Vocabulary: Fall List #3

accolade: Something given to a person in order to praise or recognize his accomplishment

acerbity: harshness; severity; sourness

attrition: Wearing down or wasting away

bromide: A trite saying; platitude

chauvinist: Militant, unreasoning, and boastful devotion to one's country; jingoism

chronic: Chronic describes something that lasts for a long time, keeps coming back or continues to happen

expound:  To explain further or in more detail

factionalism: self-interested; partisan

immaculate: Describes someone or something that is free from mistakes, absolutely clean and without sin

imprecation: The act of calling for evil or a curse on someone

ineluctable: Describes something that will definitely happen

mercurial: Having qualities suggestive of mercury; quick, quick-witted, volatile, changeable, fickle, etc.

palliate: To make something less painful or unpleasant, or to calm fears

protocol: The rules and customs of a group or a standard procedure

resplendent: Full of splendor or dazzling

stigmatize: Make something seem bad or disgraceful

sub rosa: Secretly; privately; confidentially

vainglory: Extreme self-pride and boastfulness; excessive and ostentatious vanity

vestige: A small amount of something or the last remaining part of something that no longer exists

volition: The act of using your will to make a conscious decision

Beowulf Answers

For these questions and answers I worked collectively within a group of about 5 to 6 other students.  It took me around an hour to finish my part of the assignment.

Beowulf Questions

[Prologue: The Rise of the Danish Nation] (lines 1-85, pp. 33-34)

1. The way Shield became ruler of the Danes was unusual because he was an orphan that was adopted by the king of the Danes. Shield’s funeral was one of the most magnificent and noteworthy for a king because he was laid to rest on a ship covered in gold and treasure. Shield is Hrothgar’s great grandfather.

[Heorot is Attacked] (lines 86-188, pp. 34-36)

1. Hrothgar undertook the responsibility to construct Heorot, it was a mead-hall, the greatest the world had ever seen. Grendel attacked the Heorot everynight for 12 years killing many men which brought sorrow to Hrothgar and the Danes. The Danes lost hope in God and went to temples, idols, and even tried praying to the Devil to rid Grendel from their land.

[The Hero Comes to Heorot] (lines 189-490, pp. 36-42)

1. When Beowulf learned of Grendel he gathered soldiers and set sail for the Danish nation that Grendel terrorized.

2. When the Geats first arrive in Denmark they encounter the sea-guard of the Danes. The sea-guard warns the Geats not to raid the Danes, however, Beowulf informs the guard that he has come to help Hrothgar slay Grendel.

3. Hrothgar’s messenger is named Wulfgar and he tells Beowulf and his men that he has never seen braver strangers as them. Wulfgar tells Hrothgar to exchange words with Beowulf because of his flabbergasting bravery and stature. Hrothgar tells Wulfgar to bring Beowulf to him so that they may discuss about Grendel. I am surprised Hrothgar knows so much about Beowulf.

4. Beowulf tells Hrothgar that he will slay Grendel if Hrothgar in return provides shelter and food to his men during his time in Denmark. Hrothgar paid off Beowulf’s father’s feuds and now Beowulf has returned to repay an old favor.

[Feast at Heorot] (lines 491-661, pp. 42-46)

1. Unferth accuses Beowulf of vanity and losing to Breca in a contest. Beowulf explains that he was busy killing nine sea monsters, and declares his strength. Then he accuses Unferth of being responsible for the death on his family. This does indeed show Beowulf's arrogance and will to prove himself to others.

2. During the feast Queen Wealhtheow greeted everyone including Beowulf, and she thanked god he had come.

[The Fight with Grendel] (lines 662-835, pp. 46-49)

1. Instead of arming for battle Beowulf disarms for battle, removing his armor and putting away his sword.

2. Grendel kills a man grotesquely when he enters the room then goes after Beowulf. Beowulf grabs Grendel and Grendel thrashes around trying to break free. Beowulf tore off Grendel's arm as he tried to escape. He does escape, but loses his arm, a fatal wound.

[Celebration at Heorot] (lines 836-1250, pp. 49-60)

1. Beowulf is like Sigemund because he is a hero who saved others from a monster and he's not like Heremod because Heremod was a selfish king who never protected his people, unlike Beowulf.

2. Hrothgar considers Beowulf as a son, and gives him a sword, a shield, a golden set of armor, and a helmet. Unferth has nothing more to say as Beowulf is clearly a hero.

3. Finn's (leader of the Frisians) step brother (leader of the Scyldings) dies in battle, and his second in command makes truce in the war with the Frisians. With the truce the Scyldings stayed with Finn over winter, eventually killing him and leaving back with his sister Hildeburh. Using a woman to heal relations is not a good idea.

4. Wealhtheow asks Hrothgar not to give the throne to Beowulf.

5. The necklace Beowulf is given, Beowulf eventually gives to his uncle Hygelac. Wealhtheow asks Beowulf to look after and care for her sons.

6. So many men remain in the beer hall because they don't know the danger to come, that Grendel's mother is soon coming to find revenge.

[Another Attack] (lines 1251-1382, pp. 60-62)

1. Grendel's mother has come to Heorot because she is angry about the death of her son. It is not for the same reason that Grendel had, she has come in anger and vengeance for her son.

2. Hrothgar is in great sorrow after Grendel's mother takes the kings advisor and close friend, Aeschere. Hrothgar offers Beowulf chests of gold and riches to slay the evil monster and free them yet again from evil.

3.  The mere is like a lake, except it has water that boils and is full of sea serpents and dragons. No man has ever reached the bottom of the mere and very few have ever gone near it. It is where Grendel and his mother have their den.

[Beowulf Fights Grendel's Mother] (lines 1383-1650, pp. 63-68)

1. Beowulf tells Hrothgar to respond to Grendel's mother by sending Beowulf and his men to slay her so that they can be free from the demons.

2. Before Beowulf enters the mere, he shoots one of the serpents with an arrow that lives within the dark waters of the mere.

3. Beowulf prepares for battle by dressing in “noble garments”.  Unferth gives Beowulf the sword popularly known as Hrunting.  It is a sword which has failed no man in battle.

4. When Beowulf enters the mere he spends the majority of the day swimming to the bottom.  When he finally reaches the bed of the mere, Grendel’s mother feels Beowulf’s presence and grabs him.  Grendel’s mother lives in a cave at the bottom of the mere which is engulfed with the blood and gore of humans that the giants have killed.

5. The sword that Beowulf borrowed from Unferth becomes useless when trying to penetrate the skin of Grendel’s mother.

6. Grendel’s mother cannot penetrate the armor of Beowulf which allows Beowulf enough time to escape from yet another blow of her knife.

7. Beowulf kills Grendel’s mother by slicing at her neck with a sword made for giants.  When Grendel’s mother dies a light appears guiding Beowulf out of the cave.  Yet before he leaves he cuts off the head of Grendel’s body, and brings it to the surface.  The blood of Grendel melts the sword he used to kill Grendel’s mother.  The hilt of the sword is still intact however so he brings it to the surface along with Grendel’s head.

