(pg. 109) Chapter 10 starts off with Micheal exploring Achak's home. "I know that he has picked up the two books by my bedside- The Purpose-Driven Life by Rick Warren and Seeking the Heart of God by Mother Teresa and Brother Roger." (Eggers 109) The Purpose-Driven Life is about living life that God has planned for you, full of purpose and meaning. That's what I think it is about because my mom has that book along with pretty much every adult in my church, I'm sure. Angela from The Office on NBC also has that book. She is a very harsh and religious person on the show. Why do I know Angela has that book? Because on the episode "The Fire" Ryan has set the office on fire by leaving a cheese pita in the toaster oven. Jim has organized a game outside, one part being where you list only 3 books, I think, that you would take on a deserted island with you. So Angela chose The Purpose-Driven Life, the Bible, and something else. Great episode.
(pg. 110-111) When Valentino talks about Tabitha, it's so sweet. So cute. He talks about her wearing these thick glasses at night, and she never wants anyone to see her with them on. She even made him burn a picture of her wearing them. In most cases this is true with girls everywhere. I don't normally wear glasses outside, because I think they are unflattering. Plus, people say I look really smart with them on. Thanks? Is that a good thing? Well, a know a lot of people with contacts, but have never seen them with glasses- even my good friends. "But I loved her when she wore them, and wanted her to wear them more often. She was less glamorous in those enormous frames, and when she had them on, it seemed more plausible that she was truly mine." (Eggers 111)
(pg. 111) "Men taking cooking classes? It was absurd to them. But most of us didn't mind." (Eggers 111) Have you ever seen Eddie's Million Dollar Cook Off? It's a Disney Channel movie that came out years ago. Eddie was teased for enjoying cooking and entering a cooking competition. He didn't even win, but his friendships were resolved and all was good with the world. Hello, has anyone heard of Bobby Flay? Seriously though, it's surprising that they even had schools at refugee camps. It seems like a really good accomplishment, and they aren't just learning core classes, but cooking? I haven't even taken a cooking class.
(pg. 114) "But by and large, Sudanese men in America are looking to meet Sudanese women, and this means, for many, finding one's way back to Kakuma or even southern Sudan." (Eggers 114) They are really willing to risk their lives to fine love? Isn't Sudan still really dangerous, even now? It's like Achak wanting to go back to Marial Bai as soon as he escaped to look for his family. Except what is it for them if they're alive and you get killed? I suppose that's what loneliness and love can do to you.
"Humans are divided between those who can still look through the eyes of youth and those who cannot." (Eggers 116) If "looking through the eyes of youth" means being able to understand what they go through and their experiences then I know who cannot do that. My mom, most teachers, parents, most adults in general.
(pg. 116) I'm intrigued by Dut Majok. It surprises me that he would risk his own life by attempting to lead hundreds of boys through Sudan and beyond. Achak never talked about him in Marial Bai, except he was a teacher and just a boy himself. He is above lower class from my observations of Achak's description of his clothes, over 16, and pretty humorous, though probably not to the Lost Boys. "-Dut? -Yes Achak. Are you hungry? -No. No, thank you. -Good. Because we have no food. He smiled. He frequently found himself amusing." (Eggers 117)
"Dut held me by the shoulders. His eyes were small, hidden beneath a series of overlapping folds, as if he had learned to let in only the smallest quantities of light." (Eggers 118) I'm sure this has some deeper meaning. I think Dut only allows himself to hear limited amounts of happy or good news, in case nothing is true.The folds are his experiences of just this happening. "-This group doesn't cry, Achak. Do you see anyone crying? No one is crying." (Eggers 118) Is this some type of macho thing? A boy thing? Imagine if this was a huge group of girls. I mean no offense, but maybe the reason there are only Lost Boys is because girls couldn't make it. We are more emotional and in tune to our feelings. I have no doubt that girls definitely could make it, but this is just a theory for why there aren't any Lost Girls. All I'm saying is that there would be some sobbing and moping and panicking.
(pg. 131) Why doesn't anyone ever consider compromise as an option anymore? Okay, we will stop rebelling against you if you don't make us move around and pay us fairly. Peace, harmony, tranquility. None of this would have happened if they just treated the soldiers fairly.
"They told the horsemen that in exchange for their services, they were authorized to plunder all they wanted along the way." (Eggers 132) WHAT? Who does that? Why would they allow that? This is definately a corrupt government. What are they trying to accomplish here? So if the rebel groups were dead, all the Dinka in the country are either gone or enslaved, what are they left with? A barren country and a heavy conscience. (Well, hopefully they have a conscience.) Is there a president of Sudan? Where is he and what is his take on this situation? If he was voted for, he is for sure betraying his people.
(pg. 135) "... Dut would unfold his piece of river-green paper, write the new boys' names on it, and fold it again and slide it into his pocket. He knew the name of every boy." (Eggers 135) What would they do without Dut? I bet a large amount of boys would have died, not knowing where to go or what to do.
"... in many cases it was the parents themselves who were sending their children with us." (Eggers 135) Why would they do that? Did they believe the journey would save them from the inevitable murahaleen attack? Or did they want to get rid of them so they wouldn't have such a big burden if they needed to escape?
I didn't have a lot of picture options for this post, so I'll just add a meaningless one.
Not entirely meaningless! There were most likely chickens in Marial Bai, and they played soccer. (People not chickens.)
No comments:
Post a Comment