The author of the story clearly depicts the hammer as one of his family heirlooms passed down by his grandfather. The story starts with the death of his father then slowly conjuring up stories of the heirloom being used by his grandfather to create a house for his family.Then later progressing into how his father had used the hammer as a important tool to help him create his family. Then finally the story moves on the the narrator's showing how with the hammer his fixed his daugter's wall and how his son is now playing with the tools, too. And sameday would inherit the heirloom hammer.
Moreover, the heirloom is very important in the narrator's life. The heirloom is very important to his father-son relationship. The hammer serve not only as a constant reminder of his family but also as a bridge of connection between him and his father.
Thursday, 28 August 2008
Family Heirlooms
An heirloom is a valued object or possession that is passed down in the family.
In the presentation Reema Keswani mentioned that rich royal Indian families often pass down Jewelry as their heirloom. Also in the presentation she mentions Shinde's designs, his designs from the presentation I understand was mainly of a traditional Indian style. This also can be considered a type of heirloom. But through his own interpretation and a little clash with the western culture his designs become fashionable instead of just the old Indian designs with most Indians are familiar too.
My family's heirloom
1. Watch
2. Pen
3. Jewelry
4. Book
5. Cooking recipe
6. Photographs
7. Painting
8. Coins
9. Sculptures
10. Cloth
In the presentation Reema Keswani mentioned that rich royal Indian families often pass down Jewelry as their heirloom. Also in the presentation she mentions Shinde's designs, his designs from the presentation I understand was mainly of a traditional Indian style. This also can be considered a type of heirloom. But through his own interpretation and a little clash with the western culture his designs become fashionable instead of just the old Indian designs with most Indians are familiar too.
My family's heirloom
1. Watch
2. Pen
3. Jewelry
4. Book
5. Cooking recipe
6. Photographs
7. Painting
8. Coins
9. Sculptures
10. Cloth
The interstiong Narrative of the life of Otandah Equiano
Equiano describes many of the horrors involved with the slave trade. Choose one passage from the narrative that had the biggest impact on you. Be prepared to discuss your choice.
“I then was a little revived, and thought, if it were no worse than working , my situation was not so desperate; but still I feared I should be put to death, the white people looked and acted, as I thought, in so savage a manner; for I had never seen among any people such instance of brutal cruelty; and this could I have got over the netting , I would have jumped over the sind not only shown towards us blacks, but also to some of the whites themselves….”
This passage was really shocking to me because this passage really revealed the fear Equiano felt on the ship. This passage tells us that Equiano would have suicide if he could. This shows how afraid he was. And it really shocked me that he would rather kill himself the staying on the boat. Furthermore I was also shocked my how cruel the Europeans were, they were so cruel that Equiano would rather kill himself then stay in the boat. That to me is really shocking.
What do you think motivates the slave traders to behave so cruelly?
I think they treated the slaves cruelly because they had not choice. They needed to have all of the slaves under control; they have to treat them cruelly and scared the slaves so they will listen to them. Because there were more slaves then white sailors so if they weren’t able to keep the slaves under control then the slaves would be able to rebel. Also the slave traders are white and they would think they are superior to the black slaves.
Although terrified as a captive on the slave ship, Equiano's curiosity still surfaces. What marvel does he encounter and how do they affect him?
He has encountered a lot of different activities on the ship the sailor's talking to other sailors on other ships, the ship believing to be sailed magically and the horses in America all made him amazed. And I think all these events made him afraid but at the same time respecting the whites powers. Also he recognizes the vast difference between the two cultures always referring to the whites as they and blacks as we.
Eauiano suggests that the cruelty he and his fellow captives experienced are "hardships which are inseparable form this accursed trade” of slavery. What do you suppose he means by this?
I think he means that slavery in itself is inhumane. The culture of the trade is cruel to the people being traded. With the traders benefiting from the trades (European’s) the people being traded (African’s) have to pay the price. And this therefore is cruel and unfair, because just for the benefit of the Europeans the Africans have to suffer generations of hardship.
