Noah's English 11H Blog

This course most influentially taught the value of connecting texts with historical contexts. The Research Excurios showed how researching events mentioned in the texts helps to create a more developed understanding of the entire novel. Through the Research Excursions, I was able to better comprehend the complex motivations and actions of the characters in the novels we read, as well as the broader social and historical forces that influenced them. I was also able to better understand why characters acted how they did by better understanding the social pressures and historical contexts that influenced their actions, values, and opportunities. While fictional characters exist only within books, the situations they navigate, the hurdles they overcome, the values they hold, the discrimination they face, etc., all exist in the real world. Connecting reality to fiction creates a better understanding of both the text itself and the messages it is trying to apply to reality. By connecting tex...

The most important lesson I examined in Pachinko is what the characters believed they owe each other, and how it impacted how they treated others. Isak seemed to be driven by aiding others in need and standing behind those convictions. Isak married Sunja out of her need to be married due to pregnancy. Isak did not act necessarily out of love, but out of duty. Then, even when it meant years of suffering in prison, Isak stood behind his moral and ideological convictions because he saw the value of standing behind what you believe in.  Hansu secretly cares for the family throughout most of the novel. It is hard to decipher how much of this care is driven by duty, guilt for not marrying/being able to marry Sunja, or selfish want to be part of the family without actually committing himself to the family. Nonetheless, I think it is hard to argue that none of Hansu's actions were out of duty to support his child. Hansu—to some extent—believed he had a duty to care for Noa, and that led hi...

 One of the most significant recurring themes is Hansu quietly protecting Sunja and her family—particularly when Noa is concerned. I have been trying to figure out how genuine Hansu's motives are. When Sunja first got pregnant and Hansu offered to financially support them but not commit to marriage, it was easy to see him as the bad guy. That he never really cared but felt guilty or responsible so he would give them money. However, Hansu has been a constant force in their lives—just usually from a distance. He is dedicated to helping them without their knowledge of it.  Nonetheless, his help is usually monetary. While this is something the family consistently struggles with, it feels like that is the only real way Hansu is able to connect with them. He isn't fully capable of a real relationship, but he still cares about Sunja and Noa. So, he helps in the way he knows—through money. This speaks to his character and what he thinks is important. Nonetheless, Hansu is a successful...

It seems as though Yumi is struggling with the complexities of identity and belonging. Especially when considering the difficult political, economic, and social relationship between Korea and Japan. Yumi's characterization of being Korean as a "horrible encumbrance" speaks to the deep-rooted discrimination and marginalization the Korean population in Japan faces—both from Japanese people, but also we seem to see some Koreans as feeling a level of inferiority or embarrassment as well. I wonder if that is because there is more economic opportunity, mobility, and stability in Japan or if it is a cultural disdain.  For many Koreans in Japan, their identity is often seen as a liability rather than a source of pride. We see this when Sunja was initially embarrassed to sell Korean food at the market, her heritage was a source of embarrassment until she embraced it—then it became a source of pride. This is seemingly due in large part to the historical and political tensions betwe...

 I was most interested in the biblical comparison between Isak from Pachinko and Isaac from the bible. In the bible, Abraham is willing and about to sacrifice Isaac because God asked him to. And depending on your biblical interpretation, that sacrifice was supposed to 1) go beyond Abraham's own wants (to have a family and children) in deference to a greater good and greater calling by God. And 2) teach Abraham about the importance of his relationship with Isaac as well as his relationship with God. Although it was through pretty gruesome means, the sacrifice, in the end, brought everyone closer together and taught Abraham about what was most important to him—his relationship with God. In Pachinko, Isak's sacrifice is different. Rather than being forced by someone else (Abraham), Isak makes the sacrifice of marrying Sunja and providing for a family that isn't biologically his of his own volition. Isak chooses to do it, not because God directly told him to do it, but because ...

 The female characters' intellect is more subtle and transactions: for example, bargaining at the pawnshop and market. Society does not allow women to express and pursue their education and intellect explicitly, but Lee does a good job of making it clear that—even though society disagrees—these women are incredibly intelligent and capable. Nonetheless, they are still disadvantaged by society because of their gender—Sunja gets pregnant out of wedlock and is pressured to leave her home and family in Korea in order to 1) marry someone, so she doesn't get judged, and 2) have someone to provide for her. A lot of the social pressures she faces are based on the gender expectations society has for her. She is not supposed to be/encouraged to be smart or to pursue an education, instead her social expectations are that of a mother. In contrast, men are revered for their intellect, wealth, and power. Hansu is rich and powerful, so we see him attempt to use his influence to control those a...

