Second Reading
Lindhout/Corbett, 460 Days (pp.84-105)
Part I: Define the
following words (and include with your questions—not everyone did this!)
obscure (84)
logistics (85)
disdainfully (87)
speculative (88)
commodities (89)
boisterous (89)
inscrutable (89)
forlorn (91)
resonating (94)
emaciated (99)
* Also, what do you
think the word “haram” means based on its use twice in the essay?
Part II: Answer two of the following questions in a
short paragraph, but again, no one-sentence responses. None of these questions has a single, simple
answer, as I hope our discussions in class will reveal.
1. Why do you think
the author was targeted as a potential victim in the Somalia A Small Place
2. What does being
a prisoner for 460 days teach the author about Somali or Islamic culture? How might the perspective of a prisoner be
similar to what Swick wrote about in his essay, A Moving Experience, when he states, “it is only when something
happens on our journey...that we are able to break through the surface of a
place” (234)?
3. Discuss the
scene that takes place in the mosque between the author and the Somali
woman. Why does she take the author’s
side, and how do her actions challenge our understanding of Islamic/Somali
society? Also, why do you think this
moment made such an impression on the author?
4. Even though the
author’s attempt to escape failed, she writes that “the memory of the escape
became a sustaining one...I craved it, just one hit of lung-clearing,
odd-stacked-against-us, nearly impossible possibility...it was like bending a
spoon with my mind” (105). What do you
think she means by this? What was the
importance of trying to escape even though it ultimately proved impossible? What did she “find” through the botched
attempt?
Elyse Marquardt
ReplyDeleteObscure - Shrouded or hidden in darkness; not clearly seen or easily distinguished
Logistics - The handling of the details of an operation
Disdainfully - Looking on something with scorn; treating as beneath one's notice or dignity
Speculative - Marked by questioning curiosity; constituting intellectual speculation
Commodities - One that is subject to ready exchange or exploitation within a market
Boisterous - Marked by or expressive of exuberance and high spirits
Inscrutable - Not readily investigated, interpreted, or understood
Forlorn - Sad and lonely because of isolation or desertion
Resonating - Intensified and enriched by or as if by resonance
Emaciated - Wasting away physically; losing flesh so as to become very thin
Haram - Based on the text, "haram" means "forbidden," something that distracts from the Muslim faith and is therefore evil.
Question 3: The scene between the author and the Somali woman is intensely powerful, because it is the author's first interaction with another female in five months. The woman takes the author's side because the author says she is a Muslim and is therefore the woman's sister in faith. But I think, even deeper than the Muslim faith, runs the fundamental fact that they are both women in an oppressive culture. The stranger takes pity on the author because she is helpless and vulnerable and has been abused by men in power over her; the other woman has probably had these same experiences in her own life. She is heartbroken for the author, and desires above all else (even her own safety) to protect this victim who symbolizes the struggles that too many women have gone through. To save the author would be, in a way, to save the spirit of herself and her Somali sisters.
Question 4: The author's attempt to escape was unsuccessful, but the memory of it gave her hope throughout the duration of her captivity. It was a time when she overcame all obstacles and got out into freedom, even though that freedom only lasted for a few minutes. It proved that she was capable of greater things than she had thought possible. She realized through this endeavor that she was a human being with free will, who could try (even if it eventually failed) to form her own future. She found her independence, and the discovery of this potentially helped keep her alive for the next ten months that she spent in her cell.
Yes, this passage is important since it is the first woman she sees in month, and it suggests that women in this culture have a strong bond, since all of them are oppressed. It also shows the courage of a single person standing up against something she knew was wrong, which you sense others in the mosque felt, but were too scared to confront. The woman shows us that humanity can bridge all boundaries, though we often don't see "her" on the news.
DeleteAngel Wade, MWF Class
ReplyDeleteObscure – uncertain
Logistics – facilities
Disdainfully – lack respect
Speculative – contemplation
Commodities – basic goods
Inscrutable,- impossible to interpret
Forlorn – abandon, sad
Resonating – important meaning
Emaciated – thin and weak
Haram definition – forbidden by Islamic law it shows that the society is based strongly on the Islam religion in the extremist point of view.
She learns the good, the bad and the ugly of the Islamic religion and culture. She learns that like the woman in the church, some can be gentle, strong and loving. Some bad, like the guy wanting to be a suicide bomber, and the ugly how people can take advantage of you if you are not careful. This is similar to Swick essay because it took an interruption in her trip for her to stumble on the self-discovery.
The woman in the church seems to have a conscience. It makes you realize not everyone in the Islamic community believes in the extreme ideals of Some. The moment was a big part of the authors view because it made her realize that they're like her more than she realizes.