8. He finds his small group of Geats awaiting his return.  His men did not expect him to return.

[Further Celebration at Heorot] (lines 1651-1798, pp. 68-71)

1. Beowulf gives to Hrothgar the head of Grendel and the sword hilt he used to kill Grendel’s mother.

2. Hrothgar tells Beowulf that he will provide protection for him and that Beowulf must be good to his people.  Hrothgar tells us that Heremod was a terrible king who searched only for death and destruction.  He tells us this so that Beowulf understands how to be a just and fair leader.  Heremod dies alone because of the pain he beset on his people.  Hrothgar teaches us the example of how to lead when given an overwhelming source of power.

3. Unferth receives the sword he let Beowulf borrow when trying the kill Grendel’s mother.

 [Beowulf Returns Home] (lines 1799-2199, pp. 71-79)

1. He will be the king of Geats, receive many treasures, and make peace with other nations. It’s a very hopeful future.

2. Hygd is very young and beautiful. She is wise while Modthryth is very evil and merciless.

3. He wants to end the feud between the Danes and Ingeld. Ingled will devoice the daughter and attack Hrothgar. An old warrior will convince Ingeld to fight. No because hero’s are supposed to be always act with honor.

4. He reports his adventures in a very exaggerated way. He’s honest about the story but he explains it in a way that builds himself up more. It’s not that expected because he’s supposed to a noble hero but he is concerned about glory so it makes sense.

5. Beowulf gives most of his treasure to Hygelac and Hygd and in return Hygd gives him treasure and land for himself.

[The Dragon Wakes] (lines 2200-2509, pp. 79-86)

1. Part 2 takes place forty winters (forty years) later. Hygelac has died and there is now a dragon.

2. Thief has stolen his gold (cup). The man was poor and hungry. It was left there by a man from an ancient race who realized he like his ancestors would die and therefore buried the treasure.

3. The dragon just rampaged through the land trying to find the thief and destroys his throne hall.

4. He believes he has angered God. He makes a new shield to fight the dragon. He will fight it alone. He will die.

5. He dies against the Frisians. Beowulf was able to get away but he mourned for his death. He was offered the thrown. He did not out of respect for Hygelac.

6. Heardred is killed while fighting the Swedes.  Beowulf avenges him by killing Onela, the Swedish king.7.  Beowulf brings eleven men (he is “one of twelve”) with him to meet the dragon.

8. Hygelac’s oldest brother Herebeald was killed by a relative (Haethcyn).  An arrow missed its target and him Herebeald, killing him.  King Hrethel was devastated.  There is a lengthy portion detailing his lamentations.  War breaks out between the Swedes and the Geats.  Beowulf avenges Hygelac’s death by defeating Daeghrefn in front of “the legions”.

 [Beowulf Attacks the Dragon] (lines 2510-2820, pp. 86-92)

1.  Beowulf tells his companions to wait back while he fights the dragon.  He reasons that he is the only one among them that has any hope of killing it.

2.  The first time Beowulf faces the dragon, his shield, helmet, and sword fail him, and he is wounded.  His companions all flee the dragon, except for Wiglaf, who stays to help.  He tells the others that Beowulf chose them as his companions because he believed them to be great warriors, and that they should not abandon him now in his time of need.  He rushes in to aid Beowulf.

3. The second time Beowulf meets the dragon, the dragon bites him on the neck—leaving a mortal wound.  Wiglaf ultimately impales the dragon.

4.  Beowulf tells Wiglaf to bring the dragon’s treasure to him.  Beowulf thanks God for the treasure.  Beowulf wants to be buried in tower on a high cliff by the water.  He wants sailors to see the tower and remember his name.

[Beowulf's Funeral] (lines 2821-3182, pp. 92-99)

1. The warriors see Wiglaf trying to reviveBeowulf. Wiglaf gets mad at them for leaving Beowolf. Wiglaf expects the Geats to be attacked and their nation destroyed.

2. The messenger announces that Beowulf is dead.  Ongentheow and his men make fun of the Geats. Hygelac comes to the Geats with reinforcements.  Ongentheow retreated once he saw more men. Ongentheow was cornered by Hygelacand was killed. The messenger says that the treasure is cursed. Beowulf can’t be cursed because he had never been greedy. The final image is of a dragon.

3. Wiglaf tells the crowd how great Beowulf was at fighting.

4. The dragon was pushed off the edge of the cliff into the ocean because it was evil.

5. The Geats mourned and sung and everyone was sad during the ten day burial.

6. The Geats say that Beowulf was a kind man. It is not something you would usually call a war hero who is killing a lot of people.

Peer Feedback #1

Essay #1:

                George Eliot personified her views on “old leisure” and her “modern” leisure in two very different ways.  When describing “old leisure”, Eliot used specific diction and syntax to portray the simplicity of “old Leisure.”  On the other hand, Eliot exemplifies “modern” leisure through concise and direct examples.

                “Happy is his inability to know the causes of things, preferring the things themselves.”  This simple syntax reveals that “old leisure” find happiness not in the complicated process of understanding something, but in the object itself.”  Liking the afternoon services best, because the prayers were the shortest, and not ashamed to say so; for he had an easy, jolly conscience.”  Once again Eliot expresses her content of “old Leisure” by describing it with diction such as “shortest, easy, and jolly.”  By depicting “old leisure” in this manner, George Eliot accomplishes her goal in persuading readers to understand the once blissful experience of “old leisure”.

                When illustrating the “modern” leisure that has consumed the present, Eliot gives direct examples to portray its existence.  “Prone to excursions, art-museums, periodical literature, and exciting novels.”  These direct examples prove that “modern” leisure has become fast paced and adventurous.  From the descriptions in the latter text, this new leisure appears to be the polar opposite of “old Leisure”.

George Eliot is obviously a creative author due to the fact that she expresses her ideas through the personification of simple ideas.  Through her stimulating vocabulary and candid examples, Eliot is capable of describing a part of life that so few ever give a second thought to.

Essay #2

                In the novel Ender’s Game, written by Orson Scott Card, the author writes to a theme that addresses the social problem of youth disintegration.  Card is able to construct this theme by creating a futuristic setting that portrays characters that could possibly exist in today’s modern world.

                Ender, the main character, is a genius by the time he reaches the age of six.  Because of his extraordinary intelligence, he is stripped away from his youth and put into a galactic battle school.  Card then expresses his views on modern society by providing the novel with selfish and egotistical adults looking only to reap the benefits of destroying Ender’s innocent youth.  By doing this Card compares today’s world to that of the future in that they share the characteristic of slowly depriving away the youth of children.

                When Ender is taken to battle school, Card is merely symbolizing the fact that many of today’s children are being put into school or even labor at too young of an age.  Card wishes to see the longevity of a child’s and therefore wrote this novel.  He implies throughout the story that although it might take place far into the future, the events occurring in the novel are in actuality becoming modern events.

                Orson Scott Card wrote Ender’s Game in order to change a simple yet important part of modern society.  Although he could not directly accomplish this through a contemporary setting, Card was able to achieve his goal through a not so distant future.