I think Hansu is one of the more confusing and complex characters we've come across. He is simultaneously charming, manipulative, and ruthless—he seems to care about Sunja to some extent, but also won't go deep into the relationship. He preys on Sunja's vulnerability and becomes her lover, ultimately leading to the birth of her son. Despite his willingness to provide for Sunja and their son financially, Hansu is not willing to commit emotionally and geographically to being a family. He uses his wealth and influence to control those around him, including Sunja and her family. While Hansu's intentions may have been genuine at first, his actions reveal his true character, and it is clear that he is not trustworthy and can't fully care for Sunja. In contrast, Isak is a kind and compassionate man who is guided by his faith but doesn't have the same financial sway and power that Hansu has. Isak is gentle and understanding, providing support and guidance to Sunja and h...

 I think the main difference between Sunja's life in Busan and Osaka is a comparison between community and individuality. In Busan, Sunja was cared for and connected to everyone around her. While she did have struggles and individuality, a lot of her life was based around a sense of community. Sunja was deeply connected and close to her mother and family, and I think a lot of that was the pinnacle of her happiness and security. Furthermore, Sunja was largely dependent on her family for happiness, connection, and security.  In Osaka, Sunja no longer had her existing community and family to fall back on. She was on her own and had to establish her own path. She was cut off from everything she knew and the way of life that she had lived up until this point. She was essentially placed somewhere she knew nothing about, with people she didn't know, and a culture that was different than her own. In the beginning, this stark change was detrimental to Sunja—she was lonely, confused, an...

In the last chapter, Equiano includes a series of letters written by various individuals who played a role in his journey to freedom. I think this one was of the most powerful parts of the book because it authenticated his stories and grounded them in empirical relaity.   The letters serve to provide further verification and validation of Equiano's story, as they offer testimony from people who witnessed his experiences and can attest to the truth of his account. This is particularly important becasue in the research for my Research Excusion, I learned that during the time Equiano's narrative was published, a lot of people were skeptical of the stories of formerly enslaved people and believed they misconstrued/exaggerated the truth. The letters added validity and reality so that no one could discount Equinao's work.  The inclusion of these letters also highlights the importance of community and support in the fight against slavery and the slave trade. Equiano's journey ...

 The utility of Benin is interetsing because of how it is closely connected to the European demand for slaves. I was interested to learn the center of Benin state was located along the coast, so it was a lucrative location to trade and transport slaves. This made it more accessible for European slave traders to transport slaves to European countries efficiently. I never considered how geography would affect which African communities were affected more.  What was even more interesting was the specific methods used during this time to secure slaves. Internal and external slave raids with firearms and surprise attacks were common. I was surprised to learn how members of the Benin community would sell slaves to traders. Even though it was a socially unaccepted practice, I was interested to see that it still did happen relatively frequently. I never considered that African people would also try to benefit financially from the slave trade. And to see how brutal the methods people fr...

My research for my final project has not really officially started, although I have started doing some brainstorming on potential topics that I would like to write about. At mid-quarter, it can be challenging to envision the final project, especially when have only been in class for a short time because of the quarter system. Also, we still have a book and a half to read, which will influence my research and help me develop new ideas. And seeing how other people start/plan to start their projects will help me navigate my own.  As for questions or struggles, at this stage, I am mostly worried about figuring out the focus or direction of my project. I have not yet chosen a platform to use, however, depending on the specific topic I choose, I really liked the interface of StoryMap. I think it portrayed the text and map better than Neatline. If I have a final topic that uses geography, I will definitely consider using StoryMap. Overall, I feel a little overwhelmed and unsure at this st...

Through his experiences, Equiano is able to provide a unique perspective on the issue of slavery. Obviously, as a slave, Equiano understands the deep immorality of slavery and the atrocities it caused and perpetuated. Despite facing numerous hardships and abuses during his time as a slave, he never lost hope and continued to fight for his freedom.  One of the most interesting things about the book is that Equiano seems to have conflicting views on slavery. At times, it seems as though he is making an argument to abolish slavery altogether. He writes about the horrific conditions that slaves had to endure and how it was an affront to humanity. Notwithstading, there are also moments where Equiano seems to be making an argument for making slavery more humane, without actually abolishing it. I think the best argument for this stance is a practical one—that abolishing slavery was unlikely and seemingly impossible at the time. So, fighting for better conditions and treatment was a practi...

For me, reading the first three chapters was a little difficult. I am not used to this style of writing or language. However, I think Equiano's narrative gives a unique and personal account of his experiences. The reader feels personally connected directly to Equiano because of the way he writes. I think part of this is him using words like "we" and "our" in the beginning when talking about his homeland and past, then words like "I" throughout the rest of the chapters. This makes his experiences feel more realistic—less something we are reading about and more something we can begin to experience with Equinao, just from an outside point of view. Most history books feel like they are explaining something that happened (and, of course, they are), but this disconnects the reader from the narrative. Equiano makes us feel like we are following him in real time.  This type of writing works especially well for this book. A key aspect of slavery was the dehuman...

