Lit Circle #3

New Critic

Passage (Leahʻs narration):
"YOU CANʻT JUST POINT to the one most terrible thing and wonder why it happened. This has been a whole terrible time, from the beginning of the drought that left so many without food and then the night of the ants, to now, the worst tragedy of all. Each bad thing causes something worse.

Analysis:
I thought this was an important quote to the whole text because Leah describes the cycle of life. She links bad tragedy and terrible thing together. She feels that lots of things relate to one another. She says how there is always a reason for almost everything if you just look hard enough for one. Leah also thinks that a person will go crazy if they think that all bad things happen as a way of punishment for his or her sins. She feels that God has given us a lifetime to punish ourselves and that we do not need to be punished.

Passage (Rachelʻs narration):
"I am surprised she hasnʻt tried to shoot an apple off my head, if we had an apple that is. There is not a speck of food anywhere. The ants ate everything people had stored up, which was not much to begin with because of the drought."

Analysis:
I feel this was an important quote to the text because it shows how when they are in the Congo things are not just given to them; they actually have to save up and conserve many things. Rachel talks about how Leah would shoot an apple off her head if the supplies were there.

Passage (Rachelʻs narration):
"Father went crazy. Weʻd always wondered what would happen if we flat out disobeyed him."

Analysis:
This was another quote said by Rachel. None of the Price girls have never flat out disobeyed their father; they had never seen his reaction or even wondered about what it would be. So when Leah decides to go out into the forest with her bow and arrow their father went after him; as Orleanna, Rachel, Adah, and Ruth May waited at home. Terrified of what he might do they locked their selves in their rooms by moving their beds in front of their doors. I think this was a significant quote to the entire text because if shows how no one ever hand the courage to stand up for something they believe is right, instead of just going with what their father says

History of the Congo during 1955-1966 & 2000-2006

The Independence Movement


"In 1955, when demands for independence were mounting throughout Africa, Antoine van Bilsen, a Belgian professor, published a “30-Year Plan” for granting the Congo increased self-government" (internet sorce). Most Belgians, who assumed that Belgian rule would continue in the Congo for a long period of time, accepted this plan. Yet some events proved this otherwise.

Congolese nationalists, notably Joseph Kasavubu and Patrice Lumumba became increasingly strident. They were greatly pleased by the visit of the French President Charles de Gaulle in late 1958 to the neighboring Middle Congo; which is today known as the Republic of Congo. He offered Africans the opportunity to vote in a referendum for continued association with France or for full independence. In January 1959, the Belgians slowly lost control of events in the Congo due to the serious nationalist riots in Kinshasa. In January-Febuary 1960 a roundtable conference was held with included Congolese Nationalists; it was dedcided then that the Belgian Congo would become fully independent on June 30, 1960


Independence and Conflict

The outcome of the ellections in June named Partice Lumumba as prime minister and Kasavubu as head of state. Due to ethnic and personal rivalries the Republic of the Congo, as the nation was once called, soon began to pull apart. These rivalries mainly began because of Belgian interest. "On July 4 the Congolese army mutinied, and on July 11 Moïse Tshombe declared Katanga, of which he was provisional president, to be independent. There were attacks on Belgian nationals living in the Congo, and Belgium sent troops to the country to protect its citizens and also its mining interests. Most Belgian civil servants left the country, thus crippling the government. On July 14, the UN Security Council voted to send a force to the Congo to help establish order; the force was not allowed to intervene in internal affairs, however, and could not act against the Katangan secession. Therefore, Lumumba turned to the USSR for help against Katanga, but on Sept. 5 he was dismissed as prime minister by Kasavubu. On Sept. 14, Col. Joseph Mobutu (later Mobutu Sese Seko), the head of the army, seized power and dismissed Kasavubu. On Dec. 1, Lumumba, who probably had the largest national following of any Congo politician, was arrested by the army; he was murdered while allegedly trying to escape imprisonment in Katanga in mid-Feb., 1961." Interenet source) By the end of that 1960's the Congo was divided into four quasi-independent parts: Mobutu held the west, including Kinshasa, then called Léopoldville; Antoine Gizenga, the self-styled successor to Lumumba, controlled the east from Kisangani, then known as Stanleyville; Albert Kalonji controlled S Kasai; and Tshombe headed Katanga, aided by Belgian and other foreign soldiers.



