Sunday, June 29, 2008

W is the W- Chapter 6

(pg. 54) I love how when they are talking about the handless man, they switch from political points to social. First they argue about laws, whether Michael was in Khartoum or living under the sharia. Then they go on to mention since he doesn't have a hand, he's not ever getting a wife. Of course men go from talking about politics to women. So too bad for you Michael! Not only do you not have a right hand, but no woman will ever want you as a husband. "... it was generally agreed that he would never have a wife now, no matter what dowry he could offer, and that no woman should be required to have a husband with a missing hand. Michael Luol received little sympathy that day." (Eggers 54) 

(pg. 55) I don't understand why Valentino really hated Michael and the poor people right then. Why did he hate them, those who had no food or water? Did he think that they should be doing more for themselves and trying harder to get work? Where is this shame and loathing coming from? "I know this is not an admirable sentiment, to 
despise the poor, the fallen, but I was too young to feel pity." (Eggers 55) I don't think my age hindered my sympathy for people when I was young. When I was about 10 or 11 I went to New York City with my 
family, and I remember seeing the homeless, poor people in the streets, begging or just lying there. My heart tore for them, and I wanted to help somehow, but my family avoided them as best they could. I couldn't understand w
hy they didn't want to give them anything. One of the homeless people even had a dog with them that would just lie on it's side, and that really got to me because I love dogs.

(pg. 55) "He got the wife after he lost his job. William K seemed unsure about this part. It made no sense to either of us, to marry when one had no money and no home." (Eggers 55) Of course those guys don't understand why Michael would get a wife when he doesn't have a home or money. While I'll agree it's not the smartest thing to do until he is settled down enough to support himself and his wife, there is this thing called love. And sometimes all you need is love. Love is all you need. 

(pg. 58) Achak said he felt powerful atop of Sadiq's horse. He was taller, 
towering over his father. He was able to see all over town, places and things he couldn't see when he was on the ground. I wonder if this is what Napoleon Bonaparte felt when he was on a horse. He did end up conquering mostof Europe and bullying around nobles. He was around, what, 5 feet tall? He was a military general before he became a conquering emperor, and military people were on horses a lot. So maybe that had something to do with his incredible success. Just a thought. "Atop the saddle, my first thought was of power. I was taller than my father, taller than Sadiq, and certainly taller than any boys my age." (Eggers 58) 

(pg. 60) What is with this "grinning man?" What, is he trying to cause trouble? To stir up some kind of argument? Perhaps he is trying to make Deng slip up and say something wrong since he is so prosperous and likable as a person. "But the grinning man persisted. -But they are in Ethiopia now, Deng. It seems like something is brewing. Again he smiled." (Eggers 60) What is with his everlasting grin? Sarcasm? 

Here is a video by Daughtry called "What About Now?" I know Mr. Haskey doesn't like Daughtry, but this video reminded me of What is The What with the pictures and messages. It's a hopeful music video, but who knows how much it can do to really help other people. 


(pg. 61) As I continue on in the book I realize I'm not exactly sure what is going on with all this political stuff. I don't know what's with Ethiopia, Dinka, Baggara, etc, or the relationship between them all. I just hope knowing this won't be significant later on. The confusion is overwhelming. 

(pg. 61-62) It's weird having this version of the "beginning of time." (Are the "monyjang" people?) When God asked the monyjang to choose between the cow or the What, it's like a twisted, strange version of choosing a fruit from the forbidden tree in the Biblical version. Temptation is involved, but the devil isn't in the monyjang version in a serpent form. Or in any form for that matter. This version makes the monyjang seem really wise, since God was testing them and they passed. The only question is, what is the What? (wordplay!) What if the What was world peace, or the end of starvation for future generations, or eternal perfection for every being in the world? Didn't think of that did they? But then the book goes along and says the What was given to the Arabs who were inferior to the cattle-gifted Dinka, so it probably wasn't any of those things. 

