The Shadow of the Wind-Week 7, Post B

The story of Penelope Aldaya and Julian Carax resembles a Romeo and Juliet sort of tale. It is the story of forbidden love and ends with the loves becoming separated, never to see each other again. Neither of them dies, but Penelope’s family moves to Argentina, taking her with them. Julian is left alone in Paris, having just fled Barcelona. They sneak around for quite some time before they decide to run away together. Unfortunately Mrs. Aldaya walks in on Julian and Penelope one day, causing much controversy. Julian is forced to leave Barcelona or his father and Mr. Aldaya will dispense him to the army. The day Julian and Penelope were discovered was the last time they ever saw each other. It is a truly tragic story. I made another connection with the story of Romeo and Juliet however. Jacinta is the maid who works in the Aldaya home and she is Penelope’s best friend. Penelope has known her all her life and tells her absolutely everything. Jacinta reminds me of the nurse from Romeo and Juliet because of her close connection to Penelope and her help to give Julian and Penelope time together. She covers for Penelope on many occasions while she and Julian are sneaking around and even looked for opportunities for the two of them to be together. Penelope meant everything to Jacinta and they had full trust in each other. I would not be surprised if Carlos Ruiz Zafon had the story of Romeo and Juliet in mind while inventing the love tale between Penelope and Julian.

The Shadow of the Wind-Week 7, Post A

Women are perceived in a more domestic fashion in the time and setting of The Shadow of the Wind. They are expected to stay at home and care for the children and house. This perception does not surprise me considering the time period this story takes place. During the 1940s in Europe, women did not have all the freedoms they have today. Domesticity was expected of them. There also seems to be a great lack of respect for women by the men in this story. The language and the context they continually use while discussing women is disrespectful and knows no boundries. The men are not ashamed of what they are saying and appear quite shallow to a female like me. There has been a plethora of men who shamelessely cheat on their spouses and also men who are only satisfied with the most beautiful of women. The men seem to have standards for women that they expect all women to uphold, which is a riduculous request.

The Shadow of the Wind-Week 6, Post B

I am completely taken aback by this new knowledge that Inspector Fumero was one of Carax’s childhood friends. When Fumero was being described as a child I was not surprised to find out who he was. His childhood behaviors are exactly like his adult behaviors and his personality has not changed. I am wondering if Fumero has something to do with Lain Coubert or with trying to erase Carax from people’s mind. Although Carax was Fumero’s only friend as a child, Fumero always seemed to have a grudge against Carax. I would even go as far as to say that he was jealous of Carax, especially when Carax and Penelope began their relationship. We learn that Fumero had an obsession with Penelope and this could be the reason why Fumero has it out for Carax. I would predict that this jealousy over Penelope would be enough incentive for Fumero considering his devious and disturbing personality. If Fumero were to discover Daniel’s Carax investigation it could be very dangerous for Daniel. Fumero seems to me like a disturbed person and I don’t think he’s the kind of person who would give up on his grudge against Carax. These traits could be detrimental to Daniel because Fumero’s perseverance could harm him. He might go as far as to torture him to get the Carax novels Daniel has in possession.

The Shadow of the Wind-Week 6, Post A

Some characters are exhibiting behaviors that display an open-minded outlook on meeting new people. This open-mindedness does not appear as much in America. A prime example of this open-mindedness is the meeting between Daniel and Nuria Monfort. Daniel learned that Nuria had a connection with Julian Carax and decided to go to her home to question her. When Daniel arrived at Nuria's apartment, Nuria clearly was suspicious as to why he had come to question her, but she did not let this limit the information she provided for him. She was open-minded about Daniel's intentions and allowed him into her home without many questions. Even after Daniel displayed an interest in Nuria, despite their age difference and the fact that she is married, Nuria still let him question her and to be in her home. This behavior goes both ways. Daniel walked into Nuria's home and the first thing he notices is that it is dirty, unkept, and dismal. He then learns that Nuria's husband is in jail and she is waiting for him to get out. This does not change Daniel's view of Nuria and he allowes himself to get to know her without have pre-conceived opinions. Not only does he get to know her, but Daniel even finds himself falling for her and has to fight urges not to lean in and kiss her.