Comments on socratic seminar: "The Right to Your Own Opinion"

Most of us when creating opinions first look at what we cannot even include in our train of thought. Believing that it is ok to kill someone without being punished or stealing something that is not yours and claiming it as your own are conditions that most do not agree with. But why? Rules and laws. These two simple words define the majority of opinions by human beings. But what happened before rules and laws existed? People most likely regulated their opinions by arguing about how they felt, not by what a group decided to mandate as a law. 

Also I believe it is necessary for one to look at how "the right to your own opinion" is literally written. If we decided to eradicate the entire saying and declare that "you have your opinion and I have mine", I believe society would abandon the obsession by the word "right". It seems to just add too many dimensions that people often stray from the subject at hand.

Reflections on Week 1

1. I believe that the only factor that is going to affect my participation in this class will be my extracurricular activities at school.  Because I am involved in sports, my energy might slowly decrease after time, especially since I have a very early class.  I am also very much involved in ASB, which requires my presence in many activities during school.  Although having a zero period works against me during my involvement in sports, ASB activities are often not during this period.
2. The most incredible learning experience occurred when I went to my first Special Olympics club event at the local bowling alley.  I learned how truly lucky I am to help kids and adults who society deems as "different".  In actuality these athletes turned out to be some of the most interesting people I have ever met.  They wanted nothing but respect from me, which is a characteristic most lack when interacting with the athletes.  I finally understood how much the event changed me after I reflected on it later in the day.  I was lucky enough to have a friend introduce me to the athletes in order for me to feel more comfortable around them.  It is certainly an event I plan on never forgetting.
3. In this class I am most excited about the motivation I am going to receive from Dr. Preston to do things I have never imagined.  I believe ingenuity and greatness lies within everyone, it is the spark (motivation) however, that people always seem to lack.  I am hoping that Dr. Preston will create that spark so that my accomplishments for the year will exceed even my own expectations.  This hope might not sound practical, but I believe it can certainly become a reality.

Additional Thoughts: Austen/Montaigne Essay

1. If I would have had more time I would have written about the similarities in the style of both Austen and Montaigne.  I feel that they both express their beliefs through different characters.  Austen with Elizabeth, and Montaigne with numerous well known thinkers such as Plato.  As time was cut short I also believe I did not address the question of whether or not I agreed with the statement made by David Foster Wallace.  If I would have had an appropriate amount of time I would have completely agreed to the statement made by Wallace.  Although Montaigne is courageous in his effort to try and describe his idea of the different aspects of human existence, he ultimately does not do it any justice.  One must realize that it is not his lack of writing that caused him to come up very short, but the fact that the human existence is just too robust to describe in one book.  This is what I would have written if I was given more time.
2. After I left it occurred to me that I had lacked in my essay an entire conclusion.  I feel though if I was given an adequate enough of time to finish, I would have merely reworded and tied together my points I had made throughout the essay.
3. The interruption actually jogged my thought process.  I started to think of more ideas when not concealed by four gray walls.  I felt as if it actually improved my essay.  When not confined to the grueling process of writing an essay in a small classroom, my thoughts became easier to navigate through.  I find that I am able to think better, like most, without pressure. 

Pride and Prejudice: Notes

Chapters 1-5:

• Bennet Family: Elizabeth/Jane/Lydia/Kitty/Marry
• Parents of Bennet girls: Mr. and Mrs. Bennet
• All single~Parents trying to find husband for Jane
• Mr. Bingley/sisters~new to Hertfordshire~very wealthy~Mr.Bingley seen as eligible bachelor.
• Mr. Darcy~Friend of Mr. Bingley~more wealthy then Mr. Bingley~very handsome~pride turns people away from him
• Large ball~women look for possible husband
• Jane introduced to Mr. Bingley~have two dances~Mr. Bingley sisters like her~looks good for Jane

Chapters 6-10

• Caroline Bingley invites Jane to have dinner @ Netherfield
• Jane goes by horse instead of carriage~Mrs. Bennet hopes she gets ill~stay longer @ Netherfield
• Jane does get sick~stays @ Netherfield
• Bennet family (lives @ Longbourn) hears of Jane's sickness~Elizabeth walks three miles to Netherfield
• She arrives~does not look presentable (very dirty/muddy)~Bingley sisters begin to judge her
• Darcy now feels small attraction to Elizabeth
• Everyone besides Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley insults Elizabeth behind her back
• Caroline Bingley interested in Darcy~tries making moves towards Darcy~Knows it will improve social ranking if together

Chapters: 10-23

• Jane begins to heal from her illness~Elizabeth and Jane go back to Longbourn
• Mr. Collins visits~soon to be owner of Longbourn when Mr. Bennet dies
• Mr. Collins is clergyman for Lady Catherine~has decent salary but not incredibly wealthy
• Proposes to Elizabeth~Elizabeth denies him~only wanted to marry her because help him with taking over the estate
• Mr. Collins then Proposes to Charlotte Lucas~Elizabeth's best friend~says yes
• Elizabeth meets Mr. Wickham w/sisters and Mr. Collins~Wickham is soldier/friendly/well-mannered
• Tension between Wickham and Darcy~Elizabeth sides w/Wickham
• Darcy does not give money to Wickham that Darcy's father left for Wickham~Darcy thought his father liked Wickham more then himself~Elizabeth disgusted by Darcy
• Wickham does not go to Netherfield ball~Darcy dances w/Elizabeth
• Bingley's leave for London~visit Darcy and sister (Georgiana) @ Pemberley
• Caroline wants Mr. Bingley to disregard Jane~fall for Georgiana

Chapters: 24-34

• Jane receives letter~Bingley's not returning home for winter~loses hope for marrying Mr. Bingley
• Elizabeth's aunt (Mrs. Gardiner) visits Bennets
• Charlotte invites Elizabeth to Hunsford~accepts
• Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth start becoming more friendly~maybe Darcy isn't bad person after all?
• Colonel Fitzwilliam tells Elizabeth Darcy told Mr. Bingley to not marry Jane~Elizabeth thinks poorly of Darcy once again

Chapters 35-36

• Elizabeth is stricken with different emotions for Darcy
• Darcy proposes to Elizabeth~says Darcy is terrible person for wanting to ruin her family
• Elizabeth constantly questions herself
• Every decision is basically based on social status
• Elizabeth meets with Darcy truth comes out~emotions change

Chapters 37-39

• Fitzwilliam and Darcy leave Rosing's
• Collins once again talks about marriage with Elizabeth
• Sisters talk about what they see in men~large theme within book
• Lydia/Wickham/Elizabeth have drama

Chapters 40-43

• Truth about Wickham is released~tries to get Georgianna's money
• Lydia invited by Colonel Forster to stay summer
• Darcy and Elizabeth still have a relationship
• Elizabeth visits Pemberley~Darcy's estate
• Maids talk very highly of Darcy @ Pemberley~Once again Elizabeth's mind changes

Chapters 44-47

• Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, Darcy, Georgiana, and Liz have dinner @ Pemberley
• Marriage and more drama
• Miss Bingley continues to disrespect Elizabeth~Darcy defends Elizabeth
• Elizabeth hears that sister (Lydia) has left home w/Wickham~Elizabeth thinks her fault~Wickham only in it for money
• Elizabeth leaves Pemberley~Bennet tries to find Lydia

