"Whenever I dreamed of a better world, I could only imagine a universe with no bells."
I chose this quote because it interested me. This quote interested me about what life is when your are in a camp like Elie. I just cannot imagine the will power he has. Although he is referring to the bells at the camp which order him around daily. It kind of symbolizes he has no power. Such a thing as a bell can control him. It also symbolizes how he is controlled in almost every possible way. He hates these bells. They tell him when and where to go. Separating him from his father. He just is imagining a better world. And that world will be great because there is no bells, but he is really saying the better world is better because there is no absolute power of you, there freedom.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Journal #2
"'Bite your lip, little brother....Keep your anger and hatred for another day, for later on. The day will come, but not now....Wait. Grit your teeth and wait....'"
Well in the book this quote was by a young french girl that was working in the same labor factory as Elie. Elie boss was a good boss, but he had crazy outbursts of violence. One day he went of on Elie hitting him all over. When it was done he was covered in blood. The young French girl came to him and asked him if he was ok. She then said the quote.
I chose this quote because it his helping Elie to control his anger and hatred for another time. And how that day will come but it is not today. But for now sit and take because it is better. This was a very brave thing for the girl to do because she was really not french. German and she spoke out to Elie in Public, very risky.
Well in the book this quote was by a young french girl that was working in the same labor factory as Elie. Elie boss was a good boss, but he had crazy outbursts of violence. One day he went of on Elie hitting him all over. When it was done he was covered in blood. The young French girl came to him and asked him if he was ok. She then said the quote.
I chose this quote because it his helping Elie to control his anger and hatred for another time. And how that day will come but it is not today. But for now sit and take because it is better. This was a very brave thing for the girl to do because she was really not french. German and she spoke out to Elie in Public, very risky.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Journal #1
"I did not deny God's existence, but I doubted His absolute justice." pg. 4
To me, this quote acknowledges the character loss in faith. He as lost all faith, in his God and is losing faith about living. He is slowly dieing. He is more or less done fighting for his life and his freedom. And is basically just waiting. The second half of the quote is stating hat he is not doubting his God but has problems with the injustice. This is quite unusual because towards the beginning of the book. Elie and the rest of the Jewish community seemed very religious. But now in a time of need and crisis, (the best time to have faith and a God), he starts to doubt his God and faith.
To me, this quote acknowledges the character loss in faith. He as lost all faith, in his God and is losing faith about living. He is slowly dieing. He is more or less done fighting for his life and his freedom. And is basically just waiting. The second half of the quote is stating hat he is not doubting his God but has problems with the injustice. This is quite unusual because towards the beginning of the book. Elie and the rest of the Jewish community seemed very religious. But now in a time of need and crisis, (the best time to have faith and a God), he starts to doubt his God and faith.
Thursday, March 8, 2007
This is an exerpt from the speech "The Perils of Indifference".
This is an exerpt from the speech "The Perils of Indifference". "What is indifference? Etymologically, the word means "no difference." A strange and unnatural state in which the lines blur between light and darkness, dusk and dawn, crime and punishment, cruelty and compassion, good and evil. What are its courses and inescapable consequences? Is it a philosophy? Is there a philosophy of indifference conceivable? Can one possibly view indifference as a virtue? Is it necessary at times to practice it simply to keep one's sanity, live normally, enjoy a fine meal and a glass of wine, as the world around us experiences harrowing upheavals?"
