Respond below this post in the comments. If you are a student receiving credit for your blog posts here, please provide your name so your professor can grade your participation.- P. 187: How does meeting up with William K. and his fabrications help Valentino on his journey?
- P. 192- What does Valentino understand about the British?
- P. 200: Do you think that the man who brought Valentino to his hut and cared for his leg really existed?
Week of October 4
ReplyDelete1. How does meeting up with William K. and his fabrications help Valentino on his journey?
a. Seeing William K restores a sense of hope to Valentino. He realizes that others from his village in Marial Bai did survive. William K’s fabrications also help Valentino to hope for better days and believe in them. William K tells of lands with fruits and houses and parents for the orphans and although Valentino doesn’t necessarily believe him at first it gives him something to look forward to and hope for.
2. What does Valentino understand about the British?
a. Dut gives Valentino and William K a brief history of how England had at one point occupied southern Sudan. He goes on to tell the boys that this was a good time and they ruled with a light hand really just there for protection. After World War II broke out the British could no longer look after Sudan and so they had to decide weather to keep them split as two countries north and south or to unify them. Dut goes on to explain to the boys that the British could have easily given the Southern Sudanese full control of themselves but were outsmarted and bribed by the Arabs of the North thus leading to the current situation of the southern Sudanese.
3. Do you think that the man who brought Valentino to his hut and cared for his leg really existed?
a. Yes, I believe that the man really did exist. There’s no evidence nor reason to believe that he didn’t. If Valentino was delirious during this whole scene it would have most likely been from illness from either the cut or just the malnutrition in general and there would be no way he would come out the other end. Although it seems a little odd and absurd I don’t think its possible for this whole scene to be fabricated or imagined.
KF9833
Valentino interrupts Dut when he says that the British had interest in Sudan and asks him to explain what he means. Dut explains that the British wanted the land, appealed by the Nile River that ran through the country. The British wanted power over the land and so they controlled the south through a deal with the Egyptians. The Dinka did not mind the British control because the British did not agree with the slave trade, provided educational opportunities for the children of Sudan, and provided safety from the Arabs. Dut explains that the British begin to have bigger problems than they could handle and wanted to grant control of the whole country to the Sudanese. This created hostility between the north and the south as they became unified because they had never shared many beliefs. This was the catalyst that began what Valentino and his people were going through that day.
ReplyDeleteKF 7990
-Valentino had lost many of his friends. Starting from the death of Moses to the death of his new friend Deng, Valentino simply had lost hope of keeping a friend. However on his path of hopelessness, William K seemed like a God given gift in replacement of taking Deng. William K helps ease Valentino’s depression and with his lovely fabrications makes the walk seem worthwhile. William K eloquently illustrates the beauty of Ethiopia to Valentino. Even though William K has never been to Ethiopia and does not know what to expect, Valentino allows himself to listen to the wonders of Ethiopia in the mind of William K. With this little imagination of Ethiopia it gives motivation and inner strength to continue another day of walking.
ReplyDelete-Valentino understands that the British has an enormous level of authority and power compared to any army in Sudan. Although Dut takes the liberty to explain in depth of the past history and intertwined conflicts, Valentino is captivated by the strength of the British to carry out the plan of leaving Sudan united or separating it.
-I believe the mystery man did really exist. If by chance Valentino had created such vivid imagination, I assume his physical condition to be in a dire state that eventually may end in his death. However, after the treatment of both his physical and mental comfort, Valentino was able to sustain himself for more challenging days of walking.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete1. How does meeting up with William K. and his fabrications help Valentino on his journey?
ReplyDeleteWilliam was there to comfort Valentino through the death of Deng, and his stories, though exaggerated, serve as motivation for Valentino to keep going. He sees that there are survivors from the Marial Bai village.
2. What does Valentino understand about the British?
Valentino says he, "understood almost nothing Dut said," but Dut explained to him that the British very lightly ruled southern Sudan. The British were enemies of the slave raiders and wanted to get rid of the slave trade. They kept the spread of Islam in check, and protected Sudan from Arabs.
