Week Two- Setting

I must say that this week's topic of setting is not only interesting because of the literal meaning of the word, but also because the setting itself and the history behind it has an impact on the characters' way of thought and action. It is also interesting to me because India is where my family is from. Rushdie explains Kashmir very accurately. There are lots of compact, closely-knit, friendly, warm villages scattered across the plains and mountainous terrain of Kashmir. They're isolated and fundamentally archaic, yet serene. And I know exactly how Saleem feels living there. The major cities in India however, are a bit tempestuous and disorderly. Through Aziz's story, we see the ugly side of India during this time (the 1900's). The riots and the furor that took place during Aziz's life were mostly because of the rebellions against the British, and they were also between the Muslims and the non-Muslims. A clear and most true foreshadowing of recent current events. The setting, as I previously stated, affects the characters way of thought. The Muslims have a very nasty perception of Indians and vice versa. It's kind of funny to read all of the mean comments that come about throughout this novel. They're so true. Even now.

Theme?!

Now now, don't get too excited for me, because I still have no idea why the things that are happening are happening, but I'm starting to specifically know WHAT is going on. Like I said, WHY? I have no idea. But WHAT, this I know.

And...
I'M STARTING TO SMELL A THEME GUYS!

Let me start a'fresh.

There is an old, acidic, obnoxious, rude, petty, haughty, conceited retired judge living in the Himalayas (possibly, do NOT quote me on that) along with young fiery Sai, an old cowardly cook referred to as, "the cook". He has a son who works in several different fast food restaurants in America illegally to try and earn money. The judge also owns a small dog named Mutt who is probably the only being that the retired judge actually cares for other than himself. There's also a baker whom we haven't heard much about because he went to...somewhere.

It is in the retired bitter judge's home in which this "family" resides. Sai is somehow related to the judge because she definitely isn't one of his servants. I've learned that because this retired judge is in fact, a retired judge, he has a high social status that demands respect and power. The moods the reader gets from the judge's abode is gloomy, dull, and imprisoning. It's like they are all being forced to live there and none of them are exactly elated. When Sai isn't unhappy, she's in a dreamy state. But there is something about her that tells me she's strong, and that she has potential to be MVP in this novel. You know, the hero that everyone is cheering for and loves to defend? Moving on, I also know that it is snowing. Yes yes, I know, serious valuable information. Of course it's snowing, it's the Himalayas. Well, every bit of information is useful, do not taunt me. I also thought I should share that it is very misty. Normally this wouldn't be significant in any fashion, but Desai is describing the mist so much that I'm almost being suffocated with the nonexistent rubbish, giving me reason to believe that it is important somehow.

Although my summary probably isn't information packed, it is pretty eventful, so bear with me.
One very MISTY/FOGGY afternoon, Sai and the cowardly cook were making some tea for the bitter retired judge when three young Indian boys appeared. One handled a shot gun, while the other two backed him up. They commanded the retrieval of the judge's weapons, food, and any other things that were useful.
(Side note): This gives the reader a fairly good idea of the time period; that is if the reader were able to identify such dates. Desai makes it seem like the judge, Sai, and cook, were expecting this to happen sooner or later. It seems like this sort of occurrence is common during this time, in this specific section of the world. Why? No idea. Everyone's at their wit's ends.
Continuing on, the boys didn't kill anyone. They simply ate, took whatever the family had, and left. Leaving them behind in a frightened and alarmed state. The boys spoke Hindi, not Nepalese, which for some reason affronted and disgusted the old bitter retired judge. He found it beneath him to a large degree. But he spoke Hindi anyways and could communicate. The cook fetches the police, who are quite obviously corrupt), and they do a search. Because the judge has such high social standings, the police had no choice but to actually investigate.
My summary ends here, because this is where the chapter ends. Interesting, no?
Hopefully we'll find out more about Sai's ex/current lover; it relates to my theme theory.
The theory that I have yet to discuss.
I'll just have to leave the theme revelation for next week's blog. Leave you in suspense. Whoever "you" may be.
(Plus I also don't really have any supporting evidence to claim that it really is a theme. But we'll just keep that to ourselves.)