In Febuary 2000, the United Nations approved a force to monitor the accord but because of the situation in the Congo at the time, it was unstable to permit the force to move in. In December 2000 a new agreement calling for the pullback of all forces was signed; but it was signed without the participation of one of the rebel groups.

In January 2001, Kabila was assassinated. Joseph Kabila, was named his successor. Joseph Kabila's government resumed cooperating on peace negotiations, and ended the ban on political parties.

Beginning in March the forces of foreign nations began pulling back from the front lines and even pulling out from the Congo. "Peace talks began tentatively in October 2001, and in 2002 agreements were signed successively with one of the rebel groups, Rwanda, and Uganda, although no agreement was reached with the largest rebel force, the Rwandan-backed Congolese Rally for Democracy–Goma. By the end of October 2002, most foreign troops had been withdrawn from the Congo. The government and both main rebel groups reached an accord in Apr., 2003, when they signed a peace agreement that called for a power-sharing government led by President Kabila, and an interim parliament. Despite the peace deal, fighting continued in parts of the Congo, especially between tribal groups in the east, and in June, 2003, the United Nations dispatched French-led peacekeepers to E Congo in an effort to restore order."

In that same month the government and rebels agreed on the composition of the new government. The democratic elections were scheduled for 2005. By the time of the government's establishment it was estimated that 3.3 million people had died either directly or indirectly; due to the fighting that began in 1998.

At the end of July, 2006, Congo held elections for president and the national and provincial legislatures. Joseph Kabila won 44% of the presidential vote with a strong showing in E Congo but he failed to win the required majority; his party won 111 [[out of 500]] National Assembly seats and was able to form a governing coalition.
The presidential results caused a spark of violence between Kabila's partisans and those of Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo, the former rebel and interim vice president who was the runner-up [[with 20% of the vote]] and did well in W Congo.


The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

Literature Circle Notes on Book Two The Revelation

Reflection

A main topic that came up in our class’s discussion about Book Two in Revelations was how Methuselah could possibly be a metaphor for many different things. The main and most obvious connection that was made was Methuselah and the Price family. This was because like Methuselah the Price family was also in a way trapped in the Congo. Another topic we pondered on was “the Pygmies”. My specific group could not define “the Pygmies”; sadly, we thought they were animals of some sort. Yet when discussing our questions with other groups we came to the conclusion that they were actually a small tribal group of midgets. We also discussed how Ruth May compares herself to a green mamba snake; the Congos deadliest and quietest snake. It just seemed like a strange comparison that Ruth May had made. We discussed how Nathan Price seem to only be going on this missions for himself not necessarily for others and how this is an ego booster; much like Kravinsky. We also discussed how Nathan Price treats Orleana, his own wife, like she is just another one of his daughters. To close our discussion about Book Two in Revelations we discussed how different the lifestyles of the Price family are compared to the Congolese people. Mostly how the Congolese people had to learn survival skills at such a young age and how the young teenage girls already have babies of their own.

Love.

* Love - it can`t be explain, defined, or seen. no words or wisdom can truly define it`s feelings.

When I first saw you I was afraid to talk to you. When I first talked to you I was afraid to like you. When I first liked you i was afraid to ♥ you. Now that i love you....I am afraid to lose you.

I’ve found the one that I can be myself around that I can say whatever I want, I can laugh with, I can smile with. That I can hug, that I can kiss, That I can fight with, and that I can scream with and still be crazy about ♥

out of a token of my love for him i baked a giant cookie =D
enjoy...