But cows aren't really that awesome. "They could see the cattle were God's most perfect creation, and that the cattle carried something godlike within themselves." (Eggers 62) We eat them and people get a tad obese and have heart attacks and die. I don't understand, this logic of the sacred cows. 

                                 

That's really frightening. I wouldn't eat that. 


(pg. 63) I like how Valentino assumes his father is always correct about creation and how the Arabs are inferior to the Dinka. "I was proud of my father, for he had altered the story to protect the feelings of Sadiq and the other traders." (Eggers 63) That is extreme loyalty to his father and means Achak really thinks hightly of him.

(pg. 64) I wonder how the soldiers stationed in Valentino's town compares to the American soldiers in Iraq.  The soldiers in Valentino's town are pretty content there, playing soccer and drinking wine. "The soldiers spent a good deal of their time playing soccer and volleyball, and the rest of their time smoking and drinking wine." (Eggers 64) How is it for our American soldiers? I hope they don't drink wine, but I'm sure the danger level in Iraq is a lot different. While the people in Achak's community either don't care or perhaps even enjoy the soldier's company, (since they are playing the great game of soccer together), I'm not sure if the Iranians want to play soccer with us. Still, aren't we keeping them safe? From terrorists or corrupt government people? 
"... the village was happy to have the soldiers, to protect the market and the cattle nearby from raids from the murahaleen or anyone else." (Eggers 64) Well, at least the sacred cattle are protected for them. I bet we protect the Iranian cows too. 

"Red boy! a soldier yelled... Come here if you want something good." (Eggers 64-65) Woah. That is very foreboding.  

Oh it's alright. It was just a lemon candy. 

(pg. 65) Okay, I think I'm starting to get this. The rebels are against the Arabs and the Sudan government, because the Arabs are trying to enforce sharia law? Then the Sudanese government is trying to punish rebels by sending militias to villages. The SPLA is another rebellious party against the government? Is that why rebels are forming in that group?

(pg. 67) AH HA! I knew it! That grinning man was a sneaky one, but I always knew something was fishy with him. "I looked up to see three men, one of whom carried a rifle tied to his back with a white string. I recognized the man. He was the grinning man from the night at the fire." (Eggers 67) I knew it. 

(pg.68-71) I could not imagine what I would do if I lived in Marial Bai during all this chaos. How could the village be sympathetic with the rebels when they almost killed Valentino's father and mother? This could happen to them! Marial Bai could perhaps be the Baghdad of Iraq. Suddenly considered an unsafe place, and is
abandoned for safer grounds. 
As I read the story of Kolong Gar running away from the army it reminded me when people did that during the Civil War. Except when a soldier abandoned a battle during that war they would go and find him and burn a letter on their forehead, or somewhere. I don't remember what the letter was, it was supposed to mean they were cowards or something to publicly shame them forever. In this war, however, it seems that plenty of Dinka men were leaving the army and joining the rebels. The government, so far, hasn't done anything about it.



Thursday, June 26, 2008

W is the W- Chapter 4 & 5

(pg. 34) So the best day that Valentino imagines is one that begins with school being cancelled. What a coincidence! So does mine! No offense Mr. Haskey.  If only all my teachers came out everyday and said, "You are too brilliant!... and orders us home, to play and make of the day whatever we wish." That would definitely be the best day ever.

(pg. 34) The polygamy reminds me of the Texas polygamy scandal that just recently happened. Apparently they were abusing children; making young girls have sex with really old guys. I 
wonder what the difference is between these two groups of polygamists. Well in Valentino's 
family, "the children borne by all the six women play together and are considered family without barrier or reservation." (Eggers 34) Well, I'm not sure if that's only part of his perfect memory that he created or not. All I know about the Texas polygamists is the women all have the same poof hairdo, same shoulder-padded, long dresses, and lovely uni brows. No offense to them, it's just factual.  