Annoyance

The Inheritance of Loss, written by Kiran Desai, has already proven itself to be a novel that needs to be read with depth, analysis, focus, and lots of patience. Desai uses her own metaphorical phrases and figurative language that can often be difficult to grasp or frustrating to read. She uses it when describing something as simple as fog, or an emotion that doesn't necessarily need such a lengthy description. I find myself struggling constantly when trying to understand what Desai is trying to narrate or describe. Occasionally when she does use her figurative explanations and large overwhelming vocabulary, the meaning is almost lost, it's like reading a dictionary! I get thwarted by her inability to simply get to the point like McCarthy does. I love analyzing meanings and broadening my vocabulary, but Desai tends to drive me insane. For instance, "...there was report of dissatisfaction in the hills, gathering insurgency, men and guns." 

No idea what that said? Me neither! And I'm actually reading the book!

I feel like I'm trying to decode Sanskrit when I'm reading this! That sentence literally had absolutely nothing to do with the novel. Not that I have a very good idea of what's going on in the novel because I feel like I'm trying to read Vietnamese. Nothing makes sense! Her lack of simplicity and hatred of understandable and relatable language and descriptions, is making me unable to perform my duties as a reader. Desai better shape up and start making sense, otherwise I WILL go completely insane.

I wish I could say more about this book, but I quite honestly can't. It hardly makes sense to me at all. But what I have pulled together is that, the characters live somewhere near the Nepalese and Indian border and some sort of terrorism is taking place. I can't identify the time setting, but it's getting there. I also know that the main character Sai, used to be/is in love with a math tutor named Gyan. I don't know what happens/happened to him, but she thinks about him frequently. 

Hopefully the novel will kick off soon; most novel's begin slow (but for one hundred pages?). Also, I'm hoping that the random fringes of memories floating around in Sai's head throughout the novel will begin to pull together and form a solid and stable plot. 

I'm sorry for bad blog, but I can't even smell a theme. ( :[ )

I blame The Grove Press.

Inheritance of Loss

The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai is already a very insightful novel, it's definitely going to be a "thinker". It will to be about life in general, which I know is a rather vague statement but I know it'll be about what one experiences throughout life. Every emotion, every betrayal, every feeling of happiness. The main character, Sai, seems like a very timid girl living in northeast Asia, who will soon learn the ways of the world and how to live in it. She'll gain the knowledge of life and become more sophisticated and break out of her shell.

You know, all that cliche stuff.

But let's be honest, I'm really hoping this book's a winner. A non-cliche novel that is beautifully written without the use of trite phrases, and overly used descriptions. Her writing style already seems like the average modern day writer (which bothers me), but she seems extremely insightful (which excites me being the nerd that I am). I'm looking forward to reading this novel even though it's beginning is slow. It feels like a good one.

It actually feels very strange reading a completely different book after All The Pretty Horses. The writing style is manifestly different, as is the tone, the word choice, the punctuation, and ESPECIALLY the imagery. The imagery is definitely the thing that I miss most from McCarthy. Desai is an excellent writer, it's just that I miss the simplicity of McCarthy's writing, the easy flow of it, and the vivid imagery without even having to think about it. I'll get used to it.

Enough of my complaining. I'm excited to read the remainder of my novel (even if it does have a slow beginning... I think I'm just a bit bitter today bee tea dubbs).

We'll see how this goes.

Dear old Frost.

"Acquainted with the Night" By: Robert Frost

I have been one acquainted with the night.

I have walked out in rain -- and back in rain. I have outwalked the furthest city light. I have looked down the saddest city lane. I have passed by the watchman on his beat And dropped my eyes, unwilling to explain. I have stood still and stopped the sound of feet When far away an interrupted cry Came over houses from another street, But not to call me back or say good-bye; And further still at an unearthly height, O luminary clock against the sky Proclaimed the time was neither wrong nor right. I have been one acquainted with the night.

This poem written by my favorite poet Robert Frost, is amazing. The speaker talks about the the night and what they've experienced during it. It's almost like they're saying that they know what goes on at night, and yet there's almost nothing they can do about it. When it comes to all the crime and wrong that takes place at night, people don't really pay any mind. They simply leave it alone because they don't really know what to do about it, or they are too scared to do anything about it, or they don't want to do anything about it.

I also interpret this poem as the speaker talking about a sort of connection they have with the night. Almost like they've seen mostly everything takes place at night, and they're used to it.

