FIR Reading Blog #12

Title: Two Words (an excerpt from the book The Stories of Eva Luna)

Author: Isabel Allende

Date: September 14, 2010

No. of pages: 8pages

Time alloted in reading: 1 hour

Summary

The short story “Two Words” by Isabel Allende is a tale about a girl who went by the name of Belisa Crepusculario. She had extreme desire to be the best at selling words, since the first time she saw words in the sports section of the newspaper. Belisa learned to read from a priest for 20 pesos and read the dictionary until she knew it cold. She went from the top of blistering cold mountains to scorching hot coasts selling her words in markets and fairs. Belisa’s words became popular fast and everyone knew who she was. People waited for her from year to year to hear her words.

Insight

The main focus in this story is on the two words that she said to El Mulato that cursed him. This shows that you can’t be so quick to judge someone. The conflict in the story is man vs. man because it is generally a battle between Belisa and El Mulato and in the end Belisa won the battle by cursing El Mulato making him unable to run for president. This short story “Two Words” is written in an omniscient narrative point of view, in other words a person is telling a story about something that happened to someone else. The main character in this short story is Belisa Crepusculario. Belisa is a round character because in the beginning of the story Belisa was a poor nobody. She was born into a poor family until she decided to set out across the plains toward the sea. When she made it across she found on the ground a newspaper and decided that she wanted to sell words, which changed her.

FIR Reading Blog #11

Title: A Madman's Diary

Author: Lu Xun

Date: September 7, 2010

No. of pages: 7 pages

Time alloted in reading: 30mins.

Summary

'A Madman 's Diary' focused on a single character that yearned for change and experienced it, somehow affecting the people around him. It is the story of the narrator visiting two old friends from his hometown (old home . He learned that one of them fell ill, which prompted him to visit . Upon arriving and greeted by one of them , he was told that his friend is a 'man-eater'. Seeing the people in his village as potential man-eaters, he is gripped by the fear that everyone, including his brother, his venerable doctor and his neighbors are preparing to eat him. It is anti-traditional in the sense that the other characters are portrayed as heartless, bound to tradition, and cannibalistic. The insanity of the narrator is never proven, however, leading the reader to question the seemingly wholesome intentions of those who care for him. Despite the brother's apparent genuine concern, the narrator still regards him as big a threat as any stranger, showing just how distrustful he has become.

Insight

The concept of a “man- eating society” means that the strong devour the weak. The madman could be said that he is a rebel and social critic whose madness is a kind of sanity that aims for progress or reform at both the personal and social levels of his society from the time of his living. His personal claims about his worldview of society reflect the rejection of an oppressive traditionalism, ignorance and conformity. Furthermore, he has deep sense of and feeling for the ironies, false appearances, and deceptions often involved in human social life. The story is a good literature as to how one can expose the evils of the clan system and feudal ethics and wherein the “man- eating” is the one referred to as “evils”. It is an interpretation of societies of the past, present, and future. The story can refer back as far as in the early century to the present times of the society. Meanwhile, as human cruelty is being pinned down in the story, it shows us that the recipient is dehumanized in the eyes of the offender as in the case of the madman. The depiction of the image of the madman projects an illustration of society that stresses submission to authority, and the ultimate compliance of tradition thus; society is constantly being manipulated and controlled by the masses of people who know no better that to follow tradition.

FIR Reading Blog #10

Title: The Perforated Sheet (Excerpt from Midnight's Children) from "The Vintage Book of Indian Writing", 1949-1997

Author: Salman Rushdie

Date: September 1, 2010

No. of pages: 10 pages

Time Alloted in Reading: 3 hours

Summary

Midnight's Children is the first-person narrative of Saleem Sinai, an obscure thirty-year-old pickle factory worker who writes the fantastic story of his life each night, reading it aloud each night and having it commented on by a doting woman named Padma. He starts his story by describing how his grandfather came to the Kashmir region of India in 1915 after receiving his medical degree from Oxford and how he was approached by a wealthy landowner to examine his daughter. He was not allowed to look at her, though, and during each examination for months could only view her through a hole in a sheet that was held up by attendants. Aadam Aziz, Saleem's grandfather, fell in love with his grandmother, Naseem Ghani, by viewing her in parts.

