The Congo...

The history of the Congo is complex and deeply troubled. Please conduct research about the history of this country (using the links below as a starting point). Then post a 500-word reflection on your assessment of how Kingsolver both portrays and uses the history of the Congo in The Poisonwood Bible. Is her telling of this part of the Congo's history accurate? Has she taken liberties with the facts? If so, why? If not, why? Does her use of the Congo's story help you understand some universal truths about humanity in terms of our response to conflict, betrayal and tragedy?

http://www.peace.ca/afcolonialismcongo.htm

http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?historyid=ad34

Barbara Kingsolver...

Conduct biographical research about Barbara Kingsolver and find out as much as you can about who she is, as a writer and as an individual. What are her interests, her passions? Make links to what she has written about the Congo in The Poisonwood Bible. What have you learned about Kingsolver's personal life that sheds new light on what you read in the novel? Be specific here and post your reflections in a 300-word response.

HIV/AIDS resources and links...

Here are a few good web sites to explore that will give you some excellent background about the HIV/AIDS situation in Kenya. Enjoy reading!

http://www.avert.org/hiv-aids-kenya.htm

http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/global_health/aids/Countries/africa/kenya.html

http://www.policyproject.com/countries.cfm?country=Kenya

Ideas about theme for The Last Plague...

Sadly, the white board was erased last night before I had a chance to copy down all of your fabulous ideas about the primary theme of Mwangi's The Last Plague! Here are a few examples that I am drawing from memory...

1. Change is inevitable and sometimes traditional beliefs and customs must give way to new practices, particularly in the face of a major crisis such as the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

2. Emotional and physical healing can only take place in a community if everyone works together to determine the root causes of a crisis/tragedy, and then responds in ways that result in positive change.

Theme statements for F.D.

Based on our investigation of the 4 checkpoints to find theme, here are two working theme statements for Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave:

1) Slavery, in its many complex forms and guises, produces an insatiable desire for freedom and liberation within the individual human spirit.

2) Slavery, in whatever form it takes, murders autonomy and creates a deep yearning for liberation and freedom.

Words used to describe FD's writing style...

After our discussion in class today, here is a list of key words we agreed upon that describe Frederick Douglass's writing style. Remember, articulating what defines a writer's style begins with breaking down the mechanics of the writing and then thinking about words that accurately describe the feel of the text, the response of the reader and the voice of the author.

Words we agreed on today: emotive, expressive, evocative, descriptive, detailed, formal, lyrical.

Diving into our first work... Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass!

Your homework for Tuesday, August 17th is to contemplate what you've been reading so far in Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass (remember, the text needs to be completely read by next Monday, August 23rd!). Post your initial response to the book here and reflect on slavery in the American South and something that has impressed itself upon your mind, from the text, at this point. Aim to write between 250 - 350 words and I look forward to reading your posts.