As a member of the research team, I was not part of designing the project on StoryMap, so it was interesting to see how the final version project looked. I think the design team did a magnificent job organizing all the information they were given. The final project portrayed the text well without it being difficult to navigate. Both StoryMap and Neatline are platforms that allow the fusion of written and visual information to a geographical region. However, StoryMap seemingly emphasizes information more than geography when compared to Neatline. Neatline visually includes the map more while StoryMap leaves more room for the information aspect of the project. Netalines map also seems more detailed, although StoryMap could offer more options. For this particular project, we were more focused on relaying information than emphasizing geography. We had a lot of quotes and data that needed to be easily accessible in the project. While showing where each aspect of the project took place, it wa...

I am torn on excluding the voices of Aboriginal characters in the play adaptation. On one hand, having them speak English does not give the historical reality that colonists thought the Aboriginals were unadvanced and simplistic. Their speaking English connects them too much to the colonists to be historically accurate—a connection the colonists never would have let happen.   However, their silence it dehumanizes them, making them seem less than human. As if they are unintelligent and uncivilized, to the extent that complex verbal communication is impossible. And we know that isn't true—Aboriginal societies had unique and elaborate languages just like European societies. It seems that keeping the Aboriginals silent separates them too much. While it is historically important to show that European colonists viewed the Aboriginals as inferior, that can be done while still portraying that the Aboriginals were advanced civilizations—just different than the European status quo....

Dick represents the first Thornhill to interact with the Aboriginals with no major predisposition to view them negatively. Sal and Will are the most inherently biased because they grew up and lived in London, i.e., a society that actively divides itself into classes, with race and wealth being two major factors. The Aboriginals and their way of life are the antitheses of what European society would consider successful, upper-class, or respectable. And as much as Will and Sal began to meaningfully interact with the Aboriginals, that bias and discrimination usually overpower any humanity they see in the Aboriginals. Willie acts as a middle ground: he carries with him many of the same biases as his parents, just to a less overt extent. However, Dick is the first of Thornhill not to have grown up in London, his life and sense of community have had the Aboriginals in it for a while. To Dick, the Aboriginals are not an outside group or any less human (as Will and Sal see them) instead, they ...

There There offered a narrative on the immorality of settler colonialism and the generational effects on individual Native American people. In There There, colonists are the villain—and rightfully so—because personal accounts depict them as considering Native Americans as fundamentally and inherently inferior. Due to these, Native Americans were less "intelligent," mannered, civilized, and deserving of basic human respect. Colonizers used these as justifications for murdering, stealing from, and desecrating Native American tribes. There There gives insight into the devastating repercussions this treatment has on Native American tribes and individuals today. The Native Americans were clearly the victims of an unjust and immoral settlement.  In contrast, Secret River paints the Thornhills as the victims of a poorly distributed socioeconomic English society. The Thornhills are the disadvantaged bottom of society who deserve a larger piece of the pie. Grenville makes the reader f...

Before meeting Sal in London, Will's socioeconomic standing was low, and his prospect for upward mobility was unpromising. In contrast, Sal came from a much less impoverished family—she did not question whether she would have food and did not have to work at a young age. Therefore, from the get-go, their relationship dynamic necessitated more power to Sal than in other conventional relationships at the time. Sal brought opportunity and more status. This dynamic takes a start shift early into their residence in New South Wales—Sal's reputation no longer brought the family utility. This is where the dynamic shifts: since Sal no longer has familial superiority to Will, he treats her with less respect. Will is seemingly less controlled by the social pressures to respect the hierarchy. Will considers Sal's opinion to a lesser degree: he demands the family settle on land in New South Wales despite Sal's desperation to return to England. Even through Sal's repeated and rel...

Water occurs continuously throughout the first part: in constant rain, frozen lakes, and expansive oceans. Water simultaneously restricts and frees William Thornhill—it serves as his only desperate escape from poverty by becoming a waterman on the River Thames. But, he must first learn how to navigate the river through his apprenticeship with Mr. Middleton. With his new capacity as a waterman, William can pull his family out of absolute poverty. Water was William's economic escape; it offered positive socioeconomic mobility. Nonetheless, even when it seems William has some dominion over his treacherous life through being a waterman, William is still reminded that he lacks absolute control. First, the river freezing over could represent William lacking control over his life. Just like he can no longer sail, he cannot navigate upward through society. He is still an outsider, like how he feels about religion and church. Then, William loses his own boat and must begin working for other...

Growing up in a small-town Catholic household, Church was always said to be a place of giving, support, and inclusion. While I have since digressed from organized religion, I recognize the importance the Church had for some members of the community. The church was a pinnacle of the community that was intended to bring everyone together. While I choose to no longer participate in the church, I understand that for my community, the church has made some meaningful changes. It was interesting to see how different William Thornhill's relationship with the church was compared to the telos church leaders claim to uphold. Church is supposed to connect the community while overtly supporting those most vulnerable to socioeconomic hardships. William is exactly who the church is supposed to support, yet he always feels like an outsider. It seems as though, at the time, the church was economically corrupt—more capable of building churches and steeples that are on every corner and stand taller t...