Pyromasters
Wacky Wordsearch
Post A
For this post I thought I would comment on the family and the differences noticed there. A significant quote that I found is, "guests are speaking in Bengali, hollering, arguing, talking on top of one another, the sound of their laughter filling the already crowded rooms...These people, these honorary aunts and uncles of a dozen different surnames, have seen Gogol grow, have surrounded him at his wedding, his father's funeral. He promises to keep in touch with them now that his mother is leaving, not to forget them" (286). Throughout the book there were many different aspects that went along with family and this is one off those. I just thought it was interesting how Gogol has this huge extended family with all these honorary positions with people that aren't truly even related to him. It makes me kind of think of those people as being almost a support group for the first generation of people that went to America such as Ashima. That would also explain why Ashima keeps the diary with the numbers of every person she's met. Also in this way Gogol would have these ties to these people back to India so he could connect with these people and his heritage. This idea of honorary titles seemed unique to me and there are even similarities as well such as godparents.
Post B
Because this is the last post I thought I would comment on what I thought of the book as a whole and the ending as well. Specifically with the ending I saw a strong theme emerge and there's a quote that accompanies it, "as the hours of the evening pass he will grow distracted, anxious to return to his room, to be alone, to read the book he had once forsaken, has abandoned until now. Until moments ago it was destined to disappear from his life altogether, but he has salvaged it by chance, as his father was pulled from a crushed train forty years ago" (291). This really reminded me of All Quiet On The Western Front and the theme of chance. Gogol hasn't even looked at this book that his father gave him decades ago and when their about to throw it out he sees it. Before when he was younger and close minded he hated the thing but because he's grown up now he's sees the importance of it and his name. In general though I thought that the ending was kind of vague and that it left a lot of things open to a sequel possibly. As a whole though I really enjoyed the book because I was able to make a lot of personal connections to it and I would recommend it to anybody who's interested because it's definitley worth reading.
Pyromasters courtesy of addictinggames
Wordsearch courtesy of addictinggames
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Q4 Week 6 Posts A/B
Post A
As the book is coming an end the cultural differences are harder and harder to find because of Gogol's increased independence and his breaking away from tradition. But one thing I did notice was a social change. (Talking about Gogol and Moushumi) "They entertain together on occasion, throwing the sorts of parties that their parents never had, mixing martinis in a stainless-steel shaker for a few of the architects at Gogol's work or Moushumi's graduate student friends at NYU. They play bossa nova and serve bread and salami and cheese" (228). I just thought this was interesting because compared to Ashima (Gogol's mom) Gogol himself holds these small parties with not a lot of preparation. He serves very simple food with alcohol. If Ashima was in this exact same moment, she would spend weeks beforehand preparing food and telling hundreds of friends to come. Even more importantly Ashima kept a diary with all the people she ever met in her life and she would invite those people over whereas Gogol and Moushimi just invited a couple friends. So for Ashima it would be this huge public event but for Gogol it's a more private intimate event.
Post B
As I've been reading I've really seen the book start looping around and almost completing the circle. So on that note I thought I would talk about what I've thought so far. Gogol developed so much throughout the book and the thing I find interesting is that he seems to be going back to his origins as the book is coming to an end. By far the most interesting development in Gogol's life has to be Moushumi. Personally she seems really annoying to me for example, "She is depressed by the pair of teen aged Bangladeshi busboys who wear tapestry waistcoats and black trousers, serving them warm bread with silver tongs. It annoys her that the waiter, perfectly attentive, looks neither of them in the eye as he describes the menu, speaking instead to the bottle of mineral water positioned between them. She knows it's too late to change their plans now. But even after they place their order, a part of her has a nagging urge, feels life standing up leaving" (251). Moushumi just seems really spoiled to me. Gogol is madly in love with her and it seems like she doesn't really even care even though their married. She chose this restaurant and now she wants to leave. Throughout the book there are numerous occasions like this that arise with Moushumi. Things even go as far as her having an affair while Gogol is loyal to her and going to work etc.. Ashima even says that she feels guilty for matching Gogol up with her. So I just thought that was interesting when it came to Gogol's life.