Insight

The book is an allegory, a tale, full of magical realism and little pieces are hidden and revealed, much like the famous perforated sheet metaphor that pervades the book. What was very flabbergasting for me was all the Indian history. I felt very ignorant about it all. I felt like I was missing something indefinable, something that I would get if I knew more about the history involved.

I still haven't finished, but I'd like to talk about one of the occurring elements. That sheet with the hole cut out that was the only way Saleem's grandfather, the doctor, could examine the girl who would become his wife. Isn’t it a dizzying idea? Here is an institution who wants to protect their girls and women so much, that they allow speculation about them? It seems this method of protection serves a paradoxical purpose. Aren't we reading this book through a sheet, too? Where the hole moves around and we can see one element of the whole story, but we have to make the connections for ourselves?

I can somehow relate to the story in a sense that I strongly believe it is possible to love someone in pieces, without knowing their whole being. When examining the relationship between Naseem and Aadam Aziz, it seems as though Rushdie is stating that one cannot love someone through a perforated sheet, without knowing their soul. Aadam and Naseem’s marriage became a battleground because they did not have a solid foundation of love to build upon. As a consequence, Naseem employed such tricks as attempting to starve her husband, and Aadam reacted by refusing to eat. Due to the fact that both Naseem and Aadam were quite stubborn, neither one of them refused to concede to one another. It makes me wonder if, for Naseem and Aadam, showing one’s true feelings would be to admit defeat.

FIR Reading Blog #9

Title: The Electric Ant, 1969 from the book "Decades of Science Fiction"

Author: Philip K. Dick

Date: August 24, 2010

No. of Pages: 9 pages

Time alloted in reading: 4 hours

Summary

Garson Poole is physically an electric ant, possesses the mental attributes of the human. The struggle to retain these human qualities is the mark of the true human in the "Electric Ant." Like the human, the android must have these very qualities if they are to fulfill their particular function. They must be able to correct their mistakes and to creatively engage with new situations. It is imperative that they act as autonomous beings. It is the act of choosing one goal out of many that helps to create identity. Poole is treated like a person and is unaware, until his accident, of his true nature as an "electric ant." It is his treatment and his memories of his pre- accident experiences as a "human" that help to drive his search for a true sense of himself and reality. The electric ants are designed to function along side humans, but they were programmed not to notice or know they are robots. Furthermore, Poole is not the first electric ant that has accidentally discovered his true nature. Poole is but one of many electric ants who accidentally find out their true identities.

Insight

Poole was designed and constructed for a purpose that was not of his choosing, but now that he knows his true nature, he ponders the concept of decision. He probably never gave his ability to make decisions much thought before, because being human grants one the right to make their own decisions. Since he realizes that his ability to make decisions in the past was an illusion, that the ability becomes very important to him. I sympathize for Poole because he is the true "human" in the story. Even though, he is an android, he is more human than the actual humans around him. The story presents us how human being are being reduced to a commodity/ robot and everything he does has a value. It reflects reality in contemporary life or modern society. The human values in the story is compassion, sympathy rather than commodification or materialistic and there is "sense of justice." So it makes us question, "What makes a human being human?"

Take- off Poetry

The uproar subsided,
tears like flowing water
dried up by the sun.
The residue the tears left
is like salt to fill a
ten- pound sack.

A deep love felt for a father
is like a mother's milk
dried up from the shock.
I had enough in mourning
yet, for mom awaits
the enormous responsibility.

Found poetry

We hid our faces
behind masks
that suggested other histories;
we touched hands
accidentally and our skin
sparked like a personal revolution.

We stared
across the room at each other,
waited for the conversation
and the conversion,
watched wasps and flies
battering against the windows.

We were children;
we were open mouths.
Open in hunger, in anger,
in laughter, in prayer.

Jesus, we all want to survive.

Ghazal Poem

Waiting in vain, impatiently I cry.

There you were yesterday leaving with no goodbye.

Days die so soon, emptiness made me strong.

It was yesterday weaving the thought of final goodbye.

Never will it matter, I found solace in my voice.

So it was yesterday I am believing you bid goodbye.

Some say, distance is what makes the heart grow fonder.

