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Ying Ying Zhen Period 3 Character List for Chapters 9 and 10:
Rukmani (Ruku) - The narrator and protagonist of the novel. Ruku is a poor Indian village woman. Her father taught her to read and write, and she passes these valuable skills on to her children.
Irawaddy(Ira) - Rukmani’s first child(daughter). Ira is named after the great Irawaddy River because water is so precious. Ira is more beautiful than her parents and has a sweet, obedient, uncomplaining nature.
Nathan: Ruku’s husband, and he is a poor tenant farmer. His dream is to have his own land, and provide a better life for his family. Nathan love simple life in the quiet village, however he is force to live in the city when he lost his land.
Arjun: Ruku and Nathan’s oldest son. He works at the tannery because he is tired of being hungry, and of watching his family being hungry. Arjun give all his earnings to his mother for the family.
Kenny: Kenny is an English doctor who visits Ruku’s village from time to time. Ruku and Kenny met each other during Ruku’s mother’s deathbed. Kenny helps Ruku and her family.
Thambi: Ruku and Nathan’s second son. He joins with his brother Arjun to work in the tannery.
Selvam: Ruku and Nathan’s fifth son. He is a stubborn child.
Janaki: A friend of Ruku. She is the village shopkeeper’s wife.
It take place in an unnamed village in rural India. The villagers there live in simple mud huts with thatch roofs, and the villagers are mostly farmers. The main crops of the village are rice supplemented with vegetables and fish. Most of the villagers have little or no education. Marriages are being arrange by parents, and girls marry at a young age. The village have no interaction with modern technology, however the arrival of a tannery in the village affect the quiet village life for the people.
Ying Ying Zhen period 3 Vocabulary: Mynah: An Asian and Australasian starling that typically has dark plumage, gregarious behavior, and a loud call
Barren: not producing or incapable of producing offspring; sterile
Conceive: to become pregnant
Tannery: A place where animal hides are tanned; the workshop of a tanner ((a facility for making leather)
Deepavali: The Festival of Lights. It is a festival mainly for children.
Intruder: to thrust or bring in without invitation, permission, or welcome.
Solemnly: grave, sober, or mirthless, as a person, the face, speech, tone, or mood
Ecstatic: Feeling or expressing overwhelming happiness or joyful excitement
Abruptly: sudden or unexpected
Iota: a very small quantity; jot; whit.
Saris: a garment worn by Hindu women, consisting of a long piece of cotton or silk wrapped around the body with one end draped over the head or over one shoulder.
Jennifer Santamaria Period 2 Chapter 9 Several years after her marriage, Ira returns to her parents’ home with her husband. Her husband is divorcing her because she hasn't given him any children. Meanwhile, Ruku’s oldest son Arjun announces he is taking a job at the tannery. Rukumani was disappointed because she wanted him to be a farmer like his father, Nathan. Arjun however, feels that being a farmer will get him nowhere. Thambi follows his brother to the tannery, telling his father he will not work the land that does not belong to his own family, as it will bring them nothing. Nathan is hurt by the words of his sons, but says nothing. Their income eventually increases and they are able to buy new clothes. Ruku and Nathan save their new clothes for when their sons get married.
Ruku and her family go to the Deepavali festival; Ruku splurges and allows her children to buy their own fireworks for the first time. The family goes into the village to enjoy the bonfire and other festivities. For a brief moment, Ruku’s happiness is ruined with the thought of her friend Janaki, but it soon passes. When they went back home, the tired children fall quickly asleep but Ruku and Nathan enjoy an intimate, happy moment.
Pestle: a tool for pounding or grinding substances in a mortar.
Mortar: any of various mechanical appliances in which substances are pounded or ground.
Discourtesy : Rude and inconsiderate behavior.
Concealment: the act of concealing.
Dismayed: to break down the courage of completely, as by sudden danger or trouble; dishearten thoroughly; daunt: The surprise attack dismayed the enemy.
Avail: to be of use or value to
Labour: productive work (especially physical work done for wages)
Granary: a region that produces great quantities of grain.
Ghal: tropical African and Asian leguminous shrub, Cajanus cajan, cultivated in tropical regions for its nutritious pealike seeds
Ghee: kind of liquid butter, used especially in the cooking of India, made from the milk of cows or buffaloes and clarified by boiling
Thatch: Also, thatching. a material, as straw, rushes, leaves, or the like, used to cover roofs, grain stacks, etc.
Dhoti: a long loincloth worn by many Hindu men in India.
Jennifer Garcia Honors Humanities 2 Chapter 9 summary:
Ira and her husband goes see Ira’s parents. Her husband is divorcing her because she hasn’t given him any children. Nathan does not blame Ira’s husband for wanting a divorce for he believes that it’s a women duty to give men children. Ruku’s feels bad for her daughter and thinks to ask Kenny to help Ira. Also, around that time Ruku has taught her children to read and write and Arjun has used his knowledge to teach other people in town. He shows no inclination to land but one day Arjun says he is taking a job at the tannery. He says he is tired of hunger and is tired of struggling for survival. Ruku offers to have Kenny help Arjun get a job but he refused to get help from a white man. Ruku second son, Thambi, also began working at the tannery because he will not work in the land that does not belong to his own family. Nathan is hurt by his sons’ words and rejection of his lifestyle but believe they are still good sons. The family had an increase income and now is able to afford more things. Then Ruku realizes that she and Nathan have their best clothes away for the day when their sons marry.
