6. Shmuel crowded conditions at Auschwitz was the connection Bruno made of the train. Both boys were edgy when the crowd gathered, without knowing the danger that lay ahead of them.
7. Bruno father success in life was what he believed was the proper behavior of a man in uniform, follow directions and keeps your mouth shut. I do not think he would have learned one thing from finding his son's dead body in a crowd of striped pajamas. Killing fields continue to excesses today in Darfur, with all the modern technology we still wait, watch and do nothing.
8. I think Bruno’s sister knew he was overly curious about the people on the other side of the fence. Looking without exploring was what made Gretel nervous.
9. I wish I could see a double meaning in these two words. I believe Hitler was a raging maniac who corrupted a society into believing he/they was superior. Out-with, the Jewish people, was the author’s way of creating a sick joke on what people in Germany may have viewed hard working, people who prospered and shared their wealth among themselves. Jealousy comes to mind here.
10. “You wear the right outfit and you feel like the person you’re pretending to be.” (p, 205)
How is this true for Bruno? He must feel worthless, and frightened in the pajamas. What does this statement contribute to the overall meaning of the story? Don’t we all judge people by their dress code, in school, work and even at the check out stand in Wal-mart? I wish I could say, no I do not judge people by their dress code but that would be a lie.
11. The moral of the story may be we all need to look closer at how effortless it is to sit back and do nothing.
--- Caboose
Showing posts with label Caboose. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Caboose. Show all posts
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Caboose ~ on BSP
Sometimes when I am really into reading a book I can sail along and dream, guess that may be part of my problem. I get too involved in the characters…LOL…
BSP is a good example of putting me into the mix of characters. Perhaps that is why I was sad, down right disgusted with Bruno's father. I can not read a book without drawing my emotions into play.
Could I have some feedback on how other buddies feel when they read a book?
--- Caboose
BSP is a good example of putting me into the mix of characters. Perhaps that is why I was sad, down right disgusted with Bruno's father. I can not read a book without drawing my emotions into play.
Could I have some feedback on how other buddies feel when they read a book?
--- Caboose
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Answering the questions
Caboose said:
1. In the beginning Bruno looked at his sister and her friends as an annoyance. Children were trained to not speak, just be like a mannequin by men in uniform, which would create a boy with basic facts his father required to maintain total control.
2. Maria spoke about Bruno’s father as being kind to her, in my opinion he was a coward without a conscious, one of the most evil of mankind. He did not want Gretel in the League of Young Girls, for fear she might overhear something his mother talked about and repeat it at a Youth meeting.
3. What is it about the house at Out-With that makes Bruno feel “cold and unsafe”? A child of nine will have a lasting memory of the atmosphere of fear, hate apathy, crimes and punishment for the remainder of his life.
4. Describe Bruno's reaction when he first sees the people in the striped pajamas. Bruno asks his father about the people outside their house at Auschwitz. His father answers, “They’re not people at all Bruno.” Horror is one of the words I would use towards a society that would tolerate an evil empire to multiply into a killing field. Looking at the world today also makes me wonder about what our society is finding allowable and ask the question what parents are telling today youth about our participation in Iraq.
5. Explain what Bruno’s mother means when she says, “We don’t have the luxury of thinking.” Perhaps here is an answer for today society. We are a nation so busy with feeding our children, keeping our homes from the mortgage lenders and accepting what the government is broadcasting. War is evil and hate creates hatred.
Identify scenes from the novel that Bruno’s mother isn’t happy about their new life at Out-With. Debate whether she is unhappy being away from Berlin, or whether she is angry about her husband’s position. How does Bruno’s grandmother react to her son’s military role?
Bruno’s mother must have been angry about leaving her home in Berlin. Moving to a forbidden place like Auschwitz with her children in toe. Knowing her husbands thoughts of no choice in the matter must have made her furious, fearful and ashamed for her family. Once again I think we must recognize woman’s thoughts and feeling during WW11. Men had total control over women whose thoughts were not validated by men in any way shape of form. Fear was the objective of Bruno’s father when he used himself as a pawn to his wife.
1. In the beginning Bruno looked at his sister and her friends as an annoyance. Children were trained to not speak, just be like a mannequin by men in uniform, which would create a boy with basic facts his father required to maintain total control.
2. Maria spoke about Bruno’s father as being kind to her, in my opinion he was a coward without a conscious, one of the most evil of mankind. He did not want Gretel in the League of Young Girls, for fear she might overhear something his mother talked about and repeat it at a Youth meeting.
3. What is it about the house at Out-With that makes Bruno feel “cold and unsafe”? A child of nine will have a lasting memory of the atmosphere of fear, hate apathy, crimes and punishment for the remainder of his life.
4. Describe Bruno's reaction when he first sees the people in the striped pajamas. Bruno asks his father about the people outside their house at Auschwitz. His father answers, “They’re not people at all Bruno.” Horror is one of the words I would use towards a society that would tolerate an evil empire to multiply into a killing field. Looking at the world today also makes me wonder about what our society is finding allowable and ask the question what parents are telling today youth about our participation in Iraq.
5. Explain what Bruno’s mother means when she says, “We don’t have the luxury of thinking.” Perhaps here is an answer for today society. We are a nation so busy with feeding our children, keeping our homes from the mortgage lenders and accepting what the government is broadcasting. War is evil and hate creates hatred.
Identify scenes from the novel that Bruno’s mother isn’t happy about their new life at Out-With. Debate whether she is unhappy being away from Berlin, or whether she is angry about her husband’s position. How does Bruno’s grandmother react to her son’s military role?