I tried to believe this yesterday, how it meant was goodbye.

Words are just words unless it makes you stronger.

Today I believe, yesterday is stronger than the word goodbye.

Haiku Poem

Heels run, heels walk by

Wherever way we tumble

Heels are our best friend.

Shakespearean

Never would have I imagined

That life would be so desolating.

Today, I feel somber and not wanting to begin

All the goodness in the bad, I feel not resonating.

Shuddering violently inside me, rapture fervor

Is there a way to turn it all around again?

Make your way to me, moment to savor.

If I may to seek goodness in what bears pain,

I would be silenced and make a fool of this world

For when I stray my eyes toward you, I disdain.

Too much has been given, nothing left of me to mould.

For when you come and you go,

You leave me with questions I need to know.

Frustration Poem

Go and unchain my chilly hands

Chase me so I know where to go.

Give me chances to grasp on things

For all I hear are groans of chastity.

Heartbreak Poem

How long have I wept

In the cold lap of sorrow

Pounding, hammering into deep

Devouring my inner yearning deep within.

A rusty smell of soil and rain

Makes me linger on the pain.

A rage upon me straining,

Struggling to get out of this deep burrow.

Boredom Poem

Too idle, too lazy

Am I going crazy?

The sound of tick- tock

Am I in jail lock?

Strong smell of wine

Am I feeling fine?

Thinkin' bout good times

Ugh! how tedious are these rhymes,

I must have gone crazy.

Family Poem

The slightest touch that smells of lilac

Grows from a garden I call home.

A mother whose love I want to go back to,

My baby steps to her ears watching as I freely roam.

A mother's arms like a lullaby cradling me in a rack.

Love or Lust Poem

Remembering O' sweet serenity days upon seeing you

Rhyme and melody in my ears like a serenade of

classic love song,

Thoughts came rushing by

My mind goes blank that surrenders

a single breath to a hush.

Your sweet fragrance smells of cinnamon

that heighten up my senses, it lingers in my nose.

It's what I get of a dose

So seducing, so enticing.

Poetry Activity #1

I wonder where to fit in

Everyday now I feel this strange

Mystery of life, lost in a private dark

Where I could go in the deep dark bottom anytime.

Asking myself portion of reality didn't help,

It shall begin to find its voice.

I ramble to see where the next leads me,

Getting out of my empty hollow

With nothing to think of but myself.

I live life to its fullest, getting lost in another world

My soul is entwined like a cocoon

Feeling this someone embracing me.

The feeling I sought from the very start,

I am glad I made it from here to there.

Now I am free to explore what life has for me,

It isn't butterflies in my stomach but it's as if

I am a caterpillar soon to come out

And now I am out of the open.

Nursery Rhyme Poem

"Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall

Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.

All the king's horses, and all the king's men

Couldn't put Humpty together again."

I was not meant to sit on a wall

But it was you who put me there

I did not wish to take a fall fall,

There is no help in which to turn

Another lesson I have to learn.

Any knowledge that I can gather,

Curious about life and all

Is so uncertain, like the weather.

I was not meant to sit on that wall,

I did not wish to have any fall.

FIR Reading Blog #7

Title: Witch (Bayen) from the book "Asian Women in Literature"