Rapturous: full of, feeling, or manifesting ecstatic joy or delight.
Taper: a candle, especially a very slender one.
Wicks: a bundle or loose twist or braid of soft threads, or a woven strip or tube, as of cotton or asbestos, which in a candle, lamp, oil stove, cigarette lighter, or the like, serves to draw up the melted tallow or wax or the oil or other flammable liquid to be burned.
Beacon: a guiding or warning signal, as a light or fire, especially one in an elevated position.
Saucers: a small, round, shallow dish to hold a cup.
Wisps: a handful or small bundle of straw, hay, or the like.
Camphor: a whitish crystalline aromatic terpene ketone obtained from the wood of the camphor tree or made from pinene: used in the manufacture of celluloid and in medicine as a liniment and treatment for colds.
Solemnly: grave, sober, or mirthless, as a person, the face, speech, tone, or mood
Lok Ting Hon Chapter 9 & 10: The chapter continues the story of Ruku married to her husband,Nathan. The chapter explains that Ira comes home with her husband although Ruku is very happy to see her daughter, they came home to bring bad news. Ira's husband is returning Ira to her family because she can not give her husband a child (particularly a male). After this mishap, Ruku's two sons decided to work at the tannery to be able to provide more food for the family. At first Ruku refused, but the son complains that he is tired of not having enough food, tired of being hungery. Ruku's second son who always admired the first followed in the same footsteps and work in the tannery. Their sons start sending in some money for Ruku and Nathan. They ended up being able to buy new clothes for the family and let them have fun. They had enough money to take their children to the Deepavali (Festival of Lights). The kids have fun there, back then they could only be satisfied with watching other people lit the firework, but there has been change since two of Ruku's sons went to work. After the festival, she goes home with her husband who had a good time.
Lok Ting Hon Vocabulary: 1)Acrid: Sharp taste or smell 2)Granary: Storehouse for grain 3)Dhal:A sauce for rice 4)Qualms: An useasy feeling. 5)Converging: Coming from different places to meet 6)Encompass: To be surrounded or enclosed 7)Indignant: Feeling/ showing anger or annoying percieve as unfair treatment 8)Bangles:Bracelet 9)Smoulder:A fire with thick smoke, but no flames 10)Throng:Large, densly pack of people 11)Crush:Pressed or squeezed violently
Jennifer Garcia Honors Humanities 2 Summary for chapter 10:
Ruku allows her kids to buy fireworks for the first time. Then the family goes to the viallage to enjoy the bonfire and other festivities. Ruku’s then starts thinking about her friend Janaki but then forgets about it. In the Deepavali celebration there is a lot of noise, dancing, the bonfire, and shouts of laughter are everywhere. Ruku then loses the children, but because of the excitement and heat she forgets about them. She finds the kids with their father and Nathan surprises Ruku with his dancing and happy behavior. He sweeps her off her feet, because he has a great life. The family returns home and Ruku and Nathan make love.
Glossary of characters Ira- Ruku daughter – first born Ira husband- regrets marrying Ira Nathan- Ira father, Ruku husband Arjun- educated, Ira brother, Ruku and Nathan eldest son Thambi- Ruku and Nathan son
Plot Ira and her husband stop by and Ira is just saddened. Ira’s husband regrets marrying her because Ira is not able to have kids. At home Ruku household is starting to get weaker because their production is that feeding the household which has a toll on Arjun and Thambi (Ruku other son)
Vocabulary Pestle-instrument that are pounded in the mortar Mortar- a mixture of liquid holding bricks together / small cannon Tannery- place where hides are tanned Obliquely-slanting, indirect
Colonialism, positive or negative Positive, the amount of land, it relates to power
Pre-colonial life, positive or negative Negative, arranged marriages, wealth/value determined by land/riches
Chapter 10
Glossary of characters Seluam- Ruku son Ruku- narrator, Seluam mother Ira- Seluam sister, Ruku daughter Nathan- Ruku husband
Plot Ruku and the family went to a Deepvali- the festival of lights. At one point ruku lost her family when the exciting part happens of the show where the lights, “consuming the fuel and thrusting upward and sometimes outwards as if to engulf the watchers” (60). But she found her family; to her surprise Nathan was extremely joyful which lasted through the night
Vocabulary Donned-put on Rapturous- ecstasy Camphor-solid essential with a romantic taste and smell Lota- small amount Pranced-swagger
Pre-colonial life, positive or negative Positive, Deepavali is a tradition among the village
Colonial life, positive or negative Negative, a tradition where colonialism destroyed this tradition
Historical context: Both Chapters It take place in India before Eupore starts to scramble for countries in Africa and influence thier culture to countries in Africa.During that time period most of India were Farmers and lived by the crops they grew which they feed and/or sell for rupee(India currnency)
I disagree with Jose because the book was published in 1954 and when I looked it up, the book was published shortly after India broke free of British colonization.
Hiatorical Context: British started the colonial era in the 17th century. At first they stepped into India during the 18th century only as traders. However they ruled India between 1858 and 1947.
In chapter 9, Ruku tells her son "I will ask Kenny to help you. White men have power." (56) This leads me to believe that it was when foreigners already took over India, so it can't be BEFORE the scramble for Africa.