(pg. 35) 

ACHAK.
"-What are you staring at, Achak? she asks, laughing at me, using my given name, the name I used until it was overtaken by nicknames in Ethiopia and Kakuma, so many names." (Eggers 35)

(pg. 36) All the things we Americans take for granted. These Sudanese guys get the option of going to a cattle camp, (yay!) or going on Valentino's route and learning to become a businessman of a general store. We can go to college, learn whatever we want, become a CEO, or an astronaut, or a writer, or whatever! We aren't restricted to becoming cattle ranchers or
 shopkeepers, which I am very thankful for. We should all be ecstatic about this fact.

(pg.37) They see a bike. "Where did it come from? Who owns it? It is easily the most spectacular object in all of Marial Bai." (Eggers 37) I just want to send a brand new bicycle to each of those kids, if I had the money. 

(pg. 41) As Valentino says, "Though I have always have been too timid to say much to her, there was one day, in a state of heightened courage or carelessness, I simply walked up to her, and so this becomes part of my best day." (Eggers 41) I think of how people do that today. Well, more like in their dreams they talk to that cute boy or girl that they would never talk to in person. It shows that Valentino is just a regular hormonal 
guy. Another example, you say or do something embarrassing in front someone you like, in your mind you replay it in your mind and change the situation to work in your favor. It's all in the imagination.



(pg. 44) I wonder the comparison between his dream day and a real day he would have in his life. Does he really get to fetch water for pretty girls, guard beautiful new bikes, hang out with his friends, and be with his mom and dad? If not, I'm afraid to know what a read day in his life is.

(pg. 45) What is the purpose of killing a cute little calf at a wedding? Is it's death supposed to symbolize something for the couple? Are they going to eat it for a well-nourishing, celebratory meal? Does the poor thing have to die? "I saw the eye of the calf, watched it as its legs kicked
 aimlessly. The eye faced straight up into the white sky..." (Eggers 45) Does that not just sadden your heart? And why does Valentino want to see this calf die so much? "When the next wedding comes, I will again position myself over the dying head of the calf to see how it dies." (Eggers 45) Why Valentino? WHY?

CHAPTER 5

(pg. 48) Way to cheat out all of those helpful, charity groups! Are they really just feeding and nurturing soon-to-be rebels and soldiers? Apparently! They may be saving lives, but are these lives being saved to kill hundreds of thousands of innocent lives in the future? "Twenty thousand unaccompanied boys in the middle of the desert: it is not difficult to see the appeal to the UN, to Save the Children and the Lutheran World Federation." (Eggers 48)

(pg. 49) When he talks of Sudan being sort of a backward country concerning industrialization, it reminds me of Russia being a backward country back in the 1800s. Other countries made fun of it and didn't really regard it highly as a country. In the present we wouldn't ever make fun of Sudan, yet I feel like we don't really want to concern ourselves much with them. I think it's hard to think of a country that doesn't have cars or roads, or houses made of anything besides grass and dirt. I know if I lived in that country I wouldn't survive very long. So I  don't think it's very comfortable for us even thinking about that situation. "But in southern Sudan, we are by any estimation at least a few hundred years behind the industrialized world." (Eggers 49)

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

W is the W- Chapter 3


SPLA- Sudan People's Liberation Army. Got it. 


(pg. 27) Maybe me saying this isn't the greatest move of nationalism on my part, but when Valentino suggests that he should move to Canada I find myself wanting him to go. As soon as possible! I just hate having to read about his pain and suffering over and over- and I'm only 27 
pages into the book. Out of 535 pages. Please go move to Canada! Enjoy the maple syrup and their cool national anthem! His buddies in Canada tell him to join them up there. "... there is less crime, more job options. They have guaranteed insurance there..." (Eggers 27) Go Valentino! Go! Be safe and happy! Go get an education and a good job, don't get robbed, or eaten by a grizzly bear! Am I betraying my country telling this fictional character to leave America and go to Canada? (Though I think this is a true story) Well, if it's for his own good I think not. 