Chapters 48-51

• Lydia cannot be found~does not look good for Bennets
• Wickham and Lydia found~getting married~Wickham only cares for money~Mrs. Bennet happy
• Mrs. Bennet to buy house for couple~Mr. Bennet does not want to support couple

Chapters 52-56

• Mrs. Gardiner tells Elizabeth Darcy paid for sisters marriage
• Darcy very much likes Elizabeth
• Bingley/Darcy come home
• Elizabeth/Darcy still have feelings
• Bingley proposes to Jane~Bingley gives Bennets money

Chapters 57-61

• Lady Catherine (Darcy's aunt) wants to know if Elizabeth intends to marry Darcy~obviously does not like Elizabeth
• Mr. Bennet hears that Darcy interested in marrying Elizabeth~does not believe true
• Darcy eventually asks Mr. Bennet for Elizabeths hand
• Elizabeth sends letter to Gardiners~now married!
• Marriage is a hit in community~Lady Catherine very upset at wedding

Essays of Michel de Montaigne: Notes

Chapter 1: Of Custom, and That We Should Not Easily Change a Law Received

• "For, in truth, custom is a violent and treacherous schoolmistress." (pg. 7)~Montaigne uses a metaphor to describe what he believes to be the definition of custom.  Obviously he does not think highly of custom, in fact he makes it even sound dangerous.
• "But the effects of custom are much more manifest in the strange impression she imprints in our minds, where she meets with less resistance." (pg. 9)~From this quote the reader is able to gather that custom has little trouble infiltrating the mind.  My question is however, doesn't custom derive from the mind in the first place?
• "To conclude; there is nothing, in my opinion, that she does not, or may not do; and, therefore, with very good reason it is, that Pindar calls her the queen, and empress of the world." (pg.13)~Once again Montaigne shows his distaste of custom by referring to it as an all powerful queen.

Chapter 2: Of The Education of Children

• "...To see myself so weak and so forlorn, so heavy and so flat, in comparison of those better writers, I at once pity or despise myself." (pg. 22)~Montaigne simply states that he cannot be compared to the great writers of his time because he was simply not educated.
• "Madame, science, is a very great ornament, and a thing of marvelous use, especially in persons raised to that degree of fortune in which you are." (pg. 25)~Montaigne believes that the sciences are important as pointed out directly from this quote.
• "They begin to teach us to live when we have almost done living." (pg. 37)~What Montaigne is trying to say is that because there is so much knowledge in the world, one only begins to apprehend it when they are closest to death.

Chapter 3: That Fortune is Often Times Observed to Act by the Rules of Reason

• "But to conclude: is there not a direct application of her favor, bounty, and piety manifestly discovered in this action?" (pg. 51)~Throughout this chapter I am not quite sure what Montaigne is talking about.  However my theory is that the "her" he mentions numerous times in the chapter is actually fortune.  It seems however that fortune causes many calamities.

Chapter 4: Of Cannibals

• "I am afraid our eyes are bigger than our bellies..." (pg. 55)~provides the doubts of Montaigne himself
• "They must be absolutely so (savage) or else we are savages; for their is a vast difference between their manners and ours." (pg. 61)~shows how we as humans see things as bad before we even understand them
• "That when he went to visit the villages of his dependence, they plained him paths through the think of their woods, by which he might pass at his ease." (pg.63)~Montaigne talking to a captain who says to him that after the war (like wars today), captains are respected and their life becomes much easier.

Chapter 5: Of War-Horses, Or Destriers

• "I do not willingly alight when I am once on horseback, for it is the place where, whether well or sick, I find myself most at ease." (pg.66)~Montaigne admitting that he feels great comfort when riding a horse
• "And that the greatest distinction between fee men and slaves among them was that the one rode on horseback and the other went on foot." (pg.66)~Montaigne admits a powerful difference in social classes based on horses

Chapter 6: Of Democritus and Heraclitus

• "A man makes a judgment of a horse, not only by seeing him when he is showing off his paces, but by his very walk, nay, and by seeing him stand in the stable." (pg.74)~This quote relates to the judgments men often lack when choosing a woman.  Although I feel this does not have much importance, it is quite interesting.
•    "Democritus and Heraclitus were two philosophers, of whom the first, finding human condition ridiculous and vain, never appeared abroad but with a jeering and laughing countenance; whereas Heraclitus commiserating that same condition of ours, appeared always with a sorrowful look, and tears in his eyes:" (pg. 75)~Montaigne explains the difference between the two philosophers and how their emotions reflected their thoughts of the human condition.

Chapter 7: Of Age

• "To die of old age is a death rare, extraordinary, and singular, and therefore, so much less natural that the others 'tis the last and extremest sort of dying: and the more remote, the less to be hoped for." (pg. 77)~Montaigne expresses his views on how dying of old age has become less popular because it has become so rare.  Even in today's world that holds true
• "Sometimes the body first submits to age, sometimes the mind...so much greater is the danger." (pg. 79)~I believe that what Montaigne is trying to say is that if one loses the mind before the body, the rest of that life is destined to waste.

Chapter 8: Of Drunkenness

• "Now, among the rest, drunkenness seems to me to be a gross and brutish vice." (pg. 81)~Montaigne expresses his feelings towards drunkenness at the beginning of the essay
• "The worst state of man is that wherein he loses the knowledge and government of himself." (pg. 82)~Although not directly stated, Montaigne cleverly states his opinion on the result of a man when he becomes lost in his liquor.
• "He, moreover, says that wine is able to supply the soul with temperance and the body with health." (pg. 85)~Montaigne reveals the thoughts of Plato concerning the usefulness of wine.  Although it might seem odd to say that wine supplies the soul with temperance, it is true that temperance is only achieved when one is tempted by a vice.

Chapter 9: Of Glory

• "We are in want of beauty, health, wisdom, virtue, and such like essential qualities: exterior ornaments should be looked after when we have made provision for necessary things." (pg. 89)~I believe Montaigne is hinting that the "necessary things" are the glories of life.
• "I care not so much what I am in the opinion of others, as what I am in my own." (pg. 94)~Montaigne again philosophises on the modern truth that most people only care for what others see them as, instead of caring what they see themselves as.
• "Whoever will justly consider, and with due proportion, of what kind of men and of what sort of action the glory sustains itself in the records of history, will find that there are very few actions and very few persons of our times who can there pretend any right." (pg. 97)~From this quote Montaigne believes that there are very few people who should be held high by their notable glorious actions.

Chapter 10: Of Presumption

• "There is another sort of glory, which is the having too good an opinion of our own worth." (pg.99)~Montaigne's definition of presumption?
• "This glory consists of two parts; the one in setting too great a value upon ourselves, and the other in setting too little a value upon others." (pg. 100)~Once again Montaigne explains his definition of presumption.
• "In events, I carry myself like a man; in the conduct, like a child.  The fear of the fall more fevers me than the fall itself." (pg. 109)~Montaigne expresses how he sees himself, almost childish is someways.