Also the description for the doctor Kenny is that he is a "benevolent village doctor, probably Bristish..."
Angela Mendez Humanities Honors Period 2 Characters (adding on) Rukmani (Ruku) - as Ying Ying said before, Ruku is the protagonist and the narrator. Ruku knows how to read and write. Ruku has five sons and one daughter. Ruku is married to Nathan (she can only call him husband). Ruku prefers how things were before building the tannery than how they were afterwards. Ruku was also a woman who really didn’t know how to do anything when she first married Nathan. Ruku fortunately learns how to cook, grow plants, and etc. later on. Nathan- as Ying Ying said before, Nathan is Ruku’s husband who is a poor tenant farmer. Nathan’s dreams are to own his own land and have a good life for him and his family. Nathan does not know how to read and write. Nathan always wants to protect Ruku (like the time he went to kill the snake for Ruku) and loves her dearly. Nathan wants his sons to help him out, tending the land. Irawaddy (Ira) – As Ying Ying said before, Ira is Ruku’s first child (daughter). Ira was named after the Irawaddy River in Asia because the water is so precious. Ira is left with her parents after being married for five years with her husband (whose name is not mentioned in the book). So far, Ira does not have any children (Ruku wants Kenny to solve this “problem”). Arjun- as Ying Ying said before, Arjun is Ruku’s son (I will not say he is Nathan’s son because I suspect he is Kenny’s son). He works at the tannery because he is tired of being hungry and of watching his family go hungry. Arjun gives Ruku and Nathan a fair share of his earnings. Arjun loves to read and write. Since Arjun went to work at the tannery, he made his mother and father upset. Arjun also made Ruku and Nathan realize that Nathan will never own any piece of land. Arjun does not like the fact that white men control everything. Thambi- as Ying Ying said before, he is Ruku and Nathan’s second son and the third eldest. Thambi joins his brother Arjun to work in the tannery because he likes to do what Arjun does since Arjun is basically his role model. Since Thambi also went to work at the tannery, he made his father realize that he is never going to own any piece of land. Selvam- As Ying Ying said before, he is Ruku and Nathan’s fifth son which is the youngest. Selvam is a “stubborn” child according to his mother (To me though, he is a cautious person). Kennington (Kenny) – as Ying Ying said before, Kenny is an English doctor who visits Ruku’s village from time to time. No one knows when he will exactly leave or come. No one actually knows where he goes to. Ruku and Kenny met each other when Ruku’s mother got sick. Kenny mostly helps Ruku. Janaki- As Ying Ying said before, she is a friend of Ruku. Janaki was an old neighbor of Ruku. Janaki was the wife of the shopkeeper. They (Janaki, her husband, and her children) were forced to leave because of the competition the white people brought to the “growing town” (something Kunthi, Ruku’s neighbor would say). The competition made the shopkeeper close his store and move. Kunthi- she is the neighbor of Ruku. Kunthi is a very beautiful woman who a lot of people envy. Kunthi has children and a husband. Kunthi was very young when she got married. Kunthi and Ruku dislike each other. Kunthi’s son (his name is not mention)- Kunthi’s son is Kunthi’s son, he wants to help Arjun get a job at the tannery since he works there. Kali- (she is not mentioned in chapter 9 and 10 but she is important) Kali is Ruku’s neighbor and she is basically her best friend. Kali helped her a lot when Ruku had her first child (Ira). Kali also likes to gossip and doesn’t really like the idea that the new changes the tannery is making.
Angela Mendez Humanities Honors Period 2 VOCABULARY Pungent- strong smelling or strong tasting Acutely- very great or very bad Dissuade- to persuade somebody not to do something Contemptuous- showing or feeling contempt Insolence-disrespectful behavior Hitherto- up to the present time
Angela Mendez Humanities Honors Period 2 VOCABULARY FOR CHAPTER 10 Dwellings- home Encompassed- to include much Fringes- decorative edging of strands Peril- exposure to risk Toddy- hot alcoholic drink Seized- take hold of something Indulgently-permissive or kind Twittering- to chatter Straining- to make an extreme effort
Angela Mendez Humanities Honors Period 2 CHAPTER 9 SUMMARY Ruku was pounding on some chilies when she sees two figures growing larger and larger in the horizon. Ruku continues to do so until she recognizes Ira. Ruku becomes happy and she quickly puts away the chili, rinses her eyes, and walks towards her daughter. Right away when Ruku sees Ira’s and Ira’s husband’s face, she knows something is wrong. Ira’s husband doesn’t go in the house and he basically tells Ruku that he doesn’t want Ira anymore since five years has passed and Ira has not given him in any children, especially sons. Ruku then calls Nathan and in the end Ira’s husband leaves Ira with Ruku and Nathan. Ira feels terrible and she thinks she is a failure. Time passes and Arjun tells Ruku that he is going to go work in the tannery because he doesn’t like the fact that his family has nothing to eat especially now that Ira has joined them again. Ruku does not want him to and tries to dissuade him. In the end though, Ruku lets him with only one condition; instead of Arjun asking Kunthi’s son help, she will ask Kenny for help because Kenny has power. Arjun then tells Ruku that only white men have power “over men, and events, and especially women”. Ruku doesn’t understand what he means and basically forgets about it. Not long after, Thambi joins his big brother. Thambi tells Ruku and Nathan that he will not tend any land that he or his father doesn’t own for very little in return. Nathan becomes sad after that because he realizes that he no longer has a chance to own any piece of land. Although all of this happens, life becomes better.
