This week, per your syllabus, you will complete several supplemental assignments related to your reading of What is the What. All of your work for this week should be completed, proofread and posted here as a comment before Thanksgiving break. Make sure to include your name. Your collective responses will be graded as a quest.
Assignment A: Eggers/Deng Interview. Click the link (below right) to the Valentino Achack Deng Foundation. Under "Book", select "Interview with Dave Eggers and Valentino Achak Deng". Read the interview and respond to the following questions (include direct quotations): 1. Describe the unique approach to the development of the book. 2. Do you agree with the choice of format and point of view? If not, do you think the book would be more successful as a work of non-fiction?
Assignment B: CBS Interactive: Click here to visit the CBS page. Click on and explore the Interactive Icon "Struggle in Sudan" and respond to the following: 1. Identify the State Representatives from the photographs under "Darfur Outrage". 2. What is the per capita income of Sudan? How does this compare to the U.S.'s per capita income? 3. What is Sudan's population? How does this compare to the U.S. population? 4. What is the life expectancy in Sudan? How does this compare to an American's life expectancy? 5. Which countries share a border with Sudan? 6. Under "Millions Displaced", identify a photograph which captures your attention. Describe the image in detail. What is depicted? Why do you find it moving?
Assignment C: Click the link (below right) to the Valentino Achack Deng Foundation. Click "Take Action". Read numbers 1 and 2. Click on www.darfurscores.com. On the top left of the page, enter your zip code to view ratings of how our state representatives have responded to the situation in Darfur. I will award a "100" quiz grade to those students who write a letter to a state representative as described on this page.
Assignment D: Time Magazine Article: Include direct quotations in your answers the following questions: 1. What do you think of Colin Powell's response to the situation in Sudan? How about Condoleeza Rice's response? How about the President's response? 2. Describe how the geological and geographical makeup of Sudan complicates the current situation. 3. Relate some of the horrifying anecdotes (particularly those of Melkha Musa Haroun), to content from What is the What.
Time Magazine Article
33 comments:
ASSIGNMENT -A-
It took three years of pretty steady work, Achack and Eggers went through several interviews in person and over the phone getting through the basic story, which took about twelve hours of tape. After about eighteen months of thought about it, they settled on a fictionalized autobiography, in Valentino’s voice. By doing so, Eggers could disappear completely, and the reader could have the benefit of hearing the story from Valentino’s distinct voice. Some characters were combined some time was compressed Achack was very young when the book begins, so he could not remember conversations and small details from his early childhood in Marial Bai. He took the basic facts and then created the story from there. “In most cases, I would describe a certain scene for perhaps twenty minutes, and then Dave would return some months later with the scene written, though in a fictional form. It was not until six months ago that I saw the book in the form of a whole book.”
I completely agree with the point of view that the book was written in. I don’t think that this book would have been as successful as a work of non-fiction, it was necessary to add untrue material to enhance the reader’s knowledge of what is going on, especially how a lot of the stuff is from when Valentino was a little kid and he is not able to recall most of the details from that part of the story.
-Andrew Rockwell
Assignment A- Dave Eggers and Valentino Achak Deng met in Atlanta through the lost boys foundation. One day Eggers received a letter from the founder of the organization, Mary Williams. She wanted to know if he wanted to meey them and she what the Foundation was doing. Mary had a few ideas about how Eggers could get involved and one of them was helping Valentino write his autobiography. It took three years to write the book. The things that they did were interviews in person and over the phone and twelve hours of taping.
I agree with the choice of format and point of view. This is because Eggers wanted to write an unforgettable book and without having it being done in Valentino's voice, it wouldn't have as a big effect as it did. In order to captivate a person’s interest, having the book written in an authorial voice.
The book is different but interesting because Valentino was focused in success from this story. Valentino only spoke for about 20 minutes and then Dave would see him months later.
No, because if it was a non-fiction the book would not really make a lot of sense. Valentino was just talking to Dave to give him the information for the book to put it together so they had a lot of flash backs along the time of making “What is the What”.
