Schuyler3cothum


 * Pre-Reading**
 * 1) What is the relationship between choices and consequences?
 * 2) How do the choices you make impact your life? Impact the lives of others? How do the collective choices of many impact the lives of others?
 * 3) How can the choices we make lead to both good and bad consequences? How can consequences promote negative/positive change?
 * 4) What do the choices and subsequent actions a person (or group) makes reveal about that person’s (or group’s) character?
 * 5) Do we all have equal power/ability to make choices? Why is this important?

====The setting of the beginning of the story is on K2. Greg Mortenson was lost and was expecting to see one of his climbing partners, Scott Darsney. I find the mood to be anxious, mainly because Greg is lost and even further is expecting to see one of his partners that he hadn't seen in hours.====
 * Chapters 1-3**
 * 1) Describe the setting and mood at the beginning of the story. Who assisted Mortenson on his way to Askole/Korphe?
 * 1) What does Mortenson drink for nourishment? Why is this significant to the story?

Greg drinks a Bolti tea called, "Paiyu Cha" which is made up of certain herbs. In the book Greg Mortenson says, "It looks like chocolate milk, but doesn't taste like it at all."

 * 1) Does the poem below that begins Chapter 2 (in the original version) reflect self-determination or destiny? Do you agree with the poem’s sentiment? Explain. Why do you think the author chose to place the poem in this chapter? (WIKI)

I think this poem is about destiny because it literally says, "Why ponder thus the future to foresee?" I don't agree with the sentiments however.
Why ponder thus the future to foresee And jade thy brain to vain perplexity? Cast off thy care, leave Allah’s plans to him- He formed them all without consulting thee.

-Omar Khayyam, The Rubalyat

4. What does Mortenson discover about the quality of life in Korphe, specifically in regard to healthcare and education? In what ways is the quality of life in Korphe better or worse than your own? Cite evidence from the text. 5. Create a Character Web using Inspiration or[| webspiration], or the [|Google doc], for Mortenson. Make additions to the web as you read. Include: ¨ Name of the Character ¨ Background of the Character ¨ Events that happen to or around the character ¨ What is the character's relationship with other characters and the environment? ¨ What are some important things that the character says? ¨ What changes does the character go through? ¨ Name some things that the character does in the story? ¨ What do other characters say about this character? ¨ What is a good question to ask about this character?

6. Who is Haji Ali? Record on a new Character Web. 7. How do the villagers help Mortenson? How does Mortenson help the villagers? 8. What promise does Mortenson make to the villagers of Korphe?

His childhood was very, "unusual" for an average American child. If American is even the right word, he grew up in an under-privelaged, poor country. Also at age 11, he had climbed Africa's highest mountain. What a sight to behold, climbing a continent's highest mountain and looking out at the scenario! Greg is very close to his sister. Christa has a disease called epilepsy, which causes spontaneous seizures which can always be deadly. In the book, Greg himself says that he was Christa's protector. The moment she was baptized, Greg became her godfather. To raise money for the school, Greg rents a typewriter in order to write letters to people who would have money. He was unsuccessful at first, but then went to give it back to the computer supply store, where the clerk happened to be Pakistani. He was interested in Greg's cause, and showed Greg how to use a computer, and also helped him to write 580 letters. Jean Hoerni plays a large role in Greg's fundraising. Jean himself was the one who had donated the $12,000 for Greg's school.
 * Chapters 4-5**
 * 1) List 3 important details from Mortenson’s childhood. How might his childhood have prepared him for his role as director of the Central Asia Institute (CAI)? Explain.
 * 1) How does Mortenson feel about his sister Krista? How do you know? Cite evidence from the story.
 * 1) How does Mortenson try to raise money for the school? Is he successful?
 * 1) What roles does Jean Hoerni play in Mortenson’s fundraising?