Chapter 11: That We Taste Nothing Pure

• "Labor and pleasure, very unlike in nature, associate, nevertheless, by I know not what natural conjuction." (pg. 123)~Montaigne explaining how humans are bound to enjoy labor and pleasure together in a moment, rather than separated in their entirety

Chapter 12: Of Thumbs

• "Physicians say, that the thumbs are the master fingers of the hand, and that their Latin etymology is derived from "pollere"'. (pg. 127)~The importance of thumbs can be derived from this quote.
• "Augustus confiscated the strength of a Roman knight, who had maliciously cut off the thumbs of two young children he had, to excuse them from going into the armies." (pg. 127)~Once again the power of the thumb is portrayed through this story of Augustus.

Chapter 13: Of The Resemblance of Children To Their Fathers

• "There is not a nation in the world that has not been many ages without physic." (pg. 135)~I do not understand why a physic is mentioned throughout this chapter?
• "The most universal quality is diversity." (pg. 150)~This is probably one of the most powerful quotes in the book which is why I decided to put it down.  It shows how complex the world can really be.

Chapter 14: Of Repentance

• "There is no vice that is absolutely a vice which does not offend, and that a sound judgment does not accuse." (pg. 152)~Montaigne describes how basically anything will have a negative affect, it is just the way of the world.
• "The virtue of the soul does not consist in flying high, but in walking orderly." (pg. 155)~Montaigne offers an insight into how the should only seeks normality. 

Chapter 15: Upon Some Verses of Virgil

• "I gently turn aside, and avert my eyes from the stormy and cloudy sky I have before me, which, thanks be to God I regard without fear."~Montaigne does not like to look at the negative aspects of life.
• "A good marriage, if there be any such, rejects the company and conditions of love, and tries to represent those of friendship." (pg. 171)~I believe this is an accurate representation of today's marriages.
• "I say that males and females are cast in the same mold, and that, education and usage excepted, the difference is not great.

Chapter 16: Of Coaches

• "IT IS very easy to verify, that great authors, when they write of causes, not only make use of those they think to be the true causes, but also of those they believe not to be so, provided they have in them some beauty and invention." (pg.207)~Montaigne explains how authors use both causes and the counterexample of causes in their writing.
• "Let us here return to our coaches.  Instead of these, and of all other sorts of carriages, they caused themselves to be carried upon men's shoulders." (pg. 220)~I am not sure if this is an accurate description of a coach?

Chapter 17: That to Study Philosophy is to Learn to Die

• "The reason of which is, because study and contemplation do in some sort withdraw from us our soul, and employ it separately from the body, which is a kind of apprenticeship and a resemblance of death." (pg. 221)~Montaigne's reaction to Cicero's quote.
• "Let the philosophers say what they will, the main thing at which we all aim, even in virtue itself, is pleasure." (pg. 221)~So very true.

Chapter 18: Of Vanity

• "But there should be some restraint of law against foolish and impertinent scribblers, as well as against vagabonds and idle persons; which if there were, both I and a hundred others would be banished the kingdom." (Pg. 235)~Montaigne finds he is one of the scribblers that he believes to be nonsense.
• "Not according to opinion, but in truth and reality, the best and most excellent government for every nation is that under which it is maintained: its form and essential convenieve depend upon custom." (pg. 244)~Montaigne's view of how government should be ran.

Chapter 19: Of Physiognomy

• "We are all of us richer than we think we are; but we are taught to borrow and to beg, and brought up more to make use of what is another's than of our own." (pg. 280)~A perfect representation of today's attitude toward the world.
• "A person's look is but a feeble warranty; and yet it is something considerable too; and if I had to lash them, I would most severely scourge the wicked ones who belie and betray the promises that nature has planted in their foreheads." (pg. 296)~Montaigne basically states that although looks are important, if he was to punish someone he would harm their minds.

Chapter 20: Of The Force of Imagination

• "It has a very piercing impression upon me; and I make it my business to avoid, wanting force to resist it." (pg. 301)~Montaigne is very fond of imagination which is why in this quote he says he does not resist it.

Chapter 21: Of Experience

• "There is no desire more natural than that of knowledge.  We try all ways that can lead us to it; where reason is wanting, we therein employ experience." (pg.311)~Montaigne explains the power of knowledge yet he states that where there is a lack of it we decide to fill it with experience.
• "There is no more ado to interpret interpretations that to interpret things; and more books upon books than upon any other subject; we do nothing but comment upon one another." (pg. 314)~This quote accurately describes how human society has entered a point where recurrence itself has become commonplace.

Practice

Browsing through You Tube is one thing, watching one of my favorite video clips and realizing how it relates to this years English class is another.  People can be so naive when it comes to understanding the power of practice (just like Allen Iverson).  I think that when it comes to writing essays and shooting a hundred free throws, practice becomes essential in both.  Through practice you not only understand the mistakes you make, but you eventually become confident with your writing ability and your jump shot.  I hope this year I can improve both. Enjoy!

The Poisonwook Bible: Notes

Book One: Genesis

Orleanna Price

• Introduced to the five main narrators: Mother~Orleanna Price/Daughters~Ruth, Leah, Adah, and Rachel.
• Orleanna is the first narrator.  Asks the reader to imagine a jungle with her and her four daughters.
• Reader realizes over time that Orleanna is upset with the fact that she is overlooked by her husband (Nathan) who is immensely involved in his work.
• Interesting quote: "Orleanna Price, Southern Baptist by marriage, mother of children living and dead."
• Diction: Brindled~gray or tawny/Copulation~joining together

Leah Price

• Leah is the twin sister to Adah.
• At the beginning of the chapter she lists most of their belongings that they wish to keep with them in Africa.
• The plane that they go on however has a weight limit for each person.  For this reason the family decides to hide the most important things inside their clothes.
• The family arrives in Leopoldville and is greeted by the Underwoods, a missionary couple who are their guides.
• The family is put on a small plane and eventually arrives in a small village.

Ruth May Price

• Ruth is the youngest of the daughters and through her syntax it is obvious to see why: "When Noah woke up he got to hear the whole story from the tattletale brothers.  So Noah cursed all Ham's children to be slaves for ever and ever.  That's how come them to turn out dark."
• She mainly describes in the chapter why there are dark skinned people throughout the world.
• It will be interesting to see the unfamiliar world of the Congo through the eyes of an infant later in the novel.

Rachel Price (Gathering with villagers)

• Rachel is the oldest Price daughter and is most similar to a modern teenager:  "I could just feel the grit in my hair, which is so extremely fair it is prone to get stained.  Boy, what a place...For the flush commodes and the machine-washed clothes and other simple things in life I have took for granite."
• She describes the festivities that the villagers planed for the family.
• Reverend Price (Nathan) is asked to lead the villagers in a prayer but instead he goes on a rant and basically states that God's grace has yet to fall on the home of the villagers.
• This upsets most of the villagers who lose all excitement felt at the beginning of families arrival.
• The family decides that in order to be respect they must eat the food that was laid out before them.  Rachel describes the experience in graphic detail, "Just wet clumps stuffed in my mouth that I would have to chew into glue."