Crystal Stott
ASSIGNMENT A
The way Eggers and Achack Deng approached the writing of “What is the what” is definitely unique. It is necessary though, Due to Achack Deng feeling not quite ready to write a book of his own. Dave Eggers agreed to hear his story, and tell it through a novel. It was not finished quickly though, it took about three years a good portion being interviews. "The first thing we did was just get through the basic story. So that was about twelve hours of tape."
The fact that it’s written as if Achack were directly telling it is phenomenal. It makes you feel that Dave has no voice in it whatsoever, just the voice of Valentino. Though the story isn’t all complete truth it isn’t stretched much at all. "It is very close to the truth, but many things in the book are somewhat different than what happened in life. Some characters have been combined. Some time is compressed".
"These were minor things, yet necessary."
I highly agree with how this book is written. I feel it is very believable and powerful. If it were written in the voice of Eggers it would be bland. The way that the book is written is definitely its strongest point.
- Nick J
Assignement A
1. It was a slow process, it took three years of work. They started with interviews in person and over the phone. Then they did the basic story which took 12 hours of tape. After a while of they still did interviews and gathering of information. Eggers did not know whether to make it a first person or third person, or fiction or non fiction. Then after 18 months, Achack and Eggers decided on a fictionalized autobiography, in Valentino's voice.
2. The format and point of view are fine. I agree with it. I think that the format and the point of view of the author is fine, and it's their choice how they make their book. I think that if it was completely non fiction it wouldn't be as good because then the things that were completely true wouldn't have as much value to them.
-Jay
Assignment A- I agree with the choice of format and point of view. This is because Eggers wanted to write an unforgettable book and without having it being done in Valentino's voice, it wouldn't have as a big effect as it did. In order to captivate a person’s interest, having the book written in an authorial voice.
Assiginment A!
1.It took Valentino and Dave about three years of work to write the book, they did interviews over the phone and in person, they became very good friends. Valentino wanted to tell everyone his story, he first thought about writing it himself, but still taking basic writing classes at Georgia Perimeter College he decided that wasnt a good idea. They were uncertain of the approach the book was going to be written in but they decided on a fictionalized autobiography in Vanletino's voice. Something interesting about the book is that its a true story told by a real man with fiction added into the story, the fiction was added because Valentino was very young when his story started so he couldnt remember everything, the basic facts were taken from Valentino ande Dave constructed it from there. The approach to the developement of the book was very unique.
2. I agree with the choice of format for the book because it is still a true story about Valentino's experiences but fiction is added in because he was so young and it helps emphaize secnes. Valentino has still gotten his story out there like he wanted to with some fiction added into it. The way the book was written in its best possible point of view.
* Jessica Schneider! ♥
According to the author and Valentino the development of the book was very slow. It started with interviews, many of which were in person and some over the phone. The first thing they did was get through the basic story, according to them it was twelve hours of tape. Dave Eggers the author reviewed the tape to see how to approach the story. They didn’t know whether it was going be an auto-biography or a biography. After a year and a half they settled on a fictionalized autobiography, in Valentino’s voice. It was very wise of Valentino to seek out an author to write his story as he wasn’t very educated. -nigel williams
Assignment B:
1) Sheila Jackson Lee, Jim Moran, Jim McGovern, Tom Lantos, Nancy Pelosi
2) $2,500 Sudan, $46,000 U.S. they U.S. Capita income is lager the Sudan
3) 38,600,000 Sudan 301,139,947 U.S. they are both a big population.
14) 50 years old in Sudan and Americans life expectancy is around 65 or 75 years old so you get more time to live if your and American.
15) ETHIOPIA, KENYA, CHAD, ZAIRE, UGANDA
Crystal Stott
Nick and Brown say: for assignement A
1. Valentino and Dave spent three years of work to write the book. They became very good friends and had many interviews on the phone and in person. They were uncertain of the approach the book was going to be written in but they decided on a fictionalized autobiography in Vanletino's voice. The thing that makes this book amazing is that it’s a true story told by a real everyday man with fiction added into it. He added it into the book because Valentino was very young when his story started so he couldn’t remember everything. The basic facts were taken from Valentino and Dave constructed it from there everyday situation or events. Valentino wanted to tell everyone his story, he first thought about writing it himself. He took basic writing classes at Perimeter College he decided that wasn’t a good choice for him. The approach to the development of the book was very unique in his own sense.