3. Do you think that the man who brought Valentino to his hut and cared for his leg really existed?
Yes, I do believe he existed because I don't see how Valentino could live and continue on his journey without some type of care. The walking would take too much of a toll on his body.
KF1154
Week of October 25
ReplyDelete“How does meeting up with William K. and his fabrications help Valentino on his journey?”
- Meeting up with William K. during the journey gives Valentino a sense of anticipation to survive. Although William K.’s fabrications are exaggerated, it still gives Valentino a feeling that there is a positive life out there waiting for him. Like Valentino states, William K. “came at a time when I was unsure if I could have gone on without him” (pg.194).
“What does Valentino understand about the British?”
-Valentino understands that the British could have brought some kind of a peace to Southern Sudan. The British were against slavery, brought schools to Sudan, and taught Christianity and English. All of these things from the British brought no harm to Southern Sudan meaning that the British didn’t want to damage this foreign country but to only claim it.
“Do you think that the man who brought Valentino to his hut and cared for his leg really existed?”
- I believe that the man who brought Valentino to his hut really exist because after Valentino left the man’s hut he explains how the food he ate gave him strength. It could not be possible for Valentino, who was basically starving to death, to reenergize without the care of this man.
KF3905
When Valentino first sees William K he is more than happy to see his good friend and says that walking with him would now make the trip tolerable. William and Valentino exchange stories of their journeys and Valentino realizes that much of what William says are fabrications. Valentino finds his stories uplifting and motivational, though he knows there is little truth in what he says, because William is so enthusiastic about what he says and Valentino has seen little talk, if any at all, about anything worth smiling about.
ReplyDeleteValentino interrupts Dut when he says that the British had interest in Sudan and asks him to explain what he means. Dut explains that the British wanted the land, appealed by the Nile River that ran through the country. The British wanted power over the land and so they controlled the south through a deal with the Egyptians. The Dinka did not mind the British control because the British did not agree with the slave trade, provided educational opportunities for the children of Sudan, and provided safety from the Arabs. Dut explains that the British begin to have bigger problems than they could handle and wanted to grant control of the whole country to the Sudanese. This created hostility between the north and the south as they became unified because they had never shared many beliefs. This was the catalyst that began what Valentino and his people were going through that day.
I think the man existed but Valentino is only questioning if he is real or not because he got so lucky. When he got back to the lost boys he was informed that many of the boys went missing, feel into wells, or died other ways, while Valentino was warm, fed, and cared for by this man who kept to himself and tried to remain invisible to the rest of the world.
KF7990
Week of October 4
ReplyDeletep. 187- How does meeting up with William K. and his fabrications help Valentino on his journey?
Valentino felt lost along his journey until he meet up with William K in which his entire mood changed from depressed to blissful. William K brings hope to Valentino’s journey. He shares stories with Valentino, which Valentino finds untrue but goes along with them because it is refreshing for him to hear such stories after a tough journey he has been involved with.
p. 192- What does Valentino understand about the British?
After Valentino asked about Britain’s interest in Sudan, Dut explained that the British are a superior power and have control over many nations. “They have extended themselves all over the world and could no longer maintain their hold, they decided to grant control of the country to the Sudanese” (192-192). This caused problems for both the north and the south because they had different views about “cultural identities.”
p. 200- Do you think that the man who brought Valentino to his hut and cared for his leg really existed?
I do believe that the man who brought Valentino to his hut was real because this man went the extra mile and was able to provide for Valentino. For example, he fed him and cared for his leg. These gestures towards Valentino indicate that he is in fact real and was able to be there for Valentino when he needed it the most. This question may have been controversial because of the mental state Valentino was in at the time. Although, the man who cared for him showed enough concern to convince the reader that he is a real being.
KF9170
1. When Valentino meets with William K. again, he feels a sense of comfort. After having lost the only boy he really talked to in the group, having his friend here with him, still in one piece and still telling his tales, made him feel like he could go on a little longer.
ReplyDelete2. Valentino learns from Dut that the British controlled many countries in Africa but wanted Sudan, too. So they made a deal with Egypt that Egypt could have the north and the British would have the south. They were good rulers for southern Sudan but because they were in a war of their own, they had to let it go.
