Discussion #7 pg.230-249 Feb 19

Discussion Leader-Rika Wong


Questions:
1. Why is religion highlighted throughout the book?2. After Mrs. Lindo and her son's death, how has Aminata and Mr. Lindo's changed?3. Describe Sam's character.4. What do the moons on Aminata's face represent to people?5. How has the mindset of black slaves changed since they were taken from their homeland?


Illuminator-Anisha Sangha
Quotes (five):
1. "I had now written my name on a public document, and I was a person, with just as much right to life and liberty as the man who claimed to own me." (page. 244 paragraph 1)
This quote stood out to me because it illuminates the situation that Aminata was in. In this quote she expresses her true feelings, and I am sure that this was the way all slaves at that time were feeling. The simple act of writing her name on a public document gave her so much empowerment and confidence. It also shows her personality as a person, how she is strong and confident. She has not changed her mindset and she will forever know that she is her own person no matter how hard her owner or other people in that timer period tried to convince her. 


2. “I thought of my mother, who had seen so wise and old when I was but a child. Even as one takes the last steps of life, one seems still to long for the slow, rocking movement of a mother’s arms. Rocking. My body was rocking. I had a moment of a nightmare, in which the rocking of a mothers arms turned into the rocking of a ship.” (page. 235 paragraph 2)
 I chose this quote because the words being out a lot of emotion and I like the way it flows. Personally, I get emotional reading this because I put myself into this situation and it makes me feel really scared. I can’t imagine how Aminata held up with being on the ship for months. This quote also shows the close relationship that she must have had of her mother if that is what she is thinking about in this tense time for her where she feels like she is in her “last steps of life” as she explains it. I also believe that this quote could have something to do with foreshadowing because as mentioned many times before Aminata is catching babies and I predict that she may be a mother. The quote shows the emotional toll that Aminata is experiencing.

3.."I had never before had the experience of watching a tall black man open my door, slip in with a try of steaming food and set it down on a table near my bed." (page. 245 paragraph 6)
I liked this quote because I feel happy for Aminata, she is finally getting a little but of special treatment. Although, she feels awkward since she is getting served by another black man and it could be seen as a risky move. If that were to happen today it would be the norm, however since it is happening to Aminata, a slave, someone who is supposed to have no rights or special treatment it is different. If one were to read the so rounding text the man is very kind to her and wishes that she will be treated well.  I think this shows how the slave community was caring for each other and stuck together to stay strong through all of the madness. 
4.  "Climbing the steps,we passed black men, women and children with palms outstretched. I felt uncomfortable about having nothing to give them, and hoped that bad luck didn't drive me to join them anytime soon." (page.248 paragraph. 8)
This quote has meaning because it shows that Aminata almost has it better off then the people begging for money and who do not have owners. She is always fed has a bed to sleep in but does not have her freedom. I think she is questioning whether she should run away or not because she might end up like the beggars. 

5..  "The man with the sunburn was astonished to find himself checkmated and enraged to see Lindo turn the guineas over to me." (page 241, paragraph 2)

I chose this quote because it does a good job of showing the feelings of a white man. The way he reacts when Lindo gives the guinea pigs to Aminata shows how absurd it is to reward a slave, which goes to show the extent from which the slaves were horribly treated.  The emotional toll on them must have been extremely hard so when they got praised it must have felt really rewarding and special. The next few sentences after this quote Aminata explains how she feels when she knows that the man feels really embarrassed to lose the game to a slave and how it makes her feel great. 

Word Wizard-Harkirn Mangat

1. Vigil 

Page #- 234

Paragraph#- 2nd

Phrase from the text (context): "True to his word, he kept vigil over me throughout the ordeal, propping me up on every leaning side"

Definition and/or meaning in context: A period of wakefulness from the inability to sleep 

2. Purgatory 

Page #- 235

Paragraph#- 3

Phrase from the text (context): "No wonder there wasn't a single solitray man or women of African extraction in the church. If allowed to come, would they endure this hour of Purgatory?"

Definition and/or meaning in context: Any condition or place of temporary punishment, suffering, expiation, or the like. 

3. Steeples

Page #- 241 

Paragraph#- 6th

Phrase from the text (context): "However, as I looked out at the streets choked with buildings and counted fifteen steeples-tallest of which grew as high as a giant tree-the weight of the past began to lessen." 

Definition and/or meaning in context: A church tower with a spire. This is a tall acutely pointed pyramidal roof or roof-like construction of a tower. 

4.Tavern   

Page #- 243

Paragraph#- 2nd

Phrase from the text (context): "I had heard Jamaican accents in Charles town, but no Jamaican or other Negro could have owned a tavern there. And this wasn't just a tavern."
Definition and/or meaning in context: A public house travellers and others; inn 

5.Wharves  

Page #- 244

Paragraph#- 1st 

Phrase from the text (context): "Never mind the horse droppings and shouting porters and clamouring me ppushing and shoving on the wharves."

Definition and/or meaning in context: A structure built on the shore of harbours so that vessels can load and unload or stay at rest. 

*All definitions are from dictionary.com 
Stagecrafter-Harkirn Mangat