I do not know what Shah means, however I think that the resemblance of Allah and bargaining says that in Abdul's culture, bargaining could be a tradition? This does not much relate to my religion, which is Judaism. To be honest, I have never really been COMPLETELY exposed to a different culture. Unless you count Orthodox Judaism, I have never seen an entirely different religion. I believe that every culture is diverse in its entirety. Each culture in the world is a different culture literally, so in my eyes they are all diverse in their own ways. I myself have been to some different countries around the world such as Costa Rica, Mexico, and Germany. I personally love to travel and so I've seen European culture and Latin culture as well.
 * Chapter 6**
 * 1) When Mortenson returns to Pakistan with money for the Korphe school, Abdul Shah, the watchman at the hotel, says, “By the merciful light of Allah almighty, tomorrow we make much bargain.” What does Shah mean? What do the act of bargaining and the mention of Allah reveal about Shah’s culture? How is it similar or different to your own culture?
 * 1) Much of this chapter shows Mortenson trying to assimilate into a non-Western (Muslim) culture. In the original version, Relin writes, “Mortenson had known…that the word ‘Muslim”means, literally,’to submit.’ And like many Americans…had found the idea dehumanizing. But for the first time, kneeling among a hundred strangers, watching them wash away…impurities…he glimpsed the pleasure to be found in submission to a ritualized fellowship of prayer.” Describe a time you saw a cultural difference in a new light. What enabled you to change?
 * 1) Is it possible to embrace cultural diversity without being exposed to diverse cultures? Cite evidence from the text as well as your own experience to explain your answer.

Mortenson's travel was very slow. The roads were very unpaved and of bad quality. I would think that Greg would feel that way considering that he'd been tossed from village to village trying to get just to Korphe, and all the other villages were under the impression that he was building a school for them. When Greg finally returns to Korphe, the villagers and Haji Ali present to Greg a new obstacle. They claim that they need a bridge in order for the easier crossing of the Braldu River. Greg and Changazi are both eager to help the children of Pakistan and the way I see it, they are both very different. Greg enlists George McCown for payment assistance because he knows that McCown had climbed K2 in the past and would reluctantly. When the chapter title is shown as "Building Bridges", it beholds two meanings. Within this chapter, Greg and the Balti people begin the difficult task of building a bridge for the school to be ready. When you look past the mere physical task of building a bridge, it unveils a more moral meaning of building bridges. While constructing the bridge, you can tell that Greg is also building bridges with the relationship of the Balti people. In a way, he is almost like in the process of completing the bridge to building the Korphe School. Greg learns that Tara has given birth to their first daughter and child, Amira.
 * Chapter 7-11**
 * 1) Describe the roads on which Mortenson traveled.
 * 1) At one point in the original version of the story, Mortenson says that he feels like a “flashing neon dollar sign.” (p95) Why do you think he feels this way?
 * 1) Using either Inspiration or [|Webspiration], make another Character Web of Changazi. How does he compare to Mortenson? (WIKI)
 * 2) When Mortenson finally returns to Korphe, what new obstacle does he face?
 * 1) Review your Character Webs of Haji Ali and Mortenson. What similarities and differences do they have?
 * 1) Why does Mortenson enlist George McCown to help pay those who were working on the bridge?
 * 1) The title of the chapter “Building Bridges” has a literal and figurative meaning. Define both and tell how each relates to the story.
 * 1) What important personal event takes place at this point in the story?
 * Chapter 12-13**
 * 1) At the school construction site, what does Haji Ali instruct Mortenson to do? How is this situation representative of a clash of cultures? Does Mortenson listen to Haji Ali’s advice? What would you have done in the same situation?

The custom of the three cups of tea is very significant to the Pakistani and I believe the Muslims as well. "With the first cup of tea, you are a stranger. With the second, you are an honored guest. With the third cup of tea, you are family." This custom has to do a lot with Greg's success. Throughout the entire story, Greg always mentions how he has tea with the other Pakistanis he does business with, as well as Pakistani friends. The people of Korphe had made many sacrifices to build this school. One of the many sacrifices was the work that the Korphe men had done by carrying all the stones and concrete and cement (to be mixed) on almost whole day trips. Greg considers Haji Ali to be the wisest man he ever knew because above all, Haji Ali never really knew city life, or money, or anything the Highland Park we live in. The way I see it, this one of the largest reasons why Haji Ali is as calm and wise the way he is. I feel that I cannot name the wisest person I know yet. If anyone, it'd be my grandfather. He is blessed with knowledge and education. He is always explaining things to me when I don't understand them. I love him so much and wish him even more of the gift of life.
 * 1) Retell in your own words the custom of “three cups of tea” as defined by Haji Ali. How does embracing this custom impact Mortenson’s success? (WIKI)
 * 1) What are some of the sacrifices the people of Korphe made in order to build this school?
 * 1) Why does Mortenson consider Haji Ali to be the “wisest man he ever met”?
 * 1) Describe the wisest person you know and explain why he or she is wise.