Surviving in such harsh circumstances is difficult, and many African captives died aboard the ships. What have you learned about Equiano that may have helped him survive his ordeal?
There were two major factors that allowed him to survive this ordeal. The first being his age, from the story we can determine that he is young. As a result, he was taken care of more. When he was hurt the sailors took him on to the deck and made him feel better. Also with his age he was more able to adept into a new environment. The second factor is curiosity. His curiosity also allowed him to survive this trip. The was curious about everything and this allowed him to be enthusiastic when he sees new things and this kept him from being sad all the time so he wasn’t so depressed, therefore allowing him to survive the voyage.
As a free man, Equiano became an abolitionist and worked to end slavery. If he could travel in time and see American society today what would he say? What would he take pride in? What would he want changed?
I think he would have been proud of today’s society. Although he would say that we still have a lot to go. Even though African Americans can now all live as free men they still are predominately in the working class, a lot of them even fighting poverty. Only a few of them make it up the rug earning a better social status, many though sports. Although he would agree, looking at the presidential elections, that the country has gone really far. Not only just recognizing their rights as free men but also respecting there abilities to lead and giving them a chance to become president. So he would be proud of the counties progress to no racial discrimination. And of course he would want the country to be free of racial discrimination.
Imagery:
1. We were all pent up together, like so many sheep in a fold - visual
2. Flogged so unmercifully with a large rope near the foremast - visual
3. They tossed him over the side as the would have done a brute- visual
4. the other ship got her boats out, and they came on board of us and the people of both ships seemed to be glad to see each other. -visual
The produce copious perspirations so that the air soon became unfit for respiration - small
5. Several of the strangers shook hands with us black people - movement.
“I then was a little revived, and thought, if it were no worse than working , my situation was not so desperate; but still I feared I should be put to death, the white people looked and acted, as I thought, in so savage a manner; for I had never seen among any people such instance of brutal cruelty; and this could I have got over the netting , I would have jumped over the sind not only shown towards us blacks, but also to some of the whites themselves….”
This passage was really shocking to me because this passage really revealed the fear Equiano felt on the ship. This passage tells us that Equiano would have suicide if he could. This shows how afraid he was. And it really shocked me that he would rather kill himself the staying on the boat. Furthermore I was also shocked my how cruel the Europeans were, they were so cruel that Equiano would rather kill himself then stay in the boat. That to me is really shocking.
What do you think motivates the slave traders to behave so cruelly?
I think they treated the slaves cruelly because they had not choice. They needed to have all of the slaves under control; they have to treat them cruelly and scared the slaves so they will listen to them. Because there were more slaves then white sailors so if they weren’t able to keep the slaves under control then the slaves would be able to rebel. Also the slave traders are white and they would think they are superior to the black slaves.
Although terrified as a captive on the slave ship, Equiano's curiosity still surfaces. What marvel does he encounter and how do they affect him?
He has encountered a lot of different activities on the ship the sailor's talking to other sailors on other ships, the ship believing to be sailed magically and the horses in America all made him amazed. And I think all these events made him afraid but at the same time respecting the whites powers. Also he recognizes the vast difference between the two cultures always referring to the whites as they and blacks as we.
Eauiano suggests that the cruelty he and his fellow captives experienced are "hardships which are inseparable form this accursed trade” of slavery. What do you suppose he means by this?
I think he means that slavery in itself is inhumane. The culture of the trade is cruel to the people being traded. With the traders benefiting from the trades (European’s) the people being traded (African’s) have to pay the price. And this therefore is cruel and unfair, because just for the benefit of the Europeans the Africans have to suffer generations of hardship.
Surviving in such harsh circumstances is difficult, and many African captives died aboard the ships. What have you learned about Equiano that may have helped him survive his ordeal?
There were two major factors that allowed him to survive this ordeal. The first being his age, from the story we can determine that he is young. As a result, he was taken care of more. When he was hurt the sailors took him on to the deck and made him feel better. Also with his age he was more able to adept into a new environment. The second factor is curiosity. His curiosity also allowed him to survive this trip. The was curious about everything and this allowed him to be enthusiastic when he sees new things and this kept him from being sad all the time so he wasn’t so depressed, therefore allowing him to survive the voyage.
