Sunday, 23 February 2014

Discussion #8 pg. 249-279 Feb 21



Discussion Leader-Harkirn Mangat

Questions:     


1.If Meena had not runaway what do you predicted would have happened to her?

2.What were thoughts on the rebels as they destroyed the house? Why?
3.Do you think anything romantic will happen between Claybourne and Bertilda?
4.When Miss Betty died why do you think Meena did not seems so upset?
5.Do you see a future for Rosetta and Lieutnant Waters?


Discussion Summary
In todays discussion we conversed about what would have happened if Meena had not runaway from Lindo. Anisha and Rika both agreed that she would have been taking part in the same duties but of course with being black there will still be complications. While they were in New York there were rebels, who were destroying houses of the British. I found this to be horrifying and my group felt it was very cruel. Also the rebels were doing this to fight for there freedom because they felt like slaves. While Meena lived in New York she taught reading and writing classes for a little while there was a character named Ms. Betty, who attend these classes. After a short time she became sick and died. When this happened Meena took Ms. Betty’s body and buried it with not much sadness. My group said the reason she was not that upset was because Aminata was more concerned about her and didn’t know Ms. Betty very well.  The last question I asked was wither they thought Rosetta and Lieutenant Waters would have a future together. The group predicted yes because waters seemed as though he was caring and nice but they feel he will crack under pressure causing for the relationship to come to an end.


Illuminator-Rika Wong

Quotes (five):

1. "Do you think a Negro could learn to play like that without instruction? And where do you think he'd get such instruction? Living in Canvas Town?" (p. 250).
In this line Lindo explains to Aminata the obvious concept of how a Negro could only learn such skill (such as cello) by a white man only since only a white man would be smart or talented enough to do so. This quote represents the superiority of Whites towards the people of colour. During this time, it is obvious that the society has given the power to white people as they are pictured to have the best level of education and skill which leads to benefits such as a higher income to support one self or a family. 

2."Niggers, nothing. I'm talking about us. Rebels. Patriots. We shall be free of British and their taxes. Never again shall we be slaves" (p.252).
This quote is a significant part of the book as it brings up the politics of this time. The "young white boy", as Aminata describes, mentions the freedom that they deserve, but he does not care for the black slaves. In the same line, he victimizes himself as the Rebel, and says that they shall not be slaves. It is obvious that the society of this time had been controlled mainly by the white people, as they care mainly for themselves, however, this does bring out political, environmental, and other issues.

3. "I've just heard that the British are talking of closing the harbour. Your man will want to return to his own home or business, because people could be rioting there too. If he doesn't get out today, he may not get out at all" (p.253).
In this quote, Sam explains to Aminata that this was the best to leave through all of the violence because Lindo would want to leave to his hometown as soon as possible for his safety and dignity. This is a key part to the book because it triggers Aminata to take action of her situation and starts off a new chapter of her life.

4. "None of us are truly free, until we go back to our land," (p. 257)In this quote, a woman tells Aminata how the slaves of the land will never be free until they go to their real home. We see that many of the black slaves have lost hope for their futures and have accepted their lives as they are. This quote shows how optimistic Aminata still is after all of those years. She comes to realize that she cannot always look for a happy anding with the situation that she is in.

5. "That feeling may change when the baby is suckling you" (p.275)
Here, Aminata tries to explain to a 13 year old girl what true love is. She tries to convince the girl who is about to give birth to keep the baby, and to put it before a man who may not e committed. This scene shows Aminata's caring side, as she tries to look after the other women around her. She really does want the best for others, and it was a change to see that she wasn't thinking of just herself. Although Aminata seems like a strong, caring person, she often thinks that she has the worst situation out of everyone, which prevents her from moving on in her life. 

Word Wizard-Anisha Sangha

 1.Spasmodic
Page #- 250
Paragraph#- 3
Phrase from the text (context): "Now they say it weakens the tome of the stomach, inducing tremors and spasmodic affections."
Definition and/or meaning in context: Pertaining to or of the nature of a spasm; characterized by spasms. 

2. Resentment
Page #- 250
Paragraph#-3
Phrase from the text (context): "The British have united the patriots in anger over the Tea Act and soon enough, if we lose the indigo bounty, they'll stir up even more resentment in South Carolina."
Definition and/or meaning in context: The feeling of displeasure or indignation at some act, remark, person, etc. regarded as causing injury or insult.

3. Ruffians
Page #-  251
Paragraph#- 3
Phrase from the text (context): "Outside a fine, two story wooden home, I saw an odd crowd of white men, all agitating with arms raised: ruffians, labourers and well dressed men too."
Definition and/or meaning in context: a tough, lawless person; roughneck; bully.

4.   Revelry
Page #- 255
Paragraph#- 3
Phrase from the text (context): "In the madness and revelry in the streets of New York, he would not find a soul to point to me."
Definition and/or meaning in context: Noisy or unrestrained merry making.

5. Juncture
Page #- 273
Paragraph#- 9
Phrase from the text (context): "And what is particularly critical about this juncture?"

Definition and/or meaning in context: a point of time, especially one made critical or important by a concurrence of circumstances.

Stagecrafter-Anisha Sangha

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