundreds of authors including Mark Twain. According to Monmouth, he was born from a normal, mortal woman, but is sired by a demon like creature and given supernatural powers. It's actually unclear as to whether Merlin ever lived, and if not, who the character was based off of. 

Well, I'll be honest. I looked today in Zephyrus and at home, and pretty much everything written about Merlin contradicts itself. Did he live? Was he young or old? No one seems to know. Like my last post, I'll try to improve on this if I find some definite information...this whole book is confusing!

At the Crossing Places: Week 2, Post A

Collops, Clinchpoop, Poultices. 

What do these words all have in common? They're all words used in the novel that we never say. In fact, I have only heard one of these words in my life. I decided to looks up the words to find out what they mean and why we don't use them...

Collops: Pieces of meat. Comes from the french word escalope.  Scottish collops is a, well, a scottish meal with strips of meat served with potatoes. 

Here's a recipe if you want to make it. 

Clinchpoop: According to Urban Dictionary, it's "a moronic person, an idiot." That's how they use it in the book as well, but we just never use it. I'll try to use it in class tomorrow.

Poultices: A soft, moist mass used to treat an injury. This is the word I've heard, and I think maybe we use it sometimes in our "American" english...I just don't use it. At all.

All of these words, and more (maybe I'll add more later) are just words we don't use in our language today but seem to be commonplace back then. Interesting cultural differences you could say...Now excuse me while I go make some collops. Don't make me hurt you clinchpoop, or you'll need a poultice.

Essay Topic: Pollution in China

Links in titles...

Main Page

Backround

Olympics POV

At the Crossing Places: Week 1, Post A

All right, well...cultural differences. Suprisingly, I found quite a few. One main thing I was thinking about while reading was the importance of family heritage, and heredity. Now, that's obviously not a big issue. But as we learned in AP Euro, and in this class, that's ALL that mattered. In this book, Arthur couldn't inherit any of his land because he was the second born son. Everything, including pretty much your whole life path, is determind by your parents and your birth order. Which, connecting back to present day, I find interesting. Recently, a lot of studies have come out about birth order and how it affect a child. I found this interesting: http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1672715,00.html. It talks about how birth order can affect kids--But can it really? I found this quote pretty interesting:
"People read birth-order books the way they read horoscopes," warns Toni Falbo, professor of educational psychology at the University of Texas. "'I'm a middle-born, so that explains everything in my life'—it's just not like that."
In family, it's not like that, either. But for some, maybe it is. Back then, birth order really mattered. Today? Not so much.

At The Crossing Places: Week 1, Post B

Well, first post B since I'm not 100% sure as to what goes into post A. Just mixing it up a bit.
I suppose I'll just start with first impressions. So far....I don't really know, to be honest. It hasn't been anything interesting really, just some set-up information. Arthur de Caldicot, our main character, is a squire for Lord Stephen. As I see it, Lord Stephen is a noble of sorts, who has a kingdom but it's overly powerful. He's training Arthur, but mainly Arthur wants to go out into the Crusades and fight. I think this is pretty typical: Arthur's just a teen who wants to go into battle before understanding any of the politics or really even learning to fight.
I've read the first book, but many years ago, and so went on (where else?) Wikipedia to refresh my memory. Oh yes! I remember. Arthur was the 2nd son of Sir John and therefore cannot recieve any land...First he must become a squire (now) and a knight (later) to get his own land.
In the Seeing Stone (not the first part of the series, but the object), Arthur sees many things. This is one plot device used by Crossley-Holland that I simply don't like. While interesting, it becomes overly confusing. Isn't there an easier way to intertwine two stories? The seeing stone shows another Arthur, much like our Arthur, rise to power as King Arthur, as well as providing backround on King Arthur--Or is it Arthur? It's meant to be similar, and yet to me it's annoying. I'm not 100% sure where this book is headed, but I already don't like it. Bad sign.

REASON FOR OUTSIDE READING QTR. 4

All right, well, I picked the book "At the Crossing Places" by Kevin Crossley-Holland. I picked it for two reasons: 1) I started it once and I don't know why I didn't finish it, but I didn't. And 2) because I'm interested in Middle-aged stuff, and the Holy Wars. It seems exciting enough for a teenage boys, it's got your swordfights and your battle scenes and stuff. (Maybe it's got some love interest, yeah, you know? (Wink, Nudge)) Now, I don't know how much actual information I'll get from the book--It is fiction--But still. I'm excited to read it...Now, as for differences in culture, it'll be different because a) it's set in England and Scotland, and b) it's set in the year 1200. So, obviously there are going to be some cultural differences and overall lifestyle changes.