2. I agree with the choice of format for the book because it is still a true story about Valentino's experiences. But fiction is added in because he was so young and it helps emphasizes some scenes in the book. Regardless his story got out there like he wanted to with all things he wanted in it like fiction. It was written in it best possible view for the way he wanted it presented.
Assignment B
1. The state representatives from the photographs were Rep. Nancy Pelosi, left, D-Calif., Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas,
Rep. Jim Moran, D-Va., Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., Rep. Tom Lantos, D-Calif., Barack Obama, D-Ill., Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., and U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle, D-Pittsburgh.
2. Sudan per capita income = $2,500 (2007 est.)
U.S. per capita income = $46,000 (2007 est.)
U.S.'s per capita income is more than eighteen times of Sudan's.
3. Sudan Population: 39,379,358 (July 2007 est.)
U.S. Population: 301,139,947 (July 2007 est.)
U.S.’s population is more than seven times of Sudan's.
4. Sudan’s life expectancy is about fifty years. (2008 est.)
U.S.‘s life expectancy is about seventy eight years. (2008 est.)
The U.S.’s life expectancy is about twenty years more than Sudan’s.
5. Uganda, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Libya are the countries that share a border with Sudan.
6. A photograph that captured my attention was the one of Martha Halim who is thirteen and suffers form a rare affliction called “nodding disease”. It is sad to see this especially because "young victims of this disease usually nod vigorously at the sight of food, and their later symptoms include epileptic seizures" and unfortunately death. This picture was just taken almost five years ago. It is devastating to learn that she is only thirteen and that she may die. Many people take things for granted. I think that it is amazing that she is willing to still get her picture taken despite her appearance. Most of the time people would want to hide their imperfections yet she is willing to show everyone her appearance.
What is The What is a novel written much different than most others. The unique approach used is that Valentino Achak Deng, the storyteller, is not the actual author. Dave Eggers is the physical author of the novel and must assume the view of Valentino. It is written as an autobiographical account of fiction.
I believe that the style that the book is written in is the optimal way to write it. If Valentino wrote it it would be possibly a more personal account; on the other hand Valentino is not an author. Dave Eggers can take the information from Valentino and make it into a well-developed novel.
Assignment B- The state representatives involved in the “Darfur Outrage” are Nancy Pelosi of California, Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas, John Morgan of Virginia, Jim McGovern of Massachusetts, and Tom Lantos of California.
As of 2006 the per capita income for Sudan was $2,300, opposed to the U.S. per capita income of $21,587 in 1999. The population of Sudan is around 41, 236, 378 while the population of the United States is approximately 305, 724, 468. The life expectancy of Sudan (average for male and female) is 60.21 while the life expectancy for the USA is about 75.
The countries that border Sudan are Egypt, Libya, Chad, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Kenya, and Ethiopia.
The photograph that really grabbed my attention under “Millions Displaced” is photograph 13. This photo features a group of Sudanese women sitting outside of their shelter. The shelter is extremely limited in size especially for such a large group of inhabitants. It goes to show you how some people there have to barely fit into a makeshift hut just to live.
Assingment B.
1.Sheila Jackson Lee (Texas)
Jim Moran (Virginia)
Jim McGovern (Mass)
Tom Lantos (California)
2.$2,300/year
3.31,236,378
4.age-58.92
6.In picture 18 there is a picture of two hungry boys holding a can. There are a few adults blurred out in the background. this shows that adults can't really help the kids with all their troubles.
Seamus Slattery
Assingment a
Achack and Eggers met up and decided to write Valentino's story in first person perspective through Valentino's eyes. They decided to make it a fiction novel because Valentino could not remember all the facts of his childhood.
I believe that Valentino and Eggers should have made the book nonfiction because there would be no one to tell that they were wrong about certain facts.