Literature circle #2 Lexicographer

Lexicographer

Kikongan Lexicon

Ábu- more or less
Baka veh- this means “we don’t pay for that”
Bákala mpandi- a good strong man
Bandika- to kill someone (But if you spit it out to quickly, it means to pinch back a plant or deflower a virgin.
Bangala- means something precious and dear. (But the way the Reverend pronounces it, it means the poisonwood tree)
Batiza- to terrify, (But pronounced with the tongue curled just so means “baptism”
Báza –means twins
Bënduka(Termite)- someone who is bent sideways and walks slow; Crooked Walker (What Anatole called Adah) But it is also the name of a fast-flying bird, the swallow with curved wings who darts crookedly wuick through the trees near the river.
Béene – means as true as the truth can be (the name that Anatole calls Leah Price)
Bidumuka- is the magic name of a chicken
Bikinda- means spirits of the dead.
Biläla- means the wailing for the dead.
Brnduka –means a giraffe
Fyata- no money
Hantu- a place or time
Khrushchev- Communists
Kibáazu- means that someone had put a curse on them
Kintu- animals, stones, or bottles.
Kukwela- whats wa up
Kuntu- a quality if being (ie. Beautiful, hideous, or lame.
Leá- is the Kikongo word for nothing much
Leba- a much nicer word that means fig tree
Mangwansi- a type of bean
Marché- a fruit
Muntu- man, people, yet it also means more than just that there is no special difference between living people, dead people, children, not yet born, and gods.
Muteete – means the grass to clean the Congoleses teeth.
Mvúla- means a pale white termite that comes out after a rain.
Mvúndla- means rabbit.
Nkisi –a fetish from the Nganga Kuvudundu to ward off evil.
Nommo- means word (It comes from the mouth said Nelson. Ie. A song, poem, a scream, a prayer, a name, water)
Nommo Bandu –means the littlest one on the bottom (what Nelson called Ruth May Price)
Nommo Leba – Leah Price
Nommo Mvula –Rachel Price
Tata Bidibidi- Mr. Bird= Mr. Fowles= Brother Fowles= the minister who has this mission before us and got kicked out for consorting with the natives to much.
Trop de jolies filles –too many pretty daughters
Umvundla- a type of stew

Phrase:

Mbote a-akento akwa Kilanga. Bënzika kooko. –means “Hey there, ladies of Kilanga. Why don’t you cut me some slack for a change”.

Words:

Agitated- To cause to move with violence or sudden force.
Agoraphobia- An abnormal fear of open or public places.
Anomalous- Deviating from the normal or common order, form, or rule.
Apparition- A ghostly figure; a specter.
Artillery- Large-caliber weapons, such as cannon, howitzers, and missile launchers that are operated by crews.
Cajoled- To urge with gentle and repeated appeals, teasing, or flattery; wheedle.
Conniption- A fit of violent emotion, such as anger or panic. Also called conniption fit.
Consorting- To keep company; associate.
Deficient- Lacking an essential quality or element.
Deleterious- Having a harmful effect; injurious.
Delirious - Of, suffering from, or characteristic of delirium.
Deuteronomy- A book of the Bible.
Dismayed- To destroy the courage or resolution of by exciting dread or apprehension..
Direly- Warning of or having dreadful or terrible consequences; calamitous.
Exaggerated- To represent as greater than is actually the case; overstate.
Exasperated- To make very angry or impatient; annoy greatly.
Ferocity- The state or quality of being ferocious; fierceness.
Flout- To show contempt for; scorn.
Forged- To form (metal, for example) by heating in a forge and beating or hammering into shape.
Gouge- A chisel with a rounded, trough like blade.
Guff- Slang Nonsense; baloney.
Haste- Rapidity of action or motion.
Hearth- The floor of a fireplace, usually extending into a room and paved with brick, flagstone, or cement.
Hemiplegia- the disease that Adah has; where half her brain got wrecked some way before she was born so the other half had to take over, and it makes her so certain things backwards.
Herbivores- An animal that feeds chiefly on plants.
Idleness- To pass time without working or while avoiding work.
Imperious- Arrogantly domineering or overbearing.
Inkling- A slight hint or indication.
Inadequately- Not adequate to fulfill a need or meet a requirement; insufficient.
Interdenominational- Occurring between or among or common to different churches or denominations.
Insolence- The quality or condition of being insolent.
Jalopy- An old, dilapidated motor vehicle, especially an automobile.
Keen- Having a fine, sharp cutting edge or point.
Leniency- The condition or quality of being lenient.
Malignant- Showing great malevolence; disposed to do evil.
Mortar- vessel in which substances are crushed or ground with a pestle.
Pandemonium- A very noisy place.
Peculiar- Unusual or eccentric; odd.
Perspiration- The fluid, consisting of water with small amounts of urea and salts that is excreted through the pores of the skin by the sweat glands; sweat.
Philander- To carry on a sexual affair, especially an extramarital affair, with a woman one cannot or does not intend to marry. Used of a man.
Plea- An earnest request; an appeal.
Pragmatic- Dealing or concerned with facts or actual occurrences; practical.
Prodigy- person with exceptional talents or powers.
Quarrel- An angry dispute; an altercation.
Queried- To express doubt or uncertainty about; question.
Ransacking- To search or examine thoroughly.
Roused -To arouse from slumber, apathy, or depression.
Sheer -To swerve or cause to swerve from a course.
Smote- Past tense and a past participle of smite.
Snuff- To inhale (something) audibly through the nose; sniff.
Tactfully- Possessing or exhibiting tact; considerate and discreet.
Tattled- To reveal the plans or activities of another; gossip.
Toting- To haul; lug.
Tutelage- The capacity or activity of a guardian; guardianship.
Tyrannical- Of or relating to a tyrant or tyranny.
Utterly- Completely; absolutely; entirely.
Vexation- The act of annoying, irritating, or vexing.