Good responses--this essay challenges our stereotypes of fudamentalist Islam even while confirming the worst of them. Most of them refuse to look at her as a human being, even spitting at her, while one woman stood up to her entire culture since she tried to protect a fellow woman (her "sister"). I think it's also interesting how many of them spoke English to some extent: a common language allows for understanding, and whenever the author speaks to someone--like Jamal--it's harder to dismiss her as an American "Satan."
DeleteFaith Amstrong
ReplyDeleteobscure - uncertain
logistics – management of the details of an operation.
disdainfully - scornful
speculative - hypothetical
commodities – any good exchanged during commerce.
boisterous - noisy
inscrutable – impossible to understand or interpret
forlorn – pitifully sad and lonely
resonating – reverberating sound
emaciated – abnormally thin or weak.
Haram – Arabic term meaning sinful.
1. I think that the author may have been targeted for several reasons, but one of the main reasons I think is because she was a foreigner that they figured had money. At one point in the essay, she talked about them only wanting her because they could get ransom money from it. They never killed her, which leads me to believe that they did only want money from her. The first thing they did whenever they got her to their hiding location was take all of her money. Next, they wanted the phone number for each of their families’. I could see this desire for money relating to what Jamaica Kincaid wrote in A Small Place because I agree when she says they are envious of the author’s ability to leave her own boredom. I don’t agree that in all cases that is true, but I do agree in this particular case. They didn't like the idea that she could leave, and yet, they were stuck in the middle of war. Therefore, they associated her travel with money as well. I think that the two tied together, and probably for a few others reasons also, is the reason the author was targeted.
4. The author is suggesting that she was imagining the impossible was possible. She needed to know that she would escape. Bending a spoon with your mind is not possible, and the chances of her escaping were very low, therefore, she compares it to bending a spoon with her mind. She knew that she needed to try to escape if she wanted to be free. She didn't know how long she would be there, or if she would ever get to leave. The author didn't want to give up. She was determined, and that’s where the botched attempt came in. Even though the attempt had failed, it gave hope. She knew that it was possible to get out. She just had to figure out the way. It reminded her that she needed to keep trying.
Great responses: clearly, this culture sees Americans as virtual banks, any one of which is rich beyond belief. They probably see it as justified since Americans aren't Islamic and they have no business being there in the first place; that's why one of them says Allah "calls" him to ask for a ransom. It reminds us that there are consequences to travel, even when they're not justified. The author realizes that you can't just go anywhere--sometimes you're really not welcome.
DeleteObscure- Not clear, vague, ambiguous, or uncertain
ReplyDeleteLogistics- the planning, implementation, and coordination of details of business or other operation
Disdainfully- despise, to think unworthy of notice
Speculative- contemplation or consideration of some subject
Commodities- something of use, advantage or virtue
Boisterous- rough and noisy; rowdy; clamorous
Inscrutable- incapable of being investigated, analyzed
Forlorn- desolate or dreary; unhappy or miserable
Resonating- sympathy
Emaciated- lack of nutrition
3. The scene at the mosque between the author and the Somali women is quite powerful. I think the women takes the side of the author simply because I’m sure she herself has been ignored and kind of thrown to the side. It was almost like she felt something deep within her like pity, or it was like she empathized with her. I think the author was so moved by this because that was the first time in months that she has had anybody actually care for her.
4. It is almost like the author herself cannot fathom her ever being in that situation. It was the most surreal thing that had ever happened to her. She craved the thought because it made her feel alive and brave and like she had actually done something rather than just wallow away. The importance of trying to escape was because it allowed her to feel as if her days were not wasted. She did not have to go back to her family a “coward” or something she felt as inadequate. She was proud of her attempt because it made her brave, even though it did fail. I think she almost found herself. She found compassion in a time of distress and strength in a time of fear.
Great responses: I think this thwarted attempt is important because she not only wasn't a coward, but because she remembered she COULD try to escape. Freedom is partly a state of mind, and a true prisoner starts believing in his or her cell. By "bending a spoon," she realizes that she can attempt the impossible--and even failing to escape is a kind of freedom. It shows that she hasn't given up.
DeleteMikayla Sparks
ReplyDeleteObscure- not discovered or known about; uncertain
Logistics- organization of complex task; the planning and implementation of a complex task
Disdainfully- expressive or disdain; scornful and contemptuous
Speculative- expressing inquisitive interest
Commodities- something useful that can be turned into commercial or other advantage
Boisterous- loud and noisy and lively or unrestrained
Inscrutable- difficult to understand or interpret; impenetrable
Forlorn- sad or lonely, especially from being deserted or abandoned
Resonating- to evoke a feeling of shared emotion or belief
Emaciated- to make or become extremely thin, especially as a result of starvation
*Haram- forbidden
1. The author was targeted as a victim because she looked valuable. She could be used as a commodity to get the money they were wanting. She not only looked like a foreigner, but she was a foreigner with people to accompany her. She looked the part of someone big pulling up in a “freshly washed SUV”, when really she was just a journalist wanting to write about her travels. Like what Jamacia Kincaid wrote about in A Small Place, they do not like them. They were tourist who picked and prodded through their everyday lives. They were abnormal. They stuck out, causing their abductors to target them.
