Movie differences- birth

In the movie Kahu had a twin brother who dies. Why do you think this is? What was the point of adding a boy?

Novel

I haven't heard many good things from students about the book. To be honest, I first watched the movie and then read the book. I didn't enjoy the book much at all my first time through. I appreciated the novel much more on my second reading. I think it was because I looked at it from a mystical pooint of view. I also saw the humor in it much more. What aspects of the book did you most dislike? Or if you did like the book, what did you enjoy?

Novel vs Movie

You've noticed how much the novel differs from the movie. Things must be done on screen much differently than they are on paper. There is less time, and action and music must take the place of text -- a sometimes difficult task. Which was better? Why?

The "Stolen Generation"

I mentioned briefly an Australian apology called Sorry Day. This is a day when many activists march as a means of recognizing what had been done to the aboriginal people of Australia. It is a way for white Australians to apologize. Some people argue that it is not enough. Others argue that the deeds of the past must be put in the past and that people should just "get over it." Any thoughts? Is it enough? Is it a step in the right direction? Should more be done? Like what?

The Long Journey

The girls risk their lives to go home. Was it worth the risk? Would it have still been worth the risk had one or all of them died on the journey?

Morals/ Ethics

Describe the morals of the aboriginal women in the film (grandmother/mother/daughters/cousin). Describe the values of the whites (Mr. Neville, the nuns/the ration keeper). Are their values so much different? How or Why?

Cousin

Do you understand the cousin's choice to split from the group and try to find her mother? Why does Molly first go on without her, but then return?

Men in Rabbit Proof Fence

The only aboriginal man in the entire film is the Tracker. Why? What is the purpose of showing only aboriginal women?

women's business

Upon the return of the girls, the aboriginal women are heard singing in the bush. The men at the posting station call this "women's business." Explain this. What is meant by "women's business?" And how does it help the girls get home?

Mr. Neville

At the end of the film, Mr. Neville cannot afford to continue the search for the girls. He is quoted saying, "If they would only understand what we are trying to do for them." What does he mean? What do you think about what he is saying/meaning?

Rabbit Proof Fence

When the girls are first taken, the grandmother beats her own head with a stone in agony. Why does she do this? Explain.

Rabbit Proof Fence

The officer sent to pick up the girls when they make it home, goes to check out the "women's business" in the bush. He is intimidated my Molly's mother. How does she intimidate him without threats, without words, and while he is carrying a gun?

Tracker

"Tracker" is a very serious person. He doesn't show emotion. In class I suggested that perhaps there was a hint of a smile when he was tracking the girls. They were already over 1000 miles from where they first ran away. What are your thoughts? Did Tracker let the girls escape? Why may he have done so?

Tracker

The "tracker" at the camp is the father of one of the girls there. He wants to return to his home, but is told by Mr. Neville that he may not. He says he must remain for another "year or so." What are your thoughts about him tracking down runaways? Do you feel this is "traitor-like"?

Rabbit Proof Fence

The film starts out with an eagle soaring above Molly and her mother. Later, an eagle soars about the bodies of Molly and her sister when they are passed out in the desert. What is the significance? What does the eagle symbolize?

Rabbit Proof Fence

The British people in the film, led by Mr. Neville, thought they were doing good by "breeding the Native out of them." Them, being the aboriginal people, of course. He felt that by not allowing these "half castes" to marry full aboriginal people, eventually, they would become "useful" to society. Because they believed they were doing good, can they be blamed?

Rabbit Proof Fence

Here is a spot for you to just discuss your reactions to the film. Discuss anything you'd like.

In the Shadow of War

I wasn't here when you all read "In the Shadow of War." I'd like to hear any reactions you have to the story.

Ilunga's Harvest

Comment on Tidwell's revelation: "And perhaps it was just as well Ilunga and the others weren't in a hurry to become the kind of producers I wanted them to be. They might develop along Western lines with time, but why push them? The local system worked. Everyone was taken care of."

Ilunga's Harvest

We read and discussed Ilunga's harvest in class, but didn't have time finish the story. After finishing, comment on Tidwell's assertation: "Like everyone else in Kalambayi, Ilunga needed badly the help fish culture could provide. What he didn't need, however, were lessons on how to stay alive. And that, I eventually grew to understand, was what all the sharing was really about. It was a survival strategy, an unwritten agreement by the group that no one would be allowed to fall off the societal boat no matter how low provisions ran on board....everyone stayed afloat."