And by the time the sun comes up, it's all over. Whether it be crime, or the connection; it's just gone.

When reading this poem, the setting I see is a really late night in the city. I hear sirens going off, people lurking around corners, and some young people walking back from parties. And then "O luminary clock against the sky" tells me that the sun has risen, and all is over. The night is gone and a another brand new day begins.

Really? Is this what we've come to?

The CNN News article today read, "Dead Bear Wears Obama-Biden Sign". It took me no longer than two seconds to understand that the title said enough. The article told me that some people had attempted to protest Obama's candidacy through a cruel and sick act. It said that the people responsible had shot a bear cub in the head, dragged the animal on to the Western Carolina University campus, and draped two Obama-Biden posters over its perished body. The police contacted the local Wildlife Resources officials to move the body, and help with the investigation. 

Not only was this an act of cruelty, barbarism, inhumanity, viciousness, evil, and just plain wrongness, it was an act against our nation. An act that prominently states that our citizens have lost the true definition and meaning of the word democracy. This act manifests the immaturity and irrationality of our generation today; the generation that will be running this homeland of ours in the near future. The twisted act is not the thing that truly frightens me, it is the fact that this isn't the worst they can do. This was merely a threat. Before long it'll be the real thing, and our country will be in a disarrayed state of chaos and fear. 

Politics used to be exciting, an adrenaline rush! It was a realm in which people were able to express their thoughts, opinions, and morals even. It used to be something that introduced new ideas and systems. Politics made the world a better place! Now one looks at politics and society and sees tabloids, racism, prejudice, uneducated judgments, and corruption. What happened to accepting people's opinions and ideas? Their race and their heritage? Their religion and creed? Has all of that disappeared? Did it even ever exist at all? For some reason, it seems like this type of crime is getting worse and worse. Maybe it's just the media, or maybe I'm just growing up and seeing more of the world for what it is.

But if this is the way the world is, and the occurrence of something so beautiful and so great turning in to something so undesirable and so ugly is common, then I don't want to see it. Seeing the world's beauty and it's creatures being destroyed is not something that is particularly at the top of my to-do list. Maybe ignorance truly is bliss, because the profound act that I read about today is definitely something I would've gladly turned my back to. 

Obama? McCain?

During the last couple of months, U.S. citizens have been pressured to make the right decision in their choice of presidency in the elections. Will it be McCain? Or will it be Obama? Democrat or Republican? Who will save us from this economic crisis? Who will make a move on improving health care and bettering the country's safety? For the first time, people are actually paying full attention, and young people are actually getting involved. 

For this week's blog, I read a BBC News article on the Obama vs. McCain presidential election. It didn't exactly surprise me when I read about how terrified people are, and how little they trust the government now. Everyone's scared to go unemployed (if they aren't already), they're scared of not being able to provide for their family, and they're scared of losing their lifestyle, and everything they know. And the only way to mollify those fears is believing in one of the candidates, and believing that one of them will make a huge difference. Honestly, nobody knows who's going to be a better president or at least handle it better. We're all just guessing, and investing our hopes on them. And those candidates are doing everything they can to win us over, and believe in them. People are doing just that because these leaders are all we have left. 

Reading this article made me realize how much Americans depend on the government, and how much they expect from the president. When something goes wrong, they blame the government, president, and all the people who voted for the president. If things are going really well, they thank them. But have people ever stopped and realized it's their actions as well that are contributing to whatever the nation is going through? For instance, our economy didn't crash because Bush wanted it to (but it's not like he did a whole lot to stop it). It crashed because of people's actions and their carelessness. People basically think that the perfect government is one that will stop anything bad from happening, which is half their responsibility. The other half of that responsibility lies in the people. Being a democratic country entails citizens semi-running the country. We're the wheels turning this nation, and if a few of the wheels stop turning because they feel like it and they think that the machine as a whole has got it covered, and the owner won't let anything happen to them, the machine isn't going to work anymore. There's only so much the others and the owner can do. Just like the U.S., and it's leaders, and people. 

More and more individuals are starting to realize their contributions matter, and are at least almost trying to make an effort at helping their country. Especially by paying more attention to their own actions, and the candidates. Young people have finally found their voices and their opinions, and are using them. This year's presidential election is one of the most important elections of  our history, and it will determine the state of our nation and what direction it's headed in.