Magdanela has trouble sleeping one night, and goes on a walk to clear her head. She finds out something she had never even heard of before,
"For the first time in my life, I was conscious of feeling afraid. I could not have expressed why exactly. I suspected that if Lilita's sorrow was really despair and senora Francisca's pride really secrecy, then a door was opening into a world I did not want to enter. The tias often hinted their knowledge of such a world, but the tias were safe and predictable, their talk as airy as Josefa's meringues" (67).
Magdalena had brought Emilia along to Francisca's house once she saw Lilita with her, and she had heard it all. Emilia is in utter shock as to figure out this is the reason for her mother leaving her alone at night. This caused worry in her mind.
" 'It's time we stopped doing such stupid things,' she said. Unspoken between us has been the understanding that such acts of trivial naughtiness were necessary to keep at a distance the shadows that were a part of our lives. So long as we could laugh together, we could forget Lilita's moods and my mother's preoccupation with her teenage nieces"(68).
Emilia is afraid of what she has heard, and she wants to learn more about it to try and protect her mom. Magdalena is hurt by this, because Emilia is calling her childish for wanting to do things they did only weeks ago. The environment the girls are in are causing them to grow up quickly. It is also even putting Magdalena into a slight depression.
"I was silent for a long time. 'Emilia,' I said at last, 'is anyone you know happy' " (72).
With all the strange, stressful things happening in Magdalena and Emilia's family life, and with the current government, the girls have a slightly dimmer outlook on life; the persuit of happiness.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
The Tree of Red Stars (5)
Not only are women treated differently than men in Uruguay in this book, but even the little girls are harassed. Emilia lived in an apartment building owen by a man named Basco. Basco was thought to have a secret life, and often scared Emilia with the strange looks and gestures he shot at her.
"We were warned, however, that under no circumstances werw we to be alone with Basco. Emilia needed no reminders of this warning. She avoided Basco, knowing instinctively that she was afraid of the way he moistened his heavy underlip whenever he saw her, rubbing his thighs with his hands. If her father was present, Basco did not even look at her" (45).
Being an only child, Emilia gets lonley.
"Emilia, I knew, would have liked to spend the money on a Great Dane" (46).
Could this possibly be foreshadowing...?
I think metaphores and similies add alot in describing an object. Magdalena's family accidently recieves a bouquet of flowers meant to be sent to Cora for her twelvth birthday. Magdalena and Emilia end up bringing them back to the Allenbergs, and the author uses a beautiful metaphore to describe the flowers.
"It was wrappedi n white paper with a design of pink flowers stamped on it, and from the partly open top, we could see twelve bird-of-paradise thrusting their flowery beaks out of the bed of white baby's breath" (47).
Cora's family was very reseved, one may even say a little scared, when we first met them in the book. In the end of this chapter, Emilia and Magdalena are invited into their house.
This chapter also mentions how Magdalena's father has left the family. She feels very disconnected from her dad.
"" 'It must be so wonderful to walk out with one's father looking so proud,' I said, remembering my father's disappointment that I had not been a boy. When Josefa telephonedhim in Buenos Aires with the news of my birth, he had exclaimed, ' A girl?' and gone back to sleep. My mother had laughed when she told me this story, not knowning that I would never forget it" (49).
Just like Magdalena, Emilia is starting to feel disconnected from her family. She has noticed her mom leaving her at night, and she feels abandoned, alone.
"She had oftened told me of Lilita's nighttime excurions, when she slipped out of the apartment thinking Emilia was asleep. Emilia would lie in her bed trying to sleep, but the night was not her friend, she said. . . She would stifle her cries in her pillow until her mother returned and then hate herself for being angry" (50).
"We were warned, however, that under no circumstances werw we to be alone with Basco. Emilia needed no reminders of this warning. She avoided Basco, knowing instinctively that she was afraid of the way he moistened his heavy underlip whenever he saw her, rubbing his thighs with his hands. If her father was present, Basco did not even look at her" (45).