(pg. 27) I very much enjoy the way he talks to TV Boy in his mind. I suppose this is kudos for
 Dave Eggers or Valentino, or both. "TV Boy, I miss her with a growing heat that surprises me and will likely engulf me." (Eggers 27)

(pg.27-28) I just love the ways of love, as corny as that is. How it can make a guy can miss a girl that much, remember what she was wearing last time he saw her, remember what she said. Then how she can make him feel a certain way. "I loved Tabitha in a  way that made me feel like an adult, like I had finally become a man. With her I felt I could escape my childhood, its deprivation and calamity." (Eggers 28) See, when a girl can do that for a guy, thats just good.

(pg.29) It can be kind of therapeutic in a way. Telling these silent stories to people Valentino felt has wronged him. You can't just live the life he did and keep all those memories and feelings
 inside. Though he says, "Written words are rare in small villages like mine..." (Eggers 29), writing
 can be a good way to deal with your past. Vietnam soldiers often came home traumatized and emotionally scarred, and they never cope with those feelings in any way. TIm O'Brien, writer of The Things They Carried (see post 1), coped with his journey in Vietnam by writing multiple books, recounting his true tales. Doing that sort of thing can really help you move on and get rid of horrible memories stuck in your mind.
"It is my right and obligation to send my stories into the world, even if silently, even if utterly powerless." (Eggers 29) 

You go Valentino.

(pg. 30) As Valentino talks about the wild of Sudan, the danger of being eaten or attacked, the sounds of the open forest, I can't help but think of Eliza Thornberry from that old Nickelodeon show. She was always out across the world with her pet chimp walking in deserts, rain forests, on mountains, in the ocean, looking for wildlife while her parents were out filming their ever so exciting nature show.  She also had the power to talk to animals. So when Valentino and the hundreds of other boys were being attacked 
by a lion, Eliza Thornberry could have had a nice conversation with it about gazelles or could have serenaded it to sleep.

(pg. 33) It's depressing just reading the anxiety these boys felt after the lion attack. That they have to result to remembering nice memories in order to fall asleep. It must be easy remembering that one great memory to help them when they compare it to their lives now. I can't think of one GREAT memory right now off the top of my head. Riding my bike for the first time, getting my first pet wouldn't suffice in helping me fall asleep after a traumatizing lion attack.

W is the W- Chapter 2

(pg. 16) I wonder why The Lost Boys call him out of everyone to "confirm any rumors, to get my opinion on any developments." (Eggers 16) Was he the leader of the group? Well it's good that they have a sort of communication group going on. Like how they "share information about jobs, car loans, insurance, weddings, events in southern Sudan." (Eggers 16) Then again I'm not sure if it's completely healthy that they do that because they really should be focusing on starting new lives in America. And what does SPLA stand for?

Valentino talks about how in the refugee camp in Kakuma he received a new family of sorts
 and had brothers and sisters. Then when they all came to America they became just boys and alone. Then why should they all separate from each other? Why don't they split into pairs so
 they have someone to begin a new life with? It really shouldn't be so hard to be away from Africa, they have to make living in America enjoyable, and something that can help is choosing to not be alone.

What is the reasoning behind having few Sudanese elders and women in the United States? Is it because they just weren't able to escape from their homes? Weren't strong or fast enough? Sometimes the world just isn't fair like that. 

(pg. 16-17) Why is it that they are assaulted by young African-American men? Wouldn't it make more sense to be assaulted by White people? I thought that African American men were "brothers" according to Powder in Chapter 1. 

(pg. 17) It's almost like teaching an alien about normal life. Or setting an alien in front of a television and seeing their reaction. 500 channels for 1 straight week. I bet the alien would be "exhilarated, disheartened, thoroughly confused," (Eggers 17), like the Sudanese guys were. 

(pg. 20) Just another example of how influential the media is. One example, the article about the Sudanese in Atlanta led to "many new job offers from well-meaning citizens." (Eggers 20) Imagine what else people will do for others just because of a well-written, influential article? Someone writes an article about skin cancer- BAM! Sun block sales go up. Someone writes a story about how fertilizer can grow flowers up to 10x faster-BAM! Miracle-Gro sales start soaring. It's all the power of the media. 