The Shadow of the Wind-Week 5, Post B

I am convinced that Daniel has a weakness for women who are not his own age. There have been three instances when Daniel has fallen for a woman beyond his years. The first was Clara, the second was Bea, and the third was Nuria. The author has yet to write about Daniel falling for someone his own age. I do however support Daniel and Bea’s relationship if she chooses him. Bea is currently engaged to a man serving time in the military and they have planned to get married once he has finished his service. I have no doubt in my mind that Daniel would make a better fit than her fiancé. Bea has displayed clear signs that she is not truly in love with her fiancé and she also displayed quite an interest in Daniel. While I believe they should be together, there is a problem. Bea is Daniel’s best friend Tomas’s older sister. When Tomas came in to see Daniel the day after Bea came home late from being out with Daniel, Tomas discussed his father’s rage at Bea when she arrived home so late and he claimed that he would rip the limbs off the guy she was with. This obviously made Daniel extremely nervous and he guilt himself into telling Tomas that the mystery guy was him. Tomas did not seem pleased to hear this, but he did not protest against the relationship. He simply said “Don’t hurt my sister,” and got up and left. I have reason to believe that Daniel’s interest in Bea goes beyond infatuation, as opposed to his previous interests.

The Shadow of the Wind-Week 5, Post A

It may be because of the time period that this novel takes place, but I noticed a higher degree of Anti-Semitism in the novel which takes place in Barcelona. The novel takes place during the 1940s, right after the Spanish Civil War. I'm sure the only reason I noticed this is because of the time period the novel is set in. There was a large amount of Anti-Semitism during the 1940s due to the rise of the Nazi party and of Hitler. I am not very knowlegeable about the level of Anti-Semitism in Spain at the time, but I am quite aware of how the countries around Spain felt in terms of Anti-Semitism. I am currently taking a course in A.P. European History. The quote that stuck out the most to me was this: "'The man is going to get you into trouble one of these days, mark my words. He's an anarchist, a Mason, or a Jew at the very least. With that great big nose of his-'" A woman in the novel made this statement about a man who spent his days as a polite watchmaker, and his nights as a transvestite. It is safe to say that there was a lot of intoleration to the homosexuals of the time as well.

The Shadow of the Wind-Week 4, Post B

An inspector showed up recently at the Semperes’ bookshop inquiring about their neighbor, Don Federico, a simple watchmaker. The inspector, who we learn is named Fumero, is suspicious of Federico and consistently refers to him as a “pansy”. At one point during the conversation between Daniel and Fumero, Fumero subtly accuses Federico of being a communist. I’m beginning to wonder if this inspector and Federico have anything to do with the mystery of Julian Carax. Could the reason for people wanting to burn Carax’s novels be political? This story takes place right after World War II and the threat of Communism is a prominent concern. Daniel has never mentioned anything regarding Communist connotations in his copy of Carax’s The Shadow of the Wind. However, it is important to keep in mind that Daniel was around eleven years old when he read Carax’s novel. He might not have been fully aware of Communism and even if he was it is doubtful that he sufficiently understood it. In a letter Daniel uncovered that was written to Carax from his mother, Penelope, some questionable information is found. She’s very secretive and is careful not to give away too much information in the letter. Penelope discusses Carax’s running away from home, and tries to convince him that what he has heard about her is not true. She does not give great insight into what exactly she is accused of, nor is the reader able to decipher why she is currently in hiding. I feel that there is a high possibility that whatever Penelope is hiding from may be a political conflict which could be the reason for the visit of the inspector and the suspicion of Federico.

The Shadow of the Wind-Week 4, Post A

There is a division between what is acceptable based on wealth and social standing and not on character. A person's character is often second to where they are in the class system in this culture. In the novel, Daniel is falling for his best friend Tomas's older sister, Bea. Bea is currently engaged to her boyfriend of a few years who serves in the military. His service in the military places him high on the social pyramid. From Bea's responses to questions about her fiance, I am getting the impression that she would prefer not to marry him. It seems she is only marrying him to stick to the status quo. I am also under the impression that she is reciprocating Daniel's feelings and falling for him as well. Daniel, however is not wealthy, nor is his family "socially acceptable" to the standards of the upper middle class in Barcelona. The Semperes own a small bookshop which Daniel works for. He cannot comete with a man who is serving in the military. I am interested to see if Daniel follows his heart and seeks Bea or if he will deem to accept that he cannot compare to her fiance.