3. The scene between the author and the Somali woman had a lot of tension. When the woman could see in her eyes the torture that she has been going through, she came up to the author in an attempt to help her. I believe that the woman sided with the author because she knew exactly what she was going through, or that she knew the people that were doing this to her and just wanted to help her in any way that she could. It challenges our understanding of the Islamic/Somali society because out of every other person that passed the author looked terrified to help her, or avoided her all together. Yet, this woman was pushing people away to get to her. I think that this moment made such an impression on the author because it gave her hope and a glimpse of freedom. Although she was not freed for another 10 months, she knew then that she would one day be home again
Great responses: she looked like a rich American to them, which is a stereotype of decadence and luxury. They refuse to see her as a real woman, though some, such as Jamal, start to see her as one as they talk to one another. Much of this essay shows the virtues of travel: when you see more or a culture and a people, it's harder to stereotype them or make them into the "evil" you're fighting against.
DeleteAndrew Nickell
ReplyDeleteobscure- cloudy, unclear, hidden
logistics- managing the details of operation or group
disdainfully- scornfully or anger
speculative- hypothetical or curiosity
commodities- goods or items exchanged or bought in a business proposition
boisterous- loud or noisy
inscrutable- impossible to understand or interpret
forlorn- sad, abandon, depressed
resonating- reverberating sound wave
emaciated- thin or skinny due to neglectful behavior or malnutrition
Haram- Sinner
Q1
I think the was taken because she was a foreigner and she was a woman. I think that is why. In their Somalian culture, women aren't as free as men and they are required to be covered in public. The sight of her might have made them angry. They may have felt she was a whore or useless or a disgrace. I don't think her being there as a tourist made them take her. I don't think they were completely angry at her for just being in their country.
Q4
It gave her a breath of fresh air and a since of freedom. It made her remember what it was like to be back home. She was free from all the daily activities of the muslim religion. She didn't have to be worried about being molested. The importance of trying to escape was that she could be free it was possible. It was ultimately what she wanted. She wanted to be back home away from Somalia.
Yes, for this culture, she is not only a foreigner, but an American (which means more money!) and a woman, who to them shouldn't be traveling in the first place. It shows us that going to another culture unaware of their values (or not caring) has consequences. It plays on the tourism idea that Kincaid discussed earlier: they felt justified in taking her because she was "evil," and they refused to look at her like a human being.
DeleteKalli Mowdy
ReplyDelete1. Obscure- not discovered or known about; uncertain.
2. Logistics- the detailed coordination of a complex operation involving many people, facilities, or supplies.
3. Disdainfully- scornful and arrogant.
4. Speculative- engaged in, expressing, or based on conjecture rather than knowledge.
5. Commodities- a raw material or primary agricultural product that can be bought and sold, such as copper or coffee.
6. Boisterous- noisy, energetic, and cheerful; rowdy.
7. Inscrutable- impossible to understand or interpret.
8. Forlorn- pitifully sad and abandoned or lonely.
9. Resonating- produce or be filled with a deep, full, reverberating sound.
10. Emaciated- abnormally thin or weak, especially because of illness or a lack of food.
Question 3.
I think the Somali woman felt it was her duty. She saw another woman scared and in trouble, and this girl was old enough to be her daughter. It would be almost impossible for any other mother to let their daughter go through that. It was a connection between them, and the Somali woman might have also wanted to show the prisoner that not all Somali are like that. Then when the girl was being dragged away only the Somali woman was fighting to save her, all the men were just standing and watching. I think this also shows us that not only Americans have compassion. Everyone is human, and we all have feelings. The Somali woman fighting for this girl shows that, and this probably left an impact on the girl because this act made her feel safe, if only for a minute. Plus, she might have seen a motherly image in the woman.
Question 4.
She said it was like bending a spoon with her mind because ultimately it was impossible to escape. She held onto this thought and feeling though because she had escaped, maybe not for good, but it was a moment of freedom. I think she had to hold onto that, and the thought of the Somali woman fighting for her, because it meant that someone cared about her and she wasn’t alone. Through her attempted escape she found hope, which when everything else is lost, you can always have hope.
Great responses: yes, the scene in the mosque represents a reality beyond the captors who wanted to sell her. Most people don't help, but they don't try to capture her, either. And the woman is an extreme example of a truly courageous person who refuses to sit in silence when religion and humanity demands a response. It changes how we look at the entire culture, as well as the so-called differences that make people go to war in the first place.