To me indifference is not “no difference”, but that may be the case in theory and in history. But to me indifference means that u know something is about to happen and you do nothing to go against it or stop it. I do not get how indifference can be a strange and unnatural state in which the line blur between light and darkness. This to me makes no sense according to Elie Weisel that indifference meaning no difference. But the opposite. Elie Weisel's comment and or statement on the meaning of indifference meaning no difference makes a point that there is no line between light and dark but there could be an even bigger line. I think Elie Weisel opinion of indifference almost being a theory or philosophy is brilliant. I totally agree, indifference is a philosophy. The way you define it, the way you display it and the way you use through out your daily life. And the last sentence: Is it necessary at times to practice it simply to keep one's sanity, live normally, enjoy a fine meal and a glass of wine, as the world around us experiences harrowing upheavals?". I also agree. You must have indifference to survive no matter how u look at it. At any stand point or view point u must have it and it will always be there. Actually, now that u think about it. “indifference” meaning no difference. In history there is many occasions where this is being reported. Hitler, trying to make his country the one and only, the best race. The Aryan race. He wanted no “indifference”, nothing new, no different. Also with many genocides. So, in fact Elie Wiesel may have a point. There is no real answer, it is more of a point of view and how you want to deal with it.
This is an exerpt from the speech "The Perils of Indifference". "What is indifference? Etymologically, the word means "no difference." A strange and unnatural state in which the lines blur between light and darkness, dusk and dawn, crime and punishment, cruelty and compassion, good and evil. What are its courses and inescapable consequences? Is it a philosophy? Is there a philosophy of indifference conceivable? Can one possibly view indifference as a virtue? Is it necessary at times to practice it simply to keep one's sanity, live normally, enjoy a fine meal and a glass of wine, as the world around us experiences harrowing upheavals?"
To me indifference is not “no difference”, but that may be the case in theory and in history. But to me indifference means that u know something is about to happen and you do nothing to go against it or stop it. I do not get how indifference can be a strange and unnatural state in which the line blur between light and darkness. This to me makes no sense according to Elie Weisel that indifference meaning no difference. But the opposite. Elie Weisel's comment and or statement on the meaning of indifference meaning no difference makes a point that there is no line between light and dark but there could be an even bigger line. I think Elie Weisel opinion of indifference almost being a theory or philosophy is brilliant. I totally agree, indifference is a philosophy. The way you define it, the way you display it and the way you use through out your daily life. And the last sentence: Is it necessary at times to practice it simply to keep one's sanity, live normally, enjoy a fine meal and a glass of wine, as the world around us experiences harrowing upheavals?". I also agree. You must have indifference to survive no matter how u look at it. At any stand point or view point u must have it and it will always be there. Actually, now that u think about it. “indifference” meaning no difference. In history there is many occasions where this is being reported. Hitler, trying to make his country the one and only, the best race. The Aryan race. He wanted no “indifference”, nothing new, no different. Also with many genocides. So, in fact Elie Wiesel may have a point. There is no real answer, it is more of a point of view and how you want to deal with it.
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Nelsons Comment
"Today, during class we had a class discussion about All Quiet on the Western Front and war in general. We talked about different aspects of war, we talked about WWI, WWII, Desert Storm, and wars in general. After the discussion I came to the computer to write my reflection (about a subject that I already forgot) and Lucien told me that he was pretty annoyed about the fact that everytime we talk about war it goes back to past crimes and leaders. He told me that he was pretty annoyed about us not talking about wars NOW; it always goes back to Alexander, it always goes back to Hitler; WWI. Me, I believe he is right in the sense that war is NOT a thing of the past. War is currently waged in the Middle East, and in Africa, but for some reason we talk about Hitler and not Bush (or the US senate for that matter). We talk about the Holocaust and not Darfur, and even though the Holocaust was bigger, Darfur is present. And even though history is important; I believe that the present is more so."
Do you agree or disagree???
Nelson, you made a very good point but I am afraid to disagree with you some what. I agree with some of your thought but I think that your last statement is incorrect. Yes, i do think that the present is very important and we should look at the present day wars and problems but history is far important. History has a tendency to repeat it self. If we study and learn about past problems we may be able to prevent those problems today or in the future. Along with past problems come mistakes. These mistakes can lead to wars, crimes or corruption. But, I do have to agree with your earlier statements about the past and discussion. How whenever the word war or corrupt political leaders come into play, all we can talk about is the past. The past wars and the past leaders. This should change but we must not just ban talking about the past. Thanks for the controversial read.