Hello world I'm me...

Hello♥ so my name is Leilani, for those of you whom know me well you would know that I rarely allow people to call me by a certain name. So if I allow you to call me by that name then I TRULY DO LOVE YOU and your special!
I am a sophomore at ___A normal people___ school. A little bit about myself; where do I start...ok well. I am a witty, sarcastic, crazy, daring, joker, loving, lovable, loved, a dreamer, procrastinator, intelligent, outgoing, outspoken, groupie, adventurous, passionate, confident, yet not conceited ((I despise stuck up people)), Mysterious, Unpredictable, Persistent & Intense. I’m small but I have a big heart. I’m opinionated, independent, optimistic, benevolent, open-minded, easily consoled, honest, Forgiving but doesn't forget, introverted, extrovert, sensitive but don't always show it, serene, affable, and indecisive. I like a challenge. I love dancing. I have an amazing amount of energy and can be extremely playful. I can find fun in anything. I Love the Beach at any time* [[since I’ve been attending ___A normal people___ school I haven't been to the beach in a while && am starting to lose my tan]] I love fast cars. I'm high on life. I love rollercoaster’s but can’t stand going on a trillion all in one day! Always down for a good time. I hate Drama and people that start it but it's seem to have gone away since I left middle school. I hate boys but then can never get enough of them. I love trying out new things. I've made a lot of mistakes in my life & I know I’ll make plenty more. Don't give me your attitude; I have one of my own. I value love friendship & respect. I can definitely be quiet if I wanted to, and then there are other times where I'll talk to you forever. I Love my closest/true friends, although I only have a few of those, its all I need. I'm usually the crazy one out of the bunch, making everyone laugh. I live life to its fullest. I'm goofy... really goofy. I prefer wit and sarcasm over stupidity, but in the same respect, I’m just as serious. I'm a hopeless romantic. I'm in my own world most of the time. I hate liars & when people use/judge others. I'm not the kind of girl who says, I love you to every one of her boyfriends. I have to mean it before I say it, & I don't like when people throw those words around. I'm not the kind of girl who goes through a different guy every month either.

To all the fakes out there... Don't be someone your not. Be yourself. No matter what you will get HATED on through your life.

All that does is make you a stronger and more independent, intellectual human being that has something more to offer than the one that just brought you down. It makes you contribute more for what you believe in and teaches you to work your ass booty off that much harder. I am one of the most passionate people I know, and I have never been known to do anything with half my heart or halfass. Dancing in the rain is fun. I love being on the beach at night; it’s peaceful & romantic with someone you love. I love watching sun rises on the beach, concerts, Hispanic food, waffles, belts, parties, candles, music. I'm very independent, I always have been. I like to have everything clean, yet I don’t care for cleaning it myself; especially my own stuff. I love helping others. Getting me mad is not an easy task, neither is getting me. I can figure you out quicker than you think. I make wishes at 11:11, I love listening to it rain outside, but I hate when it storms & I’m alone. I have very high expectations and goals in life. I really want to succeed but at the same time fall in love. & I also have faith. I'm Strong Willed. I'm also very good at hiding how I really feel. & if you think you've figured me out, you haven't ;)