Seamus Slattery
assignment -B-
1. Nancy Pelosi California
Sheila Jackson Lee Texas
Jim Moran Virginia
McGovern Massachusetts
Tom Lantos California
Mike Doyle Pittsburgh
2. Sudan= $2,300
U.S.= $21587
3. Sudan= 41,236,378
U.S.= 301,139,947
4. Sudan= 58.92 years
U.S.= 77.8 years
5. Egypt, Libya, Chad, Central African Republic, Dem. Rep. of Congo,
Uganda, Kenya, and Ethiopia all share a border with Sudan.
6. A Sudanese woman carries her luggage on a donkey captured my
attention, because it forced me to realize how hard it really is in other
countries, outside of America.
-A. Rockwell
KATIE KOLODZIEJCZYK
ASSIGNMENT -A-
1. The unique develpment of the book is that it is fictionalized autobioggraphy.
2. I don't like the choice of fictionalized autobiography because I felt like the auther could have put all real facts and storys into the story instead of some of it being fiction. I def think th ebook would have been more successful because the people are more interested in real facts to they can learn about what is really going on instead of trying to picture something thats not real and just fits into the story.
ASSIGNMENT -B-
1 George Clooney?
2 Per Capita in Sudan= $2,300 USA= $43,500
3 Sudan=41,236,378 USA= 301,139,947
4 Age expectancy- Sudan= 60.21 USA= male is 78, female is 80
5.Egypt, Libya, Chad, Central African Republic, Dem Rep of Congo, Uganda, Kenya an Ethiopia
6. All the pictures captured my attention. But one in particular that made me really upset #20. With the girl who suffers from "nodding disease". They say that younge victoms with that disease in the sight of food nod there head repeatededly and later sympotoms include severe eplipetic seizures and eventually leads to death. This picture makes me realize how lucky I am and thankful for what I have in my life. This picture and the rest make me want to make a difference and speak about genocide to people who are not aware.
ASSIGNMENT -C-
(Will be done but I need help with it on that Tuesday we have class)
ASSIGNMENT -D-
1 Powell's response to the situation was we can do what we can only if theres proof of a legit genoside and "we'll take action that they consider appropriate." Rices response was torn between Kerry and Bush's actions on handeling Sudan but thinks they should "colibrate" the pressure on Sudan's government.
Bush wanted to take action but an "unlikely allicance of the religious right and the congressional Black Caucus. He appointed former Missouri Senator John Danforth as a special peace convoy to Sudan and pressured Khartourn and the souther rebels to put down their weapons."
2 The geological and geographical makeup of Sudan complicated current situations for us as a nation and fighting in our own war. About an average 3 million people have died fighting over in the South and we have yet to end that war. This makes it hard to butt into other countries desparities and awful situations when we have not yet solved our own.
3 Some of the horrifying ancdotes from Melkha Musa Haroun and the content from What is a What is that they both have acts of violence in them such as rapes,murders,theives, and such
Assignment B
Question 1
In photo three - Rep. Nancy Pelosi(left), George Clooney(right) and his father, Nick Clooney(middle)
In photo seven - Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee D-Texas (center right), and Rep. Jim Moran, D-Va., (center back)
In photo eight- Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass(center)
In photo nine -Rep. Tom Lantos, D-Cali(center)
In photo ten- George Clooney(center) Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill(right) and Sen. Sam Brownback R-Kan(left)
In photo 13- U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle, D-Pittsburgh(center)
Question 2
The per capita income of Sudan was $2,300 (2006 est.)
Question 3
Sudan has a populations of 41,236,378 (July 2006 est.). While American has a population of 301,139,947. (July 2007 est.)
Question 4
The life expectancy in Sudan is 58.92 years on average. Specifically of males is 57.69 and for females is 60.21 years. (2006 est.) Compared to Americans which have an average life expectancy of 77.8 years.
Question 5
Countries that boarder Sudan are Central Africa Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya and Uganda.
Question 6
Description of photo 5 - Hundreds of starving Sudanese villagers waiting for food to be distributed.
I find this picture moving and meaningful because it makes us realize that in other parts of the world people have to struggle for things that we have available to us everyday.
