WLC+Peter+Kim+E+Block

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: 1, 2, 3

Class 41 World Literature Circles - Meeting #2 Pages / Chapters Due: 4, 5, 6

Class 43 World Literature Circles - Meeting #3 Pages / Chapters Due: 7, 8, 9

Class 44 World Literature Circles - Meeting #4 Pages / Chapters Due: Finish the book


 * 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 sentence)
 * The journey in which a man will have his ability tested through Heaven and Hell.
 * READ THE FIRST PAGE ALOUD IN YOUR GROUP
 * What is the POV (provide evidence)?
 * 3rd during the present, but 1st during the past.
 * What conflict is introduced?
 * Nothing so far.
 * What characters are introduced?
 * Raju and the man from Mangal.
 * What do you learn about each of the characters (provide textual evidence)?
 * What is the setting (time, location)?
 * What do you think this book will be about? (complete sentences)
 * I think it will be about the journey in which a man will have his ability tested through Heaven and Hell.
 * What do you think this book will be about? (complete sentences)
 * I think it will be about the journey in which a man will have his ability tested through Heaven and Hell.

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 or insight that was discussed in my group meeting today was the theme of the story. Brought up by myself, I mentioned that the main theme of the story was the idea of taking responsibility for one's actions. I believed that this was so because, as briefly mentioned in the back of the book, Raju will be tested whether or not he is truly holy. As Raju was in reality only pretending to be a holy man, he must now take responsibility for his actions by embarking on many trials given by God himself. Only John Kim was the other person to read the back of the book, and thus I did spoil some of the story to the others. But we all were very fascinated by it, and we discussed what may happen next.
 * __Discussion 1:__**

The most interesting idea or insight that was discussed in my group meeting today was one of the passages. Brought up by myself, I mentioned a passage that explained much about Raju's thinking. It mentions how Raju, in his fear that he cannot say what the people want him too, tells the people to think for themselves. This shows how in reality, Raju is still afraid of what everyone expects him to do, and that he is very pressured by the hopes of the people. We all agreed that Raju was having trouble maintaing his position mentally, and we found it quite interesting.
 * __Discussion 2:__**

__**Discussion 3:**__ The most interesting idea or insight that was discussed in my group meeting today was one of the questions. Brought up by Alex, it was the question of "Why is Raju's life story not written in chronological order?" It talks about how the author, R. K. Narayan, does not write in chronological order throughout the story, and rather jumps from present to past over and over again. Even us, as the readers become confused sometimes on exactly when a certain event is happening. I was especially surprised when I found out that the very beginning of the book, is in fact near the very end of Raju's story. However, none of us still could not identify a proper reason as to why the author did this.

__**Research: Religion**__ The main religion in India is Hinduism. There are approximately 828 million Hindus in India alone, and it is the world's third largest religion, after Christianity and Islam. It is a combination of many diverse traditions, and has no single founder, but its roots lie in the Iron Age of India, and is considered the "oldest living religion." It include yogic traditions and a wide spectrum of "daily morality" based on karma and societal norms such as marriage customs. There are many texts that are classified as Hindu, which are divided into Sruti (revealed) and Smriti (remembered) texts. These texts discuss theology, philosophy and mythology and provide information on how to practice dharma (religious living). Hindu people worship many gods, but view all their gods as equal, instead each god is the same god, just in a different form. All Hindus seek enlightenment by shedding all of the worldly desires and relinquishing their ego.