Adah Price

• Adah is the most intelligent and observant of the sisters. 
• She describes the village in great detail mentioning key parts of the village.
• Adah was diagnosed with hemiplegia, yet instead of constant complaint she believes, "Silence had many advantages."
• She ultimately knows that although her body might be week, her mind is strong.

Leah (first encounter with poisonwood)

• While Adah, Ruth, and Rachel decide to help their mom in order to make an excuse not to go outside, Leah decides to help her father create a garden.
• Leah's description of her father is this: "He's handsome, sandy-haired type that people presume to be Scottish and energetic, though possibly fiery-tempered."
• Brother Fowles was the missionary that came to Kilanga before the Price family.  He left for the Price family a servant by the name of Mama Tataba.
• Mama Tataba critiques the way Reverand Price designs his garden and warns him not to touch the plant that she calls "Poisonwood."
• The Reverand listens to neither warning and wakes up the next morning with a large rash on his hands and arms.

Rachel

• Knowing that the natives have no concept of specific dates in Christian culture, the Reverand decides to move Easter to the day of July 4th.
• "Color coordination is not a strong point.  Grown men and women seem to think a red plaid and a pink floral print are complementary colors."  This quote from Rachel adds to the idea that she is only concerned with material things, similiar to that of most modern teens.
• After planning an Easter pageant, the Reverand finds that only a few men come to the service pretending to be Roman gaurds at the tomb of Jesus.
• The Reverand also plans to have the natives baptised but becasue none of them agree to this request, they instead have a picnic supper.

Ruth May

• "Anything that ever was white is not white here.  That is not a color you see.  Even white flower opening up on a bush just looks doomed for this world."  Without even realizing it Ruth May might just be forshadowing future events.
• Mama Mwanza, a tribe member, had her legs completley burnt in a fire that started on the roof of her home.  She now had to walk only on her hands while still presuming the role of mother and caretaker.
• The Reverand believs that this event occured becasue they "don't even see how they could be healed" by accepting Jesus.  On the other hand Mrs. Price believes that this event occured becasue of the harsh enviroment that the natives live in.

Adah

• Both Adah and Leah took tests in first grade and were announced as gifted children.
• Orleanna saw this as a burden and the Reverand said that "Sending a girl to college is like pouring water in your shoes, it's hard to say which is worse, seeing it run out and waste the water, or seeing it hold in and wreck the shoes."
• Kilanga enters the rainy season and after an aftertoon of extraordinary rain, Leah and the Reverand have to mend their destroyed garden this time following Mama Tataba's advice of building flood-proof mounds.

Leah

• After the rainy season the Price's garden has flourished immenseley
• Rachel's birthday comes~Betty Crocker cake mix bad b/c humidity
• Mrs. Price very sad~curses~parrot hears curse starts repeating it
• Rachel takes blame~Reverand punishes all the girls~gives girls bible verse~have to copy next one hundred verses

Adah

• "Feed the belly and the soul will come."-Reverand
• Reverand bought dynamite~village feasted one day~no ice meant fish went bad fast
• "In the way of the body and other people's judgment I enjoy a benign approval in Kilanga that I have never, ever known in Bethlehem, Georgia."-Adah
• Adah fits in w/natives~at home she was obvioulsly an outcast
• Mama Tataba mad @ Reverand for pushing babtism
• "If God had amused himself inventing the lilies of the field, he surely knocked His own socks off the the African parasite."-Adah

Leah (Mama Tataba leaves family)

• Garden flourishes~no fruit~Reverand studies garden everyday
• Mama Tataba very upset at Reverand~gave another service on baptism~shocked all daughters~Mama Tataba quit
• Reverand figured there was no pollinators for garden
• Mama Tataba mad @ baptism b/c girl got killed in river by crocodile
• Reverand in anger forced parrot (Methuselah) to leave family

Book Two: The Revelation

Orleanna Price

• Flashback for Orleanna:"I could have been a different mother, you'll say.  Could have straightened up and seen what was coming, for it was thick in the air all around us."-Orleanna~foreshadow??
• Remembers day in market~Leah crashes over oranges~felt like great outsiders~many people stared with horid eyes
• Feels lost after parrot & Mama Tataba released
• Recounts adjustments in becoming apart of village

Leah Price

• Leah wants to learn language of the land: "I shall tell all the wold the lessons I learned in Africa."
• Family learns names of neighbors
• Recognize people by what they wear
• Tata Boanda is a sinner~two wives one old one young~Leah believes it can be solved by letting Jesus into your heart.
• Leah is now 15~"Maturing into a Christain lady."
• Bothered that she cannot speak the language~Ruth may has an easier time adjusting
• Spies on Eeben Axelroot~has guns, radio, and army clothes
• Leah makes friends w/Pascal~tries to teach him english words~both taught eachother different games

Ruth May Price

• Ruth broke her arm~spying on "African Communist Boy Scouts."
• Belgium Army~well armed~show their power on the area
• Mr. Axelroot flies Ruth & Reverand to Stanleyvill~Ruth finds diamonds on the plane
• "Reverand, missionary work is a great bargain for Belgium but it is a hell of a way to deliver the social services."-Doctor~does not believe in what the Reverand is doing
• Doctor talks about Patrice Lumumba~political leader of Congolese people~very dangerous

Rachel (Anatole dinner w/family)

• Mr. Anatole comes to dinner~school teacher~"I inspected Anatole's special kind of face scarring instead...Around here the people seem content to settle for whatever scars life whangs them with as a decoration."
• Chief Tata Ndu is worried about village~too many good and healty people going to church
• Mr. Anatole says Reverand needs to worry about Tata Kuvudundu~village's local priest and fortune teller
• Reverand asks Mr. Anatole to leave~Mrs. Price and Reverand get into fight~Reverand smashes plate that daughters/Mrs. Price are very fond of

Adah Price (Adah "eaten" by lion)

• Tata Ndu goes to Price's home to tell family that Adah had been eatin by a lion
• Adah walked slower then Leah to get water~Leah left her behind~Adah noticed more things when walking slower
• Adah followed by lion~lion killed a yearling bushbuck, not Aday
• When she comes home Tata Ndu is very dissapointed~ wanted to prove that, "...The gods of his village did not take kindly to the minister of cuppuption.  As a small sign of Thier displeasure, They ate his daughter alive." (pg. 140)

Leah

• Anatole sends Price family a boy~name was Lekuyu but wanted to be called Nelson~help with chores~sent to have a better life by Anatole~"We were stumped as to why he was kind enough to send us Nelson, though."-Leah
• Village coming down with "kakakaka"~Nelson told Prices, "it's a disease where you have to go to the bathroom a thousand times a day."
• Daughters become very bored~Leah has odd feelings below her waist~Mrs. Price figures it is a side-effect of malaria
• Mrs. Price encourages girls to make hope chests~Leah not interested~Rachel very much so
• More villagers come to church becasue of Adah incident

Ruth May

• Ruth examines the different clothes the natives wear~especially Nelson
• Nelson tells Ruth everyone has their own God
• Ruth becomes very involved in chicken eggs
• Leah catches an owl~Nelson becomes very upset~tells her to get rid of it

Rachel (Underdowns tell Prices to leave)