-Michelle Kilburn
Assignment B
Question 1
Picture 3 - Rep. Nancy Pelosi(left), George Clooney(right) and his father, Nick Clooney(middle)
Picture 7 - Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee D-Texas (center right), and Rep. Jim Moran, D-Va., (center back)
Picture 8- Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass(center)
Picture 9 -Rep. Tom Lantos, D-Cali(center)
Picture 10- George Clooney(center) Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill(right) and Sen. Sam Brownback R-Kan(left)
Picture 13- U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle, D-Pittsburgh(center)
Question 2
The per capita income of Sudan was $2,300 (2006 est.) .
Question 3
Sudan’s populations is about 41,236,378 (July 2006 est.). The United States has a population of 301,139,947. (July 2007 est.)
Question 4
Sudan has an average life expectancy of 58.92 years. Specifically for men the life expectancy is 57.69 and for woman its around 60.21 years. (2006 est.) Americans have a longer life expectancy average of 77.8 years.
Question 5
Central Africa Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya and Uganda are all countries that boarder Sudan.
Question 6
Description of photo 4 - A very young Sudanese child is receiving an immunization against, the popular sickness, the measles. I find this image moving because we know people in Sudan suffer constantly. They fight to survive. Some of the things we take advantage of here in the U.S. is a gift to them. Its nice to see that one child’s life could be saved by one vaccination. This is evidence that if we help and do our part we could save many more lives.
Bri Cunningham
Assignment B-
1. The State Representatives in the photos under Darfur Outrage are Nancy Pelosi greeting George Clooney and his father in the third slide. Also representatives Shelia Jackson Lee and Jim Moran in the seventh slide being arrest outside sudanese embassy. On the eighth slide there is rep. Jim McGovern being escorted to a police vehicle after being arrested. On the ninth slide there is rep. Tom Lantos being arrested also outside a sudanese embassy. Finally on the 13th there is rep. Mike Doyle with President Bush in Pits.
2. Sudan's per capita income as of 2006 is $2,300. And the United States per capita income as of 2006 is $36,714. The difference is that th US's per capita is more than double of what Sudan's is, making the US a more devloped country.
3. Sudan's population as of july of 2006 is 41,236,378, with a population growth rate of 2.55%. The United States population as of July 2007 was listed as 303,824,640 with a growth rate of 0.883% as of 2008. In comparison the US has more people living in it but Sudan has a higher growth rate percentage.
4. The life expectancy in Sudan of men is 58.92 years old, and of women it is 57.69 years old as of 2006. In the US for men and women is between 65 and 75 as of 2004. The US has a higher life expectancy than Sudan and im sure that now four years later both countires have a higher life expectancy but the US would still be higher.
5. The countries that share a border with Sudan are Ethiopia, Egypt, Kenya, Libya, Chad, Central African Republic, Uganda, and Dem. Rep. of Congo.
6. Photo 15 has captured my attention. In the photo Ben and Jerry(the ice cream guys) are protesting in front of Sudan's Embassy on July 29, 2004 in washington, the protest is that the people were demanding stronger international action against Arab militants who were driving out black african farmers. Ben and Jerry were later arrested for having part in the protest. The immage was moving to me because ive seen and heard about celebrities helping foundations and participating in protests like George Clooney but never people less well known participating in such a moving protest.
- Jessica Schneider
ASSIGNMENT D
Brown and Salvo Says
1) Powell’s response is like every other law maker where as you need proof of something so they would need legit genocides and "we'll take action that they consider appropriate.” This was stated in the article. But Rices response was in a battle between Kerry and Bush's actions on handling Sudan. But feels they should combined there powers to try and end this quicker than and as effective as possible. Bush wanted to make actions into affected but many things withdrawn him from doing his plans which I guess were considerably reasonable.
2) The situation of Sudan complicated current situations for us as a nation and fighting in our own war. We have been fighting in this war for many years now and all our troops are still stuck there. An average 3 million people have died fighting over in the South. It’s hard to teach others and raise them basically to just keep them alive when we can not do it ourselves first over there,
3) Many horrifying this that have taken place from Melkha Musa Haroun and the content from “What is a What” is that they both have rape, murder, theives, and such.