Is this different than what you see in America? How? Which way is better?

Can you think of an example?

The End of Skill

Vanessa loved Kente cloth and she seemed to know so much about it. However, she obviously used it in a manner that showed ignorance. Do you think it is possible to have a love for something, and yet ignore its true cultural significance?

End of Skill

Because Jimmy paid for his father's surgery, are his actions justified?

Change

Has this book impacted you in anyway? For example, personally I've heard of child soldiers, but have never spent any time thinking about them. This book left me with an uneasy, tortured feeling. What, if anything, has this book done for you?

Novel Ending

The ending of the novel is incredibly powerful. At seven years of age, Ishmael had an answer to the monkey dilemma, although he never shared his answer with anyone until now.

In your opinion, why does Ishmael end the story here? Do you think Ishmael is happy with how he has chosen to live his life? Do you think Ishmael could have made different choices?

Ishmael's uncle

Considering what we’ve learned about African culture, how does Ishmael’s experience at his uncle’s home fit in?

Theme

Ishmael doesn’t believe in revenge. “What I have learned from my experience is that revenge is not good. I joined the army to avenge the deaths of my family and to survive, but I’ve come to learn that if I am going to take revenge, in that process I will kill another person whose family will want revenge; then revenge and revenge and revenge will never come to an end” (199).

What can you add? What is your perspective? Is revenge a natural feeling? What can you do to avoid seeking revenge?

Point of View

I mentioned earlier about how important point of view is. How does hearing this story from Ishmael’s perspective affect how you feel about child soldiers?

How might you feel about Ishmael if this were a story told from the eyes of one of the UNICEF workers?

Novel Impressions

A couple of things really struck me as I read this novel. One is the pure brutality that some people had to endure before dieing. Not just emotionally—seeing family members slaughtered, but the physical torture. One particular scene which really affected me was when the rebels were forced to dig their own graves, then buried alive.

Something else that struck me is the natural instinct to survive. I know drugs keep Ishmael going, but not after he is rescued by UNICEF. Where does his strength come from?

What thoughts did you have while reading this novel? What affected you? What bothered you? What questions would you have if you were to talk with Ishmael?

Brainwashing

Some people argue that the music a person listens to influences their actions. We hear about this in regards to movies, television, and video games. The reason I bring this up is because the camp Ishmael is now living in continually tries to influence Ishmael's thinking.

What are the things Ishmael is told over and over? What is always on the television? How would these influences work to encourage Ishmael to fight? What in Ishmael's life so far would encourage him to fight?

Symbolism

When Ishmael is given his uniform, he is told to throw his other clothes into the fire. He is extremely disappointed when his tapes are melted. However, how is this symbolic? Consider what the tapes represent? What part of his life is over? What part is beginning?

Turning Point

A major turning point occurs in Chapter 12 when Ishmael is captured. He is captured by the government, and not the rebels. He isn't technically forced to fight, however his other choice is sure death. What is your reaction to Ishmael's choice to fight?

Family

When Ishmael is very close to seeing his family again, circumstances keep this from happening. However, seeing his family would probably have ensured his death. Do you believe in fate? Do you think this was meant to be?

Ishmael also says that seeing his family would have been worth dieing for. What do you think? Would you agree? What would your choice have been?

Point of View

We’ve talked about the importance of Point of View. Obviously, this is first person. What if this story were told from the third person? How might you see Ishmael? What does this perspective give you as a reader, that third person couldn’t?

flashbacks

I think reading Ishmael’s flashbacks are very important. The story would go on without these, so why do you think he chose to insert them? What do they tell us about Ishmael?

Storytelling

Ishmael and his friends enjoy the Bra Spider stories. Because these stories are handed down, each time they are told, they are a bit different, depending on the storyteller.

Are there stories handed down in your family? Does it seem like the same story keeps getting told? Why do you think that is? Do you think stories are important family rituals?

community

One of the things that strikes me about Ishmael’s memories of his village is that there seemed to be such a strong sense of community. This is evident in the village’s celebration of Ishmael’s name giving ceremony. There is an African Proverb too, that is something to the effect of: It takes a village to raise a child. Do you agree with this proverb? Explain.

Choices

Ishmael has had to make some tough decisions already in his young life. He had to decide if he should risk his life and return home to find his family. Every day he has to decide if he should continue to hang with his five friends. He will have to make many more decisions.