DeleteChristian Beeler
ReplyDeleteObscure – Uncertain.
Logistics – Detailed coordination of a complex operation.
Disdainfully – Full of contempt.
Speculative – High risk of loss.
Commodities – A valuable thing.
Boisterous – Noisy.
Inscrutable – Impossible to understand.
Forlorn – Pitifully sad.
Resonating – Filling with a full sound.
Emaciated – Abnormally weak.
Haram – Forbidden by Islamic law.
3. The author finally “feels free,” although that feeling lasted but a short amount of time, and when she is so close to being recaptured by the very man who raped her, I can only let my mind wander at the thought of what panic she must have felt. What is interesting to me is that, although she knew she was moments away from being spotted by the “leaders of the kidnappers,” she felt safer than she felt in ages. This Somali woman was the first person in months that she could actually plead with, and touch, and let her guard down with for a moment, and the Somali woman knew that. She was the first woman, other than herself, that she had come in contact with since the abduction. I believe she took the author’s side because she shared the fear for her life, and just like any good woman would, wanted to reach out to her to give her that moment of comfort and serenity that she so desperately needed. It is somewhat challenging to read about what the Somali woman did, and not feel confused about why someone “of that nature” would show compassion on someone “of our nature.” This made such an impression on her because in the midst of all the chaos, this Somali woman provided a subtle hint of comfort for the author.
4. In the remaining ten months of her imprisonment, after the failed escape attempt, she needed something to keep her going. If it were me who had escaped and made it for forty-five minutes before being captured, (and even though I was captured, I didn’t suffer any punishment for the act of escape), I would feel pretty empowered, even in the hopeless situation I would be in. The failed escape attempt played an important role in abolishing, or even, in a twisted way, fueling the lunacy she felt while being held captive. Hope is what the escape attempt ultimately and vitally gave her. Being able to summon that allowed her to cling to her sanity and keep fighting.
Excellent responses: this essay reminds us that freedom isn't necessarily always being free, but being able to try. To have the luxury to attempt to bend a spoon might be as important as actually bending it. In the end, freedom is a state of mind even more than a condition. The danger of her captivity is that she begins for forget that she can be free in any way, especially after the rape. And worse still, once she's free she is still captive by the memories...only the feeling she had when she escapes reminds her that escape is always possible when there is hope and will.
DeleteShelby Attebery
ReplyDeleteQ2: The two stories relate in a sense of hope. Even though she had not succeeded in her escape, the failed escape had given her a freedom that she had not felt in months.
Q3: When the Mosque woman and the author seen each other up close they already had a sense of knowing of each other. They had seen each other before, although through a window, it was still a connection. I think she takes the author side because even though she is from there, she too still knows the pain of the woman. She sees this as an opportunity to help and is also disgusted by the actions of the men that held them captive. This made such an impact because in this story you start to think all the people are bad, then there's one woman who can suddenly chage your mind.
Good responses: in this scene, the woman saw another woman--maybe another daughter; she didn't look at her as an American, the way her captors did. In the same way, the author learns to see many of the Somali men and women as individuals rather than a stereotype (not easy, when you are their prisoner!).
DeleteAshlyn Thompson
ReplyDeleteObscure- Shrouded or hidden in darkness; not clearly seen or easily distinguished
Logistics- Planning, implementation and coordination of the business or operation
Disdainfully- Scornful
Speculative- Marked by questioning curiosity
Commodities- Something of use, advantage, or value
Boisterous- Rough, noisy, and rowdy
Inscrutable- Not easily understood
Forlorn- Hopelessness, lonely, sad, unhappy
Resonating- Intensified and enriched by or as if by resonance
Emaciated- Abnormal thinness caused by lack of nutrients or disease
Haram- Forbidden by Islamic law
3. The Somali woman pushes her way through the crowd and drew the attention of the people standing near. She knelt beside the author and comforted her. She spoke to the men standing near. After the author said that Abdullah was abusing her the Somali woman responded saying “Haram, haram.” (meaning sinful or, forbidden by the law.) This scene is extremely powerful. I think the Somali woman takes the authors side because they are both woman of the Muslim faith, or maybe even because she had once, too, been held captive, mistreated, and taken advantage of by the Muslim men. It changes our understanding about the Muslim/Somali society because it shows that not all people from foreign countries are bad. Even though she felt like she had no hope and no one else around would help her, this Somali woman was going out of her way to help her. She shielded her in a way that made her, even for a moment, feel safe and at peace. I think this made as big of an impact as it did because throughout the book you see that she loses hope, and when she finally sees the Somali woman it gave her a hope that she hadn’t felt in over nine months.