Being an only child, Emilia gets lonley.
"Emilia, I knew, would have liked to spend the money on a Great Dane" (46).
Could this possibly be foreshadowing...?
I think metaphores and similies add alot in describing an object. Magdalena's family accidently recieves a bouquet of flowers meant to be sent to Cora for her twelvth birthday. Magdalena and Emilia end up bringing them back to the Allenbergs, and the author uses a beautiful metaphore to describe the flowers.
"It was wrappedi n white paper with a design of pink flowers stamped on it, and from the partly open top, we could see twelve bird-of-paradise thrusting their flowery beaks out of the bed of white baby's breath" (47).
Cora's family was very reseved, one may even say a little scared, when we first met them in the book. In the end of this chapter, Emilia and Magdalena are invited into their house.
This chapter also mentions how Magdalena's father has left the family. She feels very disconnected from her dad.
"" 'It must be so wonderful to walk out with one's father looking so proud,' I said, remembering my father's disappointment that I had not been a boy. When Josefa telephonedhim in Buenos Aires with the news of my birth, he had exclaimed, ' A girl?' and gone back to sleep. My mother had laughed when she told me this story, not knowning that I would never forget it" (49).
Just like Magdalena, Emilia is starting to feel disconnected from her family. She has noticed her mom leaving her at night, and she feels abandoned, alone.
"She had oftened told me of Lilita's nighttime excurions, when she slipped out of the apartment thinking Emilia was asleep. Emilia would lie in her bed trying to sleep, but the night was not her friend, she said. . . She would stifle her cries in her pillow until her mother returned and then hate herself for being angry" (50).
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
The Tree of Red Stars (4)
"As the late afternoon sun shone through the delicate stained glass of the tall drawing-room windows, its rays touched their glowing curls and waves. Some were a glistening auburn, others a silky brown with the richness of a bird's wing, and the eldest a pearly gray, swept softly behind int oa tick French bun" (31).
I am an appreciator of when an author is able to describe such simple things so beautifully. I think this is a wonderful example of imagery, it really painted a picture of the setting of tea-time in my mind.
Just like Magdalena is a deep thinker, so is Lucia (the cook of the house).
"She was a bird of independent character and had long ago discovered how to undo any latch invented by the brain of more restrained beings" (34).
Magdalena most likely learned to think the way she does from Lucia. She has grown up with her, and as she grew up around her I am sure she was taught to ask the question of why.
Chapter four talks alot about how women are not respected in Uruguay. They are viewed as objects, not much more. They are constantly yelled (complimented? no, annoying and rude) at, and are viewed much differently than the men are.
" 'She maintains,' tia Aurora explained, 'that in Uruguay a woman can't walk down the street without every male ouf of diaspers feeling it his God-given right to comment on her appearance. Without, of course, her having the right to reciprocate' "(36).
This quote is talking about their American friend, Miss Newman. Miss Newman is a beautiful woman, and she is constantly getting harassed when walking down the street. She is known to react feriouscly to this. Women are obviously treated different in America than they are in Uruguay.
Effrontery- presumption: audacious (even arrogant) behavior that you have no right to.
"Miss Newman, it appeared, has once offered to donate the shavings from her armpits to the bald man who had the effrontery to comment that she should not appear in public in a sleeveless dress if she was not willing to comply with the standards they considreed basic to feminine grooming" (37). Sassy, isn't she?
Insolence- crust: the trait of being rude and impertinent; inclined to take liberties.
" ' You are so full of insolence. What if your mother heard you being so familiar?' " (40). This shows that politeness is very important in Uruguay. It is rude to call an elder by their first name (but that also applies to the U.S. to some families).
Odious- causing dislike, displeasure.
"Recently, I had made myself entirely odious to them by pouring water from the balcony onto their heads as they sat in the garden below necking with their boyfriends" (41). Magdalena likes to annoy her cousins when they are "necking" with their boyfriends, how typical for a little girl.