Author: Mahasveta Devi

Date: August 8, 2010

No. of pages: 11 pages

Time alloted in reading: 1 hour

Summary

In a tribal society steeped in superstition, the spells of witches often are blamed for stubborn illnesses, a stroke of bad luck, the drying up of wells, crop failure or the inability to give birth to a son. But social analysts and officials said that superstition and faith in witchcraft often are a ploy for carrying out violence against women. In the play, Chandi is separated from her husband and son when she is accused of being a Bayen, a women who breastfeeds dead children and has the ability to curse others. The villagers are afraid to kill a Bayen, and instead imprison her in a small hut by the railroad tracks. Chandi is labeled as a Bayen after several village children die of disease. Since she works in a burial ground and is, at the time, lactating her breast while digging the graves of children, Chandi is singled out as a Bayen by the community. Chandi is forced to stay in this condition because of the surveillance of the village hence, deviation from expectations of social norms is monitored through the understanding that one is constantly subject to the observation of those around them. Chandi is repeatedly reminded not set her eyes upon anyone in the village, as she supposedly has the “evil eye”. Her inability to stare upon the village, as they constantly monitor her exemplifies this idea of punishment. She is constantly subject to the gaze of those who seek to control her, yet she has no means of knowing when she is being monitored and whether any violation of her imprisonment will have any repercussions. Chandi turns her back to her ex-husband when she has been conditioned to ensure that she does not set her eyes upon him or their child. It is only after her death at the end of the play, when Bhagirath, her son publicly decries her treatment that the villagers are willing to accept that she is not a Bayen. This affirmation of her motherhood posthumously (occurring or continuing after death) removes her status of Bayen, but of course, at this point it is too late to have any significance. Despite the fact that she is dead, this reaffirms that the denial of Chandi’s motherhood is fundamental to the construction of her subaltern status.

Insight

The novel demonstrates the transformation of a working class woman into a public scapegoat (the one who suffers in place of others) and ultimately, a subaltern woman with no bodily or social agency. The play demonstrates the way that her subaltern status is constructed by the society around her. The need for a scapegoat combined with inherent gender bias supports the transformation of Chandi into a subaltern. She is forced to accept the constraints and restrictions of this condition because of fear of violent retaliation from the community, all of who collectively have control over her life. Her subaltern status denies her access to her child, and thus, her inability to fulfil the role of mother further preserves her position as a subaltern. The depiction of Chandi as a “subaltern woman” reveals that those with dominion power gain from the preservation of the status of subaltern women. Subalternity is strictly constructed by society, and that the plight of these individuals advantageously serves those with dominion power. By presenting the plight of subalternity through this literay piece, there is hope that the plight of women like Chandi will create considerable drive for social change, as often, those who view these texts are complicit (aware and has the ability to report such incident) in the subalternity of women. This also has something to do with exploitation and cruel disciplines associated with subalternity, and are thus essential for any understanding of the plight of Chandi as a disempowered individual.

The depiction of Chandi as a “subaltern woman” reveals that those with dominion power gain from the preservation of the status of subaltern women. Subalternity is strictly constructed by society, and that the plight of these individuals advantageously serves those with dominion power. By presenting the plight of subalternity through this literay piece, there is hope that the plight of women like Chandi will create considerable drive for social change, as often, those who view these texts are complicit (aware and has the ability to report such incident) in the subalternity of women.

FIR Reading Blog #6

Title: The Female Body (chapter 4 of Roles and Gender Roles Book)

Author: Margaret Atwood

Date: July 27, 2010

Time alloted in for reading: 10mins. (page 216-218)

Summary

The Female Body,” by Margaret Atwood is a prose fiction. Atwood’s language has visible denotation and hidden connotation. “Female body” is two words that play an important part in Atwood’s argument that society has domination of the female gender. The denotations of female are simply the characteristic of or appropriate to this certain sex and body is the entire material or physical structure of an organism. Yet in Atwood’s essay these two words are not that simple they carry with them much more meaning and depth. Atwood uses the words female body to describe all female bodies; she uses singular form when she could have used plural form. One can see that Atwood chooses the singular path because society views females not as individuals but as one whole. Atwood is being ironic by writing about the female body as if there were only one female body, which all females can associate with.

Insight

Margaret Atwood’s The Female Body gives an interesting view on the life of women and the ways in which women are constrained, devalued and taken advantage of. In that way this piece is universal and can be appreciated by people all over the world as all women may encounter this in their lifetime in varying degrees thus making the main ideas both classless and raceless. It clearly illustrates the values of the world such as selfishness, greed and the need for dominance. These constraints, and lack of power, can be seen through diction such as “leash”, “lock” and “chain”. The use of the word “leash” also creates animal imagery of a dog, which belittles women. The allusion to fairytales, as illustrated by the diction such as “pumpkin”, “high tower” and “chamber” also contribute to the idea of helplessness and patriarchy, which highlights the dominance of males over all women. This shows satire social criticism and a sense of justice! It is a very interesting read! :)

Imagery

Chili- Strong and tingling smell, lingering taste of 'Singaporean dishes'

"The Spice of Life" and how I took life's challenges. It reminds me of heartaches because of rejection by guys.