Angela Mendez Humanities Honors Period 2 CHAPTER 10 SUMMARY The Deepavali, a children’s festival was coming and for the first time, Ruku gave two annas to each of her children. With that money each of her children bought fireworks except Selvam because he was afraid. Everyone was very happy in the Deepavali. After Ruku and her family ate, they went to the town. Everyone in town was happy. In the middle of the visit of the town, Ruku remembers Janaki, her old neighbor. Ruku doesn’t want to be unhappy so she “banishes” it from her thoughts. Ruku loses her family after that, she gives up looking for her family for a while. Ruku was in awe when drums began to be played and saw everyone happy. After all of that excitement, Ruku sees her family and saw Nathan carrying three of her sons. Ruku then sees her husband happy and feels even more content. When Ruku makes a comment to her husband that he is too tall, somebody in the crowd yells to lift her up. Nathan lifts Ruku up. After that Ruku and Nathan basically start flirting with each other. When Ruku and her family go home, she and Nathan make love.
Angela Mendez Humanities Honors Period 2 It actually can be because the scramble for Africa was in 1880-1900 and you said the British ruled India between 1858-1947. The day it was published doesn't have to do with anything. I mean, an author can publish a book this year, talking about a different time period from now. In other words, the past.
Angela Mendez Humanities Honors Period 2 Angela to Jose I agree with Lok Ting, at this time of book, India is taken over by foreigners. Even Arjun says it, "Indeed they have" he said bitterly. "Over men, and events, and especially over women"(56). Also the white men have basically control the economy in India. Janiki's husband couldn't "compete with the other bigger shopkeeper whom the easy money to be had from the tanners had drawn to the new town" (51). After that happened, Ruku describes how thee tannery has become a success for the foreigners (51).
Angela Mendez Humanities Honors Period 2 Angela Mendez to Jennifer Garcia Adding on to you, the reason why having sons were really important was so sons could continue the "lines" of the husbands. That's why Ruku was really worried when she wasn't having any sons and why Ira's husband left her. A lot of men wanted to have sons throughout history actually. Also, I don't think the caste system is really in effect right now because in the caste system the priests is on the top but who really is on the top right now? The white men since they are basically controling the economy. Another thing about the caste system is that no one could move from their social class. Ruku changed social classes. Ruku's father was the headman of the village and according to the caste system, Ruku was suppose to marry someone worthy of her, but she married a poor tenant farmer who is obviously lower than her. I don't think the caste system has to do with anything in this book actually. Why did you think so?
Angela Mendez Humanities Honors Period 2 EFFECTS OF COLONIALISM ON CHAPTER 9 AND 10 There are both positive and negative effects of colonialism. One positive effect of colonialism is that new jobs are created where a good salary is offered (The reason why Arjun went to work at the tannery, page 56). Another positive effect was that people from all over are able to interact with other people (people in town celebrating the Deepavali, page 59). A negative effect is the pollution that is made because of colonialism (During the Deepavali, the streets smelled like oil, page 59). Another negative effect is that colonialism creates fights between families (when Ruku and Arjun were arguing about him working in the tanerry, page 55)
Angela Mendez Humanities Honors Period 2 EFFECTS OF PRE-COLONIAL LIFE There are both negative and positive effects of pre-colonial life. A negative effect of pre-colonial life is that, some people want everything to stay the same which limits the othe people who want a change (page 55, when Ruku doesn't want Arjun to work at the tannery because she wanted Arjun to stay the same and help out. She was limiting Arjun since she didn't want him to work there). A positive effect is the fact that traditions unite people more, (page 59, the Deepavali)
Angela Mendez Humanities Honors Period 2 Angela to Jose I also honestly don't understand why you wrote about the scramble of Africa. I mean, what does the scramble of Africa has to do with book? Can you explain why you mentioned the scramble for Africa?
Angela Mendez Humanities Honors Period 2 Angela to Jennifer Garcia Although what you said is true, Ruku changes social classes. Ruku was the daughter of a important man and she knew how to read and write. Ruku's husband is a poor farmer who does not own any land and he doesn't know how to read and write. According to the caste system, Ruku was supposed to marry a man who is in the same social class as her (A man who had power would have been a good choice, not a poor farmer). I still don't think the caste system is part of it.
Angela Mendez Humanities Honors Period 2 Angela to Jennifer Garcia What I am trying to say is that the caste system isn't really enforced so the people from the "growing town", aren't really following it, especially now since people from other places are influencing the natives from India.
Ying Ying Zhen
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Character List for Chapters 9 and 10:
Rukmani (Ruku) - The narrator and protagonist of the novel. Ruku is a poor Indian village woman. Her father taught her to read and write, and she passes these valuable skills on to her children.
Irawaddy(Ira) - Rukmani’s first child(daughter). Ira is named after the great Irawaddy River because water is so precious. Ira is more beautiful than her parents and has a sweet, obedient, uncomplaining nature.