3. I think the man who helped Valentino was real. It would be difficult to think how such a good thing could happen after all the pain but the help for his leg and the food he was given were definitely real.
Krystal Moore
P. 187: How does meeting up with William K. and his fabrications help Valentino on his journey?
ReplyDeleteWilliam K. was the hope and friend Valentino was missing all journey. His presence brought Valentino out of his depression into happiness and he was hopeful again.
P. 192- What does Valentino understand about the British?
He understands that Britain had extended its reign so far around the country that it could no longer maintain control so granted the country to the Sudanese.
P. 200: Do you think that the man who brought Valentino to his hut and cared for his leg really existed?
I think he is real because Valentino would still be wounded without the man. He could not explain how he was nourished and cared for except for the man, so yes, I believe he was real and a guardian angel to Valentino.
FC5073
KF3977
ReplyDelete1) P. 187: How does meeting up with William K. and his fabrications help Valentino on his journey?
When William K unites with Valentino a positive sense of hope is restored. He realizes that others from his village in Marial Bai did survive. William K’s fabrications are well intended in order to help Valentino to hope for good days and to help him be optimistic that the light is around the corner. He shares stories with Valentino that make him hopeful especially after the tough journey he has endured and feels a sense of comfort.
2) P. 192- What does Valentino understand about the British?
Once Valentino asked about Britain’s interest in Sudan, Dut explained that the British are a superior power and controlled many countries in Africa but wanted Sudan. The deal made was that Egypt could have the North and the British could have the South. The North and the South viewed things extremely differently.
3) P. 200: Do you think that the man who brought Valentino to his hut and cared for his leg really existed?
I think that the man who brought Valentino to his hut and cared for his leg really did exist and was real. From Valentino’s perspective, he probably thinks it’s too good to be true. With all of the hardships he has gone through it is probably hard for him to accept something like that. Valentino was finally well nourished, and fed, and without this man he could have easily died. With the help of this man Valentino was able to go on and live again.
P. 187: How does meeting up with William K. and his fabrications help Valentino on his journey?
ReplyDeleteValentino has lost so many people, friends family, and he was beginning to think that they had all died. Crossing paths with another from marial bai instills him with a new sence of hope that here were other survivors.
P. 192- What does Valentino understand about the British?
He knew that at one point the british had control over sudan and its people. Also that they weren’t very tyrannical leaders in tht there power was enough for protection and also to let thesudanese leave a comforatable life. He then knew that there was point where the britcsh could no longer care after the country and so they left it united instead of separating it and letting the south sudan people take care of themselves.
P. 200: Do you think that the man who brought Valentino to his hut and cared for his leg really existed?
Yes I believe this man really id exist. The whole scene is a bit much to be a complete fabrication of valentinos mind. Also after valentino came out of his delirium he was able to walk in more challenging events so something positive must have been done by this mysterious man.
Valentino has suffered greatly by being separated from everything that he knew and loved, as any child would. He finally makes a friend on the journey who dies right next to him and he is almost traumatized by it. He doesn't speak as much as he did before and he has lost some of his will to continue walking. When he reunites with William K. he is able to have a small piece of the past that he has begun to think was gone forever. At the beginning of the book when we were introduced to William K. his lies were somewhat unwelcomed by Valentino and Moses, but during the walk Valentino is comforted by what he knows to be lies. He welcomes the lies because it gives him a hope that he had given up some time ago. During such a trying time any positive outlook on the situation is helpful.
ReplyDeleteIn addition to what Shirelle discussed in terms of Valentino being reunited with William K. I believe that William's personality and his fabrications were what helped Valentino survive. The fact that William was constantly making up stories that were positive gave Valentino hope. In comparison to the other boys he did not constantly have to live in the horrible reality of the present, but could escape to a false reality that gave him hope for a better future and thus made him strive to reach that future and not want to give up. More than just being helpful, William's positive outlook, I believe, saved Valentino from giving up.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWeek of October 4th
ReplyDelete1. "How does meeting up with William K. and his fabrications help Valentino on his journey?"