As the book is coming an end the cultural differences are harder and harder to find because of Gogol's increased independence and his breaking away from tradition. But one thing I did notice was a social change. (Talking about Gogol and Moushumi) "They entertain together on occasion, throwing the sorts of parties that their parents never had, mixing martinis in a stainless-steel shaker for a few of the architects at Gogol's work or Moushumi's graduate student friends at NYU. They play bossa nova and serve bread and salami and cheese" (228). I just thought this was interesting because compared to Ashima (Gogol's mom) Gogol himself holds these small parties with not a lot of preparation. He serves very simple food with alcohol. If Ashima was in this exact same moment, she would spend weeks beforehand preparing food and telling hundreds of friends to come. Even more importantly Ashima kept a diary with all the people she ever met in her life and she would invite those people over whereas Gogol and Moushimi just invited a couple friends. So for Ashima it would be this huge public event but for Gogol it's a more private intimate event.
Post B
As I've been reading I've really seen the book start looping around and almost completing the circle. So on that note I thought I would talk about what I've thought so far. Gogol developed so much throughout the book and the thing I find interesting is that he seems to be going back to his origins as the book is coming to an end. By far the most interesting development in Gogol's life has to be Moushumi. Personally she seems really annoying to me for example, "She is depressed by the pair of teen aged Bangladeshi busboys who wear tapestry waistcoats and black trousers, serving them warm bread with silver tongs. It annoys her that the waiter, perfectly attentive, looks neither of them in the eye as he describes the menu, speaking instead to the bottle of mineral water positioned between them. She knows it's too late to change their plans now. But even after they place their order, a part of her has a nagging urge, feels life standing up leaving" (251). Moushumi just seems really spoiled to me. Gogol is madly in love with her and it seems like she doesn't really even care even though their married. She chose this restaurant and now she wants to leave. Throughout the book there are numerous occasions like this that arise with Moushumi. Things even go as far as her having an affair while Gogol is loyal to her and going to work etc.. Ashima even says that she feels guilty for matching Gogol up with her. So I just thought that was interesting when it came to Gogol's life.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Q4 Week 5 Posts A/B
Post A
In this section of the book I think the most significant difference I saw occurred during Gogol's wedding. Gogol himself is now an adult and he gets married. There was a quote that directly related to the wedding, "There is an hour-long watered-down Hindu ceremony on a platform covered with sheets. Gogol and Moushumi sit cross-legged, first opposite each other, then side by side. The guests sit facing them in folding metal chairs, the accordion wall between two windowless banquet rooms, with dropped ceilings, has been opened up to expand the space. A video camera and hand-held white lights hover above their faces. Shenai music plays on a boom box. Nothing has been rehearsed or explained to them beforehand. A cluster of mashis and meshos surround them, telling them continually what to do, when to speak or stand or throw flowers at a small brass urn. The priest is a friend of Moushumi's parents, an anesthesiologist who happens to be a Brahmin. Offerings are made to pictures of their grandparents and his father, rice poured into a pyre that they are forbidden by the management of the hotel to ignite." (222). I thought this quote was really important because it had many differences in it. First off obviously there is the huge cultural/traditional difference with the way the wedding took place. Also this showed the different class distinctions for example with the priest who is a Brahmin. Lastly this also touches on the point of arranged marriages. With this aspect there are many pros as well as cons as well.