It reminds me of when I am feeling so nervous and ecstatic at the same time. A feeling of Euphoria when I am extremely happy and I want to release the energy through running or doing exhilarating activities. A feeling I get when I like somebody (a guy) so much.

Vinegar- Fresh smell, bland taste

It reminds me of myself every time I get out of my comfort zone. I vividly picture my first ever scuba- diving experience where I got to swim with the fishes and for the very first time I took a closer look at wonderful corals. I overcome the fear of going deep under water. I feel so invigorated and free like a child living a life with no problems at all.

Soy Sauce- Earthy smell like "soil in the garden", salty taste of dew or or mist of raindrop in my skin

It reminds me of when I went on a nature tripping/ hiking adventure where it suddenly rained and there was a heavy downpour. I can never forget this trekking adventure of ours in Banawe where I slipped and fell on my butt into that puddle of mud whilst we were following a trail. -IT WAS A MAJOR EMBARRASSMENT! :)

Letter to Poem

My heart is pounded

I still cant believe

You were taken from me.

Time bound us together

In a short while to call you father.

I ramble and wonder

Why you're taken away that easily

I was never ready to say goodbye

To someone I hold very dearly.

If it were up to me, dad

I'd always keep you here.

I've been put down and pushed around

Often finding myself on the ground.

I've had to push myself deep inside

And build a wall behind which I can hide.

The scar is just too deep

And the emptiness succumbs me

Where happiness is an obstacle

Laughter a challenge

And complete is almost impossible.

FIR Reading Blog #5

Title: Slam

Author: Nick Hornby

Date: July 20, 2010

Time alloted for reading: (chapter 1-3) one day

Summary

This book is from a boy's point of view and it is easy to read because the hero of the story is a teen. The boy is named 'Sam', a 15 year old kid, who is a skater and lives with his divorced mother. He is a typical teen but what makes him interesting is the fact that he has a sort of imaginary friend in the form of a life- size poster of the greater skater Tony Hawk, who has Godlike powers when he starts skating from sky- high ramps and successfully landing without slamming his face on the floor. Sam tells everything to Tony or TH (it is his code for Tony), from embarrassing moments to his constant practice of a new skating trick. At the start of chapter three, the book turned to Sam's relationship with his girlfriend Alicia and their constant intercourse. Hornby convincingly writes from the perspective of a teenager overwhelmed with the burden of consequences of his actions and tackles the issue of teenage pregnancy with bluntness and honesty. One of my favorite moments of Sam’s introspections comes when he contemplates running away from the problem of his now ex-girlfriend Alicia, by leaving for Hastings.

Insight

While reading this novel, all I was thinking about was the big difference or gap between Filipino and Western adolescents. The two seem to come from two different worlds. One of the biggest difference is their perception on virginity from watching American- produced films and television programs it has. What is with these Westerners and their immediate need to engage in sexual intercourse? I suppose one of the many things to which sends a lot of messages to its audience- young audience to be exact. And these messages are not exactly on the positive side because these films portray 'sex' as a pleasurable act and a satisfying experience. Young adults are receptive to this and tend to enact it without realizing what the outcome will be. These films do not show to its audience the reality behind unsafe sex and the consequences people have to face after a brief moment of euphoria. Environmental factors greatly involves to a teen's way of thinking or for any person for that matter. Since media seems to be the center of all that is influential and also the fact that Americans are bombarded with ads, movies, TV, programs, magazines and other form of media which display lust and obscenity, it is no wonder American teens tend to grow is acting exactly like what they see on billboards. But for me, it is still up to the person if he/ she will give in to those external factors despite them being incredibly influential and powerful. It is the values of a person that are deeply ingrained that determine their sense of morality. By having these moral values deep within them, they can resist negative influences around them.

