TFA+Reflections+Rosa

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

Discussion #1 Reflection There were many interesting ideas and insights mentioned during our group's discussion. When we were talking about the character analysis of Okonkwo, Christina mentioned that Okonkwo does not change in chps. 1-6. She said that throughout the book, Okonkwo was still violent, firm, and self-centered. It would be interesting to see changes on Okonkwo in later chapters. Also, for the fable, our group discussed about during the Week of Peace, if someone dies, then that person gets thrown in the Evil Forest. We al agreed that this part of the book shows how people feared the nature as they call it "evil" and punishing people by throwing them there. I thought that it was very interesting idea. We also discussed about if Okonkwo actually loved his family. Stella said no, because he treats his family really bad. However, I thought that Okonkwo loves his family inside, but he is just not showing his feelings to others.

Discussion #2 Reflection In today's discussion, lots of interesting ideas were brought up. When we were talking about the negative elements of Igbo, Christina said that killing a person because of the Oracle is not logical and inhumane. I agreed with the idea by saying that people have their own rights. However, Mr. Stephens came to us and argued that if their society agrees with the culture, then it might be okay to those people to follow the Oracle. However, I did not change my mind and said that humans' have their own rights. Another interesting idea was the fable of Tortoise. We thought that this fable was important because it seems to tell us that being selfish is not good. Also, people have to unite in order to overthrow a strong thing in the society, just like the birds that united to take away the feathers from the Tortoise.

Discussion #3 Reflection During the discussion, our group mainly talked about Igbo society being colonized. Most interesting point was about the differences between Mr. Brown and Mr. Smith. We discussed that Mr. Brown is more of a nice Christian and Mr. Smith is more of a violent and mean Christian who does not care about the religion of Igbo at all. I believe that due to Mr. Smith, the society will become very chaotic. (It already did, but maybe more later on?) Another point that we talked about was about how new institutions built by the white men were helping Igbo society. They built schools and hospitals, and we were discussing about why they built new institutions that will just benefit people of Igbo society.

Discussion #4 Reflection page and evaluate your performance in your literature circle. Have you been a strong discussion participant? Why or why not?
 * Note**: After discussion #4, please add an evaluation of your discussion performance. Review the Literature Circle Discussion Skills

There were many interesting ideas, however, the two most important and interesting ideas were about Okonkwo's death and burning of the church. Our group discussed about why Okonkwo killed himself. I said that it was because Okonkwo did not want to lose his self-pride. Also, he was fearing of something worse happening and failing because until now, his life was almost perfect and everyone looked up to him. Another interesting point was about was burning the church good or bad? We agreed that it was a bad choice because due to that, the relationship between the Christians and non-Christians got worse. If they haven't burnt the church, then they would have been in a happy relationship and Okonkwo wouldn't have tried to kill the messenger and therefore, wouldn't have killed himself.

In my literature circle, I always participated and was prepared to share my ideas. I was also nice and polite when disagreeing with other people. However, my answers were sometimes too obvious answers. Also, my page numbers were sometimes too vague. (I sometimes only included chapter numbers) Overall, I believe I participated in the discussion quite often and expressed my thoughts in polite ways.