Post B
For this week's post I thought I would comment on a quote that I found interesting and it also connects with post A! The quote is, "she is surprised to hear certain things about his life: that all his parents' friends are Bengali, that they had had an arranged marriage, that his mother cooks Indian food every day, that she wars saris and a bindi. Really? she says, not fully believing him. But you're so different. I would never have thought that. He doesn't feel insulted, but he is aware that a line has been drawn all the same. To him the terms of his parents' marriage are something at once unthinkable and unremarkable; nearly all their friends and relatives had been married in the same way. But their lives bear no resemblance to that of Gerald and Lydia: expensive pieces of jewelery presented on Lydia's birthday, flowers brought home for not reason at all, the two of them kissing openly, going for walks through the city, or to dinner, just as Gogol and Maxine do. Seeing the two of them curled up on the sofa in the evenings, Gerald's head resting on Lydia's shoulder, Gogol is reminded that in all his life he has never witnessed a single moment of physical affection between his parents" (138). I had to go back and find this quote because I had forgotten about it but in my mind at least it's really important. It shows the huge differences between countries and how that correlates to actual people. In the same sense something that seems normal to some people is totally foreign and awkward to others. Along with these differences bring conflict and trouble when different people come together. Even through this conflict though people are usually successful.
In this section of the book I think the most significant difference I saw occurred during Gogol's wedding. Gogol himself is now an adult and he gets married. There was a quote that directly related to the wedding, "There is an hour-long watered-down Hindu ceremony on a platform covered with sheets. Gogol and Moushumi sit cross-legged, first opposite each other, then side by side. The guests sit facing them in folding metal chairs, the accordion wall between two windowless banquet rooms, with dropped ceilings, has been opened up to expand the space. A video camera and hand-held white lights hover above their faces. Shenai music plays on a boom box. Nothing has been rehearsed or explained to them beforehand. A cluster of mashis and meshos surround them, telling them continually what to do, when to speak or stand or throw flowers at a small brass urn. The priest is a friend of Moushumi's parents, an anesthesiologist who happens to be a Brahmin. Offerings are made to pictures of their grandparents and his father, rice poured into a pyre that they are forbidden by the management of the hotel to ignite." (222). I thought this quote was really important because it had many differences in it. First off obviously there is the huge cultural/traditional difference with the way the wedding took place. Also this showed the different class distinctions for example with the priest who is a Brahmin. Lastly this also touches on the point of arranged marriages. With this aspect there are many pros as well as cons as well.
Post B
For this week's post I thought I would comment on a quote that I found interesting and it also connects with post A! The quote is, "she is surprised to hear certain things about his life: that all his parents' friends are Bengali, that they had had an arranged marriage, that his mother cooks Indian food every day, that she wars saris and a bindi. Really? she says, not fully believing him. But you're so different. I would never have thought that. He doesn't feel insulted, but he is aware that a line has been drawn all the same. To him the terms of his parents' marriage are something at once unthinkable and unremarkable; nearly all their friends and relatives had been married in the same way. But their lives bear no resemblance to that of Gerald and Lydia: expensive pieces of jewelery presented on Lydia's birthday, flowers brought home for not reason at all, the two of them kissing openly, going for walks through the city, or to dinner, just as Gogol and Maxine do. Seeing the two of them curled up on the sofa in the evenings, Gerald's head resting on Lydia's shoulder, Gogol is reminded that in all his life he has never witnessed a single moment of physical affection between his parents" (138). I had to go back and find this quote because I had forgotten about it but in my mind at least it's really important. It shows the huge differences between countries and how that correlates to actual people. In the same sense something that seems normal to some people is totally foreign and awkward to others. Along with these differences bring conflict and trouble when different people come together. Even through this conflict though people are usually successful.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Q4 Week 4 Posts A/B
Post A
The book seems to be turning more towards Gogol and his point of view compared to the beginning when it was Ashima's point of view. Gogol who is much older now is getting a lot more independent not only from his parents but from his Indian background as well. There is a specific quote that sticks out to me. The quote is, "At forty-eight she has come to experience the solitude that her husband and son and daughter already know, and which they claim not to mind. It's not such a big deal, her children tell her. Everyone should live on their own at some point. But Ashima feels too old to learn such a skill" (166). It seems like Ashima's views and values conflict with those of the rest of her family. She seems almost lost with nothing to do with her family being gone. So instead of everyday preparing food and doing all these traditional activities she has to look upon these new experiences. She even goes out to buy some things and feel self conscious when she asks the clerk how much a specific item is because she thinks he won't understand her. But the clerk just calmingly tells her and it's the end of it. In my mind this quote and really even a theme seems to summarize the path that Gogol is taking. He is venturing farther and farther away from classic tradition and experiencing life with his own eyes.