I feel the tone of this chapter is fierce and thrilling. While Greg is taken prisoner under the conditions of a kidnapping, I find the suspense to be good, but it isn't deathly scary. Throughout his time in he room he's kept in, he is always thinking about how to handle the situation. The WaterPik advertisement makes Greg cry because of the image on the advertisement. On the advertisement, a picture of a family smiling together is portrayed. This is what makes Greg cry as he misses his own family.
 * Chapter 14**
 * 1) Tone is defined as a literary technique that is a part of composition, which encompasses the attitudes toward the subject and toward the audience implied in a literary work. Tone may be formal, informal, intimate, solemn, somber, playful, serious, ironic, condescending, or many other possible attitudes.Tone and mood are not interchangeable. Describe the tone of this chapter.
 * 1) Why does a WaterPik advertisement in Time magazine cause Mortenson to cry?

I feel that price must've played a big role in Greg's decision of construction workers. Beyond that, most of the men and women were actually eager to help build the schools. The way he chose to build the schools is very crucial because it must have been cheaper and he could trust the people in Pakistan. Jean Hoerni was proud of his role in the CAI because he first of all, called one of his old-time schoolmates and rubbed the fact that he helped a school in Pakistan in the persons face. Also he, placed the picture of Korphe school on his bulletin board above every other important document. This story exposes the mistreatment of women in Pakistan in many ways. The main reason I see it as, is that the girls are forbidden from going to school, let alone learning in general.
 * Chapter 15-16**
 * 1) What important advice does Haji Ali give to Mortenson that he incorporates into the Central Asia Institute (CAI) plans for building new schools? Do you think this advice would serve Mortenson well if he were building schools in the US? Why/why not?
 * 2) Throughout the story Mortenson encounters obstacles to building the schools. Would it have been easier and/or more effective for Mortenson to have used builders from the US to build the schools? Explain. Why is how Mortenson chose to build the schools important?
 * 1) List two details from this chapter that reveal that Jean Hoerni is proud of his role in the CAI.
 * 1) What does this story reveal about the rights of girls?

Haji Ali means that Greg should literally listen to the wind for his answer, and maybe instead of listening, I always supposed that the wind would point out his answer, rather than telling him. I completely agree with Greg Mortenson's reasoning of that topic. I feel that if children were given a LEGITIMATE education in Middle-Eastern countries, they would be less vulnerable to terrorism in that area in the world. Greg received a lot of hate mail due to the fact that Greg was a strong supporter of Pakistan, and the American people had reason to believe that he could've been somewhat involved in the bombing in someway. The comparison of being dropped in Washington D.C. to being dropped in an Afghan village was so because Greg was unfamiliar to the customs and rules and ways of Capitol Hill, as he wouldn't know the customs in an Afghan village. There is much relation in that poem to the ways of the Taliban and the areas it controls, such as Pakistan. This poem practically describes terrorism in its entirety.
 * Chapters 17-20**
 * 1) What does Haji Ali mean when he tells Mortenson to “listen to the wind”?
 * 1) Why do you think Mortenson asking Americans back home “not to assume that all Muslims Mortenson says, “I’ve learned that terror doesn’t happen because some group of people in somewhere like Pakistan or Afghanistan simply decide to hate us. It happens because children aren’t being offered a bright enough future that they had a reason to choose life over death….with a chance at a better life, they would not be easy prey for terrorists who taught them to hate countries like the US…” Do you agree or disagree? How so? Does Mortenson’s statement apply to citizens in the US as well? How so?
 * 1) were guilty of terrorism” in the months after 9/11 resulted in envelope after envelope of hate mail? (p129-130)
 * 1) How is going to Washington D.C. “Like being dropped into a remote Afghan village” for Mortenson” (p137)
 * 1) In the original version of the book, author, Jon Krakauer, reads “The Second Coming” by William Butler Yeats to introduce Mortenson? What is the relevance of the Yeats’ poem?

Things fall apart: the centre cannot hold Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world, The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere The ceremony of innocence is drowned; The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity” Jahan's words are proving that the lives of the students are being improved because of her own success. She has learned so much herself and her words are inspirational to me at least, and to other children around Pakistan. I believe that this statement is partially true. I agree with the statement in the way that I feel that education will speed up the process of winning the war on terrorism, but will not ultimately win it by itself. Education is like water because, and I quote, "Is an essential need of the body to live." I absolutely agree with this statement.
 * Chapters 21-End**
 * 1) How do Jahan’s words demonstrate that the schools are improving the lives of the students who attend them?
 * 1) Mortenson states that the war on terror “Will ultimately be won with books, not bombs.” Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Explain.
 * 1) How is education like water? (p145)