I am an appreciator of when an author is able to describe such simple things so beautifully. I think this is a wonderful example of imagery, it really painted a picture of the setting of tea-time in my mind.
Just like Magdalena is a deep thinker, so is Lucia (the cook of the house).
"She was a bird of independent character and had long ago discovered how to undo any latch invented by the brain of more restrained beings" (34).
Magdalena most likely learned to think the way she does from Lucia. She has grown up with her, and as she grew up around her I am sure she was taught to ask the question of why.
Chapter four talks alot about how women are not respected in Uruguay. They are viewed as objects, not much more. They are constantly yelled (complimented? no, annoying and rude) at, and are viewed much differently than the men are.
" 'She maintains,' tia Aurora explained, 'that in Uruguay a woman can't walk down the street without every male ouf of diaspers feeling it his God-given right to comment on her appearance. Without, of course, her having the right to reciprocate' "(36).
This quote is talking about their American friend, Miss Newman. Miss Newman is a beautiful woman, and she is constantly getting harassed when walking down the street. She is known to react feriouscly to this. Women are obviously treated different in America than they are in Uruguay.
Effrontery- presumption: audacious (even arrogant) behavior that you have no right to.
"Miss Newman, it appeared, has once offered to donate the shavings from her armpits to the bald man who had the effrontery to comment that she should not appear in public in a sleeveless dress if she was not willing to comply with the standards they considreed basic to feminine grooming" (37). Sassy, isn't she?
Insolence- crust: the trait of being rude and impertinent; inclined to take liberties.
" ' You are so full of insolence. What if your mother heard you being so familiar?' " (40). This shows that politeness is very important in Uruguay. It is rude to call an elder by their first name (but that also applies to the U.S. to some families).
Odious- causing dislike, displeasure.
"Recently, I had made myself entirely odious to them by pouring water from the balcony onto their heads as they sat in the garden below necking with their boyfriends" (41). Magdalena likes to annoy her cousins when they are "necking" with their boyfriends, how typical for a little girl.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
The Tree of Red Stars (3)
Magdalena and Emilia get a new neighbor, the Allenbergs. A little girl named Cora lives there. The Allenbergs are Jewish refugees, and the only person the girls have ever feared is Mrs. Allenberg. They fear her because she fears them. It is unknown to them. They have never seen someone like Mrs. Allenberg.
The poinsettia tree may be another significant location in this book. Magdalena has mentioned it several times in her memories from childhood. Emilia and Magdalena watch Cora and her family from the poinsettia tree.
" 'During the war, Madalena,' my father said, 'the Nazis did some terrible things to the Jews. A lot of Nazis escaped to South America. So did a lot of the Jews they had persecuted. Every so often, the Jews find the Nazis and revenge themselves'
Emilia's father, I discovered, was convened that Mr. Allenberg has been involved in the murder and looked at his small neighbor with increased respect " (25).
The children are introduced to the problems in government at an early age. Tensions are high with the current problems in their own government.
Myriads- Myriad is a classical Greek name for the number 104 = 10 000
"Every midsummer the tipa shed its myriads of tiny flowers, carpeting the street all around it in brilliant yellow and casting a golden glow onto the front of the house" (23). Beautiful imagery.
Immaculate- completely neat and clean
"She walked between them, eyes lowered, dress immaculate and starched, a perfect rose protected on both sides of her small parents with their half smile, afraid to offend" (24). This was describing Cora as she walked out of her house with her parents. This shows the Allenbergs are a very reserved, cautious family.
Gregarious- tending to form a group with others of the same species
"Josefa, the family cook, who had lived with us since my parents' marriage, was a most gregarious person, but refused to make a spectacle of herself before the grim Russians and made my mother go herself to retrieve the bird, leaving Josefa at the kitchen door, her thermos of hot water under her arm,and her gourd, packed full of green mate tea, steaming in her hand" (26). Josefa sounds like a very laid back, maybe "adjustable", friendly.