Do you agree or disagree???
Nelson, you made a very good point but I am afraid to disagree with you some what. I agree with some of your thought but I think that your last statement is incorrect. Yes, i do think that the present is very important and we should look at the present day wars and problems but history is far important. History has a tendency to repeat it self. If we study and learn about past problems we may be able to prevent those problems today or in the future. Along with past problems come mistakes. These mistakes can lead to wars, crimes or corruption. But, I do have to agree with your earlier statements about the past and discussion. How whenever the word war or corrupt political leaders come into play, all we can talk about is the past. The past wars and the past leaders. This should change but we must not just ban talking about the past. Thanks for the controversial read.
Friday, February 23, 2007
End Reflection
2. What images of the novel are lingering in your mind? Explain why these images made a lasting impression on you.
Well I have a few one that really stuck in my mind while I was reading was the image of Paul carrying his friend on his back. Paul was trying to save him by taking him to the hospital. He was tired and was hurting but he still pushed on to try and save his friend. Finally when he reached the hospital, Paul collapsed. He was tired and worn out but he did it. Only to find out that while on the trip his friend on his back that was shot in the leg had died. He did not die from the leg injury but while on the trip a splinter and dug itself into his head. At that moment Paul broke down. The other image that stood out in my mind was the time Paul was in a trench with a dead French man that he killed. While they were both in the trench Paul decided to check out the man. He went into his pockets and pulled out his wallet. The wallet turned out to have pictures of his family and beautify wife and kids. When he saw this he realized that he is just like the enemies. They are equal the same. The first time he questioned the war.
Well I have a few one that really stuck in my mind while I was reading was the image of Paul carrying his friend on his back. Paul was trying to save him by taking him to the hospital. He was tired and was hurting but he still pushed on to try and save his friend. Finally when he reached the hospital, Paul collapsed. He was tired and worn out but he did it. Only to find out that while on the trip his friend on his back that was shot in the leg had died. He did not die from the leg injury but while on the trip a splinter and dug itself into his head. At that moment Paul broke down. The other image that stood out in my mind was the time Paul was in a trench with a dead French man that he killed. While they were both in the trench Paul decided to check out the man. He went into his pockets and pulled out his wallet. The wallet turned out to have pictures of his family and beautify wife and kids. When he saw this he realized that he is just like the enemies. They are equal the same. The first time he questioned the war.
Friday, February 16, 2007
Reflection
All Quiet on the Western Front
Enrich Maria Remarque
Overall I thought that this is a pretty good book. I was impressed the way the Remarque used the story of young soldiers in World War 1 to show the way wars dehumanize the people involved. In the text I was shocked and intrigued by all the war scenes. Remarque did a very good job making the battle field as graphic and realistic as possible. A few things that I thought the author could have done better were character analysis and character development. I though the book had a very good variation of characters but they were poorly developed. During the course of the read the text gets better. The beginning is a little slow but the battle and war scenes are very interesting. I personally enjoyed this book and was surprised. I though it was going to be boring war novel. I was wrong, it was interesting personal story. I would recommend this book to anyone, especially if you are fond of war stories.
"But so long as it is there it will seek its own way out, heedless of the will that is within me."
Enrich Maria Remarque
Overall I thought that this is a pretty good book. I was impressed the way the Remarque used the story of young soldiers in World War 1 to show the way wars dehumanize the people involved. In the text I was shocked and intrigued by all the war scenes. Remarque did a very good job making the battle field as graphic and realistic as possible. A few things that I thought the author could have done better were character analysis and character development. I though the book had a very good variation of characters but they were poorly developed. During the course of the read the text gets better. The beginning is a little slow but the battle and war scenes are very interesting. I personally enjoyed this book and was surprised. I though it was going to be boring war novel. I was wrong, it was interesting personal story. I would recommend this book to anyone, especially if you are fond of war stories.
"But so long as it is there it will seek its own way out, heedless of the will that is within me."
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