Meeting up with William K and hearing his fabrications is helpful to Valentino because it gives him hope. William K talks about the survivors of Marial Bai, a land bountiful of food, and potential parents waiting to adopt them. Even though, William K's stories are fabricated they give Valentino the hope he needs to persevere, and a happy life to look forward too.
2. "What does Valentino understand about the British?"
Through Dut's explanation, Valentino understands that at one time the British had control over Sudan. The Sudanese people did not mind the British controlling Sudan because they were kind to them, provided Sudanese people with opportunities, and offered them protection. After sometime the British could no longer protect and control Sudan so they granted control of the country to the Sudanese people. Unfortunately, the north and south parts of Sudan do not get along, and this is where the hostility between the two began.
3. "Do you think that the man who brought Valentino to his hut and cared for his leg really existed?"
Yes, i believe he existed because there is no evidence to argue otherwise. If Valentino was hallucinating it would be due to other factors and does not provide evidence that he imagined a man.
KF9739
Meeting up with William K and hearing his fabrications help Valentino on his journey because it gives him hope. He explains how people were able to survive through tough times, and even though they are not true, it gives Valentino motivation and hope for the future.
ReplyDeleteValentino understand that Britain once had control over the Sudan. The British were unable to maintain a strong hold over Sudan and left it, leaving it united and not separated.
Yes, I believe the man was real. It was difficult for him to be a fake person because if he was then Valentino would not have been cured and carry on through the rest of his journey.
KF6849
Shane Hassin-KF8993
ReplyDeleteP. 187: How does meeting up with William K. and his fabrications help Valentino on his journey?
1. Meeting up with William K. restores Valentinos hopes in his family being in Marial Bai, being alive and for there to be survivors in this town. His fabrications make Valentino laugh and take his mind off of the serious and horrific events they witnessed on the journey.
P. 192- What does Valentino understand about the British?
2. He understands that the British used to occupy and control Sudan. During this time, the country was peaceful and prosperous until the British no longer desired this territory. They later created an agreement that gave control to the Arab people and basically caused the problems that occurred in the southern region of Sudan.
P. 200: Do you think that the man who brought Valentino to his hut and cared for his leg really existed?
3. I believe that this man existed although Valentino was delirious and in shock from his injury. Without this man, he would not have been able to continue on with his difficult journey.
SHANE HASSIN - KF8993
Meeting up with William K. and his fabrications helps Valentino on his journey because William K. gives Valentino a new sense of hope, and his fabrications are motivation to keep going because he sees that he can survive through his journey.
ReplyDeleteValentino understands that the British are very authoritative and powerful compared to other armies.
I think that the man who brought Valentino to his hut and cared for his leg really existed because there’s nothing that explains how Valentino could have continued his journey if his leg wasn’t cared for.
KF3892
1. How does meeting up with William K. and his fabrications help Valentino on his journey? Meeting up with William K. helped him with his desire to go about his journey. He pushed Valentino to be great.
ReplyDelete2. What does Valentino understand about the British?
He understands that Britain had become too powerful that it could no longer maintain control so they granted the country to the Sudanese.
3. Do you think that the man who brought Valentino to his hut and cared for his leg really exist? I think he is real because Valentino would still be injured had it not been for the man.
P. 187: How does meeting up with William K. and his fabrications help Valentino on his journey?
ReplyDeleteMeeting up with William K. on his journey is reassuring for Valentino and it gives him hope. Valentino didn't expect to see William K along the nile and his smile enlightens him. He sat Valentino down and told him stories that made him feel safe. The two caught up and told stories of their friends and family and explained to Valentino that people have the capability of making it through tough times.
P. 192- What does Valentino understand about the British?
Valentino understands that the British have vested interest in Sudan. They wanted the Nile River in addition to controlling many countries in Africa. After making an agreement with the Egyptians to control the south of the country where the Dinka lived. They also brought schools to Sudan, and taught children English and Christianity. But because of their own involvement in war, the British set up the country to result in a disaster.
