An old friend of mine who is a senior at Georgetown (Pre-Med) recently traveled to Ghana.
If anyone wants to read of someone around our age's opinions of a modern-day Ghana/look at some pictures of Ghana today:
http://cecinicol.wordpress.com/
Enjoy
Wednesday, 19 October 2011
Tail of the Blue Bird (pages 1-35)
Prompts:
This opening passage commences with our narrator, Yaw Poku. It is evident to me that Parkes has a background in more creative writing/poetry, just by reading the distorted syntax and language in the opening section of the book. A clash between tradition African and Western/Anglicized thought is definitely a reoccurring theme in both of the books we have read thus far.
The book begins by offering two different viewpoints starting with Yaw Poku's and Kayo's, soon after.
Kayo, a young forensic pathologist brings for good contrast to the old and traditional Yaw Poku.
Together, these two narrators should provide interesting viewpoints for the mystery that is about to unfold. Thus far, there has been an interesting use of the English language and the native language of Yaw Poku. I am excited to know if there is any significance in doing so.
In terms of the class, I think this book has sped the pace us up a bit. Nervous Conditions, given the various complexities and issues, hampered us from flying through the book, but this book is a bit more plot-oriented and straight forward somewhat like Things Fall Apart.
- The mystery
- Character examination
- What Parkes (author--full name: Nii Ayikwei Parkes) as a writer seems to care about.
This opening passage commences with our narrator, Yaw Poku. It is evident to me that Parkes has a background in more creative writing/poetry, just by reading the distorted syntax and language in the opening section of the book. A clash between tradition African and Western/Anglicized thought is definitely a reoccurring theme in both of the books we have read thus far.
The book begins by offering two different viewpoints starting with Yaw Poku's and Kayo's, soon after.
Kayo, a young forensic pathologist brings for good contrast to the old and traditional Yaw Poku.
Together, these two narrators should provide interesting viewpoints for the mystery that is about to unfold. Thus far, there has been an interesting use of the English language and the native language of Yaw Poku. I am excited to know if there is any significance in doing so.
In terms of the class, I think this book has sped the pace us up a bit. Nervous Conditions, given the various complexities and issues, hampered us from flying through the book, but this book is a bit more plot-oriented and straight forward somewhat like Things Fall Apart.
Monday, 3 October 2011
Things Fall Apart: Cover (09/09/11)
I really like the version of the cover of Things Fall Apart that we were given. It shows a distraught face of (what we are to think of Okonkwo's face) engraved in a scorched, cracked up patch of African soil. The cracked surface almost symbolizes Okonkwo's story, in that his dreams and pure figure wither eventually and dry to the ground under the beating hot sun. On the bottom of the cover there is a powerful quote written by the honorable Nelson Mandela. The quote says,"The writer in whose company the prison walls fell down." (in reference to Achebe) Mandela is considered to be one of the most revered men in history and this quote reinforces the validity of this novel and its telling of a true African story.
A Place New to Me (Writing Prompt):
About 10 years ago I visited a few villages in India within a region called Ranthambore. It is located just south of Jaipur, which is located just south of New Delhi and Northeast of Bombay (Mumbai). It is included in the state of Rajasthan. I went with my family from Delhi. It was a long and hot drive to Ranthambore, packed in tight with cousins. India, as a country, was nothing new for me—as far as I knew, at least.
I have been to India many times, but never a place like Ranthambore. This was the first venture out there by anyone in my family. Ranthambore is known for its vast jungles and Bengal tiger-spottings. This was the main reason for our trip. It was incredible to see the people who lived out there. I had thought that the quality of living situation was quite bad in the cities, but it is another world in the outskirts and villages.
Coming from the western world, seeing people in the villages was extremely eye opening and foreign.. Even my cousins living in Delhi felt the foreignness. In the midst of the scarcity of food and falling economy, it was arid. The heat and dryness was unbearable.
Not everything was negative as it may seem.. It was a really cool place. We did end up going on an open-convee tour (elevated off the ground about 6 feet) and I did actually see a wild Bengali tiger.. standing about 7 feet away from me.
At the age of 7, or in the case of my parents, aged in their early forties at the time, this was quite a frightening experience but nevertheless, one of the most memorable we've had.
Nervous Conditions
Still curious as to what the 'Nervous Condition(s)' is/are?
Why did the author choose to make Tambu to tell the story? What do each of them represent?
Is there supposed to be an enemy/opposition throughout the story?
Is one side favored over the other? There is light brought to both the African and western ideals as well as drawbacks for both.
What is going through Babamakuru's head?.. Very back and forth it seems.
The last paragraph is very interesting:
"I was young then and able to banish things, but seeds do grow. Although I was not aware of it then, no longer could I accept Sacred Heart and what it represented as a sunrise on my horizon. Quietly, unobtrusively and extremely fitfully, something in my mind began to assert itself, to question things and refuse to be brainwashed, bringing me to this time when I can set own this story. It was a long and painful process for me, that process of expansion. It was a process whose events stretched over many years and would fill another volume, but the story I have told here, is my own story, the story of four women whom I loved, and our men, this story is how it all began." (Dangarembga 208)
green = interesting language
red = strong language/making a staunch point
blue = loving/comforting language
- Deterioration of Nyasha physically?
- Deterioration of Nyasha emotionally?
- The general takeover of African culture by the west and its influences?
- Men/Women conflict?
- Perpetual familial issues?
- Just simply coming-of-age?
Why did the author choose to make Tambu to tell the story? What do each of them represent?
Is there supposed to be an enemy/opposition throughout the story?
Is one side favored over the other? There is light brought to both the African and western ideals as well as drawbacks for both.
What is going through Babamakuru's head?.. Very back and forth it seems.
The last paragraph is very interesting:
"I was young then and able to banish things, but seeds do grow. Although I was not aware of it then, no longer could I accept Sacred Heart and what it represented as a sunrise on my horizon. Quietly, unobtrusively and extremely fitfully, something in my mind began to assert itself, to question things and refuse to be brainwashed, bringing me to this time when I can set own this story. It was a long and painful process for me, that process of expansion. It was a process whose events stretched over many years and would fill another volume, but the story I have told here, is my own story, the story of four women whom I loved, and our men, this story is how it all began." (Dangarembga 208)
green = interesting language
red = strong language/making a staunch point
blue = loving/comforting language
Sunday, 2 October 2011
Maathai
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/09/26/world/africa/wangari-maathai-tribute/index.html?hpt=hp_c2
Interesting/renowned woman from Africa. Worth checking out.
Interesting/renowned woman from Africa. Worth checking out.
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