As a free man, Equiano became an abolitionist and worked to end slavery. If he could travel in time and see American society today what would he say? What would he take pride in? What would he want changed?
I think he would have been proud of today’s society. Although he would say that we still have a lot to go. Even though African Americans can now all live as free men they still are predominately in the working class, a lot of them even fighting poverty. Only a few of them make it up the rug earning a better social status, many though sports. Although he would agree, looking at the presidential elections, that the country has gone really far. Not only just recognizing their rights as free men but also respecting there abilities to lead and giving them a chance to become president. So he would be proud of the counties progress to no racial discrimination. And of course he would want the country to be free of racial discrimination.
Imagery:
1. We were all pent up together, like so many sheep in a fold - visual
2. Flogged so unmercifully with a large rope near the foremast - visual
3. They tossed him over the side as the would have done a brute- visual
4. the other ship got her boats out, and they came on board of us and the people of both ships seemed to be glad to see each other. -visual
The produce copious perspirations so that the air soon became unfit for respiration - small
5. Several of the strangers shook hands with us black people - movement.
Tuesday, 26 August 2008
Everyday use homework
1.Write five adjectives that you would use to describe Dee. Then write five adjectives to describe the narrator and five to describe Maggie.
Dee: elegant, persistent, arrogant, selfish, and willful
Narrator: uneducated, traditional, independent and large.
Maggie: insecure, small, timid, conforming and shy
2. What is the significance of the title "Everyday Use"?
“Everyday Use” is important because it shows that heritage isn’t the things that one owns from one’s family heritage but instead they are useful stuff that is used in life. "Everyday Use" are the little everyday things in life. All the stuff that Dee wanted to take were items that were used in the narrator's house, she decides to use items relating to her culture as embellishment rather than objects of respect and honor.
3. What do you think is the purpose of Dee's visit with her mother and sister? Explain.
The purpose of Dee's visit is to show how times have changed and to take some of her family’s belongings to use them as decoration in her home showing her own culture and to show them she is fine.
What do you think the narrator realizes about herself during her argument with Dee over the quilts?
I think the narrator slowly realizes that after all these years, she has been bullied by her daughter. She realizes her daughters are doing just fine the way they are. Her life has always been that way and there is no reason to change it because someone else has a different opinion. She realizes that she often forgets that Maggie has a right to everything as well.
5. How does cultural heritage play a part in the interactions between Dee and her family?Because she married a guy from another place, her attitude of life has changed. And she has become more self-centered and different from her other family members
Dee: elegant, persistent, arrogant, selfish, and willful
Narrator: uneducated, traditional, independent and large.
Maggie: insecure, small, timid, conforming and shy
2. What is the significance of the title "Everyday Use"?
“Everyday Use” is important because it shows that heritage isn’t the things that one owns from one’s family heritage but instead they are useful stuff that is used in life. "Everyday Use" are the little everyday things in life. All the stuff that Dee wanted to take were items that were used in the narrator's house, she decides to use items relating to her culture as embellishment rather than objects of respect and honor.
3. What do you think is the purpose of Dee's visit with her mother and sister? Explain.
The purpose of Dee's visit is to show how times have changed and to take some of her family’s belongings to use them as decoration in her home showing her own culture and to show them she is fine.
What do you think the narrator realizes about herself during her argument with Dee over the quilts?
I think the narrator slowly realizes that after all these years, she has been bullied by her daughter. She realizes her daughters are doing just fine the way they are. Her life has always been that way and there is no reason to change it because someone else has a different opinion. She realizes that she often forgets that Maggie has a right to everything as well.