The Shadow of the Wind-Week 3, Post B

This mystery of Julian Carax is intriguing. Daniel keeps finding more and more clues into Carax’s puzzling life and I love it when he does because it gets him closer to discovering why people are opposed to Carax. Daniel may even be able to find Carax if he gathers enough information. I am baffled has to why some people are so opposed to Carax. I cannot understand why people would want to burn his novels. Everything I’ve heard about his novels has been unmistakably positive. His novels have been described as entrancing, magnificent works of art that deserve to be recognized. As I sit here and try to predict what clue Daniel will discover next in the novel, I can’t help but wonder about the strange man who cornered Daniel and demanded that Daniel give him his Carax novel in order for him to burn it. I am beginning to think that this man could possibly be Carax in disguise. One thing Daniel seems to have learned is that Carax is still alive but nobody knows where he and barely anybody even knows who he is. So it would be quite simple for Carax to disguise himself. However, I have trouble understanding what incentive Carax could possible have to burn his own novel. It may seem that my prediction is poorly backed but I only suggested this because something in my instinct says I may be on the right track. I am anxious to learn more about Carax and see if my prediction is correct.

The Shadow of the Wind-Week 3, Post A

In our society here in the United States, a close friendship between a grown man and a young boy would be considered suspicious. In The Shadow of the Wind Tomas and Fermin develop a very close relationship and they spend quite a lot of time together. Fermin is an older man in possibly his 50s while Tomas is probably 16 years old. I would consider this to be a cultural difference because in the United States close friendships between adults and children usually cause a raised eyebrow if the adult is not related to the child. There seems to be a lot more distrust of adults here in the United States than there was in Barcelona around 1945. I realized this to be a cultural difference because as I was reading of their newfound friendship I felt as though this was rather abnormal when in reality, this was a normal practice in Barcelona. I noticed this unsual close friendship between Daniel and Clara as well. Clara is twice Daniel's age and yet they created a bond that proved itself to be strong enough to break Daniel's heart in the end. I felt uncomfortable with the relationship as it was growing and I knew it was because I am not used to adults and children having relationships this close. It will be interesting to see if any more of these adult/child friendships spark throughout the novel.

More World Issue Articles

"Analysis: What does Hamas really want?" from Jerusalem Post on http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1208422652748&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

"Israeli, Palestinian Leaders Hold Talks on Gaza" from CNN on http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/04/13/mideast/index.html

"Carter Says Hamas and Syria Are Open to Peace" from New York Times on http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/22/world/middleeast/22mideast.html?_r=1&ref=middleeast&oref=slogin#

World Issue Topic and Articles

I will be researching the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Here are some articles that I am going to use.

"Israel's Strategy for Combating Palestinian Terror" from Joint Force Quaterly accessed on SIRS
http://sks.sirs.com/cgi-bin/hst-article-display?id=SMN0307-0-5309&artno=0000185244&type=ART&shfilter=U&key=&title=Israel%27s%20Strategy%20for%20Combating%20Palestinian%20Terror&res=Y&ren=Y&gov=Y&lnk=N&ic=Y

"War Begins in Mideast" from UPI'S 20th Century Top Stories accessed on SIRS
http://sks.sirs.com/cgi-bin/hst-article-display?id=SMN0307-0-5309&artno=0000257708&type=ART&shfilter=U&key=&title=War%20Begins%20in%20Mideast&res=Y&ren=Y&gov=Y&lnk=N&ic=Y

"MIDEAST TURMOIL: The History; Imperative of Faith, Advanced by Force" from New York Times
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C07E2D7113FF931A15757C0A9649C8B63&scp=8&sq=origin+of+israeli-palestinian+conflict&st=nyt