(pg. 20) Now, here is another reason why the view of Americans is getting sadder and sadder each day. "They talk to each other without respect or boundaries, and this is how siblings in American act." (Eggers 20) Lovely! How great it is, the way people view our culture! I know that most Europeans hate Americans, (probably because we invade their countries, stink up their culture, crowd their streets, and generally just bug them. Then again I think our tourism is what holds up their economy, so that's something to ponder.) Plus Iranians and Afghans want to bomb us, so I'm pretty sure everyone hates Americans except Americans.

(pg. 21) This sort of immoral thing is pretty shameful. Shame! Shame on you! Or maybe we're all just craving a good story. Full of violence and crazy situations. How about everyone who wants that go watch a thriller or action movie. Something that doesn't induce lying and scheming for sympathy and charity. "But now, sponsors and newspaper reporters and the like expect the stories to have certain elements... Survivors tell the stories the sympathetic want, and that means making them as shocking as possible." (Eggers 21)

Monday, June 23, 2008

W is the W- Chapter 1


(pg. 1) First impression as I start reading What is the What is the format of the sentences. I wonder about the reasoning behind the staccato sentences and broken English. I suppose it reflects how he would speak English if he was talking out loud. He also doesn't use conjunctions like "don't" or "I'd." He speaks properly. He speaks properly yet has broken English, if that makes sense.
 
(pg. 4) Makes me think of other immigrants who come to America and it turns out the US isn't that much better than where they came from. It's actually pretty sad. Yes, America does have more freedom and privileges than other countries, yet us Americans can just about ruin it for everyone. Like how the protagonist in What is the What is getting robbed. When there was a tidal wave of immigrants from Ireland who wanted a new life and basically food, they got bad conditions and unemployment. A complete let down to immigrants and their dreams. 
Lets not even try to put that softly!


(pg. 4) It's just sad when he'd rather be in Kakuma, where he "lived in a hut of plastic and sandbags and owned one pair of pants." (Eggers 4), then be in America where you live in acceptable shelters and can own an infinite amount of pants in various materials and styles. What does that say about us? Or perhaps people just expect too much out of us as a country. We may be the country of freedom, but we're still human beings. And we all know human beings are destined to screw things up. Not to be Johnny Raincloud or anything. It's the just the truth.

(pg. 5) So all of his valuables he got from "the Peachtree United Methodist Church. (Eggers 5) Well that gives me some hope for our country. He said these charity items give him "a strange but genuine physical expression of gratitude." (Eggers 5) How hopeful! Then again, the robbers are stealing all these valuables, so maybe not.

(pg. 6) When he flashes back to when he was running for his life in Sudan, reading all the graphic imagery of violence, it reminds me of another heartbreaking book, The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien. That book, which recounts the trail of a platoon of soldiers during the Vietnam War, gives me the same heart-wrenching pain I always get when I read of terrible, unfair deaths.

(pg. 7) How could on person go through all that? The lions, all the dying and suffering. Shouldn't there be a higher being who brings justice or peace into these African countries? A better question- Why does he say he wants to go back? Getting robbed isn't as bad as getting mauled and eaten by a lion. Unless that lion is Aslan. 

 
(pg. 12) Is it a mere coincidence that the Latino man, Edgardo, is the one talking with the police officer when there are white folks who live in the same building and are drug dealers? Now who knows if Edgardo has done something to get himself in trouble, but it seems in our society that we assume the non-white people are always the troublemakers. Which isn't always the case.

(pg. 14) It's good to hear Valentino got to join the Catholic faith relatively easy in his country. I'm not sure if there is religious persecution in Sudan. Well, they have enough violence there as it is anyway. 

(pg. 14) Did he receive the Christian name Valentino because the priest, Father Matong, became ordained by Italian missionaries? It's a pretty sweet name. I wonder if we ever learn Valentino's original name.