Nathan: Ruku’s husband, and he is a poor tenant farmer. His dream is to have his own land, and provide a better life for his family. Nathan love simple life in the quiet village, however he is force to live in the city when he lost his land.
Arjun: Ruku and Nathan’s oldest son. He works at the tannery because he is tired of being hungry, and of watching his family being hungry. Arjun give all his earnings to his mother for the family.
Kenny: Kenny is an English doctor who visits Ruku’s village from time to time. Ruku and Kenny met each other during Ruku’s mother’s deathbed. Kenny helps Ruku and her family.
Thambi: Ruku and Nathan’s second son. He joins with his brother Arjun to work in the tannery.
Selvam: Ruku and Nathan’s fifth son. He is a stubborn child.
Janaki: A friend of Ruku. She is the village shopkeeper’s wife.
Ying Ying Zhen
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Setting:
It take place in an unnamed village in rural India. The villagers there live in simple mud huts with thatch roofs, and the villagers are mostly farmers. The main crops of the village are rice supplemented with vegetables and fish. Most of the villagers have little or no education. Marriages are being arrange by parents, and girls marry at a young age. The village have no interaction with modern technology, however the arrival of a tannery in the village affect the quiet village life for the people.
Ying Ying Zhen
ReplyDeleteperiod 3
Vocabulary:
Mynah: An Asian and Australasian starling that typically has dark plumage, gregarious behavior, and a loud call
Barren: not producing or incapable of producing offspring; sterile
Conceive: to become pregnant
Tannery: A place where animal hides are tanned; the workshop of a tanner ((a facility for making leather)
Deepavali: The Festival of Lights. It is a festival mainly for children.
Intruder: to thrust or bring in without invitation, permission, or welcome.
Solemnly: grave, sober, or mirthless, as a person, the face, speech, tone, or mood
Ecstatic: Feeling or expressing overwhelming happiness or joyful excitement
Abruptly: sudden or unexpected
Iota: a very small quantity; jot; whit.
Saris: a garment worn by Hindu women, consisting of a long piece of cotton or silk wrapped around the body with one end draped over the head or over one shoulder.
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ReplyDeleteJennifer Santamaria
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Chapter 9
Several years after her marriage, Ira returns to her parents’ home with her husband. Her husband is divorcing her because she hasn't given him any children. Meanwhile, Ruku’s oldest son Arjun announces he is taking a job at the tannery. Rukumani was disappointed because she wanted him to be a farmer like his father, Nathan. Arjun however, feels that being a farmer will get him nowhere. Thambi follows his brother to the tannery, telling his father he will not work the land that does not belong to his own family, as it will bring them nothing. Nathan is hurt by the words of his sons, but says nothing. Their income eventually increases and they are able to buy new clothes. Ruku and Nathan save their new clothes for when their sons get married.
Chapter 10
ReplyDeleteRuku and her family go to the Deepavali festival; Ruku splurges and allows her children to buy their own fireworks for the first time. The family goes into the village to enjoy the bonfire and other festivities. For a brief moment, Ruku’s happiness is ruined with the thought of her friend Janaki, but it soon passes. When they went back home, the tired children fall quickly asleep but Ruku and Nathan enjoy an intimate, happy moment.
Jennifer Garcia
ReplyDeleteHonors Humanities 2
Chapter 9 vocabulary:
Pestle: a tool for pounding or grinding substances in a mortar.
Mortar: any of various mechanical appliances in which substances are pounded or ground.
Discourtesy : Rude and inconsiderate behavior.
Concealment: the act of concealing.
Dismayed: to break down the courage of completely, as by sudden danger or trouble; dishearten thoroughly; daunt: The surprise attack dismayed the enemy.
Avail: to be of use or value to
Labour: productive work (especially physical work done for wages)
Granary: a region that produces great quantities of grain.
Ghal: tropical African and Asian leguminous shrub, Cajanus cajan, cultivated in tropical regions for its nutritious pealike seeds
Ghee: kind of liquid butter, used especially in the cooking of India, made from the milk of cows or buffaloes and clarified by boiling
Thatch: Also, thatching. a material, as straw, rushes, leaves, or the like, used to cover roofs, grain stacks, etc.
Dhoti: a long loincloth worn by many Hindu men in India.
Jennifer Garcia
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Chapter 9 summary:
Ira and her husband goes see Ira’s parents. Her husband is divorcing her because she hasn’t given him any children. Nathan does not blame Ira’s husband for wanting a divorce for he believes that it’s a women duty to give men children. Ruku’s feels bad for her daughter and thinks to ask Kenny to help Ira. Also, around that time Ruku has taught her children to read and write and Arjun has used his knowledge to teach other people in town. He shows no inclination to land but one day Arjun says he is taking a job at the tannery. He says he is tired of hunger and is tired of struggling for survival. Ruku offers to have Kenny help Arjun get a job but he refused to get help from a white man. Ruku second son, Thambi, also began working at the tannery because he will not work in the land that does not belong to his own family. Nathan is hurt by his sons’ words and rejection of his lifestyle but believe they are still good sons. The family had an increase income and now is able to afford more things. Then Ruku realizes that she and Nathan have their best clothes away for the day when their sons marry.
Jennifer Garcia
ReplyDeleteHonors Humanities 2
Vocabulary for Chapter 10
Deepavali: a festival in India
Rapturous: full of, feeling, or manifesting ecstatic joy or delight.
