WLC+Carol

Reading Assignments: Divide your novel into four sections - by pages or chapters. **Post the schedule below on your wiki page with your pages/chapters due filled in for each class.**

Class 39 World Literature Circles - Meeting #1 Pages / Chapters Due: chapter 1- 5

Class 41 World Literature Circles - Meeting #2 Pages / Chapters Due: chatper 6-8

Class 43 World Literature Circles - Meeting #3 Pages / Chapters Due: chapter 9-10

Class 44 World Literature Circles - Meeting #4 Pages / Chapters Due: chapter 11

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 * Preview** your book by answering the following questions on your wiki page:
 * What do you think this novel will be about based on the cover art? (complete sentences)
 * Based on the cover art, it seems like someone is going to extricate himself out of sinful life, and find a new peaceful life. (aka transformation)
 * READ THE FIRST PAGE ALOUD IN YOUR GROUP
 * What is the POV (provide evidence)?
 * It is in third POV
 * "Raju welcomed the intrusion - something to relieve the loneliness of the place."
 * What conflict is introduced?
 * No conflict is introduced yet.
 * What characters are introduced?
 * Raju, and the man from Magal are introduced.
 * What do you learn about each of the characters (provide textual evidence)?
 * Raju is...
 * polite. "But he was too polite to open a conversation." (pg.1)
 * lonely "something to relieve the loneliness of the place." (pg.)
 * The man from Magal...
 * has a daughter. "'My daughter is married to my own sister's son..." (pg.1-2)
 * What is the setting (time, location)?
 * It take time at dusk, and they are outside, where there are rivers, and trees.
 * What do you think this book will be about? (complete sentences)
 * I think Raju is going to transform through religion.

Reflections: After each world literature circle discussion, please complete the following reflection in complete sentences on your page. (Clearly label each discussion reflection.) **What was the most interesting idea or insight that was discussed in your group meeting today?** Describe the discussion in as much detail as you can, noting the ideas various members came up with as well as any follow-up questions that were asked. (This reflection needs to be a paragraph in length.)

The most interesting idea that we discussed today was when we explored why Raju is able to disguise himself as a holy man. In several passages, we indicated that he is able to characterize himself as a holy man, because the community is biased, and the idea that he is holy man is already established. Because it is already in place, no one tries to go against, and they think it is right to have a thinker in the society. They don't want to get rid of the thinker, and therefore they don't even attempt to suspect his false philosophies. On top of this, we found connection between //Romeo and Juliet// and //The Guide//; destiny is in place, and as a result, they always have something or someone to blame for a tragedy. Just as the lovers in //Romeo and Juliet// die of tragical fate, Raju accepts the role of holy man as if there was no choice but to. And he justifies his bad act (deceiving the entire community) by mentioning fate.

Homework #1: Buddhism was first found by Siddhartha Guatama, who lived in India from around 563 to 483 B.C. As he achieved to understand the causes of suffering, he was known as the Buddha, meaning “the enlightened one.” There are two major sects (a group within one religion that distinguishes itself by a unique belief): Mahayana, which is the Wide Way, and Theravada. The former sect believes that many people can become Buddhas, and the latter sect is more closely associated with original teachings. The main teaching of Buddhism is that the key to happiness is detachment from all worldly goods, and desires. There are four Noble Truths that allow followers to be enlightened. It essentially states that one must follow the Noble Eightfold Path to overcome desires that cause suffering and sorrow. Furthermore, Buddhism believes in rebirth; they value the spiritual growth within a person’s or any organisms’ life. The leaders of Buddhism are often known as Buddhist monks and nuns. They go through complex stages to be enlightened. Today, Buddhism is dominant in Asia such as Sri Lanka, East and Southeast Asia, and Japan.

