Saturday, August 29, 2009
Group B Connector
Post your connections to the book. These may be connections to: your own life (text to life)To happenings at school or in the neighborhood or in the newspaper (text to world)To other books or stories (text to text)To other writings on the same topic (text to text)To other writings by the same author (text to author)Please respond to each other's entries.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
test
ReplyDeletetest
ReplyDeletetest
ReplyDeletemessage posted
ReplyDeleteTest
ReplyDelete???
ReplyDeleteWe're all set!
ReplyDeleteOk just reading Climbing the Stairs. I found this story to be quite interesting. I am not familair with the Indian culture so this story taught me alot. It was difficult to connect with the text as I have never experienced life like that. I cannot imagine being told what do, how to live or who to marry. It was a very empowering story about a girl who wanted to live her life the way she wanted. Luckily she had the support from some in her family. I guess I can connect to Vidya's character, as someone who wanted something and didn't give up. I wanted to be a teacher so I went to college and worked really hard to get to where I am. I was hard working and focused. As Vidya's character she never gave up as did I.
ReplyDeleteHi girls!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Graciela that Vidya is a girl who is rather headstrong and determined, striving so hard to reach her goals no matter how unpopular her ideas. Like Graciela, I saw alot of connections to my own life and reaching my personal goals.
As I kept reading, however, I began to notice a ton of striking connections between Vidya and the main character Esperanza from the novel Esperanza Rising written by Pam Munoz Ryan. Both girls had lives struck with tradegy and were thrown into awkward and often times heartbreaking situations as a result of their misfortunes. In both novels, each girl had a special relationship with their father that eventually changed because of tragedy. Both Esperanza and Vidya were forced to leave the comforts of their lives(each coming from wealth), abandon their former identities and were plopped down in a new setting where each had to deal with their own personal hardships and new responsibilities. Besides so many events being similar in the two stories, I saw a lot of text-text connections regarding the characters' personalities. Both girls were determined, stubborn at times, and above all, not afraid to do or say what they believed. I am not sure if anyone else has read both of these novels, but if so, can you think of other connections between the stories and the girls?
Before I began reading Climbing the Stairs, I wondered what personal connections I would be able to make to the story considering I had little knowledge of Indian culture particularly during the WWII era. From the beginning of the story, Venkatraman wrote in a way that allowed me to picture how life was for an Indian family during that time. The author often used metaphor to help define vocabulary that would have otherwise interfered with my comprehension of the story.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I was raised in a completely different time period, I was able to connect to Vidya’s character throughout the story. I consistently found myself comparing my life to hers. I related to her as a strong-willed girl fighting for the same freedoms as her male peers. I have often questioned the traditional male/female roles that still exist in today’s society. I found it inspiring that she valued education so much that she was willing to risk her happiness, safety, and well being to “climb the stairs”. It made me realize how lucky I have been to have access to education and never have been denied these rights because of my gender or religion. This right is something that I have often taken for granted. Unlike Vidya, it was assumed that I would go to college right after high school without question. I didn’t have to be granted permission from my male guardians. I feel guilty that I did not fully appreciate the value of education when I was younger. This novel has helped put some of these values into perspective for me.
Vendkatraman did a phenomenal job writing Climbing the Stairs. Even though I have a completely different life than Vidya’s, I could still make connections throughout the book, as Vidya was a strong willed, determined girl. Education was extremely important to Vidya and she was determined to go to college, just as I was. (Even though, I did not know any different). Education always very important to me and I too put off marriage until after I graduated college. I couldn’t imagine getting married before then, as I felt my education had to come first. However, I now am married and education is still, if not more, important to me.
ReplyDeleteWhile reading this book I also had a few text-to-world connections. My cooperating teacher was born in India, however lived in Connecticut most of her life. Even though she no longer lived in India, her family still have very strong Indian values and this story reminded me of the stories she used to share. It’s was very interesting to compare the book to her life, as I have not experience anything like it.
I also have a student from India and I meet his whole family last Tuesday at our open house/parents’ night. Meeting their family also made me have a flashback to the story, as my students’ grandmother was dressed with a colorful sari that Vidya described in the story. Thus, even though I did not have any connections through my personal life, I did have many connections with the world (as in people in my world).
HI Ladies,
ReplyDeleteKristyn, I agree with you that I did kind of take for granted the fact that I was going to be able to attend college after my high school years. Receiving an education was such an honor to Vidya and certainly not a "given". In my life, furthering my education was definitely somethiing that I wanted to do, but it wasn't something I had to fight for.
In regards to Vidya's personality, I kind of envied her in a way...she had such dertermination in life and I sometimes find myself getting frustrated with situations where I should maybe have some more determination, even when it looks like there is no hope. Although I connected to her headstrong personality, her determination to overcome the roughest of situations is a quality I would like to possess.
The environment you live in can have a direct relationship on your lifestyle. I was born in a third world Hispanic country where patriarchy is the accepted way of life. Because I was adopted by American parents, I was given the opportunity to become well-educated by having access to a quality elementary, secondary and college education. Because of this I have been able to obtain a good job and even a successful living. Like Vidya and women all over the world, expectant behaviors can be changed and personal goals can be obtained.
ReplyDeleteHi Graciela,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that Vidya is a hard working and focused young girl. I have also thought of myself in the same way. Like you, I have dreamed of becoming a teacher and attending college. In my own family I will be the first person to receive a master's degree which will be a momentous event is my life.
Julie,
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you and love your post. I am also happy to hear that you are the first (and I'm sure not the last) person in your family to receive a master's degree. I'm sure your family is so proud of you and you are a great role model for your family. Congrats!
Kristyn and Jessica,
ReplyDeleteI also agree that we took it for granted that we would go to college, but again, it is the place and time in which we live. I am thankful that our education is more or less expected than granted.
Jessica, I think your envy to have Vidya's headstrong determination is understandable. I too find myself getting frustrated when I don't get what I want or things don't go my way, however, looking at Vidya's determination through her tough life truly says something about the person she is ... and I agree, I would love to possess that trait. This book would be a great book for young adults, especially girls as they can learn about perseverance and courage from Vidya. She is a strong role model for women of all ages.
Ladies,
ReplyDeleteAfter reading several of your blogs, I find it ironic that we have a class of 100% women striving to further educate ourselves. We are not unlike Vidya. Thank goodness we live in America where our culture does not interfere with our goals.
Some of you mentioned students and paraprofessionals in your schools that are from India. I also had a student in my classroom from India that followed traditional customs. Although the family has lived in the United States for many years and education is important to them, they congregated with other families also from India to continue to teach their children the Indian culture.
I always knew that education is a field that is dominated by women, but it is ironic that we are all pursing higher education. That was a good point, Julie! Do you think that your background and personal experience has given you a different perspective when reading the book?
ReplyDelete