4. Even though the authors attempt at getting out was unsuccessful, she pursued. She knew that there was a slim chance of her getting away and being free, but she pushed to do all that she could no matter the cost. Her saying that she it was like bending a spoon with her mind shows that it was impossible. I think that her knowing that there was even the slightest chance at her escaping it kept her going and motivated. It proved that she could do something that she thought was ultimately impossible. Through her attempt she found hope, perseverance, and strength when she though there wasn’t any.
Great responses: I think that the Somali woman sees someone who could be her daughter, someone who is abused and mistreated in a "hamam" way. She knows that terrible things happen in the name of religion, and I think she felt, in a mosque, that someone should stand up for this. Sadly, no one supported her, which shows how much power the thugs have in this culture. It is a powerful statement about how some things are larger than religious/racial differences, and in the end, we have to be all people--or in this case, women.
ReplyDeleteAmber Simpson
ReplyDeleteobscure – not clear; confusing.
logistics – the planning of the details of an operation.
disdainfully –scornful.
speculative – logical.
commodities – something of use.
boisterous – rough and noisy.
inscrutable – mysterious.
forlorn – lonely and sad.
resonating – to resound.
Emaciated – to make abnormally lean or thin by gradual wasting away of flesh.
3.) The woman said she was her sister, from Canada. She probably took her side because she is also a woman and was sympathetic, or maybe even empathetic, towards her. Her actions were surprising because of all the Islamic/Somali people witnessing, she was the only one to stand up for her; unlike Americans/Canadians, where a lot more than just one person would be willing to help. This moment made such an impression on the author probably because she was so happy to see that they’re not all the same, and because from being held captive for so long, someone actually cared enough about her life to step up and try to get her out of the situation instead of just turning away and minding her own business –like the rest of the people there.
4.) In the moments she spent trying to escape, she felt hope again. She felt like she was somebody again and not just someone who went missing for over 400 days and would be soon be forgotten by the world she left behind. She fought for her freedom and hoped she could get out of there. The author did something for herself and for her freedom, and although it didn’t work, I think she was quite pleased with putting up a fight and showing them she’s not just going to be strung along and controlled forever –that she will escape.
Good responses--this is an important moment, since it shows that compassion can leap between religious and social boundaries. I think it made a big impression on the author since she couldn't imagine this happening and is haunted by the woman's fate, a woman who defied her entire community simply to protect a fellow human being. It was an event she would have never seen without being a captive.
Delete1. Obscure- uncertain.
ReplyDelete2. Logistics- the detailed coordination of a complex operation involving many people, facilities, or supplies.
3. Disdainfully- scornful and arrogant.
4. Speculative- engaged in, expressing, or based on conjecture rather than knowledge.
5. Commodities- a raw material or primary agricultural product that can be bought and sold, such as copper or coffee.
6. Boisterous- noisy, energetic, and cheerful; rowdy.
7. Inscrutable- impossible to understand or interpret.
8. Forlorn- pitifully sad and abandoned or lonely.
9. Resonating- produce or be filled with a deep, full, reverberating sound.
10. Emaciated- abnormally thin or weak, especially because of illness or a lack of food.
Q.3
In the mosque, I believe the woman took the authors side because she seen her “religious sister” about to be hurt. Even though women in Islamic/Somali society do not speak against men, she stood up for her. Risking her own life to try and save her. For the author, the woman’s kindness was the first actual and genuine kindness given to her. Even though it meant that the woman would most likely die.
Q.4
She had found hope. When captured she almost lost all hope more so when she was raped and was moved away from Nigel. But when she escaped she had freedom. Though her freedom was short lived, she had “tasted freedom.” Along with her hope she found that if she did escape she could form her own future not be forced in to the one that was a prisoner or a corpse.
Great responses: the two women of this essay prove that being a prisoner doesn't mean you lose your inner freedom. The Somali woman proved that you can still protest injustice even if she had no real power for change. And Amanda, the captive, learns that the private hope that you can "bend spoons" is something that no one can take away from you. The fact that you were able to escape once proves that you aren't totally defeated yet.
DeleteRyan Jolly
ReplyDeleteObscure-Unknown
Logistics- The planning, implementation, and coordination of business.
Disdainfully- To treat with contempt; scornful
Speculative- High risk of loss
Commodity- An object that can be bought and sold
Boisterous- Noisy, energetic, or rowdy
Inscrutable- Impossible to understand or interpret
Forlorn- Sad, abandoned, or lonely
Resonating- Produce or be filled with a deep, reverberating sound
Emancipated- abnormally thin
Haram- Forbidden
Question 1:
The author seems to have been targeted completely for money, having nothing to do with her supposedly being a spy. She was a Westerner, and assumed to be rich and worth lots of money. In addition to this, I believe it is possible that the Somalis saw her as a tourist and could have been irritated that an outsider would come to a warzone and their home. But I believe that their main motivation was money, and she was a way to get money.