A.1. Eggers and Valentino met in Atlanta through the lost boys foundation. The founder, Mary Williams wanted him to meet the boys. She also wanted him to help Valentino write his autobiography. Eggers decided to write it. It took three years to write. They did it through several interviews. Some were on the phone. It took twelve hours of tape. Eggers and Valentino agreed upon a fictional autobiography. Eggers wanted to make Valentino the narrator.
2. I agree with the format of the book. I like the way the book is told because you can see how Valentino felt during each situation. You can feel the mood of each situation.
Joe Alberico
B.1. The State Representative of Sudan is Roger P. Winter.
2. The capita income of Sudan is 2,300.
3.The population is very low compared to the U.S. with 41,236,378. The U.S. has 305,794,427.
4. The life expectancy for males are 58.92 and women are 57.69. Compared to the U.S. with men at 76 and women at 81.
5. Countries that share its border are Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Dem Rep of Congo, Central African Republic, Chad, Libya, and Egypt.
6. The picture with the two boys standing there really affected me because it shows that they are not as clean and as wealthy as us and that there life is not as good as ours and it bothered me because some of us take life for granted.
Joe Alberico
Assignment -A-
The unique approach of the book comes from the fact that it is a novel about Valentino but written by Dave Eggers. Valentino and Dave had numerous interviews together to gather all of the information needed to write the novel. Together, they decided that a fictionalized autobiography would be for the best, for Valentino could not remember everything that happened to him in cronological order. It would be easier for Dave to write a story where he could add some fiction to keep the reader interested.
Yes, i agree with the choice of format and point of view because if theres too much hsitory behind the story, it does not catch my attention as much.
1. In the photograph the state representatives are:Nancy Pelosi CA, Sheila Jackson Lee TX, Jim Moran VA, McGovern MA, Tom Lantos CA, Mike Doyle Pittsburgh
2. IN the year 2007 the estimate of the Sudan per capita income was around $2,500. The United States capita income in 2007 was around $46,000.The United States per capita income is a great amount bigger than that of Sudan.
3. Sudans population as of 2007 was estimated at 39,379,358. The United States population as of 2007is 301,139,947. THe U.S's population is more than triple that of Sudan's.
4. Sudan’s life expectancy is about fifty years.
U.S.‘s life expectancy is about seventy eight years.
The U.S life expectancy is higher for people living in the U.S.
5. THe countries that share a boarder with Sudan are:
Kenya, Egypt, Chad, Uganda, Central African Republic, Deminican Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, and Libya.
6. Picture 13 captures my attention because the mother is sitting there looking hopeless being the only parent probably because her husband was killed or is now a 'lost boy'. The women and children are sitting outside of a staw hut with no where to go, and seem to be wondering where their lost father is.
1. Powell response to the genocide in Sudan was that he knew about it but did not believe any further action was to be taken at that time, "No new action is dictated by this determination". Rice did not really know what to think and did not believe that there wasn't a huge difference, "I don't think there's a huge difference between Kerry and Bush decision on the genocide in Sudan. President Bush wanted to take some action but was "unlikely" to take any recent actions.
2.
Because Sudan is near Afghanistan and Iraq it makes it very hard for the United States and other countries to intervien because of the warniess of getting involved with other muslium communities.
3. Did not understand what the quwstion was asking me to do.
Assignment A: Over the period of three years Deng and Eggers discussed the book in various different ways. They talked in person, over the phone, and even visited Africa so Eggers could see what was happening for himself. Although, Valentino couldn’t recall every single detail so they decided to right a fact based fiction novel on Deng’s life instead of an Autobiography.
I agree with the point of view. Because Deng could not recall some major events, it was better to make some of the things up instead of only giving a little bit of the story.
Sean H
Assignment B: 1. Nancy Pelosi, Sheila Jackson Lee, Jim Moran, Jim McGovern, Tom Lantos, Barack Obama, Sam Brownback, Mike Doyle.
2. Sudan capital income is 2,500 as of 2007, the U.S is 46,000 as of 2007. The U.S. capital income is much larger.
3. Population of Sudan: 39,379,358
Population of the U.S.: 301,139,947The U.S. population is a lot larger.
4. The life expectancy of a person living in Sudan is about fifty years, opposed to U.S. which is about seventy years.
5. Libya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Egypt, Eritrea Kenya, Chad, Central African Republic, all shares a border with Sudan.