• Underdowns visit the Prices
• Daughters are dismissed from room~Underdowns bring newspaper~Rachel sneaks into room and takes it
• Soviet leader Khrushchev plans to invade Congo and put in gov
• Underdowns tell Prices to leave~other missionaries are not coming
• "Only God knows when our relief may arrive.  But God does know.  And in His benevolent service we will stay."-Reverand

Adah

• Adah remembers from her Sunday school teacher that certain kids go to hell based on where they live~didn't believe this was right~therefore did't believe in God anymore
• Understands why Congolese people are fighting white people
• Nelson tells family that "kakakaka" was their fault

Rachel

• Reverand goes with Eeben Axelroot to Stanleyville for Quinine pills
• Underwoods send letter instead of supplies~Prices need to prepare for their departure
• Patrice Lumumba wins election~"And do you think anybody in this hip town we live in is actually going to notice?"-Rachel (pg. 177)

Ruth May (Mrs. Price first enters depression)

• Mrs. Price very upset that their plane for home left
• Ruth wanted to get 7up for her mom~Rachel wouldn't help her
• All seem very depressed

Leah

• Underdowns take Leah and the Reverand to see Lumumba speek~promises freedom for all of Congo
• Leah and Reverand eat w/Underdowns before they leave~very luxorious meal
• Leah eats alot!

Adah

• Adah finds Methuselah killed by a cat~"At last it is Independence Day, for Methuselah and the Congo."-Adah
• "None of what he was taught in the house of the master.  Only feathers, without the ball of hope inside.  Feathers at last at last and no words at all."-Adah (pg. 186)

Book Three: The Judges

Orleanna Price

• Orleanna talks about how she met Nathan (the Reverand)
• Married eachother~Nathan went to Phillipeans as soldier~greatley injured~rest of soldiers died~never was the same
• Nathan very devoted to God~embarrased by sex and by pregnancy~They lived out of van
• Eventually lived in Bethleham, Georgia

Leah

• Family no longer recieves $50 stipened
• "Yet our neighbors in Kilanga seemed to think: Could this really be, a white person fyata?" (pg. 206)
• Mama Mwanza offers oranges and fish
• Nelson believes family now has a curse

Adah

• Nelson teaches Adah the meaning of very important Congolese words
• "Here in the Congo I am pleased to announce there is no special difference between living people, dead people, children not yet born, and gods-these are all muntu." (pg. 209)
• Nelson believes twins are bad for the village
• Many women have twins~leave them to die in forest

Ruth May (Ruth May becomes very sick)

• Ruth and Mrs. Price lie in bed alot
• Obvious that Mrs. Price is becoming very depressed
• Ruth cannot tell sometimes whether she is awake or dreaming

Adah

• Daughters now have to take on the responsibilities of the home~"Our childhood had passed over into history overnight.  The transition was unnoticed by anyone but ourselves."
• Reveran very mean to daughters~did not help the daughters at all
• Each decided on a job~Leah/fruit~Adah/chickens~Rachel/bread

Leah

• Leah tried to cheer up Ruth May~finding locan insects and animals to entertain Ruth May
• Anatole tells Leah that Moise Tshombe (leader of Katanga Province) wants to break away from Republic of Congo.
• Wants to make deal with Belgians/Americans
• Patrice Lumumba threatens to bring in Russia~turn nation communist
• "...But still it's frightening when things you love appear suddenly changed from waht you have always known."-Leah~description of what has happened to entire family

Ruth May

• Ruth continues to stay in bed w/Mrs. Price
• Hears Reverand and Mrs. Price fight~In Stanleyville two missionaries were shot~Reverand not worried
• Nelson gave Ruth a "nkisi"~if she feels like she is going to die, she must blow in it~she will dissapear

Leah (Mother heals from deppresion)

• Rachel & Leah get into large argument~Mother comes out of her room~tells Rachel she will teach her how to cook
• Mrs. Price said she would take them out of the Congo no matter what
• Leah starts to have doubts about her father~still believes in him anyway

Rachel (Brother Fowles visits family)

• As Rachel was cooking, Brother Fowles comes to town to visit
• Brother Fowles tells family Congolese people are very religious~in their own way
• Tells stories of nature and animals
• The Reverand and Brother Fowles have long discussion over scriptures~did not invite them to dinner
• Brother Fowles gives family food and medicine~said to talk to Tata Ndu b/c he had surprising resources

Adah (Chief wants a wife~Rachel)

• Drought worsens & Ruth May does not seem to be getting better
• Chief showed up five days in a row with presents
• Reverand believed Tata Ndu is coming around
• Nelson told Mrs. Price Tata Ndu wanted a wife
• They both laugh~Nelson says Rachel's color would cheer up Tata Ndu's wife

Leah

• Tata Ndu represents will of village~Prices do not want to offend chief
• Village seemed peaceful compared to others
• Ruth May still getting worse

Rachel

• Mr. Axelroot and Reverand come up w/plan~Mr. Axelroot is said to have Rachel's hand already
• Rachel has to pretend to be engaged on porch
• Rachel believes if she can flatter him, he will fly them out

Ruth May

• Ruth is moved into living room~Mrs. Price finds Ruth's malaria pills stuck to wall~reason why Ruth is sick
• Ruth believes she got sick b/c she didn't tell her parents about Axelroot's diamonds

Rachel

• Rachel is now seventeen~recieves old jewelry from Mrs. Price
• Ruth May continued to have a fever~Adah got stung by a scorpian~mongoose ate some eggs

Adah

• The Reverand is the only one who has not changed~Ruth is healthier yet she has no energy~Leah is engulfed in Anatole
• Anatole gives Leah bow and arrow~Village sees her as "bizzare"

Leah

• Leah starts to fall for Anatole
• Leah & Anatole tell of the differences between Congo and America
• Leah says she will make Anatole a globe

Rachel (Axelroot and Rachel kiss~Lumumba assassination)

• Rachel is growing more fond of Axelroot
• They take a walk and Axelroot both gives her a cigarette and a kiss
• Axelroot tells Rachel that President Lumumba is going to be killed~U.S. is involved

Adah

• Adah sneaks out of the house and spies on Toorlexa Nebee
• She states that the Reverand is still trying to push baptism
• Another man enters Axelroot's airplane~talk about Lumumba's assasination~on the radio they mention Eisenhower
• Adah couldn't believe the news~"What sort of man would wish to murder the president of another land?  None but a barbaria.  A man with a bone in his hair." (pg. 298)

Leah (Start of ant invasion)

• Leah was awokened by Nelson~Dragged her out of the house and said ants were taking over the village
• Ran to river~Family not with her~Anatole ran back for family

Rachel

• Rachel runs from house and only brings her mirror
• Remembers what to do when running in large crowd~gets to the river but no one lets her on the boats
• Thrown off a boat and breaks her mirror

Ruth May

• Ruth is taken by her mother out of the house from the ants
• She is then seperated when a Congolese person grabs hers
• Tries to remember a good place like Nelson said~wants to be green mamba high in the trees

Adah

• Adah was left behind during the chaos by her mother
• Was being trampled by the natives~Anatole helped her and led her to the river
• "That night marks my life's dark center, the moment when growing up ended and the long downward slope toward death began."~Foreshadow? (pg. 306)

