Hi everyone. Let's keep this simple here in the beginning. For this post I would like you to write about whatever intrigues you about this book. I could write about any number of things here -- I find a lot of it very intriguing -- but I'll start by talking about the overlaps with The Catcher in the Rye and The Great Gatsby. As we discussed in class today, Karim has a Holden-like moral code that keeps him "safe." His reasons for not sleeping with an out-of-town woman in Doha sound very much like Holden's reasons for not sleeping with Sunny the Prostitute. Like Holden, Karim prefers to talk. I thought what Tony A. pointed out was interesting: both Holden and Karim have their own languages, and in some ways these language separate them from others. With respect to Gatsby, I like how Karim and Nick Carraway are both perched between worlds, one foot in and one foot back ("it don't pay to live like that" -- The Avett Brothers), simultaneously "enchanted and repelled" (I'm quoting Fitzgerald). Perhaps they are perched between different worlds, but one still gets the feeling that they are being pulled in different directions. I thought it was suspiciously interesting that Karim was given the "green light" to go ahead with his project. Hmmm. English Teacher Symbolism?
Remember the rules: 1. Write freely but don't swear; 2. Answer the question; 3. Refer to at least one other person's post.
Mr. Harrington, while it is interesting that Karim got the "green light" for his project it is definitely English Teacher Symbolism and nothing more than a coincidence. Getting the "green light" is only one of a thousand idioms used in American culture that Karim is trying to understand. The main thing that intrigues me about the book is how detached Karim seems from society and how the other characters interact with his separation. I think that the separation is more than just a cultural barrier. Karim is very precise in each aspect of his life. Everything is a math problem to him, his personality in addition to the culture difference is why Karim is an outsider. Jeff and Dan exclude Karim because of this. If Karim had a more sociable, charismatic personality Jeff and Dan would be more likely to look past the cultural divide. (Not that Jeff or Dan would be good friends to have.)
ReplyDelete"Everything is a math problem to him, his personality in addition to the..." Wow Tony, that was smooth. Adding in a little math flavor of your own with the addition part haha. Sorry Mr. Harrington but I'm going to have to agree with Tony and say you've got some English teacher symbolism going on there. Similar to what Tony says, I find it intriguing how Karim looks at the world around him. As Tony says, he looks at life as a math problem but he also dissects everything around him. It seems like every time he goes on the subway he finds a new person to critique. Not necessarily in a bad way but it is his personality that makes him continually do this. Being submerged into a new society, I think many of us would do the same thing and judge the people around us. Karim's view and perception of the people around him is what I look foreword to keep reading about with this book.
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DeleteWhat intrigued me the most about the book is how factual it is. Wayne does a good job tying Karim's character to his research on New York City and the historical events that happened around the time period in which the book takes place, like the Mets wining a playoff game against the Atlanta Braves or the bombing of the French Embassy in Iran. Wayne does an outstanding job connecting Karim to these real world events, which makes me wonder if Karim is really a fictional character or a real person? When he yells at the people outside celebrating the Mets victory to quiet down it is simply because he is not accustom to the American lifestyle, yet (like what Robert said).
ReplyDeleteWhat intrigued me about this book is how Karim is functioning in the new world that he has entered. I also think what Antonio M. said was another reason I enjoy the book, it is very factual and has many historical references throughout the book. I enjoy how Karim reacts to the US citizens and how they speak english compared to him. It is funny how Karim understands the english language really well, but he does not understand the slang that has developed. It's also comical how he doesn't understand sarcasm or any other tones of voice. And for the "green light" it is definitely english teacher symbolism, even though it is a pretty big coincidence.
ReplyDeleteIn my perspective, what intrigued me the most is the strong connection between both Holden and Karim. The personalities were mirrored in the sense that they both have their own way of looking at society. Holden is disturbed by most of what he sees however he seems to have an automatic response to the negatives of a person. Karim seems to react the same to the people in soceity, but maybe more relaxed. Karim seems to want to fit in step by step as he slowly makes his way. Kind of scary Mr. Harrington.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with what Antonio said about the book being factual. What intrigues me about the book is Karim's view of America in the only "american" language he really knows...programming. New York is one big program from Karim to decipher and analyze. Karim studies the different mechanisms of human behavior in the New York program. It seems that he has a metal understanding of how the program, or in other words, society works and is now trying to fit into the equation.
ReplyDeleteI feel like Holden and Karim are complete opposites. To go along Jesus'es comment comparing how Holden is much more harsh when judging people. Also how "Karim seems to react the same to the people in society, but maybe more relaxed." Holden does not really have a goal that fules him to go on hence getting kicked out of four schools etc. While Karim is always willing to put in extra hard work to be a successful programmer, to put his sister through school. Holden is always thinking about the past when Karim is thinking about the future. I also like how Karim writes down all of the slang he hears and notes it as being important for him to better himself to become a better business man.
ReplyDeletei think it is really interesting how unlike the other books we have read this year it is told from the perspective of someone not form the u.s. i think that karim does'nt judge the people he meets but rather makes comments on how they act because he is trying to learn about our culture and how we interact with one another.
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DeleteOut of all the books we have read this year this one is my favorite. There are many things that interest me about the book. One, i love karim's mind. How he thinks and how he analyzes foreign situations. It gives us, the readers, an idea of how foreign people view the U.S. It's a new perspective on our own culture. But Karim's mind is unique. His mind is sharp and universal. Meaning he thinks in Karim-esque, shrub-esque, mathematical, emotional, american and foreign perspectives. Two, i like observing Karims relationships with different people. Seeing his father and how he can help relate to Rebbecas daddy problems. I think that Karim's experiences with different types of American people have helped him understand the US more.
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