Taper: a candle, especially a very slender one.
Wicks: a bundle or loose twist or braid of soft threads, or a woven strip or tube, as of cotton or asbestos, which in a candle, lamp, oil stove, cigarette lighter, or the like, serves to draw up the melted tallow or wax or the oil or other flammable liquid to be burned.
Beacon: a guiding or warning signal, as a light or fire, especially one in an elevated position.
Saucers: a small, round, shallow dish to hold a cup.
Wisps: a handful or small bundle of straw, hay, or the like.
Camphor: a whitish crystalline aromatic terpene ketone obtained from the wood of the camphor tree or made from pinene: used in the manufacture of celluloid and in medicine as a liniment and treatment for colds.
Solemnly: grave, sober, or mirthless, as a person, the face, speech, tone, or mood
Lok Ting Hon
ReplyDeleteChapter 9 & 10:
The chapter continues the story of Ruku married to her husband,Nathan. The chapter explains that Ira comes home with her husband although Ruku is very happy to see her daughter, they came home to bring bad news. Ira's husband is returning Ira to her family because she can not give her husband a child (particularly a male). After this mishap, Ruku's two sons decided to work at the tannery to be able to provide more food for the family. At first Ruku refused, but the son complains that he is tired of not having enough food, tired of being hungery. Ruku's second son who always admired the first followed in the same footsteps and work in the tannery. Their sons start sending in some money for Ruku and Nathan. They ended up being able to buy new clothes for the family and let them have fun. They had enough money to take their children to the Deepavali (Festival of Lights). The kids have fun there, back then they could only be satisfied with watching other people lit the firework, but there has been change since two of Ruku's sons went to work. After the festival, she goes home with her husband who had a good time.
Lok Ting Hon
ReplyDeleteVocabulary:
1)Acrid: Sharp taste or smell
2)Granary: Storehouse for grain
3)Dhal:A sauce for rice
4)Qualms: An useasy feeling.
5)Converging: Coming from different places to meet
6)Encompass: To be surrounded or enclosed
7)Indignant: Feeling/ showing anger or annoying percieve as unfair treatment
8)Bangles:Bracelet
9)Smoulder:A fire with thick smoke, but no flames
10)Throng:Large, densly pack of people
11)Crush:Pressed or squeezed violently
Jennifer Garcia
ReplyDeleteHonors Humanities 2
Summary for chapter 10:
Ruku allows her kids to buy fireworks for the first time. Then the family goes to the viallage to enjoy the bonfire and other festivities. Ruku’s then starts thinking about her friend Janaki but then forgets about it. In the Deepavali celebration there is a lot of noise, dancing, the bonfire, and shouts of laughter are everywhere. Ruku then loses the children, but because of the excitement and heat she forgets about them. She finds the kids with their father and Nathan surprises Ruku with his dancing and happy behavior. He sweeps her off her feet, because he has a great life. The family returns home and Ruku and Nathan make love.
JOse Bendana
ReplyDeletepd.3
Chapter 9
Glossary of characters
Ira- Ruku daughter – first born
Ira husband- regrets marrying Ira
Nathan- Ira father, Ruku husband
Arjun- educated, Ira brother, Ruku and Nathan eldest son
Thambi- Ruku and Nathan son
Plot
Ira and her husband stop by and Ira is just saddened. Ira’s husband regrets marrying her because Ira is not able to have kids. At home Ruku household is starting to get weaker because their production is that feeding the household which has a toll on Arjun and Thambi (Ruku other son)
Vocabulary
Pestle-instrument that are pounded in the mortar
Mortar- a mixture of liquid holding bricks together / small cannon
Tannery- place where hides are tanned
Obliquely-slanting, indirect
Colonialism, positive or negative
Positive, the amount of land, it relates to power
Pre-colonial life, positive or negative
Negative, arranged marriages, wealth/value determined by land/riches
Chapter 10
Glossary of characters
Seluam- Ruku son
Ruku- narrator, Seluam mother
Ira- Seluam sister, Ruku daughter
Nathan- Ruku husband
Plot
Ruku and the family went to a Deepvali- the festival of lights. At one point ruku lost her family when the exciting part happens of the show where the lights, “consuming the fuel and thrusting upward and sometimes outwards as if to engulf the watchers” (60). But she found her family; to her surprise Nathan was extremely joyful which lasted through the night
Vocabulary
Donned-put on
Rapturous- ecstasy
Camphor-solid essential with a romantic taste and smell
Lota- small amount
Pranced-swagger
Pre-colonial life, positive or negative
Positive, Deepavali is a tradition among the village
Colonial life, positive or negative
Negative, a tradition where colonialism destroyed this tradition
Historical context: Both Chapters
It take place in India before Eupore starts to scramble for countries in Africa and influence thier culture to countries in Africa.During that time period most of India were Farmers and lived by the crops they grew which they feed and/or sell for rupee(India currnency)
Lok Ting Hon
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I disagree with Jose because the book was published in 1954 and when I looked it up, the book was published shortly after India broke free of British colonization.
Hiatorical Context:
British started the colonial era in the 17th century. At first they stepped into India during the 18th century only as traders. However they ruled India between 1858 and 1947.