Source: "World Religions." //Modern World History: Patterns of Interaction//. United States of America: Mcdougal Littell, 2003. 614-615. Print.
 * As for link, I can bring in the textbook. : )

Sentence Pattern 5.24.10

"The usual symptoms were present, of course: no taste for food, no sound sleep, no stability (I couldn't stay put in any one place), no peace of mind, no sweetness of temper or speech - no, no, no, a number of nos." (pg. 106)

This is an example of 9a, because subject and verb is present in the beginning of the sentence, and it's followed by repeated key word (in this case, "no") in same position of the sentence.

Reflections: After each world literature circle discussion, please complete the following reflection in complete sentences on your page. (Clearly label each discussion reflection.) **What was the most interesting idea or insight that was discussed in your group meeting today?** Describe the discussion in as much detail as you can, noting the ideas various members came up with as well as any follow-up questions that were asked. (This reflection needs to be a paragraph in length.)

The most interesting thing that we discussed was the connection to //Candide//. Just like how Candide never realizes that he is going through all the hardship because of his love for Cunegonde, Raju does not realize that he is falling apart due to his love towards Rosie. Both of the male characters are infatuated by a woman who is appealing. This leads to the next idea that in both novels, beauty is showed as the most important characteristic of a woman. Because Cunegonde, and Rosie look attractive to the public, the male characters fall in love. Not only are they gifted, but they also decorate themselves very frequently with care. There, one theme is evident- beauty is one of the most important criteria in judging women. Also, I thought it was interesting how the author constantly makes connection to Gandhi. All of Raju's (in present times) actions are seen as analogy of Gandhi's sacred actions. This helps further characterization of the protagonist, Raju.

Reflections: After each world literature circle discussion, please complete the following reflection in complete sentences on your page. (Clearly label each discussion reflection.) **What was the most interesting idea or insight that was discussed in your group meeting today?** Describe the discussion in as much detail as you can, noting the ideas various members came up with as well as any follow-up questions that were asked. (This reflection needs to be a paragraph in length.)

The most interesting thing that we discussed was the connection between Gregor and Rosie/Nalini. They are both forced to work either because of family or because of business-related appointments. Either way, they are both not willing to work, but they have to. Also, we discussed that the relationship between Rosie (also known as Nalini) and Raju. They have a symbiosis relationship. Perhaps they are in love, but it is more likely that they are together because they are benefiting from each other. Rosie has a reliable manager, while Raju is able to gain fame, and earn money through Rosie. Then, we ask a question: what is the true meaning of love? Oftentimes in novels, love interferes with money or traditional problems. Then why is is that in human nature, that we fall in love? Raju and Rosie need money and fame, but they are not finding the true happiness even with current economic status. It is difficult to be happy without money, but it is impossible to be happy without love.

Connections to:
 * Romeo and Juliet -The inevitable force of destiny
 * Romeo and Juliet are "star-crossed lovers" who ends up dying due to unfortunate timing. Must of the fault is blamed at fate. Fate plays a major role in the plot and characterization of the piece. Just like that, in page 14-15 in The Guide, Raju says,"What must happen must happen; no power on earth or in heaven can change its course, just as no one can change the course of that river." Here his making a point that some events are out of humans' ability, and it should just be accepted.
 * Romeo and Juliet- obsession over beauty
 * Juliet's mother tries to wear heavy dresses, and cares a lot about Juliet's appearance for the party. Rosie wears heavy make up, and never exposes her bare face. In page 96, Rosie says, "That would be enough, because I shall do all the makeup and dressing before I leave the house," and in page 140, it says "she had tied her hair.. with a lot of preparation." These quotes indicate her obsession over beauty, just like in the society that Juliet's living.
 * Metamorphosis- work without will
 * Rosie and Gregor both work because they have to (due to certain pressures), not because they want to.
 * Candide- Love blinds one to be reckless
 * Raju constantly faces dangers to protect his affair with Rosie, just like Candide going thorough hardships to reach Cunegonde.
 * Animal Farm: trying one’s best even if success is not guaranteed
 * Raju fasts, ans animals build windmill until their succeed.