Bruno’s mother must have been angry about leaving her home in Berlin. Moving to a forbidden place like Auschwitz with her children in toe. Knowing her husbands thoughts of no choice in the matter must have made her furious, fearful and ashamed for her family. Once again I think we must recognize woman’s thoughts and feeling during WW11. Men had total control over women whose thoughts were not validated by men in any way shape of form. Fear was the objective of Bruno’s father when he used himself as a pawn to his wife.
Friday, October 26, 2007
OSB
Caboose said:
23. How was Ian shaped by an era of greater liberation, with television for entertainment and “risqué” music on the radio?
23. How was Ian shaped by an era of greater liberation, with television for entertainment and “risqué” music on the radio?
Maybe it’s my age, but to me we live in an era when television for entertainment, music on the radio, and access to computers is very dangerous for our children. All right of entry to these home/ school invasions need to be watched closely by adults. The attention needed for raising children in today society, must be frightening for all parents.24. What is the riskiest romantic decision you have made?
I have lived with a man for forty years without a marriage license, which was a personal decision I made.26. Discuss the novel’s title.
Sounds to me like an interesting title that could mean anything, a change in beliefs, a conquest or just making a gigantic decision and living with the consequences.Do you think people live mostly in the present? Or do many people live in the past, always remembering or maybe feeling regret? Or do some live in the future, always scheming about how to get rich quick or living for the day when things will change?
I sure wish my mind would let me live in the present. I am one of those people who can not forget the past, on the other hand, I think the past helps you face the future, I look at the past as knowledge, which I can share with those who will listen and grow with wisdom. I see people who think they are running scams to get rich quick and watch them fail. I would not want to see us go back to the horse and buggy days, but would like to see us go back in mind and spirit to a more accommodating time. Surly there must be a happy medium.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Carole's answer ~ OSB
Caboose wrote:
19. And here's how Cathy made Ian feel:
She was so enthusiastic, that was the problem. Her enthusiasm wore him out. Has that ever happened to you?
Once a coworker said to me,” I’ve been here for twenty years and I don’t clean, stock shelves or check for expiration dates”. Shocked I just continued to do my job. My mother once said, when someone is paying you to work they expect you to do a job and you expect them to pay you an hourly wage. I worked the graveyard shift, 11 to 7… I stocked shelves, checked for outdated product, drank lots of coffee and walked the halls just to stay awake. I was enthusiastic, I showed up for work to do a job, sometimes it was not the job I was hired to do but work is work. To me it is like saying I will clean the bathroom sink but I won’t touch the commode. Or I will change the diaper only if I can toss it in the trash. Gee, I washed all my babies diapers out and reused them, I could not afford to use disposables. I see those looks of people who are irritated with my quick step, high expectation and way of life to push forward. I also notice the placid faces, and often wonder what makes me feel good must really annoy them. I remember when I was down, did not care about anything, age and illness has taken away some of my gusto. I have spoken to ladies who live here, mostly older then me, who tell me we just never talked about sex, politics or religion without the minister being present. I wonder if there is a happy medium between who is correct and what is too much information?
19. And here's how Cathy made Ian feel:
She was so enthusiastic, that was the problem. Her enthusiasm wore him out. Has that ever happened to you?
Once a coworker said to me,” I’ve been here for twenty years and I don’t clean, stock shelves or check for expiration dates”. Shocked I just continued to do my job. My mother once said, when someone is paying you to work they expect you to do a job and you expect them to pay you an hourly wage. I worked the graveyard shift, 11 to 7… I stocked shelves, checked for outdated product, drank lots of coffee and walked the halls just to stay awake. I was enthusiastic, I showed up for work to do a job, sometimes it was not the job I was hired to do but work is work. To me it is like saying I will clean the bathroom sink but I won’t touch the commode. Or I will change the diaper only if I can toss it in the trash. Gee, I washed all my babies diapers out and reused them, I could not afford to use disposables. I see those looks of people who are irritated with my quick step, high expectation and way of life to push forward. I also notice the placid faces, and often wonder what makes me feel good must really annoy them. I remember when I was down, did not care about anything, age and illness has taken away some of my gusto. I have spoken to ladies who live here, mostly older then me, who tell me we just never talked about sex, politics or religion without the minister being present. I wonder if there is a happy medium between who is correct and what is too much information?
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
OSB ~ prologue
caboose said...
Who am I?
The memories come back sharply when I think of what crossed my mind as a kid. My impulse was to defy the rules and damn the consequences. As a teenager I learned quickly to pick reliable friends very cautiously, because trouble may follow us. Even today I have women in my life that I respect enough to tell me the truth, even if it hurts my spirit about what they think, I still ask the questions. I have written many thank you notes over the years when reaction would have created chaos for me. A good example of damn the consequences would be credit cards, buy now pay later.
Who am I?
The memories come back sharply when I think of what crossed my mind as a kid. My impulse was to defy the rules and damn the consequences. As a teenager I learned quickly to pick reliable friends very cautiously, because trouble may follow us. Even today I have women in my life that I respect enough to tell me the truth, even if it hurts my spirit about what they think, I still ask the questions. I have written many thank you notes over the years when reaction would have created chaos for me. A good example of damn the consequences would be credit cards, buy now pay later.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Guess who's on the way
Who would be bringing up the end of the train? Who would we miss if she weren't here? Whose presence brings a smile to your face? She'll be here in less than an hour, I hope. Who else ... but ... ?
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