Culture Clash

A major example of the two cultures clashing is when Mr A. O. Neville checks children at moor river to see how faire their skin is. This show a major rivalry between two races. Also when Molly is in bed, her dialogue is "Bad place, make me sick, sick, make me sick." In the film, along with this dialogue in a montage of Molly's thoughts, this includes Mr A. O. Neville, a white policeman, A staff member a moor river and Moodoo, who works for the white. These are all enemies of Molly, daisy and gracie, then, next in the montage comes the spirit bird. The way that this montage is set out, having the spirit bird at the end, shows Molly's determination and strength, this is also the turning point in the story when Molly decides to run away from moor river. Another way that a clash between cultures is depicted in this film is by film techniques. Using low angle shots of the white, and high angle shots of the aborigines evokes strength towards one race and weakness towards the other. Another film technique used is tracking. tracking creates the idea of some one being chased, and also gives the idea of weakness in some situations. The main idea of this film, I think is a traditional lifestyle or race vs a very modernized lifestyle or race, and how one race have had to adapt to another way of life.

Creative Writing Ideas:

"The men had had a lantern with them when they set off from the village but it had fallen and broken as they bumped into each other and into the tree trunks".

- "Men", add female character instead of only men.

- Intro: walking at night in dark, come across old house, decide to stay

- Rising Action: Unable to leave house

- Climax: Possession of one of characters, murder others

- Resolution: Hides dead and waits for new visitors

- Setting: Mexico, desert?

- Characters: Dom, Nathan, Kristy, Avele, Sam

Village By The Sea: Dewali

How does Desai use the ceremony of Dewali as a symbol for important themes in this novel?

I think that Desai uses Dewali to symbolize a fresh start to the characters lives. This is shown by her associating Dewali with both Hari and their mother coming home.

I also think that it symbolizes the destruction of evil. This is shown as destruction of their mothers sickness.

By using Dewali as a reason for Hari to return home and also for their mother being discharged from the hospital in Alibah, the connection is of new beginnings and good luck for the family.

Questions 3 and 4; full answers

Question 3

Explain how this frustration is caused by his arrival in Thul.

This frustration is caused as the cook feels that Thul is not a place of peace and relaxation, nor is it a place of great luxury. The cook knows that the De Silva's can afford to go to other places that would better fit the description of a holiday or vacation, yet he does not understand why they would choose Thul, a place of poverty, a place of struggle. The cook is also frustrated as shown when he says "I don't know how I'm supposed to manage- but manage I must while they enjoy themselves". By placing the word "They" in italics in the book, this shows that not only does jealousy show through, but it seems that the cook even resents the De Silva's wealth. One other example of frustration is when it is said: "He glanced at the family who were carrying cane chairs and cushions under the coconut trees while the children ran out with toy buckets and spades and rubber balls". This shows that the cook is also frustrated as the De Silva's have such luxuries when most of the people living in Thul are struck with poverty.

Question 4

Describe how the writer develops the character of the cook in the passage. Provide examples from the text.

The writer develops this character by portraying him as grumpy, jealous, resentful and even short tempered by using dialogue. Instead of using "he said" the writer has used sentences such as "He grumbled", this implies that the cook is moody and bitter towards the De Silva's, therefore making him more of an unappealing character. The cook is made to sound jealous of the De Silva's wealth when he describes their luxuries, such as "toy buckets and spades and rubber balls or cane chairs and cushions". This shows that the cook does not have great wealth but wishes that he could have luxuries alike the De Silva's for his family.

The Village By The Sea Essay 2

Describe an important relationship in the text and explain why it is important;

In the book "The Village By The Sea" by Anita Desai, one of the most important and meaningful relationships is between Hari and Mr Panwallah. This relationship is very important and holds a takes a huge role in this story as it is not only a Father/Son relationship but Mr Panwallah also shows and interest in Hari and sees his potential. In return Hari looks up to Mr Panwallah with great respect.

The Father/Son relationship that Hari and Mr Panwallah have is not only meaningful, but also very unique. As Hari's father has been absent from his life, Hari has not experienced having a male role model to look up to. The main reason that Hari's father has been absent from his life is alcoholism, Hari's father is usually at the "Toddy Shop" and almost always drunk. Hari's father shows little interest in Hari and has a lack of purpose, because of this Hari has little respect for him and even resents his father, this is shown when said "Hari did not cry but he bit his lip and thought, maybe a poisonous snake will bite him. He may step on one and be bitten, there are so many of them and it's dark. Then he would die. He did not say that in fear, he said it in hope, as if he wished that was what would happen." This shows that he has lost all hope in his father yet now that he has come across Mr Panwallah, he finally has a mentor that can give him love and guidance that will help him through life. Mr Panwallah is shown as someone that Hari can aspire to, and look to for advice.