Question 4:
I think that the author is saying that even though the escape attempt failed, it gave her hope. It kept her trying to find a way to escape. But though the attempt failed, she still looks back on it as the best experience that she had as a hostage, because it gave her hope.
Yes, good responses; even a failed attempt is an attempt, and it shows that she wasn't really a prisoner--someone who looked at themselves as a commodity rather than a human being. This essay proves she remained a traveler throughout, determined to find simple humanity through her dehumanizing experience.
DeleteHayden Blakemore
ReplyDeleteobscure- not discovered or known about; uncertain.
logistics- the detailed coordination of a complex operation involving many people, facilities, or supplies.
disdainfully- consider to be unworthy of one's consideration.
speculative- engaged in, expressing, or based on conjecture rather than knowledge that usually involves a high risk of loss with an investment.
commodities- a raw material or primary agricultural product that can be bought and sold, such as copper or coffee.
boisterous- noisy, energetic, and cheerful; rowdy
inscrutable- impossible to understand or interpret.
forlorn- pitifully sad and abandoned or lonely.
resonating- produce or be filled with a deep, full, reverberating sound.
emaciated- abnormally thin or weak, especially because of illness or a lack of food.
1. The author seemed rich and a tourist, which was a major target from this group. Although they didn't know she was a spy, they took her to try and get money and maybe a little more all together. Her abduction seems as if the Somalians were very hostile toward those who came to desecrate their land or something like that. Altogether, it seems that this hostility was either for money or revenge for their land, not because she was a spy.
4. It means she found a reason to continue and escape that retched place once and for all. After going through everything and losing Nigel in the process, all hope inside her was nearly gone. But the portion of freedom she had experienced had given her a spark to reignite the fire of hope inside her once again. This also showed her that she was in charge of her own life, of her own future, and not be forced to do what everyone else told her to do. She had, as some would say, "found herself in the pits of that hell".
Great responses; this essay is, in a way, a triumph over the stereotypes and biases people try to impose on you. She was seen as a commodity and a tourist, yet she refused to be limited to a tourist/prisoner and kept her eyes and spirit open. She found a way to escape in more ways than one: she literally escaped, but she also found the humanity that brought her to Somalia in the first place.
DeleteJessica Olivar
ReplyDeleteObscure- Not discovered or known about, uncertain.
Logistics- The detailed coordination if a complex operation
Disdainfully- arrogant
Speculative- engaged in, expressing, or based on conjecture rather than knowledge.
Commodities- a raw material or primary agricultural product that can be bought and sold, such as copper or coffee.
Boisterous- noisy, energetic, and cheerful; rowdy.
Inscrutable- impossible to understand or interpret
Forlorn- pitifully sad and abandoned or lonely.
Resonating- produce or be filled with a deep, full, reverberating sound.
Emaciated-abnormally thin or weak.
2. The author learns that Islamic culture is a very strict culture and the leaders that kidnapped her interpreted the word of the Koran in the most literal way possible. She also learned in traditional Islam unmarried men and women were not supposed to be together. I think the perspective of her being a prisoner was similar to Swicks essay because she didn’t really know much about Somali and Islamic culture until she got kidnapped and she had to adopt the customs in order to increase her chances of surviving.
3. The scene between the Somali woman and the author was a very powerful scene. I really felt her emotions. The Somali woman takes the authors side because the author said that she had been raped by one of the soldiers and she felt a great compassion towards the author as a woman. The Somali woman actions were not typical, they’re supposed to keep quiet and men have the say in everything. So when she tried to pull her away from Abdullah she was going against her Islamic ways. I think the author was so impacted over this moment because it had been a long time since she was shown true kindness and seen the face of another woman.
Great responses: the woman's actions really question whether we can view people as simply goods to be traded or actual human beings, regardless of religion or politics. She took a great risk to save a fellow woman, even though she knew she couldn't save her. To see humanity in such extreme circumstances requires a unique perspective--something her role as prisoner certainly allowed her.
DeleteBessie-Mei Soh
ReplyDeleteobscure - not clearly seen or easily distinguished
logistics - the things that must be done to plan and organize a complicated activity or event that involves many people
disdainful - feeling strong dislike or disapproval for something or someone you think does not deserve respect : feeling or showing disdain
speculative - based on guesses or ideas about what might happen or be true rather than on facts
commodities - something or someone that is useful or valued
boisterous - very noisy and active in a lively way
inscrutable - difficult to understand
forlorn - nearly hopeless
resonating - to continue to produce a loud, clear, deep sound for a long time
emaciated - to waste away physically
2) When she was taken prisoner, she was no longer a traveler or a tourist. Completely cut off from her past life, all she had was this world and culture she was trapped within. She even "coverted" to Islam and memorised passages from the Quran, and felt personally touched by the selfless acts of a Somali woman. Yes, the wall did break, but it was more akin to her being forcefully extricated from within the wall... although in a way, that's how it always happens--never by choice, but via happenstance.