My Translation of Tabing Ilog sung by Barbie's Cradle

Tabing Ilog lyrics

Sa ilog ang mundo'y tahimik

Ako'y nakikinig sa awit ng hangin

Habang kayo'y hinihintay

Na sana'y dumating bago magdilim

Sa tuwina'y kandungan niyo ay duyan

Panaginip na walang katapusan

Ang ilog hantungan niya'y pangako

Ng inyong pagbabalik

CHORUS:

Ngiting kasama ng hangin

Luhang daloy ng tubig

Sa ilog na `di naglilihim

Sa ilog ang mundo'y may himig

`Di sanang nagpalit ang awit ng hangin

Habang kayo'y hinihintay

Mata'y may ngiti, puso'y nananabik

Sa tuwina'y kandungan niyo ay duyan

Panaginip na walang katapusan

Ang ilog hantungan niya

The River

Translation of “Tabing Ilog” by Barbie’s Cradle

By the river, all the world is quiet
I am listening, to a wind that’s singing
While I’m waiting for you
I hope you come by, before darkness falls

The moments of rocking by the hammock
Of dreams that seem to have no end
The river is leading to a promise
That you’ll come back eventually

A smile, blowin’ in the wind
Tears like waterfalls
In a river with no secrets…

By the river, all the world is singing
I hope the wind won’t change, the songs that it’s singing
While I’m waiting for you
My eyes are gleaming, my heart is beating fast

The moments of swinging that cradle
Of dreams that seem to have no end
The river is leading to a promise
That you’ll come back eventually

A smile, blowin’ in the wind
Tears like waterfalls
In a river with no secrets…

FIR Reading Blog #4

Title: Alab ng Puso Sa Dibdib Mo'y Buhay!

Author: Manix Abrera

Time Alloted for Reading: One day

Summary

A comic book about a group of students in U.P and their wacky adventures. It is chock- full of hilarity, philosophical, social, and political materials.

Insight

It made me feel somewhat patriotic about my country. It made entertained me in way. Firstly, because of the physical comedy and secondly, because truths regarding our country's politics, society, the culture and our very won existence were explicitly told. Most of the time the words and thoughts on the comic strips made me envy those people, by those I mean the U.P community. Apparently, the school does not have to do anything with this at least not 100% because it is the individuals themselves ans their brilliance, creativity, open- mindedness that made them who they are. They just happen to be enrolled in one educational institution. Still, I cannot help not to be envious of their intelligence. The issue of the chaotic world of politics in our country is more tackled than any other topics. U.P people are known speaking out their minds literally and figuratively. There are hundreds of activists in that school and the number continue to increase. They are not afraid to voice out their anger, frustration, and all the feelings in the world they have toward the government and its supposedly good actions to bring betterment to our country. Even if their lives are on the line, they take the risks because they believe change should occur. Without acting responsibly, I have always admired U.P community for being vocal and fighting important issues. They do all of these without restraints and without fear, while some of some of the people I know who are capable of doing the same thing prefer not to be receptive of absorbing all these unacceptable anomalies.

FIR Reading Blog #3

Title: For One More Day, A book by Mitch Albom

Author: Mitch Albom

Date: July 6, 2010

Page nos. : 208 pages

Time alloted in reading: finished the book in 3 1/2 weeks

Summary

For One More Day talks of a man's struggle to survive his depressing life. This man is named Charles "Chick Benetto." The death of his mother, Pauline "Posey" Benetto, turned his life around and he decided one night to end it all by taking his own life after realizing he hit rock bottom and his life has fallen apart. He found himself between life and death when he encountered Posey at his hometown. Chick is saved by his mother by teaching him to forgive, love and best of all to never give up.

Insight

The book is quite inspirational. I will never forget about this book for many reasons. Family is one of the things tackled in the book opinions and reactions to some of the claims by Chick. I must say there is a mystery ingredient in this book that enthused me to read it thus, to find out what truly is going on with the story. It is engaging because the story is not presented in the typical chronological way that makes it even more captivating. Chick's childhood stories help modify and strengthen the situations in the present.

The book makes me reflect on my own life; on what I have done and achieved. I have always regretted reckless decisions I made for the last 5 years of my life. I know I cannot turn back time but I wish I could have made better decisions for myself. There was a time I felt depression, stress, and pressure. But despite all these, I carry on and see the good side of the bad side of things because life is short and I told myself, I never know when it may be too late to mend a flawed relationship with my family and God. I wanted to make sure that I don’t put off letting others know how important they are to me and lastly, if I could change the past, I would certainly do things differently.