Mr Panwallah shows a huge interest in Hari, he sees Hari's potential as shown when he said "Good, Hari, good, thats very good. By the time moonsoon comes, I'll have finished giving you your first lessons, by the time moonsoon is over, you'll be mending watches on your own." This shows that Mr Panwallah is leaving behind a legacy by teaching Hari life skills that will lead him to being successful in the future. Mr Panwallah also sees Hari's determination and how hard he works to get money for his family. He understands that Hari does not want to be like his father and respects Hari's aspirations. Hari shows to Mr Panwallah that he is motivated for the right reasons and that his intentions are to help to get a better life for both his sisters and for himself, Mr Panwallah sees that Hari's intention come from his heart and he shows to Hari a sense of being proud of him alike a father we be to his son.

As Mr Panwallah takes Hari in as a son and shows great interest in his future, Hari returns this by looking up to him with great respect. Hari sees that Mr Panwallah trusts him and this motivates him to make Mr Panwallah proud. Hari sees that Mr Panwallah is willing to help him and care for him, Hari feels like he is wanted and he respects Mr Panwallah as he sees him as a great mentor. To Hari, Mr Panwallah is a role model and he is someone that Hari thinks highly of. This respect and how Hari idolizes Mr Panwallah also emphasises the feeling of having a father figure in his life, because of this Hari is made to feel contempt and more determined to create the life he dreams of.

Mr Panwallah shows a great influence on Hari's life and shows him life lessons to help him to achieve his goals. Hari and Mr Panwallah's relationship has because of this played a very important and very meaningful role in this story.

Important Relationships Essay

In the book "The Village By The Sea" by Anita Desai, there are many important relationships. One of the most important relationships and also a very influential relationship is between Mr Panwallah and Hari. I find this relationship very important as Mr Panwallah is seen not only as a very important figure in Hari's life, but he also has an interesting and inspiring personality.

Mr Panwallah is seen as a very important figure in Hari's life, he is seen as the figure of Hari's father. Because Hari's father is always drunk or at the toddy shop, Hari has not experienced having a strong male role model in his life. Mr Panwallah steps into the shoes of Hari's father and offers guidance and advice as a father would. Hari is very grateful for this as he has not had this influence in his life before. Not only does Mr Panwallah help Hari, but he also takes him in and cares for him as he would his own son. This shows that Mr Panwallah has a very strong loving, caring and compassionate personality.

To Be Continued.......

Hari's Experience at the Sri Krishna Eating House:

Hari's expectations for the city did not follow through to what he thought they would, Hari had expected that all of the city would be wealthy and have nice restaurants yet he was surprised when he arrived at the Sri Krishna Eating House: "The Sri Krishna Eating House was the meanest and shabbiest restaurant Hari had ever seen: even in Thul and along the Alibagh-Rewas highway there were cafes that were pleasanter. This shows that because Hari had been living in Thul, he had been isolated and did not really know life outside of the small village. Since moving to the city, Hari has found that compared to the city life, life in a small village such as Thul is very simple. In the city it is easier to find a job and money is a lot easier to come by, yet everything is busier, more complicated and more dangerous. Although the work at the Sri Krishna Eating House was hard, "Hari was proud of the money that he was collecting to take back to his family", Hari shows a determination to provide a better life for him and his family, this motivates him to work hard and to work his way up in his new life in Bombay.

Poverty

In the novel "Village By The Sea" by Anita Desai, poverty is depicted as the main theme of the story. To me, from reading this book I have interpreted poverty as a constant struggle to live. Lila and Hari face poverty every day and because they are young, their mother is sick and their father does not work, it is very hard for them to change their situation. Although their are different forms of poverty, I think that Lila and Hari face the most extreme type. They are always struggling to make money to provide food for their family, they are struggling so much that they have been forced to give up their education so that they can support each other. The poverty that they face means that they are finding it hard to live and they do not have what is necessary to live a healthy life. Unlike Lila and Hari, most children in New Zealand receive a good education, a sufficient amount of food, a healthy home, and the comfort of feeling safe. Lila and Hari do not get these things that we all take for granted, this to me is the meaning of poverty.

Thoughts on Hari as a character so far...