5. How does cultural heritage play a part in the interactions between Dee and her family?Because she married a guy from another place, her attitude of life has changed. And she has become more self-centered and different from her other family members
Sunday, 24 August 2008
The results of the Learning Style test shows that I am able to learn in four ways: social, physical, solitary and logical. But of the four I’m most adapt in learning socially. The test also shows that I’m least capable in learning visually and aurally. I feel that the test is sort of accurate because I find that I lean well socially and also that I learn better doing activities, like labs in science I tend to remember more about the class if we do a physical activity like a presentation. Also I enjoy the logical ways of math; I like to work step to step towards the end of a problem feeling accomplished at the end when I finally finished the problem. But the only thing I thought was inaccurate about the Learning Style test is the part about being a solitary learner. I do not think I’m a solitary learner. I can never learn and study by myself because I get bored and I would go find something else to do
Monday, 18 August 2008
Unaccustomed Earth- Year's End presentation
1. Why did the author choose to include Jessica in the story?
2. Why did the main character’s mother want a modernist house?
3. Has anybody lost a close relative? If did then how has the story touched you did you feel the same as Kaushik?
4. Why do you think were the little girls interested in Kaushik’s mother?
5. Why do you think Kaushik is so mad when he saw the girls looking at his mother picture?
6. Why was he so angry that his father is getting married again?
7. Why were the girl so willing to accept a new father when Kaushik in so unwilling to accept a new mother?
Quote 1,
But in the days after her death I realized Mrs. Gharibian had been right, there had been nothing worse than waiting for it to come, that the void that followed was easier to bear than the solid weight of those days
.
A. I find this really ironic because he should be sad after the death and not before the death. He such be glad that her mother is living another day. This is similar to us having a test. We would all was dread the time before the test and wish that it never comes. But when we are taking the test we are happy that it is finally over.
Quote 2,
Chitra opened the storm door, poking her head out. “And I will be all right?”
“What do you mean?”
“I will be safe alone, in this house?”
“Of course,” I said, stunned that it would be the first time, nearly laughing at her. “Enjoy it.”
“She does not allow us to go outside,” Piu said. “Not without her.”
“She is afraid because she cannot see neighbors,” Rupa added.
A. This may look like a simple dialogue but it actually shows a lot more. This dialogue shows a person in a unfamiliar situation. Chitra is new to the environment as a result she is insecure. She is afraid she will lose her children if she lets them play outside. Furthermore she is not use to the situation of living in a isolated home without neighbors. She is use to living in a house with neighbors she trusts and would help look after her daughters.
Quote 3:
I sat on the ground, opened the box, and began going through the pictures one by one, as if there were pieces of mail that I was quickly scanning and would read alter on. But there were too many pictures, and after a few I, like my father, could no longer bear their sight.
A. I find this weird because all the time he is thinking about his mother. When the was driving towards Canada, in the house and seeing the kids or Chitra. But when he looked at the pictures he can’t bare to see her. I can understand he is sad and doesn’t want to see her and wants to move on. But then why would he keep thinking about her, I find that then write read clearly portrays the conflict in his heart.
Message: I think the message of the story is to be open hearted and try to accept other people into your life. In the story the little girl and Chitra has suffered as much as Kaushik and his father had. But yet, the lady’s were willing to accept the two new men in to their life’s open heartedly. But Kaushik wasn’t so kind in accepting a new family so he made a mistake he can never recover.
Also I think another theme is living in a foreign place shown by Chitra, in the beginning of the story she doesn’t seem to be adapting pretty well. She was afraid to drive, scared to live the house and really uncomfortable with no neighbors around them. Also the kids are afraid to go to school. But at the end of the story when Kaushik graduated they all seemed to start fitting in. Chitra and his father is moving to a city, which Chitra is more use to. And the kids are speaking English without an accent.
2. Why did the main character’s mother want a modernist house?
3. Has anybody lost a close relative? If did then how has the story touched you did you feel the same as Kaushik?
4. Why do you think were the little girls interested in Kaushik’s mother?
5. Why do you think Kaushik is so mad when he saw the girls looking at his mother picture?
6. Why was he so angry that his father is getting married again?
7. Why were the girl so willing to accept a new father when Kaushik in so unwilling to accept a new mother?
Quote 1,
But in the days after her death I realized Mrs. Gharibian had been right, there had been nothing worse than waiting for it to come, that the void that followed was easier to bear than the solid weight of those days
.