The poinsettia tree may be another significant location in this book. Magdalena has mentioned it several times in her memories from childhood. Emilia and Magdalena watch Cora and her family from the poinsettia tree.
" 'During the war, Madalena,' my father said, 'the Nazis did some terrible things to the Jews. A lot of Nazis escaped to South America. So did a lot of the Jews they had persecuted. Every so often, the Jews find the Nazis and revenge themselves'
Emilia's father, I discovered, was convened that Mr. Allenberg has been involved in the murder and looked at his small neighbor with increased respect " (25).
The children are introduced to the problems in government at an early age. Tensions are high with the current problems in their own government.
Myriads- Myriad is a classical Greek name for the number 104 = 10 000
"Every midsummer the tipa shed its myriads of tiny flowers, carpeting the street all around it in brilliant yellow and casting a golden glow onto the front of the house" (23). Beautiful imagery.
Immaculate- completely neat and clean
"She walked between them, eyes lowered, dress immaculate and starched, a perfect rose protected on both sides of her small parents with their half smile, afraid to offend" (24). This was describing Cora as she walked out of her house with her parents. This shows the Allenbergs are a very reserved, cautious family.
Gregarious- tending to form a group with others of the same species
"Josefa, the family cook, who had lived with us since my parents' marriage, was a most gregarious person, but refused to make a spectacle of herself before the grim Russians and made my mother go herself to retrieve the bird, leaving Josefa at the kitchen door, her thermos of hot water under her arm,and her gourd, packed full of green mate tea, steaming in her hand" (26). Josefa sounds like a very laid back, maybe "adjustable", friendly.
The Tree of Red Stars (2)
A characteristic one could use to describe Magdalena would be determined. When she see something she wants, she does what she can to get that object, or thing. When she met Emilia, she knew without even knowing her that she wanted her to be her best friend. All she had known was that her grandfather was Brazilian.
"Young as I was, I recognized in this gesture a tenderness toward others that drew me to Emilia" (13).
Another trait one could use to describe Magdalena would be insightful. Even at such a young age, she is already wanting to know the why behind things.
"Next day, I invited her to join me in the poinsettia tree to study the barrio together, for people had begun to fascinate me, and had I been able to, I would have taken them apart to see not how, but why, they worked" (13).
Obviously Magdalena will use her mind to help change things with the way the politics are changing in their home of Uruguay (and surrounding areas). Magdalena reminds me a bit of Minerva, they both use their cunning minds to their advantages. Perhaps she will also be a political leader against a communist reign in their home.
Corrugated- To shape into folds or parallel and alternating ridges and grooves.
"Shacks littered the hillside like a patchwork of dirty handkerchiefs woven from all the refuse of the city: cardboard walls, newspaper floors, roofs made of pieces of plastic and corrugated metal, an occasional wooden door, rags for curtains" (16). This was used describe Gabriela's home; it is in shambles.
Din- A jumble of loud, usually discordant sounds.
"The neighborhood dogs caught the excitement and joined in the din by barking joyously and scaring the horse" (20). An uproar was caused when Magdalena and Emilia hide in Gabriela's horse cart to the house.
"Young as I was, I recognized in this gesture a tenderness toward others that drew me to Emilia" (13).
Another trait one could use to describe Magdalena would be insightful. Even at such a young age, she is already wanting to know the why behind things.
"Next day, I invited her to join me in the poinsettia tree to study the barrio together, for people had begun to fascinate me, and had I been able to, I would have taken them apart to see not how, but why, they worked" (13).
Obviously Magdalena will use her mind to help change things with the way the politics are changing in their home of Uruguay (and surrounding areas). Magdalena reminds me a bit of Minerva, they both use their cunning minds to their advantages. Perhaps she will also be a political leader against a communist reign in their home.
Corrugated- To shape into folds or parallel and alternating ridges and grooves.