Leah

• Leah disgusted by what happened~Anatole does not seem as angry
• Leah tells of Lumumba's assasination
• Anatole tells her not to make life a mathmatics problem
• Anatole tells her that villagers are secretley helping the family out
• Leah tells Anatole that she loves him~Anatole tells her never to say that again

Book Four: Bell and the Serpent

Orleanna Price

• Talks about Lumumba's escape
• Mobutu now ruler of Congo
• Completley oblivious to everything going on

Leah

• "God doesn't need to punish us.  He just grants us a long enough life to punish ourselves." (pg. 327)
• Tata Ndu comes into church
• Villagers vote on if Jesus is God of the village~decide that he is not

Rachel

• Leah wants to hunt with men during large hunt
• Put again to a vote~Anatole says she should~Leah allowed to hunt
• Curse put on Anatole~finds a green Mamba

Adah (The Hunt)

• Nobody sleeps before the hunt
• The women pick up edible insects along with children that have been scorched
• "On the day of the hunt I came to know in the slick center of my bones this one thing: all animals kill to survive, and we are animals." (pg. 347)

Leah

• Leah gets in confrontation with one of Tata Ndu's son about who shot the Impala
• Nelson defends Leah~calls Tata Ndu's son a woman

Rachel

• Rachel is disgusted by whole event~goes home to take a bath
• Breaks out in tears~hates where she is

Leah

• Everyone in the village fought over the fresh meat
• Tata Ndu threw piece of meat at Leah for the Prices to eat~Leah threw it at his son
• Tata Ndu said Prices had decided not to eat\

Rachel

• Leah and Reverend got into large arguement~tension in the household
• Nelson said something had put a curse on him~Reverend didn't let him into house
• Sisters helped create trap for anyting that went into chicken house

Adah

• Sisters creep out with Nelson to see what they had caught
• Turned out to be green Mamba that killed two chickens
• Nelson hit it to make it go away~noticed in the ashes they had laid there was footprint w/six toes

Leah

• The girls hear a scream~comes from Ruth May
• She was bitten by the mamba
• Nelson yells at Leah to get help~Leah is completely frozen

Adah

• "A lightning that cannot strike twice, our lesson learned in the hatefull speed of light." (pg. 365)
• Describes what Ruth did when she got bite

Rachel

• Realizes she has to tell her parents
• Not sure how they will react
• Nobody could move

Leah

• Orleanna's reaction is only silence
• "She wasn't baptized yet."-Reverend (pg.368)
• Orleanna made a shroud for Ruth
• Nelson creates a funeral arch
• Reverend starts to baptize Ruth's friends in the rain

Book Five: Exodus

Orleanna Price

• Giving away their belongings only curved the pain
• Completley left Reverend~said she didn't mean to~left with her daughters
• She realizes that she is very similar to Africa

Leah Price

• Took only what they could carry on backs
• Because of increased amount of mosquitos Leah gets malaria
• Has very strange dreams
• Falls in love with Anatole who meets up w/family~Adah and Orleanna go to America

Rachel Price Axelroot

• Lives in Johannesburg w/Axelroot
• She falls in love with the luxuries~makes friends

Adah Price

• Adah demands to be accepted into Emory University in Atlanta
• Recounts how it was difficult getting to America
• Realizes she owes mother her life~"She would drag me out of Africa if it was her last living act as a mother.  I think probably it was." (pg. 414)

Leah Price

• Leah is sent to Mission Notre Dame De Douleur~Anatole wants her safe~being white is very dangerous
• Anatole take to jail~Leah only recieves letters from him
• Pro-Lumumba group constantley fighting w/pro-Mobutu group

Rachel Axelroot

• Rachel marries Axelroot
• Critizises those who are not white~"But you just have to try and understand, they don't have the same ethics as us.  That is one part of living here.  Being understanding of the differences." (pg. 424)
• Axelroot abuses Rachel~spends money on lavish clothes and going to beach~has affair with French ambassador

Leah Price Ngemba

• Anatole is released from jail
• Leah is sad for Ruth~Anatole sad for Lumumba
• Government continues to get worse
• Leah learns that her father has gone mad

Adah Price

• Meets neurologist that helps her loose her slant
• Orleanna is now apart of Civil Rights movement
• Leah and Anatole move to Atlanta and have child
• Adah asks Orleanna why she chose her over Leah~Orleanna says she works from the bottom up

Leah Price Ngemba

• Mobutu's government has changed all names~Congo now Zaire
• Now have three children together~Anatole's sister living w/them
• Family though is suffering through disease
• Leah furious at government~Mobutu invites two boxers to fight in Africa~Leah even more furious

Rachel Axelroot DuPree Fairley

• French Ambassador leaves Rachel for his mistress
• Marries again but he dies~gives her a hotel
• Makes it into very prominent hotel~very independent

Leah Price Ngemba

• Anatole once again arrested
• Leah remembers going to America~disgusted by the overabundace
• Life very hard for her becasue she is white and Anatole gone

Rachel Price

• Leah plans a trip for the family
• Meet in Senegal for a few week~constanly bickering about government, democracy, and where to eat
• Leah and Rachel take car to get Anatole who was released from prison
• During trip Leah tells sisters about how she heard the Reverend had passed~burned by villagers because thought he was a curse to their village~many children died from crocodile attack
• "Jesus is poisonwood!  Here's to the Minister of Poisonwood.  And here's to his five wives!" (pg. 490)

Adah Price

• Orleanna moves to Georgia coast~Adah tells her the Reverend has died~very quiet about it~goes outside to plant flowers
• Did not want to talk about what Reverend had done

Leah Price Ngemba

• Leah has her fourth son:Nathaniel~had him on side of road~very sick~didn't eat for a week
• Talks to the fire, trees, and the moon~thinks she is going mad
• Anatole recieves job offers from Angola~too dangerous to go~America giving weapons to war lords
• "If I have to hop all the way on one foot, damn it, I'll find a place I can claim as home." (pg. 506)

Book Six: Song of the Three Children

Rachel Price

• Rachel is now fifty~Proud to be have her looks and success
• Realizes Reverend's faults
• Knows she cannot fit back into American society

Leah Price

• Leah and Anatole now live in Angola~Nathaniel is ten
• Take in refugees during dry season
• Anatole tells stories of how Africa would have been if evil foreigners had not controlled the continent

Adah Price

• Adah stops practicing medicine
• Co-workers critisize her work in the viruse field~moves to the Congo
• Discovers how viruses interact w/world around them
• Viruses act more like relations to Adah then anyting else
• "I am born of a man who believed he could tell nothingbut the truth, while he set down for all time the Poisonwood Bible." (pg. 533)

Book Seven: The Eyes in the Trees

• Last chapter narrator:Ruth May
• Discovers how things are connected~her point of view from the first story Orleanna spoke of
• Mobutu is now dead~country now in greater chaos
• Orleanna and her daughters want to go to gravesite of Ruth~never make it
• Learn at the market that the village of Kilanga no longer exists
• Tells her mother to forgive herself