Blog 28: Interpreter of Maladies

Choose ONE of the three blog post questions to answer in one-two paragraphs. Be as detailed as possible to demonstrate your knowledge from reading the Interpreter of Maladies.

1. On page sixteen of Lahiri's short story, Mr. Kapasi makes observations of the Das's children: "Mr. Kapasi noted that this boy was slightly paler than the other children" (16). What is "foreshadowing"? Why does the author focus on this moment and how does it foreshadow what may occur in the story? What did you first suspect when you read this line?

This is foreshadowing how Mrs. Das had an affair which led to the birth of Bobby. The author focuses on this moment because it makes the reader wonder why Bobby is paler. It foreshadows Mrs. Das's confession about her affair. I first suspected that he was a sick child, which wort of foreshadowed the story of Mr. Kapasi's child.

2. As with many of Lahiri's writing, the theme of "displacement" runs throughout this short story selection. Displacement is the feeling of loyalty to not one, but two different cultures, so there is no allegiance to one culture. Cite two examples of this "displacment" from the story. Why does Lahiri include this theme in her work?

3. Explain the significance of the story's title. How is the title linked to Mr. Kapasi? Cite a quotation from the text that supports your explanation. Why does Mrs. Das take an interest in Mr. Kapasi? How does Mr. Kapasi react to the information she shares about herself?

[5 Points, EC. 4 Points for attempting to answer all three questions, posted by end of class 5.06.10]

Blog 27: TBCC, The End

Our reading of The Body of Christopher Creed is done! For each class period, there is a writing prompt; you may only complete the questions for your class period. Be sure your response is at least TWO paragraphs in length. Pull a quotation from the book where applicable. If you finish early, try writing on one of the other questions for review.

Period 3: What happened down in the Lenape Indian burial ground's cave? How do geologists at Stockton College explain the events? Why is it clear that Torey is still profoundly bothered by what he saw down there? In your opinion, is Dr. Fahdi have Torey's best interests in mind? Cite a quotation from the text to support your conclusions.

In the burial ground's cave,Torey found a body. He thought it was Creed's body, but he later found out it was Bob Haines's. The body was standing up, facing the cave wall with a gun in his hand. Once Torey saw the body, it began to blow away like dead leaves peeling in the wind. It was called "Immaculate Decomposition."

"Immaculate DEcomposition is what happens oxygen strikes a body that has been... well, that has been, um, dead. For some time. The, um. The cave you entered was air sealed," (Plum- Gucci 305). It is clear that Torey is still upset because he can only smell and taste things that are burnt. Also, he can no longer attend his high school or hang out with his usual friends. I think the doctor did have his best intentions in mind because he is a doctor. Doctors do good.

Blog 26: Dishonesty Breeds Dishonesty/ Ch. 17

Choose ONE of the writing prompt below to react in a one to two paragraph response. Be prepared to share your answer with classmates and the class.

4. Do you sympathize with Mrs. Creed at this point in the book? Explain your reasoning. What characters are aiding her in the search for her son? Who possesses the power in the situation and why? Include a quotation with your opinions.

I do sympathize with Mrs. Creed for a multitude of reasons. She is a mother who has lost her child. Even though it is easy to point a finger at Mrs. Creed for being so harsh and strict. However, I believe she just loved him. She said, "well,it's not my fault that other children saw my son as an easy mark." She tried too hard to watch over him though. Suffocation will not make a child happy. Sadly, Mrs. Creed did not realize this and she thought Chris was completely happy.

Blog 25: Chapter 6: Torey's Lyrics

In chapter six, Torey shares some of the lyrics from his band on pages 66-68. Choose two of these lyrics and explain what their significance is for Torey's life. Then, finish the song that Torey started--use any details about Torey's characterization or life in South Jersey to help you. Attempt to develop ten-fifteen lines for the song, and be sure to include a title. The song can be serious, silly, a rap, etc., as long as the lyrics are school appropriate and demonstrate aspects of Torey's characterization.