6. The picture with the girl with “nodding disease”. It’s sad to see such young kids with diseases that could kill them.
Sean H
Crystal Stott
What is the What by Dave Eggers is a story about Valentino and how everyone hates him. They hate him because they have never been through what he has or know how hard his life really is. Nobody understands him or the way he lives everyday. Everyone ignores him all the time. At one point, Valentino says: “It is criminal that all of this has happened has been allowed to happen. In a furious burst I kick and kick again, flailing my body like a fish run aground. Hear me, Christian neighbors! Hear your brothers just above! Nothing again. No one is listening. No one is waiting to hear the kicking of the man above. It is unexpected. You have no ears for someone like me.” (p. 141-2). This quote is significant because I have a deeper meaning.
In his daily life nobody really pays attention to how he feels.
This book explains how Valentino gets treated daily and the fact that people hate him. He really wishes people would take the time to get to know him so that they could understand him and then he could have a friend.
ASSIGNMENT A!
It took eggers and Deng three years of work to write this book. Achack and Eggers talked on the phone and in person about valentino's journey and all the events that happened, this took a long time, twelve hours.After 18 months, they agreed on a fictionalized autobiography, in Valentino’s voice. Doing this, Eggers is just writing but you are experiencing the story from Deng's point of view. Some characters were combined becasue Achack was very young when he started his journey to america, so he could not remember exactly everything that happened word for word. They learned about the fact and then it took off from there. “In most cases, I would describe a certain scene for perhaps twenty minutes, and then Dave would return some months later with the scene written, though in a fictional form. It was not until six months ago that I saw the book in the form of a whole book.”
I agree with the point of view that the book was written in because i dont think there would have been such a reaction if it were written any other way. by adding false material, it lets the reader imagine a little bit more. the imagery starts to appear especially because valentino was so young and could not give every little detail.
ASSIGNMENT B!
1. The state representatives were Nancy Pelosi, left, D-Calif, Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas,
Jim Moran, D-Va, Jim McGovern, D-Mass, Tom Lantos, D-Calif, Barack Obama, D-Ill., Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., and U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle, D-Pittsburgh.
2. Sudan per capita income = $2,500 (2007 est.)
U.S. per capita income = $46,000 (2007 est.)
U.S.'s per capita income is more than eighteen times of Sudan's.
3. Sudan Population: 39,379,358 (July 2007)
U.S. Population: 301,139,947 (July 2007)
The U.S. population is more than seven times of Sudan's.
4. Sudan’s life expectancy is about fifty years old. (2008)
U.S.‘s life expectancy is about seventy eight years old. (2008)
The U.S.’s life expectancy is about twenty years more than Sudan’s life expectantcy.
5. Uganda, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Libya are the countries that share a border with Sudan.
6. A picture that i found interesting was number 11 because i think it is sad that the children are sleeping on just rags. The mother is sitting up on a little stool and one child is asleep on rags and the other is playing with a bicycle tire for fun. Her dress is ripped and the children are also dressed in raggety clothing. i find it moving because there are so many people out in this world that have to life in these harsh conditions and no one is doing much about it. it pisses me off actually...
ASSIGNMENT D!
1. Powell's response to the situation was that we could take action but only if there was evidence of a genocide in darfur. He states, "we'll take action that they consider appropriate." Rices response was torn between Kerry and Bush's actions on handeling Sudan but thinks they should "colibrate" of work together with the pressure on Sudan's government.
Bush wanted to take action but an he said that unlikely allicance of the religious right and the congressional Black Caucus." He later appointed John Danforth, a missouri senator, as a special peace convoy to Sudan and pressured Khartatum and the southern rebels to put down their weapons and stop the fighting, but there response was limited.
2. The geological and geographical makeup of Sudan made situations worse for our people because we had to deal with all other public relations. About 3 million of our soliders have died from this war and it is still occuring to this day. it is hard for us to get involved in other people's drama when we have our own and we arent doing a damn thing about it.
3. Melkha Musa Haroun and the content from What is a What both share very disgusting and scary similarities. They both have acts of violence, such as, rapes,murders,theives, and others.
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