A. I find this really ironic because he should be sad after the death and not before the death. He such be glad that her mother is living another day. This is similar to us having a test. We would all was dread the time before the test and wish that it never comes. But when we are taking the test we are happy that it is finally over.
Quote 2,
Chitra opened the storm door, poking her head out. “And I will be all right?”
“What do you mean?”
“I will be safe alone, in this house?”
“Of course,” I said, stunned that it would be the first time, nearly laughing at her. “Enjoy it.”
“She does not allow us to go outside,” Piu said. “Not without her.”
“She is afraid because she cannot see neighbors,” Rupa added.
A. This may look like a simple dialogue but it actually shows a lot more. This dialogue shows a person in a unfamiliar situation. Chitra is new to the environment as a result she is insecure. She is afraid she will lose her children if she lets them play outside. Furthermore she is not use to the situation of living in a isolated home without neighbors. She is use to living in a house with neighbors she trusts and would help look after her daughters.
Quote 3:
I sat on the ground, opened the box, and began going through the pictures one by one, as if there were pieces of mail that I was quickly scanning and would read alter on. But there were too many pictures, and after a few I, like my father, could no longer bear their sight.
A. I find this weird because all the time he is thinking about his mother. When the was driving towards Canada, in the house and seeing the kids or Chitra. But when he looked at the pictures he can’t bare to see her. I can understand he is sad and doesn’t want to see her and wants to move on. But then why would he keep thinking about her, I find that then write read clearly portrays the conflict in his heart.
Message: I think the message of the story is to be open hearted and try to accept other people into your life. In the story the little girl and Chitra has suffered as much as Kaushik and his father had. But yet, the lady’s were willing to accept the two new men in to their life’s open heartedly. But Kaushik wasn’t so kind in accepting a new family so he made a mistake he can never recover.
Also I think another theme is living in a foreign place shown by Chitra, in the beginning of the story she doesn’t seem to be adapting pretty well. She was afraid to drive, scared to live the house and really uncomfortable with no neighbors around them. Also the kids are afraid to go to school. But at the end of the story when Kaushik graduated they all seemed to start fitting in. Chitra and his father is moving to a city, which Chitra is more use to. And the kids are speaking English without an accent.
Unaccustomed Earth hwk questions
12. Why does Hema find the idea of an arranged marriage appealing? How has her affair with Julian affected her ideas about romantic love? What does her description of her relationship with Navin reveal about what she thinks she wants and needs in a relationship? What role do her memories of her parents' marriage play in her vision of married life?
Hema has been in a relationship before with Julian and it turned out bad and it hurt her really badly. As a result an arranged marriage is more appealing to Hema because the guy is not only more innocent and more conservative compared to Julian but also he was screened by her parents. Therefore she feels more secure marrying the guy- Navin. The description reveals that she wants to meet and marry men she knows and like, but since she was hurt she is looking for a secure relationship that won't hurt her. So instead she tries to hypnotize herself, into believing that she knew and likes Navin for a long time, and that it isn't an arranged marriage but they really did fall in love for each other. Her parents were really dedicated to her family. Her father would go to work everyday and earn as much money as he can trying to make his family live a better life, while her mother stayed at home, dependent of her husbands income, tried to make the house as comfortable as possible for the family, even reading Good Housekeeping. So her parent's marriage had a lot of influence in her vision of married life. So when Julian was unable to provide that same type of relationship she was upset. As a result with Navin her view of marriage changed the vision of having a marriage similar to her parents shattered now she wants to be independent. Therefore when she married Navin she chooses to stay in Massachusetts and work instead of moving back to Calcutta.