P. 200: Do you think that the man who brought Valentino to his hut and cared for his leg really existed?
Yes, although it would be interesting to consider that it was a figment of his imagination, the man who brought Valentino to his hut and cared for his leg was real. Otherwise, Valentino would have had to been hallucinating despite being delirious from his injury. It would be really unlikely if they man wasn't real and Valentino had the strength to carry on his journey by himself
KF5461
1. When Valentino meets up with William K., he is very relieved. Some of Valentino's friends have died and he is very happy to find a surviving friend of Marial Bai. Even William's stories of Ethiopia, which Valentino knows to be slightly far from the truth, provide comfort. The presence of william gives Valentino a reason to keep pushing forward.
ReplyDelete2. Valentino learns that the British previous control of the south had actually been a good thing for the sudanese. The British had been enemies of the slave trade and also brought many schools for sudan. They ruled with a "light hand". Their decision to leave Sudan under the control of the Sudanese is what led to the current disaster in the country.
3. I believe that the man who helped Valentino was real because if he wasn't, Valentino would never have received the health care that allowed him to push forward. The man helped take care of his cut leg and also gave him food.
KF0648
Week of October 3
ReplyDelete1. How does meeting up with William K. and his fabrications help Valentino on his journey?
- Meeting up with William K. helps Valentino on his journey because he provides him with a sense of hope and encouragement. All of William K.'s stories are positive and relieve Valentino from the harsh realities around him while giving him hope that some of the promising stories that William K. tells will someday be true. William K.'s fabrications talk about the land of fruit, and homes and parents for orphans and ultimately a better life which helps Valentino continue on in his journey.
2. What does Valentino understand about the British?
- After Dut explained the history of the British, about how they had control over Sudan but were very light with the power that they inflicted. They brought schools and education but after they were too caught up in their own war they agreed with Eygpt to stay out of Sudan's affairs. Valentino said "William and I understood almost nothing Dut said," but he listens to the stories that Dut tells. Dut continues to explain to Valentino that the British were tricked into not dividing Sudan into two parts.
3. P. 200: Do you think that the man who brought Valentino to his hut and cared for his leg really existed?
-I do believe that the man who emerged to help Valentino deal with his leg injured due to the steel wires. Valentino's injuries were bad enough to make him lose consciousness, but he remembers waking up, and if an injury was that bad he wouldn't have been able to make it back to his help with out aide to his leg. Although, the man says that he is a ghost because God can't kill man that he can't see I think this is more metaphorically speaking. The man call himself a ghost I think because he makes himself invisible to the dangers of the world, not becasue he actually is a ghost. Also, a ghost is already dead so the man wouldn't be concerned with God not being able to kill what he couldn't see if he wasn't dead already.
KF7055
P. 187: How does meeting up with William K. and his fabrications help Valentino on his journey?
ReplyDeleteMeeting up with William K brought light and hope into his life because he felt as if “God giving me this gift of William K after taking away Deng.” He did not expect that he would see him again, along the Nile. Valentino is relieved to know that there are survivors from Marial Bai and this gives him hope that there might be a good life waiting for him in the future because he had survived for a reason.
P. 192- What does Valentino understand about the British?
Valentino was not sure and did not understand completely about the British, which is why he interrupted Dut to explain what they had wanted. Dut explains that they wanted the land and the Nile River. The British had controlled many other countries and wanted to influence the world. He explains that the British and Egyptians made a deal where the Arabs lived and still live was the North of the country in which the Egyptians control. The south as the land in which they are from, the Dinka, were controlled by the British. This had caused a division between the government that now controls and the Sudanese.
P. 200: Do you think that the man who brought Valentino to his hut and cared for his leg really existed?
Yes, I do believe that the man who came to care for his leg really existed because otherwise it would have been hard for Valentino to carry on with his journey with no other help. At first, it did seem like a mirage figure, however, one has to keep in mind that he himself probably denied it was anyone because he was not expecting any help to come along the way. After all the hardships he has faced it is hard for him to have hope in still surviving, which is why it may seem hard to believe that someone helped him.