Post B
For this post I want to continue the discussion I did last week with my post B. Last week I talked about Gogol and how he's venturing away from things. I talked about this with post A this week as well but there's a major event that is a huge shock and it changes everything. SPOILER ALERT
In the book Gogol seems to be departing from his parents but then a really big event happens. What happens is that Gogol's father goes to the hospital because he's having some random pains in his body. He tells Ashima that everything is okay and then later on she gets a call telling her that her husband is dead because of a heart attack. When I read this I was literally shocked because it seemed like out of the blue. But at the same time it seemed symbolic too. Gogol was getting too far away literally and figuratively and I think that an event of this size really brought him back and reminded him of his background. Because prior to his father's death he didn't visit his parents for holidays or anything instead spending all of his time with his girlfriend Maxine. But then this event happened and instead of going away with her because she said it would help him forget, he decided to return home and spend time mourning etc.. So this event seemed like a marker event and it seemed really symbolic.
The book seems to be turning more towards Gogol and his point of view compared to the beginning when it was Ashima's point of view. Gogol who is much older now is getting a lot more independent not only from his parents but from his Indian background as well. There is a specific quote that sticks out to me. The quote is, "At forty-eight she has come to experience the solitude that her husband and son and daughter already know, and which they claim not to mind. It's not such a big deal, her children tell her. Everyone should live on their own at some point. But Ashima feels too old to learn such a skill" (166). It seems like Ashima's views and values conflict with those of the rest of her family. She seems almost lost with nothing to do with her family being gone. So instead of everyday preparing food and doing all these traditional activities she has to look upon these new experiences. She even goes out to buy some things and feel self conscious when she asks the clerk how much a specific item is because she thinks he won't understand her. But the clerk just calmingly tells her and it's the end of it. In my mind this quote and really even a theme seems to summarize the path that Gogol is taking. He is venturing farther and farther away from classic tradition and experiencing life with his own eyes.
Post B
For this post I want to continue the discussion I did last week with my post B. Last week I talked about Gogol and how he's venturing away from things. I talked about this with post A this week as well but there's a major event that is a huge shock and it changes everything. SPOILER ALERT
In the book Gogol seems to be departing from his parents but then a really big event happens. What happens is that Gogol's father goes to the hospital because he's having some random pains in his body. He tells Ashima that everything is okay and then later on she gets a call telling her that her husband is dead because of a heart attack. When I read this I was literally shocked because it seemed like out of the blue. But at the same time it seemed symbolic too. Gogol was getting too far away literally and figuratively and I think that an event of this size really brought him back and reminded him of his background. Because prior to his father's death he didn't visit his parents for holidays or anything instead spending all of his time with his girlfriend Maxine. But then this event happened and instead of going away with her because she said it would help him forget, he decided to return home and spend time mourning etc.. So this event seemed like a marker event and it seemed really symbolic.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Q4 Week 3 Posts A/B
Post A
In this section there was a main difference when it came to customs and traditions and that was the conflict over parties and having guests over. There was a specific quote and it was, "His own mother would never have served so few dishes to a guest. She would have kept her eyes trained on Maxine's plate, insisting she have seconds and then thirds. The table would have been lined with a row of serving bowls so that people could help themselves" (133). I thought this quote was interesting because the distinction and conflict of customs is evident. I think this speaks specifically of hospitality and different ways of living between India and America. Also whereas one is relaxed the other is more concentrated and planned way before hand. Then getting back to the hospitality point, we can see that the host is much more concerned with the food and the well being of their guests when it comes to India. Everything is clearly laid out when it comes to the food and everybody is welcome to help themselves. So all in all I thought this difference was interesting.