"Shacks littered the hillside like a patchwork of dirty handkerchiefs woven from all the refuse of the city: cardboard walls, newspaper floors, roofs made of pieces of plastic and corrugated metal, an occasional wooden door, rags for curtains" (16). This was used describe Gabriela's home; it is in shambles.
Din- A jumble of loud, usually discordant sounds.
"The neighborhood dogs caught the excitement and joined in the din by barking joyously and scaring the horse" (20). An uproar was caused when Magdalena and Emilia hide in Gabriela's horse cart to the house.
Monday, February 25, 2008
The Tree of Red Stars
"The doors to my past appeared closed forever, and somewhere behind them, Marco lay in solitary confinement, not knowing that leaving him had been the most difficult decision I had ever faced" (3).
This book is about a time in history when Latin America's democracies are replaced by a military dictatorship. Marco Auerelio Pereira is a prisoner, and obviously a significant person to the main character in this book.
While reading The Odyssey, we have learned about epic similes. They are used to kind of "intensify" the view we get of the object or thing being compared. I found a passage in my book that might be classified as one (or similar to one).
"The Rio de la Plata was moody, rough, gentle, and wild, and to me, always beautiful. The river rejected unwanted offerings, harbored life, and took it. Marco, our friend Emilia, and I always brought our sorrows and our fears for an airing along its sandy shores. Something about the river's changeable colors and the music of its movement against sand and rocks soothed and comforted" (4).
I guess if anything, you would call this an "epic metaphor". The Rio de la Plata was also a significant place in the main character's life. Later on there is another metaphor about the river.
"As if to bring me back from this wishful thinking, the plane banked, and in the distance, the Rio de la Plata winked at me" (6).
Repetition is used in poetry to show significance; as is the same in writing.
Elusive- hard to comprehend or define
" ... , while I found sleep elusive and felt driven to walk the streets of London and Paris keeping the memories alive and the ghosts at bay" (4). Troubles in her past.
Anonymity- A condition in which an individual's true identity is unknown
" I could always turn around and return to the safety and anonymity of Europe, I told myself" (6). Europe is a possible safe-center.
Unimpeded- not slowed or prevented; "a time of unimpeded growth"
"We drove along the coastal road, our view unimpeded, as the sands, the rocks, and the gulls stretched for miles before us" (7). The coastal road (river?) has a beautiful view.
This book is about a time in history when Latin America's democracies are replaced by a military dictatorship. Marco Auerelio Pereira is a prisoner, and obviously a significant person to the main character in this book.
While reading The Odyssey, we have learned about epic similes. They are used to kind of "intensify" the view we get of the object or thing being compared. I found a passage in my book that might be classified as one (or similar to one).
"The Rio de la Plata was moody, rough, gentle, and wild, and to me, always beautiful. The river rejected unwanted offerings, harbored life, and took it. Marco, our friend Emilia, and I always brought our sorrows and our fears for an airing along its sandy shores. Something about the river's changeable colors and the music of its movement against sand and rocks soothed and comforted" (4).
I guess if anything, you would call this an "epic metaphor". The Rio de la Plata was also a significant place in the main character's life. Later on there is another metaphor about the river.
"As if to bring me back from this wishful thinking, the plane banked, and in the distance, the Rio de la Plata winked at me" (6).
Repetition is used in poetry to show significance; as is the same in writing.
Elusive- hard to comprehend or define
" ... , while I found sleep elusive and felt driven to walk the streets of London and Paris keeping the memories alive and the ghosts at bay" (4). Troubles in her past.
Anonymity- A condition in which an individual's true identity is unknown
" I could always turn around and return to the safety and anonymity of Europe, I told myself" (6). Europe is a possible safe-center.
Unimpeded- not slowed or prevented; "a time of unimpeded growth"
"We drove along the coastal road, our view unimpeded, as the sands, the rocks, and the gulls stretched for miles before us" (7). The coastal road (river?) has a beautiful view.
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