In chapter 9, Ruku tells her son "I will ask Kenny to help you. White men have power." (56)
This leads me to believe that it was when foreigners already took over India, so it can't be BEFORE the scramble for Africa.
Also the description for the doctor Kenny is that he is a "benevolent village doctor, probably Bristish..."
Jennifer Garcia
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Historical Background for 9&10
*Children, especially sons, were of utmost importance in Indian families.
* wife that did not bear children was a failure, no matter what her other skills may be.
*The caste system in India dictates that a man is supposed to follow in his father’s profession
*Deepavali is also know as the festival of the lights
*Deepavali is an annual Hindu celebration of the triumph of good over evil.
* British had controlled over India since the early 1800s, but on August 15, 1947, the Indian Independence Act established.
Angela Mendez
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Characters (adding on)
Rukmani (Ruku) - as Ying Ying said before, Ruku is the protagonist and the narrator. Ruku knows how to read and write. Ruku has five sons and one daughter. Ruku is married to Nathan (she can only call him husband). Ruku prefers how things were before building the tannery than how they were afterwards. Ruku was also a woman who really didn’t know how to do anything when she first married Nathan. Ruku fortunately learns how to cook, grow plants, and etc. later on.
Nathan- as Ying Ying said before, Nathan is Ruku’s husband who is a poor tenant farmer. Nathan’s dreams are to own his own land and have a good life for him and his family. Nathan does not know how to read and write. Nathan always wants to protect Ruku (like the time he went to kill the snake for Ruku) and loves her dearly. Nathan wants his sons to help him out, tending the land.
Irawaddy (Ira) – As Ying Ying said before, Ira is Ruku’s first child (daughter). Ira was named after the Irawaddy River in Asia because the water is so precious. Ira is left with her parents after being married for five years with her husband (whose name is not mentioned in the book). So far, Ira does not have any children (Ruku wants Kenny to solve this “problem”).
Arjun- as Ying Ying said before, Arjun is Ruku’s son (I will not say he is Nathan’s son because I suspect he is Kenny’s son). He works at the tannery because he is tired of being hungry and of watching his family go hungry. Arjun gives Ruku and Nathan a fair share of his earnings. Arjun loves to read and write. Since Arjun went to work at the tannery, he made his mother and father upset. Arjun also made Ruku and Nathan realize that Nathan will never own any piece of land. Arjun does not like the fact that white men control everything.
Thambi- as Ying Ying said before, he is Ruku and Nathan’s second son and the third eldest. Thambi joins his brother Arjun to work in the tannery because he likes to do what Arjun does since Arjun is basically his role model. Since Thambi also went to work at the tannery, he made his father realize that he is never going to own any piece of land.
Selvam- As Ying Ying said before, he is Ruku and Nathan’s fifth son which is the youngest. Selvam is a “stubborn” child according to his mother (To me though, he is a cautious person).
Kennington (Kenny) – as Ying Ying said before, Kenny is an English doctor who visits Ruku’s village from time to time. No one knows when he will exactly leave or come. No one actually knows where he goes to. Ruku and Kenny met each other when Ruku’s mother got sick. Kenny mostly helps Ruku.
Janaki- As Ying Ying said before, she is a friend of Ruku. Janaki was an old neighbor of Ruku. Janaki was the wife of the shopkeeper. They (Janaki, her husband, and her children) were forced to leave because of the competition the white people brought to the “growing town” (something Kunthi, Ruku’s neighbor would say). The competition made the shopkeeper close his store and move.
Kunthi- she is the neighbor of Ruku. Kunthi is a very beautiful woman who a lot of people envy. Kunthi has children and a husband. Kunthi was very young when she got married. Kunthi and Ruku dislike each other.
Kunthi’s son (his name is not mention)- Kunthi’s son is Kunthi’s son, he wants to help Arjun get a job at the tannery since he works there.
Kali- (she is not mentioned in chapter 9 and 10 but she is important) Kali is Ruku’s neighbor and she is basically her best friend. Kali helped her a lot when Ruku had her first child (Ira). Kali also likes to gossip and doesn’t really like the idea that the new changes the tannery is making.
Angela Mendez
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VOCABULARY
Pungent- strong smelling or strong tasting
Acutely- very great or very bad
Dissuade- to persuade somebody not to do something
Contemptuous- showing or feeling contempt
Insolence-disrespectful behavior
Hitherto- up to the present time
Angela Mendez
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That was for Chapter 9
Angela Mendez
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VOCABULARY FOR CHAPTER 10
Dwellings- home
Encompassed- to include much
Fringes- decorative edging of strands
Peril- exposure to risk
Toddy- hot alcoholic drink
Seized- take hold of something
Indulgently-permissive or kind
Twittering- to chatter
Straining- to make an extreme effort
Angela Mendez
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Period 2
CHAPTER 9 SUMMARY
Ruku was pounding on some chilies when she sees two figures growing larger and larger in the horizon. Ruku continues to do so until she recognizes Ira. Ruku becomes happy and she quickly puts away the chili, rinses her eyes, and walks towards her daughter. Right away when Ruku sees Ira’s and Ira’s husband’s face, she knows something is wrong. Ira’s husband doesn’t go in the house and he basically tells Ruku that he doesn’t want Ira anymore since five years has passed and Ira has not given him in any children, especially sons. Ruku then calls Nathan and in the end Ira’s husband leaves Ira with Ruku and Nathan. Ira feels terrible and she thinks she is a failure. Time passes and Arjun tells Ruku that he is going to go work in the tannery because he doesn’t like the fact that his family has nothing to eat especially now that Ira has joined them again. Ruku does not want him to and tries to dissuade him. In the end though, Ruku lets him with only one condition; instead of Arjun asking Kunthi’s son help, she will ask Kenny for help because Kenny has power. Arjun then tells Ruku that only white men have power “over men, and events, and especially women”. Ruku doesn’t understand what he means and basically forgets about it. Not long after, Thambi joins his big brother. Thambi tells Ruku and Nathan that he will not tend any land that he or his father doesn’t own for very little in return. Nathan becomes sad after that because he realizes that he no longer has a chance to own any piece of land. Although all of this happens, life becomes better.