4) I think it must have been a rare gem of an experience--probably one she once never even fathomed she could have. Since she compares it do drugs and telekinesis, I imagined it was probably an adreneline rush at otherworldly degrees. The possibility of the impossible being possible: to actually believe that is in itself an amazing feat for the logically-trained, world-weary adult. It's a beautiful, childlike euphoria that is extremely hard to come across by most, and, I believe... secretly envied by all.
Great responses: as you suggest, she couldn't have this experience anywhere else or in any other position: she learns the transformative power of hope/freedom, which really is like bending spoons. It can change what you see and how you experience it, and no matter how imprisoned she was (or still is, by the memories), it gives her a way out and offers her liberation.
DeleteObscure- not discovered or known about; uncertain
ReplyDeletelogistics- the detailed coordination of a complex operation involving many people, facilities, or supplies.
disdainfully- to look upon or treat with contempt; despise; scorn.
Disdainfully- engaged in, expressing, or based on conjecture rather than knowledge.
commodities- a raw material or primary agricultural product that can be bought and sold, such as copper or coffee.
boisterous- noisy, energetic, and cheerful; rowdy.
inscrutable- impossible to understand or interpret.
forlorn- pitifully sad and abandoned or lonely
resonating- produce or be filled with a deep, full, reverberating sound.
emaciated- abnormally thin or weak, especially because of illness or a lack of food.
Haram-Forbidden
Question 1
I believe that she was targeted simple due to stereotypes. Just how traveler/tourists tend enter a country with an idea of what the country and people will be like, so do the people of those countries have an idea of what the tourist/traveler are like. Its is often believed that if you can travel to another country you must be rich and as such you become a target. This stereotyping is what Kincaid wrote about as well. The fact that one travels makes one rich or think more highly of themselves, while the fact of the matter is the traveler could have in fact been saving up for this once in a lifetime trip and is in fact nearly as poor as the people in which the traveler is visiting.
Question 4
The author found hope. Her attempt to escape despite its failure gave her a breif moment of unyielding hope so that she could look back and remember that feeling and find comfort in it. It was very important despite its failure that she try to escape just to help remind herself that although she is a prisoner her capturers and still human and that she will find a way out. Her escape gives her hope that one day she will be free of the room in which she is trapped and be reunited with her family.
Great responses: she was stereotyped and probably seem as an "ugly human being" the way Kincaid discusses in her essay. Of course, what they can't see is that she wasn't rich and was only there to see the real people who were affected by the war. They just saw another rich American/Canadian and felt she was a commodity to be exploited. This is a very eye-opening experience about the consequences of travel and the mutual stereotypes we all have about other cultures.
Deleteobscure (84)-- something not seen clearly
ReplyDeletelogistics (85)-- the detailed coordination of a complex operation involving many people, facilities, or supplies
disdainfully (87) -- showing contempt or lack of respect
speculative (88) --engaged in, expressing, or based on conjecture rather than knowledge
commodities (89) --a marketable item produced to satisfy wants or needs.
boisterous (89)-- (of a person, event, or behavior) noisy, energetic, and cheerful; rowdy
inscrutable (89)-- impossible to understand or interpret
forlorn (91)-- pitifully sad and abandoned or lonely
resonating (94) -- evoke or suggest images, memories, and emotions
emaciated (99)--to become, or make somebody or something become, extremely thin
Q1: I believe the author was target because she was a foreigner but more than that an English foreigner. On top of that she had the persona of being a tourist rather than a traveler which made her even more of a target because she was easier to spot. If she had acted like a member of the Somalian society rather than acting like a tourist and making a scene out of herself she might not have even been noticed, instead she did the touristy thing and got bodyguards and didn't dress like a Somalian woman should and she was noticed. this to me was the Somalian showing that they think that tourists are ugly people like Kincaid suggested.
Q4: When she explained how she felt after the escape attempt it was like she was describe how the rush of adrenaline and the hope of surviving felt to her in that moment. I also believe it showed her that there was still hope for her survival even if there was no hope for escape because of the sheer fact that she was able to try to escape in the first place. her escape attempt proved her longing to survive either to herself, which is proven by what she said about it, or by her captors whom were surprised by her attempt because it might have shown them that she was not just some piece of furniture waiting to be bought, she was in fact a human being and that made all the difference.
Great responses--I like the connection between this essay and Kincaid. I think "tourists" are easily distrusted everywhere, and can become easy targets/prey for those who have political or ideological motives.