The Shadow of the Wind-Week 2, Post B

It seems that all the younger characters in this novel somehow come to find a mentor with whom they become very closely attached to. First, Daniel finds Clara and immediately begins spending large amounts of time with her. He is enamored of her and looks up to her in many ways. There is a point in the story when all Daniel can talk about is Clara. Personally, I found the relationship unhealthy and strange. It upset me that Daniel wouldn’t face reality that he was never going to get this woman, who is twice his age, to fall in love with him. I wouldn’t have minded the relationship had Daniel not been so insistent on spending every waking hour with her. For the period of time that Daniel kept in touch with Clara, he allowed himself and his best friend Tomas to become completely estranged. I was quite surprised that Tomas accepted Daniel back into his life so quickly and without explanation. Speaking of Tomas, he also finds himself a mentor. Fermin, the new bookseller at the Semperes’ bookstore makes a connection with Tomas over their common interest of inventions. They create a strong bond rather quickly and Fermin even decides he care so much about Tomas that he is going to help in get rid of his stammer, which could hold him back from impressing fellow inventors in the future. I do hope that Fermin does not create a pattern of gravely disappointing Tomas as Clara disappointed Daniel. If a pattern is created, there’s only so much time before another mentor is discovered that consumes another child’s life.

The Shadow of the Wind-Week 2, Post A

A major difference in terms of society that I have noticed in The Shadow of the Wind is the formality in the way the adults address younger people. Typically, an older person will use more informal language when referring to a younger person (say, teens or early 20s). There is an older man in the novel named Fermin and he works for the Semperes' book store. When introduced to Daniel's best friend Tomas Alguilar, he uses formal language towards him. Fermin doesn't use this language just upon meeting Tomas, but he continually uses it as time goes on.

"After that they became engrossed in an unintelligable discussion about arcane mathematics, which was Dutch to me. From day on, Fermin always addressed him with formal usted or called him 'doctor,' and pretended not notice the boy's stammer." (95-96)

The other reason for this formality could be that Tomas has proven himself to be as intelligent as Fermin which provides for interesting discussion between the two. Fermin could be impressed by Tomas's knowledge of inventions that he decides to refer to him as an equal rather than a younger person.

The Shadow of the Wind-Week 1, Post B

Dear Mr. Zafon,
I am sincerely enjoying your novel. This story is unbelievably enticing and is quickly becoming one of my new favorite books. I find myself unable to put this book down and continually convince myself that I can read another chapter when I know I should be done. This is unlike many stories I've read and I can honestly say that I was not expecting this type of story when I picked up this novel. It has been quite a pleasant surprise. You are so creative I don't understand how you come up with these ideas. Everytime they praise Carax in your novel I believe that you deserve an equal amount of praise. I love how you've created a story that incorporates adventure, love, mystery, and growth. Although I am truly loving your novel, I still can't bring myself to like Daniel very much. It could possibly that he began the novel as an eleven year old and I am simply tired of hearing about his relentless obsession with Clara, a girl twice his age. I am finding him pathetic, but it appears that he will be forced to mature if he plans on protecting Carax's novel. That task demands strong willpower. I am delighted to hear that Daniel has almost completely stopped thinking about Clara. I understand that he was angry to find her sleeping with another man, but how angry can he really be? I know he's jealous, but he can't imagine that at sixteen years old, he has a chance with a woman over twenty. I found it ridiculous that he was so tormented by that. I will concede that it wasn't right for Adrian Neri to beat him up for barging in on them, but at sixteen he should be able to move on. I truly hope Daniel finds a nice girl his own age. I think a girl would do well for him.

Thank you for writing this novel,
Emily

The Shadow of the Wind-Week 1, Post A

A prominant difference I'm noticing culturally is the level of comfort with strangers. The protagonist, Daniel Sempere, becomes quite upset one night and decides to take a walk. On his walk he visits a friend's house where he finds an extremely dissapointing sight that he wasn't meant to see. Daniel gets severely beat up that night because of what he saw and is back to wandering around the streets. It's probably around midnight, and Daniel comes across a homeless man who offers him some wine and a shelter form the rain under his cardboard roof.

"'What a minute, at least until the rain eases off,' the beggar suggested. He took me by the arm and led me to a corner under the arches where he kept a bundle of possessions and a bag with old, dirty clothes. 'I have a bit of wine. It's not too bad. Drink a little. It will help you warm up. And disinfect that...' I took a swig from the bottle he offered me. It tasted of diesel oil laced with vinegar, but its heat calmed my stomach and my nerves." (63)

Common sense tells would prevent me from being lead into a place by a strange, degenerate old man, much less drink any of his wine. This novel takes place in Barcelona, close after the war. I wonder if the war is what caused people to be less cautious because there must be quite a few beggars on the street who simply have no where to go. However, this instance is not the only one that displays a certain comfort with strangers which is why it sparked my attention.

