Kingsolver thinking.

Please find below the statements that students composed in class.  These statements reflect the arguments that students believed Kingsolver was making in her novel.  Each is the beginning of the exploration of a concept.  Many of them would need to be re-structured, but they are a great source to jump start your thinking.  If I had to write this essay, I would choose my favorite and complete a free write about it, not editing or censoring, and I would see where it takes me.  Writing is a re-cursive process.  You set something down and then you go back over it, re-working, re-writing, re-thinking until it becomes a coherent, cohesive whole.

Here are your ideas:

Courage is not facing challenges, but rather admitting mistakes and moving past them.

Events in one’s life can influence one’s will to do something one would not otherwise do.

Language can be used to convey certain implications where other forms of communication may fail.

When facing obstacles in life, one must accept failure in order to overcome these obstacles.

Different opinions on imperialism are formed  based on how much information is given and the imperialistic pursuit of power leads to the destruction of cultures.

It takes time to accept hardships and deal with them.

One is always faced with a long troubled conquest to better the mind, body and spirit.

In life, you must not only accept yourself, but also others around you and how they live.

Although westernization is viewed as good by the general public , in reality it can do more harm than good.

Adaptation is necessary if you plan to succeed in life.

Letting go on the past and forgiving yourself are necessary steps to reaching inner peace.T

The actions of those hungry for power and authority affect everyone, especially the most innocent.

From tragedy comes an opportunity for rebirth.

Cultural understanding leads to social integrity.

You must find your own identity, not letting others define you first.

It is necessary in life to take a step back and change your perspective in order to understand a situation in its entirety.

Religion, for some can provide self-identification and give life meaning, but for others it can create self-righteousness and can hinder your perspective on the world.

Commitment can cause people to lose sight of what is truly important.

The perception of your own culture can be altered by new experiences and individuals

The ability to consider the needs of others over one’s own is what creates a successful community.

Identity is altered by new surroundings.

Life is unpredictable and one must be able to adapt and overcome these situations

Life is truly nothing without controversy.

Misinterpretation is easy to find but hard to solve.

Through adversity, growth changes not only your physical appearance but also soul and mind

Forgiveness is the key to moving on.

Everything comes at a Price

Everyone sacrifices something but it is what you choose to sacrifice that defines you

Social and cultural barriers can be brought tumbling down through shared adversity and survival

Death is unexpected

Resistance comes from fear of the unknown

With the loss of basic necessities everyone is in jeopardy

The key to survival is in your own hands

Cure of obsession; get another one.

Although strong, the natural bonds of kinship can be severed by selfishness and abandonment

Ignorance is bliss

Narcissism intoxicates the senses

Having a positive attitude is the best way to go through life

The less control you have, the more fear you have

Different opinions on imperialism are forms based on how much information is given, and the imperialistic pursuit of power leads to the destruction of cultures.

Some people are sweet, while others can be poison.

One must endure hardships to discover ones true identity.

Relationships are changed and challenged by circumstance

Respect should be shown to all cultures and ways of life

Redemption of the past can consume the future

Resistance can be helpful or harmful depending on the situation

Perseverance in easy times is easy, but resilience in hard times shows character.

Egoism blinds the mind from reality.

Hardship, it will either bring people closer, or it’ll tear them apart.

Family; it’ll make or break you.

Power; use it, don’t abuse it.

Don’t let others’ dreams get in the way of your own.

Being in isolation results in self-reevaluation.

Resentment over a loss can sometimes be worse than the loss itself.

The thrill of discovery is often worth great sacrifice.

Ignorance and self-righteousness are a deadly combination.

A family must be strong internally to overcome obstacles.

The path to freedom is never an easy one.

No matter how tough times get, you can always hope.

Without trust relationships easily crumble.

Egoism blinds the mind from reality.

Passion is a necessity to having a meaningful life.

Tolerance is vital to human coexistence.

Consider your actions carefully so you are not haunted by regret

Morality can change based on one’s experiences

Adjusting ones attitude accordingly is essential to adaptation

Trials and tribulations lead to self-reflection and discovery

Pride in conjunction with ignorance can lead to one’s downfall

Greed through desperation can be deceiving.

Humility is key to gaining respect

One can never rid themselves of family

Pride is deadly

Stereotypes and misunderstanding are repercussions of ethnocentricity.

Oppression leads to resentment

Ego can cloud your judgment

Righteousness is found not earned

Separation from the world you know can lead to a better understanding of the world of others

Facing turmoil will crush the spirit of some, while bringing out the strength of others

Death and destruction are necessary for the cycles of life to continue.

Ignorance of others creates barriers between people in the community

Obsession can define you or consume you

Disease of the mind can destroy as easily as disease of the body.

The most insurmountable adversity brings out the innermost self.

Sometimes the actions of the present are really a reflection of the past.

The greatest tool for understanding is humility.

Obsession can define you or consume you.

Oppression unleashes the will to fight back.

Pride gives birth to prejudice.

As a way of gaining control, religion can be warped into a weapon that it’s not meant to be.

Morality is sacrificed in the desire to bring change.

Dealing with hardships brings about maturity over time.
In life, it's survival of the fittest.
Acts of desperation can reveal one's true character.
Independence can simple be a cruel illusion.
Family has the power to either strengthen or destroy us.
There is both physical and spiritual genocide.
It is in the future that one feels humility for past actions.
Stubbornness is a synonym for ignorance.