KF2940
Jordan Capon - KF2303
ReplyDelete1. How does meeting up with William K. and his fabrications help Valentino on his journey?
a. Meeting up with William K. provided Valentino with a sense of comfort while on his journey. The fabrications ease his mind about his father’s death, and give him a great sense of hope about the rest of his life and the village.
2. What does Valentino understand about the British?
a. Valentino understands that the British were trying to bring about peace and protection so Southern Sudan. He knew they were against the slave trade and tried to protect the Sudanese from the rebels. When the British came to face some of their own problems, they attempted to rest the power of the whole country with the Sudanese, and this created some problems with the Arabs.
3. Do you think that the man who brought Valentino to his hut and cared for his leg really existed?
a. I believe that the man who brought Valentino to his hut really did exist because of the terrible condition Valentino was in prior to the help of this man. The man cared for him, fed him, and brought him to safety, and despite Valentino’s strong mental capacity, this recovery could not have been accomplished without outside assistance.
P. 187: How does meeting up with William K. and his fabrications help Valentino on his journey?
ReplyDeleteMeeting up with William K. and his fabrications helped raise Valentino’s spirits. After losing Deng, it was nice for Valentino to talk to William K. and to have a friend with him. Valentino accepted William K.’s fabrications because they instilled hope in him and excitement. No one had talked with as much enthusiasm and hope as William K. had in weeks and that made Valentino have hope and take his mind off the harshness around him.
P. 192- What does Valentino understand about the British?
Valentino says that he understood “almost nothing Dut said” (193). He was unsure of what Dut was saying, but Dut said that the British wanted influence over much of the world, and informed Valentino on the history of the British’s involvement.
P. 200: Do you think that the man who brought Valentino to his hut and cared for his leg really existed?
I do not think the man who brought Valentino to his hut and cared for his leg really existed. Sometimes when people are in a desert or are starving, they imagine things. I think this man is a figure in Valentino’s imagination because Valentino said “No person was visible. The voice seemed to come from the pink air itself” (200). I think Valentino was a little delirious or out of it because of his hurt leg and because of how hungry he was, and so this figure in his imagination appeared. He said, “I now saw the man’s hut ahead, looking well made and standing amid absolutely nothing else. There was no sign of humans anywhere” (201). It was also too predictable that the man knew that Valentino would like the bicycle. I think the man was unreal.
KF0578
P. 187: How does meeting up with William K. and his fabrications help Valentino on his journey?
ReplyDelete-It helped Valentino on his journey because it made him feel like the trip to Ethiopia now would not be very difficult. Walking with his good friend William K would make it tolerable. Also, William K’s fabrications give Valentino a sense of hope, to believe everything will get better and to carry on. Valentino said, “…It was wondrous to hear a boy talk with such enthusiasm about anything at all. For weeks, the rest of us had been barley able to speak.”
P. 192- What does Valentino understand about the British?
-Dut explained to Valentino and William K a little bit of the history of this land. He said that the British wanted control over many parts of the world, including here. They controlled the south, where the Dinka and other people like them live, which was good for the people of the south because the British were enemies of the slave raiders. They ruled southern Sudan with a very light hand and even brought schools to Sudan. They made the people of the land safe from Arabs. However, when they could no longer maintain their hold, they decided to grant control of the country to the Sudanese. This is where the British sowed the seeds for disaster in their country, which are still being harvested today. However, Valentino said him and William K understood almost nothing Dut said.
P. 200: Do you think that the man who brought Valentino to his hut and cared for his leg really existed?
-I go back and forth with whether or not I think the man who brought Valentino to his hut and cared for his leg really existed. At first, I believed he was not real because it’s understandable that Valentino would be very delirious after a serious injury and lack of food. Also, Valentino states, “He did not know who I was, but he thought he knew something about me.” For instance, Valentino sees a bicycle in the man’s hut and the man says “Ah! You like the bicycle. I knew you would,” which sounds odd to me because how would the man know that? In addition I think it’s highly unlikely for him to find someone that reminds him of his father in this situation. However, in the end, I can also see how this man could be real overall because I don’t see how else Valentino could have recovered from his injury and been able to carry on with his journey unless he was actually cared for by this man.
KF4242