Post B
For this post I thought I would talk about Gogol who is the main character in this book. First starting out he has a traditional Indian life even though he is living in America. He goes to Indian parties with his parents and even visits India on a regular basis to see his relatives. Then as he is growing older he starts to question things and he especially is concerned with his name. We later find out he legally changes his name to Nikhil which is technically his first name. Anyway the point is he starts drifting further and further away from his parents and their Indian lifestyles which is his past as well. Throughout the changes that occur we see Gogol and the decisions that he makes that directly conflict with Indian tradition. Through each event that he experiences he always remembers his parents and India. But he wants to be more "American" and on numerous occasions he says things like his dorm room is his real home compared to his parents who say that they still know that India is home even though they don't live there. The reason I bring this up is because Gogol started out as a traditional Indian and it was interesting and kind of upsetting to see him going farther and farther from his roots. It makes me question the things he has to deal with and his surroundings. In the end though I still believe he knows what is real and what is an illusion whether it be literal or figurative.
In this section there was a main difference when it came to customs and traditions and that was the conflict over parties and having guests over. There was a specific quote and it was, "His own mother would never have served so few dishes to a guest. She would have kept her eyes trained on Maxine's plate, insisting she have seconds and then thirds. The table would have been lined with a row of serving bowls so that people could help themselves" (133). I thought this quote was interesting because the distinction and conflict of customs is evident. I think this speaks specifically of hospitality and different ways of living between India and America. Also whereas one is relaxed the other is more concentrated and planned way before hand. Then getting back to the hospitality point, we can see that the host is much more concerned with the food and the well being of their guests when it comes to India. Everything is clearly laid out when it comes to the food and everybody is welcome to help themselves. So all in all I thought this difference was interesting.
Post B
For this post I thought I would talk about Gogol who is the main character in this book. First starting out he has a traditional Indian life even though he is living in America. He goes to Indian parties with his parents and even visits India on a regular basis to see his relatives. Then as he is growing older he starts to question things and he especially is concerned with his name. We later find out he legally changes his name to Nikhil which is technically his first name. Anyway the point is he starts drifting further and further away from his parents and their Indian lifestyles which is his past as well. Throughout the changes that occur we see Gogol and the decisions that he makes that directly conflict with Indian tradition. Through each event that he experiences he always remembers his parents and India. But he wants to be more "American" and on numerous occasions he says things like his dorm room is his real home compared to his parents who say that they still know that India is home even though they don't live there. The reason I bring this up is because Gogol started out as a traditional Indian and it was interesting and kind of upsetting to see him going farther and farther from his roots. It makes me question the things he has to deal with and his surroundings. In the end though I still believe he knows what is real and what is an illusion whether it be literal or figurative.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Q4 Week 2 Posts A/B
Post A
There weren't as many differences this time around but there were still some. I thought I would choose a specific difference I saw. There is a quote about Sonia who is Gogol's sister. "Her formally shoulder-length hair has been chopped asymmetrically by one of her friends. Ashima lives in fear that Sonia will color a streak of it blond, as Sonia has threatened on more than one occasion to do, and that she will have additional holes pierced in her earlobes at the mall" (107). Normally hair really isn't that big of a issue when it comes to changing it whether it be cutting it or streaking it etc... but in Indian society cutting one's hair is like a sin. Then to go a step farther and even color it etc.. is just beyond thought. So Sonia cutting her hair and then threatening to color it along with the earrings is just torture to Ashima who has grown up in India learning these traditions that directly conflict with the culture shes seeing in America.