Why I Chose The Shadow of the Wind

I have chosen the novel The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon for outside reading this quarter. I became interested in this novel because I remember my mom reading it last year and absolutely loving the story. I also remembered it was a world literature novel and decided it would be a good choice for outside reading this quarter. I am excited to begin this novel and anticipate this to be an engaging story. I am also interested in this novel because it is about a subject I know very little about. I'm looking forward to expanding my knowledge about this dismal time in history.

The Kite Runner-Week 7, Post B

This novel has taken me on such an amazing journey. I have been enticed from the very beginning and the author kept my interest all the way to the end. There have not been many books I've read for school that have done that. Khaled Hosseini does an impecable job of revealing the horrors and truths about the struggling country of Afghanistan. I never knew how bad things really were until I read his novel. It has truly opened my eyes. The reader bonds with many of the characters and personally suffers when the characters suffer. This is an emotional story that will rip at your heartstrings. To read a story as compelling as The Kite Runner forces the reader to evaluate their own life. Amir spent the majority of his life regretting one day in his childhood when he didn't stand up for his best friend who was being sexually abused right before his eyes. I believe a major message this story is teaching is simply this: Do the right thing. That may be a lesson one learns in kindergaten, but people forget how important that message really is. It's a message that follows you your entire life and is not meant to be forgotten.

The Kite Runner-Week 7, Post A

Vocab:
-Squalid (329): Foul and repulsive, as from lack of care or cleanliness; neglected and filthy.
-Milieu (338): Surroundings, esp. of a social or cultural nature

Figurative Language:
"He gave me a curt little shake; it felt like squeezing a sparrow." (328) This quote is an example of a similie describing the quality of Raymond Andrews's handshake.

"I felt like Jean Valjean sitting across from Javert." (328) This statement is an example of a similie describing how Amir was feeling sitting across from Raymond Andrews. If you are familiar with the show Les Miserables you understand that Amir is feelign very nervous and there is quite a bit of tension.

"He pressed his hands palm to palm, as if he were kneeling before the Virgin Mary." (330) This statement is an example of a similie describing the way Raymond Andrews folded his hands.

Quote:
"'Can I ask you something Mr. Andrews?'
'Yes.'
'Do you have children?'
For the first time, he blinked.
'Well do you? It's a simple question.'
He was silent.
'I thought so,' I said, taking Sohrab's hand. 'They ought to put someone in your chair who knows what it's like to want a child.' I turned to go, Sohrab trailing me." (331) I found this quote to be a clear example that Amir is finally taking initiative to help others besides himself. He has told his story to Soraya, which I think has lifted a huge weight off his shoulders. Now that his story is out in the open, he feels that he can finally repay Hassan for all the good Hassan did to him in their childhood. I have not seen Amir be this assertive with anyone before and I believe this experience with Sohrab has changed him permanently.

Theme:
The theme I noticed in this passage was the importance of taking initiative to help others who deserve it. Even if that means stepping out of your comfort zone.

The Kite Runner-Week 6, Post B

Hassan continues to surprise me with his fierce willpower. His mother, after leaving him the day he was born, returns to reconcile and Hassan finds it in his heart to forgive her. Not only does he forgive her, but he takes her in his home and nurses her back to health. This woman never even held her newborn son. When Sohrab was born, it was nice to see Sanaubar taking such an active role in his life. She clearly regretted the time missed raising her own son and decided to compensate by helping to raise her grandson. She became a prominent figure in this boy's life and as Rahim Kahn said, "The two of them were inseperable." I'm glad that for the few years she had left, she was able to reconnect with her son and actively participate in his family. Hassan is one of the strongest characters I have ever read about. It's the little things he does that makes him appear so emotionally strong and stable. For instance, when he returned to Baba's house to live with Rahim Kahn he insisted that he and his wife live in the hut in the backyard out of respect. Rahim Kahn continually told them they were welcome in the home, but Hassan would hear nothing of it. I would have wished that Hassan would have just gone and lived in the house, but he displayed such willpower and respect in that little decision. Every decision he makes seems to reflect upon his strong sense of self and others.