World Literature and Composition

13 March 2012

Journal Prompt13 March

We must use time wisely and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right.

Nelson Mandela

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PhysicalSocialEmotionalRelationalSpiritualOther

PhysicalSocialEmotionalRelationalSpiritualOther

New Experiences

Explain some of the things at the Mission House that were unfamiliar to Kumalo.

How do you respond in new situations? Why was everyone silent when Kumalo

spoke about “that far country”? What is the new “sickness of the land”? Is there a modern example?

New Information

Why did Gertrude go to Johannesburg in the first place?

What was her sickness? Why would this be especially painful for

Kumalo to hear? Who else was affected by her sickness?

New Sorrow What does Kumalo learn about his

brother and his son in these chapters? Describe Gertrude’s neighborhood. What is “bad laughter”? Why is there no life in Gertrude’s hand? Explain Gertrude’s fear and Kumalo’s

anger. What is John’s “new” religion? What happened to John’s family? How is John’s “cunning and knowing

smile” the same as the “bad laughter”?

New Sorrow Why did John’s voice change as he

spoke? Do you like John Kumalo? Why/why not? Why does John seem unconcerned

about the whereabouts of his own son? What does John Kumalo lack? Why isn’t

he a threat to the establishment? What do you know about Absalom and

his friends?

New Sorrow Why did Msimangu and Kumalo walk to

Alexandra? Explain the trio of power in the

Johannesburg “new society”? (74) Why did Kumalo marvel at a ride from

a stranger? Explain the petition and the battle it

incited. (74-77) Why was the woman who had housed

Absalom so fearful? How had Absalom lived? (78)

New Understanding

Where had Absalom gone and with whom and why?

Why do the police try to prevent kindness?

Why is it that a white man helping a black man is something “not lightly done’? (81)

Why was this a “bitter journey” to Kumalo? (55)

New Friend

What does Msimangu say that indicates the depth of his faith?

What is the bigger issue facing South Africa beyond that the “house is broken?”

What does Msimangu say about power?

Do you agree? Why/why not? What is Msimangu’s greatest fear? (71)

New Revelation

•How does forgiveness factor into this section?•How much truth is there, even today, about the corrupting influence of power?•All buses lead to Johannesburg, all roads lead to Johannesburg: why is the repetition significant?

Homework

Read chapters 10-13Create at least one discussion question per chapterE-mail the questions to me no later than 6 p.m. Thursday (15 March) the writingteacher@gmail.comCreate a tentative thesis statement for your essay. We will discuss them in class and work to strengthen them together.

Essay prompt: Which is more important to society, mercy OR justice?