I think that one of the things that makes this work such a rich and multi-layered read are the number of quotations that the author has included to open each new section. It is interesting to think about how the quotations that he has chosen add to the meaning of the section that they precede. Do you notice any patterns as we open with this short excerpt?
And the information that we get about the author's exigence (vocab term: someone look it up and tell us what it means and how it applies to this book), his purpose and intent, the initiating questions that guide the research and the composition are valuable to us as writers and readers. I'd love to hear someone who agrees with this contribute an explanation about why they believe this to be true. If you don't agree, I don't want to hear from you. I'M KIDDING, OF COURSE. OF COURSE.
And it strikes me that it is never a bad idea to begin with a narrative.
What are your thoughts on any or all of this? It's a deceptively short section--7 measly pages--but there is so much contained within.
Another vocab term: ethos. Anyone wanna take a stab at how this is established in these first seven pages?
Can't WAIT TO GET A REPLY! I'll limit the caps in future posts. I promise.
I posted this on the Facebook page as well. So, if you are more comfortable with that format, comment there. It's called "Mrs. McAllister's AP English Language and Composition"
I agree, the quotations definitely add a lot to this book. I found the first quote from Hamlet to be interesting. After googling the quote, one source interpreted it to mean "But a terminal disease requires extreme treatment, or nothing at all." I suppose nothing at all means accepting death. Or maybe something else?
ReplyDeleteThe initiating questions and statements of purpose can cause the reader to think about what the author is going to dive into in this book. Almost like a thesis, the book is outlined here.
Finally, ethos. Dictionary.com defines it as "the fundamental character or spirit of a culture." Apparently, ethos is Greek for "character". I suppose it's sort of like the tone and attitude of the book? Through the story of Clara, the author quickly introduces us to the grim world of cancer and the hospital though his own eyes, those a cancer fellow.
On a final note, I thought last sentence of the prologue was really cool- Clara was trapped, but the author was able to leave.
Victoria, this is so exciting! As I look at the last line of the prologue in my text, which I read quite some time ago, I am looking at a notation that I made that says, "into the prison." And the fact that you noticed it too shows that you have an innate sense of rhetorical analysis. When you notice that a sentence is really cool, there has to be a reason why. I mean, what is it exactly that makes you think that this is a deliberate piece of craftsmanship on the part of the author? How does it contribute to the meaning or to what you understand about the subject? I have to confess; I just spent 5 minutes typing what I thought was the answer to that question and then I deleted it because I realized I had not given you a chance to do the thinking. So, what do you think? Why is it cool?
ReplyDeleteYou are close with the "ethos". For our purposes, it is about "character", but it is more about how the author makes us like him, makes us willing to listen to what he has to say, makes us think that our interest and our benefit is at the core of his intentions, and establishes himself as a credible source. So if you want, you can go back and do some more thinking about the answer to that one. I admire the fact that you took the risk to answer it. It is only when we are confused or wrong that any learning takes place and if we are never willing to be wrong or confused......then, I think, learning is so much less meaningful.
So far, it's me and you, kid. :) I 'll post some stuff about the next seven pages tonight.
Also, check the Facebook page for "Golden Lines" and feel free to add your own.
ReplyDeleteWell, for starters, much of the prologue put emphasis on how cancer is all-consuming. On page 4, one woman told the author that the cancer ward was her prison. As the prologue closes, this image is reinforced. I liked the author's use of the word "whoosh" because it's simply a fun word. I can imagine Mukherjee leaving the ward and Carla remaining, alone and afraid. She's virtually just been sentenced to prison.
ReplyDeleteEthos makes much more sense now! I suppose one way the author establishes ethos is by giving us some insight into his experience as an oncologist in training. When the author's colleague gives him some advice, I think it makes the author seem more credible, somehow. Additionally, the glimpse we get into the emotional challenges of being a oncologist make me emphasize with Mukherjee. Am I closer? :) Thanks for taking time to reply just for me! I'll try to spread the word and get more people on here.
You are dead on with the ethos thing. Another way he establishes ethos is to give credit to all of those who came before him.
ReplyDeleteIf just one person benefits from this blog, it is worth it to keep going. I must admit that yesterday for a minute, I was thinking "Why am I doing this?" And then I realized that if one person benefits, its worth it. Plus, I have been writing test questions every day since we started and so I think if I continue on, I will have four separate versions of the test for each of my hours. That is definitely worth it. So, don't feel pressure to comment every single day just because you are the only one, and don't worry about the others. They have all the same information that you do. It is up to them to decide to take advantage of it or not. Do you think this has been helpful for you so far?
Those scientists will be important just for the sake of the test so I am glad you are keeping track. So far, the guys who have made the cut in the first 24 or so pages are Farber, Virchow, Bennett, Lucy Wills, Halstedt and then I threw some others in there as distractors. If you know those listed, then you will know that the answer is not one of the ones I've listed here...oh, and Subbarao whom I really like :)
The information above is helpful and inspiring, thanks!
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