In addition to our last question about truth in fiction...

What is gained or lost in studying a work of fiction alongside a historical unit of study? For example, is it beneficial to watch/read a fictitious movie/book such as, "The Other Boleyn Girl" while you are studying the history of British rule? Many universities are pushing this type of education. Do you agree with it? (for those of you who don't know, Anne Boleyn was the second wife of Henry VIII. She was sentenced to death and beheaded by her husband- The King of England. She had a sister who was rumored to be one of the Kings mistresses around the same time)

Quotes

I found these two qutoes in the life of Pi and I thought they were really interesting. Do you think they are true? Do they make sense to you? Do they relate to life in any way?

"To chose doubt as a philosophy of life is akin to choosing immobility as a a means of transportation."

"That which sustains the universe beyond thought and language, and that which is at the core of us and struggles for expression, is the same thing. The finite within the infinite, the infinite within the finite."

Tuesday's Blog Question

Can truth exist in fiction? How about vice versa?

Quote.

I was flipping through one of my favourite novels today, A Clockwork Orange, and I came across this quote. I thought it'd be a good one to discuss.

"Does God want goodness or the choice of goodness? Is a man who chooses to be bad
perhaps in some way better than a man who has the good imposed upon him?"

Any comments?

The Life of PI

For those of you who have started the Life of Pi what do you think so far? When I read it the first time, I found it slow at first to get into, are you finding that as well? Finally, do you like how the author writes?

Final Project

Has anyone else felt as if we were not given enough class time for this project or that since Ms. Clifford was not in class that it was more difficult to know what exactly the project was to look like.

Also did anyone remember to give in their hand outs on friday?

Afghanistan

Whether you have finished, or are close to being finished "The Kite Runner", do you think that your ideas and knowledge of Afghanistan, have changed? Have your opinion(s) of Afghanistan's political and social state changed?

What do you think the significance is of Amir and Soraya's inability to have a child?

Share your thoughts with the class because I'm sure there are a lot of opinions that can be expressed on this topic. Is it because they are just physically not able to? They dont want to? their history doesnt allow it? Why do they have this inability?

Characters

I know Amir has been high on the topic list, but what do you guys think about the other characters in this book. Like Hassan and his unquestioned loyalty towards Amir, and how hard it would have been for him knowing that Amir knew about his rape and that he framed him. Or Baba and the way he treated Amir, comparing him to Hassan, Amir always struggling for attention.

- The Kite -

After doing some thinking about what the kite and the snow actually mean in terms of "The Kite Runner", I began to wonder what other people thought - I always seemed to come back to the conclusion that these two items were symbols of Amir and Hassan's friendship.
Are there any other ideas on what this may be a metaphor of?

Amir

Amir has been a very interesting protagonist since the beginning of the book. How do you feel about him (like or dislike, and why)? How do you feel about some of his actions? Are they justifiable, and if not then why? How do you think he'll change throughout the course of the novel?

"The Kite Runner"..... so far

Likes? Dislikes? Questions? Post away people!!!

History of Afghanistan

Here is a link that provides some background knowledge on the chronological history of Afghanistan. http://www.afghan-web.com/history/

The Kite Runner.

Hey guys, I found this video, and I thought it was really significant to what we're doing right now in class.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=rYIl-aT4cJE