Goblet of Fire: Week 7, Post B

I think now I'd like to talk about ethics, and how it's portrayed in our lives and literature. First, the tie in the Harry Potter. During the novel, Hagrid, the groundskeeper, talks to Harry, and tells him to come to his house at midnight, that he has something to show him. When Harry arrives, Hagrid takes Harry as well as the head of an opposing school into the forest, where he shows them dragons, the subject of the secret first task. When Harry is leaving, he sees the head of another school heading into the woods, apparently going to see the dragons as well. Harry, realizing that Cedric, the other Hogwarts champion, has not seen the dragons, he quickly informs him. Now all the champions know before the event.

Harry says it's "only fair" that Cedric knows, stating the fact that everyone else has already heard of what's to come. However, is something fair just because everyone is doing/seeing it? The task was supposed to be secret...Shouldn't it stay a secret?

I think that because Harry was taken there without his consent, as was Madame Maxime, their guilt is justified. In this situation, I think it WAS fair for Harry to tell Cedric, otherwise it would be unfair to NOT know, not the other way around. However, Hagrid should have never taken Harry to see the dragons--Hagrid is the one at fault. If one champion unintentionally sees the task, all champions have the right to know--Although the problem would be better avoided in the first place.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: Week 7, Post A

Well, I finished the Kite Runner, so now I get to blog on whatever, and this is what I'm reading right now.

VOCAB

Beauxbatons: Though it's a school in the book, the term roughly translates to "beautiful stick/wand" in french, which fits considering their coat of arms contains 2 wands, and they're all portrayed as beautiful.

Durmstrang: Strang, meaning storm, and Durm meaning urge, in German, fit considering the school is supposed to be tough and violent.

FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE

"The faces in the portraits turned to look at him as he entered" (273). I suppose this is a personification, since pictures can't look at you. But then again, in Hogwarts they can.

"Giving him the most skull-like appearance" (277). This is a simile because it uses like to compare Mr. Crouch to a skeleton when standing in the shadows.

"A living room on wheels" (245). This is a metaphor since it compares the Beauxbaton carriage to a living room, which scares me a little, but all right.

QUOTE

"And then Dumbledore cleared his throat and read out--Harry Potter!" (271). This was big, because it was when Harry was picked as the 4th champion. You kinda knew he was going to be in the plot somehow, but still this came as a surprise. The first time. Not this time. This is like my 10th time reading it.

THEME

No matter what, the main character is always going to be in the big event--Not just in this book, but still, never bet against the main character finding away into the mix, especially when the book is named after him. An age restriction, limit on the number of competitors, and the fact that he didn't enter didn't even stop him from joining the tournament.

The Kite Runner: Week 6, Post B

Final thoughts on the book:



One of the words I've been using throughout the book has been a simple one: "wow." The ending really draws the same emotion-- though I'll admit I have a slight feeling that it could have been better. I've been moved intensly over the course of the book...From the intro of the characters, to the happiness after Amir's kite-cutting championship, to the terror when Hassan is cornered- it's all been quite a wild ride.

I'm just going to get it out there right now though-I was fairly annoyed with the ending. Really annoyed? No. Annoyed enough to make me dislike the book? No. But...something deep down made me not like the ending. With Amir kite-running in the end with his "son"...it's all cute and things, but for some reason, it didn't seem complete. Sohrab, to me, wasn't a complete character after he stopped speaking. He didn't convey emotion, he simply annoyed me, and I know it sounds wrong but it's true. I felt terrible for him after Amir said he had to go back to the orphanage--terribly, actually-- but I don't think not speaking was the best solution-for the character or the author.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It's definetly one of the best books I've ever read, and though it may not be the top of the list, it's up there, and I will for sure read it again. A true classic.

The Kite Runner: Week 6, Post A

VOCAB

Carafe (313): A bottle used to hold beverages, usually wine or coffee

Trellis (352): A form of latticework used as a support for plants.

FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE

"That's how children deal with terror. They fall asleep" (342). This book is filled with irony, in a sad way of course. This is no exception, since after this scare we never hear Sohrab speak again. It's his way of dealing with terror.

"the hospital was a maze of teeming, angled hallways" (350). This is a metaphor comparing the crazy, passage-filled hospital to a maze, making it tough for people to find their way.

"by the whooshing ventilator beside the bed" (350). This is an onomatopoeia because the word "whooshing" sounds like the action.

QUOTE

"Later, they said I was still screaming when the ambulance arrived" (343). I won't lie: This was the closest I came to crying while reading. And while I'm not quite there, something pangs inside me every time I re-read this part. It's just so sad and so intense...I feel bad for both Sohrab and for Amir.

THEME

There is a way to be good again. This was used in the book during a phone message from Rahim Khan to Amir, and I think it's true: No matter who you were, you can always change.