Be prepared to share the band's new jam!!

It's called the blues.

Even around here it's called the blues.

Significance: There's sadness everywhere, even in the most seemingly perfect settings.

It's called the blues.

Even around here it's called the blues.

When you have nothing to lose

and everyone is confused

it's called the blues

Creed is dead

shot right in the head

we thought he was crazy

maybe he's in the shed.

Creed ran away

can't find him today

he had no privacy

Now, we all have to pay.

It's called the blues.

Even around here it's called the blues.

When there's nothing to lose.

You just slip on your shoes

It's called the blues.

Blog 24: Ch 1 of TBCC Reading

What do you think of Torey as a character? Does he remind you of Holden Caulfield? Why/ why not? Speak to the reliability of both narrators and make a comparison of the two.

Torey seems like a very troubled character, who only wants to go back and live his normal life. He reminds me of Holden Caulfield only because he lives in a boarding school. Also, he has an annoying dorm-mate. Ackley is nosy and obnoxious just like Leo. Both of them are not in a positive state of mind. I do not know enough about Torey, to decide whether or not he is a reliable storyteller. However, Holden was difficult to believe, though I did not have a feeling he had any reason to lie.

Blog 23: Issues in Our American Society

After reading two of the articles, write a one-paragraph response to each. Consider the following questions for each editorial [your commentary need not be in this order]:

-How does the author of the news article support a specific position on the issue? Provide an example of this slanted perspective.

-What is your personal opinion on the subject under debate? Why do you support/ refute the article's points? [ex. Cigarettes- Why would you take the job/ not take the job?; Locked away- How old do you think an individual needs to be to tell right from wrong?; Global warming- What does your diet mostly consist of?; Distraction- Who do you know that texts while driving?]

-What statistics/ collected data/ pictures/ etc. does the author choose to make his/ her point(s) in the editorial? How are they effective?

In the article "Should I Take A Job Promoting Cigarettes?" the author cannot decide whether or not to take the job. Proof is that the author wrote to the paper asking what he should do. I would never take that job in am million years, unless I had a plan to thwart the company's mission and destroy all of their tobacco. The author provides the facts that "Cigarette smoking causes more than 400,000 deaths in the US each year."

In the article "Driven to Distraction" it discusses the dangers of texting while driving. I am strongly against texting while driving. The article states that texting accidents total up to about 2,600 deaths a year. That is truly disgusting and disturbing. So many deaths over such a selfish and stupid reason is really unnecessary.

Blog 22: The Birds and the Bees

There are a lot of "what if" questions that can be drawn from this chapter. With a partner or by yourself, consider the following questions, and write your own opinions about them. CHOOSE AT LEAST FIVE QUESTIONS TO ANSWER. As a class, we will then review these questions and discuss the answers.

-Would Ms. Angelou have experimented with sex on her own if she hadn't been raped as a child?

Yes. She did not experiment with sex because she believed she was a lesbian, not because she was abused in the past.

-What is the likelihood of Ms. Angelou becoming pregnant if Momma or Vivian had discussed the subject with her earlier?

If they discussed the issue earlier with her, she would have known to use protection and not have sex with random people.

-What if Ms. Angelou had never been sexually abused? Could her pregnancy have happened anyway? Why or why not?

Yes. Pregnancies happen. One's past of sexual abuse has nothing to do with that.

-Ms. Angelou hid her pregnancy until after she graduated, so that she would have an opportunity to advance in life. Would Ms. Angelou's future have looked different if she was living in Stamps? What could she expect from life then?

If she had lived in Stamps, she probably would have been greatly judged, and she would have kept her baby and lived at home and not worked to take care of herself.

-What would happen to him if the setting was Stamps and our main character was white?

She would probably be considered white trash,and would have been close to the ranks of the black citizens.

Challenge: Can you develop one or two "what if" questions based on your reading of the story? Give it a try! [2 ex. credit points]

-What if Marguerite was impregnated by Mr. Freeman when he raped her?

-What if she did not want to keep the baby?