Angela Mendez
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CHAPTER 10 SUMMARY
The Deepavali, a children’s festival was coming and for the first time, Ruku gave two annas to each of her children. With that money each of her children bought fireworks except Selvam because he was afraid. Everyone was very happy in the Deepavali. After Ruku and her family ate, they went to the town. Everyone in town was happy. In the middle of the visit of the town, Ruku remembers Janaki, her old neighbor. Ruku doesn’t want to be unhappy so she “banishes” it from her thoughts. Ruku loses her family after that, she gives up looking for her family for a while. Ruku was in awe when drums began to be played and saw everyone happy. After all of that excitement, Ruku sees her family and saw Nathan carrying three of her sons. Ruku then sees her husband happy and feels even more content. When Ruku makes a comment to her husband that he is too tall, somebody in the crowd yells to lift her up. Nathan lifts Ruku up. After that Ruku and Nathan basically start flirting with each other. When Ruku and her family go home, she and Nathan make love.
Angela Mendez
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It actually can be because the scramble for Africa was in 1880-1900 and you said the British ruled India between 1858-1947. The day it was published doesn't have to do with anything. I mean, an author can publish a book this year, talking about a different time period from now. In other words, the past.
The last comment was for Lok Ting
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Angela to Jose
I agree with Lok Ting, at this time of book, India is taken over by foreigners. Even Arjun says it, "Indeed they have" he said bitterly. "Over men, and events, and especially over women"(56). Also the white men have basically control the economy in India. Janiki's husband couldn't "compete with the other bigger shopkeeper whom the easy money to be had from the tanners had drawn to the new town" (51). After that happened, Ruku describes how thee tannery has become a success for the foreigners (51).
Angela Mendez
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Angela Mendez to Jennifer Garcia
Adding on to you, the reason why having sons were really important was so sons could continue the "lines" of the husbands. That's why Ruku was really worried when she wasn't having any sons and why Ira's husband left her. A lot of men wanted to have sons throughout history actually. Also, I don't think the caste system is really in effect right now because in the caste system the priests is on the top but who really is on the top right now? The white men since they are basically controling the economy. Another thing about the caste system is that no one could move from their social class. Ruku changed social classes. Ruku's father was the headman of the village and according to the caste system, Ruku was suppose to marry someone worthy of her, but she married a poor tenant farmer who is obviously lower than her. I don't think the caste system has to do with anything in this book actually. Why did you think so?
Angela Mendez
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EFFECTS OF COLONIALISM ON CHAPTER 9 AND 10
There are both positive and negative effects of colonialism. One positive effect of colonialism is that new jobs are created where a good salary is offered (The reason why Arjun went to work at the tannery, page 56). Another positive effect was that people from all over are able to interact with other people (people in town celebrating the Deepavali, page 59). A negative effect is the pollution that is made because of colonialism (During the Deepavali, the streets smelled like oil, page 59). Another negative effect is that colonialism creates fights between families (when Ruku and Arjun were arguing about him working in the tanerry, page 55)
Angela Mendez
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EFFECTS OF PRE-COLONIAL LIFE
There are both negative and positive effects of pre-colonial life. A negative effect of pre-colonial life is that, some people want everything to stay the same which limits the othe people who want a change (page 55, when Ruku doesn't want Arjun to work at the tannery because she wanted Arjun to stay the same and help out. She was limiting Arjun since she didn't want him to work there). A positive effect is the fact that traditions unite people more, (page 59, the Deepavali)
Angela Mendez
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The last comment was for both chapters
Angela Mendez
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Angela to Jose
I also honestly don't understand why you wrote about the scramble of Africa. I mean, what does the scramble of Africa has to do with book? Can you explain why you mentioned the scramble for Africa?
Jennifer Garcia to Angela
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Like you siad, in the caste system you can't change social class, so what the children turn out to do is what the father and mother do for a living.
Angela Mendez
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Period 2
Angela to Jennifer Garcia
Although what you said is true, Ruku changes social classes. Ruku was the daughter of a important man and she knew how to read and write. Ruku's husband is a poor farmer who does not own any land and he doesn't know how to read and write. According to the caste system, Ruku was supposed to marry a man who is in the same social class as her (A man who had power would have been a good choice, not a poor farmer). I still don't think the caste system is part of it.
Angela Mendez
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Angela to Jennifer Garcia
What I am trying to say is that the caste system isn't really enforced so the people from the "growing town", aren't really following it, especially now since people from other places are influencing the natives from India.