13. What motivates Kaushik's Decision to become a photojournalist? In what way does the peripatetic life of a photojournalist suit his idea of himself? In addition to the many moves his family made, what other experiences make him grow up to be an outsider, "away from the private detritus of life"
As a young kid Kaushik had to move many times, from Massachusetts to Calcutta and back. Every time he was about to fit in and make new friends he had to move again. Also, he was thought to be an American in Calcutta and an Indian in America. These two reasons combined made him always feel like an outsider. And with the camera every time he looks through the photo lens he can understand the world can an outsider no affected by the scenes, and he feels happy this way. So he wanted to a photojournalist since he like looking at things with emotions unattached. Another experience that made him grow into an outsider is possibly his mother’s death, during the time he knew that her mother was sick and was going to die but still her mother acted strong as a result Kaushik might feel that he is an outsider to the sickness. He wants to help his mother but he really can’t do anything about it. Also his living at a friend’s house may have also caused him to feel as an outsider, since he was sort of invading their live and house.
Hema has been in a relationship before with Julian and it turned out bad and it hurt her really badly. As a result an arranged marriage is more appealing to Hema because the guy is not only more innocent and more conservative compared to Julian but also he was screened by her parents. Therefore she feels more secure marrying the guy- Navin. The description reveals that she wants to meet and marry men she knows and like, but since she was hurt she is looking for a secure relationship that won't hurt her. So instead she tries to hypnotize herself, into believing that she knew and likes Navin for a long time, and that it isn't an arranged marriage but they really did fall in love for each other. Her parents were really dedicated to her family. Her father would go to work everyday and earn as much money as he can trying to make his family live a better life, while her mother stayed at home, dependent of her husbands income, tried to make the house as comfortable as possible for the family, even reading Good Housekeeping. So her parent's marriage had a lot of influence in her vision of married life. So when Julian was unable to provide that same type of relationship she was upset. As a result with Navin her view of marriage changed the vision of having a marriage similar to her parents shattered now she wants to be independent. Therefore when she married Navin she chooses to stay in Massachusetts and work instead of moving back to Calcutta.
13. What motivates Kaushik's Decision to become a photojournalist? In what way does the peripatetic life of a photojournalist suit his idea of himself? In addition to the many moves his family made, what other experiences make him grow up to be an outsider, "away from the private detritus of life"
As a young kid Kaushik had to move many times, from Massachusetts to Calcutta and back. Every time he was about to fit in and make new friends he had to move again. Also, he was thought to be an American in Calcutta and an Indian in America. These two reasons combined made him always feel like an outsider. And with the camera every time he looks through the photo lens he can understand the world can an outsider no affected by the scenes, and he feels happy this way. So he wanted to a photojournalist since he like looking at things with emotions unattached. Another experience that made him grow into an outsider is possibly his mother’s death, during the time he knew that her mother was sick and was going to die but still her mother acted strong as a result Kaushik might feel that he is an outsider to the sickness. He wants to help his mother but he really can’t do anything about it. Also his living at a friend’s house may have also caused him to feel as an outsider, since he was sort of invading their live and house.
Thursday, 14 August 2008
Reacting to Lahiri's quoted segments
"He's your father You've known him all your life." said Adam. And yet, until now, she had not known certain things about him...
I find it pretty amazing how a person can hide under a mask for so long and show so much dedication for what the person loves. Everyday her father has to go home and she would see him, but yet she knows little about him. Everyday her father would go home and he would shield her(his daughter) from all the horrible things of real life. But also at the same time I feel sad for the daughter not knowing her father from all these years. ..
I find it pretty amazing how a person can hide under a mask for so long and show so much dedication for what the person loves. Everyday her father has to go home and she would see him, but yet she knows little about him. Everyday her father would go home and he would shield her(his daughter) from all the horrible things of real life. But also at the same time I feel sad for the daughter not knowing her father from all these years. ..
A vivid summer memory
This summer I went to visit the old house that I grew up in. This house is really meaningful to me, since I was a little boy I lived in the house. But my mom decided that she was going to sell the house. So this is the last time I would be able to see the old white house, with its gray garage doors and little swimming pool in the back yard. My time to say good-bye to the house. And I felt really sad because since I was a little boy I lived in the house and now I would never be able to see the house again. So, this year with the knowledge of selling of the house in mind I went to the house...
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