The History of Nations: Japan Post 2

This historical book on the History of Japan is a great way to learn about Japan's culture, and it's past. I have personally learned so much from every few pages, that I was surprised because it looked incredibly boring. (The fact that it was 202 pages did not make the book seem any more interesting.) despite it's seemingly boring topic, I should have been wiser than to "judge a book by it's cover" The amount of information available in this book is unbelievable. I would absolutely recommend this book if you are desperately searching for some history of Japan's economy, culture, geography, or any facts/information on Japan's background, I suggest that you check out this book.
This book includes a detailed chronological table of Japan's history from the many different clans that spawned in the 1600's to the cultural influences from China, to the natural disasters in the 1900's. In history Japan has not been one of the most peaceful nations, yet it is not a violent country. It's people are intelligent and are able to adapt to many geographic changes, and the country itself is full of unique culture and heritage. I am surprised at how much i did not know about the country, and this book is only the first step towards learning about our world, and what is in store for man in the future.

The History of Nations: Japan Post 1

After the crisis in Japan, I wondered how the economy would hold, and how the damage has affected the daily lives of people living there. I then realized that I knew nothing about the social, political, or economic factors of  Japan. Nor did I have any knowledge of the nation's history. Fortunately for this term, our ROAR selection consisted of finding a book about the history of our favorite (or most interesting) subject. I chose "The History of Japan" because it is a great example of how I could learn more about the country's history, as well as it's people, and it's culture. If I can understand the nation's history, it might help me understand a bit on the nation's current events, and maybe even the affects of war, or crisis like the earthquake, Tsunami, and radiation, and how they affected the lives of people in history, as well as current times.
What I am most interested in learning is the historical culture of the nation, as well as it's economy, as well as how they have been established. By reading this book I have learned that the geography of Japan is beautiful, as many of it's islands consist of lush forests, as well as complex society. However, despite it's beautiful geography, Japan suffers from horrific earthquakes almost daily. This is because Japan's territory (Geography) lies in volcanic terrain.
(Quotes) " In 1995, an earthquake in the port city of Kobe killed more than 5,000 people,and left over 300,000 people homeless" (Japan 13)

Reaction: This revelation in history helped me realize that despite the intensity of the earthquake that occurred recently, it was not the only disastrous quake that happened there. I had no idea that Japan was so "Earthquaqe Prone"

Slumdog Millionaire Movie Post 2

Like any movie, "Slumdog Millionaire" has it's specific camera, sound, and lighting affects that may emphasize certain scenes. The following film terms were used in the movie. The high angle shot consists of the camera being   placed in a high angle above the scene, yet not as high as the "Birds eye view." This camera affect could be seen when the Jamal's classroom is being previewed. Another film term that came up in the movie is the "Frame within a frame" in which there seems to be another frame within the frame created by the camera's sides. This could be seen when the camera zooms into the television set in which Jamal was participating in the game show "Who want s to be a millionaire."
The reaction shot could be seen when the camera zooms into a character's face in order to see their reaction. In this case the camera zooms into Salim's envious face when he sees Jamal receives an autograph from a famous celebrity. Music also played an important role in the film, the music consisted festive, and happy, as well as  sad, and horrific music. The music playing during the scene establishes a mood so that the audience is able to feel what the character is feeling. The film was enhanced by the affects of these camera and sound affects, they made me see the character's point of view, while feeling the same way the character feels.   

Slumdog Millionaire Movie Post 1

The movie "Slumdog Millionaire" (like the book) focuses on the life of Jamal, who is a young boy growing up in the slums of India. While he is growing up, Jamal experiences many challenges, including violent uprisings, to which his mother became a victim. Ever since he lost their mother, Jamal and his brother Salim have struggled to maintain their family ties, despite Salim's constant arrogance, and attitude towards Jamal. They soon befriend an orphan girl "Latika" and the three grow close and call themselves "The Three Musketeers." The only way for them to get by is by begging, or what their teacher calls "their job."
After a long period of working they discover that their teacher values the money they receive more than their health so they end up escaping, yet Latika gets captured, and stays while working as a dancer.
Reaction: The violence and the Hatred that young children are exposed to is really surprising. The attack that ended Jamal's mother's life was caused by a growing hatred between the Hindus and the Muslims in India. The fact that grown men would attack others, including young children is sickening. The religious differences between two cultures do not justify the violence that young children have to go through. They do not justify any violence period. One can't imagine what it must be like growing up through this violence.

Post 2 Slumdog Millionaire

I was shocked at the incredible luck that Ram has had on the first three questions. Apparently the past experiences in Ram's life guide him into answering the questions, as he continues his path toward winning the Billion Rupees. The audience and the host are surprised at how a simple waiter from the slums of India is capable of answering these extremely difficult questions. When Ram remembers the events that helped him answer the questions I began to understand that one does not need knowledge in order to be victorious, maybe luck and experience are enough for Ram to win such a huge game.
Every chapter of the book begins with the experience in Ram's life that allowed him to answer the question, and ends with Ram answering the question despite not having any knowledge from school, or from reading, or writing about the subject.
I find this very impressive, the fact that someone can answer difficult questions, without having had any learning experience in school  incredible. Ram is not only lucky to have had the opportunity to win the game, I find it lucky that he had the experience that would allow him to figure out these obsticals.

Post 1 Slumdog Millionaire

I am so excited about reading this book because many of my friends have seen the movie and said that it was amazing. They described many different emotions they felt when watching the film such as sadness, anger, and fear. All these reviews from my friends have encouraged me to make this book my choice for my ROAR this term!
So far I understand that the main character Ram Mohammed Thomas is a contestant on the quiz show "Who Wants To Win a Billion" in India. However, he is thought to be cheating because he lived in the "slums" of India. He worked as a simple waiter in a non professional restaurant  so he shocked many people by his incredible victory in the show. Police officers find it so hard to believe that they take him to jail without any form of warrant,  
or evidence to his cheating. Because the episode of the game show has not been aired yet, not many people know about Ram's victory. So not many people are aware that Ram is constantly questioned, beaten, and tortured.

This part of the book was incredibly difficult to read because he is an innocent guy who lives in penury with a simple dream of winning this game show. The police officers had absolutely no right to arrest him without a warrant, yet they continue to question, and torture Ram until he confesses to his crime. There was no crime! This angered so horribly, only a person who has deep hatred for another can do this kind of thing! 

The Chocolate War Post #5

The story has now reached a stage in which Brother Leon has reached complete frustration. By now he notices that the chocolate sales are getting lower and lower with every student, only a few students have met or exceeded their quota of 50 boxes. Many are within the 40 and 30's range. The rest of the students however have sold very little. Then there is Jerry Renault. Brother Leon believes that Jerry is the one to blame for the slow  
deterioration of the chocolate sales due to his refusal to sell the chocolate.
I was shocked to read that Leon believes that he could just blame the result of the sale on one student. It is still too early for many of the students to be influenced by his decision, and i doubt that one child who refuses to sell the chocolate could cause a sudden huge decrease on the amount of chocolate sold. The reason to why the chocolates are not selling might have to do with the fact that the chocolate sales are twice what they were last year (amount of boxes that is.) Or maybe it;s the fact that the chocolates cost more than last year.

Quote: "The boys have been infected by a disease we call apathy. A terrible disease difficult to cure" (Cormier 155)

This quote shows Brother Leon's reaction towards the decrease in chocolate sales. Leon refers to Jerry's negative influence on the other boys as a "disease."