DeleteQuestion 1:
ReplyDeleteThe captors told the author that they captured her because they thought she was a spy. That could have been their original intention, but when they realized she was not a spy they took that opportunity to try and make some serious money. I don’t see any connection with what Jamaica Kincaid wrote. What she wrote didn't have anything to with being held hostage or anything.
Question 3:
I think the woman in the mosque took the authors side because she told her she was a muslim and that made them “sisters” as the somali woman said. I think the authors perspective of this culture was changed back and forth throughout her experience. She probably at first resented the culture due to her being held captive but when the woman tried to save her her whole perspective was changed. It made an impression on the author because the woman had no obligation to save her but yet she risked her life to save her.
Obscure- not discovered or known about; uncertain
logistics- the detailed coordination of a complex operation involving many people, facilities, or supplies.
disdainfully- to look upon or treat with contempt; despise; scorn.
Disdainfully- engaged in, expressing, or based on conjecture rather than knowledge.
commodities- a raw material or primary agricultural product that can be bought and sold, such as copper or coffee.
boisterous- noisy, energetic, and cheerful; rowdy.
inscrutable- impossible to understand or interpret.
forlorn- pitifully sad and abandoned or lonely
resonating- produce or be filled with a deep, full, reverberating sound.
emaciated- abnormally thin or weak, especially because of illness or a lack of food.
Good responses, but try to think about the connections a bit before answering: though Kincaid didn't write about hostage-taking, the idea of tourists being "ugly human beings" applies to this essay. The hostage-takers see all Americans/Europeans as expendable people, people who don't belong, people who are rich, and people who can be exploited for their own gain. It is a kind of reverse tourism industry, the Hostage Business, which really is a business in many countries (as the essay explains). We forget that many countries don't trust the people that come to visit, and make their own assumptions about us--which can have terrible consequences.
DeleteRichard Helms
ReplyDeleteObscure- not clear.
logistics- the management of moving around goods.
disdainfully- to look upon or treat with contempt; despise.
commodities- Basic supplies.
boisterous- noisy, energetic, and cheerful.
inscrutable- impossible to understand or interpret.
forlorn- abandoned or lonely.
resonating- produce or be filled with a deep, full, reverberating sound.
emaciated- abnormally thin or weak.
Haram- a sinful act.
1.She was a person that was easy to identify as not being from that area and thus she was easier to track and plan a kidnapping against. She also was transported in a new SUV while being followed by guards. This most likely put off a very strong hint to the kidnappers that she was worth a lot more money than she appeared to be worth and that she would be worth a very large sum of money if a ransom were to be put over her head.
2. We see in the essay a very wide range of beliefs. We see them worship the same god in the same ways the only difference is what each one takes away from it there are the ones who are kind like the guard who talks to her and gave her fresh made fish. Then there are the cowards who think that if they blow themselves up in the name of their god that they will receive a very fast trip into heaven. On the side of the culture of the country itself it is hard to say, there was very much negative aspects to them in the story such as the people at the mosque who did nothing but standby and watch a woman get dragged away kicking and screaming but there is the woman who held her that showed some compassion for her. This leads to show there is humanity in that land but it is cast to the side by many.
Great responses--if nothing else, this essay shows how hard it is to go against your culture. The people at the mosque were probably all good people, but they were also afraid: and they knew what happened to people who got in the way. That this one woman would stand up against her entire society is amazing and surprising; though in the end, culture wins out and she wasn't able to save the author.
DeleteVictoria Murray
ReplyDeleteobscure- not clear.
logistics- the management of moving around goods.
disdainfully- to look upon or treat with contempt
commodities- supplies
boisterous- noisy, energetic, and cheerful.
inscrutable- impossible to understand or interpret.
forlorn- abandoned or lonely.
resonating- produce or be filled with a deep, full, reverberating sound.
emaciated- abnormally thin or weak.
haram- sinful; against religion or law
1. It was easy to see the author as a target. She was a foreign woman from a country that was wealthier than the country that she was visiting, possibly implying that she too was wealthy. She also had guards and she dressed differently than the other women. So if she is a wealthy woman then someone would pay a pretty penny to have her released, or so they assumed.
3. The Somali woman took the authors side maybe out of a motherly instinct, or a obligation to help a muslim sister, or maybe out of empathy. The woman may have also been mistreated or abused and knows how the author feels. When you can empathize with someone you know how to make them feel better or help them in some way that you wished you would have been helped. The author saw both brutality and compassion from this culture. It just goes to show that you shouldn't think only one thing about a country and its people. Kindness can be found anywhere as well as being able to find the abusive and hurtful people that seem to be without morals.
Good responses--but remember that these questions are due on the day we discuss them, not a day or two later. They're designed to get you into the readings so you'll have something to say in class, or can at least get more out of our discussions. I'm glad you did them, but I can only give you credit if you complete them on time.
Delete