With what I have learned about Hari as a character so far, I think that he has a very strong personality. This is shown with the determination he has to find a better life for both himself and also for his sisters Lila, Bela and Kamal. I have also found that Hari is a very independent character, I think that one of the reasons for this is that he has had very little of a male role model in his life as his father is usually drunk. This has caused Hari a lot of hatred towards his father yet it has shown him skills in which he can depend on himself and not have to rely on others to live. Although Hari is strong and independent, his life in the village of Thul has been very simple, not easy but simple. Now that he has moved to the city his lack of street smarts is shown, for example when he meets the coconut seller who according to another homeless man in dangerous. Hari does not know this, he simply expects that the coconut seller is a harmless man. Hari also carries a lack of understanding towards the value of goods and money itself, Hari is very surprised when he finds out the price of the coconuts as at home he would not have to buy one, he would simply climb up a tree to fetch the coconut. Over all I think that Hari's personality is emphasised due to the motivation he has for a better life, not only has he been pushed to succeed, he is also pulled by the awaiting future for himself and his sisters.

Lila:

Challenges:

The challenge of looking after her family while her mother is sick and her father is incapable.

The challenge of finding food and other items that her family needs in order to live.

The challenge of growing up without chance of an education.

The challenge of having all the responsibilities of an adult when only a child.

The challenge of living with a father that she cannot trust or feel safe around.

The challenge of looking after her sick mother.

The challenge of working along side her brother to bring money in.

Relationships:

The relationship between Lila and her brother- understanding each other and trying to share the responsibilities makes this relation ship very strong. Lila is very close to her brother and alike Lila, Hari has also had to drop out of school to support his family.

The relationship between Lila and her mother- as her mother is ill, it is hard for Lila to have a strong relationship with her. Lila's mother relies on her to take care of the family, this shows that she has a lot of trust towards Lila.

The relationship between Lila and her father- as Lila's father is always at the "toddy shop", it is hard for her to have any relationship with him. Lila fears her father, as he is always drunk and stands as a threat to the children. Lila's father does not bring in money or do anything to support his family, this makes Lila a stronger and more independent individual.

Strengths:

Lila has many strengths that she has to use every day such as, being strong enough to support her family and look after her siblings without the help of her mother or father. Another strength she has is to save money and find food to feed her family, also a great strength she has is getting through life without an education, knowing that it will disadvantage her later in life.

The Village By The Sea: Contrasting Passages

The Village By The Sea: P 103, Chapter 9

The work was not easy in that firelit kitchen of the Sri Krishna Eating House that seemed to grow hotter and hotter and never to cool down even at night. The Eating House never quite shut and customers had to be served with tea and bread or bread and lentils whenever they demanded it, day or night. Jagu kept his promise of paying Hari a rupee a day which came to seven rupees a week, good wages for a young boy new to the work, and Hari was grateful for it.

This passage works in contrast to the studied passage as it describes the lifestyle when living in the city, as apposed to living in a village such as Thul. It shows a contrast of wealth in people living within the city and that they have a higher quality life style. It explains how there is more technology around when describing the kitchen and also the personalty of customers, when it says "The Eating House never quite shut and customers had to be served with tea and bread or bread and lentils whenever they demanded it", words such as "demanded" give off this idea.

This passage also gives the theory of it being easier to find work in the city, as Hari has now got a job which enables him to support his family.

Speech Research

Topic: Alcohol

Points:

Health effects of alcohol

Alcohol can be safe within its self

Abuse of alcohol

Serious consequences of alcohol abuse

Alcohol is an intoxicating ingredient found in wine, beer and liquor, alcohol arises naturally from carbohydrates when specific micro-organisms metabolize them in the absence of oxygen, this is called fermentation.

Alcohol can have many negative effects on you both physically and mentally. Physically, alcohol can destroy you liver, it will also slow down your physical reaction to what is happening around you.

60% of teen car accident fatalities are caused by alcohol.

The Lemon Orchard Essay

In the short story "The Lemon Orchard" the character of the coloured man faces many difficult challenges. One of the biggest challenges he faces is the challenge to remain silent, another point is who was involved in creating this challenge and another about how the challenge has helped me to understand this character.

The challenge of remaining silent was very difficult for the coloured man as when he did not speak the gang of white men would abuse him, yet if he did speak he would also get into trouble. The fact that the coloured man was restricted not to speak represent that he has no power and also no authority, it also shows that he is scared of what the gang of men could possibly do to him.

The Lemon Orchard

In this passage the writer presents the leader of the gang of men as uncertain of his surroundings for example when he said "Do not go so fast". This suggests that he is unsure and is exiting his comfort zone. Although uncertainty is suggested with this character the idea of a controlling personality is given as when he says "When a baas speaks to you, you answer him. Do you hear?" This implies that although he is uncertain he overpowers the other men. This character is given off also as very strong and authoritative when the writer has described his appearance: "He was a big man and wore khaki trousers and laced up riding boots, and an old shooting jacket with leather patches on the right breast and the elbows" this description also implies that he is and aggressive character.