What has a been a difficult choice for you to make? Have you ever had to make a very difficult one? How did you choose? Was it the right choice?

Do you think Ishmael has made good choices so far? If you knew people were afraid of small groups of boys and would possibly kill you, would the benefits of being with your friends (and brother) be worth the risk?

Rap Music

Today we touched briefly on Ishmael's brush with death and how Rap music saved him (in a sense). You will see later how Ishmael continues to be helped out by his affinity for Rap music.

What type of music do you listen to? What do you like/dislike about certain types of music? When do you listen? How does music affect you? Are you particularly drawn to a song? Which song and why? Speak here about anything you want in regards to music and your life.

Predictions

I'd like to hear some predictions about where this book will go. I've read the book a few times, and so I can't make predictions anymore, but I'd still like to hear yours. Here is a spot for you brave souls who want to guess what might happen.

a long way gone

Here's a spot to share some thoughts (without the pressure of speaking up in class) on the beginning of the book. What do you think so far?

The first and second time I read this book, I was mortified by the graphicness. I thought about how much those images must have affected Beah in order for him to be able to recall such detail years after all of this happened. He ssems to remember in in such vivid detail the sights he saw and sounds he heard. He even sometimes talks about the smell. I had to keep reminding myself that he was only 12 at the time.

Book Ending

Originally I didn't like the ending of the novel. I thought it was a little too "perfect" with Andy being caught red-handed by the laCrosse team. I liked that Melinda was vindicated, but again, I thought it worked out a little too perfectly to be real. What are some of your thoughts about the ending of the novel? Did you like it? Not like it? Why or why not?

Movie Speak

We've just begun the movie Speak. Some of the details are a little different in the movie, than they are in the book. The movie was made for Lifetime, a TV channel directed at women. What do you notice about the movie that has been changed, perhaps to fit the new Target Audience?

Stress

Mr. Freeman believes the answer to all problems is art. Melinda draws her tree with lightening striking it. This is symbolic. Something awful has happened to Melinda. She will use art to help her. We will see her tree grow and develop, and we will see Melinda grow and develop. What is a stress reliever for you? What helps you work thru problems?

Rachael

Rachael is Melinda's "ex-best friend." Melinda says if there is one person she wants to tell her secret to, it is Rachael. But Rachael doesn't seem to want to talk to Melinda. Are there some things that a friend could do that would make you "hate them'? Is it OK to begin to dislike a friend without telling them why? Or without finding out what really happened?

Heather

Describe Heather. If Heather were a girl at this school, would you like her? Why or why not? What about Heather would you like? What about Heather would you hate?

Bedrooms

Melinda hates her bedroom. She says it is a "postcard of who I was in fifth grade." She says Heather's room "screams Heather." How might a room be a portrait of who you are? What does your bedroom say about you? What does your friend's room say about him/her? What would you want your room to look like or say about you?

Speak

Yesterday we touched momentarily on the cover of the novel. A girl is shown with no mouth. The title of the book is Speak. Melinda won't share her secret, hence a girl with no mouth. We do not know Melinda's secret yet, but we will. Do you think some secrets that are personal should be kept? What kinds?

Melinda Sordino

Melinda is desperate to be reunited with her old friends. She has become quiet and withdrawn at school. She no longer cares about her grades. At this point in the story, what advice would you give Melinda? What should she do?

Cliques

Heather is desperate to join a clique. Her Plan is to join five clubs, one for every day of the week. She hopes to break into a clique by getting to know the "right" people. How important is it to belong to a group? Do you think some people are happy not belonging?

Speak

Welcome to Ms. Clear's first ever class blog!

For the novel Speak, you will be required to respond on a class blog to several posted questions. You may choose any of the topics to respond to, but must respond to at least five postings before the end of the novel. You may choose to respond also, to something one of your classmates has posted. Only students enrolled in this class will be able to respond on this blog.

Please keep in mind, that your responses are posted on the web, and therefore, anyone who stumbles upon our webpage (pretty unlikely, but possible!), will be able to read what is written on the class blog. You may use names of characters, but certainly do not use names of friends or otherwise! Use your heads about what you post.

You will be graded on your postings. They should be related to the topic you're choosing to respond to, and should be edited for spelling and proper capitalization. Postings that are less than a full paragraph will not be graded. Various, one line reponses to other classmates is encouraged, but again, will not be considered as one of your postings.

Have fun, be professional, and don't forget to post!