Post B
For this post I thought I would comment on a quote I found interesting and the quote is, "Gogol makes the mistake of referring to New Haven as home. Sorry, I left it at home, he says when his father asks is he remembered to buy the Yale decal his parents want to paste to the rear window of their car. Ashima is outraged by the remark dwelling on it all day. Only three months, and listen to you, she says, telling him that after twenty years in America, she still cannot bring herself to refer to Pemberton Road as home" (108). I thought it was interesting on how Ashima and Ashoke still refer to India as home compared to Gogol who was born in America and has only been in college for three months. So whereas he refers to college as home, Ashima refers to India as home even though she lives in America. I think that there is a gap that doesn't get bridged because of Gogol not really getting any influential time in India and not seeing his roots and where he comes from. I don't know exactly how to word it but there is definitely a theme hidden in this quote and it shows how growing up in a different place than your real home affects you whether it be in a positive or negative way.
There weren't as many differences this time around but there were still some. I thought I would choose a specific difference I saw. There is a quote about Sonia who is Gogol's sister. "Her formally shoulder-length hair has been chopped asymmetrically by one of her friends. Ashima lives in fear that Sonia will color a streak of it blond, as Sonia has threatened on more than one occasion to do, and that she will have additional holes pierced in her earlobes at the mall" (107). Normally hair really isn't that big of a issue when it comes to changing it whether it be cutting it or streaking it etc... but in Indian society cutting one's hair is like a sin. Then to go a step farther and even color it etc.. is just beyond thought. So Sonia cutting her hair and then threatening to color it along with the earrings is just torture to Ashima who has grown up in India learning these traditions that directly conflict with the culture shes seeing in America.
Post B
For this post I thought I would comment on a quote I found interesting and the quote is, "Gogol makes the mistake of referring to New Haven as home. Sorry, I left it at home, he says when his father asks is he remembered to buy the Yale decal his parents want to paste to the rear window of their car. Ashima is outraged by the remark dwelling on it all day. Only three months, and listen to you, she says, telling him that after twenty years in America, she still cannot bring herself to refer to Pemberton Road as home" (108). I thought it was interesting on how Ashima and Ashoke still refer to India as home compared to Gogol who was born in America and has only been in college for three months. So whereas he refers to college as home, Ashima refers to India as home even though she lives in America. I think that there is a gap that doesn't get bridged because of Gogol not really getting any influential time in India and not seeing his roots and where he comes from. I don't know exactly how to word it but there is definitely a theme hidden in this quote and it shows how growing up in a different place than your real home affects you whether it be in a positive or negative way.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
World Issues Post
I'm going to look at the Kashmir conflict which is going on between India and Pakistan.
Some Articles:
"The Political Economy of the Kashmir Conflict" Sirs
http://sks.sirs.com/cgi-bin/hst-article-display?id=SMN0307H-0-3680&artno=0000188029&type=ART&shfilter=U&key=kashmir%20conflict&title=The%20Political%20Economy%20of%20the%20Kashmir%20Conflict&res=Y&ren=Y&gov=Y&lnk=N&ic=Y
"Why Peace Won't Come to Kashmir
http://sks.sirs.com/cgi-bin/hst-article-display?id=SMN0307H-0-3680&artno=0000133560&type=ART&shfilter=U&key=kashmir%20conflict&title=Why%20Peace%20Won%27t%20Come%20to%20Kashmir&res=Y&ren=Y&gov=Y&lnk=N&ic=Y
"Flashpoint Kashmir: Special Report" BBC News
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/355280.stm
Some Articles:
"The Political Economy of the Kashmir Conflict" Sirs
http://sks.sirs.com/cgi-bin/hst-article-display?id=SMN0307H-0-3680&artno=0000188029&type=ART&shfilter=U&key=kashmir%20conflict&title=The%20Political%20Economy%20of%20the%20Kashmir%20Conflict&res=Y&ren=Y&gov=Y&lnk=N&ic=Y
"Why Peace Won't Come to Kashmir
http://sks.sirs.com/cgi-bin/hst-article-display?id=SMN0307H-0-3680&artno=0000133560&type=ART&shfilter=U&key=kashmir%20conflict&title=Why%20Peace%20Won%27t%20Come%20to%20Kashmir&res=Y&ren=Y&gov=Y&lnk=N&ic=Y
"Flashpoint Kashmir: Special Report" BBC News
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/355280.stm
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