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.